tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36961489847607711562024-03-14T13:49:05.902-05:00Amy's PassionsAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.comBlogger1422125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-54229653997556163442020-11-28T19:33:00.001-06:002020-11-28T19:33:08.604-06:00Two Neat Ripple afghans see a finish<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I look forward to Thanksgiving break every year, and especially so this year. Without a single vacation break since school started, this was a long-in-coming, and much needed break. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The quilting area remains mostly untouched, but my crochet yarn and hooks remain tucked away in the corner of the living room. Sorta. Last weekend, I set out to clean out and organize the small hallway attached to the living room, and then set out determined to finish a couple of projects that have been percolating for YEARS!!!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ugeXMD_BjVTEluRX51St77wg5wY7i7UsBZO2SjXZDmKfwWcWgb3UVVssgYavf0YnKGYrUFm8JQoxjgYB4cSq8W5kqlSDT7-Py-FAYFEMV84j65kgLeU-RyQ3PhYcDVaWz3r1_5ACwCtB/s2048/IMG_9252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ugeXMD_BjVTEluRX51St77wg5wY7i7UsBZO2SjXZDmKfwWcWgb3UVVssgYavf0YnKGYrUFm8JQoxjgYB4cSq8W5kqlSDT7-Py-FAYFEMV84j65kgLeU-RyQ3PhYcDVaWz3r1_5ACwCtB/w400-h400/IMG_9252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>12 Interlocking ripples saw a quick finish once I started. After many Hallmark movies, Disney's Togo and the Divergent Series, the final rows were added. The Neat Ripple pattern is truly my favorite goto pattern for easy, mindless crocheting.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyMsefXZjKxnJqHaFXGpqsuEn72lYwEFIN9MMePqBPHESwajgJapNO8duBUP7a3qW1owqK2E1D9d3-IxTrvo6pQR65iwuGsclz6Q47bgtc9zeWCMwcMK4Pgf99905lEudF6J67G9TqLNg/s1512/IMG_9241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyMsefXZjKxnJqHaFXGpqsuEn72lYwEFIN9MMePqBPHESwajgJapNO8duBUP7a3qW1owqK2E1D9d3-IxTrvo6pQR65iwuGsclz6Q47bgtc9zeWCMwcMK4Pgf99905lEudF6J67G9TqLNg/w400-h400/IMG_9241.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another project that was started in recent years was created using the Comfy Cotton Blend yarns purchased on a whim a few years back. I looked back on my FB page to get an idea when these were purchased, but ... nothing was found. *shrug*<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Both afghans are approx. 52" x 68" -- perfect for a throw size for a couch, recliner or glider rocker.<br /> <p></p></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-37511088272711941232020-06-23T08:43:00.006-05:002020-06-23T08:47:21.700-05:00Peach Wine with my sisterMy sister has been visiting for the past week, and we've kept the schedule quite full between kayaking, Candace's softball scrimmages and all the fruit harvests needing our attention.<br />
<br />
The one little bit of sewing that's been accomplished; fixing up a split seam on Candace's sweatshirt. Some darker thread was needed, and after digging around in my spare spool container, I found this gem. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsidFskvH999zZH3Kxa2IzF9dvZDHLT_0Xy9uxQZKsxhfpw1u6FpKdwysAEqla6WYH9NFzgBVN26KmKzoXQiKrN36zXfcbxNuRjfSJADllrm2maY_7IMPY9GfE_GPNRXGKwHF58RLAaPy/s1600/IMG_6686.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsidFskvH999zZH3Kxa2IzF9dvZDHLT_0Xy9uxQZKsxhfpw1u6FpKdwysAEqla6WYH9NFzgBVN26KmKzoXQiKrN36zXfcbxNuRjfSJADllrm2maY_7IMPY9GfE_GPNRXGKwHF58RLAaPy/s400/IMG_6686.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
I wonder how old it is... I'm certain to have gotten it from Grandma Lee many many many years ago.<br /><br />
As planned, Sunday was the day we spent preparing the Peach wine, and taught my sister the steps along the way. For anyone looking for recipes, the only book I keep on-hand: <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Raymond-Massaccesi-Winemakers-Recipe-Handbook/dp/B00072NSDC/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=wine+recipe+book&qid=1592918044&sr=8-8">The Winemaker's Recipe Handbook</a>. Just about anything under the sun is included in this book, and it's my goto for all of my wines now-a-days. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqDLGO1CIh_xc-MIlkv84Q6iuYZIRSBenyR19vDpKvpIyS0JLbVnFaj_si2aIJ9zHCnbHwH2t_E0UfDRxcXOeEZKZE6PGoLhOGxqd6FJrxCiQrY0eVkySNB4heySqBIBIsnYbAYesswUv/s1600/IMG_6656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqDLGO1CIh_xc-MIlkv84Q6iuYZIRSBenyR19vDpKvpIyS0JLbVnFaj_si2aIJ9zHCnbHwH2t_E0UfDRxcXOeEZKZE6PGoLhOGxqd6FJrxCiQrY0eVkySNB4heySqBIBIsnYbAYesswUv/s400/IMG_6656.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
It started with taking the frozen peaches out of the freezer the night before. I purchased a steam-juicer last summer, so I elected to go that route with the Peach wine rather than ferment with the fruit pulp; we'll see if there's a noticeable difference in the body of the final product (next summer).<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvUIiKpSpw0fYTJ-2RorqxUgPcZTeq3YB9bKnkEiArwwGk8EW1QgvF5IiaGzB-zfDeW-ebpQ8lGiccFISOU21dypi4j4nxKmQ3NdKcK-2YHjd91uXZqhGonTALAbLN7Pq88JLlgKProfj/s1600/IMG_6663.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvUIiKpSpw0fYTJ-2RorqxUgPcZTeq3YB9bKnkEiArwwGk8EW1QgvF5IiaGzB-zfDeW-ebpQ8lGiccFISOU21dypi4j4nxKmQ3NdKcK-2YHjd91uXZqhGonTALAbLN7Pq88JLlgKProfj/s400/IMG_6663.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
I think dear sis was surprised at how much sugar is needed, specially when preparing a 6-gallon batch of wine. Enough was added (about 12 lbs) to bring the hydrometer OG (original gravity) reading to 1.096 (resulting in about 13.5% once finished). I also added the tannin this time around, but only at half the amount. I've made wines without the tannin and most of them have resulted in nice, light wines. I figured I'd give the tannin a try to see if there's a noticeable difference. So far this spring, I've started 6-gallons of Strawberry and 6-gallons of Rhubarb, both with the full-recipe tannin included. Four gallons of Lilac wine were also started; THAT's a new experiment for me this year! I'll dig up the photos from that day and post about it soon.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoBr5dJc67n2G5uWzktM4i3W2w0Y9ELBCXdWzpQ-vXmAyFITn76-hkmAZogftaOJMuFN1dn2vi3D8KujNwt86swBahPtdvpEr6BDFPoNDl8Vo9FMCOHG39eax5j40J5f7nVhxtgCqJ_x_/s1600/IMG_6703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoBr5dJc67n2G5uWzktM4i3W2w0Y9ELBCXdWzpQ-vXmAyFITn76-hkmAZogftaOJMuFN1dn2vi3D8KujNwt86swBahPtdvpEr6BDFPoNDl8Vo9FMCOHG39eax5j40J5f7nVhxtgCqJ_x_/s400/IMG_6703.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />The Premier Blanc yeast was pitched just this morning, so now... it'll sit and ferment until about Saturday before getting transferred to the carboy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiuZgiBdYyfQwxaaIEfsHlu6G9hnGl2r5VST771hYbO8Vk0IPNCutgFyDYk6P5xfo64_-C-O1vrl8QQWh3UR4Y-GQa8Lfcq6g1iOA6PjpijA1ZJRIgSHLsP3FsFMr4c4jrJxY9C-qDvao/s1600/IMG_6661.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiuZgiBdYyfQwxaaIEfsHlu6G9hnGl2r5VST771hYbO8Vk0IPNCutgFyDYk6P5xfo64_-C-O1vrl8QQWh3UR4Y-GQa8Lfcq6g1iOA6PjpijA1ZJRIgSHLsP3FsFMr4c4jrJxY9C-qDvao/s400/IMG_6661.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
The left-behind mash from the steam-juicer was then sent through our food mill, giving us about 10 cups of Peachsauce for freezing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-YlWoQReZaxTaJck2Bz7jiDJ2IWBrZl2bLaJklSNTztr7_IuhhYkP4R7XukW-snkS6RmpkAOfEilTRODPtblJi-m0EJq9oSgds0ClXJThB4b6OFK9lZPa4i71MAUpcVn77ErZqDTlK05/s1600/IMG_6630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-YlWoQReZaxTaJck2Bz7jiDJ2IWBrZl2bLaJklSNTztr7_IuhhYkP4R7XukW-snkS6RmpkAOfEilTRODPtblJi-m0EJq9oSgds0ClXJThB4b6OFK9lZPa4i71MAUpcVn77ErZqDTlK05/s400/IMG_6630.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another fruit harvest that we are in the midst of -- Strawberries. And the new patch is treating us WELL this year!!! Since I already have a 6-gallon batch of wine started (from frozen berries we harvested last year), AND we've already made 2 batches of jam, AND have eaten (almost) our fill of strawberry shortcake, any remaining berries we pick this year will either be mashed with a little bit of sugar and frozen in 2-3 cup packages for winter-eating OR will be frozen in 3 lb packages for wine batches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ5_AAsH0tStPaYscS3SJEi-3lndTkmidtEJ79DN_emq-nluPIYQyGPnAtmeeNwB3Fzn6jmESsmKfEGjL_yCJCNny0XoUyFOh-fOP75R9mAcGm0CDyZ85Si3c1UEi-oolELfGOZie8LUh/s1600/IMG_6682.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ5_AAsH0tStPaYscS3SJEi-3lndTkmidtEJ79DN_emq-nluPIYQyGPnAtmeeNwB3Fzn6jmESsmKfEGjL_yCJCNny0XoUyFOh-fOP75R9mAcGm0CDyZ85Si3c1UEi-oolELfGOZie8LUh/s400/IMG_6682.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Although it's not much to look at right now, yesterday's GORGEOUS day of low 70s allowed me and my sis to weed the ENTIRE garden; tomatoes, corn, potatoes, sunflowers, peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, peas, carrots, pole bean, dill, more tomatoes, radish, cucumbers, watermelon, green onions ... The WHOLE garden has never been weeded in a single day before! I was thankful for my sister's help.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And did you know..... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge18d2dMrpwUDdlNOIBwf2jncakFu2t2TAIIuowYf1zcAc8R665uQ_WYWwWMTx3kJlPJQhlTI6s8tjVBR5woyaYvxEjXKQk4aAdBsLqlxEWVCNpzNV_x_dNmIVvfyHpcLjcslHUp4v00Hf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-06-23+at+8.35.56+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge18d2dMrpwUDdlNOIBwf2jncakFu2t2TAIIuowYf1zcAc8R665uQ_WYWwWMTx3kJlPJQhlTI6s8tjVBR5woyaYvxEjXKQk4aAdBsLqlxEWVCNpzNV_x_dNmIVvfyHpcLjcslHUp4v00Hf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-06-23+at+8.35.56+AM.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's Brussels sprout -- not Brussel sprout. 😲 Ya learn something new everyday.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And you know what else?.....</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcMow8Eb2j4nudUnLf-wDQwb2ovN6LFfel37zIg6OBPftvzlm7dgGA30VVitj_lr0EiEXZrdYcXbo-Qg7igkYJ_BxpSgwL_zG_rKL-6kdCBGwMrKI3whoKbufjSQsYcmC9uXR1rRw77q6/s1600/IMG_6685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcMow8Eb2j4nudUnLf-wDQwb2ovN6LFfel37zIg6OBPftvzlm7dgGA30VVitj_lr0EiEXZrdYcXbo-Qg7igkYJ_BxpSgwL_zG_rKL-6kdCBGwMrKI3whoKbufjSQsYcmC9uXR1rRw77q6/s400/IMG_6685.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I apparently have a child with a sense of humor who felt it was important to request a new sense of humor for ME! Does anyone else use an Amazon Dot (ie: Alexa) to create a shopping list? It's a feature my sister introduced to us this week. Slick!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Tuesday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-72427839445043651992020-06-19T20:07:00.000-05:002020-06-22T08:09:33.422-05:00Peach Processing Day - in pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiT7CCm1Px9uNYD5CwuqlVToNKkkPI1OKCm_LAr8sHEmVSCrGuYjWxY58GyQpyodQJ83hBkCsk5KlRN7_boVtrkzQaMur16Ahj_xnBZNUj5YtQy4aFsnl5mq6Nap6M4qYJawXE2alifopE/s1600/IMG_6613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiT7CCm1Px9uNYD5CwuqlVToNKkkPI1OKCm_LAr8sHEmVSCrGuYjWxY58GyQpyodQJ83hBkCsk5KlRN7_boVtrkzQaMur16Ahj_xnBZNUj5YtQy4aFsnl5mq6Nap6M4qYJawXE2alifopE/s400/IMG_6613.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Living in Wisconsin, we don't see (m)any peach harvests since peach trees aren't necessarily grafted for our growing zone, so when the truck came on Wednesday, I thought I'd give my first try at processing peaches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First, let me say....... all those YouTube videos are wonderful and great, but.... THEY LIE! Soooo many of them were saying, "oh, if you're new to canning....peaches are the easiest way to start."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ummm...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
NOT that the canning process was necessarily all that difficult, but... PUTZY! AND, if you're really trying to keep the peaches looking "nice" in the jars.... goodness. What a putzy putzy process. If one is new to the canning process, I would suggest PICKLES! Now, THOSE are easy-peasy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiJwOdlM2eTg3Q91EPyaunGYEAn0t6MXNQ8aTuK89ppuO0V1zaAce1yvCG6wPPoIPJfyb-sxeATXmQghEmj1gN_FjmZ50ZDGM2u_riyeDXUjsqPDsDbHMHCdCxJDpZYXrwQVEg3c9pwpi/s1600/IMG_6616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiJwOdlM2eTg3Q91EPyaunGYEAn0t6MXNQ8aTuK89ppuO0V1zaAce1yvCG6wPPoIPJfyb-sxeATXmQghEmj1gN_FjmZ50ZDGM2u_riyeDXUjsqPDsDbHMHCdCxJDpZYXrwQVEg3c9pwpi/s400/IMG_6616.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe83Vx1HS4X6Ig6hThwF63CW_49OIPdFEvqqK0DA25OjJPhyphenhyphenipAk24PCxg-CNYPM2CAGU6PaBSgzuvwlejrpz7P7MZVmtrAewZX2VEDz1dK6aFZjEVg7NCJEsQmwQ6sx5pZTCfn049ZcV/s1600/IMG_6624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe83Vx1HS4X6Ig6hThwF63CW_49OIPdFEvqqK0DA25OjJPhyphenhyphenipAk24PCxg-CNYPM2CAGU6PaBSgzuvwlejrpz7P7MZVmtrAewZX2VEDz1dK6aFZjEVg7NCJEsQmwQ6sx5pZTCfn049ZcV/s400/IMG_6624.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm just glad I started the day processing enough for the 7 quarts to fill a canner, because once I had enough to fire up the canner (which took about 2 hours), then I shifted to preparing 18 lbs for a 6-gallon wine batch. Now THAT was easy peasy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj658ydSCUTAMnKur3XOX1jPQr6W4aOZUvn_2vorcxSjhZnmCaL0c4mQxbHWkcGA55j2uaCiHP8UrE3w7mSaMrVayZNEGokDZCXF4S4hc1DU6ISlISFSxXCeHYbO9mCGjvhs3V__fsVevER/s1600/IMG_6615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj658ydSCUTAMnKur3XOX1jPQr6W4aOZUvn_2vorcxSjhZnmCaL0c4mQxbHWkcGA55j2uaCiHP8UrE3w7mSaMrVayZNEGokDZCXF4S4hc1DU6ISlISFSxXCeHYbO9mCGjvhs3V__fsVevER/s400/IMG_6615.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The recipe calls for 2.5 lbs of prepped peaches per gallon, but I don't mind having a little extra fruit. Roughly 3+ lbs of whole fruit were weighed out; 3 batches were peeled and 3 were left with peels on (<i>recipe doesn't call for peeling</i>). Pitting these were fast because I didn't really care if the fruit ended up getting 'smushed' or broken; it's all gonna be mush once juiced anyway.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXgeWnCet57SpzGlx8AAoWTyAkNsC_qbqaHo8lqpVEDR3zfj9VZN28NC7WMSuVa3xldy5GVbdFFZEVcmCfVYB9qFoMbjnhycNpYJFMeV1vJoTNuft3SH5SzuI4aH6wZwxL1I5mq0QILTD/s1600/IMG_6614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXgeWnCet57SpzGlx8AAoWTyAkNsC_qbqaHo8lqpVEDR3zfj9VZN28NC7WMSuVa3xldy5GVbdFFZEVcmCfVYB9qFoMbjnhycNpYJFMeV1vJoTNuft3SH5SzuI4aH6wZwxL1I5mq0QILTD/s400/IMG_6614.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Each vac bag was filled with around 3 lbs of fruit (<i>I kept adding a bit more each batch), </i>sealed, and tossed in the freezer. Six bags, 3 lbs each... all ready for wine prep (most likely on Sunday).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The corner table still held some fruit, but I wasn't about to process them into a few more quart jars for canning. Nope. Done with that for now. Instead, we searched out a few recipes...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/easy-peach-cobbler?fbclid=IwAR267iHd_pBJClwJf1aRTAsuoeRDU3qh3_J4TCqrTF3M51QO9tZmoEbBqTI">Peach Cobbler Recipe</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
