Several catastrophes today – I closed the door to a big cupboard and this was the result.
The tail broke off the dog and the glass broke on the picture.
And why didn’t I take a picture of the boys who came to help me cut volunteer trees out of the fenceline? They also helped me organize all my cards. I asked them to cut the return address off the envelope and tape it inside. I’m going to take pictures of some of my favorite cards – I’m thankful for each and every one of them but some are simply outstanding in terms of artwork, comical value, photography and subject matter. I have loved every single one of them!
All the flowers are from Julie B
Makes me wonder why I don’t buy flowering pots.
This is a CAKE!
Reader photos
It’s hydrangea season – I do not know why they grow so well here on the farm but they do – I don’t do one thing for them – not even water!
The bronze ones aren’t ready yet so I’ll enjoy these and the new pampas grass for now.
Carol McGarvey, the author of this ancient newspaper article, is also a blog reader. This is what she had to say:
Mary and Connie — “I always loved putting your new patterns in the Des Moines Register column called FYI. They always added color and inspiration. And I loved writing the clipping posted on this site. .
But the most fun was, of course, gathering some friends for the jaunt north to your cozy shop. How special was that? Thanks for the memories.”
I still have this original clipping hanging in the quilt shop because it holds such a special place in my heart – this felt like recognition at its highest. I have one corner covered with wonderful articles and the rest in a “historian” box.
But really, when I’m gone who will care? That’s the thing with all of us, isn’t it? Treasures only mean something if the recipient knows that person. Some of the antiques I treasure belonged to Mom’s Aunt Amy but I knew her. Anyone else would just see them as antiques of unknown origin.
And so it goes.
Sorting the cards – what a heartwarming task!
I have Olympics withdrawal – anybody else?
I was looking at this email again. How did I miss the beautiful butterfly on the coneflower? I hope the reader shares the finished quilt.
What magnificent flower baskets, wowzer! I also enjoyed seeing the quilts from Susan, such lovely fabric choices and interesting patterns. It is nice to know that you had some help with the fence line and organizing all the cards, what marvelous young men to help out.
We got our back patio installed the last 2 days now we can move forward with adding the yard work. Lots of black dirt needs to be brought in, some stumps removed, sprinklers added, a sand point well installed and then seed needs to be laid. We are doing a large area on both sides of our home with a no mow grass seed, a mixture of clovers, and low growing grasses. It is really beneficial for bees and other pollinators. I look forward to seeing how it comes out. We may have a yard before the snow flies.
Kim – please explain a “no mow” grass seed to me – what keeps the weeds from growing?
Oh goodness, the dear kitty! Do you think she’s in pain? I sure hope not. And the dog tail, oh gracious. Can it be glued back on. They make glue for everything these days.
Julie B, would you mind offering us a you tube tutorial on how to grow such gorgeous flowers??
The sewing rooms . . . I love these photos. All of the quilts are wonderful.
Thanks for sharing Mary. San / Murphy, NC
Those flowers are phenomenal! What a cool chicken cake. All the pictures today are fun.
My flowers looked good till the grasshoppers came. Some of them are huge!
We got glorious rain last night…the field has a green tinge today.
Loved the flowers that Julie B shared!! How nice of her to help with the quilt made from her friend’s husband’s shirts. A work of love still love the quilt pictures. The mountain quilt is awesome!
Trying to get chores done today. My granddaughter and her boyfriend are coming for the wteekend. Hope that jump starts my apathy.. curtains in the wash. The crazy ballon type with all the strings that I got on backward last time!!
Next week I’m off to Colorado with my daughter to visit my sister. Try to do that every year but it’s expensive this year. Oh well, at least I’m still able to travell.
Wishing everyone a glorious summer.
Give JB a hug for me!
To all the readers that sent me cards on the loss of my husband. Thank you! All the personal messages give me such comfort at this time. I keep thinking I hear him coming down the stairs in the morning and saying how are you today? (I’m always up early). I know he is with Jesus and that makes me think of all his friends that he is reuniting with now that have gone on before him. We have a great Hope! And thank you Mary for giving out my address. The cards are such a Blessing!
Linda – glad to hear from you – I, too, think the cards have been a wonderful lift.
