If you’re still planning on sending a quilt to Barbara in South Carolina, she needs to receive it by the end of November. She says I won’t believe all the nice quilts you readers have donated to these kids who lost so much. She will be sending pictures for me to post on this blog – OUR blog – mine, yours and Barbaras for those of you who are confused. There’s only one blog, this one, that we are referring to.
Barbara Aker
165 Char Oak Dr
Columbia, SC 29212
Email – barbarawawa1953@gmail.com
Meet Ellie – this gorgeous Great Pyrenees is owned by a reader who told me recently that Ellie was just diagnosed with cancer. I hope she still has a very long time to enjoy life!
Any Thanksgiving side dish recipes to post?
Someone asked me to list my cats- I really should be posting their picture, too – I’ll work on that.
Heidi
JB
Pam
Deano
Three
Fluffybun
Greta
Gracie
Mama Kitty in the barn
Tim in the woodshed
Reader photos:
I made pattern copies at the library today and I’ll put them in the mail tomorrow. The librarian asst was helping and I’m afraid it got mixed up. If you ordered a pattern with multiple pages, would you check your pattern over? Envelopes were sealed before I realized there could be a problem. Ugh. And I can no longer put multiple sheets in a business envelope – I’m afraid they’ll be too thick to go thru the sorter. They’ll come back to me if that’s the case. And then I’ll have to figure out how to get them to you in a different envelope with more postage. I see a nightmare ahead. No patterns will be promoted or sent until this is completely sorted out – I’m sorrier than you are.
It was another dreary rainy day today and early next week snow is predicted for southern Minnesota. Here it’s just wet which is great except that all the leaves are still on the ground and I want to mow them. Soon?
Robbie – how’s your mom?
Linda S – what’s new at your farm?
Ros S – thinking about you
Barbara A – how’s Laurie?
Carolyn B – how are you?
There are so many of you I try to keep in touch with –
Did anyone watch Caitlin play golf today in a tournament? Honestly, what can’t she do? She just donated a children’s book written about her and her philosophy of life – enjoy the game whether you win or lose – and be kind – to every second grader in the state of Iowa plus those in Indianapolis. Thank you, Caitlin, for being such a nice person!
Excuse, Miss Mary, but my Mom was showing me the blog this morning—sometimes she is slow in getting to read it—and I noticed Millie is missing from your cat list. 🙀🙀🙀. Oh my, my twin was not there. I have seen her lately so I know she is ok. I also saw a twin to my Dad’s Block O Ohio State quilt😺. Take care. Love, Squeak in Ohio
Petey Possum sure has seen its better days and is reduced to a rag but, still holds a special place for Keeper. Great commercial for the dog toy.
I enjoy all the pictures today. The fall decorations are beautiful and, I love the chicken feeder but, I’m even more impressed by those clean windows! Thanks, everyone, for sharing.
Beautiful pictures of quilts today. So glad people are donating to the hurricane victims.
Patti or anyone, what are the size requirements for the kennel quilts for cats and for dogs? Thanks
Hi, Pat.
I make the cat cage quilts 10×24. They can be 20×24 and doubled over if that size. I like to pick up fleece remnants when i can. Good luck making a few.
the organization i know about ( http://www.kennelquilts.com ) asked that they be 12″ x 16-18″. discovered they also want them flipped like a pillow instead of using binding (which i much prefer). hope this helps. patti in florida
Hi, Mary. I think I remember all those cats, except maybe Deano. Didn’t you also have Millie? Sorry if she’s gone and I’ve missed you talking about her. I love all the stories about your cats. I truly love cats, but I’m too allergic to have one. Thanks for sharing ALL your animal stories! Also, I love your red quilt … so glad you dug in and finished it!
Candy – oh my gosh, I forgot Millie!!! Haha! You’re good, Candy – what a memory you have. I call her Millie-Banilly and she never fails to want to sit on my lap if I happen to sit down.
Oh, I’m so happy I wasn’t wrong about Millie. I’ve always loved that name for a Tuxedo cat, or any cat! Thanks for adding her name to the list … I love them all!