All that's left after supper.... stuffffffed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLPnbI1Hv9cyf2sZ8tr0QljXRKLNBHr0W7HmhWnuj3sAJnfEK8s4byQl2k48bPJQqs_8f9QUG1gG8rN9WeAlnj4iBzWw28jvlCzgoF6i7GZF7WyanEGYrCPZBQ3PECJD8D37uVpIvc9pP/s1600/IMG_6623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLPnbI1Hv9cyf2sZ8tr0QljXRKLNBHr0W7HmhWnuj3sAJnfEK8s4byQl2k48bPJQqs_8f9QUG1gG8rN9WeAlnj4iBzWw28jvlCzgoF6i7GZF7WyanEGYrCPZBQ3PECJD8D37uVpIvc9pP/s400/IMG_6623.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and <a href="https://www.reformationacres.com/2011/09/peach-peel-jelly.html?fbclid=IwAR2fuK-RGCkF-vgaByg9TqwoRwAsgy7Oor5JDecdYCHzflJuzZQ6z4wbVds" style="text-align: left;">Peach Jelly Recipe</a> from the peelings...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h8de1Dpz03AnUYQowfSeVlK6h8_yinsC6PLjxqTCos-NZH5q3pBv6uz9rZpq-svOBaLpRZ6WaX58YfTgU1bprlKP6tD47PsrMIa7b1CQgIOTv5B5mMyVvhHki37UxuC8gGeC4cZBA3zJ/s1600/IMG_6625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h8de1Dpz03AnUYQowfSeVlK6h8_yinsC6PLjxqTCos-NZH5q3pBv6uz9rZpq-svOBaLpRZ6WaX58YfTgU1bprlKP6tD47PsrMIa7b1CQgIOTv5B5mMyVvhHki37UxuC8gGeC4cZBA3zJ/s400/IMG_6625.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />YUM!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-73527273704755912552020-06-19T07:47:00.001-05:002020-06-19T07:50:52.498-05:00Talkin' Turkey centers and Strawberry patch chatter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J7uH4iHS4sXAyxjyQ-R-rPh0xE7aH40XKJfqaHTWFbvUesOD065BbJ4ANsj_s4SzxN9OGW5Vz9yCjGu4kiCVkE37rWCVuRm5vtQ2NMxh0QHI8ym2mRLkxMcdlBYGqCbFS7G_0CjU-ur6/s1600/IMG_6610+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J7uH4iHS4sXAyxjyQ-R-rPh0xE7aH40XKJfqaHTWFbvUesOD065BbJ4ANsj_s4SzxN9OGW5Vz9yCjGu4kiCVkE37rWCVuRm5vtQ2NMxh0QHI8ym2mRLkxMcdlBYGqCbFS7G_0CjU-ur6/s400/IMG_6610+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's not much to look at, but once the morning jobs were complete, a couple of hours this afternoon were spent in the sewing area tidying up some scraps and cutting the centers for the final 15 Talkin' Turkey blocks. It was certainly a putzy job between taming the scraps and cutting because the size of the squares isn't the typical <i>Bonnie "nice."</i> 2 5/8"... yuck.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The morning was beautiful! 72 degrees and breezy, low humidity -- PERFECT for any outside work. The strawberry patch was tilled under at the end of the last year's growing season, but not before transplanting the young 'daughter' plants shooting every which way. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4Q-tULQQSegsFJ9s3DhEZiHWzMmGDPqiVrhPS63Qbbg9_tWyU9tXKAUNGkb7erAKuwmTTiMiQNAPHYmK3com9tNayIv4ZQ9GZqmFmRAUUsq_GUyXMqS6nIl5h-XDBsEW-rVPAsuwGUhK/s1600/IMG_6600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4Q-tULQQSegsFJ9s3DhEZiHWzMmGDPqiVrhPS63Qbbg9_tWyU9tXKAUNGkb7erAKuwmTTiMiQNAPHYmK3com9tNayIv4ZQ9GZqmFmRAUUsq_GUyXMqS6nIl5h-XDBsEW-rVPAsuwGUhK/s400/IMG_6600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And we DOWN-SIZED! I finally understand why most gardeners only keep their patches for two years (or 3 years max) before replanting. Our strawberry saga began in 2012 (<a href="http://skattebo-skattebo.blogspot.com/2012/06/walk-with-me-tour.html" target="_blank">The planting post</a>) with 18 plants. 18! It IS kinda cool to think that our patches over the years started with one simple 'whim' purchase of so few plants! We've moved the patch only twice before, leaving it stay at its new location 4 and 3 years, respectively. Too long! Our last patch (it was on year 3 last summer) was soooooo overgrown with all the new plants; our berries were so small. But year two produced AMAZING fruit, in abundance! So, my new process now will be one of two things. Either a) keep the patch ONLY two years; meaning set up a new patch after next year's growing season, OR b) keep the patch for about 3 years BUT thin out (cut away) some of the spreading daughters.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4KTsFZHbsaMChDtfJR-6xSFcF3S-JCQeIJmKzuGyBem0JSrD682VRl6K1H5lMbdKUiJxadx_vLPtGq_DR-Ioju_gdHegDSFda4RTehPJAP6cr8V1SjB3XxsNTw8N-bauvTp424bRNQhn/s1600/IMG_6601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4KTsFZHbsaMChDtfJR-6xSFcF3S-JCQeIJmKzuGyBem0JSrD682VRl6K1H5lMbdKUiJxadx_vLPtGq_DR-Ioju_gdHegDSFda4RTehPJAP6cr8V1SjB3XxsNTw8N-bauvTp424bRNQhn/w400-h300/IMG_6601.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Regardless, the patch this year is smaller (by design) and producing ample fruit for the needs of my family. Two batches of jam were already made with Sunday's picking, and now each harvest will consist of processing some into 2-3 cup packages of smashed and slightly sugared mash for freezing after vac-sealing, OR simply placing the berries in 3-lb bags for wine batches <i>(my recipe used for strawberry wine suggests 3 lbs/gal.) </i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo55ySuJJvN_6_MGdYhOHAH-KzOXbNTLK60tFNoT1YIk1xwx7USnQIsdAV7piE-JVU78Yp-95mAKX7J1AIrdFiYhmqHwbzkFjtFBho14fz9R53eg0dkwNcL_85KjCuAdXPxwtekfKT6fcU/s1600/IMG_6605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo55ySuJJvN_6_MGdYhOHAH-KzOXbNTLK60tFNoT1YIk1xwx7USnQIsdAV7piE-JVU78Yp-95mAKX7J1AIrdFiYhmqHwbzkFjtFBho14fz9R53eg0dkwNcL_85KjCuAdXPxwtekfKT6fcU/w400-h300/IMG_6605.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And all those strawberry tops end up being treats for the ladies. We lost all of our chickens after last year's (2019) winter, and with the crazy-busy schedule we had with a graduating senior and two other girls VERY active in Spring and Summer sports, we never raised any new gals for the year. However, shortly after the beginning of the Stay-at-Home orders this March, a local neighbor and I struck up a conversation while picking up eggs from her one day, and... a week later, 6 new ladies joined our property. Since, we've also hatched out a incubator full of eggs, and we have eleven 2-month old chicks in the adjoining pen. Sadly, we had more chicks, but a hungry owl obliterated half of our coop before we were finally able to SECURELY "owl-proof" the roof; those are some smart birds!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLdvjKdk0k4m2YXCbLqPv9AfdzYntJMb-dJk4JeJG8AXR09ZtdpgIbB_NWpg4lrH5qe7aG6ToiOWk9GkiO2iDEUbskPindWpOaM6o59QIXy8NqerdVw43E3czN8-Fcl8GDwMxzrX5kN-T/s1600/IMG_6609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLdvjKdk0k4m2YXCbLqPv9AfdzYntJMb-dJk4JeJG8AXR09ZtdpgIbB_NWpg4lrH5qe7aG6ToiOWk9GkiO2iDEUbskPindWpOaM6o59QIXy8NqerdVw43E3czN8-Fcl8GDwMxzrX5kN-T/w400-h300/IMG_6609.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The rest of the day consisted of the normal household chores; cleaning up the kitchen and laundry. The threatening dark skies finally rolled in at early evening; thankful that the storms lost energy and only provided the much needed rain rather than severe weather. Kayaking posts are certain to come this summer as well seeing as we've already been on the lake and rivers a good half-dozen times already.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ahh... summer!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-42052841593933620702020-06-17T20:59:00.000-05:002020-06-18T10:06:45.706-05:00When people in Wisconsin want peaches... wine-making updates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As some of you may know, wine-making has become an upfront hobby of mine since the summer of 2017 when a family acquaintance 'scolded' me for mowing over our yard full of dandelions. She shared her brother's Dandelion wine recipe with me, and truly......as the saying goes, <i>the rest was history</i>. Some of my favorites since then... the 2018 Cherry is ranked #1 followed closely by the 2018 Currant, but this 2017 Banana was just bottled last month after aging for 3 years. Yummmmmmmo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxXBnCR_OnfQZtAR1PxBhGzu-fSzf0JgqFbEemi48pTCVkBql-Xav7PvY6aUbfstoqu9isghmLoSdVqtR9Cnu4c5Vr-D37CBabEmEGy8xPU9hOcrKYaqCNpKIBeFgnYY3z2ScFOaq1jES/s1600/IMG_6300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxXBnCR_OnfQZtAR1PxBhGzu-fSzf0JgqFbEemi48pTCVkBql-Xav7PvY6aUbfstoqu9isghmLoSdVqtR9Cnu4c5Vr-D37CBabEmEGy8xPU9hOcrKYaqCNpKIBeFgnYY3z2ScFOaq1jES/s400/IMG_6300.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The root-cellar wine racks are just about filled right now after bottling the 3-gallons of banana ('17), 6-gallons of Cherry ('19) and 3-gallons of Blueberry ('19) recently.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8w7GajCwWt-IKMoGBAEl-WC0L_CICxaCBGQG2VkCvq64YoLv3IrSbA9JOQa_ki1O0wPSXbswsx_M1ye2dVfBnULnAUWX8WlKKOfsk8Cd49B9o3MRO6ebkWLqunC_QqhfcZPoLyfuvAgr/s1600/IMG_6303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8w7GajCwWt-IKMoGBAEl-WC0L_CICxaCBGQG2VkCvq64YoLv3IrSbA9JOQa_ki1O0wPSXbswsx_M1ye2dVfBnULnAUWX8WlKKOfsk8Cd49B9o3MRO6ebkWLqunC_QqhfcZPoLyfuvAgr/s400/IMG_6303.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2019 Cherry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VG9m5keqxXiMIwe5eM-7xqKEbiTsZBv90FcygnkwLqkmHy5MyOvchJJ2OhX95doFF1y-BqjkFM5tSyFF9nYLwEc3FRacxRi17bS1Wpy0P57PaX-NXEa1tLZxnZfXUHZw48F6lXZ_bwmb/s1600/IMG_6441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VG9m5keqxXiMIwe5eM-7xqKEbiTsZBv90FcygnkwLqkmHy5MyOvchJJ2OhX95doFF1y-BqjkFM5tSyFF9nYLwEc3FRacxRi17bS1Wpy0P57PaX-NXEa1tLZxnZfXUHZw48F6lXZ_bwmb/s400/IMG_6441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhMSuFtxpl4I7uyyLl4kBbCccGvSs9L5s6n6LD1scE0yHpGQIMyfC7eP2J6DY4ZDbzhqKXSJx4m9lHsXnBxwSI4zLa_8ajinxBKV7aSu_cKe54eWIpbjhUVAIwkTcTCzl6eq2EPDlIonV/s1600/IMG_6442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhMSuFtxpl4I7uyyLl4kBbCccGvSs9L5s6n6LD1scE0yHpGQIMyfC7eP2J6DY4ZDbzhqKXSJx4m9lHsXnBxwSI4zLa_8ajinxBKV7aSu_cKe54eWIpbjhUVAIwkTcTCzl6eq2EPDlIonV/s400/IMG_6442.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The emptied carboys from the recent bottling were <u>supposed</u> to be set aside for the Cherry and Currant harvests this summer, but a friend has a BEAUTIFUL rhubarb patch that she rarely makes a dent in, so she invited me over to save her the guilty feelings of watching it all go to waste this year. Besides, it's her MOM that is the <i>family acquaintance</i> mentioned earlier 👍<br />
<br />
A morning of rhubarb picking lead to a freezer full of fruit. A few days later, the fruit was thawed, placed in my steam-juicer (<i>one of my <u>best</u> purchase decisions last summer!</i>) resulting in enough juice for a 6-gallon batch of Rhubarb wine.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE7yW8lj3Jyu9mgyDGLIdLSxwdKv9pT8PEhGRTEOu1fCmDp4rlFjtfD35z3Dq12SxnCPo-3mxww4E8W3zNELjSYJeRDGg3KrVX2_x8weGI-Nm-Z-YJjNt4EuhouqRkEFSyLStz297nnx1/s1600/IMG_6438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE7yW8lj3Jyu9mgyDGLIdLSxwdKv9pT8PEhGRTEOu1fCmDp4rlFjtfD35z3Dq12SxnCPo-3mxww4E8W3zNELjSYJeRDGg3KrVX2_x8weGI-Nm-Z-YJjNt4EuhouqRkEFSyLStz297nnx1/s320/IMG_6438.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpaJfhWM594A_oUzNLTBuYe0P4a1UC-6bcukZz_ANqbEkO3tZp2smdDeL1XgEkLgqsdrJRwYC_GWUBdb6emjejT3ir49fNaeUagxaoi_vSDhigNfZygkUShjqyrt_0w8r0Q639WDK-eP4/s1600/IMG_6443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpaJfhWM594A_oUzNLTBuYe0P4a1UC-6bcukZz_ANqbEkO3tZp2smdDeL1XgEkLgqsdrJRwYC_GWUBdb6emjejT3ir49fNaeUagxaoi_vSDhigNfZygkUShjqyrt_0w8r0Q639WDK-eP4/s400/IMG_6443.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few of the wines underway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
So, back to the title of this post...<br />
It's not common to see Peach trees growing in Wisconsin; there are some, specially in the southern parts, but we cold folk up here in the north don't have much luck due to the higher chances of late spring frosts. Enter: the Pearson Farm of Georgia. Working together with the Tree-Ripe Fruit Co., truckloads of peaches are shipped up to us poor peach-deprived people of the northern states a few times over the summer, so when the truck arrives....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qxz-Z52aGqnVI4CBE-yU9JZFcxnykNlzhUKsX36rPef5AOzKtMWKdy-Hfi_jn57v32gByvgff_T1pPiluyg46l2G3y9pjlZY3To8Fj0CtdJT5ycB4rbdAfkoikgtPYiCeb5HyGnpUarB/s1600/IMG_6596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qxz-Z52aGqnVI4CBE-yU9JZFcxnykNlzhUKsX36rPef5AOzKtMWKdy-Hfi_jn57v32gByvgff_T1pPiluyg46l2G3y9pjlZY3To8Fj0CtdJT5ycB4rbdAfkoikgtPYiCeb5HyGnpUarB/s400/IMG_6596.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... you wait in line. But SOOOOOO worth it!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few days of these ripening on the table should get them all good -n- ready for the 2020 batch of Peach wine in addition to some canned peaches 💛</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRu43bFvMhmKe8iZ9x8puE1Bj1A8ii49zbFBQv1mHSpTWHNs8DyEjCIA7ynfhmk_lEMsug2gousc3EdAH_iULzDJa6JQLNtlB8BbQG9HppgAYzeeEBpxp65IowiZ1xq6EWB96QYFcanpJ6/s1600/RenderedImage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRu43bFvMhmKe8iZ9x8puE1Bj1A8ii49zbFBQv1mHSpTWHNs8DyEjCIA7ynfhmk_lEMsug2gousc3EdAH_iULzDJa6JQLNtlB8BbQG9HppgAYzeeEBpxp65IowiZ1xq6EWB96QYFcanpJ6/s400/RenderedImage.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-13204190519212948202020-05-27T21:00:00.000-05:002020-06-18T08:59:25.366-05:00Blowing off the dust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When Cassie came home early in March due to Covid closure restrictions at UWS, we elected to have her take over the quilting room seeing as her little sister claimed her bedroom in August when Cass left for school. After all, I haven't really been quilting much in recent years due to life's hustle-n-bustle being the mom of three very active athletes. <br />But, as the month of May progressed, and more and more time was opening up in my schedule from the stay-at-home orders, the itch started coming on to get back in front of my sewing machine. So... an evening of cleaning and tidying commenced in the <i>open-space</i> of our basement.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXboLl5TqcPC7a9wgM-JmstGO080HzZo3BB1kP8pZumWfwqCj6lcsauFDwvZcVxc73FjAaPCEzNeUSXQUAwgayKDPeIUMvxdgrSCbJRPzg2NFl3WQpgox5YQlp9CLbKhP3zl1z1-YH444o/s1600/IMG_6263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXboLl5TqcPC7a9wgM-JmstGO080HzZo3BB1kP8pZumWfwqCj6lcsauFDwvZcVxc73FjAaPCEzNeUSXQUAwgayKDPeIUMvxdgrSCbJRPzg2NFl3WQpgox5YQlp9CLbKhP3zl1z1-YH444o/s400/IMG_6263.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open Space - before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFPtUnwtzlC3vWBEpGjjgdk_8pZ_aK8xNr_Vx4-4X31Qk4lLoc1ZLzpoptKAMD5DUyqekoOmVzCtdHq9MT6GEcYCytAUgwSFli3LFNqOuw36jNA6IzpPKOlcOWIkgAOr2dC04mx0V-bNr/s1600/IMG_6276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFPtUnwtzlC3vWBEpGjjgdk_8pZ_aK8xNr_Vx4-4X31Qk4lLoc1ZLzpoptKAMD5DUyqekoOmVzCtdHq9MT6GEcYCytAUgwSFli3LFNqOuw36jNA6IzpPKOlcOWIkgAOr2dC04mx0V-bNr/s400/IMG_6276.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open Space - after</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With almost two (?) years having gone by since truuuuuly spending time sewing, organizing all of my WIPs and leaders-enders was amazingly relaxing. <br />
