The Iowa game just ended – they beat #1 Florida by one point! Iowa State won earlier and I’m spending the rest of my evening watching more games. March Madness is absolutely the best 3 weeks of the year!
I wish I had a picture to show you – Hazel came in from the grove the muddiest I’ve ever seen her, I think. MUD – not just dirt. I immediately put her in the laundry sink and started spraying – chunks of mud fell off. It was a long scrub but when we were done she looked nice again. People ask me how I keep her looking so white – – I don’t really. When you see her at a distance she looks white but at night at the foot of my bed, she’s pretty gray. There is no good reason to have daily baths.
Tonight was absolutely no choice. I walked outside to close up the barn and she took off for the grove again. This time I had the soapy water waiting in the tub for her. So two baths in less than two hours – I just wish I had pictures but I couldn’t take the chance of her getting away from me.
Reader quilts
Hank is staying overnight Tuesday. This was two years ago:
And now the story of Keller
Hi Mary
Dianne from Colorado here. I’m sending you a photo with the history of a special dog. I know your love of animals.
Keller is blind. This is his third home. The first home was a couple who were mentally challenged. They had no clue how to deal with a deaf puppy. In fact they were feeding him cat food.
The next home was a rescue and they took very good care of him. Except it was a rescue and they needed to find him a good home.
Enter my friends, young professional couple with two boys. They had put down their 17 year old Chihuahua 6 months prior and were looking for a dog the boys could romp with. Enter Keller. He has the best life now and the entire family love him. He is very attached to the oldest who plays with him all the time….and Keller sleeps with him! Of course he is family! Even the grandparents take Keller to the park!
Isn’t that a sweet story?
Dianne
Yes, Dianne, stories don’t get much sweeter than Keller’s. I’m so happy and proud that there are kind people in the world who would accept a less than perfect dog to rescue. Kindness is so important.
And now the question of the day. How do you cook bacon? We fix bacon on a foil lined cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven. We like it crisp so we put it on a paper towel lined paper plate to drain. I let the grease in the foiled cookie sheet cool off and then roll it up and put it in the trash. No dirty greasy pan anywhere!!! we had bacon and eggs tonight for supper – really good.
More good games ahead tonight and maybe a little sewing on Bitcoin.
My husband likes to make a few pounds of bacon at a time, so he doesn’t have to make it so often. He lays the strips on a wire rack like you use to cool cookies and sets it on a foil lined jelly roll pan and bakes it in the oven. My son uses the air fryer. He says he loosely ties the strips in knots because you can fry more at a time. No matter how you cook it, bacon is always good!
My husband likes to cook bacon on the flat-top grill/griddle outside, which I love because no clean-up inside! He will stand outside pretending he cooks at the Waffle House, and I will just shake my head. I often just throw a few pieces in a cast iron frying pan if he at work or out somewhere.
I don’t know if this is for any kind of oven or just the one in this house we are renting — but when we arrived, the oven did not work. It has a convection fan setting, which as it turns out, was the problem. The oven could not be repaired and had to be replaced. When the appliance man came to measure and sort out everything for the owner, who was not happy, he told me that it looked as if someone (likely the previous tenant) had cooked bacon in the oven, and the grease had caused the fan to stop working, which in turn burned out a bunch of wires in the panel. He said that he sees it all the time, and if the new model getting installed had a convection fan, we should not cook bacon in the oven. I had never heard that before, but I am listening so that we don’t have to replace the oven the next time!
Susan – oh no!! I’ve never heard this and do not want to quit cooking bacon in my oven. I’m hoping more readers join in this conversation.
Hazel is such a scamp! Keep plugging away at Bitcoin. I just finished my top recently. Going to the quilter tonight, I hope. Making the ladders (as Bonnie calls them) was great fun. Sewing the l-o-n-g columns together, not so much.
Barbara – I agree! That’s why I’m sewing rows together as I go. Yes, making ladders are very fun.
