I was back at the piano this morning and glad to be there. Beautiful weather but spent the afternoon watching basketball before taking the dogs to the field.
Yesterday Molly visited and she and Keeper had a whee of a time on the king size bed.
Reader photos
Someone asked about Loon Lake – please note price change because it’s 6 full pages!
Sally B: do you still have your huge collection of butter pats? Would you take a picture and send it to me? I only collected this many but I still love them.
This is the poster I want – The steal that stole the game!
And as I walk the dogs late at night before we go to bed, I am almost startled when I turn around to walk back to the house. This is what I see. I did put it on Instagram last night because I, too, think it’s beautiful.
My geraniums are still hanging on the rail – every day they can stay there is a bonus. Has everyone in the Midwest moved their plants inside?
Questions, anyone? What will we talk about this week?
Mary, thank you so much for your post. I pray your body is healing and you are getting strength back? You are such an inspiration to all of us. Love seeing all the things going on at the farm. I look so forward to your blog, makes my day. Your photos are always lovely and funny..
my quilting has been low for some time but have been making 2 baby quilts for my new great granddaughters born this year.
Also love all your plants and collections..
Maggey
Really love your house with all the lights! For me-the more light the better. I had foot surgery this morning and can’t put my toes down when I walk. Will try to figure this out when the nerve block wears off-have feeling now almost down to my knee. I also had a wreck Thursday coming home from Dr. appt. Thank goodness neither of us were injured. My brand new (had 30 days) car suffered the most-but cars can be fixed. I can’t drive for 6-8 weeks so that won’t matter. What a year it’s been-and not in a good way-but I am still here-can’t kick though-HA! Everyone take care-thinking of you!
Debbie – you had foot surgery just yesterday morning? Do be careful. Yes, cars can be fixed but a new car? Makes my heart hurt. I actually had a little fender bender last week, too, trying to pull out of a narrow parking space and cut my turn too short because another car was coming and I scraped the car next to me in the front fender. Dang
Yes, I tripped back in May and my big right big toe went backwards under my foot as I kept going forward. It swelled double in size and was purple but I had always heard there is nothing to do for a broke toe. The discoloration went away but the size didn’t. I saw a Dr. in June-he said yes it was broken but these things take time. Saw him again in July-same answer. Finally in August-went to an orthopedic Dr. He x-rayed again and said it was not healing and wouldn’t. I broke a pie shaped wedge out of the joint between the 1st and 2nd joints. So, he had to remove the joint entirely and do a fusion with screws. Oh, he told me right before surgery about taking heel bone to graft into the fusion. I’m like-the heel I am supposed to walk on for 6 weeks? You didn’t mention that. He had told me the toe couldn’t touch the floor for 6 weeks to keep any pressure off of it. This will probably mess with my 22 year old artificial knee.
The pictures of all the cats are so sweet, and of course the quilt pictures are beautiful as always.
As for the question of the day – it’s fun to read everyone’s answers. I learned embroidery in Girl Scouts around age 9. My mother taught me to sew by hand, and I made clothes for my Barbie doll. I didn’t learn to use a sewing machine until my friend in college taught me. I made some of my clothes for my first job, and then many home dec items for our first home. My grandmother made quilts, but she had a debilitating stroke when I was still too young for her to teach me. But I always had an interest, and finally took a semester long beginning class in 1984. Of course, everyone quilted by hand back then so that is what I learned.
I’ve been able to spend more time quilting now that I’m retired, and sometimes do the quilting on my domestic sewing machine, but I still prefer hand quilting – except it takes so long to complete a large quilt.
Hi Mary, My email didn’t post so will try a small one instead to see if it goes through. Your pictures are always great. The house picture is awesome. Patterns: I love the half square triangles. There are so many
patterns a person can create with them. We are in a draught area.
