Falling Leaves And A Bit of France!

The ONLY  machine time I got yesterday - and happy for it!

Much attention was being given to the retreat and making sure it was ready for Emily's Stitchers who arrived yesterday afternoon.

There was some excitement as the lawnmower got in a bit of a pickle sliding downhill in the  grass that was still a bit wet from morning dew on that side - and needing to be winched back out with the 4-wheeler to safety before winding up caught in the barbed wire fence that keeps the cattle on the other side.

(If it isn't one thing, it's another.)There were beds to be made, and things to make shiny - 

But come 2pm with 2 hours to spare, I was able to get some sewing and pressing and de-dog-earing on.

The song that kept flipping through my head as I worked on these?

"The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold"

I know I am dating myself, but this was the music my parents were playing as I grew up.

I used to love Johnny Mathis' voice. Just silky and sultry - one of a kind.

No more block making happened...just half-square triangle units.  And more cutting of units.

By the time I got back home after settling in the new group, I found Hubster Dave had "Gone Fishing."  Really.  It's his new thing - fishing by kayak on the New River.

And he had dug out a couple of pork chops that were now thawing on the kitchen counter which gave me enough time to....

MMMMM!

Prepare one of the butternut squashes that Housekeeper Susan had brought me from her garden (I feel so spoiled! I love butternut squash!)

My favorite method of cooking it?  In a Pyrex with a lid...with a small amount of water in the bottom for steam.  Some butter and real maple syrup in the holes, some salt and pepper and bake at 350 until tender.

There is none left.  So simple and good.

I managed to sew on 3 hexies to the next motif last night.  Three.  That's it.  My eyes were closing and I nodded off...next thing I knew I was being encouraged to just go to bed.  So I did.

That was my day!

I guess there are some days that we just feel like we don't accomplish a lot, but in reality when you break it down and look back - we filled up the time with all the necessary things.

I did get my photo album on Facebook loaded with the photos of our time in Strasbourg France.

Here is our city guide singing us a little song!

There are more video clips and photos in the Strasbourg 2025 album.

Evidently the album is too large to embed here, so I linked to it. Hoping you can see it.

Janice is sharing her completed Bear Branch quilt!  Well done, Janice!

It's beautiful!

I have some interested hikers/walkers in this current retreat group and I'm hoping we can get out for a couple of good walks this weekend...including Bear Branch road!

I am so excited about this one!

Stars and colorful scraps were meant for each other! 

Create this stunning star quilt in scrappy pinks and oranges or pick two favorite colors and go with it! Fat-Quarter friendly and Inspired by the beautiful flame azaleas native to my corner of Appalachia. Piecing options, full color photos and graphics and many tips for easy piecing pleasure included.

Quilt size: 80'' X 80''

Introductory Pricing:  The PDF pattern for Flame Azalea is already marked 25% off in the Quiltville Store, No coupon code needed.  Sale good through 10/5/25.

And yes - there is a Gift-Away!

I'll be drawing for two winners who will each receive a Flame Azalea PDF pattern from me, and Facets of Orange color roll from  Cotton to Quilts. (Also great to enhance your Hallween quilting stash!)

They also have Facets of Pink in stock, as well as fabulous Notable Neutrals rolls. Check them out!

Head on over and get your entry in on my 9/23/24 Gift-Away Post!

We'll draw for our winners on 10/5/25.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Smoke and mirrors and pretty photos! Life is more than what we see in our newsfeed. 

Everyone has something going on that we may not know about - just outside of the camera's viewpoint. 

It's time to dial up the kindness. 

Have a terrific Thursday, everyone -