High Winds and a Bitter Cold

The last two days after the blizzard have been miserable – strong south winds mean awful conditions at our place because our grove is on the north and west leaving us very vulnerable on the south and east. The dog door has to be closed or the flap would be blowing straight out. Thus the dogs have been as unhappy as me.

Look at today tho’……

It’s actually above freezing and melting – hallelujah!

I’m watching college basketball and making 4 patch blocks. Only 40 more to go. Ha!

Here’s the book list.

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Tried to make these handwritten pages easier to read. Or did it make it too big?

Here’s Pamela’s gorgeous neutral Gypsy Wife and Sophie matches!

This ad supported blog appreciates all the photos you send and all your comments and support. Not much for today – but there’s always tomorrow!

Gosh I almost forgot about the birdseed bag – maybe today!

38 thoughts on “High Winds and a Bitter Cold

  1. Charlotte Shira

    Thank you for the book list. Glad the snow is melting and the wind has died down. The quilt is beautiful and Sophie is too cute!

  2. Sandy

    Love the Gypsy Wife in neutrals. The book lists were easy to read. So glad a warm up is there. We should be getting it tomorrow and Monday.

  3. Brenda archambault

    Love the Gypsy quilt. I seem to overlook the all neutral Quilts and they’re so handsome. Not sure if it’s the monochromatic theme or if they’re just so eye catching without being so “ in your face” as so much of my work is
    I hope it starts to warm up on a daily basis and becomes spring real soon. We’re finally on a warming trend here in the Phoenix area which Pleases both me and our visitors from the East. And, you must be nearing the end of your therapy and ready to dance a jig. Get well soon!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Brenda A – I’m still 2-3 weeks at therapy – by the time I’m done, spring will be that much closer! Smile!

  4. Nancy Wines

    Gosh thanks for all the book suggestions. I can’t wait to check them out. As a Florida person it’s hard to relate to those terrible weather conditions except be glad I live in Florida. Know you are ready for spring to arrive. I bet you’re working hard to keep the barn critters safe and warm. Your blocks look great and I can’t wait to see them sewn together.

  5. Marian Stever

    Pamela’s quilt is lovely with her complimentary dog! Just beautiful. Last week was brutal but the weekend looks better. We need sunshine!
    Thanks for the booklist. You did just great–easy to read.
    Hoping you are making good progress on your rehab. You gotta be ready for spring!!!!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Marian Steven – ready for spring, you say? That’s an understatement!

  6. Rhoda Ebersole

    That Gypsy quilt is beautiful and does match the dog!

    I read the book list and am always encouraged that I read at least bone of those books.
    Stay warm and Be careful outside !!
    Your chickens are OK???
    ❤️

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Rhoda Ebersole – according to Rick, all is well in the barn – thank goodness. Just too icy between here and there for me to take a chance.

  7. Carol at Pin Oak Quilting

    I have had the Gypsy’s Wife pattern got a very long time but haven’t been inspired until now. I love love love Pamela’a quilt! Wondering if it’s stash or a collection of fabrics used. I have a pretty good neutral stash waiting for me…. I might have to start it soon.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Carol at Pin Oak – I’m sure it was stash but we’ll see if she confirms that-it’s beautiful!

    2. Pamela in Missouri

      I’m glad you like my quilt, Carol. It would be so easy to make this from a stash but actually I purchased all these fabrics just for Gypsy Wife. Back in 2015 Mary had a quilt-along for Gypsy Wife and I wanted to participate. The Jen Kingwell pattern is all bright, bright, busy fabrics but that’s just not me. I purchased 33 quarter yards of MODA fabric from my favorite quilt shop. They were mostly Zen Chic, Janet Clare, and Primitive Gatherings.

      1. CountryThreads Post author

        Pamela in MO – I should have explained my quick answer. I meant that it all wasn’t one line of fabric but a combination of many different lines. I didn’t really mean you dug in your old fabric to end up with that gorgeous quilt!

      2. Carol at Pin Oak Quilting

        Ah, well I have lots of those lines so I’m going to dig in! I think yours is gorgeous.

        1. Kathy in western NY

          Pamela – your quilt is so stunning and what a knack you have for putting those all those various lines of fabrics together. I thought the pattern was originally shown in busier colors so I wasn’t even sure if this was the same quilt. It’s just me but I sure would find yours so soothing and comforting to look at. I would zen out! Thanks for some new inspiration like I need one more project.

