Tomato-Tomahhto

I've done more gardening this year than in the last 3 years and my back is telling me ENOUGH! Here is Roger's tomato plant. It's grown a lot since he planted the little thing a couple of weeks ago. There are a large number of bunnies in the yard who are keeping a close watch on it. They are waiting for the darling little tomatoes to appear so they can have a special luncheon party. Seriously, we have a Momma bunny and two small bunnies who come out daily and eat bird seed. Naturally they prefer the Goldfinches thistle seed at $14.00 for 2 lbs. to the rather plain regular bird seed of the common kind. Good thing I love watching them. We are not serious gardeners here with vegetable patches and such. We realize that we are out-numbered and out-cuted by our furry garden friends. The word is out and we have no dogs to deter their fun so, essentially, this is critter paradise. Yesterday the chipmunk stretched his little self and ate Roger's blueberry flowers. We're all about the amusement factor here. The geraniums are going in the porch planter boxes since they like a lot of sun.

I'm not getting much done on the sewing front since the planting is causing me a lot of discomfort in the back and sciatica area. The one thing I'm working on I really can't show since it is one of the two gifts I'm going to finish for gifts.

I must go and work on those things while I can sit comfortably. It doesn't last long. I'm going to be one of those old ladies who carry around a poofy little pillow for my behind. I should make myself one.

Time for a cuppa tea and a bite for lunch. Come on over and join me!

Quilting blog....Really???

Here's a shot of one of the Hibiscus I got for Mothers Day from Roger. It's the most vibrant color. James got me the pink one I showed in the last post-that is smaller but full of blooms in a very pretty pink. I've been so busy planting and cleaning and somehow never getting around to the fun quilty stuff. My fault really since I am the Scarlett O'Hara of housework. I'm very behind in the mundane things that need to be done. Housework sucks. You may quote me.

My BIL Bob is back to work today after a few days of discomfort from his procedure last week. He seemed in fairly good spirits yesterday and that made us worry a little less. One day at a time.

I've been giving the gifting of quilts a lot of thought. I think I'm going to lay off the gifts for a while. I foolishly think it means something to others because it means something to me. That's very arrogant of me to assume that others can understand the value or importance of something hand made. We just don't live in that world anymore. A blogging friend made a quilt for a silent auction at a school to raise funds and the highest bid was $40. That speaks volumes about how people value hand made work. That small bid wouldn't even pay for the materials for the finished quilt not to mention the time and care put into it. Sad.

Anyway, I have a number of things to finish and bind and I think I'm going to keep them with one or two exceptions. Then I'd like to work on a quilt I've been saving fabric for. Maybe I need something a bit more of a challenge to re-energize my spirit.

Hope you are doing something fun in the sun. Talk to you soon.

Blooming Monday

It was an almost all-hibiscus Mother's Day for me. I got 3 very large apricot ones and a smaller pink one. Well, throw in some fabulous Hollyhock plants, dusty miller, new guinea impatiens, and a couple of other I can't remember right now. That's what landed on the porch yesterday. Roger put the beautiful hibiscus into their big containers and the pretty pink smaller one into a pot and this morning I planted the dusty miller down near the driveway. It was perfect planting weather(very unusual for spring on Long Island) not humid and icky at all. Dry, crisp, and sweet. Could not have asked for a better weekend. Later, Roger BBQd some really great ribs and eggplant and potatoes. Yum. Lovely day. My son did a lot of work around the yard and some additional work for Uncle Bob which was a really big help. I can't thank him enough for that. Bob is going to have some tests done at St. Francis tomorrow and we are praying that all is going to be well with a limited bunch of crap. I'm going to make a nice meal for all of us tonight-some beer-can chicken and grilled veg. and tortellini salad for dinner. Taking advantage of another beautiful day and who knows how long that will last.

I put together the log cabin blocks and decided to make it into a wreath. I like the way it came out. Some borders and a bit of hand quilting will finish this simply. One gift out of the way. I'm taking the advice of you dears who suggested I keep more things for myself....just as soon as this is done....sigh.

Talk to you soon and say a prayer for my BIL Bob. We love him and need him to be back to normal soon. He's one of the good guys.

Soggy Log Cabin Blocks

I suspect our computer is in need of defragging or some such thing like that. It's so slow right now I could walk to your houses and chat faster than posting.

Or maybe it's just water logged like the rest of us. Hope this isn't a peek at what's to come. Soggy, hot weather go away. I know, I'm never happy with the weather unless it's 65 and crystal clear blue sky. Is that so much to ask for? Apparently it is.

Just because it's a boring blog without a picture-here's a peek at a little piece I'm making. This is the beginning of the Birthday Season at our house. Virtually everyone in our family has a birthday in the next two months or so. Several close friends included in that as well. So I'm putting together a few things that might be nice for that. It got me thinking about gifting people with my work. Maybe it's just a thing I think is nice and based on my recent baby quilt experience...maybe no one really gives a crap. Undecided about that as yet but I am seriously thinking of just buying some gifts and keeping the stuff for myself and perhaps the occasional quilty friend. Just because it's my cup of tea doesn't mean other feel the same-and I know if you're reading this you're most likely a quilt lover so I'm sort of preaching to the choir. It does seem lately that I give nearly everything away. My house is like the electrician without lights. I have one quilt on display and aside from a set few that are meaningful to me-I'm kind of sick of the rest right now. Maybe they need to age in the attic for a while while I stop giving away my work and put it up on my own walls for a change.

I was going out to the nursery to day to look for a couple of planter box pretties but now it looks like it's going to pour again...dang.

I wish all you Mom's a happy Mother's Day. Do something nice for yourself. Back soon.

Rain Again Tuesday

First, I'd like to thank all of you who were nice enough to respond here and personally to my question regarding....pork...ahem.

I feel so much better but as long as I'm being stared at by my porcine friend.over there....the subject of pork is closed for ahhh...today...snort.

