Did you get a post on the 13th with the picture of Ellie, the Great Pyrenees? Her owner didn’t see it and now I’m wondering if there’s something amiss with any other readers. Let me know.
I promise to update you on my surgery schedule on Sunday – when I’ll have some time to chat.
Reader photos
Goodnight, from Hazel!
Mary – Yes, I received your 11/13 post with Ellie the Great Pyrenees. Such a beautiful dog. Sorry she is sick.
Lovely photos. The wedding ring quilts are gorgeous!
Can’t wait to hear the back story about them. I have a double wedding ring quilt top that I bought years ago at a thrift store. I think it’s mostly cotton blend but it’s beautiful nonetheless.
I went to a bizarre today, 11/16. I thought it was extremely crowded and full of unusual crafts. I was surprised at how many men were helping their wives. I ducked into a separate store and found a beautiful Vera Bradley bag for $10. It is beautiful and reminds me of Kaffe Fassett fabric.
Have a nice Saturday and Sunday everyone.
Take care,
Sharon G. in Central Washington
Mary,
Wonderful pictures today! That lamb quilt background fabric looks like the lambs are in a field of clover, so cute! Turkey pillow and turkey in the basket so nice. I have my thanksgiving decorations out til day after thanksgiving, then up goes the tree. That black cat with the presents is super cute! As are the other table runners.
Yesterday I cut back and dug out a few dahlia plants. I got three large vases of flowers from the plants! I just can’t dig out the rest yet, they are still blooming so beautifully. And we have not had a hard frost yet so I’ll keep them up another week I guess.
I’m going to Indianapolis tomorrow. My daughter is having her dog, Daisy, put to sleep and she wants me to be there for her. It’s going to be so hard. Daisy was her first rescue dog and her constant companion for almost 15 years. She got Daisy as soon as she got her first apartment while at Purdue getting her Masters degrees. It’s going to be an emotional few days.
Take care everyone.
our hearts will be with you while you are with your daughter. hugs, patti in florida
Our former golden retriever was in an obedience class with a Great Pyrenees named Sampson. Each week he’d have to lay each of the other puppies on the ground and put his foot on their chest just to show that he was boss! After that, he was the sweetest dog. Our golden retriever from that class died of lung cancer before he even got to 10. I was never going to have another dog, but you know how that goes—our little Sheltie from the shelter has been the light of our lives. I’ll be thinking of Ellie since that same wonderful golden retriever went through miserable lung cancer and died an early death.
We periodically have trouble with bob cats here in Florida where we live in the winter. We have a small enough dog that knowing they are around is enough to have my husband carry a golf club for Sonny’’s defense when they go out after dark. After they have been hanging around for awhile, all the squirrels and rabbits are gone. Yes, I know, circle of life, but still it makes me sad.
Pat – when Hazel was a puppy I took her to Petco to Obedience Class. Between the first and second class Hazel got in a scuffle with another little dog and I told the instructor who promptly threw us out of the class! And Hazel was the only dog in the class! It should have been a sign.
The picture of the beautiful Great Pyrenees came through here. So sorry about the sad diagnosis.
Great pictures, also.
It is cold and blustery here today. I guess it is typical high school playoff weather. Our team is traveling three hours north to play in their third playoff game; so far, they are undefeated this season.
You are in my thoughts, Mary 🥰
I saw the picture of that beautiful white dog. I hope they can treat the cancer. The bobcat picture is just so totally cool! Circle of life! Now, Mary, I am thinking of you and praying that the upcoming surgery is totally successful, that you feel God’s loving arms surround you and Rick, that He blesses the surgeon, the nurses, and all of the medical people that will care for you, and that your recovery is smooth and quick. Lifting you up in prayer!
Yes I saw the picture of Ellie.
