A New Home...

for my blog!!  Please change your settings, your iGoogle Reader, your bookmarks to read me on WordPress.  

The address is:  http://jmquilts.wordpress.com/

My goal is to have fabric dyeing pictures up there by Wednesday.  Plus pictures from the weekend!  See you over there!  ;)

Not Patient....

K is home for the weekend.  

We are dyeing fabric in the basement.  

I'm not very patient as the fabric is dyeing.  

Making lunch (boneless pork chops on the grill, cauliflower)  

In my mind... tap, tap, tap.  

Finished Project!

My small redo/replace in the kitchen became a much bigger elephant as days passed!

I'll show the before, middle, and after. Not shown is the emptying and rearranging of cupboards, stripping wallpaper border, and repainting the kitchen. *sigh*

Before:
During:

We lived with a hot plate, microwave, and crock pot for 8 days.  

Eight days later......

All Done!!


And do you know how long it takes a SAHM to save for that kind of purchase?

About 4 years.

~whew!~

Interesting Pictures

  JP & Green - Green just gave himself a bath so had punk hair! 

Why do I have this big toadstool in my yard?  It is about 7" tall!

This mantid was on the west living room window yesterday.  Today when I was washing windows inside... he was still there!  He is alive.  

Soybean Plot and Work Accomplished

Friday's view

Phil and his gang combined the soybean plot on Friday.

I love the different colors each variety has once they mature.

I always bake treats for them but was in quandary without an oven. I ended up making cinnamon rolls and baking them at Elinor's.

By Saturday all our soybeans were finished! Yeah!

Molly just wanted to say Hi!

Phil & I both commented on getting all the beans done in one time... not switching back & forth between corn & beans. That doesn't happen many years... or ever in our memories.

The corn however, is still wet and green in some parts. Phil drilled some wheat on Saturday (into bean ground) but he needs some corn combined so he can get more wheat in before the crop insurance deadline.

So he is out doing a bit of corn today. Test strips here along the house also give them places to park wagons and turn around. It is 27% here and 31% at his Dad's. Ugh!

The corn reel to help with the downed corn isn't working right so they aren't using it yet.

This is a weird fall! Starting corn on October 13th and only because he needs to start? That is late!!

Times Two!

K met with her academic advisor yesterday and called to report. 

  

"Surprise Mom!  I'm a senior!"  

She has enough credits to graduate in May and then take a few classes in the summer to finish.  

So even though they are separated by

 

6 1/2 years 

and

5 grade levels

they are graduating from high school and college 

at the same time!!

Harvest Report

Phil started to combine soybeans on October 1st, a late start this year.   At this point, he is about 3/4 of the way finished with his beans.  Yields are on the low side - mid 40's - 50 bu an acre and then he hit a field that was even less.  Ugh!  He attributes some late season disease to the low yields and the very wet spring to the field that was even worse.  

Such is farming.

Yesterday we received 1 1/2" of rain so he is out of the field for several days.  Plenty of book work, plans for next year (input costs up significantly!), and pig work to catch up on. 

He is hoping to tackle the county plot by Friday. 

We Aren't Moving...

it just feels like it!

My carpenter  called yesterday and said his planned appearance next Saturday wasn't looking too good.   But with rain forecast for 3 days in the coming week and no inside jobs lined up on his regular job, he wondered if I would be upset if he calls some morning and comes that day.  

Not upset -- I'd be thrilled!! 

I have been cleaning, sorting, and unloading cabinets at a slow speed.  Today.... kicked it up a notch.  

Phil helped clear an area in the basement for us to put boxes of dishes and cabinet food.   JP help carry several loads.  I continue sorting and cleaning.  

Cabinets have been cleaned since we moved in 20 years ago but I put stuff in there that just sits.  Maybe I'm ready to turn over a new leaf.

For now... full of sneezes and getting tired!

Last Week's Auction

Last week my MIL (auction-attender-extraordinaire!) called to say her planned destination for Friday included a listing for 150 quilt books! She called to ask what she should look for!! haha!! It wasn't like she wanted my Library Thing list to see what I didn't have.

