This is what was in my SSCS package from Liz at http://luv2cre8te.blogspot.com/ . I'm looking forward to using everything. Stop by and see her she is very talented.

While many were working on the mystery quilt at quiltville.com I was working on this quilt which I have decided to call Christmas Cards. It is a Winning Hands quilt the pattern is by Eleanor Burns so since I worked on it over Christmas I thought Christmas Cards would be a good name. I still have to figure out borders. I'm trying to decide if I should do a border with the print and then a black one or if I should do a black one with the outside border being the print. What do you think?

Lately, when it is meal time the Rosie Cat has decided that she should get something to eat also. So she climbs up in a chair at the table and begs. She watches every move we make and every so often she gets very vocal about being left out. I'm thinking I should put a phone book in the chair so she can sit up higher. Sometimes when she can't stand it any longer a paw comes up and stretches trying to reach anything she can. She has also recently taken a liking to DH. The other night she climbed into his lap and spent the evening. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of that.

Let Christmas Begin

Today my SSCS gift from Liz arrived after it's sightseeing trip. Since I moved this year my old address was the one that was given so the package first went to my old address in WA. Luckily my son is living in our house and checking our mail so I was able to call him and ask if a package from Australia had shown up for me.

He says;" I just got something that says I have to sign for a package."

So I told him he needed to go to the Post Office before he went to work and have the package forwarded on to me at the new address. So on Friday last he makes it to the post office to forward the package. He tells the postal clerk that he has a package he needs to forward to Idaho for his Mom.

Two packages are put on the counter, and the boy being in a hurry to get to work says," What's the matter with Margaret she knows Mom moved to Idaho why is she sending her something here". (He didn't read the address to see that it is addressed to him) So he proceeds to put labels on both packages and sends them off to me. On his way to work he calls me to tell me he has sent two packages on to me.

Two packages, I say. Who are they from?

He replies, "One was an international package and the other one said Merry Christmas from Mike, Margaret and Andrew."

I ask was that one a long, fairly flat red one?

Yes, says he.

I, being the wonderful Mother that I am, say, "Son, you should have read the label. We just got one like that yesterday from Margaret so you just sent us your Christmas present from her. (as I fall in the floor laughing)

He says in horror, : "OH, no I'm a re-gifter!" To top it all off it is sausages and cheese which he loves.

So now my SSCS gift has arrived and here is a picture of my ornament from Liz. Thank you very much Liz I will think of you every year when it goes on the tree.

Winning Hand

I've been working on a Winning Hand quilt which should finish about double size. This is a picture of one the blocks. It's the first time I have made this pattern using a black background. So far I am liking it very much.

We have been having cold weather but lots of sunshine. Miss Emma has been spending most of her day watching her own shadow. She is so easily entertained. When she takes her nap you can usually find her under the top quilt on the bed.

Bonnie Hunter over on Quiltville is doing a mystery quilt. I am saving the instruction so I can make it later. So far I am liking what I am seeing and I am looking forward to making this quilt. It's not to late to join in. This pattern will only remain on her site for a short time and then it will be retired. It is a work at your own pace mystery and if you like scrap quilts this is the place to be.

How Pumpkin Pie is Made

I just received this from a friend. Thought you might enjoy it as much as I do. I'll never look at Pumpkin Pie the same way again. lol

Happy Thanksgiving

It's been awhile since I posted. I finished the curtains I was making.

The Roses are the new curtains I made for the MBDRM and the red are the ones I made for the living room.

Dh arrived back from WA on the 11th and has been sick since he arrived home. I finally got him to go to the Doctor yesterday. He now has some pills to help him get better I'm hoping by this time next week he will be back to himself again. He had a few moments this morning with Miss Emma. She liked laying on his lap in the sunshine. She doesn't like to lay on your lap unless you have a quilt on it.

Tomorrow we will have turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy and a vegetable or two. It's the first Thanksgiving in several years that I haven't cooked for 8 - 12 people. I have mixed feelings about that as I'll miss the game playing and my sister's creative pie cutting. Maybe next year they will come to visit for the holidays. Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.

