The Derecho

 For those of you who don't know what a Derecho is - it is basically a wind storm usually coming out of a thunderstorm but it is not a tornado.  These are straight line winds that can top 100 miles an hour - basically hurricane force winds but there is little or no changing direction with them.  We had one back in 2008 - Check Here for Pictures - we thankfully didn't take any damage but our power was out for 4 days.  This time the power was out about 12 hours but our cell service was out - apparently a tower out in Iowa went down and it was a domino effect that took out the towers for that provider.  We don't seem to realize how dependent we've become on Electricity and communications and when things don't work we are totally lost.  

The parts of the tree the wind took down

This branch of the tree embedded itself in the ground,  narrowly missing the siding and the basement window.  

 

It was quiet and cooler today - but the heat will be back tomorrow.  Will be working of a couple of quilts that I want to get completed.  Was working on the last borders of one when the storm hit yesterday.  

One more set of National Day Quilt blocks
National Kitten Day July 10
National Paper Bag Day July 12
National Lollipop Day July 20
National Pennsylvania Day - July 20

I was born and spent my first 17 years in Pennsylvania so I just had to include that day in my quilt.  I also added the little tiny town where I lived then.  

I have been doing a lot of reading this past 6 months.  Some of my reads include 

Skeleton Coast & Dark Watch by Clive Cussler

Patchwork Connections by Carol Dean Jones

Walk the Wire by David Baldacci

Dangerous Minds by Janet Evanovich

Ties that Bind by Marie Bostwich

Close Up by Amanda Quick

The Spy Mistress by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Corpse Wore Tartan by Kaitlyn Dunnett

Plus several more by Clive Cussler, Carol Dean Jones, Janet Evanovich and Marie Bostwich.  There are some more but my mind has gone blank on them.  My complete listing of books I have read starts Here I am addicted to reading and Quilting so the list is long.

New Month - nothing new

I don't know where the time has gone.  I seems like the days drag by with no where to go and nothing much to do, but all of a sudden the month is over and we have started a new one.  But then I look back and I really did get a lot of things done, it just doesn't seem like it at the time.  I've been working on several UFO's from as much as 10 years ago.  Just started 2 new quilts, one for my husband and one for my granddaughter, and still working on my National Day Quilt.  

Went out to do some Letterboxing the other day.  It was a beautiful day, sunny, not too hot and perfect for getting out.  Went to riverside cemetery to look for two Letterboxes and took my camera thinking I would do a little photo shoot while I was there.  Well I couldn't find the Letterboxes - that's ok - frequently the boxes have gone missing or I miss read the directions.  So I decided to take some pictures and found I forgot to replace the dead battery in my camera.  But it was not a total loss - I got out of the neighborhood, without having a Drs appointment, got some fresh air and sunshine and some exercise to boot.  

I have been designing my own National Day blocks and have been having a lot of fun doing it.  I don't of course do all the days - just the ones that interest me and I can think of a block to depict it.  

This group of blocks is from June
National Train Day June 10
National Egg Day June 3
National Donald Duck Day June 9
National Camera Day June 29

This group of blocks is from July
National Teddy Bear Picnic Day July 10
National Yellow Pig Day July 12
National Thread the Needle Day July 25
Independence Day July 4

I've completed two Quilts of Valor and an Old UFO from 8 or 10 years ago that I titled Hearts and Flowers.  It was stuck in a drawer partially quilted and basically forgotten.  It is now finished and probably will go in the charity quilt pile.  

Hearts and Flowers completed July 2020

This was a Thimbleberries quilt from years ago - I'm just so glad it is done and out of the sewing room.  

We did get the floor in the bedroom finished - it looks so beautiful I'll post a picture when we get the baseboard up.  We have hung the two doors but don't have the casings in yet so there is still a lot of work to do - but it looks soooooo much better.  

Got to go get the pizza dough started for dinner.  

I'm excited

I am so excited!!  I actually finished the piecing on my Circles of Life quilt top.  I bought the pattern about 10 years ago and started working on it.  It is paper pieced and rather tedious with rainbow colors and small pieces and eventually it ended up on the UFO pile as other things came up that seemed more important.  During this Quarantine I decided to pull it out and work on it.  I was determined to get the top completed.  After the first day of working on it I was fully aware of why it had gone in the UFO pile in the first place - but I was determined, and I finished it!!

