I Like Thursdays: December 30, 2021

 

It's "I like Thursdays" and time to publish happy thoughts into the blogosphere!  Hosted by Lee Anna, be sure to check in with the other bloggers to see what they are grateful for this week by visiting Lee Anna here.  What are you grateful for this week?

I'm happy we made it through the holiday without incident or additional illness.  I had cancelled Christmas due to Mom's situation but I was grateful I did.  

Mom is still on the mend but tires easily.  It will be a while until she feels like her old self.  Our youngest child has Covid now but is recovering and doing better.  He was grateful to be vaccinated.  Thankfully, everyone is staying clear of Mom so she doesn't catch anything.  

Scout is doing better and can now take walks!  

Brad and I spend our days taking care of Mom and also walking dogs.  We saw the neighborhood fox one afternoon.  Sorry the photo was blurred by Scout--oblivious to the presence of the fox--wanted to smell under a bush and kept nudging me.

It's always fun to see the heron when we walk and it continues to surprise us that the dogs don't spot the heron either.  He must blend in somehow.

We are grateful we didn't get the snow/sleet that was predicted this week.  I was sure we would when I saw this sunrise the other morning.  When I went out for the newspaper, I was actually startled by the color:

I enjoyed this video over the holiday.  Andrea Love did all the needle felting and the animation.  What a great artist!

I didn't finish all the projects I had hoped for this year but here are some of the quilts I did finish:

The quilts fly out of here as quickly as I finish them.  Last week I finished the final quilt for 2022.  I made it for my neighbor Dave who was a Vietnam Vet and once told me a story about a quilt his grandmother made him when he was 11 years old.  He loved that quilt so much and took it on all his travels for the next 40 years until it fell apart.  This was just a top I had partially assembled with scraps but I finished it for him and he loved his quilt!

Wishing you all the safest and happiest New Year!

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas to you!!!

I Like Thursdays: December 23, 2021

 Well today is "I like Thursdays" and time to celebrate positive things on our blogs!  Hosted by Lee Anna, visit her and the other blogs if you need a pick-me-up!

Well I like that there is 87 days until Spring! I figure if merchants and television shows can begin celebrating Christmas in September, we can all look forward to warmer days ahead now!

Everyone seems to need a pick-me-up this year.  I'm spending my free moments dreaming not just of my garden but of quilts I want to make in the new year.  I have a whole list of "pipeline projects" started and it makes me happy to think of what I can accomplish in 2022!  Do you have any special projects you want to tackle?

I like my husband and how he can make me laugh.  I like my neighbors who also make me laugh.  During these cold days, we seem to be telephoning each other more and being silly when we can!

I love The Brokenwood Mysteries which I've watched on Acorn TV.  I am so happy that I found a DVD packet of 6 seasons to get for my Mom for Christmas.  Mom spent some time in New Zealand where the show is set and I think she will love this series.  It's like our UK mystery shows but with quirky characters that somehow remind me of Northern Exposure in it's heyday.  I heartily recommend it!

And speaking of great television, All Creatures Great and Small is returning in January to PBS and the Call the Midwives Christmas special is coming up!

It's always good when your pet is getting better!  Miss Scout's leg is healing nicely but she is now recovering from a tooth extraction she had done yesterday.  While she was under, the vet did an x-ray and her leg shows no sign of a break.  The reason she had to have a tooth pulled was that she had a crack in her tooth (new dog ailment to me) which may have been from screwing around with Kerry when they play.  Anyway, she remains on R and R for the next 14 days.  She's still pretty out of it but did take a short walk around the block with me today.

I'm wishing you a very safe Christmas!  Have a weekend of joy and peace!

To-Do-Tuesday: December 21, 2021

 Happy "To-Do-Tuesday!" We list our goals for the week which is now sponsored by Texas Quilt Gal.  Please join or visit the blogs here.

I wasn't sure how much I could accomplish while Mom is recuperating and hadn't posted for weeks.  I did manage to sneak in some sewing time and finish two baby tops.  I have two more to do (the blocks are below) but I'm putting them both on hold.

  I'm just not sure what to sash them with or if I have enough fabric.  I'll tackle them after the holidays.

