This is the scene of the cornfield from my porch. It’s beginning to turn golden and Rick says it still needs rain to fill the ears with kernels.
School started yesterday and Reed said it was “fun”! All kids should say that. This morning was rainy so I started the dreaded job of defrosting the upright freezer in the pantry. Oh, how I hate this job! But it was overdue! The sun came out so we went to the garden where I pulled up the cucumber vines, picked tomatoes and checked on the pumpkins.
I picked these two patty pan squashes which I grow only for decoration. If picked when small, I’ve been told they are delicious. I really should try them sometime.
I saw white pumpkins, green pumpkins, dipper gourds, some orange pumpkins and the patty pans. Maybe there are more in the patch than I realize-let’s hope so.
Remember I said I was working on a small project that used only one size strip, 1 -1/2″ x 3-1/2″. Here it is made from grunge dots. Not quilted yet but then I started cutting other strips – prints, because I have so many 1 -1/2″ strips.
Here is a start using prints with nothing matching or coordinating.
It’s a great little mindless project to keep by my machine. All pieces are cut 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″.
What are you working on?
Iowa has been in the news this week and not for a good reason. Mollie Tibbets, a U of Iowa student has been missing for over a month and her body was found last week. The man who allegedly killed her led authorities to her body in a cornfield. Very sad.
It’s time to dig out the fall quilts to hang up – such a huge job!
County fairs, kids back to school, pulling up vines in the garden… sure signs of Fall. Love reading your blog!
I love both new “mindless” sewing projects. š
You always come up with the best “simple” projects that I love. Thanks for sharing. I am so happy Reed loves school. The smart, engaged, inquisitive ones usually do. Fifth grade is a fun year for history if I remember correctly. Maybe he can visit Springfield, IL or Gettysburg or DC. Fun.
A native Idahoan friend said leaves should start turning color around here soon. Guess iāll be noticing those on the Aspens around our pond soon. The two trout are still swimming around since the catch n release brought them here months ago. A bear was back a couple nights ago in our sonās outdoor night cameras along with Elk n Mule š¦ deer. We give our visiting friends bear spray when they go for long walks n hope they donāt need it. School starts next week …only a four day schedule down in the town 40 miles from us.
I notice the days are shorter, too. It was 56 up here this morning at our altitude up near Lost Trails Pass.
YES…the small patty pan squash is delicious. I trim off the stem, cut in wedges add a TBS water n butter n nuke in microwave covered dish.
Thanks for sharing your mindless sewing, Mary.
Launa – Iāll bet itās beautiful at your house in the fall. Would love to see all the wildlife!
Thank you for the mindless sewing Mary! I am going to need that when I finally get to unpack!
Susan -I can hardly wait till Connie gets home to see her projects!
I defrost my freezers in the winter when it is freezing out. Put everything in large garbage bags outside. It works when I get help taking the stuff outside.. Your veggies are ahead of mine. I have pickles and some tomatoes turning red.
Whenever I have a big chore to do I always say, “Thank you God that I’m physically able to do this job.” I truly am grateful that I can still do want I want to and what I need to. If the job is really physically taxing I remind myself that some people pay big bucks at the gym to get that kind of workout!!
Pamela,
Exactly – gym memberships are a big deal in the Texas heat.
Mary,
Exercise and OUTside work in Texas has to be done from dawn to 8 am before the heat and humidity set in. We Texans are a bit weary of the heat/hot this summer! It is back near 100 degrees again for a week. My sweet potato vines are loving the heat – trailing all over the place. In the afternoon heat they lay down limp and look so dead and in the evening when shade comes they perk back up. I don’t perk back up, I find a pillow and go to bed. Ha Ha!
Judy, in Texas
Judy Linn – a week of 100 degree temps would do me in, too! Yikes!
Pamela – what a great attitude to have! I, too, am able to do the big jobs yet. Someday I wonāt be able.
The same happened to the corn here except it was killed by drought even sooner. Tall corn stalks and skinny cobs that never got a chance to fill in, all dried out!
I like the mindless quilts. I certainly have enough scraps and pieces to do something similar. They remind me of āCrazy Mom Quiltsā which Iāve saved from Pinterest. Goes along with āUse it up, wear it out, or do without mottoā. Thereās nothing more exciting than a new school year. I loved it when I taught 5th gradeāthat time before we all knew each other so well and everyone was putting their best foot forward. Itās a wonderful age, and I know youāll miss the summer adventures as Iāll miss hearing about them. Thereās a subtle shift in the air in Vermontāno more air conditioning needed. Thank goodness!