  8. patti leal

    Mary, the book list is easy to read for me. “The Fork, the Witch and the Worm” by Christopher Paolini is the title of one book. sorry if i confused you. you can keep your blizzards up there. i can’t breathe in that kind of weather. supposedly we are to have an early spring but then again, that may only be in pennsylvania. ha patti in florida who can’t wait for the sisterhood book to get here.

  9. the other Angie

    Hi, Mary! I have been wondering about the heat in the barn. That must have been just one more unneeded stress point for you. I am guessing things must be ok by now. The pictures are beautiful, but I cannot imagine the wind. I hope the weather and your knee(s) improve soon so you and all your critters can get out!!

  10. Mary O

    I love Pamela’ Gypsy Wife and the quilting is unbelievably gorgeous. Sophie couldn’t wait to get on that bench and pose for us all!

    1. Pamela in Missouri

      I don’t want anyone thinking that I did the quilting on Gypsy Wife. I made the top but then sent it to Lisa Calle to be quilted. I think the quilting is exquisite.

  11. Sandy

    Hi Mary, we have the run for fun around the bays today, our bay has a band playing good old songs, outdoor showers and lots of cheering. I cheered when I found the pattern l want to make for my second granddaughter due in April!best wishes, sandy

  12. Mary G in TN

    Book suggestions looked good to me. Several I want to read. Thanks for sharing! The Gypsy quilt is gorgeous!

  13. Jo in Wyoming

    Pamela’s neutral quilt is beautiful. And the quilting is grand also.
    I’m glad your blizzard is over. I hope it’s the end of wicked weather.
    Yeah! On your PT schedule.
    😁😁😁

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Jo in Wyoming – I hope it’s over, too but we have had major storms in March so I’m not going to bet on it

  14. Brenda in iowa

    I love the author Kristen Hannah. I’ve read both The Winter Garden and The Great Alone. They were excellent books. I have the book Tattooist of Auschwitz. The cover synopsis makes the book sound interesting. The treatment of the Jews during World War makes my heart so sad. I don’t know if I can read it. The treatment of the Jews was so horrible. How could anyone treat another human being like that? OKAY, rant over. Hope you have a good weekend.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Brenda in Iowa – of course, I agree with you – how COULD the Germans do that but the book is excellent and has been a popular title at my library book club, too.

  15. Ginger S.

    Thank you so much for the book list. I’ve saved it so I can refer to it often. I have read a few of them and I’m happy to see them on the book list . My book club just read The Tattooist of Auschwitz. I was also worried as the subject matter is so difficult to read and even more difficult to understand the cruelty. This book , although sad, also highlighted hope, love and strength . A good read. Love your blog Mary!!! Thank you.

  16. Diane and Squeak

    We had an Auschwitz survivor talk to our high school students every year. Hearing about what happened from a survivor is heart wrenching, but like our WWII veterans, the survivors are dying out. That is why these books are so important. Thank you for putting these on your list.

  17. Paula Philpot

    Can’t wait to see that quilt when done. I love the neutral colored one. We are in south central KY and still waiting for a snow. Most we have had is 1 1/2″. Paula in KY

  18. Chris in Washington

    The book list is great! It’s easy to read and most of the books are ones that I haven’t read- yet! Thanks so much, Mary. Stay warm.🥶

  19. Kathy in western NY

    Thanks for the winter 2020 book list. I loved your title. Means I better get going to have something to suggest for the spring 2020 book list as it’s coming soon, Mary! I have a take away already this early morning ….. it seems there are more and more historical fiction books coming out and some I find I can’t read.
    Just as I was questioning myself why I couldn’t read one about the ladies who rode horses through treacherous conditions to get books to folks as I didn’t want to read horses were hurt, I read Diane’s comment that survivors are fewer now to tell the real stories of what they endured. So I am feeling better knowing it’s important to tell these stories, but I am just not sure I can read them without images staying with me. I struggle terrible when I see anything about the treatment of the Jews.

  20. Sue in Oregon

    Wow! Pamela’s quilt is stunning. Those neutrals are so pleasing to the eye. So is Sophie. lol
    Thanks for the book list. I need to go book shopping too.
    Mary, I hope it is nice and warm on the farm and that it chases all that ice away. Then, you can go to the barn.

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