An afternoon with time for Me!

Had a few change of plans during the morning--However!!!!
- I was able to start working on my projects  around noon.
*Cut out, pieced, and basted a flannel baby quilt.  Ready to quilt. (Baby due the end of August)
*Finished sewing the tree skirt flimsy.  It is basted and ready to quilt. (Wedding next Saturday)

I remembered why I learned to quilt.  I was able to actually relax and not think of anything else!!!I had the TV on and listened/watched chick flicks on the Hallmark Channel while I worked. -"Mrs. Washington goes to Smith" and "Follow The Stars Home".  

Shhhh!!! Saturday might be a day for me!

VBS is over for another year.  We averaged 83 kids a day.  The numbers were down slightly this year.  About 60% of the kids were not from our church.  It was a busy and exciting week.  We used the Back To the Bible Curriculum put out by the GO FISH Guys group.  It was excellent--full of energy for the kids and a great message!

DIL-1 dropped Kasey off each morning to go with me to VBS.  Afternoons Kasey would take her nap as I prepared my lessons for the next day.  I have had Kasey for the past 12 week days.  We have had a great time!


As of now-I am not scheduled to have any grandkids on Saturday.  I think DH is going to a farm auction that means I will be home alone!  I just may lock the door, not answer the phone,  and have some ME time.  That will include basting  and quilting the tree skirt wedding gift for an August 21st wedding and starting a baby quilt for a young gal at church who is due the end of August. 

A Chance to Win an Accuquilt!

Judy at Sew Fun Quilts is giving away an Accuquilt. I have never used one--it would be fun to have though.

She has a list of things to do before you leave your ONE comment.  It is almost like a scavenger hunt!  Actually it was sorta fun.  Let's hope one of us wins!!!!!

Good Luck!!

Off and Running

I was catching up on reading a few blogs before I take off this morning.  The guys had baled 2000 square bales of straw yesterday afternoon before a major part broke on the baler.  Fortunately we were able to borrow a neighbor's baler to finish last night.  They are able to use the neighbor's baler today and Saturday.   They have been baling straw all week while DH combines wheat. We have three high school boys helping to haul wheat wagons and stack straw in the  hay wagons.  They are able to get considerable more bales in the wagon when they are stacked.  We sell it to farmers right from the field.  They use our wagons or bring their own.  One farmer came with a flatbed semi to load the bales on.   Some of the straw is baled in big round bales. 

I had a great four days with Kasey and Cole this week.  I do love having them and they are a blessing to our lives.   Next week Kasey will be going to VBS with me.  There is a toddler/preschool class for the workers kids.  She will love it.  During church service she sings as loud as she can and  waves to those leading the music.  Of course she doesn't know the words so she sings the songs she knows.  Usually "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  As soon as the singing is over she looks at her mom saying, "Go play toys now."

This afternoon I need to continue prep for VBS lessons.   Maybe tonight--I will be able to baste Dawn and Jason's wedding gift. 

Until next time!  Enjoy your day and smile.

Busy Week-A little bit of sewing!

This past week was very busy and went fast.  At night I was able to do some sewing.  After all the work setting up my sewing center upstairs it has been too hot to be up there.  So I carried my machine back down to the dining room table.  One night I did a little more work on  my top that is sewn "on-point layout" as Amy of Amy's Passions corrected my term "sewing on the diagonal.  Always a teacher--right Amy--I do appreciate her!!   This is the fabric I received in a giveaway from Nancy at  Patchwork Penguin. It is Moda 3 sisters, Peace On Earth. I  pinned the seams together before I sew on the strips  to make sure I have it lined up.  A flashback to my clothing sewing days.



The fabric arrived for the wedding gift for Dawn and Jason.  It is Moda's Northwoods Botanicals.

Jason is a game warden and Dawn  has a degree in Natural Resources and works in the office for the DNR (Department of Natural Resources).  They both enjoy spending time outdoors.  I love this fabric.  I am becoming more confident in modifying colors in patterns.

