Late this afternoon the sun come out and it got so nice. Here’s our high today but we’ve been led to believe 60’s are just around the corner. I’ve had a difficult few days – one of the older goats is leaving me.
It’s too sad to post a picture of old Alfalfa, Buckwheat’s twin brother but I have not called the vet to come because I keep thinking he’ll be dead by the time the vet arrives! Oh, it is so sad but I know he’s been failing and I was not surprised to see him collapsed on the floor. He’s in a separate pen so nobody steps on him. I will check on him through the evening. When he does die I will have to call a friend with a backhoe to dig a hole to bury him. This kind of activity is not the fun side of living on a farm.
Let’s talk about the Quirky Little Quilts quiltalong — our photos are supposed to be posted on Instagram so I have to learn to do that and when I do I’m thinking this might be a good place for US to post our finished quilt pictures – like all the Bullseye quilts and the Harveys. It in the meantime here’s a photo of Patricia’s blocks—-
and my blocks. They look very plain and boring.
I’m cleaning in the quilt shop and I have unearthed more boxes of scraps. Yuck! I’ll be cutting strips again!
And I have worked on our next small door banner for the past two days. It is not perfected yet and Connie is actually taking it with her on the cruise to write up some of the measurements but it will be close to showing you by Easter. I hope you like it as much as you liked Harvey — and we know how much you liked Harvey! It’s thrilling for us to see your own touches on Harvey!
Let’s see these quilts and the books they came from, just one more time so we can answer these questions for the last time. Both designs are by Bonnie Hunter.
The first one is Four Patch X from the book More Adventures With Leaders and Enders.
Here is the quilt I made from Jim’s shirts using this pattern.
And the back.
The second quilt is called Rectangle Wrangle from the book Scraps and Shirttails II.
And here’s the quilt I made from Jim’s shirts.
Can’t find the photo of the back – sorry – it looks almost like the first one.
And this is last call for books – I’ll post the titles I received from all of you in the past week. Looks like some great reads!
Tomorrow I’m taking Reed to the local quilt show and I won’t forget to take pictures. In the meantime one of our customer/friends is coming through from the Dallas area with friends to the Final Four games In Minneapolis. Her team is Texas Tech Red Raiders and they’re going to be MY team this weekend, too!
That’s it folks!
So sorry about Alfalfa. Sad news for all animal lovers to hear of another’s pain. Peace.
I’m so sorry to hear about Alfalfa, I too know how hard it is to loose one of your beloved farm animals. I try to remember what a wonderful life they had in my love and care, but loosing them is like loosing a family member, especially when you are their person. I’m glad Alfalfa had a good life and I’m sure he loved you.
Your blocks could never be boring. Love the shirt quilts
So sorry about Alfalfa , so hard to lose our furry friends .
Love your shirt quilts all the plaids look terrific .
Wish I had done the bulls eye quilt with you but at the time I was working on a quilt for a wedding . I’m pretty slow .
Jody Irwin – why don’t you start a Bullseye quilt now? Maybe there are others out there who would like to start one now that we’ve seen so many nice finished ones. They go pretty fast and use up fabric. Anybody want another Bullseye Quiltalong?
I am finishing up three little Harveys and then starting my Bullseye. Most of the squares are cut, but I just haven’t had time to start it yet. Hope to next week after Harveys are finished:)
I, too, am so sorry about Alfalfa. This is a little weird, but on our way to Columbus last night, my husband slammed on the brakes because a VERY old and feeble kitty was in the middle of the road. I shooed her up on the bank toward her home and in the process saw a goat similar to Alfalfa. Poor Alfalfa. Getting old isn’t easy.
The quilts from Jim’s shirts will always be stunning. I am happy you shared them:)
May the Texas Team WIN ….. Susie Q from Texas
I’m so sorry about Alfalfa. Poor ole’ dear goat.
My prayers are with you.
