Where has the time gone? Last Friday Elmer Short arrived while his parents went to Jamaica. Elmer is a 12 year old goldendoodle and the first dog I ever kept for anyone. He’s a great guy but showing his age.
The next day Michele came home to a thrilled Bentley – as these pictures show!
And Saturday was filled with college basketball upsets – most within the Big 12. It was a fantastic day of games – reminiscent of March Madness which is coming. I can’t wait!
The next day was the Super Bowl and what can anybody say about that game except that it really was SUPER! I was thinking about our friend Joanne in the New England area during the game and today she emailed me to say that Tom Brady is being called the Goat – the greatest of all time! And who could argue with that? I do feel sorry for Atlanta who felt, as I did, that they had the game in the bag. And Connie’s grandson Rex went to bed thinking his team had won – poor kid! What a shock for him on Monday morning.
And Sunday was so nice I let all the goats out. Here are the Three Amigos heading out to their hay pen, one at a time through the little sliding door that I keep closed during cold weather.
And looking on is Barn Kitty sitting on the shelf where I feed him.
Turning around I look into the other goat pen where everybody is hanging out.
Yesterday I went to Minneapolis with a friend and today I took Rox to be groomed. Doesn’t she look nice? We had started calling her Scruf or Mutley because she was so shaggy.
I have received a number of pattern orders and I’ll try to get to them tomorrow. Thank you, Everyone who ordered.
So that brings you up to date with me – what’s new with you guys? I look forward to reading your comments.
Love hearing about the animals and seeing the pictures. It seems you are as busy as you were when the shop was open!
Oh, my gosh. Even though I am new here, I was beginning to worry about you. So glad to see this email in my box.
Rox is beautiful. Those eyes!! I had a 1/2 Lasso and 1/2 Poodle (I think) for 17 years. He was larger than Rox, but still looked a lot like her. He was so smart, with an attitude. Loved him and miss him.
Started the Homey Triangles. I finally found my very old pkg. of Thangles, but I had to clean out a drawer to find them. That was a good thing.
Today was Quilt Club day. I came home with yet another project and I already have more than I can do.
I now have a small bag of scraps that I am to turn into an approx. 50 x 50 lap quilt which is to be old fashioned looking. Our member went to a thrift store, came home and cut up all her finds….shirts, skirts…etc. Everyone got the same fabrics and amounts in the bag she handed out. Now…make the quilt. Quite a challenge, don’t you think. Our Quilt Show is on the 4th of July, so we are to have them finished by then. This was optional…..What have I done???
Sounds like you had a fun filled last few days. We enjoyed the Super Bowl too and could not believe the Patriots pulled it out of the bag like that. We were a divided house, but my team won! Hooray!
I went on a sewing retreat to a peaceful Christian camp over the weekend and my oldest daughter who also sews and quilts, came too which is my time to see all she creates. It was lovely being with 8 other like minded sewers. Of course I missed my puppy dogs so much I came home at noon on Sunday and did not sew for that day. My husband took the Friday off to be home with them but its me just missing them too much which ends up making me homesick! I know I am a mess! So I am happy to be home again sewing in my own sanctuary and appreciating them in my life. Glad life is good there too!
Love seeing the barn kitty as it reminds me of mine! We are in the process of calving right now so we have a barn camera set up to watch the happenings on our kitchen TV. Much to my surprise tonight I see a yellow & white cat wandering around the barn! My husband has seen the cat before doing chores but I haven’t spotted him until tonight. I now have a challenge to try to find him & tame him!! And wasn’t that ISU game Saturday the best??!! I hope tonight can be just as fun to watch!! Love seeing the goats & dogs too by the way!! The quilts are lovely as usual…I just don’t quilt so I enjoy the end product more than the put together part! Go Clones!!!
Jane – the Jass family is calving now, too, and have been for awhile. Honestly I don’t know how anybody keeps up with all of that! But those baby calves are so sweet!
I have been sewing a little on En Provence and Homey Triangles. Sewing put on hold today in order to begin yard work. Temps above 80 today and I need to get as much yard work done as I can before rain sets in again. Love updates on your crew!
As I have said many times I so love your posts n especially seeing the animals, but….I would like you to bottle your energy n I would buy it😅😅😅😅😅!!!!not sure how you do it all!!! Glad you can!!!😊😊 Keep your blogs coming!!!!
Fifteen minutes ago I put the last stitches in the binding of my En Provence! Now I am binding a log cabin, piecing a baby quilt, quilting String Spiderweb and hand piecing a tiny hexagon project. I also pulled a bunch of 1.5 inch strips to start another log cabin. That’s enough projects to work on – that way I don’t get bored with anything because if I do – I move to something else!
We have a Walmart kitty. Another lady had seen it hiding in the storm drain by the store. I saw it the other day. It is all black and young. Don’t know if people feed it or not. Cats have 9 lives for a reason. We miss our cat. She was 14 when she died in 1981…..just a stray but so wonderful.
I’m kind of putting stuff away in the living room. When I come across a piece of fabric that will look good in the 16 patch I toss it in the pile. In the meantime I’ve got to get stuff together to do our taxes. I can’t say I like doing it, but guess I’m too cheap to pay somebody……especially when we have all the figures and information organized. I just have to be in the mood to start. We probably won’t owe any money.
And it is snowing again with ice underneath and it is REALLY slippery. The stock show ended Saturday night, all the dirt and smell has been trucked out, the vendors all packed up and gone and everything is ready for the Outdoor Sports show this weekend.
Like hearing all the stories about the farm. Lots of work but so much love returned. It sounds like Barn Kitty and Three Amigos would make a great name for a quilt.
Love all the pictures
Mary I just love all your posts. They are so inspiring and comforting for me. I must say this one was especially special. Give all your furry family and visitors a hug from me!
