Wednesday Weather Report #189 - 12/30/20

 This, my friends, is the last weather report of the year! You would think after last week's post that I would have something exciting to share. Well, I do but it's not what you were expecting. It's December so work is extra busy and I bring taxes home to prepare for their January arrival to the homeowners. I only have so much personal time left around the  holidays and I chose to spend it working on the mystery quilt this last week. The one I'm abysmally behind on. Ugh.  After this afternoon's year end meeting I'm back to a fairly regular work schedule for a while which means hexies at lunch and during the evenings. Woot!  

This pic is of my mothership station. Just a small folding table in front of the TV with an Ott light. I prefer to work with the bigger pieces on the table to support the weight of the quilt. I am working on the tenth green rosette this week and if this weekend goes like last weekend I should have all 12 finished this weekend. I make no promises tho...

December 23 - 29, 2020
40 - 48 - 29 - 19 - 31 - 35 - 27 F

Did you notice? We had a new low of 19F! I know, I know, I'm still the only weirdo that likes cold and snow but I gotta tell you our December weather was kind of a let down in the snow department. I demand request snow just 2 days of the year: Christmas and my birthday. Christmas barely came through as the snowmadeggen warnings resulted in a whopping inch of snow but I still have high hopes for January!!!

Feline Friday and Merry Christmas - 12/25/20

 

Wednesday Weather Report #188 - 12/23/20

It's been a busy week of finishing custom mask orders, baking, cleaning and wrapping - and I don't really care for 2 of those tasks. As a result of the holiday activities I don't think I've accomplished more than 1 hexie per night and they were not related to my temperature quilt in any way, shape or form. Sad, I know. 

On the other hand, I plan to spend my entire Christmas Day on the couch, in my jammies, hexing and watching DVDs as my family is not getting together this year. It's actually not the worst thing to stay home this year as there is a big storm coming: rain on Thursday, quickly turning to heavy lake effect snow with 3 to 17" possible by the end of Saturday.

December 16 - 22, 2020
25 - 21 - 24 - 32 - 35 - 38 - 34F

I'm almost  embarrassed to show this but this is the current state of my design wall:

This is both my 2019 and 2020 temperature quilts. Can you believe I've been at this for over 3.5 years? I can't!

Depending on how the weekend goes, I hope to get 2019 mounted on it's black background. I'm hoping if I post this here I'll make it happen but who knows what rescue calls the weather will bring and taxes have arrived so I will need to work on that over the weekend as well. With luck, I can get 2020 mounted next weekend - it depends on how much solid black I have in my stash and when the quilt store will reopen after the holidays.

What weather are all y'all expecting for Christmas?

Thursday Weather Report #187 & birthday countdown - 12/17/20

I thought yesterday was supposed to be the coldest day of the week but today's temp is only 21F, proving that theory way off base. We did get some snow last night (my back isn't speaking to me after shoveling for the first time this year) but it will probably melt pretty soon as we are expecting rain and 40s next week. Boooo!

December 9 - 15, 2020
34 - 39 - 55 - 46 - 37 - 34 - 25 F

Today marks the 1 month countdown until my birthday! In other words, if you would like to send me a birthday  cake block and haven't sent one yet, it's time to get on that. You can find the directions here and I can also email you a pdf of the directions if that's easier. 

I've received many cake blocks already, with people telling me more are coming!!! I've gotten 2 black cakes and a red velvet there on the right. There are also cat fabric cakes, hexie fabrics and lots of purple. It's going to be a fabulous quilt. I hope to start stitching on my birthday since I probably won't be able to do anything else thanks to Covid.

Thank you to everyone who has participated so far and thanks to everyone else who sends a block or card. It actually makes the mail fun, especially when all the holidays have been "cancelled".

Feline Friday - 12/11/20

Momma was trying to get a picture of her hexie mystery quilt after she finally picked which green fabric to use. Clue 5 calls for (12) 3 round rosettes so it's gonna take her a while. In other words, I'm not sure what the rush was for a picture...

I'm not sure Momma was as appreciative of my help as she could have been. There was a bunch of growling and hissing. Momma says she learned that from me, from when she's doing something I don't like but she must have made that up cuz I'm a good boi!

See, I'm a very good boi! I made an abstract quilt design!

Yay!!! Progress!!! Momma actually has 4 of the rosettes completely done and 5 more up to the white round. Not everything is attached to the mothership yet but that is on the agenda for this weekend. Unless I decide to sit on Momma's lap - no way can she wrastle that big quilt with all my fluff on her lap. Something was said about pulling out the folding table to work on. I'm down with that cuz it's fun to sit on.

