Morning pages, huh? Well sure, I'll try that.

2012-02-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

Last Week

Needlework
Sew every day
Finish blocks for Raffle Quilt
Begin blocks for Sue's quilt
Layer (or schedule machine time for) Laura's quilt
Other
Monday - Daniel cooking class
Thursday - dentist

I'm collecting tops! I don't mean to, and I've never done this before, but I now have 2 tops ready to quilt, and I'm starting a 3rd. The raffle quilt is assembled, waiting for a back. I like it! Add it to Laura's quilt (I shared that last week? the week before? It's the HST one) and I'm running behind. The next one up (started) is for my friend Sue. It's all cut out, or as cut out as it could be - I was a wee bit short of the toile, and while I tried to track down something close enough, I've had no luck, so I ordered 1/2 yard online, and threw some wide backing fabric in the cart too. They'll be here when they get here.

Monday's mail brought word that our (mine and Simon's) presence was requested at Homeland Security in St. Albans at 8 am Wednesday. St. Albans is an hour+ drive with no traffic, and at that time of morning, there's traffic, so... we were on the road at 6:30 and there 15 minutes early. Mission accomplished (fingers crossed) and Simon's good to go to Germany in April.

This week? We'll hit the ground running and hope for the best. :o)

This Week

Dinner Menu - January 29-February 11

Sunday - Sandwiches
Monday - Beef barley soup
Tuesday - Chicken Cordon Bleu
Wednesday - sausage fusilli
Thursday - stew and biscuits
Friday - pizza
Saturday - Fish (or chicken) & chips
Sunday - Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
Monday - Potato Ham Chowder
Tuesday - Pancakes
Wednesday - Kielbasa and noodles
Thursday - Chicken and Dumplings
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - burgers

Grocery List for above:
fish

Needlework
Sew every day
finish blocks for Sue's quilt

Other
Monday - Daniel cooking class
Tuesday - Simon Math meet
Wednesday - Daniel's play
Saturday - Blue and Gold Breakfast

Weekend Update

2012-02-05T10:38:00.000-05:00

Last Week

Needlework
~~Sew every day~~ - nearly
~~Finish blocks for Raffle Quilt~~ nearly

Other
Monday - Talent Show Meeting
Monday - ACS Daffodil Days materials
Monday - Daniel cooking class
Tuesday - Scott dentist
Wednesday - Daniel haircut
Friday - Cubs
~~Saturday - Mom to Cuba~~

It was Groundhog week! You know what that means? (If you've stuck around this long, you do) Meatloaf! So here is this year's dinner. Before, and after. Phil says "Six more weeks of winter, better eat your veggies." Thanks Phil. You were delicious. And six more weeks of the (non)winter we've had? Fine with me.

And I haven't just been shaping rodents out of blended meat, either. I've been sewing. I have all of Laura's blocks done and sewn into a 54"x72" top, I have the backing, and the batting. I'll either layer it this week, or decide to take it to Middlebury and quilt it on the large machine.

The next item on the list is a quilt for our Talent Show's silent auction. I have always been the food person for the show, this year someone new is helping. She wants to take a big job, and I've handed food off to her. Fine with me - it's a last minute thing more than anything, and I'm happy to let her do it. That means, though, that the open Silent Auction spot is now mine. And it'll be fine too. May 5th, so some time yet to round up donations (and get my own done.)

These are a few of the 48 (I hope) blocks I've got kinda/sorta done. They are all trimmed so the block formed by the intersection of four corners will be square. Problem is, I don't know what to put in those corners. White, with *something* appliqued on it? Black+white? A single color on all? Random? I'll ponder...

And my dear friend Susan is leaving me. When school is done in June, she's off to Virginia Beach. Lucky them. Her favourite colour is green, and I've got a lovely celery on white toile that I'll use for the "white" in a scrappy slightly nontraditional single Irish Chain based on the blocks in a Shelburne Museum quilt. I'll share pictures as I progress.

Now, though, it's sunny and bright, though a little cool (about 20ª.) I'm gonna dress for the weather and head outside for a while.

This Week

Dinner Menu - January 29-February 11

Sunday - Steak & Baked potatoes
Monday - Potato Ham Chowder
Tuesday - Kielbasa & Noodles
Wednesday - crock pot lasagna
Thursday - Quiche & Fruit
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Mac & cheese
Sunday - Ham & Scalloped potatoes
Monday - Beef barley soup
Tuesday - Chicken Cordon Bleu
Wednesday - sausage fusilli
Thursday - stew and biscuits
Friday - pizza
Saturday - Fish (or chicken) & chips

Grocery List for above:
chicken
fish

Needlework
Sew every day
Finish blocks for Raffle Quilt
Begin blocks for Sue's quilt
Layer (or schedule machine time for) Laura's quilt

Other
Monday - Daniel cooking class
Thursday - dentist

Weekend Update

2012-01-29T22:35:00.001-05:00

Last Week

Needlework
Sew every day
~~Time to start considering Raffle Quilt~~ (or Farewell Quilt for Sue? or Wedding Quilt for Amanda? or ALL of the above?!)

Other
Monday - No school, in-service
Wednesday - Simon Math meet

This Week

Dinner Menu - January 29-February 11

Sunday - Sandwiches
Monday - Tomato soup and grilled cheese
Tuesday - pulled pork
Wednesday - spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday - GROUNDHOG!
Friday - pizza
Saturday - pancakes
Sunday - Steak & Baked potatoes
Monday - Potato Ham Chowder
Tuesday - Kielbasa & Egg Noodles
Wednesday - Canneloni
Thursday - Quiche & Fruit
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Mac & Beef

Grocery List for above:
Spaghetti, canneloni, macaroni
baking potatoes
Fruit

Needlework
Sew every day
Finish blocks for Raffle Quilt

Other
Monday - Talent Show Meeting
Monday - ACS Daffodil Days materials
Monday - Daniel cooking class
Tuesday - Scott dentist
Wednesday - Daniel haircut
Friday - Cubs
Saturday - Mom to Cuba

Beyond that? Sorry, I got nothing.

Weekend Update

2012-01-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

Last Week

Needlework
Sew every day
~~finish blocks for Laura's quilt, begin assembly~~

Other
Monday - Daniel's cooking class
Wednesday - dentist
Friday - Cub Space Derby

I didn't sew every day, but I got Laura's top done anyway. It's mostly scraps, I only cut into a half dozen or so pieces that were large enough to fold. And, as always, there's plenty more where these came from. I think the next scrap quilt I do will be stripes. I have a lot of leftover pieces of binding and trimmings of backings. I don't know, yet, what I'll do for a back for this one - I have to check out the piles downstairs, and I'm not totally averse to buying something. This is, after all, a quilt I'll be paid for.

And with this done, I spent a little time with Forever. Having decided where it will hang, I need to make it 5ish feet square - so 3600 square inches. This picture shows it at close to 4 square feet - the "blocks" are 8 x 8 (all 1" squares.) Since making a square is the easiest way to work, the actual quilt will be 5'4" x 5'4", or 4096 square inches. I've a ways to go...

And finally. On Friday, Daniel's Cub Scout troop held their Space Derby (like Pinewood, only rockets not cars) and he came in second place! After 8? derbies, we've finally reached the podium! (So, can we quit now, as soon as Daniel gets his Whittling Chip? Please?)

Also, I'd like to take just a second here and wonder out loud... who knew South Carolina had such a GREAT sense of humour? That is all...

This Week

Dinner Menu - January 22-February 4

Sunday - Ham steaks and scalloped potatoes
Monday - Beef Barley Soup
Tuesday - Fried rice
Wednesday - Mac & Cheese
Thursday - Beef Stew
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - pigs in blankets
Sunday - Steak & baked potatoes
Monday - Tomato soup and grilled cheese
Tuesday - pulled pork
Wednesday - spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday - GROUNDHOG!
Friday - pizza
Saturday - pancakes

Grocery List for above:
pepperoni
mushrooms
crescent rolls

Needlework
Sew every day
Time to start considering Raffle Quilt (or Farewell Quilt for Sue? or Wedding Quilt for Amanda? or ALL of the above?!)

Other
Monday - No school, in-service
Wednesday - Simon Math meet

This image could get me shut down, ironically.

2012-01-18T06:57:00.000-05:00

A Gift Must Move

2012-01-17T06:28:00.000-05:00

"A gift must move."

What? I shift uncomfortably in my seat. This guy is making the whole room nervous, but we are his hostage. His, and Homeland Security. We'd crossed that line between the potential for terror and humiliating shoeless safety and there is no going back. The man hadn't looked unusual on the other side. He was three cows ahead of me through the chute and he'd appeared pleasant, friendly with the agents, but not too friendly. That was a great act, and he'd fooled them all. But now? Stark raving lunatic. I glance around, everyone seems to have picked up on a cue to ignore this guy that I've missed. Good plan. I peek down at my phone, scroll for the Kindle App although I know I haven't loaded any books.

"Creativity must be expressed to exist."

Geez, dude, go preach it somewhere else! I am NOT your target audience on this, trust me. I root through my bag for Chapstick, a sudoko, gum. Anything to tamp down the uncomfortable anxiety that this guy is creating. The room has it's armor on and I am the chink - I am giving the nutcase the attention he demands. I mustn't let the team down. Come on game face! Ignore! Ignore!! Gah! He's looking right at me, he's talking TO ME! Dig, dig - aha! A butterscotch candy. I'll just pop this in my mouth and pretend that guy is some old Wilfred Brimley type. Bring it Grandpa, I am looking right through you now. Moo, moo, moo. Your words are just old man cow sounds now. Grab yourself a rocking chair and fall asleep under your Saturday Evening Post, man. I'm sure someone will wake you when it's time to board.

"Talent must travel outwards."

Dammit! I can hear you. What does that even mean? The only thing I want to see traveling is you, pal, outward from my space. You, and that plane. Where the heck is the plane? Aren’t we supposed to be boarding, like RIGHT NOW? My luck this granola munching coffeehouse beatnik gets seated next to me. Try it, just try it buddy. Where are my earbuds? WHERE ARE MY EARBUDS!

"Ability must not be contained."

Howzabout you try containing your pithy wisdom, hm? I am not an artist. I am not a musician or a painter or a sculptor. There are no latent Michaelangelo tendencies within my very adult existence. I composed the same bored-with-science high school schlock poetry that everyone did. I turned my notebook covers into album covers. I lined my eyes with the blackest pencils and avoided the sun. I was a teenager and filled to the brim with the oh-so-artistic spirit of angst we were all drinking with our bootleg hard lemonade. I grew up. That petulant teenager has washed her face and traded her Chucks for the best Blahnik knockoffs I can afford. Get off my case. I don't have time for poetry and painting. I have a life, why don't you try that?

“If you do not share the skills you have been given, it is as though they don’t exist.”

Show and tell

2012-01-16T06:22:00.000-05:00

I'm working on my Etsy Shop (to be) this morning, and I realized I had never posted a picture of the bigger-than-baby quilt I got done in time for the craft fair in December where, incidentally, I sold none.

I really like the way this one came out - it's very traditional looking and I got a lot of positive feedback (though a buyer would have been nice.)

Right now, though, time to get the boys to school, get some cleaning done, and then spend a solid couple hours working on Laura's quilt. Baby's not due until March, but march will be here before we know it.

Follow Through!

2012-01-15T11:01:00.001-05:00

(I suck at it, it would appear.)

So, 2 weeks later...

Weekend Update

Weekend Update

Last Week

Needlework
Sew every day
20 more blocks for Laura's quilt

Other
Monday - Last day of vacation
Tuesday - p/u contacts at optometrist
Wednesday - Sub Foley A.M.

I have all the blocks cut for a quilt for the pending granddaughter of a friend. She wants it big, twin sized in fact, and as of yesterday I have all the pieces cut for a 54"x72" quilt. Many of the blocks (simple, all HSTs) are done as well, but since they're 6", there's a lot of them. It's pretty mindless piecing at this point, and top assembly will probably take less time than actually creating a pleasing, balanced layout. That's my goal for this week - a finished top by next weekend. This is a wee selection - about 1/3 of the final count. I find that I am better able to critique a placement or fabric choice through the lens of a camera than I am up close and personal.

I've got some other unpleasantries to deal with this week - mostly paperwork related. Sewing will be a pleasant distraction.

