Doing The Weekly Blog!

Hi Folks.
Have a bit of free time tonight so decided to post early this week. Lovely weather in our fair city and signs of Fall are in the air. Nate stopped by about 5:00 this afternoon to pick up something he'd seen in the storage shed - I had no idea those things were even there. Turns out he wanted brackets to screw into a flat bed trailer to use as tie-downs for motorcycles. The local ABATE group is having a float in the Fall Festival Parade tomorrow and the float will have an assortment of bikes on it. Of course the building of the float requires a full force of helpers, food and other liquid refreshments. He invited us over to eat so we went and had great food (any food I don't have to fix is great) and enjoyed chatting with some of the people there. Pictures below are of the fellows starting to work on the float.

The first two bikes ride over the truck cab area, are loaded - along with a flag flying in the breeze!

This bike is from Europe - a Triumph - a very expensive bike - Nate quoted their value and it's about what we paid for our house 35 years ago! Scary, isn't it?

I think this is a Triumph, too. Hopefully you can click on the photo it will enlarge and you can read the plate. I did look at it closely but forgot now!

This was one of three Cushman bikes that were there - think I heard someone say this is a 64 model! Oh - boys and their toys, eh?

Friend and I were in Batesville for doctor appts. and lunch, and then she wanted to look for a kennel on a side street in Oldenburg - we made a wrong turn and pulled into a driveway to turn around. There was a triple car garage with a big FOR SALE sign propped against a car - I could see it was an oldie by the grill. Just then a man walked out and I asked what was behind the sign and he said a 64 Dodge Station Wagon - I spied wood on the side and asked it if was a "woody" and he said it was. He tried to get me to take it home but I said "not today, thanks."

There is a really neat shop between Batesville and Oldenburg - called Dotty's Bulk Food Basket. This shop has every kind of spice, candy, coffee, soup mixes (that almost taste like Mom used to make). nuts - and you name it, they have it. You can buy a basket and fill it with goodies - make lovely b'day gifts - or a hostess gift - or a C'mas gift. Stop in to visit them - address is 394 Northside Drive - Batesville. It's in a small strip mall between the two towns.

Now onto the "softer" things in life. I pieced this maple leaves piece a couple of months ago and lost it in a stack of leftovers from other projects. I decided it was time to finish it up so I machine quilted it, bound it and called it done! It is up at the beauty salon in my little boutique!

And this morning I finished this bag - it turned out so cute I hated to take it up to the shop - but goodness knows - I don't need another bag! I plan to make at least one more to take up there.

And I can't end this post without special b'day wishes to Paul - Happy 16th birthday. It is also the anniversary of the day I bought my car - 15 years ago!

Till next week - - have a good one!

The Week at the Weckops

We had a quiet week but did do a bit of running. We are enjoying the fall temperatures, corn is drying in the field out back and trees are beginning to turn yellow; grass needs mowing less often, too.

Chet enjoyed his day out with the motorcyclists last Saturday. They had 58 bikes and 74 riders. The profits amounted to about $2,500 - this will be used for Santa's Cause. Families who don't qualify for other assistance at the holidays are considered to be recipients. The group has done this for four or five years now.

I'm keeping up on Facebook with some of the grandchildren - at first I was sort of annoyed with it but now I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

Tuesday morning I had a phone call asking to help a friend help a friend. My friend tends to her sister-in-law who is 94 years old and lives in an assisted living facility. This gal fell and needed to go for an x-ray, my friend drives a van and it is difficult to get in and out of so I helped out. Poor gal was in such pain and later found out she was badly bruised, nothing was broken. Thank goodness.

On Thursday I was invited to ride along to Columbus on a shopping trip and of course I'm not about to turn down a shopping trip! I wanted to pick up a new supply of sweatsuits and found three sets. Also stopped at JoAnn Fabric where I bought some "sewing staples" - muslin, weavers cloth, fall print fabric and a winter print fabric. I am making things to take to the beauty salon for my little boutique corner. Pictures below of the fall table runner and the redwork wall hanging.

I think this redwork piece is so cute - the sashings and borders are a small red and green plaid. I plan to do a few more for the holidays.

The coming week should be calm - only an appointment with my eye doctor! I'm not looking forward to that.

Pajama time for me - have a good week. Bye now.

Bikers - Redwork - This + That

Good Sunday Morning Friends and Relatives

and anyone else who stumbles across my blog!

(Just a bit of levity!)

We are having lovely fall weather and a bit of rain this morning!

Yesterday the local ABATE chapter had a bike run to raise funds for Santa's Cause. The money raised goes to families who fall between the cracks of the other organizations here in the county. The organizations do work together and cross references family names and needs in hopes of no one being overlooked or someone "double dipping." Chet rides with the gal in the 'chase truck' - driver is a woman named Gypsy! This is his third year to do it but it may be the last year because he has such a hard time getting in and out of trucks and needs assistance along the way. We arrived too early and the bikers were just starting to come in and register. The pictures I've posted were taken about 11:00 and the group was to leave at Noon.

