I've Hit The Ground Running...

Handsome's brother arrives today from Maine, so I've been running since I woke up. So much to do, since I was busy with other things (and work) the past few days. I only now realized I hadn't dropped in to say "hi" today. (This photo was taken years ago. Heck, that's the old porch behind them!)

Our granddaughter's couples wedding shower is tomorrow, so I'll stitch down the second side of the quilt binding and add the label today. I'll share photos of my finished quilt with you tomorrow.

I still have a few things to finish, so I'd better close for now. See you tomorrow!

Unusually Productive...

 

I was just a busy beaver yesterday! I worked my 6 am to 10 am shift, but came home with purpose. Number One on my list was the lap quilt. I had to split my attention, though, so Handsome helped with that.

I changed clothes as soon as I got home, and then retired to my studio. As I'd already pinned my "quilt sandwich", it was "just" a matter of choosing thread and sewing. But, I had another project to run at the same time.

Two days ago I bought fifteen pounds of McIntosh apples from a local grower who brings bags to the station. I wanted to get them processed into applesauce before they went bad.

I enlisted the help of my dear husband. We got out a Nesco roaster, washed and quartered the apples and set them out on the porch to cook down. All I added was a bit of lemon and some spring water. While I sewed, Handsome monitored and stirred the apples. They simmered all afternoon.

I completed sewing on the quilt binding and preparing it for hand sewing while he made dinner for us. We were both finished at the same time. I turned off the apples and we had our evening meal.

After dinner, he did cleanup and I processed the apples into applesauce. Back on the stovetop with only a tablespoon of cinnamon and half a cup of sugar, those beautiful apples were turned into five quarts of applesauce. Talk about teamwork! A half hour later (at about 10:30), I covered the jars to seal overnight and headed to bed.

I picked up a shift for 10 am to 2 pm today, so I'm on my way out the door now. Can't wait to tell you how today goes. Gotta run...

A Full Day...

Even so, I didn't get to the quilting part yet. I did finish making the binding; assembling the back; layering the back, batting, and front, and then pinning...and pinning...and pinning. 

By the time that was all done, so was I. Handsome came into the studio and declared it "lights out" for the day. I didn't argue. 

I work early today, but when I get home, I'll be quilting layers together. We'll see where I go from there.

The Top Is Done...

I completed piecing my quilt top Sunday afternoon, but needed Handsome's assistance to get it photographed. Measuring 64" square, I was too short vertically challenged  to hold it up to get a pic. He was more than happy to oblige.

I went into my magic drawer and found just enough of the dark Farmhouse Flannels fabric to accomplish the border. whew!

Once that was done, I found another assortment from the same line, so I decided to piece together enough 4-1/2" squares to create the binding for it. I'm going to cut this into two long 2-1/4" strips, which will give me the length I need. I hope I like the unconventional binding, because I don't think I have enough left of the line for an alternative. 

So when I get home from work today, I'll change from my work clothes into my play clothes and get the top, batting, and back set up to assemble the quilt for sewing. 

Before I call it a day, I'll have the binding attached, leaving just the hand stitching - and adding the label. Yippee!

Sunday Scripture...

Psalm 33:5

Saturday Silliness...

I know where you'll find me!

 

Kenny's Back In Action...

I forgot how heavy he was until I lifted him onto my work table. I figured setting up my work space like this was the most effective .

I think the top may be complete, unless I decide to add a border of blocks of all the fabrics I used around the outside of it. It hangs here while I decide. (Input welcome.)

I'll complete it over the weekend...which is once again upon us. sigh

 

Dream Life...

Via Old Fashioned Life on FB

May Be My Next Insect...

I came across this image of a beautiful Sphinx moth while perusing Facebook and was really taken with the colors and shading.

While you already know my next needlework project will be the goldfinch wall hanging, I think this will be on my butterfly/moth to do list in 2027. Isn't it beautiful?

I'm working on the "couples lap quilt" at the moment, and will share photos when it's complete. Lots to do in a short time. Gotta run...

 

A Gift From A Friend...

On Saturday, I met a former classmate who now lives in Oklahoma. She was back in Wisconsin visiting with family. 