It's raining here again. We really need to check ourselves soon for gills because everything is a sloppy mess. I have a haircut today and some letters to write. Hope to sneak a little sewing in there too but it doesn't look good right now since I need to make a trip to the store for tortillas and such since yesterdays enchiladas didn't get made because of that. Today is Cinco de Mayo so it worked out for the best. Must have some Mexican treat for dinner to celebrate. Wish we could have some Margaritas but Roger can't have liquor so we'll just punt. Green chili enchiladas!Yum!

Hope you have a festive day...cha cha cha.

Rainy Monday

If Amy is reading, I mailed your package today.

I'm going to ignore the rain(the endless rain) and try to keep a smile on my face. Here's something that will help. I ordered some of this lovely fabric from the good folks at the Fat Quarter Shop. They are my new best friends forever. So lovely to chat with and they have great sales and great prices on stuff. The was one of two I got to replace the fabric that I took from my Robyn Pandolph stash that I was stupid enough to use on a baby quilt. No mas, as our friends down south say! I'm putting some borders on another piece I left to languish in the Closet for too long.

Here's a fun thing if you have any of those cute charm packs and wonder about what to make with them. Over on the upper right of my blog is a link to the Moda Bake Shop. They have a pattern for nine patches made from charms. Called 9-patchtastic. Very cool and the math is already figured out for you which in my case makes it possible. Math challenged person here. Other than cutting out little tiny squares for 9-patches I would not have thought of this. It took someone who thinks mathematically to think of it. Thanks Moda Bake Shop. A very cool place. Check it out.

My son started his new job today. I'm hoping it goes well since he left a place he really liked very much to work here. More money and it's about a mile from our house and benefits he didn't have before. Cross your fingers. I'm kind of afraid he's going to be bored and I really hope I'm worrying for nothing. That's what Mom's do. We are saying some prayers for Dani's Grandmother who is not well at all and for my BIL Bob who has gone to N.C. to visit relatives for a few days. Dani's Grandmother has had a rough few years and I haven't even had a chance to meet her yet. I hope she gets much better soon. Bob is struggling with a couple of health issues right now. His latest problem is just one more thing to deal with. We hope he's relaxing on his trip. He can sure use some of that.

I'm holding down the fort and getting the usual laundry, ironing, and cooking done so I can sew a little. Chicken enchiladas for dinner. Does anyone know if it's safe to buy pork? I'm going to get pretty tired of chicken and the usual stuff soon. I miss the loin of pork on the grill but I'm not sure if it's safe. We never seem to hear anything about that. Dang swine.....

Anyone for a trade? & Bunny Adventures

THE FABRIC EXCHANGE IS DONE-THANKS AMY!

I got these darling fabrics from Keepsake in my Medley of the Month. They are very sweet but I have sworn off the baby quilt making until I have a grand kid of my own. My feathers are a little ruffled in that area. I should learn my lesson a long time ago but I still insist on making things for people and so my ruffled feathers are all my fault. Anyway, these darling Moda Pampered Pooch fabrics would be sweet for someone who is making a quilt for a little one. What I need is background fabrics in any type of off white, cream, beige, white on white...like that. I will trade my 6 fat quarters for yours. Let me know.


The other day V of Bumble Beans took pictures of her city surroundings and reminded us to look up. It made me pay a little more attention to my own. I don't have skyscrapers and such but I do have the occasional interesting wildlife.

About 2 weeks ago Roger discovered a bunny feeding on bird seed in the yard. He's a good sized bunny and lives in the thicket along side our house. It's dense area that is alive with birds and chipmunks and such. Now it appears to be the home of Mr. Bunny, who by the way is quite adorable. As bunnies are wont to do, Mr. Bunny likes to eat the tender young things growing in the area. Since it is a large yard and full of green shoots and tender vines I suspect he really likes his new home a lot. A few days ago I noticed the hillside volunteer tulips had bloomed again this year. They are bright red and the squirrels must really like that color since they have moved a larger number of bulbs here over the last couple of years. We didn't plant them and, at this point, there isn't another tulip on our property so I know they were filched from another yard and brought here by furry little paws of some sort. Anyway, I thought they were so bright and pretty and then off to the grocery store I went. About an hour later I came home and 3 tulips were dead headed with only an errant red petal laying on the ground...hmmm. Yesterday, the bunch of 5 had two blooms left. Apparently, bunnies consider tulips something akin to Fritos in the people world. Nice little snacks. So here are the pictures of the remaining tulip petals and a shot of where I think Mr. Bunny has made his little house. The pics are clickable.

I really love watching the critters around here so it doesn't bother me that they lunch in my yard. I do think that the chances of growing tomatoes this year have become a little more slim. I hope they don't like Moon Flowers because it isn't really summer here unless we have our Moon Flowers. I guess we'll see how this develops since Mr Bunny is very brave and hangs out in the open where, I suspect that, Mr. Hawk is keeping a close watch on his lunch....nature often solves it's own problems for me around here. I'd be sad to lose him though.
That's all the news from the hill for now.
Let me know if you want to trade-I could send out a package on Monday.
Back to the sewing.

Got Wheels???

Hey...knock knock....hey! I'm trapped in my house...without a car. The upside-I'll probably get something done. Why is it though that when you don't have a car that's the moment you MUST DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY but YOU DON"T HAVE A CAR.

I know it's a mind game but weird nevertheless.

James is having his Baby#2 (car) painted this week and so he is using my car. Dani (gorgeous daughter-in-law to be)is his Baby #1 but she doesn't need painting. He is starting a new job next Monday and it involves more money and a ridiculously short commute(about a mile)so he is loading up the various pieces of the Baby #2 that have been worked on or abandoned for newer car stuff into my SUV and taking them to a dumpster. For the last few days he has been very sick with a stomach virus not of the swine variety(thank goodness).

