Challenge quilts completed!

I continue to rest my back which is still fragile.  The one thing I can do is bind quilts and fortunately, I had a stack all ready to go.  This past week I finished binding my challenge quilts.   

Every year our guild (like most) has a quilt challenge.  I love this year's theme, "Panel Play!"  Who doesn't have a panel or two (or more) in their stash that they should use up?    Both pieces are completed now and ready to take to the meeting in January.  This one used up some of my Mary Englebreit fabric and 1940s repro fabric:

Then there is this piece.  For the first time ever, there were puckers in the machine quilting.  It's a real disappointment that it's not "perfect" but will still make a good donation quilt.

I hope you have a good and happy day!

Happy St. Nicholas Day and other things we love: December 6, 2018

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

I like traditions--old and new--and one of our family's traditions is to honor St. Nicholas.  On December 5th, we would always put our shoes outside our bedroom door and couldn't wait to see the candy and small toys stuffed in them on the morning of the 6th.  I did this for my son until he went away to college.  When I got married, my stepsons moved in with us and even though they were teenagers, they loved this tradition too.  I'm posting this on the fifth of December just in case you want to put your shoes out too!

It's been a busy week.  My mom had a knee replacement on Monday and so far, is doing well.  We are hoping she will be moved to a rehab today because she lives alone.

Speaking of aches and pains, my back is officially out.  I started with terrible spasms last Friday and managed to get through until yesterday when my husband insisted on taking me to the doctor.  Even though I have a terrible knot spasming, there is good news too.  Doc Mitchell says there is no sign of nerve problems or herniated discs but that the spasm is visibly noticeable.  I'm on steroids and muscle relaxers so I should be good to go in a week or so.

The reason for the spasms?  Oh yeh Doc said it was this little one and her yanking:

"Look what I did!"

No walking until the back is better and yes, we registered for dog training classes that begin in January.

It was also a week of some sadness.  Some of you might remember Rudy, my late Mother-in-Law's dog that we fostered for a while many years ago.  No one in my husband's family liked or wanted Rudy.  He was old and everyone thought he was nasty except our family.  Unfortunately, my husband and I could not keep him because we had just lost Teddy and Seamus was not ready for another dog to join us.  

Our dear friend Barb adopted him officially and for years has been giving him the most wonderful home where he was loved by Barb, her daughter and son-in-law, and two wonderful little boys who ended up calling him "Uncle Rudy."  I cannot thank Barb and her family for loving Rudy so much.  His last years were truly happy.

Rest in Peace dear Rudy.

Have a safe and blessed week!

Keeping it simple and liking it: November 29, 2018

We are keeping it seasonal here this month and I'm wondering:  what is your favorite season?  My favorite season is Spring.  I've never liked Autumn or Winter and here is why:  

too much gray!!!

How is your week going?  Did you have a good Thanksgiving?  Ours was good but quiet.  My husband actually wasn't home until after the day so we celebrated on Friday with my Mom.  I cooked and kept it simple.  My husband had to travel out again on Sunday and I didn't want a lot of leftovers.

My Mother is having a knee replacement on Monday so this season is going to be minimalist at best.  I put up a little Christmas tree and decided I like it undecorated.

I also went with a winter theme for Nana's window.  I still haven't figured what (if any) I want to put around the wall hanging.

Are you a last minute shopper or do you prepare far in advance for the holidays?  I worked in retail as a side job for years while I was raising my son.  You can't get me near a shopping area after Thanksgiving!  The grandkids are 10 and 15 and we mostly give them cash anymore (who the heck knows what electronic gizmo they are using now?).  I did make them each a Christmas quilt.  Helena's is aqua snowflake fabric.  Her bedroom is aqua:

Miles' quilt is more traditional:

They are both quilted with snowflakes on as you can see on the back:

Scout is as entertaining as usual but she has become a handful lately.  Things I KNOW she knew she is ignoring and she is acting out more.  She has taken to rearranging the pillows on the couch and sleeping up there when she can:

She doesn't listen at all when other dogs are around and her yanking me has become so bad that I'm worried about my back.  Then--I was cooking Thanksgiving and found this on the floor:

I don't like traditional thimbles.  I never have and years ago found that thimble pads work perfectly for me.

This was my last pack and Scout had eaten everyone except the one that was stuck on my sewing box (I use one repeatedly until the adhesive wears off).  I scolded her and this is the look I get:

My cousin calls this the"Who me?" look.

I talked to friends and family and just as they thought, the thimble pads did not cause her to get ill.  I'm sure you can imagine how exasperated I was when I went to use my LAST THIMBLE PAD on Saturday and learned she had climbed up and stole that one too.  

"Thank you ,thank you very much."

Scout needs more training.  I think she is going through adolescence right now and that is why she is so challenging.  I've never had to take any of my normal poodles to be trained they always seemed happy to learn what we wanted.  

My husband says Scout is just happy-go-lucky and that is why she seems immune to learning.    I found one place with great reviews and it turns out that is where my friend's daughter is going with her dog (Thanks Barb!) so that is top priority for the new year.  

Be sure to check out my entertaining posts at LeeAnne's.  Have a good week!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

First snow of the season

"8 inches of snow."  That is what my neighbor said last night when he came over to shovel our front path in the early evening.  We had more through the night and traffic was a mess everywhere.  Even our lazy little street was a parking lot as drivers left the jammed main streets and tried to find alternate routes.