I announced to my grandma that I wanted to learn to sew on her machine when I was about 8. She sewed on an electrified treadle machine. My grandpa told her that a new machine was in order and they bought a top of the line singer. I loved it. I sewed pajamas for the whole family to learn. I made pajamas for several years. I also mended whatever needed to be done. My grandma let me take the machine home when I got married and left home, my mom wasn’t too good with machines and could be a pill about other people’s things. Then I sewed baby clothes, when my daughter was born at 2 lbs 5 ozs, I had to alter necklines and length so she wasn’t dragging her pant legs or sliding off her shoulders. I wore that machine out, I finally had to buy a new one when I was taking it in every couple months for a repair. My grandma was my savior, taught me to sew, embroider, love reading and cooking.
Dee – I really enjoyed your childhood story of learning to sew!
What a great shot of your house! It looks so warm and inviting. I also love all the dogs.
I learned to sew in 7th grade home ex, but only managed to sew my shorts’ waistband shut. I left sewing machines alone until my mom learned to quilt in about 1979 or so, and it rubbed off. I made two double-sized quilts, sewing them by hand as I didn’t have a machine. I’m really surprised I stuck with it after that, but the quilting bug has a strong bite.
I still love all aspects of quilting and at the moment I’m playing with art quilts, using inks and paints to enhance the fabric. It’s definitely fun!
I started sewing in junior high school. By the time I took Home Ec in high school, I had a handle on most things. I remember when I had to make a special kind of dart for a top I made for Home Ec, the teacher said it would probably take me the whole class period. I was done in 15 minutes. I sewed clothes throughout my life, including casual clothes as well as skirts and tops for work until I retired. I hand quilted my first quilt in 1980. I had bought a quilt top that needed to be finished into a quilt. It took me 18 months. I decided I would probably prefer sewing the quilt tops over the actual hand quilting. And indeed, I did that for a very long time before I got a long arm quilting machine in 2009. Now I enjoy both. The design of a quilt and the binding are my favorites parts, though. I “audition” colors for a quilt and then again when I lay out blocks.
Binding is my favorite part of quilting as well.
Cleaning my room is my least favorite part!
I did a massive clean of my sewing area a year ago and committed to keeping it organized. I have done so, though it is easy to occasionally backslide.
All the pictures of your pets make me smile I can’t get over Gus, my granddaughter’s cat. He likes to tease my dog, Buster. Comes right up to his face , paws raised. Poor Buster doesn’t know what to make of him. Looks at me with a “where can I hide?” look. Most of the time they lay on the floor, relaxed.
Funny to think about my sewing history. Like joy I started seeing at about 8. It was doll clothes that started me. I had to keep up with my older sister. We all sewed our clothes. I made clothes for my daughters until I started working full time. Which was at a fabric store. By then I was back to sewing doll clothes for the Cabbage Patch dolls. I dabbled in a little of everything over the years. Now I am back knitting up dish cloths as I watch football. Something my eyes can still do.
Mary, how beautiful your home looks at night! Picture perfect! I also love the picture of Country Threads of an evening! Nighttime pictures capture the quiet loveliness of homes. Sewing, I started hand embroidery at about 8 or 9. Anyone else remember when the Dime stores sold printed dresser scarves? With a little help from my grandma & mother, I made several. At about the age of 11 my parents moved to a new farm in southern Ohio. 4 H was a big thing there & that’s when I started sewing. I took 4 yrs of Home Ec. & for many years made most of my clothes. Made my first quilt when I was expecting my son, he’s now 57! Finally had a bit of rain yesterday evening. Some areas had a lot of damage from high winds, we did not. We are supposed to have a week of much needed rain. A couple of nights ago the deer ate a good portion of my impatient plant, geraniums, roses & lilac bush. First time for geraniums & to come up on my porch! Everything is just so dry & we have so many deer here. It’s a challenge to keep plants alive. So far they’ve left my boxwood bushes alone.
Mady, I love your bavk porch all lit up. It looks like Christmas, twinkling lights and greenery.
I use my butter pats for my tea bags and tea spoin for tea. I like to repurpose my old stuff. Vaseline cut glass jar I have twinkles witb a fake candle in it.the candle has a battery
Hope you are enjoying the fall season i am. Love the show of quilts. Our civil war group is working on sesquicentennial quilts.
