No, I didn’t finish yesterday’s Quilt Along project.
I made good progress -
And so it will continue today!
Did you participate in yesterday’s Quarantine Quilt Along? How is your progress? I saw several finishes (of the smaller sizes) as far as tops go -
My day was interrupted by 4 legged family members who wanted to be in the middle of everything. And you know what? This quilt wasn’t meant to be a race. I have several days ahead of me to get the top together and get it in the quilting machine.
It’s been a good one to use up various hunks and chunks of darker more masculine fabrics that have been sitting around without a purpose, and that makes me happy.
I did get about half of the blocks, both A & B made, and started to lay them out and….
Well, shoot! LOL!
I can report, however that we had ZERO pee-in-the-van accidents yesterday. This is a WIN!
There have been no poop-on-the-rug moments either, and we’ve pretty much got it down to a science that if she sits to leash up before going out, she gets a treat. As soon as she pees outside, she gets a treat. (She is taking less and less time to decide where to go – just go and get the treat!) and if there is a poop outside she gets TWO treats, because that is a big deal.
Okay – so sorry about the potty talk but this is what my life is consumed with right now, good or bad or inappropriate for public consumption. If we can’t keep it real during these times, then what is the point of doing this at all?
Better than that – she now knows that her name is Zoey Jo, and she comes when you call her. It only took a bit over a week, but we are with the program now.
Other things being worked on are “go to your crate” when we are eating meals, and so far so good – we don’t even have to close the crate door.
Not that I can take any credit for this “training” - SHE is the smart one.
Binding is getting slowly sewn down -
Puppy work is exhausting!
I just don’t seem to have as much energy at the end of the day – but again, it’s not a race!
I’ve also been staying in contact with friends through text messages and phone calls. Look what Mona just finished:
Shoo Fly Shoo ON POINT!!
Way to go, Mona!
I love the pink and the yellow in this – it feels so happy, just like spring. We will get it quilted up when this whole Shelter at Home thing is lifted.
If you look closely you’ll see one block with a triangle gone awry – it stays. It’s there making a statement about how things right now are just “out of whack” – but life is still beautiful as a whole.
We can embrace uncertainty and move forward into it – or we can fret over why things aren’t perfect all of the time and get nowhere.
Other things going on around here? Getting inventive with the cooking!
If meals are made to be a bit more fun, a bit different, a little more yummy – it breaks up the doldrums.
Oven roasted Asparagus!
*hint* To remove woody ends of asparagus, grab stalk of asparagus at either end and bend until it snaps. It will naturally snap where it starts to get tough.
- 1 bunch thin asparagus spears, trimmed, woody ends removed.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- Add all ingredients to list
Directions:
- Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the asparagus onto a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness.
- Sprinkle with lemon juice just before serving.
I love that it took no time at all to roast – so when the pork chops went on the grill, the spears went into the oven and were done about the same time.
Today I am treating like a typical Monday. Mail to go out, sewing to do, perhaps some pattern writing that I've been putting off simply because I couldn’t get my brain to settle down enough to sit and do all of the technical stuff.
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Tumbler quilt top shared by Diane in Michigan.
What is bringing happiness to your heart on this Monday?
It was nice to see you at the QQAL! I did finish my crib size Elvira. Today I’m getting back to putting Frolic together, I’m about half way. I don’t have anything for the inner border here at the cabin so I’ll have to wait until I get home and get some more fabric. I’m blessed to have such troubles!
ReplyDeletePretty sure most of us love to hear about your continued successes with Zoey Jo! Your life can’t all/only be quilt-y. Have a great week!!!
ReplyDeleteYour puppy stories make me happy, sewing, phone calls from friends and baking also makes me happy! It’s going to be a good day!
ReplyDeleteI love Mona's Shoo Fly Shoo top with the pink on point setting! Those on point settings are difficult to web, as least for me. I had a tough time with Frolic with much seam ripping. Joey Jo is adorable and very photogenic to boot! It sounds like she is part of the family already. I think that I will try that asparagus soon as it sounds and looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteOoo, both quilts are SO GORGEOUS! I remember when you first met Mona and was teaching her to make quilts. She's come a long way, baby! I made asparagus a couple of days ago (love that stuff). Will have to try your recipe next time!