We are all fine so far. I just got a little stomach bug and I'm fine now. It was so little in my case that it didn't even effect my consuming a couple of slices of pizza last night. Italian food is like mothers milk right? It cures whatever is bothering you. Good for colds, flu, viruses, etc. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I'm working on the Blocks for the American Jane and I think I've gone as afar as I want with it. I also sewed up some Log cabin blocks from a nice assortment of fabrics I got in a Keepsake monthly shipment recently.

The last picture is a gallon bag of cut selvages that I have been saving since I found the fabulous Selvage Blog of Karen Griska. If you haven't had a look go now and do so...I'll wait...Jeopardy music......Isn't it cool. Seriously you can spend a while viewing the amazing creations of people from all over who decided that selvages are so pretty you can't bear to throw them away. That and because I needed another fabric passion(ahem). She asked for people to show their collections of selvages and mine is so meager that I am shamed but want to remind everyone who knows me to save their selvages for me...Terry. On the right side of Karen's blog there is a pattern for flying geese using selvages that is very cool looking. I must try this when I get enough saved.

Anyway, May is just around the corner and everyone I know has a birthday in the next two months so I better get going on some gifty things.

Of course, I could avoid all this if one of you would come and pick me up for lunch-I'm buying???Anyone????

Nine Patch Quilt on e-Bay.

Nine Patch for "Love Without Boundaries"

Today, I am posting an e-Bay page for the quilt that Victoria (aka Bumble Beans) made from nine patches that we donated. The bidding could get you a great, very colorful, quilt. The money will go to a great organization called "Love Without Boundaries"-really worthwhile cause.

Here's the direct link to the page to bid if you can.

If you haven't been over to visit Victoria, don't miss her wonderful, very artistic, work on her blog. She's very generous with ideas and challenges. A very innovative artist-don't miss the fun. Right now there is a challenge to quiltify a work by Matisse. Great eye candy.

I've spent too much time these past few days checking out blogs that are new to me from the amazing list on Amy's blog. This Quilt Festival idea was a touch of brilliance. Last time I checked there were over 500 people linked there. Fun!! The only problem is getting something done and peeling yourself off the computer. I set the timer and walk away when it rings. Otherwise the family would find me here still in my pjs when they come home.

Getting dressed and sewing now....really!

Silk purse from Sow's Ear

I've been watching, with amazement, the line up of links on Amy's blog for the First Annual Bloggers Quilt Festival. What a great idea this was and how much fun it is to see everyone come up with their stories and posts about their favorite quilts. It's inspiring and fun.

I've thrown my little blog into the mix with my favorite quilt. Many years ago I made a quilt with fabric I really loved in a sort of scrappy mix. It was long before the quarter inch foot and more precise methods of cutting. In short, I kind of winged it. The resulting top looked every bit the experiment it was. No two seams lined up and even though I loved those fabrics, it was a mathematical mess. Tic Toc Tic ...time marched on.....the quilt lay folded and forgotten in the Closet of Shame. One day, I was reading my friend Debra's Blog and she called for any quilters who cared to join in making Quilts of Valor for injured returning veterans. I sent her an e-mail explaining all about the pretty mess that was folded in the Closet. She asked for a picture to see just how bad it was. I didn't even have enough fabric to finish the top and bottom borders. Nothing I said discouraged Debra. She told me to send it on to her to see what could be done. At some point she sent it to Deb Geyer, a great long-arm quilter who had volunteered to quilt it. I really hoped that Deb wouldn't hate me forever after seeing the mismatched seams and blocks of different sizes. When It came back from Deb to me for a binding I nearly cried. It was so beautiful. The quilting made a silk purse out a real sows ear. It was quilted with feathered wreaths and feathers in the borders. I momentarily regretted giving it up. As it turned out, the quilt went to a re-hab hospital to a young soldier who had lost an eye in Iraq. I took a number of pictures before sending it on and it makes me smile eveytime I see them. I hope it gave as much comfort to the young soldier as it gave me. You really never know how much the quilting makes the quilt until you see what an expert can do.

The pictures are clickable and I urge you to do so to see what a professional job is like.

After this experience I had another similar top in the Closet and donated it as well. Again, Deb made magic with the quilting but that's a story for another day. Hope you enjoyed this one.

Thanks to Amy for making this possible. After seeing the links-it must have been a full time job these past days.

Springy Happiness

While I was out and about this morning I noticed that pale yellow and green hazy shade that comes right before everything breaks into a riot of color. The forsythia are blooming everywhere and when the warmer weather they are promising comes this weekend, every little green shoot is poised to blow up into pretty green leaves. I had a morning full of errands with Library returns and dvds that were overdue and trips to the Pantry to pick up mail. I found a couple of possible good reads. The first is a book containing the Kimono collection of a Japanese woman. Each page is an explanation of the fabric and a close up of the pattern and fabric and general information on the Kimono. It's very beautiful to look at. Also, for a little dish, I picked up a new biography of Fred Astaire called "Puttin' on the Ritz" I found a copy of the sequel to "The Witches of Eastwick "called "The Widows of Eastwick" that could be fun since that was always one of my favorite novels by John Updike and I loved Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the Devil in the movie. Who could ever forget the fabulous Veronica Cartwright in the cherry spewing scene. Even though the movie took great liberties-I still watch it when it's on just to see Veronica in that moment of complete lunacy. She was recently a Judge on a Law & Order. I love seeing her pop up. Last, but not least, I got the last disc in "The Tudors" and can't wait to see more of that. We watched "Doubt" and thought it was very well done. James saw "Seven Pounds" and loved it. I haven't had a chance to see that yet.

We had Leg of Lamb for Easter dinner and for dessert we had Lemon Blueberry Cake from Copenhagen Bakery. It was very hard to wait for dinner to be over so I could get my hot little hands on all that lemony lusciousness. Other than that it was a quiet and peaceful day.

