From my yard--today...

This was taken this evening...in my front yard!!! Can you believe that--on the 1st of February? I knew it had been warm, and that the days are getting longer, and we have had sunshine for a couple days in a row...but I was still surprised to see this. It was the only one of its kind that I saw, and I did look for more. I did see an iris bud...but it is real close to the house. I hope no more pop up.
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The kids came down and spent Friday night, then Saturday after they went home I started feeling like I was getting sick...and did. Sore throat, stuffy nose, all those lovely symptoms. Sunday was the only day where I didn't know if I was going to live or not...haha....you know how you feel that first day? Not really that bad, but still not fun.

Each day since, I get up feeling kind bad, but feel pretty good by evening. I actually got dressed and was out and about a little bit today. And even came home and sewed. The first time I have touched my machine in almost a week.

Anyway, that is why I haven't been blogging...still weary and starting 'the cough' now. Everyone we talk to has either had it or knows someone that has had it, so I know I am not the only one.

Not sure when I will be back to blogging regularly, but hopefully soon.

Another from January 19, 2012

One more picture from a few days ago....I am really beginning to think this is the most snow we are going to see this winter. I don't think it has completely quit raining for over 24 hours. We drover over to the super Walmart in a nearby town, and took some back roads. Water was every where. It looked like regular little streams through some of the fields...fields that you would have thought was flat.
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I chickened out on my computer...I did take all the screws out of the back...and took some little panels off....but neither one gave access to the fan. I have saw a video of how to clean the fan, but not one of how to get to the fan. I have found instructions, but not one single picture is included. And so many things have to be disconnected...if I was familiar with it all I could probably do it. And could probably do it if I had pictures to see...but for now I am not that brave. So far it hasn't quit on me again, so hoping it lasts a while longer.
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I did finish cutting the rest of the strips for Roger's quilt. My friend was talking about pioneer women and what a job it was for them. And wondering how they got enough fabric to make one. I have wondered forever how they did it all. I think back then beds were smaller...when I was young having queen and king sized beds was not the normal thing. Not in our area anyway.

Mom did save every scrap of fabric, and was tickled to death if anyone happened to give her a few. I don't remember it taking her very long to cut out her pieces for a quilt top. She always used a piece of cardboard to make her pattern, and would layer 3 or 4 pieces of her fabric...and she just held the pattern and the fabric together in one hand, and cut around it.

It is a whole different world now...she never went to a quilt shop in her entire life...there wasn't even a good general fabric shop around down there then. I think she only every had one thimble...I bet I have had at least 8 or 10 different styles. I don't know that I ever saw her buy needles...except for me for Home Economics...and maybe some quilting needles. She just kept up with her stuff like that.

And I have said it before, but will say it again...I would love to know how many miles of sewing she has done...both by machine and by hand.

A few visitors...

I happened to spot the pileated woodpecker across the street, but it was slushing at the time and I dared not get my camera out in it so stood on the porch and shot through my wisteria vine. Slushing is my word for when it is the stage between rain and freezing rain...we had freezing rain, rain, slush, and a tiny bit of snow this evening...
Anyway, trying to do a quick post of a few of the birds that came...is the above a white-capped sparrow? Haven't had time to look...will explain that on farther down.
There were a couple nuthatches to visit,
chickadee/s...didn't see no more than one at a time so don't know if it was just one coming back or more than one.
And there were three pair of cardinals out there at one time...not like we used to have at home by any means but it is the most I have ever seen together at one time here.
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So, I couldn't sleep last night, went back down stairs and cut strips to length from about 2:00 a.m. to after 4:00 a.m., came up and went to bed at last...

Have did laundry, dishes, etc and also been back down there a lot in the afternoon till about 8:00....came back up to sit down and rest. I got my laptop and had not been sitting there any time till it just quit....overheated I am sure. So, am hurrying to post this in case it decides to quit on me again.

I have got to take the back off and see if I can clean out dust and that help. I am sure it is full of it...just no way it isn't. I have a couple posts scheduled for my other blog, but if I don't post for the next day or two, you will know what that something is up with this computer.

Edited to add that My North informed me that it is a white crowned sparrow...I had a feeling I might be wrong but couldn't think what else it could be called.

Seen in an antique shop...

I don't know why I have never made one a Dutch Girl quilt...I have always liked them.
Mary and I have been talking about making a bucket list of quilts we want to do...
I don't know if I will ever actually do it. I know I won't live near long enough to do all the quilts I want to do.
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I am still working on my latest project. I have made 16 blocks and need to make 2o more. I have had a few days where I haven't touched it...some because I was busy and others because I wasn't in the mood. For the most part though I have worked some on it every day...sometimes not a lot, but others have been down there for hours. I have started cutting more strips...I stood down there for at least two hours cutting tonight and still have a long way to go.

I am wishing I had a couple more light fabrics in the Civil War reproductions, but will try to make do with what I have. I am a quilter, but am always amazed at how much fabric it takes to make a quilt.
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The plans right now are that we are going to have visitors this weekend...a certain little munchkin is coming. Keep your fingers crossed that nothing happens. She has not been here since before Christmas. I have play dough waiting for her, and another little game.

She is still into 'pink' big time...and still plays dress up most days. Sarah got her the movies Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty...she watched Cinderella 3 times and Sleeping Beauty twice!