Remember I talked about Dog Days and how the time between July 3 and August 11 are the most hot and sweltering? Well, we are really experiencing that weather. We still work outside and do not have our AC on except in the sewing room in the evening when I’m sewing.
Yesterday we went to Hayward and Albert Lea, MN with my JUKI sewing machine that we dropped off at Calico Hutch. It has a break in the cord to the foot control so there’s no power except the light. Ugh. I like to quilt small projects on this machine.
We went to Hill’s Nursery but I promised I wouldn’t go inside. I just wanted Rick to see how pretty it is so I took a picture for all of you to see, too.
These are the cleanest greenhouse windows I’ve ever seen!
I also convinced Rick to give me some time in the antique mall – here’s what I bought.
And this one – which I have more plans for which will be another blog post coming up.
I haven’t been in an antique mall for several years – since before the pandemic and it was really fun!
I’m working on my Dirty Dozen pink project.
JB3 is settling in – we call him Mr. Wonderful which is his attitude – very confident, very quiet and is learning the rules of the house – knows how to use the door dog and goes in and out like all the other cats.
When we got home yesterday I started mowing and I’m glad I did because it rained a bit in the night and the grass is very wet.
All is well on the farm – although there is still a rat or several in the feed room at night – they’re eating the cake mix/soda mixture and I’m just hoping it will work.
Bob is coming after Little Red today so he can wash and shine it up for the parade tomorrow. I have been busy copying down all the book titles and have already ordered four of them from Amazon. I’m set for reading on the porch – right now I’m reading on my Kindle which is easy to hold.
Birthday prizes are going to the post office this morning – winners watch for them in your mailbox. Nanette – did you get your Iris pattern yet? I can resend it – just let me know.
And Windy keeps talking – that’s it!
I am late posting book titles. I know you love to watch basketball and think you might like Sooley by John Grisham. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce is a good one as well.
Donna – I have read Sooley and enjoyed it!
My computer gremlin had been active and I did not know it. He had been putting your blogs in my spam file for several days. By chance, I found them last night just before bedtime. I saved them for morning coffee and then low and behold, another wonderful one came into my inbox. Lots of reading with my coffee. How I love it. Makes my day!
I don’t think I could have resisted Hills Nursery. It looks like they have beautiful plants. The antique mall was a good trade though. You made very interesting purchases. That’s a sweet little quilt you have them spread out on.
Everything on your farm is lovely. The hydrangeas are breathtaking. Ours are blue here. We bought and planted a raspberry pink one this year, but I expect it to turn blue next year. They always do.
Enjoy your new books.
It’s just hot here! Our dog says last into September. Cool down starts in October. We’ve had no rain since June 3 and not any forecast in the future. We’ve had the AC running and watering container plants daily.
I’ve been sorting scraps from past projects. Trying to get them in a usable format. I’m trying hard not to start a new project with them until they’re all sorted.
It looks like you had a fun time at the antique mall. The kitty seems to be a sweet one.
I need to send you pictures from our July 4th parade. There is a group that drive vehicles like Little Red. There were quite a few different colors. And a red one like yours!
Susan K – they were made in only 3 colors, red, black and yellow. I just drove it to town and got 4 thumbs up from other drivers.
So they spent some $$ to get them custom painted. The teal one was painted in a metallic paint. There was a yellow one that I missed getting a picture of.
Susan K – yes, it seems they did have them painted. Mine is old really – 2004 but hardly driven. Others probably have many miles on theirs and needed paint?
JB3 is such a handsome kitty! Such a wonderful picture of him
I have been yearning for an antique mall.
Where was the one you went to?
Thank you,
Lisa
The one in Albert Lea, MN on the corner of Broadway and Main – I like this one very much.
Thank you!
The Robert Wood picture brings back so many memories! My grandparents had this exact one in their living room in Defiance, Ohio. My own parents had another one that featured a small wood cabin. Always comforting……
I am “6 bags in Seattle”. Loved my visit to your shop with my cousin years ago.
Barbara Ramey – we had this picture in our house when I was a kid – yes, fond memories because we had it, too, when I was a kid in the 50’s
JB3 looks like he has chosen your farm for his forever home. Can’t say I blame him. The antique store items are wonderful! I see an animal theme going on there. Thanks so much for your blog!!
Connie – and there were actually more dogs that I forgot to put in the picture. Yes, a recurring theme with me.