Scout injured her hip or upper leg.  We don't know how it happened.  She began limping and was very uncomfortable Sunday night.  Our vet did take a look at it yesterday.  He agreed she had bruised the area somehow and she is on anti-inflammatories and rest.  Fortunately she was already scheduled for a teeth cleaning tomorrow (Wednesday) and if her leg isn't doing any better, he will X-ray it while she is under anesthesia.  This morning she is moving better (she spent all of yesterday sleeping).

Still, we know that when the pup is feeling better, we have to be even more vigilant that she doesn't re-injure it.  It will remain a quiet week for Scout.  I won't be going to the second floor to sew since she follows me everywhere and is not allowed to do steps. 

So this week is the perfect week to stay on the first floor as I have Christmas prep to do.  Also I have a quilt to bind for my neighbor and I always do that on the first floor.

To-Do List:

1- Continue to care for Mom.  Scout isn't allowed over there since Kerry is too rough.

2-Make Christmas food (it can all be made ahead of time) for my Mom and husband.

3-Bake Christmas cookies.

4-Bind quilt.

Have a safe and happy holiday dear friends!

I like Thursdays: December 16, 2021

 I'm finally able to write an "I Like Thursdays" post!   Today is a day we share gratitude and goodness on the internet.  Be sure to check out other inspiring posts at Lee Anna's blog here.

It's been a rough couple of weeks with Mom's complications from surgery.  My brother is also unwell and unable to share the burden the last few weeks but I'm grateful for the kindness of others.  First off, my husband has been here and been great.  He took vacation time to help with the dogs and lots of other day to day things.  

My best friends were always available to talk to but waited for my call instead of inundating me with texts and calls.  Even Terri, my machine quilter, helped out by delivering my quilt to my home even though it was  a 45 minute drive one way.  She refused to accept gas money and just did it out of the kindness of her heart.  I couldn't have made it without any of them.

 I like giving myself permission to breathe.  This year, that means no Christmas cards, no tree, no decorations, just taking time to gather my wits again.

I am taking time to sew again.  I finished and delivered the Danish Ribbons to the kids in the neighborhood yesterday.  

Now that Mom is safe at home, I'm enjoying frosty morning walks at the parks with Scout.

And oranges! They are in season again and so good!

There is always something to be grateful for--don't you agree?

There's still a lot of work to do for Mom but I'm managing.  I hope you are having a restful and happy holiday season!

Have a safe and happy day!

Updates

 Mom's been in the hospital since Tuesday night.  She had blood clots in both lungs and a leg.  Don't ask me why she wasn't sent home with blood thinners after the hip replacement and complications...I don't know.

It's a weird process.  Throughout this ordeal, her oxygen levels looked good when she was stationary.  We thought she might be coming home on Friday after 4 days on the blood thinners.  Yesterday was the first day they let Mom out of bed but when Physical Therapy walked her down the hall, she became breathless and shaky and well that ended the idea of her coming home yesterday.  

Her dog Kerry is staying with us right now.  We put Kerry in Scout's crate at night because she is used to sleeping in the crate and is young (and gets into trouble).  We put Kerry's bed in the crate and moved it into the living room near where Scout sleeps. Scout's crate pillows we kept where her crate usually goes.

 Scout's a bit annoyed that her crate is being used.  

So here is the PSA part of this post.  2 weeks ago when Mom was in the hospital, the staff was wearing the thin paper masks.  It was a different story Tuesday night.  Now the staff is double masked and often has additional filters in the mask.  It is a sober reminder that we all need to continue to mask.  

Please protect yourself during these scary days.  My brother and I are taking the precaution of double masking and limiting our visits to the hospital.  We and the rest of the family call her during the day to keep her entertained and her spirits are better.

The hospital is full of Covid and flu which was a big reason that the doctor and our family wanted Mom out of the hospital.  But she needs to be able to at least walk to the bathroom and until she can, she has to stay there.  

Dear friends, please stay safe!

Welll....

 I just got done writing yesterday that my mother was doing better.  Last night she was admitted back into the hospital with blood clots.

Anyway, I don't know when I'll be posting again but I wanted to post this photo of Christina's quilt before I forget.

Have a safe and happy day!

To-Do Tuesday: November 30, 2021

It's To-Do Tuesday!!!  

How did you all make it through the holiday?  

Did you have a wonderful weekend?

To-Do Tuesday is a day we blog our weekly goals.  We post our goals on Texas Quilt Gal's blog and it's a great way to get some inspiration for your quilting.  Visit her here!

