Change of Plans

I knew DH was planning to take a load of beef steers to the livestock market at Rock Creek, MN this morning. (About 2 hours away)   I had several things I thought I would be accomplishing while he was gone.  However, at 7:05 he came in asking, "Would you like to ride along?"   Many years ago I made the commitment that when asked me to ride somewhere with him I would!  So I quickly smiled saying,  "Sure let me grab my shoes, a book and a quilting magazine."   The reading material is for when he is sitting in the sales barn watching the steers sell and I am sitting in the truck.  I have learned that it is a great time for us to talk and he shows me the things he sees each time he goes.   It is really one of the things we have missed after I returned for my second teaching career 12 years ago.

The best part is he always stops at the Cheese Store in Alpha.  They make their own cheese.  It is shipped world wide.  He always buys fresh cheddar cheese curds--the kind that squeak when you bite them!  Plus they have awesome ice cream cones.  Where is the rule that you can't eat ice cream at 9:00 in the morning.

Today he didn't wait for the steers to sell. We got back home about 11:15.  He is off to an "Answer Plot-Knowledge Event" field day about 45 minutes south.  (For non farmers- they are sponsored by seed, fertilizer, chemical companies to check their test plots- as to what works most efficiently and economically yet with the greatest yield and production)   Plus they have free lunch and a time for the guys to talk!

Now--I will tackle some of the work I thought I would be doing at 7:00!  I did work on quilting projects yesterday after church.--I will post pictures later!

Have a great day!
Linda

What happens when you don't like it?

I saw this   Christmas Tree Skirt on the Fat Quarter Shop website.  I thought it looked festive and would make a great gift.  I ordered the complete kit and pattern.  (Happy Holidays by Atkinson Designs) On the pattern there are three sizes.  I need a quick gift for a friend.  Since I have red, white and blue fabric--and really like the table runner I made with same fabric. I decided to make the smallest version.



     I wanted to use three colors instead of four.  The red was supposed to be two colors. This is the result.  I think I will use the blue for the binding.  Maybe I should add a red or blue border to it-then the binding.  Currently it is 20" X 23".  It needs a good pressing yet.  It called for using a 60 deg. ruler.  I used my Tri Tool Ruler. It was quick and easy to make.

Any suggestions???????????  Maybe it is one of those where I need to put it away for a few days- and then look at it later.  

Could be the cool-cloudy weather????

Have a great weekend!

Linda

Love being a Grandma! And project progress

First things first I was privileged to have grandson Cole  this morning. DIL-#1 had to go into work  for a couple of hours.  She asked if I would be able to have Cole. He is 7 weeks now, smiling and starting to talk.  It was the first time away from his mom.  First time taking a bottle.  He was here for four hours and he did great! She needs to go in again next Tuesday and I will be able to have him again.

On Tuesday night I worked on the projects I had started.  I sewed the binding around this tree skirt. I have to sew in the center  binding yet, then finish the  binding with hand sewing. I am actually going to label this piece.  I have never put labels on anything before.   It is a long story--short version--I have a relative who labels EVERYTHING with her name-date-on the front of any project.  She made sure she had credit for everything.  I didn't want to be like her.  A friend convinced me that labeling a quilt is different.

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The second skirt I sewed on the outside border.  Then I finished sewing on the border of the table runner and did the quilting.  This binding I will also finish with hand sewing.  It is a gift for a friend who leads our small group on Wednesday nights.  I 'm going out now to "help" DH for a "couple of minutes".  On a farm their "couple of minutes" usually turns into at least an hour.
Take care!
Linda

Productive First Day

The first day of no school.  I had the curtains and sheers off the living and dining room windows by 7:00.  I started washing windows.  A friend told me that the outside Windex Window set works great.  I think I will look for one on Tuesday. 

I spent the next hour doing farm book work-paying bills, deposit, and sending invoices.

From 9:50 until 12:00 I spent in the dentist chair.  That was not a pleasant part of the day--but it is over!  I am a chicken and always take the nitrous oxide when offered.

I had planned on driving 20 miles to the nearest Walmart, Farm  & Fleet, Menards, Penny's and Herbergers.  ( I couldn't have made the trip without stopping at The Busy Bobbin) However, with half of my face numb from Novocaine,  I decided to work at home and completed the afternoon by mowing lawn. 

DIL#2 stopped on her way home from work.  I was just leaving to rescue DH who had run out of gas 3 miles from home with Son's truck hauling water and chemicals.  (Son had said he could make it 30 miles when it was on "E" he made 5 ). She left Grandson #1  who rode with me to the rescue.   Grandson wanted to play with Granddaughter #1--so we hoped on the 4 wheeler and took the path around the corn field to spend  45 minutes with the Princess, 6 week old grandson #2 and DIL#1.   A couple of hours later we drove him home and  we saw Granddaughter #2.
So it was a good day!  Sometime a different type of busy is relaxing!