End of a Perfect Day

Today was probaby the last glorious fall day for the year. Temps were 65 to 70 degrees depending on where you were located. The clouds have started to move in and tomorrow we will be getting temperatures 15 to 20 degrees lower with rain. I just looked out the window and witnessed a beautiful sunset to share with you. I have missed the desert sunsets.
I found some beautiful fabric that I am thinking of using to make a Card Tricks Quilt. I'll post a picture as soon as I have a couple of blocks constructed. Enjoy your evening.

Happy Halloween

Here in Idaho they build straw mazes in the month of October. I haven't been to one, but every time I go into town I drive by this one on the highway. Right next to it is this one and the sign that is next to it has blown over because it has been breezy here the last 3 or 4 days. What the sign says is "Maze for blondes". So here's wishing you all a peaceful and fun Halloween and don't forget to set your clocks back. I'll leave you with this thought I saw on the sign at one of the vet offices in town:

You can tune a piano, but you cannot tune a fish.

A Beautiful Day

Today was a beautiful day. It was what October is supposed to be. The last week the trees here have started to turn colors. This is in our back yard this morning. The second picture is looking from the front of the house. Last week the mountains had snow on them which has now almost all melted. The third picture is one I took last week while they were harvesting the potatoe field just down the road from us. The birds are seagulls looking for bugs from the freshly turned earth. We are about 2.5 hours from Salt Lake City which is where the seagulls come from. It seems strange to see them here in the desert.

Last night I finished a shawl, but will have to post pictures of it later. I'm making a couple for gifts for Christmas so until they are given they shall remain a mystery. Hard to believe there arel only 69 days until Christmas. I'd better get busy or I won't be ready in time.

A Quick Note

In the midst of unpacking I have been busily working on my SSCS project. It is coming along nicely. I've also been knitting dishcloths in the evenings while I watch t.v. I came up with my own pattern because I didn't really care for the patterns I tried. I just cast on 27 stitches and knit every row until I have 48 - 52 rows, then I cast off, do a round of single crochet, and a row of double crochet and call it done. They have sold very well at craft shows and the people I have taught to do them also have good sales. Feel free to give them a try. Well, back to unpacking I think these boxes are related to rabbits.

Crazy Weather

Still haven't unearthed my card reader so I can upload new pictures yet. However, I do have some on file I can use. The reason I bring this up is Kristie at the Cowgirl Quilter asked "What Is On Your Bed", so I went looking for a picture of the quilt on the bed. I have two scrappy quilts on the bed at the moment, but only have a picture of the top quilt. The lump is Emma taking her afternoon nap. If the weather keeps up as it has been we will be adding a third quilt to the bed. So what is on your bed as winter approaches?
The weatherman here says we have had the second warmest September on record and as soon as October hit the temps have been 12 - 15 degrees below what they usually are this time of year. I guess the weather we have been having the last week doesn't usually get like this until Thanksgiving. We had snow the 4th of October which melted in a couple of days.
I have been working on a quilt from Bonnie Hunter's website called Blue Ridge Beauty. I'm hoping to get it pieced and ready to quilt when we bring the quilting machine down in the spring. What have you been making? Have you already started on Christmas gifts? I have started knitting a shawl for a gift, but so far that's about it. Well, guess I'll go snuggle in bed with a couple of quilts and a book for awhile.

Alive and Well

Here I am in Idaho finally. I have been back to WA to finish packing up the kitchen, loaded boxes in the truck drove back down to Ontario, OR to meet DH. We left the big truck parked at a motel and drove across OR to go to our nephew's wedding in Redmond, OR, had a good time and drove back to Ontario where DH got in the big truck and drove up to WA to get his music room and computer packed up to bring down before we dig in for the winter. I drove back down to the house because we had left the cats with water, food and a clean litter box for 3 days. So I have been back for a week unpacking and trying to find places to put everything. DH should be leaving WA sometime this week to head home. While he has been in WA, DS, the girlfried and DH have all come down sick with a cold/flu.
This morning I woke up to snow here in Idaho. I have taken pictures, but so far I haven't found my card reader so I can download the pictures to the computer. As I just looked out the window it is snowing still. Idaho now feels like home and I feel like a visitor familiar with the area when I go to WA. I have even found a quilt group to join which meets next week. I am really looking forward to that I am more than ready to get back to quilting again. I'll add pictures as soon as I can. More later.

