Old Town quilt - parts 5 & 7

POV mid-morning;  

Old Town quilt part 4 underway, with some Dawn's Early Light star blocks prepped as my L/E

When updating posts with quilting progress, specially from days of 6+ hours in front of the machine, it's sometimes difficult to track back through the day for specific highlights.  All quilters know that certain stages of quilting becomes monotonous, so these part 5 blocks were completed 4-at-a-time, double-sewing the corners to make some bonus HSTs.

AND... **drumroll**... the pressing AND trimming of the bonus HSTs happened right away.  I'm fairly certain had I sewn all the units first, I woulda crossed the threshold of major boredom pressing and trimming these bonuses.  

Clue #5 is now complete, and sometime last week (I think?), I already completed clue #6, so clue #7 was read, saved and started.

I'm only partway through the units with one corner sewn before closing up for the night.  The fact that most of the fabrics were pulled from my 1.5" bin is quite pleasing.  Tomorrow, these should be finished off lickity-split and then sewn to the hourglass units to complete the clue.  Then, #8.  From the sounds of it on the Quiltville FB page, some have reached their limit on Flying Geese blocks.  But this is Bonnie!  LOL. 

There was a small interlude of a roadtrip midday when Paul needed to pick up some pig feed and he invited me to ride along. Couldn't resist walking through these aisles, however it was easy to resist walking away empty handed.  

It's New Year's Eve, and we have long done away with remaining awake until midnight to ring in the new year.  So, I'm off to bed in order to get up for another full day in front of the machine before needing to head back to school on Thursday.  

Happy Tuesday.  And Happy (almost) New Year.

Bailee earns her Half-Marathon pin today

This girl!  Although the pic doesn't show her excitement, she definitely knows some quality time together on a road or trail is about to happen when her vest appears.  After Saturday's GORGEOUS weather and impromptu interval run together, we took the day off yesterday, outside of a few ball-tosses in the front yard.  Initially, the plan this morning was to meet up with a friend for a 6-mile walk, but unfortunately she was struck with what I call the "Teacher's Murphy's Law" - namely, when one is on holiday break, one gets sick.   Ughers.  SO, my day opened up.  And long story short, after looking at the weather forecast for the next few days, knowing I had been toying with the idea of tackling a truly EASY long run of a half marathon tomorrow (New Year's Eve), the mindset shifted late last night to run around our town's lake (9 miles) with an extension of an out-n-back on the corridor trail TODAY to accumulate the 13.1miles to check the half-marathon box.

There's been a heavy fog lingering in NW Wisconsin for DAYS.  I waited until 9AM to head out; temps hovering at 30 deg F.  Stopped at the bank super quick before hitting the parking lot by the trail.  And oy-oy-oy!  SLICK n ICY roads and sidewalks.

Bummmmmmmmmmmer, because I really wanted to run around the Lake for a change of scenery, but... that asphalt was nothing to play around with.  Not deterred in the least, we took off on the corridor trail, mentally accepting we'd be running an out-n-back...and out-n-back... and out-n-back.  LOL.

The longest run she's given me prior was a 10-miler last weekend.  I don't take much with me on most runs, but for the 9+ mile runs, I pack a few fruit snacks to eat about every 3-4 miles.  Today, it occurred to me, what about Bailee??  Goodness, does she need any refueling too??  So, once this posts, I'm off to research that exact question!  I've changed her daily nutrition to include some performance canned dog food in addition to her little kibbles, and she certainly enjoys the new daily Joints/Hips supplemental treat each evening as well.  She just turned 7-years old on 12/14, and got her clean bill of health from the vet last week.  I simply can NOT fathom completing my runs without her anymore!  Unfortunately, she's not allowed on the course for a half-marathon on my calendar for April 26, but until then... she's by my side!

Certainly no record setters, and this run truly only was intended as base-mileage versus any form of race-pace.  

The afternoon has been pretty quiet for both of us.  There were a few errands daughter #3 and I needed to check off the list, but other than that, just a bit of sitting and prepping this blog post.

The jury is still out if I'll hit the quilting space yet tonight.  If not, tomorrow's ALLLLL DAAAAAAY plan will find me in that space <3

👆Today's motivational tattoo of choice 👆 - "Live Your Story Before It's Over"

Happy Monday everyone.

Life Interrupted; not really... Dawn's Early Light, Old Town Mystery, Wedding quilt & running

My intentions were good; the execution, however...

.... LOL. It's really been since JULY!?  Oy.  Whoopsies.

Awh shucks!

But life has gone on, and maaaaaaan oh maaaaaaaan, our Wisconsin 'winter' so far has been pretty non-existent!  There have been a few short stretches of snow flurries and a cold-snap.

Bailee-girl and I (and a dear coworker) made a pact to get back into running; thankfully Bailee's been amazingly supportive of me dragging her along, despite feeling like I'm a sleigh she's pulling along some days.

Duo Christmas 5K on our Brooke Drive

Having this extra time during the holiday break from school has been wonderfully enjoyable!  Walking, running, and a fair amount of quilting has ensued.

and yesterday, on December TWENTY-EIGHTH, even though I had COMPLETE intentions of a schedule rest-day, the sunshine & 40s won us over!  Imma be catching up on my running log that was started allll those years ago on my side bar.  Kinda excited to see "where" I'm currently at.  Check it out...

The current POV in my quilting space; quite tidy, neat and organized has been an ongoing goal anytime I get into the space.  Having everything out, ready and NEAT simply makes for efficiency!  

Bonnie's "Dawn's Early Light" has progressed as my leader-ender ...

 A wedding quilt was requested of me and my mother-in-law this summer, and lots of progress has been made between Thanksgiving break and this Christmas break from school on it.  All of the blocks are pieced; tomorrow the hope is to have the center together.

And of COURSE, Bonnie's Old Town mystery is on my list of active WIPs!  I'm just about caught up to Friday's clue #7; another couple of days will get me there.

Kiddo update:

Semester break for the Freshman; wrapped up her first classes at Madison Tech for Finance

MVP Back for UW-Eau Claire is Caitlyn's bragging rights this past semester

Still can't believe this former twig of a middle-schooler has developed into a 6-foot rugby player; currently in her semester break of Junior year, heading into a Chiropractic medicine pathway.

And oldest Cassie is off adulting up in Duluth as a FedEx driver.  What a schedule she's had this past month!!!!

Here's to another great week and another few days of project progress while still on vacation; I head back on Thursday.

Out with the old - bathroom flooring

I'm starting the with AFTER -- ooohhhh.... ahhhhhh.....

Slow stitch Sunday - Temperature Cross stitch

It's been a quiet week on the blog, but full of putzing activity around the ranch...

But for today, a little slow-stitch Sunday is happening on the 1998 Calendar Temperature Cross stitch project.

Earlier this week...
T'was a couple of days of road trippin'.
There were my snacky foods of choice  --  do y'all have a favorite "must have" snack for roadtrips?

Visited a new plant shop / greenhouse in Eau Claire, Wisconsin - 'Down to Earth.'
I was BLOWN AWAY!  BUT remained disciplined, leaving with only a little baby Mican Philodendron.

And the blueberries are in full swing around NW Wisconsin, having picked a few small batches already, eating many fresh berries with my morning yogurt and was able to freeze one 2lb batch so far for wine at a later date.

... and the garden continues to be in "grow-stage" without needing much attention.

Happy Sunday

Linking up with:
Kathy's Quilts: Slow Sunday stitching

 

More slow stitching - on a Tuesday

Sunday's organization of the DMC bins was SO enjoyable!  There's definitely something to be said about having everything one needs in a neat and tidy location, ready for whenever and whatever inspiration may strike.

Snort lol... and after perusing Pinterest and Etsy, inspiration definitely was hitting home, specially after seeing this photo in a FB cross stitching group of mine...

I never had THOUGHT about using cross stitch for a temperature project!  I have a few sites and projects bookmarked for crochet with this concept in mind, but... cross-stitch!?!  Brilliant idea.

Soooooooo.....
Today, I was lazy.  I was productive with cross-stitch, but lazy everywhere else around here (although I DID make a point of emptying the dishwasher while warming up some left over Creamy Penne pasta).

Much of the morning was spent scribbling in a graph notebook, testing out sizing and puzzle piece shapes...

And then the super fun part of sifting through the organized bins for colors, and deciding at the same time what temperature ranges to use...

and then from mid-morning to late afternoon, the 18-count Rustico "natural" aida was prepped along with establishing the color key.  I would describe the color palette I was after as a muted rustic, rich colorway.

And this evening will be much of the same!  I haven't decided on a year, though!  2024?  Or... having recently celebrated our 26th Anniversary (7/11), maybe I'll look back to 1998 as a sentimental project...

Taking a day off from the garden and other harvests is not detrimental at all right now.
Sunday evening was spent pruning and tying up all of the tomato plants (~60)...

And Paul erected a simple make-shift A-frame style support for us to drape our repurposed softball cage netting over in order to protect our blueberry harvest from the birds.  A quick wander around the garden and yard tonight confirms that, although a bird here and there is still smart enough to make its way into (under) the netting, most birds have been deterred.  Berry picking is certainly on the agenda tomorrow morning.

And other than that, the garden is simply doing its thing right now.  No harvests needing my attention yet, so... I guess I'll keep rocking in my glider with my feet up and stitching away, allllmost guilt free.  I just feel like I should be doing something other than simply crafting at my leisure.

