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Saturday, September 12, 2020

A Bit of Friday Funday!


Take a guess what is in this truck!

I have been watching flatbeds and bigger trucks alike, all pulling beautiful pumpkins, squash and gourds from field and farm off to wherever pumpkins, squash and gourds go!

“But it’s too early!” You say.  Not so!  A lot of these go for processing into all of those frozen and bakery made pies – pumpkin season is here!  It can’t say Libby Libby Libby on the Label Label Label (how many of you are singing the jingle now?) until the pumpkin is processed and canned.

This is a definite “Change of the Seasons” moment for me – and I rarely can catch them with my camera fast enough as they rumble down the winding highway, but at this point we were already in the Chevy truck, ready to pull out and head in the opposite direction – I had arranged a special pick up, and caught this truck through the open window as it passed us by.

 

Mission Baker’s Rack has been accomplished!

I have been wanting to put a coffee station outside of the Hen Den at Quiltville Inn for the longest time.  Months.  And I had a baker’s rack in mind – but it had to be one that was large enough to house both the Keurig, and the drip coffee pot, and the electric tea kettle.

The main objective is to keep wanderers out of the kitchen while other folks are in there preparing meals.  As this is a home, not a conference center, and we are limited to vintage kitchen space – traffic flow can be an issue as there is only one door in/out unless you want to go outside and around on the porch.


This is the wall where it will go -

It’s the perfect spot for it.  That door you see is going to be removed (and stored) and there is electric here for the coffee pots on this wall.

Creamer can be retrieved from the extra fridge right through that door – the back entry is right there.  No one will have to go to the kitchen for creamer or coffee.


In it goes!

The ceramic tiles that fit in between the metal spaces are in a box in the back seat riding with Zoey Jo.

We had a great conversation with the previous owner, who is remotely working from home while trying to assist her 4 grand kids with online school as their mother works outside of the home.  All different grade levels, all different personalities, all needing screen time all at once.  While trying to work her own job remotely from home.

My heart goes out to folks in this kind of situation.  I thought I had a lot of plates spinning – this school from home while trying to work sounds like a circus.  But what else are you going to do in the midst of a global pandemic?

Those of you assisting with online school from home with your kids and grand kids – I’m thinking of you today!  I hope you have a restorative weekend ahead.  If you feel so inclined, please share your stories in the comments section below.  We need to know how you are doing it all, so we can encourage others in the same boat.

We drove through and picked up take out dinner, eating it in the truck before tag teaming grocery shopping since we were in town.  Or more like – I stayed in the truck after sending Dave with my list to pick up what we needed and I watched over Zoey.

It was dark by the time we got back, and the rack is sitting on the back porch waiting to be brought inside later today.  I’ll clean it off outside before we bring it in.


Long Day – time to unwind!

This happened last night while I was finishing up the binding on the soon to be revealed Appalachian Autumn quilt.  The sleeve has been sewn down, as has the label.

That means – today I get to start pattern writing.  Whoohoo!  Soon!

But aren’t these two just the cutest?  I love how they snuggle together, all on top of me!  It’s a whole mess of love right here.

Zoey hits a milestone today.  She is 18 months old.  We have had her for 6 months as of today.


I’m sure you saw that we have a Quilter’s Project Planner Gift-Away going on, starting yesterday!  Did you enter to win On That Post?

This tour goes on for a week, with a brand new stop each day, and a new chance for you to enter to win on that stop of the day.  So head over to Yesterday’s Post, enter to win if you haven’t yet, and find the next stop on the tour in the line up list.  Also be sure to back track a bit and hit the couple of stops that came before my day yesterday and enter to win there too.

I have the Quilter’s Project Planner on its way to the Quiltville Store and you can place an order.  

Planners will ship as soon as they arrive - in the order in which they were received.  We are getting them even before my distributor gets them, so you won’t even find these in your local store yet.  Hurry! 

Saturday will find me at the quilting machine, and at the computer for pattern writing, and on the back porch for baker’s rack clean up, and who knows what else.

Anything fun happening for your weekend ahead?


