I got several questions after yesterday’s post – here are the answers.
When I asked if you remembered this fabric, I used it to make my zippered bag – you know, the one that didn’t turn out good.
Here’s 25 Shades of Gray on my table this morning – right out of the dryer!
Of course you know who showed up to help – Millie!
Rick is moving snow in the background – we didn’t get too much in the way of accumulation but the wind really did a number on us last night. We NEVER get pretty white snow because that valuable black Iowa topsoil always blows in, too.
Back to 25 Shades of Gray – pattern can be found in this book by Kim Bracket – Magnolia Bay and Wildflowers are also found in this book published by Martingale.
Dirty Dozens for today: (I have forgotten where I left off!)
Connie’s latest cross stitch project – designed by Brenda Gervais.
My latest quilt block – ugh! Where’s my ripper?
Bonnie Hunter is a great resource for using strips and so is this book by Martingale.
Planning is the best part!
So bitter cold this morning, I made Hazel wear her coat but when I put it on she becomes paralyzed and just stands there stiff – haha!
Thank you all for your genuine concern for Jo – I so appreciate it but I have done everything anyone has ever suggested. After Christmas I am going to contact a Behavior Veterinary Service in Minnesota. A veterinarian trained in dog behavior is called a diplomate and there are two women in Minnetonka who will do a zoom consultation. In the end, however, I think this will simply take time which I have.
Don’t forget tonight – I always visit the barn on Christmas Eve when the animals are tucked in and carols are playing on the radio.
When I was growing up on the farm (circa 1950’s) I would go the barn to hear the animals talk in human voices which was a tale that the animals talked on Christmas Eve. Of course, I never did hear them talk but the stillness was beautiful like it must have been that first Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Mary and Rick. You are a wonderful person who loves animals to the upmost. My husband would rather animals than people most of the time. You WILL win the challenge with your pup!
Merry Christmas Mary to you and Rick and all your animals, take care, best wishes from sandy
Christmas blessings to you, Rick, and all of your animals!! I LOVE your Christmas tradition of spending time in the barn. I was out with Patch this morning. We still miss Pete so very much. The pups and I are busy cooking now in anticipation of Jenica’s arrival this evening. My daughter-in-law is a NICU nurse and works on Christmas Day, so they are staying in the Springs. Liz and Justin have already received their vaccines, so our family is moving in the direction of being able to be together again.
Merry Christmas, Mary. Love to all the animals, especially Jo.
Merry Christmas. Christ the Savior is born!
Is your church service cancelled because of the weather and staying still/safe? Ours is thankfully still Livestreaming and then of course you can watch the replay. Doesn’t seem quite right but what does these days. I drove some gifts last night to some friends a couple hours away instead of shipping and the Christmas lights on houses and barns in the country as just so breathtaking, I went a little different route on the way home to see different lights! We had your blizzard winds and cold but only flurries. Stay safe walking outside and Merry Christmas!
Amy – thanks for the card, Amy! Yes, our Christmas Eve and Christmas morning are still on – it’s sunny and cold here today. Everybody is shoveling out. I am not going tonite but will handle the morning service – Margaret and I usually split it up.
I can just picture you in the barn tonite with the animals. The music playing, what a blessed nite
It does seem that it is always extra quiet and peaceful late at night on Christmas Eve. May everyone have a peaceful and joyous Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Mary, Merry Christmas to you and Rick. Keep up the blog as this is the highlight of my day when I read about the animals and quilts. Thank you for taking care of JO. Pray that you win with JO.
We are getting heavy rain here in the Shenandoah Valley. We are postponing Christmas as our son is in the hospital and our granddaughter has been exposed to the virus.
The year of no Christmas.
Carolyn b in Virginia
Love the corgi fabric. We had corgis for 23 years. Love them. Never saw fabric with just corgis.
My daughter has a Corgi and I love him! No name on the Corgi quilt, but I would love to know where to purchase the Corgi fabric with the light background. Merry Christmas, y’all!
Paula Nordt – this was made by my friend, Kathy in Rochester, MN. She’s getting a Corgi puppy next spring and her name is going to be Penny. If she doesn’t see this question, I’ll email her.
Thank you! My daughter’s Corgi is Zeus.
Merry Christmas, sweet Mary!
Merry Christmas Mary and Rick. I always watch your visit to the barn. Love it. Is is always so peaceful.
We will only have our son Troy for Christmas that is if he doesn’t rescue another abused husky. We will see if he hears anything. It is at a kill shelter and he is awaiting an answer.
Brenda in KS – tell me more about the husky rescue!
I’ll let you know when I learn more. I did ask if he thought it would get along with the other two and the cat.
All the answer I got was “if they don’t you know what your getting for Christmas “
That boy will be the death of me yet. Lol
Love him to death.
Brenda KS – haha!!! You really should have a dog!! I like his way of thinking!
