I could hear the rain/sleet/ice hitting the windows early this morning so it was no surprise that school was cancelled. Hard to see in this picture but it has all turned to snow now.
My days are long in some ways but short in others. I started taking my pain pills more regularly as was written on the bottle but after about 24 hours it all caught up with me and I was dizzy and nauseated. All I could do is sleep in my chair and if I got up I felt sick. So today I’ll try something else – what have I got to lose, right?
First of all I’ve got some fun pictures to show you of Moose, Heather and Tony ‘s latest rescue from Straight-Outta-Rescue in the Vancouver area.
And here is Moose, 110 pounds, with his little buddy, Bacchus, 45 pounds. There’s also a middle GS named Pixie who didn’t want her picture taken.
And yesterday Fed Ex brought me this box of something perishable which Rick forgot in the van. Not to worry – our garage is like a refrigerator!
This came from Tony, Heather, Bacchus and Moose – huge strawberries dipped in chocolate! I had three without blinking an eye – haha! Delicious!
I’ve gotten some really cute pictures lately and I’m hoping the ads will begin working again. One small step at a time, right? Our friend Susan in the Mpls. area has these two kittens named Thor and Lizzy – I’ll bet the majority of us can relate to this predicament. Help from the kitties!
And a reader is trying to help her friend find this pattern, dated 2008 by Blackbird Designs called In Full Bloom. She would like to borrow or buy it – can anyone help her locate this pattern?
And here’s Connie’s Lily enjoying a snow day of helping mom sew.
For those of you who can get Nat Geo Wild, one of our readers who goes by Mary Says Sew! is going to be on an episode of Heartland Docs, DVM. The series will start this Saturday night. I hope we can get it! She’s going to be talking about the problem of stray/feral/homeless cats which is a problem created by a part of our society who won’t spay or neuter their cats, a problem that’s gone on for years.
A friend sent me a recording and music from her Christmas cantata and that’s what I’m going to do this afternoon – maybe sew a bit? I don’t think I’ll ever get caught up on the mystery! Jo already has all her blocks sewn together! And Jenny and Becky are stopping for a quick visit. Her time at home is almost gone already!
Still no decision about checkerboard stars. If you have this book, it’s on page 36. The book has a copyright of 1987.
Good quilts never go out of style!
So that’s it for today – lots to talk about really and here’s still a couple Dirty Dozen finishes. I so appreciate you sending these photos to me. All the free books have been sent out and if you’re a book winner who makes something out of your free book, please send me a photo along with your name and the name of the book you used. The postage is becoming prohibitive for us to continue to send out free books we’ve reviewed. Each one costs between $7-8 to mail because of the weight of the book.
If you’re here in the Midwest, enjoy your snowy afternoon!
Love all the help you get from the “fur babies” with your sewing. They sure do like to be close by. The strawberries sure do look yummy, such a welcome gift.
The snow hasn’t started yet in SE Iowa. I think you can send those books by Media Mail, and it’s much cheaper – probably around $3.
Julie – me and my stitches – nope, doesn’t work that way according to our postmaster
While the view of your snow is beautiful I am grateful not to have it. However my view is foggy and grey. More rain projected for today and then again over weekend.
Trying to get everything gathered for a retreat. Am sure will breing more than i need (usually do) and forget something (usually do). I am sol looking forward to this retreat.
Try taking pain meds with food & plenty of fluids, this may help with side effects. Even just crackers or toast helps.
Showed up for jury duty yesterday , was a felony case, I was #132 out of 225 called. Did not get chosen. If history repeats itself I will be called again within 6 months. Jack county not that populated & jury pool limited. Someone at courthouse asked me why i didn’t use my age exemption? Really? People it is a privilege!
Hungry for mac & cheese so cut my recipe in half & made an 8×8 pan instead of 9×13. Turned out better than I thought it would (some recipes just don’t do well halved). Still trying to figure out how to make Big Rock Ranch recipe (variation of King Ranch Casserole) in smaller version, uses creamed soup and don’t know that would freeze well.
Take care of yourself Mary.
Nikki M – I have tried to be very careful to eat something but I think it was just too much for a 36 hour period. It’s hurting today but I’m trying to get by on Ibuprofen- wish I were going to the retreat with you! What will you be sewing on?