Mary – I love that chicken cake and eggs! It would be hard to actually eat it. I am going to send a picture of it to my daughter who loves chickens, and has a lot of them on her acreage. Also, the flowers are beaurtiful. Most of my hanging plants have had it. How are your geraniums doing along your sidewalk? My one geranium hanging plant looks awful. I don’t know why I keep buying one each year as the same thing happens every year. I do not have a green thumb. Loved seeing all the pictures today, and reading all the comments.
Jeanine – I’ll take some pictures of my hanging geraniums – they’re not looking too bad actually.
Hello, Mary and everyone.
We are in a week of lower temps so I am really enjoying that!
Lovely post today (yesterday, actually!) but I’m seeing it while I eat my breakfast. I am down to 9 chickens in my flock. I’ve had a few die in the last month. Makes me very sad. Going to get about 10 more chickens soon. They’ll be about 18 weeks old so ready to lay eggs shortly after I get them. Waiting to hear when they will be ready.
Beautiful flowers and quilts today. The sewing room is so nice and big. The shelf with folded fabric is impressive! I’m just not that neat with smaller pieces.
We are having family in for the weekend from Seattle, Wisconsin , and Connecticut. I’m hoping my daughter will come from Indy also. My mom has two appointments this week with her cardiologist so I’m the driver. She is continuing to adjust to her nursing home placement.
Take care everyone!
Such beautiful flowers! Julie certainly has a green thumb. Susan’ s quilts are also beautiful! I also enjoyed seeing more sewing rooms; they are all so different, and yet alike.
Mary, I’m glad you had some help with your tasks.
This afternoon I’m going to help tie quilts with the guild’s community service group, a nice group of ladies.
The flowers are beautiful! The cake looks so real, it would be hard to cut.
I first heard about Country Threads through the articles in the Des Moines Sunday Register. My niece lived in Clear Lake and visiting your shop was on my “to do” list. You closed before I had a chance to visit.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my antiques and family treasures the last few years. I have talked to my sons, daughters-in-laws, grandchildren and nieces about some things. I have notes about items in my hutch and on other items throughout the house and listed people I would like to have the items. I have given them some of my treasures.
Years ago, my grandson kept asking if a picture above the bed was Skippy (my dog). I told him no. I had the picture before Skippy. He asked often when I put him to bed if I was sure it wasn’t Skippy. I put that story on the back of the picture, along with a picture of Skippy on the bed and a note I would like my grandson to have the picture.
We bought a beautiful set of dishes at a yard sale years ago and never used them. My granddaughter had tea parties and used the dishes a few times. I gave those dishes to her.
I’ve also made it very clear to my grandchildren to shop my house before going to the store. My granddaughter is going to college and has taken a few things. My 14-year-old grandson helped me a few times with yard work and when I tried to pay him, he asked for some of my tools instead of money. I told him he could have everything but the basics I needed…a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
Sheryl – I agree with everything! Shop your house before going to the store – I love it!!
Glad that your grands wanted something from you that they can use and think of you! I learned if someone offered me something to accept that gift! Too late after one passes away! Great thoughts!
What a beautiful and creative chicken cake I just love it. I finally finished my Dresden Plate quilt!! I made all the plates and then put it away to work on other projects so it was about ten years in the making. Better late than never! Some weeds are calling today so I better get at it. Will start pea soup in crockpot before getting started. Have a blessed day to all.
Hi Mary. Love the flowers. Mine are burning up in the middle Tennessee heat. Just got back from two weeks in Ireland. Hydrangeas grow wild there, blues, purples and white. Huge bushes, so beautiful. The climate is perfect for them.
Love the chicken cake and egg nest cupcakes. Hope you are doing well.
Gayle,
I live just southwest of Atlanta and like you, my flowers have not done that well this year, neither did the garden. Hasn’t been that unbearably hot but for some reason, the plants are not happy. Carolyn
The flowers from Julie B are just gorgeous & the reader quilts. Hopefully JB will be more comfortable! Cooler temperatures here since our big rain on Friday, it feels a little like fall! Thanks Mary for your blog.
That chicken cake is amazing! The head and eyes look real! I’m so impressed with the talent some people have for cake decorating. There’s some beautiful creations out there — too beautiful to eat!!