I am finally getting back into the swing of things after 6 weeks of caring for my mother.  Mom is doing better and still requires a lot of care but at least I don't have to do the split shifts now.  Now I get to do 6 weeks of cleaning and finish clearing the garden.  It's a bit daunting all the things that need to be done these days.

Last week's goals:  

Sew the ring onto the Danish Ribbons--done but not as I intended.  The rings were so heavy that I had some challenges getting them on.  I ended up ordering and receiving curtain rings with clips on and I like this look so much better!  In a week or so, I'll tie on the treats to the ribbon before I give them to the kids.

Finish the blocks for the twins' baby quilts.  Done!

The charms were from a pack called Nana Mae II.  I looked at a variety of layouts but most wasted too much of the charm pack fabric (a main reason I don't like charm packs).  I do love the prints though, so soft and baby-ish!

I also finished binding Christina's quilt.  It was scraps and partial blocks from a quilt I was working on but she loved it and altered the design and--her design was much easier!  I'm just glad to get it finished.  I'll photograph that once we have better light.

Next week's goals:

1-Sash the twins' quilts.

2-Cut the fabric for the next two baby quilts!  Hopefully I'll have enough time to start the piecing!

What are you working on?

Have a safe and pleasant day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 I'm so grateful for all my blogging friends and wish you all a safe and happy holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To-Do-Tuesday: November 23, 2021

 Today is To-Do Tuesday and we share our goals for the coming week!  Hosted by Texas Quilt Gal,  visit her blog to be inspired by what our bloggers are doing! 

I only had one goal last week and that was to bind the Quilted Danish Ribbons I made for two of the children in my neighborhood.  Yeh!!! That is done!  

Next week's goals:

1-Sew the hanging ring on to the Danish Ribbons.  And...maybe some jingle bells as well 🔔

2-Finish the blocks for the twins' quilts.

That's it for me!  What are you working on?

Have a safe and happy day!

To-Do-Tuesday: November 16, 2021

 

To day is "To-Do-Tuesday" and we list our goals and share them at our hostess' website, Texas Quilt Gal!  Hit here for some inspiration!

I'm still caring for my Mom.  These days I do split shifts.  I'm up at her house at daybreak to do the morning shift and return every evening to do the bedtime routine.  My brother covers the afternoon shift.

Surprisingly, I got some sewing done last week.  I often sew when I'm stressed.  I got one set of blocks finished for one of the twin's baby quilts.  I also cut the fabric for the next set and will be able to assemble that soon.  

One of the surprise projects was this holiday gift which I'm making for two of the kids in my neighborhood.  We've always called them Danish Ribbons.  These are like an advent calendar.  In case you have young ones in your family and might need a surprise gift==I wrote about these extensively today on my Pennsylvania Piecemaker blog here.

So here is my big ol' to-do list which I'm keeping realistic and short:

1. Finish binding the Danish Ribbons.

Wishing you a safe and happy day!

Mom is coming home today!

 Well it's been three weeks that Mom has been in the hospital but the good but brief news is that she comes home today!  

I'm not participating in the To-Do-Tuesday this week because there will be so much work caring for her and her dog that I doubt I will get in any sewing.

Thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts!

Have a safe and happy day!

I Like Thursdays: November 4, 2021

 

It's time for our weekly, "I like Thursdays!" post.  Hosted by Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color, bloggers post good things and positive energy into the internet!

I like my brother's warped sense of humor.  He's staying at my mother's house with her dog and on Trick or Treat night, he knew he couldn't be opening the door too much because Kerry would try to escape.  So he put a big pumpkin with sign on the front porch and let kids help themselves.  He even decorated the pumpkin 😂😂😂

I like that my husband has taken so much vacation time during this time of my mother's ongoing recover.  Unfortunately he had to go back to work and needs to travel again on Monday.  I sure have appreciated his assistance though and tell him that all the time.  Mom is doing a little better and getting more rehab.  She might be coming home on Monday or Tuesday.  The real work will begin then. I should be dreading it but the way I look at, the sooner she is home, the sooner we get this all taken care of and put behind us.  I expect our lives to be back to normal by Christmas (hopefully).