Who couldn’t love Hazel’s face, so sweet! However her backside shows she is up to something.😂
I received the picture of the Great Pyrenees. Beautiful dog.
hi. great post today. yes, i saw the picture of ellie. pray that they can cure her.
the bobcat is one of those stories that is good and bad. you saw it from a distance not too long ago. this time this cat is right outside my daughter’s living room window. she/he knows the ducks are there. the cat is not afraid of my daugher at all. either very hungry (tho i don’t think it looks underfed) or just determined. could even be babies somewhere hidden. but daughter keeps the ducks penned in their house if she is not outside with them. she lost two just when going in to get something for the ducks. she doesn’t do that any more. she lives in the woods and at the base of the mountains. so she lives with the predators and is constantly reminded of the circle of life. me living in the city i am fascinated that she can live so close to nature and be at peace – except when she’s chasing that cat or throwing golf clubs at it – she does not want to have to kill it. i hope she doesn’t.
i am slowly piecing another quilt top. this one is about building – like bob the builder and associated. the original pattern called for making like 24″ blocks when i realized i have no where downstairs to cut them down. so retreated and am making them a different way. have the center almost done. may or may not get to work on today.
today is take this cat, slinky, to vet for yearly checkup. remember, he thinks he is still feral and will resist any attempt to confine him in any way. he still won’t let anyone pick him up. i’ve had him for 8 years and he is about 10 years old. figure once we get home, he will hide for a while until he forgives me for the injustice of confining him and making him go in the car. my other cats never minded the car ride. so mr. ed gets to chase him down and get him in the carrier. i’ve told him we can go early. we are supposed to be there at 12:50. better start now. more later today.
take care of yourself mary, make sure you rest. waiting to hear what’s been going on. hugs, patti in florida
have to tell you. mr. ed finally finally got slinky in the carrier. took half an hour. we found his new hiding place but in the process of trying to roust him out he used my knee for a launching pad. ouch!!!! up the stairs, search, search, fly down the stairs, in the bedroom, mr. ed hurrying behind him, closing bedroom door. i hear loud noises. i am almost in tears it sounds so bad. i called the vet to let them know we were on our way when we were already supposed to be there. it looked like the ‘keystone cops’ around here. slinky was quiet in the car, both directions. he was good for the vet until they wanted to take blood. after that he was fine again. we got home about 2:15 pm. is 8:30 now and we’ve not seen him since we got home. it may take a while. he is majorly offended by us. he survived and we survived. patti in florida
Patti – oh, I can sympathize! I try not to even bring the carrier in the house for them to see ahead of time. Oh, he will be put out with you for awhile – JB is going to the vet Monday morning for his bad eye. Poor old guy.
I got the picture of the Great Pyrenees, also. So sad when a furry friend becomes ill.
Patti – A friend of mine had appointments for her two Siamese cats today. Apparently, it took hours to get them in their carriers (the soft-sided zipper kind) for the 15-minute ride to the vet. Halfway there, here comes the male cat, scrambling over the front seat! He found a way to either chew on the zipper or just muscled his way out of his fancy carrier! Next step…reschedule his appt., tranquilizers before the visit, and she ordered a hard -sided carrier for him. Vet staff had a good laugh, though! The fun never ends, does it.
Hazel is a hoot. She must have worked extra hard that day…or knows how to pull the heart strings.
Mary – Prayers continue for you and Rick, friends who will be helping on the farm, and your care team. Kris
I also received the picture of Ellie. I too am getting everything done before my knee replacement surgery on December 3rd. All the baking, shopping and decorating will be done. I’m having 30 for Christmas dinner. My son, DIL and grand daughter will be staying with us and luckily my son is a great cook so he will cook the turkey. Everyone else brings the side dishes including the potatoes. That means we cook the turkey, ham and make stuffing and gravy. I have been exercising to be really strong so recovery will be faster my Dr says. Wish me luck.
Teresa, I just had my knee replaced in Sept and exercised every day a month ahead of the surgery. Make sure you are doing both legs so they are both strong. If the let you ask if they have a panty and pad that you can wear as when you first get up leaking happens. Being this was my second replacement I knew this and was not afraid to ask. It sure saves a little embarrassment and having to replace ace wrap and Ted socks. Good luck with everything.