Linda

School's Out!

Summer is here!  I hesitate to call it "vacation"--It is more like changing jobs.  I will admit it is much better now that our dairy herd has been gone for a year.  Before I would switch my school clothes for my barn clothes.  DH and I would go out  where I would help milk, feed calves, and a variety of other daily chores.  I usually always helped with evening chores during the school year and on weekends, but once summer came I helped with every milking. I often  told people the  first mistake I made when marrying a farmer was to learn to milk!

This summer I have to clean my house thoroughly!  After almost a year of the road construction in my front yard everything needs a deep clean.  Monday I plan to take down the draperies and start in the living and dining rooms.

Scheduled for this summer(so far) -in addition to the usual bridal showers, weddings, and baby showers:
*One week in June I will be taking a one credit class for school.
*One week in August I will leading VBS at church.   We are using material from Go Fish called  "Backstage with the Bible".  Each day is set up as a Concert.
*I have offered each DIL to take each set of grandkids one day per week.
* Hopefully, DH and I will take a few days for a vacation away from home.  Last year was our first vacation in our 35 years of marriage.  We went to Glacier Park.

Of course,  I plan to make  time for quilting!

Have a great weekend!
Linda

Creating unfinished projects!

#1 New unfinished project. Last week at night I needed to unwind and just plain sew!! I had purchased a set of six red, white and blue fat quarters at Thimbles Quilt Shop this winter.  I pulled them out three of them  thinking I could make a table runner either for me or as a gift.  Things went pretty well until I needed the two longer borders.  I was short 4 inches!!!! I went on line and was able to find the same fabric.  It should arrive this week!  Of course!  I did order a bit more than I really needed!  How else am I to build up my stash--and if I ordered just a little more it was free shipping!  I couldn't pass up that deal!  Think of all the  money I saved!!

#2 Last winter when DH was in the hospital I had taken  cutting supplies and fabric for my week stay at the hotel.  One of the projects I started work on was the "Poky Little Puppy" quilt I had found in the Fons & Porter Fall 2009 Baby Quilts. I "fussy cut" the puppies.  I found the tote with the fabric and decided to work on it.  I had forgotten that I had not been able to purchase one of the required colors.  (the smallest  blue squares and inner border was supposed to be green)  No problem--I would substitute!  I ran out of inner border fabric. I have the outer border and backing fabric.  Once again, I went on line and found the fabric  I need to finish the binding. And of course--again a little extra fabric I just couldn't resist.

#3  I still needed to sew.  I have four wedding coming up which need Christmas Tree skirts.  I made one from this  pattern last fall for Monica and Eric's wedding.  I pulled out the fabric to start another one.  As I was looking through the fabrics to cut the "logs" from.  I found enough logs already cut.   I sewed  up the center square and I'm ready to start sewing the logs.

 This is the last week of school!  We are finished at noon on Friday! Whoo Hoo!  My list of things that need to be cleaned or worked on this summer keeps growing.  I think I will reward myself.  With each completed job I will spend time sewing!

Have a great week!
Linda

A History Lesson-Tradition Since 1868

 This morning my blogging friend, Maria from Dongara WA Australia, asked what veteran the American Memorial day honored  .  As I thought about it- I remembered that my grandparents called it "Decoration Day".  I thought for years it was because it was when people decorated the graves.  It was several years later that I realized it was more.  So this morning,  I started looking for the real background.  This is what I  found. Is is from the

"It seems with each passing generation we lose a little more of our consciousness of this nation's history. True, if asked why we celebrate Memorial Day most could give a vague surface answer, "To honor the men and women who died while serving our nation." But understanding how this day came about helps to give a greater appreciation of the celebration.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day came about at the end of the Civil War, in 1868. According to General Order No. 11 given by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5, 1868:

"The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."

