A Tiny Touch of Spring, 2-23-20

Temps in the mid 40’s brought everybody outside today! Oh, it felt wonderful – just check out these happy chickens!

When they heard me call to them, they came running! And I loved it!

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Went in to see the Three Amigos who don’t even go out when Rick opens their door – they are in poor health for sure.

The geese are loving all the puddles. And Rosie is enjoying the sunshine.

Then there’s Telly who enjoys the snow in her own unique way.

Connie is hooked on Quilt Roadies on You Tube. This is what she has to say:

Anna Bates has been doing You Tube videos for about 3 years. She lives in Sisters, OR, so is always very involved with the quilt show. Now she and her husband are spending winters in AZ. Her recent thing has been to add cross stitch – maybe because it’s portable? She loves Sue Spargo and Buttermilk Basin and has taken several classes from both – she does lots of wool, too.

One of the videos is called In the Bee Hive With Scott Hansen who is a long time friend of ours. His company is called Blue Nickel and he was kind enough to reminisce about our meeting many years ago. This interview I watched took place in 2018 – we didn’t even know about Quilt Roadies then – duh. We feel out of the loop and old, very old, so I’m glad Connie discovered these fun videos – if you watch, let me know what you think.

I have all the blocks sewed into rows for Friendship Starter – now on to pressing and then rows together and then a border. I can’t start anything else until my pile by the quilting machine is whittled down.

Look what Connie finished! Aren’t these just the sweetest pincushions for her class this spring?

Now that’s a pile of sewing!

Here are some really fun Dirty Dozen quilts.

Please! If I fail to post your quilt photo, I need to know! When I get them, I save them but then get all mixed up when it’s time to post.

This was a welcome sight at Target yesterday – garden seeds!

So if you have a cat this probably looks familiar – these cats need to get outside! I am tired of cleaning up cat puke!!!!

Winter is getting to all of us in North Iowa. And then there’s sweet Betty on the beach in Florida.

Betty could be a cover girl, don’t you think?

50 thoughts on “A Tiny Touch of Spring, 2-23-20

      1. CountryThreads Post author

        Peggy S – you’re so right! They haven’t been filled with sand yet!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Linda in NC – well, first of all they’re about 3” x 3” and secondly they’re not stuffed with sand yet.

  1. Arrowhead Gramma

    Telly and Betty. Their photos are my favorite in this post. Betty reminded me of our Mystic, a Black Lab who couldn’t stay out of the water or snow.

  2. Jan from TN

    That was my thought, too — pincushions? look like potholders. Maybe it’s the angle the picture was taken from.
    Betty definitely looks gorgeous with that beautiful sunset in FL!
    Glad to see your temps went up a bit & your animals & chickens got to go outside!
    Our little bit of snow is gone & we’re bracing once again for more rain — about another inch tomorrow but light snow predicted for Wednesday night into Thursday!
    My bestest friend is having knee replacement surgery tomorrow! Her incision will be on the inside side of her leg by her knee rather than down the middle. Where are the incisions from your knee surgeries?
    March 5 one of the guilds I belong to is taking a bus trip to a very large local quilt show in Pigeon Forge. If anyone following this blog lives in TN, you should make the trip. It’s worth it. The show is held at the LeConte Center, 3/4 – 3/7/2020. Lots of gorgeous quilts & lots of great vendors!
    No ads on here today — just empty yellow boxes.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Jan from TN – something new – incision on the inside! Sure makes sense to me. My first scar is almost invisible now but the latest one is almost obscene ! I wonder if my dr. was even looking when he cut the incision!!!!!

      1. Jan from TN

        My girlfriend had her knee replaced today. She had the inside incision done & only a lumbar puncture for anesthesia. Her surgery was at 8:00am & she got home about 6pm or so. She’s so glad she didn’t have to spend the night. She’s got the ice thing going on her knee & took her Percoset. Anxious to see how she does overnight.
        I wish you could come to the quilt show too. That would be awesome!
        I realize, now, that those are unfinished/not stuffed pin cushions. Makes sense! Thanks!

        1. CountryThreads Post author

          Jan from TN – please keep us up to date on your friend’s recovery! Sending her my best wishes!

    2. CountryThreads Post author

      Jan from TN – little houses are about 3” x 3” and are not stuffed yet. She’s in Florida – she’ll bring them home as is and then fill them with sand – no fiberfill which just makes a little pillow – not a useable pincushion.

