No sewing but .....

There's been no sewing.  My shoulder/arm are not getting better.  More Dr appointments will be needed.  But I WANT to sew!  Earlier this week I was cheered up by two boxes of donated fabric from Judy B--

 The big box was HEAVY!  Here is a pic of the contents--

Judy sent me yardage on the right, and her stash of homespuns.  She even included BLADES!  Homespuns are not something I buy but they make the most beautiful comfortable cuddly quilts--perfect for boy quilts!  How much did she send?  27 pounds.  That's 80 to 100 yards of fabric!  WOOHOOO!  Thank you Judy!  Next began the search for patterns to use the fabric.  This one has made the short list--

Snowball and Puss in Corner or Uneven 9 patches.  Perfect!  I am always looking for patterns that are simple and use limited background fabric.  This is a picture I copied from Pinterest--no link to go with it.  Can't you see those homespuns using this setting?  

It has turned hot and humid.  Still getting lots of rain.  During the weekend of the 4th we had 1.80" of rain at the camper, and 2.75" at our house.  We did not plant any crops this year.  A road to one field has either been closed or 4 wheel drive only--and that's the public road!  The weeds are going crazy, too wet to spray, too wet to disc them under.  But its better than drought, nothing more depressing than planting seed only to watch them wither to nothing.  And you still have all the costs associated with planting.

~Lori1R in Nebraska~
 

Air Pruning

Gardeners have been hearing lots about air pruning.  Its using air to control the growth of a plant's roots in a container.  I tried it using old laundry baskets and some tulle--

This is a picture 10 days later--

They have grown like WEEDS!!  Planted in cheap potting soil using 3yo seed.  Old laundry baskets lined with green tulle.  Its been less than 3 weeks and they are BLOOMING.  I'll keep you updated on how much these plants produce.

~Lori1R in Nebraska~

We Survived the 4th

The 4th is now a happy memory!  Lots of fun times spent with family.  Nick, LB, and the boys camped next to us.  Little boys wore a path between the campers.  

We had bought cheap Dollar Tree inflatable beach balls--2 for $1.  BEST TOY EVER!!!  

Nick and Boys

Why is Nick in the lilac bush?

Little Boys threw the ball into the bush!

The balls survived much hard play!  They even got one stuck on the roof of the camper!  Max used his as an "exercise ball" on the rocks, laying on it and rolling around.  I heard it finally succumbed to Max biting it.  Why?  Why do little boys do those types of things?  Because they are little boys!

Piglet was well exercised!  Nick gave rides one afternoon.  There is a private quiet road that goes in a big circle--I wonder how many laps Nick did?  

 

 

In lieu of motorcycle helmets the boys wore their bike helmets.  Piglet is not like a big motorcycle, top speed is maybe 40 mph down a hill with the wind.  Gentle rides with little boys is much slower.  One time we saw two little boys riding with Nick!  

Grandma made waffles one morning for breakfast--

Little boys are growing and have healthy appetites. 

 

Another fun Dollar Tree find was Glow in the Dark necklaces.  The boys wore these at the night fireworks display.  There's always a huge crowd, and the necklaces made it easy to keep track of the boys when we left, walking to our cars.  They also made it easier for cars to see little boys!  Always a parent and grandparent worry.  And the Dollar Tree had other fun glow in the dark items--

Glow in the dark swords!  It was pitch dark when I snapped this picture, I should have turned the flash off.  The boys had fun with them, and I know the swords were played with in bed that night.  ROFL--I bet their parents appreciated that!

All too soon they had to go home, Grandpa will miss his boys--

This was the first time in 20 years Ken took a week of vacation.  Usually he takes a few days here and there.  

Now its back to volunteering.  A beautiful but windy day today.  How did you spend your 4th?

~Lori1R in Nebraska~