This Week

Dinner Menu - January 15-28

Sunday - deli sandwiches
Monday - Cheddar Broccoli Soup
Tuesday - grilled pork tenderloin
Wednesday - lasagna
Thursday - crock pot chicken and stuffing
Friday - hot dogs
Saturday - pizza
Sunday - steak and baked potatoes
Monday - Beef Barley Soup
Tuesday - Fried rice
Wednesday - Mac & Cheese
Thursday - Beef Stew
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - pigs in blankets

Grocery List for above:
ricotta
baking potatoes

Needlework
Sew every day
finish blocks for Laura's quilt, begin assembly

Other
Monday - Daniel's cooking class
Wednesday - dentist
Friday - Cub Space Derby

Yeah, um oops

2012-01-05T05:17:00.000-05:00

That up there was not the intended title of today's post, but when I went to start this one, I landed on a different page than usual and realized I'd been hitting the SAVE button instead of the PUBLISH button. Oops. I finally switched over to the new format, silly me.

Anyway, today is my birthday and I'm up about 2 hours before the sun. This is not an auspicious start but a start it is. And in the spirit of what I plan to do for the rest of today, this is it for today's blog post. Today I don't feel like doing anything... (apologies to Bruno Mars)

There'll be Prime Rib and Carrot Cake later. See ya!

Aaaaaaaand, we're done.

2012-01-04T06:58:00.000-05:00

The machine

2012-01-03T07:02:00.000-05:00

Meet Jim. He is seven years old, blue eyed and, when freshly bathed, fair as a field of wheat. This happens about twice a week and lasts, generally, less than thirty minutes.

As many boys are, Jim is curious. But as many boys do not, Jim has the inexhaustible energy to follow his curious nature to whatever end it leads. His mother calls him busy when she's having a good day. Other times, she calls him "Dammit Jimmy!" His grandpa, who was once a little boy very much like Jim, calls him EnJim #9.

Jim lay on his bed, staring at the glowy stars pasted to his ceiling. It was still too early to get up. 7 was the first number he ever learned, and on a Saturday morning, if the first number on his clock is not 7, he is trapped. His floor might as well be shark infested lava, because he's not going anywhere.

Jim was impatient. He had work to do, and he would need the entire day to do it. He'd found some springs in Grandpa's garage yesterday, and a wheel from a lawnmower. Grandpa had said "Sure thing, EnJim, they're all yours. Whatcha gonna build this time?" That was Grandpa’s question every time Jim found the perfect thing. And Jim’s answer was also always the same. “I’m not sure, Grandpa, but you’ll be the first to know.”

At 7:00:01 Jim was out of bed. He pulled on yesterday’s t-shirt and his baseball pants, tugged the sneaker box out from under his bed, and was out of Lavasharkville by 7:01:27. There were snoring, muttering sounds coming from his parents’ room, but Jim didn’t pause to knock. 7 was the magic number and it was most definitely past 7.

Breakfast? Didn’t occur to him. Face washed? Teeth brushed? Really? No. There just was no time to waste.

Jim spread his collection of perfect parts out on the kitchen table. Three springs - two large, one small. The lawnmower wheel that, upon closer inspection might have actually come from a wagon. He had eighteen screws of various sizes and metals. A large rubber washer, and a rubber band exactly the same color. A square piece of plywood, with a corner broken off, and a stick that formed a perfect letter Y. Uppercase. He had a roll of Scotch tape, a blue jay feather, and a bottle of sand he got at the beach last August.

Elbows on the table, hands on cheeks, blue eyes dancing over his treasures. Jim cataloged his materials.

He was ready. And Grandpa was going to love it.

Balance - Word for the Year, 2012 edition

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

bal·ance

noun \ˈba-lən(t)s\

Definition of BALANCE

2: a means of judging or deciding

3: a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence

5a : stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis b : equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements c : equality between the totals of the two sides of an account

7a : physical equilibrium b : the ability to retain one's balance

9: mental and emotional steadiness

And there it is. I tossed a lot of words back and forth across the brain plane over the past month or so. LESS almost won out, but I wondered if, while working on LESS I wasn't also creating more. Less driving means more walking. Less anger means more joy (ideally). More good choices means less (fewer) uncomfortable consequences (of, you know, bad ones.) Less spending, more saving? Well, yes, but less silly spending also means more good spending. Think Lindor truffle instead of Snickers, right?

Let's see if this works out a little better than last year's colossal failure, LIGHT. So much of a failure, in fact, that I couldn't remember what it was. Sigh.

Happy New Year! Month! Week! Day!

2012-01-01T09:47:00.000-05:00

Let's call today what it is. A fresh start. And with that, let's go.

(not my picture)

I have been feeling, um, *something* for a while now. And while I don't consider myself psychic by any stretch of anyone's imagination, I believe we all have some degree of sense when something's coming. I haven't had this feeling of impending change since the months leading up to January 2002, which turned out to be a very, very bad time for me. But since before Halloween, and more so as the holidays approached, the normal keyed up emotion of the holidays built the other up to something I could not ignore. You know, though, it's really hard to prepare for something when you don't know what it is you need to prepare for. But anyway, 'nuff of that.

I will revisit last year's resolutions at some point this week, and set some new ones. Tomorrow I'll lay out my new Word of the Year. I'll show off some of the Christmas-y things I made, or not. And I'm going to try to come up with a new Two Minute Tuesday story. We'll see. But for today, it's Sunday. So...

Weekend Update

This Week

Dinner Menu - January 1-14

Sunday - deli, leftover NYE nibbles
Monday - Tomato Soup, grilled cheese
Tuesday - Quiche & hashbrowns, salad
Wednesday - mac & beef
Thursday - Prime Rib, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans
Friday - pizza
Saturday - Pancakes and bacon, fruit
Sunday - French Dip sandwiches, steak fries, coleslaw
Monday - Turkey Noodle Soup, No-Knead Bread
Tuesday - Fried Rice, Siu Bao
Wednesday - Spaghetti & garlic knots
Thursday - Beef Stew
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Burgers, fries
Grocery List for above:
green beans
fruit
rolls
cabbage
hamburger buns

Needlework
Sew every day
20 more blocks for Laura's quilt

Other
Monday - Last day of vacation
Tuesday - p/u contacts at optometrist
Wednesday - Sub Foley A.M.

Friday Flashback

2011-11-11T12:40:00.001-05:00

I remember when the Christmas pitch didn't start right after Halloween.

That is all.

Christmas on Thursday

2011-11-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

Not so much to share, but it's all Craft Fair related.

I picked these up at Michael's on Sunday, so there's no excuse not to get those monster purses done. They'll be ready to show off next week. I promise.

And I've finished as many crib sized tops as I'm going to get done. This last blue one seriously tried my patience, and I ended up making more blocks than I needed. Deep sigh. Now to get them quilted. I'm moving on to a larger, throw size next, I'll try and get at least a couple done. I'm thinking that a 50"x60" size is nice for the couch. Right? First up will be a scrappy (duh!) Ohio Star type quilt, and then I think maybe a Shoo Fly/Snowball combo. I've done it before and it looks like more work than it is. ;o)

And finally, this is the "bonus" quilt I'll be offering for sale as well. I made it for a raffle and ended up buying it back when no one outbid my ridiculously low number. If I make that back, I'm happy.

November 9th, Vermont?

2011-11-09T15:32:00.002-05:00

Illuminated Letter

2011-11-08T07:10:00.000-05:00

hank you. Thank you for coming into my life, for igniting the fire of my being. Until you, I was not me, not the me that I needed to become. Until you, I didn't know who that person was. You created me and for that, I am forever in your debt.

As children we are, essentially, an extension of our parents. We are a placeholder among our siblings. We are an entry in the family Bible, a leaf on the family tree, an extra deduction in April. While a child may have a tremendous personality, and an incredible potetntial, what they are, in youth, is pedigree.

We spend much of our adolescent lives trying to decipher who we are, trying to mold ourselves to the definition we wish we were, trying on suits of adult clothes until we find the look we're after. That image is reflected in the glass of our peers, of our family, of our society. But for most of us, it's a fad. It lasts until we are adults, not just until we think we are.

So who was I? I don't remember. I was not who I am until you. It was all practice and dress up and play acting until you. I began with you. It is not rose coloured hyperbole or fantastic romance. Without you, the person that I am, the person that I am happiest that I am does not exist.

And so, I thank you. I thank you for illuminating me.

Next!

2011-11-07T09:34:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since that Next Four list has seen any attention. I mean, ferpetesake, the #1 item is a quilt for a raffle that was over in March! So, let's see...

#1 Monster Purses, etc for Craft Fair and #2 Quilts for the Craft Fair. This is kinda/sorta the same thing, but not really. The After School Enrichment Program Craft Fair is December 3. Since I have plenty of stuff left over from last year, all I really need to do is finish up the eyes on the extra monster purses I made, and see if there are any other gaps to fill. This one will be quick. The quilts, not so much, but I think they'll be worth the extra time. I am working on a 6th baby quilt top, and will move on to some larger (throw/lap sized? How big is that?) I have already had some interest in these baby quilts that don't look "baby" and I suspect that those to whom they appeal (not-right-out-highschool moms, grandmas etc) will be willing to pay a little more than they would for a Disney Princess or SpongeBob Walmart "quilt." That's the hope, anyway. A friend who is a grandmother-to-be has already asked me to recreate one of them in a larger size.

That would take us to #3 Commission twin size for Laura. Baby's due in March, so it will wait until after Christmas, though I have already started cutting some scraps into useable sizes. She likes the Little Cedar Trees pattern (the light/dark HST 4 patch) but wants a bigger quilt so it can last beyond babyhood. She also wants some black in there, either as an inner frame or as an outer border. No sure yet, so I'll get some blocks done, work up a couple of options, and let her choose.

And finally, #4 Raffle Quilt for Talent Show. I have no idea. At all. But since this isn't due for a bunch of months yet, I'm not going to worry about it now.

Weekend Update

2011-11-06T13:09:00.001-05:00

Last Week

Needlework
~~1/2 hour every day~~
~~Finish Dr. Who scarf~~

Other
~~Friday - Cubs~~

This Week

Dinner Menu - November 6-12

Sunday - hot dogs & chips
Monday - Tomato Soup, grilled cheese
Tuesday - meatloaf, roasted potatoes
Wednesday - mac & cheese
Thursday - beef stew
Friday - pizza
Saturday - fish & chips

Needlework
1/2 hour sewing every day
1 more baby quilt top, start twins
eyes on monster purses
inventory craft fair sellables
20 blocks for Laura's quilt

Other
Monday - Daniel dentist 3:10
Tuesday - PTO
Saturday - musical load in
Finish lawns, take off mower deck
Get plow, chains on tractor
schedule Pathfinder snowtires, oil change

Oops

2011-11-03T21:23:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday. It's late Thursday, but not Friday yet. so here goes. Christmas!

I've now got FOUR! baby sized quilt tops ready to layer and quilt for the craft fair

This one is pretty simple, and looks better in person than in the photo. The sashing is a yello and white wavy stripe, with white cornerstones.
The next is a copy of the big quilt I did last year as a fundraiser for my friend's daughter with Leukemia. And the last (of this bunch) is just Boxed Squares. Easy peasy, it'll look better with quilting too.

I have another (#5) almost done, so that's for next week, and digging through my fabric I found a completed Bento Box quilt I'd done for a silent auction a few years ago (and bought back rather than see it sell for $15) So that's six. I'll see about getting a few larger ones too, but no promises.

Having posted a couple pictures on Facebook. someone has already commissioned a twin sized version of the Little Cedar Trees (the half square triangle one) from last week. Woohoo! And she doesn't want it until March!

The monster coin purses are still eyeless. That's it for this week.

Yeah, this pisses me off.

2011-11-02T07:16:00.000-04:00

A Cottage in a Cornfield

2011-11-01T07:49:00.000-04:00

Alice. Folks called her man Joe the King of the Castle, so that made her Queen Alice in her Palace. Sigh. The house was perched at the top of a hill, 16 trees and a long driveway down, down to the road, a picture in a a fairy tale book. From that road up to the house, circling fields like approaching Burnam Wood. Corn. A thousand acres of muttering stalks rattling their saber leaves.
Alice didn't go down the driveway much, and the television cable service didn't reach this far from town, so she read. A lot. A book is an escape and this damsel wanted nothing more than to flee Elsinore. On the coffee table, in fact is her most recent read. Although it's about many, many other things, the explanation of the mother figure's absence has struck something in Alice. A woman, the wife, mother goes into the field, lies down, and lets the earth reclaim her spirit. She just walks into a snow storm, and dies. No elaborate death prose, no bloody savagery, no prolonged lingering suffering. Just alive, then dead. Out in a field. Covered, one would assume, with snow. Since reading that, she's been fascinated with the idea of lying down out there. Out there. In the corn. There's no snow storm, it doesn't even rain much in September, but the field calls her. She is, after all, a woman too. A wife. A mother.
Standing at the kitchen window, Alice works out the logistics. Send Joe off in the morning with his two thermoses full of Nescafe and Coffee Mate, his peanut butter and jelly, his four apples and two cookies. Wash up the dishes, make the bed, put a chuck roast and some new potatoes in the crock pot. Really, a chicken would be overdone by supper if she started it now. Hang the dish towels up on the clothesline, and leave the basket out there to gather them back in this afternoon. Cross the side yard. It looks like the deer might have been coming up from the creek, Joe’ll need to shred some more Irish Spring around the hostas.
The corn’s almost dry enough. The silks are close to black, the stalks brown, the leaves almost there too. Joe’ll start running the harvesters by next week. Wait too long and run the risk of fall rains, or snow. Jump the gun and the feed’ll rot before it gets to the dryer. Tricky business, industrial farming.
The sky’s clear blue today. Like one assumes the ocean is, having never actually seen it. A small cloud every now and again. Birds circle above her. A hawk on a field mouse? No, a crow. A pair of them. A murder of them. After the earth reclaims her spirit, Alice wonders, what’ll come for the rest, the combine or the crow? Tricky business.

