Quilting once more

 

I had not worked on a quilt in about nine months…just lost my desire.

 

But then around Christmas time I gave away several of the ones I had completed in the past. Touching the fabric just brought back my desire once again.

 

I came across some very small fabric pieces with a heart as part of the pattern. Also had part of a panel of valentine pictures. These fabrics  have now become a quilt. Well, the quilt is not complete. I need to buy batting and will do that when weather improves for a shopping trip in town.

 

These pictures are rather poor…red is such a difficult color for me to photograph.

This consists of 720 half square triangles..then used the flying geese at top and bottom.     Don’t pay any attention to the loose threads …just pretend they aren’t there.  

 

Considering I did not have very  much themed  fabric I was surprised to have made it this large. I had plenty of the white – picked up a 7 yard piece at a yard sale a couple of years ago for $6.00. At the beginning I decided I would use what was in my stash…no buying anything to add to it. Only small scraps were left. I am using them for a baby sized quilt.

 

Several days ago a friend gave me a box of fabric scraps – all had a Christmas theme. I have cut all of them into 3 inch squares. These are going into a 9 patch. Today while going thru some things in my fabric shelves I came across two small bags with a Christmas theme. By adding all these together I should have a good start on a quilt. If I should run out I have some larger pieces just waiting to be cut up.

 

My love of quilting has returned.

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Weather wise – we had snow and more snow on  the ground (covering up a heavy layer of ice)…plus it has snowed most of the day. Weather predictions are for more snow on Sunday/Monday and then again on Wednesday. We need the moisture – but I would rather have it in the form of rain.

You all take care, stay warm, eat, pet the cat, speak sweet to your honey…or what ever gives you pleasure.

 

 

Amelia♥

Added Fall Decoration

I try to come up with ideas of using the "Cricut" machine - that is other than in scrapbooking. These pictures are just lightly stuck to the plate - so no problem in removing them. Oh, there maybe some glue residue left - but WD-40 will handle that.





If the plates look crooked...it is my camera shot...they are actually positioned in the plate frame correctly.


I am enjoying the cooler weather - seems like fall now!


Amelia♥

Flowers today 5-10-2010

The weatherman says we are under a tornado watch! Certainly, hope he is wrong as some of my flowers are looking so pretty.


Here are just a few pictures of the flowers as to how they look today.


Not all of the amaryllis buds are in bloom - but so pretty at this time.
 

This is part of one of the flower beds in the back of the house.Part of the front yard. Leon made this wagon a couple or so years ago. It sits to the North of our drive way.

Many more flowers to see in the yard - but will wait for another day.

Count your blessings today!


Amelia
PS: The wild roses thru out the country side have been pretty too this year. These pictures show the ones on the fence row looking east from our back yard.

Spring 2010

Today being the first day of spring warm breezy days come to mind..but if you live here in this part of the US today is something else. Temperatures in the lower 30's this afternoon and snow everywhere and probably more to come.

Yesterday the temperature was in the lower 70's - so spent some time cutting back the crepe myrtles - will do the Rose of Sharon bushes later. Wind was blowing but with the warmth did not bother me being in it. Also knew I had better enjoy this as the weathermen had predicted a rain turning to snow with perhaps some hail or sleet thrown in for good measure starting Friday night. Sure enough it has happened. >>This is how pretty the jonquils looked on Thursday evening...pretty.

I cut several of the flowers Friday afternoon knowing if I was going to enjoy them...it would have to be inside the house.
This is the way the jonquil bed looks now.

Looks like it may be awhile before I can work outside again...the rain and snow will leave the ground extremely wet and soggy...you all just remind me of this come late July and August when I am commenting (well probably griping) about the heat and dryness of the soil.

God has given us the seasons... not questioning God but do you suppose he is talking to us like he spoke to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament.



Amelia

Gardening

Normally what I did this afternoon would be called early gardening...pulling dead plants, cutting back the roses, and picking up stray stuff.

But I am actually late in doing part of it...the weather has been so cold and windy after the snow I could not stand to get out in it. I get a go-to-bed type headache from cold wind if I am out in it any length of time.

Mr.. Sun stayed hid while I was out - but the temperature was in the 50's - so not too bad...and the wind was just a gentle breeze...so no problem there either.

