We are under a winter storm warning today and tomorrow so school is cancelled and I thought it would be a good idea to get the feed truck out here before we had to move 10″ of snow to allow the truck to get in the yard.
This always makes me feel good when I see new feed is here and safely tucked away in the feed room. The last time the feed truck was here was October 19 so as you can see I don’t have to do this very often. I completely forgot to take the picture of the truck with the chute backed into the open barn window to show you how it’s done. Next time I’ll try to remember. Hope wanted to check out the feed which is cracked corn and whole oats mixed together. I add a bagged goat food pellet to the goats’ feed each day and the chickens get a supplemental egg laying crumble in a separate feeder.
The egg laying has slowed down but that’s OK – it’s winter and they’re taking a rest. And here’s some disturbing news. Take a look at Chicklet, this precious little ball of fluff that I have guarded with my life. Do you think maybe the comb is getting a bit too big? Maybe something else is getting bigger, too, if you know what I mean. I am now suspecting Chicklet to be a rooster! Dang it! Now I’ll have a rooster war on my hands with him and his dad.
I so wanted Chicklet to be a hen! But at this point I’m thinking not. I left all the chickens locked up today because of the impending snowstorm which will arrive mid day and some of the chickens would get caught outside and not find their way inside the barn if they were allowed out and about.
I must admit I got the CRUD on Saturday night within a couple of hours. I played at both churches but left as soon as the major music was done and Margaret finished up the service on her own. I did have a Z Pack that I started immediately and by yesterday afternoon I was feeling a whole lot better. It never fails – if I venture out shopping in the winter, I get sick. When will I learn?
Nancy stopped to see me on Saturday and brought me this sweet mug filled with candy. I am looking for a rescue but would really like to be somewhat picky this time. We both miss Janey and Faye and their spark of liveliness is gone from our little family. Telly wants a playmate and we just want happy dogs. I think we have the best farm set up anybody could devise so we are on the lookout for a terrier.
She also brought this quilt to show me that Steve’s grandmother made years ago. Look at this wonderful quilt and then please note what a simple pattern it is.
It is 2 alternating blocks. One is a 16 patch and the other is a quarter triangle block. It is so simple yet so effective and such a great use for scraps that as soon as I feel better, I think I’ll start a quilt like this. I have to finish the Sew Along and the Mystery first but then this one is on my list! I love it!
One of the book winners sent me this very fun homemade postcard. Look at the time and energy Carol P. put into this sweet little project! You can bet I’m going to hang it up. Thank you, Carol! It takes someone who sews to really appreciate all this work!
Telly and Hope are enjoying each other – they run outside many times during the day to “supervise” any noise they hear and that’s good for both of them. Gets their hearts pumping and their legs running! We’re thinking about Connie on the cruise – looks like she’ll miss this snowstorm but her driveway will be waiting to be shoveled when she gets home.
And here’s the scene in the barn this morning – all very calm and happy.
Snow flakes just started falling here for the same storm (11:15 a.m.). I understand the feeling of being prepped ahead for our animals before a storm – it’s one of the best feelings in the world!
Chicklet is gorgeous! I hope Chicklet’s a hen, for your sake, and for your other rooster’s sake, too. I don’t know if it’s at all practical to neuter a rooster!
Hi Mary. Love your work, I know the book is areal hit.
Take a look at Ruth McDowell on pinterest.
She has many, many chicken and goat cloth impressions…..quilts. They are so beautiful,
Yours is my favorite blog. Ever. Lois in Omaha
Lois – did you eve see my Susannah quilt that a reader made in Ruth Mc Dowells class?
Yes we had terrible weather Sat and Sun – cold rainy with high winds
And you could just predict that 2 days later your
Area would be under a storm or blizzard conditions.
I love how you incorporate your love for animals with
Your Quilting since I grew up on a dairy farm and appreciate
How much work it all is to be on a farm.
Get well quick and the cold meds with zinc which are over the counter
Always help me. Plus hot water with lemon and honey
Hugs
Rhoda
Get wee
Love love LOVE Nancy’s quilt!!! I have some scraps just waiting for this project!
I’m happy your critters are all snug and safe from the approaching storm.
Be safe Mary and feel better soon!
Bonnie in Oregon
Love the look of your feed room. It’s such a good feeling to have a stock pile of feed for the animals and a kitchen cupboard full for the family. Of course, we don’t stock up for snow but you never know when the BIG ONE will hit in California. Also, your barn looks soooo peaceful and cozy. Sorry you’ll have to say goodbye to chicklet. Our 2 roosters still get along….but that’s a first and a rarity.
