Such Is Life

I do declare ..as my sweet Mama used to say...Winter is still hanging on round here! Tonight suppose to be snow. Not a huge lay out but still snow! We lost our warm temps and have had cold again. Did have sunshine though.

DH has been fighting a horrid cold. Seems to be easing up some with ZiCam. Surprise it did not land on me...yet. Good thing as I had picked up some sort of bug/infection again already.  Let's just say runs every where with fever. Dr put me back on meds! I am wondering if DH is right and we need to move south when he retires! Germ free if there is such a place! ;-)

DH is convinced he would do great in Florida just for Winter. I am not so gun-ho about leaving my home for 4 months at a time! We have done a month before and by week 3 I am ready to head home! We do not live in town so having our home looked after for such a long period may be an issue. Yes I worry about all kinds of things going wrong! Just my nature!;-)

Been busy dealing with all this mess. What is it? Well medial bills! You have to pay every person who poked in their head into your hospital room it seems!!!!

 I recall a time when it was pretty simple ....you pay insurance,  they pay bills. Not so much anymore as we have to pay more for insurance and more out of pocket these days!

Did have a pleasant day last week! Alice came and we hung out a bit. She is like a ray of sunshine!! We tried to catch up! just not enough time! Told her we need a retreat! We exchanged gifts and I must have been already sick as took no pic of her!!

 One of my pressies was this wonderful fat quarter bundle from Connecting Threads, Spicy Curry.

 Love it! The whole color range works so well. I want to cut it now!!

Also this Jellyroll. When Alice sees good deals on Missouri Star Quilting Co that are 'me' she will scoop 'em up! I just do not hang out in the right places I reckon! ;-) Was more goodies but put away before taking pics. Off we went to town. Popped in a thrift. Found some treasures, lunch and back to my home. Was getting nasty out with cold rain ,Winter mix as they call it. Loaded up all her goodies so she could get home in time to get ready for her kung fu practice. Busy lady!

On sewing front I do have seven of the basket centers quilted but more to go! Plan to do rest of block with straight lines on angle.

This will take a while so I may pull out something else to work on! My gift making is on
hold till I can get more fabric for a project. Did not have enough.;-(

We had Hughes Net come out and upgrade us to the Gen 4 and upped our service. WOW! I can now do stuff like watch a video or Smile Box !!! Even watch QNNtv or Alex and Ricky! So far so good. Had to sign up for 2 yrs so will enjoy while I can!!

On another note, if you are still here....! I have a new wireless keyboard and mouse. Christmas gifts just now set up. The keyboard is a tad weird. You have to be sure you press HARD or what you click will not be what you get! Also seems to have a bit of drag. Just taking some getting used to I reckon. So if I have not found all my boo boos and corrected them..just over look it please!

Happy St. Patrick's Day & Guinness Cake

Hope all enjoy being  a bit Irish today!!!  These jonquils are blooming really good this year. So pretty!

This is one of the cakes DH made over weekend. Wonderful!! So moist and no real beer taste.

Guinness Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Glaze
http://www.thehungryhousewife.com/2013/03/guinness-chocolate-cake.html

Happy Sunday

Hope everyone is having a good one! We have gray skies, colder temps and chance of Winter Mix into tomorrow! Lordy Mercy when will this nasty Winter go away!!??/!!

We had our son and DIL out today for his belated birthday meal from February.
DH cooked  and baked for two days it seems! Yesterday he made two cakes. Crazy man!

 He made delish ground sirloin steaks with awesome onion gravy, baked the fan cut potatoes and made his famous homemade rolls. I helped. I prepared the butter beans and did clean up duty. ;-)

 The rolls were huge! Oh so yummy good!

 We all were stuffed!! Before the peach cobbler and ice cream was gift time!
 Loved the gift certificate to DH's favorite meat shoppe!

 Here is son modeling the apron! Was a perfect fit!!! He is a nut! ;-)  All enjoyed the day immensely!
Pops did go take a nap after they left. Poor old thing was pooped!

Yesterday was National Quilting Day. I did not sew but did pin!
Another top I want finished into a quilt !!

Yes that is a lot of pins! I have to do this cause I seem to not be able to keep my quilt sandwich from shifting. I like spray baste or fusible batting if I machine quilt and wash  but still undecided which way I will go on this one, machine or hand. Only thing is hate to start hand quilting and my hand/fingers give out on me!
Found a spot where I missed blanket stitching! So will do by hand and do not think will be noticed.

On to the next birthday sewing projects. If I keep at it may get my list all done! Hahaha! Yeah Right!

Sewing Gifts

Yes I have been sewing gifts. Lots of birthdays this month and some belated ones from last month!
 First wanted to share this 2.5 yard piece of Windham fabric picked up at local thrift for $2.99!
Has the look of a coverlet. Do not recall this Buffalo Bill line. Anyway score!!!