  3. Judy

    I made a trip around our house this afternoon. Tulips and daffodils are sending up their leaves. Sunny and in the 50s today, but the garden doesn’t look dry enough and more rain/snow is coming this week. Knee replacement in last March, so planting may be a job for my husband. I have been reading about your replacements. Hope your back problem is taken care of soon. My question is when will I be able to get back to my sewing machine and the people church want to know how long I will not be at the piano.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Judy – why aren’t you at the sewing machine and piano? Because of your knee? I don’t understand why you’re not able to do those things. I could do it in two weeks with no trouble really except that I couldn’t sit for an extended time. Hope you see this comment.

      1. Judy

        Thanks, Mary for your reply. My knee replacement is next month on March 24. With your reply it sounds like I might be back at the piano in time for Easter Sunday. My congregation hopes so. Thanks for your writings.

    2. CountryThreads Post author

      Judy – now I understand ! Sorry! I missed only 2 weeks of church at the piano. I’ll bet you’ll be back by Easter!

  4. Debby Krzyston

    I’ve been watching Anna’s Quilt Roadies for a few years. I started in the beginning and it took awhile to catch up. I love stitch small quilts with wool appliqué on them. Anna videos many Quilt shops and Quilt Shows that I know I’ll never get to. I enjoy them all.
    It was a nice day in Wisconsin too. I love your sweet farm animals.
    Debby🐝

  5. Launa

    A friend emailed and asked if we had any flowers coming up? I seriously doubt it as we cannot see a thing except deep snow other than our plowed road which hasn’t shown any dirt yet! This early evening we had strong winds which brought another snowstorm blowing and swirling around up here. Wasn’t long before a Weather Warning Alert came via the cell phone about being cautious driving on hiways because of rollovers and accidents. Best to slow down or just stay home!
    Spring isn’t quite here yet!

  6. Charlotte Barnard

    I love cats but oh my goodness that photo of the vomit on the quilt made me laugh out loud! My sympathies!!!

  7. Michelle

    I follow Quilt Roadies and love all of her posts! I don’t cross stitch but watch her cross stitch videos. Her videos are like visiting with a friend.

  8. Beryl in Owatonna

    6 ads here.
    Your chickens looks so happy!! And Telly!! Glad you could get outside too!!
    The sunshine today was so nice and the warmer temps!!! I saw 38, may have been warmer, not sure.
    The finished projects look great! I am working on a couple of pillowcase dresses (made with FQ’s), then back to the diapers.
    Praying your back is doing better and the knee is healing too.
    Have a great week!!

  9. Diane Bauer

    I finally caught sight of tulips popping through the mulch today–such a welcome sight!!! My tulips always get crushed under late spring snow, but I so love the color when they start to bloom!
    We had snow in today’s forecast, but nothing came down, so I was able to get to the barn to work Patch a bit. My FB memories were of Jenica and Pete today–it was a year ago he had his first stroke. Jen was home this weekend and she wanted to go to the barn. It was good to hear her telling Patch what a good boy he is. She has been hesitant to love too much on Patch as she doesn’t want to be disloyal to Pete. Hopefully this is a sign of healing for her.
    I cut a few more scissors cozies this afternoon, but didn’t get any stitching done. Folks keep asking for an Etsy site, but I am hesitant. I have such joy in my sewing now. If I sew for work, it becomes a job and I lose the joy, so I am pretty resistant to moving in the direction of trying to make money off of my sewing again.
    Glad to see your brood outside today, enjoying the sunshine. Spring is coming!!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Diane Bauer – sewing for money is a whole different ballgame and I don’t blame you for not wanting to do it. I just don’t want the deadlines anymore but years ago when Connie and I were sewing items for a local shop my uncle told me something I’ll never forget – you’ve got to do something that makes money while you sleep. In other words, there’s no money in actual sewing – too labor intensive. Youve got to sell an idea so that others can sew their own. Thus our pattern business. But we were young and wanting to start a business – it’s the marketing part that I always hated.

  10. Julianna

    I’ve been watching Quilt Roadies aka Anna Bates for a couple years. My routine at night is to check Country Threads and Quilt Roadies both! I’ve learned so much and get chuckles along the way too. Thank you for sharing so much, Mary. And everyone, I guarantee you’ll enjoy Anna too!