Thank you for that hint. I will definitely ask. Exercising isn’t a problem as this Dec 27th it will be 4 years since I started exercising at home 5 days a week. It has become such a habit, I’m trying to figure out how to exercise right after my surgery. My physiotherapist recommended a particular exercise to do on both legs. Sitting on a chair bend one leg so your foot is flat on the floor, keep the other straight with heel resting on the floor. Then stand up without using your arms. You are using the leg that is bent and boy it was hard at first, but I can do that on both legs now and I’ve made sure the good leg is stronger he said it will be handy to be able to do this after the surgery and I believe he is correct.
I do wish you luck! Great prep, you’ll do great!
Teresa, I’m curious once you decided to have knee replacement how long you had to wait to have the surgery.
I am in BC and currently in our province it is a 12-14 month wait after all the paperwork is filled out and signed at the specialists office. My surgery is scheduled 10 days short of 1 year.
Yes. I got the post with Ellie, so sad that she is sick. Hugs to her family. Loved the turkey in the backet, how cute is that. I have a small ceramic tree that will come out for Christmas, late in December since we will be busy helping our daughter move across the street from us on the 20th. We put up the crib scene and the tree and call it good. Will do some baking and put it all in the freezer. I’m amazed at how many have their trees up already, but I do enjoy seeing the lights at night when coming home. Gets me in a festive mood. Mary, will be thinking of you with your upcoming surgery, know that we are all with you in spirit.
I saw the picture of Ellie! Such a beautiful dog! Mary, go into surgery with a positive attitude. As a retired surgical nurse that is the best advice I can give you. Oh and don’t piss off your surgeon. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Michelle
Yes,I received the Great Pyrenees photo! I am wishing you well in your upcoming surgery💕. No Christmas decor until after Thanksgiving-but to each their own! 🤣
Yes, I saw the picture of Ellie! So sorry about her diagnosis
Love seeing Hazel – front end and back 🤣
Those older quilts are absolutely beautiful and I look forward to hearing the story behind them
The bobcat is beautiful but I too hate to hear about the ducks – I get the whole nature food chain but still makes me sad
Take care of YOU as you prep for surgery! When I had major surgery a few years ago, some one wisely said – don’t go into a huge surgery tired…..for me that was good advice as I was trying to get everything caught up and my ducks in a row because I knew I would be laid low. *Sigh* even at my age I’m still learning 🤔
Kelli – good advice but I, too, am trying to get things wrapped up. Don’t know how to avoid that.
It’s such a struggle! And I can empathize! Praying for you to have that balance;🙏🥰
I received the picture of Ellie. Beautiful dog. I love seeing everyone’s quilts. Thank you Mary for going to the trouble to share them.
Family dynamics can make it necessary to decorate early. Our family gathering is Dec. 7 and Thanksgiving is Nov. 28. So yes, Christmas decorating has begun. Some friends of ours call their family gathering Thankmas. Received the pic of Ellie. We have a Great Pyrenee granddog named Harvey. Great breed. Love cold weather and are quite stubborn.
And I also saw the beautiful Great Pyrenees named Ellie. So sorry she has cancer. Our neighbors about 3/4 mile north had two, Ollie and Lena. They were out roaming everywhere in the neighborhood! They would come to our house and lay in front of the garage like it was their home! Ollie got hit on the road so they bought a pup to be company to Lena. Several Sundays like clockwork, they would come to our place about coffee time in the afternoon, Lena is such a loving dog and comes for attention when we are farming across the road from her home.
It is going to be warm again today but it is terribly windy!!
Have a good weekend
Joy – loved hearing about your visiting pups – how could anybody miss seeing a dog the size of Ollie and actually hit him on the road???? So sad but glad Lena took the pup under her wing. The wind is howling and I have to go to the store – ugh.