She contacted me before she left home to see if we could get together while she was here because she "had a surprise for me". Ever a fan of surprises, we planned to meet last Saturday.

She told me she's been seeing my Facebook posts sharing photos of my baked goods, so she gifted me with two pounds of gorgeous Texas pecans! Then, she told me to just let her know if I ever wanted more.

She enclosed a card with the company's information as well as instructions for long-term storage (like they could even be around that long).

We had a nice visit, then hugged and parted ways. Her dad recently passed away, so she had plans with siblings to clear out his house. She got an extra hug from me.

Now I just need to decide what I'll make with them. I'm leaning toward pecan pie tarts. They're something my paternal grandma made for us when I was a kid and it might be fun to make some for nostalgia's sake. 

These early morning hours are really agreeing with me, except that - even setting an alarm - I can't seem to sleep through the night for fear I'll oversleep. Hopefully that will resolve soon.  I'd better get to it. I don't want to be late!

 

I decided to make a "lap quilt for two" for our granddaughter and her fiancé as a shower gift. I think this flannel assortment will be perfect. Soft for her, with a neutral color palette for him. Plus, I don't know their preferred color scheme for their home, so I think these colors are safe.

The fabrics are the Moda "Farmhouse Gatherings" line from Primitive Gatherings. I originally purchased the fabrics for a new "nap" quilt for myself, but we've always been told to gift something you'd like to receive, so I think this qualifies.

I'll continue working on this over the next week, and will do straight line quilting after I finish piecing it. I should complete this ahead of schedule (for a change). More progress photos later.

 

Sunday Scripture...

Matthew 6:26

Saturday Silliness...

Oh dear, Steve. I don't think that's what it means.  

Everything But The Acorn...

Our granddaughter's brooch is finished, save for adding Grandma's signature acorn to the back.

I used silver-finished kid leather for the backing, and a pin back to secure it to her gown or bouquet.

Grandpa and I will give this to her at the upcoming couples' shower. I'm also working on a large lap quilt for them. I'll be shooting for their shower date of September 25th. Once again, I'm going to be busy. sigh

We actually had a cool wedding gift planned, but found out that it's not going to work. The kid's bought a duplex as their starter home, which we think is smart and practical. So was our idea.

We wanted to gift them a quarter beef share, which necessitated a freezer for storage. We asked their dad to slyly find out if that would work. He contacted us yesterday to inform us that, not only is there no freezer (which could easily be rectified), but having no basement, there's no space in the house to accommodate one either.

So now we have to rethink our plan and come up with a new one. Any ideas from my wise and creative readers? Let me know.

 

They're Still Here...

One of three feeders on the front porch

Sorry my post is late today. Google wasn't uploading my images. Anyhow, I wanted to share a couple photographs of our wee hummers who are still visiting my feeders.

I've been changing out the nectar and cleaning the feeders to make sure they get safe food as they fatten up for their long migration south.

Feeder outside the pantry sink window.

I leave the feeders out well past the last sighting, just to be sure any stragglers are nourished. We've had at least three (probably more) here all summer. 

I've read that they remember where the feeders are placed from year to year, and they return to them. Also that they remember faces. I like that thought a lot because they're never far away when we're rehanging the feeders, and sometimes they even hover around us when we're outdoors.

So, I'll continue feeding these little bugs this season, and look forward to their return next year and beyond.

 

The Light On The Other Side...

Anyone who knows me well knows I already embrace this philosophy. Equally important is taking time for a walk with nature, and combining that walk with art or creativity is a bonus.

I have "chores" to accomplish today...bookkeeping, shredding paper, and tossing "dead weight". I'm going to try to do all this with a happy heart, knowing my outlook will be lighter once it's done. Knowing tomorrow will be better after I do this stuff I don't like to do. I'll look forward to tomorrow as I throw myself into today. See you later.

PS. We've had great news about our loved one They've moved to a facility where they'll receive physical therapy and the extended care necessary for the transition to returning home. Our gratitude for all the healing prayers and good wishes is immeasurable. Thank you.

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!