I didn’t know those patty pan squash got so big. I buy them small at the farmers market and sautĆ© them in olive oil and garlic pepper. So good. All I do is cut off each end and wash them and throw them in the skillet.
I love the scrappy the best, might have to try that. Thanks Paula in KY
I love it when everyone around the country tells what it’s like where they live.š Here in Central Ohio, most schools have started and the leaves are mostly still green. We had a LOT of rain this summer. Our Farmers Markets still have corn, tomatoes, squash, and pumpkins. It’s going to be in the 90’s next week and some schools still aren’t air conditioned. Poor kids.
Going to be warm here for the next few days but it cools off at night. Love this time of year. Was so sad about Mollie Tibbetts. May she rest in peace.
I received my maple leaves quilt pattern today from you and must say Mary, how I love the directions and how itās one big paper to see. Nice format. Here in NY we got the heat and humidity back on for another week now but school doesnāt start here till after Labor Day so thatās good cause our schools do not have AC.
Yes, Jean Elliott. I love them small and saute’ too. I usually make a medley of veggies….summer squash, peppers, garlic, onions, and tomatoes sauteed together in olive oil, salt, pepper and at the end, some basil and grated parmesan cheese that I keep on hand. Small green beans are good, also. Even thinly sliced carrots. Whatever you have on hand.
I am working on several small quilts. Two of them are from you, Mary.
Our garden is finishing earlier than I ever remember. We have had cool days that have been socked in by fog and smoke. Dark, dark days and cold nights for this time of year. And, no rain. None since May. I can’t keep enough water on growing things. The cucumbers are saying Goodbye. Hope it’s better here next year.
The tomatoes are still okay, though. Lots of still green ones on the vines.
I had to laugh out loud last Saturday when I went to Church at 5:30. Our church is across the street from the city courthouse, and the area is filled with trees. The ground had many clumps of oak leaves scattered about. There was a squirrel hunting for acorns. It is really cool here this evening. We missed the 10-13 inches of rain that Madison received. I am trying to finish my projects for our county fair that starts next Wednesday. Everything has to be turned in on Monday or Tuesday. I really enjoyed the past few days entries of the trips you took with Reed and Nora. I think everyone had a wonderful time.
I had to laugh out loud last Saturday when I went to Church at 5:30. Our church is across the street from the city courthouse, and the area is filled with trees. The ground had many clumps of oak leaves scattered about. There was a squirrel hunting for acorns. It is really cool here this evening. We missed the 10-13 inches of rain that Madison received. I am trying to finish my projects for our county fair that starts next Wednesday. Everything has to be turned in on Monday or Tuesday. I really enjoyed the past few days entries of the trips you took with Reed and Myra. I think everyone had a wonderful time.
Diane M -yup, those squirrels are busy – all around the country! My niece wrote the same thing from her home in Louisville, KY.
Loved your picture of the beautiful red tomatoes – such a wonderful time to eat those tasty tomatoes. My husband has so many of them on his plants that I have already made 8 pints of Tomato Basil soup and will have to make more this weekend. Glad that the cucumbers are finally coming to an end but have loved them and he loves giving them away. I really like your “mindless” quilts – I have lots of fabrics that I could use up making something like that.
Mary, I always enjoy your blog posts! I grew patty pan in the past. We enjoyed it sliced and simmered in a small fry pan with chopped onions and basil, when almost done I added a layer of sliced tomates. Then served it with grated cheese. Don`t grow anymore but this is making me hungry. My cucumbers are getting a major case of mildew so looks like they will be done for the year. Your stories about Reed are so fun to follow. I forgot….is he a nephew or a neighbor?
Cathy Lightly – Reed is a neighbor – the family also goes to the same church as me. He is a special kid!
I made patty pan squash by slicing about 1/4 in. thick, dip in egg, then seasoned breadcrumbs. Pan fry in a little oil til golden. Delicious!
Mary.. YOU the only blog I follow(and look at the ads).
I would send a comment every day, but no…too much.
Just know I think of you and your life and always wish you all the best.,
You are all in my prayers for good health and safety always.
Lois in Omaha
Lois – that was sure nice of you! Thanks for reading!
Good for Reed, finding the fun in the first day of school.
And, yes, it was very sad to hear the news about Mollie Tibbetts. Yet I was proud of her cousin, who, on Twitter, took a stand and refused to blame an entire group of people for the actions of one person. That struck me as very American, and a strong thing to do, especially in a time of such extreme grief. I hope now we will let that poor family mourn in peace and privacy, bless their hearts.
Your first wallhanging looks quite autumnal! I love the idea of getting busy, making something that I can finish and display, and moving on. I’ve started to take my quilty ideas and making them in mini quilt size so that my inspirations actually get completed.