Take UFOs…2 different house quilts, blocks (strips.. string variation) from block exchange, a bed rug that blocks done, & fabric for a mystery quilt class at guild in March to cut per instructions, & a quilt I need to bind. Now mind you I am not saying all will get done . Lol. Talked with hotel yesterday & get to stay in hotel rather than out in villa like last year (that was where they had rooms where allow dogs) & don’t have to pay non refundable pet deposit, they remembered Ms Maci & owner said let me in main building & no fees for pet, said his wife would have his neck as she fell in love with Ms Maci . Retreat is at Lake Texoma and we have a wonderful time & are treated like queens. Wish you could come too.. guarantee you would enjoy yourself, maybe even return to Iowa Texanized.
Nikki M – and Ms Maci gets to go along! That was going to be my next question. Better to take lots along so you can choose what you feel like working on. Sounds like your facility is very nice! Do they feed you, too?
Yes.. Tanglewood Conference center & Resort.. Beautiful location is a hotel with villas& time shares, has a golf coarse that is designed by someone famous in golf world, & all sorts of activities available..the chef is great..every morning breakfast is buffet with omelet station..lunch & dinner preordered by coordinator of retreat. Wonderful walking paths, right on lake. Being in January in Texas never know what the weather will be…we have been snowed/iced in and has been in high 70’s…we don’t care either way as we are cozy inside the grand ballroom quilting. If want to quilt all night long you can. For years I referred to this retreat as my mental health retreat, was my respite. Now is just my retreat.
Nikki M – well, I’ll be thinking of you! Send me some pictures of what you got done!
Hope you feel better soon
Hope your pain improves soon. You may keep the snow, especially if you are staying in. Precipitation is to arrive here Thursday evening; I hope it is in the form of rain.
Saw my orthopedic doc this morning. The shot and PT have not removed the pain. He says I can deal with it or have knee replacement. I think at this time of my life I should get it replaced and stop dealing with the pain. Thanks for being an example that it works, after some time.
I do use part of a can of mushroom soup and freeze the rest. The consistency is not quite like when first opened, but it works. My husband does sometimes ask what is different. It’s the frozen soup. I wouldn’t use it for a company dish. It is kind of like washing fabric with a lot of starch in it. The washed piece is not the same as the original, but it works for what I need it for.
Judy – the way I look at it is this – if there’s a way out of the pain, why wouldn’t I take it? Surgery is never fun and knee replacement is one of the most painful surgeries to recover from, I’ve been told. But I can’t live on this farm if I can’t walk so there was my decision.
I have to take a prescription pill for my nausea caused by my daily pain medication, crazy to have to take a look for side effects of a pill lol. Love the kitty pictures! Someday hope to rescue a couple of cats/kittens when our dogs are no longer with us. I also love Shari’s Berries! My husband orders some for me for Valentine’s day and Mothers day, I look forward to them every year.
Jeri
It’s hard to quilt without friends!
Looks like your weather is truly miserable, I’m glad you don’t have to go out in it. Until therapy.
The postal service is really changing. A lady sent me a yard of fabric to make binding, it cost her $1.35, about. After I cut the binding and ironed it in half, the PO charged me $4.35 to send it back! I used the same envelope, just peeled my address off and put hers on. Go figure!!!
Jo in Wyoming – Connie has asked numerous times and she always gets the same answer – about $7
It’s cold here in NW FL too, but during the day is just
jacket weahter”.
Note: Be sure to eat a bite of something when taking any kind of meds … meds on an empty tummy ask for trouble.
Karen
Hi Mary, hope you will feel better soon! Dealing with post surgical pain is not pleasant. I’m spending a snowy afternoon in Omaha trying to figure out cutting a kit I purchased at Country Threads about 10 years ago..I know, we shouldn’t wait so long to work on a kit. I will wait till you are feeling better to ask. I know there is a simple answer, maybe it will come to me soon!
Take care! As always, I love seeing your animal pictures and hearing about your life on the farm!
My daughter and 2 granddaughters are gluten intolerant so I make SOS mix as a substitute for cream of soup. It is from Utah State University.
SOS MIX
2 cups powdered non-fat dry milk powder
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup instant chicken bouillon (regular or low salt)
2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (optional)
Combine all ingredients and store in glass jar.
