Becky and I met for lunch at Ace Hardware for fish and chips off the Fish and Hook truck. Delicious but they were out of the sweet chili sauce and if I’d known that to begin with, I may not have even ordered.
When you read a pattern diagram such as the Playhouse Pumpkin, don’t you always know that the measurement given is the cut size? After all my directions on drafting, how many of you could figure backwards if I gave the finished size of the piece? Some of you could but the majority could not. The measurements on the Playhouse Pumpkin pattern are CUT sizes.
Someone chided me for having so many plants to bring in. I have gotten rid of a lot of plants this summer and I don’t expect or want anyone to help me bring the rest of them in for the winter. Think of it this way – if you choose to have 10 kids, then it’s up to you to take care of them. Don’t expect me to help. I wouldn’t need to have this many plants but I want them so I’ll bring them in. No big deal.
Reader photos
A great recipe to have with fresh tomatoes – it’s a lot of work so I make it only once a season. Some of you may recognize the name Ina Lofy – she was our machine quilter for many years.
And for those of you who think I’m a crazed Caitlin Clark fan, I can think of worse things to be crazed about. The next sporting event I’ll be watching will be the baseball playoffs and the World Series. I’ll be talking about that, too. Just sayin’.
Interesting facts about Saturn. Thank you. Enjoy seeing all the pictures.
Mary, did CC really win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award for 2024? I’m not sure which websites to trust. As for folks giving unwanted advice, rant away! I, too, have scratchy days when nothing goes right, people just tick me off, we get election survey calls from PA-I live in WI, for Pete’s sake, and then I have to shop and COOK! That’s the cork in the jug for me! (Wait for unfinished fermentation explosion! Term compliments of DH from personal experience.) But tomorrow will be a better day with leftovers in the frig, a pastel Bitcoin quilt to transfer from my head to the stash and cutting table (thanks for sharing your wonky pink Log Cabin quilt that led to the idea, Mary), and the washer repaired so I can hide away doing “laundry” and sewing for more than a few minutes as a time!
Vicki-I’m loving the thought that the bump under your green/yellow/rose quilt is a cat, but probably a pillow! When we had our kitties, they would jump on the bed while I was floating the sheets across the mattress. Some days I would just tuck them in. They always found their way out.
Thanks once again, everyone, for the garden, pet, and decorating pix and to Mary who brings the farm in Iowa to us. Kris in WI
You are right, not a cat but a pillow. We once had a cat who loved to lay under quilts. I know what you mean. When I was under the weather and needed to nap, she would always jump onto the bed, circle around until I lifted the quilt, and get under the covers with me. It was a comfort to both of us.
Kris – I’m with you – I don’t trust those sites and I can’t imagine that it’s been announced on the major networks and me not hearing it. I believe it to be inevitable but I think it would be all over the news if it’s been decided.
Just between you and me, Kris, there are days that I hate the world! Haha!
Kris – I did go online and I guess it was announced – one site said it had been inadvertently leaked. So I don’t know one way or the other.
That playhouse is sooooo cute. Mine is downstairs full of fabric. Your second, third, and fourth playhouse is called quilting area.
The wall hanging, table runner and quilts today are great.
Love the chickens. I always love the chickens and geese. And furry friends.
The woodpeckers are migrating and pecking on my house. I hung owls in the tree. Three days later, Loretta saw them and start barking at them. It took her 3 days to find something out of place and notify (protect) me! What a girl.
Jo – so they’re back, huh? What did you do last year to get them to leave? I don’t remember. Good girl, Loretta!!!
My sister made the pumpkin table runner for me many years ago. It is so faded now but I have not been able to throw it away! I am working on making a new one.
We are in Charlotte, NC and just got our power restored after 29 hrs. My granddaughter lives in Asheville and she says Asheville is devastated.
Gloria -oh no! I will watch the news tonight -the pictures are unbelievable. Weather can be so destructive and it disrupts peoples lives so completely. Of course, I also think of the wildlife and even pets left outside in a kennel or tied up – certain death for them.
Nancy your scarecrow makes me smile and I loved all the fall decorations folks are sharing. Our 2 pots with garden mums are doing well on the front porch. The grass is slowly coming in. We drove down to the river this past weekend (LaCrosse, Wi) and the fall colors are bursting. Lots of fishermen and Eagles everywhere. We did manage to stop in LeCresent at my favorite apple stand and get some Cortland apples to freeze. Mary, I admire your stamina to save all those plants, and why the heck not? I struggle with keeping a cactus alive so I say lucky you with the green thumb. I will give this recipe a try and if its a hit we may take it along at thanksgiving with family. I do remember Ina from your shop. This fall weather is perfect. Off to ride our bikes to our daughters for a cook out and then to ride back home.
