Not Easter

Yes, I know it isn't Easter, but Jackson doesn't care.  When he found that big bag of Easter Eggs in the garage, he was ready for the hunt.  Anything to entertain the little guy.

And then it was on to mow the grass with Pop.  He had no problem learning to operate the Zero Turn mower........unlike his Mimi, who just learned with some degree of difficulty a couple of weeks ago.

The nice blue shirt.......well, he chose this one when he finished Vacation Bible School at his church today.  And, as he was careful to point out, it matches his shorts.

GRATITUDES

The expanding vocabulary and surprisingly "grown up" conversation with a four year old grandson.

Pancakes, bacon and fresh eggs for dinner.

Take care,

Jennie

Chicken update

It has been awhile since there has been a chicken update, so I thought it was time I shared a few new photos of some of the flock.

Ronnie the Roo.  So handsome and such a gentleman.

Lacy, one of the crazy twins.

Inquisitive Ginger.

Bobbie, the Head Hen.

It seems as though Ronnie might be having a bit of a sexual identity crisis.  Several times lately I have seen him go into a nest.  Today, when Sara Ashley and I were doing a little chicken house maintenance, we saw him go into the Kitty Litter Dome turned into nesting box, and decided we would see what he was doing.  Listen to his hen-like clucking.

John and Blake planted new potatoes this year......their first venture into potato farming.  Today they harvested the first tub full.......quite a nice haul.

We are looking forward to having some of them roasted on the grill.

GRATITUDES

An experiment that turns out in a positive way.

Chicken antics.

Much needed summer rain.

Take care,

Jennie

The Garden Path

The paths in our garden leave a lot to be desired.  Now, don't think that I am not grateful for all that we have gotten done over the past two summers.  It really is truly remarkable.  I mean, take a look at 2010.

Three sad little beds on a plot of land scraped clean of all it's topsoil.....basically rocks and weeds.

And today......

That being said, the pathways between the beds basically still looked like the ground on the 2010 photo.  And by the end of the summer, with even our most valiant efforts, the weeds overtake the paths and make traversing them a snaky feeling proposition.  And weed eating threatens to destroy all of the plants spilling over from the beds.

So, last week "The Help" got to work.

Pathway before prepping the ground

Weeds and rocks removed.

Weed block paper in place. (This is where I helped.)

Mulched.

All compliments of "The Help"......proudly standing on their brand new pathways.....looking a little worse for the wear, but hey, it is so worth it.

What a great job!!!  Thanks, guys.  Now to finish the other half of the garden......just sayin'.

GRATITUDES

A garden's promise of summer bounty.

The rich smell of earth and mulch.

Chickens clucking happily in the background.

Take care,

Jennie

Rob

Not to be outdone by Christi, Rob recently had a really nice article about him published in Lifestyles Magazine, which I thought I would share.

Congratulations, Rob!!!

GRATITUDES

Great son in laws.

The first squash harvested from the garden.

The sleepy snores of old dogs doing what they do best.

Take care,

Jennie

Sally Post Blocks 16 - 18

June's Sally Post blocks, numbers 16 - 18 are finished.  Trying to get a head start on what I need to get done this month.

Can't say that I am very fond of Block 18, but in the scheme of things, it will blend into the quilt.

GRATITUDES

The sharing of plants amongst gardeners.

Summer rain showers.

Take care,

Jennie

June

It is difficult to comprehend that we are entering the sixth month of 2013.  In evaluating my project progress, I would say that I am on track.  More than expected, less than desired.......what can I say?  I always believe that I can achieve much more than I really can.  I have completed 31 projects thus far, of which 12 were UFOs.  Ideally, I would like to see more UFO finishes in the future months......at least in equal number to the new starts.  Many of the new starts were from stash, but some were new purchases.
Another goal for the remainder of the year will be to cut down on the number of new purchases.

Let's take a look at May.  There was absolutely no progress on the little Blackwork quilt, so it will go back onto the list for June.  The Albany Sampler and Checkerboard Rugs and Patiently Waiting Runner, all UFOs, were completed and I blogged about them previously.  Haven't touched the woven scarf.  The knit shawl only lacks about 10 rows being finished and I should easily accomplish that in June.  I did make some progress on the Lion and Lamb, but don't see myself finishing it before Caraway, as I had hoped.  Here is where I stand with it.  As you can see, I have filled in some more on the right hand side and top, but still have lots to go.

I worked on all of the BOMs except Primitive Garden.  I am working on getting Love Letters (Really, it is named Kisses From Your Beloved) into a top. 