On the sewing front....not so much. As I've mentioned to some blog friends, in order to get any sewing done I have to get my act together early in the day because I use the kitchen table to work on. I have to clear the decks for family dinner-so I just don't get that much done. If I would ever clear the decks upstairs, there would be room under all the crap for me to work uninterrupted. Yeah, any day now. We are looking at some major overhauling of the old place so I may have to face the horror very soon. We need to rip out carpeting and put down hardwood upstairs and the whole house needs painting. Downstairs the kitchen floor needs replacing and the parquet flooring needs either re-dressing or replacing-that's an unknown as yet. We need a flooring guy to come and tell us what can be done. Our house suffers from CHAOS Can't have anyone over syndrome. So that's where we are right now. I believe it's called LIMBO.

I hope you're getting out to enjoy the season. Talk to you soon.

There's no such thing as normal...

One of these days life will resume something resembling normal. Right? A therapist once told me there's no such thing as normal. She was Indian and sounded like Apu Nahasapimapetalon. I can still hear that lilting voice. Normal for me is not having to see another Dr. for a long while. That's what makes me happiest. I will strive for a Dr.-free month ahead.

I forgot to mention the other day I got a yard of the ruler fabric and a layer cake of American Jane. I've been away from sewing for a few days again since I had to go and have a redo of my mammogram. Whenever I get it done the left side always reads problematic. They tell me I am dense...well at least there...on the left side...quiet down back there. Anyway, I get it taken care of this morning and we can all take a deep cleansing breath now. All is well with the girls.

My nose is healing V e r y slowly and I have broken out in adolescent acne and a cold sore on my lip. Worry usually leads to both these things for me. It just looks ridiculous at 60. I would like to ask the powers that be if if we could come to some sort of truce. ENOUGH NOW???

When I left the radiation and sonogram I thought I would have a quiet day sewing. James came home from work with a pain that turned out to be acid reflux. He's medicated and sleeping now and I wish I had followed my first instinct and gone shopping a few towns over rather than going home. That'll teach me. Always go with your first instinct. Natures alarm bell.

I'm hoping the weather stays just cold and not snow. We have had a few left over days of winter creep in. The only good thing about April snow is it's gone in the blink of an eye and next week it will be 80 so I'm not going to complain.

Hope things are good in your neighborhood. Back soon and ready to greet the Easter Bunny.

More little Blocks

Let me just say that if you are unfortunate enough to hear the words electro-cauterization and nose in the same sentence spoken by a Dr.....run...run...run like the wind. I took a pain-killer last night after said surgery and still woke up with pain at around 4 am.

Today it's starting to hurt less and so I put in a couple of loads of wash and then got back to the American Jane mini. I'm enjoying these blocks so much. Everyone is different and cheerful. The photos are not doing justice to how bright and happy this design is. Makes everything(except my nose) feel better.

The second picture is a pile of fabric that came in a Keepsake medley. It's much prettier than it appears in this picture. Not sure what the plan is for them yet but I'm percolating and idea for a simple throw our of charm squares. I'm going to blame my bad picture taking on my diminished capabilities-painwise. I think I'll get a cup of tea to soothe my throat since I'm breathing through my mouth and my lips and mouth feel like the Sahara. Then I'm going to make a couple of more blocks and chill out in front of the tube. The 4 am wake-up is getting to me.

Before I go, I just want to thank Kay, of Out of the Basement, for the nice award that she gave me. Kay does beautiful work and reads great books. Those are two things that mean a lot to me. I wish we lived closer but in lieu of that I always look forward to what she's up to because it's always well-done and thoughtful. Plus she has fabulously adorable twin grandchildren. She recently finished a red and cream star quilt that if to die for. Kay, I think, is one of those people who make you look better by just hanging around with them. Thanks, again, Kay.

I'm hoping to feel a lot better tomorrow. I'll be back soon.

The Fun Continues

Really, these American Jane fabrics are so much fun. Especially on a bright spring day. It's gorgeous outside. Made a little side trip to get my hair cut and mail a package and drop off some Rxs at the pharmacy. Then I hurried home and sat myself back down and made a few more blocks. I just love Sandy Klopp. She must be a bundle of fun. How could you not be a happy person and design like this. It brings back memories of playing with paper dolls.

I have a nice piece of brisket BBQ-ing in a slow oven for the better part of the day. It's sort of like pulled pork..but beef. On buns with shredded lettuce, onions and such. Yummy!

I've kind of ladeedahd the day away today so I better get a few things done. On Thursday I have to go back to have additional cauterization on my nose. It just started bleeding again-like Niagara Falls. I'm beginning to think that maybe that's the reason I'm so darn tired all the time. I don't want to give you TMI but with these kinds of nosebleeds maybe I could use some iron or something. I 'm really afraid of having to have my nose packed this time. It was a suggestion of the Drs last time and I really don't want to go there. Wish me luck. I must have the mega blood vessels in my nose because when they try to take it from my arms I have NO veins...none. Just call me paleface.

Onward to dinner prep. I'll check in as soon as I can. Hope your having this kind of weather. It could stay this way forever.

The Badness of Dee

Here's part of what I've been up to these past days. This was a Quiltathon weekend so I dug into the goody box I received and challenged myself to use nothing but color. No background beige or white. Where I would have run into a problem is that the fabrics I received are all in pieces and, perfect for a relatively small paper pieced project, but not enough for a border or any plain blocks. So...I did the only thing left to me to solve the problem...snif snif...I had to call the Fat Quarter Shop and order a jelly roll of American Jane fabric....soooobbbbbb. I reconciled my badness by telling myself that I was helping to boost the economy...yep, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Anyway. I printed the pattern off my Carol Doak cd and in it's original form it's a square block. I removed the "keep proportions" option and made it into a diamond in a square. Fun.