Mary, please let us know when we can send in an order again, I was going to request a copy of Storm! Take care, I am out and about shortly, going to watch the parade at 2:00 pm as this is the last day for the Schwan company, now Yelloh, and there will be a parade thru town. This was a very successful company and put Marshall MN on the map. It was bought out about 4 years ago, and will reappear in Sioux Falls SD as CJ Schwan, a frozen food company.
Cindy – I grew up with the Schwans truck stopping at our farm and since we had the biggest freezer all our neighbors placed their orders at our house and picked up their ice cream later in the day. We had 2-1/2 gallon cans of at least 4 different flavors at all times. It’s THE BEST!
You may have read a local obituary of a young woman by the name of Jen Hasty. She died this week of ovarian cancer. She is my sister-in-law’s daughter and does live in Marshall.
I knew Jen. She was a wonderful gal. I worked at USBank Equipment Finance . After I retired I would see her at Walmart or HyVee with their daughter. I hadn’t known she was ill and even more surprised to hear of her death on the radio obituary announcements. I will send a card. She was 46, so young. Small world. I thought she was from New Ulm as well.Each and every day truly is a gift.
Cindy – yes, my brother Jack and Jan lived in New Ulm for years and then moved to Cross lake and wintered in AZ. Ovarian cancer is a killer for sure. Happy you knew Jen – yes, it’s a smaller world than we realize.
Great news today. Laurie (my daughter in Asheville) is being discharged from the hospital today. Her oxygen level is up to normal on room air and the pneumonia in her right lung appears to be clearing up with the strong IV antibiotics she has been getting over the past 3 days. I’ll be heading up there to help tomorrow for the weekend so she can continue to rest and heal.
praise the Lord. so glad to hear this. patti in florida
Barbara, that must be a huge relief for everyone. Mommas never quit worrying about their kids, no matter how old they are. Best wishes for continuing improvement
Barbara – this is wonderful news!
hi everyone. thank you so much for all the compliments you have been giving me about what i get done. i assume it is obvious to everyone that this is what i love. you are so right – there are two hobbies – collecting fabric and then sewing/quilting it.
i’ve been reading conversations recently about what to do with our fabric when we die. some people seem to think it is bad of us to ‘waste’ fabric that way and that we shouldn’t leave that chore to our families. well, i get immense pleasure from buying my fabric and have over the many years. mr. ed says i could re-open my store because i have so much – but that is not going to happen. i think we need to give credit to ourselves for the enjoyment we had when we bought our fabric, the delight we have while using it or even just knowing it is there when we are ready. my fabric helps insulate our house. i’ve even joked that we can use it in case of a hurricane and won’t need tarps for the roof – we’ll cover it with my fabric – there are enough layers. you get the idea. i love my fabric. i wish i could sew faster but it is what it is.
yesterday was a super bad day for me and ended up in the e.r. everything is okay. it was basically panic and/or anxiety attacks one after another all afternoon. i was losing so much liquid which they determined was from one of my medicines – it affected my strength and breathing. i will address that with my doctors. the worst part of the day was when i sat in front of my sewing machine and …. it did NOT calm me down. always has in the past. but, the good part is that all of that is over, no major lingering problems other than heart and lungs. no worries!!!
my friend that got the large quilt called. she is over the moon. wanting to know when i had time to do that quilt and get it quilted. it is one i did quite some time ago. i sent it to her because i knew she would appreciate having some of my quilting. she loved everything about it. i knew she would. she needed the hug so badly. she had lost her son to brain cancer, her husband to throat cancer and her son-in-law is drying of pancreatic cancer. she is having major PTSD problems. this was a perfect gift for her and the timing was just right.
i have decided that it is time to let go of some of my favorite quilts that i’ve been sitting on for a long time. i enjoy them immensely but every now and then i’m going to pass one on to a friend that needs a special hug. that is the situation with the one for my friend. it’s been waiting for the special person.