Mary, I may have indicated you could give some of your plants away so you wouldn’t have to work so hard, I am sorry if I offended you! I have a friend that does the same thing with her plants in the summer. You enjoy them and your animals etc. and we love to read about them! My hubby is 79 and loves to farm, he ordered his fertilizer for next year. Some people think he should slow down….why? He loves it! He would not be happy living in town in the rocking chair. The boys rent some of the farm and so they are all having a good time.
Your geraniums are really pretty! Will you winter those? I have wintered one for three years and I will keep it in the garage again along with another one from this year. Our garage stays about 50 with the heater on so that works great. The flowers are still really pretty for almost being the 1st of October.
Rita I am glad all things are going well and hope they continue! I agree with your panty/pad hint!
The weather is gorgeous! But, it is so dry and dusty! The guys finished the soybeans yesterday and now they found some corn that is ready to combine!
My second eye is doing great. I find myself trying to push up my glasses and there are none! And I look for my glasses in the morning on the night stand. None! Routine!
Well, I think we will have burgers on the grill for lunch.
Mary do not apologize about Caitlin, you enjoy the sports! She’s a great gal!
Enjoy the weekend.
Joy – not necessarily you – it’s everybody who knows me or comes to visit. I’m okay with working hard – have for years and some of these bigger plants have been here for 30+ years. My oldest Hoya is over 50+ years old! Like your husband who loves farming, I’m not ready to give up yet.
People gripe about everything! I am probably guilty too. But I love the variety in your blog. I don’t have any pets walking on four legs any more, but I have two zebra finches that keep me company. I enjoy seeing others’ pets. It’s part of life. Time to bring in plants I let live outside in the summer. Again, it’s a choice. I don’t follow sports except those of what my great grand children are involved in when I am lucky to be there. Your blog Mary, makes me smile. I see past the gripes.
Thanks Mary for sharing the Chili Corn Bread salad recipe. Sounds yummy. Enjoyed all the pictures today and info regarding Saturn.
Sally – got me to thinking about the word “chili” in the title of this recipe. There’s no chili! I think it should have been spelled as in green chilies, don’t you? I have another recipe as a dip that uses Hormel chili without beans. I should make that.
The pictures are so wonderful to see this morning. The scarecrow is a such a happy wallhanging. Nice to see the charity quilt colors and all the other creations you readers share with us. I love our very own show and tell here,
And I appreciate the patterns you share too for us to make.
Today our church makes the switch over in our clothing closet. We offer free clothing of all ages to anyone in need and get close to 20 people every other week. It’s time to switch to sweaters and coats and boots and put away the shorts, sleeveless shirts. Our mission group also supplies packages of diapers to this and we’ve just started a bin for maternity clothes. The youth group and men will do the stairs of switching out totes. It’ll be done by noon with all the help and some from other churches lend a hand too. Hoping we don’t get any of the remnants of the hurricane. My petunias and primroses are still blooming. I think they are confused with the warm weather. The local news showed someone’s lilac tree had a blossom so now I will check mine out.
I love the wilderness trail at dusk picture. This is my favorite season of the year. The two pumpkin table runner is stunning. I made the same one a few years back but in more muted colors. I like it in the warmer colors shown in the picture you posted. The photo reminds me to get it out.
My daughter’s double mastectomy went well. She is doing great. Spirits are high. She is now waiting for the pathology results. She told us we were there in spirit because she saw two Asian beetles, which we usually bring with us when we go to Texas. And she saw a Praying Mantis. That was very touching.
For any us who undergo surgery be sure to ask for panties and a pad to wear as when you have to get up to go to the bathroom accidents happen. I did this and I’m so glad I did. I also told my daughter about this and she was glad I did.
My recovery from knee replacement is going well and I am using mostly the cane and have been up and down the basement stairs twice, with hubby nearby.
Love all the pictures you share with us. Thank you
Great idea about the panties and pad!
Sending more encouragement for you and your daughter. I had a double over 20 years ago and I am still kicking around. I had the sentinel lymph node tested, and it was negative but I went through it for a tumor maybe the size of a pea. Never looked back. Had a couple drs tell me since then I did the right thing. No implants. Freedom! I am pushing 80 by the way.
Rita – I’ll bet she and you, too, are glad this is over- sounds like she’s on the mend and yes, the Japanese beetles have arrived – just as soon as the farmers start harvesting beans. The panties and pad sound like a great idea – I have found however that hospital staff doesn’t always take kindly to suggestions – at least my experience last July.
I love the fall pictures, especially the quilts. And Millie looks so content. Enjoy your appreciation of Caillin Clark, Mary. It’s good to be enthusiastic!! I find various football players to admire and appreciate.
