I asked Farmer Tim several weeks ago if I could cut about 6-8 stalks of field corn and today was the day. Here’s what I did with them:
This will be good until Christmas decorating – I’ll move the geraniums inside when it’s in the low 40’s. The bugs were really bad but I powered through. Thanks, Tim!
Speaking of bugs – little gnats to be specific – Becky googled a solution and came up with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and Dawn in a shallow dish. I used it in the bedroom and actually could read without bugs being attracted to my light so now I have several dishes around the house – we’ll see how effective they are.
Got this article in the mail today from my aunt – she wrote :
Haha! As if I have time for any new ideas, right? This is my mom’s sister and remember what mom used to say to me? Mary, you make so much work for yourself! So I probably won’t be building any catios – even tho I think a catio would be the answer to keeping your cats safe in a wooded, traffic or populated area where there are many dangers for your pet.
We’re gonna miss you, Hankster!
Reader photos
After reading all the “beginning sewing” stories, I think we can all be thankful for family members, 4-H leaders, home ec teachers, friends and give ourselves a bit of credit, too, for being mainly self taught.
Please continue to add your story in the comments – I misspoke earlier today when I said – send. Wrong term – the correct term would be – comment.
Thanks so much, Everyone! Let’s all continue to read the stories.
Thanks again, Tim! I love it!
I love the garland you made for your railing. How clever! I loved the picture of Hank and his momma. Thay was really special. Fall is starting to show its colors here. The corn is getting closer to harvesting along with the beans. Enjoy the warm weather while it is still here.
The quilts are wonderful today, and the picture of Hank and his mom is precious.
Fall is my favorite season. I bought Cortland apples in Michigan for applesauce. It is time to find some pumpkins and gourds for decorating.
Thanks, Mary 🥰
Jeanie – I may not say it but it doesn’t escape me that you tell me thank you each time you leave a comment.🙂
Your corn decoration is cool! Our corn is too dry already. They guys are on the last 100 acres of beans! I have not heard how they are yielding. Hubby never says until he is completely finished and can average it out. I have their supper cooking and I warm3d up a hotdog from the reunion. Haahaa.
I love Hankster! He loves his momma!
The quilts ae all so pretty!
Did I see hydrangeas mixed in with the corn stalks on your railing? It makes a wonderful fall ‘wrap’ for the railing. Very creative, Mary.
Loved the picture of Hank and his Mom. I’d say it was mutual affection.
Keeper will miss him, but they sure have fun when he is there.
After one full day of gentle rain this past week, (thank you Lord. We really needed it). Beautiful fall weather here in Colo. today. My daughter and her friend are in the Rockies this afternoon driving to up Trail Ridge Road before early snows close it for the season. Her friend has been a missionary in Kyrgyzstan (- remote country in Central Asia)for 20 years and was widowed while there. My daughter is also a widow (19 years) so they have developed a great friendship hiking in the mtns., discovering fun places where they can share a meal, and working together in our church. The aspens should be beautiful in the mtns. today.
Give Hazel a big hug for me. She’s such a sweetie. Jeanne in Co.
Jean- yes, I added hydrangeas, pampas grass, and feather grass. It’s wonderful that your daughter has found common ground with another friend! Hiking is beyond my ability at this age but it sure sounds fun.
We just returned from Holmes Co, OH which is an Amish community. Even though it rained while we were there, the countryside is just so beautiful. I take Ron there every year for his birthday. I was raised on a farm, he had an aunt & uncle who he spent summers with working on their farm. We ate at a couple of good restaurants in the area. I only drug him to one quilt shop, but he’s really good about helping me select things. He does have an eye for color. He worked for many years while on the fire dept in Dayton, Ohio installing drapes & blinds in homes, 2nd job. If anyone is in the Millersburg, OH area, or just passing through, I highly recommend stopping at “Somewhere Sewing”. I’m constantly looking for baby panels. New babies at church get a crib size quilt from me. She has the best display of baby quilts I’ve ever seen! They’re all in one area with all the coordinating fabrics. She has attached a small card to each panel bolt so you can see what the panel looks like without unrolling it! Finding panels for little boys is difficult! I think I bought 6! So I’m well supplied for a while! On our way home we stopped at Historic Roscoe Village. It’s all about the history of the Erie Canal. We stopped in one of the shops that teaches weaving. Very interesting! She mentioned she was having problems with her sewing machine & I was able to get it working for her. She had the needle in wrong. Glad I mentioned i was a quilter. It was a short 3 day trip, but packed with fun things to do & see! In Oct I leave for a week of quilting in Berlin, OH. Our annual quilt retreat. We’ve been doing this for over 20 yrs. Same hotel in Berlin, Ohio. They’re very good to us there! Boots stayed with my friend who owns Preston. Those 2 dogs are like Hankster & Keeper!, they love each other! They had a great time playing & sleeping side by side.