That quilt is calling me. As you say, so simple and lovely. I’ve collected quite a few old feed sacks and have made a few traditional quilt designs from the 30’s. I save every tiny scrap of feed sack and that quilt is perfect for scraps.
May the Lord bless you and keep you healthy.
Love the animals! How about a Scottie? Terriers they are! We in SoCa have been experiencing “weather” with our drought breaking rain and flooding..but since my/your book is arriving today I will be too busy to notice. Take care!!💝
I, too, have the flu. The achey kind. I went to a baby shower on Sat. (first in many many years) where little ones ran about. (Is that the latest thing in baby showers?) Oh, my. I don’t have built up immunities anymore, I guess. My baby quilt went over very well, and I am happy. It is very cute if I do say so myself.
Speaking of quilts….I love that vintage one. I think I could scale it down to a mini.
I love that big hanging lamp in your barn. Do you leave it on all night? The animals can just go there to warm up or not, as they choose. Love that.
Sue – yes, the heat lamps are on 24/7 and we also have an LB White propane heater on a thermostat. Everybody is toasty!
I love that they are warm. Way too many cold animals out there.
Enjoy your posts. I’m a simple quilter. Mostly I make quilts/blankets for Project Linus and love, love, love dong it.
I also choose my dogs from the pound/rescue orgs. So can you look on the bottom of the cut and perhaps find info so I can buy one somewhere? Thanks.
Sydney – please read your question again and clarify – I can’t understand it.
Sorry for the typos, that shows I shouldn’t be overly confident and not proofread before posting. Of course I mean I love “doing it,” meaning being a part of Project Linus…………….AND I am talking about the bottom of the cup or any other source you have for that information. Thanks again.
Sydney – sorry – I should have read further to your second comment. It says John Bartlett on the bottom of the mug.
You have the PERFECT home for any dog and no one could love their animals more–so if your heart says you want a terrier—go for it. Whichever puppy is lucky enough to have you for a mom will be a Queen (or King) forever!!!!
P.S. I don’t believe in reincarnation but if I did, I’d want to come back as your dog. 🙂
I love the grandmother quilt too!!!!
I just love to read about your animals and the farm. Hope you don’t get that much snow!
Have you made no knead bread? SUPER easy and it goes so well with a pot of soup in the crock pot on cold wintery days. Maybe chicklet is just a BIG girl for her age? As we like to call it, “Big Boned. Someone has to make up the Perdue oven roasters for their size.
I hope the crud is on the way out and you feel better soon. At least you can keep Rick close and not worry about him on the highway when these storms come.
Angie, I made it twice, thanks to your post, and it is an easy recipe and so delicious. I would have never know about it if I hadn’t read it on the Chicken Scratch.
It is the BEST and you can and add ingredients. It is the BEST with a pot of soup. Hungarian Goulash is wonderful with it as you can use the bread for dunking . I love to whip it up the night before (takes less than 5 minutes) and then fresh bread the next day. There is also a recipe that you can make that makes about 5 loaves and you keep the dough in the refrigerator and take out a bit over the next week. I do this when planning on soup, chilli, spaghetti for the following week. It makes you look like Betty Crocker.
Angle – did you see that Cindie would like the bread recipe? You can send to my email if you’d like me to post it on the blog or else make it a comment
Angie,
Can you repost no knead bread recipe? Or send it to Mary and have her add it to her blog? I must have missed it the first time around.
Thank you
Mary, I’m here in Iowa from NC helping my 28 year old niece who had a stroke. BOY!!! I didn’t realize only being gone from “home” for a few years would make me such a pansy, but I think it’s COLD! Of course Mr. Wonderful had to call me to say it’s 68 degrees at home this morning! Hope you get over the icky fast! I’m with you, I was keeping my fingers crossed that Chicklet was going to be an adorable little hen. Is there such a thing as rooster neutering? This farm girl’s never heard of it but fun to imagine! HA! Stay warm- your barn looks toasty!
Mary will cringe, but I believe neutering might be called Sunday dinner?? Look, we didn’t raise the chickens for fun. They needed no refrigeration, they were groceries and the slowest one became dinner. Let’s get real!!