We’ve had rain and wind from the hurricane. I heard it was moving at 70 mph on its way to the Florida coastline!! Quite scary! Downed trees and powerlines here in West central Ohio. Decided not to drive in the rain to see homecoming ceremonies. My granddaughter was crowned the homecoming queen. Glad they did that inside. I did get to her volleyball game the previous night.
Stay safe and pray.
Carolyn – you must be so proud of your homecoming queen! You could send us a picture if you’d like.
I say that it’s your blog and you can write about anything you want. I really enjoy reading it and you inspired me to watch the WNBA. I really enjoyed watching Caitlin play. I don’t have as many plants as you, but I have a couple of plants that were given to me almost 50 years ago. The original plants are gone, but I always manage to root new ones.
Shirley – I have one that is over 50 years old – I worked for an OBGYN Dr in the early 70’s and he gave it to me.
wow, this blog is about everything. great pictures. love the quilts. love the animals, especially sweet millie. love the info on saturn and its rings. did not know that.
yes, i would imagine that all numbers are cutting numbers on a pattern. that is generally how it is done. too many people never learn the actual math. hated geometry in school but it would surely help with quilting. you know, i find it presumptuous of people to tell you that you have too many plants. kinda like people coming in your home and telling you that you have too much fabric. so…i paid for it, i take care of it, i use it. what business is it of yours? just my thoughts.
many many years ago our guild sold merryvale fabric swatches (6″ squares) as fund raisers. i always bought them. i use them in different things still. tonight i pulled a whole huge batch of them out and started pairing some together to make a ‘squares adaptation’ quilt from karla alexander’s book ‘color shuffle’. i think i’m bored with what i’ve been doing. or it’s just another tangent to go down.
i’m in the rest for 45 minutes, get up and walk for a few minutes, do these exercises as possible, then sit down again for 45 minutes. all in an effort to get my stamina back. but my loving husband, mr. ed, brought home ingredients for me to cook yesterday and today. i wanted to throw things at him, but i was a good wife and did not. don’t even ask me to cook tomorrow. i’m going to sew and continue to sit for 45 minutes then walk around a bit and sit again – behind my sewing machine.
happy quilting to all, patti in florida who loves the pictures of your play house
and just today i was looking at all of MY plants that need repotting to come inside for the winter. usually about 3 bakers racks full. they make me happy- green growing things in winter! they also contribute to healthy indoor air. i also store summer bulbs (not hardy) in the basement for winter. these too need washing and trimming before storage. plants and pets. things we enjoy and choose to care for.
I love seeing pretty Millie napping outdoors! Our high was only 73–breezy and beautiful; nice for an outdoor nap, too.😊
Mari- SoVA, Your Playhouse Pumpkin quilt is adorable. I started on mine this afternoon, so I am not very far along. I have been making applesauce, so it was fun to have my hands in fabric today.
Thanks, Mary. I hope we have great Midwest fall weekend weather. 🥰
Why thank you, Jeanie! I told Mary I got her email at a quilt retreat and used what I had on hand and finished it that day! (That rarely happens!) 😉 Enjoy making yours!
Spent the day hunkered in the house as Dayton, OH was dealing with 55 mph wind gusts and at times torrential rains from the remnants of hurricane Helene passing through. Rain we need desperately, but there is going to be a lot of yard cleanup in the next few days.
Here in SW Ohio today we had 25-30mph wind and about 3.5″ of rain. It was wild! We needed the rain desperately, though, and we’re looking forward to more in the coming week. We have Helena to thank for this weather, but we’re aware of the damage the storm did further south.
P.S. I would not be unhappy if you shared multiple pictures of your various cats in every single post! I can’t have a cat anymore (family allergies), and I love seeing other people’s kitties being cats.
I love how Millie just picks any spot and takes a nap. So many great pictures today.When you post a pattern, I do assume that the measurements are cut size. By the way, thank you for the pumpkin quilt pattern.
We’re having some unseasonably warm weather and dry too. No rain in the near forecast. The leaves are slowly changing colors but, are later than usual this year. No frost yet so, still a few things left in the garden. I’m thinking of taking down the surrounding temporary fence and letting the deer have at whatever is left.
wouldnt that be giving permission to have at it during the growing and harvest season 2025??
Brenda, Good point. I may have to rethink that plan!
Not related to your blog but something to ponder: Saturn is 743 million miles from earth. It’s orbit around the sun is 29.4 earth years (ours 365 days). The width of the rings are 175,000 miles ( approximately half the distance from earth to our moon). The outer thickness of the rings is 33 feet! Gradually thicker to the surface at 328 feet. Every 13-16 years, the aspect of the rings is edgewise to our line of sight, making them not visible. That is starting now. From March 2025 through November 2025 we will not see Saturn rings. Pretty cool to ponder!!