I may have mentioned were getting 5 new windows to replace the 3 in the loft that are at roof level and 2 in the sewing room that are floor level. I mention their location because the wood sashes in all 5 windows have rotted. They’re 40 years old but all the rest of the 40 year old windows are fine – the water continually splashed up on these 5 windows creating the wood rot. All our windows are by Andersen and the new one will be also. Speedy but so important to ME!
The windows in the loft were the reason I cleaned all those shelves and today the windows in the sewing room had to cleared. There’s a shelf that runs the length of the sewing room with sewing caddies and toy sewing machines crammed on it.
No, I didn’t dust them on the way down but this is my chance to clean them all as I put them back up in the shelf. Ugh. Up and down that ladder!
Connie and Roy are leaving for Florida in a couple days. Since she and I won’t be working on any new projects while she’s gone, I will take pictures of some of my collections to fill the blog. I can fill up weeks and weeks and maybe even get rid of some of them in the process.
We didn’t get but maybe an inch of snow but I always love walking thru the grove after a snowfall to look at the tracks. Today these mouse trails were my favorite! Hazel and Telly destroyed them right after I took the pictures.
Quilt show:
And a cat eyeing a cardinal and a robin out the window!
I can’t believe you have a robin spring must be right around the corner. Your collections are so interesting I can’t wait to see pictures of everything.
Quite the job you had today, windows should make it warmer in the rooms.
Great quilts ladies
Mary, the mouse tracks were awesome! I have never seen anything like that before. The world is a wonderful place if you just take a moment to stop and take a look. 💗
We had 7 or 8″ of snow in Oskaloosa. The wind plugged up our road and was not passable, but the maintainer came through with his big V blade mid morning to clean it out. He went by 4 times. We live on an east/west road, so always have a lot of drifting when the snow blows. I had to scoop my way to the chicken coop last night and again this morning. My chickens do not like the snow. I love the first quilt in the quilt show today. I like squares and rectangles to work with. I have all my circles cut out for my bullseye quilt. I have the Aunt Amy quilt book, so decided to get started on it.
I just heard on the news that Oskaloosa had 11″ of snow. It is hard to tell how much we get in the country when the wind blows so hard. We don’t have a lot of trees around our house either.
I cannot believe those are mice trails in the snow. I hate mice, just looking at that gives me the creeps. I know they are around but I just pretend in my head they are not. So is that trail from one mouse do you think or multiple? And would those be field mice? I recently read that mice do not like the smell of peppermint so you can put peppermint oil on things to keep them away. I took the easy route and ordered some prepackaged peppermint bags and put them in my garage and storage unit. I haven’t had a problem but for $15 I was willing to invest in a little insurance. The window repairs will be worth at least one blog post. It will be interesting to see the work in progress, hopefully on a somewhat warm day. What will they do to prevent the wood rot from reoccurring or is 40 years someone else’s problem : ) The sewing caddies will have a lot of stories as well I am sure. It is like you have given us a season premiere. And now we wait., patience, still blog audience. Wishes for a safe trip for Connie and Roy.
Amy. – the windows are going in TOMORROW!
Amy – the new windows are all vinyl clad – this won’t happen again and if it does, it’s no longer my problem!!
I have never seen a mouse trail in the snow before. They are very interesting. You learn something new every day. And at my age I thought I had seen it all. LOL!
Louverna
Your collections fascinate me!!!! I will be looking forward to your pictures!! I have several beloved collections. Sadly, I don’t think my kiddos will be interested in them I’m gone!! Will have to figure out what to do with them one day!!
I love the mouse trails!!! I’ve never seen that before!
Oh the mouse trails! How interesting and beautiful in the snow. I’ve never seen anything like that.
You have so many interesting collections. Love seeing them. And another great quilt show. I really enjoy seeing what everyone is making.
Love your sewing collections. You have robins all ready. We don’t expect them for another 3 to 4 weeks here in the Shenandoah Valley VA.
Carolyn b
Carolyn Boutilier – picture of robins came from MD – not North Iowa!
I may have missed some blogs, but I wonder how your rescue dog is doing. I was so involved with him for awhile.
.I love all of your collections as well as all of the beautiful quilts.
The mouse trails were fascinating-I have never seen anything like that in the snow here! Can’t wait to see some more of your collectible sewing items-always interesting!
I love seeing your collections. They are such fun! Getting those new windows will be wonderful and you will get things dusted besides!