Aside from that, I made the mistake of getting the second season of "The Tudors" so pfffft, there goes the week. No, seriously, I had to go for my mammogram and some other stuff got added in there as well. Maybe it's spring, I don't know, but I'm in a very Scarlett O'Hara mode right now that has me unable to focus much. I was glad I started the paper piecing since it made me focus on that at least. With spring, comes the sunshine and suddenly everything in the house looks shabby and in desperate need of painting and fixing. That's probably where Scarlett snuck in. It's just too big to contemplate-I'll think about that tomorrow. I wonder if I could get Melody & Dave to come up for a visit and bring paint, ladders and tools?? Hmmmm...only if I could convince them here's a meeting of the Botanical Society at my house. Now that's funny!

Enjoy the day. Back soon.

Great Mail and Good Reading

Interesting story. About a year and a half ago, I did an exchange with another blogger. I sent her a bunch of quilting books I was no longer using and in return she was going to send me a bag of left over scraps from a Kaffe Fassett quilt she was working on. She asked me to have patience because she was finding it hard to finish with family obligations etc. No problem says I. Send it when you can, I'll be happy with whatever you send. Time goes by. Her blog never gets up-dated and the mystery fanatic in me wonders what ever could have happened to this woman. Not for a minute did I feel angry that she didn't follow through because I was going to donate these books to our library anyway. I just couldn't stop thinking about what happened to her. It's funny what this blogging thing does to you. You really form an attachment to people even if you never meet. We find out things, sometimes personal, about each other and form these friendships that are very close in some ways...but not close in other important ways. I really couldn't imagine what happened to her. If she had up-dated her blog or closed it, I would have just put it out of my head but that didn't happen. The abrupt stoppage seemed to hang there like something profound had perhaps happened.

Yesterday, I was cleaning up my in-box of the hundreds of messages that I allow to hang around much too long and I came across an e-mail from her. Even though I deleted about a hundred other messages, I just couldn't delete hers. It still was a mystery unsolved. Last night my husband came home with the mail and he had a good sized box under his arm that he said was for me. Last week, I won a pin cushion from a fellow blogger but this was a pretty big, and heavy box for a pin cushion. I could hardly believe my eyes. It was a box from the lady of the Kaffe fabric. It was loaded, as you can see, with scraps and even fat quarters of Kaffe fabrics. There are also a huge pile of American Jane fabrics and, my hand to God, yesterday I had the Hancocks catalog in my hand to order American Jane in a jelly roll since I love the fabric and adore the lady who designs it. Cue the Twilight Zone music. I was so excited I couldn't wait till dinner was finished so I could get my hands into the box and play. What a great box of goodies. She included a pattern for a quilt and a nice note. I was so delighted, and a little freaked by the coincidences, that it was a very exciting evening for me. I'm still twirling with delight at my good fortune and so appreciative. I will send her a note of thanks because I'm un-sure if she reads my blog and I want to express my happiness at this lovely box full of goodies. I honestly can't wait to get my machine out and play with these pretty things.

For those of you who are mystery readers I may have mentioned that I'm a big fan of Jonathan Kellerman and his Wife Faye Kellerman. I just finished reading "Bones" by him and picked up this new one(above) by her the other day. She gets better all the time. I'm just getting into it because I have a number of distractions so I can't just sit down and read cover to cover, which is what I usually do with these books.

I hope you have as fascinating a day as I had yesterday in your world. It was really a WOW. Talk to you soon.

If Stacey is reading, I tried to send you an e-mail but it came back un-deliverable. You can e-mail me on my bio page but I can't seem to contact you. Sorry. Let me know if you have a blog. Your page is not open to comments or contact.

Some Good News

I thought it would be nice to share some very good news. James got his biopsy results and he doesn't have Crohn's Disease. That's the best news in a while around here. He has to be more focused on his diet and that can only be a good thing. Our visitors are in Manhattan until tomorrow. They went in for the St. Paddy's Parade and a show on Broadway. Peace is restored for the moment. I'm working on some business for the Pantry and catching up with the laundry and such.

Our weather has gotten really nice for these past few days. Spring is on the way. Love it!

Why is it that when you can't get to the sewing machine you come up with a fountain of ideas that you would love to try immediately. Oh well, I'm taking a few moments to click around and see what you all are up to. I saw a BOM on someones blog that looked like fun

I saw it in the original form as you see in green on the left. Then I saw someone else had made it in different springy shades and I like both ideas. I should probably think of this as a Christmas project to work on now....you know, before
Christmas(heh). Here's the candy colored one. Isn't it adorable? It's paper-pieced and I can't remember where I saw this so I apologize to the very talented person who came up with this great idea. If anyone knows who is offering this would you let me know so I can send my mea culpa and an apology...and lots of praise. If I do make this I'm thinking I would start with the fabulous hand dyed gradations that I bought from Darcie last year. I would need to add something additional but the colors I got from her are luscious. So that's what's on my agenda right now.
I know I said I wouldn't blog till next week but I wanted to share the good news about James and say that my nose is healing nicely. Thanks to all of you who left nice messages. I'll talk to you soon.

Stuff Continues to Happen

O.K. I'm being polite and not using the phrase I would like to but nevertheless it's all too much stuff lately.

I miss my sewing machine, which has been covered, relegated to the basement, and left in the dark...much like me.

We have family visiting for a few more days and so there is just too much going on that is of no interest blog-wise. Cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, dinner out, etc. My son had his colonoscopy last week-he has ulcerative colitis and is taking meds for that-he is otherwise doing well. BIL Bob will have treatments for his illness begining next week. Multiple weeks of radiation. We love him and will do our best to help him keep his chin up during this. As for me, I had to have the cauterization to my nose again last week-bad nosebleeds, blood vessel that will not heal. Too much information???Just shoot me! We will all survive and spring is on the way. Tralalala.....la.

I'll be back with better chat next week when I attempt to resume normal activity around here. Miss you all and I haven't even had a chance to read around and see what's up. Talk to you soon...don't forget me!!!