I said I'd see about rearranging JP's morning schedule and coming to join her.

I arrived about an hour after it had started and just about 5 minutes before they got to the designated and most desired hay rack. Sure enough.... there were about 8 boxes of quilt books. Full boxes.

One box had a few Carol Doak books & CD for paper piecing... but I already had those. But I eyed 2 other boxes I would like.

The bidding continued on the rack as they worked from the center out and more at the other end before they got to the books.

I was sorry I let a like-new Ott Lite go by... the bidding was furious as it roared to over $20. I don't know where I would have needed to take the bidding to win! I said (to explain to MIL) the bulb alone was worth over $30.

So they finally got to the books. I had nearly one whole box already on my shelf... those annual Quilt Show books from the 80's & 90's. Finally I got in on the bids.... $4 for my choice of box. I got a good box, books I like and none that I already had! Another box I would have liked went individually for near $30.

I'm cheap on these things. (Especially when I hadn't had much chance to scope it out.)

Must say...

When I got home, Phil asked me why I didn't buy them ALL!!

I got a few bids for $1 and netted some hand-pieced blocks. All of these blocks set me back just $2 total.

These various 9-patch blocks

There are 25 of these 9-patch blocks with red as the main fabric.

They aren't made very well. Here is the back of one to show the stitching and how frayed they are.

There are 20 of these lantern blocks. The edges are folded under and basted. Are they usually appliqued to a square then? They don't fit together.

Just 3 of these.

Six blocks that just beg for lots of pretty quilting.

One block together with a nice cone in the middle. ;) The rest of the pieces are cut. Maybe purchased in a kit already cut? Almost could be from a sheet. Or did they just use more blended fabrics then. Seem to be mid-70's. ???

Later once they had moved in the shed for selling of nicer items, they were selling a vinyl padded chair. Shorter than normal, I thought maybe it was for a vanity.

And then...

as the bidding started...

they lifted the seat and there....

revealed...


sewing notions!!!



Delight!! So the starting price kept dropping until it hit his lowest bid and I jumped!

One dollar!!

I got it!! I scooted it over to me, MIL came closer, and she told me I got a good deal!

Oh yeah!

I gave her a spool of cotton darning thread... mutual joke. She uses it! I.never.darn.socks!

Look at this loot!

I think I found 5 pairs of scissors, not the sharpest but most of them cut.

I love these plastic boxes that hold thread. Just like my mom's!

Love the little boxes with tiny spools of a floss of some sort.
See the metal tape measure? It goes in the leather pouch. How cute!!

I also got an oak chair that can be used at the kitchen table if we need an extra. And I also got a 1960 circa end table. Both cleaned up quite nice!

I scanned all my books when I got home and added them to my Library Thing list. Fourteen new books.

Day 2 - Anniversary Trip

(As usual, click the pictures to open them in a bigger format)

As much as I tried, I didn't sleep in on Sunday but Phil did until 8. (JP slept in too but that was OK, the pigs were still there when he got out for chores.)

Phil & I had a brunch buffet at a local restaurant and then at 11:30 headed to our "cruise". We took a 2+ hour boat ride on the Mississippi River.

After we had checked in & paid, we walked a bit along the river. It is really a nice park and along the walkway, they have marble signs telling some of the history of the river & area. (One read: "In times immemorial...." Wouldn't that be "times immortal"? I should have taken a picture of it for you... or Jay Leno... but that made me question a bit!)

This is an old railroad hotel that the local billionaire is restoring.
I'd love to stay there!!

I'm not very good at these self-portraits....

How's this?

We left from an island (didn't really realized it was an island until the Captain said so) just off of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The boat could hold 100 but there were only 25 of us on Sunday. Several sat out in the front, but we were inside where it wasn't quite as drafty. We were able to wander around in & out for better views.


Here we are getting our introduction and met our guide for the day, Captain Annie. Mississippi Explorer was our host.

It was cool (63') and cloudy so the breeze with the boat was chilly with my 2 shirts & a denim jacket.