I have a shelf like that along two walls in my kitchen and it holds my really old timey toasters and other assorted paraphernalia. It would take me having to do what you did in order to get it all dusted (or some death cleaning which I most likely will never do–HA). Today’s bulleye quilt is gorgeous (but then they all are).
I love all your stuff, it all makes for a cozy space. I have been to thrifty after thrifty and “antique” stores and I have yet to find one of those duck shaped “caddies” with the scissors/beak, and the one you have with the wing that looks like it’s a pincushion… so cute!
What a job, though, like doing the top shelves in kitchen cupboards.
Looking forward to seeing all your collections. The biggest collection I have is fabric. Never have seen mouse trails before, glad to hear advice about peppermint oil, I hate mice too! So many beautiful quilts again.
They look like robins but they are not. They are Rufous-sided Towhee. We get big flocks of them in the winter. Maryland has a lot more winter to come. KitKat enjoyed watching them!
The mouse tracks in the snow are so interesting. I will look for them the next time we get some snow. Mary, I love seeing your collections. You will love your new windows!
I, too, have never seen mouse trails like that. So interesting.
I’ve been told grasshoppers don’t like peppermint, so I dissolve peppermint candy in water and spray my flowers.
The quilt and collectibles show today is so interesting. I’ll have to go back and study the pictures closer.
Those mouse trails are very strange to me. They look like vines. Also odd that mice would burrow under the snow. You would think they would run along the top. Thank you for showing us that interesting bit of nature.
I love your collections of vintage sewing items, especially the toy sewing machines.
Can you believe Jan. is almost gone?
Diane in Maryland— great finish on your Baltimore album quilt. Scary but true- mine was started in the 90’s. I even took a class with Elly.
Mary it will be fun to see your collections. Enjoy your new windows.
So many ideas for the bullseye quilt. Creative group of ladies.
Thank you…that is so sweet of you! I met Elly and attended a lecture she gave one time. Her work is amazing! That quilt has “haunted” since 2004 and I am so happy to have it finished.
Seeing all these quilts is such a delight so thank you for the treat. I am appreciative of those who take time like this to share with us when our “normal” way of viewing quilts & sewing is temporarily on hold for our own safety. This has been perfect. And so wise. Looking forward to your collections especially your sewing ones cause I do not think we have the variety here on east coast in our thrift stores like you have in the Midwest. I have not seen much of your fun nic naks here whenever I looked for them. Lots of red tomato pincushions filled with unusual stick pins though!!!
Kathy in western NY – I love red tomato pincushions with pins still in them – would you buy one for me and let me reimburse you including postage? I have two huge jars of them and they are special to me – I’ll post them next!
Of course I will now look for one for you!! It will be a gift to you for all you share with us. Now I better find one!
Love reading your blog all the time. You will sure love the new windows and it will let a lot of light in.
Love the first quilt in your pictures-do you happen to know the name of the pattern?
We got 22″ of snow over the last couple of day and I didn’t think I would ever see the sun again!! My hubby and I have been shoveling every few hours just to keep on top of it. Your mouse trail in the snow is pretty funny to see. Thank you so much for sharing your adorable home and all of your collectables.
Lucky you only had about an inch of snow….I had approximately 14″! Most of my day was spent cleaning up after the fact. Maybe today I can get the third border ready to applique for my Moon Garden quilt. We shouldn’t have more snow until Saturday and it was looking like a considerable amount when I watched the news last night. Have a fantastic day!
Donna Albright – we consider ourselves so lucky! We have escaped all major snowfalls so far this winter! But winter is long from over, isn’t it?
I love all your vintage sewing items and the shelf above the window. I really enjoy your blog and life on the farm you write about. Keep up the good work!!
52 DAYS TILL SPRING.!!! We had a robin stay all winter in 2018. I too have many collections and love looking at what others collect.
Here in Alden we got between 8-10 inches of snow. Looks like more to come Sat. and Sunday. Then the first week in March there are several days with 55% chance of more snow.
Looking at your pictures I see a plant hanger you might want to check.It looks like the toggle screw might have let loose a bit. Not for sure—- but a plant falling down is not a fun thing to clean up. j
Well looks like I just skipped right over Feb. and went right to March.LOL Should be first week in Feb. more snow. j
Mary … do you dust your collections with a paint brush? Probably everyone knows that, but I was tickled to discover dusting with a paint brush (something like an artist’s large, soft paint brush). It almost makes it fun (sick, I know!). I always enjoy seeing your collections. I have also never heard of or seen mouse trails in the snow.
Candy – haha!