Rick fogged the lily garden so I could pull weeds – here’s how many I pulled!
And here’s how it looks now – it will be mowed from now on. I do not care about any flowers! I can only do what I can do.
Reader photos
A reader asked to see the 16 patch in the background.
And this is upholstery fabric that I’ve had for many years – maybe 40! I saw a chair upholstered with this fabric and fell in love with it only to learn the chair was way out of my price range. So…I inquired about the fabric and was able to purchase a yard – for around $50 if I remember right. It’s just hemmed and tucked around the chair cushions.
It’s great fabric, isn’t it?
always love seeing patriotic quilts, these have all been beautiful.
that is quit a lot of weeds, lots of work.
Mary, Thank you for showing what was on the back of the rocking chair. The upholstery fabric is gorgeous. What a treat it must be to see it daily as part of your decor. I enjoy seeing all the great quilts. What is your favorite way to eat fresh peas . . . raw or cooked? Janice, Traverse City area
Janice – I took the dogs out for some fun tonight and I ate as many peas as were ready! I never get enough of them to actually cook although I love them cooked, too.
Great post today. Learned all about fogging. Reminds me of the 50’s when they sprayed for mosquitoes in Maryland. Think back then it was DDT! Yikes
Great quilts. I love the pictures of the young girls sewing. Sometimes I wish I had taken HomeEc for 4 years. My mom and dad were all about college prep. Physics, chemistry, French, calculus. Makes my head to spin to think of those days.
My daughter made an American quilt /flag for a school project. I’d love to see it today. A good memory.
Thank you to everyone for sharing your patriotic quilts!!!
I agree about the 50’s mosquito spraying … and as kids we used to run after the fogging machine. It’s a wonder any of us are still alive! Yikes!
So many beautiful quilt pictures!, I love your animal fabric, I’d love a chair in it too. I love that the young girls are sewing. I collect cow pictures and prints, that cow would fit right in. Hugs,
Great pictures today. I too was wondering what “fogging” was. Glad you answered others.
The well drillers uncovered a nest of bees in the ground, then found the electrical conduit full of wasps. Both groups are mad!! They’re lucky the fire ants are all in the back, so far! I’m hoping to have water by 4pm.
I have a bowl of water and a wash cloth for messy fingers.
I can see why you love the upholstery fabric. I do too. It’s timeless.
The barn blocks are fun to see. Anyone remember BurmaShave signs? Looking for barn block’s reminds me of looking for those signs.
Jo – yes! I remember the BurmaShave signs – they were run to watch for. Bees and wasps and all were disturbed and Rick says fire ants are the worst! Oh, I so hope you have water tonight.
Oh Mary, what a mess of weeds you cleared out of that patch. Bet you slept good last night. It’s a treat to see those young girls stitching away on their machines-future quilters?? And what a great economical way to use that gorgeous animal fabric.
What wonderful quilts today, I never tire of seeing what everyone is making. Love the cow peeking out of the old red barn, how cute! We used to fog areas of our farm when working outside and it worked wonders with flies and mosquitoes. The area will be lovely filled with hydrangeas. It was really nice outside yesterday, so we were able to mow our lawn and our daughter’s lawn. Got everything weeded and watered which was nice, now today it’s going to rain. Love seeing those youngsters sewing away and they look so serious. Nice to know we share with those behind us in our love of textiles.
Always love the photos on your blog, Mary!
Thank you, Mary, for showing the 16-patch in bright colors! That’s another great leader-ender project!
No wonder you wanted the chair with that upholstery fabric – it’s gorgeous! I am not surprised it was pricey, either. Thanks for showing that, too.
Mary says sew – isn’t it sad that I still wish I had that chair? Haha!
Love the quilts as always. My granddaughter started sewing when she was about 9 and she is now 28 and a doctoral candidate in microbiology but still finds sewing is her outlet. On her wedding day she was at the sewing machine adjusting a bridesmaid dress in all her make up and hairdo. I am needless to say VERY Proud of her. It is a lifelong gift.
The chair fabric is adorable and you made great use of it.
