Making hay when the sun shines.

It is a another beautiful summer day in northern Wisconsin. 

After 7 years of drought we have had rain in June.    Before we sold the last of our dairy herd last year we would forage chop the first crop and put it in the silos to be fed as haylage to the cows.  Then second crop would be square baled and put in the dairy barn to be fed as dry hay to the dairy cows.   Now with the black angus beef cattle we round bale all the hay with the exception of a few loads we put in the "barn across the road" where we have young stock.   We also sell hay to other farmers and "horse people". 

We are totally John Deere famers!  When our middle son was learning his colors, he would name each color-however, when he came to green or yellow he would say, "John Deere."

There were a few comments made on our John Deere mailbox.  DH had purchased the mailbox in a pile of "Junk" (junk my term not DH's)  at a farm auction.  He pounded out the dents,  primed  and painted it with John Deere green spray paint.  He purchased decals for each side.  I thought it look fine.  Then with John Deere yellow he made swirls.  When I asked him why.  He said it was an original where no one would have one like it!

Since I was out with the camera--This is our home.  It is a 61 year old farm house built by my MIL & FIL.  We purchased the farm from them  in 1979.   About twenty years ago we put in new windows,  new siding and added on a new kitchen.  The window to the right is were I take the pictures for the "view from my kitchen window".  The dormer room upstairs is the room I am working on making into my sewing room.


I just realized our border collie, Jordie, posed in the two pictures!  He will be another story!!!!

Another Label

I am on a roll.  I made my second label for a quilt tonight.  If the quilt looks familiar it was my, "Make sure this baby is a boy" quilt.  I did have in mind that Monica and Eric were expecting their first baby.  So I knew there was a 50-50 chance this quilt could be for their baby.  I used my machine to stitch her name, date of birth, title of the quilt, and even added my name.  I framed it with one of the fabrics from the top. 

Monica is the younger daughter of Peg, my college roommate,  my "we claim we are sisters", and forever friend since 1970.  


One of the advantages of having rain after a seven year drought is that the flowers bloom much brighter with natural rain than when watering.  The pink clematis usually blooms earlier than the purple.

DH has been cutting hay for two days.  He is cutting first crop on some fields and second crop alfalfa on other fields.  I think I know what we will be doing on July 4th! 

Book Give Away on a Quilter's Blog

There is a book give-away on Jill's blog.  It is a new book by Sandra Dallas.  Several blogger friends are familiar with her books.  I am going to look for them at the library.  Take a peek at Jill's blog, Ramblings of a Fabric and Yarn Obsessor.

You can click here to learn more about Sandra Dallas.

June's BOM & Family Reunion

Last night when we returned from a family reunion, I dug out my BOM fabrics to sew the June blocks- (I did sneak a peek. Amy has the July blocks posted- don't tell her  that I let you know!)   Either the blocks are getting easier or I am becoming more confident.  They went together quickly and with no problems. 

Yesterday we attended a family reunion at Irvine Park  in Chippewa Falls, Wi.   My four grandkids and others their age were the fifth generation to attend the Peck Family Reunion Picnic.  It was started by my grandparents 54 years ago.   There are many traditions that have held for all those years.  Everyone brings  sandwiches, a dish to pass, and the "makings for lemonade" (it used to be fresh squeezed and mixed in a milk pail-now frozen concentrate in a big cooler),  a collection is taken up mid afternoon for someone to go for ice cream, ( many years ago we went directly to a creamery to get delicious fresh ice cream),   a cousin or uncle goes early-5:00 a.m. or when the park opens now- to reserve one of the shelters. There is a banner that hangs with the family name.  Many things stay the same--everyone is watching everyone's kids,  when someone calls  "Mommy" in a panic voice- lots of mom's and grandma's go running.   My oldest cousin was there from Oregon-I hadn't seen her many years, another cousin from Nevada.   We missed those who weren't there due to age or distance and especially missed Grandma and Grandpa--and the uncles who are gone.

Tatum  spent lots of time with Papa--She loved it when he pushed her in the swing.

Grandma--There's a hole in your quilt!

Yesterday I finished the tree skirt for Randy & Kelsey's wedding this afternoon.  I was showing it to DIL-2 when she came for Conner and Tatum. Conner took one look at it and started laughing.  Remember he is 3 1/2---he laughed and said, "Grandma, there is a hole in your quilt!" 

A major accomplishment for me!  I actually made a label and sewed it to the skirt. 

In the mail today was an invitation to a wedding on August 21.  One that I hadn't expected to receive.  That means three wedding this fall.

I better keep sewing.

Have a great day,
Linda

Since we last meet!

Since we last talked:

DH made a quick trip with a friend to Minot, N.D.  A long story made short--the friend purchased three old John Deere tractors from a farmer there.  He bought 2 John Deere Model A's and a John Deere Model D.  He asked DH to ride along--after a great deal of self-arguing,  he decided he would go.  They left at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and returned at 2:30 a.m. on Monday morning.  The load was heavy for the trailer and they blew a tire at 1:00 a.m.  It is supposed to be a 10 hour trip each way--However, when you are pulling a load and can only drive 55 for 960 miles-It makes for a long trip.  This isn't one they brought back--the ones Jay bought need LOTS of work to restore.

