A reminder – tomorrow is Dirty Dozen Day! I have not finished my yellow project from August – dang. I’m doing the color challenge this year as something new and fun. I’ll be posting the UFO number and the color tomorrow morning.
I’ve named him KEEPER – doesn’t that say it all?
Sam came out yesterday with Ivy and Finn – it was a dog fest!
Doctor report – MRI showed nothing so he’s still calling it tendonitis. It will get better this fall and winter when I’m not on it all day. From this moment on I’m forgetting about it and going on with my life.
Only had one coughing spell last night which is a huge improvement! I’m wondering if that horrible 36-40 hours of being sick was Covid – I didn’t have a home test to use and it doesn’t really make any difference, I guess – just curious. I’ve read lots online which tells me it probably was Covid. I’m fine today.
Reader quilts:
Elderberries are thick! And no, I don’t do anything with them.
Oh, Three! You are so photogenic!
Taken last Saturday at the Jordan’s Way event – still waiting on totals.
It’s the height of sweet corn season in North Iowa.
Not my zinnias but so pretty!
It’s a perfect summer day!
He’s a “Keeper “ for sure, in more ways than one. Glad you found each other. I’m happy to hear you’re feeling better. The beautiful weather sure helps. Take care!
Love Keepers name, perfect. Pictures are great. Have a nice day.
I love the name you have chosen, Mary: “Keeper” he is, for sure! And I love his ears the way they stand up. It makes him unique. I hope you and your puppy have many years together. I am glad you are beginning to feel better after your covid episode. I had something similar last winter and, like you, had no in-home tests to use and no energy to get out to public health to be tested. Now I do have some tests, thanks to my daughter; I am prepared for what is ahead this winter. Hasn’t our northern Iowa weather been fantastic this week? The rain we had last weekend was just what our yards needed to perk up again. Good news about your foot, too! I am praying that the tendonitis will heal and you will be out of pain. Nothing worse than having a foot that hurts!
Just a thought while looking at the “Dirty Dozen” photos. Perhaps people could be so kind as to include a (largish) card with pattern name/designer on it so we readers would have the info. Several today make me want to start them. LOL Not that I would really start them but I can dream. Right?
Yes! I agree and will do the same when I finally post some completions!
Keeper is the perfect name for your new puppy! The reader quilts are beautiful today, you guys are so ambitious! Glad you are feeling better, it probably was Covid!
Keeper! What a perfect name. Such beautiful quilts today! I’m so glad you are feeling better and praying that your foot pain is better soon. Tendonitis is painful.
Whoever paperpieced the diamond log cabin must have had a ball. It looks great. Isn’t it interesting when a block is placed on point it looks so much more exotic? Everybody’s creations are great. Love all the colors and ideas.
Mary, is your cough productive or just a dry hack? I’ve always had a dry cough and was diagonosed with dry mouth about 10 years ago. I’d tried many things for the cough over the years and then I tried Biotene moisturizing gel one night. Oh, my, it worked like a charm. Your throat may be dry? It is on the shelf by toothpaste, etc. Try it, you might like it. Be sure you get the tube of gel.
Take care everybody. Cooler weather might be on it’s way?
Betty in Rapid City
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That’s a great name! Love the picture of Keeper with Telly, I was wondering how Telly and Hazel felt about the new pup. Glad to see they seem happy together! Great reader quilts today. I love seeing what everyone makes. Good that you are feeling better Mary, hope your foot stops bothering you soon. Jan in MA
Jan – Hazel and Telly aren’t thrilled with Keeper but I’ve told them that this is what I wanted so I’m the boss – they need to fall in line!
Hello Mary, glad your cough is better but sorry about your foot. Wonderful reader quilts. Especially the blue and white really caught my eye. We have a perfect summer day here in the valley. we are working on our in ground dog fence, break somewhere and it is 2 1/2 acres underground.
Carolyn b Shenandoah Valley VA.
Carolyn – did you find the break?????
Good catching up with you Mary. Glad you are feeling better for filling all your book orders coming in soon. Keeper, the Happy dog, fits right in there and I am so pleased you have a new companion. You can get free tests till Friday at Covid.gov as I took advantage and got mine quickly. Just put in your name and address and they mail them to you. They have been very handy when we want to be with some people but we all test just to make sure as we are the type to feel awful if we gave it to one another. I had to use each time I went to see a friend from church in a nursing home so it’s pretty easy to use. Not foolproof like anything else in our worlds.