Last night marked the end to my coaching career. 
Seventeen years total, nine of which were as head coach.  I love it, and nights like last night really have me jokingly saying that I plan to take back my letter of resignation.  LOL.  I absolutely LOVE competitive ball and athletes who have the ability to overcome.  A double victory last night from this squad has me finishing a winner.  I'll be their biggest fan come fall ball season.

Happy Tuesday!

Slow Stitching Sunday - DMC organization and some Sky, Sand & Sea crochet

DMC floss organization day!
The boxes of DMC floss that daughter #1 dug out of her storage had been resting patiently in my cross-stitch bag all week with today in mind.  These boxes were actually given to me by MY mother when she was right around my age now; I reached out to her to get a true gauge of how old these are...

Her reply:

In all guesstimated accuracies, I have to believe she had these in her 20s... and she's now 74, so... "vintage" sounds pretty accurate.  Then, a few years ago, knowing I hadn't touched these in quite some time, they were handed over to Cass since she was showing interest.  She started a project, barely visible in lower right of the first photo, and she says she has since misplaced the pattern.  
I have a couple of projects partially complete that are soaking the sink in an attempt to remove some unknown stain...

Naturally I'm hopeful for a solution since I'm motivated to complete it AND quite possibly gift it in about 8 months.  My assistant coach is pregnant.... with TWINS!  No knowledge on the genders yet, but... prepping multiple in both pink and blue sound like a great lil' project for the next few months.

Cass musta picked up this lil' gadget... 

I had never seen one before.  No paperwork.  But I figured it was probably a DMC floss winder, and sure enough... Google is your friend (and youtube!) --> YouTube tutorial found.
So... some an eclectic mix of mindless youtube videos is underway as I settle in to organize the containers.

And directly following, some Sky, Sand & Sea crocheting is my plan.

... along with a full afternoon of laundry.   LOL
Child #3, Candace -- gotta love her, right!??!
She's pulling a double-shift today at one of her jobs, and after working full-time days all week long, I'm perfectly fine tackling these piles... um.... this PILE.

Happy Sunday.

Linking up with:

Kathy's Quilt - Slow Stitching Sunday

Currants & wine bottling day

As I said I would, although actually surprised myself I did so...
the currant picking began yesterday morning.

Our original two bushes of red currants were planted in 2013 and have now evolved into four full bushes after transplanting some new growth over the years.  Actually, a 5th additional baby plant has also been planted a handful of years ago, but that one hasn't quite hit any solid development yet.

Last summer, I was lazy!  

Yup.  Let 'em go completely.  

The birds were the only ones to enjoy the berries.  

They get to be DAUNTING!

But...

THIS year, with wine in mind and a lil' self-talk, they are being picked.  Completely, is the goal.

This morning was overcast, but quite beautiful all the same for picking... until the storm hit.

Between yesterday and today, enough currants have been picked for 2 gallons of wine (3.5lb/gal); the end-goal is for six, and hubby is onboard with interest, so maybe between tonight and tomorrow, the rest of the bushes will be completed.

The day evolved into another one of those "as-things-happen" days.  Meaning, I had zero plans nor intentions to have today become a bottling day when I woke this morning.  But, after dashing inside just as the storm hit, after washing up the dishes on the counter, after processing the 3 lbs of currants picked, ... the "wine counter" held my attention.  
Yup.  Let's bottle it up today!

I remember really tackling the counter of carboys by bottling it all up last summer (there was probably on the upwards of 30 gals in a variety of flavors on the counter) with the mindset of backing-off from wine-making.  We have quite the loot in the root cellar, so much that I can't imagine ever drinking it all.  Bottles have been given to friends and family... but still, I distinctly remember I had full plans to back away from making wine.

So, surprise-surprise when I uncovered these babies to see that three of them were new starts last summer.

What?!  Goodness!  I truly don't remember starting anything.  ((Hence, another reason why I'm glad to get this blog going again.))  Therefore, only the Rhubarb-Strawberry was bottled, leaving the Plum, Cherry, and Honeyberry for some more settling after racking into clean carboys.

Wanting to stage a catchy, corny photo, but not having fresh strawberries available, and the rhubarb patch is in its midsummer "I-could-look-better" stage... 

We are left with...

Option A corny table view of the frugally collected mismatched set of bottles with 26-year-old wedding photos peering as a backdrop

Option B corny deck-rail resting prop with girls’ playset and cloudy post-rain backdrop.

Rhubarb-Strawberry (2:1) finished

Started: 6/16/23

Bottled: 7/13/24

9%

Next up:  Crab-Apple

crabapple juice preserved from 2019 - received two HUGE burlap bags of crabapples from a friend that year

Although I attempted to keep this one on the lower ABV side of things...
dem apples were clearly a bit on the sugary side.

After this finishes at 0.99, the ABV will end right around 11%.

Yeast planned:  Red Star Premier Cote des Blancs