A Labor Weekend...

I got a lot accomplished last weekend. I canned 34 pounds of tomatoes for starters. Twenty pounds became stewed tomatoes, and seventeen pounds were canned as crushed tomatoes.

I cleaned, cored, and froze the other 15 pounds (the balance of the bushel I purchased) to deal with later. One quart didn't seal (my fault because I didn't put it on securely), so I made spaghetti for dinner. Nothing like fresh tomato sauce.

I took the day off on Sunday, so yesterday was my baking day. One loaf will go up the hill for Andy and Shelly, and another will go to Dawn and Pete (bartered for pints of freshly-pickled, home-grown beets). The rest are for our freezer until we need them.

I was up in the dark today to work my shift, but banana nut bread is in my future. The bananas are "ready". The rest of my day is up for grabs.

I hope you had a great weekend. I'll be back tomorrow.

Labor Day 2026...

 

Sunday Scripture...

John 13:34

Tomato, Tomoto...

This Labor Day weekend will get underway for me by processing a bushel of tomatoes into canned stewed tomatoes.

There'll be nothing better than opening a jar of lovely local tomatoes this winter for homemade spaghetti, chili, or other delicious dishes. A little work now for a big payoff later.

I'd better hop to it  a bushel is about fifty two pounds of tomatoes. I'm going to be at this for more than a minute. I hope you have a great weekend!!

 

Looks Like I Made It...

Well, I finished ahead of schedule...but barely. I got down to the very last spot only to find I was about three chippings short and out of brilliant check purl in that size and color.

I looked in the corgi cup I use for thread ends, and even checked the carpet for the rare snippet that bounced off my fabric when I was cutting them, and thankfully found what I needed. I know more is already on the way, but I would miss my goal. As it was, I finished ahead of time by a few hours.

Next, I'll release it from the ground fabric and finish it into a brooch for our granddaughter. All that will be left then is to create the insert and place it in a special box for her. I'm one happy grandma.

Could Today Be The Day?...

I sat at my Lowrey stand all day yesterday and made great progress. I panicked at one point, thinking I'd used the last of my .5 mm brilliant check, but I found more in my inventory. I'm sure I have enough to finish now, so perhaps today will be the day I secure the last piece. I'm certainly going to try. 

We're expecting rain today, so l plan to stitch until dinner time. I think a bit of laundry is on the agenda, too. Here's hoping I'll be ready to cut this brooch away from the ground fabric today (or very soon). 

I hope you have a great day, too! I'll be back tomorrow.

September Already...

Month Number Nine of 2026, and we're off to the races. Another August to remember as another loved one with medical emergencies. I've been hesitant to mention this, so I apologize that this will be vague.

I'm not sharing many details, mainly because we have no idea how it happened. I'll just say this started August 19th, that it required an ambulance ride, three weeks in ICU, some time in a regular hospital room, and future months in a physical rehabilitation facility. 

This is a close family member who was alone at the time everything happened, and this was definitely not self-inflicted. I need to stop there, but our family has spent hours trying to figure this out. As that's not possible, we pray a lot, and there are many correspondences and trips to the hospital. It's been (understandably) very stressful for our entire family.

For this reason, I've canceled my planned knee replacement surgery for October. Handsome is always my caregiver post-op, and I will not ask him to split his travel and concern between two people and places. Instead, I'm going to be supporting him.

Today will be a restful stitching day. I'll be in my happy place with my love and our girls. I think it's exactly what we need right now. 

Here's to a better month. (Prayers and good wishes are appreciated.)

 

Piece By Piece...

I know it doesn't look like much, but the silver brilliant check is a smaller gauge than I usually use, and each chipping (cut piece) is tiiiiny! You can see them in my little bees wax pot in this picture. That silver strand next to my laying tool is what they look like uncut. It seriously took me a couple hours to get this far.

I'll work on it again when I get home from work today. (I'm liking these new hours, by the way.) I'm hoping to at least complete half of this heart by the time I stop later today.

Wish me luck!

 

This...

This is my first full week of my new schedule. Just as I'm leaving for work there's a crack of Thunder, some lightning, and it starts to pour. It's scheduled to last about as long as it takes me to get to work and inside. Great.

