What I did Today

For years my Sweetman could do anything. He could change diapers, fold diapers, feed babies, entertain kids, haul carloads of kids to ballfields, coach, cheer them on, provide everything a child needs and still love his wife and take care of her. The yard was his domain and I stayed out of it except to suggest where I wanted something planted. But now he has health issues and just can't do what he use to. I love working in the yard and consider it a great way to get much needed exercise. So today I headed for the yard early this morning. This is what I have cut away and hauled to the curb to be picked up on Monday. The one thing he will not let me do is use his chain saw. Darn, I know I could do it! So he did come out late this afternoon and with his foam knee pad on the ground he was able to cut away some very think hedges for me. My superman! I cut back my knockout roses and shaped up some other shrubs. And there is still more to do. There is still lots of sawdust from where we had the trees cut down and I need to get it spread. And I am still fighting that darn English Ivy that I spray with roundup everytime I walk by it.

New Project

I have started purchasing fabrics for a new project. The request was to make it bright and modern. Today at the Georgia Quilt Expo I picked up these fabric and a pattern that I think will be perfect.

Speaking of the Quilt Expo, you could tell that we are in an economy slump. A large majority of the quilts on display were small art quilts. Regardless of the size I think all of them were winners. And many of vendors that we have seen at different quilting functions in the pass were not there this year. Hopefully things will turn around the economy and next years Expo will be even better than this years.

Quilts and Quiltmakers

This is a block with sashing that I am using in a new quilt that I am in the process of making. And I have been thinking seriously about my passion for quiltmaking. I am slowly realizing that not all people like or enjoy quilts. To some they are "old fashion" and do not fit into their decorating scheme. To others they are loved and cherished and the more piled on a bed the happier they are. So the question is how do you decide who gets the quilts you are making. I don't have an answer, yet. So if you are my family or friend and see a quilt in my house or workroom and you would really like to have it, let me know. And if you are not interested in a quilt for your house, just don't accept one if it is offered to you. And to my seven grandsons, my quilts are not being made to take on hunting trips or change the oil in your car. They are made with love for all of my family and friends to enjoy.

The dear deer are not so dear any longer!

We have lived in our home almost 10 years and never had a problem with the deer. But this summer they have found us! The hosta plants on the backside of the house have been tasty tidbits for them. Note, they just took out the tops.

Our home is in a subdivision but backs up to a farm. Even with an electric fence the sweet deer managed to find hosta plants in our subdivision. Apparently they went from house to house enjoying the hosta plants in the subdivision as most all of the hosta plants of my neighbors were eaten also.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Do you remember The Andy Griffith show with Jim Nabors. One of his favorite sayings was "Surprise, surprise, surprise"
Well let me tell you about my wonderful surprise! My birthday was August 16. Our oldest daughter had called the week before and invited Sweetman and me out for lunch on Saturday at Olive Garden. Nice birthday gift! The Thursday night before that Saturday I was sitting in our sitting room watching TV and doing a little hand quilting when I had a telephone call from my Mississippi sister, Pat. We were just chatting away and she asked the strangest question; what are you doing and which room are you in. Just then the door bell started ringing. I loudly asked Sweetman to answer the door. He did and there stood two ladies asking for me. So Sweetman being a sweetie asked "Are you from the church?" The said no. He then asked if they were from one of my quilting groups. And about that time my sister Pat just ran into the house and my baby sister from Texas, Edwina, was trying to get Sweetman to be quiet long enough for her to tell him who they were. I heard Sweetman say "She is going to have a heart attack". Then I looked up and there stood this woman in the doorway of the sitting room and I did not recognized her at first. Then I did and I almost did have a heart attack. I had not seen my sisters in almost seven years. Yet, we email and talk most every week. They had driven from Mississippi to help celebrate my birthday. What wonderful, sweet sisters I have.
We celebrated all weekend and they graciously treated all of my Georgia family to lunch at Olive Garden on Saturday. This is a birthday that will be remembered forever. All of my children and grans called to wish me a special birthday and I loved every minute. I am one of the luckiest ladies in the world to have such a loving and caring family.

Fig Preserves

A friend brought us a small bag of fresh figs yesterday. Neither of us eat figs except as fig preserves. Last night I washed the figs and then added sugar for them to sit overnight. Then this morning I started the cooking process. This is what I ended up with. Of course, Sweetman wanted biscuits for lunch so he could start eating on them today. But we decided we would not open a jar until after the first frost of the season. If you have fresh figs send them my way!

Baptist Fan Quilting Pattern

Are you a hand quilter? Have you ever wondered how to quilt using the Baptist Fan pattern? Bonnie Hunter over on the Quiltville blog, www.quiltville.blogspot.com, has a great tutorial on how to quilt the Baptist fan. Go to http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2010/05/questions-on-fans.html or go to her blog and scroll down on the right and click on the Baptist Fan tutorial.