Monday through  Wednesday I was in class and earned 1 credit towards my license renewal.  8:00 until 3:30 with a 10 minute break at 10:00-45 minutes for lunch and a 10 minute break at 2:00.   It is another method of classroom management and working with students.  Giving ownership of problems to the students-giving guidelines to solve their own problems--A different philosophy from the Positive Reinforcement model that so many are currently using.  Like all methods--there are great ideas and some drawbacks. 

Monday evening a college friend called to say he and his wife were on vacation.  They wanted to come over on Tuesday night.  I have seen them once in 36 years.  My first thought was how am I going to clean my house, prepare a meal, and lose 100 lbs in 24 hours while I am gone from 7:30 to 4:00.  I worked at cleaning on Monday night. Decided to order pizza and made fresh strawberry shortcake--and thought oh well-about the 100 lbs-they will have to take me as they find me!  They are from Nevada and are traveling for two months with a 5th wheel camper trailer visiting friends and family.  We had a great visit. 

Then this afternoon--I had one of those, "DUH! Linda" moments.  I was working on machine quilting the tree skirt for Randy and Kelsy's wedding.   I was thinking-I wish I had another hand to lift the pressure foot and still hold onto my fabric.  Then the light bulb flashed! I received a "knee lifter" when I purchased my machine!  So I located it--figured out how to attach it--and VOILA it worked! (that is almost all the French I remember from French class!)  Tonight I will sew on the binding and it will be finished!

Linda

Delayed "Friday Night Sew In"

One Christmas Tree Skirt is finished.

 Tuesday night my small group from church met at The Potter Shed.   It is an awesome local business.  That night we each did a mosaic project.  I finished gluing on the broken glass pieces.  We were each sent home with a bag of grout and a sheet of instruction.  I don't know if I will be able to figure out how to do that part! I am not an artist by any stretch!  However, I did have a great time with six of the other gals in our group.   I gave the Red, White, and Blue Star Runner to my friend Rhonda.  She is the group leader and does an awesome job  faithfully each week.

I also finished  and gave the Happy Holiday table topper to my friend, Mary.  Mary subbed for me each time I needed to be out of my classroom this past year due to DH's doctor's appointments and his surgery.  I was comfortable knowing she was in my classroom.  I finished the binding with red-(Thank you for your suggestions!!) -I have another one cut out for myself that will have blue binding!

Tonight  was my "Delayed Friday Night Sew In".  After the grandkids left I pulled out the next Christmas Tree Skirt I am working on. I started the machine quilting.  I hope to finish the machine work  tomorrow afternoon.  
Have a great Father's Day,

Linda

Favorite Stories and Song

No "Friday Night Sew In" for me.  DIL-2 and Son Chad both had to work late at their respective jobs and again  this morning.  So Grandson -1 and Granddaughter- 2 (Peanut)  spent the night with us.  Peanut is 11 months old and not just walks-but runs- everywhere.  When 7:00 p.m. comes she is ready for bed and will sleep until 6:00 a.m.   Grandson 1 is 3 1/2.  He doesn't think bedtime should exist at Grandma's house. So he and Grandma go into our bed where we read from  "Beginner's Bible for Toddlers".  The Stories are very short with great illustrations.
We always read--David and Goliath, Daniel in The Lion's Den, and Jonah.  Several times each.  Then he "reads' them to me.  After we finish reading-just when he is on the verge of falling asleep. He will say, "Scratch my back Grandma. On my skin"   Then, "Sing Grandma."   Last night our song was "Only a Boy Named David." MANY TIMES!!!!    Even at 2:30 this morning when suddenly it was, "I want my daddy--I want my mommy!!"  So once more I rub his back and he says, "Sing,  "Boy Named David" Grandma."  Of course--I add extra sound effects- WOO-WOO-WOO-Woo- When the stone flies after the giant!

After Lunch continued:

Son Todd stopped with  Granddaughter-1, "The Princess" (2 1/2 )  when he came for tools from DH's shop.  Kasey came to the house--when she found that Tatum and Conner were here she decided to stay also.  So I have three of the four grandkids this afternoon.  I just walked in to find the two of them in Papa's chair reading.  Peanut (Tatum 11 months)-Is just having fun walking!

  Maybe tonight when all are gone home I will have a make up sewing night!
Have a great weekend and celebrate Father's Day with the important men in your life!

Linda

In My Mailbox! UPDATE! OOPS

This morning when I went to check the mail I took my camera to take a picture of the lilies I transplanted to a temporary location last summer when the highway department  decided to widen the county highway in front of our farm.  They took all of my flower bed and 12 sixty year old spruce trees.  I had been trying to establish a perennial bed.  I dug the lilies and planted them temporarily  in front of the house!  It worked!  The flower bed needs lots of help right now! That is one of my goals for the summer, along with scraping the paint of the front step and repainting it. We are trying to think of shrubs or something to put along the front of the house for privacy and sound reduction.

Now for the BEST PART of then morning!

In the mailbox I found a package from Nancy of Patchwork Penguin. Last week she had a give-a-way!  I won!!  All I can say is, "WOW!!!  It is a box FULL of awesome  coordinated fat quarters.  The colors are beautiful!  Now I need to find just the right project to make with them. I think they definitely fit into Amy's category of "Too Good To Cut."  Thank you Nancy!!!!!  I have met the greatest people through blogging!   I think I am actually starting to build a stash!!! 

UPDATE:

In the excitement of my package I forgot to add the pictures of my lilies!

Have a great day!

Linda

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