Alice – what cute panels – I’ll post them. Boots and Preston are BFFs, too – haha!!! Makes it easier to leave Boots when you know he’ll be having such a good time, doesn’t it?
Yes it does Mary! Boots has been moping around since he got home, I know he’s missing Preston! Love your corn garland, what a pretty fall look for your home!
Beautiful corn garland. It’s so unique. My sewing story started in 4 H. My mom made me sew a top the first year. I’m so glad she made me. While on high school and college I made most of my clothing including formal dresses. My mom started quilting while I was in college. I thought why would anyone want to cut up fabric and sew it back together, but one of my first jobs out of college was in a fabric store with a lot of quilting fabric. My first book was Quilts, Quilts,Quilts and I taught myself to quilt. I haven’t stopped quilting since. The best part of quilting is that my family has an annual quilt retreat. Many times four generations. Everyone brings something to work on. We have quilting, crocheting, embroidery, and painting. We have lots of great food and talking as well. It’s usually 3-4 days.
Mary, LOVE your fall decor!
I’ve got the grandkids coming this weekend to help pick my pumpkins. I like “piles” of pumpkins on my porch. One year I had my piles of pumpkins and added ears of corn, cute, right. It attracted the mice, so I don’t add the corn any more.
Lori – when
Hank was here yesterday he wanted to pull off the ears of corn. If I get mice, those cats better be on the job!
Ah yes, you are right about the cats.
I believe that you have probably started a trend. Corn garland!
The gnats have been terrible here most of the summer, especially when I had produce from the garden in the house. I tried both the dish of apple cider vinegar and the jar with Saran wrap on top with holes. Neither worked as well as I thought they should, so hung up a fly ribbon above my kitchen sink, and that has done the best for me. I know it isn’t the prettiest thing, but it is working. I am on my second one. The first one was covered.
I, too, like your corn garland. I haven’t done any decorating outside at all for fall, and only have a centerpiece on my dining room table in the house. I would rather be sewing than decorating!
The fall quilts are beautiful. They are my favorite colors in a quilt. I love red, but those fall colors can’t be beat in my book.
Thanks again, Mary, for your blog. It is so enjoyable, as are all the comments.
I forgot to mention that I loved the fall quilts from yesterday, too. They were gorgeous.
“I would rather be sewing than decorating.”. I second that! My feelings exactly. The decorations are very pretty, but there’s only so much time….
Hi Mary. . . Love your entry way decor. You sure have a knack for decorating.
Looks like the dogs have enjoyed lots of good times together.
Love all the quilt pictures as usual.
I have used the Apple cider vinegar and Dawn concoction for a number of Years and it works! I put the brew in a small ramekin and cover with Saran Wrap. Poke some holes in the wrap. The pesky gnats go in the ramekin but then can’t get out. They drown. My house is literally free from the gnats.
Wow! That corn garland is so neat and looks great with the Geraniums. I would not have thought of that. Is the big square quilt with white roses, pumpkin, and leaves a panel? It is beautiful; I love all of the quilts.
Our Quilt Guild Show is October 3 and 4. We will set up on the 2nd so it will be a busy weekend. I will take some photos. I read and edited (retired English teacher–lol) 80 pages of narratives for the Set up person. Whew. But, it was fun because I got to read all of them ahead of time. Thanks for the Blog, Mary:)
Good morning all. The weather in Minnesota is FABULOUS – late September and in the 70’s & 80’s with low humidity. Our tomato plants have buds on them – as if there is time for a tomato to grow.