hopefully today i can get back with the program. i am the world’s worse with patience – i.e., i have none. my sister has not received her quilt yet because she is not home. she should get it on saturday i think.
i did see a picture online of one of the kennel quilts with a large dog. one picture showed it laying on top of the dog (looked so small) and another picture showed the dog snuffling it. our furry friends need love also. this one group that i follow has sent out over 1000 kennel quilts since hurricane helene. with milton i’m sure it is almost another 1000. it does my heart good to see this effort and it’s all over the country – not just from the hurricanes, but the fires and other disasters, plus just so the rescue places have something for the animals. so they aren’t sitting on bare floors, or bars of a cage, etc. and it gives them comfort also. someone in my angel group mentioned that we could donate old towels, stained quilts, etc for the local shelters. yes, there are uses for those but i also think they can use the ones made just for them. i know not everyone has the time i have so don’t take it as criticism. it isn’t.
i guess i’ve spent enough time visiting. will have to see how much energy i have today and try to go slower. that is the problem, i have a type A personality and have never gone slow. it is always a struggle. but i will try harder.
hugs and prayers to everyone in our group with health issues and family issues. patti in florida
Patti, you are such a trooper! Hang in there; we’re all rooting for you!
Love all the photos and the comments from everyone. I also had no idea you had so many cats. I would love to see photos of all of them. I remember the name Fluffybun but can’t remember the story. There was one, right?
Mary,
Forgot to say I saw an interview with Caitlin the evening before the golfing event. Enjoyed the comments from the pros and their enthusiasm for Caitlin. Was traveling during the golfing so missed that. I love the book idea for the elementary school kids. Geez, she’s a wonderful role model.
Isn’t she? Kids love her and do look up to her and I can only think that it was her parents who raised her to be like that. She would never brag nor make a disparaging comment about someone – I think that’s true today but all the social pressure she’s under could change that, I guess. I hope not.
Mary,
Hello! Just returned from 4 days sewing with my sister and cousin..
I finished so many quick projects and one quilt top. Have 2 ready for the long arm quilter now and hope to deliver them this week. We visited several quilt stores and have two new quilts ready to start soon. lol I am making cat kennel blankets for my daughter to take to the shelter she volunteers at again. And when I mentioned Barbara’s quilt collecting project, my sister asked for the address and is sending a baby quilt too.
My mom (88) is doing ok. Every time we think she’s adjusting to the nursing home, she’ll call one of us girls and say she’s been released and is ready for us to take her home. Happened two nights ago and my sister had a 20 minute conversation convincing mom she hasn’t been released! The problem is she sounds so lucid and convincing that you almost believe her! We girls have said though, that the one who believes her and actually takes her home will be the one living with her!!! Humor is so necessary.
Lovely photos on the blog today. I have enjoyed all the fall decorating also. By the way, I made the acorn squash recipe you listed a month ago or so, and everyone loved it!! Thanks for that recipe.
Sunflower – 4 days sewing with friends! Oh, how fun and then you get to plan a new project after finishing so many. Oh, you and your sisters do need to keep your sense of humor regarding your mom – I know she can be a challenge for all of you. Aren’t you glad you have quilting for an outlet?
I just have the best time looking at all of the creativity shared here. I often read through the post quickly and then go back to look closely at the details. There’s always something to ooh and aah over and tuck in the back of my mind. Now if I could only figure out how to remember it!
Mary, I really really like your red quilt. It’s just beautiful and you will love it all the more for the challenge of it. You persevered and now have a treasure!
I’m still fighting my demon quilt. I finished the final row of quilting, celebrated with a happy dance and adult beverage but when I went to take it off the frame, I just groaned. I had completely forgotten that I still needed to turn it and do my vertical borders! Doggone it!