Happy Hallowe'en!

2011-10-26T06:22:00.000-04:00

Weekend Update

2011-10-23T21:50:00.000-04:00

Last Week

Needlework
~~1/2 hour every day~~
Bowtie for Simon
~~3 feet on Dr. Who scarf~~

Other
Wednesday - Daniel dentist
Friday - no school!
Saturday - Cubs haunted Warehouse
order mulch

This Week

Dinner Menu - October 23-29

Sunday - St. Peter's harvest supper
Monday - Chicken noodle Soup, bread
Tuesday - baked potato bar
Wednesday - chicken cordon bleu (or ribs?), mashed potatoes, peas
Thursday - Chicken and biscuits
Friday - pizza
Saturday - Breakfast for dinner

Needlework
1/2 hour sewing every day
eyes on monster purses
inventory craft fair sellables
finish Dr. Who scarf

Other
Monday - Simon @ Mississquoi
Tuesday - Simon dentist, Scott dentist
Wednesday - Scott's birthday
order mulch
cut front yard
front beds mulched

Christmas on Thursday

2011-10-20T09:40:00.005-04:00

Yeah, let's start this now.

I'm pretty well stocked for the craft fair (December 3?) I've got a couple dozen monster coin purses, including 13 I made this month that still need eyes. I've got Santa Hat purses, too. And who knows what else in the box. Aprons at least. I've decided though, that after the interest in the quilts I had hanging last year, that I'll make some real quilts to sell as well. Grown up patterns in baby sized quilts. I've personally always preferred that look over the pastels and cartoony animals of "baby" quilts. So here's the first. Still just a top, but it's small enough I can handle the quilting here on my own machine. I'm working on #2 today, with plans in my head for at least 2 or 3 more. They're all scrap things, with leftovers from aprons, clothes, and other quilts, and a big contribution from the tote of fabric I got from Marilyn a few years ago. (Hi Marilyn!) Maybe I'll get close enough to the bottom that I can empty it and give it back to her!

Have I posted a picture of the quilt for Simon this year? I think so (update, nope, not a finished one.) ~~but~~ so here's a new one. This is his Welcome to "Adulthood" present, though unlike my nieces and nephews, he'll keep getting Christmas gifts from me. Of course!

So, this week - I'll keep working on those crib quilts, and maybe work out a pricing schedule for other sizes. We'll see...

Wordless

2011-10-19T09:39:00.001-04:00

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Baking Bread

2011-10-18T06:12:00.002-04:00

Flour, yeast, water, fire. These are my tools. They have been the baker's media for 5000 years, and will remain so long after I am turned to dust, to the flour of my existence. I am a sculptor, a scientist, a magician. If the masterpiece does not inspire, if the trick fails, the fault, in all liklihood, lies with me. This is the blessing of my tools. They keep me humble and they keep me honest, and at the same time they inspire me to reach for greatness. With bread, there is no one perfect. There are a thousand perfects, and I strive for all of them.

A little fat, a more tender crumb. Less yeast, more time and the result is a hearty, earthbound boule . Knead in an egg and some honey and the humble loaf rises to religious icon. There is something holy, though, in even the simplest conglomeration. A crust of bread is a baby's introduction to solid food and the sustenance of the dying.

My arms ache from hours of kneading, but my mind is clear, my worries soothed, my problems diminished. A dough of anger and frustration, baked right smack in the middle of the oven becomes a loaf of tenderness. A lazy bread, water and yeast - too much of one, not enough of the other, lies un-kneaded and unformed. Push it up almost too close to the flame. It bakes into a crusty, chewy bread that demands effort in the eating. It insists that cheese and meat and butter and olives be laid out in accompaniment.

Yes, there is science in bread. Chemistry. Biology. The yeast is alive after all, and like any life, it needs food, it needs water, it needs warmth, and it has an irresistible urge, those needs being met, to reproduce. Yeast sex in my mixing bowl. Magic. Alchemy is a science too, right? Or an art? Of course there is art in my craft. That's a given. Cezanne created bread. Bread and Province. Van Gogh too. Bread and sunflowers. Bread and melting clocks. Bread and waterlilies. Bread and Tomato Soup?

So bread is life. Then too, art and science and magic are life. Of course they are. Without them, there is no life, and without my tools, my yeast, flour, water and fire there is no bread.

Weekend Update

2011-10-16T08:29:00.000-04:00

Last Week

Needlework
1/2 hour every day
3 feet on Dr. Who scarf

Other
Tuesday - VUESCG
Friday - Sub 1/2 day
Saturday - Parents' Weekend!!
finish clearing garden
order mulch

This Week

Dinner Menu - October 16-22

Sunday - lasagna
Monday - Squash Soup, bread
Tuesday - quiche, home fries
Wednesday - mac & cheese
Thursday - crock pot bbq pork
Friday - pizza
Saturday - burgers

Needlework
1/2 hour every day
Bowtie for Simon
3 feet on Dr. Who scarf

Other
Wednesday - Daniel dentist
Friday - no school!
Saturday - Cubs haunted Warehouse
order mulch

NOT the foliage shot I was outside to get *warning!!

2011-10-12T12:39:00.001-04:00

Lilac Bush

2011-10-11T11:41:00.002-04:00

The lilac next to the front doorway celebrates the Queen's birthday with purple fireworks and dark green hearts. Budding branches of an ash long since turned into firewood scratch fingernail lines across the red painted wall of a barn that has tumbled back to earth. Children's voices echo off the trunks of Northern Spys and Macintoshes in an orchard that lies under the new growth pines and poplars.

A breeze moves the plank and rope swing through the air that used to an elm branch, transformed by the Dutch disease.

Ghosts live here now. Ghosts and memories. They aren't my memories, my ghosts either for that matter. I drive past that great purple bush every day on the way to my present, heading toward my future, and right through someone's past. Today, Thursday (but I've got time) I stop and gather some flowers.

Picking my way across the ditch, I stumble on a stone, maybe six feet from the flowers. A foundation stone, actually, there's a line of them. A square of them. A house-sized wall of them, holding up nothing, keeping nothing out, but somehow still holding everything in. The wild raspberries and goldenrod have moved into the cellar, but their years of winter mulching hasn’t completely filled the hollow that once held the potatoes and onions and hard squashes that fed through the winter the family that was here.

There’s time (I checked my watch) so my feet carry me around the perimeter of the house I can't see. This smooth slab was the front doorsill. I remember hearing in my recent history that in the early history of this land, settlers, United Empire Loyalists escaping bloody battle and fearsome freedom in the colonies came here with their few possessions and planted a lilac by the front door. It was superstition decorated as custom. If the pretty sapling could survive this wilderness, so could they. The wilderness is coming back to claim it’s territory, though. I look beyond this small house footprint and see that the new growth and not-so-new growth forest is healing the battlescars of man. I spy an apple tree, maybe a handful more but their flowers are shielded from the honeybees. They bloom anyway, but the pines and swamp maples are beating back this human incursion.

The lilac defies them, unwilling to surrender the corner it guards. The house it defended is dust, the people too I imagine. The oldest history of this place, before the Loyalists, before the foundation and the barn and the apple trees is erasing the Sunday dinners and crying babies and the sweep of the broom on this slab doorway.

If the lilac could survive, so could they. They just had to pull up a budded shoot and go somewhere else to try again.

Weekend Update

2011-10-09T07:56:00.004-04:00

Last Week

Needlework
1/2 hour every day (try try again)
13 monster purses
try out Hardanger patterns
2 feet on Dr. Who scarf

Other
Wednesday - Tori fingerprinting
Friday - Sub all day
finish clearing garden
order mulch
~~dental claim!!~~

This Week

Dinner Menu - October 9-15

Sunday - leftovers
Monday - Hot Turkey Sandwiches
Tuesday - fried rice, egg rolls
Wednesday - ravioli
Thursday - stew and biscuits
Friday - pizza
Saturday - lasagna?

Needlework
1/2 hour every day
3 feet on Dr. Who scarf

Other
Tuesday - VUESCG
Friday - Sub 1/2 day
Saturday - Parents' Weekend!!
finish clearing garden
order mulch

Aww, Applesauce

2011-10-06T11:36:00.002-04:00

I'm not so old to remember them when they were first on television, but I do recall seeing the Little Rascals when I was a kid. Not much stuck, but I do remember one of the little guys saying "aw, applesauce, Mary!" Toe scuffing, head down - I think it means "aw shucks." I remember it every time I have a pan full of Macs simmering on the stove. Like today!
Of the 1/2 bushel I picked up on Monday, I was probably 3 apples short of 13 jars. And my house smells maaahhhhvelous. In a few week, I'll get another 1/2 bushel of Northern Spys this time, and cut 'em up for the freezer. Yum!

Anticipating a Short Doctor

2011-10-05T06:50:00.000-04:00

The House on the Cliff

2011-10-04T06:36:00.003-04:00

“Why on earth would someone choose to live there?!”

The temple in which my god dwells dwells in a temple perched on the edge of a cliff. There’s a back door, that leads to a large field with dirt paths and stone paths and (mostly) tended gardens. There are new green chairs under old comfortable trees -- very pleasant to sit and read after dinner. It’s almost the way I like it. A wall would be nice, but not a fence. Atmosphere, not isolation.

The front door is whole different thing. There’s a small porch with enough room for a chair or two, but it’s not pleasant to sit there. Sometimes too hot, sometimes too cold, always too exposed. And beyond the porch is a cliff. A rock face that plunges ten feet, pauses, then plunges again, another ten or so. And beyond that drop, I don’t know - I’ve never fallen more than twice. I’ve only been scared off the porch a handful of times by maleficents who snuck in the back door. Snuck in, or got invited. I’ve been a little self-destructive that way, I suspect. I've not gone out of my own volition.

So this is where I live.

And who am I, you ask? My name is Mhari. I am old. A former wife, a former mother, a former daughter. Right at this point in my life, I know who I was, but I’m a little hazy on who I am. And who I will be? Well, that’s part of why I’m still here in this crazy little house. I was born here on the edge of the cliff, and I grew up always using the back door. I didn’t even realize there was a front door until about ten years ago. There was always something in front of the exit - a carved wooden chest, a long mirror, a loveseat. Most recently a painted Hoosier cabinet from Mennonite country. I have lived here with others, and I have lived here alone. Lately, mostly alone, and truth be told, I prefer the quiet.

Something changed, however, and though I’m not sure what it was, it occurred about the same times as all those formers happened, and the stuff that defined and decorated my life was moved or taken and the door revealed itself. What lies beyond and below is intriguing, but not enough that I have willingly gone there. I suppose I should. Face my fears, explore the shadowy caves and take-your-breath-away views. But that will require a guide or a knotted rope at least so I can find my way back up to the edge in case there’s nothing down there worth staying for.

So again, the question, “Why on earth would someone choose to live there?!” Why indeed. I’m not of a mind to tie knots just yet.

Two Minute Tuesday

2011-10-03T21:23:00.003-04:00

Starting tomorrow, a writing exercise - maybe this will work. I don't remember if this was a taught exercise, or something I just foisted upon myself, but a long time ago, I'd "warm up" my brain by composing something quick - under 500 words just to get the create juices going. Paper and such were easier to get out when the synapses were pre-heated. So until I don't anymore, Tuesdays will be Two Minute Tuesday. 2 minutes is about how long it takes to read 400-500 words out loud. 'kay? Good. Here Goes.

This just doesn't seem to want to happen, does it?