Nice purchases. Where was the antique mall? Hill’s Nursery also is a place I would love to visit.
I went to Calico Hutch with my daughter when she was visiting. It was fat quarter Friday. Also bought a lot of other goodies. Great samples that sure do inspire.
The heat index today is 114 degrees. Humidity 55%. Just misery! So I am going to work on my two Supernova’s and get them clean and oiled and ready to sew! Love your hydrangeas!
You always find the treasures at antique malls or thrift shops. I wish I had your eye for things. We are cooling off today and tomorrow so I hope Garner is as well to make the parade more enjoyable. Looking forward to pictures of you in Lil Red.
Amy – Bob is driving it and I’m just going to the parade with Becky. I hate having people looking at me! When I was band queen in 1965-66 our band marched in 22 parades and I finally convinced the cousin of a classmate from another high school to ride in my place! I had not been in an antique mall for several years – as if I need more stuff but like I told Rick, I get a lot of pleasure seeing these things. When I die they can haul them to Goodwill if they want. My mood has improved considerably just doing a bit of “retail therapy” at the antique mall! Haha!
Amy – can you come for another visit this fall?
Thanks so much for all your book titles, I just finished at “what happened to the Bennett’s” by Lisa Scottoline it was a page turner, fast moving mystery. I usually listen to audio books while I’m sewing. Some are not audio so I go to the Library to find some books. Beautiful day here today in the low 70’s sunny with a little breeze, just right for reading on the porch!
Joyce in NY – and that’s exactly what I did this afternoon with a short nap thrown in, too!
Great finds. The pictures are just beautiful. My favorite of your take is the toothpick holder. What a sweet addition to your collection.
Will have to go back and read comments section on books that were recommended to you. I read even more than quilt.
Happy to see that Ciara found a home. Who could resist those ears?! Best of luck finding a loving home for 3. He seems delightful.
Mary,
I have a much older oil painting very similar to the October Morn you bought! It is framed in a wide hand decorated gold painted frame with what appears to be glued folded fabric also painted gold on each corner. Needs to be cleaned so I can read artist’s name!
Another no sewing day yesterday with rain n electrical storms coming thru!
Love the champagne bucket you purchased…lots of nice finds!
Launa – I’m going to clean up the bucket – of course it’s a champagne bucket – I hadn’t thought of that but I’m going to put a potted plant in it. When would I drink champagne? I’d love to see your Robert Wood painting – I did go online and look him up and I think I maybe saw it.
Your picture of the Robert Wood painting made my mouth drop this morning!!!!! I have that exact picture on a shelf downstairs but it really has me wondering when and where did it come from. On the back it is a Christmas gift signed from Mother and Dad and dated 1938. I always thought it was from Dad’s parents, but since it wasn’t painted until 1956 ? Darned if I know. And I’ll never know now because everybody that might have known have passed. Guess it will have to be the burning question of the day. I may have to take it somewhere to get more information. I got it from my parents house when Mom died in 1991.
One thing I brought home after Mom died was the hoosier cupboard. I remember from as long as I can remember. At about age 5, Dad brought me 2 pigeon eggs from the barn and I made a cake using a saradine can, the eggs, cocoa and flour on the counter. I was so happy with it. The hoosier is in my kitchen today and I love it. Wierd what we remember?
Be careful, stay cool and don’t overdo in the hot weather. And keep quilting!
Betty in Rapid City
Betty – oh, I love Hoosier cupboards and never did find one to buy. I went online and looked up Robert Woods – I didn’t think it was 1938 but I have no idea. I’m going to put it on my mantel this fall – the fall colors are just lovely. You should get yours out this fall and enjoy it. Oh, your cake – what a great memory!!!
I also went on line and looked up Robert Woods. The picture was painted in 1956. I have no idea on the dates. Guess I’ll never know? Or would we ever care?
My walls are covered with paintings my grandmother did and my counted threads pictures. A niece has spoke up for Gramma’s painting of the Tetons, but nothing else. My friends – old ladies – have been discussing our treasures that nobody wants????? An old friend was so hurt when she gave some of her needlework to the heirs. They threw it in the waste basket right in front of her. They wanted MONEY. When hell freezes over!!!!!