Circles of Life

While I love the quilt and look forward to getting at the quilting - I will NEVER attempt another one.  It was an interesting challenge but I think now I will move on the another challenge - like the Mariner's Star UFO that is sitting in it's own tub - then again maybe something simpler. 

I have in the mean time been working on other projects like my National Days quilt blocks:

These are Memorial Day May 30
National Maritime Day May 22
Mother's Day 2nd Sunday of May
National Prayer Day 1st Friday of May

These are Nation Nap Day March 9
National Let's Laugh Day March 19
National Little Red Wagon Day March 25
National Pencil Day March 30

 This has been such a fun project, I'm looking forward to more of them.

I continue to make the cards - July has many family birthdays so I may be really busy with just cards. 

This is one I made for a family birthday this month.

It also helps with the getting a lot of sewing done that it has been rainy and cold.  The other morning I woke up to This:

It was dark, gloomy and pouring rain.  The water was flooded over the road and running down between the houses - it had overwhelmed the underground drainage tiles.  We've had a few really nice days, but now it is pouring rain again.  I know that in a couple of weeks we will be complaining that it is dry and the farmers will be whining that we need rain.  It is either feast or famine in the Mid-West.

I'm planning on going out to lunch for the first time since early March.  Of course we can't eat indoors - we have to do phone ordering and curbside pick-up but we can eat on the dining patio.  But at least we can get out and do something fun.

I continue to read - a lot:

Tie Died by Carol Dean Jones

A Wee Christmas Homicide by Kaitlyn Dunnett

Prologue to Murder by Lauren Ellis

The Corpse wore Tartan by Kaitlyn Dunnett 

Corsair by Clive Cussler

As you can see I've been enjoying Kaitlyn Dunnett's Series and I love Clive Cussler.  Carol Dean Jones in a new one - she is writing a Quilting series and I enjoyed the first one so I will try another one.  

Hope all are well and happy.  Remember to treat others and you want to be treated, think before you speak and consider the consequences before you act.

Living under Stay at Home Order Part 6

It has now been 9 weeks since I have been out to do more than go to the Doctor's, the Pharmacy and do a curbside pick up at the fabric store.  I would love to get back to my life, but I don't really see that happening any time soon.  I'm learning to be content in where I am and what I have.  I want to go to Church and quilt guild and out to lunch with my granddaughters and my daughter and daughter-in-law, but that is not going to happen.  Even with the restaurants opening in Iowa I don't want to go out like that.  With my immune system and my other underlying issues, I just can't risk it just yet.  I know I live in an area that isn't too hard hit, but it is still out there for now.  So I will stay home, work on my projects and do some new recipes and help my husband when I can.

We had plans to go on a trip to two National Parks for our 50th Anniversary on the 9th, but that of course did not happen.  Now we are making plans for when things are safer.  He wants to go to Bryce and Zion - which I do want to see, but I want to go to Olympic and visit my Niece in Oregon.  We will probably go to Bryce and Zion as we went to my choices last year - Glacier and the Badlands.  I'm just looking forward to the trip - it might not happen until our next Anniversary, but it will happen!!

My birthday was just last Saturday - we didn't do anything.  my daughter and granddaughter came out on Sunday to bring me gifts and we sat out on the front deck and talked.  It was wonderful just to see them.  I haven't seen either for them in over 3 months and they only live about 15 miles away. 

My little great-granddaughter had her first birthday on Friday and it was a Quarantine party that no one was invited too.  It was so funny and adorable.  We got pictures and a video to watch.  Not as good as being able to be there, but much better than nothing.

I have been making greeting cards for friends and family.  Paper-pieced fronts and just greetings on the inside - some are note cards, some are birthday cards, some are thank you cards and one was a sympathy card.  Some I designed myself and some are from patterns - it all keeps me busy.

 

There is also the Mug Rugs I made - some of my own design - for my daughter as she and her family loved the ones I make for Christmas a year and a half ago.  I love making them and they are fun and easy to do.