I like new sewing inspirations!  The news of Maggie and Katie's pregnancy has put a spring in my sewing step!  I was at Joann's last week and although I don't need anymore fabric, I bought this fabric because I thought it was so cute.  Forgive the photo, it's so dark when we get up!

I need to make an additional quilt for my neighbor who just became a grandma as well.  She knits but doesn't quilt but loves quilts so I'll make one for her new baby as well!

I like silk long underwear!  I can't bear to have my legs cold and the cold weather has finally arrived here in Pennsylvania.  The "silks" as we call them, really help to keep me walking Scout!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

To-Do-Tuesday: November 2, 2021

 It's "To-Do-Tuesday" and time to post my goals for the week!  Our hostess is Texas Gal and be sure to visit her for more inspiration from bloggers!s

Last week's goals:

Finish Rowan's Quilt and deliver it:  Done!

Attach binding to Christina's Quilt:  Done!

Photograph quilts for 2021:  Not done!  Actually I forgot but it's high on my list for this week!

Next week's goals:

Bind Christina's quilt.  It probably won't get done this week but I'd like to work on it some more at night (if I don't fall asleep in my chair).

Photograph 2021 quilts.

Work on ideas and measurements of my fabric for the baby quilts needed.

Have a safe and happy week!

Happy Halloween!

 

Happy Halloween!

Have a great day!

I Like Thursdays: October 28, 2021

 Welcome to another edition of "I like Thursdays" hosted by Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color!  Join us to share positive news and visit other bloggers as well!

The best news of the week is I'm going to be a great-aunt again!  My niece Maggie is pregnant and due with a little girl in May.  Maggie has two stepchildren that we adore but we are gaga about having another baby in the family!  Her best friend (who we have known all her life) is also pregnant with twins!  Time to make baby quilts!  Yeehaw!

I find baby quilts freeing these days.  Not so long ago, I would inquire about the colors and theme of the nursery.  But now baby quilts aren't even used in the crib for the first year of life.  Often parents use the quilts to lay the baby on for tummy time or other activities in the main part of the house.  So I am just going to go with the flow and check out if I can make some quilts with fabric I already have in my stash.

Mom is still in the hospital but moving to a rehab today.

Today I'm grateful for what my kids used to call "the dreaded low voice."  They knew that when I used that voice they were in deep trouble and I meant business.

The most exhausting part Mom's situation is getting doctors to listen.  She's got an ongoing condition where the entrance to her stomach closes.  The orthopedic hospital wanted to release her even though she couldn't keep down food, couldn't void, and her bowels weren't functioning.  To compound the issue she had just received a hip replacement and has severe osteoporosis.  By Monday--when the hospital's entire phone service was out of order--I had enough.  I went to the hospital and requested she be moved to a regular hospital.  I was met with resistance by the attending physician who was sure that all her problems derived from the surgery and would be corrected (magically) with time.  At the end of her litany of rationalizations, I used the low voice:

"I want her transferred and I want her transferred today."

Yesterday a G.I. scope proved us right and her stomach entrance had to be stretched slightly (only a small amount can be done at a time).  She'll have another G.I. procedure in 3 months but can at least eat pureed food.

In the meantime, my brother and I are watching Kerry, Mom's dog.  She's been spending more time at our house and hte dogs are getting along a little better.  Kerry is always rooting through my pockets.  It's annoying but I ordered a toy that allows her to dig in the toy instead of in my pockets:

This little chipmunks and log toy has been keeping her very occupied!

I'm so grateful for all of you who have been keeping Mom and us in your prayers!  Many thanks!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

To Do Tuesday: October 26, 2021

 I'm never sure what I'll accomplish in a week and that is why I like to make lists--mental and written ones and that brings us to what I'm doing today...Joining up with the "To-Do-Tuesday" posts that are now being hosted by Texas Quilt Gal. 

Last week's goals:

 I finished my Sunbonnet Sue Halloween wall hanging.  Not a big project but fun!

I'm almost done binding Rowan's quilt!  I'll be glad to get this one done and delivered!

My to do list for next week:

Take photographs of quilts I have completed this year.

Finish Rowan's quilt.

Attach binding to Christina's quilt.

Mom's hip surgery went well but she developed complications and is now in a regular hospital again.  I'll be busy with her care for the next few weeks so I'm taking it easy on goals.

Have a safe and happy week!

