My view...

as I do from time to time, I thought I would share my view out the quilting room window. Aren't day lillies cheerful? Abe(5y) has discovered that he really enjoys deadheading them so they are blooming profusely under his care.

The coop has been cleaned out - and by someone else other than me. Jacob drew the short stick, but it only took him 15 minutes once he unearthed the gas mask!

The dining room is as orderly as it will get, the laundry is... still there, though the pile is smaller, the sewing... well, I did a bitty bit. The teapots on my kitchen window sill are all shiny again. They always get a spruce up when Mom comes, but figured I'd give it a try. Not too strenuous. Hope everyone is enjoying their middle of the week.

Well, you get the idea...

finished this one at the beginning of May- birthday present for my newest daughter. I didn't get any pictures of it all quilted up. I just did a meander on it as I put a giraffe spot minkee on the back, so soft. This pattern is called Chocolate Covered Cherries. It looks so simple, but it was really kind of a pain. Lots of little pieces and matching points. I like the final look though.

So, what has everyone been up to? I'm procrastinating going and mucking out the chicken coop, can ya tell? But it needs be done. Poor little things walking around on their own poop... I'd rather do laundry- and that's saying something. We have a vacation at the end of the month and I am needing to get all caught up on laundry so that packing won't take me ...well, the next two weeks! I'd rather be sewing. My sis in law, Joy, is in town for the next month and so she is using the quilting machine- getting all of her winter projects done- she's a snow bird. I don't have any sewing that is too pressing. Need to get that wedding quilt for my oldest done by the end of July. (I'll be going to the wedding shower, Lord willing.) All the blocks are finished, so shouldn't take me too long. I'm working on a couple more mini's. They are kinda addictive. I'd rather be cleaning the construction zone- that dining room project has stalled- he'll get back to it once the cold weather sets back in- that's just the way he is. So I'm thinking, the scaffolding can come down and the tools deposited on one end of the room and I could sweep and put in a big ole table and pretend that the room is all finished... I have a very vivid imagination. Hey, it has four walls, a floor and a ceiling. Well, maybe I'll throw in a load of laundry, sew one little mini block, start deconstruction of the scaffolds- with help from the boys- and then, I'll muck out the chicken coop. Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Better late...

than never! Sarah and I started this quilt at least 5 years ago. She made all of the sampler blocks and she had them done in plenty of time. I, on the other hand... well, you know, there are 54 pieces to a Buckeye beauty block... I stalled. Many times I stalled. But I finally, finally, finished. It really is prettier in person- the picture is a bit faded and blurry. I'll need to get a backing for it and get it quilted. Maybe in five years...

Back from camp... The boys had a great time at camp- just the three oldest went and my nephew, Josiah. Abe had a big day, too, though. Daniel and Abe were zonkered out.

Paper piecing monster has been here...

can ya tell? What a mess! This is John's end of the table, but mine looked just as bad. We have been working on some small paper piecing for little pocket papers. Thought I'd show you a bigger project that I paper pieced and have finally finished- even the binding. I've been enjoying finishing some small projects. Sewing on small projects. Just doing small things. Kinda a nice change.

The big boys are away at camp, this week. The house is quiet with only five children. My sis in law is here with her youngest son- as her other one is at camp with my boys. We've gone swimming, and we were hoping for a park day and picnic, but the weather is more for the garden than the children. Yep, it's raining and we needed it. Hope you're having a great week.

Feedsack baby...

This is the baby blanket I made. Didn't it turn out sweet? I had saved back some of the fabric that I used for their wedding quilt and planned to use it for a baby quilt. So... that's what I did. My nephew and his wife are expecting their first baby at the end of the summer. A little boy named Isaac. The wedding quilt was a yellow brick road. This pattern I got from Evelyn Sloppy's 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts. I seem to use that book alot. Have a great week!

One of my favorites...

This is one of my favorite flowers from my yard. I can take no credit for it as it came with the house. But isn't it pretty?

Donna is doing well enough. She has some sort of lymphoma, which believe it or not, is the better option. Thank you so much for the kind thoughts.

I have a baby quilt to share with you, but I haven't had the chance to snap a picture of it. My neice is expecting her first baby...does that mean I am close to being the age of a grandma???? hmmmm.....

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength...

I'm on the old computer and so I am posting an old picture- but doesn't that smile just brighten your day? I know it does mine. We've had a rough one around here. Our dear friend, Donna, who happens to be my son's future mother in law, is going through surgery for cancer- quite a surprise to all of us. Bless her dear heart and bless her husband and three daughters. So we're praying and praying and finding comfort, but still concerned for her. I know Donna would be so thankful for the prayers of any and all of you- and I would appreciate them, too.