No way did I complete all that should be done...but did make a good start on it...oh the weeds, especially the plant (chickweed?) is coming on full force.

The ice and snow was on the ground for so long sure wrecked havoc with the monkey grass and the periwinkle. I know they will survive but will take longer than normal to get green and full again. Also the strawberries plants are rather pitiful looking.


This was the way the flowering crab apple tree in our front yard looked last year on the 20th of this month...right now there is nothing on it. The buds are not even started - let alone full enough to blossom.

I am confident spring time will arrive - but these March winds and then the April showers had better produce some beautiful May flowers.

Question: Is there some new plant you want to put out this year in your flower garden or container this year that you have never planted before? At this point, not any for me...but you can never tell when I go to looking at Lowe's or Atwood's (a local store).

Oh, another bit of gardening news - the onions got planted in the vegetable garden this morning...6 bunches total. So in about a month we should be able to have green onions to enjoy with our meals.



♥♥♥


Amelia

On the Horizon...

Spring, remember that season of the year.

I know it is hard to remember how the warmth felt on your arms as you worked in the flower beds. Perhaps even wiping away some sweat as you pulled and tugged on the big sacks of mulch or potting soil.

I can see the signs of that glorious time once more.



The jonquils have been peaking out of the ground for several weeks now. Today on a few of them I can see the swelling of a bud...flowers will come forth in a few weeks.

The past three months have been so long and some days filled with lots of grayness. I am ready for the day to be filled with sunshine, warmth and knowing I can go out in the yard in short sleeves.


Oh, having lived in Oklahoma for practically all my life I know we can have some more cold, wet, blustery days and perhaps even some snow thrown in. Knowing this does not stop me from looking far on the horizon for the days of spring.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we are told there is a season for everything...God, I am ready for the season of spring.

Blessings to all


Amelia

Very Little Color

Looking out with all the ice, sleet and now snow the countryside coloring is mostly white...some darker shades appear - but for the most part it is white.

I thought I would share some of these wintery sights with you. You can see all the ice/snow in these pictures. In the last one of the porch railing there are icicles on both sides of the railing...seems strange to see it on both sides.Now this is one flash of color that is pretty against all the white.

I am thankful that my wonderful husband is no longer driving big trucks for a living and can be home with me (and the cats) to enjoy - or perhaps the word is endure - this weather.
Four months from now we will be planting garden items - flowers and veggies - doesn't that sound like fun. Until then stay warm, dry and full of chocolate.



Amelia

Fall - 2008

This handsome fella is in front of our house - checking out all the speeders as they zoom down our country road. The tall clump of maidenhair grass behind him is starting to spread the

lovely plumes that look so beautiful swaying in the wind....you know how the wind can blow here in Oklahoma.

Oh the feel of fall is not completely here - but getting close. The temps at night are cooler - which makes for great sleeping - can't have the windows open because of Leon's allergies - however the house does cool down. Daytime temperatures are still warm - but no more of those high 90's degrees to contend with during the afternoon.

The apples are starting to fall - not that we are going to have many - but still get enough for several pies. Our garden is still producing okra and tomatoes quite bountiful. Leon and I say we have this arrangement with the Lord - we get 10% of the garden items and give away 90%...so this year people from church have really been on the receiving end of fresh produce.

Leon and number one son are in the western part of the state putting up deer stands...they also have some plans for riding the 4 wheelers for fun. With this 3 day trip they will be getting in some excellent father - son time. I could not ask for a better relationship than the one I have with # l son...yes I am his Dad's wife...but he treats me like a Mother and bestest part is that he calls me "Mom" lots of times...makes this old lady's heart just swell.

While speaking of children - looks like daughter is going to have a girl...95% sure baby is girl - but they will test again in three weeks...if it is a girl she will be named Amelia - don't know if this family is ready for two "Amelia's" or not. Baby is due in mid February...now if delivery can be held off until the 20th of Feb she would be born on my birthday. However, if she is born on 14th (Valentine's Day) that is my sister's birthday.

Seems like we are busy all the time - but yet some days can not see much that we have accomplished - but you know since we are retired do we have to show that we have produced something each and every day...no I don't think so.