I'm still working on my National day quilt - These are mostly my own designs for the days - National Earth Day, National Tax day, National Audubon Day and Nation Arbor Day.  I have 6 more that need to be quilted which will bring me to the end of May.  Then I need to think about June's National Days.


The last project I have completed is my Quarantine Door hanging.  Most of the people in my neighborhood have been putting colored paper hearts on their windows as a sign of hope and to thank and support those on the front lines. I didn't have any colored paper - I gave it all to the church so I had to think outside the box - or inside my fabric stash. This is my Hope Quarantine Door Hanging.

I also completed a challenge project from my favorite Quilt shop - The Quilt box - in Kewanee.  Hence the drive by to the quilt shop - of course I had to place an order to pick up while I was there.  I forgot to take a picture so I will do that and post it later.

I dragged out a quilt top I started 10 years ago called Circles of Life.  It is a Paper-pieced rainbow quilt.  I quickly figured out why I had pack it away to years ago - but I am determined to finish it now.  I'm on the home stretch with it and "should" have the top finished by at least the middle of June - I'm not saying which year - just by the middle of June!!

 it has done nothing but rain here in May.  We have had nearly 4 inches of rain in the last 5 days.  The Rock River is in flood, the farm fields have huge puddles of water where they aren't flooded and our sumps are running a lot.  There really is no end in sight - it wasn't supposed to rain today - but guess what - it did.  We had some sunshine on Sunday while the girls and I sat on the deck (thankfully it didn't rain while they were here) and it felt so good to see it break through the clouds.  I know in another month we will be dying of the heat and wishing for some rain - but that is a month or more away!!

Today I'm catching up on my sleep, and some computer time and I will get back to my quilting studio tomorrow.  Not cooking tonight - eggs and toast for dinner sounds good enough.  

Latest Reading list:
Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evonavich
Kilt Dead by Kaitlyn Dunnett
Posidon's Arrow by Clive Cussler
Scone Cold Dead by Kaitlyn Dunnett
Back Fire by Catherine Coulter
A Thread of Truth by Marie Boswick

Living under Stay at Home Order Part 5

There are days when everything seems relatively normal and there are days when I feel like the entire world has fallen apart and nothing will ever be normal again.  I usually recover from that fairly quickly.  But I haven's been out to do my regular things - quilt clubs, aerobics, Quilt shop hops, lunch with my granddaughter and friends, quilt shows, church, Bible Study all the things that gave my live routine.  Now I have trouble remembering what day it is and even what time it is.  That is the hardest part is the lack of the usual routine.

I am managing  the last few days have been really nice and we did get all the yard work caught up, and also got both decks scrubbed down.  Yesterday we went for a walk down to the creek.  I was surprised that I could easily walk that far.  Since my knee surgery I have had trouble walking distances - but I guess cleaning the yard and scrubbing decks helps!!  I did find some wonderful flowers while I was out. 

The Violets brought back so many memories from when I was a girl.  We lived in an very rural setting and there were woods behind our house.  Every spring the floor of the wooded hillside looked like this.  I would spend hours picking violets and brought home large bouquets to my Mom.  Those were really good memories.

Another sure sign that the world is continuing to move forward are these gorgeous Daffodils from my neighbor's yard - actually they were closer to the ditch by the road - but it doesn't make them any less beautiful and  sign of hope.

I never saw Virginia Bluebells until I moved here - and I used to live a lot closer to Virginia than I do now!!  I think it's just a name.  I love the fact that the buds are pink - a beautiful shade of deep rose pink, but when they bloom they are this lovely blue.  I haven't seen any bluebells for a few years, but the entire hillside was covered yesterday when we walked by the creek. 

I'm still working on my quilting projects, Hue is coming along - I have the center medallion about half quilted and I am finished with the National Day blocks for April - not photographed yet but I will get around to it soon. 

Made more note cards, most of these ones have been sent out also,  want to get a couple more make and then I will have to order some more card bases as I only have about 3 more.  I'll work up an order - there are other things I'll be needing but nothing really urgent.  We are actually hanging in there fairly well.  Hubby does the shopping for groceries - I don't go anywhere - I'm at a much higher risk than he is although his risk factor is up there, but he's being careful and we are trying to eat well and take care of ourselves.  The Governor just put us on Lock Down for an additional 30 days - until the end of May. 