 Our son is one of the belated February birthdays we are celebrating this Sunday! He loves to fish and cook out. So his gift is an apron, custom made for his tallness, out of this fish fabric!

 It really can be reversed as well. Has a pocket for the cook'n rag , as DH calls them!

 This pic looks a bit werid but anyway here it is hanging. Did ties for the neck .

 To match he has potholders. These are my own design I came up with way back.
I did do a simple TUT for them here.  They seem to be a popular Pintrest pin.

They are heavy duty and work well. I used to not quilt them as much but found with the quilting they wash up well. 

Tried to get a pic of the true colors but this is as good as it gets! There is a added surprise in the pocket.

Little extra is this coffee cup cozy! Used a Starbucks paper one as pattern.
SEW he is all set to use his new smoker grill!

We have pretty sunshine today!
Still cold but no horrid north wind like yesterday.
I need to go outside to spray baste a quilt.

Sadly the maid fairy has yet to show up so I must try to clean some as well.
Darn that sure can break up my sewing stride!!!

March already!!!

 Goodness! We are almost into Spring with Easter soon to follow! Well I hope so anyway!!!

 This is part of what we have had last several days! Was Ice, Snow and more Ice!! Caused so many traffic headaches and accidents around here. Bridges closed, which is not a good thing in the land of rivers, bays and ocean! Today all the snow is about gone and we are looking forward to warmer temps but also rain. Oh well at least it will not freeze to roads!!!

Thanks so much for all the get well wishes and prayers on my behalf! I am feeling lots better. Just seemed to take a goodly bit to get my strength back up!

I did manage to get my Red-work Snowbound to this stage! All quilted. Ready for binding then I will add the buttons and embellishments. Love it!

Just did simple straight outline quilting. It is not a quilt to be used but a wall hanging. I am at the point in my sewing life I want things done! So will not stress over such things. Do my best and let it go. So far my family and friends have loved and used all the ones they have been given! So that is all that matters to me!

Glad to have this one off my list! Have one more that has been ready to quilt for a while so it is up next!!!
I tend to get energized when I finish one project and want to finish yet another!!!
As you know I do not just make quilt items I enjoy sewing all kinds of things!

My sis-in-law had her 70th birthday, leap year baby, so we celebrated on March1. She adores the beach so I made her a beach bag.

I have had these fun gal panels a couple years. Used one for another gal's (cousin) birthday gift a few years ago. Used them as pockets on this bag. I went simple this time just fun fabric that I quilted, no piecing.

We all gathered at nephew's home to celebrate her birthday with a delish supper. SIL seemed to like it. She has booked a cottage for 2 weeks in the OBX this summer so it should get a work out!
I am behind on several birthdays from Feb because of illness so must catch up as March and April are full of them too!!!!
A Wife's, Mom's, Auntie's and Grandmama's birthday work is never done!
Now if some magic fairies would come and catch up the house on cleaning and straightening up I would be all set!!!!

Been in Hospital

I begin to feel bad last Wed, Feb 5th and thought was the terrible flu.
I became so ill by Friday DH took me to Urgent Care. Was not flu.
Was rushed into hospital with Severe Sepsis and dehydration.
Have had a lot of  medical stuff going on which  contributed to the spread of the illness as well.
Tire easily so resting and continuing to take meds
At any rate has been rough and I am so very glad to be home!

Snow Be Gone

 Yes indeedy ...the white stuff has left the landscape!! We have had warmer temps and rain.
More rain today but at least it does not stick to the roads!
DH is back to work, hopefully on a full week schedule! Was sort of startling to hear the school buses run early this AM. Had to stop and go... hum snow plow?? hahaha!
May as well settle in as Old Groundhog did see his shadow so 6 more weeks of Winter!

Sew here I have a new week to get busy! Did some sewing of wee small 4 patch blocks over weekend.  Have more to do today or that is my plan. Using a Glace by 3 Sisters honey bun that has been here a while.

This is how I plan to use them. I was just doing a try out when I took this pic. There are some browns yet to come in the mix.

These are my red work Snowbound blocks. Yes those from a while back! Will use all the 4 patches for sash and borders  and call the top done! Next will have to decide on how to quilt then binding. I am happy to have it this far!
Sew reckon it is still 'snowing' in sewing room!!;-)

Here are the tops I have been able to complete thus far...1 wall hanging and 2 mats or pillas, yet to decide those. The 2 candle runners and 1wall hanging still have to add the wool on them but they are ready!
Busy time but fun deciding on how to rethink projects to get them finished. I am happy with how I have decided to proceed with them!

Seems Feb just rushes at me all at once! Filled with birthdays along with Valentine's Day.
Have some Valentine's I hope to get done. Will take every chance I have to sew sew sew!

