I knew things would look better in the morning and not only look better, I feel better after a trip to the chiropractor. It always makes me wonder why I wait so long to call for an appointment – he had a cancellation at 5:45 so I grabbed it and feel better already.
Before I forget – thank you for continuing to click on the ads you see on the blog – the proceeds definitely help defray blog costs.
To answer everyone’s question – yes, Orkin will be back in 30 days to check the bait traps and re-bait. It’s at that time we’ll be able to see how much poison has been eaten and it does take awhile to kill off several generations. So even though I saw three live rats, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not eating the poison bait. I have a 6 month contract at this time and I can renew it repeatedly. The inspector will also look in the attic and the crawl space above the quilt shop. So yes, their work is guaranteed. But it’s not as if they trap and take away the rats. After eating the poison rats will go elsewhere to die – maybe even back into the tunnels underneath the barn floor.
My day was complete with a stop at my favorite thrift store – here’s what I found. This rooster picture for my kitchen – $6.
I need two more small pictures on either side. This takes the place of two pictures that fell down the first day – I took them to the frame shop today that’s open only M-W-F 1-5. I was there at approximately 1:45 – nobody there. I get so fed up with businesses who I assume WANT my business but make it nearly impossible to DO business with.
And this embroidered picture for my needlework wall – also $6.00. I feel like I need to rescue these old beauties if the maker’s family dropped it off at the thrift store as a donation because nobody wanted it. So sad but nice for me.
Here are a couple of reader quilts –
Here are the pictures above the sink – finally hung.
Time for an evening beer! All is well – please don’t worry about me.
Glad you feel better today. I thought of you often today. Love the rooster pic
I just love seeing pics of your house and furry babies. It looks very cozy. Glad all is better today. Each day is a new beginning!
glad to see that you put pictures etc on your walls that make you happy. I do the same and my husband thinks it is trash and does not like it. I love primitive and antiques and he would have nothing on the walls. He loves modern and I hate it. I was glad to see you blogged today. Have a good evening.
Carolyn b Shenandoah Valley Va
Love the pictures of your house!!!!
Mary, I think you must be the Energizer Rabbit!! So glad you are feeling better. Those nasty rats don’t know who they are up against. Between you ,Hazel and Telly the don’t stand a chance. I love the framed needlework piece. So precious. Enjoy the beer, well deserved.
Sheila
I share your feeling about framed embroidery. When I find one I feel like I am rescuing the piece while honoring the unknown maker.
Pamela P – that’s exactly how I feel and I think that unknown maker might even know that someone is appreciating her work.
I’m so happy to hear that today was better. You have been through so much lately.
A chiropractor visit always makes me better. I saw a new one last year that helped me deal with vertigo attacks. Glad you feel better.
Enjoy your beer, you deserve it.
Mary, Would have snatched up the rooster print in a heartbeat. Love it!!! Hang in there and remember there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. 💖
Glad you feel better today. Make sure your dogs don’t get ahold of the poisoned rats!
Colleen – I asked the Orkin guys about that and they told me a dog Hazel’s size would have to eat 4-5 bricks of poison to even make her sick – not that I’d want to try it but they won’t eat even the fresh rats that they kill themselves – so not to worry! I asked.
The chicken looks great with the goat picture. And the prayer needlework is exactly like one we had hanging in the girls’ bedroom (5 sisters in bunk beds in a small room!)
I’m glad you went to the chiropractor. Before surgery I had an appointment every 4 weeks. It helped so much.
That yellow quilt is just so beautiful! And the table runner reminds me that we don’t always have to make large quilts – runners are a good way to enjoy our fabric and patterns.
Susan K – the needlework is done so perfectly and how could I not buy it? Yes, I should go back to seeing my chiropractor every 4 weeks instead of just when I can hardly walk! Haha!!!
Glad you had a better day. Love the Rooster picture, looks nice on your wall. Your home looks so cozy, dogs, cats, quilts and a husband, how can you go wrong!!!!
Mary, so glad the chiropractor helped you. You are the most ambitious woman I know. Love your new pictures. Telly and Hazel relaxing after a big day in dog world. Ha! We need some sun and warmth in our world!
I absolutely LOVE the thrift shop finds!!!!!
I’m glad today was better. My day was made better because I baby-sat my soon to be 11 month old grandson, Bennett. He has started crawling and pulling himself up, trying to stand. It is interesting to see how they learn. Quite chilly here tonght. I’m looking forward to the day when I can turn the furnace off.