Bless you and Jo. I do hope the diplomates help. I’m working on restoring a vintage quilt. It will also take time, but I’m ready to be finished with it. We have a Zoom Christmas Eve service this evening. I will check back for your trip to the barn. Blessing to all.
Merry Christmas to all! We’re supposed to get a lot of rain tonight, boo! I’d much rather have more snow, hate the mud the rain creates. I will tune in tonight to see the Christmas barn visit, always love seeing that and imagining the music the animals are listening to. Carolyn Boutilier, so sorry about your son in the hospital. I hope your granddaughter doesn’t develop any symptoms. My grandkids had it and said that it for them was like a flu, headache and tiredness but over quickly. One of them didn’t have any symptoms but stayed home for the full quarantine time. Will put your family in my prayers. Jan in MA
Merry Christmas to all of you and enjoy your days and early advance Happy New Year 2021.
Hi
Last night (Wednesday) Sue from Grubers did a wonderful video on making bags with zippers. Check it out, I bet you could salvage that cute fabric from your bag.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas & a wonderful 2021. We have to think positive that 2021 will be a much better year! I lost my husband in Oct, so the holidays are so different. Our son & his family will be here, I feel safe having them here. Son works from home, the kids have been schooled remotely all year. We still will wear masks before eating & after. Thankful for my sweet little dog who keeps me going & my quilting! Poor Jo! I’ve had many rescue dogs, but I’ve never come across something like this! After they adjust to their new home & owner, the love & treats, they realize they hit the jackpot!
How can someone mistreat an animal to the point it breaks their spirit? Or mistreat them at all! She may just have a timid disposition as well. My husband always said the same people who mistreat animals are the ones who abuse children….it’s food for thought!
It’s very cold here & we have winter weather advisory warnings. Looks like we may have a white Christmas! Give your fur babies a hug from me💕
Alice, I understand what you are going through. My husband passed in March. All these first holidays are tough and today’s my birthday. He always made my birthday special since I was 20. That’s when we got engaged and I turned 74 today. My son and his family are spending the night (they live 20 miles away) and staying a few days…they don’t want me to be alone.
Enjoy the time with your family!
Charlotte – that is so sweet of your son and his family to come and spend time with you – and overnight, too!
Charlotte, I hope your Christmas was as enjoyable as mine! It’s nice that our sons are so protective of us. I was determined that this would be a happy day! My son stepped up to take over some of the things my husband ways did in preparation for dinner. Yes, life is so different now. We were married 55 yrs this past June.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Mary!
Thank you for sharing your good cheer with us on your blog. And thank you to everyone who shares their projects and life experience here too.
Poor Jo, whatever has happened in her past is going to take time for her to trust again. You’re doing right by her with letting her do what she’s comfortable doing. I remember Mary, that you bake eggs for your dogs. Can Jo be tempted out of her hiding spots with one of those eggs? My dogs get hard boiled eggs and even our puppy mill refugee gets excited to get her egg! Of course, hers has to be chopped up, she can’t manage to bite it into pieces with her damaged jaw.
Merry Christmas! I have to admit I laughed so hard at the picture of Hazel in her coat. She reminded me of those little wind up toys that walk stiff legged & then do a backward flip. 😂
Sweet Jo. I think you have seen little glimpses of what can be with her & hopefully that part will be set free & the old Jo will be gone forever.
I love your 25 shades of gray. Beautiful table topper.
I’m howling seeing Hazel standing there paralyzed in her coat. We tried little boots on Sonny as the snow is so cold for him, but it was a failure. He had them off in no time. How do those sled dogs in Alaska do it? I’m hoping the diplomate can be of help to you and Jo. You’ve tried so many things. Merry Christmas to you and Rick and all the blog readers. Like everyone else, I so look forward to each post and pictures.
Merry Christmas to you, Mary and Rick, to your flock of ‘critters’, and to all the blog readers. Our snow that blows in up in Kasson is always ’25 shades of grey’ too. As hard as the wind was blowing yesterday and today, I am pretty sure that some of that soil is from North and South Dakota! Sherry
I am so glad that you aren’t giving upon Jo. She is an extreme case. Poor sweet girl…so lucky that she found you or you found her. Wishing you all the best!
Merry Christmas, Mary.
What a cheerful post. Once again love the mini quilt show. And you 25 shades of gray turned out so well. Chuckled when I saw the mistake on your latest quilt. Been there. Done that… More than once.
Looking forward to visit to the barn tonight. At least I hope you are planning on sharing it. I still remember last year’s visit. A perfect picture for Be Still.
Merry Christmas Mary, Rick and all your sweet animals. Merry Christmas to Connie, Roy and their family too. Your visit to the barn on Christmas Eve reminds me of when I had a barn full of horses and at night I would walk out to the barn before going to bed. The snow was gently falling and when I opened the door the warm air, smell of hay and gentle nickers would greet me. I will never forget that feeling.
The DD quilt show has been fabulous this month. So much talent .