-Jean
Mary so sorry Alfalfa’s days are numbered. I’m glad he’s away from others so he’s not bothered 😢. I’m on my second book by Stanley Gordon West, a Minnesota writer but has passed. Set in St Paul. Very good books. Blind Your Ponies is supposed to be his best so that will be the next one I read. I’m reading Until They Bring The Streetcars Back. Amos, I’ve not read, was produced as a CBS movie of the week starring Kirk Douglas, Elizabeth Montgomery and Elizabeth Montgomery & nominated for 4 Emmys. Author was also an ordained minister.
So sorry to hear of Alfalfa. You are right, it’s part of farm life, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I have a question, I saw in your quircky quilt blocks that one of striped piece is set differently than the others. Does that bother you? I don’t like working with stripes because of my OCD, and if one was set differently, I would rip my quilt apart. 😫
Joan Baxter – haha! I did it on purpose! As you can tell I don’t have OCD and I love working with stripes. I think when pieces are “quirky”, they’re charming! Quilts with a “make do “ look and attitude are my favorites!
I wish I could be more like that.
Joan Baxter – I’ve had years of practice- ha!
So sorry about Alfalfa, so hard even though you understand that it is to be expected. Sending hugs to you! Love seeing your quilts and the quilt from Jim’s shirts is spectacular. Jerry is going to the Final Four games tomorrow and he is so excited. Going with a friend who is a Virginia Alum. I would love seeing Texas Teck go all the way!!
Kathy Hanson – I would be thrilled if they won it all!
Love the quilts. Are you still taking orders for The Goat Gazette, Mary? Also wanted to let you know that I am seeing one ad now (lately I wasn’t seeing any). I refreshed the page about a dozen times so I could keep closing the ads. I closed a few more when I went back to find your post about The Goat Gazette. Trying to make up for lost time in regards to the ads! 🙂
Donna W – thank you and yes, the Goat Gazette offer will be open until we run out. We have lots of two issues left!
Always so difficult to lose animals that we love. Sympathy and prayers. Can’t wait to see the new small door banner pattern! I know it will be great. A good read is “Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray”by Dorothy Love about General Robert E. Lee’s wife and her slave girl who form a lifelong friendship. Mrs. Lee was also the Great Granddaughter of Martha Washington. May I add what most people do not know, that Confederate soldiers are officially American Veterans by four separate acts of Congress (1900, 1906, 1929 and 1958) Therefore, the desecration and/or removal of the statues and memorials of Confederate veterans is an assault, insult and attack against ALL of America’s veterans.
True, true, true.
When we forget or erase history, we are doomed to repeat it.
Many or most of those men weren’t pro-slavery, but they likely were pro state’s rights – which was the point. Of course, many of them were just boys, doing their duty.
Mary, Sorry to read about Alfalfa suffering n leaving. Know how difficult it is to lose our pet friends!
My 9 patch blocks are a Quirky mix. Sewed them today and am caught up plus have Birds in Air cut n diagonals sewn. I don’t post them! Want to sew Prairie Patches from Quirky, too!
How wonderful to take Reed along to the quilt show! Should be a great outing!
Rained off n on here today; better than snow!
LINDA , N.Carolina – I didn’t know that but I would agree 100% – I hate to see those historical statues taken down. Thanks – I always say I learn so much from our Readers!
So sorry about Alfalfa. It has to be really tough on you. Prayers go out for Alfalfa and you.
Mary,
I’m sorry to hear the sad news of Alfalfa…. 🐐 We can hope that old goats just go on to greener pastures….. I still miss all my animals that have passes on, especially my cat Solomon.
Also, I hate to be “that” person…. but, could you please tell me which items are currently still available?? No, I do not need your address or to whom to write my check. Yes, I will include a shipping label, and I promise to never, ever, ever ask about PayPal… lol 😉
Have fun with Reed!! I’m working on a quilt for my 92 y/o Momma!