2011-10-02T10:52:00.005-04:00

Dinner Menu - October 2-8

Sunday - frozen pizza (the boys can handle this)
Monday - Potato bacon soup, bread
Tuesday - fried rice, egg rolls
Wednesday - spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday - chicken and dumplings
Friday - pizza
Saturday - lasagna

Needlework
1/2 hour every day (try try again)
13 monster purses
try out Hardanger patterns
2 feet on Dr. Who scarf

Other
Wednesday - Tori fingerprinting
Friday - Sub all day
finish clearing garden
order mulch
dental claim!!

There are plenty of words in my head, but my fingers seem to be busy doing other things. Since you can't read my mind (can you?!) this isn't happening. Maybe soon...

Yeah... not so much

2011-09-12T06:54:00.000-04:00

That whole "I've got time to get things done" feeling? Poof! The phone rang yesterday and I"m working again all week. No biggie, pile it on. The paycheck will be nice.

My goal for this week is to get the front corner garden cleared out and ready for mulching. To say it's been neglected is a huge understatement. There's CORN growing in it. Or at least something that looks like corn. No cobs, no tassels, but the plant looks exactly like corn. Weird. I blame the squirrels (especially since the bunnies have been scarce since Bob made his appearance a few ~~weeks~~ months ago.

I fear there will be very little stitched content for the next while. That doesn't make me happy.

Weekend Update

2011-09-11T06:48:00.001-04:00

Last Week

Needlework
1/2 hour every day
contemplate a new knitting project
put away denim quilt piecing (no hurry now)

Other
~~Tuesday, Wednesday - Sub Williams~~ Thursday too!
Tuesday - Bixby pizza party
weeding, planting, harvesting well, sort of...

Well, that was a week. Whew! Glad to see it past.

I ended up working through Thursday. I dearly love everyone at school, but I was very glad NOT to be there on Friday. I stayed home, cleaned the kitchen (and then promptly messed it up again,) made some pickles, baked some banana bread, read my book. Ahhh, much better!

As far as I know I don't have any work this week (fine with me.) The house and yard could use my attention anyway - I can feel myself switching into grasshopper mode. The pantry got a big tidy yesterday and I can see some gaps to fill. The freezer is looking good. Fuel oil contract is in place. I need to start harassing Mazda about the snow tire they are responsible for ruining last winter. The yard needs some continued clean up from Irene - branches and such. All my corn blew over and never really righted itself so I'll just pull it. Eventually. There are pumpkins (2) and zucchini under there - no corn stalks will make them easier to get to before the squirrels and mice claim them.

Dinner Menu - September 11-17

Sunday - grilled pork loin
Monday - Grilled Cheese, tomato soup
Tuesday - Quiche and hash browns
Wednesday - spaghetti and garlic bread
Thursday - fried rice, egg rolls
Friday - pizza
Saturday - burgers

Needlework
1/2 hour every day (try try again)
try out Hardanger patterns

Other
Tuesday - PTO Mixer
Wednesday - Scout registration
Thursday - Back to School open house
Friday - Cubs
weeding, planting, harvesting
pepper jelly, green beans, zucchini for freezer

Let's start slow

2011-09-05T19:21:00.003-04:00

Next Week

Dinner Menu - September 6-10

Tuesday - deli sandwiches (pizza for Daniel and I)
Wednesday - Mac & beef
Thursday - fried rice, egg rolls
Friday - stromboli
Saturday - burgers

Needlework
1/2 hour every day
contemplate a new knitting project
put away denim quilt piecing (no hurry now)

Other
Tuesday, Wednesday - Sub Williams
Tuesday - Bixby pizza party
weeding, planting, harvesting

It's been quite a summer - some recaps later this week.

Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpiller

2011-07-27T06:47:00.000-04:00

Christmas? Already?

2011-07-25T06:16:00.002-04:00

Well, sure! Only 5 months to go. :o) You're welcome.

I'm gonna trust that Simon doesn't read this (I don't think he does) but if I'm wrong, Simon, please pretend to be surprised anyway, 'kay?

So this is Madness. I have scheduled time on the longarm machine in Middlebury for Wednesday afternoon to get it quilted, which leaves me a week and a half to get the binding on before the fair. No problem!

The next project on my Next Four list is a denim quilt for parades and lawn concerts. When you create a big pile of this:

you end up with a small pile of this: I have 10 or so more small zippers to make monsters with! More pictures (and progress!) next month. Also, anyone have any links to free hardanger patterns on the web? Thanks!

It's nice to feel a little goosebumpy this morning!

2011-07-24T08:24:00.007-04:00

At last, a morning below 70! It's 8:30 and still only 67º Ah, bliss!

Last(ish) Week

Needlework
Assemble Madness top
Call to schedule longarm time

Other
Sunday - fireworks!
Monday - Bristol parade
perfect a slug repellent
weeding, planting, watering

I've been doing inventory in the library this week, but without windows or A/C, I'm out of there before noon. As long as it's finished before school starts next month, I'm free to work when I want. So I scurry about madly here, getting laundry on the line and the kitchen tidied, then get to school by 8 (Friday I was there at 7.) Work 3 hours or so, and head home to do nothing for the rest of the day. I just can't function when it's 95º+ with humidity so high you can see it.
The garden is finally taking off. The snails have been dispatched, by chemical means, unfortunately, but my plants are strong and healthy now, mostly. Even the ones chewed to bare stems are sending out some nervous new leaves. C'mon out kids! The coast is clear! Of course as soon as that pest was under control, the rabbits moved in to devour the beans. A couple bars of shredded Irish Spring soap kept them out of the garden, then the big guns moved in to help keep them out of the yard!
I love that "wild" still lives so close. We've had some onions out of the garden, and a single tomato. There's a zucchini that's about 7" long (should be baseball bat sized in a day or two) and more coming. The squash and pumpkins and cantaloupe are blooming, the tomatoes are turning pink. Lettuce continues, carrots are still too little to eat, and IF THE RABBITS LEAVE THEM ALONE, the beans should be starting by the beginning of August. Life is good in my garden these days.
And at the sewing machine? Yes! Progress there too! A picture tomorrow.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - July 24 - July 30

Sunday - pizza
Monday - Picnic in the park
Tuesday - Yakitori and rice
Wednesday - tortellini
Thursday - Quiche and fruit salad
Friday - *something grilled*
Saturday - hotdogs & burgers

Needlework
Start cutting denim for picnic quilt
Get Madness quilted, cut binding

Other
M-F - Daniel swim lessons
M-T - inventory
Wednesday - Thread Connections 2:00
Wednesday - Terminix (we have carpenter ants)
Thursday - Lunch with Kathy
weeding, planting, watering, harvesting?
get propane tank refilled

I really wish I wasn't so cheap...

2011-07-09T08:44:00.004-04:00

...and a little more lazy. Today's project is replacing the pump/motor assembly on the dishwasher. If I wasn't so cheap, I'd have just bought a new dishwasher and had someone install it for me. Or called a repairman to come fix this one. Both would have cost $250+, but noooo, I'm cheap. And not lazy. Instead I've dropped $130 on a new motor and cleared my Saturday morning to replace the old used-to-just-be-noisy now-it-doesn't-work-at-all pump/motor assembly.

As soon as my coffee's done.

EDIT: 2 1/2 hours later, DONE!

If you can't fix it, feature it!

2011-07-08T07:42:00.005-04:00

Before we moved here we lived in a brand new condominium complex in Waterloo Ontario, and for some of the time we were there, I was the property superintendent. It remains my firm belief that there was never a question *if* the building inspector was paid to look the other way on a lot of construction issues, the only question was *how much* he was paid. I'm going to go with a lot.

We had stair railings with dangerously large gaps, we had patio doors that created snow drifts INSIDE some of the units, we had non-functioning smoke detectors. But mostly we had water. Every spring, I either sandbagged our front step or we lived in a waterfront condo. Just about every basement leaked, and a number of backyards had enough standing swampy water to attract swarms of mosquitoes and, eventually, frogs to eat the larvae. We regraded. We added drainage tile, but essentially living in the bottom of a bowl was more than any fix we could come up with. It was always wet.

So, what do you do with a persistent wet? Plant water loving trees, of course! Thuja occidentalis, to be exact. A small hedge of arborvitae sucked up the "water feature," kept the basement dry, and looked exactly like it was meant to be there.

If you can't fix it, feature it! Mistake? Oh no, I meant to do that!

Looks like summer, smells like sh*t.

2011-07-06T07:52:00.001-04:00

Seriously.

Oh Goodness!

2011-07-05T07:14:00.004-04:00

I missed that weekend altogether! Well, actually, I *didn't* miss it - that's why no posts. :o)

First things first.

Last Week

Needlework
~~Continue Simon's quilt~~

Other
Monday - Band concert, strawberry social
devise a slug repellent it's not perfect, though
~~weeding, planting, watering~~

So. All 42 blocks or Simon's quilt are sew and trimmed. He's working this morning so I *hope* I can at least find the time to get the whole thing laid out and then bundled into 4 block units to sew. Then tomorrow or the next day I can lay it out again and get 16 block units made... I'd really like this to be a top by next weekend.

The slug battle continues. They've taken an especial fondness to one plant, I don't know why, and are, more or less, leaving the others alone. I'm still intrigued by the cookie cutters idea, but the local thrift store had none. I'll bet the hardware store has copper "tape" though - I think I've seen it. I will win this, gastropods.

I think today I might go pick some strawberries if the weather follows through on what it's promising right now. First though, the tiniest bit of cleaning, some laundry on the line, and a couple of hours in the garden. My own strawberries? A bust. Again. Sorry, pals. you've had plenty of chances, I'm taking back the space. I'll clear that bed at some point this summer and spread the rest of the garden next year.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - July 3 - July 9

Sunday - ??
Monday - ribs, corn on the cob
Tuesday - grilled kielbasa and potatoes
Wednesday - sausage fusilli
Thursday - grilled chicken
Friday - pizza
Saturday - burgers

Needlework
Assemble Madness top
Call to schedule longarm time

Other
Sunday - fireworks!
Monday - Bristol parade
perfect a slug repellent
weeding, planting, watering

Canada's Founding Fathers

2011-07-01T07:59:00.000-04:00

Meet the delegates to the Charlottetown Conference - our Fathers of Confederation. Happy Dominion Day, er Canada Day, everyone!

42!

2011-06-30T07:15:00.002-04:00

All 42 of the blocks for Madness are done! Today will be for trimming and squaring up and then, eek! I have to find a big enough window of time (and space) to lay everything out for assembly. This might be a good candidate for 4 block chunks - I can probably do that without drawing too much of Simon's attention. But the layout is so fiddly - I have to get it right the first time - I do NOT want to do anymore tearing out on this beast!

I ordered backing fabric from Fabric.com the other day as well - I expect that to be here tomorrow. There's not a chance I'll have the top done before it gets here, and I have not a clue what I have for batting downstairs. Must check that and then give Thread Connections a call to schedule some machine time.

7:30. I ought to get in gear before the rest of the clan starts moving. I've got some cleaning to do, some banking, and yay! some trimming. Tomorrow is Canada Day, maybe I'll make some butter tarts. Or Nanaimo Bars. Probably out to eat some breakfast first, though.

VQF 2011 Best of Show

2011-06-29T11:30:00.000-04:00

(I didn't go, but if you click on the picture, you see the show with me!)

Lazy hazy

2011-06-28T12:37:00.003-04:00

Beans are up, corn is up, cucumbers are up. That's it - everything's in business. Daniel and I filled the feeder and we've been visited by finches and chickadees and junkos all morning. We put up a hummingbird feeder too, but I don't hold out a lot of hope for visitors.

Tori cut the grass last night, Simon's off at work. I guess there's no reason I couldn't be sewing. I'm off!

ToDo ToDay

2011-06-27T08:00:00.005-04:00

It's going to be a beautiful day today - I can tell even through the fog that is keeping my from putting my laundry out on the line. No point in hanging it out there with 100% humidity and no breeze. I've got two basketsfull waiting, but the mist isn't going anywhere so its the dryer. Maybe tomorrow.
The garden calls, but I need to let the mosquitoes get to bed first - it's still a little bitey out there. Everything is covered in raindrops and dew, playing in the mud now would literally be playing in the mud. I'll wait.
In the meantime, there's dishes and vacuuming and some work on Madness, and coffee. Yes, coffee first. I'll sit outside and watch the trees grow.

Better late than never, right?

2011-06-26T21:01:00.004-04:00

Last Week

Needlework
~~Continue Simon's quilt~~

Other
M-F Tori Jump In Winooski
Monday - Vet
Tuesday - Simon job "interview"
weeding, planting, watering

I spent the majority of today outside, didn't really get in until 4-ish, when the skies opened (only to find we had no water, sigh, the irony!) A water line broke and even though it didn't serve this part of town we were left with very low pressure so they could fix it. Took all afternoon! When I wandered over at 7, there was a small crowd watching them backfill the hole so I guess we're in business. Good thing too, I need a shower!