I too am hoping for a Christmas miracle for you and Jo. I wish I had an answer for you. Through my research on abused dogs I’ve read too many stories of abuse that make me sick to my stomach. Did you know that psychiatrists who study serial killers have determined that 100% of these monsters abused animals as children?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.
Gloria from CC – yes, that feeling and that smell when I enter the barn is comforting and very pleasant to me – I would miss my Christmas Eve visit. Hazel kept barking on the video – even when I told her the song was called “silent night”! Merry Christmas to you, Gaylen, Angel and Emmet!
Merry Christmas to you and Rick!
We had a dog, Mitze, and when you put her sweater on her – she wouldn’t move. Just like Hazel does. You could give her treats but she wouldn’t move to get them. She always loved treats.
May you and all of your animals have a very Happy New Year and succeed with your Jo. She has a wonderful foster mother,
Merry Christmas to you and Rick. Blessings to you both and all we all admire the care and concern you give to your animals.
Merry Christmas!! I had a good laugh with Hazel in her coat! Love the DDs and your 25 shades of gray table topper. That is cool that you go to the barn on Christmas eve.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!!!
Merry Christmas everyone. Lets hope for a much better 2021.
Merry Christmas Mary and RIck, and to my fellow readers. We got lake-effect snow today but we haven’t cleared the snow yet. Guess we are suppose to get more over night and tomorrow. It is very cold out. Can’t wait to see the your barn photos.
Joy and peace be with you and Rick, Hazel, Jo and all those sweet ones in your care. Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Merry Christmas!
God bless you, Mary, & all your family & animals! Merry Christmas!!
Mary,
Merry Christmas 🎄to you and Rick. Thank you for your wonderful blog this year, I have really enjoyed it!
To Charlotte and Alice, I’m sorry for the loss of your husbands. May your memories sustain you both. You’re in our prayers. Be still as Mary says.
Ho, Ho, Ho to all in the farm. Two legged, 4 legged and web toed.
Connie’s cross stitch is adorable. Your grey is great, and all the other DD’s too.
I did chuckle over Miss Hazel…tonight we put Loretta’s supper bowl down, she looked at it and looked up at both of us with the most puzzled look. There was not enough treats in it, only some cheese.
Merry Christmas to all
Thank you for the pictures of the beautiful quilts and for sharing a picture of the quilt book that you made the table topper-25 shades of grey from. I was going to ask for any information on the pattern so my question was answered.
Good luck on your journey to zoom to a behavioral animal consultant about Jo.
Merry Christmas and have a safe and healthy 2021
Hazel is hilarious in her coat! 🤣
I love seeing Millie helping decorate the new tabletopper; she is precious.
This is an unusual day, as we are baking cookies on Christmas Day. We will make some deliveries when we go for our daily ride. We made the dough yesterday. My husband made the cutouts, bless him; and I am finishing up with thumbprints. Do any of you make springerles? They are a family tradition from my German great grandparents who came from Switzerland in 1880. They are anise flavored, so not liked by everyone; I grew up with them, and they are a family favorite.
Merry Christmas to all; stay safe.
Merry Christmas and blessings to you and Rick, Jo, and all your animals. I almost bought sweaters and boots for my daughter and her fiancé ‘s dogs and thought better of it. Abe’s dog Bailey, a 7-year-old Australian cattle dog, MIGHT wear them, but Freyja, my daughter’s black lab/pit bull mix certainly would NOT. Katie suspects she was abused as a puppy as she has some abnormal behavior issues. She’s a good, loving dog, though…trusts Katie and has learned to trust Abe. Does NOT trust the vet. Oh, by the way, a diplomate is anyone in a medical field, human or animal, that has training in that specialized field. “Diplomate” means they hold a diploma in that field. My son is in med school and is interested in psychiatry, particularly with adolescents, but a medical degree in psychiatry only qualifies you for a license to work with adults. If he wants to work with children and adolescents, he has to do an extra semester each in those two areas and pass two separate exams. (I’m a retired speech-language pathologist and a diplomate of the Word Nerd Society).🤓
Sue – thank you for the lesson on diplomate — I should have figured that out myself! I don’t know if I’ll ever have any answers about Jo – I think in the spring when I can leave the dog door open to the outside she might go out – until then she’ll remain in the shop to come alive only when I’m not there!
Hi Mary. I wait for and read your email daily. Thank you for all your efforts. What is the gray quilt on the table called? Have a healthy and blessed New Year.
Pamela – the gray quilt on the table is identified in the next paragraph after the picture.
Mary I Had to laugh at your mistake on the block. I’m making a small throw quilt for my daughters birthday in January. Hurrying to get it done before my surgery. It has 15 cat squares and on the last row, I sewed the cats upside down!!! So hurrying didn’t help me! Lol
My rotator cuff surgery was earlier today it went very well. I’m in the recliner, am medicated, using ice machine and getting ready for my first post op night. I’ll be following the blog. Take care and happy new year 🎊.
Sunflower – Robbie – please take it easy and let us know how you’re doing!