Wednesday Weather Reports #184, #185 & #186 - 12/9/20

Our weather has been a little all over the place lately. I'm not surprised as the seasons or months don't seem to mean certain kinds of weather any more. We had a little snow this morning but we are also looking for a possible 50 later this week. In other words, anything can happen...I mean it is 2020 so, again, I'm not surprised...

 

Week #184
November 18 - 24, 2020
29 - 55 - 62 - 42 - 33 - 38 - 35 F

Week #185
November 25 - 30, 2020 :: 47 - 51 - 45 - 40 - 51 - 40 F
December 1, 2020 :: 35 F

Week #186
December 2 - 8, 2020
36 - 43 - 43 - 33 - 30 - 29 - 31 F

The Bibliophile Files - 12/8/20

Hello and welcome to the last Bibliophile Files of the year. It's been a good reading year as I've now finished 95 books when my goal was only 90. With 3 more weeks in the year I'm hoping to get several more finished too. How have all y'all come on your reading goals for the year? If you don't have one yet, I encourage you to open a free goodreads.com account to track your books and get suggestions for new ones. I have the app on my iPhone and use it several times a week.

FINISHED
     After Anna
     Blue on Black
     The Poachers Son
     Chile Death
     Nightwoods
     A Cold & Lonely Place
     A Better Man
     Bring Me Back
     The Bitterroots
     When No One is Watching
     The Fallen

IN PROGRESS
     The Midnight Line

And now it's your turn to share what you've been reading. Anything counts: novel, magazine, quilt pattern or cereal box.

I'm so unorganized

Hi all - just wanted to check in and say all is fine.  I've just been busy and unorganized and, sadly, the blog has been neglected. I promise to come back next week, bright eyed and bushy tailed, to catch up on the weather quilt, Zorro, Bibliophile files, the mystery quilt I'm working on and the scads of masks I am making for a bazaar this weekend. Please let them sell or I'm going to have the best and biggest mask wardrobe in the whole county!!

Cya all soon!

Feline Friday - 11/20/20

 Momma says these are my sleepy, bedroom eyes...

I'm pretty sure I was just enjoying those crunchy leaves and squinting in the sunny sun...

Mystery Hexagon Quilt

It will come as no surprise to several people that I started another hexie project. LOL.

It's a 16 clue mystery project hosted by jemimascreativequilting.com. We had the choice of fabrics and paper sizes - mine are 1" because it allowed me to fussy cut my inspiration fabric and end up with a bed sized quilt. The clues are posted every fortnight so you still have time to join in.

I started with the fabric in the back to pull my colors

I found out about the project after it started so I was already late to the game when clue 5 (a doozy of a clue) was posted. 

Clearly, my sleepy assistant has helped pick the black & white fabrics

Clue 6 was just posted this weekend and here I am still finishing clue 3. I just have to remind myself to take one bite of the elephant at a time and enjoy the process. 

These are so not my normal color combo and I am loving every minute of it. Clue 4 will be more of the wine color and then 5 brings in the dark green. I will be near a non-local store this weekend and hope to pop in to see if they have a green I can fussy cut, otherwise I'll be using the minimal strip I have on hand.

Wednesday Weather Report #183 - 11/18/20

 We had a wind and rain storm create a little havoc Sunday evening...

It was hard to show in the picture but the top left & right edges of the bricks were leaning away from the wall. Shortly after the photo was taken Monday morning, the loose bricks were removed and the wooden wall was covered with plastic sheeting to protect it from yesterday's snow. Thankfully the bricks fell on the weekend instead of when cars are parked in the bank lot!

The building currently houses a bookstore/cafe, cable access, CPA and architect. This postcard is postmarked 1907 and shows a grocery store on the bottom floor - I'm not sure what was upstairs. The building to the right (now a parking lot) was a hotel before it burned.

November 11- 17, 2020
65 - 45 - 49 - 44 - 50 - 39 - 33 F

PS - as of yesterday it's 2 months until my birthday!! So far I have received cake blocks from Australia, Norway and several States in the US. There is still a lot of time to participate as I don't expect to start sewing them together until my birthday in January. I was hoping for a big party but I think we'll be on lockdown again so sewing will keep me busy in the snowstorm I'm hoping for. LOL. I promise to share pictures of the received blocks soon...

Feline Friday - 11/13/20

Happy Friday the 13th!!!

Last weekend Momma bought a new old chair. She thought it would be nice for a plant or a Christmas decoration. GrandMomma says it would be nice with a little quilted seat cushion. 

