I mowed and trimmed everything yesterday and I need to rest my old body today.
Kitten update – these pictures came from Teresa last night. I hope she lets us know what their names are and how they’re doing, don’t you?
And I’ve had offers to take these two but nobody will keep them together as housecats so far. I will certainly let one of these ladies take them if nobody steps up for them to live in the house.
And here’s the Orange Julius recipe I use – this is a double recipe that completely fills my blender.
1 – 12 oz. can frozen OJ or Five Alive (I almost like Five Alive better!)
1 c. Milk
1 c. Water
1/2 c. Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
12 ice cubes
Blend till all ice is chopped up.
Sooooo delicious!
Remember this little project from last summer? A little table topper with squares and connector squares. Great for Flag Day and 4th of July or any color combo.
Let’s discuss the Dirty Dozen game. We will start on July 1 again. Each of us will pick 12 projects that are in any state of completion – it could be one you’ve laid aside to start, with all the fabric pulled just waiting – sorta like This Old Farmhouse for me. MIT had laid on the cutting table for over 4 years, all in a pile! Done now however except for binding.
Other projects included blocks made but not put together, binding left undone, tops waiting to be quilted – you get the idea. We start many things and don’t always follow through to the end.
After you’ve picked 12 projects, put each in a separate bag or box and number them 1 through 12. On the first of every month I will randomly pull a number out of the fish bowl and announce that number on the blog. You will have until the end of the month to finish and hopefully send me a picture to my email to post on the blog. Everybody LOVES to see finished Dirty Dozen photos. Please put a tag in your picture with your name and possibly the info about your project in large letters so everybody can read it. This will save so much time commenting back and forth.
This year Connie and I will show you our 12 DD projects when we start. Some of mine got substituted for those without numbers last year but I still think that’s OK. It’s a finish that counts! And I have finished so many this year, even more than 12! What a great feeling! You’ll see – it is soooo good to finish!
And on that note – does anyone else have a husband who starts things around the farm, leaves all the stuff “out” and then loses interest? Leaving YOU to move it all before you mow? They’re great “starters” but poor “finishers”. I NEVER leave anything out because it just causes me more work in the long run.
Since I’m going to rest today maybe I can finish binding This Old Farmhouse –
And get a look at this perfect oval egg – I don’t want to break it!
And this is From Janny in Holland who called it her Corona Quilt. She purchased Back to Charm School when she was in Australia and during the lockdown made this quilt. I think we all have some Corona Quilts, don’t we?
I have been organizing hundreds of old photos while searching for the original barn pictures so I can write the barn story. If I can’t find them by tomorrow I’ll write the story without them but it won’t be as effective.
We had lots of thunder and lightning the last two nights but very little rain.
Here’s what I bought in Ames last week.
I’ve got a pink and green theme going, I guess. Gotta finish a couple things before I cut into this!
Becky and Tom came down last night – we haven’t seen them for 3 months! We all sat 6′ apart and Hazel was in heaven because Becky will play with her.
That’s all, Folks! Gotta get to work!
Mary, what is the name of the white floral in the bottom right of your photo? I love it! Thanks!
OMG the tail on that kitty!!! I have never seen that much fluff before!!!
I have LOVED the Dirty Dozen game!!! I, too, finished far more than the original dozen which was awesome!!!! I substituted a couple of times as well, but agree, it’s all about the finish! I love seeing what everyone is working on, too. So many beautiful projects!
Glad you got a visit last night! One of my Marine Mom friends is coming this afternoon for a socially distanced visit on my patio. We will both be Grandmas for the first time this fall and she is bringing some books for baby. She has provided many grain bags for my upcycling project. I’m missing being able to use those bags during COVID, but our grocery stores are not allowing reusable bags right now.
Dear Dr Patch decided to go a little crazy this week and he ended up with a sprained right knee. We have been cold hosing and sweat wrapping to pull the inflammation out. He is such a knucklehead!!
Hope you are all well!! My niece in NC had to get tested this morning as one of her co-workers tested positive this week. She had been successfully working from home but the company brought everyone back in-house a week ago and there you go!! She’s nit happy. We will know tomorrow if she has the virus too.
Diane Bauer – you tell crazy old Patch that we senior citizens need to take it easy on our old bodies! Have fun thinking about those new babies!
Patch was better today—what a goob. I cold hosed his knee and will do the same tomorrow.
My Marine Mom friend brought a lovely set of vintage West Point chapter books from 1910/1911 for Justin and Liz—pretty special and very unique gift—I LOVED it!!
Diane…after your comment about the fluffy kitten tail, I took a good close look at the photo. What looks like a tail is actually the back of the other kitten. LOL I must admit…it does look like a tail at first glance.