I will buy more kits from our drug store to have on hand this winter.
Wonderful pictures from your readers. They all are quite striking to see. And gosh I just want to pet JB3 with his pretty fur and face!!!
Kathy: Thanks for letting us know about the free Covid test deadline. I placed my order already… just in case. Thanks!!
Welcome Connie. I hope we don’t need them this winter much but they are free till Friday so I am a planner rather than be sorry.
I forgot about the elderberries. They are delicious. When we were on the farm, there was a bunch growing at the end of the wind break. When Dad had to go to that field, he would leave me by the elderberries and I’d eat them til he came back. You could eat them like grapes. Your cereal, etc…..
Gramma said “Don’t waste.” Betty in Rapid City
Perfect name for your new pup! I’m glad you’re feeling better and getting on with life. It sounds to me like you had covid. I know several who have had it twice and symptoms were just like yours.
Paula – I agree with you – I think it was Covid.
Mary, I soooo enjoy your blog. Never boring!!!!
Just curious–what do people pay for a dozen ears of corn there in northern Iowa? Thanks!
Sue R – usually $5-6 per dozen for home grown just picked sweet corn.
The quilts today are fantastic! I made Dee’s Chandelier pattern for a wedding quilt this spring. It went together so well and got great “reviews.” The blue quilt against the blue sky is stunning! Nice work everyone.
What? No elderberry wine? My in-laws made wine out of everything but zucchini. Not my thing, but I did make elderberry jelly every year or two.
Three and Keeper are so fortunate to have you for a friend.
So glad to hear you are feeling a bit better. Enjoy that beautiful shady porch with your buddies…and Rick, too!
Keeper is a perfect name. He certainly lucked out to fine you!
I bet you had the new Covid! Sounds like what everybody around here has had.
Quilts are beautiful.
Wonda
Love the name keeper!!
What a name for your pup,Keeper. Every time you call his name it will remind you why you kept him.
The quilts are all beautiful. So well made and so many completed.
Trying to clean up flower beds as I will have surgery on my foot the end of October. Don’t want to have to do all that work in the spring. Two Blackberry bed so far. In the fall I like to burn the weeds so I’m not replanting the weed seeds somewhere else. All the good green stuff goes in the compost for 2 years of good decomposing.
Hey Rita / what kind of foot surgery?
Your porch looks so inviting to just sit and enjoy. Three is so darn cute, lazing his day away. My Zinnia are just about done blooming here in TN and my Carolina Climber is blooming just in time for the hummingbirds to return. Enjoy that yummy, sweet corn. Do you freeze any for the winter?
Kim – we still have some corn in the freezer from 2020 so we’re skipping this year.
Your blog was just what I needed today😀. Thanks for always giving us great posts! I love Keeper for his name. Perfect and the readers’ quilts are stunning. We are a talented bunch😀. Thanks, Mary. I hope your foot is better soon.
Diane – thinking of you and your family in a time of such sadness.
Mary,
I think Keeper is a perfect name for the new addition to your family. I am so happy for JB3 that he found you. He is beautiful and very healthy looking. Living on your farm agrees with him. I volunteered at our local humane society last Friday for their Clear the Shelter event. It was very successful as 2 puppies and 9 cats were adopted (pretty good for a smaller county shelter). The best thing that happened was a couple came in looking for a cat and asked what cat would have the hardest time getting adopted. The shelter employee told them it was a cat that had Felv (feline leukemia). Those cats should not be in a home with other cats and will eventually have health issues even though they can live long lives. The couple said that was the cat they wanted, they filled out an application and took him home the next day. It warms my heart that there are people like this couple and you that give these unwanted animals a loving home. Glad you are feeling better!
That is a great story. Ba k before they were tested for Felons Leukemia, we adopted a lovely kitty, Socrates. He lived to be 13 and eventually died of Feline Leikemia. We got his shots every year without knowing he had it until he started losing weight. He was a joy and we are happy we had him!
Melody – oh, I’m so happy for that cat! He will live out his life in a loving home and will die gracefully.
Love the name!! Perfect fit. He is one Lucky boy. I wish there was something that could be done for your foot. Ice and elevate is probably best. Beautiful quilt show again. Love the Zinnias, so lovely this time of year.