See you tomorrow  

 

Sunday Scripture...

John 5:24

Saturday Silliness...

Count me in, Steve!

 

A New Start...

I started the bridal brooch for our granddaughter yesterday. I chose all the components, set up the ground fabric in my special hoop - the one that belonged to Handsome's mom, and started work on it already.

This is how far I got before I stopped for the evening. I'll work on it more over the next few days, as I embroider toward the finish. 

Although I haven't heard a date yet, I'm sure there'll be a bridal shower pretty soon, and this is one of the gifts I'd like to give her. So I'll keep stitching until this is finished.

August Classmate Dinner...

Another classmate dinner has come and gone. Likewise for this month! The time just continues to fly and soon enough it will be September.

We had a larger group this month, and Handsome joined us again. (He took this month's photo.)

Front row: Bruce, Deb B, Brad, and Cal. Back row: Mary, Lisa, Dan F., Deb N., Dan N., and me.

I took orders for caramel pecan rolls and they ordered seven two-packs, so I spent the morning baking. Just so you know, it wasn't my idea to hold them up for the photo, but I did laugh that they did.

Today, I'm going to locate tomatoes for canning this weekend, and start another "Something Blue Bridal Brooch" for our granddaughter. I'll tell you more about that tomorrow. 

The sun is shining, and it's going to be a perfect day for just being home. Hope you enjoy every minute of yours!

I Love The 'Ber Months...

Image via Handmade Treasures by Jan

My youngest sister, Jan has a lovely group on Facebook - "Handmade Treasures by Jan" - as well as her "Treasure Trove of Gratitude" group. You may want to check them out.

Jan shared this image she created and I loved it. The 'ber months really are my favorites. To me they signify the earth preparing for rest after a productive spring and summer season. 

I'm especially looking forward to this year. I still have canning to do this season, and it's much more enjoyable when it's cooler outside. I'll fill the pantry in preparation for the winter ahead, and when the snow flies, Handsome and I can stay safely tucked in the farmhouse with the girls.

This year is especially exciting for us as our elder granddaughter is getting married in October. She's our first grandchild to "tie the knot". We love her fiancé, and can't wait to celebrate their new beginning.

How do you feel about autumn? Are you a fan or not?

PS. Sorry I'm behind on responding to comments. I promise to catch up soon!

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho...

Do something fun (and think of me) today, okay? See you tomorrow.

It Was Just One Of Those Days...

Late start. Handsome going to the hospital (visiting a family member). Dogs need tending. Have to run to town. Need to mow the lawn. Oh, wait!! I missed posting today! Hold my horses. 

It's only Monday, and already I'm starting out behind. Geez, Louise. 

Working my regular shift 10-4 tomorrow. (I start the new Monday/Tuesday 6 am to 10 am next week). Classmate dinner Wednesday. 

Sorry I'm late. It's already past 3, and I think I need a nap. I'll try to do better the rest of this week.

Sunday Scripture...

Philippians 4:13

Saturday Silliness...

We all do, Steve. 🤭

Almost Ready For Takeoff...

Monarch Front

I've finally released the butterfly from its hoop. First I used an awl to open small holes so I could insert each wing part. 

After each wing section was inserted, I turned to hoop over and stitched the wires to the back side of the body. I added a small bend near the end of the wire and continued to secure them so the wings couldn't be pulled out. I repeated this four times, securing all wing sections.

Monarch Back

Once the wings were attached, I cut the fabric away from the hoop, leaving enough extra to wrap around and secure the new body form inside. 

This photo shows the back after I finished sewing the fabric around the form. I'm a bit chuffed that the stitching on the back of my wings mirrors the front, making the wings look more realistic.

Closeup of Monarch Body

As you can see in this closeup, I haven't stitched the back of the body detail to cover all the fabric yet. It's really fiddly to hold the body in my hand while I complete this embroidery phase, so I admit, once I enclosed the body form, I took a break for the rest of the day.

All I have left to do is that detail stitching, and adding the legs! I'll share photographs once my Monarch is ready for takeoff!

A Lost Day...

All my Monarch supplies are still waiting for me. We had a family emergency today that completely derailed my stitching plans.

I won't go into details because we want to honor our family member's privacy, but I can tell you that Handsome and I are fine. This will be ongoing for the foreseeable future, but I should be able to get some more work done today. 