I have happy tears in my eyes after reading Keller’s story. He’s home now. A friend of mine had a blind and deaf dog. She was the most loving dog I’ve ever known.
We cook bacon the same way! It has to be super crispy. I have a problem with certain food textures, fat is one of them. I think breakfast for dinner is going to happen this week — it’s been ages since I’ve done that.
We had the garage door open this weekend so we could organize it. My sewing machine had still been in a box from our move here. I unpacked it and placed it in the sewing table my Dad made for me in 2009. I also had a big plastic bin with all my fabrics. We came in to take a little snack break and get some water. When we went back out there, my sewing machine had been stolen. We don’t have cameras (we WILL be getting them now!) and our neighbors either don’t have cameras/ring doorbells) so or they aren’t working. I’m heartbroken but thankful I still have my sewing table. My Dad passed in 2014 and it’s something that is now irreplaceable. I brought it in the house and it’s now sitting in my bedroom while I figure out where to put it.
Jessica, I am heartbroken for you having had your sewing machine stolen. How can people do such a thing. You shouldn’t have to have cameras in your own yard and garage to prevent people from stealing. So sad that it’s the world we live in. At least they didn’t take your sewing table.
Jessica – your sewing machine? What low life would want to sew?? I’ll bet they thought it was something else. I am so sorry – is it Featherweight that fits in the table?
Mary,
The Iowa game was by far the best game yesterday! I agree I’m glad theres a break until later in the week. I’ve been doing not much but watching for days!! But it is my favorite time of the year. Makes me remember when my husband and I went on a cruise in March several years ago and I couldn’t watch any games. I told him I am never missing March Madness again. When I equated it to his love of hunting season, he finally understood!
Lovely quilts on the blog today. Loved the story about Hazels baths! And also the rescued dog, Keller. Lucky dog and lucky boys.
Have a great day and week everyone!🌻
Sunflower – I’m Getting all my chores done this morning so I can start watching at 11:00. I agree – the Iowa game was so exciting!!
Beautiful story of Keller. I think good people outnumber the bad.
The quilts today are outstanding but yet I think all quilts are outstanding!
Sending baby quilt to granddaughter today who is about to pop my #8 great-grand. Put the final stitches in last night. Sending quilts also to the boys who proceeded the new wee one–she has not told anyone boy or girl. Of course I am hoping baby is born on my birthday which is a week away.
The quilts are all great. I was able to get away from the renovations for a few days with a friend to her place on the ocean in Halfmoon Bay. It’s a short ferry ride up to what is known as the Sunshine Coast. I was able to piece together backings for two quilts, layer a queen size quilt and make a retreat block. We are going home today. It was a great break.
What a sweet story about Keller and such a lovely family to love him.
I cook bacon like you do Mary. I save the drippings in a cute little container in the refrigerator. My mom used to save her bacon drippings in a container marked ‘drippings’ that she kept on the kitchen counter! This must’ve been a common practice, as she purchased the labeled container for that purpose. We never got sick from it – that I know of.
Sue – I also keep the bacon grease but in the frig so the cats don’t decide to eat it – I, too, have a cute chicken contrainer to keep it in
Congrats to the Hawkeyes and to the Lady Hawkeyes!!! (this from a sad Badger fan in Michigan). As far as bacon, I began to do ours that way when I couldn’t stand the smell of bacon thru the house – but I’ve always been iffy on the how long do I cook it? How long do you cook yours??
mary in michigan
Mary – we cook the bacon sometimes over 30 min at 400 because I want it to snap when done. I don’t want any wiggly bacon
I cook my bacon just like you, but the bacon grease is another story! I’m from the south where we save the bacon grease in a glass or metal container and then add a small amount to whatever vegetable we are cooking. My college boy even has his own small container and cooks his own vegetables! It may not be the healthiest plan but it is definitely yummy.
Andrea – spot on! We do, too!