Some friends and I went to Country Sampler in Spring Green. Stacy Nash was there as part of their spring open house. We also stopped at J J Stitches. Both stores had beautiful fabrics. Have another good day tomorrow.
Diane Meyer – I am so jealous of your visits to those shops – all friends of ours from many years ago!
Next time we go, I’ll say hello for you.
You always have such a good attitude! Yes, one day at a time! Wonderful!!
I love the rooster. You have given me an idea for pictures for my sewing room. You make me tired with all your energy.
Glad to hear that today was a better day. Also happy to see you did some self care. I agree, why do we wait so long to take care of ourselves?? I’m in the overwhelming place of trying to straighten up and re-organize my sewing room. The task is daunting!!!! But I’m approaching it as someone commented – like eating an elephant, one bite at a time. :-).
Lynette – and such good advice it is!!
Thankful for good news!
Love all your posting but really love it when things are going better for you. You certainly give us readers hope and joy with your postings, thank you!!
Mary, did the Orkin guys tell you to keep the dogs away from the dead rats?? My little dog almost died after chewing on a poisoned rat. Please keep an eye out for your “little hunter” so she does Not get sick! Must tell this story. We have rats near my house because I live behind an open field in Southern Calif. One day I was driving around with my 16 yr old daughter doing errands. I smelled a funny smell in the car and turned into a gas station. They put the car on the rack and I was cooking a dead rat on my radiator! The guy comes out holding this huge rat by the tail and we almost fainted! ( city girls…). Anyways I called my hubby and told him I was not handling raw meat that day for dinner and that he was taking me out that night for Mexican food and a BIG margarita!! I am so not brave…
Carolyn – I will ask again but they assured me the amount of bait in a trap would not even make Hazel sick – your poor little dog!!! I will ask again because I won’t take any chances – is your little dog ok? Oh my – cooking a rat on the radiator – ugh! I’ll bet you did almost faint – I would, too, and I’m not a city girl!
So happy to hear you have had a good day. The rooster was a great find. I love your art choices for your farmhouse kitchen-perfect!
We dropped off a quilt at the longarmer, and I just wore a sweatshirt. 🥶We may have a freeze tonight. Take Cate, 🥰
Those visits are like putting a new blade in the rotary cutter…what took so long?!
So glad your feeling better.
I love seeing the readers quilts. All are great creation.
Wyoming is still on the map, although I’m not sure how with all the wind we’re having. I keep saying “this, too, shall pass”.
Jo in Wyoming – oh, that is perfect! Like putting a new blade in the rotary cutter! Haha! The best thing I’ve heard all day!
Hi Mary, glad things are looking better for you! I have just finished smocking front and back panels of a sundress l am going to make for Luna to waer next summer. Next job , do the Sam’s for Stella. We always wore smocked dresses as little girls, my mother was a wonderful dressmaker. Hope everyone is well, best wishes from Sandy
You find such good things at the thrift shops! I’ve been staying away from them since I don’t need to bring anymore into the house. I wonder about your cats too with those poison rats. Hopefully they leave them alone. Glad your chiropractor visit helped.
Tina W – the only cat I have in the barn is little Mama Kitty – I’ve tried unsuccessfully to bring her in the house. There is no way for her to access the bait.
Either you are an exceptional shopper or your thrift shop gets lots better donations than I can ever find here!! Or maybe both!! I love to go browse but rarely come home with a “find”—probably for the best. My house is full enough! Your chicken picture is great and the cross stitch reminds me of one my grandma had years ago.
I woke up to snow blowing around last night but nothing on the ground this morning. Maybe I imagined it during the night?!?!? I’m hoping we are done with that but rain would be awesome. I heard a story on NPR today that Western states are cutting back on the amount of water released from the Colorado River—CA and NV will get far less than they normally do. I see more and more and more building and wonder where the water will come from for all of those homes.
Diane from CO – I don’t always find things and have become very picky about what I add to my house – I’m trying to get rid of things but I always say I consider it a rental because when I’m tired of things or read the books, I return them as donations to be sold again. It’s a non profit organization who has the store and even tho’ prices have certainly gone up in some areas, generally they’re reasonable. How could I resist that needlework for $6?
I love that yellow quilt! Pattern?
Hi Sherri~ the pattern is called “Re-Vision” in Leisure Arts book called “Quick Quilts from your Scrap Bag”.