Bought a new printer the other day at Staples. They only had a floor sample of the one I wanted so they had one shipped to me. It came the very next day - so time wise was no problem. However, when I opened the box and found all 6 of the ink cartridges were already installed I thought we might have a problem...sure enough - soon as it was turned on got flashing lights. After speaking to several people it was determined for sure it was defective and I would get another one and the defective one would be picked up. I wasn't home this morning when the delivery guy arrived - but he left my new one and a note wanting me to call about picking up the bad one...so that is planned for tomorrow. Got the new 0ne installed and at this point I am happy with the results of the print colors in pictures. My old printer never did give me good quality pictures and then the "copy" function went out...so after listening to me grumble (I do occasionally do that) Leon said now is the time to get a new one.

I have been having some medical tests - nothing major - but now finished with all of them. Only thing is now I take high blood pressure meds on a daily basis. My blood platelets are semi low but not bad - anyway I am to see the doctors in 6 months and see how I am doing. Now if I could just find the will to lose these extra 15-20 pounds I have gained in the last two years - my body would probably be a lot better.

In the quilting part of my life I am making a T-shirt quilt for son-in-law Tony. I am making this one where each block is quilted before joining it to the next block. I saw it done on TV once and found some instructions on the web - so we will see how it turns out. On his last t-shirt quilt I hand quilted that - but never again...you just can't make pretty stitches thru the picture part...some of my stitches seemed large enough to drive a truck thru them..so machine quilting is the way I am going this time.

Well, that about wraps up what is going on in my life at this point in time.

May God bless you in many ways.

Amelia (I got heavy on the delete key and erased the fancy writing of my name.)

Brown...plus a hint of green!

That describes the looks of part of our flower beds and yard. For the most part everything is dead with a brownish gray cast to the stems and few leaves.

Today the temperature is quite nice-I suppose in the upper 60's- with a wind blowing. "Being outside" was calling to me - and dear husband was already out there moving some landscape timbers to the garden area (that is another story/post later on). Wandered around the yard some...just peaking in this area and poking around in yet another flower bed.

Made some discoveries too. A couple of plants are starting to get some green om them. The chrysanthemums are getting a few new green leaves at the bottom of their dry leafy stems. Also one of the rose bushes is putting out new growth. I will trim all the rose bushes back during the first week of March.

Just had to get my hands in the dirt though. I chose only one of the many flower pots and removed all the dead "stuff". This pot contained coleus and varigated swedish ivy last year. Who knows what I will plant there this spring! The soil was warm and somewhat damp to the touch...and it felt good. I do like gardening so much!

I know I am dreaming right now. We will have several more weeks of cold. Perhaps, even more snow and ice.

But for today - I enjoyed the warmth and even got in the tree swing and swayed back and forth. Leon came by and gave me several big scary like pushes so I was really flying high in the air.

'Let it snow"

We didn't have a white Christmas...but we certainly did on the day afterwards.

Started raining real lightly at first and then gradually turned into snow. Received some huge flakes...so pretty falling to the ground. In back yard - looking north east
Front yard - towards the south west.
Back yard.
Snow adds alot to the decoration on porch railing.
Back yard.

We probably received three to four inches.

"No Power"

The ice added a beauty to everything.

However, when the electricity went out the beauty was somewhat not as alluring as before.

Leon to the rescue though...several years ago when he bought the big generator he said one day we would need it. Yesterday was the day. We were able to run practically everything in the house on it. No, I did not turn on my computer, do any laundry, or bake anything - but we had lights, television and heat. We left it on until about 8:00 last night and then turned it off. Reason, we did not know how long the gasoline would last in it. He turned back on about 7:00 this morning. We had heat during the night from the gas logs in the fireplace.

Got two phone calls from neighbors early afternoon that the power was back on. Hooray, we could do everything "electric wise" again.

Even though we were without power and there were some limbs down we did not have it near as bad as our surrounding area...anyway according to TV.


This is in the front yard...looking south east.
This wreath is hanging from a wire panel on which a green vine grows during the summer.
There are real icicles hanging amongst the icicle lights.
Leon is checking out a limb that is hanging too close to an electric line. He later cut it down before it could do any damage.
This limb is normally high enough for us to drive under (even in the pick-up) but with all the ice it was touching the gravel.