There goes my BP……. Take care. Betty in Rapid City
Betty – and there goes my BP, too. The things that I cherish are not at all appealing to my young friends and I am working on my trust right now – I’m hoping I can handle my own estate sale when the time comes that I’ll need to go live in assisted living somewhere. How heartless of those young people who threw her needlework in the trash in front of her!! Rude, inconsiderate and ungrateful. I remember the story of a man who left his heir a Bible and the heir was disappointed. Many years later he bothered to open the Bible and there was all the info for the man’s considerable estate.
Mary,
I still haven’t received my Iris pattern in the mail.
I listen for the USPS truck and run out to see if it was delivered. No pattern 😐 I haven’t given up hope yet. Maybe today or tomorrow…..
The Dog Days are alive and well here in southern IL too. I think you might like “Hello, Summer” by Mary Kay Andrews. I’m reading it on my Nook. I also like reading ebooks — so much easier to hold and easy to take on trips. Nice haul at the mall!
I loved your finds! Especially the doggie toothpick holder and pictures. I have a Pinocchio toothpick holder out.
Mr wonderful looks pretty wonderful loving his comfy spot. Do any of your cats sleep with you? My Buddy can’t get close enough to my shoulders most nights but he’s getting up there so I let him cuddle for the couple hours he stays next to me.
Hope the Juki gets fixed in a reasonable time frame. I miss my machines when they are being serviced.
Mary, you might enjoy “Sum It Up” by Pat Summit, women’s head basketball coach at Univ. of Tenn. (1974-2012).
Mary,do you have a library in your area? We moved recently to an assisted living home in Ct, from Az, and still trying to take care of everything. But, I we went to the local library and became a member, thus able to join LIBBY and read books thru it. Have been reading up a storm and still not completely unpacked so no sewing has taken place but a lot of reading has. Do look into LIBBY and get your reading material thru it to your kindle or iPad.
“Mr. Wonderful”, I love that! He’s a pretty kitty. My husband wants to know how many litter boxes you have Mary?! He keeps telling me No more cats! due to the litter box issue. I haven’t told him but I have my eye on a couple of rescue kittens that I really would love to have. My friend is fostering them at the moment. I had to look up Robert Wood and was astounded at the number of paintings this man was able to create in his long life! What an amazing man. I love his paintings of the Catskills, Vermont and New Hampshire. I’ll be watching for repros in thrift shops now. And I’m intrigued, could your Dirty Dozen pink project have something to do with the (beautiful!) flower painting you bought? I see lots of the same shades in the fabrics you’re using! Jan in MA
Jan – I could not believe the color similarities but I’m going to use that picture as my palette next time. I’ll forward the picture of the quilt I loved.
Mary are you going to keep JB3? I would be interested in him rather than he be euthanized.
Mary, have fun in the parade tomorrow. Don’t forget to wear your crown and be sure to practice “the wave” tonight!😅
Vicki – nope, you don’t get it – I don’t want to ride in the parade and have people looking at me! I rode in 22 parades in high school so had the wave down pat and I won’t do it again. Bob is driving and I’m on the sidelines with Becky watching.
Mr. Wonderful has won his place in your home. He’s beautiful, please keep him.
I know you have several cats what’s one more. 😂❤️
My aunt had the October Morn print in her house, too. I recognized it instantly. No idea what happened to my aunt’s print. I think that print and some similar ones were offered by mail in popular magazines of the time, like Life magazine. There might even have been a subscription offer for that print and similar ones. I’m glad you found it!
I’m so glad JB3 can stay with you on the farm. Mr. Wonderful sounds like a great name for him, too. Especially once he gets “new and improved” after a visit to the vet for a “brain surgery makeover”.
What material are the dog and horse figures you found at the antique mall made from? Your goodies make me want to go treasure hunting now, too. I haven’t been in an antique mall in years either.
Mary – the horse is ceramic, I think – early years Made In Japan. The dog is a substance called salt….? I will look it up. I have several others made of the same stuff.
Mary – they are old and likely came from Italy – called salt figurines. I think they are actually made from salt because years ago when I found the first one I tasted it with my tongue – haha!!
How is Rick doing now, is he able to do anything? I have to wear my small air brace at least to the end of the year. Getting alot of sewing done and some cooking. Paula in KY
Paula – Rick is doing better but still needs a hip replacement so doesn’t walk too well yet. He’s outside working everyday however. Air brace for another 6 months? I couldn’t even stand my boot for 3 weeks! Keep us all posted.