Kasey and Cole were here Wednesday through Friday.  Their day care lady is on vacation for a week starting last Wednesday. Friday Kasey wanted to do whatever papa was doing.  I found a pair of Oshkosh bibs that my boys had worn about 25 years ago.  She loved them!  Quite opposite from her daily frilly dresses.  She even went on the 4-Wheeler to the neighbor's for coffee with him.  She "helped" work on the baler, rode in the tractor to get the feeder wagons,  and hauled tools in her wagon.  Definitely was Papa's girl on Friday.

  Cole is now 13 weeks old--Smiling and watching everything that is going on around him.  I will have them next week through Wednesday.   I am so blessed to have them be a part of our lives!

God Bless,
Linda

Stash Manicure's Giveaway

Check out by clicking on the side bar.

Rae Ann at Stash Manicure is having a "Say Goodbye to July Hello to Giveaway."  Go to her blog to check it out.  Almost every day she has a guest author who writes on organizing your stash or creative ways to use it! You may use the button on the side to find the blog! I have already used ideas that someone wrote about.

Good Luck to all of us!

Farm Cats-For my blogging friends who are cat people.

On the farm cats have a job.  They help take care of the rats and mice in and around the buildings.  Until a year ago when we sold the last of our dairy herd, the cats were fed at the kitty dish after every milking.  They would line up by the milkhouse door and wait for their warm milk.  If they all weren't right there, one call of "Kitty Kitty Kitty" and they would come running from all directions.  DH is a cat person.  The cats would ride on his shoulder while he was milking,  hop up on his knee when he was in beside a cow,  or jump from the hay/straw mow on to his back.   Every cat had its own name and would answer to it.  If a cat had mattery eyes or a cold-out came the syringe with penicillin to give the cat a shot.  An interesting sight to watch.

Since the dairy cows are gone-the cats still do their hunting and still receive some cat food in the barn where we have some of  the beef young stock.  

About four weeks ago a young cat presented us with her first batch of kittens-- seven of them.  She had them in the barn, but mama cat came to the door several times a day for milk and cat food.  She had kept the kittens hidden away from us and away from the dogs.  Occasionally she would bring one to the house with her.  Tuesday morning she had all seven at the door on the back deck. They all knew how to drink milk and eat cat food from the dish. 

Occassionally a farm cat would find its way into the house when the boys were small.  DH would love to have a house cat,  however DIL-2 is very allergic to cats.  So if it is a choice between a cat or DIL-2,  guess who wins without question!!!

Next post will be about the little bit of sewing I have accomplished the past couple of weeks.

Have a great day,
Linda

Patches For Lissa

Mel of Mel's Own Place has been keeping us posted on the long recovery of her sister-in-law, Lissa.   Lissa is a young mother who has been hospital for several months due to a life threatening illness. You may read her story on Mel's site here.

A quilter and blogger is making a quilt for Lissa and she needs our help.  All the information is available from Jane at Jane's Fabric and Quilts.


I just finished my blocks to put in the mail on Thursday.

Take a couple of minutes to read Lissa's story and perhaps make a couple of blocks to send  to help with her quilt.
Quilters are the greatest people!
Linda

County Fair

Our county fair was on Thursday through Sunday.  It is very small--the exhibits and the carnival.  It does bring back lots of memories from when I was a 4-H member in another county--and when the boys were in 4-H. Remembering when they would be  preparing projects, training the beef steers to lead,  working in the 4-H food stand, and managing the milking at home.  The rest of the farm work had to go on hold for those 4 days.  As with other counties, the amount of participation is down.  Kids have so many activities and opportunities now it is difficult to be in everything.

I did stop in the Open Craft building to see the quilts on display.   I have been thinking--I may have to consider entering something next year.  No promises--but as I am working on things, if something turns out well and I really like it--just maybe. 

We stopped at the fair this afternoon with DS-2 , DIL-2, Conner and Tatum.  Conner went on two "kiddie" rides.  He enjoyed the Merry-Go-Round.

He thought the train was a little dull--What do you expect from a boy who rides in the tractors and combines with Uncle and Grandpa.  Or who rides a small 4-Wheeler on his own and the big 4-Wheeler with grandpas,  mom, or dad.  This picture does show that the fair is very small.

