New Year's Eve

Today is inventory day at the quilt shop. Apparently, for taxes, the merchants have to count their inventory at the end of the year. The entire staff shows up and counts patterns and notions and books and kits. A few high school girls come to help. Their job is to weigh all the bolts of fabric. Laurie Ann has a conversion factor to change weight into yardage, and then into cost. We usually find odds and ends that no one knew we had. This year, Laura has promised to bundle the "lost and found" items and give them to people who follow her blog. More later! Gotta go.

Pincushion

This is my smallest quilt so far. It is the pincushion I made for Rachel after Christmas. She and Laura gave me crushed walnut shells to use as filling. It turned out so cute! I could make this a profession. The possibilities are endless. So much fabric, so little time.

Speaking of professions, I have to take a new board exam in 2010. I have materials to study from, but it will cut into my sewing time. I may have to set up a reward system...twenty questions, ten minutes of sewing. Hmmm.

Have a Happy New Year and stay cozy!

Christmas Snow

This is what it looks like on our front deck this morning. Brrr! At least we have a cozy house, and tons of Christmas leftovers. Rachel and Laura are up at Brian's, since it was too snowy to make it back here last night. I'm thinking it will take snowplows and a snowblower to get them back. They may not get to travel home as planned since the South Dakota interstate is closed and the airlines will be backed up as well.

I personally have always enjoyed snow days. The unexpected day off, no guilt, and lots of things to do at home. I got filling for pincushions as one of my Christmas gifts, so that is high on my list. May all your snowy days bring unexpected pleasures as well.

Christmas Countdown

I love this picture. The tree is ready and waiting for you. The bedroom, not so much. But it will be! I promise.

I finished Mike's quilt and he got to sleep under it last night. Since it was way below zero last night, it was good timing.

The farmer is going to the city to pick up the saw for his shop. I am on call, so I will stay behind. It is a quilt shop day. I will wear my beeper. My life is in layers, but it seems to work most of the time.

Time for breakfast. Have a good day.

Correction

I found out that caringbridge is its own website. The word you type in to get Kami's news is kamijohnson. There are very cute pictures.

As long as I'm here, I will tell you I learned how to cook an acorn squash. You cut it in half, top to bottom, and scrape out the seeds. Put the cut side down on a baking pan with sides. Add water (1/2 inch?) to the bottom of the pan. Bake at 350 for an hour or as long as it takes for the squash to be soft when poked by a fork. When it is soft, scrape out the inside yellow part and put in a bowl. Top with butter and a handfull of brown sugar and mash with a fork. Taste and add more sugar if you want it sweeter. The older I get, the more vegetables I like. Cooking does not come easy for me. I have no sense of timing or how to season things. Perhaps I am just distracted by other things. Tucker has a way of putting his head on my lap, or on my computer, and staring at me with his big, brown eyes. How can you not pet such a pleading dog?

Christmas Wine

Merry Christmas to all. The bunnies are snuggled together on the hearth waiting for Santa to come. Our tree is decorated, and we are taking orders for Christmas goodies. It is snowing today, but not as much as Omaha or Missoula. Yesterday we cheered on the Grizzlies and today we are Vikings fans. I love fall football.

If you are wondering what in the world is in the jugs, it is phase two of the grape adventure. These are the white grapes being made into wine. It has introduced me to a whole new vocabulary.

The jug is a "carboy", moving the wine from one jug to the next is "racking". I think someone was tasting and talking at the same time.
The yeast/fermentation part is done, but it still has to clarify. After finishing on the white wine, the farmer will do the red. It won't be ready to drink for this holiday...perhaps Easter?

I have a week to turn the sewing room back into the guest room. I am amazed by the amount of fabric I have left over from past projects. It will be a happy New Year!

Kami had her baby last Saturday, somewhat early. I think St. Alexius has a Caring Bridge website with pictures. I will go look. The last name is Johnson.

Art History

One of the interesting things about Mom's is all the art on the walls. This one is signed by Lionel Barrymore. After looking on the internet, I learned that he is Drew Barrymore's father. In addition to acting, he studied art in Paris, and did etchings like this one, called "Quiet Waters".

We now have lights on the tree and the ornaments go on tomorrow. I finished three placemats for Mom and have one yet to go. I realized I haven't been good about sharing a Christmas wish list this year. For those of you at a new school or location, I would like a coffee cup for my collection. I take turns with them for my morning coffee and think fond thoughts about the giver. I just bought a pincushion pattern that calls for crushed walnut shells (found at pet stores). It makes a great filler. I think a picture of R, L and A done by Duane F. would be especially lovely. New nightgowns, a quilt charm for my bracelet, and garden clogs (size 8 1/2,

or 9 , or whatever surprise you think of would bring a smile. I'm just glad to have you here.

Drive safely.