Aww, sweet Ellie, hope she heals 😻. Keeper is so sweet with the possum toy. Just sent some pictures of what’s been happening here. Went to haunted Jefferson,Texas for our quilt group retreat over Halloween 🎃. I was our black cat 🐈⬛ Emily who passed. I have been to several doctors lately, blood pressure way too high, knee injection and now basal cell cancer on ear. 😣 Luckily my blood work only shows a high cholesterol and everything else is good. My ear just aches will be so glad when it’s healed! Penny and Lucy are still their precious selves.❤️
Pamela – great to hear from you! You did Emily proud – great look. Oh, if it isn’t one thing, it’s another – take care of yourself!
Looks like keeper is going to need a new possum! I didn’t realize you have 10 fur babies! We are down to 5. We are not sure what happened to them over the summer but there were 11 this summer. Eagles or coons? Not sure. I can’t name four of them because they are black and we have a Greggie who is gray.
It is kind of foggy here this morning with 30*. Suppose to in the 50s the next three days! I think we better take advantage of it as they are talking the S word next week!
Not sure what to work on today, but I am sure I will find something 😊. I am working on a quilt using a pattern by Gudrun of GE Designs. The fabric is a collection from her also, her fabric is really nice. I love her Stripology rulers!!
I was so relieved to see Fluffybun’s name on your cat list. I’ve been wanting to ask about her, but was afraid she was no longer in existence! Boxcar Willie continues to sleep in a wheelbarrow on the front porch, and is here at meal-time twice a day.
Love the pics of the fall/Thanksgiving decorations. My question is this: don’t these people have any junk??? There’s never any mail on the table, dirty dishes in the sink, tracks on the floor, etc., etc. Just asking.
Right now I have one Tom Turkey right outside the kitchen window, clucking away. Guess he doesn’t know Thanksgiving is near, ha ha!
I’m with you, Linda! What is WRONG with these people? Haha
Linda – don’t you suppose everybody straightens up before they take pictures? Although I always have lots of stuff – most everywhere except the fireplace living room – that’s Rick’s territory. How’s everything with you? I just mentioned you, not by name, to another reader last night. How’s Nelson , Albert and Norman and everybody?
Dear Linda! Great comment! I am one who always has stuff piled up here and there, on a chair, table, counter, I never want anyone to see my clutter for sure, when taking a picture! When we did photos of our sewing spaces I did not clean mine first, it is still clutter..after seeing such large stashes I decided to go thru my fabric and sort by color. It is a work in progress, now I am sorting thru my collection of projects with the pattern and fabric so it is all together when I get to it, along with my. To do list. I am hoping to get them sewn in a year or so. A person has to have a bit of down time too, and I no longer buy new stuff, but it is oh-so-tempting! I love the hunt too..apparently a lot! Mary, you have gotten so many of your chores done for winter, just the porch screen covers left or do you have a few other things yet. Our yard is so neat and tidy, Larry drove the riding lawn mower over the yard today to pick up additional leaves, and on Tuesday we talked and mowed up a trailer load at our daughter’s house in Marshall as well. I am not so happy to keep hearing snow is in the forecast. I love to have the freedom to go anywhere no matter the season even if I actually don’t go! I was going to make a pan of pumpkin bars late this afternoon but a code came up on the oven so I baked them at my neighbors..so we will have to figure out what is happening with the range, as expensive as parts are probably shopping for a range is next. Take care.
It’s always fun to scroll through all the pictures folks send you. I see lots of inspiration in those pictures!
I didn’t realize you had so many cats! They can be so much fun to watch when they play. I haven’t had a cat for over 30 years. My husband is highly allergic to their fur. The last one I had came to me from over an hour away in the engine compartment of a car. She was just a kitten and the guy didn’t know she was in there. He brought her into my office and asked I’d take her. No one else would because she was in bad shape after her ride. So I did. How could I not? Poor thing. She made it through the night and became my loyal friend. I sometimes think about Mouser all these years later.
Vivienne – thank you for rescuing her!!! Poor kitty
It’s raining at the farm today, which is good, we are still in drought status and our pond is still frightening low. Leaves are down except for the oaks of course, and the larch trees are slowing loosing their needle like
leaves. The large larch in the back yard is the biggest mess, it’s leaves are long and thin and if Nelson gets anywhere near the tree he comes in with copper colored twig like leave stuck in that fluff of his. He stands good when I say you have leaves because he must feel them in his hair and he will pull them out all over the house.