Stuff happens

You know how life goes along smoothly for a long time and then one thing happens and then another and then something else and then you put your hands up and say Whoa Nelly? We are in the Whoa Nelly phase for the time being. Several health issues have popped up for us. My son has to have a colonoscopy next week-he's been having some stomach issues. My BIL Bob has had some health problems that require more than a band aid-actually they require some prayer and hopeful thought. My other BIL Richard is coming next week for a visit(don't even get me started on that subject) and it just seems like we need some serious attention to things around here that are not blog-worthy. I seriously doubt that I'll have much time for any form of sewing in the next week or so. That said, I hope to have time to read around the blog world and see what everyone is up to even though I just can't seem to find anything worth writing about at the moment that isn't about these health problems and who wants to hear about that stuff anyway. How's that for a run-on sentence?

I would ask you to say a little prayer for my BIL Bob, who means an awful lot to us here. I'll try to get back with news when I have some. Meanwhile, sew something fun for me. Back soon with good news I hope.

I blatantly stole these snowdrops from the Internet. There are some in my yard just like them but I haven't had a moment to get out and take any pictures. Monday we had a snowstorm and it was 20-today nearly all the snow is gone and it was nearly 70 yesterday. Same today. I even have to fan on upstairs in our bedroom it was so warm. Mother Nature-Whoa Nelly!

Brrrrrr

Baby, it's cold outside! We got the worst of it yesterday. More than a foot and now the temps are really down and it's windy.

We really haven't had a major snowfall in a couple of years so I guess we had this coming. That's James trying to find a place to throw some more snow so he can get to his car and un-cover it. We got there eventually. Not until it was almost dark out. Memo to snowblower users...the snowblower doesn't like bluestone.It just wouldn't quit snowing. Bah! Last week I had on a light shirt and the windows open. This will take forever to go away. Well, at least the sun is out.

All the "boys" finally went off to work and I'm doing some cleaning before I tackle some sewing things.

I made a quick little table topper for a friend that needs some light quilting and a border. As soon as I finish the border on another little piece that needs mailing out.

Blogger was very bad yesterday-in fact, the whole Internet experience was pretty bad yesterday. It's somewhat better this morning but not great.

I need to get going so I'll talk to you soon.

Lost & Found and manners

That describes both this small piece and the state of things around here for the last couple of days. We had some health issues for my BIL Bob. He's alright now but the past few days have been no fun for him. He's home and happy to be here and resting up so things are getting back to normal again. While I was wading through various piles of fabric and assorted stuff I found this little quilt that is all ready to be machine quilted and bound. I made it from a package of pre-cut 5 inch squares I got a long time ago. It's been hanging around forever under some other stuff. so I'll give it a quick bit of work and a place around here somewhere to hang out.

I am, once again, behind in my work for the Pantry so I really need to catch up. I was reading JudyL's blog these past few days and it struck me again how mean people can be about things on blogs. As I said to her in a comment today, I will paraphrase my Grandma and just say" if you can't say something nice, click away to another blog" These posts are supposed to be about the things we have going on in our lives and want to share. There are some who apparently see it as boastful to express our delight in achieving a life-long goal or getting something we have wanted or even being financially sound. If that offends someone, I'm not sure what that says about them. Read something else. JudyL is one of the hardest workers and most helpful people it's been my pleasure to read about. She really enjoys life and I guess there is a certain kind of person who sees enjoying life as being uppity(is that a word?) Lord knows, life is uncertain and harsh in so many ways. It's a treat for me to read her positive outlook on life and those who have been reading her blog for a while know that she got to this point in life the hard way. Keep the posts coming Judy. It's just sad that there are people who would be so nasty but I guess when you take on writing this way you have to expect to come across a few witches to stir the pot.

I have to get dinner going now. The guys are on the way home and no doubt hungry.

See you!

Baby News & Wonky Stars

I can't decide what I like more-the wonky stars or the polka dots. I really love polka dots. I see a larger polka dot quilt in my future.

We had a really quiet weekend. Seriously, it was like a lost weekend-without the booze. Everyone here was in a sleepy-nap-taking mood and we all went with the flow. I did make a nice dinner for BIL Bob Saturday. I made a pork butt into pulled pork and it was very good. Carrot cake for the birthday boy and, sadly for him, we sang to him. I'm sure his ears are still ringing.

On the what's new front...our great neice made her first appearance on Saturday. Welcome to the world Katie Ray. Well over 8 lbs and Mommy Kristy is a very small woman so an 8lb baby probably took a lot out of her. She and Dad Adam are doing fine though. Wish I could show you pictures but I'm not sure how thay feel about that so I'll wait till I'm sure. Really cute baby though. Pudgy cheeks and adorable face. Everyone is very excited.

Anyway. I spent the day working on the binding for the quilt which I hope to mail out to Katie Ray in a day or so. Now I can put a label with her name and the date on the back.

I also played with the wonky blocks and I'm so in love with this type of block. It's a snap to make and always looks like a party.

Not much else going on around here. We are getting ready for a visit from our nephew David and new Grandpa Richard, my BIL who lives in Washington State. They are coming around the St Patty's Day holiday for a few days. Haven't seen David since he was a little boy. He's around 20 now so it will be interesting to see what has become of him.

This and the fact that the dust bunnies are taking over the house will keep me busy for the next while.

Hope to talk to you soon.

By the way, on the followers list there is a Sandra listed. I have no way of contacting Sandra but "Hi!" anyway. Let me know how to contact you. I love a good mystery and you've got my attention. Does your last name begin with a C ....? Are you a local.

Fess up!

I forgot to mention-I got an e-mail from a very nice person with a new quilting site that lists quilters blogs and has lots of other good info and ideas-check it out!

http://blog.missouriquiltco.com/

Wonky piecing

I made these wonky blocks for Stacey in Australia. They are making quilts for the people who have lost their homes from the bushfires. I hope to get them into the mail tomorrow.