Two Turtle Doves

Merry Christmas! I am back from my visit with Mom. While there, I helped her decorate her Christmas tree. Some of the old ornaments I recognize. Others were made by her friends or were given to her by friends. She remembers the story to each one. This basket with two wooden birds is one that came from her family. We had it on our tree when I was growing up. My brother and I used to take turns hiding the wooden birds in the Christmas tree, and hunting for the birds until we found them.

Mom seems well, although weaker, and more hard of hearing. She is tiny, but still determined to do everything herself if she can. Bob Allen, the man who was the maintenance man for the Bridge and is now retired, is still one of her best friends. He visited while I was there, and his daughter and her husband will visit Mom when they come for Christmas. Mom makes friends with everyone she meets.

We played five or six games of scrabble. The only time my score was higher than Mom's, my sister beat us both by using all her letters on a 30 point word, which gave her 80 points in one play. I am going back to quilting. I can take only so much!

Bird Quilt

I finished piecing one of my projects-in-waiting today. Grandma Betty K. had saved embroidered blocks of birds from her job as nursing home activity director. She had wanted to make them into a quilt, but never did. I struggled for quite a while on the design for the framing blocks. After letting it sit for several months, I took apart Plan A and decided on Plan B. It went from a bed-sized quilt to a throw. Now it is done, I actually like it, though birds wouldn't be part of my decor. The nursing home resident who did the embroidery passed away years ago. I like the idea of her handwork living on in a quilt.

The farmer's leg continues to improve. It is a good thing. Tomorrow will be his last IV antibiotic. I'm not sure how much longer he will have oral meds. Thursday I'm off to Mom's. Christmas will be here before we know it.

Is E-Published A Word?

I know it is vain, but I was so excited to see my little embroidered pillow in last week's store newsletter, and then this week, my quilt made with the French General fabrics showed up there as well. The newsletter goes out to a large number of customers, and Laura tries to pick projects that her customers might want to make as well. Going to Quilt Market was overwhelming, but being able to share the things I found the most beautiful is equally special. There is something magical about an internet business based in a real tiny rural community that reaches out to an international audience. We shipped to South Korea and Australia last week. Our first order for the embroidery floss went to England. I am aglow.

The farmer's infection is improving. There is still a red patch on his shin and tenderness in the lymph nodes, but the area is shrinking and the streaks are very faint. I don't know how many days of IV antibiotics it will need, but he should find out more this morning. It is hard for him to sit with his foot up for so long, when he would like to work on his shop. I am so glad it wasn't harvest when it happened. I know we will cringe when we get the bill, but how can you put a price on life? I will just have to keep working at the quilt shop :) Do not worry, our savings are sufficient to cover what insurance doesn't.

Germs on the Loose

It has been a tough few days for my farmer. He started with fever and chills on Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday, the lymph nodes at the top of his left leg were sore all day. Thanksgiving morning, he wasn't as chilled, but there was a red patch on his lower shin. There is an old scar there from a motorcycle accident as a teenager. By evening, the red spot was redder with a pink streak going up toward the knee. I took him to the ER and he got IV antibiotics. They left the IV in place and told him to come back Friday afternoon for another dose. Overnight, the streak moved up onto his thigh, so he came back about 10 and saw Brian. After a second set of blood cultures, B. started him on a stronger, last resort type antibiotic. I am thankful it is working, there isn't more spread. We went in this morning for another infusion, and will go again on Sunday. Monday, B. will look at his leg again and decide when its ok to go to oral antibiotics.

It is scary for a family member to be sick, and feel unable to make it better. I wonder if all my patients are as worried when they see me as I was on the other end of things. Things are now improving, and I will keep you posted. Bad germs!

Happy Thanksgiving

No picture today. We ate the feast before I thought of the camera. We had the traditional dither over making the gravy (no one really wants the responsibility). We are stuffed and watching football. I like the leftovers myself. I imagine you all enjoying the turkey and dressing and all the trimmings. I am happy for you. Tucker did his usual begging and Grandma did her usual slipping him something as we were cleaning up the kitchen. He adores her for good reason. We may go see Jim Carey in A Christmas Carol, or we may just curl up and lounge.

Travel safely on your way home. I am going to visit Mom in a week. Then comes Christmas preparations. This next year. I have to take a new board exam to keep my board certification in Pediatrics. I am not excited, but it needs to be done. I will think of you all as I study too. A career in quilting is looking better and better. Do I whine too much? Love, Marmee

Blue Light Special

While doing research on seasonal affective disorder, I came across Zadro, which is an artificial sunlight desk light about the size of your hand. Living in the north, morning looks like the picture above. I had to try it, just to see. The panel of tiny blue lights emits an intense glow, which the brain is supposed to think is sunlight. It creates a stronger day/night cycle and increases the amount of seratonin the brain produces. At least, the box says that is how it works. I will report back on my experiment later. Like a loving husband, the farmer is participating as well. I love science.