The garden, as I said, is in. As I thought would be a GREAT idea last year, I planted the hot peppers in the flower bed along the walk to the front door. I'm rethinking that plan, though the slugs think it was excellent. ugh. Seriously. Perhaps tomorrow I'll wander down to the thrift store and see if they have any copper cookie cutters. How cute would that be, around the base of every plant? And the slugs can't cross 'em! Failing that, I'll hunt down some Sluggo or Escargo. Why do they have to have such cute names? They're POISON!

I spent some quality time with the seam ripper this week, and a little with the sewing machine and have 28 of the 42 blocks for Simon's quilt correctly done, or as correctly done as they're going to get. I'm going to strive to get the last 14 done this week too. We'll see.

The summer band concerts kick off this week in the park. Yay! That means strawberries and ice cream too. I can't wait and the weather's supposed to cooperate as well! For a change.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - June 26 - July 2

Sunday - Chicken sandwiches
Monday - quiche, salad
Tuesday - grilled pork tenderloin
Wednesday - lasagna
Thursday - swedish meatballs
Friday - hot dogs / hamburgers
Saturday - pizza

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt

Other
Monday - Band concert, strawberry social
devise a slug repellent
weeding, planting, watering

It's Christmas!

2011-06-25T09:06:00.005-04:00

Well, it will be. 6 months from today, in fact. So it's time to get this Show (and Tell) on the road! I believe I will again be doing the craft fair this winter, but won't need to make a lot - there's plenty still from last year. More monster purses, though, and I have an idea for something that will require some further study and testing first. More on that next month, maybe.
But this is the big work. I don't think Simon reads this, so I'll post pictures. If he does, well, he won't be surprised, but he won't get it until Christmas anyway. I believe I will go mad putting this together. In fact, I think I'll call it Madness. Like the 80s band! You remember this one, don't you?

Alone in the garden

2011-06-24T08:27:00.003-04:00

As I was racing to get everything (finally) into the ground this week, I remembered the garden we had growing up.
It was huge - there were seven of us, and we had two huge chest freezers to fill to feed us through the winter. Late May, early June evenings found us all out in the garden planting multiple 30 foot (more?) rows of green beans, string beans, sweet corn, beets, carrots, tomatoes. I don't remember growing lettuce, but there was spinach, and chard, and some years cabbages or potatoes or cauliflower. Dad would move down the field with his rototiller, and we'd follow putting seeds in the ground, a hand's width apart, someone would go along at the tail end, covering the seeds and giving each one a soup can full of water out of the 10 gallon bucket one of my brothers would fill and carry. It really was a family task, and it was expected that everyone available would help until it was done. As the plants came up, weeding and then harvesting was a daily chore, and again, everyone helped.
We had raspberries and fruit trees and black and red currants too, but I don't recall how those got harvested. I think mom did most of it (I have one memory of her in the currant bushes in a bikini top, teenaged me MORTIFIED that someone might drive by and see her.)
I mostly garden by myself. My space is smallish (four 6'x12' raised beds) and my freezer is tiny. I like being out there alone with my thoughts and my ipod. I wonder though, if I'm depriving my kids of a life skill. I mean, how with they know the difference between the beans and the weeds if I deny them the experience of hours of weed pulling? They'll manage, I suspect.

Close, but no cucumber

2011-06-23T06:59:00.005-04:00

Everything but the cucumbers got in the ground before the rain came yesterday. It's dry this morning though, and if the clouds hold back, I'll get that done too and whew! Be done with it. Spinach, lettuce, carrots, red and yellow onions, cantaloupe, green, banana, and jalapeno peppers, cherry and beefsteak tomatoes, corn, pumpkins, zucchini, butternut squash, green and lima beans.

The boys got the tent up in the yard, too - it's a monster that they can hide out in when it's too hot (girly, parental, boring) in the house. And Simon lined himself up some employment which means, with Tori working too, *sob* my cooks are otherwise engaged for the next few months. Maybe one of them will make dinner once in a while just to be nice. Daniel did make ravioli and garlic bread last night...

I didn't get a stitch sewed before Simon wandered downstairs yesterday, but got the center taken out of two more blocks. If I can get him out into the tent for a few hours today... Brilliant!

Look ma! No tooth!

2011-06-22T06:28:00.002-04:00

It's a three day streak!

2011-06-21T07:44:00.003-04:00

I'm only procrastinating a little this morning. I swear.

The garden didn't happen yesterday, BUT lots of other did. My motivator? a timer. I gave myself permission to knock off housework after 2 hours and got the kitchen clean, three loads of laundry done, and some general tidying accomplished. Of course that all needs to happen again today, but such is life. The washer's already going, some dry, clean stuff is folded and waiting to go upstairs, and the dishwasher is... clean and full. SIMON!!

I had to take His Fatness to the vet yesterday - it's summer, and just like every year it seems he's worked himself up a bladder full of stones. Since his surgery last winter, though, this too will pass (heh) but I firmly stand by my assertion that there's no such thing as a free kitten.

And in cleaning up my desk I came across the receipt for my Cherry Tree that managed to survive 100 inches of snow and cold this winter, but couldn't handle the combination of clay soil and record setting rainfall this spring. I know there won't be another sour cherry to be had this late in the planting season, but maybe I can find something else to fill that hole. I'll go look today, AFTER I'm done my chores. I'll pick up some composted manure at the same time and the garden will be done today.

And finally, I sewed! I got 2 centers corrected in Simon's quilt, finished piecing a few more blocks, and now have about 1/4 of the blocks done and done right. Fixing them insn't hard, but it's picky work so I've told myself I only have to do 2 a day. That'll take me about a week - I can handle that. Onward!

Monday (I'm stalling)

2011-06-20T08:11:00.002-04:00

There is a big pile of To Do staring me in the face this morning, and I don't wanna. So I'm stalling.

I ~~want~~ need to get the rest of the garden in. There's no rain expected until Wednesday, and I want everything in there to reap the benefits of nature's sprinkler. So I really need to get out there. But I don't want to, yet. Too dewy, too mosquito-y still.

I have a ~~counter~~ kitchen full of dishes that need to be plowed through, but Simon needs to empty the dishwasher before I can refill it. I mean, I could, but wahhh, I don't want to.

There's a pile of laundry to move through the system. Some is folded ready to put away, there's some in the dryer, and some on the clothesline (from yesterday!) but the washer sits empty. Gotta get that in gear too.

And Simon's quilt... I think I spooked myself when I noticed that center mistake - I haven't touched it since.

Two cups of coffee hasn't motivated me (I blame the Nyquil cough syrup I took before bed yesterday) but stalling isn't going to get anything done. So hi-ho, hi-ho I guess. When I finish, I think I'll treat myself to a trip out to Survivor Greenhouse to start tomorrow's To Do list. :o/

Am I Becoming a Once a Week Blogger?

2011-06-19T07:50:00.004-04:00

It would appear.
*extra note - if I write it but forget to publish, I'll be even less than that!

Last Week

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt - nope

Other
Tuesday - PTO
Tuesday - Daniel field trip
Tuesday - Daniel to J's b'day party after school
Thursday - Last Day of school
Thursday, Friday - Tori Orientation
Saturday - Tori party
plant final bed - nope
~~weeding, planting, watering~~

The garden in still not in, that's the plan for today and tomorrow. The bed that remains is overgrown with weeds but that shouldn't take more than a few hours. Dig it up, turn it over, add some cow poop and we're good to go.

Thursday morning I left my girl at UVM for freshman orientation. She came home with smiles and a henna tattoo. I could have asked for nothing more. And yesterday Tori and her friend Hannah threw themselves a little graduation party. Fun. :o) All I had to do was run up to Costco and buy the food, they took care of everything else. Tori even found the time to put together these little sweetnesses. Her friend Kate, whose mother is getting married next weekend and they're hosting a combo wedding/grad party, has requested Tori come up with a repeat performance. I'm not sure how that will happen - Tori's working all week but... I'd better make fridge space.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - June 19 - 25

Sunday - ribs
Monday - quiche, salad
Tuesday - leftovers stirfry, rice
Wednesday - lasagna
Thursday - hot dogs / hamburgers
Friday - pizza
Saturday - Wendy & Dennis wedding

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt

Other
M-F Tori Jump In Winooski
Monday - Vet
Tuesday - Simon job "interview"
weeding, planting, watering

ugh, pollen

2011-06-13T06:38:00.000-04:00

Mucinex DM, you lie. I'm still coughing, and still plugged with mucous. Yesterday was spent semi-conscious on the couch watching the Food channel. Do I feel better today? Marginally.

Last Week

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt - nope

Other
Wednesday - Senior Class Night
Thursday - Hair Appointment 8:30
Thursday - Tori Orthodontist
Thursday - Dentist - cancelled
Friday - Graduation
Saturday - Project Grad breakfast
clear tulip remains from garage bed, plant peppers
weeding, planting, watering

Next Week

Dinner Menu - June 12 - 18

Sunday - Chicken Cordon Bleu, roasted potatoes
Monday - sandwiches
Tuesday - tacos
Wednesday - mac & cheese
Thursday - burgers
Friday - pizza
Saturday - Tori graduation party

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt

Other
Tuesday - PTO
Tuesday - Daniel field trip
Tuesday - Daniel to J's b'day party after school
Thursday - Last Day of school
Thursday, Friday - Tori Orientation
Saturday - Tori party
plant final bed
weeding, planting, watering

It's not about me today

2011-06-10T13:36:00.005-04:00

I graduated from high school darn close to 30 years ago.

Today, my beautiful girl does too - mortarboard covered in rhinestones, high heels, and a beautiful dress no one will see. But under all that, she's still my shy little Tori, excited and anxious on her first day of kindergarten. I couldn't be more proud of the amazing woman she's become.

*Sniff*

The Queen of Getting Carried Away

2011-06-09T09:05:00.003-04:00

Ever have one of those early June days where you're minding your own business putting away the outdoor Christmas decorations? You know, the ones that somehow got missed in April when the snows receded enough to get them down? And the next thing you know you're putting away the circular saw and your porch is 40% bigger?

You don't?

How about when your toddler daughter can't turn on the weird-o bathroom faucet and you end up with a whole new paint job on the lower level of your condo?

No?

Must just be me. One thing ALWAYS leads to another. There is no self-contained project in my world. The second story is an old one, since that toddler is graduating from high school tomorrow (OMG!!) and can turn on any faucet, weird-o or otherwise. The first though? Well let me say that I'm on my way shortly to Survivor Greenhouse to get myself a hanging basket to show off my fine workmanship. Keeping my eyes out for a rocker too. In a few weeks (September?) I'll stain the whole thing I'm thinking charcoal, slap a new coat of paint on the door and boom, a beautiful front entrance. Yay!

Lovely lovely (the weather, that is)

2011-06-05T07:37:00.004-04:00

Last Week

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt - not a stitch

Other
Tuesday - German Club trip meeting
Wednesday - Sub Foley
Thursday - Kick-off to Summer Reading
Saturday - Scott to airport

weeding, planting, ~~watering~~ ne'er mind.

What a beautiful weather week we had! I spent several hours yesterday outside cleaning up the garden, cutting grass, trimming and restraining (ha!) the out-of-control Seven Sisters rose bush (and my sliced up hands bear evidence of same!) Scott called at one point and Tori told him I was outside singing. I was. (She says though that the neighbours probably couldn't hear me.) Happy happy.

I didn't get any more of the veggie beds done. I have corn, squash & pumpkins, and beans (green & lima) - a perfect combo for a 3Sisters garden, but I prefer bush beans to pole beans, so I will modify slightly. The corn won't go until next weekend at the earliest, anyway, to try to dodge the cutworms. I need to research a companion plant for squash beetles too - I think nasturtiums again? Maybe rosemary?

hmmm, no pictures? Maybe tomorrow.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - June 4 - 11

we're winging it this week - Scott's away

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt

Other
Wednesday - Senior Class Night
Thursday - Hair Appointment 8:30
Thursday - Tori Orthodontist
Thursday - Dentist
Friday - Graduation
Saturday - Project Grad breakfast
clear tulip remains from garage bed, plant peppers
weeding, planting, watering

Happy Memorial Day

2011-05-30T08:33:00.000-04:00

We're headed over to Jackie's to watch the parade shortly. She'll make scones and coffee, I've just pulled a batch of Doughnut Muffins* out of the oven. Doughnut. Muffins. How could they be anything but wonderful? They are, in fact, quite wonderful. I know this, because one broke so we had to eat it.