Thanks for asking! Karla T.
Thank you!💜
Love the needlework prayer which I pray every night. Don’t you wonder how anyone could part with that?
Glad you are doing better too and May is almost here.
Love and Hugs to you Mary and Rick
Mary, I’m glad you’re having a better day. Isn’t it amazing how much our physical condition can affect our attitudes? Or maybe it’s not amazing at all–how can we expect our spirits to be high when our bodies are struggling to get by? I know that I am always at my worst when I am cold and hurting, and if I take a hot bath and make sure that the house is warm I will feel much better and be less discouraged. It’s so simple, but I often don’t take the time to give myself the attention I need because there are so many other demands around here (dogs, cats, horses, goats, etc.–I know everyone has someone tugging at them). When I think about what I would do for someone else–a loved one, a child, or I think Mary Oliver might have written about it as tending to ourselves as a scared animal–I can be more patient and do the little things: run the bath, warm up the house, take the extra time. This is my life. It will be better if I feel better and I will be nicer if I don’t hurt so much. If I would do it for someone else, I should do it for myself.
Beth T – oh, what excellent advice! I’ve never really thought about it in those terms but you’re right. I guess I don’t think I deserve any special care so don’t go out of my way to look for those extra touches.
Beth t – meant to say I received Mary Oliver ‘s book Dog Songs and love it!
Thank you for reminding me of that book! I had intended to put it on my “wish list” for my birthday recently, and I think I’ll treat myself. Mary Oliver is so wise.
So glad you had a good day! I finally had someone come and trim my orange tree this morning. My husband used to keep it trimmed. It was hanging over the fence into my neighbor’s yard and was above the telephone wires. Hadn’t been trimmed since 2019. So many projects need to be done around the house. I finished making a vest for my youngest grandson whose birthday is Thursday. He likes to play sheriff, boots, hat and all. I had made him one a few years ago, but he outgrew it. I love the rooster picture. I’d have roosters and chickens all over my kitchen but it’s a baby kitchen and will never grow up! It’s fine for just me. I have a chicken canister set but only have one sitting out and a metal chicken hanging on a small wall. My dream house will have a big kitchen and a big sewing room.
Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow!!
Loved the quilts today both of which are so happy. For me, I have 3 that are nearly done so I better pay attention and finish them.
Mary, have you ever heard about Patreon? I follow and support ($1./month) an exceptionally gifted embroiderer. She has many followers so I’m thinking it must make for a helpful income.
Good to hear your all “straightened “ out…take care
I wish I knew more about that yellow quilt…that was just gorgeous and I loved the pattern. If anyone reads this, could you send any details to me at cheryl55422@hotmail.com. Love your posts. Your kitchen is awesome
I see Hazel ready for a golf cart ride hopping on. And so relaxed Telly! Such cozy pictures and great finds from the thrift store as I look for embroidery and whimsical pictures. I sometimes think I should make a small lap quilt with some I have rescued, much like a hankie quilt. Love the yellow quilt and runner your readers created. Very pretty. Glad you had a good day as you deserve it.
We just had two days of 80 degree days so outside work exhausted me physically. My tulips are so pretty blooming, planted a forsythia bush near my lilacs, mulched around my blooming primroses and we need to mow again. It’s 51 out there now so need a less physical day inside today cleaning up my sewing room and making a pot of soup for dinner.
Glad you are feeling better. You found the perfect rooster pic for your kitchen. The prayer embroidery is similar to the prayer we said as kids. I have a special pic my Grandma made.
Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy your beer!
Mary, the rooster picture is perfect, you have a good eye for color Which is why your quilts are so beautiful. I have a sampler almost exactly like yours that I bought at a garage sale, my granddaughter took it for her nursery so hopefully we are saving it and future generations will appreciate and enjoy.
Oh my! That yellow quilt really caught my eye! Would love to know the name of the pattern! And Mary, love your new brighter white kitchen.
Hi Carol- you can find the pattern in “Quick Quilts from your Scrap Bag” by Leisure Arts. It’s called “Re-Vision” Thanks for your kind comments ;). Karla T.
We went to check on our summer place. Opened the shed door to see mouse poop everywhere. Can we borrow Hazel and Telly? LOL
Absolutely love the rooster and prayer finds.
The yellow quilt is amazing and soothing. What a great color.
Michele – Hazel and Telly would have a fun time in your shed! Haha!!
I love the 9 patch picture of your loves, in the kitchen.