Conner looked across the carnival and saw the Tilt-A-Whirl.  He thought that would be fun--
After a few spins, he wasn't so sure! He was glad he had his daddy to hold onto! 

Friday Sew In

 

Yes, I know it looks familiar!  I finished the "flimsy" of   another tree skirt using  the same pattern.  This time I used the same fabric around the star and inside the border.  I also cut two fabrics for each size log. It has more of a pattern. I have it down to a method of sewing so it goes together fast.   I haven't decided if this will be for Travis and Becky in Sept. or Jason and Dawn in Aug. 

When reading the blog of a blogging friend,  I was reminded that quilting is a hobby.  I don't need to push myself or feel guilty when I don't accomplish as much as other people.  

  I have Conner and Tatum tomorrow.  DIL-2 needs to work and DS-2 is going tubing down the river with a group of guys for Travis' bachelor party!

Have a great weekend!

Grandma Days!

Kasey and Cole spent Monday and Tuesday with me.  DIL-1 had a two day training in Milwuakee (about 6 hours away).  DS-1 was setting up the John Deere exhibit at  Wisconsin Farm Technology Days about two hours away.  DS needs to work at the exhibit through Thursday.  He came to pick up the kids about 9:00 on Monday night.  Since he needed to leave by 6:00 a.m., I went over to their house to wait for them to wake.  When I stepped out the door the sun was just coming up. Two things came to mind-One the OLD song-"Morning Has Broken" and Psalm 118:24  "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

One thing about being grandma is that you can let your daily work go to spend time with the kids. When Kasey walked in Monday morning she told me her blankie was broke so Grandma had to patch it.  So one more bright pink patch is holding it together.  Kasey and I read books, built with blocks, sang songs, and the usual grandma things.  Cole was in the swing watching us and smiling and talking. 

Tuesday afternoon we went for a walk.  We pulled weeds from my flower beds and only had one blossom pulled off. She walked up to the flowers in the barrel and said, "We match, take my picture grandma.!"

We walked--well actually I walked while I pushed Cole in the stroller and pulled Kasey and the horse in the wagon--to the corn field by the west driveway.  DH and DS-1 are excited about the corn.  DH has never had corn like this the 37 years we have been farming. 

Today Kasey is back to daycare. Cole is taking a nap while I am writing to you and baking brownie for DH.  If I hurry-I could maybe sneak upstairs yet during his nap for my first look at my sewing machine this week!!!

I've been accepted into the "Charming Girls Quilt Club"

Over the last year as I have read blogs,  I often came across activities and projects that bloggers were working on as part of the "Charming Girls' Quilt Club."  When reading Sheila's blog, My Empty Nest Is Full of Cat Hair,  last week,  I learned it was time to enroll into the club for the year.  I contacted Kelly and even though I was two days late-she let me join. 

One of the activities is that Kelly sets up bi-monthly themes, and members post their goals toward this mark, share them on her blog, and encourage each other through the months! It's really a splendid idea, and I feel fortunate to have been included. 

  The theme for July/August is:

 

The couple of people  who know me that read my blog know that I am the type of person that takes care of everyone else first and what is energy is left-goes to me.  Friends have told me that I need to think of myself more often.   I have made improvements in the past few months, but I know I have a long way to go. 

SO--after one quick day of thought-- My Self- Care goals for July/ August will include:

1.  Take time for my self at least once a week.  (A place to start anyway)

2.  Walk or other exercise at least three times a week ( Another place to start--That is the only thing I miss about having sold our dairy cows)

3.  Eat more nutritiously and not let my frustrations or stress control my eating habits. (Hopefully this will result in weight loss!)

Needs to be accomplished: 

1. Complete the wedding gifts for Dawn & Jason, and Becky & Travis.

2.  Spend time preparing my stories/ object lessons for VBS.

3.   Work on cleaning out cupboards upstairs to use for my sewing/quilting area. 

I am really excited about being accountable for "Self-Care" goals.  I will let you know how I do!