<br />
Firing up the iron to repress some of the <i>OMIGOSH</i> blocks...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDAMr6BIIYZUtoixsbBkxv-aC-UM2Sn5KHopJUr_gDgKPG7_FwyJj2hpPQjCrhTMy2OIQlQFqQo-rJ-rLMi5Gi8tBWnbkovgadu5ierlY63sXTdwrXCSgB76MoHtyd1si03KQlCSM5X4T/s1600/IMG_6277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDAMr6BIIYZUtoixsbBkxv-aC-UM2Sn5KHopJUr_gDgKPG7_FwyJj2hpPQjCrhTMy2OIQlQFqQo-rJ-rLMi5Gi8tBWnbkovgadu5ierlY63sXTdwrXCSgB76MoHtyd1si03KQlCSM5X4T/s400/IMG_6277.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
... sewing on a few last strips for the yellow string blocks for Bonnie's <i>Talkin' Turkey...</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hk1fjCEbNDLrC3bb4KpyBtJiiFt0ywvXpr0WecYcT-w6CQlFQHnF1K9cMriKs25rYcfwqxCI4CPQHkTTHMLu85eE-0ZHMEdBxk-yeeeK6JpoPgotTMC0c4Bre7O5ZH5JWbFykoWNx4Ot/s1600/IMG_6278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hk1fjCEbNDLrC3bb4KpyBtJiiFt0ywvXpr0WecYcT-w6CQlFQHnF1K9cMriKs25rYcfwqxCI4CPQHkTTHMLu85eE-0ZHMEdBxk-yeeeK6JpoPgotTMC0c4Bre7O5ZH5JWbFykoWNx4Ot/s400/IMG_6278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
... hanging the simple tablecloth <i>design wall</i> in order to check the status of how many <i>Talkin' Turkey</i> blocks have already been sewn...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHxl6QgtjYYHuTETxqZ2RsS5Qb317Lj0dvspoL-gq0RZuK8X0OGaNf6BIxIuKebcATKPVXt79OQe3aHJuUNFcRU0vpTVgJ5sN-IinNlcABplTxOYC_HRvnYXarg2ALpDG_xgdEqF_EFo1/s1600/IMG_6488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHxl6QgtjYYHuTETxqZ2RsS5Qb317Lj0dvspoL-gq0RZuK8X0OGaNf6BIxIuKebcATKPVXt79OQe3aHJuUNFcRU0vpTVgJ5sN-IinNlcABplTxOYC_HRvnYXarg2ALpDG_xgdEqF_EFo1/s400/IMG_6488.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
... and simply getting organized in my new makeshift sewing area was time well spent and enjoyed. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-RJTgzmjP8huiS-eWwrbcejNyHms1Iy5Qf6pD-hV2D9tbHpzWvGp5tkXwq3qaHtpgPio1eb1SlbRHjmpLzoDPz4zPffNEUtdQNIK-Rf4q2TA_aCcFP2FCZ5spGxyK6QM21i_1kLDXot1/s1600/IMG_6489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-RJTgzmjP8huiS-eWwrbcejNyHms1Iy5Qf6pD-hV2D9tbHpzWvGp5tkXwq3qaHtpgPio1eb1SlbRHjmpLzoDPz4zPffNEUtdQNIK-Rf4q2TA_aCcFP2FCZ5spGxyK6QM21i_1kLDXot1/s400/IMG_6489.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, to keep tackling a little bit at a time WITHOUT starting anything new! 😂Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-78811920954935737872019-01-01T11:33:00.001-06:002019-01-01T11:38:27.670-06:00A two-year hiatus, but still alive and loving life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The time it takes to write blog posts simply hasn't been a priority for me over the past couple of years, however don't think that the business of life has taken a turn for the worse.<br />
Quite on the contrary -- Life is FABULOUSLY busy with my three extremely active girls! And I'm truly loving (just about) every crazy second of this hecticity!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EatjlqxDUFd8Zveu2a7yvBzjQ7VSbdOGndvrgoekRr4I42y2SeanYIMC9Mu1fI3oSs9EL2Wa6Sxm5OqUEZr09KS-IgaoHeVVyGlqG4CqqOOY8W3EEsWnyNYucEn-82V-zdzCAjfS6HSB/s1600/guitar-hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EatjlqxDUFd8Zveu2a7yvBzjQ7VSbdOGndvrgoekRr4I42y2SeanYIMC9Mu1fI3oSs9EL2Wa6Sxm5OqUEZr09KS-IgaoHeVVyGlqG4CqqOOY8W3EEsWnyNYucEn-82V-zdzCAjfS6HSB/s400/guitar-hero.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The household now has a Senior, 7th grader and Freshman, ALL extremely active playing volleyball in the Fall, basketball in the Winter and Track in the Spring, additionally softball for Candace in the Summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoW8isnBoRuOayUGh4o-vCvsLUZd7pxbFXNNcuWr14NJrNYB-D0-YqWsjTcXTMdo-9ppD6P0Mi5jSChnsPGpDJyepBuh4qkXhZAwdi29jvSd-kMBwlv37V_6UN7FYlJZVrnTJNtLIelxqD/s1600/coverphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoW8isnBoRuOayUGh4o-vCvsLUZd7pxbFXNNcuWr14NJrNYB-D0-YqWsjTcXTMdo-9ppD6P0Mi5jSChnsPGpDJyepBuh4qkXhZAwdi29jvSd-kMBwlv37V_6UN7FYlJZVrnTJNtLIelxqD/s640/coverphoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As for most people, the realization that we have a graduating Senior this year is a bit surreal and downright crazy to fathom. The ol' cliche "time flies" has never rang so true!!!!!!!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsWsb_s_XXgICFSNdftGNQZx62E_5v1V8WtPyiPxU__vzCaqL8aLODmQmC5ra-xhxWFJONL73yFm1v3yWNMVcX7JGEWbnOdzrMrNRIrvIkJRUQWRa2UM0gkbxOSxpHrLRvCbSeo0OPDpG/s1600/dock-jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsWsb_s_XXgICFSNdftGNQZx62E_5v1V8WtPyiPxU__vzCaqL8aLODmQmC5ra-xhxWFJONL73yFm1v3yWNMVcX7JGEWbnOdzrMrNRIrvIkJRUQWRa2UM0gkbxOSxpHrLRvCbSeo0OPDpG/s400/dock-jacket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Cass has certainly committed herself and has been self-driven to achieve seasonly and yearly goals over the past year, both for herself and for the betterment of her teammates and the school.<br />
Parents are usually defaulted into being proud of their children; with these three, it's so easy to follow that default :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB75IuW7Zb3jOd3oDxTV52Ifn6HKWQ8OM4ia5quj5mwrmYlr3XixU-N3GU9-B5dV1zOTR7ixVQ243E7ColghDJY3xGefuywNNBudHyDwgoCLJ1NkUCzk_bhAuu_3R8GlYQ0pbPYH-VNYg/s1600/lockerroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB75IuW7Zb3jOd3oDxTV52Ifn6HKWQ8OM4ia5quj5mwrmYlr3XixU-N3GU9-B5dV1zOTR7ixVQ243E7ColghDJY3xGefuywNNBudHyDwgoCLJ1NkUCzk_bhAuu_3R8GlYQ0pbPYH-VNYg/s400/lockerroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On the crafty side of things......<br />
OH BOY! Opening admitting that my quilting room NOR my crochet needles have seen much action of any sort for the past year. A T-shirt quilt is slowly in the making for Cass's graduation, but other than that, there simply hasn't been much ambition to fire up the sewing machine. There IS time in my schedule, however.... "ambition" is truly the key word. Much of my evening time is devoted to editing athletic photos for the girls' teams and updating the school's athletic Facebook pages.<br />
My sewing machine and needles will always be there and ready for whenever the mood strikes; until then, I've gotten over the initial guilt of backing away from that part of my life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
RUNNING update --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpxmTbtzSPl9ks437us3eM79fxVcClRQguc9_-jU1_-EDBn8-ei_59CYJY9Ts9Gf4NNgmLZrAZqFCesSv8yaBD_pPsyrGvb0VgIWo5JxhkFsItG61_Ob7I3YxVf-4pvidj50angTeBlr4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-01-01+at+11.37.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpxmTbtzSPl9ks437us3eM79fxVcClRQguc9_-jU1_-EDBn8-ei_59CYJY9Ts9Gf4NNgmLZrAZqFCesSv8yaBD_pPsyrGvb0VgIWo5JxhkFsItG61_Ob7I3YxVf-4pvidj50angTeBlr4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-01-01+at+11.37.18+AM.png" /></a></div>
This hobby, on the other hand, is (hopefully) going to be taking front and center stage again after having some downtime since 2013. No crazy plans for another marathon, but reaching a healthy running stage is a goal I hope to achieve again.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For now, that's where I'm at......<br />
Happy 2019 to all!</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3g3ad7-GAYxtnIAhn66vRkMoG1mTkHrYqoEGgK-dfU6rblPKb6nqCYFsgVwYDM8P78Nuc8hyLIexhA5A84mnuULRSMWXvN_DegpvNb9V_WIzEH5jrYJSanU129VKv4qrwyZqAlS7X4RV/s1600/shadow-forehead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3g3ad7-GAYxtnIAhn66vRkMoG1mTkHrYqoEGgK-dfU6rblPKb6nqCYFsgVwYDM8P78Nuc8hyLIexhA5A84mnuULRSMWXvN_DegpvNb9V_WIzEH5jrYJSanU129VKv4qrwyZqAlS7X4RV/s400/shadow-forehead.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forever in our hearts: Shadow (June 2006, August 7, 2018)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Qv0zb1ZQerTy_7rnFzfY2mJnlhRKHAwmSxyqq2907zfcVFl3G9J3I7uyD8TgAU5GDlaeAJ_NteFuriW2iBp-TP3uX0H92jmTeslco0sbXW8mlEV2aeuERIE0IFSYi44tzKVflYKVXKBu/s1600/family-badlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Qv0zb1ZQerTy_7rnFzfY2mJnlhRKHAwmSxyqq2907zfcVFl3G9J3I7uyD8TgAU5GDlaeAJ_NteFuriW2iBp-TP3uX0H92jmTeslco0sbXW8mlEV2aeuERIE0IFSYi44tzKVflYKVXKBu/s400/family-badlands.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Family Trip - Badlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-31528511581283459582019-01-01T10:45:00.003-06:002019-01-01T10:45:20.689-06:002018 Running Log<b>2018 Running Log....</b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Total: miles: 114.36</b></span><br /><br />12/25/18: 2.1 miles<br />8/19/18: 2.91 miles (15:07/mile)<br />8/18/18: 1.26 miles (17:32/mile)<br />8/18/18: 5.24 miles (16:00/mile) Partial Lake w/Bailee<br />8/13/18: 2.51 miles (15:37/mile)<br />8/12/18: 2.00 miles (14:34/mile) Shortened by bears<br />8/11/18: 2.13 miles (16:18/mile)<br />8/10/18: 3.34 miles (16:44/mile)<br />8/7/18: 2.10 miles (18:39/mile)<br />8/6/18: 0.63 miles (24:51/mile) Hike with girls<br />8/6/18: 2.36 miles (21:46/mile) Lost Creek Falls hike<br />8/5/18: 1.40 miles (18:38/mile)<br />8/5/18: 2.51 miles (27:34/mile) Bayfield touring<br />8/5/18: 3.28 miles (16:02/mile)<br />8/2/18: 9.16 miles (15:17/mile) Lake Walk w/Tess<br />7/31/18: 2.61 miles (School forest walk w/Candace)<br />7/30/18: 4.95 miles (16:24/mile) Mon Morning school forest<br />7/29/18: 2.00 miles (17:58/mile) Walk w/Shadow<br />7/29/18: 3.68 miles (14:01/mile)<br />7/26/18: 3.27 miles (14:11/mile) Power walk w/Bailee<br />7/25/18: 2.04 miles (18:49/mile) Walk w/Shadow<br />7/24/18: 2.05 miles (18:49/mile)<br />7/16/18: 3.98 miles (14:36/mile) Power walk w/Tess<br />7/13/18: 5.13 miles (14:43/mile)<br />7/11/18: 5.64 miles (14:56/mile)<br />7/10/18: 4.41 miles (15:20/mile)<br />7/3/18: 0.26 miles (12:50/mile) 400s cut short<br />6/27/18: 1.14 miles (14:16/mile)<br />6/21/18: 5.03 miles (14:44/mile)<br />6/20/18: 1.78 miles (16:24/mile)<br />6/19/18: 5.11 miles (15:02/mile)<br />6/15/18: 3.02 miles (15:05/mile)<br />6/14/18: 4.08 miles (15:13/mile)<br />
6/13/18: 4.01 miles (16:04/mile)<br />6/10/18: 1.27 miles (17:14/mile)<br />6/10/18: 1.04 miles (12:57/mile)<br />1/21/18: 1.14 miles (17:57/mile)<br />1/8/18: 1.70 miles (16:23/mile)<br />1/7/18: 1.15 miles (15:03/mile)<br />1/1/18: 0.94 miles (14:28/mile)Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-63709929808576473882018-01-01T10:25:00.000-06:002019-01-01T10:26:05.392-06:002017 Running Log<b>2017 Running Log....</b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Total: 17.73 miles</b></span><br />7/4/17: 2.03 miles (13:03/mile)<br />6/10/17: 0.50 miles (20:37/mile)<br />6/8/17: 2.00 miles (11:44/mile)<br />6/6/17: 2.40 miles (12:32/mile)<br />4/23/17: 2.78 miles (14:17/mile)<br />4/22/17: 2.11 miles (14:45/mile)<br />4/21/17: 1.87 miles (14:37/mile)<br />3/15/17: 1.87 miles (14:30/mile)<br />1/9/17: 1.17 miles (14:54/mile)<br />1/2/17: 1.00 miles (14:45/mile)<br />
<br />
Something's gotta change next yearAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-83942698740339876572017-02-26T10:32:00.000-06:002017-02-26T10:32:52.651-06:00Customer quilt -- change of plans...The current customer king-size quilt on the frame is a bit slower-going than normal due to this cute creative orange border addition. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpjbxDhu9yA5eJpFTv-L8uCxfTe_XW3k4hXZN-NxtENDxuluytmsYxjZHt20fWk2dTkXSbvzfy8gduwWSs87EDfsCj4Pc0xPIb5cie3oG8vNQxWoku375D_L2ngJpkqTOttXLEPB3jluy/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpjbxDhu9yA5eJpFTv-L8uCxfTe_XW3k4hXZN-NxtENDxuluytmsYxjZHt20fWk2dTkXSbvzfy8gduwWSs87EDfsCj4Pc0xPIb5cie3oG8vNQxWoku375D_L2ngJpkqTOttXLEPB3jluy/s400/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Typically, I'm an edge-to-edge pantograph quilter, however this little lip will create havoc in that plan. Therefore, time is being taken to tie-off threads at the start and end of each pass in the center portion of the quilt in order to keep her border treatment to remain unique. Once the center is quilted, the quilt will then be reinstalled length-wise in order to quilt her outer borders.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIE2lWTJNOe8DgFG5936fAJm8B2Jaca-b4m_E47PuuZThkth_nqYln7C2LMkC0UTS_6QFn-CaB4jn2beTeor89nRWuoY_cuxGKBvuTjt8gqgDQLFGuXmjenYwxgmp588C_Kcsy9k6jIlj/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIE2lWTJNOe8DgFG5936fAJm8B2Jaca-b4m_E47PuuZThkth_nqYln7C2LMkC0UTS_6QFn-CaB4jn2beTeor89nRWuoY_cuxGKBvuTjt8gqgDQLFGuXmjenYwxgmp588C_Kcsy9k6jIlj/s400/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Pantograph of choice: this edge-to-edge 7" pantograph from <a href="http://www.goldenthreads.com/shop/product/quilting-dot-to-dot-book/">Cheryl Barnes</a>.<br />
<br />
In other news...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAstlEK2BPN3bpx-WMRzIenMTMHqtnjaOp1BeJKBYGfHhttLfyS4p5jOloGxcZ7YZJMQ3dGLPuqpznDUB6Z6zHLAXXzjGfMd4dCixqtD2rlsjOay6HVI9nLEwDhR3j-d1KLuHMfzh3ZvJE/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAstlEK2BPN3bpx-WMRzIenMTMHqtnjaOp1BeJKBYGfHhttLfyS4p5jOloGxcZ7YZJMQ3dGLPuqpznDUB6Z6zHLAXXzjGfMd4dCixqtD2rlsjOay6HVI9nLEwDhR3j-d1KLuHMfzh3ZvJE/s400/FullSizeRender+%25286%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
A few moments were taken this morning to transplant a few early Cherry Tomato seedlings that are destined to be potted plants, producing (hopefully) by mid April. I'm waiting somewhat patiently for the end of March in order to plant all the rest of the Garden 2017 tomatoes; a couple new varieties being tested out this year.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeutZQ9uL_LvKKkBniU34Zh7UmXa-eJVueM2Il5rc14F-w_CE6G8YfqFaYL9UWs_X1JGAVGNdM-ExJRfMayLC2PY87-tN1KJTn6G_4RLl73SowSgDWBxNm_VPyX5wzfq8NpGqaLcST23C/s1600/IMG_5999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeutZQ9uL_LvKKkBniU34Zh7UmXa-eJVueM2Il5rc14F-w_CE6G8YfqFaYL9UWs_X1JGAVGNdM-ExJRfMayLC2PY87-tN1KJTn6G_4RLl73SowSgDWBxNm_VPyX5wzfq8NpGqaLcST23C/s400/IMG_5999.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
Caitlyn has been joining me downstairs during my recent quilting endeavors in order to bring her quilt to completion. Last weekend, she finished up piecing the blocks. Today, she hopes to get all (most?) of the top's center pieced together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3BbW_mMuxUZZ2eVkf5-ewgoCC0GijwOfnp_SWiW0CHZTxDenY0Gk-qGdderI2ZczGsNGTXvrak7tgbwzh-RFsl5nkBbc31FTdoJOAzJQknT0CSgY-6gD8Auvo1pjiL_pEfPsxol8pbv3/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3BbW_mMuxUZZ2eVkf5-ewgoCC0GijwOfnp_SWiW0CHZTxDenY0Gk-qGdderI2ZczGsNGTXvrak7tgbwzh-RFsl5nkBbc31FTdoJOAzJQknT0CSgY-6gD8Auvo1pjiL_pEfPsxol8pbv3/s400/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
And last weekend, after hours of standing behind the quilting machine, my back was given a rest when I pulled out the ongoing (FOREVER!) WIP monster king-size Manghan for the hubster. The good news is it's over half completed ;)<br />
