I've Tried!

I've always said Ruby is "my" dog.  I picked her out as a puppy.   I fill the food dish, talk to her, and pet her lovingly.   But she's not "my" dog.  Traitor!   Ruby came with Ken to the camper on Friday.  Oh, she loves to travel!  The vehicles have hair and "Ruby Snoozles" on the passenger windows.  She's eager to come inside and immediately stakes out a spot under the table.  Until she sees Ken packing his bag.  Then she does this----

She finds Ken's shoes and lays on them.   She knows he has to put them on to leave, and she doesn't want him to leave without her.  Does she ever guard my shoes?  Never!   And she does this if she thinks he's going to leave---

She sits with her nose under his elbow.   Does she even like me?  Oh yes, I'm second best, but she's well mannered and good natured.  When Ken left she begged him with her eyes, (all you border collie people know exactly what I mean) she didn't bark or fuss when he left.   She just laid down and stared at the door for a while.  Hoping he was just running errrands and was coming back.   She stayed with me because she has an appointment at the groomer today--she'll be all "frou-frou" pretty this afternoon.  

Thursday--Beautiful Weather

The weather was absolutely perfect today.  Mid 70's, sunshine and gentle breezes.  I had the camper door and windows open and I actually SEWED a little.  Here is my progress.

 

One block.  Quit laughing!!  Well, I said it was a beautiful day!!  I spent a lot of time organizing and enjoying the weather.  I had forgotten all my new blue fabrics and the white and WOW backgrounds at the camper when I went home last week.  No sewing at home!  Today I sorted thru them and made this block.  Among my UFO's I counted 21 blue/white Jacob's ladder blocks from either a swap or I won them in a block lotto A LONG time ago.  30 will make a nice setting, so I will make 9 more.  

Yesterday I ran errands in Yankton.  Now this is in my camper----

There isn't a good, reliable option for internet at my camper so I decided to try MiFi.  Setup was fairly simple, although I did have to call customer service for help.  Honest, I didn't know most "Key" numbers are all capital letters!  But it's up and running, and I'm curious how it will perform.  


How did I spend last week?  I took my dad shopping for new shoes.  I caught up on some cooking---putting some small meals in the freezer for "later".  Ken and I made a platform for below my camper steps.  And, we survived one of those times guaranteed to test a marriage.  We put together a treadmill.  Ken supplied the muscle, I read the directions.  I must have looked terrible by the end, Ken hugged me and gave me a kiss.  Yeah, I needed it.  I just wish the pictures looked like the parts that came out of the box.   We saved $150 doing it ourselves.  $1,000 would have made me feel better!   Sorry honey--I should have hugged and kissed you too, you were trying to follow my directions all the while.  I tried the treadmill and everything seems to work.  Amazing.  


Tomorrow should be another nice day, but then its going to cool off for almost a week.  I've had the heat on every night, and most days at the camper.  Unseasonably cold weather for South Dakota.  While home I did catch up on my Google Reader.  Next weekend Laura Beth, Nick, and Mason will be at our house.  I don't think much sewing will happen, I volunteer a lot before that.   That's OK, summer is short!

I Used the Oven

Baked a casserole.   Do you know how loud a smoke alarm can be?  Luckily it was nice weather and I could open the windows. 

Monday Check In

Summer is slowly arriving.  It has rained off and on--but now the weather is clearing.  Hopefully I will be able to turn my heat off in the camper.  

Sewing--well, I've thought about it!  Moved my totes around.  Used my seam ripper to remove the hem on a pair of pants.   Does that count??  

I volunteer early in the week, and then will head home to help Ken with farming.   He SAYS he just needs help moving equipment from field to field.  And lunch.  

Weekly Goals--

1. Applique on Cherry Tree blocks
2. Plan Blue/White swap blocks
3. Sew on a UFO 

Yes, the same goals as last week.  

I have been experimenting with my gas oven at the camper.  Last night made a small pan of peanut butter bars.  A bit overdone, I need to bring my oven thermometer to check the temperature.   Tonight I will try baking a casserole.  

Monday Checking In

Today is more like spring.  76F, windy, and possible thunderstorms later on.   It was so cold one night last week my water hose froze!  Spring has been so late, we probably will jump right into summer. 

There wasn't much sewing last week.  A few pieces sewn on my Cherry Tree blocks.   

Goals---

1. Applique on Cherry Tree blocks
2. Plan Blue/White swap blocks
3. Sew on a UFO

Ken is waiting for fertilizer, so farm work is the usually "hurry up and wait".  

Mother's Day Ken and I drove to Sioux Falls, ate lunch, did a bit of shopping.  I stash enhanced--10 yards worth.  

The piece on the left is a green print.  The others are blues or lights/blues.  I will use them in my blue/white swap blocks.  I found some blue/white Jacob's ladder UFO blocks.  There aren't enough to make a quilt (I won them in a block lotto, I think) so I can use the blues to make a few more. 

10 yards in this week
24.75 yards In YTD
10.25 yards Out YTD
Stash Increased by 14.5 yards

A sample block---

I'm not sure about this block.  It's OK, just a bit "blah".   I have a few more star patterns I can try.  

 

Thank you Lillian!

When I was starting hand applique, a lady from the UK gave me lots of hints and advice.  I'll admit, if it wasn't for Lillian (and Mary Ann--another Internet friend) I probably would have given up--again!  And Lillian offered to do an red/white applique block swap with me.  Here is what was in Lillian's baggie to me-----

Yes Lillian--I turned over your block and admired the tiny stitches!  Pomegranates--how did Lillian know I ADORE those blocks???  And, she sent me a pattern to make a quilt with them.   Batik FQ's in pink, purple, and green.  The magazine "Magic Patch" has so many fun small projects in it.     I know I will be starting a wall hanging from it.  Thank you Lillian! 

Monday Goals

I haven't fallen off a twig, I just haven't been near a WiFi spot.  There is great WiFi at the Library, a separate room with tables and handy electric outlets--that's where I am now.  

These fellows are busy staking out territories.  One male is busy most days sitting on the side of Ric's or my vehicle--fighting with his reflection in the rear view mirrors.  

photo from internet

Its still chilly, I have had the heat on until this afternoon.  Night time temps are only in the 30's to low 40's.  I'm toasty warm at night--I have an electric blanket.  I volunteer T-Th-Fr this week.  Then I am heading home for a few days.  I HAD planned to maybe plant my garden, but we're still having rain and I doubt the tomatoes would grow much in the cold soil!  

State of the Stash--I bought 4 yards of white for background this week.  

4 yards in this week
14.75 yards In YTD
10.25 yards Out YTD
Stash Increased by 4.5 yards


Goals--


I did work on my Cherry Tree blocks this week, but didn't finish any.  


For next week--

1. Work on Beyond the Cherry Tree blocks
2. Start the next round of Blue/White swap blocks
3. Work on Melissa's navy blue/white quilt

Ken is chomping at the bit getting ready to do the farmer thing.  I'm not expecting too much in the next week or so--the fields are still plenty wet.  "Compost" needs to be hauled on the garden, and the deck needs to be stained(?) preserved (?) this year.  

I miss reading blogs, but internet at the camper is iffy at best.  I just couldn't justify spending the money for something that worked once in a while.