I am loving all the beautiful patriotic quilts and thinking I need to make one myself. The two girls sewing are my granddaughters, ages nine and eleven, who said they wanted to learn to sew and specifically to make scrunchies to sell at a big craft sale at the end of July which is totally run by children. After a bit of instruction by me, they were off and running. They brought home my Janome Jem and have been sewing up a storm. They were able to shop Nana’s stash for fabric and elastic. Hopefully later on this summer we will move on to pillowcases and strip blocks for quilts. I hope they will want to continue sewing. It is such a valuable skill and wonderful, creative outlet.
Sue, that is so special that your granddaughters are sewing scrunches and were able to shop your stash for fabric and elastic. I was a 4-H leader and have one daughter who regularly quilts and sews so I’m glad those lessons were carried on. A Janome Jem is my traveling machine in our camper and perfect for me.
Thank you for sharing a good moment in time.
The Patriotic Quilts have all been wonderful to see! Especially love the young girls sewing! Sad I was not able to get my only granddaughter to sew, although I did not take an interest until I was married for quite some time so there is hope!
Those were some tall weeds, it’s amazing how much you get done!
What a great idea to use that awesome upholstered fabric, it’s Spectacular!
Good Tuesday morning. I just read all the blogs from last week and truly enjoyed all the eye candy of beautiful quilts, especially the patriotic quilts. My fire trucks were red so I love red and the quilts just tickled my passion for red. And of course seeing red topless was a treat.
I was in la la land last week. I had back surgery last Monday morning. The doc said the ligaments between my disks that he carved down were much thicker than he anticipated so he had to do more than he thought so it turned into three hours of surgery. I don’t wake up easily from anesthesia but what they use these days is better but you still have to sleep off all those drugs they pump in so a lot of last week was sleeping. My hand looks like someone shut it in a car door where the IV was. It’s interesting how it changes colors day by day but after a week it is still pretty ugly.
I didn’t see anything about Hazel and Keeper so they must be behaving themselves. I did get a peek and Hank Ster! I love that!! I love goldens so much that somewhere in my drugged fog I dreamed someone gave me a beautiful golden puppy. Wonderful dream!
Unfortunately, I didn’t read every comment. I’m almost back to normal, other than the stitches that come out Wednesday and the pain that seems like forever before it goes away, if it will. Word to the wise, never have back surgery! But I must say it was the best of two alternatives, either have a huge surgery that they say has a huge yearlong recovery or loose use of my legs. I’m keeping fingers crossed this works.
So sorry to hear about Patti. I hate cancer and pancreatic can be quick and painful and I absolutely hate to hear anyone diagnosed with that or any type of cancer.
Well, I’m getting on my husband’s scooter cart to go to the barn to see Albert and Norman. Maury, my 21-year-old skinny kitty who has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism normally wants me to carry him to and from the barn, so he now sits on my lap and rides. He must enjoy it because he purrs all the way!
Blessings to all
Linda – I didn’t know you were having back surgery!!! Being laid up, to me, is the basis of nightmares – what will happen to my animals if I can’t take care of them due to health concerns? I’d almost have to rehome them! I wish I lived by you so I could take care of your animals while you recover. Hi to Norman and Albert! And do overdo.
Love all the quilts. It is nice to see someone young sewing. Yard work is never ending, but the end results are SO nice! We have had rain, so I have had a break from watering. Yay! The chair fabric is nice and looks very sturdy. If it doesn’t rain today, I will be weeding.
Bobby in Maryland
Mary,
I’m always amazed at all the work you do, everything you get accomplished. Very busy woman! You do inspire me to get going and work out in my garden as your flowers look happy and beautiful.
Its great to see young girls sewing. We need the bext generations taking it up. Our guild will start a monthly class for 4-H’ers in the fall.
I had to laugh about the animal fabric you used on the chair. I have a sidechair that is upholstered with the same fabric just on the seat. Will send pix. It is best fabric.
Bobby – you have this fabric, too? I still just love it and now I could afford the chair! Ha!! Yes, send me a pic
Mary, I’ve done the same thing in my yard. As much as I love gardening I’m not getting any younger and I’m pushing that easy button also.