I have been struggling with a set of embroidered squares that Grandma Betty K. gave me. I finally chose a set of thirties reproduction fabrics, and I like it so far. The remainder of the problem is how to frame out the squares which have to sit "on point". I have trouble visualizing it in my head. I'd like to get it done for Christmas, so I can't stew over it too long.

I will be visiting my mom the first weekend in Dec. I told my sister we should have Christmas tea and put up mom's tree. Have fun celebrating Thanksgiving together.

Flying geese, looking skyward

This is my new but not yet quilted wall hanging. It is made from my favorite fabric from quilt market, designed by French General after the 1900's French linens. The triangles on top of one another are called flying geese. It is soooo pretty! When it is done, it will have a red binding like the fabric in the bars. I am thinking of asking Wes to pay for the quilting in return for letting them use it as a shop sample. In the end, it will be mine.

The other totally cool thing is that last night, we saw the International Space Station fly overhead. It was on the news, and Lance called us to come look. It was as bright as a star, and moving from west to east across the northern sky. When it got to the point where the sun could no longer hit it, it winked out just like that. It reminded me of sitting on the back porch as a child and trying to see one of the first satellites in the night sky. The sky is very big and we are very small. We are still special to God.

Progress

The farmer is making progress on the wood shop. Since this picture was taken, he has all the boards in the pile up on the ceiling and walls. The electrician hooked up the wiring this week, so once the heater is installed, it will be warm and cozy for winter. There is a tool sale Friday in Bismarck. He has done hours of planning to choose the best combination for function and price.

I am excited for the future. Once the shop is done, the first furniture project will be new end tables for the living room. It is like quilting with wood. You are only limited by your imagination and budget.

Today is a clinic day. One never knows what will walk through the door. On Monday, our PA, Jody, was giving a tour of the clinic to two other PAs who might come work during her vacation time in January. She told them how pleasant we are to work with. It was nice to hear that our group stands out as respectful and friendly. Seems like those are qualities one should learn by first grade. I feel sorry for workplaces where people yell at each other, or dislike one another. I have often thought I would do the same work even if I didn't get paid. Just don't tell my bosses!

Cobblestone Lane

This is the quilt for our new "block of the month" program. People sign up for a six month plan where they get fabric and a pattern for two identical blocks each month. The last month, they also get the finishing kit with fabric for the borders, binding and the sashing (the trim around the squares that connect them together). We have about 60 members. I have spent the last week cutting all the kits (60x7=420), and finally finished this afternoon. It is a beautiful pattern, but if I made it, I might pick blues with the brown instead of the red and pink. Its just personal preference. Two of the fabrics are paisley. They remind me of hearts and chocolate at Valentine's Day.

I find myself wanting to see the backstory for the fabric...who designed it, where was it made, and how did the pattern designer develop the plan for the layout. I think they use computer programs, but I haven't seen one used. The quilt shop sells one, I think. Hmmm.

There was a medical benefit luncheon today to raise money for a nurse with Guillian-Barre syndrome. There was a silent auction along with it and I won a purse that Rose had made. It has leopard Minkee fabric (furry, short nap) with brown trim and a red lining. Very foxy! I like it because Rose is such a good seamstress, and it will be a lovely memento of my job at the quilt shop.

I'm working on trying to be a neater housekeeper. The laundry is done and I mopped the kitchen floor. Tucker scours it for crumbs on a daily basis, but the thought of dog spit on the floor is just too much. Tonight we are going to the movie, so its time to hit "publish". Ta-da!

New baby

Just a short note to say the latest Fried is here...Molly Marie. Picture can be seen on the www.wrhs.com website. Mom and baby are doing fine, but big brother is a little bent out of shape. Grandparents are happy and proud!

Gracie, the wayward cat, showed up at Wes and Laura's. Rose, from the quilt shop, will give her a stable home with another kitty to keep her warm and cozy this winter. I feel good about it. I was worried an "only" outdoor cat would be too cold.

And they lived happily ever after.

Home again

We are home again after a fast trip "there and back again" to Missoula. It was good to see everyone happy and healthy and surviving college. We ate a lot, watched the Grizzlies squeak out a win with a last second field goal, did some shopping, put new tires on Lindsey's car for winter driving, saw a movie, and had some quality time with the kids.

I enjoyed church with Alex at New Hope. It is good to hear a band in church, and a Bible-centered sermon, and to see young faces who want to be there. I feel sad for our church, which seems to follow tradition without the joy or the faith founded in assurance. Its a dilemma. It is as if the members live in glass bubbles and sit next to each other and can see each other, but the boundaries are so strong that the closest we get is to be nice and pleasant to each other. Missions is being nice and generous to those less fortunate, and aiding in need caused by natural disasters. We are $14981 behind in the budget. The annual meeting is tonight, and on the agenda is "looking at the viability of our church and considering our church's future".