Trip #5 made

Greetings from Idaho. We have now made 5 trips between Washington and Idaho moving everything into the new place. I came down on Wednesday in order to miss the rain predicted for WA starting at midnight. I was having a really nice drive and was almost to LeGrande, OR which is half way. I was loaded with boxes and climbing the Blue Mountains almost to the top when I came around a curve and there in the middle of the road was a deer. I had a car on my left and a semi on my right and no place to go. Unfortunately, I hit the deer. I had the cats with me and they never made a sound. The man in the car on my left pulled over and helped me check out the truck which has quite a bit of damage to the front end and thanked me for not swerving into him. The truck was running okay so I continued on my way and made it into Rupert at 5 am. The insurance company has already sent some one out to do the claim and he has the parts ordered to fix it. I should have it back by the 16th looking like new. I felt bad hitting the deer, but my only other choice was to hit the man on the left of me. It was such a nice drive until then. At least I am okay and I didn't hurt anything except the deer.

On a more cheerful note - this time we brought furniture so it will really feel like home as soon as we get the truck unloaded and things put in place. Looking forward to staying in one place for awhile. We'll probably make one more trip the first of October to finish up some things in WA and then we should be fairly well done until spring to pick up whatever is left that we probably really don't need, but we'll bring down here to go through and end up getting rid of most of it. We do have some peaches on the dwarf peach tree in the back yard I'll take some pictures of them.

Remember Me

We've been really busy trying to finish up with this move. We've moved almost everything but the furniture which we will be moving this trip. We had some cement poured so that we can built the sunroom between the house and the quilt room. It will be nice to sit in the sun this winter without having the cold and wind. The cats will enjoy having a good view of the birds.

I did manage to get some sewing time this trip. I completed a Christmas top I purchased as a kit from either Mary Maxim or Herschenners I can't remember which. I also made new curtains for the kitchen window. They really brighten up the room. I'm going to use the same material and make some for the dining room when we go back. I took extra time and lined up the checks so they are even. That took some doing because it certainly wasn't printed on grain.

I caught Miss Emma enjoying the sun coming through the living room window. I forgot to take the scratch pad for the cats so DH took a spare pad and used it for a guide and made a holder for the pad. It worked really well and the cats enjoyed using it to sharpen their claws. It is really nice to have a handy husband.

I hope to return to blogging on a more regular basis soon. Life should be settling down to a slower pace in the very near future.

Made it another year

We've had a busy couple of weeks here. Last weekend we had Famous BBQ and had friends over to share it with. My son, his girlfriend and her parents and the people we bought the refrigator from.

The boy thinks it's really funny that we invited people we didn't know well. It's like this - We purchased a used refrigerator to use in the new house until we move our appliances down. So when we went to pick it up we learned that Cindy and her husband Ron, Emily the daughter and the granddaughter (sorry I don't know how to spell the baby's name) are are from Asheville, NC which is 40 miles from where my DH is from (the Famous BBQ chef). We started talking about food and one thing lead to another and we said, "As soon as we come back from our trip to Idaho Carl was making his famous BBQ and we'd invite them over if she would bring a banana pudding." So we gave them a call and they came over. When Megan and her parents drove in they wondered whose car that was and Megan said, "Oh that's probably the people they bought the refrigator from". I don't know why, but for some reason they think that is just to funny.

This Saturday was my birthday. It was a fairly quiet day we had some pineapple upside down cake and ice cream and played some games. Sunday I was invited over to Megan's (the girlfriend) parents house for dinner and we broke in my new Super Scrabble game. So when the movie Julie and Julia comes out my son will take me to see that. All in all it was a nice weekend. So now I'm back to packing we have the truck half loaded for the next trip. I think the cats know a trip is in their future they've been keeping a close eye on the packing. Talk to you all soon.

Walcott State Park

Yesterday afternoon while we flooded the yard here in Idaho we decided to drive out to the park for a couple of hours. The park is only 12 miles from the house so it is a nice drive. We had the park to ourselves so I took some pictures and then we enjoyed the piece and quiet to read awhile. I did get a picture of this Screech Owl

and some nice views of the park. The park has several really nice old trees. You can launch your boat, and camp if you have an RV. The lake is right on the snake river. I know more than you wanted to know about a park.

We've been here in Idaho for about 2 weeks so we will be heading back to WA this weekend so we can load up and come back down. Slowly we are getting it done. I'm sending this from my early birthday present. My husband bought me an HP 17" laptop. The office Vista program is taking some getting used to I have used Windows XP for so long I am comfortable with it. Take care I'll talk to you soon.