I found an interesting thing happened while making these blocks. It's hard to do wonky blocks. Whoda thunk? You just sew random pieces to make the star points and it never looks right. That's because it's supposed to look wrong. I'm far from perfect in the matchy-match points area but it was equally hard to be randomly wrong. Anyway, the blocks are a snap otherwise and I enjoyed the journey to liberated quiltmaking. I hope to go there again soon. I think I'm becoming a convert. I put an additional packet of fabric pieces into the envelope in case someone wants to make more blocks with the leftovers. I've got too much to do right now to make any more myself . I hope it helps someone.

On the home front, yesterday it was BIL Bob's birthday. On Monday, since the guys were off for President's Day, we took a ride to the south shore and had lunch on the Nautical Mile in Freeport. For those who live far from me, its a place you can go to take a chartered fishing excursion for a few hours. They have a gambling boat as well. Anyway, there are a hundred restaurants on the water and even though few were open this time of year, we did manage to find one and have a lunch together. We had planned to take him to somewhere a bit nicer but that will have to wait a few weeks. Bob had the test for sleep apnea and it turns out the reason he can't sleep for more than a couple of hours is that he has a major case of it. I hope the mask will help him get some rest.

Other than that-I've got nothing. This seems to be a very down time here. Nothing really interesting....Except...the baby for whom I made the Delectable Mountains quilt is due any minute-that's pretty exciting. Can't wait to see the little darling.

Talk to you soon.

Bright & Random Happiness

I pulled out those blocks I showed the other day and determined that I need to find more of the whirly gig fabrics before I can do much with more blocks of that pattern. After a morning of communing with the vacuum cleaner and dusting, I decided to revel in the sunshine and open windows. Our temps today are nearly 60 and even though I know that it will most likely be 20 next week, I'm so perky today. Well, maybe it's the temps and maybe it's the new treadmill or a combo of both. Just standing at the window in the sun was fabulous.

So, I am putting another random round on the blocks and making them a bit larger. I had the presence of mind to throw the matching fabrics into the baggie before I tossed it into the pile so there are plenty of pieces to make up another couple of rounds of these blocks. I wish I'd had the same presence of mind for the Whirly gig blocks. I think I need to dig in the closet of shame for those fabrics and that may require a cocktail and an exorcist. After the softness of the baby quilt colors and some other things lately-this riot of color feels so...happy! Off to enjoy the probably all too brief taste of spring. Hope you have something fun to do today. If not....find something. Escape from home for an hour or two(hello??? Diane & Erika????)

More tomorrow.

Signs of Spring

The weather here has turned sort of springy and so maybe that's why I had thoughts of spring cleaning today. In my journey to the center of the pile I found these forgotten items and was a little giggly. I like both ideas but in particular, I was looking forward to making a whirly gig mini quilt. I really like this pattern so much and several people around the blog world have lately come up with their own versions. It's always fun and bright. That's the password for the week-fun and bright. I will move them to the front of the line with only two items before them. Besides, I need to leave the safety of the muted palette a little. I like the bolder colors and patterns so much. A bit of spice is nice!

We had quiet weekend with not much going on. It was pretty and warm. I opened the windows to air out the winter staleness. Very nice. By Wednesday we are to be in the high 50s. Time to get out and take a stroll. Maybe I'll hit the beach.

Hope your day is a peaceful one.

The Beast in the Basement

No-it's not me.

First, let me thank all you dear people who were kind enough to send us good wishes. It meant a lot to us both. Merci!

The treadmill finally got delivered yesterday...Yippee.

Tomorrow I'm going to bring the camera with me to the basement because this picture doesn't do it justice. This treadmill has enough displays and buttons to rival the cockpit of most airplanes. It took me over 5 minutes to program it and make it start. Thankfully I have discovered a shortcut for those who are not training for the Olympics. It also has connections for I-pods and such. I need to be entertained or it just won't be happening. Sad...but true. Here's the really bad news. I'm back to square one since it took two months to get it. I huffed and puffed and huffed some more and then I sat down and fell into a coma...just kidding.

For anyone who remembers my little "thread thing" this past year with Hancocks of Paducah, I know you won't believe it but I ordered some fabric from them and you further won't believe-it came in less than a month.....I know, I can hardly contain myself. I figured I'd give them another shot and frankly, I wanted it to work out well because they have awfully good prices on things like Kona cottons. With the stores now selling fabric for 9+ bucks a yard and the personal finances a bit tight, I'd like to help the local shop but to be honest, I know where she lives and it's a 2 million dollar house and her husband gave her the store to play with. I'll wish her good luck and pay Hancocks 4 and 5 dollars less and feel bad quietly. I like to go there occasionally for a treat or two but I have to conserve somewhere and buying less expensive background, backing fabric, and thread is one place I can do it.

So I got the fabric to finish the baby quilt and to use as backing for another piece. I really should buy it by the bolt.

Anyway, that's what's going on around here. The weather has been so cold. I was about 12 degrees out last night when I went out to dinner with a friend of mine. Afterwards we walked into Michael's. What a dump. When I can walk all the way around any craft store and not even be tempted it's really bad. The only thing available that wasn't crappy looking was the Martha Stewart stuff an really...who does Martha think she's kidding? I know...everyone! I picked up one of those multi-rolls of ribbon that she sells cause it was pretty, on sale, and I felt like I might use polka dot ribbon for something nice. When I opened a roll it was a 6 inch piece of ribbon-no kidding. Well, except for Martha-she's kidding....all the way to the bank.

Well, I'm of to enjoy a cuppa and maybe a movie. Roger is home today and he twisted his back-driving my car. He took my 4-wheel drive monster to work in the bad snow and ice the other day and he's not used to climbing in and out of the larger vehicle. His back didn't like the change at all.

Hope your day is a peaceful one.