Mary I thought you’d love the dog story. I love all your dog and cat stories and Hazel is so stinking cute and funny! I had to go to the store also. I could hardly get my car door open against the wind. Crazy!
Our local high school, West Lyon, played at the Iowa uni dome today and won their game so now on to the finals. Jay and I both graduated from there.
Joy – oh, how exciting to play in the Dome! Mom and I went right after that 1991 Halloween ice storm when Garner was playing. I’ll never forget it. I’ve got a great Hazel story to post tonight.
I did get the post on the 13th, with Ellie’s picture.
Hi Mary
I sent the pictures of the cat stocking and cabinet with a tree wall hanging, and no I’m not decorating for Christmas yet. I saw the stocking that was posted the day before with straight line quilting and it reminded me of the pet stockings I had made several years ago, so I thought I’d post them. I hope I can get a better picture of the dog stocking that goes with the cat stocking this Christmas. I made them for my son’s 6 cats and two big dogs. I’ll start decorating the day after thanksgiving.
Nancy from Western PA.
Nancy – that’s when I like to,start decorating, too. We will all love to see the stockings!
Hazel is so cute hope you had a good night sleep.
Love all the quilts especially the turkey
Prayers for your up coming surgery
Yes I saw the picture of sweet Ellie. Sending love to her family. It is so hard to lose your fur baby.
I start decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. I am a little tempted to put out some of the outdoor lights with this nice weather we are having but not turn them on until after Thanksgiving.
Out to lunch with church friends today. Have a nice weekend to all!!
Saw the picture of Ellie, such a sad diagnosis. No Christmas decorating here until after thanksgiving!!
I saw Ellie. So sorry for her diagnosis. No, I’m not decorating for Christmas yet.
Really enjoyed todays post! Everyone is so talented!
Yes, I saw Ellie’s picture…Such a beautiful girl. Sending love & hugs to her & her family.
The Cat Christmas sock is wonderful!
I love Christmas, but always wait till Friday after Thanksgiving to decorate.
The stuffed Turkey in the basket is one of my favorites…I made several of those for craft shows. It was a fabric panel project & when I could no longer find the panel, I made my own.
Gray days & damp & chilly in central IN.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend!
Yes, I click on the email title and then I can see the whole post, comments. Sweet Ellie, praying for healing and for you and everyone. Just put my Halloween decor away last week 😔. Just have a fall wreath onthe door. Usually wait till after thanksgiving to put out Christmas things. We quit putting up a big tree about 11 years ago and I find it so much easier and quicker. I have a lighted garland for the mantle and little bristle trees and I love the look. When we moved 7 years ago a treasured felt/sequined village I had made , my nativity and Darrell’s mother’s ceramic lighted tree somehow didn’t make the move 😣. I called and wrote the new owner but never a reply.
Pamela – I remember selling Mom’s ceramic tree at one of our sales and I’ve always regretted it. Do you actually know who has those items?
Hi Mary,
The vintage quilts are gorgeous. My great grandmother use to quilt similar ones, unfortunately all lost in a fire.
Getting ready for thanksgiving, by far the favorite holiday in my house.
I hope you are getting some rest and the surgery went well.
I saw the post with the Great Pyrenees picture. My granddaughter has a dog named Gertie that looks just like it. She named her Gertie when she rescued her from a pound. She is just a wonderful dog that gets all wound up when someone drives on what she considers to be her street. She gets along very well with all the other dogs that come to my house for birthdays, Thanksgiving etc.
I got the picture of Ellie also. Seems cancer is rising in the animal kingdom or they are just getting better at diagnosis. Spending the weekend in Hendersonville watching Wilder (he’s 2 1/2) over at my daughter Becky’s home so Laurie can catch up on some much needed sleep. She’s steadily improving but still has a way to go recovering from the pneumonia. It’s amazing how much fallen tree debris they still have to pick up here. A few businesses are still closed. The traffic here is also very heavy. Seems like people still came up here for their Fall adventure. Most of the regular leaves are already down.