Don is doing better, he does not have a neuromuscular disease, we are thinking it is all muscle degeneration that began with his knee replacement getting infected and then being more or less confined for over 6 months. His heart transplant complicates everything and even though that has been great , the transplant docs are always so concerned with the viruses and infections transplant patients are so susceptible to that they jump whenever he says he doesn’t feel well. His knee still bothers him but recent test concluded that the knee is working well. I think cutting through all those nerves is always troublesome.
All my fur babies are good. Miles, my big old sweetie lab is barking more than ever when I’m not near him. Some of that is probably dementia but that’s ok, he is otherwise happy, just slow and sleeps a lot. I will be so crushed when he leaves me. Nelson and Sammie fight over who sits on me when I sit down or who lays closest to me in bed. They are so jealous of each other but Sammie is either the alpha or it’s just Nelson is a bit afraid of her. They are so much fun.
I’m working on three or four quilts as usual. I was diligently stitching on very involved wool applique but have put that aside because I decided to make a crazy puppy quilt for my son and daughter in law who live the closest to me. They have three little shih tzus that look like bunnies running around. My dogs don’t know what to do with them when they come over for a play date.
Love the pictures today and all the lovely decor. I’m going to give my halloween pumpkins to Albert and Norman because someone posted on-line how much their donkeys loved pumpkin so we’ll see what the boys do. I bought them a big ball to play with and they were afraid of it for almost a week, but they haven’t popped it yet!
Blessings to all. Love from Saginaw!
Linda – I answered your second email first – you answered most of my questions!!! Poor Miles – I know how you’re feeling – we felt that way about Telly towards the end. I’ll bet the barking is partly old age – dementia. Hazel remains a challenge every day!!
Some wonderful quilt pictures today and the shelf with all those sweet pumpkins and the twister quilt was adorable. I miss having a hutch to display some of my cute things on. I don’t want to dust all of those items now so they have moved on. Yes, the chicken feeder is a great decorated item, would work on my table. Wonder where I would find a old beat up one? It’s quite chilly this morning, we are in Spring Green, Wisc. Yesterday we stopped at the Country Sampler shop, and I managed to leave with only 3 pieces of fabric designed by Jeanne Horton. What wonderful displays for the holidays, lots of doll beds with cute quilts, antique ribbons to add or wooden buttons. It was just wonderful to wander around and admire the displays.
Thank you for listing your cats. I didn’t realize that you had 10. Lucky cats…living the life!
So many great quilts. I love the chicken feeder display – simple and elegant. I didn’t realize how many cats you have, Mary. They are lucky to have a good home.
We got lots of yard work done in the past two days. I have sore muscles again. One would think that with continued bending, pulling, etc., all season, that muscles wouldn’t continue to get sore. Must be a fact of getting older. Hmmm. I tapped into my supply of voltaren cream, icy hot, and tylenol. Thank goodness for the medicine cabinet.
I recently had the chance to choose a free tote at a Hy-Vee customer appreciation day. They had a variety. I chose one that said, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” It really states where I want to be – a kind world.
Take care everyone. I do enjoy seeing all the pictures we readers share and hearing about your lives.
Enjoyed seeing the fall/Thanksgiving photos. I really liked the one with the table topper katty whompus on top of the table runner. It really adds dimension to the arrangement. I didn’t know that you have 10 cats Mary. I hope that they are good hunters or else you’ll have a lot of cat food to buy. I hope everyone stays warm on these chilly nights…unless you’re in the South of course.
Great pictures. I understand the mail thing. I sent cards for Halloween, I put money in all of them but one. He asked his Nana if I was mad at him. I guess I’ll have to be more vigilant, but his Nana took care of it, I’ll just pay her back. She laughed about it, he was so concerned. So what was the thing the dog has in his mouth? Have a good day.