Thank you, Patti – we ALL enjoyed it and hope there’s more coming from you “down the road”.
Reader photos
Signing off with a chuckle
For those of you that don’t want Alexa or Siri listening in on your conversation, they are making a male version….it doesn’t listen to anything.
P.S. Did you say your mom’s funeral was scheduled for October 12? How are you?
Thank you for the pumpkin pattern. I love it.
Carol, I’m so sorry for your loss. I miss my Mom everyday. She passed on Groundhog’s Day 2023. She was 97.
I’ll have to look up the Tilda pattern. Rita, you did a good thing making the arm pillows and drain covers. I will keep you, your daughter as well as Jeanine’s in my thoughts. Please keep us advised.
Fantastic pictures today of wonderful fall quilts, fall decorations, flowers and animals all things that make life beautiful. The appliqué quilts of animals were spectacular, I’m assuming they were wool. I’m hosting my quilt group in a couple of days so I have been cleaning and cleaning because so many other priorities keep me from doing that until it is absolutely necessary. I really need to hire someone to clean on a regular schedule.
Carol, my condolences on the passing of your mother. My mother had died 14 years ago, and as I get older, I think about her more often than before . . . there are so many things I want to share with her or ask her.
Rita and Jeanine, my thoughts and prayers for you and your families. Mary, thank you for the blog. The photos are just great, especially the playhouse in the eerie green light. Janice Traverse City area
All of the fall decorations & quilts are just beautiful I especially like the one made by Teresa from Indiana, is their a pattern for that?
So sorry Rita for all your troubles!
I love the fabric cartoon, I can certainly relate to it!
Been cooler here last couple days, been able to get some plants inside & catch up on on inside things!
Joyce, this pattern is Jacob’s Ladder that I found in a book (101 Fabulous Small Quilts) and is by Mary & Connie of Country Threads! Thank you for the comment. I’m pretty happy with this one. I found the book at my local library, but found that I owned it also. 😄 Have a nice day!
Teresa – hahaha!! It’s not an original pattern for sure but I don’t even remember it being in a book, any book by us. Sigh.
Carol my sympathy in losing your dear mother. My mom’s been gone 12 years. I miss her every day!!
Rita I will be thinking of you.
The weather is so beautiful!! The guys are combining soybeans!
My son called me last night to give me news on someone from our community who passed away and I thought I use to do the same thing calling my mom to tell her something. Carols words on motherless sons hit me last night and I got tears in my eyes knowing how sad he will be not calling to tell me about someone just as I still have that urge to pick up the phone to call my mom and tell her something. When you’ve always been in a small town, you care deeply about others to do what you can and I’m glad my children have carried that on.
My heart goes out to all experiencing some sort of difficulty each moment and you are not alone. We are here to listen and share. I appreciate Mary for giving us this blog to be blessed with friendships. The pictures are such a welcome treat to see and thank you everyone for sharing them.
Kathy – I remember calling mom every day to chat. I miss that.
Love hanging out here when I get the chance. Very sorry to hear of all the challenges some of us are facing – sending you all strength and peace! We lost mom in March of 2023, dad in 2002 and ‘orphaned’ is the term that describes it. Grateful for my 6 siblings as I don’t know how I would get through it without them. Very tickled to see my cousin Susan and her dog Henry as I scrolled by! She’s my partner in crime and love it when we can get together and be quilty!! Hang in there everyone!
Jean – oh, I didn’t know Susan had a sister who reads the blog – Henry is so old but loved so much – I can tell. She gave me your mom’s glider rocker – I’m still trying it out and so hope it’s comfortable. She said she was glad to have it out of her way because she has a table she does puzzles on. I told her I’d love to do puzzles but with 8 cats it impossible. Hope Susan can find something to help with Henry’s itching.
Carol, I found it doesn’t matter how old you are or how old your mom is, when they pass you do feel like an orphan, perhaps because mom is the one I always confided in and new loved me regardless what. Losing Dad was devastating and I think worrying about how mom would survive somehow took over the pain of losing him. My boys have been away so long I hope they don’t feel orphaned when I go.