The redwork My Family wallhanging can come off the list, as it is in flimsy stage now and ready to go to the longarmer next week. It will be added back in when it returns for binding.

Garden Baskets is up to date, and I have trimmed and set together the first nine blocks.  Just received Block Ten and have it prepped to stitch in June.

Here is the list for June.  There will, of course, be the class rug (that will be started at Caraway with Jeanne Benjamin the week of rug camp) to add, but I'll do that later.  Looking at this list, I am really thinking that accomplishing all of this is unadulterated optimism.......there is rug camp, Vacation Bible School at the church and gardening all to be done this month.  But I can always dream and strive and when all else fails, revise the list.

 GRATITUDES

Friends who understand when my brain is not in gear.

A quick nap on the porch swing.

Warm, homemade cinnamon rolls from the aforementioned friend.

Take care,

Jennie

String X

Have I mentioned that string quilting is addicting??  When I am working on all of those projects on my "To Do" list the strings are quietly tempting me to spend just a few minutes with them....really, just a couple of blocks, you don't have to make many, just a few all along will result in something good.

So, 56 blocks later, I have the beginnings of this String X Quilt that I found on Bonnie Hunter's site (you can follow the link, just in case you might be tempted).  Honestly, all in one afternoon and evening, like a woman possessed.  It is a sickness, I am sure.

I plan to get this one into flimsy status before donating it.  Next up is trimming the points, then the setting.  I plan to use a conglomeration of whites and white on whites from my stash for the setting blocks.  Not sure when I will progress to the next stage, but the blocks are still sitting on the sewing table staring at me.  And the string bin.......not a bit emptier, I swear.

Today Jackson tried out his new Slip 'n Slide that Pop and Mimi gifted him with for his birthday.  I do believe he likes it.

GRATITUDES

Making something from nearly nothing.

Free quilt patterns and inspiration.
The reckless abandon of little children.

Take care,

Jennie

Sally Post.....Back on Track

Last month I fell behind on Sally and didn't get my three blocks done.  On Sunday I realized that it is almost the end of May, and I still haven't done the blocks for this month or last.  Not good.  So, I got my show in the road and I am now caught up.......until the end of the week when it will be June.

 Blocks 10 - 12

Blocks 13-15

Now, early on in the game, someone from my Yahoo group asked me if I planned to make the stripes go in the same direction on all of the blocks.  Well, of course I did......and I would pay particular attention to getting that right.  So, take a peek at the top photo.  How did that happen???  I thought I was so careful.  And then I looked back and found some other blocks with the same orientation.  But, alas, have no fear.  Sally, unknowingly, has helped me out here.  If I set the blocks in the same style that she did, I have done it exactly right ( her blocks are set on point with two rows facing the right and two rows facing the left instead of top to bottom).  All of the blocks will have the stripes facing in the same direction!!! Amazing.  I won't be able to set the blocks numerically just like she did, but it certainly takes care of itself.  Thank you, Sally!!

If you have a few seconds, please go to my daughter's blog and read the incredible post about Sara Ashley's award and her initial experience at the Bedford School.  Brings tears to my eyes.

GRATITUDES

The unexpected sighting of a freshly tilled field with good ole red Georgia earth.

Comfy old clothes.

Peanut butter sandwiches.

Take care,

Jennie

Horne Birthdays

On Saturday, Ashley and Matt hosted a family potluck dinner as the final celebration of Jackson's and Macy's birthdays.  It was a great day.  Good food, family time and general fun.

The honorees waiting to open gifts.

Oreo Cookie Ice cream cake for Macy

 Good old sugary birthday cake for Jackson with a fireman theme.

And, finally, today (his real birthday) Jackson chose his favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner.

GRATITUDES:

Sticky sweet birthday cakes and ice cream....they have always been my favorite.

Family time and sharing memories.

Potluck dinners.

Take care,

Jennie

Dyeing

A couple of weeks ago a few of us hookers, weavers and spinners spent a fun day dyeing different fibers.  We were so busy that I didn't get any photos of that day, but here are the things that I dyed:

This is a wool yarn that was in a plastic garbage bag in the haul of stuff that came with my loom.  The original color is the cream color on the bottom.  The top yarn was dyed with Cushing dye in a Presto Pot using Citric Acid as a mordant.  I love the rich chestnut color that resulted.

This is also a wool yarn that came from that same stash.  I figured I had nothing to lose, so just had fun with this one.  I added several colors of Cushing Dye and steamed it in the oven in a casserole pan at 300 degrees for an hour, mordanting with Citric Acid.  Thinking I might crochet some slippers with this worsted weight yarn.

