Saturday nite

I was getting severely beaten in my scrabble game so decided to add the quilt pictures to my blog.  

First is the baby quilt and pillow for Isaiah.

Second is the orange 'ugly fabric' table topper.  

 

Third is the fruit table topper for my aunt

Fourth is the patriotic table topper for my sister in law.

They are all quickly and easily done, and then given away.  

Quilt Plans

Now that I am done with my house quilt, I have to find another big project to start.  A group somewhere out East is making quilts for every injured vet of the Iraq war.  I planned to put together a top and send it to them.  (They seem to think that machine quilting is superior to other kinds of finishing--I disagree)  I have been gifted with 2 huge pieces of red fabric and purchased blue and yellow to fill in.  Now I've picked a pattern and find I want some off white to make it real patriotic colors.  I hope to get some at a bargain price...  

Other projects I need to finish or start:  1.  Grandmother's flower shower curtain;  2. fleece projects (another gift of fabric--this time sample swatches too small for anything individually, and too weird to combine, but I'll try); 3.  baby quilts for great nieces Amber and Isabella;  4. scrap bag for Vicki to give to Ben's new girlfriend.  That's all I can think of at the moment.

I'm back!

It seems like ages since I've signed in, and I had a little trouble getting here.  It's definitely time to get back into the cyberstream.  (I just read a news blurb that English politicians are not supposed to use buzzwords that confuse their constituents.  I don't much like jargon myself...)

I have decided to try to regularly post a sort of almanac of gardening, quilting, grandchildren and other important activities in my life.  I don't think anyone else will find it interesting, but if I am consistent, I should  have a good record of what I've done.  There are a couple reasons this is important to me.  1.  I like to know how my gardening compares one year to another.  2. It is good to have a record of quilt projects, just to be able to pat myself on the back now and again.  3. I'm going to have another grandchild in July and expect to have to brag a little.  

GARDENING:

I'll have to back track a bit to brag about the results of gardening efforts.  This spring was unusually cold, with snow well into April.  Apr 12 happened to be warm enough to stir the soil in my raised bed gardens and allow planting.  I put in radish, beet, spinach, lettuce and snow pea seeds, and with Mike's help put on a plastic cover to create a green house effect (sounds like a bad word).  I was thrilled that the seeds grew, and I had radishes, spinach and lettuce in May, before other gardeners were able to work the soil.  :-)  I replanted radishes and we've had the second harvest of them, and the third planting are showing second leaves.  My first snow pea is on the vine, and there are lots of blossoms.  The tomato plants are beginning to have blossoms, the bunching onions are skinny little spears.  The pepper plants look spindly

but I have hopes they will muscle up.  

This is our second year using the raised beds and we had to adjust the soil to produce root crops as well as green growth.  We added good southern Minnesota farm soil, compost, and bone meal to get a better balance of the ppk combination.  (I think those are the letters--potassium-phosphorus-etc)  The radishes assured me that we accomplished it.  Yea Mike and me.  

When I retire in the fall (yea me) I plan to dig out my flower beds, ream out the cherry tree sprouts, and seed grass in part of the area.  I have to thin the irises and day lilies, and decide what else to keep or throw.  Fun.  

Successful Sale

Our book sale last Thursday and Friday was quite satisfactory.  I did less this time around than ever before.  Yea me!  That means my volunteers and 'friends' did the lion's share of planning, working and getting credit.  Yea them!  And I especially love it that the leftovers are being recycled, not just thrown out.  

The weather has turned around, and we have a  couple of warm, sunny days in a row.  I persuaded my husband to help me make a mini green house out of one of our raised bed gardens and I planted peas, radishes and spinach yesterday.  We'll see.....

I also stripped the paint from a small cupboard built nearly 60 years ago by my dad and used by my older sister and her family.  I intend to use it as a toy cupboard for my granddaughter when I get the many layers of paint off and a fresh coat back on.  I used to really enjoy the process of refinishing furniture, but it seems pretty strenuous now.  Either I have to work on my upper body strength or give it up.  (never!!!)

FOCAL (friend's of the library) meeting tonite. Must plan the annual meeting and summer reading kickoff party.  It's always something.  

Book Sale Time

Every spring, we have a fundraiser book sale at the library.  We request donations from the public and usually get a fantastic quantity of books.  This year, we've gotten fewer books overall, but they seem to be a good variety and condition.  I am continually amazed that so many people in this relatively small area have so many good books they are willing to give away, and then they will come and buy more.  The library profits,  as well as serves as a terrific recycling agent.  

For many years, I felt that I was conducting the book sale single handed.  Since our friends group formed, I've had a lot of help, and for the past 2 years, I have done very little work.  It is wonderful to have such dedicated and generous people who are willing to take on the responsibilities.  

Granddaughter is growing up.  She is 10 1/2 months old, and is almost walking.  She feeds herself, knows what toys she wants to play with, and is showing more personality all the time. Her little sibling will arrive in about 4 months and she will become a 'big sister'.  Life will change dramatically then.  I can't wait.  Her parents are trying to prepare themselves, mentally as well as domestically.   Makes me smile.

  

Back at it.

Be courageous. I have seen many depressions in business. Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous. Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go forward!
Thomas A. Edison

I've been viewing an Apple tutorial in order to get the best use out of my computer. It has been very helpful so far--both in showing what I already know, and some of the finer points that I otherwise would be missing. Many of the tools are similar to things presented in 23 Things, but they are specific to Apple. So I've learned again about widgets, rss feeds and cool uses of calendars.

I also checked my quotations from Thomas Edison, and found this one encouraging in light of the current economic situation. However fearful it seems, we need to go forward as best we can.

Looking forward to the weekend, as my son, daughter in law and granddaughter are coming for dinner. We plan a Chinese menu to honor the Olympic games (not) and hope the weather will allow playing outside for a bit. Baby Thessaly is just over 10 months old, and every day is an adventure. Maybe she will be walking... I begged a family heirloom (a cupboard my dad made for my oldest sister over 50 years ago) to store TessToys for her visit. The cupboard is sturdy, but could use a little help. I'd like to strip and repaint it, but not this weekend. :-)

I have a lunch date or is it called appointment with my supervisor, Bill, tomorrow if he manages the trip thru the snow. A blizzard in April is too much!

Updated Avatar

I'm not sure how I did it, but I got a spring swing to my avatar. Notice my yellow cat--just like my old Katt.

After a few days off, I'm trying to get back to the 23 things and figure out how to actually use the tools. I'm still mystified, but will continue to keep trying.