This week marks eight years. EIGHT YEARS (!!!) since we moved on into our little cabin on the mountain.
I'm not sure how eight years can fly so quickly, but there in my Facebook memories, there it was - this little collage photo I made showing how things were coming together.
The vintage quilts strewn over the loft railing - My old favorite H quilt taking up residence where it could be seen and enjoyed.
Not much has changed in that department, though we did eventually get rid of the old blue formica countertops in lieu of black/brown granite.
The new appliances?
Well they aren't so new anymore, and the dishwasher is going on the blink with bleeps and dings sounding in the middle of cycles and I fear it is on its last leg. Time for another one.
But not until Hubster Dave is out of his sling, out of the cast that will be applied this next week, and able to use his hands again.
I fear I will be hand washing dishes for a long time to come as there are only two of us, and not having my handyman able to uninstall/reinstall, well, first world problems, you know?
It all seems so insignificant somehow.
Still...eight years. Is that about the lifespan of a dishwasher anymore?
A pretty on the design wall -
Looks like spring!
The weather doesn't feel like spring, however - it's been chilly and extremely windy. Yesterday I chased the BBQ cover off the porch....who knew that thing could billow like a balloon?
Porch decor went back into the garage, because it was blowing all over the place, including the topplying of three rocking chairs.
Mother nature is telling me "Not yet, my love - but soon. Be patient."
*Sigh* Okay. I can wait a while longer, but please stop teasing us with 73 degree days and then bringing us skiffs of snow overnight, PLEASE!?
The sign language quilt top is together!
And check out this Indigo Way is making a big show on the design wall!
Evidence of something Christmassy going on here -
This could be any of us with projects in ziplock bags just ready for retreat - couldn't it?
How many of you have bags stuffed with saved ziplock bags - just waiting to use them for another sewing project?
I know I"m not the only one!
Scrappy Trip around the world - Free Patterns tab
This one made by Ceci!
I love how she biggie-sized her blocks for a quick finish by using 8 strips per block instead of 6. If you haven't made one yet, maybe NOW is the time!
In case you missed it - this happened and is on-going!
My Waterford PDF pattern is now available in the Quiltville Store with an automatic 25% introductory discount good through 3/31/25.
It was inspired by a tile floor I photographed on my last trip to Ireland, when we took our Craftours group to the Waterford Crystal showroom in Waterford.
Waterford measures 80'' X 80'', but is easily made smaller or larger just by changing the number of blocks.
And yes, there is a Gift-Away!
I'll be drawing for two winners who will each receive a Waterford PDF pattern from me and a Notable Neutrals fabric roll from our friends at Cotton to Quilts
Get your entry in on That Post!
We'll draw for those winners on 3/29/25. Whew!
Did you catch this from this post?
My friend Bruce Leonard's newest Hadley Carroll novel Quilt City: Safety Second is joining the line up of other fun quilty mystery titles, continuing the story of Hadley's adventures in Paducah Kentucky.
I'll be giving away 3 copies of Quilt City: Safety Second so head to that post and get your entry in.
I think that catches us up to now.
Yesterday afternoon was filled with a chiropractic appointment for me, and then meeting with the Sewciologists for dinner out on the town. By the time I got home I was fairly exhausted.
Other real life things that came about:
I don't know about you, but as I age the folks that I connect with at the dentist, the doctor, even the person at the post office matter to me. Let's face it - my errands and appointments ARE my social life! LOL!
I found out that two of my favorite assistants at the Chiropractor had either retired, or moved away due to a job change. I will miss those two gals, and wish them the best. I just feel sad that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to either of them.
It just feels like of weird, you know? They did make a difference in my day to day life, and I wished I could have told them so.
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
What kind of sewing am I in the mood for this weekend?
Have a sweet Saturday, everyone!