Did not do super bowl. I sewed and then watched Downton Abby and Sherlock on PBS. Happy to have a choice rather then old reruns most channels put up against the 'big' football game.

Well if I am going to be done with those patches best get back to it!!
 Happy Monday!!!

Hey Hey Snowflake!

Snow flake my pretty little snowflake
Ooh, ooh, the change in the weather
Has made it better for me.
Hey-ey-ey snowflake, my pretty little snowflake
You've got me warm as a fire
With the burning desire for you.

The ice was breaking and
Love was waking in a winter wonderland.
When I felt you slip your fingers in my hand.
Now snow is gleaming and
I'm not dreaming I know this is for real.
The love I have is too much to conceal.

Hey-ey-ey snowflake
My pretty little snowflake
Ooh, ooh, the change in the weather
has made it better for me.

Mama used to sing that song when it snowed!;-) 

 We have 6 to 8 inches depends on area you are in . Wind also created some deeper drifts here and there.

 I cleared  all this off with a broom! Yes it is the dry powder kind of snow.

The was 4inches piles on bushed . Reminded me of pie meringue! Knocked off bushes. We are to be even colder tonight. Crazy weather for us here. Last major dumping of this mess here was 2010.

 My 'hog lot' boots from Tractor Supply worked great.

 Our back yard! So pretty field is pretty covered. Beautiful!

 Snow in the tree line. Look at the pretty sky! Sun is up so even with cold temps it will melt some of this away. Course will freeze tonight with single digits.

DH made me come in! Red cheeks! Okay sorry but no makeup along with crazy hair after cap come off could be scarey!
I enjoy the snow as long as I do not have to be driving out in it or we lose power! Yes I can drive in it.
Dad used to say to us ...have enough sense to know when to stay off the roads. Ice is the great equalizer. Grew up in lands of Winter. Lived in many lands of Winter. Here in this part of the south not the norm.
Saw only 2 vehicles on road. No way will we be high on the list for plowing or such!


Later snow cream and may try to play out some more!!!!;-)
Well I did sew more snowfolk!

Cute stitchery swap block. Used some scraps leftover from a Fall project.
Works for me. Now to quilt it !!

 DH happy in kitchen baking and such! So more sewing for me today!

more snow.....

 ..well the fabric kind. Yes another snowman project! On the design wall.

 These squares are now a top! Have had them a goodly bit! (hang'n head in shame)Where from a block swap in a long ago group on yahoo.When I decided to re-think the bigger quilt idea I came up with smaller more doable projects! We can change our minds ya know. ;-)

 Used a mini charm pack of prim gatherings snow men.

 Came out 16X27..I know strange but it works. Will use the snow/cream fabric as binding.
Thinking will do the big stitch quilting on this one too. Starting to like it and my hands do not hurt as much !;-)

This is the block pattern, Snow Heart. It is an old one from Meme's Quilts. I have a lot of her patterns and still love them!

Okay have a couple more snowman projects I plan to get further along if not finished this Winter!
So much I want to do as soon as I can! May have some down time soon. So want to have plenty  of hand work ready to go.  That will be some stitcheries and a lot of wool projects or I am hoping!!

We are in a heat wave! 40's today though still a bit cloudy . Most of the ice and snow has melted away. Just a few bitty spots here n there. Mama used to say "wait'n 'round for more"...hope not.  TV talking weather heads are calling for chance again middle week! NO!!!!
Hope not as Alice and I have planned a make up sew day! Last week snow/ice came and canceled that one!

Best get a wiggle on and do some chores so I can get busy without feeling guilty!

Mr. Winter

So here  is Mr. Winter all quilted and set to go. Really like how he turned out.
Used the DMC and quilted around the nose, eyes and smile. They are all wool.
Outlined the head and the star border sky. Did the patch work in X's.
His wool hat needs lint rolled!;-)

 Did cut out a wool snowflake with the GO! and added to the top.
I am pleased with the project. Now to get one more done!

 I did the triangle in corner bit to use a dowel for hanger. Need to cut to fit. I also have a label to add.
Do hope the birthday gal will love him as much as I do!

We got a taste of the Winter whites here. We have had such terribly low temps.
Yes that is still a Christmas flag up! Got to put up regular one!

It may look like snow but it  became 2inches or so of ice.

Here is my Mister breaking the ice and clearing walkways.
On top of this we also were with out power for few hours during night with temps down to 5F.
Were so worried over pump and pipes. We had gas logs on so we stayed in living room.
We have been dripping and set heat up for a goodly bit now. We still have Feb to get through before we can stop worrying over Winter's chill and bite!

Today very cold and windy but sun and VDOT workers have cleared most roads I need to use today.
So back to big city I go!