I’m going to try to limit my time doing yard to a couple hours each day. I always seem to think it needs to be done within in a couple days. Typical of my personality, I know.
In the meantime I’ve been cleaning – not normal cleaning but this kind:
On the same wall is this shelf full of quadruple plate creamers, sugarers, candleholders and coffee pots.
Does anyone recognize this? It’s made of wood and I was told it was a premium in powdered detergent. Can anyone verify?
The only things left to clean are the white pitchers on the beam which I can’t reach with my house ladder so they’ll have to wait for another time.
And today since it’s so beautiful outside I just had to start raking.
Reader photos
Tina needs some ideas and inspiration on what to do with these orphan pieces she came across. Any ideas?
Sadly I have not gotten a response from Patti in Florida. Someone asked about Heidi – she looks like death warmed over but still wants to eat so it’s not time yet.
Time for bed. More work tomorrow for sure.
You are so the opposite of my Mom that you always make me laugh. Those shelves would have been cleaned weekly and each item hand washed, dried, and replaced. The ones she could no longer climb a kitchen step stool or stepladder to reach, she would have had my dad retrieve and return them. This was a frequent solution as he was 6’3″ and she was 5’2″. As for raking a yard that had no leaves or grass or anything visible, she would have made sure Dad took care of that, too. Once the leafed out plants and trees and green grass appeared, Dad took that on. The retired farmer couldn’t stand staying in when Spring had sprung! My sister sold all those dust-collecting collections at Mom’s estate sale with my blessing!
Mary, you have put a bug in me to start cleaning, the sisters are coming for the spring retreat the first of May and I have a lot to clean. I have the same issue in my cupboards of collections and with the dogs and cats this house is dusty! I see it most on the window sills over the kitchen sinks because I spend so much time there, I can wipe them and I honestly need to do it the next week. I think I will start tomorrow (hows that for procrastination) and start in the kitchen/sewing area because it will take all day to wipe the outside of the cabinets and inside of the lowers because of my dust movers. Baseboards need scrubbing too!
Today is sewing, quilting and laundry. Yesterday I spent over an hour with a wonderful woman from Baby Lock (hope you don’t mind me mentioning them) who helped me get my new longarm set up correctly because the retailer certainly didn’t do it right or even test it before he left! So I have a new table runner made from a challenge block for the retreat that needs quilting.
Hello from Sammie and Nelson! They have been amused the last few weeks, our neighbor has had a tree company cleaning up their woods and Sam and Nelson watch for their friends every morning. The tree guys love them so after belly rubs the kids come back so they can start up their machinery.
Linda – congratulations on your new machine! Was your hour with the Baby Lock woman on the phone or in person? Won’t you have fun with your new machine!!! The cleaning will not continue – I just had to dust those planters and little dogs – the dust was thick. All my floors are bare and with 2 dogs and usually a visitor and 8 cats the dust is rampant. Fun for Sammie and Nelson – visitors who will pet them!! M dogs act like they’ve been completely ignored when anyone comes – jumping and crying – acting like fools! Haha!
Love the log cabin quilt! Pretty plaids. The story behind the Grand Mother’s Flower Garden quilt is my friend’s mother started the quilt many years ago & never finish it. With my friends permission I cut it down & added borders & stippled it to ease in all the fullness. My friend is only 51 & just widowed for the second time. At least the quilt has brought her some happiness. Little Boots has adjusted well to his new home! He’s definitely a “Velcro pup”! I stopped back at the SPCA to let them know he was doing well & if they could to please let his former owner know he had a good home & was doing well. I just can’t imagine having to give up a pet! He’s a sweet boy.
Mary, your collections are so varied and interesting. Thank you for sharing same. I live southwest of Atlanta, GA in Fayetteville, GA. We have had some strong winds in the past few days and the yellow pollen has been something to behold. It is everywhere. Hopefully we are at the end of the cycle. In the meantime, I can open the door to my apartment and look across the bluff to pine trees that are 50-60 feet tall and see wisteria cascading down from the green pines. It covers all of the trees and is something to see, the color is a beautiful purple. So glad spring is here, the dogwood is in full bloom too. Happy Spring to everyone.
Please send pictures
Pamela
Pamela – I don’t quite understand your comment.
I love the log cabin quilt.
My sisters and I use little pieces bits to make zipper and tote bags. They turn out really nice and are easy to do.
I’ve been moving aloes out of the greenhouses. We’ve had so much wind and the pollen is thick right now so I limit my outside time. Magnus and Klaus enjoy the nice weather too.
My kids gave me a Bird Buddy bird feeder. It takes videos and pictures of birds that come to eat. It’s been fun to see who’s in my backyard.
We’re headed back to Iowa in April to babysit. We’ve already planned on taking plants from the Texas yard up to Iowa. Then in May we’ll bring Magnus and Klaus for the first time.
Thanks for the idea Susan! I thought about adding a small border and then lots of scrap half square triangles around that. I like the idea of small zipper bags though. Would make great gifts.
Tina in Oregon.
Hi Mary, l wouldn’t have the energy to wash all those things! One shelf a day would be my plan! The log cabin quilt is so cosy, and the odd blocks could be put in a quilters bring and buy sale l think. Getting carpet cleaning done on Sunday, so have to move stuff off the floor now.Those dogs have the best time! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Enjoyed looking at your collections-it’s a lot of work to clean it all but such a great feeling of accomplishment when it’s done. Loved the log cabin quilt. I’m a bit partial to quilts made from shirts.