Rita, my heart and prayers go out to you and your family, you have more than your share of hardship. Your daughter is so brave to go through the double mastectomy, I think I would do the same if I had the choice. It’s such a terrible decision to have to make but I think very smart, why risk taking the chance and living in fear. God bless you other daughter for stepping up to care for her sister post surgery.
That’s my sister’s hydrangea, she has said everything was brown and dry but it’s terrible when you see it. I hope it is in hibernation and will come back, it has always been so beautiful. I’m going to tell her about cutting off the blossoms in case she missed that.
Hi everyone, I want to see the quilts are just fantastic. Not one but all.
The fall pictures, decorations, flowers, and the animals, dogs and chickens.
I haven’t updated in a while so here goes.
My daughter who has breast cancer will have her surgery on Thursday. They did remove 3 lymph nodes last Thursday and they all came back clean. So they won’t have to remove any extra tissue. She is having a double mastectomy. My daughter and us have lined up a cleaning service for them. They came yesterday and did a 6 hour deep cleaning and then will come bi monthly. Keep her in your prayers.
My brother who was diagnosed with lung cancer in May had a setback as he had a blood clot at the base of his neck and then a stroke in August. He had surgery at the Iowa University hospital. Then was moved to Mercy in Cedar Rapids for rehab. From there to a Rehab Care Center. He came home last Friday. Food tube removed and will have rehabilitation for lost speech. He was lucky although he would probably say not so much. Stubborn men!
Then my oldest brother ended up in the hospital for 4 days with food poisoning. He had three types of bacterial found. His blood pressure also dropped very low. He is now home but very weak.
Now to me, I had knee replacement on September 16, stayed overnight and home the next day. Started PT on Wednesday. Therapists say I’m already ahead of where most people are. I did do a month of pre op exercises before and garden work didn’t hurt either.
Been trying to sew a block a day on the sewing machine. The block is a grandmother’s flower garden that I had been given at least 35 years ago. Pieces were all cut out and are large so it goes together fast.
I didn’t mention that my daughter lives in Texas so my other daughter is going to spend the first few days with her and then the in laws will take over. I hope that I can help when she has reconstructive surgery.
Thanks for listening/reading, LOL
Rita,
Our daughter-in-law in OH is having a double mastectomy next Tuesday. Her cancer is on one side but she chose to remove both sides. They are going to do reconstruction the same day as her surgery, which I find amazing. She did not have cancer in her lymph nodes, which we were grateful for, and they caught the cancer early. She and our son are at peace about it all. They have faith in God that He will be with them. I wish I were closer so I could help her, but there is no way I can go to OH and leave my husband here, as he also needs me. I will remember you daughter in my prayers.
Thank you, Mary for your blog, and thank you to all who have sent Mary pictures. It is so fun to see and hear from others around our country, and some even abroad.
Jeanine, I pray for your daughter also. Kim lives in Texas so it’s a bit of a drive after having surgery myself. She had Stage 2 cancer and had 5 months of chemotherapy first. She also only had it in one breast and decided to have both removed. When we found out in February I made pillows, underarm pillows and seat belt protectors. Hopefully she will be set. I also took a large size T-shirt and cut down the center and put pockets on the inside for drain bags. It was fishing decal shirt so she was happy.
Thanks for sharing your journey also.
Rita – oh my, your list of concerns is very long! And then you’re laid up, too. Glad you’re getting along so well. Therapy is so important but don’t try to go toooooo fast. Your family has certainly had many issues and I feel bad for your daughter with breast cancer. I know we’ll all want you to give us an update now and then if you can.
Just popping in to say I love this blog and its readers. I’ve been reading it for a couple of years now, and the community you’ve created Mary is wonderful. It’s my favorite thing to read each day.
I hope you are feeling ok?
Elizabeth – I, too, love this group of women! I feel absolutely perfect – great even! It’s very hard to reconcile myself to the fact that I’m actually NOT great although I’m thankful to not be in any pain. I am heading to Mayo today for another X-ray – my day is eaten up with 4+ hours of driving. Ugh. I can think of so many other things I’d rather do today.