Gratitude

It's been twenty five years since this picture was taken and I treasure every day since then. I was a different person then, not better or worse, just very different. The thing that remains the same is my love for Roger and our life together. It really doesn't get better than this. So, while I remember those fun filled moments cruising around the islands of Hawaii, the scents and the sounds, I am thankful that I made that long-ago decision to walk away from that old life and begin anew with this one. Roger is my touchstone for all that makes me happy. When I am afraid, he makes it better. He cuts me more slack than the rope will allow and his main mission for the past twenty five years has been to make my life a happy one. I have not always appreciated that gift as much as I should have. For that I'm sorry. Now, when I have a clear vision of both the past and the present, I have grown to appreciate all that has been given to me. One of my favorite quotes from the bible is "to whom much is given, much is also expected". Not sure if those are the exact words but the meaning is spot on. I think it is what drives me to help, to nurture, to give to others, and to care for what is important in this life.
I know I don't say it often enough but I really love this quiet man who took the first wild chance in his life and bet on me. I hope we have many more years together to appreciate each other and enjoy the life you've worked so hard to give us. Happy Anniversary to us.

Anniversary Quilt

Here is the perennial Anniversary quilt I once joked would be for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Whoops...we're there on Wednesday. Up until yesterday it was just blocks in bags waiting for attention. Many of the fabrics came from getting those monthly historical repros from Keepsake. Anyway, I pulled them out and sewed them into rows in the afternoon and showed them to the Thursday Night quilt group last night. I need at least as many more blocks than you see before you to make a good sized bed topper(and new quilt for R and his cold toes). I won't get it done by Wednesday, but it was really good to get it out and let it breathe again. I have a baggie full of finished block quarters and some that haven't been squared up and sewn together yet. I also kept aside a whole grocery bag full of the scraps of these fabrics so there are plenty more. This one will be big so I think I may send my first quilt out to be quilted professionally. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

I really hate football but I so enjoy the party and goodies that go with it. On that note, I have a tray of enchiladas to donate to that effort on Sunday. If you beat the truth out of me(like you would need to) I would tell you I'm only there for the dessert. Someone always brings those mini cream puffs(Hi Terry) and they are my serious downfall. If I were an enemy spy, the other side would only have to put a plate of cream puffs in front of me, just out of reach, to get the truth. So that's where we will be on Sunday afternoon-pretending to be football fans.....go.... whoever!!!

Have a yummy weekend all.

Enough 9-patch blocks

Just a quick note to say that Bumble Beans has enough 9-patch blocks. She wants to thank everyone who volunteered for their generosity.
Back later with a post....

9-patch Jumble for Bumble Beans

I spent part of the afternoon yesterday making 9-patch blocks for Bumble Beans to use for a very good cause. If you have some 9-patches taking up space or a few minutes to make some(2 inch squares-block finishes about 5 in)check out her blog and help out. Nine patches are like eating peanuts-you just can't stop and they are so rewarding. A little effort and a big reward. They're always so sweet. Just grabbed some scraps and went to town.

We had a snowstorm yesterday and my "boys" were home so it was a sort of lost day. I never really accomplish much when they are here-so much distraction and so easy to be lazy....sigh.

Our treadmill from another planet has finally arrived in the store after a trip up the east coast to several Dick's Sporting Goods Stores. Memo to self-do not buy from Dick's. Pardon me but the name sort of suits them. My BIL Bob made the purchase for us as a Christmas gift and we got one but it's in the basement where it has sat for 6 weeks...not working. By now Bob has probably paid the very expensive bill, since he bought a really good model that can support our chunkyness. Roger finally managed to get through and low and behold!!!! it arrived at the store yesterday...yeah...right. Now we have to wait for the delivery company and set-up guys to get it here. Meanwhile we feel like the slugs that we have become. The temps have gotten a little better and most of the snow is gone, due to a heavy, warmish, rain that followed the snow yesterday. That's my kind of snowstorm.

There is the annual Superbowl party at our friends house Sunday and it will be good to get out of the house for something other than a quick trip to the grocery store. By the way, every time I set foot into that place it becomes more like $200. Target. Geez it's expensive to eat decent meals.

Gotta go now and do some laundry and get back to the Mighty Viking.

Borders & Binding to Come

Not sure why but this picture keeps coming out so dark and kind of muddy. Camera battery maybe??My floor is eggshell and these colors look too intense but nevertheless...here's the layout sewn together. A simple, plain border, simply tied and bound and off it goes to it's destination. I really loved making these blocks and will probably make more in the near future, perhaps more scrappy. I would dearly love to do a wall hanging like the one that Amanda, of Crazy Mom Quilts, did. Scroll down if it doesn't show. That girl is so fast nothing stays put for long. Anyway, she made a quilt quite literally of bits and she offers a link to the design concept. It's fairly straight forward but if you were to get stuck the plan is simple and carefree. You really can't make a wrong move with these free form pieces. All of that I credit to "Lazy Gal", Tanya herself and Gwen Marston and, not to forget Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville. Very inspiring ladies all. All except Gwen are in my links on the left.

I wanted to show the two really great gifts I got from the Thursday Night Quilters Christmas exchange this past week. We gorged on delicious appetizers and fabulous pound cake. I can't believe how lucky I am to have such wonderful, and talented, friends. The "coat rack", which will most certainly not be used as such, is stunning and Pam did a beautiful job on the blocks. They are so perfect and pretty. This darling birdhouse, which is really quite big, is all ready to be put out in the spring and the copper will turn to beautiful verdigris in no time. It was a lovely evening and they are such sweet women.

Yesterday I went with Dani & James to IKEA. What fun. James wanted a new chest of drawers and he got a really nice one. Of course, much cussing and fuming later that night-it was all together and since he had already purchased a new tv stand for his flat screen-he's a happy camper. It was fun watching them do something domestic together. My heart is very full.

I must go and put the roast in the oven and do a little clean-up and such. Hope you have a great Sunday.