ReplyDeletePlease tell Miss Mona that her shoo-fly is beautiful ! I LOVE the pinks and yellows, it ties them all together so prettily. So proud of MIss Zoey Jo and her progress, she is one lucky girl :) Your asparagus looks so yummy. How do you prepare your pork chops for grilling?
ReplyDeleteYOU bring happiness to my heart!
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is watering at the asparagus.... thanks for that tip!
I LOVE Mona's leader ender Shoo Fly.... just so pretty.... and the mistake she put in there on purpose is brilliant!
Have a great day with the puppy!
That Zoey is just adorable. Reminds me of my beloved Missy. she's been gone 9 years and I still miss her. Mona certainly has got the hang of this Bonnie Hunter quilting thing!
ReplyDeleteGreat recipe for the asparagus. I have also used yellow squash and zucchini with the same Parmesan/garlic mix. Absolutely wonderful! As I’m writing this, I’m thinking I will also need to try it with fresh green beans. Have enjoyed your stories of Zoey Jo. What a sweet pup!
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me happy is starting my day with a cup of coffee and your daily blog. Thank you for your positive thoughts, yummy recipe and beautiful quilts. Today I will layout and stitch my leader ender project.��
ReplyDelete"Working from home" today. Funny how much I'm getting done without the distractions of the office!!! And there is always that sewing machine and the mask assembly line waiting for my "breaks" and "lunch hour". Ha! As my friend said this morning - 'I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence!!! I made two smaller Elvira baby quilt tops yesterday. All day sewing with friends was just what I needed! Thank you everyone who made that happen!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE asparagus in the oven, my daughter does this and adds cherry tomatoes cut in half, when they get the cheese on top all crunchy and browned and the tomatoes are soft from the oven!! YUM!!
ReplyDeleteMaking chicken stock and quilting on a special quilt for My grandson-son-in-law.
ReplyDeleteMy Husband wants to know if Zoey is right or left handed. The left handed dogs are said to be smarter!! Which paw does she start walking with or paws you or gives you when asked for a paw. Our old dog Mini was left handed our new puppy Lily is right handed and just full of it.LOL Hugs ann
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your and Zoey Jo's progress! It is definitely an accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteI love Mona's quilt! It is very cheery! That is good therapy for all of us right now.
I didn't get to join in yesterday because my daughter and I were putting together her crib and changing table. Now we just need to figure out where they are going to be in our tiny little house!
Is there a chance I can pick up that pattern? I love the simplicity of it and I have a bazillion or so fat quarters of batiks I should really use up and this would be perfect for that.
Thank you for all you do to keep us busy and entertained. You are making so many people happy! Stay safe and healthy!
Bacon jerky! my dog would do anything for bacon jerky!
ReplyDeleteLove Mona's quilt top. Very cheerful. And Zoey was just letting you know she needs a quilt too, and those are her colors.;}
It’s pretty clear from your Elvira picture that Ms ZJ knows how to get your attention! Love her! ❤️
ReplyDeleteI love the talk about poop and pee! We were in the process of starting to look for a pup. We were waiting until summer vacation to get one (or two). Right now we are staying at home. That's something I'm going to look forward to in a later months. Zoey Jo is being soooooo good. You are an awesome trainer!
ReplyDeleteI am still working on my shut-in quilt along from Sunday. I had some trouble opening the PDF then realized that I needed Adobe Reader to open the file. My cat Patti seems to think she has to help me with making the quilt by laying on the fabric pieces as if she is pressing them for me. Then she thinks she has to have a birds eye view of me sewing the pieces together to make sure I am doing it correctly. She is my quilting cat inspector.