My first job will be to remake the body form slightly bigger. Once that's finished I'll be inserting the wings onto the stitched body and securing them to the back. Then I can remove the body from my hoop and begin encasing the form with the stitched body. These steps will take a while, but I'll make sure there are photographs to share  

Thanks for any prayers you may want to lift for my very vague family member's healing. God will know who you're talking about. Big hugs for all of you from me.

 

Beauty In A Jar...

These tomatoes were so tasty! I turned nine pounds of them, along with half a pound of green peppers and six ounces of sweet onion into these three gorgeous quarts and one pint of stewed tomatoes. 

The jars all sealed, are cleaned, labeled and in the pantry already. I'm looking forward to more tomatoes when they're ready to make more of this scarlet-colored goodness. 

Today is my first day of my new early morning shift. I'll be done by 10:30 am and will have the rest of the day ahead of me. It's going to be interesting to see how this night owl adjusts. We'll see. 

Veggie Days...

I received this beautiful box of goodness from Dawn and Pete yesterday and will be processing them into stewed tomatoes (with the addition of onions and fresh basil. The gorgeous green peppers are from Shelly. Why the delay?

Because I received nearly forty ears of fresh-off-the plants sweet corn from our neighbor Earl on Saturday. Handsome helped me shuck most of it, while I stripped the golden goodness off the cobs.

By late afternoon, we had fifteen pints cooling (with lids popping) on the counter. Of course, we had fresh corn on the cob with dinner both Saturday and Sunday nights, too. There's really nothing better.

Of course, no money changes hands.  I'll be taking fresh-baked pecan rolls to both of them during the week. That's how it's done between neighbors in farming country.

Happy Monday, friends!

 

Sunday Scripture...

Galatians 6:9

 

Never Goodbye...

Friday Crew. Front: Isobel, Ashley, Molly, Kim, Tina
Back: Max, Chloe, me, Brandon.(missing: MJ) 

Yesterday was my boss, Kim's last day at our station. She received a great offer from a large chain of stations and decided to take it.

I've known Kim since she was six, and I love her dearly. I originally started working at the station to help her out when she was short staffed. I said I'd stay on until she could get reliable help. That was two and a half years ago.

Now she's on to a new adventure and I'm still there. I'm going to stay to help Mona who was there before Kim or I. Mona worked for the previous owners, but she doesn't want to be a manager. Even so, she knows all the workings of the job and she's really indispensable. I'm changing my work schedule at her request to help with some of her duties and her fall schedule.

I'll be having my second knee replacement in October, and will be off until I've finished another round of physical therapy. Until then, I'll do my best to help Mona until a new manager is hired. 

I know Kim and I will keep in touch. Her folks are friends of Handsome and me, and we've all been friends outside this job. While everyone else was tearful and saying their goodbyes, I was the one hugging Kim and cheering her on.

This is an exciting new chapter for her. I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

Almost Ready To Fly...

Notice Bella in the background. She's always close when I'm stitching. 🖤

I spent hours at my needlework stand yesterday, and got quite a bit accomplished. I started by cutting and covering the antennae and legs. 

They were a lot less fun than I remembered. This task requires wrapping a single strand of silk thread (78" long) around a thin 6-1/4" length of wire. My fingers aren't as nimble as they were in 2019, which means it just took a bit longer than last time.

Once I completed the stitching on the butterfly's body, I attached the antennae to the head portion of the body. I realized at this point that the spare body from my red spotted purple is probably a bit small for the slightly larger monarch. I'll need to make a new one that fits.

Then I released the wing parts from the ground fabric and trimmed everything as close as I could without cutting into my needlework. That part of my task alone took a couple hours. 

When our class made our red spotted purple butterflies, Owen told us that we could take a dark marker to the trimmed edges if the light fabric showed. I used a fine tip Micron pen, and carefully moved around each wing part. Now the backs of the wings match the fronts. (I'll share photos of that in another post.)

So here's the list showing my progress, with one addition. I'll be attaching the wings today, and make the new body insert so I can prepare to close the fabric to form the body.

I'll be sliding into a new weekend by getting close to the finish line. I'll have new update photos soon.