To substitute for 1 can of soup, combine 1/3 cup SOS dry mix with 1-1/4 cups cold water. Whisk until blended. Cook and stir until thickened.
Hope this is useful for others.
At least the surgery is over. Hope you feel better. The dog and cat pictures made me smile. I had to pause and go feed the birds. They are looking for food before the weather you had in Iowa comes to Wisconsin. The female cardinal was there. They look so beautiful against the snow. Enjoy those luscious strawberries.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the update, I love the photo of the cat with her head through the arm of the sewing machine! Hang in there with your recovery, I am sure the strawberries are going to help that! We have had below zero temps. and thick mist for several days, but no snow yet this winter: that has literally never happened here before: we always get snow in November, December and January, but not a single flake this winter.
Fiona- no snow – wonder what that means. Hope winter hasn’t gotten mixed up and it arrives in March and April!
Hi, I’m getting ads, but the picture of the pattern she is looking for is missing. It’s snowing here in Shell Rock, I passed on going to Waterloo to go to supper with the cousins. I’ve turned into a chicken about the weather. I love the animal pictures, the quilt pictures, you are like a letter from a good friend. Thanks. Hope the knee gets better, I have an issue with the painkillers also. Such a fine line between pain relief and total oblivion. Hugs,
Dee winter – she didn’t send me a picture of the pattern she is looking for so I couldn’t pass it on to you. Maybe she’ll read this and send a picture?
Mary,,
After surgery pain is no fun! I keep a daily note to write down time I take a 500 mg Tylenol. With these snow storms coming thru my arthritis can get pretty testy! Mmm your strawberries 🍓 looked marvelous.
The sewing machine cats’ pictures remind me of our last cat. She loved to get right up close when I sewed.
Those three lucky GS!
Aren’t cats great company while you see but also pests when they lay in the middle of your project? I would love to send you a picture of my Binks daring my rotary cutter… if I could figure out how to do it!
I recognized Moose from our local Facebook, His story was out there for awhile so happy he found a good home. Big dogs are some times hard to place. have friends who volunteer with dog rescue. where I live is roughly 50 miles from Vancouver
Maybe you should give away the books for cost of shipping, there are lots of things on FB that are free just pay for shipping.
I am allergic to pains meds so when I had surgery to fuse my neck all I could take was Tylenol, Aspirin and ibuprofen interfere with the bone fusion, I usually take ibuprofen for my arthritis but couldn’t for about 3 months after the surgery.
Hope you get over the pain soon so you can quit taking the pain meds.
Jan VDW – this is just another indication of being connected – I can’t believe you knew Moose from FB – and now Heather and Tony have him forever and ever with a life he could not even imagine!
Your storm is coming our way to western NY on Saturday. Should be a snow, rain and icy mess all together but not real cold and no wind finally so it will be easier to cope with.
The pet pictures are all so sweet and make me smile. I hope you feel better soon. When I had surgery a year and a half ago, I had to accept taking Advil and Tylenol every couple of hours was necessary for the pain. I didn’t want the strong narcotics they prescribe so for two weeks I opted faithfully to take the OTC ones and it helped a little. Know that this too shall pass. Hope your new bed is giving you a good night sleep.
I’m recording Heartland DVM. They are from Nebraska and his mother has a quilt shop!!
Carmen O – what’s the name of his mom’s quilt shop?
Dr. Ben’s mom’s quilt shop is SassyCat Quilting Co. It’s in Yankton, S.D.
Another Mary – thank you!
Ice then snow?? Yikes! I remember those days!
Mary, do you & Connie mail your books using the cheaper rate for “media” mail? I sent out 2 books to 2 different friends last week and one cost less than $3 to mail & the other less than $4. Of course if you’re sending via priority mail it will a lot more expensive. Just a thought for you.
I have a ton of old books but not the ones in your pics. Can’t imagine how I must of missed those back in the day. LOL! I’ve heard of “In Full Bloom” but I don’t have a copy of it.