My mom made a similar wood soap box in the 1950’s. Maybe there were instructions in the soap how to make it. Everyone got something she made from wood that Christmas. She painted Angels doing chores on all of them. I believe she used an embroidery pattern for her painting designs. From an aunt I inherited three cutting boards with painted angels. They hang in my kitchen and I love them.
Suzanne – I see something crusty on the sides if the wood pitcher – could detergent have come inside?
My grandmother used it for powdered detergent, so that would be possible. Of course back in the 1950’s products didn’t come in plastic. I have a favorite tiny ceramic pot that cheese was packed in from that era. I remember milk in glass bottles and bread in paper bags and lots of cardboard containers which we used for all kinds of craft projects.
I’ve been off the grid here for a few days, so am catching up with some comments. Those charm squares in the hour glass block (your next March Madness quilt?) are sure pretty, but I can’t help with the name. Sorry. Brenda in Georgia, good to hear the surgery went well. Jo, I’m assuming the hand the shouldn’t be flexed is your dominant one. Healing is never as fast as we’d like. Guess it’s time to teach the other hand some new tricks. Hang in there!
Hazel, what a girl! The pictures of her as a pup and then today, on your sewing table, seemed to say, “Here I am! Where’s the stick?” Whereas the the one of her sitting outside watching Hank and Keeper seemed to say, “Boys, boys, boys. Really?!” Never a dull moment. I wish I had here energy.
I can’t believe you had a quilt, Mary, that was worthy of “to ugly to live.” Although it made me laugh out loud. Then the “hit with the ugly stick” comment did, too. It reminded me of when my family would go to a local auction when I was a child. We did take some furniture home at bargain prices. One day as the auctioneer was selling an item he paused, looked at it, then turned to his assistant. As he was tossing it in that direction said, “Mark it no d*@n good!” Laughter insued from those around the auctioneer. That became a catch phrase around our house. Mary, could your “too ugly to live” projects become kennel pads for animal rescue centers?
Your framed needlework from the ceiling is a work of art. The time and talent shown by the creator is nicely being honored by your display, Mary.
So much to watch on TV today – March Madness and the opening day of baseball for the Dbacks! March Madness is when I finish the tops and bind charity quilts. Speaking of which, it’s time for me to get crackin’.
Jan
Hello Mary,
Thank you for sharing the photos of your collections. Viewing them is an absolute visual delight! (Living in California, I have to consider how high I can safely display any breakable treasure on a shelf.) I love how you are able to display your many treasures.
I love reading your blog. After making my first cup of coffee, reading your post is the next thing I do each morning. You brighten my day.
take care, Sue
Oh Mary, how I love your little terrier treasures. The plaid log cabin quilt is beautiful. Nice day here so I’m chomping at the bit to work outside. Take it easy with all of your chores. I always say that if I don’t get it done it’ll be there waiting for me tomorrow.
What wonderful collections. I’d love to see all of your collections in person…someday.
I tried to do poop patrol yesterday, but can’t squeeze anything with my left hand, so that will have to wait. I can hold the hose and water trees and bushes, so I got to spend some time out side with Loretta.
Jo – are you left handed? I hope not so you still have use of your dominant hand. I don’t use one of those squeeze pooper scoopers – I can’t squeeze them either!!
Mary, I have someof the same ‘treasures’ you have on your shelves. They belonged to my Mom and now I have them. She passed at 94 in 2010. I’m 82 so you know how old they are. Some are McCoy and Hull pottery. The little girl with the umbrella reminds me of the Morton salt girl. I remember Mom getting Currier and Ives plates, cups, etc. as premiums. We were so excited to open the box to see what we got. (Didn’t take much for us to get excited, I guess.) Still a little chilly here in Southeast Ohio, but the sun’s shining bright and the birds are singing. Have a good day and don’t overdue it in the yard.
You have the most interesting collections, Mary! I love when you share photos throughout your home and garden!
Speaking of gardens, I’m dying to get my hands in the dirt. It’s far too early to plant, I know, but the itch is begging to be scratched!
Afraid I know who might be partially responsible for the no grass area out front of Mary’s house.
Hanks Mom – haha! Happy dogs are more important to me than grass!
Mary those items are beautiful but do take a long time to tidy up. I too would do it only every couple years. Life too short. The log cabin quilt is very unique, love it. Thanks to those who are willing to repair dear quilts. I have done a few of my own that were done by previous family members.
Had my 6 month checkup on my knee replacement. Things are good. He did recommend exercising with a bicycle motion equipment as it would help with the range of motion.
More spring cleanup in the fence rows. Making headway.
Rita – we’ve had an exercise bike in the living room for years! Rick swears by it – I don’t use it and don’t need it. I should start counting steps again. In the spring and summer I get thousands – sometimes over 10,000!
I hope Patty’s Angel group is with her as she navigates her illness. I know how much she looked forward to sewing for them and attending their meetings with her charity quilts. We sure miss hearing from her and what’s she’s making.
Glad you are taking it easy Mary and not pushing too hard to get clean up done so fast. Our bodies aren’t what they use to be so take care of what we do have!
Kathy – yes, I hope her friends and family are nearby for her.