The US Memorial Day site states it this way: "Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all."
There has been much debate over the years as to where the day actually had its beginnings. The "official" birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, NY—at least that's what was determined by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966. It was chosen due to the fact that in 1866 the people had designated their celebration as an annual event in which even businesses closed, and young and old alike placed flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.
But historical evidence actually points to multiple points of origin, and there are several cities in both the North and the South who laid claim to that designation. In the three years following the Civil War groups of people in various communities would gather in cemeteries to decorate the graves with flowers in honor of their fallen loved ones.
The first official observation of Memorial Day was observed in Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868 in a ceremony that honored over 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers. It is still celebrated at Arlington to this day.
It took several years, until 1890, for the holiday to be adopted by the Northern states, but it wasn't until after the First World War that the South began to recognize it, and only then after the holiday was changed to recognize men and women killed while fighting in any war. Several southern states continue to celebrate a separate Memorial Day for their Confederate dead.
In 1971, in order to assure a three day weekend for federal workers, a bill was signed changing Memorial Day from the 30th of May to the last Monday in May. However, in recent years there has been a move to try to change the observance back to its original date in hopes of reviving the solemn and reverent attitude in which the celebration was originally intended."

Have a wonderful weekend!  Remember to take time to think of those who gave of themselves so we could be free to live as we do! 

Linda

Rhubarb Cherry Crunch--Family Favorite

I always receive requests for this recipe when I make it for friends  or potlucks.  Allison just emailed asking for it a second time.  I thought I would share it with you also. It is taken from a 1973 Farm Journal Cookbook -"Family Favorites From Country Kitchens."  I made for the first time the year we were married-1974- and have been making it every year since.   Enjoy. Delicious with whipped cream or ice cream.

Old recipes are fun to read.  Even in this one the actual directions call for  a 1lb 8 oz jar of prepared cherry pie filling.  All pie filling at now 1 lb 5 oz.  Also it calls for the flour to be sifted , rolled oats, and to be baked in a moderate oven.  

Rhubarb Cherry Crunch

4 cups diced fresh rhubarb

1/2 cup sugar

2 TBSP cornstarch

1 Cup water

1 can Cherry Pie Filling

5 drops red food color

1 tsp almond extract

Place rhubarb in 11X 7 X 1 1/2 " baking dish.  Combine sugar and cornstarch in small saucepan. Gradually stir in water. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until thick. Stir in pie filling, food coloring and almond extract. Pour over Rhubarb.

1 cup quick cooking oatmeal

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1/2  cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Combine oats, brown sugar, flour, salt and butter; mix until crumbly. Add walnuts. Sprinkle over fruit mixture.  Bake at 350 deg. 45 minutes or until golden brown and rhubarb is tender.  (It could also be baked in a 9 X 13 pan)

My morning at school

It was quite a morning  at school.  This is a photo of our 3-12 building.  My windows are the set of windows to the far  left.  I met with a 10 year old student and her mother at 7:45 (they were 15 minutes late--I really thought they weren't going to show up.)  Our discussion concerned information the student related to me on Friday.  Since my principal was out of the district I had to meet  with the superintendent of school to inform him of the situation.  Then I made a phone call to Heath and Human Services in the  the neighboring county where the student resides.  As a teacher I am a mandatory reporter.  Health and  Human services will be contacting the student and the family.  This was one of those difficult times of being a teacher.  I am sure I will be hearing from the family after they have been contacted by the county.
I have often said I wish I had a paper shredder type machine to place outside of the classroom where the students could shred all of the "junk" they come to school with and then learning could occur.  This is a situation that could emotionally impact the student for life!

I am hoping to spend some time sewing tonight to relax and take my mind off the heartbreaking story I heard on Friday.

Friday Night Sew-In (continued on Saturday)

I worked on a Christmas Tree Skirt that needs to be finished for a wedding in June.  I had the top sewn during the winter and for some reason hadn't basted or quilted it.  So I pulled it out and here are the results.  Now for  the part I don't enjoy--cutting the hole and slit.  I think I will use the red or green for the binding.

Linda

The Countdown is on--as of today--8 1/2 days of school left for this school year.

Friday Night Sew-In

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My Friday Night Sew In will have to start late.  It is our high school  graduation on Friday night.  I always attend to watch the students I worked with as they graduate. This year three of my former students will be graduating.  When I have spent four years with them from third through six grades, I have many hours invested in their lives.  In our small school the seniors put together a slide show of their school career memories.

There are 10 1/2 school days left.  The warm weather arrived this week with temps in the upper 70's.  The students  are finding it difficult to concentrate on school work!  Now is when I need to be creative to challenge them with activities so they are still learning and staying focused. 

This year I have 14 students on my caseload.  Of those,  I work several hours a day with 12 of them.  Three of the students have expressed they don't want summer to come.  It is not because they love school and everything about it.  It is because school is the only structure they have in their lives.  They know that the teachers, students, and routine will be at school everyday.  The summer is unknown.  Will they be at mom's or dad's or someone else's home?  Will there be breakfast or lunch for them? It is a tragedy what some of the students live through everyday.  So--each day we try to build them up and offer the security we can for each day we see them. And--pray for their safety and  security each day.