<br />
Happy Sunday everyone!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-827745124290876912017-02-20T08:35:00.001-06:002017-02-20T08:35:40.460-06:00Virto di Mare - Quilted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPDotCHWHq_kub4NZubwS4SYDQAOXi2y7uRvr57mqlx4F9IiRG5jsBqrSjuhvKRug4kJHzfaFMFDZOEWnyWpnNsJODx79mDAhPtHIcigmfl3DG7LaihgyiVghRwYLlVZgzDVKF5sYVNbN/s1600/vitro-quilting-close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPDotCHWHq_kub4NZubwS4SYDQAOXi2y7uRvr57mqlx4F9IiRG5jsBqrSjuhvKRug4kJHzfaFMFDZOEWnyWpnNsJODx79mDAhPtHIcigmfl3DG7LaihgyiVghRwYLlVZgzDVKF5sYVNbN/s400/vitro-quilting-close.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past Saturday was my first Saturday open since December 31; the reality of being a basketball mom to three girls has kept me in the bleachers rather than in front of my machines.<br />However, with a little discipline and LOTS of motivation, I set out to finish up the quilting on Vitro di Mare.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35E0UshZElDq_K_IBUWhGYIDnlmkYbPz0jFHma27qh3mc1pkkTGvRQBP1H1yftm3xe-iAXCX67JcGKWJxD5rq9Nw1BoCbj3qx8aHop4a5kpYql9hdUN5ZVk1cskgvBcFkZimdTiLY701L/s1600/broken-needle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35E0UshZElDq_K_IBUWhGYIDnlmkYbPz0jFHma27qh3mc1pkkTGvRQBP1H1yftm3xe-iAXCX67JcGKWJxD5rq9Nw1BoCbj3qx8aHop4a5kpYql9hdUN5ZVk1cskgvBcFkZimdTiLY701L/s400/broken-needle.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
... good ol' Murphy seemed to have other plans in mind! >:|<br />Thankfully, I was only sidelined for a few minutes. Seeing as I was changing out the broken needle, the time was given to perform a quick machine cleaning, removing some lint from under the bobbin and needle area, and then... I was back up-n-runnin'!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9A_scd-AusgC-U3TuB0HHHnVYRnzi3JY4D9cgBQ5zKLEk0Da7BV6N97YefedlB5Uy5-qf-8QZnvPQuOxoUwxIXlvsavkkowjeMNr3elItJ-yaxVzRT_PKEmRET7QSYelMFjV1NbIz2VD/s1600/vitro-quilting-fullframeDone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9A_scd-AusgC-U3TuB0HHHnVYRnzi3JY4D9cgBQ5zKLEk0Da7BV6N97YefedlB5Uy5-qf-8QZnvPQuOxoUwxIXlvsavkkowjeMNr3elItJ-yaxVzRT_PKEmRET7QSYelMFjV1NbIz2VD/s400/vitro-quilting-fullframeDone.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The moment a quilt is unwound from the frame is truly always a super amazing moment! I'm forever in love with this craft!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Being President's Day, we have a scheduled vacation day at school. Therefore, shortly, I'll be heading downstairs to see if I can finish up a customer quilt that has already been loaded on the frame: a 103" x 103" log cabin style. That one will keep me busy for a bit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Monday everyone!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-14107640470877410742017-01-29T14:44:00.000-06:002017-01-29T14:44:07.987-06:00Vitro di Mare (Bonnie's Allietare mystery) - top done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IA9aBcCeWHqXajv-okYG8cPn4P65VE59vvZ2DlF93RLMMj8leN4sY1O7Svtex8gMAGqAJ0T3x_FrgsYonYXHlQQhRo6_Uc-mMvVYMkGe9risrySJSXSJRqUZEmva6-68GoTbvxxRiF7r/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IA9aBcCeWHqXajv-okYG8cPn4P65VE59vvZ2DlF93RLMMj8leN4sY1O7Svtex8gMAGqAJ0T3x_FrgsYonYXHlQQhRo6_Uc-mMvVYMkGe9risrySJSXSJRqUZEmva6-68GoTbvxxRiF7r/s400/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finishing around 81" x 95", my version of Bonnie K. Hunter's Allietare quilt design has reached flimsy status.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmYD8A_-sMWEiFK8mm-NifyfQiYoJqALAXb_WqLSuSuFl6nStXywWYvifKAz6w13WHfu3_KPOa2ALzT2nVXaLC4ku5gR8T41XTdOURY2zu2VX0AFyqmx7F9X79lPrrponsoLYhFSgFSVS/s1600/IMG_5802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmYD8A_-sMWEiFK8mm-NifyfQiYoJqALAXb_WqLSuSuFl6nStXywWYvifKAz6w13WHfu3_KPOa2ALzT2nVXaLC4ku5gR8T41XTdOURY2zu2VX0AFyqmx7F9X79lPrrponsoLYhFSgFSVS/s400/IMG_5802.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
I set out to put the finishing touches on the top a couple of Sundays ago; the borders. The inner border was an easy decision, as I had just enough of the darker brown fabric to pull off 2" strips, however, the final outer border required some fabric auditions. <br />
<br />
Deciding on the green, a couple of hours later resulted in a complete 81" x 95" flimsy, ready for quilting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUhKyleJqYLWDVfwlyal2GJDyApjtG4rd9wUGPCp1A6a7CnVxuRQreyFLMeEnMkQT3DEfb1aJnm3AwfBUVZRIOwj-NMMy0B_DGC5y5-dr2Fpx7Iv75stj_f8nxmWzcb0eq_1Q6Ulnj-rH/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUhKyleJqYLWDVfwlyal2GJDyApjtG4rd9wUGPCp1A6a7CnVxuRQreyFLMeEnMkQT3DEfb1aJnm3AwfBUVZRIOwj-NMMy0B_DGC5y5-dr2Fpx7Iv75stj_f8nxmWzcb0eq_1Q6Ulnj-rH/s400/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLCAOklF8pY4KN_m_ju0pHoMnmfxq05nsIEEcDt3dfR9cei227nEnzPXCO2Ps0MnqT7ZzPue40ZvmXv-eZ7gP5EjCAv7TgkCHskRZiYWKL5Cb5cj_NhlDBdm86-t4_MCn6CQz4jkKdADt/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLCAOklF8pY4KN_m_ju0pHoMnmfxq05nsIEEcDt3dfR9cei227nEnzPXCO2Ps0MnqT7ZzPue40ZvmXv-eZ7gP5EjCAv7TgkCHskRZiYWKL5Cb5cj_NhlDBdm86-t4_MCn6CQz4jkKdADt/s400/FullSizeRender+%25286%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Continuing the perseverance on the day, a backing was prepped, some batting sections were spliced, and all three layers were loaded on the quilting frame. Setting up my go-to 7" feather pantograph, a few passes of quilting were completed using Aurifil thread for both the top and bobbin.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With two customer quilts coming my way this past week, today's downtime turned into some quilting work time in hopes to move this quilt off the frame and into the binding pile.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Sunday everyone.</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-11018712979935176632017-01-01T10:18:00.000-06:002019-01-01T10:20:41.791-06:002016 Running Log<b>2016 Running Log....</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Total: 66.02 miles</span></b><br />
8/26/16: 1.83 miles (11:14/mile)<br />
8/24/16: 2.10 miles (12:43/mile)<br />
8/23/16: 2.02 miles (14:17/mile)<br />
8/2/16: 2.04 miles (13:53/mile)<br />
7/31/16: 3.28 miles (15:16/mile)<br />
7/30/16: 1.09 miles (18:01/mile)<br />
7/30/16: 2.74 miles (17:59/mile)<br />
7/28/16: 1.35 miles (17:38/mile)<br />
7/28/16: 3.32 miles (15:10/mile)<br />
7/26/16: 1.31 miles (15:12/mile)<br />
7/22/16: 2.00 miles (11:23/mile)<br />
7/15/16: 1.29 miles (15:04/mile)<br />
7/14/16: 2.00 miles (13:26/mile)<br />
6/20/16: 3.00 miles (12:23/mile)<br />
6/19/16: 3.25 miles (11:57/mile)<br />
<b>6/18/16: 4.32 miles (15:56/mile) - Longest run of year</b><br />
6/16/16: 2.00 miles (11:45/mile)<br />
6/13/16: 3.86 miles (13:00/mile)<br />
6/12/16: 1.36 miles (15:38/mile)<br />
<b>6/12/16: 2.00 miles (11:00/mile) - Fastest per mile of year</b><br />
6/9/16: 1.88 miles (14:30/mile)<br />
6/5/16: 3.91 miles (16:07/mile)<br />
6/5/16: 2.59 miles (11:17/mile)<br />
5/31/16: 4.08 miles (15:30/mile)<br />
5/21/16: 1.79 miles (12:41/mile)<br />
4/30/16: 1.28 miles (11:39/mile)<br />
4/20/16: 1.29 miles (11:49/mile)<br />
4/17/16: 2.01 miles (12:03/mile)<br />
4/14/16: 1.03 miles (11:37/mile)Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-32119539663188040822016-12-04T18:58:00.000-06:002016-12-04T19:03:22.942-06:00Winter's here; Whipped Lotions & SoapSnow is finally falling in northern Wisconsin. Despite have a gloriously warm pre-winter season these past few weeks, the furnace has been running, burning up the LP. Yesterday, however, Paul made sure everything was ready to get the wood-furnace set for the season, considering temps are expected to plummet this week :(<br />
Last night = our first wood heat of the year. <br />
It gets SUPER TOASTY HOT!<br />
But DRY!!!<br />
<br />
Therefore, this afternoon, the humidifier was set up.<br />
Also, since my lotion containers are just about empty, the afternoon was whittled away whipping up a new batch of lotion.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLz_5acnXGcRNB7-nDx-OMdXrycCnOO73PO-qe5r-1Pw8DDct1bCHwWgtg2hapZEi8l25VU5nE6bog7MhRPIK9IDBvLyQ6MUXTaHbS_krTCpwGtaqjP4tf3nfxLvu7KgvNNtnZ2YcDjQaa/s1600/DSC_4865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLz_5acnXGcRNB7-nDx-OMdXrycCnOO73PO-qe5r-1Pw8DDct1bCHwWgtg2hapZEi8l25VU5nE6bog7MhRPIK9IDBvLyQ6MUXTaHbS_krTCpwGtaqjP4tf3nfxLvu7KgvNNtnZ2YcDjQaa/s400/DSC_4865.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
I've made lotion bars in the past, but once I cooked up my first <a href="http://skattebo-skattebo.blogspot.com/2015/08/bar-lotions-and-whipped-lotions.html">whipped lotion recipe</a> last summer, the lotion bars were all but forgotten; although I still have one of my cocoa butter bars left (it is wonderful for my elbows, knees and heels).<br />
<br />
As a reminder...<br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Simple recipe for whipped lotion</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">
120g (~1/2 cup) coconut oil</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">
120g (~1/2 cup) Shea butter</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">
4g beeswax</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">
1/2 tsp Vitamin E</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">
Melt oil, butter and beeswax together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0TbiqfBhYb7D9Dm4G5j3g2xO5TRxFjRbjpe1CoSljmKp2jgN97z8zIyGy-f4euKmikQGY8eYB5_RGOpPfDCcI1uOPfp_CPGIStCGNxEWCjni0Eda174R5rDNh16lbPZdPRPRXbwvebo3/s1600/DSC_4830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0TbiqfBhYb7D9Dm4G5j3g2xO5TRxFjRbjpe1CoSljmKp2jgN97z8zIyGy-f4euKmikQGY8eYB5_RGOpPfDCcI1uOPfp_CPGIStCGNxEWCjni0Eda174R5rDNh16lbPZdPRPRXbwvebo3/s400/DSC_4830.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Mix, add vitamin E, and then chill in fridge for ~30 minutes.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Whip to desired consistency...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh163Sasd1u5hJXXndx1wgsmLlv0Bk1wQLVZM3h52ImMkctPzX0uvM3gYXkyOCpd9L9Hp3XP6Yo6KJTGYYSPXZX1sW9Dc9dtzeKl-MzsfU3veCp-7Q0rmepoKrG-WiP_D1jpGukX8AaEwfl/s1600/DSC_4856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh163Sasd1u5hJXXndx1wgsmLlv0Bk1wQLVZM3h52ImMkctPzX0uvM3gYXkyOCpd9L9Hp3XP6Yo6KJTGYYSPXZX1sW9Dc9dtzeKl-MzsfU3veCp-7Q0rmepoKrG-WiP_D1jpGukX8AaEwfl/s400/DSC_4856.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Within a few minutes, it takes on a frosting appearance.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVWTGnY47KJcgnE94yb2RbUrwIRZBj2elXGQDJxXUvKGupZIfQbjttCFgmteznakbeskgo4c4YSVG-VgyX-4sfFt8ImO5PskycTy2bXd55Tmzdf-QVy6jIWb2ge2BdUzupz_ZnJwverO-/s1600/DSC_4863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVWTGnY47KJcgnE94yb2RbUrwIRZBj2elXGQDJxXUvKGupZIfQbjttCFgmteznakbeskgo4c4YSVG-VgyX-4sfFt8ImO5PskycTy2bXd55Tmzdf-QVy6jIWb2ge2BdUzupz_ZnJwverO-/s400/DSC_4863.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After whipping for about 10 minutes, a thick and creamy texture is reached; ready to pour.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This small batch fills 3 of my larger and smaller containers; each container receives some fragrance (the rough measurement: 5mL or 1/8 - 1/4 tsp).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCM4FRtO3-6IwucVGx2RR3FdvTvq05JajUwBMsndQ76jjWrlh42ms2Kyg_yLYJ2CRPqvAKhf8vUXFSJ_yu3GDLkvLrG3rKfuieHLrUhryvRzazDRwe5I91QxSc2vVjoQXRwUuYtQI7khv/s1600/DSC_4867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCM4FRtO3-6IwucVGx2RR3FdvTvq05JajUwBMsndQ76jjWrlh42ms2Kyg_yLYJ2CRPqvAKhf8vUXFSJ_yu3GDLkvLrG3rKfuieHLrUhryvRzazDRwe5I91QxSc2vVjoQXRwUuYtQI7khv/s400/DSC_4867.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Since I was in the kitchen and had my ingredients readily available, a 2lb batch of soap was cooked up as well.<br />
<br />
This batch used my simple master-batch recipe:<br />
240g Coconut Oil<br />
280g Olive Oil<br />
280g Canola Oil<br />
240g Yogurt/Water half-n-half (frozen)<br />
113g Lye<br />
<br />
At the completion of cooking, 1/4 ground oatmeal and 1Tbsp honey were added. Additionally, it was enhanced with some Hazelnut Cappuchino fragrance. The light exfoliating nature of the oatmeal is my ALL-TIME favorite!!!<br />
<br />
Switching gears...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_d10bXOdkmhcrMvzesxtaszqCt_DWkHpHpo9kKjFij0olWY8Yd_R3c8e05HlcdxtxXUt9Pndvcjg6cIh9SGYq4B4OMxjrZ-BXf_dOd8OzA1gJCMum4lHjN8NYRLHc2TpnOBLiNYLPaDSk/s1600/sunset-rooster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_d10bXOdkmhcrMvzesxtaszqCt_DWkHpHpo9kKjFij0olWY8Yd_R3c8e05HlcdxtxXUt9Pndvcjg6cIh9SGYq4B4OMxjrZ-BXf_dOd8OzA1gJCMum4lHjN8NYRLHc2TpnOBLiNYLPaDSk/s400/sunset-rooster.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
My quilting and crocheting world has been quiet, but while cleaning up some photography files, this image of our rooster, Sunset, inspired me to make up a color-card. I haven't jump on-board Bonnie's mystery <i>En Provence</i> (yet), however Andee seems to agree that these colors may just work out.<br />
<br />