I must admit…and I wish I didn’t have to…I was a DD shirker. I only finished one. I have the second one pinned to my batting wall and it has been there for months. The top only needs the border sewn on, but it is the next steps that always bog me down. The backing, the sandwich and the quilting. The quilt is larger than I like to quilt on my machine and I don’t want to have it longarmed. I am going to try my hardest to get that one completed so I can go on with the rest of my DD’s. It won’t take me long to bag them because they already are.
Love, love your new fabrics.
Ha!! I see the other kitty head now!!
Grocery bags—entrepreneurs are what keeps us going! I will wait until I can use my grain bags again. My daughter says they can use them in Denver, so I just have to wait.
Diane Bauer – I cant use mine right now either and I really miss them – they are so much better than the store bags!!
Oh…and Diane…about the grocery bags? Some of the stores here are now issuing their own heavy plastic bags (for a price, of course) that you Can reuse 25 times. Says so right on the bag. Go figure?
The quilt shop near organized a Safer at Home quilt Sew-A-Long. 30 houses for the 30 Wisconsin was originally in quarantine. It took me 60 days to design, sew and quilt it. It was a fun challenge.🤗.
Debby 🐝
Do you belong to Crazy Quilters?
Marj – no, I don’t belong to Crazy Quilters – tell me what I’m missing!!
Debby Kristin – well need to see a picture! I love houses and so does Connie!
Debby – auto spell thought I couldn’t spell your last name!
I Am glad you had family visit last night as it sure feels like normal days when we can see good kind people again who respect social distancing. My animals love fleece blankets to snuggle in and sleep with as I saw one kitty on. I am always replacing mine with new pieces of fleece when I was going to Joann’s and buy remnants, then I wash and pass onto the pet shelters the older ones. I hope someone keeps those two little kitties together inside safe. It’s the kind thing to do to protect them from predators. I love your new purchases! Now onto thinking about my next DD as I love seeing what others are creating.
You know, I love your blog. I know all those tribulations, sometimes I think those people who get so much quilting done never have to mow the lawn, weed whack, wash clothes, etc. Maybe they never leave the house at all. I’m good at that one sometimes, but the world demands some in person appearances. I also know you are like me, you have lots of fabric but bought more! It’s all Iowa Shop Hop time and I won a shirt on their facebook page, so I need to go out and share my good fortune! Right? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I have a group of shops that I frequent, so I’m looking to get squares from them for a wall hanging. No it won’t be big enough for a quilt. I don’t think. Oh well. Have a great day off – we all know how those work. I loved the kitties but have my own group I’m working with. Two of the now mobile little ones have moved to a spot by where the dog is tied up when she’s out. They appear to be great buddies.
Dee – thanks so much for your comments! Wish I could go on the Shop Hop – I’d really rather go on the Junk Jaunt in July – Connie and I might have to plan a day out!!
I agree that that is the body not the tail of the other kitty–LOL. We all have moments, don’t we:)
Some stores are offering paper bags again which I like since I can’t use my own bags. I am not a fan of plastic. Mary, next time I go to the fabric store, I am coming 900 miles to get you to pick my fabrics! You are sooo good at putting colors and patterns together. I, too, have been doing the Dirty Dozen. Sometimes I had to substitute for a needed baby quilt, Honor Flight quilt, or Quilt of Valor, but I still made a lot of quilts this past year. THANK YOU, Mary and Connie. Today, I made up my list for July 2020. How’s that for over achieving? LOL.
Diane and Squeak – YES! That is overachieving! I’d better get started!!!
I hope with all my heart that someone will take the two kittens you have left. I have two now that are about 3 years old. I took one and he was okay but slept a lot. Then, after about a year and a half, the people that that had his brother said they couldn’t keep Max’s brother so after my arm was twisted I took him. Wow, Max and his brother, Freddie, bonded right away like they knew they were brothers. They play and chase, they are much happier.
Martha Engstler – most cats do better in pairs as you found out!
Mary – Love your new fabrics – but REALLY love those kittens! Wish I didn’t live so far away (South Texas) or I’d come get them. Just recently lost one of my 13-year-old cats – she’s strictly an indoor cat and somehow got out when we didn’t know it and when we did realize it, she was just gone. She was never a runner, never one to zip out the door when it opened, so we just can’t figure out what happened. We’ve had coyotes and now foxes in our very suburban neighborhood because developers have been clearing land for more houses (yuck!) so the critters have definitely been moving in. Just sick when I think of what may have happened to her. I know in my head she’s really gone, but my heart keeps saying maybe she’ll find her way back. I know My country friends are used to losing animals like this, but we’re definitely not and it really hurts. OK, on a happier subject – do you think I could sub Splenda for the sugar in the Orange Julius? The OJ would have enough sugar in it that I really don’t need more. Haven’t had an Orange Julius in so many years – my mom loved them and we’d always have them together when we’d go shopping…sweet memories!
Jacque – don’t give up hope! I’ve had cats return long after I’d given up and I have no idea where they were! Yes, I think you could substitute Splenda – don’t know the ratio but you probably do.