Shirley of Central Oregon
Mary, I love your back porch after dark. And, I love the butter pat dishes. They are of such another time. The pictures of the cats are so sweet. It is very dry here in Eastern NC. We need rain and I’m back to watering my flowers. Of course Hazel, Keeper, and whoever is visiting will be the subject of conversation next week. Your collections, the crops, the critters, the quilts, and of course you are the reason we all keep coming back. Have a wonderful Fall day!
Scooter, Pam and Greta! Just beautiful 😻. Love the nighttime picture of your place. We are supposed to be getting rain come Wednesday, going out this morning to water. We are having more hummingbirds migrating south and some are better at getting along. I hate to see them fighting. At least they go to my flowers and even cherry tomato flowers too. Darrell and I are going to sign up for 60 days of physical therapy membership for $60 for both of us. We both graduated from our prescribed therapy and I for one am relieved. I will enjoy walking the inside track much more and maybe getting in the pool. I was told I still need to work on my strength but my knee is good. Hugs everyone!
Oh Mary, your house is a pretty site.
It is still very warm here in North Dakota. The Asian beetles are crazy here. I have a soybean field around my house and spirea bushes next to my porch, which the beetles love. Uff
I love the picture of your home. The walkway & the plant room are so inviting. And Hazel never fails to put a smile on my face! I woke up today to the sound of rain on my roof. Very light rain & I fear it’s too late to help much but I’ll take it.
Dogs, cats, and quilts, oh my. And a beautiful picture of your porch. I have brought in some of the plants from outside. As my house is small not too many are brought in. The garlic chives bloom for about two weeks and the bees love working them over. I can stand out by them and can hear all the humming. I cut them down before they spread all their seeds or I would have them all over. They don’t goin the compost or the seeds would grow when it becomes compost. So on the burn pile they go to dry down.
We haven’t got any measurable rain, it just goes around us. We hear the thunder and maybe a few sprinkles.
Everyone have a good week.
Did anyone snese anything different at your houses of worship this week ???
For the last few months our church has become fuller. It seems each week brings more people.It is wonderful to see. Many new people and many people I haven’t seen in some time. Our church is filled with young families and children.
Ahhh Hazel – she looks so comfy! 😁🐾
The picture of your house at night was stunning – thanks for sharing! Let’s talk about favorite pattern – one you fall back on that you know is always going to be a winner? Just a thought 🤔
Have a wonderful week everyone 🥰
Kelli – YES! What a great idea! I have a couple in mind already. Thanks, Kelli! I’ll,post this to the readers tonight!!
I love questions and reading all the answers!!
Your picture of your house at night is so neat! You’ve inspired us all to do that with our own houses.
I wish I had the time to tackle the Loon Lake quilt. It’s awesome!
Mary, that is a breathtaking picture of your house.
Hazel has such a comfy napping spot. I’m glad you’re taking it easy for a few minutes.
I can’t think of anything exciting to tell you all about.
I’ll put the geraniums in the garage before too long. Everything else either the hail got or now grasshoppers are feasting on. The burning bush are starting to darken, I hope they turn red before they lose their leaves.
As far as the subject of the week…
I started sewing in 4H in Texas at about the age of 7. I sewed off and on till I got my own sewing machine out of high school. I continued sewing clothes till 1986. My first quilt. I have been quilting, teaching, making samples for stores, designing patterns, and now longarm quilting. I am a fabric hoarder. I’m probably the only person who loved to go to jail and was very upset when I got kicked out of jail. I taught quilting to the inmates in our local detention center. I love old sewing machines and old duck decoys.
That’s about it for my sewing life.
Jo, you gave me a chuckle with the only one who loved going to jail. We were lucky enough to remember those moments you gave to the girls.
I wished I was in 4H as a preteen but Girl Scouts was offered at our church and I wasn’t much of a uniform kid so that didn’t last long. I chose to babysit and buy books. After being a 4H leader to my kids and their friends , I went to work for Cooperative Extension supporting clubs and volunteer leaders. The sewing was my favorite part with the garments on display at fair.
Thanks Jo for the smile and the memories of busy hands, happy hearts.
Scooter, Pam and Greta…lovely!
Loved your coffee cup. Someone recently gave me a mug with crazy cats on it and the words Crazy Cat Lady. I told her my coffee had never tasted so good. Cheers
How long you have you been sewing, yourself, and when did it morph into quiltmaking?