I wonder what God has in mind.

Tucker is glad to be home from the kennel. He is sleeping a lot, making me wonder if he slept much this weekend. Gracie has moved on to a new family. We left ample food while we were gone. Cats are independent creatures, after all. You can't really "own" a cat. They just allow you to love them on their terms.

Bear paw quilt

It is done. This is the quilt I was making for Mike. He asked for green and other colors. Lance wanted it to be masculine and a pattern that wasn't juvenile, so he could use it beyond high school. I like how it turned out. The block is a "bear paw", which my griz fans should appreciate.

Speaking of the griz, Lance, Mike and I are heading west today to visit Alex and Lindsey for the weekend. The corn harvest is done, the flu epidemic is slowing down and there is no school Monday and Tuesday. Hooray for a road trip!

Gracie is still with us. I will leave her a large bowl of food, and fill up the water dish. She has a habit of coming in the garage when we leave, so I have to stop and boot her out again. She is still very affectionate with a seriously loud meow at mealtimes. Tucker is not sure of what has happened to his quiet doggy world. Poor Tucker.

Favorites

This week the kits for my favorite quilt from Spring quilt market arrived in the store. Moda, the fabric manufacturing company, has a new designer. The designer has a store, French General, where she sells vintage french fabric and jewelry kits and notions. She goes to France each summer, and shops at flea markets to collect more vintage merchandise for her store. This fabric line was patterned after old French linens. Her next collection has faded blues. I liked both the fabric and the story behind it. You can see her store at www.frenchgeneral.com.

I had to be firm with myself to not carry one off with me when I left the quilt shop. I am almost done with Mike's quilt, but I have several others in various stages of completion. My housekeeping is also in various stages, so today I have to work as well as play.

Farming is on hold until it warms up again. We got very little snow, which has melted, but the corn and the fields have to be a little dryer before the farmer can finish his corn harvest. Many in the midwest are up to the axles in mud, so we are thankful for just a short delay.

"Hello kitty" is now Gracie. I feel a little guilty that we did not put a "found cat ad " on the radio, since she is so clearly a tame cat. We will see. She was "helping" the farmer dig a trench for the electrical wiring to run from the power pole to the new wood shop. He did not think she was much help. But she is beautiful, which is, in itself, a useful function, don't you think?

I find myself a little nervous over punctuation and spelling, given my educated readers, but I keep writing. You all do the same!

Adopted

This is what morning looks like in North Dakota. It will be a sunny day and hopefully the corn will be dry enough to combine. We have moved the trucks across the highway to the east. When that is done, harvest is finished. There are still small things to do, putting machinery away for winter, and fixing a slow leak in the tractor tire.

Remember our Sunday visitor? It has become a familiar face, showing up twice a day with a loud meow asking for food, and sitting by the door as if it has always been here. It is very affectionate, with lots of rubbing and purring and licking my hand. I could do without that last part. I wash my hands when I come in. It is getting to the point where the cat should really have a name other than "Hey, kitty". I will have to think about it.

I am close to finished with Mike's quilt, thanks to a slow clinic day yesterday. It is made of batik fabric on the front, but I am tempted to put something softer on the back. We will see. Time to be getting ready for work...quilt shop day. Hooray!

Sunday visitor

Look who showed up at our house today. He/she is very friendly with a loud meow. Lance said we should put out some food, and the dish was empty in no time. It came up to me when I went out to take a picture of the farm. It is very affectionate and tame, so I'm sure it belongs to someone in the neighborhood.

I love the late afternoon shadows as the sun gets low in the west. This is the view out the dining room window, where I was sewing on Mike's quilt. I got the blocks done and put together in rows. It will look nice when it is done. Have a good week!

My Pillow

Ta-da! It is finished. It gets to live at the quilt shop for a while and look cute atop the embroidery display. It is nice to have a smaller project because it gets done faster. It does look lonesome for a quilt to set it on. I need a house full of bedrooms and cold people!

Today is the beginning of the four day weekend for teacher's convention. We have wanted to go out to Missoula to visit for the last two years. It should be a good time, but this year the crop season is slow and there is still corn in the field trying to dry. The weather has been cool and damp and we never did get that indian summer period we hoped for. The dilemma is will it be dry enough to combine over the next four days? If so, we should stay here. If it is too wet, we will be sad we didn't go. We lost Thursday because of meetings and work. We can't have Monday because of CTBS testing at school. It is looking dismal.

I did take the days off at work, but I will put myself back on the schedule. It is so busy with flu.

season. We are out of test kits, the pharmacy has low supplies of Tamiflu. I saw two families from Dickinson and one from Baker yesterday. So far, all our patients have recovered, but families are afraid. Some schools have 30-40 kids out sick. I did recommend one daycare close since the sick baby lived in the household and they couldn't separate the baby with its own caretaker from the rest of the kids.