Talked to my daughter yesterday and we decided to hold a huge family Birthday/Anniversary/graduation/Mother's Day/Easter/and possibly 4th of July party when this is all over.  Since this started and before it ends (if it ends on May 30) we have 5 birthdays, 2 anniversaries and 1 graduation in the family.  One of those birthdays is a most important 1st birthday!! 

 

Living Under Stay At Home Order Part 4

It has been a crazy, informative time - There are many good things about the Quarantine and there are many less than good things.  There are things I thought I would miss and don't and things I didn't realize I would miss and do, and things I knew I would miss and I really miss them.  I miss seeing my grand kids and my great grand kids so very much, but then I knew that.  I miss the big family get togethers - you know the ones - they are exhausting and exasperating and so much fun!!  I miss lunch with my girls - daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters - lunch with my friends, & Coffee with my BFF. I miss Church and Bible Study and that Fellowship - but am grateful to my pastor for posting everything on the internet so we can all keep up and keep in touch.  And I miss my quilt gatherings and friends, and I miss the road trips with my quilt buddy.

I've found I have more time to help Hubby with the Spring Yard work - not something I'm thrilled about - I hate yard work - he usually calls me in when he wants something to die - if I tough a growing plant - it dies.  I have two black thumbs - I can only grow Dandelions!  I have more time for cleaning - UGH - not my favorite thing either!!

I've actually been doing laps in my driveway now that the rain has eased off and the temps are back up to something resembling Jacket weather.  I mean would you believe it - we had a couple of 70 degree days and then in one week we had TWO - not one but TWO - snow storms.  Not little flurry things but 4 - 6 inches of wet sticky stuff.

Snow on the Maple bud trying to come out.

The poor Robin in the back tree trying to avoid the snow.

I have also had plenty of time to work on my sewing.  I've been working on a Block of the month called Sophie's Garden - it is part cotton fabric with applique in wool.  I haven't done a lot of work with wool so this is a new challenge.  I also have my second Quilt of Valor  Ready to be quilted, that is going to happen as soon as I get the center of my Hue quilt Quilted.

I've also been working on my National Day Quilt  These ones are all my own design as Angie decided to take a break.  That's okay as I have been having a lot of fun with it.

April Fool's Day
Find a Rainbow Day
National Unicorn Day
Easter Sunday

I have the rest of April's days planned and/or completed but not finished and photographed.

Today I plan to try my had at making a face mask, finishing the center of the Hue Quilt and working on a Challenge put out by my favorite Quilt Shop  The Quilt Box.  Might have to help Hubby clean the front deck if it warms up a bit.

Been doing a lot of reading too mostly by comfortable, familiar authors:

Alien Allure by Hope Callaghan
Broken Bone China by Laura Childs
The Killer of Pilgrims by Susanna Gregory
Emerald by Phyllis Whitney
A Minute to Midnight by David Baldecci
Plaid and Plagiarism by Molly Mcrae

I'm looking forward to many things - a big family birthday party, a road trip to see my great-granddaughter in Chicago - a road trip with my Quilt Buddy/BFF, a Road trip with my Hubby, and a Church with all my church family.

Stay safe and Healthy.

Living under Stay At Home Order 2

It has been over a week for us now and we are still at home.  Not complaining  - been getting a lot of sewing done.  Trying to finish a Comfort Quilt but I seem to be missing some of the Half Square Triangles that I need - guess I need to "clean" the sewing room and see if I can find them.

We went for a walk today - it was sunny for the first time in literally weeks and the temperature was in the low 60's so it was perfect.  There was not a car on our road the entire time we were out - so very unusual, almost like when we first moved here and we were the last house on the road.  Believe me we are not the last house on the road anymore.

Been listening to Marie Bostwick in the mornings for the last few days reading a couple of chapters a day from one of her books.  It is so much fun, it is a book I hadn't read yet although I have read one of the others in the series so that makes it even more fun.

Had more appointments cancelled.  My Massage Therapy office has been closed by the state and hubby's cardiologist called today and postponed his appointment.  He is fine but the Doctor has to keep an eye on his heart.  We don't want to go through that again anytime soon.