I Like Thursdays: October 21, 2021

 Today is "I LikeThursdays" and time to post positive things on the internet!  Hosted by Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color, join us for today's pick-me-up!

I like the color of these mums at my front door.  For quite some time my husband and I have been debating as to what color we prefer to paint the front door.  I choose the color of these mums, it just pops!  I won't be able to paint until spring but I hope to get a similar paint color in the spring so I can add it to our door!

Butterflies in October!  The beginning of the week was quite chilly so it pleased me to see that the butterflies still visiting our garden!

Another signal of autumn, the geese arrived at the lake last week.  For a few days there were quite a few of them and then yesterday we noticed that the majority had embarked on their southern migration.

I like that my husband took vacation for the next week.  It's going to be a busy day so I'm off to get started.  Mom gets her hip replacement this morning and we are off to help with her dog and some other things.  Have a safe and happy day!

Tuesday's To Do List: October 19, 2021

 

It's been many months since I participated in "To-Do-Tuesdays" blogging.  As I wrote about last week, I was just having too many problems with my hands to commit to finishing projects in a timely manner.  The hands aren't cured but I'm willing to do a list--even if the list takes me longer to complete!

Link up to Texas Quilt Gal to see other fine projects that bloggers are completing!

One thing that is completed are my placemats for our guild's Meals on Wheels drive!  Some are holiday themed and others are not.

To-Do for the next week:

1. Bind Rowen's quilt.  He is the grandson of a neighbor and recently turned 2 years old.  I just started binding the quilt last night and work only 15 minutes a day to keep my hands from getting inflamed.  I know that this will probably take 2 weeks at this rate.

2. Finish my Sunbonnet Halloween wall hanging.  I've decided to machine bind this since it is just a small piece for our house.

This is all I can commit to right now.  My mother is having a hip replacement on Thursday and I know that caring for her will keep me very busy.

Have a safe and happy day!

I like Thursdays: October 14, 2021

 

Today we celebrate the good in life by participating in "I like Thursdays" sponsored by Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color!  Join us to share the good in the world!

My first like is pretty basic.  I like that I saw the hand doctor last week.  I wrote more extensively about this on my other blog but the long and short of it is I have tendonitis not arthritis.  With steroid injections and a bit of rest, I'm hoping to be back to normal soon!

I love my blog friends!  Then hand thing had me a bit blue because I'm not supposed to go overboard with the use of my hands right now.  I was fretting about finishing my placemats for our guild's community service project (placemats for Meals on Wheels seniors).  

And then magically, Diann at Little Penguin Quilts shared a great link for a tutorial (here) for machine binding  quilts.  I've tried machine binding before and didn't like the results but this process was different.  I gave it a whirl and it worked!  Thanks Diann for referring to that tutorial and thanks Sylvia for a great tutorial!  I tried it on Wednesday and found my first try wasn't perfect but it was acceptable!

I like that the days are cooler.  When it's warm out, I have a brief window of time in the sewing room before it's too hot to work in there.  Now I can sew in the afternoon!  It's great!

Glad to see "Call the Midwives" is back on pbs!  

Wishing you all a safe and pleasant weekend!

I like Thursdays: October 7, 2021

 It's Thursday and time to post the things that have made us happy, grateful, or positive this week!  Join the positive moment by visiting Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color!

This week I'm grateful that my sewing room is a mess.  All it means is that I'm getting things done as I continue to use up scrap fabric.  Speaking of sewing...

My Pfaff sewing machine is repaired and I just got it back!  I like my Featherweight but there's a lot it doesn't do as efficiently as the Pfaff.  Each year my guild collects placemats that we make for Meals on Wheels seniors.  It's a great way to use up scraps and I have a stack of placemats that I want to use the Pfaff to machine quilt!  

Plus I will finish a  little embroidery that I finished and will make into a wall hanging.  I've had this orange and green odd fabric scrap for years but I decided to use it up this year and made this little sunbonnet:

This week the weather has been warm but cloudy.  It's been pretty good walking weather and Scout and I have been enjoying a walk or two in the park each day!

Anyone who has done caregiving knows what a tough job it can be.  I'm so grateful for my brother Jim who shares the responsibility with me.  

My husband Brad is also a big help and often calms me when I am frustrated.  I'm grateful for the two of them and also my friends who are caring for their elderly parents too.  We exchange ideas, vent, and make each other laugh.

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend!