Sunday, September 30, 2012

So Enjoying

I am so enjoying this cooler more fall like weather. And we've had some rain. Really really nice.

Hog Man has officially been released from the doctor. Woo hoo! It's a good thing! The day before his doctor's appointment--the water pump went out on his pickup. And that sucker did not want to come out -- it was original and liked where it was LOL. Man, last week was one of those busy, busy weeks. He had two doctor's appointments.  I had the booth at Post Oak to get ready for--cutting fat quarters and such. We always go out the night before and set up the canopy. And then the booth itself. And Hog Man has been busy with -- pigs! Hard to believe I know! Show pig season is right around the corner. He's got some nice ones for sale.

Our booth at Post Oak went very well. We always enjoy all the quilters who shop with us. We had some drizzling rain on Friday--didn't dampen the shopping. Then on Saturday it started with drizzle and got heavier as the day progressed. Our canopy did pretty good--except right down the center where a seam ran the length of it. We managed pretty good moving tables away from the center. Then when the rain picked up--a helpful husband of one of the Post Oak quilters found a tarp and he and Hog Man tied it up on one side. Then we were able to make the rest of the afternoon okay. We were both pretty tired when we got home. It had been one of those weeks--lots of extra activity going on. We got all the wet stuff dried out.  Everything is back in place. Table covers have been washed and put away. All except for the canopy. Hog Man set up just the top to dry it out. We were on our way to Wal-Mart to look for some kind of waterproofing spray and of course hunting season is right around the corner -- as in--hunting license and gear-- when he remembered someone had made an appointment to come by to look at show pigs for sale. So Wal-Mart has to wait.

Sissy aka "Little Doggy" hasn't been feeling well. She has an upset stomach. We left her outside the two days we were gone and we figure she ate something she shouldn't have eaten. So needless to say--I am going to need to clean carpets after this little episode. But hopefully she will be better really soon. Poor "Little Doggy". 

I had ordered some of Bonnie Hunter's books for my store. I am very impressed with her books. They read much like her blog. Very personable and detailed instructions for the patterns. Lots of pictures of the projects. One of these days I am going to take the time to cut down my scraps and organize them like her Scrap Users system.  That is after I get DD Amanda's Dresden Plate quilt assembled since my turn for quilting is next! I did get half the sashing strips made at our work day after last month's guild meeting. This week I plan on sewing more of them and then on to the nine patch corner stones and then the borders.

Today after getting all the wet stuff washed up, dried, folded and put away I went outside and dug more grass burrs. Ugh! The rain is nice--not complaining mind you. But the grass burrs really really like the rain. Let's just say the hundreds I dug will not be seed to come up next year. Yay!

Time to call it a night.
Blessings from the Catering Quilter.



Sunday, September 23, 2012

First days of Autumn

The sun is later coming up and earlier going down. The night time temperatures are cooler. We call it "Indian Summer" when the afternoons are warm and the nights are refreshingly cooler. High school footbal is in full swing. Communities will be having fall festivals soon. Then before we know it--it will be Christmas! Screech! Bam! Where did that come from? Well, isn't it true? We blink and it's here. It comes faster every year. How does that work anyway?

But isn't that what life has become? Going faster and faster. Seeming to get less and less done. With more technology shouldn't we get more done? Oh, maybe the problem is the more technology. Could be. Could very well be.

I rather like technology, though. Especially when I can watch Bonnie Hunter on Quilt Cam sewing and talking to us just like we were there. I mean how neat is that? And how neat is it for her to use modern technology to show us how to sew on a treadle sewing machine? It's like two worlds colliding don't you think? I have watched Quilt Cam while I have sewn. It's like a sew day or mini retreat. I set up the laptop near the sewing machine and sew and sew. So much fun.

I could've put the title of this post "Home Again Round Three" but who's counting? I made a quick trip to my mother's to help out this week. Hog Man has Dr. appointments--we are so hoping the doc will release him to go back to work. I've got a lot planned for the next several weeks. A booth at Post Oak, a booth at Coal Miner's Heritage Festival in downtown Bridgeport to sell raffle tickets for WCQG, another possible booth, quilting to be done, sewing to be done--and you throw in there regular things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, yardwork, regular quilt meetings and it makes for a busy time. And throw in surprise visits from little visitors. Life is good. Thank you, God.

Blessings from the Catering Quilter

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Home Again round 2

Home is such a nice place to be! My step-dad passed away Friday after suffering a massive heart attack Thursday. His service was Monday morning. My mother has done very well considering. He had been in the nursing home over a year after suffering several strokes. So she thinks it will be easier since she has already been living alone. He will be missed we know. But it was merciful for God to take him home.

We drove home last night. I will need to go back and help her with paperwork in a week or so. Hog Man had a therapy session scheduled this morning. He made the trip pretty good. His knee did stiffen some after all the riding in the car. We took his CPM machine and ice man with us. And of course Sissy, aka "Little Doggy", who is my shadow.

We have been moving hogs around today. : ) Did you know it is hot? It is in the upper 90s. But it's got to be done. We would have done it early before it got hot but for his therapy session. We will survive. We do a little and come back in for him to rest and get a drink and cool off. Then back again. So far two sows and babies moved out of the barn to make room for two more due this week. More babies! We will move the mothers-to-be in later when it is cooler. 

A week ago--seems like a blur--while we were waiting for all the paperwork and such to dismiss Hog Man from the hospital I decided to do a little shopping for a couple of hours. I had a gift certificate from Material Girl Quilt Shop in Denton, Tx that I won on the WCQG bus trip in May. And it was to expire SOON. So I redeemed it! She had fat quarters on sale for $1.25 each.

I found several that will work nicely in the sashing and border on DD Amanda's quilt -- that I HAVE to finish SOON. Then after getting my fix -- LOL I went on to Sam's Club to get the things on my list. I visited Chic-fil-A for lunch. I hadn't eaten at one of their restaurants in years. Nice atmosphere.
This is one of the little quilts I took to the hospital to put the binding on. These were the triangles sent home with members to sew into a square and bring back. I really like it.
 
This is the backing fabric. Sorry for the fuzzy picture. They are paper dolls. So cute. Fabric was donated by a guild member.


Disappearing 9 Patch I put together as my contribution for the guild's baby quilts going to WCPRC. Bound at the hospital.


I have another little quilt for the guild's baby quilt project put together. I will take a picture later after I quilt it.
 
Blessings,