Still working on my National Days Quilt. These are the ones I finished Quilting and labeling today.

National Sock Day
National Hard Candy Day
National Marching Music Day
National Dress Day

Looking for some good basic recipes for dinners.  I really don't want to have to go to the grocery store, I still have some meat and staples so I'm not planning on going for a few more days.

Living under Stay at Home Order - 1

I Have been home for almost a week now - since last Tuesday March 17.  I did go to the grocery store very quickly and returned home.  Have no real reason to go out again for another week.  Been getting a lot of sewing done - in another week I should have at least 3 completed projects to post.  They are all much further along than they were a week ago.  Been doing some reading, listening to quilting videos, cleaning house and helping hubby scan his parents slide collection.  Since I want to go to the store as little as possible, I've been cleaning out all those "planned overs" out of the freezer.  Some of them have turned out to be really good and I have no recollection of when I made them originally.  It's amazing what you can do when you really need to.

I would love to go out to walk at least but it has been cold, raining or both.  Then last night it SNOWED!  The buds are out on the Maple trees and it Snowed.

I mean come on!!  After this crazy winter and some 60 degree temps did we really need more snow.  The poor Robins are wondering around in a daze - like what hit them.  The squirrels in my front tree are having a blast.  There were three of them playing out there this morning but I was too lazy to change lens on the camera and walk out on the slippery porch to try to get a picture so I just watched from the window and enjoyed the show. 

Yesterday I finished my National Quilt day block and today I'm making a National Puppy Day block for my national days quilt.  I may end up with two or three quilts but that is ok - it's diminishing my scraps and stash and they are so much fun to do. 

Have a great day today.

My New Normal!

I've been staying home and avoiding people since Tuesday afternoon.  Had a Doctor's appoint that I couldn't miss.  My Quilt clubs have been postponed, Church and all it's activities have been cancelled, the schools and library are closed, the bank lobby is closed and I can't take my granddaughter out for lunch on her birthday today as all the restaurants are closed.

But on the bright side, I've been catching up on my sewing and quilting.  My plan is to clear the chair and table of half-done quilts and get them off to the groups they are slated for when this is all over.  We've actually started really cleaning the house - it is amazing how much better a room looks when you clear out what doesn't belong there and dust and sweep - wow we found the top of the dresser!!

When the weather clears and it quits raining - I plan on a morning walk for some fresh air and sunshine, since I live in the country the chances of running into a crowd of people is vanishing small. 

I did complete a quilt the other day - it is from a panel that someone gave me years ago.  Then we had a pipe freeze and burst flooding part of my sewing room.  Almost everything was in plastic tubs, but there was one crate that was an open weave - so about 2/3 of that got wet.  After a run through the dryer, and the nightmare of having to iron all that fabric - most of it was less that 1/4 yard.  I found 3 pieces that would make perfect borders and binding for this panel.  This accomplished 2 things - it got that fabric out of my stash and it will bring comfort to someone in need. 

I'm also still working on my National Day Quilt. 

National Dog Biscuit Day
National Pig Day
National Strawberry Day
National Periodic Table Day

I've actually texted with 3 of my grandchildren yesterday - They must be bored too - I'm usually lucky to hear from one of them in a week, but I'm not complaining - it was great to talk to them. 

I've been getting more reading done 
Alibi by Ellen Enright Hodgett
A Puzzling Murder by Steve Demaree
and I'm reading A Minute to Midnight by David Baldecci  He is one of my most favorite authors.
on my list is a Susanna Gregory medieval mystery, a Charlotte MacLeod mystery, A Phyllis Whitney Mystery and a Patricia Wentworth mystery.  Looking forward to them.  I am so grateful for my library where I can download books onto my tablet to read and I don't have to go to the store.  I also don't have to worry about having to take them back.

I'm working on a paper-piecing lesson for my group of quilters at church.  Hopefully we will be able to have our meeting in April, but it can wait until May or even June.

Praying for a lovely day for all. 

Spring has come!?