  11. Debra Miller

    Your chickens do look happy! Our weather here in SC has been crazy! One day you could get a tan, then massive rains and flooding, then freezing then snow-not much but snow. The outside dog water was frozen this morning but it warmed up quite nicely by lunch. My daffodils have almost bloomed out and the Bradford pears and saucer magnolias are blooming. We have had 3 baby goats born this week-2 girls and 1 boy. I set of twins and 1 single. Our other nanny is also due-maybe twins-she had twins last year.
    To Jan in TN-I plan on going to Pigeon Forge for the quilt show-have for several years now.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Debra Miller – baby goats??? Will you send me some pictures to my email? What kind of goats? Are they pets or livestock? How many goats do you have? Sorry for all questions but I want to know about your goats.

  12. Sue in Oregon

    The animals look so happy in the sunshine. I hope you have at least several days of it or better yet…Lots of days. We are having a false spring too, although today it rained and was cold. It is supposed to warm up again soon though. We are getting ready to plant our garden. My starts are coming along nicely.
    Love Connies little houses. She must be planning to stuff them in her class. The finishes are fantastic, as always. I really want to check out Quilt Roadies. I didn’t know about them either.
    Yes, Betty could be a cover girl, or maybe a movie star. Beautiful.

  13. Caryn Goulden

    Looks like the critters are so glad to be outside in the sunshine. I’m happy that you were able to get out in the sunshine too. Are those chickens part of the Tribe? We had dark clouds, then sunshine, then high winds and a series of alternating dark clouds then sunshine today. I think the March lion showed up a little early this year!
    I hope your back and knees are feeling better.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Caryn Goulden – none of those chickens were the Tribe – they live on the other side of the barn and they don’t know me so well but they will in a few months!

  14. Jean

    WHAT a great post today! Am definitely checking out the roadies videos. Who knew? Getting old presents many challenges. Some totally unexpected like kinda getting out of touch with what’s going on in the quilt world! Uff.

  15. Paula Philpot

    I loved seeing the animals and I love those pincushions. We might have a little snow in KY Wednesday night. Our total at my home this year has only been 1 1/2 inches and I miss it very much. I started a new quilt Saturday and worked with it that day and a little yesterday. Back to the longarm today to quilt more charity quilts for our abuse centers, chemo patients, and children. Have a good day. Paula in KY

  16. Kathy in western NY

    I laughed seeing Telly upside down in the snow. The animals sure were happy to hear your voice in the barn I am sure!!! Rick took good care of them but you have been there from the beginning for most of them so they are use to you.
    Gosh those strips on Connie’s pincushions must be skinny. Bless her for making so many. I have had two weeks of no cat puke since buying my grass pot so I feel lucky. Mine is strictly an indoor cat cause too many coyotes or foxes would grab this overweight old guy too quickly. Some days I feel his old age bothers him as much as it does me too so I identify with our cat.

  17. Kate Schloemer

    I’m excited to check out a new UTube video..
    I’m so ready for spring. We also had a lot of snow melt yesterday, here in Minnesota. I’m planning my garden for this year. Need to get some potting soil and will get my seeds planted.

  18. Rosalie

    My goats don’t like wet ground and would stay in a warm dry barn also! But wet ground makes it much easier to trim their hooves.
    I have snowdrops blooming here in Texas and a few roses.

  19. Gayle Troccoli

    I have been watching Anna and G’s Quilt Roadie videos for a couple of years. I also follow her Woolie Mammoth blog. She is a delightful person. The Sisters Quilt Show held the first Saturday in July is on my bucket list.
    Glad to see you are thawing and able to get out and about Mary. I have only been following your blog for the last 6 months although I remember patterns by Country Threads from some time ago. I follow Jo Kramer’s blog also and she mentioned your blog which got me looking for it to follow. You are also a delightful person Mary. I really enjoy reading about your animals and what is going on in your neck of the woods. Sorry to hear about your back. I hope it is treatable without surgery.
    Thank you for sharing your life with us.
    God bless.
    Gayle Troccoli

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Gayle T – I really need to catch up on the Roadie videos – sounds like I’ve been missing out for a long time! So glad to have you as a reader – tell your friends!