Loved all the quilts today, especially Teresa from Indiana’s simple scrap quilt and the two animal appliqued quilts. One looks like it is all wool and the other, maybe cotton? What a lot of work went into them. My daughter just finished a large wool Christmas wallhanging; pattern by Buttermilk Basin, so I’ve seen first hand all the hours that she has put into it. We also have another Buttermilk Basin pattern of blocks showing sewing articles. It will be a wonderful quilt to display permanently in her sewing room.
I’m so excited to be traveling back to Iowa at the end of this week to pick up a quilt of mine from a long arm quilter in Marion, who just finished quilting it. I’m excited, partly because I’m anxious to see my quilt now that it has been quilted, but more excited to go back and visit my granddaughter and her family, quilting friends, old neighbors, and church friends. At my age, this will probably be my final trip back to my home state, so I’m praying the trip goes well. Since I am inclined to get blood clots in my legs, I will have to stop and walk around several times as we travel and I’m praying the trip goes without any glitches. We used to have to stop for our puppies for potty breaks, but they are both gone now and now it is me that will have to make the stops so I can get my blood moving. I’m trying to talk my daughter (the driver), into also driving up along the Wisc. side of the Mississippi River as far as apple country at Gays Mills, Wisc. The leaves on the Iowa bluffs along the river should be nearing peak color next week. It is such a beautiful drive and she has never seen that area before. Don’t you love fall? Talked to a friend from Cedar Rapids today who had made the trip on Fri. and he said this year is a bumper crop year at those orchards. Apples are huge and there are plenty of them. Enjoy this cooler weather and the colors and harvests of fall. Jeanne in Co.
Jeanne – I love to hear you’re coming back to Heaven! Oh, no, rather it’s Iowa! Haha! Remember Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner? You’re traveling at a beautiful time of year to see the colored leaves along the Mississippi and you have your own driver to make it easy. We’ll want to see the quilt you’re picking up. Aren’t there any longarmers in CO?
Be sure to wear support hose also while you are riding in the car. The stops are very important as well. Speaking from experience.
well, i just wrote a nice comment and managed to erase it. hate when that happens!!! i was commenting on the fabric cartoon. what are we going to do with it? we are going to love it, fondle it, think about it, give it a safe home. all the pictures are great. those applique quilts are beautiful. so much work. each picture today just made me want to comment on how great they are. your chickens look happy.
carol, i was sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. i know that you are relieved that she is out of pain now. it is just such a different lost feeling when we lose our mothers. i don’t want my children to feel that either but know i can’t prevent it. my heart goes out to you.
well, the PET scan was painless. didn’t realize they were putting radio-active meds in me til it happened. about an hour of sitting around waiting for it to make its way through my body. then it was quick.
managed to work a tiny bit on my sentimental stitches christmas project. all the blocks finish at 3″. i must be insane. it’s been a long time since i’ve done paper piecing this small. now i have all the hst and qst done. next is the second ornament. goes so slow i want to do something else.
bed now. another doc appt tomorrow at 4 pm. nite all, patti in florida (mary, i forgot to tell you that i really like your pink log cabins!)
Sympathies to Carol. It is so hard to lose your mom. My mom passed away in March of 2023. It was so hard to say goodbye. My niece died of a brain tumor 7 months before mom passed away and my sister said-mom is so heartbroken, I don’t know if she’ll ever be the same. The comfort was knowing she was able to be with Amy.
On a different note, the pictures were great. And I’d like to post that cartoon in my sewing room. Boy, can I ever relate to that!
Beautiful pictures as always! It is still very dry here also. If I didn’t keep watering, everything would have died and I do have several shrubs that will have to be replaced. I laughed so hard at the cartoon. I used to do that when buying fabric. If it was a really good price and gorgeous-I don’t know what I’m going to do with it but give me 10 yards! I am trying so hard to NOT buy any more fabric but it is hard-so hard! If I had somewhere to do it and someone to help me unpack there’s no telling what marvelous fabric I already own. I really need to find a way to shop my own stash. Love Mr. & Mrs. Rocky-they are a cute couple. Mary-I have to ask-I have looked at the picture of the playhouse after dark multiple times and it is one story-right? My nosey question is this-where do the stairs go? Can you get on the roof like a sundeck?