Happy Sunday!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-80645780954419973662016-11-28T22:03:00.000-06:002016-11-29T08:16:59.140-06:00Cassie turns 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqb_kZhN6hyphenhyphengOQ7bJUBJj7PQ0SjBPeVaRQFGLz-D-GNFpV7NeqvLcvVGaRdQ9TzudYf2_X5HrnEd3ZnRJtziZiN3ygj3TtTX7bDdZuBxisHbhTBo2oi3APYKgrYKqQdObc5EmgABYplt8/s1600/cassie-bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqb_kZhN6hyphenhyphengOQ7bJUBJj7PQ0SjBPeVaRQFGLz-D-GNFpV7NeqvLcvVGaRdQ9TzudYf2_X5HrnEd3ZnRJtziZiN3ygj3TtTX7bDdZuBxisHbhTBo2oi3APYKgrYKqQdObc5EmgABYplt8/s400/cassie-bday.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our dear Cassie turns 16 today</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Therefore, I spent the evening editing a seemingly 'nothing spectacular' photo of her from a few weeks ago...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6DyjWbTHUvIqcKiUzml2KZrdx-H-AUgFGzQZ_N_VcOeZ8sYFovQ_vsCUqSjSGwzwOIImZcK1eGIe9hCW1s_-NCtlqqAGXh5fMJhjc1t17InuHiE6yMPZ9nnYp2EH07z5_iRg3kb3d37u/s1600/DSC_2169+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6DyjWbTHUvIqcKiUzml2KZrdx-H-AUgFGzQZ_N_VcOeZ8sYFovQ_vsCUqSjSGwzwOIImZcK1eGIe9hCW1s_-NCtlqqAGXh5fMJhjc1t17InuHiE6yMPZ9nnYp2EH07z5_iRg3kb3d37u/s400/DSC_2169+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Straight out of the camera...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrvMJvDPAQC2wi4L7Ijfm5nkIWy57EU_dnHx2-_KB8pTyp-TKrQnwLQ9DuypeSUBX8w9nj-FtoOr6kXhk-KmN_uXl1SL9L2VevQI-81zFIgA9eG48pPfAH-QE58g8HN1Bf1rQdAzAFT4i/s1600/cassie-leaves-before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrvMJvDPAQC2wi4L7Ijfm5nkIWy57EU_dnHx2-_KB8pTyp-TKrQnwLQ9DuypeSUBX8w9nj-FtoOr6kXhk-KmN_uXl1SL9L2VevQI-81zFIgA9eG48pPfAH-QE58g8HN1Bf1rQdAzAFT4i/s400/cassie-leaves-before.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A crafty crop performed...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMU3lZ-uiYtKW13J6qbX1ykg7g6aGToaF0DPDkDuXnihT9RBgLnVGKqZol6FwxZp8Yxj9WdZBWg7n8p63GgwqhqRtJCft2nAyN-k4q4ZDcnV3C0WMxyGLsIdc5x2xdXoD6W6gb4gXK5Ty/s1600/cassie-leaves-after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMU3lZ-uiYtKW13J6qbX1ykg7g6aGToaF0DPDkDuXnihT9RBgLnVGKqZol6FwxZp8Yxj9WdZBWg7n8p63GgwqhqRtJCft2nAyN-k4q4ZDcnV3C0WMxyGLsIdc5x2xdXoD6W6gb4gXK5Ty/s640/cassie-leaves-after.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And after a few photo enhancements via photoshop... a lovely print-worthy image</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The side-by-side</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4klVk0XXkHSR40EUw78gPuM3ue4G-sAdHwV-gmoRe9k3LmIqVRue9DDPj3vQDR4_lb6YLTWdf18e9cgcdTUOWaAxHD5h58rzfhsQBccCe9_fryLscwTpB2qYXXNiNuYzznzS-4QfhBd1/s1600/cassie-leaves-before-after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4klVk0XXkHSR40EUw78gPuM3ue4G-sAdHwV-gmoRe9k3LmIqVRue9DDPj3vQDR4_lb6YLTWdf18e9cgcdTUOWaAxHD5h58rzfhsQBccCe9_fryLscwTpB2qYXXNiNuYzznzS-4QfhBd1/s640/cassie-leaves-before-after.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Yah... I'm enjoying this new life-long-learning skill ;)Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-48132264449242729992016-11-27T12:25:00.002-06:002016-11-28T22:16:21.519-06:00Amateur Photography - my newest hobby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the end of August, volleyball season got underway; Cassie's sophomore year on varsity. Last year, a senior parent would often taken pictures of the girls during games and would share them out on Facebook. This year, it was up to me to capture her memories of the season.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the pre-season scrimmage, with my Sony Cybershot in my hand, I was extremely disappointed (and frustrated) in the images taken. My camera simply could not handle the low-light setting of a gymnasium in combination with the shutter-speeds needed for the action of the sport.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a week of obsessive research, both online and in-person with our local newspaper's photographer (<i>it's so nice knowing the right people at the right time!</i>), I ordered an entry-level camera: Nikon D3300. While waiting for the camera to arrive, I read the owner's manual cover-to-cover via an online PDF. A plethora of online photography tutorials and videos were read and watched, all to prepare me for that amazing moment the camera could finally be in my hands!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And... long story short... since then, I've continually improved my <i>amateur</i> photography skills.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAYA61xG_v7C4q8z3SqUMboDinyfA3PWx8EenwZ8_oAnllbSKF__HBKLUu7Phl4xjUSGprqRyw9VeZKTKSQjLmPidYNO56JmyILAisbEq5hTWvow91JsUvnf9fsXp1wiS7WNTaHIKoNSC/s1600/cass-vball-spike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAYA61xG_v7C4q8z3SqUMboDinyfA3PWx8EenwZ8_oAnllbSKF__HBKLUu7Phl4xjUSGprqRyw9VeZKTKSQjLmPidYNO56JmyILAisbEq5hTWvow91JsUvnf9fsXp1wiS7WNTaHIKoNSC/s400/cass-vball-spike.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbZcsnRyMRDAr3HzZr2wotvoaznq7VeKqZUO-DxvB1j7Xr9Uw6h9lHOhXxioEO7kRkX6sggoHdBEkiUI2YynwXKDsps9OgFa-YnqxRpssCyabwpi_UYUfGqX4bZ4bZXg5C8JlZxZR05fj/s1600/cass-vball.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbZcsnRyMRDAr3HzZr2wotvoaznq7VeKqZUO-DxvB1j7Xr9Uw6h9lHOhXxioEO7kRkX6sggoHdBEkiUI2YynwXKDsps9OgFa-YnqxRpssCyabwpi_UYUfGqX4bZ4bZXg5C8JlZxZR05fj/s400/cass-vball.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrlG-EZXcRW_CykN6rbxEK2D3fS09YlDrBNLnIhD6CYKidvuL53Gb7VjW5YwjxYFoTm93Cyh-6oLn44BLGU-s6QaI5jwT196dyxXKH47yhqP7HQA-V9YQZQKdQ4qjZxlqtnOoU81F2nbB/s1600/seagul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrlG-EZXcRW_CykN6rbxEK2D3fS09YlDrBNLnIhD6CYKidvuL53Gb7VjW5YwjxYFoTm93Cyh-6oLn44BLGU-s6QaI5jwT196dyxXKH47yhqP7HQA-V9YQZQKdQ4qjZxlqtnOoU81F2nbB/s400/seagul.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wandering around Ashland, WI in early October, practicing my continuous-auto-focus skills.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpIZn14fyOajidQ-xG1oHZHZhWUHiMUlrnslEXcyEzKzC66FSaBRKh3Th_W60RDtn3zJJkQYQhybdw0fVUtIoeEknlFFVI4Q5D58EWE_gWjKb42VVjpPitOBtj7rAJetxkotuscfsSyY6/s1600/vietnam-canes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpIZn14fyOajidQ-xG1oHZHZhWUHiMUlrnslEXcyEzKzC66FSaBRKh3Th_W60RDtn3zJJkQYQhybdw0fVUtIoeEknlFFVI4Q5D58EWE_gWjKb42VVjpPitOBtj7rAJetxkotuscfsSyY6/s400/vietnam-canes.jpg" width="285" /></a><br />
On October 10, I was honored to be an Honor Flight Guardian for my step-dad's <i>Never Forgotten Honor Flight</i>. It goes without saying that many MANY pictures were taken on the day; this image of a veteran's canes leaning on the Vietnam memorial is one of my favorites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3Du7BFaWqur7EzfG4A6J9zQy-8xgci4jBaVkx203ps-m9cxvOMaloMRCWLA9MCven0gc0E6TlkTDE_vqs3vcSpxERr3EEVQ2Gr6tSmrZpFavGkrZoKs_FCh1XOSYxrPUfg33l-7hSVEE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-27+at+11.44.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3Du7BFaWqur7EzfG4A6J9zQy-8xgci4jBaVkx203ps-m9cxvOMaloMRCWLA9MCven0gc0E6TlkTDE_vqs3vcSpxERr3EEVQ2Gr6tSmrZpFavGkrZoKs_FCh1XOSYxrPUfg33l-7hSVEE/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-27+at+11.44.59+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Before/After: Two senior volleyball BFFs - honing in on my b/w editing skills and softening skin tones for females at the same time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4pMw9Py9OnD0VfLANylxPJ9PcZIKvNzkEKgZvpsiNFQzGEHf-OJC6el_8g8oEE4kbcgz8PS21Ar69V-0Ov_kCCWo06vT4OQi-yIw-SNbjyy8dPXxYvzZzI8fyftQGBHf4E-li7STv_rj/s1600/foggy-river3x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4pMw9Py9OnD0VfLANylxPJ9PcZIKvNzkEKgZvpsiNFQzGEHf-OJC6el_8g8oEE4kbcgz8PS21Ar69V-0Ov_kCCWo06vT4OQi-yIw-SNbjyy8dPXxYvzZzI8fyftQGBHf4E-li7STv_rj/s400/foggy-river3x5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
About 3 miles from my house is Tozer Springs -- a beautiful opportunity to play, play, play!</div>
Above: Tozer Springs, October 2, 2016<br />
Below: Tozer Springs, November 27, 2016<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6TEOYKrj-4CrtMBOwHm6WXkl0AQYwi41PoD8T_aZ1X8cZwcU6McR-swNKrmP2zrCmnpn4b_rZ1JfuTvufsoQjpSYFzqNxNkn-lWEulNE9-zn2anJUC_30zqG9i6OckYXNiiAjWNqUT4j/s1600/frosty-river3x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6TEOYKrj-4CrtMBOwHm6WXkl0AQYwi41PoD8T_aZ1X8cZwcU6McR-swNKrmP2zrCmnpn4b_rZ1JfuTvufsoQjpSYFzqNxNkn-lWEulNE9-zn2anJUC_30zqG9i6OckYXNiiAjWNqUT4j/s400/frosty-river3x5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPQ7arK1IDZ8EFwWf9T50Tsq1T3HwGlz7_0u8Sf0CzDapScS3KUArBnfTgXccKpdivNYeXtur2Fo-eSw8dFqIiFzr2F8OQZ0hVodNWTHnjepiWrFLn_jzDUfJ0-tWFHDWTygoHx-XakPp/s1600/tozer-lake-frosty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPQ7arK1IDZ8EFwWf9T50Tsq1T3HwGlz7_0u8Sf0CzDapScS3KUArBnfTgXccKpdivNYeXtur2Fo-eSw8dFqIiFzr2F8OQZ0hVodNWTHnjepiWrFLn_jzDUfJ0-tWFHDWTygoHx-XakPp/s400/tozer-lake-frosty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... and another location at Tozer Springs from earlier this morning</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa6qkjE9nryxW3H-CoUaTJaLTD_aTeYFXeCmmfClHQcpoIlnygFevn_FPoXuXSwKBaGWDlFBOmn_byzBmNFCm7nglM3pGc5kHBiVeuf0rjeyP9CjbcEQYb81UgtpntaX3Txrk-ZRmRHWU/s1600/cass-deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa6qkjE9nryxW3H-CoUaTJaLTD_aTeYFXeCmmfClHQcpoIlnygFevn_FPoXuXSwKBaGWDlFBOmn_byzBmNFCm7nglM3pGc5kHBiVeuf0rjeyP9CjbcEQYb81UgtpntaX3Txrk-ZRmRHWU/s400/cass-deer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The youth hunt for Wisconsin was a success for Cassie -- her first buck! And NATURALLY, mama was excited to grab her camera to document the wonderful memory!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2PC5BD_n4yZH7U4kPbCX9hzPwATiwvrInQuIIUVujaqgorU3PUn_FWi0wGfmuTIi0djsUE6WcmX-niqJ6aog53VskLR2El0Z_09d226ErDxfH1YCV62Y_ZqMFa6jcSpsoUIsyhI6HB85/s1600/max-3x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2PC5BD_n4yZH7U4kPbCX9hzPwATiwvrInQuIIUVujaqgorU3PUn_FWi0wGfmuTIi0djsUE6WcmX-niqJ6aog53VskLR2El0Z_09d226ErDxfH1YCV62Y_ZqMFa6jcSpsoUIsyhI6HB85/s400/max-3x5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Max (<i>my brother's pup</i>), looking longingly at a piece of ham that my brother was teasing him with at Thanksgiving. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I have three lenses currently in my bag: <br />
- AF-S NIKKOR 35mm 1:1.8<br />
- AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 (kit lens)<br />
- AF TAMRON 70-200mm 1:2.8<br />
However, while at the dollar store a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a $5.00 set of a fisheye and a macro lens for a smartphone. Purchased... and played with!...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WHQL_qx1j73hzIfB3xPRXQgrE09FzTzshpjuMJlCT8AizlZZs8VskH4qUvvZS0eTzoJf447WYrqGLkplfPnVjUJ6hLbd5Kb3Iuxfxg09Elt6WH4nG5BS9MCwd8s54h9V7IQVbq4rD253/s1600/fly-macro-3x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WHQL_qx1j73hzIfB3xPRXQgrE09FzTzshpjuMJlCT8AizlZZs8VskH4qUvvZS0eTzoJf447WYrqGLkplfPnVjUJ6hLbd5Kb3Iuxfxg09Elt6WH4nG5BS9MCwd8s54h9V7IQVbq4rD253/s400/fly-macro-3x5.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Although the subject matter isn't all that inspiring or intriguing, attempting to capture a macro photo of a FLY is no easy feat!!!! (<i>iPhone5</i>)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcP0F2rSYDJvLKKhP56v8p_pZAPxUjAitIdvJ9EfTq_p8RI03WJvRkQdVuaeOK5jtqjt8MJ28P1qzjwUoMDk3v5iI77yYY4XuewKYpq18y4rTXKDkHWfMNBB1qo8i-Y68lmhOfOkDWyWe/s1600/frost-close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcP0F2rSYDJvLKKhP56v8p_pZAPxUjAitIdvJ9EfTq_p8RI03WJvRkQdVuaeOK5jtqjt8MJ28P1qzjwUoMDk3v5iI77yYY4XuewKYpq18y4rTXKDkHWfMNBB1qo8i-Y68lmhOfOkDWyWe/s400/frost-close.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This morning's frost had me eager to play with the macro lens some more. (<i>iPhone</i> 5)</div>
Eventually, I'd love to add a "real" macro lens to my Nikon camera bag.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With word getting around that I've taken up photography as a new hobby, those two senior girls from the Volleyball team hit me up to take a pre-season basketball team photo for a banner they want to display on the gymnasium wall. NO PRESSURE, right?!?!?!?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLcii-dCbnIv-qfZtwz7l0Pi5s4SLR9n9zvjxRUQfBLAtOq3maoPfsumD5g3ORvZFmqmjF-UwdDg6nztCpvIoRwMKVTbwd7jV7zgyD_ioTHJEJaNzcV9beYKBtrpfv3R-Zb5bz0Hb3kKF/s1600/BBteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLcii-dCbnIv-qfZtwz7l0Pi5s4SLR9n9zvjxRUQfBLAtOq3maoPfsumD5g3ORvZFmqmjF-UwdDg6nztCpvIoRwMKVTbwd7jV7zgyD_ioTHJEJaNzcV9beYKBtrpfv3R-Zb5bz0Hb3kKF/s400/BBteam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
My nephew wasn't planning on having Seniors pictures taken, however with a little prompting from family and friends, he changed his mind. I was fortunate enough to be asked to shoot for him, adding to my amatuer portfolio.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhrs_CnlAlPLdYSYBzInCrF73fcJZWqpZbcdsvHF5rE4LsViFhfvfPsdwEqaNd0KBbSG3WN9au5bTN11c6bim5n2kzgb5xjmbmAoZdcuPw1LZUO-D7KgwzoUQ9dy8z-HLtAf17CKrxIUv/s1600/zach-snow-3x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhrs_CnlAlPLdYSYBzInCrF73fcJZWqpZbcdsvHF5rE4LsViFhfvfPsdwEqaNd0KBbSG3WN9au5bTN11c6bim5n2kzgb5xjmbmAoZdcuPw1LZUO-D7KgwzoUQ9dy8z-HLtAf17CKrxIUv/s400/zach-snow-3x5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8LgjbdJ4ct2qX7oOhxqTeumR-nWZy4OhoMgnbT0Eea0UmpSZcsdoLXoJeqKk6VfIb74wRMrYbl5s0NiuhJGuU1a6e7rqjM8UXJp9trgwDp3m5gpP5evkZZ2G9K24HtdC2Fsdt6qYRuoU/s1600/zach-wall-3x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8LgjbdJ4ct2qX7oOhxqTeumR-nWZy4OhoMgnbT0Eea0UmpSZcsdoLXoJeqKk6VfIb74wRMrYbl5s0NiuhJGuU1a6e7rqjM8UXJp9trgwDp3m5gpP5evkZZ2G9K24HtdC2Fsdt6qYRuoU/s400/zach-wall-3x5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, that's what I've been up to!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And <i><b>yes</b></i>, I continue to have oodles of quilting and crocheting and soap-making projects underway. Thank goodness gardening season is complete!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks for visiting and viewing.</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-40374595075571643782016-07-03T19:13:00.001-05:002016-07-03T19:39:38.715-05:00Slow-Stitch Sunday & gardeningWanting to use up some yarns that have been sitting around, a scrapghan was started a couple of weeks ago using <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/cosy-stripe-blanket.html">Attic24's Cosy Stripe Blanket pattern.</a><br />
Tonight, I'm kicking back, watching some Olympic Trials in Track-n-Field, stitching away and merely relaxing. Nothing fancy, but functional. It's time again to link up with <a href="https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2016/07/slow-sunday-stitching.html">Kathy's Slow-Stitch Sunday</a> posts.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYemGHY3aj3lflvbpK0r4NBzrI3TMkP9z8lv4hOKs21lIBeE_Dc3CG1RB8xQDosd2r4ZfVwPXPAyXgnzzzPYsME_YV5zd00o2kU08WImcquLoMg4ezrk4scdWwQUwYlpG6dEH9m4hy3qq/s1600/cosy-stripe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYemGHY3aj3lflvbpK0r4NBzrI3TMkP9z8lv4hOKs21lIBeE_Dc3CG1RB8xQDosd2r4ZfVwPXPAyXgnzzzPYsME_YV5zd00o2kU08WImcquLoMg4ezrk4scdWwQUwYlpG6dEH9m4hy3qq/s400/cosy-stripe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Our gardens are well into the growing season...<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQK0WOsFH6ccr7SlHaBzGTlJWOmoq6FL5dEHdYXDeCvYUP-jcmdjTgwILJdR8LJot9aSsAgWVDcEoDJI1nzxVxGVR-O38mks0yrgrlr4iqoEnYnwCLAorml6Vmw8_lC8Lz4mIuR4Y2piP/s1600/garden-corn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQK0WOsFH6ccr7SlHaBzGTlJWOmoq6FL5dEHdYXDeCvYUP-jcmdjTgwILJdR8LJot9aSsAgWVDcEoDJI1nzxVxGVR-O38mks0yrgrlr4iqoEnYnwCLAorml6Vmw8_lC8Lz4mIuR4Y2piP/s400/garden-corn.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
corn fertilized with nitrogen to promote growth</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrUhqnB8EgimqLTBoLPWZbmUdBSWyV8g4aWK2PgkE7mswwPSIlj871CPoerfteS7od0YrVfu_jWlX5laRV-KTwxo9L8HiZwNqYhrmQyXGPrzM4VR1qm9OJMA95dS86jm8QSqaMrS7lwth/s1600/garden-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrUhqnB8EgimqLTBoLPWZbmUdBSWyV8g4aWK2PgkE7mswwPSIlj871CPoerfteS7od0YrVfu_jWlX5laRV-KTwxo9L8HiZwNqYhrmQyXGPrzM4VR1qm9OJMA95dS86jm8QSqaMrS7lwth/s400/garden-family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
weeding the upper vegetable garden with the family...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LaQEKRhLA4qDhYZP3lofm0Y4U1SKnalt9ZpBZRsKofCAXg4eqbZrTj4C45glZp1BUJqvm8_pF9_n0f4PGVFaCAgd0pfio6Kd-1CMrSHTOaOZ8BOD4mrshs2JeUnsXTp0wGMNJsgMjJNX/s1600/garden-raspberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LaQEKRhLA4qDhYZP3lofm0Y4U1SKnalt9ZpBZRsKofCAXg4eqbZrTj4C45glZp1BUJqvm8_pF9_n0f4PGVFaCAgd0pfio6Kd-1CMrSHTOaOZ8BOD4mrshs2JeUnsXTp0wGMNJsgMjJNX/s400/garden-raspberries.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... and raspberry season is just starting to come into swing.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0ny54x0ISALl_SUl83VsdqdGLltXoBwmrtsA6wRx0P0hbbFVYeBv9AecH2yZn34542Oj0qI-r-Y1xvsYpzwjSBlz1_DX7m-k3uoW-1RGKrMUO3eSeqSiIfL4r1wKeduDGaH5-2521zDa/s1600/kayak-girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0ny54x0ISALl_SUl83VsdqdGLltXoBwmrtsA6wRx0P0hbbFVYeBv9AecH2yZn34542Oj0qI-r-Y1xvsYpzwjSBlz1_DX7m-k3uoW-1RGKrMUO3eSeqSiIfL4r1wKeduDGaH5-2521zDa/s400/kayak-girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We broke away from the homestead for an hour so that Caitlyn was able to break in her kayak, "Bluejay." The beach was packed with about 3.2 million people, however, the small secluded non-power-boat launching area was as quiet as could be. Beautiful afternoon.</div>