Because this was advertised as a Fall Foliage Tour but the leaves were barely starting to turn, it became more of a Wildlife of the River Tour. Phil thinks he gets enough wildlife here at home and would have been more interested in the story & history of the barges and other boats on the river.

The railroad depot, now a bar & grill, and the railroad hotel from the boat.

Villa Louis

loading barges

Our first eagle sighting!!

And he landed, near another eagle. Annie said these were young ones yet, possibly born this year or last, as their color hadn't developed fully.

The best part for me was seeing many Bald Eagles! We think we saw at least 10!! I have only seen one in a zoo before so this was quite fun for me.

Captain Annie actually said it was good that it was cloudy & cool. If it had been warm & sunny there would have been more boats out disturbing the wildlife and the eagles would have been hiding in the shade.

This was on the bluff near our hotel but we could see it from the boat. (well cropped!)

And then....


PELICANS!! I really didn't expect to see pelicans!

We got this close to one.

Cropped shots:

A blue heron

Pikes Peak in Marquette, Iowa
(the first peak he named after himself)

Fall Foliage... not quite

And then we came upon this flock of pelicans! Annie would shut off the engine when we'd be near birds like this and just let us sit and watch them. We really thought they were moving around like they were going to fly off but they didn't.

Heading back, this is the Prairie du Chien bridge, smaller than the Lansing bridge.

After our cruise, we drove through town and I wandered quickly through a downtown fabric store. They are redoing the downtown streets & sidewalks with brick crosswalks and accents so it will be quite beautiful when they are done. (It is a mess now!)

The store I visited is just like an old style fabric/craft store. She had quilts & quilt fabric and offered classes. Then in another section there were basic yarns & crafts supplies. She also had gift items. I didn't "have to have" anything so didn't stay long.

Besides, we were looking at a 3+ hour ride home yet.

We headed back and chose a route through Platteville and then on to Shullsburg. I had read about their Creamery and thought that would be a good place to walk around and maybe get a bite to eat.

Of course, I didn't have exact directions but we made it to the downtown, just from the back side. A beautiful little town and the downtown is old-style narrow and well-kept! All the windows had beautiful displays and most of the buildings were full. Some for tourists, others just local insurance office or the dentist.

We stopped at the Shullsburg Creamery (no tour) but saw the gift shop, cheese shop (got some clearance blocks!), and then had an early supper (we hadn't had lunch) in the Brewster House restaurant. Yummy!! A great choice!!

After that, it was the final stretch home. Passed the new wind farm and it was quite fascinating to see the parts in various locations ready for assembly.

We got home just after 6 p.m. Great fun!!

I was thrilled to NOT be exhausted and in a lot of pain on Monday. Yeah - I keep getting better!

JP kept the home under control and did chores for Phil. A few sows decided to farrow over the weekend instead of starting on Monday when they were due. JP handled it fine.

On the counter when I got to the kitchen: 1 plate from pizza, 2 small plates from breakfast pb & j's, 2 milk glasses, and 3 ice cream bowls. (He had Sat lunch w/ Gma & they took him out for Sunday noon.)

Anniversary Trip - 4 months later

Finally Phil & I got a night away... he'd been promising a night (or 2) for our anniversary. He had a big part for his combine to pick up in Iowa so we left early Saturday morning. We estimated it might take a good 3 hours. We had 4 hours to get there before they closed.

We went through about 10 road construction zones. hmpf!
We went through a town where we saw Jewish people going to (what we assume) their Sabbath services. Long beards on the men, long black dresses/robes on the adults, 2 young boys with Jewish caps & short hair except for long curly sideburns (long like 6" long on 4 year old boys!), the young ladies, also in long black robes/dresses, had a sort of nontransparent hairnet covering their shoulder-length hair, the men had a scarf (prayer shawl, I now know) they carried.

As the highway snaked through town, we saw the most multi-ethnic & multi-religious variety of people any Iowa town could display. Quite fascinating!! (Later, I found out the town also had a quilt shop but we didn't return to it.)