Debbie Miller – the stairs lead to a small loft area and if I leave the door open I discover the cats like to sleep up there. It’s even carpeted! I have the cutest picture of Ivy, the golden doodle, who ran up the steps and peered down as if to say “look at me!” The photo is too far back to locate.
Send a new one soon!
Thank you for the blog about nothing—i love it
Must look up Strawberry Vanilla hydrangea tree—I have “normal” ones, as in blues/pinks, and depending on the timing thy all fall into other shades—lavender, purples. lime green, you name it. All totaled I think I have
10 of them. And some are 50 years old
Also need to look up Tilda’s Spring Lake
Thank you Mary, and all who comment
Dorothy in W WA
Dorothy – I have several hydrangea trees, shrubs but not this one. I’ll bet in a good year it’s gorgeous. I hope it survives.
First time to leave a reply, but I’m sure I was at the same quilt show this past weekend that the 2 forest animal quilts and the red work basket quilt was at, Anderson Ca. The quilt guild from Redding put it on, it was fabulous. Always love your blog, thank you for it.
Trish – thanks for identifying the location – because I couldn’t remember. Such gorgeous quilts – unbelievable workmanship on both. Don’t make this the only comment you ever leave. 🙂
Fabulous picture tonight.
Those sampler with the wild life and flowers is breathtaking. As a ton of work.
Thanks to all.
Sensory overload! Stunning pictures of everything! I just have no other words. Thank you so much for all who shared. This will be one post that I look at many times.
I’ve enjoyed the last few posts, lots of great photos and conversations. The hydrangeas and drought: it’s been very dry lately in Western New York and I wasn’t paying attention due to my mother’s last days stretching through August, and the aftermath that comes with passing. So now I see my hydrangeas indeed have suffered in the past few weeks. Today I started trimming off the blossoms, rain is coming and when those huge blossom heads, as big as my head, get waterlogged, they get so heavy that major branches can break off. I have eight hydrangea trees so it becomes a weeklong project, one a day at least.
My bobo hydrangeas look dry but are north facing and are bushes, so they can wait, they’re not as dried out. There are three of them and an everlasting, which is still in gorgeous bloom,.
I have hybrid hibiscus with blossoms as large as dinner plates, they are amazing and still in bloom. I’m trying to enjoy these last weeks of pretty; before we know it, it’ll be rain turning to snow!
My mother’s internment and graveside blessing will be on October 12th, I’m thinking you were asking me that, Mary? I want to thank everyone for their prayers and good thoughts. When someone is 94 and really has given up on life, is in pain with aggressive cancer, it’s hard to be overwhelmed with sadness as you’re mainly feeling relieved that the suffering has ended. But I think of the words to a song, something like “I feel like a motherless child” and honestly, I feel sad for the day when my sons will know that feeling. Crazy that that’s where my head is, isn’t it? Not that my day will come but that it will sadden my children so deeply.
On a higher note, I’ve been working on a free Tilda pattern, Spring Lake. It’s not on her free patterns site but in a blog she wrote. Weird. Google Tilda Spring Lake pattern if you want a simple quilt pattern. I made 48 four patches today, the most sewing I’ve done in months. Feels so good.
Carol – yes, I did ask in my post because I thought I remembered but not sure. I do think I miss my mom more now at age 76 than when she just died 12+ years ago. And yes, your sons and all others’ sons and daughters will experience that feeling of being a motherless child. I’ll be grateful to make it to 94 but only if I’m healthy and cognizant. We will all be thinking of you. Glad you’re able to get back to sewing.
Love the fall decorating pictures. It’s too hot here to think of fall yet. I did put some different quilts on the stairway bannister for the season.
Thanks for sharing Patti’s travels with us. Our son was in seminary in Denver for 5 years. We went to parent weekend the end of September/early October those years. The aspens were always so beautiful then. We always enjoyed traveling around the area.