We’ve watched some of March Madness. I was sorry to see the Iowa State women lose. We will be watching or listening to U of Dayton men in NIT on Wednesday.
I like all the quilts today. The string quilt catches my eye, as I’ve worked on a string quilt with a group recently. I like being able to compare the look of even width strips versus variable width strips.
The dog story is heartwarming.
I cook a small amount of bacon in a cast iron skillet on top of stove. My husband cooks the whole package in the air fryer.
Keller’s such a lucky dog along with his owners! Animals adapt to being blind really well. This is a great lesson for those boys, too. Adopt, don’t buy a pet, as so many need loving homes. Boots is my 4th rescue. 12 yrs ago I adopted Bailey, a 9 yr old blind miniature Schnauzer. At that time we lived in a large 2 story home. He learned quickly how to get around. I only blocked off the stairs to the 2nd floor & carried him up & down the stairs. His 1st owner died & no one wanted him. He was my constant companion & such a sweet boy. I gave him a loving home for 4 yrs. Still miss him! He even adapted well when we sold the house & moved here. Mary, your Bit Coin is turning out really pretty. Great way to use up bits & pieces. Pretty quilts today. I’m hoping to get back to sewing after Easter. As always, my son & family come for dinner & a nice long visit. They get to bring the deviled eggs which I love & hate to make!! Bacon, I always cook my bacon in the oven as well. But I always cook 2-3 lbs at a time using my broiler pan, drain on paper towels & then freeze the bacon. I take out just what I need for a meal & pop it in the microwave for a minute. It’s a great way to fix breakfast or sandwiches in a hurry. Have done this for years.
Alice – I think we’ll start cooking several lbs at the same time, too! Love your dog stories!
Keller’s story is heartwarming. Thank you for sharing it.
Lots of beautiful quilts! I love Sandy’s quilt with the applique in the sashing.
My sister-in-law cooked bacon in the oven several years ago when they were visiting. That was the 1st time I had oven cooked bacon. That is my favorite way to cook bacon.
Yes, that Iowa game was amazing!
Basketball was on here and will be again today for the last of the women’s games. The next few weeks will be a juggling act of game watching NCAA tournaments. Basketball, men’s and women’s, and ice hockey along with our granddaughter’s flag football games we are able to watch live even though her college is in Kansas.
Some stitching, project cutting, and binding sewing does happen during the game watching.
Bacon is cooked in a skillet on the stove here. If I’m lucky and have a couple of green tomatoes I’ll fry those up in the bacon skillet at lunchtime. So good and nostalgic. Fried green tomatoes were always a treat when I was young. As most of our tomatoes were intended to be canned for winter meals.
Spring is trying to make its arrival here along the middle of Michigan’s west coast. We’ve seen and heard a couple of flocks of sand hill cranes migrating in the last week or so. Song birds are singing before sunrise, and nest building is underway.
Our bacon goes in the air fryer.
Keller’s story is so awesome!
Sandy your quilts are pretty! Actually, all the quilts are pretty! Mary do you use the bitcoin pattern as leader and Enders?
19 degrees this morning! Ugh. This up and down stuff! Maybe I’m too picky
Hazel is a pistol! What a muddy mess. What is she chasing after? A squirrel?
Have fun watching the games.
I don’t cook bacon, my husband does! Ha ha, and he cooks it in a skillet on top of the stove and makes the best crispy bacon! I LOVE March Madness!
Wow! What an exciting game. I’m so happy for those Hawkeye boys who played a great game. Keller is a lucky boy who finally found his forever family. The quilts are beautiful & that Hazel sure is a pistol. There must be some unlucky animal down in a burrow that she needs to dig out. Oh the joys of living with a JRT!
My husband cooks bacon on the grill in a large cast iron skillet that was his mom’s. Then he drains it on paper towels.