Patricia Campbell – how about I post it tomorrow for everybody? You can’t be the only one who’d like an update!
So sorry about Alfalfa, Mary. I don’t know very much about goats, but I have been watching some YouTube Homestead videos and many of them have goats. They seem like great pets besides giving back to us in so many ways. May he Rest In Peace.
I think your idea about posting on Instagram is a good one. I have a membership but I haven’t spent much time there. I am more into Pinterest, I guess. When you learn, let us know how to post.
Love both your shirt quilts, but this second one is really fabulous.
Don’t forget to shop for cheap vodka. lol
I am so very sorry to hear about Alfalfa. May he be in peace. He lived a good life with LOVE on your farm and would be the envy of goats everywhere. Was at goodwill the other day and started looking at plaid shirts. I have used them before for a table runner but that would make a great quilt. Your layout so that a design comes through really well with out a mishmash of just plaid squares. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this tough time.
So sorry for Alfalfa
Oh, Mary, I am so sorry about Alfalfa. Farm life does seem to sort of compress the challenges of life and doesn’t allow you to ignore or hide from the life/death cycle. Remember, we only grieve because we once loved. Be gentle with yourself as you see Alfalfa through his last days.
I’m sorry you’re losing another companion, it’s so hard to watch an animal pass. Your photos are great, thanks for sharing. God bless.
My heart ❤️ is breaking for you tonight, Mary. It is so hard to watch our animal families leave us. I can tell you have great affection for your animals. Alfalfa couldn’t have had a better home.
My book for the list is; The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom by A.E. Hotchner.
Hi Mary, I’m very sorry to hear the news about Alfalfa. It is so hard to lose our pets. My Boston Terrier passed away nine years ago and it still hurts. I’ll keep you in my thoughts this weekend. Snow is falling right now in West Barnstable, but will probably turn to rain by morning, so no shoveling!
Love the shirt quilts. Sad to loose a dear friend from the farm family. More people should know that Confederate soldiers are officially American Veterans . Sorry to say I didn’t know.
I find it above heading
Hi Mary,
I’m so sorry to hear about Alfalfa. There are no words to describe the pain in our hearts when we have to say good bye to a beloved pet.
On the brighter side, have fun at the quilt show with Reed, and watching those great basketball games!
I’ll be spoiling my hubby this weekend because he turns 68 on Sunday.
Hugs and prayers!
Bonnie, in chilly and damp Oregon
When we loose a pet-it just plain HURTS!!
Sending hugs to you Mary knowing it’s so hard losing of our beloved pets. You go enjoy some time admiring quilts with Reed !
so sorry to hear about alfalfa. it has to be hard to see him go. will his twin have separation issues? i don’t know much about goats.
here are my books for the next list: by robert dugoni is ‘the 7th canon’. also ‘typhoon fury’ and ‘shadow tyrants’ by clive cussler. i just finished ‘the rooster bar’ by john grisham and should finish ‘the whistler’ by grisham tonite.
love seeing your sampler blocks.
patti in florida
Hugs and prayers for you and Alfalfa-I was raised on a farm and I know it is never easy.
So sorry to hear about your loved goat Alfalfa. I have a farm also and as you stated, that is one of the hardest part of having farm family members. We had 2 twin goats which were named Ernie and Bert. Goats sure are characters!. Hoping he will make a recovery. Love your texts, enjoy hearing from you always!
So sorry about your Alfalfa…. I’m a farm girl.. I remember my Dad brushing away tears when we’d lose an animal or pet. That’s what made him a great farmer and a wonderful Dad 💗. And that’s what makes you so wonderful and caring Mary 💗
So sad to hear about your goat Alfalfa. It is hard to lose any animal…house pet or outside one. I love both of your quilts made from shirts. I will have to see if I have both of those books…I know I have a few books of Bonnie Hunter, but not all of them. Last book I just finished reading was awesome…Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan. Based on a true story…takes place during World War 2 in Italy.
