I’ve been nearly incommunicado for several days – I know! I’ve had some things going on at church and without my van to easily go somewhere – the pilot car with 45-50 cars takes lots of time. The road construction ended Friday night and I got my van back Saturday morning – hallelujah! It was in the body shop for 49 days!! I got it back completely detailed – I don’t know that it was this clean when I bought it! Ha!
I finished the very center section of the calendar quilt.
It’s not perfect, believe me but it’s as close as I can come. Oh man, this measures only 18” square and the entire quilt is only 45 x 45.
I also finished binding Civil War Modern and I’ll let you know when I’ve got it written up and can post pictures.
Some random pictures
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I was just typing up a medical update from last year at this time…..and it disappeared. I take that as a sign from God that it wouldn’t have been all that interesting to you guys. When I had thought this procedure would be 3 days, I told everybody not to bother driving to Rochester. They took me at my word and it became endless as the days drug on. I’ve never been so thirsty in my life.
I appreciate everyone ordering any fall patterns they wanted before Thanksgiving – I’m hanging the Christmas quilts at Concord tomorrow.
Just finished this book which was great!
I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and started going to the Bills game as a kid. I also watched the movie on The Hallmark channel over the weekend about the Buffalo Bills. I had to laugh every time a former player made a cameo appearance; they all look so old !!!! Most of the story took place in East Aurora which is a town outside of Buffalo and it was really a walk down memory lane when they show certain places like Viddler’s 5 & 10 store and talked about eating Beef on Wick, which is a famous sandwich there made of sliced roast beef piled at least 3 ” high on a kimawick hard roll which has salt and caraway seeds on top and finished with horseradish sauce. We are also know for the start of our chicken wings which were borned one snowy night at The Anchor Bar in downtown Buffalo during a blizzard. I was really surprised they didn’t bring that into the story. Also was surprised Josh Allen didn’t make a quest appearance like his coach. Fun to see Jim Kelly was in it. Buffalo has so many stories associated with it and alot of very interesting history.
So glad you got your van back. On Saturday morning we started the drive down to Elko NV. We stayed in Jerome, Idaho just a few miles short of Twin Falls. It was so beautiful in the morning, had a good breakfast at the hotel, then Costco for gas and a few groceries and then continued the two- ish hour drive to Elko. Our 2-3/4 year old granddaughter was so excited that grandma and papa came to her house. So often they are doing the travelling. We are enjoying our stay here and will really enjoy spending thanksgiving with family and I’m looking forward to the turkey. Our son is a great cook. On Friday will head back home. I may do the drive in one day- we shall see. It always depends on the weather. It takes about 15 hrs with the stops for gas and lunch and dinner.
Happy Thanksgiving to all and you, Mary. Your blog is amazing as always.
I’m dealing with my machine acting up and store close by says it’ll be a month before they can get to it. Ugh!! Wish I was mechanically inclined.
Thunderstorms here and my oldest Jack Russellsis petrified even with a sedative. I need one of her pills as well.
I think sometimes dragging out unfinished projects are not worth the the time and frustration. I’m beginning to rethink all those projects and either throwing them away or donating them to a guild🤦♀️🤦♀️
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!
Sherry Ware in Texas near College Station Tx.
Sherry – stop and think about this – is there a quilt police somewhere out there that will scold you if you don’t finish those old projects? Nope! None of us have that much time left! I’m not going to be miserable in whatever amount of time I have left working on projects I don’t even like any more. If you need permission, I’m giving it to you now-start something new that’s fun!
Four years ago, I was in a minor car accident that happened five hours away from home. But it was bad enough that it was not drivable. So my car was in a body shop a long drive away. It took THREE MONTHS for the body shop to get all the parts. By the time I got the call to come get my car it was November and the snow was blowing across those flat plains in the high desert. We did that horrible ten hour drive all in one day. My husband is very good to me!
Colleen – a more disturbing story than mine – 3 months! And far from home. I just got home from Target with both dogs – IN MY VAN! So familiar and comfortable –
Yay for getting your van back. My car is having some trouble 👿 and I’m not happy, so I get it. Beautiful weather here in the Boise area. We could use some rain. Can’t wait to see your Civil War Modern quilt. Hazel makes me laugh. Such a personality.
Your geraniums look better inside than they did outside. Of course constant light and temp and no wind makes a big difference.
Love the calendar quilt section. I’m with the rest of the ladies. Can’t wait to see it all finished.
Hanks mom -but you should see the 15 geraniums in the basement! Not good – they can’t come upstairs until they shape up!
Can’t believe your van was held captive for 49 days; thankfully it’s over and you can return to normal. I We’ve been busy winterizing our yard. The soil from the planter boxes is now covering cardboard in preparation for a wildflower garden next spring. The temps have dropped below freezing a few nights so the plastic rain barrel is disconnected and put away along with the planter boxes. Your plants are all beautiful. My mother always had geraniums that wintered over on a wonderful wooden table by a window on the third floor. The colors and fabrics in your quilt speak to me! Hazel’s fixation is very much like my granddog’s. Pearl is a German Short Hair Pointer who loves to stand by our shed and stare at the dug-out openings. In the past, a family of skunks took shelter beneath the shed but who knows what’s there now. It warms my heart to see your furry and feathered family photos, especially that one of Mortie. Animals have a sense of who is safe and kind and they stay close. The Sauk Indian Proverb is so true. Not all talents are hugely apparent to all, but we all need to embrace what talents God has given us. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Ann – we also have two garden sheds that critters dig under and Hazel follows! I can’t tell you how many nights at 11:00 I’ve been out there trying to get her out so I could go to bed. Now I have surrounded the sheds with concrete blocks so hopefully nothing including Hazel can get underneath. I know Hazel is only doing what she was bred for but I do get sick of waiting for her.
