Ok...I lied

1 more post today.

I dug this fabric out, which I've had for years and have no clue when/where I bought it. I wasn't sure about the stripe while cutting and making the strips, but now I LOVE it! Split Rail is one of my favorite baby quilt patterns. The stripe gives an otherwise pastel, traditional baby quilt a little 'punch'. Still no quilt foot so planning on stitching the blocks together tomorrow.

...one more thing

I forgot to post this cute picture of Miss Darby in the pool on Saturday. Seems she doesn't really care that the water temperature is only in the mid 60's. burrrr

Had to Share

I just had to share my dearly departed Mother-in-Law's cole slaw dressing. I had to make a batch so the guys could take it to their Masonic meeting tonight (to go with the pulled pork that smoked all night...yummm) It's the best. It's rather sweet (she put sugar in everything) and does not do well to mix ahead of time.

Here it is:
Cole Slaw
2-1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. sour cream
green cabbage, shredded
carrots, finely shredded/chopped
onion, finely chopped
green pepper, finely chopped

Mix all ingredients well. Store in a glass jar in refrig. (keeps for a LONG time)
**This recipe does not do well to pre-mix the slaw ahead of time.

I've been busy...

It's done!!! The deck curtain is done & looks great with the new awnings & cleaned/washed deck. We can now enjoy being outside without the sun in out faces . The fabric was bought at my local Jo Ann Fabric. I must admit, it looks better than the picture. But...it's quite lovely even if I must say so myself.

After much deliberation, I went with the purple border on this baby quilt. The (stash) fabric is from some fat quarters that I picked up on my travels with my friend Olga. Yesterday I got it all sandwiched together and was ready for my first (attempt at) free motion quilting. I went to get my quilt foot for my machine...couldn't find it. Damn. Guess I packed away everything from my studio too well. Carpet's not being installed until the first week in June so it will be awhile before I can get to it. Unless. My dear sis Susie lets me borrow her quilt foot. It would mean a 2 hr. drive each way, but I'd get to see her in addition to being able to work on it quicker.

I got the blocks done for a 'swap' I'm in. All I have to do is sign my name on the white fabric on all 100 blocks! They're not due until July 1 so I'm way ahead of schedule. pats self on back

This fabric is Verno by Kate Spain for moda.

Room Update

We've decided on new carpet in all the bedrooms (hoping for living/dining room, too). Moved all my sewing paraphernalia into our guest room and painted last Sunday. Everything's on hold while we wait for the carpet. Got one estimate yesterday and other is coming in today.

So...I might have to move one of my machines onto the dining room table so I can get some things done IF I can get to it. Everything's neatly put in the guest room, but it's a matter of not killing myself on my search.

Today is deck cleaning day. First it was way too cold to do it, then the rains came. I'm willing to help get it done so I can get my curtain panel up and have the deck finished. THEN I'll post pictures.

My travel buddy & I decided we 'needed' another trip and are planning to go to Indianapolis when she's on break between quarters from school next month. This will be a mid-week trip and only 1 night. Even though we just went in March, I guess this will make up for not going last year. I've never had a 'project' in the making on any of our trips, whether it was knitting or sewing/quilting. THIS time I plan to have a specific project in mind. Last time we were there we hit some really great quilt shops and will probably focus on that rather than yarn shops.

...off to drag a sewing machine downstairs to get some sewing done before we start on the deck.

May Already?

Yes. It's May already. Woke up at 4:30 to thunderstorms and rain coming in the window. After closing the window, then a potty trip...I couldn't get back to sleep. So downstairs I went and got caught up on some dvr watching.

This week was productive. We decided to replace the awning on our deck. Bill & Parker torn apart the old one and Bill & I headed to Jo Ann Fabric for some outdoor fabric. We also have a curtain on the west side of our deck so we can actually eat dinner outside without the sun killing us. We found some really neat lime(ish) green stripe for the awning and coordinating fabric for the curtain panel. They're done, ready to put up...but it's been raining ever since! Hopefully in a couple of days we can get them up and I can get some pictures taken and posted.

This week Parker & I are starting our 'room switch'. I'm clearing out my current design studio (aka sewing room) and painting. Then we're moving all Parker's stuff in it. THEN I get to paint his old bedroom and re-organize all my sewing tables, machines, plastic containers, etc. I've pretty much decided now is the time to replace the carpet in both rooms, while they're empty...now to tell Bill about it!

Time for lunch.

Winter is Here!

This is what we woke up to on Saturday. It was soooo pretty. It started Friday morning and continued until Sunday. Our first shoveling was about 8" and then shoveled another 4-5" later. Parker said it was the snow kids dream about for the perfect snowman.

We had Darby over the weekend and she really loved playing in the white stuff. She tried to 'climb' on top of the snow, but to no avail. She didn't even mind the iceballs she got on her legs every time she went out to play. And she was such a help shoveling...until 'Grandpa' accidently met the shovel with her jaw. After that, she just supervised form the porch...at least when there were shovels in sight.

Our first 2 weeks of the new year took us to Florida and Alabama to visit Bill's sister Jan (FL) and my sister Jo (AL). It was a very relaxing trip and we really didn't do much, which was fine with us. We drove the entire way to Florida in one day (almost 18 hours) and over 1,000 miles! Boy, were we ready to get out of the car. But...we listened to an entire book and I got the back and both fronts of a cardigan done on that leg of the trip. On the trip from Fl to AL , I 'frogged' a cowl and made a scarf. On the final leg home, we listened to another book and I started on the sleeves to my sweater. S0...it was a very productive ride for me since Bill always seems to do all the driving.

The week after we got home, I ended up at Urgent Care to find out I had pneumonia in my lower left lung. That had me home-bound for a week with many naps and drugs. I could have left the house sooner, but it was so cold that week, I just didn't feel like breathing that cold air when I didn't have to. I didn't realize it would take that long to recover from pneumonia! Or how weak I'd be. Sure hope that never happens again.

...another storm is on the way and they're predicting another 8-12 inches of the white stuff. It's always nice to have 'fresh CLEAN' snow cover the dirty stuff. I went to the grocery today, made a big pot of chicken soup, so we're good to get snowed in...again.