{I googled the town and it has quite a history with a kosher meat plant and then illegal business practices there. But reasons why such a mix in a small Iowa town.}

Great views as we continued on Highway 52 to northeast Iowa along the Mississippi River. Too bad we didn't have enough time to stop at the many overlooks! Phil tried to drive, I tried to take pictures for us to enjoy later!

Not cropped... this close the edge as we drove by!!

They had overlook areas.... we just didn't stop!

Finally we arrived at the tractor parts place with 25 minutes until closing. Whew!! I walked off my 3 1/2 hrs of sitting while Phil got the men hunting down his part. It slid right into the back end, Phil tied it down a bit, and we were done! ....with that part of the trip. Phil now was able to relax.

We went about 1/2 hr to Decorah, IA and found a very nice downtown. We parked and walked about a block to Ruby's for lunch. A very clean and newly redecorated restaurant with Norwegian flair. Their shirts had a Viking image, one special of the day was Norwegian meatballs, and their accents told of their nationality as well.

We saw this building on the way back to the highway. A mural of farming:

Out the front window (which was clean when we left) and the sight was beautiful!

After lunch it was just 20 miles NW to Cresco for the first quilt shop! The Pine Needles Quilt Shop was across the street from the city park that was full with youngsters and lots of carnival rides. We were happy to have a parking place just down from the quilt shop on the main street.

The shop was HUGE and wonderfully stocked! A main area, the back room, and upstairs all had fabrics and kits. They have a Jo Morton Club and I'd love to be in that but will email them to get more specifics. Of course, I'd lose out on the gathering each month but may be interested in the club patterns.

I only got a few things knowing that the next shop I was headed to was part of the NE Iowa Quilt Shop Hop and had 20% off.

Instead of backtracking... we headed north and then east to pass through Burr Oak, a childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We were on a sort of back road so we had no signs to guide us. However, just a few extra miles of wandering (I was sure it would be on Silver Creek Road but it wasn't...) we found the museum in the little town of Burr Oak.

If I had read her books, would I have known that?

We didn't pay for the official tour but I saw this, the only childhood home of Laura's still in the original spot. Right next to Barney's Bar & Grill... is Barney in the books?

The Burr Oak Mercantile

By looking at the atlas, it seemed as if we continued on the road to the east, we'd cross 95 and then jog a bit and end up on the road into Lansing.

However....

We were in the back country!!! Only 3 miles south of the MN/IA line at one point we could see into Minnesota for several miles. Up on a ridge... it was just beautiful!!

Finally a cross road and a sign that said "to 95 -->" so at least we felt like we were on the right track.

Yep... a dirt track!!

We were following another vehicle in its gravel dust and winding back and forth for many miles. Across Iverson Bridge (if that matters...) .... this bluff. Isn't it so pretty?

I didn't take many pictures. We were thankful the IA gravel roads were wider than our IL ones but still I was glued to the map for clues as to where EXACTLY we were driving.

Part of this jaunt was a very winding road along a creek. One side creek, the other side rocky bluff so we were glad to be on the gravel road. Only about 2 houses in this long expanse of curvy road.

Finally, finally, we got to 95 and headed north a bit into Lansing. A quaint little town and there near the river's edge was Yellow Bird Art, the quilt store for which I was hunting.
After Phil walked in the store for a minute, he found a bench near the river and talked to the kids on the phone while I shopped!

The store carried a lot of what I like.... I came home with a fall wallhanging kit, another McKenna Ryan (her newest) pattern and some of her fabrics for a long wallhanging, some fibers in colors of the Caribbean, and a packet of clearance patterns. First I have seen the idea of packaging 3 clearance patterns in a bundle for 5.95.

I could have done some damage in the batik aisle and the Amy Butler & Kaffe Fasset aisle. Yummy!! Both of these shops have been featured in Quilt Sampler magazine so I had reread those pages on Friday.

Fun!!

Now it was time to cross into Wisconsin... unfortunately I don't like crossing bridges. Phil had scoped it out as he sat on his bench... he was sure I'd not like it.