Mary ~ So sorry to hear about Alfalfa. I have a question about purchasing shirts at thrift stores and yard sales. Do you only sew with 100% cotton shirts? Or, do you purchase shirts according to the colors you need and don’t worry about the fiber content? I am collecting shirts to make an orange and blue quilt similar to one that you showed on a bed a while back.
Signe in Virginia – I only sew with 100% cotton shirts. Now after I say that I should say I BUY only 100% cotton shirts. Jim’s shirts were all poly/cotton which made them hard to work with. Someone suggested starch and I should have done that. Orange and blue is a pretty popular color combo and the fabric in a shirt goes a long way!
The Gown – J. Robson
Chasing Fireflies. – C Martin
Send Down the Rain – C Martin
When Crickets Cry – C Martin
The Mountain Between Us – C Martin
The Dead Don’t Dance – C Martin
Water From My Heart – C Martin
Wrapped in Rain – C Martin
Thunder and Rain – C Martin
Unwritten – C Martin
Becoming Mrs. Lewis: Joy Davidman – P Callahan
I, too, am sorry about Alfalfa. I think when they are laying so still they are dreaming about you and the good life you provided for them. It’s so hard.
Alfalfa has had a wonderful life being with you on the farm. I would get teary when my husband would tell me they had to send a cow away. The shirt quilts are beautiful. What a nice remembrance! I hope Reed and you enjoy the quilt show.
I’m so sad to read you’re losing Alfalfa. Losing an animal even due to old age is just so painful. We still think and talk about our little Jack who we lost last July. Each animal has such unique characteristics that spur such wonderful memories of them. I’m afraid I’m one of the slow ones so if you started another bullseye, I would be ahead for once. I am not able to spend large swaths of time sewing (but wish I could). I just love the shirt quilts you made—so unique and creative. I’d love to make one of those too someday. Hope the outcome of the basketball weekend makes you happy.
So sorry to learn about your beloved goat. Praying for God to heal your broken heart. He has been a lucky goat to have lived with you. The quirky QAL looks like fun. When it comes to the basketball tournament I’ll be cheering for Auburn, our daughter is a graduate and proud Tiger.
Mrs. Goodneedle – Auburn has been a real shocker, hasn’t it? I love to watch Charles Barkley celebrating his Auburn Tigers! Best of luck to your team!
Oh Mary so sorry to hear about Alfalfa….it so hard when you lose some one you love. I’m sure you and Reed will have a great time. I can’t wait to hear about all about it!!!
I am so sorry to hear about Alfalfa failing. Our four-legged family members leave their foot prints on our hearts. Crying with you.
Mary, so sorry to hear about Alfalfa. The shirt quilts are outstanding. Have fun at the quilt show!
So sorry to hear that Alfalfa is failing. He’s had a good life because of your love and care. I love your shirt quilts. They look so cozy.
Have fun with Reed at the quilt show!
Sorry to hear about Alfalfa… its hard. Glad to hear your team is Texas Teck , we are just over the border in N. M. and had Grandkids attend Teck. So its guns up tomorrow, go all the way..Love to read your blog. and had a subscription to Goat Gazette and read it right away.
I’m so sorry about Alfalfa. I hope it helps to know that so many other people understand, and our hearts go out to you and to the animals who are mourning the loss of their dear companion. I’m glad for the good life he had. To be happy and know you are safe and loved is not a small thing–in many ways, it’s everything, and I’m sure Alfalfa had that. To reach the end of your life in a place you are comfortable, hearing the sounds that are familiar, with all the comforting scents that mean “home”–that, too, is a good thing.
Sending you a big hug.
Hello Mary,
So sorry to hear that you are losing Alfalfa: it is the hardest part of having and keeping animals that we love. You know he had a great life on your farm, and no one can give an animal more than that. Holding you both in my thoughts.
Fiona.