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Vintage Jack's Chain quilt found in West Virginia.

Keep a strong hold on your keys!

Have a wonderful Saturday, everyone!


40 comments:

  1. Thankfully, I'm not trying to work from home right now as I left the military after my oldest was born. Instead, I'm 7 months pregnant and my 4 year old's 4K program through the school district (would've been from 8:30-2:30 every day) was cancelled for the school year. Meaning I'll be home with a 4 year old, 2 year old, and a brand new baby come November. And a dog. So much for our plans, this year has definitely had its own ideas of what was going to happen.

    My sister just finished her first week of virtual kindergarten with her oldest, all while also managing her second child getting ready to start virtual 4K and having a clingy, teething 18 month old.

    I don't think anything about this year will ever be classified as easy, that's for sure. :-/

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  2. I love your quote for today! It is SO true and SO easy to forget. We can't fix anyone, we can just love on them. We could all take a lesson from Zoey & Ivy. Could they be any more different, one a cat, one a dog. And yet they are like two peas in a pod. Thank you for your daily blog. My heart goes out too for those who are trying to school at home on top of everything else. We will all need to "let go" of how we think things should be and just do what we can one day at a time.

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  3. Bonnie your quilts are wonderful and photos of your pets always put a smile on my face. Thank you for giving me a morning lift.

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  4. Hooray for the baker's rack. Our boys are grown and our grandson (4) is fortunate to be able to go to school (pre-K) every day while Mommy works at home and Daddy works at the hospital. But I know ever so many grandparents who are helping wit the virtual schooling so parents can work at home. It truly takes a village.

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  5. There is such a clear message in Zoey Jo and Ivy's relationship. As different as they are, they truly love and accept each other totally. If they can do ths, why can't we humans do the same? "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me"

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  6. Zoey and Ivy are so cute together. I love seeing pictures of them.

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  7. i am just imagining the conversation when Zoey explains to Ivy where she's been and what's been happening all day and why she's so tired and can't they just snuggle together with mom!!! My heart goes out to Emma and those many with multiple kids at home needing home schooling... in my day (how old is she?) we were glad and teary to be able to wave them off to K... while we and the rest stayed home...admittedly I'm not under the kinds of 'stress' and fear that others are... my life is pretty much as it was pre-covid. Of course i cannot get into see my LAQ until Novembr! and only allowed to bring two quilts! She's booked solid! Apparently, there are many of us finishing those WIPs... or even creating new ones... Lookit Bonnie!!! yup... Love, prayers and blessings to all from Cats in Carlsbad, CA.

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  8. Ok, the Zoey + Ivy face-to-face sleepy snuggle is the cutest thing ever.

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  9. Well I am one of those school at home grandmas. My grandchildren arrive each morning Monday through Friday between 6:30 and 7 AM. Mommy is a high school biology teacher. She goes upstairs to our office room to teach virtually each day. My sewing machine has taken a backseat and is in the closet as the sewing table is being utilized by the second grader. The Fifth grader is in another room. And I am chasing the 18-month-old around I’m drying to keep him from bothering his sisters while they are attending school virtually. it’s not going to be an easy school year but we are determined to be as vigilant as possible regarding Covid. So thanks Bonnie or pointing out the sacrifices that parents grandparents teachers and students are making in trying to balance they are activities in 2020. Many of us will be living their quilt life vicariously through you and your readers. I know I won’t get many quilts made this year - but I will rest easy knowing that my children, my grandchildren, and myself are as healthy as possible during this pandemic. Quilt on!

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  10. My daughter had to disable some of the smart devices in their home in order for the 3 children to have enough wifi bandwidth to do their remote schooling. 2 High schoolers and a middle schooler all have to be on at the same time and they live in a pretty rural area. We all thought things were rough back in the Spring because they were in 3 different school levels, but now with 2 at the same High School it appears more difficult because the platform the school is using gets over loaded. Thankfully the county is planning a hybrid system of in school/home school beginning in December, maybe sooner if the plan comes together.