You are not the only one fooled. Up here in No. MN, we are supposed to get 6-8” (in theory, as they are usually wrong these days) which is fine, because we are also in fire danger. Only in MN….we’ll take all the moisture we can get right now. But, as they say, be careful what you wish for. Same as last year, when we had flooding in June….I still have my Rivana in progress and hope to get back to it soon, so many, so little time…just lock me in the basement…
ReplyDeleteMost appliance dealers will tell you that the new appliances only last seven years. Not 25 like the old ones did. If you get more than that, that's gravy.
ReplyDeleteIn the six years since we lived in this house we have replaced both the washer and the dryer that we bought new at the time and we’ve had to repair the dryer half a dozen times. Our next washer/dry will be Speedqueen. We didn’t have a dishwasher and I don’t really miss it. Fran in Pa
ReplyDeleteWe got Speedqueen for 1st time five years ago and very happy with them no issues....hope that doesn't change that!
DeleteI understand about the social life of "older folks." My eye doctor retired during the C-virus and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to him either after 40 years. Eye exams were more like coffee klatches where we talked about kids and life and eventually got around to looking at eyes. Same thing happens at the dentist. He knows about my teeth but I know about his wife and kids. Most of my practitioners are my age and retiring. I told my hairdresser she can never retire because I know where she lives! I don't have family close-by (and not that many left), "C" shut down my sewing club for good, so my social life is my neighbors (I have great ones!) and the others I talk to at appointments. Senior Day at the grocery store every week is a big deal - I run into a bunch of people I know and talk to. What can you do? Life changes, people go out of it as you age. I try to collect new and younger friends, but it's hard when your lives are at different stages. - Anne
ReplyDeletemy dishwasher died after 5 years, they don't make things like they used to.
ReplyDeleteSandy T.
I have a drawer full of zip lock bags, all sizes that I use and reuse until the zipper breaks or holes happen and they can no longer be used. Did you know that you can write on them with a sharpie marker and when the project is done, simply scribble over the writing with a dry erase marker and the sharpie just wipes off and the bag can be used again. This works on any smooth surface. I love your blue and white quilts.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the inside of your cabin. So pretty with quilts over the rails.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt blocks with squares and HST's behind the Quote of the Day is interesting. I enlarged the picture and could see the beautiful hand quilting. Love it!
Have a great weekend, Jenny
Two years ago my washer stopped spinning so I called the repairperson. The answering service asked a few questions including brand (Sears - Whirlpool) and age (21). The response was : "So you're telling me your washer is old enough to drink!?" Needless to say, I will be happy if my new one lasts seven years!
ReplyDeleteI have lived in my house for 33 years and have well water. I am on my third dishwasher. The hard water even though we have a water softener causes problems. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had to get a new dishwasher a year or so ago, the installer told me they are only made to last about 8 years now. We are such a 'disposable' society! TV's aren't repaired anymore - just tossed and replaced.
ReplyDeletePlanned obsolescence - that's why stuff doesn't last. They want you to buy more. Great for business, not so much for customers. I read a few years ago that a family of 4 who run the dishwasher every day can expect 4-5 years' life out of it. Most dishwashers require you to rinse the dishes ahead of time, which is about half the work of just washing by hand. The only time I miss the dishwasher is after a family gathering. Otherwise, it's a bit of zen time to just wash them by hand. (I didn't come to that place overnight though. LOL) And certainly cheaper than a new appliance! Thanks for sharing your blog! Kathy
ReplyDeleteI have been with you since before the move. I rejoiced with you when you found the inn. Time passes so fast. I must sew a lot faster to feed my hunger for so many quilt patterns. Blessings on you and Dave
ReplyDeletePIZLs! - Projects in Zip Locks. (As opposed to PIGS - Projects in Grocery Sacks) I have used the xtra large one used for sport balls as a holder for my trip around the world fabric. The bag is also useful for carrying various scraps to retreat. I have been known to buy a box just for the sewing room.