Nate - Chet - Deanie


The Fire Department sent a truck to lead them to the city limits. Most towns have a police escort but local department isn't keen on bikers! One year the Sheriff Department had a car lead them!

Mark didn't go on the ride this year - he is spending the long weekend with friends on the Ohio River, in a houseboat. There is a group from this area that meets for this event. They tie up somewhere near Cincinnati and watch a great display of fireworks and I won't mention the partying that goes on!

We've had a few phone visits with Tracy this month - she's on the go all the time. Anna Grace is a real chatter! She speaks very fast and with her southern accent, difficult to understand!

Amanda wrote a letter to tell us about her college life! Sounds like she's keeping quite busy and enjoying everything about it. I wonder how the family is doing - imagine Paul is glad to be an only child - even if it's only part time! Amanda has a birthday tomorrow (the 7th) and Paul celebrates on the 17th. J.D. and Jonathan have birthdays at the end of the month.

FROM MY SEWING CORNER:

I did finish the 120 blocks needed for my Split 9 Patch quilt - I posted photos in last weeks blog of a few of these blocks. I set a goal of ten blocks a day. I had to stop and cut more squares and cut and sew more half-square triangle blocks - I didn't want a bunch of them laying around when I finished this project. It was extra time consuming to do it that way but I didn't want odds and ends laying around! The last 30 blocks were stitched up yesterday.

This morning I decided to take another look and have a go at my redwork embroidery designs. I began laying out a few of the blocks and trying to come up with a small wall hanging - photo below. Now remember, this is in the planning stage!

The pictures below are of a few more blocks I've stitched out. Blocks below have been stitched with batting on the bottom and the blocks above are just one layer of fabric. I think those with batting have the stitching more defined. It will be a while till I get back to stitching these.

Lunch time and then nap time - till next week - bye now.

Early Post This Week

I'm posting early this week in hopes that someone will have a laptop at the family gathering tomorrow (Jayson and Cyndi's wedding) and share these photos with the brothers and sisters who don't have a computer. We will miss being with all of you and wish the newlyweds well.

Isn't the 'Dwarf Red Crepe Myrtle' growing beautifully? It sure makes a difference out in front. Thanks to Mark and his friend Shawn for landscaping! The 'grass' we planted is slowly growing - next year it should be taller and fuller!

Chet has gone to the casino with the people across the street today. We have a deal - I get to share any winnings but losses are his own! Of course he doesn't go for that at all. I have absolutely no desire to go with them and bless their hearts, they keep asking!

Checked in with all the kids and they're all doing okay. Nate continues to work 12 hour days - 6 days a week! Mark is putting in extra time, too. G'kids are all back in school except for Paul - Wisconsin doesn't start classes till after Labor Day. He will continue to work at the Green Bay Packer shop during school. Amanda is playing tennis at school. Anna Grace is in Color Guard and is looking forward to the first performance at a game tonight!

Interesting - - Mark called and said he had a request. . . so, okay I asked what isit? And he said Sharon wants some Minnesota Hot Dish. Now you may remember Sharon? Yes - she and Mark will be here for lunch on Wednesday. (We're not telling Nate!)

This week I managed to finish three projects: in spite of the warmer temps I got the binding stitched to the back side of the quilt by hand! There's another larger quilt waiting for the same finishing touch! I also finished the two small quilts. The Log Cabin measures 13 1/2 x 18" and the Scotty Dogs measure 15 1/2 x 22". These are challenge quilts for the Small Quilt Talks, a Yahoo group.

This morning I sat down with boxes and bags of "cuttings" - left overs from previous projects. I trimmed strips and squares and decided to start another "multi fabric" quilt using up some of the scraps! I opted to do the Split 9 Patch quilt. I've made two of them before but gave both of them away - they are in Mississippi and Louisiana. The picture below shows stacks of light, dark and half square triangles. The blocks measure 6" finished and so I'll need a lot of them - but not to worry - I'm sure I have enough fabric for a good size quilt!

Till next time - bye now!

Having a Bad Day!

My day began at 4:30 this morning. . . woke up to use the bathroom and my feet hit the cold floor and that was it for me! Truly, I did try to go back to sleep; after laying in bed for about an hour I decided to get up and do my thing. Switched on the coffee pot and took my meds. Flipped channels on the TV for a while and found Cash In The Attic on BBC. Not sleepy in the least bit I just decided to get up and work on my sewing projects. I belong to a Yahoo Group called Small Quilts Talk. Challenges are issued periodically and I'd not done one in a long time. I did pull fabrics and fixed up a kit for a Scottie Dog quilt and I worked on it a bit yesterday so kept working on it this morning. I blanket stitched the Scotties to the background square and used scraps of water soluble stabilizer I had laying around - added sashing strips between the blocks and accidentally pressed on that water soluble stabilizer - a real no-no! However, I was able to salvage the project by soaking it in cool water for a while - it is drying now and waiting for the outer borders. . . it is so cute! Another challenge just issued is a small log cabin quilt and I'd cut strips for that yesterday so I decided to do those too this morning - picture is posted. I'm not sure I if I will add outer borders.

