Not too hot yet – perfect for a cup of coffee on the porch – my favorite spot in the world! It’s a sea of green everywhere you look – the crops look great and the corn tassels by fair time which is this week. The next few days are going to be very hot – I can’t stand to think of those poor animals at the fair!
I am so glad I talked about RAGBRAI as many of you did not know about it. Two men who worked for the Des Moines Register, John Karass and Donald Kaul, started it 50 years ago. Many of you mentioned the economic boon to the towns the ride passes thru and it is so true! Today is the biggest day of the week – riding the 30+ miles from Ames, the home of Iowa State University, to Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. Estimates of riders have upwards of 50,000 people!
And Carrolyn’s slo stitching has captured your creative side! If you’d like to email her with questions, let me know and I’ll tell you her email address. Here is another quilt she made with recycled saris, ribbons, trims, etc. It’s a Ginger MANGIE design from Wildside Quilts. Carrolyn calls hers “My Birds Wear Hats”.
And here’s my work area from all afternoon yesterday as I addressed books. I apologize to those who have waited several weeks for their copy – reprinting took a bit longer than I had thought. I have about 100 ready to take to the post office – they’ll hate to see me coming!
I so hope your grandchildren will enjoy the story!
Reader Quilts
Did you know the post office won’t let you reuse a stamp like this that hasn’t been cancelled but you can’t glue on again? Sounds like the government, doesn’t it?
I’m off to the post office and bank where I’ll get your checks cashed finally. Again my apologies but I didn’t want to put the cart before the horse.
Brenda in SC – we are all in your corner – please use this blog to unload your mind. I’m raising up a prayer for you.
So looking forward to my Susannah book!
Sandra in Virginia
Sandra – is this Sandra F. asking? Your book went out today with a note. You’re one of the few who had camp with Susannah!
It’s very hot today in South Dakota so air conditioning will be welcome, but I’ll imagine I’m sitting in your porch enjoying the view and a second cup of coffee. Heading for the sewing machine. Have a great day!
My sister in law is riding in that
Those pictures of the bike ride are incredible! Thanks, and I’d love to see more.
The slo stitching is beautiful as is the reader quilts.
I’m having a wonderful cup of coffee. My son is a roaster, so I feel like it’s a hug from him in every cup.
I need all the hugs I can get😕.
Aw, Jo! Here’s a {{{HUG}}} from me! I love that your son is a roaster! I’ve always wanted to try doing that at home. I hope you feel better. Is it the heat? I just hate this heat! Jan in MA
I love Carolin’s quilt & would be interested in her email address.
I envy your porch sitting! Mine finally has the screens on it again so look forward to sitting out there again. My hubby is a retired painting contractor. Sold the last interest in the business to our middle son 2 1/2 years ago. He pays rent for shop space in our barn and that almost covered hiring our son’s crew to do the high work on our house (stained) and barn (painted). My hubby has been doing the trim and the place is looking pretty nice again. Hopefully we can get the furniture back in place soon!
The bike riding and running marathons I leave to the younger set, but know I need to move more!
Marsha – I just sent Carrolyn’s email address to your email.
Me again! Will you have extra Susanna books or are the ones you have all pre-ordered?
And, I’m a rebel & cheapskate. I soak those stamps off the envelope and glue them on. My bad!
Marsha – thanks for that great idea about the stamp – I’m going to try it. Yes, books will likely be available until I die and the rest will get handed out at my funeral! Hahahaha!!!!! Order away!
Mary thanks for the picture of the bicyclers in the beautiful fields of Iowa. The bird quilt is beautiful and such unique handwork. I love all the quilts sent in by readers. What a busy group we all are.
Had my second appointment for info on cataract surgery. Will have it done in October.
Have my 6 month follow up appointment for knee replacement on Thursday, hoping for a good report.
Enjoying the cool morning but already 79 and rising at 9:30 in the morning.
Getting squash, cukes, tomatoes, and peppers from the garden, pulled the onions also before the heat gets to them.
Lots to share this am, enjoy it ALL,,Thanks..
I 🙏🏼 the bike riders stay healthy during the ride, we’re in ‘119 degrees in Arizona🥵 good reason to stay indoors and work on projects in my lil sewing room, I have 3 quilts started , one I will finish this am, a paint by number going and a crochet Lap size blanket t to finish..