I LOVE all the quilts! Every one is inspiring. I especially love the cow peeking through …… would love to do that with a horse…… I really love the young lady sewing! Warms my heart.
Seeing your pile of weeds makes MY back hurt! 😉 I love all the patriotic quilts but especially love the pics of the young girls at the machines. <3
Mrs. Goodneedle – I didn’t weed this sooner because there was so much prairie mallow mixed in I would have pulled that up, too. After weeding around most of it, I gave up and got the lawnmower. I’ll let the hydrangeas take over this space – they’ll grow anywhere around here!
Timely post of the weed image. Thanks Mary. I went out for an hour this morning before the heat really set in. Spurge in the lawn. I put it off several times. Today is day 1 of many to come. A little bit every day really helps.
Li – you’ve got weeds, too, huh?
Hi Mary, they fog areas at holiday resorts in New Caledonia for mosquitoes in the evenings, never knew what they called it! The chair fabric is beautiful! Just heard my great niece in Australia has had a baby boy, Harley! Very exciting news! The quilt has been made, will take it over in August. Meanwhile l am 2 thirds through putting together ,y triangles quilt,falling in love with it, maybe keeping it! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Sandy – fogging really does help for the time I want to work. Love the name Harley!! And a new baby – how exciting!
Happy to see the young girls sewing. . My daughter does not have the patience for sewing OR the messy stages of a sewing project. Even with a proper size machine and thinking they wanted to give it a try my grand daughters have no interest at all. It is a little sad when i enjoyed it with mother, aunts, grands, great grands and even have a lovely dress made by my great great grandmother. BUT this seems to be the end of that in my family. The dreaa was for her daughter not me.
Have you ever eaten any of the field corn, the early ones. ???
Brenda – no, we do not eat field corn – we’ll wait for the real deal.
I love field corn. Take young ears, cut it off the Cobb put it in a skillet with bacon grease and a little water. Cook until it is thick.
What a great selection of patriotic quilts this last week, in every size and shape. Even one that is a barn quilt. Loved seeing the pictures of those two young girls making “scrunchies”. My great granddaughter has been making them also, she is 9. They are really popular with the young people, especially on these hot summer days for tying back those ponytails. Their Janome sewing machine is a perfect size for them as they are learning to sew. I hope their Mom is also teaching them to make quilts.
Mary, you are amazing, accomplishing all the yardwork that you do. It sure has to be a labor of love – and I know it is. You had at one time talked about filling in your pond by the barn. Have you decided to keep it for the animals? What would they do without it? Where does the water for the pond come from, surely it is not just rainwater.
Hope you are taking time to sit on your porch and enjoy all the ‘fruits of your labor’. Happy July everyone, Jeanne in Co.
Jeanne – well, that’s the trouble – it IS just rainwater so in the spring it’s lovely and then it starts turning bad. I gave the geese a pretty big swimming pool but they aren’t interested. There are many volunteer trees growing up around the pond which is a good thing if I do fill it in. Yes, it’s a labor of love and I don’t do a fraction of what I used to when the shop was open and I was younger. Ha! P. S. My back and legs are hurting this morning – I wonder why.
Seeing the quilts reminded me that I got some flags at your shop. Not sure where they are and for sure don’t know if I have a pattern to use them.
The pictures are wonderful. You are right, that upholstery fabric is great–just beautiful!!
Thanks, Mary
Enjoy your blog about nothing! Love the quilt pictures from readers. I’m curious about Rick fogging the lily garden. I’ve never heard of that. What exactly does that mean. I also have been pulling weeds. That task is never-ending in my yard.
Sharon – I’ll ask him – the “fog” hangs in the air to keep the mosquitoes away – he has a piece of equipment
Sharon – a tool that uses a small canister of propane. Black Flag makes the solution in a little plastic jug that is used to make the fog which is released by the propane to create the “fog” which can last several hours. It’s a godsend for projects like those weeds I cleaned up yesterday – the mosquitoes could carry you off this summer!
Another post filled with eyecatching quilts. Enjoy the visit every day. The cornfield images stir the imagination for the bounty to come.