Living Under Stay at Home Order Part 3

Our Order was supposed to be lifted on Tuesday, but things are not going well over in Chicago so the Governor has locked us down until the end of April at the earliest.  We had planned a trip for out 50th anniversary and my sister and her husband planned a party for their 25th with their daughters flying in, one from Oregon and one from Australia - but I don't believe that is going to happen.  Life is on hold for the foreseeable future.  The thing seems to be that what is separating us is also drawing us together.  My family is all seeming to be talking to each other even though there were little spats before all this started.  By talking I really mean texting - but it is still communication.  We are all cooking - my daughter was making a pot roast the other day and I've actually been cleaning out all those "Planned overs" I had in the freezer for a rainy day - well I think the rainy day has come. 

My other thing is clearing out all those old projects that have been sitting around my sewing room for YEARS! 

 This Chevron Quilt started live about 7 or so years ago when my Quilt Sister and I went to Missouri Star Quilt Company in Hamilton, MO.  I ended up not getting enough Charm Packs  so on another trip to Hancock's of Paducah I found more light that would work.  It ended up still not being enough and I scrounged to find things that would work.  Finally drew it all together and finished it - a bit smaller than I planned but done!!  It is going to the Charity pile. 

This is the 11th of my Monthly Silhouettes - I've been working on the 12 of them for at least 6 years.  They aren't all that hard to do as they are appliqued - and I do Machine work for that - it is just doing it I guess.  Anyway it was completed in the last couple of weeks.

This is a relatively new one.  It was started January 2019 as an internet BOM from Quilt Doodle Designs and the last of the blocks was posted in January 2020.  I completed the quilt on March 30, 2020 and I plan on keeping it but Don't know for sure yet.

National Crayon Day
National Puppy Day
National Quilting Day
National Real Tolkien Day

This as caught me up on my National Quilt Blocks to the end of March.  I'm working on April 1 but it is not done yet.  Hopefully Kellie will be back soon with some ideas to continue on.  It's not always easy to find a day you can transform into a quilt block.  Like what do you do with National Burrito Day!!

I am staying home and finding things to do.  We have spent two afternoons so far cleaning the yard up after the crazy winter we had.  We have at least one more day on the front yard before it begins to look normal.  I had trimmed back a couple of bushes in the late fall and didn't get them cleaned up before the snow and rains hit.  The leaves didn't get cleaned up as most of them didn't fall before the snow and rains hit, and the wind took a lot of small branches and sticks out of the front trees and all that has to be cleaned up.  What a mess!!  Oh well it gets up out in the fresh air and sunshine, both of which are good for us. 

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

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!!

It can't possibly have been a year

It Can't possibly have been a Year

I can't believe that it has been nearly a year since I last wrote in this blog.  Life does tend to get away from us.  It has been a very busy year.  To begin with we have a new Great Granddaughter  and she is now 8 months old - wasn't that just last week we drove over to Chicago when her mommy went in the hospital to have her.  Well I guess it has been.

Then in July my quilting buddy and I took off for a Quilt Shop Hop into Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Canada and Iowa.  It was my first trip into North Dakota and my first trip out of the USA.  It was a lot of fun.  I had no idea there was so much open space in North Dakota - next time I will be better prepared - and I am a country girl - just not that much country!!

In August my husband and I took off and headed west.  We went to Yellowstone National Park where we had a close encounter on the Buffalo kind.  

He had it in his head to charge the road, but she had other ideas.  It was interesting they way she headed him off and turned him.  It also seemed like she was talking to him the entire time.  There was a herd of them in the area, but these two really interested me.

From Yellowstone we headed further north and went to Glacier National Park.  The scenery in this park is spectacular.  If I was a decade or two younger it would be a wonderful place to hike - but I was content with the car and my camera and some wonderful places to pull over and take pictures.

Our last stop of the trip was the Badlands in South Dakota.  It was an interesting place to visit, but after a while, one rock starts to look just like the last rock, but this place was rather interesting.

In between all the trips and the holidays, our granddaughter graduated from High School, our grandson joined the Marines, and we had several family parties and picnics.  It was an eventful year.

But it is now January and while we've had a very mild winter so far - especially compared to last Winter at about this time - we did have a bad ice/snow storm last weekend and the weekend before.  This past weekend included the coldest temperatures of the season but didn't come close to last year thank goodness.  But then again it is still January.

I've spent a lot of time reading  - I definitely won't go into all of them  - but I read some of my favorites:

David Baldecci

Clive Cussler

Donna Andrews

Amanda Quick

Susan Wittig Albert

Laurie R. King

Jacqueline Winspear

Hope Callaghan

Susanna Gregory

Thomas Perry

Ellery Adams

Jennifer Chiaverini

Nevada Barr

 And also a few new ones

Dale Mayer

Susan Ella MacNeal

Lynne Hint

Kennedy Chase

Sally Goldbloom

So many books - so little time!!