He was right.

It was a grated bottom bridge and "the highest bridge I've ever seen," said the driver. So not only did I put my head down, I closed my eyes, and covered them with my hand. The bridge had a steep ramp UP /, then leveled off across the mighty Mississippi. As soon as I thought I'd breathe, a big bump again, and heading straight down \ !!! Oh my! No pictures of this....

We had about 35 miles south along the river to get to our hotel. A crowded highway but beautiful scenery with the bluffs to the east and the river to the west.



We easily found our hotel and then decided on a place for supper. However the map in the travel magazine in our room didn't know where our restaurant was located! So after a bit of a drive around not-the-side-of-town-I'd-be-eating-in, I called the restaurant and she gave me good directions. It was actually near our hotel.... not in town!


After a good dinner and salad bar at The Barn, we headed out just as the sun was setting across the marina.

This has been a long & full day! I'll write about Sunday another time.

Good Tidings!

Lots of good things...

** Cathy & Tom sold their house and move in 5 weeks to IA from NC! Congrats!!!

** K had a dinner with the SAIC President this afternoon!! And as part of the discussion when asked what they are doing to advertise SAIC... Miss K pulled out her magazine!! WooHoo!!! The Pres was impressed but the VP (a woman ) was VERY impressed!!

** Home improvements are planned here & there!

And it was sad....

when another one called asking for help with the wife's struggle with Fibromyalgia. It is so sad to hear of her suffering. I hope I gave enough encouragement that they will try the guaifenesin. What a benefit that the dh is going to learn what she needs for skin care products with the protocol so her brain fogged mind doesn't have to work on that!! A tad confused how they got my name... but that person's in-laws are friends with my in-laws. Small town. ;)

I still think there will come a day I'll have group meetings in town to help others with the protocol. Location seems to be a problem in my mind.

I just love the DJ block I finished yesterday...

Dear Jane Progress

I am back to working on my Dear Jane blocks.  Yesterday I finished (so I thought) through month 4 of my BOM.  I get 8 blocks and 2 triangles each month.   (Just a few months behind!)

Then I scanned them and saved them in My Block Chart.  I just love this feature on the software!!

When I scanned them I realized one block needed 4 diamonds appliqued in the corners so I worked on that first today.  

Wanna see?  

The blocks finish at 4 1/2" square and the triangles are 4 1/2" x 7 1/2" finished.   I've moved on to month 5!!  Yippee!!

I just realized my triangles are all upsided down.  Ooops!  The base is along the center and the tips point to the outside.  I'll fix that next time around.  

Outside Quilt Show

Saturday was quite delightful as Elinor & I took a trip to near Oregon, Illinois. We attended "Not Your Sister's (Oregon) Quilt Show".

For those of you that are not quilters, there is a famous outdoor show held in the town of Sisters, Oregon. We didn't travel that far yesterday.

Main gate to home area

Several friends of mine from quilt guild put this together.

The weather was perfect.

The setting was just stunning.

The friends were fun!

Just going over the pictures makes me happy! It was exceptional!!

We liked the simple style of this quilt and found it in another colorway later.

Lining the driveway were vintage metal chairs draped with old & new quilts and a variety of decorations.

Down the hill to the main viewing area... this is what awaited us. Isn't this setting darling!!

A beautiful pastel quilt with circular hand quilting we admired.

Quilts on clotheslines, quilts in wheelbarrows...

Elinor liked the layout of this red, white, & blue one. She has hand embroidered blocks she & her youngest did years ago that could be the on-point centers.

This could be an option for a friend who wants a Northwoods themed quilt.

I have this wildflower pattern and would LOVE to make this!!

Love this simple strip set!

Another peak before we head back up the hill.

The hill back to the house from the wooded area.

Love this quilt layout of the 2 blocks. I have some scrappy squares that would work here.

We listened to the soapmaker's SO/DH tells us it was "the best soap around"... and quietly sauntered off. Ha!! Little did he know...

Before we left, we found out Elinor had won a door prize!!