This pile of floss was really bright colors.  I dumped them in a dye bath with Rit dye and came out with dulled colors that I'll be more likely to use.  Think they will work great for needle punch.

Later, after having watched the other gals dye some roving, I got up the nerve to try some on my own.

I used Cushing dye with Citric Acid as a mordant and gently steamed the roving in a casserole dish in the oven at 300 degrees for an hour.  I was very careful not to agitate or overhandle the roving, and it didn't felt.  I wish the color had been more saturated with less white, but it was a good learning experience......and I think I will have fun spinning it.  The top photo is how it looked after drying.  The bottom one is after I fluffed it a bit and braided it.  Pretty cool.  

GRATITUDES

You can teach an old dog (woman) new tricks.

Color.

Fiber.

Take care,

Jennie

Patiently Waiting

This wool applique runner was appropriately named, as it has been patiently waiting for me to finish it since taking a class in the Fall with Lisa Bonjean of Primitive Gatherings.  Nice to be able to strike another UFO off for this month.

We are taking it easy over this holiday weekend.  Hope everyone out there has a great weekend and stays safe.

GRATITUDES

All of those men and women who have served this country to protect us.

My husband, a veteran of the US Army, and his 22 years of service.

One nation UNDER GOD.

Take care,

Jennie

My Family Redwork

The My Family Redwork BOM meets again next week.  Thanks to a little nudge from my friend and co-BOMer, Micki, I am finished with our assignment and ready for class.  Generally I wait until the night before, then am working in a frantic tizzy to try to finish.  It feels good to be prepared.  This project gets a check mark on my May List.

Most of us changed the blocks up some, making them applicable to our own families.  That was part of the fun.

The large family block has my girls standing with me on the left.  I am holding hands with Blake, who is standing with his kids on the right.  The schnauzers (couldn't fit both of them in) and Poppy are represented on the bottom of the block.

The heart blocks are stitched just as in the pattern.

On this set of blocks, I changed the word "Dog" to "Dogs" in the upper right hand block.  I totally did away with the "My Cats" block in the pattern and created "My Grands" on the lower right hand block.  Obviously, I couldn't get all seven grands on the block, so I just stitched a boy and a girl to represent the mix.

In the upper left hand block, I stitched chickens instead of the "Bee" Block to represent my little flock.
On the upper right hand block another bird was added inside the cage and changed from "Bird" to "Birds" for Frankie and Fred, our finches.  In the bottom left "Car" block the bird on top was changed to a chicken.  The "My Horse" block on the lower right was originally "My Pony" and had a bird on its back......since I had a horse as a teenager, it became a horse and the bird became a chicken.

This month we will get the instructions to finish the wallhanging.  This has been an enjoyable project; not too precise, just fun.  And it has really gotten me in the mood to do more embroidery.

GRATITUDES

A needle and thread in my hand.

Dappled sunlight through brilliant green leaves.

The hum of the dryer tumbling sweet smelling, clean clothes.

Take care,

Jennie

Milestones

More grandchildren milestones happening here.

Christopher finished Pre-K with graduation on Tuesday night.  He has grown up so much this year.  His mom made this cute photo collage of his year.

Robert went to his eighth grade dance looking really sharp, and with a cute date, too.  He also received an award for A-B Honor Roll at Evans Middle School and was voted Most Academic by his peers.

Macy was honored with lots of awards at Elm Street's First Grade Awards Day.....awards for Art, Computers, Citizenship, Being Caring, Spelling, and the very special Eagle Award!!!  Way to go, Macy.

Jackson was thrilled to celebrate his fourth birthday at Burger King with fifteen of his little friends.

Dillon won awards for Track, A-Team Soccer and A-Team Basketball at Bedford.

Sara Ashley won awards for Gold Honor Roll, intramural Basketball, & Citizenship. But best of all she won the Lower School award for the girl showing the most outstanding character, leadership and hard work!!! So proud of her.

Last weekend she was tubing at Lake Martin .....brrrrrrrr!!

And last of all, I learned to operate the Zero Turn lawn mower....woohoo!!!!  You can teach an old dog new tricks :-)))

GRATITUDES

A country where children have the opportunity to succeed and learn.

Hugs and smiles.

The smell of fresh cut grass.

Take care,

What a Mess!

See this mess?

Fortunately the yarn was not yet attached to the shawl I am knitting.

Now, do you see this innocent face?  How could a fourteen year old little senior schnauzer lady still have the cunning and energy for this type of endeavor????  Oh, Miss Roxie, you will never change, will you?  But I will always love you.

GRATITUDES

Funny old dogs.

Rescued yarn.

Take care,

Jennie