Do you think your cat might be locked up somewhere in your neighborhood by accident? Someone’s garage, tool shed, garden shed? In a window well? That happened to my sister’s cat once.
Yes, that was our thought too – we just can’t imagine she’d even leave the yard. Whenever she’s been out for brief times before (when we were in the yard with her), she was always ready to go back in. And it’s been a month now, so I don’t think it’ll be a good outcome. She has no street smarts like our community cats who are out and around all night (we see them on our driveway camera). Sure miss her – kept her safe for 13 years and now this! But thanks for your encouragement.
Jacque – did you check your neighbor’s buildings? I always say I’d rather know they were dead than to not know anything at all. Keep looking!
Hi Mary,those fabrics look different to your usual country look,welcome to the floral world! My husband is finally clearing his junk out of the spare room so l can take that over as room 2 for quilt making, I promise to try and be a tidy quilter! Maybe even do the DD challenge this time! Hope you find homes for the kittens, best of luck, Sandy
I’m like Diane, I saw a huge tail on the kitty, then looked again.
Your water color fabric with the white background, I got some last week in a heavy, canvas weave. I’m thinking a new apron. I love it and didn’t see it in quilting cotton.
I’m glad we have time to gather the UFO’ so we can organize for the DD’s.
I’m really glad we all understand that statement.
Have a great weekend, stay safe and quilt strong.
I really loved the Dirty Dozen challenge and it kept me so motivated . . . until last month. It was like I ran into a wall. After finishing so many projects I just couldn’t force myself to do another one, so I started two new projects that I was excited about. I was disappointed in myself, but then I realized that I had actually finished more than the 10 I had listed during the challenge – ones I probably would never have finished otherwise. I guess I already have some lined up for the next Dirty Dozen. Ha! Thanks for doing this again, Mary – I’m really hoping to get my finishing mojo back soon.
I LOVE those little calico kitties and SO wish I could take them! I miss my precious Mama and her “baby” that we had for 13 years – my heart aches when I think about how much I loved those two!
Kay Crandall – I’m glad you realized that you had 10 finished projects that you might not have had if not for the Dirty Dozen! You did really well!
I, too, wish you could take these kitties. If Kathy gives up on them, they’ll surely die.
I won’t give up on them. I feed them every 3-4 hours then love on them for awhile before they go to sleep. They are doing better each day. I do pray that someone will take them into their home as we can’t keep them long term.
Thank you Kathy for your generous heart caring for those kittens. You are showing such compassion giving them a kind start in their little lives by feeding them faithfully and snuggling them with love. Bless you, Bless you, bless you!
I think I should do the DD game. Things are starting to pile up!
Regarding kitten pick up my cell is 507-381-6710. Mary I don’t think I have your number but we will start down after lunch ~ donna
Donna – my one number is on our blog home page
Mary, you picked out some great looking fabrics on your shopping trip to Ames with Connie! Hope to participate in the DD this time. Love the blog and looking forward to the barn story.
I am so glad for the DD explanation. I had searched and did find a bit of info but this explains, I am READY to start. I have many unfinished with no motivation to do them. NOW I do.
I had to laugh at your husbands leaving things out. My Dear Tom never finished a project EVER in 52 years. What was left to do was usually very small. Most people could not see but I knew. Once I said to him “look You are going to finish this”. He stopped and said “I would not want to ruin my record” The tiny piece of trim is still not done behind the fridge. Good memory.
Tomorrow is a go to town for meds and errands day. I will start putting my DD in bags on Tuesday. Our Iowa weather is going to very hot for 2 days then rain on Wed. It will be perfect weather to get organized in the sewing room.
I understand the old body needing a rest.
Yesterday and TODAY ALL ANNUALS PLANTED—FINALLY.
Big fish tank set up(cattle water tank) and running in the back patio. Front fountain cleaned and set back up. All rocks,around it, back in place. It is very heavy but I got it.(no heart attack from lifting it LOL) Planter around the linden tree cleaned and all containers planted. Planters on deck railing done. Planters in the corner of the side patio done. Hope you all have a great rest of Sunday.
Judith – what a work load! Now you need to rest! You’re a much better sport about unfinished projects than I am, I can tell. I would be happy if he just put the stuff away!
Hi Mary, I am so behind in reading my email…Love this bog today, great pictures! Yes, lots of Carona quilts – seems to keep my sane! The picture of the fabrics that you bought in Ames – I have the fabric that is in the left front of the picture and others from that line. I am looking forward to seeing what you are going to make with it…I haven’t decided what to do with mine yet. Now I am using some charm squares that I have had for awhile with other fabrics too. Wanting to use what I have to make something nice. I am doing windmill squares so it goes easily. Hot today but it will cool down later in the week, thankfully! Love seeing Becky playing with Hazel, I’m sure she was excited!! Good thing that you took a day off to rest – can’t work all the time!!!