So very sorry about Alfalfa. It’s part of farm life but that doesn’t make it any easier.
I’m so sorry about Alfalfa. So many have said it so much better with such comforting words. I hope you find comfort in knowing so many of us share your sadness. OK, you have got me! I haven’t spent a night reading into the wee hours in many many years. But – I purchased My Life Among the Underdogs by Tia Torres. She runs the Villalobos Rescue Center in Louisiana and has the show Pit Bulls and Parolees on the Animal Planet network. I have gotten hooked on her TV show and the way she has written the book, you can just hear her voice telling you the stories of some of the dogs that have meant so much in her life. I think any pet owner would really like this book. Have fun at the quilt show with Reed.
On the On the Money show this morning they talked about what a good book “A Lesson from Lucy” is. It’s about a man and his dog Lucy who is the same age as him in dog years and what he has learned from Lucy. If someone reads this please give us a review on it. I am not a person who likes to read, I would rather quilt so I wanted to pass this on but interested in it. Please add to the book list please. Paula in KY
Mary,
So sad about Alfalfa . . . it is so very hard to lose a furry family member. Did Buckwheat and Alfalfa stick close together being twins?
I just love both of Jim’s two shirt quilts. Great job on both quilts, and what a thoughtful gift for the sister-in-law.
I had four ads today. Only one at first, then I went back up to the top and three more appeared!! Maybe I’m magic–ha:)
Diane in Central Ohio – maybe you ARE magic! Thanks for the heads up!
Oh Mary so sorry about Alfalfa! I too just experienced the same issue but with my barred rock chicken I called her “chicky mama.” She was 7-8 years old and just couldn’t walk anymore. I separated her from the others and made her as comfortable as I possibly can.
Liz Morgan – I lost a black Turken hen last week, too. Sad
Oh, your shirt quilts are great! I have Moth In The Window in progress. Fun quilt. Have fun at the quilt show.
So sorry about your goat. Having grown up on a farm, I’ve witnessed my share of deaths of the animals. It never gets easy. I just bought some baby chicks from Rural King and two of them died within a day and two more aren’t looking good. I’m wondering if I got some sickly ones this time. And I never stop feeling sad when one of them dies. The circle of life, I guess. We are old softies, aren’t we, when it comes to our pets?
Kate – the sadness continues. I almost said – until I get a new animal but I know I can’t get more. I’m too old – what would happen to them if I died before them?
So sorry you are losing a special friend…..I was a 4-H girl and loved all my pets so much…..just like now…my dog is not a jjust a…she is not just a dog..
So sorry about Alfalfa. We do love our animals. Love your shirt quilts! Have no idea how you get so much done! You are awesome Mary!
Greetings from Santa Rosa NM tonight on my way to Wisconsin.
So sorry for the loss of your much loved Alfalfa.
Any book by Sandra Brown.
Hugs to you….
So sorry about Alfalfa, it is sad to prepare to let a beloved animal friend leave us.
YOUR NEW TEAM, the Texas Tech Red Raiders played well! You chose an awesome team!
Keep cheering Monday Night!
Paula in Texas – wasn’t it a fabulous game? I’ll be cheering Monday night!
Mary, my husband went to TT for a year, so we watched the game, really fabulous, we wished Auburn had won too. Monday ‘s game should be electric, of al sports, I like BB the best even when I don’t understand everything.
Felicia – your description of tonight’s game is the best – electric!!! Can’t wait!
I’ve been wanting to make a memory quilt from my late husband’s shirts but hadn’t found a pattern I liked yet. Do you know approximately how many shirts you used for piecing the top of Jim’s quilt above using the Four Patch X pattern? Thank you.
Toby Thompson – I probably had 30+ shirts but only used some of each shirt so I could get variety. This quilt really has nothing to do with how many shirts – one shirt could have probably cut all the squares for the blocks but that wouldn’t have been much fun, would it? You need variety more than you need 30 shirts!