I love all the flower pictures. I’m going to assume she fertilizes them weekly. The chicken cake is a work of art. I’ve never seen anything like it.
JB’s eye makes me sad. Boo our feral turned tame cat, came to us missing his right eye. As soon as we were able to tame him enough to take him to the vet for shots and neutering, we asked the vet to check that eye. We thought he might sew it shut but he said it was fine open. Boo is such a friendly cat and loves us both. I wonder how he lost his eye.
Beautiful quilts today and such a good idea for the cards. Everyone have a great week.
JB looks pretty content on his perch in the sewing room. I hope the ointment makes him comfortable each day. Julie’s flowers are beautiful and so were the quilts shown.
I agree with Lolli that someone is going to see your Country Threads treasures at a thrift store and snatch them up with their own memories. We all seek out what we enjoy seeing in our spaces. I know I look for your patterns.
I want to thank San for mentioning in her comment from a previous post about Tioga County in PA. I have a good friend in Wellsboro who has opted since moving there many years ago to give up TV and uses her computer for reading.
She is a wonderful quilter and so I sent her an email last night to check on her. My friend is okay but helping out others who have water in their homes.
With us being away at camp for several days, I missed not having any access to what’s going on so missed this. Roads and parts of NY border are still under water. Never underestimate how far a hurricane that started below FL can carry up all this way.
Kathy – I didn’t know about that flooding either – our weather is so cool and calm that I forget it’s bad elsewhere.
That chicken cake is fantastic! And the pot and baskets of blooming plants are stunning. Glad you got some ointment for JB. I hope it helps with the irritation.
Fiona – I’m going to show your beautiful card to the readers – I think I should frame it to sit on the sill in the spring. It is so beautiful! Thank you!!!
That cake is AMAZING! And I agree that things are special when you know the person, but just another object to others. I have things passed down from my Mom and Grandma but I don’t have children so all these things will just get tossed when I’m gone. But I’m enjoying them now! Glad JB got something for his eye.
Kelli – without kids it is hard to pass things along. On the other hand, I know lots of women who have kids that want no part of their mom’s treasures. They lead a minimalist life and don’t want more stuff! So you’re right, enjoy it now and I give things to visitors. I have a couple pictures and the pincushion collection that I treasure and I hope they don’t end up at the landfill.
Mary – I’ll be away for a while. I’m not going anywhere. I just need to sew and think about things. I’ll send the SASE and $5 to you for the how to quilt pattern. Hopefully tomorrow. I’ve had a card addressed to you for a while so I’ll mail it tomorrow, too.
There are so many things in my family going on I am just reeling from all of it. I will still read the blog. I’ll let you know when I’m back.
Love the chicken cake. How fun is that.
All the flowers are gorgeous!
Take care everyone.
Take care, Sharon, and best wishes for your processing and thinking and sewing. The latter always helps with the former.
Sharon, you’ve had a lot with the losses and move too but we’re with you in spirit so you are not alone. Do some good things you enjoy and try to relax and rest. Adjusting to a new place would be enough to give me time away but you’ve had family health issues so please remember you have a boatload of friends here waiting to hear how you are doing.
Sharon G – we’ll miss you but we understand. Lay low, sew, eat some cookies, have a beer, watch movies, read a good book or just dive into all those quilt books that you haven’t looked at in a long time. Spend time with a pet if you have one or go to your shelter and bring home a best friend. We will miss you but we’ll be here wishing you the best.
Sharon G.,
Hope all things will turn out okay for you and your family. It has helped me to take a step back, a big breath, and let happen what’s going to happen. Am soon-to-be 83 and have seen a lot of “stuff” and it all works out somehow. Take care of yourself.
Sharon, life can be hectic and upsetting. We are here for you when you’re ready to come back. Sewing can give us peace and the time to think
Someone will love the things you have loved. Think of how you feel when you find treasures in the thrift shop to bring home. Someone will feel the same about your left behinds.