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  11. I homeschooled my kids and worked from home, and sometimes out of the home, the whole time. I think that was much easier than trying to be online with the school system. That’s the circus! I wouldn’t give up that time I had with my boys for anything. They grow up so fast!
    As for today, I’m fighting my back trying to go out, so I’m mostly up and pacing since I can’t sit more than about 10 minutes at a time. Tried sewing yesterday and made it about 15 minutes, but it was very uncomfortable. Don’t know if I’ll try that again today. Went out for a walk around the neighborhood earlier and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Feeling so sad for those on the west coast, dealing with the smoke and fires. My youngest is one of them. Keep waiting to hear if they are evacuating. Hope everyone has a wonderful day and enjoys the beauty of creation today!

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  12. Hanging out indoors today because the wildfire smoke is so thick as to be dangerous. So it's a good quilting day! Love that cute miss Zoey Jo!!!! So so cute!!

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  13. Another quote similar to yours is one my mom used to say: “No one can get your goat unless you show them where you tied it up!”

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  14. Did y0u know that the Libby's canned pumpkin is really canned butternut squash?

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    1. It isn't butternut squash. It is Dickinson Pumpkin developed by Libby.

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    2. I didn't know that!

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  15. Everyone needs to give everyone else (including themselves) grace!! Teachers haven't taught like this (and we weren't taught how to teach like this either), parents aren't trained teachers and kids are in a place we never thought they would be. It is new for everyone, so remember to breathe and give grace. Perhaps this year should have been a gap year for everyone??!! Or a year/months of independent study to learn about something that interests each student and they could teach the whole class about their interest. Zoey and Ivy are so wonderful to see together.

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    Replies
    1. This really captures the whole thing! Grace and gratitude go a long way with all of the stuff that's going on.

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  16. Love that quilt that you used for today's quote!

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  17. Love those pictures of Zoey and Ivy!!
    Your blog is so successful...and I've read comments from you on your blog being afraid you may run out of interesting things ....(which will probably never happen)..but in case you do......take lots of pictures of Zoey and Ivy and have them write your post for you....telling us of a situation they have between themselves and each telling their story with their own perspective. Would that ever be fun.....:):):):)

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  18. Your blog always gives me a lift. From your great photos to the antics of Ivy and Zoe it makes my day. Thanks!!

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  19. I am one of many Grandmas doing the online school with my granddaughter. So far, I am managing the ‘tech’ part with her help. The kids do well with the computer stuff. Honestly, I’m just so happy to be able to keep her safe and happy. My son and dil both are essential workers so they have enough on their plate without worrying about their daughter. It’s not always easy but I consider it a privilege to build such a great relationship with my awesome granddaughter!

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  20. I'm afraid I'm not doing the "help with school" and working thing very well, and my kids are older! My older two are on their own as they are in college. My younger two still need to be followed up on. On top of that, DH's job is in real danger. So the stress in my world is real. But there are others who have it WAY worse than I do, so I'm smiling as best I can and doing all I can to keep all the plates spinning and all the balls in the air. I've followed this blog/my friend Bonnie for a long time and it is one of the things I look forward to and helps to keep me sane. :-)

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  21. Oooh pattern writing! squeee!!! Today along with the rest of this week, we are forced inside due to extremely hazardous air quality from the raging wildfires in Western & Southern Oregon. Instead of harvesting the garden, I'm working on getting my sewing area organized and ready for "quilting season". Yay!!

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  22. Thank you for allowing us a glimpse into your daily life. I have talked with several grandmothers this week helping their children by participating in online learning with their grandkids and it sure has been a challenge. They have certainly come up with some creative ideas for teaching math, science and PE. Warms my heart.

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  23. My grandson is doing his schooling at my house every second week. So far so good. At seven years old he is very independent and prefers we not listen to his class so we decided let him wear headphones, otherwise he kept turning the volume down so we couldn't hear anything, and of course neither could he. Kids! :-) It's amazing how tech savvy all these second graders are!