It’s great seeing the cats and dogs having fun either in the hayfield or jumping on the bed. Greta seems to like being out with Keeper and Hazel. She probably knows it will soon be too cold for outdoors .
I loved seeing Scooter relaxing in the chair; he is a beauty.
Your welcoming windows are lovely, Mary.
Thanks, 🥰
Looks like corn harvest will be starting here soon. A few farmers have already started picking early varieties. We always pick corn before cutting beans and milo here. I’ve seen several fields of sunflowers here this year-I don’t remember when those get harvested as we haven’t cut sunflowers for years but they don’t look near ready yet.
Your porch looks very inviting. Hazel looks like she’s in a good place for a long nap.
Your nighttime house picture makes me want to title it, “I’ll leave the lights on for you.” What a welcome home that would be.
I made apple butter yesterday but haven’t done much today. After a mid-day shower, I did cut down the thistles and hickory seedlings in the hostas, clipped off the maple trees sprouting through the juniper bushes, and attacked the unknown weeds going to seed at the corner of the garage. Then I took the rest of the day off. I still need to bag everything up and get it in the trash., but that is a job for tomorrow.
The 10-Minute Table Topper is perfect for featuring large print seasonal fabrics. I had a friend who would make up sets of four holiday toppers when she needed a quick birthday or wedding gift. They were a hit with every age group!
Take care everyone. Kris in WI
Yes my Hoyas and succulents are inside. Thinking of bringing in geraniums, is putting in a bright window enough for winter ?
Hi Mary, love garlic chives, would have dried them for stews! A wet week for us, first week of school holidays too. Stella is 8 in a week, having a pool party with her friends. Growing up fast! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Yes, Home Sweet Home it is:) I have the Committee for the Grant coming in the AM for breakfast and then we will work on being sure we are getting quilts to Veterans, Seniors, the hospital, and anyone who needs
one in a crisis. We need to be sure to spend our money carefully. It is a fun committee and we get lots done:)
Cooled off to 68* with a small amount of rain today. We ARE dry. Our leaves just turn brown and drop, not much color due to the drought. I hope we get more rain soon.
Take care, Mary.
Diane, it is so heartwarming that there are dedicated people and groups who are concerned and helping those in need. This takes such dedication. Thank you that you do this.
Thank you, Cynthia. In 2022, after the Pandemic when our Guild was very low on funds, I applied for a Grant through our local foundation. They have generously helped to support our programs in our county for 3 years and we are most grateful.
Last week, our Quilt of Valor chair delivered a QOV to a woman to give to a Medal of Honor winner. Isn’t that neat? Our neighbor became a quadriplegic about 3 months ago so when he returns home, I will give him a Hugs from the Heart quilt. I am the Honor Flight chair so I give out Honor Flight quilts to returnees. Our Community Cares chair gives quilts to nursing homes and the hospital. We are a busy group:)
Well, I think we maybe will be harvesting….if it stays dry! We have been busy here. Last weekend was our granddaughter’s wedding and we had the Michigan family for the weekend. Being there were Michigan relatives coming for the wedding, we decided to host a family reunion on Saturday. We haven’t been together since hubby’s mother died ten ? Years ago. Anyway, it was time and had a great time. The kids headed back to Michigan early (3am) Monday.
Then it was back to normal….doctor appointments, dental appointments! Ugh! And depravation of sunshine last week! Just dragging. Now today the sun shown.
I will send Mary some pictures of the wedding later.
Like I said earlier, hopefully harvest this week! Take care
Joy – soybeans or corn? I think they’ll be starting beans around here very very soon. Corn is sure turning brown and drying up. I’m watering my lawn because we need rain badly. I will love to see the wedding pictures!!!
We will be doing soybeans first. I didn’t think you needed rain! Wow! Thee were some storms around last night. We would like to get the beans out before a storm!! So afraid of hail this time of year.
Happy to see that you were able to return to your Sunday morning job.
Love all the pictures, especially the one of your nightime lights & plants.
Take care Mary dear.
Peggy S
Mary, that last photo epitomizes “home sweet home”!