<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-6771910734067290882016-07-03T09:34:00.000-05:002016-07-03T09:42:34.217-05:00A five month catch-up...Whoo-weeee! Five months, to the day! <br />
<div>
First, there is NO way to catch up on everything that has gone on during the last five months.</div>
<div>
Second, I've come to realize the journaling time-log aspect of this blog is quite useful to document our year-to-year gardening, chicken-hatching, quilting, running, and 'other' activity. The most recent example: we started a new strawberry patch, but wanted to know how old our original patch was. Logged in to the blog and found..... <a href="http://skattebo-skattebo.blogspot.com/2012/06/walk-with-me-tour.html">June 19, 2012's</a> post. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, rather than be overwhelmed with the undertaking of catching up on EVERYTHING....</div>
<div>
let's start small.</div>
<div>
I AM still taking quite a few pictures and posting (excessively) to FaceBook. (LOL -- if you're still a follower and wish to, look me up and send me a friend-request.)</div>
<div>
Therefore, the last five pictures on my phone....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexZgDSPcAEIGTrc9XuNFQxqazs1f97VE8_xi-JcbNv5ooCG8MHPz_0DxrgAztwjPWFBdYJ8p5V9JE2lGT8cbZ7kxetStqQySbl4ehYSxyvpHfpZkjCPb0VroCHPlXf5GNa4Gj-1kdnHvA/s1600/allietare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexZgDSPcAEIGTrc9XuNFQxqazs1f97VE8_xi-JcbNv5ooCG8MHPz_0DxrgAztwjPWFBdYJ8p5V9JE2lGT8cbZ7kxetStqQySbl4ehYSxyvpHfpZkjCPb0VroCHPlXf5GNa4Gj-1kdnHvA/s400/allietare.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Time is very relaxed, but very full around the place so far this summer. Three full weeks into summer vacation already; it is simply flying by!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The only project I have underway in my sewing room is Bonnie's Allietare mystery that I finally broke down and started. It's an amazing design, as always! My color palette is of sea and sand, so "Vetro di Mare" ("Seaglass") will be my rendition.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The mug in the picture was gifted to me by a senior girl in my AP-Statistics class; she knows me so well!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk5a98KDbWqJvuHA37L1FrtTLzIkJWrQrxjqu9PRvzOkClKItx3NHtsmADkZvzwcDg9EBQq-OfGOv6luysci8K52IditEBRQ3NeGWS7oyRmP7A7Y7AeVBioEAPjvPiHRWwVNsyI7e0CHM/s1600/chickens-breakfast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk5a98KDbWqJvuHA37L1FrtTLzIkJWrQrxjqu9PRvzOkClKItx3NHtsmADkZvzwcDg9EBQq-OfGOv6luysci8K52IditEBRQ3NeGWS7oyRmP7A7Y7AeVBioEAPjvPiHRWwVNsyI7e0CHM/s400/chickens-breakfast.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We continue to love our chickens. We hatched out 20 in April, but sadly, all but one met a very sad end via predators! I was sickened, and we took charge in reenforcing all of our brooder houses, box and ground coops. The one that remained, Hector, has been hanging out with our meat-birds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then, five of our hens decided they wanted to sit on eggs, almost all at the same time. So.... we let 'em!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All chicks are 3-4 weeks old: Peckers has 12, Daisy has 14, Blackie#1 has 4 (after losing one), and Blackie#2 has 6. I can NEVER tell these two black hens apart!!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our fifth, sadly never hatched any; I have a feeling she left the nest too long from time to time. We had set another incubator full of eggs, and we were hoping she'd hold off long enough to take an interest in playing Mama to them, but to no avail. So, we have another 17 in one of the brooder boxes, motherless. It is our most protected brooder, so they should be safe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2h1IFOMeDxmZaibPu0p6IGQW5S6kkcW75UIkiVs5PPuYf2n0o_Gq81p1Y8ezrgNaOJ9gYHUSq3PXTK4e3IfUHI1CwmYE59EPhY-cVYJ47N_SxUteOHdt6G3HzUnAaS5maN9YrNR8FWnG/s1600/candace-flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2h1IFOMeDxmZaibPu0p6IGQW5S6kkcW75UIkiVs5PPuYf2n0o_Gq81p1Y8ezrgNaOJ9gYHUSq3PXTK4e3IfUHI1CwmYE59EPhY-cVYJ47N_SxUteOHdt6G3HzUnAaS5maN9YrNR8FWnG/s400/candace-flowers.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Most of my outside gardening time is spent in our vegetable gardens, however a wee bit of time was spent cleaning out my small perennial flower bed out front yesterday. Some wild milkweed showed up last year, and after being scolded by child #2 for pulling it out last year, I left most of it be this year. The fragrance of the milkweed blooms is amazing! Candace says it reminds her of lilac blossoms. Will wait and see if any Monarchs are attracted to it this year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VoqKYF0nCJGrOVUqD_KdAoYdrcFBCXnt4E1XVZNWRaQN7S4oy5ER3ly-o9Yc8VA7MQbHbRX5vboSdDwo1ff4QnVHa3wkOei17RF6tQTgCsQmLjs9lhJ0Foe4LkenaOxESiohvkWdqava/s1600/candace-play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VoqKYF0nCJGrOVUqD_KdAoYdrcFBCXnt4E1XVZNWRaQN7S4oy5ER3ly-o9Yc8VA7MQbHbRX5vboSdDwo1ff4QnVHa3wkOei17RF6tQTgCsQmLjs9lhJ0Foe4LkenaOxESiohvkWdqava/s400/candace-play.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Summer school was underway for the first two weeks of summer. This past week (third week of summer), Candace took part in the Prairie Fire theater production of Jack and the Beanstalk. This was the first time she was able to take part in any Prairie Fire production; she played Gabby, villager child #2 (bottom, second-from-the right, in purple).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAEpWpXl-hWu4epe44V1ZrxzH6etwDzSZgFnr_YY00B-TvyiEtp029jr3DRENJAPBK80eZtJsY9slr1xxskz5M5SH39M9hpBgpEq62Q36FYjEJUxbzEuuv7P87i0ymUG6oJhTDPSqxAdX/s1600/cailtyn-kayak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAEpWpXl-hWu4epe44V1ZrxzH6etwDzSZgFnr_YY00B-TvyiEtp029jr3DRENJAPBK80eZtJsY9slr1xxskz5M5SH39M9hpBgpEq62Q36FYjEJUxbzEuuv7P87i0ymUG6oJhTDPSqxAdX/s400/cailtyn-kayak.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While Candace has been heading off to summer school everyday, Caitlyn has been working in the local strawberry patch, picking berries everyday at 6 a.m. Paul and I both wanted her to know she's working for her college savings and that 75% of anything she made was to be placed in the bank. The other 25% was completely hers, if she cared to spend it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For quite the longest time, she really didn't mention anything that she really wanted, but early last week, she said...."I know what I want now -- a kayak!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She met her goal yesterday. There were definitely a couple mornings when she gave me some puppy dog eyes, asking if she could have a vacation day, but.... she ended up persevering, and hopefully learned some discipline along the way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We can't wait to try it out!!!! (We also bought a second one for the family).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today is forecasted to be absolutely gorgeous, so we're thinking of heading to the lake after dropping Cassie off at work (she's three weeks into working at McDonalds -- a whole 'nother new adventure for this growing family).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Sunday! </div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-43686291070747558492016-02-03T07:12:00.004-06:002016-02-03T07:12:53.912-06:00Wave scarf & Shell scarf [Crochet]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaylY_qt8S1clfBWGod12QPChmXFmA9jN9zUjTaPnTYYdcrHPm96b0_U9k6aP6yH5mNFUzGFCDNRp9U1TEjrNsPdnRIFDq5kq3xCBgRPO0eTs-7_B1-OhL-LYLJjIzuBaRw_IT4SBpOpA/s1600/scarf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaylY_qt8S1clfBWGod12QPChmXFmA9jN9zUjTaPnTYYdcrHPm96b0_U9k6aP6yH5mNFUzGFCDNRp9U1TEjrNsPdnRIFDq5kq3xCBgRPO0eTs-7_B1-OhL-LYLJjIzuBaRw_IT4SBpOpA/s400/scarf1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This <i>wave scarf</i> originally started its life as an afghan, however the pattern wasn't a super-enjoyable one for me. *shrug* The pattern was found in my "The Complete book of Crochet Stitches - Schapper", number 493.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqigdQPB1RckJTP0ZIdj61aCS6v_Fxlwak8rvnV_qyIlEGMyMdGcbAJhfiPKwk2CT9lSXEdZvN0pLV2TC_FYu7On3TIlixN8ksEOVovHDaIjwB21HW4tR5DI4boAcFIhIHH9rYuTcS91X/s1600/scarf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqigdQPB1RckJTP0ZIdj61aCS6v_Fxlwak8rvnV_qyIlEGMyMdGcbAJhfiPKwk2CT9lSXEdZvN0pLV2TC_FYu7On3TIlixN8ksEOVovHDaIjwB21HW4tR5DI4boAcFIhIHH9rYuTcS91X/s400/scarf2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Red Heart Supersaver yarn was used, with the final size ~ 6"x56".</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJi-KD3A5Pjsc_1Kh7vtpQWDZ1Y35dinNnbrAnRGH6yCv6e2SOrlLABWL9hsv_oQelIWMEBRjiiuO7pQiuFWcBU0frRCZXnMvgCnXDJ4VZP3_CVQMoJZGoJFocLX-XRO6eN_WLUVBlTI54/s1600/scarf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJi-KD3A5Pjsc_1Kh7vtpQWDZ1Y35dinNnbrAnRGH6yCv6e2SOrlLABWL9hsv_oQelIWMEBRjiiuO7pQiuFWcBU0frRCZXnMvgCnXDJ4VZP3_CVQMoJZGoJFocLX-XRO6eN_WLUVBlTI54/s400/scarf3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I find the pattern kinda cool; almost resembling a DNA-strand ;) <br />Another pattern attempted, however it will be placed on the "probably-won't-do-again" shelf ;)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1sKEm3Ms0treLXh71JTQ-t5esAvPVtCf8ht50oDnNbngi7RduNy3Q_9Z0BqexGqWlMk-Ye_Ap_kqQjXb_rjzMG77gUtyLBNAg9uoviN8LMS4tc2iaO7O-2o5Ek0nEi5Tlb_ADv7VyDMF/s1600/shell-scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1sKEm3Ms0treLXh71JTQ-t5esAvPVtCf8ht50oDnNbngi7RduNy3Q_9Z0BqexGqWlMk-Ye_Ap_kqQjXb_rjzMG77gUtyLBNAg9uoviN8LMS4tc2iaO7O-2o5Ek0nEi5Tlb_ADv7VyDMF/s400/shell-scarf.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
THIS pattern [<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shelly-scarf">Shelly Scarf</a>], however, is working up quickly, specially using Moda Dea Cheerio yarn. It's so soft and enjoyable to work with!!! A little tinsel sparkle is present throughout as well, resulting in a fun, lil' decorative scarf (once finished).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Most of Wisconsin received snow over the past 12 hours; school is on a two-hour delay this morning. Hence, time to update the blog, all the while enjoying a relaxing cup of coffee ;)<br />Happy Wednesday!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-55780437918177648782016-01-31T13:51:00.001-06:002016-01-31T13:51:35.697-06:00Boot cuffs & Country Cozy afghan [Crochet]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Seriously?? It's been two weeks since I last posted? How on earth does that happen? Honestly! Today marks the end of January -- does time EVER slow back down??? I most definitely feel like it's a constant 'go-go-go' around here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0nov5keFZ3qJYxX4VyQ-mutZHBq3TnnUBCZP387xbWZjjCUCoTM2QVruAprub3xlu5Wm81t9mC_MERTlZSJ7hBaK-Vw77fAQFLjyNkGnHaU1ZbeunTvcAUB1rTdr5YtHFf0Q5xzoxr2h/s1600/boot-cuff3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0nov5keFZ3qJYxX4VyQ-mutZHBq3TnnUBCZP387xbWZjjCUCoTM2QVruAprub3xlu5Wm81t9mC_MERTlZSJ7hBaK-Vw77fAQFLjyNkGnHaU1ZbeunTvcAUB1rTdr5YtHFf0Q5xzoxr2h/s320/boot-cuff3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amongst the 'go-go-go' of yesterday, we fit in some time to shop for some much-needed jeans and boots for Cassie. Having some left over yarn from the double-braided cowl, a quick <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boot-cuffs-4">Boot Cuff pattern</a> was searched out on Ravelry in order to add some fun accessorizing to Cassie's outfit.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMwHDvfu088sX9p3U6E_Foyslb3A9OYWxXFD63nnNmhsUbualGZp6cYHq18XBCDbioR5pSgraP5A4SZffpt0HsXM6WONL3FjvkNtgkgg6niyMvZMFKKiKO-kXLgVRCFRpu83-hc7HyIDK/s1600/boot-cuff4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMwHDvfu088sX9p3U6E_Foyslb3A9OYWxXFD63nnNmhsUbualGZp6cYHq18XBCDbioR5pSgraP5A4SZffpt0HsXM6WONL3FjvkNtgkgg6niyMvZMFKKiKO-kXLgVRCFRpu83-hc7HyIDK/s320/boot-cuff4.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The pattern was written to have the ribbed portion at the top, but it was hugging her leg very nicely. So, we elected to add another 2 rows of sc, the second row being a decreasing row, and now... she has two different ways to wear this boot cuff. Score. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8sd8vGTQBe14FrlWpOdopaobGFHcOqXuuRl6kojt_J39vkF-f1jv6XnqxT6HRbyoc7isBMTu4W_XsVLH1ATcEkfDAr1djMYXcG4yzzbceipBJYyFyJ9iqDN9K1ffqZEgD1Q8oA1Y4jUB/s1600/country-afghan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8sd8vGTQBe14FrlWpOdopaobGFHcOqXuuRl6kojt_J39vkF-f1jv6XnqxT6HRbyoc7isBMTu4W_XsVLH1ATcEkfDAr1djMYXcG4yzzbceipBJYyFyJ9iqDN9K1ffqZEgD1Q8oA1Y4jUB/s400/country-afghan2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friday night, I actually DID elect to stay home instead of venturing on the one-hour drive to see Cassie's basketball game. Candace had BB practice until 4:45, and Caitlyn was having a friend say over for the night. Therefore, once dinner was eaten and cleaned up, the feet were propped up on the ottoman, a movie was put in the player, and I relaxed with the <i>Country Cozy</i> afghan!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmLkocPfxP3-6HPMz1uH15EeHB2CBPftrwvpeggtGJAiCaiU4wYuPoC6rYBIaOJa2c5LrhXYqodqQwlyEJ3HO5M4xXn29FDNrHlNuGR_3MYZLMuOfiQx3lg4I7gKJH9Z20jSD3NpSchCm/s1600/cassie-haircut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmLkocPfxP3-6HPMz1uH15EeHB2CBPftrwvpeggtGJAiCaiU4wYuPoC6rYBIaOJa2c5LrhXYqodqQwlyEJ3HO5M4xXn29FDNrHlNuGR_3MYZLMuOfiQx3lg4I7gKJH9Z20jSD3NpSchCm/s400/cassie-haircut.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fitting in hair appointments is kind of a laughable thing. But Cassie has been quietly begging for a cut; her hair had been getting quite shaggy. SO..... OUT came the scissors Thursday evening, and I had a go at it. THANKFULLY, we both were happy with the results. Hair crisis averted! Whew....