The snow began at noon and came down at a rate of an inch or two an hour.  It was pretty for a while and then we began to hear all the stranded stories.

The weirdest story had to be the camel that was spotted off one highway.  Apparently he was being transported to an event in Philly and when the trailer carrying him got stuck, the driver took him out to keep him safe.  Einstein (the camel) and his driver eventually turned around and returned to the animal refuge.

I think Einstein made national news last night :)

I worked on binding a Christmas quilt for my granddaughter and think I will stay in and sew today.  Hopefully the temperatures will rise and I'll be able to walk Scout later today or tomorrow.  She does enjoy the snow, but preferred to sleep most of the day away :)

Have a safe and happy day!

New Normals and Thinking Positvely: November 14, 2018

It rained again yesterday.  Frequent flooding has become part of our new normal.   A week or so ago, we got 4 inches (in one evening) and one of the high schools flooded out.  Trees are coming down willy nilly these days (even when it isn't raining) because the roots are so flooded and the soil is loose.  There are new ponds of flood puddles at the park:

And some paths never seem to dry out:

 Then there are the dreaded sinkholes which occur frequently in this area.

It's hard on Scout because she relies on a number of good walks to work off her energy.

There are a lot of changes that have occurred during the past year or so and there is no use complaining about things.  We re-adapt.   Before the stroke, Carol used to come down every evening and we would watch a variety of (often political) shows together.  She visits far less these days as she is getting three kinds of therapy to help her.  She still gets confused frequently and tires easily. 

 So we watch British Baking Show episodes together and then I walk her home (she lives two houses away).  It is really difficult for her because she is aware of all that she can't do yet and is frustrated.  We do both really love the Baking Show!  It ends the day on such a nice note!

We had snow squalls on Saturday and are expecting a real storm tomorrow.  From what I have observed over my 60 some years, snow in November has been a bad omen and means frequent snow storms through the winter.  I just hope I'm wrong with this prediction.

Scout and I still spend a lot of time in our local parks when the weather permits.  She enjoys visiting her dog friends and can't wait to get there in the morning! 

This year the trees barely turned color and some trees seem really confused like this one which blossomed lately; the flowers are still clinging to the trees!

On a sadder note, Swan Solo is missing from the park.  I haven't seen him in over a month and I'm afraid he has passed.  This swan has been living among the ducks and geese alone for years.  I really loved him and always wished he could have a mate.  

He's been here so long--heck our dog Paddie was still with us when he settled in the park and she passed in 2010.  But I read that swans can live up to 24-33 years.  

Eventually I will do a quilt tribute to Swan Solo.  I'd like to make a quilt where I give him lots of friends and a choice of mates but I'm a little too sad to take that on right now.  Hopefully, we will have a pair of swans move into the parks and be able to enjoy a happy couple!

In the meantime, we are still enjoying our local heron, Big Blue:

Are you thinking of preparing for Christmas yet?  I decided I had to focus on that now since my Mom is getting a knee replacement in December.  I'm trying to work on a totally gluten free menu so my husband can eat all that is on the buffet.

There is a Chinese proverb that states:  "the wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water moulds itself to the pitcher."  I have been thinking about that a lot this past week as I recognize so many changes that have occurred this past year.

I'm finding ways to create peace in my world.  Often I find doing simple things helps the most and so does structure.  I recently completed two rough drafts and am taking a break to sew, bake, and house clean.

I hope you are having a good week!  Don't forget to visit LeeAnne's blog Not Afraid of Color for positive posts!

I like Thursday: November 8, 2018

First of all I'm grateful that Democrats took the House of Representatives!! Yipppeee!  Today is I like Thursday and for more positive posts visit LeeAnne at Not Afraid of Color!

I like redecorating the house.  We've been here for 21 years and I haven't changed much.  I just ordered a new couch with this fabric. 

Ironically when we get it I'll put the couch cover back on because of Scout.  She loves sneaking a nap on our couch or bed.

Or anyone else's couch or bed for that fact:

 I was playing with my tablet and found these photo tricks I could use.  I liked this photo (Xray the setting is called) because it showed me how my bookshelves would look in white.  I like it and this will be my project after Christmas!

And if that wasn't enough, I am planning a total revamp and change of our front yard.  I love projects!

I hope you have a lovely day!

This:

It's November? How did that happen!!! November 1, 2018

I love this tree at the park.  It's difficult to photograph but it's been filled with robins when we go to the park.  I honestly have never seen so many robins in one place--nearly a dozen hang out in this tree eating the berries.  I wish I knew what the tree name was....

 I recently received my birthday present from my husband.  He never remembers the right date.  For years I've been buying more own birthday present and he is grateful that he doesn't have to go shopping.  I love this statue and when it went on sale, I chose this for my garden!

Speaking of the garden, it's been warm for a couple of days!  I'm doing the usual gardening work for fall.  I hate to prune the peegee hydrange tree but it blooms so much better when it gets a fall haircut.  Isn't it delightful?

Cosmos are still blooming:

 We haven't had many trees turn yet (very unusual for here) but we are enjoying what we can.  Hope you have a wonderful November 1!