Stay COOL everyone 😉
Katie – your weather is enviable in January but not so much in July – just opposite of Iowa – ha!! I can’t imagine what 119 feels like and you probably can’t imagine 20 below.
Patti has been busy!. The Viking quilt is for a true fan, I bet. Jan’s pumpkin quilt has me thinking that is something I may try.
The quilts are beautiful today. Thanks for sharing the picture of the bicyclists!
Do you have any Susanna books available? I’d like a couple if you do.
Sharon – plenty of Susannah books available. $20 each PPD. Cash or check to Mary ETHERINGTON, 2345 Palm Ave, Garner, IA 50438.
boy, those bird blocks are so intricate. that is lots of stitching. they are gorgeous. the quilts i showed today are all donations, laying on their backings and bindings. they have all been finished over the last couple months. i know i like seeing everyone’s quilts and get lots of ideas from them. the purple quilt today is fantastic. and i always love pumpkins. i love this blog. patti in florida
Ragbrai has been through Alden twice that I remember. A very busy time.
The last time 2021 inspired, the town business owners and a local businessman to upgrade, the whole downtown.
New street resurfacing, new sidewalks poured and business buildings resided or painted.All done in time for radbrai.
The improvements were/are amazing.
judy in Alden Ia.
Judy – sometimes it takes a deadline – I’ll bet it looks nice!
Thanks for the picture of the bikers. Iowa is so beautiful and green.
I love all the quilt pictures, especially the pink and brown quilt with all the different blocks. Must have been a fun one to make and, the colors are beautiful.
Patti, you sure have been busy sewing quilts and, so generous to donate them.
We’re expecting temperatures in the 90s tomorrow but, only predicted to last a couple days. The raspberries in my garden are finally starting to ripen. A batch of raspberry streusel muffins are planned when enough berries are red. I’m sewing on a couple of wool quilts made from simple squares of repurposed wool. We don’t have air conditioning so, I might have to put the project aside for a few days until cooler weather.
I had to laugh when I read you may reconsider your quilt work because of the weather. I often do the same with my binding. If it is going to be hot, even with AC, do I really want to sit with a quilt on my lap as I bind? Enjoy your raspberries.
Vicki: Yes, binding a quilt in hot weather just won’t work. I’m looking forward to fresh raspberries from the garden. Not a very long season but, I try to make the most of it.
I have taken stamps off and reused them using rubber cement to fix themselves. I didn’t realize that was wrong how about ones that you used and needed a different envelope? Guilty again. Using rubber cement. Oh well I am waiting for the Ruth Bader Ginsberg stamps to come and only going to use them for special mail. I have a couple of the Zack and JB cards and they are saved for people who are worthy.
Angie – I glued stamps on for years until the post office saw it and told me I couldn’t. I said they were new but they didn’t care! I might try it again.
You can toss a stamp in water to dissolve the envelope paper that is still attached to it and then glue the dry stamp (stamps are unaffected by water) on an envelope it’s good as new, no one (or machine) will be the wiser and the letter will go it’s merry way.
Angie – I’m going to look to see if I have more Zach and JB cards for you – I just might! And if you don’t hear from me very soon would you please just remind me? Fair week – I’m distracted. At least that’s my excuse this week. Ha!
What a great pic! I copied it to show friends! do I need to give credit to someoone?
What’s the best way to get photos to you? I have some quilts to share.
Fran – what picture are you referring to – be specific. When you look at your photos on your computer look for an arrow and click on it. Choose email and put in my address – maryehazel2020@gmail.com and hit send. I am the only person who can post pictures directly on my blog. Try it and let me know.
Fran – do you mean the riders across the green fields? It came from the Des Moines Register online – I don’t believe it’s a copyright issue.
Try running a hair dryer over your stamp. It may loosen the glue so it will peel off and you can glue it onto another envelope.
I did know that about stamps as I always thought you could trade for a new stamp. Found out otherwise when I tried to get a replacement. Typical!!
Good morning from North Carolina.
It is just the best when you finish a book and love it and right away a friends name pops up.
Cause you know they will enjoy the book.
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
You
Lee – it’s very sweet of you to tell me about West With Giraffes – I read it last winter and just last week loaned it to my friend Lora with the collie puppy. It was a great story even tho my biggest question was:
Did they ever let those giraffes out of the trailer to walk around? When they slept at a new campsite each nite, did the giraffes have to stand in the trailer all night? Jay do you think? Maybe I missed this detail?