July in Idaho

Here we are once again in Idaho. So far the weather is hot with thundershowers. I'll be taking pictures but once again they will have to wait until I get back to WA for me to post them. I am still using the computer in the library. We did sign up for Dish so we can watch the news while we are here. They should hook that up on Tuesday morning. Internet will have to wait until we are here more. So I haven't fallen off the face of the earth just temporarily moved my location.

More Pictures from Idaho

While we were in Idaho we went to an Estate Sale and purchase this solid Oak dining table with 5 chairs. It is in very good shape and we are quite please to get it since we have been looking for quite awhile for one. Now to find an Oak China Hutch.

We also learned the ins and outs of flood irrigation. It is definately a learning process to get the water where you want it to go. This is how they do it in the field next door. I don't suppose we could afford the same set up for our 3+ acres.

Next post I'll post some pictures of Memorial Day in the Rupert Square.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Wasn't that a line in a nursery rhyme? We arrived back in WA on Sunday night to record temps for this time of year, only to discover that the air conditioning wasn't working. It has been a long 4 days of heat and trying not to move to much. Today we have cloud cover and much cooler temps.


Our trip to ID went very well traveling the first time with 3 cats. We stopped in Boise for the night going down. The girls were restless and jumpy but otherwise they did okay. Lucy found a place where she thought she was hidden.


All three cats were really glad when we arrived at the new house. Took them about 3 days to settle down. Lucy was still having a little trouble feeling secure when I found her in the bathtub. Emma made herself comfortable after a couple of days while Rosie took a little longer.





We managed to get a door put into the room where I will be quilting. Before you had to go down the stairs into the shop and then go upstairs to get into the room. It had no doors or windows in it. We've added a door so once we get the sun room finished I'll be able to go from the house through the sun room directly into the quilt room. I'll be able to show you pictures once we get a couple of windows put in there is no light at the moment. We have to finish the wiring, put in insulation, drywall, then paint and put down a floor.

The good looking man (DH) is on his way to NC for his 45th high school reunion on the 12th. He will then go to Pittsburgh to see the grandkids and daughter unit. He took my older camera so hopefully he will remember to take lots of pictures. When he returns we load up the truck and head back to ID to get some of the work done so we can finish up with the moving.

Sorry this is so long, but couldn't post any pictures from the library computer. I've noticed that I have 102 posts but my give away will have to be a bit later on. Once I have been able to unpack I'll be able to have a giveaway so I'll keep thinking on it so it will be extra special and you keep checking to see when it happens.
Now I'm off to the quilt store and the knit shop while I am on my own and unsupervised.

A Quick Hello

We are once again in Idaho. It is sunny and warm. This time we brought the cats with us since we plan to stay 2 weeks. They traveled much better than I thought they would and are still getting used to the house. I've been taking pictures which I will post once I get back to my own computer. I'll be checking in every few days from the library.

Happy Mother's Day

Hope your Mother's Day was enjoyable. Mine was very enjoyable. My husband gave me the Fuji S1500 digital camera and some new shirts. My son took me, his girl friend and her mother to the race track for the Mother's Day Brunch and the races. We had a good time learning how things worked and donating our money. I also rec'd a gift card to Joann's.

Earlier this week I quilted a pretty baby quilt that I want to sell on my ETSY site. I still need to put the binding on it. I used a mint green flannel for the back. This was a kit I bought at the quilt shop and it went together really fast.

Earlier this week we purchased medium size cat carriers so that when we head to Idaho next week we can take the cats with us. I left one in the living room on the floor so Emma and Lucy could check it out and get used to it. They spent most of the morning circling it and smelling every inch of it. I need to make a cushion to go in the bottom of each one for them. It will be very interesting to see how they travel. It would be nice if they take to it right off and don't drive me crazy since they all get to ride with me.

Well, it has been a long day so I guess I'd better call it a night. I'll check in from the library while we are gone.

Longest Move in the History of the World

I sure will be relieved when we are finally moved and I can move forward to something else. I'm sure you will be also. We finished taxes and got them in the mail with a couple of days to spare. Then we packed some more boxes in between Dr and dentists appointments.


In between all that I even managed to quilt a couple of customer quilts. This is one of them ready to go back to the customer. The photo doesn't really do it justice it has some really lovely colors in it.