Keller hit the jackpot! Third time was the charm. And such wonderful parents to teach their children that love and respect of animals, and especially those less able are an important part of life. Heartwarming! Thanks for sharing,
Mary, we were cheering Iowa on also. Living in Champaign, Illinois we are big Fighting Illini fans and root for any Big Ten team. We cook our bacon exactly as you do. So easy and no clean up. I used to use a rack but tried it without and it is much easier as the rack was very hard to clean. I’ve had many dogs but none who loved to roll in the mud! I can’t imagine bathing a dog twice in one night – your love for Hazel shines through.
Go Illini!! This March Madness is fun!
We cook bacon the same way you do in the oven. Sometimes I sprinkle brown sugar over the bacon. We like bacon extra crispy too. When we don’t know what else to have at dinner we have scrambled eggs with Italian cheese and bacon on the side. We buy the Italian cheese at the Eau Galle cheese factory in WI. Yumm!
I love the dog story. Very special family. All the reader quilts are beautiful.
I love the color combination of the first readers’ quilt. I will have to mull that over and go through my stash. I cheered for Iowa. What a great win! Hazel is an explorer. I am happy for Keller. Today is an errands day. I don’t really enjoy the errands, but groceries must be purchased and prescriptions picked up. I would like to snap my fingers and have them magically done. Happy Monday, everyone.
Congrats on thr Iowa Game!! 🎉👏it was amazing. I’m enjoying Marcj Madness and there have been some great games.
The Keller story is so heartwarming- thanks for sharing it! With all the bad stuff in the world, it’s great to read a happy ending!!
Lovely quilts one and all!
Wow was that a game!!!!! I’m sorry my Gators lost (by ONE point!!!) but it comes down to who came to play and who played better. Iowa sure did that. Congratulations Mary – I knew as much as I was rooting for my team, you were rooting for yours! lol. March Madness says it all……. ha
Sweet Hazel…… made me laugh. Brought back a memory of my first horse, a grey, who once headed straight for a huge puddle to roll in……… yikes!!!! Love, love, love the story of Keller. Warms my heart.
Bacon — air fryer. Comes out beautiful every time and no mess.
I hope everyone has a fantastic week.
Oh that Hazel! Never a dull moment. And what a great family to give Keller a forever home. He seems to fit in perfectly. I got sick of the bacon smell in the kitchen and the clean up in the skillet so I now cook my bacon in the microwave. I use a serving platter-layer bottom with 3 paper towels-then 5 slices of bacon-then 2 paper towels on top. Cook on high for 4 minutes. Turns out perfect every time. Replace paper towels for each batch. I’ll never cook it in the skillet again. No bacon fog in the air and no grease in the microwave-just one plate to wash.
Sandy, you have been busy—lovely quilts.
I loved hearing Keller’s story and am grateful he found the perfect family.
We cook our bacon exactly like you, Mary.
Thanks/Take Care
Thanks Jeanie! I live in a granny flat with my son and family upstairs, so little housework, more time to quilt!
I enjoy March Madness … up to a point! I’m sure glad there’s a break now before the Sweet Sixteen starts. That’s all we’ve done for four days, lol! I cook bacon like you do, only I put it on a wire rack inside the foil-lined baking sheet. I like to think it drains most of the fat away, but it’s a pain the butt to clean the rack afterwards. I’ll have to try it directly on the foil. I don’t often cook bacon though, because I hate the smell in the house for hours! Keller’s a lucky dog … you can see those boys absolutely love him! Have good cuddles with the twice-washed Hazel!
I love the scrappiness of bitcoin and Bonnies patterns are so well written. Yours is turning out nicely and I look forward to seeing it done. I don’t watch Basketball so I’m at a loss about March madness, glad that Iowa won. What a sweet story about Keller and how lucky for him to find his forever home with such a loving family.
What a wonderful Hawkeye-Gator game. I did plenty of pacing that last 5 minutes and to take out the #1 seed. Wow. Wonderful pet stories.
Francine – those last few minutes were tough to watch. At one point I was looking thru my fingers – haha!!!
The end of the the Iowa game was very exciting. I knew you would be watching.