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVKy49y-8IpZpByUkaNFkYzi_SUa_ljVCfmP8Fwm_ei2O4AVyY3ofBmywkFjY4vAhlMTfuCctqctAySQJgp8MV5nqFcaNqxpJXR7vuB6WcPABnI0aLArzYZi84jaD2KwBOXHSfw4GCipw/s1600/bb-caitlyn-mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVKy49y-8IpZpByUkaNFkYzi_SUa_ljVCfmP8Fwm_ei2O4AVyY3ofBmywkFjY4vAhlMTfuCctqctAySQJgp8MV5nqFcaNqxpJXR7vuB6WcPABnI0aLArzYZi84jaD2KwBOXHSfw4GCipw/s400/bb-caitlyn-mom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next weekend, we're back to BB tournaments; nothing new there. To be fair, looking through pictures on the phone, I guess I should admit to having some down-time while at the tournaments. It's simply not the same as having down-time at home, though. ;)<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmsyyu_TXWeMljCwk8TeoUV1yLF0IxoDvrskCKOqYAJeq5pT_vd8JhSyaY9tbu2QltMBy76Cqww5wv8-MOEBvdfVxsskdqr3tXThRhcPB3RnFf2ICsiDFC8FBZjD5rg_QXo2V-XpaRMkY/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmsyyu_TXWeMljCwk8TeoUV1yLF0IxoDvrskCKOqYAJeq5pT_vd8JhSyaY9tbu2QltMBy76Cqww5wv8-MOEBvdfVxsskdqr3tXThRhcPB3RnFf2ICsiDFC8FBZjD5rg_QXo2V-XpaRMkY/s400/sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't know about y'all, but..... have you noticed the extra moments of light in the evening???? 5:36PM the other night, and there was still a fair amount of light coming from the horizon :D</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No quilting or sewing going on around here; just some crochet from time to time as it fits. We're one week down of the new/final semester of the school year; not quite the home-stretch yet (*LAUGH!!!*), but that dreaded Senioritis is starting to infect a few of our kiddos. Ruh-roh, Shaggy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Sunday!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-53211708058495599532016-01-17T19:56:00.001-06:002016-01-17T21:10:59.446-06:00Double Layer Braided Cowl [Crochet]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The morning began with a Soaping Sunday, making up a batch of hot-process yogurt soap, fragranced with Pomegranate, and as I was measuring out the oils, I received a text from a coworker via Facebook....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #373e4d; line-height: 15.36px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is this something you could do? And if so, could you make one for me? I'd pay for the supplies and your time!</span><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #373e4d; line-height: 15.36px; white-space: pre-wrap;">{<a href="http://www.myhobbyiscrochet.com/2016/01/double-layered-braided-cowl-free.html?m=1">Double Layer Braided Cowl</a>}</span></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, as soon as the soap was in the crockpot cooking, I read over the pattern to determine the difficulty. Parts of the pattern weren't written using standard crochet terms, so I was confused for a few moments, but realized it was simply asking for Front-Loop HDC and Back-Loop HDC.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A response was sent to my friend, requesting she pick out the yarn and quoting a price. An hour later, she responded that she was out shopping and found the yarn! LOL. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since she seemed eager, and I really didn't have much going on today, another message was sent letting her know that if she was able to drop off the yarn, I'd be able to get a start on the cowl this afternoon....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihG7IixkCmWqwkOp392ouNKtxhqPfjKRm1tu-z35nn5XsTr8kAimspXe1mQM90ZK5ARU1i790_aVZ7ujkRAUnwJTXzu5vIEFRFhrGNlQM-waD0NzQ1JdUQ0L8aPQf3u8kCqCL_UJfSIsbP/s1600/cowl-hr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihG7IixkCmWqwkOp392ouNKtxhqPfjKRm1tu-z35nn5XsTr8kAimspXe1mQM90ZK5ARU1i790_aVZ7ujkRAUnwJTXzu5vIEFRFhrGNlQM-waD0NzQ1JdUQ0L8aPQf3u8kCqCL_UJfSIsbP/s400/cowl-hr1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first layer took about 1 1/2 hours; I hadn't anticipated it would work up quite that quick.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then the second layer just ended up working itself out during the next couple of hours. :D </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xp7oPRFF0yAmpTR5jdc-hb2u_UkiTF_5HoPmsjmLkWJsh80p8y_37Vpq4EVwMfLa1E4Y1d4USUrml_gmgliRT3vXv8nrjEGdAZt59jD4x9braWQKsvhwLTxxZ6faVtjVTwgXJ8w49o-G/s1600/braided-cowl+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xp7oPRFF0yAmpTR5jdc-hb2u_UkiTF_5HoPmsjmLkWJsh80p8y_37Vpq4EVwMfLa1E4Y1d4USUrml_gmgliRT3vXv8nrjEGdAZt59jD4x9braWQKsvhwLTxxZ6faVtjVTwgXJ8w49o-G/s400/braided-cowl+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I truly had no intentions of finishing this up today, but it felt good to have a bit of motivation in the form of a new, fairly quick, project!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJyeOctQSZLnEKdWv5lhIblsNqRxtnup9oksi7HS-XTnn1FgI8nvnrzKK55JlrNF0099OF0lsM7omKjwz2vLRG1KFaiGswp8EN7oJkAKhp9Nn0Hxl4BDfk6wtyeyXHnyvWmtoH0TF-AMb/s1600/braided-cowl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJyeOctQSZLnEKdWv5lhIblsNqRxtnup9oksi7HS-XTnn1FgI8nvnrzKK55JlrNF0099OF0lsM7omKjwz2vLRG1KFaiGswp8EN7oJkAKhp9Nn0Hxl4BDfk6wtyeyXHnyvWmtoH0TF-AMb/s400/braided-cowl1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBTsW05UfhASiNSC0ZIsxGQ3vs6GHyWScNyaZZzo6Rfznvu3H85JN7OH6smAk7NccXl5IJIiAWqg97PFzPxpvSp-VH_KrJo2HWnoDhHh_OuyPK57xCGw09zq2TKhma_Fc0k_sgv8NM6Qq/s1600/braided-cowl3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBTsW05UfhASiNSC0ZIsxGQ3vs6GHyWScNyaZZzo6Rfznvu3H85JN7OH6smAk7NccXl5IJIiAWqg97PFzPxpvSp-VH_KrJo2HWnoDhHh_OuyPK57xCGw09zq2TKhma_Fc0k_sgv8NM6Qq/s400/braided-cowl3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm not a big scarf wearer, HOWEVER, I like how this one lays on the neckline with ZERO bulk in the back. My coworker is also pleasantly surprised that I worked it up so quickly :D<br />
<br />
Happy Sunday. Tomorrow, back to the grind. Many of my classes have Semester Finals this week, so.... I'm hoping my week should be fairly relaxed (even if the students' week isn't)Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-37851872691875985702016-01-10T20:25:00.001-06:002016-01-10T20:25:59.328-06:00Soaping Sunday, RSC 15 & some quilt reparing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The lard-rendering crockpot was emptied and turned off last night at 11:00; four quart jars were filled and cooled overnight...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdPPChDdhLwdNC39amzptnTVDgMI2M3qVVYq60Uq9raXgR63nGZ53pQ3Nn-XYIhdSrHtgYy577OcnBPKG_4yafjnZhqoRfY-cIQc0t8fqtZ1PCn2llEaZeUs5dhfQrIvENd5r2ZJHhG_F/s1600/lard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdPPChDdhLwdNC39amzptnTVDgMI2M3qVVYq60Uq9raXgR63nGZ53pQ3Nn-XYIhdSrHtgYy577OcnBPKG_4yafjnZhqoRfY-cIQc0t8fqtZ1PCn2llEaZeUs5dhfQrIvENd5r2ZJHhG_F/s400/lard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...never having rendered lard before, waking up to this picture was kinda fun! Pie crusts recipes were sought out and discussed, however, the first use of the lard was reserved for a new soap recipe to try!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC-98AYRFDkM-k2Rk-ysQp4j57-YZEqf5heh18cSb4iMa4jp7XGpflxjk5NdogT0cCcxEGGNypASt_iSJmz4oG6EAlyMa14kZyLtl0Pkf1TcOE_HLPmjqYfFDH9Zhu994zQb-mIIp6dHJ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-10+at+7.48.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC-98AYRFDkM-k2Rk-ysQp4j57-YZEqf5heh18cSb4iMa4jp7XGpflxjk5NdogT0cCcxEGGNypASt_iSJmz4oG6EAlyMa14kZyLtl0Pkf1TcOE_HLPmjqYfFDH9Zhu994zQb-mIIp6dHJ/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-10+at+7.48.56+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LHA5-33h_vZsn10Rw21mMT_zW_WbrypM-_LgwYgqMvSt3APksVOJOIW4qzoY3L29sNKVuGs3eh4SEDoSX0Oxnus5EU4W1A7sH-Nj22yn1T5LPtdRPHoAq_JOSwPS-429p_h1sR_Huxhl/s1600/soap-trop-vacation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LHA5-33h_vZsn10Rw21mMT_zW_WbrypM-_LgwYgqMvSt3APksVOJOIW4qzoY3L29sNKVuGs3eh4SEDoSX0Oxnus5EU4W1A7sH-Nj22yn1T5LPtdRPHoAq_JOSwPS-429p_h1sR_Huxhl/s400/soap-trop-vacation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Tropical Vacation, </i>hot process soap will spend the night in the mold seeing I didn't make it up until mid-afternoon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOxlg3ps63NIetumaDD6Z63Ml30v4qT1yu9UEMbhgbJ-xxHdmNvBU3nJ1doch_FOYCH8lBXhl4P_bT2-llNLrKdJaX_OWGDisZpxySh93p41WE4Ehv_GFvd6DCqHORUuBhMv9YwJGjiGP/s1600/rsc15-connectors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOxlg3ps63NIetumaDD6Z63Ml30v4qT1yu9UEMbhgbJ-xxHdmNvBU3nJ1doch_FOYCH8lBXhl4P_bT2-llNLrKdJaX_OWGDisZpxySh93p41WE4Ehv_GFvd6DCqHORUuBhMv9YwJGjiGP/s400/rsc15-connectors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The 2015 Rainbow Scrap Challenge had me teaming up with Andee (<a href="http://moderndiary.blogspot.com/">The Modern Diary</a>). She pieced up Bonnie K. Hunter's "Betty's Choice" blocks (<i>shown below</i>) while I designed up a simple connector block; each of us creating two blocks per month; one to keep and one to share. A final block (aqua) was pieced today to round out my collection to a dozen. I can't wait to see these blocks play together!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEknmSJXoUHz7Nhs5jqKzDlnWDpdybqldaZ2dNbcdwSJshUxGL3OwuWRivOnWyaSaH5fVHo0bMhpc7xtQkyO3ukw6E-ZrRJTZt2vvSd3g1WRxWQNzklweXzSE1JdqLeHZmlUJKlmbYTKEW/s1600/rsc15-andees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEknmSJXoUHz7Nhs5jqKzDlnWDpdybqldaZ2dNbcdwSJshUxGL3OwuWRivOnWyaSaH5fVHo0bMhpc7xtQkyO3ukw6E-ZrRJTZt2vvSd3g1WRxWQNzklweXzSE1JdqLeHZmlUJKlmbYTKEW/s400/rsc15-andees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A bit of time was spent organizing up my 'piles' around the sewing area, and an old "FIX-ME-UP-SOMEDAY" quilt has me inspired.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjDbjhr_A6cU3FrirogwB4HwOnQXXU4qfgyZz0PIomGeqJBBOR8ENEMX2KPTIOmJEub522zIZIecBuQq1z05ZL06NpmSQhhU54EP7lO7anfVWJAVY4wA6WZ7H7JSVgJkNGOzxaXMYjsfH/s1600/blue-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjDbjhr_A6cU3FrirogwB4HwOnQXXU4qfgyZz0PIomGeqJBBOR8ENEMX2KPTIOmJEub522zIZIecBuQq1z05ZL06NpmSQhhU54EP7lO7anfVWJAVY4wA6WZ7H7JSVgJkNGOzxaXMYjsfH/s400/blue-stars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This Blue Hearts was one of my first quilts made in the early 2000s, and is begging for some mending.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKSOgvC6PcbdnU9H_SsU4I0DW2jtbtl3NYoHQyvhzuCcMbWmFRi6mt-lJhBzHi6weHo9al94bV60YexCHLos6S35zeGBE8TcH-0aU8egLLsxfPuTTvyRss05AP12SeHABkEOtsFXzKm4E/s1600/blue-hearts-button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKSOgvC6PcbdnU9H_SsU4I0DW2jtbtl3NYoHQyvhzuCcMbWmFRi6mt-lJhBzHi6weHo9al94bV60YexCHLos6S35zeGBE8TcH-0aU8egLLsxfPuTTvyRss05AP12SeHABkEOtsFXzKm4E/s400/blue-hearts-button.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The quilt was only tied with buttons & yarn in a few locations; clearly this was created LONG before I knew about the method and idea of actually QUILTING the layers together! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It has been loved and wore in, certainly! A poly batting had been used, a simple muslin backing -- it was such a snuggler!!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzAIho4s6MmKBd0L64QdilbGrjp7aQg5oGyuQqcGrQpKYVKiNQ8XZw11VtnUNopk4xUjznmLAhobIBQ4aAjCtD3HAZOJeZbJa3vL8StaLUFIyc6mEWL1K0bWB5_QufKIaGiEBGAzZSGbX/s1600/blue-hearts-fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzAIho4s6MmKBd0L64QdilbGrjp7aQg5oGyuQqcGrQpKYVKiNQ8XZw11VtnUNopk4xUjznmLAhobIBQ4aAjCtD3HAZOJeZbJa3vL8StaLUFIyc6mEWL1K0bWB5_QufKIaGiEBGAzZSGbX/s400/blue-hearts-fix.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
....and falling apart at the seams from its use. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've already separated the layers and stitched up the seams that were falling apart. I'm planning to play around with the quilting, branching out with some custom quilting rather than a pantograph. It'll be a good piece to practice with.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Sunday everyone!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-63931722452701680012016-01-09T20:16:00.002-06:002016-01-09T21:03:14.838-06:00A lot of Basketball - A little crochet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8MUfMx6BySrYj4k8Gqn_Pc59vUmVEDrAf52fgJTNiHNqEdmY0bFaWxfnMszumDpf7Lahhnipy3vyvuyJU6JO1Mj8fXzXWeNLWftrojglywHujneLa65eJ3pD5oDWG0r1JCH77fjJIWPg/s1600/bb-caitlyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8MUfMx6BySrYj4k8Gqn_Pc59vUmVEDrAf52fgJTNiHNqEdmY0bFaWxfnMszumDpf7Lahhnipy3vyvuyJU6JO1Mj8fXzXWeNLWftrojglywHujneLa65eJ3pD5oDWG0r1JCH77fjJIWPg/s400/bb-caitlyn.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The day started as a typical Saturday morning during the month of January for the Skattebo clan. Caitlyn's first tournament game of the day began at 10:10 in a town about 30 miles away (south), so we were actually able to have a relaxing morning, allowing the girls to sleep until 8:00. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once we arrived on-site, Candace said..."Hey, we were just here last night!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
LOL</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yup. Cassie's HS JV game was in the same town; same gym...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfPoL0w37rWeyM_m0aVrebxIqkc3JV0ydr-yVfQOZSHGpXgt_UGNptnG24X1LF3EezIus4uwab2iBqD2cat6-NHg8eAHi3_ivgthbXVmSUphfCpNh5y6H0YZRAeALqIi5QNcmDhGPw096/s1600/bb-crochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfPoL0w37rWeyM_m0aVrebxIqkc3JV0ydr-yVfQOZSHGpXgt_UGNptnG24X1LF3EezIus4uwab2iBqD2cat6-NHg8eAHi3_ivgthbXVmSUphfCpNh5y6H0YZRAeALqIi5QNcmDhGPw096/s400/bb-crochet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <i>Country Cozy</i> crochet afghan was taken along, and a few rows were completed between plays and games. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
However, halfway through Caitlyn's second game, we had to skitter off to the NEXT BB tournament, 35 minutes away (east), for Candace's FIRST ever game. Thankfully, a close friend was able to 'mother' Caitlyn for the rest of the tournament; it takes a village, right?!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXSEb7foLFbakjloM5WfCFQI0XFZfnQ73gWmW4rKfHzNeJFAO5TIycP6L3uvNAH-h0x2gWS65IOy5bl6JxRzrvBN_wXlfV3ENttqnj7oKkTOmwci4BlXRs2hrmxg3JXHN9fI_9afJtNYz/s1600/BB-candace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXSEb7foLFbakjloM5WfCFQI0XFZfnQ73gWmW4rKfHzNeJFAO5TIycP6L3uvNAH-h0x2gWS65IOy5bl6JxRzrvBN_wXlfV3ENttqnj7oKkTOmwci4BlXRs2hrmxg3JXHN9fI_9afJtNYz/s400/BB-candace.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The fifth grade team is low on numbers this year, so Candace was asked to suit up as a fourth grader to help out. Being the youngest of three sisters, she DEFINITELY is living up to be the stereotypical 'little-sister-gym-rat;' the one who has been on the sidelines, watching for all these years. And now, she's ready to play! Her nerves were apparent, but she settled in nicely with the teammates and had a blast. And as it should be with most parents, I simply LOVE watching m'girls, win or lose.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxztJ_QEPsE9Uj4OaAO9bJu4L3BLhLFlfbW5Fc5djfljiJBZNCNK3Q7NuWT12s45XuUmFAeOu9xbUSFVsEwUlNrgk6V_TR4z6NXUornG3vjwbb3WkWaVLPtJm31WK3E7zAzdDW4WQYuv-a/s1600/bb-lakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxztJ_QEPsE9Uj4OaAO9bJu4L3BLhLFlfbW5Fc5djfljiJBZNCNK3Q7NuWT12s45XuUmFAeOu9xbUSFVsEwUlNrgk6V_TR4z6NXUornG3vjwbb3WkWaVLPtJm31WK3E7zAzdDW4WQYuv-a/s400/bb-lakers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our Laker girls! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(and goofy Daddy-o)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The coldest day/night of winter is upon us... We're due east of Siren...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a3YQjXa_qRLeL_wpY26Fb97JEkDvpkK9kU4yBejh369FxosCpluJUZmxoObTSzGbI-FOITwnjk1XceoeFtzqtSZlYNX2y5wpEVl1h3ltLcUr4TeBGpaAVt2czKUGfDsjTSy8lDuJSpIE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-09+at+9.00.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a3YQjXa_qRLeL_wpY26Fb97JEkDvpkK9kU4yBejh369FxosCpluJUZmxoObTSzGbI-FOITwnjk1XceoeFtzqtSZlYNX2y5wpEVl1h3ltLcUr4TeBGpaAVt2czKUGfDsjTSy8lDuJSpIE/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-09+at+9.00.46+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5pm update with the weather moving east.... ;/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Therefore, now that we're home, we're hunkered down for the rest of the weekend.<br />