I received the picture of Ellie. What a beautiful girl!!! She and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers .I loved the two vintage quilts. So much work. I thought the pieced turkey was cute too. I don’t decorate until after Thanksgiving. The older I get, the less decorating I do. i love all the things, I just don’t like the work.
I agree – Thanksgiving first. My very favorite holiday. Family, food, fun and no stress over gift buying.
My sister is law is having her cancer surgery on Monday, also. Much praying happening on Monday.
Cleaned up my sewing room last weekend – bags of scraps to my guild this week and kitted up some things for winter sewing. Quilting with my small group today. Always the highlight of our month.
So quiet around here without my mom. Ladies – if you still have your moms – hug them for their time on earth is short.
Diana – oh, I can’t imagine the adjustment you’re making in your home without your mom – hang in there!
Yes, I also received the picture of sweet Ellie. What a beautiful dog. I’m so sorry for the journey ahead for all, dog and family.
The pictures today are again awesome. Loved the cabinet with the little tree quilt. And the turkey and the sheep and…well all of it.
My husband doesn’t participate in the holiday decorating so I get to choose when I switch over the seasons. Thanksgiving isn’t out until after Halloween and Christmas is AFTER that. But I do start my sewing for Christmas about now. I just finished a quilt that I started 2 years ago. All it needed (for two years!) Was the binding sewn on . Good grief
Have a fun weekend eve!
Mary, I did receive the photo of Ellie. Janice in Traverse City.
I don’t get the pictures sometimes in my email copy of the blog but if I click on the title of your post it takes me to the internet and all the pictures and comments as well as comment box are there. I never mind going to the internet to read everything and make sure I haven’t missed a photo. I feel bad when an animal has been diagnosed with cancer as it’s a wait and see daily event. She’s a beautiful dog.
It seems like such a short season between Thanksgiving and Christmas and it goes faster as I get older cause I can’t get everything all out together in one weekend like I use to. I very much enjoy looking at fall colors so I leave it till the turkey dinner is over.
Wonderful pictures today everyone. We have some real artists among us. The cat Christmas stocking is a winner. Yes, I also got the picture of beautiful Elle and so sorry to hear of her diagnosis. Decorating for Christmas is too soon for me also – to be honest, I have to put the halloween stuff away – I promise I will do that today! My hubby is suffering with some arthritis in his shoulders. The doctor did an x-ray and doesn’t think it is too bad. Why do men have to be such babies? Now he claims he can hardly get up out of a chair – I keep telling him his legs are fine they just need exercise. That falls on deaf ears. Oh well – moving forward. The weather in southern Minnesota will be nice for the weekend so I guess I will finally dig up some bulbs. Have a great weekend everyone.
Janet – boy, does that sound familiar! Can’t get out of a chair because of weak legs that need EXERCISE. But they’re too weak to exercise – a vicious circle.
Yes. I got the pics. No no problem. No Christmas!!
I received the picture of Ellie. The sheep quilt is darling, the turkey pillow fun, the vintage quilts so special and the Christmas quilts lovely (but too early for me). I wait until the Saturday after Thanksgiving to start bringing out my Christmas stuff. I have been tempted to bring out a large basket of pine cones in which I have twined small lights, but have held off. There is something about the small lights that make me feel cozy. But I am waiting.
Yes I saw the white dog. No Xmas decorating, but I am into my Christmas fabric. I’m making red and white blocks with solid color red. All sizes. I even tried a complicated pattern by hand. Haven’t hand pieced for years and it was very relaxing. I’m looking for more patterns suitable for hand piecing. Hope to assemble all the blocks soon. My quilts are small now, about 47″ square. I can’t crawl around on the floor anymore to make the larger ones. Nice size for lap or to throw over a chair. I quilt them on my machine using the serpentine stitch. Also like to hand quilt them. Making orphan block quilts is my favorite quilt to make, kind of like a puzzle, but I hate puzzles (ha). We had 5 inches of snow here in Colorado, my brother 5 miles away had 14″. It is mostly all melted away now.