All is well in Garner on the farm. Good news all around.
Rain here this morning. Better than snow but that’s coming they say, probably on Friday.
I have to go to the city today. My fridge is bare! Haven’t decided if going to my friend’s for dinner will happen on Thursday. Option is open. Sometimes I prefer to just live in my fond memories over the holidays.
Wanted to comment that the quilts on Friday night’s post were beautiful. I was not able to reply and no replies were posted. So thanks Mary and readers for the great pictures.
Mary your quilt will be beautiful, I know what you mean about all the piecing. Still working on my Spooky Sampler. One block of paper piecing to go with 10 letters to make. Your plants are gorgeous and I’m glad Mortie doesn’t bother them, cute picture of her.
Went outside on Saturday and Sunday and mulched the leaves in the front yard. Should help from them getting matted down. More leaves on the trees yet but they won’t fall till spring as they are pin oaks.
Sounds like the weather is about to change to the winter precipitation. We’ve been lucky so far!
Thanks readers and Mary for all the pictures and replies!
Great news that the road construction is finished and your van back all happening within 24 hours. Oh joyous day.
I have my lodge decorated for Christmas and I’m hoping to finish the house today or tomorrow. I went through all the Christmas decorations this year and pulled any I don’t use for our church’s Christmas sale for children. Everything is 25 cents and it is an opportunity for them to do their Christmas shopping.
I’m reading a new author to me – Megan Miranda – “Daughter of Mine.” So far it’s hard to put down.
I’m putting the binding on a quilt I made for my Physical Therapist. After six months of PT I was finally cleared a couple of weeks ago for no more PT. Gaylen is going to the same therapist I went to so I still see him often. I’m hoping that when he looks at this quilt he will remember that because of his patience and perseverance, I’m able to quilt again. Six months was a long haul of pain, not being able to use my right arm and tears. I’m so happy it’s behind me and am so appreciative I had an excellent Physical Therapist.
I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving with friends and family.
Gloria – oh, such great news from you! No pain after a long time and Gaylen is making progress, too. You’ve got to show us the quilt you made for your therapist. Would you like to do a Christmas tour for the readers? I know they’d love it!! I don’t know if I told you or anybody but since I was forced to drive the SSR for so long, is it surprising that somebody put a sizeable divot in the back “bumper”? I know I won’t be taking it to the same body shop! There is no actual bumper so it’s a red part near the bottom. Ugh.
Sure I’ll take a few pictures of both the lodge and house. I should be finished with the house in a few days. And I will send you a picture of the no name quilt – I think I’ll call it Tristan’s Patience. Sorry about your SSR. Some people have no respect for other people’s property.
Mary I forgot to tell you a saw a RED just like yours in Cedar Rapids. Couldn’t get my phone out quick enough to get a picture.
Rita – Red is a rare sight!
Mary your calendar quilt is amazing! It sure looks perfect to me. Your piecing skills are to be desired. That Mortie is just the cutest little kittie! A great pal.
Well, I watched the Vikings/Packers game. Being a Viking fan, it was ugly but not surprising. Their general manager needs to be replaced with someone who would sign up different players – they have to put a rookie in as quarterback instead of giving him a couple years. Okay, enough grumbling on my part.
Mortie is adorable and loves being with people.
It looks like our weather in the upper Midwest is turning cold & wet & yucky. Oh well, it’s been great up until now.
Have a nice day & enjoyable thanksgiving everyone.
Janet – I turned the game because it was so awful – yes, the Vikings could use some changes. Sigh. I agree that we had an actual fall season this year and wasn’t that nice?
Good news getting your van back. It’s so much better driving an auto you are comfortable with, safer too.
What a green thumb you have, Mary. I’m jealous.
Kathy in NY…University of Wyoming retired Josh Allen’s number yesterday. Tickets for the game was sold out before announcing which Saturday it would happen. Insider info!! Oh well, I’m glad it was a sell out.
Local news had a special on his time at UW. GO POLKS. His is the first number to be retired there.
Jo – how interesting that Josh Allen’s number was retired – but it wasn’t announced?
Mary and Jo- interesting! Guess it’s all who you know. I was so happy the hallmark movie Saturday night focused a lot on the children’s hospital in Buffalo Josh supports tremendously. He’ll proudly wear a hat one of the children designed at a press conference. Such a decent man with such manners and humanity. We love watching him speak as you can imagine our news is always flooded daily with him and his words are supportive of his team whether they win or lose.
Kathy – Caitlin and Josh are on the same page.
Mary, retiring the number was announced. The day to celebrate it was a secret, unless you had info. Lose lips, sell tickets!!
Oh, I live Freida McFadden books! I’ll look for that one.
Love your quilt and the kitty photos.
Mary, I shouted YAY! reading that you got your van back and the road construction is over! 49 days is crazy! The calendar quilt is gorgeous. I love the darker colors. Looking forward to Civil War Modern, another beautiful quilt! Mortie is a big helper! She sure is pretty. My mom always had potted red geraniums on her front porch. They are a very hearty plant and didn’t mind the desert heat. She had a green thumb! Thanks for the reader’s card ~ When you have a talent of any kind, use it, take care of it, guard it. WISE WORDS
Lots of entertainment with both Hazel & Mortie! Rarely a dull moment.
Oh, Mortie! What a funny picture.