Tonight's excitement.....?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH8J1yYHp4r7Sry2fsYfWZmh7AZYipaXrZwzdw9objnMGQGeZA4a41cc70_Px7LZh6lc-cjHUogjA5VubXBmy_R4b_YLZnEpdmwvhBLMmUKGA-IM_jQwcJV2jp3P5traXwtbJhLzBrrxh/s1600/pig-fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH8J1yYHp4r7Sry2fsYfWZmh7AZYipaXrZwzdw9objnMGQGeZA4a41cc70_Px7LZh6lc-cjHUogjA5VubXBmy_R4b_YLZnEpdmwvhBLMmUKGA-IM_jQwcJV2jp3P5traXwtbJhLzBrrxh/s400/pig-fat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Renderin' some pig fat for lard ;)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tomorrow's excitement....? HOPEFULLY, some quilting!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Happy Saturday everyoneAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-40336665946653733162016-01-07T20:46:00.001-06:002016-01-07T20:59:44.696-06:00Country Cozy afghan progress [Crochet]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coming home from school today with an EMPTY schoolbag, and only one of the girls needing to be taxi'd into and back from town for basketball practice, I was feeling a bit motivated to head downstairs to work on some quilting. However, by the time dinner was served, cleaned up, and Caitlyn driven off to practice, interest had been lost in heading downstairs to the sewing cubby. Besides, the temps are dropping, and the basement has a lingering chill!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
However, I pulled out the Country Cozy afghan that had been started........ *shrug*..... SOMETIME last year. At first I thought the pattern needed to be searched out again, but when I simply looked back at the repeating pattern in my stitches, I was able to determine the pattern and added another few rows this evening.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jqPBrcfintJSHsRDfaz0TEIDA0QlL-ZaK13rOynf7DjKkAEsqaG9Z0XGVtn2LHG6L3-GNoWxnhGBKS8yRqnzCouEQl9Rlj2uqXTMUnHSJnx1mDJHq_3htn5ACRe0rx7KV3_ZCK9h95FH/s1600/country-afghan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jqPBrcfintJSHsRDfaz0TEIDA0QlL-ZaK13rOynf7DjKkAEsqaG9Z0XGVtn2LHG6L3-GNoWxnhGBKS8yRqnzCouEQl9Rlj2uqXTMUnHSJnx1mDJHq_3htn5ACRe0rx7KV3_ZCK9h95FH/s400/country-afghan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm vowing at this moment NOT to start any new afghan projects until I clear out some of my UFOs and WIPs! ;) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1t6FcioeMHb-kx6zVKlCgH2wud1_xZsFipZcNw2hrxu_kUrMUnCCI379ZUr-IjVSRY6Am2TEgEkpBcbYiL8Z6C85h9lHfFhJs5s4j0qh1hZyfcEgGrBxklqI4qhQ0pNlXY3zeCbEdAT7/s1600/clutter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1t6FcioeMHb-kx6zVKlCgH2wud1_xZsFipZcNw2hrxu_kUrMUnCCI379ZUr-IjVSRY6Am2TEgEkpBcbYiL8Z6C85h9lHfFhJs5s4j0qh1hZyfcEgGrBxklqI4qhQ0pNlXY3zeCbEdAT7/s400/clutter1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The current view of the floor next to my rocker glider....</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
* A lil' lapghan ripple UFO using up some left over earth-tones...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* a king size manghan ripple UFO is underneath that...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* a neutral granny ripple WIP was started in mid-December one day when I received a bag of yarn from my MIL</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* a crochet rug WIP that I started last week in hopes to gift it to my brother for his new house</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMATB2Ai8fFJvXEKAxOwbTJEE0FXRhi3zzEzBmwO7acIwdkrIX7ASh4tyxRZou22Jfij9k6_-78qjWZwMlBNfEn_JkYtruXDGWNyl21VHDH7K9dTnJoE2bY-qxqJG-1_Hjsrd9d5NzxTW6/s1600/clutter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMATB2Ai8fFJvXEKAxOwbTJEE0FXRhi3zzEzBmwO7acIwdkrIX7ASh4tyxRZou22Jfij9k6_-78qjWZwMlBNfEn_JkYtruXDGWNyl21VHDH7K9dTnJoE2bY-qxqJG-1_Hjsrd9d5NzxTW6/s400/clutter2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.... and the view just to the back of my rocker glider...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* a bag of yarn for the king size manghan</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* a bag of yarn for my ongoing scrapghan that rests on my ottoman footrest</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* another bag of yarn that holds the earth-tone left overs for my ripple afghan</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's time to finish off a project or two! The Country Cozy afghan isn't expected to finish as a large project; it should end up being a nice lapghan, or a nice couch throw.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZoB-qo4N7I3iCFYrYeRAmFoNgmEd8LhVBZ7bS2O6v_TWx54bX92n1jMf7h1q5yGbFt7IBEPxaPD5uP2hiCsoVv4SjzAhoakfrENARUu8vlC3-zVCrgppMm316URkf_ABJ65_SH5dKcTl/s1600/candace-latchhook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZoB-qo4N7I3iCFYrYeRAmFoNgmEd8LhVBZ7bS2O6v_TWx54bX92n1jMf7h1q5yGbFt7IBEPxaPD5uP2hiCsoVv4SjzAhoakfrENARUu8vlC3-zVCrgppMm316URkf_ABJ65_SH5dKcTl/s400/candace-latchhook.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our lil' lady celebrated her 10th birthday Monday evening!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of her gifts was a latch-hook rug set of a treble clef; she's been working on it a little bit for each of the past two nights. She's loving it so far, and she's advanced to the bottom part of the clef just moments ago -- she's excited to add the new yarn colors!!!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
;) Another yarn monster in the making ??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now I KNOW I said NO NEW crochet projects...... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXtUEIdZyHrZKG4eI7wPRG8nF0nJt2UrmosZe9lhd5y3A5cA4E5_P0A4dCrO5nN6CoavlI0aO3kgzfWy3iQoO-OZB8gzfDGTsfb8Td712wUW8mpJ1SFIWxHIvR55nQtRpRvbTtaTaIhwk/s1600/crochet-pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXtUEIdZyHrZKG4eI7wPRG8nF0nJt2UrmosZe9lhd5y3A5cA4E5_P0A4dCrO5nN6CoavlI0aO3kgzfWy3iQoO-OZB8gzfDGTsfb8Td712wUW8mpJ1SFIWxHIvR55nQtRpRvbTtaTaIhwk/s400/crochet-pants.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.... but in ALL SERIOUSNESS, my brother legitimately has requested a pair of shorts similar to this. He plays in an annual golf tournament that awards a "donkey prize," and I guess he's hopeful a pair of these FASHIONABLE SHORTS could guarantee a victory! *snort*</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I DO aim to please!!!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696148984760771156.post-34921845400454691512016-01-01T20:17:00.001-06:002016-01-01T20:17:26.883-06:00Thirty-Six & Stars Scrapalooza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Having finished off <i>Celtic Solstice</i> and <i>Cathedral Stars</i> this week, the quilting mojo was still flowing, so I loaded up <i>Thirty Six</i> that had been waiting on the to-do pile for a few years, having been started back in <a href="http://skattebo-skattebo.blogspot.com/2011/07/36-patches-paul.html">July, 2011</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkozpf4xLtB588Xfuy1z0xSDMH5EmSf-NGBYrfO44bsipMMv5QjMO8GsCZruxl01b1-WoiRY13DHr39Y1UIkC67e-DqVv7-BR9VSIbRuTWxQx4aaBl9RIk5XidISx51CPhEC4rp0SqWHrK/s1600/thirty-six-closequilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkozpf4xLtB588Xfuy1z0xSDMH5EmSf-NGBYrfO44bsipMMv5QjMO8GsCZruxl01b1-WoiRY13DHr39Y1UIkC67e-DqVv7-BR9VSIbRuTWxQx4aaBl9RIk5XidISx51CPhEC4rp0SqWHrK/s400/thirty-six-closequilting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Feather-Me pantograph was used in order to give this quilt a feminine touch, using Aurifil thread, as always :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQXsOenc6GaxEj8NPJ2gFl6Sm6QxyzACnvQB0QpICQX6u1kgiWT7FgeV40wum5RKkuA4UVkuUyMA2j_1c8v-fR7Gq1HmwsFRuY1kTLIlMlkUsrHdJ9Uj5k57mrBve9NHlS76g3AMTfLJE/s1600/Thirty-six-almost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQXsOenc6GaxEj8NPJ2gFl6Sm6QxyzACnvQB0QpICQX6u1kgiWT7FgeV40wum5RKkuA4UVkuUyMA2j_1c8v-fR7Gq1HmwsFRuY1kTLIlMlkUsrHdJ9Uj5k57mrBve9NHlS76g3AMTfLJE/s400/Thirty-six-almost.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bobbin thread ran out just shy of finishing, but I had had my fill last night, so everything was shut down for a relaxing evening in front of the TV with the family, counting down to the New Year. (although, I drifted off around 11:00)....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgj-6yQjiTZgeXGMYnlfL-gv1zI1uyNvx4gf9SGm2WZ8jX6zuNAY6vzbxm1gp0V1fH10EoIa8pbKVlZ1L95ZolfuDsQB-7kSGVjIdInMUzf8uBzdKyAduO8KYpOSeBZMVIRmCTsBu17O4/s1600/Thirty-six-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgj-6yQjiTZgeXGMYnlfL-gv1zI1uyNvx4gf9SGm2WZ8jX6zuNAY6vzbxm1gp0V1fH10EoIa8pbKVlZ1L95ZolfuDsQB-7kSGVjIdInMUzf8uBzdKyAduO8KYpOSeBZMVIRmCTsBu17O4/s400/Thirty-six-full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This morning, the quilting was finished up, resulting in a complete size of about 66" square.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX0SfEqZC8xAAD0iU9uhM5-Hz4IFshtMgMcr_L6wc4LAzxtwnu2rTLqOJBVRemNq6RTxhZ_TLGex6avwjhtqW8zsf-E8gVwZVG4_t1xIp3ypyJdHHYGCIemT2ioJeYCP_cOiQ7IIsrlir/s1600/Thirty-six-quilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX0SfEqZC8xAAD0iU9uhM5-Hz4IFshtMgMcr_L6wc4LAzxtwnu2rTLqOJBVRemNq6RTxhZ_TLGex6avwjhtqW8zsf-E8gVwZVG4_t1xIp3ypyJdHHYGCIemT2ioJeYCP_cOiQ7IIsrlir/s400/Thirty-six-quilting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feather Me pantograph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
THEN, with the time hovering right around noon, I figured why NOT load up yet another quilt!?!?!?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2014 found myself and <a href="http://kevinthequilter.blogspot.com/">Kevin the Quilter</a> teaming up to create some complementary blocks; my version resulted in <i>Stars Scrapalooza, </i>inspired heavily by Bonnie's Wonky Star block.<br />Both Kevin and I pieced up two each of our blocks, with the plan of keeping one and sharing the other with each other. Kevin's design is still "Top Secret" -- I so excited to see what he comes up with.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZZtk0_jV_vkDO3ICR781UIx5edLHPuWwihvhqMPDNqHYemMEJvab_knkOuSFbNrNrXi680qWgAe27GZC_q8N5jDMv-bV_ncBbwqN0sqhkCr3W0zv44uXLeW2cmwIQNXHnZcc6C6VQD2k/s1600/star+scrapalooza-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZZtk0_jV_vkDO3ICR781UIx5edLHPuWwihvhqMPDNqHYemMEJvab_knkOuSFbNrNrXi680qWgAe27GZC_q8N5jDMv-bV_ncBbwqN0sqhkCr3W0zv44uXLeW2cmwIQNXHnZcc6C6VQD2k/s400/star+scrapalooza-frame.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My design incorporated some scrappy wonky stars as the cornerstones in my sashing units, continuing the overall theme of wonky stars. Kevin's blocks are AMAZINGLY done, using a crumb-technique for much of his blocks!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR_f3TKh2OgSffnMHEJwYjPtmndoPBdtElRxMBXxiYt-9zO-lNPl-fj0c8zt-WBPA-Bl0ZJA_DHnG7rOsm6vaDxQw_ds89_JCy6p7mzUVkweK2oO8h5Idw65jkXOBkCbUC9KDfQ6KHC9M/s1600/star+scrapalooza-quilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR_f3TKh2OgSffnMHEJwYjPtmndoPBdtElRxMBXxiYt-9zO-lNPl-fj0c8zt-WBPA-Bl0ZJA_DHnG7rOsm6vaDxQw_ds89_JCy6p7mzUVkweK2oO8h5Idw65jkXOBkCbUC9KDfQ6KHC9M/s400/star+scrapalooza-quilting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">"Fascination" pantograph by Lorien Quilting</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I took this opportunity to test out a new quilting pantograph that had been set aside after a panto-mania I went through a year or so ago. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41abosMnaxZ-llxP-4D4bEvvxNpjYtro0u8wv2tCiEf_G2C5HAxI_Wra_DnpZPs3fsbYLCguO9iXwRm2b1qPqXt8lPifs_8FU8Yj5ay6ZRGbdbf4Oa_pvbXrEf62ywm1xOIoPLXb-86W9/s1600/star+scrapalooza-quilted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41abosMnaxZ-llxP-4D4bEvvxNpjYtro0u8wv2tCiEf_G2C5HAxI_Wra_DnpZPs3fsbYLCguO9iXwRm2b1qPqXt8lPifs_8FU8Yj5ay6ZRGbdbf4Oa_pvbXrEf62ywm1xOIoPLXb-86W9/s400/star+scrapalooza-quilted.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few hours of quilting later, another (almost) finish is added to the pile. A soft knit backing was used, and it behaved quite nicely; I had been worried it would stretch a bit too much. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5unJXyKEVFm5g7xI019BZXlNm9DHLbKMTTPDjLSubGjo12Nuy37C6sHpBp5D8hNx0-aPzVZdtNNe21hkueFVskFEBIEeWKZxpI1rKlf6A5mKIl8f66ejLNBfpqJwc9BO7jr5ZBNYUgFE/s1600/star+scrapalooza-quiltedclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5unJXyKEVFm5g7xI019BZXlNm9DHLbKMTTPDjLSubGjo12Nuy37C6sHpBp5D8hNx0-aPzVZdtNNe21hkueFVskFEBIEeWKZxpI1rKlf6A5mKIl8f66ejLNBfpqJwc9BO7jr5ZBNYUgFE/s400/star+scrapalooza-quiltedclose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The pantograph is quite 'linear' looking, but it quilted up quickly, didn't use a heavy amount of thread, and is QUITE forgiving. The quilt measures 51" x 71" -- a GREAT size for a throw snuggler or for a little girl to enjoy on her bed. I'm really quite pleased with the fun brightness!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wrapping up four quilting tasks this week, ONE of them being a 110x110 King size, is definitely leaving me feeling quite accomplished. My back isn't even that sore :D</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So NOW.........</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
in the event that Bonnie's latest <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2015/12/allietare-part-6-reveal.html">Allietare mystery reveal</a> knocked me off my seat from yet ANOTHER show stopper design.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
... maybe I could pull some fabrics from the shelves... to just percolate for awhile while a sand-n-sea inspiration unfolds...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedHQlQl7_KyY4szIreJd2LDdDfcmz9lcAsRsKOxP3Yz9r16_uHYavIFELLg8FViYZDqx4Thp_lmoBC2FT4NF-cPSvs5fm1Dh6SXwotL74dzsZ3M3MkXXQWs5F44iHyfg6Y0Fg12ITUQmn/s1600/allietare-fabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedHQlQl7_KyY4szIreJd2LDdDfcmz9lcAsRsKOxP3Yz9r16_uHYavIFELLg8FViYZDqx4Thp_lmoBC2FT4NF-cPSvs5fm1Dh6SXwotL74dzsZ3M3MkXXQWs5F44iHyfg6Y0Fg12ITUQmn/s400/allietare-fabs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02045429847824522054noreply@blogger.com8