I remember being sick with "Hong Kong" flu as a child. Perhaps that is why I'm not getting sick after daily exposures now. I did get my swine flu vaccine Tuesday, two weeks after the first case. Most of our patients tested positive for H1N1 when the state was doing testing. Now I just assume a patient with influenza A is the H1N1 sub-type. I can empathize and give cough medicine and anti-nausea medicine, but I can't cure it. The body's immune system does the work, and will remember this virus for next time.

Wash your hands, don't hang out with people who are sick, and trust God to watch over you. I will try to be more cheerful next time.

Much Love, Marmee

Little Wood Shop on the Prairie

This is our winter project. The farmer tells people that he is building a shop to do woodworking. I tell people he is building me a quilt studio. Of course, it will be a wood shop. I have already taken over the bedroom and the dining room and occasionally the living room as well. Long winters require creative outlets. I offered the long arm quilting option to him, but he turned me down.

This flu season started early and has been busy. Mike is better, and the high school no longer has 30 out for illness. I am not sick yet...I wash my hands frequently. Night clinic is busy, and runs over the two hours scheduled, making it frustrating for those who hoped to go home at 8pm. It goes until all the patients are seen. It is interesting how different people view the purpose of night clinic. It was meant to take care of urgent illness so the ER wasn't so busy later. It has become a convenience clinic so people wait until after work to be seen. One doctor said, "The dentist doesn't see me at night. I have to make an appointment." Everyone is tired.

The weekend is here! Love, Marmee

Color explosion

I am SO excited. Look what came at the quilt shop this week! One of the things I loved at Quilt Market was the embroidery floss from Japan. It is top of the line, the way our fabrics are. The needlecraft websites are buzzing about Cosmo floss. To me, it is the ideal item to ship...it is small, lightweight, unbreakable, and one is never enough. It will be easy to find in the store since each color has it's own number. Of course, I had to try it out. I bought a pillow pattern, a charm pack and the colors of thread that matched. I am happily stitching away as we watch the Twins try to hold it together in the third game of the playoffs. Go Twins.

It is officially flu season here. I will be busy since most of the high school kids are getting sick. Mike just has a cold and a sore throat, but is not coughing. It sounds like there is a shortage of test kits for swine flu. We can send in a swab to the State Health Dept. but they only test 30 a week. It is back to clinical judgement.

I think of you all frequently and hope all goes well. Keep me posted! Love, Marmee

Busy Friday

Today was supposed to be a quilt shop day. Half the staff is in Medora teaching at one quilt retreat. The other half is in Pierre at a different quilt show. I am here to keep things going. Fortunately, Micaela is home to help. I had to run up to the clinic twice today and ended up with two admissions. Influenza is everywhere. I am hoping I stay healthy. Tomorrow is another quilt day. (I hope)

The best new thing is embroidery floss from a Japanese company. It is so pretty. I haven't had time to pick some out and try it. I know, I have enough projects. But this is one I can do in the living room so I can keep the rest of the family company. I am a sucker for color and beauty. We'll see...

1st Snow

I had barely published the last blog when the rain turned to snow. It has fallen lightly all day. Now, as night is coming, there is a flock of 10-12 pheasants in the gap between the back tree rows. They are checking out the trees, looking for a place to roost. One by one they fly up to snow-covered branches in the pines. We are cozy inside with the fire going. The Vikings play the Packers tonight. Wish you were here!

Sunrise

I have not yet learned how to move things around on the page so this was supposed to be part B. (you can scroll down to find the sunrise, or just wonder why the title doesn't match the picture) After some indecision and false starts, this is the block I chose for Michel's quilt. It had to be masculine, not juvenile, and fairly easy so I could get it done in time for winter. The name of the block is bearpaw. I picked batiks because he asked for green and other colors and this collection fit. I think it is called Fall Interludes if you want to see the whole thing at www.dakotacabinquilts.com.
This is my attempt to take a picture of the colors in the sunrise. I was awed by how many there are and how gaudy a sunrise can be. Today it is raining so morning will look cold and gray. At least it will not look white and fluffy...yet. I am not ready for winter.

I am taking care of a baby born with a cleft palate. I found a website www.cleftline.org that has a great deal of information and a video on how to feed a baby with a cleft. We are all learning together. It is one of the wonderful ways the internet provides access to the world without leaving home.

Bountiful Garden

My latest favorite fabric collection is one we saw at quilt market. It recreates old french fabric patterns, with linen and hemp colors in addition to red. These are "flying geese" blocks, a very traditional pattern. I will keep you updated as the project progresses. I have finished (almost) cutting the 84 kits in the new McKenna Ryan "Back to the Farm" series. I cut twelve kits of the overall art quilt, then for each individual block, I cut twelve more kits. It has been about a three week process since we do daily orders first. Each kit has fifteen to twenty different fabrics, in different sizes. It is like a color-by-number project using fabric for paint. I wonder how someone becomes an art quilt designer? If you want to see her other designs (for which we also have kits), look her up on google.