All of your pets are neat. I love seeing the three amigos doing things. Barn cat is beautiful😺😺. We are in Florida–no coats, boots, or mittens!!
Oh… “Barn”aby Kitty is too adorable! Love all your critters 🐾♥️
Cleaned my sewing room and moved fabric around. Yesterday cleaned on the fabric storage room that used to be my sons bedroom and also is now where I service Singer featherweight 221’s for customers. Long arm quilting for charity at the shop that we call Farmhouse Friends. Working on my annual Mystery I teach in October. In the meantime my husband takes care of the cows and donkeys. Still waiting on a measurable SNOW. Paula in KY
I sorrowfully admit my jealousy of your barn and animals and snow and being near Minneapolis. My mother was born and raised in the city and my grandparents had been there since 1905 ish. I loved that city in the 60’s but not now I think. Minnehaha Falls was so pretty and the lakes pretty then. On a brighter note you have inspired me to think of keeping dogs for people when they travel. I do have a big yard and lovely farm down the road for walks. No quilting here, just work and trips to NC State Veterinary Hospital for work up of IBD in my beloved Yanni boy.
Snowing in Des Moines today. My day off, so staying the the quilt room till I have to head to church to clean the pews later. I love snow days, even if it is only an inch or 2. Love, love, love your goats!
Michelle , you are looking good kid! cant hardly tell that Bentley loves his mom 🙂
Rox looks good, where do you get her groomed at? Libby’s groomer fell and hurt herself.
Leaving for Retreat in Spring Valley tomorrow, at the Glad Gatherings retreat house.
very excited to finally get time to try and sew.
Barn kitty is a nice looking cat, I think he knows he hit the jackpot when he found your house!!
Robin – Rox gets groomed at Pretty Paws west of Britt. She did an especially nice job this time!
It was nice to see your update! I’m working on two things right now . . . a little exchange gift with a facebook group of quilters/sewists scattered across the U.S. and a baby quilt with chenille squares for our newest great-nephew!
It’s been a mild winter here in Michigan but temperatures are supposed to drop to the twenties tomorrow . . . then up to the 40s over the weekend. What’s up with that?
Mary, LOVE the photos of Bentley. AND Thanks for the kind comments Robin!! That pup does love his mama!! And the feeling is mutual. Bentley LOVES being at Mary’s and is never ready to come back home if he’s only been there a couple days. But, by the time a week rolls around we are both ready to be back together again.
Libby was supposed to be there at the same time as Bentley, but unfortunately there was not enough snow in Wisconsin that weekend!!
She also loves it out there, she can run and run, without having to worry about being
hit by a car like our house ..
Mary is so good to her!
I love your orchids. I have ever tried to grow them since I kill all indoor plants. I am binding off
O Holy Night!
Cold here in North Dakota. Taking Gus in for grooming today. I am trying to sew up or use up a drawer of scraps. I am sure they multiply when I leave the room ! I am cutting and sewing blocks for 3 different scrap quilts. LOL….. ( you know if we use up a little of the fabric we have – then we can justify buying a little more) LOL…
We finally got our house put back together after total house floor renovation and I’m sewing again. Yay! It’s rainy here on our once drought ridden west coast and so walking the dogs is a bit more challenging….mostly because one is a fair weather walker 😉
I love seeing pictures of the goats and barn kitty and well the pooches coming to stay as well. Animals always warm my heart.
Hello Mary. I love your posts and worry when I don’t see any for a while. I know you are a busy person and don’t know where you get all your energy. I love the animal posts particularly, reminds me of my happy childhood on the farm.
I am currently working on a granny square quilt for a baby girl to be born in April or may.
I’ve not written you before but wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your posts.
I am aretired labor and delivery nurse.
One funny story: when I was a very young girl on the farm I accidentally saw baby piglets being born and was oh so thrilled and ran to tell my dad. He was upset because he didn’t think little girls should see such a thing. Years later upon reminding him of this itold him now look what I do for a living. We both got a good laugh then.
Rox just makes me smile. She looks very lady like sitting there. The three Amigos just crack me up.
Thanks for sharing you wonderful stories and pictures. I am a huge fan and look forward to seeing your updates.
Nice to read what everybody is working on. Especially love hearing about the animals…I’m a wannabe country girl, that bought a house in a small town with a cornfield in my backyard.
I’m in my 9th month of short term care. I’ve been crocheting scarves for “operation gratitude” and embedding “Thank You” into each scarf. They go overseas to our military men and women. I’ve been completing about 12 per week.
Mid January I received an early (April) birthday present. A 1951 hand crank Singer. Last weekend couldn’t get the bobbin thread to come up, so I yelled at it and it’s working!!
Christopher, resident due to car accident. He has a breathing tube in his neck and can’t talk. Last week he received a tool that helps get words, phrases and sentences out. I asked if he could use a bag to attach to his chair, to hold these voices tools? A huge smile and an AWESOME. So working on that, making it padded and trying to figure out straps or Velcro or??
Also, want to make lap quilts for my three therapists. Have lots of ideas and trying to get them drawn out on paper…not easy! Bailey raises chickens and recently put a Viking helmet on one of them (that idea came quickly). Am also envisioning a football tucked under it’s wing and his be able dressed in umpire garb. For Tony, he loves winter so I’ve got a “I dream of winter activities” forming. Donna’s quilt will be a combo of kayaking, skinny dipping and cross country skiing…thinking of doing a Storm at Sea background. Hope I can produce what I’m dreaming…
That’s supposed to be a “beagle dressed in umpire garb”
Ann – you have many goals with your quilts ! They all sound wonderful and you’ve already got them figured out which is half the battle!