ReplyDeleteI've been stuck in the house for a week (except for backyard) and was excited to know that tomorrow I get to go out early in the morning and get my blood drawn. LOL. When the nurse called to give me the "covid-19" survey to make sure I wasn't sick, I told her she was the highlight of my week and couldn't wait to see her. Oh how the times change our perspective. Ha.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you do it--coming up with new patterns all the time and everyone one I want to make! At 72 will I have time? Working on Frolic. This self isolation is really helping me work on that and Garden Party and PUmpkin Patch. Needless to say my sewing area is choatic. Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDeleteGood Girl Zoey Joe! She is so smart and beautiful. Thanks for sharing her progress and pictures. Mona, great job on your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love the twisted HST. Nothing in life is perfect, embrace it Mona.
ReplyDeleteZoeyJo can come stay with me anytime. She could help me finish "Frolic."
I've never had a dog, but just like babies, there really needs to be a focus on elimination for a while.
ReplyDeleteI've been cutting my asparagus into 2" pieces before the roasting part -- I find it makes eating it easier!
I love Mona's quilt! I don't see the triangle problem you were mentioning, but I do see a lot of great fabrics and COLOR! It's a beauty, for sure, and it looks like spring to me.
Last night I finished 16 Elvira blocks, today I'm finishing up the other side. In addition I made about 12 face masks for my family. Now everyone wants you to make them one!
ReplyDeleteGudrun's event was awesome! I didn't get any of my blocks sewn together (I'm 60 degree and parallelogram challenged). but plan to work on it today and tomorrow. I made a list of 20 projects I want to get to the completed and gifted stage. And there are so many more projects to add to the list. As I get one done, I add another, and so my 2020 list stays a constant 20. Your Shoo- Fly and Mona's are beautiful. Mine is still in progress - making three different sizes for a QOV. THanks for sharing your adventures with Zoey Jo - she's a great pup.
ReplyDeleteTreats -- what dog doesn't love their treats? Who knew there would be a run on Milk Bone dog treats! No one box on the shelf! Three different days! I tried something new -- not really a good idea. Good thing I have been working from home. My Fred always expects a treat when he returns from a walk - two we have a bag to bring home. Finally went to a different store and found some so I think we are good for the next month! Love hearing about your new pup.
ReplyDeleteYour stories about Zoey Jo remind me of a time in my life when, in my early 60's, I was given guardianship and custody of my 4 year old grandson. He was a handful and I hadn't had a small child in the house in many years. What energy! I was exhausted for a couple of weeks, then I got used to it and believe he keeps me young. My work family heard daily tales of Life With Matthew, and bless their hearts they seemed to enjoy hearing them! Just as now I enjoy hearing your stories of Life With Zoey Jo. Let the good times roll!
ReplyDeleteI'll be trying your asparagus recipe tonight. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love that you include your pets. It makes my day.
ReplyDeleteThe Joey Jo stories are such a delight. And the cat antics are fun too. Love how your Shoo Fly Shoo turned out. The binding really compliments.
ReplyDeleteMy girl Lucy was a ditch dog -- literally found in a ditch, and took a good bit longer to really get trained on the outside preference of things... but she was also still a super small pup! So glad that Miss Zoey Jo is recognizing her name, and seems to be settling into life with you guys so well!!! Many congratulations wished to all of you! I'm still working on cutting blocks for my Elvira quilt -- but loved the QQAL, and think that once it's done I'll probably do another... or two!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear how ZoeyJo is doing, and great that she now knows her nan and is getting to grips with potty training. All she needed and needs is your love and understanding and she is flourishing such a lucky pup to have found you.
ReplyDeleteLove Mona’s quilt I’m thinking of putting mine on point and I love the happy pink and yellow she’s used for sashing and setting triangles. Well done Mona!
Love and quilty hugs
Anne xxx
In Australia our asparagus bunches have about 6 spears! I like yours better
ReplyDeleteWent to Kroger - they had a beautiful new shipment of asparagus! Having it tonight!! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteOur dogs get their meals & treats inside their crates, so when we say, "Kennel up!" there is a mad rush to get there. Never a problem getting our dogs to crate. Yum!
ReplyDeletelove Monas version, played I spy trying to find the unique square, lol, didnt find .(this was a game I played with my grandson at night to settle him down to sleep , put a different quilt on his bed each night he slept over)Hes 21 now, Love your Zoey Jo stories , Have had my puppy 1 1/2 years now, He keeps me young.:)
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