I should be back to post on a regular basis soon I hope. Stay tuned.

What's Your Favorite Birthday Cake?

The favorite cake in our house is a Pineapple Upside Down Cake followed by German Chocolate Cake which is a close second. This is for my son's birthday cake. His birthday is the 15th of March, but this year his girlfriend threw a party at the Mexican resturant and there was German Chocolate Cake. So he lucks out and gets two cakes this year.
So my question for you is What is your Favorite cake - Birthday or otherwise?

The Dreaded Income Tax

Once again I've put off until the last minute doing taxes. I always tell myself that I will do better in the coming year and have everything ready to get them done as soon as possible and not wait until the last minute. It's a lovely dream world I live in. So the schedule C is done and now we have to do the 1040 and get it in the mail before the 15th. On to other things.

This morning while standing in the living room I turned my head and say these babies standing right outside the window. By the time I grabbed my camera and took the picture they were out by the drive. First time we have seen them this year. Haven't seen Mom or Dad yet.

I'll be back when all the paperwork is done and in the mail. Talk to you later.

Monday Excitement

Today I went to the post office to collect all the mail being held while we were gone. My package from the Chocolate Cat had arrived and here is a picture of what it contained. Starting top left there are some summer napkins, a Souvenir Apron, a lovely pins and needle keeper made with birds fabric, some toothpicks and a couple packets of coffee, a Koala Bear key chain, and four Cherry with coconut candy bars. The blue paper they are sitting on is what they came wrapped in. What a nice way to start the week. Thank you very much Lise. My husband loves toothpicks and coffee.

Yesterday morning brought some more snow. It seems like Winter just isn't ready to give up yet. I am so way past ready for Spring. It wasn't deep and by afternoon it was mostly gone. In the 25 years we have live in WA I don't ever remember having this much snow or having any this late in the year. My sister swears it is the ice age making a comeback. If that is the case I'm going to make alot more quilts to be ready.

BACK TO WASHINGTON

We arrived home about 1:30am this morning. It was a long trip, but it's good to be home again. The cats missed me.

While we were in Idaho I managed to get the binding on this customer quilt and get it mailed off to her. She called me and told me how pleased she was with it. I was glad to hear it because I really liked this one. I think I have enough material left to make another one. BTW this is the quilt I made with the material posted in a previous post.

We were having breakfast one morning and when I looked out the window I saw this guy walking through the yard. I quickly grabbed the camera and managed to get a picture. He's the largest Pheasant I have ever seen.

The next two pictures I thought were interesting and I hope you also find them interesting. The first one is looking out the living room windows and this is what we see. Then the same morning I saw the Pheasant from the dining room window I also noticed this tree in the back yard. I had seen a picture on another blog called I Live On A Farm and she had taken a picture of a tree that had two of these eye like knots on it. So here is my tree.

So once taxes are filed we will load up the truck and do it all again. I hope by that time spring will have arrived and it will be a little warmer. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

March in Idaho

We have been in Idaho since Thursday. This was a quick trip to start moving the things that are packed. It has been an interesting trip so far. We have had snow, strong cold wind and sunshine. When you can see them the mountains are beautiful all covered in snow. I've taken some pictures, but they won't be uploaded until we get back home.
I did manage to finish the quilt I was making for a customer so that picture will also be uploaded later. Just wanted to check in so you wouldn't think I had fallen off the face of the earth. I'll post again soon.

Birthday Give Away

Bob at www.superiorthreads.com is having a giveaway in honor of his birthday this month. If you haven't tried their threads you should give them a look. I have started using them in my sewing machine and on the quilting machine and I especially love their So Fine for that. I have also used the King Tut for machine embroidery. Check them out you won't be sorry.

A Sunny Good Day To You

It has been awhile since my last post. I've been busy working on 4 customer quilts this week and making a list of everything we have to take with us when we head for Idaho the end of the month.

I have a baby quilt to make for a customer and get in the mail before we go. Here are the fabrics I am using. Care to guess what they will turn into?

Tomorrow I am going into town to sit and sew with my sister. She teaches a quilting class for seniors and I thought it would be fun to sew and visit. Hopefully, I will have a picture for you tomorrow so you can see what the fabrics grew into. Okay I am off to the quilt room to finish the last quilt for my customer.