*I subbed mostly applesauce for the little bit of oil in these, and think next time I'll use cider instead of milk.

MUD

2011-05-29T09:09:00.004-04:00

Last Week

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt - nope

Other
Tuesday - Sub Sawyer - nope
~~Wednesday - Underclass Awards night~~ - YAY!

Plenty of wheel spinning this week - literally and figuratively. It's still raining though not right now) and the grass is growing like the weeds that it is, so you cut it when the opportunity presents itself (and hope someone's close when you get stuck in the muck. Again.) This has become my footwear of choice for just about every activity. The only question is whether or not I need to hose off the mud before I do whatever it is I'm planning to do. For example - groceries? Hose. Survivor Greenhouse? Nah. Putting in the garden is going in? A-ha-ha-ha-! I think I need pontoons! I've learned a couple of things too - tomatoes like marigolds, peppers like nasturtiums, worms REALLY don't like egg shells, bees can swim and lilacs can't.
There's a promise of dryer weather, starting Tuesday. I'll believe it when I see it.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - May 22-June 4

Sunday - Pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes
Monday - MEMORIAL DAY - hot dogs
Tuesday - tacos
Wednesday - baked ziti
Thursday - chicken cordon bleu
Friday - pizza
Saturday - chinese takeout

we're winging it next week - Scott's away

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt

Other
Tuesday - German Club trip meeting
Wednesday - Sub Foley
Thursday - Kick-off to Summer Reading
Saturday - Scott to airport

weeding, planting, ~~watering~~ ne'er mind.

Meet Mario, the dryer

2011-05-25T07:11:00.003-04:00

(haven't figured out how to change the tones yet)

The Return of Chucky

2011-05-22T10:59:00.003-04:00

Look who showed up yesterday, since we haven't been challenged enough garden-side this year. It's been cold and wet and floody, and now it's getting a little Chucky out there too. "Eat those dandelions, Chuck. They're good for you. Lettuce and onions? baaaaaad. Stay away, they'll kill ya!"

So, here we go.

Last Week

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt - not a stitch

Other
~~Monday - Tori orthodontist~~
Tuesday - dryer repair a.m. - grrrrr.
Wednesday - Sub kindergarten
Thursday - Sub Foley
Friday - Sub Foley

Dryer repair (and the subsequent growling) - I had to buy a new dryer in November. It stopped working in April and has been limping along since. Two weeks ago would have been service call #3, but what was supposed to be a "first thing in the morning" appointment became a "between 10 and noon" appointment and then a "he'll be there after 1" appointment and I couldn't wait any longer. So I rescheduled for this past Tuesday. I got a call on Sunday afternoon saying that the part I needed had been ordered the previous Friday (so, 3 days AFTER the original appointment) and that I'd need to reschedule again since there could be no repair without the part. I asked if the Tuesday appointment could stand in case the part arrived Monday, but it didn't. So I rescheduled again, for THIS coming Tuesday. You'll notice below, though, that the service is not on my Week Ahead list. That's because today, soon I hope, Lowe's is taking away that ~~piece of crap~~ broken dryer and bringing me a brand new one. I sure do wish they'd get here, though. I've got outdoor things to do that involve making more laundry.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - May 22-June 4

Sunday - grilled chicken, egg noodles
Monday - deli sandwiches
Tuesday - quiche & salad
Wednesday - spaghetti
Thursday - fried rice
Friday - pizza
Saturday - burgers
Sunday - mac & cheese
Monday - MEMORIAL DAY - hot dogs
Tuesday - tacos
Wednesday - baked ziti
Thursday - chicken cordon bleu
Friday - pizza
Saturday - grilled pork chops

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt

Other
Tuesday - Sub Sawyer
Wednesday - Underclass Awards night

Friday Flashback

2011-05-20T21:32:00.003-04:00

Yeah, so the world is ending tomorrow, so I'll keep this brief.
When I was younger, my parents switched from the Calvinist church (20 miles away) they'd always attended, to the Baptist Church (just up the road.) The difference wasn't dramatic so much as it was complete, and I fell big time for the evangelical atmosphere. There was 100% less canon law and 100% more moved by the spirit. If you know anything about me, though, you know it didn't stick. But I digress.

Every time, seriously, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME I found myself alone, I was sure that the rapture had happened without me, and I was left behind. It was awful, every single time.

Harold Camping must be a very, very sad man.

Rain, rain, rain

2011-05-16T15:27:00.003-04:00

I swung past TJ Maxx earlier, found a couple of treasures - a new cotton thermal blanket for our bed, a really cool little ceramic travel mug, a tote bag, and some clothes! Capris for school, a light cardigan for over whatever requires a lght cardigan, and a sun dress to wear to Tori's graduation next month. Now I just need a supportive strapless bra or a cute thin strapped regular bra to wear under it. And maybe shoes. And a little sun on my pale northern flesh. ;o)

Also, RED ONIONS! Woohoo! It was the next to last package of them, even. (But not at TJ Maxx)

I suspect I that I will not get to Survivor this week. Didn't do it yesterday, didn't do it today, the rest of the week is a write off. No big deal, I guess. There will be other trees on other days. What else didn't I do today? No work on Simon's quilt, no cleaning, no dishes, no laundry. I haven't even made my bed yet. Must remedy that now. See ya!

Rainy Sunday

2011-05-15T10:34:00.006-04:00

Last Week

Needlework
~~Continue Simon's quilt~~

Other
Tuesday - VUESCG
Friday - Inservice, no school

Yay. It's raining. Again. We had a nice week of dry warmish weather which certainly helped dry the ground and lower the flooded lakes and rivers, but now it's raining again. I have to search out some red onion sets and find a dryish moment to get them planted and then I'll consider myself caught up, garden-wise. I still have some summer bulbs to tuck in, and plenty of weeds to pull. I think I'm going to split a load of mulch and a load of soil with my neighbour Jill - way cheaper than buying bags.

I haven't made it out to Survivor Greenhouse yet to look for fruit trees. He's having a sale right now, and this early in the season he'll still have a decent selection. Maybe I'll brave the rain, put on my mudboots and see what can find later today. I think tomorrow (still raining) I'm going to head to town and do some errands. No point wasting a nice day when I can take advantage of the crappy weather. Beides, Tuesday I'm trapped here waiting for the dryer guy (again) and I'm working Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Simon's quilt is progressing - I still haven't tackled that mistake. Nor have I decided whether or not I will. I have played with it a little in my photo software and I'm leaning toward redoing those centers. But leaning and doing aren't exactly the same thing, so...

And here's a little funny story. I sent my mom flowers for Mothers' Day last week. I also sent flowers to Scott's mom and to his sister (since Grandma lives with her, it seemed like the least I could do.) Lisa emailed to say that the flowers had arrived and brightened the place up, and entertained her toddler as well. My mom doesn't have a computer, so she called when her flowers arrived. You have to know my mother to understand that she speaks painly, no pretense, and, without malice she says what she thinks. "The flowers are beautiful, but don't expect any from me, you aren't MY mother." Um, yeah. Okay. I wasn't. It had never occurred to me that she'd even think of sending anything. But the sentiment was... funny.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - May 15-28

Sunday - pancakes and bacon
Monday - grilled cheese
Tuesday - quesadillas
Wednesday - lasagna
Thursday - shepherd's pie
Friday - pizza
Saturday - burgers
Sunday - grilled chicken
Monday - sandwiches
Tuesday - quiche & salad
Wednesday - spaghetti
Thursday - fried rice
Friday - pizza
Saturday - *something grilled*

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt

Other
Monday - Tori orthodontist
Tuesday - dryer repair a.m.
Wednesday - Sub kindergarten
Thursday - Sub Foley
Friday - Sub Foley

Saturday

2011-05-14T12:16:00.004-04:00

I was on a roll this week, yes? I posted! A lot! Then Blogger decided that Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich announcing their bids for the White House job wasn't nearly thrilling enough and decided to shake things up and delete posts and lock us out. Well poo to all of you.

Speaking of poo (like that?) I dug some manure into the first garden bed and got this planting season off the ground. While my intention was to weed, feed, and prepare half of one bed, I, um, got a wee bit carried away and weed and turned two, started a third, manured a whole one, and dug under some compost in the other. I should have taken a picture, and will if the situation presents itself agin, but it appears that either egg shells float in soil, or worms don't like them. The compost I dug into that bed last fall was just average kitchen scrap made stuff. This spring, the ground was covered with egg shell. So the shells either floated to the surface or the worms were protesting. They're dug under again, and my tomatoes are DEFINITELY going there this year. The worms are striking sanitation workers, but tomatoes are seagulls.
First planting of lettuce, spinach, onions and carrots are in. In about 8 weeks, we might get a salad! Since Noah's been called back to active arc building duty, today seemed like good day to get things tucked into the soil. Ahhhhhh...

Oops, but it's okay.

2011-05-12T09:54:00.000-04:00

So, given my recent experiences with an inability to reliably count past 10 without taking off my socks, and my try, try, try again pineapples for Danielle's quilt I got "smart" with this latest quilt and created a pattern. Snail's Trail blocks, to get them spinning right need to be made in two different configurations, right? Not all exactly the same, right? And it's possible make them without foundation piecing and have them turn out the right size as long as you cut, sew, and press carefully, right? Yeeeeaaaaahhhhh, notsomuch. On both counts.
The block are all finishing at exactly 13 1/2 inches. I can live with that (though they should be 12 1/2) But the spinning's not working. I thought it was because I should have made all the blocks the same, but looking closer, I'm still not sure. I thought I was, but now I see that exactly half of these blocks are made wrong, right at the center. Do you see it?

So now the question is, do I take these 21 blocks and pick out the centers and fix them, or leave it and own that mistake as a "design element." Maybe I'll fake it with a few and see if the fix fixes the other potential issue. Or maybe, since I like the way it looks, actually, I'll just cover my ears and ignore anyone who calls it a mistake. (Right now I'm leaning that way, but we'll see how long it is until Left Brain shows up with her hands on hips and insists I do it RIGHT.

Coffee problem?! I don't have a coffee problem!! Why would you think I have a coffee problem??!!

2011-05-11T08:23:00.004-04:00

Shhh, don't tell Simon

2011-05-10T05:56:00.000-04:00

It has begun! This will be Simon's Christmas present next December. Actually I started working on this during April vacation, but, well, you know. Absent.

I don't have the layout right here, but since it's only a small representation, and super scrappy, the Snail's Trail pattern won't show up without a few more blocks. The goal is to have this quilted and bound before the county fair in August - with the top done before school lets out. I have just a little more than a month.

Outdoors!

2011-05-09T05:54:00.003-04:00

Now that the 40 days and 40 nights has finally (temporarily? I hope not) come to an end, I spent several glorious hours playing in the mud yesterday. My friend Jackie culled her herd of Hostas and the grocery bag full of my share has been waiting patiently for me to have the time to attend to them. Mother's Day afternoon was it. I split the clump into 5 pieces and then set to work weeding the daffodil bed (picture yesterday) that in summer becomes a Hosta/Astilbe bed. The new babies were way ahead of what's there so I had to move carefully to avoid stepping on new shoots. I marked what I found, and then filled in gaps with newbies. Best thing? I discovered that DO, in fact, have room for a few more Astilbes! Woohoo! More edging, more mulch, and this bed is ready to take care of itself.

After that, I'll move on to the raised beds and get them ready for the veggie garden that will go in probably Memorial Day weekend. That's my usual technique, though I read, somewhere, that waiting a little bit decreases damage from cutworms since they are only in the larval chompy stage for a limited period of time. Plant late, and they're beyond chewing age by the time the corn comes up. So if I plant corn, I'll do it last.

I've started peppers, tomatoes, and lettuce. I'll direct sow beans (green and lima), carrots, cucumber, cantaloupes and pumpkins. Anything else? I'm not sure yet. I guess need a garden plan - nothing where it was last year, and compatible room mates are the order of the day. I've read rosemary for crucifers (broccoli, cabbage), nasturtiums for curcurbits (cucumbers, melons), marigolds for tomatoes, geraniums for peppers, onions for carrots. It'll look good, anyway!

Lowes had only apple trees yesterday :o( so I guess I'll head out to Survivor Greenhouse and see what he's got this year. I'm after at least one pear, a sweet cherry, and maybe an apricot.

But it seems, not today. Daniel just came downstairs feeling sick, so I'm not going anywhere. That's okay too. I'll work on Simon's quilt.

Oh Goodness!

2011-05-08T09:58:00.009-04:00

6 weeks? Eep, sorry 'bout that. But I'm back, and it is, yes finally, spring. We have survived the 3rd snowiest winter on record, the wettest April on record, and as much rain as we normally get in all of May by this, the end of the first weekend. Temperatures are almost 20º below what they should be. Shoot, it snowed above 1500 feet earlier this week! My toes are webbing, and Daniel's drawing up plans for a houseboat, but we're alive and well, and that's really all that matters.