Here in Rapid City, we are having your storm right now. It started about 4AM this morning, and is supposed to be over by tonight, I think. We aren’t getting a lot of snow right here, but the wind is supposed to blow. It is supposed to be worse east, south and north of us and east means Iowa. At least some of our snow from before Christmas has had a bit of melting. Maybe the neighbors will thank me for putting the garbage cans out yesterday afternoon even tho they aren’t collected til tomorrow. If we don’t get that much snow…
I, too, love the 16 patch quilt and really want to make it. I’ve got lots of 2 1/2″ squares cut, so all I need to do is….. I like to lay them out on paper towels, stack the towels and start sewing. I do love the scrappy stuff. Guess we don’t have to bother matching stuff.
Take care. You and the critters are all settled down for the storm and will be warm and cozy. AND Rick is home to help when you have the crud. This, too, will pass. At least that is what my Mom used to say. Happy Winter.
Mary, your barn looks so cozy. Lucky animals!
Oh, Mary, so sorry you have the “crud”. We had it, too, but briefly which was good. I love seeing your barn, the animals, and the feed and everything!!! That 16 patch is neat. What size are the blocks? I made a strip 16 patch ST. Patrick’s Day quilt and it was fun AND easy:) Stay warm and toasty and quilt on:) I hope you feel better soon. Still ok here in Central Ohio–44 today. Our grass is even still very green!!
Dear Mary,
Loved the mug your friend brought you and am glad you are considering adoption. I hope you find the one you are looking for. When our first dog passed away I never wanted another because it was to painful when they go but my husband convinced me and we adopted the sweetest little terrier/beagle mix who makes me laugh everyday with her silly personality! Good luck with your search and hope the weather doesn’t get to bad. It has been a strange winter in central Illinois with hardly any snow to speak of! Always love your farm news and seeing your animals…if life had gone a different way I would have loved to live on a farm.
Hi,
Facebook said to leave a message here for you! I saw a quilt made with your Cabin in the Stars pattern. I would love to make this quilt for our bed. I am trying to purchase the pattern. Do you have any suggestions where it maybe purchased! I have followed and loved you blog for a long time..
God Bless,
Linda
Linda. – that title doesn’t ring a bell. Do you have a picture or a different name?
Love the sweet coffee mug….such a wonderful gift! Love all of your animal news…especially about the kitties! You are a very special person & I enjoy your blog so very much………feel better & stay safe
Glad you are thinking about a new dog…..it would be one very lucky puppy 🙂
Chicklet is very handsome. I love that old quilt too. I also love reading your posts. I wish I had gone to your shop to meet you.
Love the quilt…the barn looks so peaceful. We have a Jack Russell you could have, just kidding!
I finally got your book, Sew Charming, and finished Split Square..if I can figure out how to send a picture I will. Stay safe during the snow storm…we’re getting quite a bit of snow…started here around 2:30 this afternoon (Canton, SD) starting to pile up. With any luck, I’ll have a snow day tomorrow and can stay home and sew.
Mary.. i am a city girl… don,t laugh at my question… do chickens need a rooster to lay eggs every day. ?
Pam – no, the hens each lay an egg about every 30 hours. The rooster is needed to fertilize the egg if the hen is going to sit on the egg so it hatches into a baby chick. Most laying hens don’t”sit” on eggs – Chicklet’s mom was the exception – ha!
I love that old quilt too. Do you know how big the blocks are or did I miss that somewhere? Hope you don’t get too much snow but looks like you are prepared. Hope the crud goes away soon. Lots of stuff out there. Love your posts!
Mary can you measure and tell us the cutting for both blocks. I have feed sacks too and it would be beautiful. Paula in KY. Still waiting on SNOW. We have only had 1 inch this year. Need a Snow Day Sew Day.
Chicklet’s tailfeathers do not look rooster……time will tell. The 16-patch is pretty; sometimes the simpler are the more striking to our eye. This quilt block would be perfect for little scraps!
I’m wondering about you all this morning……snow/sleet/ice and is your husband on the road? Please be safe and keep warm.
Marilyn – Rick retired last August so he’s home full time
Mary, try asking at your local vet office. Yes, they do get animals for treatment and the owners never return. 🙄 Also, they do have people who ask if they know anyone willing to take their pet for whatever reason. Relocation, death of owner or such. We were able to get our last one thru a vet student. He’s such a sweetie.
Good luck.Patricia B
Hi!
Love the quilt and would love to make it could you tell us the measurement to make both blocks? A welsh terrier is so cute! I have had 4 wire fox terriers and only one got along with other dogs.
Hope you feel better quick!
Your blog is the best!!!!!
Bea
Oh cool, another idea for my 16 patch blocks….an alternate hourglass. My 16 patch blocks are 4″ finished….I love the itty bitty blocks, as starters and enders.
Oh, fun.