Tonight should be the first hard frost. The farmer brought in all the garden produce so it wouldn't spoil. My camera angle is not big enough to capture it all. There are 46 watermelon. This variety is small and has a yellow center. I is crisp and sweet. The two B's enjoy taking the extra to friends and neighbors.

We are at home watching Twins baseball. There is a home football game, but it is cold and rainy and windy. I have my bunny quilt and the fireplace is going. Tucker is sitting at my knee. It is nice to be home.

Monday

There is only 30 minutes before I need to be at work. Not enough time to go to the quilt shop and finish cutting kits. Not enough time to start sewing here. I find it frustrating that my free time is boxed in by obligations, and also frustrating that I don't look forward to work as much as I used to. I am indecisive over "cough". Is it viral or bacterial? What if it is Pertussis? Not the swine flu, since there is no fever or body aches. I don't know, but I have to decide to give antibiotics or cough medicine, or Tamiflu. It is not fair. Then the family has a big bill no matter what. I am not sure what I do is helping. If after twenty years, I still can't know for sure, am I good at what I do? Should I be doing it? It ties up my weekends, and the rest of my life is fit in around it in nooks and crannies. Do all people have moments of doubt? Is it asking too much to have all the answers? It would be more comfortable, but the surprise would be gone. Still, my job is more interesting that selling shoes, or groceries. I do get to work at the quilt shop between patients. I have a paycheck. I will go and do my best. Coffee helps.

Marmee

Recipes

Our church had a dinner and I was asked to bring bars. I took out my recipe box and started searching. I should file recipes by category, but usually the most recently used ones get put away in the front of the box. As I looked, I came across the sugar cookie recipe from Sue. She brought cookies to the hospital when Laura was born. There was a chicken casserole from a friend that had us over for dinner in medical school. Some recipes were in a child's handwriting, from Ms. Clement's fifth grade class. Aunt Bessie's cinnamon coffee cake is my favorite, though I can't remember whose aunt Bessie was. I realized part of my family history is in that box. Certainly, memories of good times and loves ones come alive when we share around the table.

Marmee

Gifts from the garden

There is something beautiful in what comes from the garden. You put a seed or a tiny plant in ordinary dirt, add water, and you get color and flavor and something good for you to eat. I should have put a ruler in the picture, because the tomato and the onion are huge. The poor (squash whose name I cannot spell) almost got cut out of the picture altogether. They will write of me someday "She couldn't spell and didn't cook, but she made beautiful quilts". Where was I?

Oh, yes...the second picture shows the two B's washing and stemming the grapes, while the farmer is crushing them through a sieve to collect the juice in the large pot. He ordered the equipment you need to make wine, and it arrived the other day. When he has time to make the wine, I will take pictures for you.

Grandpa K. remains in the hospital after surgery two days ago. It is strange to be on the receiving end of medical care. After a setback with low oxygen Wed. night, he seems to be making progress, and is getting to eat. Hooray! I did postpone my trip to visit Mom. It seemed wrong to be gone out of town. One thing at a time. Now I have the moral decision...do I work at the clinic today since I am in town, or do I work at the quilt shop? I will let the clinic know they can page me if they need me...sigh. I have layers of responsibility, and only one me. It keeps life interesting, but not predictable.

I know you have the same delicate balance. I think of you often. Someday we will sit around the fire and drink the wine together!

Love, Marmee

Silk

When I visited Lincoln a few years ago, we went shopping in a used clothing store that had some "retro" items downstairs. I found a green silk kimono-style robe and fell in love with the fabric. I took out the batting in the quilted collar and cuffs. I was surprised to find it was newspaper printed in oriental characters instead of cotton. I waited to find a pattern that was suited to the print, and this is the result. The solid color silk borders are from the fat quarters at the quilt store. The border is diawabo taupe, a reproduction of Japanese fabric. I love how it turned out. If you look closely, there are tiny, turquoise seed beads to give the kimono a quilted texture. Sometimes ideas stir around in my head until my fingers can figure out how to make it happen. I once asked the quilt store owner if she thought quilters found fabric they loved and then chose a pattern, or if the pattern came first and then they found fabric to use. I am a fabric first person, because I see so many as new shipments come in. This project is special because it holds the memory of the trip to Lincoln. I am a happy quilter.

Harvest apples

The other day, the farmer said "Its about time to pick apples". Last night and today the wind has come up, so apple picking will become "picking up" apples. They are tart and juicy. I think we should have a pie soon. There are more strawberries, and we made a second batch of grape jelly yesterday.

I spent much of the week trying to pick out fabric and a pattern for a quilt for Michael. I chose some batiks in creams, greens, browns and blues.