I LOVE your friends’ dog pics! My dog, Brody, just got groomed today & I think he’s embarrassed about it. Our groomer did cut him awfully short for this time of year. Good thing it’ll grow out quickly ‘cuz I don’t really like it. 🙁
Woke up this morning to find that the temperature was 39 degrees…I forgot how much I hate the cold. My 4 cats and I snuggled on the couch keeping each other warm — a miracle considering the 2 girls don’t really like the 2 boys. Any port in a storm, I suppose. HA! I do miss snow, though. I miss the quiet that comes with it, the sound it makes as its falling and…driving in it. Yes, I’m an odd duck. Thank you for posting snow pictures! I show them to my hubby and he says, “Ooooh, I love snow…in pictures!” LOL
I’m so excited for Heartland Docs! I have had it it set to record for a week now. Nat Geo Wild is one of my favorite channels. We have quite a few intact cats in our neighborhood. Attempts have been made to trap them to get them neutered/spayed but they just aren’t falling for it. We haven’t given up though!
Jessica in FL – don’t give up! I assume you have live animal traps – just don’t give up, please! And thank you for doing that! How are you feeling?
Mary, I hope this advice isn’t too late and will work for you. When I had my broken ankle, I took HALF of a pill about every 4 to 5 hours. They were supposed to be one full pill every 4 to 6 hours, but I don’t do well with many different kinds of OTC meds so I knew the prescription would be too much. This method worked great—no nausea or dizziness, and no pain. The Dr. said it was a good solution.
Moose and his friends are beautiful and the “sewing” kitties helping are adorable. I love the dogs with their toys🐶🐶. Thanks.
Postage can be higher from USPS, but sometimes cheaper with UPS or Fed Ex, but sometimes not. Go figure🤪🤪
Take care of you. No snow here yet in Central Ohio, but cold!!
I was going to mention the Media Mail but see someone else did already. I have used that in the past to send a couple boxes of books to my son that he needed to use for study after he moved to the east coast. It cost so much less than standard mail. You just cannot have anything else in there but books, cds , dvds etc which means no personal correspondence.
Judy – our postmaster insisted we were advertising when we sent these books which we are not. We are going to ask at the neighboring town post office and see what they say.
My local post office won’t accept current books by Media Mail either. They insist the books be “historical in nature” and won’t allow current or recent titles to go by Media Mail.
Maybe the definition of Media Mail is left up to the local post office or post master.
What I looked at yesterday was the description on what could be sent media mail and it just said books of at least 8 pages. But I did a little more checking and there was a customer support ruling that has this paragraph which includes pattern books;
Crossword puzzles, pattern books, poster books, iron-on transfer books, and cut-out books which do not consist of reading matter as well as publications containing advertising are not acceptable in the mails at the Media Mail rate of postage. They are subject to the applicable First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, USPS Retail Ground, or Bound Printed Matter prices when mailed.
I think honestly that pattern books should not be in this category as they are instructional but that is the ruling from the post office so that is what your post office is going by. Library mail would not work for you either as that is only for libraries and educational institutions.
Judy – THANK YOU!!!! Yes, this is what we’ve been told and we insisted we are not advertising but they wouldn’t budge an inch. I hope everyone reads this comment from you so they know we’re not crazy. Connie especially since she’s the one who handles the post office.
You’re really getting more than your share of bad weather! We’ve grown colder down here but haven’t seen the first flake yet. I agree that classic quilts never go out of style. I would think that any book winners would be more than happy to pay for the shipping– that’s a very small price to pay for a new book. If the “winners” didn’t choose to do that, another could be chosen. That’s’ my 2 cents, exactly what it’s worth! 😉 I am eager to see that Heartland Docs show, too. Those Shari’s Berries are the BEST!! 🙂 Hope you’re feeling better each and every day! Hugs~
Mrs. Goodneedle – love your little dog, Hannes!
Awwww- thank you! He owns us. He will be fifteen this year; he is, and always has been, a wonderful dog and faithful companion (as well as a fine model to make my quilts look better 😉 ).
It’s snowing big, fat flakes here in Illinois – we’re 25 miles from Chicago.
I just sent a box of 8 CD’s to friend in Michigan, it was $3.79. The Post Office worker asked me if it was media mail. I had never heard that media mail costs less.
I”m done with my #9 Dirty Dozen. Will send a picture soon.
Oh, I don’t miss those snowy cold days in Iowa. Glad your knee recovery is improving Mary. I started weaning myself off the strong drugs early also.I would like to communicate with Nikki M. of TX. about the quilting retreat she attends. How do I do that? Thanks.
Liz Schrader – lets see if she sees your request – otherwise I’ll send her email address by email to you.