Hi Mary, yes, I got the post with the picture of beautiful Ellie. Love the sheep quilt in this post. We have had some great autumn colour this year, but now the days are getting greyer so the leaves don’t pop as much as there is no blue sky to set them off! Lots of leaves have fallen, but our red Japanese maple is still spectacular. I’ll try to get a good photo to send. I have been packing up old clothes for Goodwill – it feels good to give the closets a thorough clean out. All in good condition, but a number of garments I know I’ll never wear again at my age! Ha ha! I hope to get some more sewing in soon, but I have been crazy busy with work recently . Also rewarding, but I miss having time to sew: it’s how I relax. Take care and best wishes to everyone!
Yes, I saw the photo of Ellie. I don’t think you told us how old she is but her diagnosis must be heart wrenching for her family. The sheep quilt is so cute. I have a niece that has her own flock. She even learned how to tan the hides. I’ll say a special prayer for you, Mary and the doctors.
Love that Turkey Pillow!
Hi Mary, the vintage quilts are beautiful, how lucky to inherit them, and in such good condition! I had a close jp look at your red quilt , so simple, 9 patches and feature fabric on point! The simple quilts are the best, especially if you have a great feature fabric !Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Yes, I saw the picture of Ellie. Beautiful dog with a recent cancer diagnosis. No Christmas decorating here until after Thanksgiving! I’m still enjoying my fall decorations! Absolutely love your red quilt, Mary! And love Hazel!!
I inherited the wedding ring & flower quilt. Don’t have much history. Both quilts are completely hand stitched from the seams to the quilting. I believe the background material is muslin. Both quilts are in extremely good condition. The flower quilt was quilted in dark green thread. Looking for an appraiser to help me. Guessing these quilts are 50+ years old; twin size. I also received a picture of the Great Pyrenees.
Your flower quilt reminds me of a kit quilt. They are both beautiful and you’re so lucky to have them passed down to you.
Please do some research on your quilts, how is it that you inherited them? Was the previous owner a quilter. They are lovely and exquisite, and it took a great deal of talent to make them! Please be curious!
I did see the picture of Ellie. No Christmas decorating here until about a week or two before Christmas, but there are lots of folks decorating their yards for Christmas already. Waaaay too early for me!
I saw Ellie too. Beautiful baby. I love the sheep and the cat and packages runner. Be safe.
Received photo of pyranese on 13 with recent cancer diagnosis.
Look forward to information on those two beautiful vintage quilts posted tonite.
Hope the owner shares some history of them.
Love your completed red quilt! Do you happen to know which line of fabric that beautiful red came from? I always loved the Chocolate dense colors!
Nancy – I’ll see if I have a selvage
A good red floral is very useful. I will send along an image for Mary’s next post. I happened across a print just yesterday looking for a stripe I wanted. The red was called Minick/Simpson Grand Haven Crimson Cabbage Rose that sells for $12-13/yard. Fat Quarter shop had some online. If I find the other one I thought I saw I will post it later.
Yes thanks, I received photo of beautiful Ellie.
Cheers
I got the post with the Great Pyrenees picture. I don’t think I have ever seen a pieced turkey quilt block before-interesting. I agree-too early for Christmas decorating-even though it has been in stores since July. I went to my local Hobby Lobby the Saturday after Halloween and it was a total madhouse! There were shoppers with overflowing buggies of Christmas decoration packed in the store and they were announcing every 5 minutes about bringing Christmas trees A through Z to the checkouts. I told the cashier I didn’t realize I had come on the “Christmas Black Friday” event. She laughed and said it had been like that all week.
I received your post from the 13th with all the pictures. Beautiful Pyrenees dog. And no – no Christmas decorating for me until after Thanksgiving!
I saw the sweet picture of Ellie. Sending love to her and her family.