Take care of yourself Mary and try to get some rest.
Sheila in MA
THANK YOU to Kathy for the free test kit info. I did not know about this last round of free kits.
I just tested positive on Monday. Mild symptoms (3rd time !!) and I had test kits in my closet or I wouldn’t have even bothered testing. To get a new supply is a welcome addition. We have adult grandkids that live close by and they have asked more than once if we have any test kits.
Michele – I’m going to get some, too – I gave my last set away.
My grandma use to make elderberry wine. If you had major productive cough, headache, allergy like symptoms more than likely you had Covid. Those are the symptoms that I had. I came down with it 2 days before my son and family were arriving to spend a week with us. They ended up staying elsewhere. Worst yet I never saw my 1 yr old and 5 yr old grandsons, haven’t seen them since last November. I’m really happy tomorrow starts a new month. Keeper looks like one happy pup. They are so happy to finally be loved. Take care Mary.
Gayle – oh, Gayle, no!! You didn’t get to see those little boys? How sad! When will they come again for a visit?
We will see them during the winter or spring. A lot depends on me. Covid sent my immune system into overdrive, with the autoimmune disorder I ended up having a small stroke. So I’m rehabbing the spinal fusion surgery with nerve and cord damage and the effects of the stroke. I’ll cope and rehab I have an incentive to see my boys.
“Keeper” is the perfect name! I have a few that could be entitled to that name.
There are some lovely quilts today, and the one that looks like a mini log cabin/star is awesome.
I discovered some wild grapes along the road and thought about doing something with them, but my “to-do” list is already too long so I’m just going to let the birds have them. Maybe next year, lol!
I’m so glad your foot issue isn’t too serious.
Mary so glad the tendinitis should ease up with the change of seasons! If you need Covid tests you can order them for free up until this Friday at Covid.gov. After Friday you’ll have to pay for them. I ordered us some last night. You can call or order by computer. Keeper totally loves where he’s at!❤️
keeper is the perfect name. He is one lucky puppy.
I love your porch picture. It makes me wonder about why we are drawn to such pictures. Is it because of nostalgia, because we truly do take advantage of time on the porch, or because we dream of time on the porch? I say that because for years I bought fabric for projects. I realized I loved the feel and color of the fabric, but what I really dreamed of was the time to sew those projects. I am working on those dreams now, but still don’t take enough time to do that sewing. So, your porch is wonderful dream time and I hope you have a beer or two out there on nice evenings.
I just saw the size of “Keeper’s” paws, they are huge!! I think that means he’ll be a large size dog. His ears are so like a german shephard’s. What beautiful quilts! All that sweetcorn! Good luck with your foot!
Love, love the quilt show today! That blue garlic knot quilt looks so summery! Three is indeed photogenic, and Keeper is a lucky guy!
So glad you are feeling better, I’m thinking it was covid, but who knows! Keeper is so lucky to have you!
Keeper is one lucky little boy to have a future growing up on a beautiful farm with lots of buddies. Every dog should be so lucky. Thank you for giving him a great life where he can romp and play and be free. And 3! My goodness what a beauty!
I can’t see your pictures😢
Jeanice – shut down you computer completely, wait a bit and restart. I’ll bet the pictures will appear.
Love the name Keeper!
Happy to read that you are back to normal, almost! I love the name you decided on for your pup. I’m sure he knows how lucky he is. Its a busy week for me. It’s the neighboring county’s fair. The quilt judging was Monday. I entered and did well. Pictures coming to your email in a couple of days. I also work all the fair days but Friday in the fair treasurers office. Fun to see everyone every year. our school year has started here too. Fun to see all the kids with their parents waiting for the bus in my subdivision. Where did our summer go? One last thing, would love to know who made the paper pieced diamond log cabin. That’s one of my projects in process right now and am interested in how the maker finished it. Who knows? It may be a fair entry next year!
I knew you would keep “Keeper” he’s a lucky boy! Love the name and glad you’re feeling better
And yes I am now planning more trips. Going to a couple wineries the beginning of October. Then back to the rescue in South Carolina mid October and while I’m “in the area” I plan to go to Tallapoosa, GA and have some work done on the chassis of the RV. I have researched a lot on upgrades such as better springs, etc. to make driving on our roads a little smoother. I’ll be home then a couple weeks before I head to the Newmar factory the third week of November for some maintenance work. Whew!