Spring has come - or is it our False Spring or our Teasing Spring or is it really Spring.  At any rate the Robins are back, the birds are singing their hearts out from the trees in the neighborhood and the sun is shining - well sometimes.  Yesterday it was foggy damp and cold, and on Tuesday it poured rain all day and was pretty chilly - but at least it wasn't ice and snow and the robins and other birds were still around and making merry music! 

Yesterday I went to my Thursday Quilting club and we had a little quilt show of the quilts we made a year or so ago.  We all used the same basic pattern but each chose a different colorway and each one had something that the maker changed - a border - a different block or something.  Each one was unique and it was amazing how different each one looked. 

This was my entry - called Autumn Stars - It was very well received - I think because of the sharp contrast with the background - it made everything pop out.  I'm pleased with the results.  

I'm still working on my National Days/Months blocks.  this is really fun project  If you would like to join in - the National Days Tutorials are at I think it needs stitches Blog.

National Gingerbread House Day
National Tea Month (January)
National Heart Healthy Month (February)
National Umbrella Day

National Groundhog Day
Mickey Mouse Birthday
National Cake Day
Valentine's Day

National Handwriting Day
National Flashlight Day
National Cupcake Day
National Necktie Month (December)

I will be teaching a class on paper piecing in a few weeks and I really need to get busy on my lesson plan and my sample - I have it started but the most difficult part is actually sitting down and doing it.  I want to get on that today.  I also have a couple of quilts to finish for the Quilts of Compassion drive for those affected my the Tornado in Tennessee.  Check out their Facebook Page HERE.

I am an avid reader, from Dr Seuss to David Baldecci to Jane Austen  Occasionally I find one I don't like and there are certain types of books I won't read - but I love books - too many books and not enough hours to read them.

I rediscovered Charlotte McLeod  I loved her in the past and have started reading her again - it is as much fun as it was the first time around.  So far I've read

The Family Vault - A Sarah Kelling & Max Bittershon Mystery

God Rest Ye Merry  - A Peter Shandy Mystery

Others include:

One Good Deed by David Baldecci

Tucan Keep a Secret - Donna Andrews

Pirates in Peril and Matrimony & Murder by Hope Callaghan

Almost Valentine's Day

Thankfully the Winter is passing by - but wouldn't you know, the night before I had a Quilt Club Meeting and a Quilt show - it snowed and the temperature is approaching 0-F and the road is totally snow and ice covered.  I'm not going anywhere today - no Bible Study, to lunch at Bishop Hill and no Quilt Club or Show.  The temperatures are supposed to be in the 40's again by the weekend.  Winter can be so strange.

Took this picture at 1 in the morning during the storm.  Thought the snow on the branches was so pretty and knew it wouldn't be there in the morning when the wind came up.  It was light and fluffy and sparkled when you shown a light on it.

I have been busy with quilt projects.  I found the cutest quilt tutorial at Seriously, I think it needs stitches a blog by Kelli Fanning.  It is a National Day Quilt - the National Rubber Ducky Day, the National Ugly Sweater Day, the National Bird Day - etc.  

These ones are National Candy Cane Day
National Ugly Sweater Day
National Wreath Day
National Button Day

National Red Mitten Day
National Rubber Ducky Day
National Law Enforcement Day
National Bird Day 

 These are all made from my overflowing scrap bucket which makes it even more fun.  I get to make cute blocks and get rid of some of the clutter in my sewing room.

I have actually completed 4 quilts - most of them have been UFO's for a while - but they are now completed and ready to go to whoever God lays on my heart to give them to.  I'm working on two more long time projects - one is over 10 years on the pile - time to get it completed.  Ones that are completed are Here at completed projects for 2020.  I will add the photos as I get them ready.  For previous years projects you can go To the Completed Projects list.

Still doing a lot of reading.

Under Currents by Nora Roberts

Transatlantic Tragedy by Hope Callaghan

The Christmas Boutique by Jennifer Chiaverini

Terns of Endearment by Donna Andrews

Murder on Board by Ivy Dawson

The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman

A Body on April Fool's Day by Steve DeMere

Sea of Greed by Clive Cussler

Vein of Deceit by Susanna Gregory

Only one new author this time - Ivy Dawson - Don't know if I'll read any more.  It was OK but not really great to me.  For a complete listing of all the authors and books I've read you can check them out HERE.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!