I think it’s nice when I sit on it!

(Momma promises to share again when the cushion is done for her my chair)

Wednesday Weather Report #182 - 11/11/20

Happy Hump Day! Happy Veterans Day! Happy Mayflower Day!

I heard your rumblings - where did that last one come from? Left field?

Long story short  - today is the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower arriving in the US and I am a descendant of Stephen Hopkins who first arrived in Jamestown and then went back to Europe to return on the Mayflower on 11/11/1620. 

However -- I was Monday's days old when I found out that my friend Denise is also a descendant of the same man. Is that not wild?! We met years ago through our blogs and have a shared  love of hexies/quilting, cats, choco, tea, birds and so many other things. When they say it's a small world, they really mean it!

November 4 - 10, 2020
67 - 67 - 69 - 70 - 71 - 75 - 76 F

Feline Friday - 11/6/20

 Nope. Don't want my photo taken. I'm busy taking a bath.

Nope.

Nope.
Not gonna look no matter how many times you call my name.

Wednesday Weather Report #181 - 11/4/20

October 28 -31, 2020 :: 45 - 45 - 35 - 41 F
November 1 - 3, 2020 :: 47 - 34 - 41 F

We are experiencing all the weathers this week - we often joke locally that if you don't like the weather then give it 5 minutes and that could very well be true!

Monday

Tuesday.
It was a stunning sunset under a very dark cloud.
I clearly didn't take it while driving - I even
told my iPhone I wasn't driving so I could access the camera. LOL.

Wednesday - it's a high of 68 today with possibly higher/record setting temps this coming weekend.

=======================================================================

Long before cars were widely available, horses were the only means of transportation and those horses would get thirsty. The Village of Perry had 2 water troughs for the horses.

Northern water trough in the bottom right of the card 
This photo is looking south
Someone wrote (in purple pen?!) 1903

Northern trough is just visible on the left, behind the horses
Photo is looking north
postmarked 1909
Robeson Cutlery is on the right - we'll discuss them another day.
One the left is a tannery that is rumored to have been part of the Underground Railroad

Northern trough, looking north

Southern trough, facing west where the Silver Lake Outlet runs under Main Street

The plaque reads: 

Historic Water Trough
This water trough was originally installed on
Main Street in the year 1896. A second trough
was located further down the street. These
troughs served a vital role in satisfying the
thirst of horses and others before the advent of
the automobile. The troughs were removed
 and stored for decades to preserve this iconic
part of Downtown Perry. As part of the Main
Street Improvement project of 2016, this
trough was restored to its original location.

The Bibliophile Files - 11/3/20

 It was another good month of reading here at Casa Grande.

I'm now 9 books ahead of schedule for my annual reading goal and should probably finish my current book tonight. Well, I hope I finish it as I'm dying to know who dunnit and why. 

FINISHED
     Firestorm - I found this old book while looking for another book with a similar title. I wasn't keen on the unexpected paranormal angles but as the daughter and sister of firemen I enjoyed the arson investigator part of the story even if it was a little thin.
     Something in the Water - When the book description says their choice (about what's in the water) will trigger a devastating chain of events, it's never a good thing. There were plenty of "well duh" moments and twists. Good but not a favorite.
     The Operator - watch out for this nosy operators, they don't let rumors die - especially when it is about their own family.
     Weather - meh. Keep looking - this isn't the book for you.
     The 17th Suspect - another good book in this series.
     The Sacrament - I enjoyed another Icelandic book by this author but the mixed up timelines could be a little confusing if you didn't pay enough attention. The constant notes on the nun not being up to date with technology were superfluous to the story.
     I let You Go - Oh hello!? A happy little story bookended with a terrible story which has ... wait for it... a twist! LOL. 
     I Can Only Imagine - I ordered the (short) book and the DVD from the library at the same time. I'm so glad I read the book first as a lot of the details were left out of the movie to fit the typical movie length. The book has more of a religious undertone than the movie but it's not preachy or pushed down your throat - it's just the story of his life and how religion helped him cope with an abusive dad.

     The Hunting Party - the story of these affluent, snobby, old-time friends and one of them being murdered, is told out of order, leaving the middle until the end. I think the epilogue was superfluous but I really liked the book as a whole.

IN PROGRESS

     After Anna - the story is not told chronologically and each chapter is from a different character's viewpoint. It's a fantastic way to tell a story that would probably be boring if told in the proper order - I'll find out when I get it finished.