Part of the week was devoted to visiting Grandpa K. in the hospital. He is recovering from an intestinal infection...we'll see how the next few days go. I plan to leave Thursday to visit Mom for the weekend. Have to get there before flu season. The assisted living folks discourage visitors that could get the residents sick.

Have you noticed how you run out of time before you run out of things to do? My list seems endless. Better get started! Love, Marmee

Log cabin hidden stars

Now the Oregon quilt is finished and given, I can put the picture up for you to see. It will go in the new apartment (not yet found) to make it cozy. There are four different block layouts to give the pattern. It is the first time I needed a design wall to keep track of where I was in the pattern. It worked really well. At the next quilt Market, I will buy one of my own.

My current project is one with the silk kimono fabric I found at a vintage clothing store in Lincoln. The quilt shop now has silk taffeta fat quarters that I am using to frame the figures in the print. The colors in the taffeta are rich and I love how it picks up the colors in the kimono design. It is fun to experiment with something new. When it is finished, I will show you.

Rhonda is here for Labor Day weekend. She made us a pasta dish with pesto using the basil and fresh vegetables from the garden. The whole house smelled wonderful. Wish I had more cooking skills. Someday...

Harvest

He is harvesting the wheat in the field south of the house beyond the butte. I took out lunch, but didn't get to ride along until tonight. The stubble comes up to my knees. He is happy with the yield so far and the combine is running well. I love the color of the field.

We had toast with grape jelly that came from the grapes in the vineyard. Yum!!! This is a good time of year. Looking forward to having family home, even if for a brief time.

Love, Marmee

Guarding the garden

For those who have met him, you know that Tucker is not exactly the world's fiercest guard dog. Here he is in his usual spot, doing his usual thing.

He has become family and we love him, even when he sneaks in the sewing room and sleeps on the bed with my projects on it. He is not smart enough to smooth out the wrinkles he leaves behind. He is naughty but not devious.

We are left to guard the grapes ourselves. The farmer was studying "grape-ology" last night trying to find out how to concentrate the grape juice so we (he) can use it later for wine or jelly.

It's the sort of thing my mother would know. She is the ultimate resource of all things botanical. I wonder if someday people will come to me with questions only I can answer. Hmmm.

The farmer is combining wheat this week. I came home from work, quickly made supper, then went out to the field to ride around on the combine with him. Next time I will take the camera. Hooray for harvest!

Signs of fall

This is one of the bulbs Mom gave us for Christmas. It has beautiful depth of color. We are enjoying watching the garden, and the vineyard. We had angelfood cake with our homegrown raspberries for dessert.

The wheat harvest will start this week. Hopefully we will have warm, dry days and no mechanical problems along the way. This has become my favorite time of year.

This was the last week for L. at the quilt shop. She designed and made these pillows all by herself. I am much impressed. We had a good time with her and will miss her.

Speaking of quilting, the binding is going on the quilt bound for Oregon. It is beautiful. I am excited to have it finished.

I need to learn to control my quilting urges. I have many partly finished projects, all of which are calling to me. I need to just shut the door to the sewing room and take a deep breath, and pause.

This week we took a load of stuff to Missoula for the college apartment. L. picked out a futon for the living room. Here is the proud crew after assembly is complete. Lance's kids are on the sides and the other is L.'s roommate. She is also dating Alex. Its a small world.

Hard to believe school is starting. The summer has flown by. To my students, study hard, eat your vegetables and finish strong.

Love, Marmee

Grape expectations

The grapes are turning purple. See how big the leaves are. It is fun to walk down the rows and see the progress. We tasted one and it was sour. We are eating raspberries and the second round of strawberries. The apples on the trees in the backyard are turning color. 96 degrees today.

A full day at clinic with sports physicals. School registration was today and the two-a-day practices and the infamous "circle of fun" start Monday. We will be in Missoula getting L. moved into her apartment. Its an exciting time.

Quilt in every language

My french quilting magazine came today.It has may photos of quilts at a show much like our International Quilt Market. Some of the names are ones I recognize as American designers. I was cutting one of their kits today. I will be cutting the new series tomorrow. It is a small world, and people appreciate beauty in any language.

Some days I get tired of being a doctor. I get frustrated when patients don't have easy access to specialists. I don't want to practice beyond what I am comfortable with. I don't know how to make the system better. Sometimes I think families should consider support services in the same way they look at school districts when they move. I understand that a rural area with one person per square mile will not support a practice in child psychiatry or pediatric neurology. It is a hard problem. Sigh.

I am back to reading Sherlock Holmes. I have read the stories before, but I still enjoy them. Some books are like old friends. Who can forget Jo March struggling to become a writer, and finding love in an unexpected place, or Tom Sawyer getting in and out of trouble?  I am looking forward to the next generation of classics.