    Since you were wondering..... On the subject of tea and coffee, I'm a tea drinker and my personal preference would be to have freshly boiled water out of an electric jug than use one of those instant hot water taps. Ick. I probably would do without tea if the tap was the only choice. :-)

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  24. Honestly? Its not working so well doing the schooling thing at home and trying to be the mom,the teacher, the cafeteria, and the janitor! Plus doing my job...dairy farmer. Its a crazy world we are living in!

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  25. That has to be the sweetest photo of Zoey and Miss Ivy! So glad they love each other :)

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  26. Can we see a picture of the new coffee station when its set up? Its so fun to watch the continuing development of all the parts of your life, especially Ivy and Zoey!

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  27. I think Zoey and Ivy"s picture should say..."Imagine all the people, living life in peace...."

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  28. Isn't it wonderful to find just the right piece you need, be able to 'recycle' and to save money, all at the same time? Thank you for sharing photos of Zoey & Ivy - so enjoy those two and their love for each other, wish people were more like them. Your blog makes me smile every day & I'm thankful for it! 2020 can't end fast enough. Wasn't planning on retiring early, but had no choice. On top of that, we live in Northern Californa & one of those fires is only 20 miles away from us (with several others causing air quality here in the "extremely unhealthy range). Our son & daughter both are dealing with online learning with their 'mini me's', with working, and all the other things young families need to do. Thankful no one has lost their job & all are healthy. But I am praying for all those who are dealing with all the stresses, those laid off, those who are fighting fires, and all those dealing with losing homes, the intense smoke & being evacuated because of fire. Horrible times....

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  29. I love your blogs! And the photos of your doggie and cat snuggling? The best!

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  30. I'm a paraeducator at a local elementary school and I am watching the teachers handle the on-line learning like rockstars! Many of them are having to supervisor their own children's on-line learning as well. I feel fortunate that both of my kids are college-age and will be taking their courses remotely from home. Now here is hoping our rural slow-speed internet will support all four of us working or schooling from home!

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  31. I homeschooled my 2 boys for a total of 7 years, middle school and high school after we moved to a rural area. They are now in their 40s. We lived on a ranch in snowy mountains. What a blessing that time was. We schooled with books and workbooks under a program covering. No computers or virtual classrooms. It was such a peaceful time. We met with other homeschoolers once a week for 4 H and other outings. I would do it again in a heartbeat. But I see the stress this virtual state schooling is creating for my grandkids.

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  32. Bonnie, I buy the creamer that does need to be refrigerated from Walmart; it comes in the little tubs you see on the tables in restaurant. I like it because it allows me to have creamer readily available and does not take up space in the refrigerator also I don't run out as fast. You may want to think about using this.

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  33. your bakers Stan is lovely and will look amazing on the wall you have chosen.
    I helped my grandson with his home schooling and found it difficult as he was not cooperative at all.
    He didn’t want to do it and was reluctant. We are fortunate here that out schools are reopened and we are nearly back to normal, but my heart and prayers go out to all of you still dealing with this.
    Love the Zoey and Ivy picture, they are a shining example of love and cooperation, wish we could all learn from this and the world would be a friendlier place.
    Stay safe
    Love and quilty hugs
    Anne xxx

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  34. I love the Jacks Chain. About 20 years ago when I was part of a friendship quilting group, all 8 of us decided to participate in making our own Jacks Chain. We bought a bolt of muslin to divide up between us all. Then we all made stacks of 3, 1 1/2" strips sewed them together and pressed them, then cut into 1 1/2" sets. We did this every week and brought 8 stacks of these sets, and every one gave each person in our group a set of the 1 1/2" sets made up of each of our stash of fabrics. It was sort of a memory quilt sharing all the scrappy fabrics. It was great fun and we each ended up with a Jacks Chain quilt. All 8 of us were hand quilters and quilted together each week. I hope I made some sense of how we shared.

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  35. Love the quote! Problem is, I think someone snatched my keys and made several copies ;)
    As for homeschooling, our granddaughter lives with us. We did virtual learning until June. Then in-school twice weekly. They are back in school full time right now, but with a wild increase in daily cases here in BC, we are not sure how long that will last. Our girl did very well doing the virtual classes, but she really missed being in class. It is a hard choice between safety and risk.

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