So. Pictures? Here's a few, plus there will be more later in the week. I didn't take this first one, obviously, but it gives some indication of the level of wet we're dealing with.

My yard is at last green (and yellow, a little purple and red too but mostly green.) All my fruit trees survived the winter, as did all the roses and all but one peony. Deep snow cover is good for something!

Today I think I'll let Simon take me to Lowes to perhaps pick up another tree (or 3) and some other fun things. I can honestly say at this time of year I'd rather get Lowes or Home Depot gift cards than a certificate to the fabric store or dinner at a fancy restaurant. That might be true anytime, actually. :o)

So, let's try this again, hmm?

Last Week (well, over the last month)

take blade off tractor, install mower deck
put away snow EVERYTHING
take down Christmas lights
check gardens for winter damage
continue brush clearing
start, continue, finish maple sugaring
cut grass around raised beds, front gardens, roses, peonies and lilacs
VUES Staff Appreciation Week
various subs
Switch Soup Monday to Sandwich Monday

Next Week

Dinner Menu - May 8-21

Sunday - ?? Mystery - kids are cooking
Monday - sandwiches
Tuesday - tacos
Wednesday - mac & cheese
Thursday - hot dogs or burgers and potato salad
Friday - pizza
Saturday - stromboli
Sunday - grilled chicken
Monday - sandwiches
Tuesday - quesadillas
Wednesday - lasagna
Thursday - shepherd's pie
Friday - pizza
Saturday - burgers

Needlework
Continue Simon's quilt

Other
Tuesday - VUESCG
Friday - Inservice, no school

Whew! Well that's wasn't so hard!

It should be spring

2011-03-28T10:37:00.002-04:00

From inside the house, it looks like spring, if you can orient your gaze in such a way as to miss the piles of snow. There's still a lot of snow, it's not so easy to miss. Still, there are hyacinths and tulips poking through in the garden, and I was serenaded by robins several mornings last week, so it seems we've survived another winter, mostly intact.
The Talent Show and Silent Auction have come and gone (we raised about $2400 for enrichment programs at the elementary school.) American Cancer Society daffodils have all been delivered and the money turned in. Girl Scout cookies have arrived (and been eaten.) We've had birthdays and parties and now my spotty dirty windows are driving me crazy.

I let Jackie know that I am unavailable to work at all this week. I probably could have managed it, at least a few days, but I really want to be a slug for a few days while the opportunity presents itself. And so I shall. There is certainly work to do this week, but it will get done properly on my schedule rather than crammed in resentfully when I have a minute. And on that note, I'm going to attend to those kitchen windows.

Once more from the top!

2011-03-27T09:26:00.002-04:00

Next Week

Dinner Menu - March 27 - April 9

Sunday - Daniel's birthday party - pizza & cake
Monday - grilled cheese, tomato soup
Tuesday - swedish meatballs over egg ~~needles~~ noodles
Wednesday - lasagna
Thursday - beef stew
Friday - strombolli
Saturday - mac & cheese
Sunday - crock pot chicken and stuffing
Monday -Italian Wedding soup, bread sticks
Tuesday -Tacos, nachos
Wednesday - sausage fusilli
Thursday - chili, corn muffins
Friday -pizza
Saturday -burgers

Needlework

Other
Monday - Staff Appreciation meeting 8:30
Tuesday - Tori orthodontist, Daniel concert
Thursday - Scott dentist
Friday - Daniel Cubs

So, where was I?

2011-03-13T10:56:00.005-04:00

Let's start fresh shall we?

The raffle quilt is quilted, bound, labeled, donated, and sold. Gonzo. (Imagine that -> quilted simply with straight diagonal lines, and a bright green binding. Seems I forgot to take a picture.) It turned out really nice, I called it Cool, Baby! 'cause it kinda was. Is. It could be a lap quilt, or a largish baby quilt. Last I saw the bidding was at $90, but if it went beyond that I don't know. I was busy cheesing nachos and bunning hot dogs. Even after expenses the concession alone brought in close to $400 I think, so mission accomplished.

Jill's baby quilt is also done, though I haven't finished the label. She's asked me to hold it until mid-April when there is a shower for her daughter. She (Jill) has seen a picture but not the actual quilt. I was considering wrapping it for her, but think I won't. Instead I'll give her a marker to personalize the label and call it done. She's asked me what she owes me. Dunno, I guess I'll ponder that a while. It was small and not too complicated, plus she's a friend. I really don't know her daughter, though...

Scott gets back from a quickish trip to California this evening so no more spreading out and leaving out for me. It's okay, clutter stifles me anyway, and having a workspace covered in stuff makes me antsy to get it cleaned up.

We had a tremendous snowstorm this week, more than 2 feet of heavy wet mess on top of the 14 or so inches still there. School was canceled Monday and Tuesday, I worked Wednesday and Thursday and spent Friday in Talent Show prep, so I've accomplished nothing beyond what HAD to be done. And not including a To Do list or (more importantly) a Menu Plan here has lead to a whole lot of chaos. Number One on this week's To Do is to restore order. Well, maybe #3 or 4. But still...

I think I might look into starting some garden seeds this week. That'd be nice. :o)

Next Week

Dinner Menu - March 13 - 26

Sunday - Tori cooks (something with broccoli and pasta)
Monday - Potato Bacon Soup, no knead bread, apple pie
Tuesday - Roast Chicken
Wednesday - Mac & Cheese
Thursday - pork chops, fried potatoes
Friday -Chicken Cordon Bleu, tater tots, corn on the cob
Saturday - pizza
Sunday - Steak and baked potatoes
Monday -Italian Wedding soup, bread sticks
Tuesday -Tacos
Wednesday - Spaghetti
Thursday - pork shoulder w/tomatoes
Friday -pizza
Saturday -burgers

Needlework
meh

Other
Monday - Sub Williams
Thursday - Daniel dentist
Friday - Daniel Cubs
Friday - Daniel birthday

Yesterday

2011-03-02T06:49:00.003-05:00

2011-02-27T08:50:00.000-05:00

Last Week

Needlework
~~find and prepare backing for raffle quilt~~
layer and quilt at least one top (Jill or raffle)
Start a lace project.

Other
Monday - Gym
Tuesday - kids to dentist
Wednesday - Senior class BINGO fundraiser
Friday - Monday - pick up ACS daffodil orders
get taxes done
~~All week - Feb vacation!~~

Vacation for them, mine comes next week when everyone goes back to school. ;o) I got nothing done, not quilting, not knitting, shoot most days it was a struggle to get motivated to get dressed!

Next Week

Dinner Menu - Feb 27 - March 19

Sunday - Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes
Monday - Cheddar broccoli soup
Tuesday - Quiche and spinach salad
Wednesday - Spaghetti & meatballs
Thursday - BBQ beef sandwiches
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - quesadillas
Sunday - Pot Roast
Monday - Beef Barley Soup
Tuesday - Pancakes
Wednesday - ravioli
Thursday - take out
Friday - stromboli
Saturday - Talent Show

Needlework
layer and quilt at least one top (Jill or raffle)
prepare second quilt to finish
Start a lace project.

Other
Monday - Gym
Monday - Town Meeting
Tuesday - Sub Foley a.m.
Tuesday - Tori orthodontist
Friday - Sub Foley all day
get taxes done

Started and started

2011-02-24T07:59:00.002-05:00

I have the baby quilt layered, and the raffle quilt backing ready to be put together. Darn "44inch" wide fabric that's barely 40! I'll get the one done today, and the other ready to do next week. As much as I like to believe no school means less running around and so more free time, the opposite is actually true. Even if I don't need to go anywhere/do anything, someone needs my attention or space, and sigh... So I'll wait on that bigger one until I have the luxury of time and space to spread out.

We're expecting yet another snow storm tomorrow. It's coming across the south, DC, Philadelphia, NYC I think, so my fingers are crossed it'll spare us the huge dump that it might bring. We haven't had much luck with that lately though, so I'll make sure the tractor's gassed up and the car's in the garage. And If I have to spend the day binding, well, there are worse things...

Double Stuf'd

2011-02-23T08:52:00.000-05:00

Borders? No thank you.

2011-02-22T09:15:00.003-05:00

I've had some suggestion that to make the raffle quilt bigger, I should add some wide borders. I don't necessarily *want* to make it bigger, and I *know* I don't want to add some wide borders, just to make it bigger. I think I've finally figured out why I don't (usually) do borders.

I saw a picture today on Flickr of what I believed was a gorgeous pieced quilt. And truly, it was gorgeous, and it was pieced. The first picture showed the top of the bed but it was obvious the quilt went over the sides. The next picture showed the side of the bed - fourteen inched of beautiful, unpieced fabric. I liked the fabric, don't get me wrong, but it just felt as though the wide unpieced border did a huge disservice to all the effort that had gone into the top. Sure, it's the side of the bed - heck, it might even go down the wall and no one will ever see it, but in almost every case, a border that's just fabric, to me, looks like a cop out. I've looked on the web for a shareable photo but decided against it - this is just my opinion. You know what I'm talking about without me critiquing someone's hard work. It was just a wee spark of epiphany on this cold morning and I thought I'd share.

It's still stupid cold out - it's up to 9º now even with brilliant sunshine. I've vacuumed and run the dishwasher, I've done two loads of laundry and changed the sheets. Maybe I'll get Jill's quilt layered and quilted today. Hmmm I wonder if I have any spray baste?

Busted, but not broken

2011-02-21T21:37:00.002-05:00

Please excuse the dry skin, I should have slapped some Curel on first.

2 weeks ago, I cut my finger sharpening a knife. It bled, a lot, and I probably should have got some stitches but I was home, carless, and didn't want to trail blood all the way up the street to the doctors' office. A butterfly bandage and some guaze and tape, fixed me right up. or so I thought. It took almost two weeks to close and stay closed, and then earlier today I banged it. I think I've damage the nerve or something now. It doesn't hurt, and it does mostly straighten out eventually, but for right now, in order to point right, I really only have to hold my hand upright. ;o)

Doing my sea monster shadow puppet just got way easier, though!

That change? Never mind...

2011-02-20T10:16:00.006-05:00

It's f-f-freezing again! After getting into the 50s on Monday and Tuesday, it's down to the teens or even single digits again. I guess it is still February after all.

Last Week

Needlework
find and prepare backing for raffle quilt
~~finish Jill's quilt top~~

Other
Monday - Gym
Monday - Coffee w/ Tracy re: ACS Daffodil Days
Tuesday - meet with Rebecca re: VUES fundraiser
Tuesday - Property taxes due
Tuesday - Daniel ASEP
Wednesday - Hair appointment 11:00
Saturday - Cubs Blue and Gold breakfast
Next week - Feb vacation!

Look, another top done! Jill's grandbaby's top - 36" square, and colorful, just what she wanted (I hope.) It's not due until April, I think, baby's due in May. But done is good, so done it shall be. With no school this week, I'll get the raffle quilt at least layered, maybe quilted as well. It needs to be done soon - the show is 3 weeks from yesterday.

After these two, I'll move on to Simon's, I think. I'd like to have it finished in time to enter it into the County Fair in August. That means getting it pieced before school's out in June. I think That's reasonable. Snail's Trail in green; I hope I have that Too. Much. Green. out of my system now with all these bright things lately. I'm not feeling that way anymore so it should be good.

I was thinking last night I'd like to do some lace knitting again - I have plenty of yarn downstairs - even some lovely laceweight merino and alpaca. Tori's been working with huge needles and super chunky yarn to make herself a blanket to take to college in the fall. It's superfast, but those big stitches and thick needles hold no appeal for me. Even worsted seems too heavy.

Scott bought the family the ice cream maker attachment for my mixer for Valentine's Day. Yesterday we unpacked it and stuck the bowl out on the deck. It hasn't been above freezing, and is only 16º outside right now, so it should be sufficiently frozen, I suspect. I've never made ice cream before, but there's heavy cream in the fridge so I think we'll manage something. Can't wait!

Next Week

Dinner Menu - Feb 20 - March 12

Sunday - Garlic Chicken
Monday - chicken noodle soup
Tuesday - fried rice, egg rolls
Wednesday - BINGO night - deli sandwiches
Thursday - BBQ pork
Friday - calzones
Saturday - Mac & beef
Sunday - Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes
Monday - Cheddar broccoli soup
Tuesday - Quiche and spinach salad
Wednesday - Spaghetti & meatballs
Thursday - BBQ beef sandwiches
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - quesadillas
(Feb 19-27 subject to change - February vacation)

Needlework
find and prepare backing for raffle quilt
layer and quilt at least one top (Jill or raffle)
Start a lace project.