I hope your beer tasted great and I bet it did. Thanks for all the pictures Mary.
Hugs, Susy
Hi Sherri~ the pattern is called “Re-Vision” in Leisure Arts book called “Quick Quilts from your Scrap Bag”.
Thanks for asking! Karla T.
I love hearing from you nearly every day. And your warm nostalgic decorating style is so appealing. Have a wonderful spring day, friend.
I just love your house. Your tastes are much like mine so they must be great! LOL! But your house always looks so cozy like you could just come in and be comfortable right away. Love the rooster picture.
Hi Mary! I love the rooster picture and its perfect for your house! I embroidered that same prayer in the late 70s for my first born, a girl. It always hung in her room til the teen age years. Now it hangs in her house upstairs by her twin children’s rooms. It hangs by a beautiful piece of counted cross stitch, Two Peas in a Pod, that my youngest sister stitched for her when she had her babies in 2006!
Maybe someone has already mentioned this — I didn’t read all the comments. I’m concerned about your dogs catching/trying to catch rats that may have eaten rat poison. The poison can reach the dogs and cause problems or kill them. I hope there’s something I don’t know about this situation., like maybe there’s a new kind of rat poison that doesn’t affect dogs or . . . .
I’m glad the session with your chiropractor helps. What a blessing!
I love how you’ve hung the photos in your kitchen!
I have to vent from an observation on Monday morning. We had stayed at our daughters to get her girls on the bus for school. There was no coffee pot & I need morning coffee. I drove a few blocks to a Speedway gas station. Not only did every gas pump have a vehicle but the parking lot plus an overflow area was full. . I waited to get a parking space. I walk inside to get a 16 oz cup of coffee. I had never paid attention to the choices that were available. I figured out how to make a black cup of house blend coffee. My observation was the cost$1.29 in comparison to my Maxwell House/Black n Decker w/ a timer pot at home. While in line to pay, I noticed the young people mostly medical scrub employees (2 doctors offices are on the street behind the Speedway)who were buying big cups of various drinks and lots of sugary snacks. Not only were their choices very unhealthy but their waistlines were evident that it wasn’t their first stop. Their bills were ringing up to be very expensive. With all of us complaining about inflation, my observation was very little common sense spending was happening. My husband & I and my grown children eat at home & treat eating out as a treat not a necessity. We can control the sugar and salt in our food.
Home Ec programs are being cut from curriculums everywhere & are needed more than ever. I had an obese superintendent who couldn’t wait for me to retire yet his senior son couldn’t use a can opener🤦🏼♀️ He was a nice young man but had no kitchen skills at all but was willing to learn🤷🏼♀️Home Ec (now called Family & Consumer Science)should be required for all middle school students at least.
This is the end of my rant today🤪
AGEED!
Marcia – thank you for your rant! That’s why we’re here – to listen and I’ve certainly ranted enough recently. Kids don’t know how to address an envelope, pay a bill with a check, do manual work of any kind, read a recipe, make an introduction – shall I go on? But I’m the wrong one to ask since I don’t have any kids. I agree – Family and Consumer Science should be required.
Good morning;
I’m late to the discussion, but can relate to the rats and mice in the outbuildings. It is very frustrating and just when you think, ‘there can’t be any left’ there they are to remind you that they are! Buggers!!!My sweet son in law will through away the mouse trap, loaded, and almost fainted when we told him we reuse them. He was surprised! City boy vs farm momma. IT is a learning curve. I never thought I could do anything bare handed, but after having a son, who is now pushing 30, I can kill a spider with my bare hands, catch a hamster on the fly along with an occasional bat plus a variety of other stupid human pet tricks.
I can also relate to the recent expenses. Pretty soon you will never move because you have so much invested that no one can see, that you stay put where you are. All the repairs will be done. Our septic system was a mess the Saturday before Easter, but after 2 service calls to the farm things were back up and running again. Those bills are coming in and I let my husband open them first.
Glad you were feeling better after visiting your chiropractor. AS my banker tells me, ‘like gas, this too will pass’, hang in there!
Donna Wyatt – yes, it is frustrating since I’ve never had rats here for 40 years – one time years ago Hazel caught one and he must have been lost because I never saw signs of more – until now and this is getting just ugly. Yes, I, too, can do many things farm related but right now I am so sick of this I could scream. Oh, I’ve never intended to leave here except to be taken to the funeral home – ha!