ReplyDeleteGot a new Bosch dishwasher installed last fall. They had to install a plug under the sink for it. That's new - they come with plugs now and are not wired in. Don't know how long this unit will last. Had a Bosch before and it was great, ran for about 15 years. New one is having trouble getting coffee mugs clean. It's "top of the line." I'm not messing with it again. Wash the mugs by hand now. Nothing is made the way it used to be. I guess the younger consumers don't know and don't care and put up with it. Meanwhile baby boomers are missing their mom's and grandmom's appliances that were built like tanks.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my new dishwasher last year, the electrician was able to hard wire it like the original and not install a plug for it. Works great.
DeleteWe have a 10 year old dishwasher that we just had repaired. They found a broken wire where the wire comes up through the door. Works great now.
ReplyDeleteMy dishwasher, Kenmore, was new in September, 2000. Serviced just once for a broken shelf bracket. Runs great - fingers crossed after reading the posts. (But its a bit hard to sew this way.)
ReplyDeleteNo,they sure don't make things like they used to! By the time you get used to something it's time to get replaced! Ugh...
ReplyDeleteTime does fly when you're having fun!! :-) There is something about displaying quilts on a balcony like that in a log cabin. Maybe one day, even if it's something that is a vacation spot, I can take a few of my Bonnie quilts and display them for good pictures.
Beautiful stuff coming from the gals. I finally got my "messy monster" quilted. Tomorrow is binding, then it can go home to it's momma. Ha! I'm just ready to get on with what I want to do, not what I feel like are obligations. But, it makes me happy to see someone enjoy something I have made. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :-)
My dishwasher is 23 years old. In fact all my appliances are over 20 years old, except the washing machine (replaced at 27 yrs) and the hot water heater (replaced at 20" yrs). I live alone now, and only run the dishwasher every 2 or 3 days. When it goes, I'll just hand wash the dishes.
ReplyDeleteI spent the day stitching with Guild friends! The Weather behaved today. Yesterday we had a belly washer of rain. Fake spring is happening here. The Tulips are trying to show me their colors., I need some sunshine! 8 years ago I was quilting on a different machine, never thinking of needing a New one. The learning curve is steep at my age.
ReplyDeleteIts been a pleasure to be with you as you ve moved and started your career as an Inn Keeper. Makes me smile when you use that term. You are so much more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your quilting skills and life with us. Even though Im not part of your life, you have become part of mine as thats how I start my day by reading your blog and comments.
I just read that Donna Jordan passed away on the 14th of March. She will be missed in this quilting world. I cried. Another person Ive never met but she did become part of my life by video watching.
Then as you stated those we come in contact with on a peridic basis we come to know. We miss them when they are no longer here.
I just want to express my gratitude for you and those that come to this blog. You are all diffinitly part of my community.
Love all of the quilts shown here and Bonnie thank you for what you have created.
our 2 drawer Fisher-Paykel dishwasher is going strong after 12 years. I like it for 2 people because you can run one drawer at a time. Small loads. Jane S
ReplyDeleteI have a binder of printouts of Bonnie mysteries I have done. In the inside flap on the front cover of the binder are 9 large ziplock bags, labelled BH Mystery clues 1 through 8, plus one labelled “bonus blocks”. They get reused every year.
ReplyDeleteI’ve read several of his books. Would love to read this one
ReplyDeleteI have been telling people "I appreciate you!" when they do anything for me. Sometimes they seem surprised, most just give a thank you.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone just needs a little validation every now and then that they are doing something for good. Everyone from the Walmart or grocery store clerks, anyone that says "May I help you?" - especially friends and family too.
However, I think I am getting a bigger blessing by reminding myself that I have been blessed by this person and the few minutes, or even years, we shared. The world is hurting, and I think ANY kindness, however small or large, will help healing, even if it is just one random person!
I remember when you used to post about going up to the cabin for the weekend and taking some sewing with you to fill in your days. And then the permanent move up there, doesn't seem like it was 8 years ago. i so enjoy reading your blog everyday. Thankyou. Ros from Australia
ReplyDelete