Other
Monday - Gym
Tuesday - kids to dentist
Wednesday - Senior class BINGO fundraiser
Friday - Monday - pick up ACS daffodil orders
get taxes done
All week - Feb vacation!

Hot Milk Cake

2011-02-18T06:34:00.003-05:00

My mom used to make this fairly often when I was quite a bit younger. Then she stopped making it, but I'm not sure why. When I asked her why, she said she didn't know either. She remembers making it, and she remembers not making it, but really couldn't come up with a reason why. Shame, it's just as good as I remember, and super easy.

Here's a link to the recipe I used. Just don't broil the coconut too long,

Fossil product all your crap's made of...

2011-02-16T06:46:00.003-05:00

Something's changing

2011-02-13T10:22:00.004-05:00

Last Week

Needlework
continue raffle quilt when fabric arrives
continue Jill's quilt

Other
Monday - Gym
Monday - Scott dentist
Tuesday - VUESCG
Tuesday - Daniel ASEP
Thursday - Scott wisdom tooth extraction
Schedule Dr, dentist appt, Staff Appreciation meeting.

There's a hint of spring in the air. Days are getting longer (it's still light at 5!) and a little warmer (it's almost 30º out right now!) Sugaring season will soon be upon us, then Easter, then spring! (Then mud) I've seen a couple of Cedar Waxwings already, and have noticed more birdsong when I go outside in the morning. Yeah! Also, we didn't get any plowable snow this week. Things are looking up.

So the raffle top is done, and I'll get Jill's g-baby top done this week as well. I went with the smaller size to preserve the symmetry. Maintaining that and making it bigger would have required 22 more blocks, and no. Just no. So there it is. I'll get it layered this week and then decide if I can afford the time to quilt it here, myself, or the $ to take it to Middlebury and use the long arm. Probably the first, though I haven't done the taxes yet. Another project for this week.

Now, to the menu. Hrm.. broccoli soup doesn't really seem very Valentines-y, does it? Maybe I'll revise that.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - Feb 6 - 19

Sunday - swedish meatballs, noodles
Monday - Cheese and Broccoli soup
Tuesday - omelets
Wednesday - Mac & cheese
Thursday - beef stew
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - tacos & nachos
Sunday - Garlic Chicken
Monday - chicken noodle soup
Tuesday - fried rice, egg rolls
Wednesday - BINGO night - mac and beef
Thursday - burgers
Friday - strombolli
Saturday - ribs

(Feb 19-27 subject to change - February vacation)

Needlework
find and prepare backing for raffle quilt
finish Jill's quilt top

Other
Monday - Gym
Monday - Coffee w/ Tracy re: ACS Daffodil Days
Tuesday - meet with Rebecca re: VUES fundraiser
Tuesday - Property taxes due
Tuesday - Daniel ASEP
Wednesday - Hair appointment 11:00
Saturday - Cubs Blue and Gold breakfast
Next week - Feb vacation!

Awkward?

2011-02-10T07:15:00.001-05:00

So, the side borders (there's another, and the picture is sideways) are cut long enough that I could add one more row of pieced blocks and black border, and make this quilt 42" x 72" instead of 42" x 62". But that yellow secondary pattern will be off. So my question is two-fold. Is a couch sized 62" long symmetrical quilt big enough? Or, would adding an extra row of blocks and unbalancing the symmetry of the be a better plan?

Hello Kitty! (a bobcat wandered through the other night)

2011-02-09T08:49:00.001-05:00

Sunday, Monday... whatever, it's snowing. again

2011-02-07T06:45:00.005-05:00

Last Week

Needlework
continue raffle quilt when fabric arrives - it hasn't arrived
~~Begin Jill's quilt~~

Other
Monday - Gym
Tuesday - Daniel ASEP
Wednesday - Groundhog Day!
Thursday - Tori orthodontist 8:40
Friday - Daniel Cubs
Schedule Dr, dentist appt, Staff Appreciation meeting.

It's been a very snowy winter. and dammit, it shows no sign of letting up. Don't get me wrong, I like winter, I like snow, but there's nowhere left to put it. We've had about 80" of snowfall this winter, and it's the beginning of February - there's still lots of time for some more great big dumps. Thankfully there was a thaw at the beginning of January, and that heavier snow on top compresses the stuff underneath, or we'd be driving through canyons - the cover is only about 30" right now.

Last week was Groundhog Day, and if I do say so myself, this might be my finest work yet. No, Tori did not eat it, but she did get to watch the rest of us enjoying it. We had so much snow Wednesday, she couldn't go anywhere. But look, no shadow!

Since I was waiting for the Kona to arrive to continue the raffle quilt, I got to work on Jill's. It's a little further than this, more pictures as it progresses further. This was just a tease I posted on Facebook. :o)

Now, I must go accomplish something. Or something. I did find my TurboTax discs without having to clean my desk (much.) Maybe I'll do that.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - Feb 6 - 19

Sunday - ribs!
Monday - Chili
Tuesday - Pork roast, scalloped potatoes
Wednesday - ravioli
Thursday - chicken pot pie
Friday - pizza
Saturday - burgers
Sunday - swedish meatballs, noodles
Monday - cheese and broccoli soup
Tuesday - Pancakes
Wednesday - Mac & cheese
Thursday - beef stew
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - tacos & nachos

Needlework
continue raffle quilt when fabric arrives
continue Jill's quilt

Other
Monday - Gym
Monday - Scott dentist
Tuesday - VUESCG
Tuesday - Daniel ASEP
Thursday - Scott wisdom tooth extraction
Schedule Dr, dentist appt, Staff Appreciation meeting.

Also, snow. More &^%$! snow.

Snow Day!

2011-02-02T12:33:00.000-05:00

Me30Ugh

2011-01-31T06:54:00.003-05:00

Have you seen the ads for P90X or is the internet really trying to tell me something. P90X stands for Power 90 Extreme, a 3 month diet and exercise regime that, according to the pictures I've seen, turn perfectly good bodies into chiseled marble. I don't want chiseled marble. Well, sure, I mean, I do, but I'd be happy with sculpted play-do at this point in my life.

So. 30 days from yesterday is March 1. For 30 days I will pay attention again, I will take my iron and calcium and eat my flax and oatmeal, and I'll bet in 30 days, I'll feel better. I'll go to the gym, I'll pass on Dunkin Donuts. 30 days. It's not too much to ask of myself, is it? Nah... and maybe when it's warm enough, I'll be able to comfortably do up the zipper on those cute skirts I bought on clearance last summer.

In a month, it'll be March

2011-01-30T07:50:00.004-05:00

Wow. That really doesn't seem so far away! Of course it's snowing and 16º right now, but there's hope.

Last Week

Needlework
~~continue raffle quilt~~

Other
Monday - Gym
Monday - In service
Tuesday - Sub Warner 1/2 day
Tuesday - Daniel field trip
Saturday - Tori winter ball

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm at a stall with the raffle top. No big deal. I pulled some scraps yesterday, bright tending toward girl colours, and will begin cutting perhaps today. I'm making a real effort to find some time to sew every day, and I like that things are getting done.

And speaking of getting done, about the middle of this month I decided there would be no spring cleaning this year. Instead, every weekend, another room gets a good top to toes cleaning. First off was the front hall and stairs up. It's not a big space, but it took about an hour and half. Every corner got vacuumed, every inch of wall, ceiling, baseboard got dusted and all the clutter got moved elsewhere. Last weekend was the living room (2 hours) and yesterday the kitchen. Next week it's either the mudroom or (gasp) my desk area. I think the mudroom. Cleaning my desk is a project that, frankly, terrifies me.

So, it's warmed up to 20º. I need to get dressed and walk up to the drugstore, then I have to try and find my TurboTax discs. Maybe I *should* clean my desk this week. We'll see.

Next Week

Dinner Menu - January 23 - February 5

Sunday - Beef Stew
Monday - Sausage & white bean soup
Tuesday - Mac & cheese
Wednesday - Groundhog Day! Meatloaf, mashed potatoes
Thursday - spaghetti
Friday - stromboli
Saturday - pigs in blankets
Sunday -Pork roast
Monday - cheese and broccoli soup
Tuesday - Pancakes
Wednesday - Mac & Beef
Thursday - Chicken Pot Pie
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - burgers

Needlework
continue raffle quilt when fabric arrives
Begin Jill's quilt

Other
Monday - Gym
Tuesday - Daniel ASEP
Wednesday - Groundhog Day!
Thursday - Tori orthodontist 8:40
Friday - Daniel Cubs
Schedule Dr, dentist appt, Staff Appreciation meeting.

aaaaaand pause.

2011-01-29T08:09:00.001-05:00

Oh dear. I set myself the task of getting all the 4 patch sub-units done this week. I did. And then some. All the sub units are done, all the blocks are done, and as much sashing as I could do is done. While I didn't run out of Kona black (remember that GREAT sale at Joann about 5 years ago?) I ran out length - I still have about a yard or so, but the piece I had wasn't long enough to cut the long strips. So I cut what I could, I ordered more, and now I wait.

So I'll start on Jill's ~~grand-baby~~ grand daughter! quilt while I wait. This is the general idea, only pinker. It'll be just 36" square, so quick and colourful. I'll go root around in the bins later today to see what I've got.

Unbelievable!

2011-01-26T19:19:00.002-05:00

2011-01-24T10:18:00.003-05:00

So, I could have been to the gym and back by now, but nah... I think I'll stay in until the polar bears leave.

That was at 8, now at 10:30ish, it's all the way up to -8º. Still not going out since I don't have to. I'll chase the vacuum around in a few minutes then get back to sewing. This will be a lazy day for sure.

Did ya miss me?

2011-01-23T12:08:00.003-05:00

Wee sabbatical there, I just needed a break. Must be the time of year - everything's slowing down, it seems like.

Last Week

Needlework
~~Begin raffle quilt~~

Other
Monday - Gym
Tuesday - PTO
Thursday - Sunday - Simon to DC
Saturday - 1/29 - Oma to Cuba

Yes, well, sorry 'bout that. Sometimes a pause is in order. We've had some snow, we've had some cold. We'll have more of both before spring. (Tonight, in fact, it's supposed to go down to -25º or so.) The kids have an inservice day Monday, so there really will be no need to venture out into the Arctic. Soup and breadsticks for supper, perfect.

I have been sewing (aiming for daily) on the raffle quilt, and have decided that the original plan wasn't quite on target. This is. Much better, but again with the sashing! I don't do sashing. But I guess I do. So, there it is, I'm almost halfway on the initial piecing. I'd like to get allof the 4patch sub-units done this week. Realistic? doubtful, but I'll try.

Jill's grand-baby to be will be a girl, so that quilt will lean pink rather than blue, and that's fine with me. I'll start that one when this one gets into the final stages.

What else? Simon went to DC last weekend, came back with more money than he left with (he found a penny) and exactly ONE picture. Of $10,000 (they went to the Bureau of Engraving.) Funny boy. Tori would have come back with an extra suitcase full of stuff and a camera full of adventures. I guess the rest of us will have to go in order to see the sights.

I've been keeping up with my resolution to get rid of things - something gets the heave (gentle or otherwise) every day. I guess Thursday I could have taken a picture of Scott's car - earlier this month the dealer bought it back in trade for a new one in the spring, but only got around to collecting it this week. I guess a toy car with no snow tires and a zippy engine requires just the right weather to make the 45 minute trip in to town. Thursday (once the snow stopped and the roads got cleared) was it. Makes my plowing life 100 times easier.

Tori's working on birthday cakes in the kitchen - as soon as she's cleaned up, I think I'll move in and start sewing (she's in my spooooooooot!)

Next Week

Dinner Menu - January 23 - February 5

Sunday -Ham, scalloped potatoes
Monday - potato bacon soup, pretzel breadsticks
Tuesday - fried rice, sweet & sour chicken
Wednesday - Sausage Fusilli
Thursday - French Dip sandwiches, shoestring potatoes
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Mac & Cheese
Sunday - Beef Stew
Monday - Sausage & white bean soup
Tuesday - breakfast
Wednesday - Groundhog Day! Meatloaf, mashed potatoes
Thursday - spaghetti
Friday - stromboli
Saturday - pigs in blankets

Needlework
continue raffle quilt

Other
Monday - Gym
Monday - In service
Tuesday - Sub Warner 1/2 day
Tuesday - Daniel field trip
Saturday - Tori winter ball

Look out, Mr. Gumpy!

2011-01-19T06:20:00.002-05:00

Mr. Gumpy?