Barn quilt

For those of you hoping for a farm kitten, this is the best I can do. There is a black tom cat who visits now and then. Like most farm cats, he is shy. Somewhere behind the long grass, he is looking at you. He was just in plain sight a minute ago. There is another tabby that wanders through now and again. The farmer says its a male...he can tell by the swagger in his walk. I have no opinion.

This is my latest quilt. It is not the one going to Oregon. This one will live at the quilt shop for now.

Remember when the fall fabric was too pretty to pass up?
The pattern is one Wes suggested I try. I loved the fabric with barns and the rest just seemed to go with it. I think it looks better from a distance, but the close up will show you the fabric. 

I took it into the shop this morning so I could take a picture of it. Wes pointed it out to a customer who was buying fabric from the same line. She had her husband and father-in-law get out of the pickup and come in the store to look at it as well. I was pleased. Wes said it may make the newsletter. Does that count as being cyber-published?

Is there such a thing?

May all your dreams come true!

Canadian geese

We did another crop tour today. We got 1.3" of rain over the past two days, and the corn should do well, as long as it doesn't freeze before mid-September. The combine is out in front of the shed, and the header is on. It is a sign that harvest is just around the corner.

This is county fair week, with a rodeo tonight. The rain has made the arena a mudbath. It should be interesting to see the cowboys trying to rope calves on slippery ground. We will go see the exhibits this afternoon. Perhaps next year, I will enter a quilt and see if I will the blue ribbon.

There were Canadian geese in the pond by the lake. They like the rain as much as the farmer does.

Safe travels to those on the move.

                            Marmee

Clouds

It is interesting how much of out daily conversation involves moisture for the crops. Rain at key times can make the difference between a great crop and a poor one. Rain with hail can mean no crop at all. Farmers are gamblers and mine is never at peace until the harvest is done. Even then, the price of wheat varies day to day. You never know if selling today is too soon or too late for the best price.

I was called in from the quilt shop to take care of a child with pneumonia. We ask each other for help with the understanding that we are available when the need arises. When there isn't a need, I get to be at the quilt shop. It is the best moonlighting job possible. 

Grapes on the farm

We have just come in from weeding the grapes. It is fun to see the vines get bigger and stronger. If we can keep the birds from getting to them first, we should have some to eat eventually.

I am going to finish the quilt today. There is one more border strip, and I have to piece the backing and my part is done. Tiff's mom agreed to quilt it for you. I thought it would be more special to have someone you know do it. Choosing the backing from a whole array of fabric took awhile, but I found one I like very much. It has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I think the same designers created the backing fabric and the front, although they are not from the same collection. 

Did you know you can click on "next blog" and random pages of other people show up in no particular sequence, or language? Interesting to browse but disconcerting not knowing who is looking over my shoulder at my life, or my grapes.

Sunset on the prairie

 Coming home after night clinic... what a pretty sunset. It is peaceful to live in the country. The grapes are doing really well. There has been one or two raspberries off the yellow raspberry bush. The second crop of strawberries are showing up. 

Unfortunately, the dust bunnies and dirty clothes are showing up too. Who knew that housekeeping would be a moral decision? To quilt or not to quilt... that is the question. I wonder how they managed in the past with no electricity, no running water, yet still managed to make beautiful quilts.  

The men's round robin quilts you saw last summer have been included in a French quilting magazine, called Quiltmania. I ordered a copy online and the shipping confirmation came via email in French. Cool,huh! I will have it autographed.

mail from home

I like to think of my blog as a letter to you, so you know I am thinking of you. Since my life has little drama, the blog is made of little scraps of this and that. After the crops tour, I asked God for one more rain (two inches over two days) and today it is raining. There had been only sunny, hot July days, and the corn leaves were curling (corn's way of saying I'm thirsty).

I rearranged some fabric at the quilt shop to put the fall fabric up front. I could not resist bringing some home to make a lap size quilt. Sometimes I see fabrics and my mind won't let go until I have found a pattern that I think would be perfect, and just the right combination of fabrics to put together. I am temporarily obsessed. (Quilt crazy should be a new diagnosis). I will take a picture when I get it done.

Rainy days should be quilt shop days, but it is a doctor day. Lately the clinic has been busy with sore throats, and the season of sports physicals approaches. It is a brief flurry, and then its gone. Fall is coming. 

Love to you all. Marmee

Crop tour

This morning Lance and I took a crop tour. We climbed in the pickup and drove past each field. The wheat is just beginning to turn from green to gold. We hope it rains one more time so the kernels fill (get plump). You never know for sure how the crop will turn out until you take it to the elevator. The corn is tall.

   Can you tell I am still learning how to work with the pictures? I can get them into the blog but can't position more than one. I will keep trying.

Summer on the farm

This is how our landscaping looks now. I didn't know that some of the bushes would be flowering. We have some that bloom pink and some yellow ones. We finished repainting the deck...see how white it is!