Loved the chicken cake. It is so realistic, looks almost like your chickens, Mary. I wonder who the lucky recipient was. The quilt with the mountain scene on it is stunning. And I’d sure love to hire the gal with the gorgeous flowers to come make ours look like hers do. The hail storm a couple of weeks ago really wrecked all of our outdoor plants. Took the buds and leaves off of all the mums, which were just beginning to bloom. I don’t think ours would have been nearly as beautiful as hers, even without the hail. The zuchinni and squash in the garden have started new growth after we thought hail had killed them. Maybe we will be able to make our zuchinni relish after all. I, too, have withdrawal from the Olympics. I lived all the events except parts of the opening exercises and some of the closing exercises. But the enthusiasm of the athletes was so contagious. Please Be sure and let us know when the Fever plays again, Mary.
Still sending prayers for you and your upcoming procedures. Jeanne in Co.
Jeanne – The Fever plays this Friday night on Ion and also Sunday on ABC. Those are the stations we get them on but I’d check your local listings. I can’t wait for these games to start again even tho I loved the Olympics.
Julie B’s flowers are amazing, and Susan K has been busy making beautiful quilts.
It was nice you had helpers around today on this nice cool Monday.
I hope JB feels better soon. Thanks for the blog. Take Care, Mary 🥰
Julie B. sure has a green thumb. The flowers are all gorgeous! The chicken cake and all the eggs just takes my breath away. It must have taken hours to make them. I love the sewing room photos. You can tell that a lot of creativity happens in them. I’m sorry Mary that your doggie lost his tail. 😢😢😢
Martha – I’ve had that cast iron doggie for so many years!
Mary, I have Olympic withdrawal too…had to go back to the same old stuff on TV while sewing. Pretty soon we can be entertained by the Fever..and then comes football.
So sorry about your tailless pup and the broken glass. Hate when that happens..just puts a big kink in the day.
Tomorrow I am going to start making a quilt using my best friend’s husband’s button down shirts. He passed away 1 June and thought it might be a good memory quilt for her. She is going to help me cut the shirts…while I make 96 flying geese to go in the quilt. I will send a picture when we are done.
Julie – what a true act of friendship! Did he die unexpectedly? What a great memory quilt that will be for her / I can’t even imagine how she’ll feel sleeping under it. Oh my.
i would hope that she would consider it a giant hug from her deceased husband. patti in florida
He had been in failing health for a few months and was under hospice care at home.
Julie, sorry about your friend’s husband. How nice of you to make a quilt with his shirts and have her help. I can just hear you ladies chatting about the memories that those shirts remind you both of.
Julie B, sorry to hear about your friend’s husband. i made my mother a quilt from my father’s good shirts. She keeps it on her bed. One small tip: cutting the shirts up was the most emotional part of the experience when I made the quilt. Once they are cut ‘fabric’ they are fabric, but when they are still shirts and you are cutting them apart they are still a beloved lost person’s possessions and emotionally charged. Be prepared for memories and tears. It is a special and loving thing you are doing for your friend,
The rubber shelf liner also keeps the sewing foot pedal from moving around
I kept „loosing „ mine until I cut a piece for it
Especially works well on noncarpeted surfaces
Can you elaborate on JB? Looks like he might have an ulcer on his eye. I hope the ointment eases the inflammation. Love the chicken cake and the cupcakes, too!
Another Shirley – he may well have an ulcer – maybe he scratched it or bumped it but this will bring the inflammation down. He’s too old to remove the eye – I’m afraid he wouldn’t survive the general anesthesia. He’s very engaged with us so he isn’t hiding away – I would never allow him to be in pain. Vet says this ointment has some numbing effect as well. I realize I’ll be losing him probably next even tho Heidi is actually older.
Mary, our chihuahua/rat terrier mix dog rubs his eyes in the morning with his paws and scratches them if he does it too much. The vet gave me an ointment tube I use when he keeps closing it which dulls the pain too. I actually bought a second tube to keep at camp if it should happen there. So I know what these nasty eye ulcers do to their corneas but it’s just a set back like us having hurt fingers and headaches and whatever else for a couple days, then we are good to go again.
Sending positive thoughts your way. Rest assured, JB knows how much you love him. Caring for a senior pet certainly has its challenges. My little one is almost 19 now. I rescued her from the shelter a few years ago. When I got her, I wasn’t sure if she was even going to make it, but she’s proven herself to be a real character.