And now it's your turn to share - what have you read recently? Anything counts: novel, magazine, quilt pattern or cereal box!

Feline Friday - 10/30/20

 Hiya! TGIF!! 

Wanna see my Halloween Costume?!

Ok - so that's not really my costume - either one of them. Momma tried to get photos last night but I wasn't having it, despite liking one of them 2 weeks ago. 

Gotta keep Momma on her toes right? 

She thinks she'll get a picture tomorrow for next week's post. I'm pretty sure all she is gonna get is a cranky cat cuz she never lets me outside on Halloween. 

Wednesday Weather Report #180 - 10/28/20

 Y'all are in trouble now...

Long story, short, several college students stopped in to my office yesterday with questions on some old buildings in the town where I work. I was telling Dad about it later and he said I should bring in his binder of antique postcards to show them when they come back. That gave me the idea to use the postcards along with the current pictures I've been taking to make the weather reports more interesting. 

I only had this idea about 30 minutes ago so today's photos won't have much history but I'll try to do better next time. Dad also has several binders of cards for the town where I live so there will be lots of old pictures to come. 

This card, postmarked 1911, shows Main Street between Lake and Covington Streets. I didn't bring my loupe with me to study the photo but I'm pretty sure the awning says there was a grocery store on the corner. The second store from the left is probably a ladies dress shop. It appears to be a dirt road and there are several horse drawn wagons for transportation. The church steeple in the background is no longer there - maybe some day I'll share some church photos.

October 21 - 27, 2020
69 - 54 - 76 - 43 - 45 - 47 - 47 F

There is no postmark or date on the above card but I would guess 1950s or 60s based on the clothes and cars. The Perry Fire Department is shown in some kind of parade. You can now see the grocer has been replaced with Rexall Drugs on the corner and then Family Furniture. 

I hope you giggle, as I did, about the mini cars while I was trying to take the panograph. Family Furniture now spans three store fronts. To the right is an insurance business and then a hair salon to complete the block. 

I quick ran over to the Furniture store to try to get some dates for the color postcard or when they opened or expanded but the gal on hand didn't have answers. If I find out, I will add them to the post. 

I hope you enjoy this new idea for posting. If you have suggestions for any aspect of the posts I am open to ideas. Happy Hump Day!

Wednesday Weather Report #179 - 10/21/20

After last weekend's frost and the voluminous rain this week, it appears it's time to bite the bullet and put my ADK chair away for the winter. I know, it's also time to rake leaves but we need to dry out first...

This week's hexies show that we have definitely moved on to fall. Yet we also have a few snow showers predicted for next week. The temps aren't really supposed to be that low so I won't hold my breath on the first snow of the year.

October 14 - 20, 2020
59 - 69 - 46 - 57 - 55 - 49 - 47 F

Eek! I bought myself a birthday gift! I've always stayed away from BOM programs as they seem expensive but when I saw how many different Tula fabrics were included in this kit (that I wouldn't have to buy individually) and the color placement was all planned out it was a no brainer for me. It'll be an easy project with little thinking on my part. Sounds like a good plan for what I'm sure my favorite (and only) brother will now call an "over the hill" quilter. LOL. 

And I'm wayyyyy behind on sharing but over the Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Weekend I finally pulled the papers and spray basted this doll quilt. The colored triangles were a swap from Hexie Club and then I added my own neutral to bring it all together.

So many papers to pull.
And now to press them all for reuse.
I have 2 more kaleidoscope projects planned.

It's always a bonus when you have the perfect
 sized batting chunk just waiting for a purpose.

I couldn't resist - it matches the colors on the front perfectly and it's cats.
I really could have just started and stopped with it being cats. Right?!

Feline Friday - 10/16/20

 Is okay, Momma, I keep your toes warm while the house is still chilly!!

Wednesday Weather Reports #177 & 178 - 10/14/20

 Clearly job#2 is getting in the way of my stitching and social media time. I just have to remember it will finish soon and I can get back to "normal".

The storm (much more ominous in person) I wanted to share with last week's report. I just love the contrast of a dark sky with bright fall leaf colors.

Report #177
September 30, 2020 :: 56 F
October 1-6, 2020 :: 56 - 56 - 55 - 55 - 56 - 60 F

Report #178
October 7 - 13, 2020
60 - 53 - 64 - 73 - 55 - 62 - 55 F

Feline Friday - 10/9/20

No worries Momma - I'm just practicing my candy kerchief for Halloween.

What kind of treats do you think the neighbors will have this year? Could you tell them I like the crunchy treats with the soft centers?! Thanks! Love you Momma!