Patti, my husband toured the Newmar factory and so enjoyed learning everything about his motor home. I sat behind in ours while he took the tour and just watched all the hustle and bustle going on around the plants and kept the pets company with the noisy machinery going by. You can park your rig there overnight we learned but we were moving onto Shispsawanna.
Yes I am looking forward to that trip. I heard the. Tour is very interesting.
Such a perfect name! Keeper looks like he fits right in with your other dogs! We weren’t really surprised about your MRI report. Loved all the quilts and your cute Three! Vey photogenic for sure! Take car and. Say your foot a little!
So glad you are feeling better. I have a check on it’s way for the Jordan’s Way event. Can almost feel
L the warm on the porch with a gentle breeze and comfort there.
Make elderberry jam so yummy!! Hope your foo improves!
I love the puppy’s name; it’s perfect. I was happy to see a picture of Three; how is his leg?
The quilts are beautiful!
Hope your foot improves, Mary. Take Care, 🥰
Jeanie – Three’s right front leg is definitely deformed or damaged in some way. It’s all healed and he gets along fine but really limps and he runs funny. I don’t think there’s any pain and it doesn’t seem to bother him but there’s definitely something wrong.
Thanks, Mary. I worried about that leg. He will adjust; he is just precious!
Boy, Keeper has some big ears!
Great photos today, thanks to all.
I’m glad your feeling better, Mary. Taking it easy is just not your way of life.
Keeper is a great name. And, if Keeper grows into his ears and feet, he is going to be a big boy. Also, I love his coat.
I am sewing the binding on my pink. Almost done. My yellow has to be quilted and bound. We will be having lots of company in Sept. so I am forever falling behind.
Love todays quilts, especially Dianes Love quilt. So cute!!
Really great pictures! I would love to get my hands on both the sweet corn and elderberries-love them both. You could pick and freeze the elderberries for jelly making this winter if short on time now. Keeper is a great name and I love his ears! Glad you’re over your illness and hope the foot gets better too!
Keeper is the perfect name. I love it! It describes his personality well. Like everyone says, his ears are great! They do remind me of the German Shepherd. Makes him look very alert. Telly and Hazel will learn to love him as he grows out of puppyhood.
Loved the viewer quilt show. I bet that diamond log cabin was challenging and fun!
Keeper is the perfect name for him!
I just read there is a new variant in about 5 states Mary. One state mentioned was Iowa. Glad you made it through your bout with the dang thing.
Your porch looks so peaceful and a perfect place to sit n Sew.
When I saw the picture of Keeper with you on the couch, I thought you would adopt him!
Oh my your elderberries… I have written to you that I love elderberries and make a pie with them… I know it is labor intensive to pick…Just wanted you to know… that they are extremely healthy for you…. A very good antitoxint. .. I was told a teaspoon a day of the juice .. taken in tea or whatever will give you Hugh health benefits… your choice to learn more or not … to do or not… makes me no difference… you sound very defensive about this.. just wanted to let you know… I find it odd you would go to the effort to plant these and not use them… you are so hard working… I suppose only so much time… again… nothing to me.
Hope you feel better…
Pam – you and I have disagreed in the past so let me assure you that I am well aware of the antioxidant properties of elderberries. Why do you say I’m defensive about this? What did I say to make you think that? Defensive about what exactly? I have never planted an elderberry bush – they grow here all by themselves. I am not afraid of any labor but I certainly don’t need a pie or jelly. Yes, my choice. Come and pick all you want.
When I read the name you chose ——-the song– ——-Jeepers Creepers popped into my head.LOL Not sure why. But jeepers Keeper is just too funny. I can just hear jeepers Keeper what did you get into/do NOW?
I will be hearing that song in my head all day.
So glad you named him Keeper! I wonder who suggested it… 🙂
Sandi – nobody suggested it – it was all me
Love keepers name….it’s perfect!! Tendinitis is slow to heal but the good news is that it does heal. Hang in there! Love that big truck filled with corn…wish I could scoop some up! Enjoy these beautiful end of summer days!
Dorothy – I would guess my tendonitis won’t be completely gone till next winter. I will look forward to sitting in my chair when the weather changes.