  20. Joyce from NY

    It has been a tiny tease of spring here to for the last few days. Love your pictures of the animals & Telly enjoying a roll in the snow. I couldn’t sleep last night so i watched a couple episodes of Quilt Roadies & loved it, so interesting, thank you for recommending it!

  21. Diane in WI

    The weekend was an improvement over the past days. On Sunday the temperatures were near 50. Starting tomorrow at noon, we have a winter storm watch for 5-8 inches of snow. I am past winter! I have also watched Quilt Roadies. I cross stitch, and there are many interesting videos on it. Although I don’t knit, I watch videos of knitters from England. Some take videos of their walks. I’ll never get to England, but it is interesting to see their countryside. The picture of Telly made me smile. What a happy dog! Have a good day.

  22. Jo in Wyoming

    It’s warming up here too. I’ve got a hum dinger of a cold. My OTC meds expired 15 years ago, so I haven’t had one for a while!
    Love, love, love the pictures of the chickens and geese. Telly having a snow rub must feel good, all our big dogs have done that. Loretta hasn’t tried it yet, but she does enjoy the mud. Those feet get black as coal.

  23. Louverna Tomer

    I enjoyed your blog today; enjoying pictures of the animals in the snow. I really like the pincushions as they look big enough to set on the arm of my chair when I’m hand sewing. I love the size of them and the house in the middle. (Do you think Connie would sell me one?)
    I really enjoy Anna’s and G’s blog and she gives out lots of information. Pigeon Forge quilt show is one to attend if you can. My friend, who has a quilt shop, vends there and she really enjoys it.
    Mary, I hope your aches and pains get better soon. The cold, damp weather does not help. Come on Spring!

  24. Judy

    Enjoyed ALL your pics today!
    Hazel is a ball of white FUN! My white pups (English Cream Goldens) are mostly muddy now. Bluebonnets are UP!
    Betty is definitely a cover girl! ❤️
    Connie’s pincushion stack is THE best! All those different colored roofs and windows would keep the excitement sewing! But I would like to see a studio “before” pic cause all those pieces make for a marvelous mess! She had to have cleaned before photo! 🤣✂️
    Have a marvelously messy day today, Y’LL!
    Judy in TEXAS
    PS – Me too-never seen Roadies. Will do now! 🏁

  25. Pat in Michigan

    Kathy Hanson, what is the name of the small quilt you made in pastels? I’m in love with it.

  26. DONNA WYATT

    Love the pin cushions, Willing to share the pattern? Fun gifts for great quilting friends!

  27. Amy M

    I’ve watched Quilt Roadies before also. Sometimes she is at home working on something, sometimes she is at a retreat or packing for a class or the RV for a trip. Sometimes she shows you a tour of a shop or interviews someone. Its almost a mini public television series! We had nice weather this weekend also and now back to rain and snow tomorrow. This has been a weird winter. If I was Connie I would stay right there in FL for a couple more weeks!

  28. Jane Boyer

    I just came in from picking up dog “treasure” outside. If I don’t get at it whenever we have some nice days I know I’ll have a real mess come spring. Our part lab loves to get into all the puddles as we walk so she gets a snow bath before coming back inside. Then she gets toweled down. So nice to have a few warmer days.

  29. Kelli

    Hello! Love seeing your animals – thanks for sharing and for writing about what you do! I’m a goat lover so always enjoy those pictures. For Leigh Thomas – could I ask what your quilt pattern was? Love it and want to try it out. Stay snuggly!

    1. Leigh Thomas

      The pattern is Tomorrow’s Flowers by Primitive Gatherings. In their pattern the center block is an embroidered saying but I changed it to the butterfly. You will enjoy making it.

  30. Nicole Hanson

    I met Anna when I lived in Sisters. I just met G last year. They are the nicest couple. I cried when Enzo died. He was a terrific dog. I started watching her Wooly Mammoth blog, then the Quilt Roadies and now have added the Quilt Roadies Floss Tube. Anna puts a smile on my day!
    Just as you do with your daily “nothings” You seem to get more accomplished than I. I have been trying to do “Death ” cleaning for years. Just don’t seem to be very quick about it! Since my husband died at Christmas I have more time but am still slow! At least I am beginning to see some progress! Thank you for all that you and Connie do for us! I love your blog, notes and tips. Also miss hearing about and seeing Reed. How is he and did he finish his 30’s quilt?

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