For really great insect control outside, Cutters (and other companies) have a product you attach to your garden hose and spray around. Your yard is way too large but maybe just around the house. It works great.
Yesterday, I found out the quilt retreat I’m signed up for has been cancelled (not enough interest) but they have a craft retreat the next week so that’s what I will do. It really is a challenge for them as it is hosted by Naniboujou Lodge which is about 30 miles from Canada. Weather is always a challenge but it doesn’t stop me. Anyhow, it is a great place along Lake Superior with exceptional food and atmosphere. I’ll try to post a picture of their dining room.
Janet – sounds so fun! Wish I were heading out to a retreat!
Janet – wow, that’s quite a dining room! Reminds me of the lodge at Yellowstone
Love your use of corn stalks. I haven’t done one lick of fall decorating. I need to get cracking. I have 2 of those panels that i thought would make nice pillows and/or placemats. That was about 15 years ago. Story of my life.
What a great idea Mary for fall decorating. Fun!
I don’t think my comment made it yesterday. I got called away and left it half done. When I came back it was in la la land and could not be recaptured. I sure enjoyed the stories about how we came to sewing/quilting.
I have been enjoying my days at home. Catching up some sewing projects. I even took a walk but just in my little slow town. Wish it could have been at a place like yours with the dogs to entertain me!
Your fall garland is so clever and earth friendly! No going to buy fake flower garland at the store for you. Very nice and stalks will feed the wildlife later.
Just like all the wonderful sewing stories we enjoyed reading, we get to see everyone’s creative works and I love that. So special to begin the day with.
The bonus is Hank!!! He looks so happy his mom came home.
What a great idea for corn stalks,you are so innovative.Hankster is so lucky to come a visit at your hose. So much to do!
Love the corn garland, it’s perfect there!
Hank and Keeper have a special relationship, fun to see them have fun together!
The Hydrangeas are gorgeous, I got one bloom on Endless Summer this year???
Never saw a Thimbleberries panel, I have almost all her books,, love her, which reminds me I still have the birdhouse BOM to make stacked away, guess it’s finally time to get it done!!!
Mary, I love the fall decor you created on your railing … so beautiful and creative! Hankster and Keeper sure are great buddies .. they seem to love each other almost as much as they love their moms. I’ll bet they’ll both be napping a lot for a couple of days. My daughter just found out today that she has a hernia … ugg! Surgery will no doubt be months down the road though. Enjoy your weekend!
Candy – oh no! Will it be outpatient? I had to stay one night only because I lived 2 hours away.
No info. yet. She has to wait for a consult with the surgeon, and who knows how long that will take. At least it’s not causing her any pain, but it’s worrisome, all the same.
What a great idea decorating with corn like that. It’s beautiful.
The quilts and furry friends are fun as well.
I met my sister and niece today at Quilting-A-Fair today. It’s a big show with a ton of vendors.there was a couple booths with estate fabric, linens, notions, books. Fun stuff. I got Liberty of London fat quarters pack of 7 for $2.00!! It was a very fun day.
Jo – gosh, I’d love to go to an event like that!!! You sure got a good deal on your fat quarters!
I took 3 quilt guild friends to the Indianapolis Quilt Guild show last Friday. They have a very large group and do a show every other year—and it’s a big one! They rent the Ag-Hort building at the state fairgrounds. This year there were nearly 400 quilts, garments, and bags entered. One of my favorite things is the huge rummage sale—I scored fabric ($6/lb) some books, and…11 Country Threads patterns! Woohoo!
I was watching a lady flip through the patterns (trying not to be obvious)…she snatched up every Country Threads patterns!!!
Hi Mary!
Yes, that is a Cheri Payne quilt called Folk Art Flowers.
Anita – thank you so much!!! It’s been too long ago since I made it
I really like the corn garland – and it looks even cooler in the lights. Great quilt photos too!