Friday and Saturday I embroidered free standing ornaments: Angels, stars, ornaments and doves. Photo below. I will add ribbon for ties. These will be taken to the beauty salon for my little boutique.

Another project in progress is a snowman embroidered "redwork" quilt. I saw one last year at a quilt shop and fell in love with it. I will not be making a quilt using all the designs but plan to do several smaller wall hangings - also going to the boutique. All of these things are made from fabric in my stash! Ah - so much I want to do and so little time! (I refuse to give up my naps!) I suppose I'd best mention the family! Spoke with Tracy & Anna Grace one night this week. Anna says school is a bit hard this year - she's in 4th grade. I think Mitch and family are or were on a vacation - California. (Found that out on Facebook when Amanda posted from there.) Nate is still working the 12 hour days, six days a week. J.D. spent a few days in town - slept here during the day and partied all night! His classes begin next week. Mark is working and continues his "party-hearty" life style. (Also info from Facebook.) Chet is still here, too. He just struggles with the littlest things - 'somehow' the sliding screen patio door got derailed!

Our new landscaping is looking great - so many flowers on them now. Perhaps a photo next week!

Time to find something for lunch and get back to my Scotty Dog project.

Till next week - take care!

P.S. We're having delightful Fall weather!

Mid August - Summer Heat 

Oh dear - I hate to complain about the weather and I won't say anything - except it's hot and humid and miserable! 

Busy week here with appointments - it seems to be the time of year to make sure bodies are running as smoothly as possible!  And they are!  I do have to go have a picture of "the girls" taken the end of the week. 

The kids are doing fine - Nate is back to work - six days a week, 12 hour days!  Mark is putting in his usual time.  No updates on the other two so am assuming all's well there!

I did a Facebook Page for myself a few weeks ago - at first I found it to be a bit aggravating.  But the past week I've heard from several former students, two are daughters of one of the principals I worked with.  Such a delight to see how they've become young ladies.  Another gal I had in a Sunday School class also contacted me - she's in Las Vegas - I think she teaches school.  So I am enjoying it after all. 

Thursday Chet and I went to Rushville to pick up two quilts from the long arm quitter gal!  Friday night I sewed bindings to the front of both of them - will wait for cooler temps to stitch binding to the backs.  Even with the air on it's too warm to have a quilt in your lap.  Saturday morning I put together the blocks I showed last week.   This is a picture of a fourth of the quilt top.  It has a kind of soft, pastel look! 

  Next I'd like to do some table runners using fall colors and maybe something Christmas like.  I wanted to do some embroidered angels, doves, snowflakes and stars today but have no water soluble stabilizer in the house.  Guess I need to start making lists for my quilt store shopping, too.

Chet's home and ready for lunch - till next week - bye now.  Have a good week.

Heat & Humidity Have Arrived

We are experiencing temps in the mid 90's this week and the humidity is high, too. Chet even turned the AC on this morning - I was surprised. We've not had to run it but two or three days so far this year! Last Tuesday we were almost flooded out here. The back 1/3 of our yard was under water - river like in the street in front of the house. Fortunately, we didn't have any damage but there was a lot of damage around town. Interstate and state highways were closed for some time! We had a quiet week - Mark popped in a couple of times but no sign of anyone else.

Nate has gone back to work - not sure how long that will last! Mark said quite a few people were "let go" at his plant - no forewarning for those people!

I see by Facebook that Tracy & Family adopted a dog - looks like a big dude! Also on Facebook Amanda talks about how she's working at the swimming pool in a hotel and also a park. She will be off to college soon. School here in town start the 18th! Kids in the neighborhood are growing up so it's been rather quiet this summer.

Chet and I went out for breakfast this morning - Waffle House - I was recognized by the waitress as "the lady in the office at her school!" This happens often - and I wonder if maybe I caught that person skipping and perhaps they are doing something nasty to my order!

We had our first sweet corn of the season last evening - our neighbor has relatives that farm and put in large gardens. Gary came home with enough corn for three families in the neighborhood - isn't that nice!

Went into the photo archives and brought up this "wonky log cabin" top - it is now finished - looks great! I have two tops at the long arm quilter now and expect a call any day to tell me they're finished. I need to put something together so I have another top to take to her when I pick these up.

The next picture is a stack of blocks I've been working on this week. A gal in the Fabric Stash Chat room made one and shared the block pattern with us. I have 36" finished and ready to set together. The finished size of the quilt will be 72" square. . . a nice napping size. Of course all fabric is from the stash! And I'm proud to say the stash is getting smaller! I doubt I'll get it all sewn up before I leave this earth! No one can say I didn't try!

Off to try and straighten up my sewing area - sewing is so very messy - I call it "creative clutter" but few other people agree!

Till next week - stay well and cool.