The walk back to our car... down the basket-lined lane.

We finished our outing with lunch at Rachel's in Oregon. Yummy!! Great fun was had by all!!!

Sample Digital Fabric Book

Cover

For Friday's class:

inside pages

Back cover

I love the colors -

the finished book -

serged edges -

plaid on the back cover.

WTG!!

For info on what the assignment was and other important details, watch the comment box for K's response.    And while you are there... leave a comment. 

Random Thoughts

Blogging in Google Chrome is sometimes better and sometimes there are things I'm used to that don't function here.   Do you use Chrome?   Do you like it?

The forecast for the next 7 days calls for sunny & high 70's - 80's!  

JP's first Adv Bio test went well today. 

A new set of classes for K has me really confused!

Our twins are celebrating their 19th birthday... 

without us... 

...today.   

Bummer for us.

  

I'm the only one that remembers.  

Our county that has only 2 permanent stoplights now has 2 more in the distance between our house and our old house.   That makes going to "town" a real hassle!

I fixed a large hole in a pair of JP's work jeans today.   Then saw there were holes by the back pockets, by the zipper, and the hem is ratty.   His favorite pair.   

I think I'm ready for the next set of Dear Jane blocks.   I need to scan lots of blocks that are done so I can show you.  

A short nap sounds yummy.

Water aerobics is tonight!  Even better... massage is tomorrow.  

I made 3 batches of soap last week.  

Dan's garden looks MUCH nicer than my garden.  I don't even want him (or anyone) to see my garden.   Last night Phil said he was going to take out the fence and start mowing.   

In the span of 7 days, K's building had one fire drill and one real fire alarm.   Smoke came from the door to floor 5.   A floor for freshman in a special freshman program.   Someone hasn't learned to cook supper yet.   She said there were 3 fire trucks and the men jumped off and rolled out the hoses.   Such excitement!!  She is getting good at 13 floors of steps.   Ugh.

JP mowed Gpa's lawn on Tuesday and is mowing our lawn today.    He gets paid for Gpa's lawn.   

However, you wouldn't believe how much he made from selling scrap metal & pop cans yesterday.  Wowsers!   Phil suggested JP was taking us out to supper. Alas,  the money went to his savings account.  

Everyone we show K's magazine to is sooo excited for her.   You've never seen her dad so proud.  

September Quilt Guild

Last night was quilt guild. No afternoon workshop so I arrived by 6:25 p.m. to be greeter (as VP, one of my jobs) and to get all the other necessities done.

Found a chair, put my secret sister gift in the kitchen, sorted my nickel squares (rust this month), all the while everyone was clamoring to me with their President's blocks. I was thrilled so many turned their blocks in last night!! I just counted 24 blocks! Yeah!! Out of 66 members, I'm pleased. (Members were given a pattern and fabric recommendations to make a block for the president. What pattern should I choose next year?)

Our program was a trunk show by the owners (Cheri Ebens and Kathy Tilsy) of a quilt shop in Ashton. I've never been there as it is quite a ways for me. The shop is called Cottage Garden Quilts. (pardon the messy background as the church where we meet uses the stage for storage!)

I didn't get many pictures but tried to snap a few so you could see a bit. I bet they brought over 50 quilts to show! It was fun!!


This quilt was given to one of them by her husband. He had gone to Iowa with his friend to specifically buy her a quilt. He knew all about prairie points and that she liked them. This is beautiful & dreamy in person!

This is a quilt make using nickel squares. This is my first year to be in the nickel square exchange so I was interested in a use for them. This pattern is free on their website.

Maybe Aunt Eileen recognizes this pattern as it is the Orange Crush mystery quilt from Quiltville. She just used burgundy instead of orange!

The Dixon quilt guild let us know about their November program and I'm going to go! It will be Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville! Then that same week, I'm going to attend a workshop by Bonnie using her Pineapple Blossoms pattern. I'm thinking pinks and darker tans.... but brights would be fun or all blues... too many choices! I'm excited for the program and the class!! (Mrs. So & So paid for my class fee today. WTG!!)