Friday, November 7, 2025

Quilts...Uncles, Family and Food


Good morning friends!  Another week...thank God we got to wake up to see it roll by!
Larry has one Uncle left in this world.  Cantankerous by nature...foul mouthed and not a pleasure to be in his presence.  He and his brother Gerald (Larry's dad) rarely had anything to do with each other although, Gerald did make the effort...rarely worked.  Now Harvey is having troubles with his dementia.  I had a long chat with his DIL yesterday and they had to put Harvey into a place for "memory rehab"... Well, there'll be no "rehabbing" him.  They tried several solutions, but nothing worked, so it's the nursing home for him.  He has a nasty disposition ... meds really only affect his heart so they can't just give him anything.  He's acting out...pinching the aide's butts...hugging inappropriately and sliding out of the bathroom with his pants around his ankles.   The family gets a mixed set of reviews from him...some he downright tells to get out...some he tolerates and one in particular, he likes.  Larry and I haven't gone to visit yet...unsure of the reception...lol
In other news, we've started the house painting job.  We really like it...black and white.  They are supposed to finish up today, so I'll take some shots later and post.  We'll get a landscaper out to give an estimate on working on the yard...I want Sage shrubs in front. They are dry weather tolerant...plus they bloom.


We'll be adding black shutters on all the windows in front and side of the house... then we'll pressure wash all the concrete, the kind with the pebbled rock added...we've never liked it because it holds dirt and within months, ends up looking dark and nasty...like in the photo below.  Oh well...I'll be adding pots of something by each door later.


Larry's shop...
In other news...



I got greatgran Sloane's quilt back from the longarm lady.  I think it turned out really nice.  Hope she likes it...maybe she'll even think of me on occasion when she's grown up.



The backing...



A new block pattern prototype...I keep it in front of me, so I don't get turned around! 




Then, I've sent Crystal's quilt to be worked on by the longarmer...It'll be several weeks before it's ready.




Now, I'm starting a quilt for granddaughter Samantha.  She likes more traditional colors like greys, tans and browns.  I found this Double Friendship Star pattern and liked it.  I only need to make 14 more blocks...






Last story about quilting, today!  Promise! lol
Laura...my sister Ruth's ex-hubby's wife, Laura (got that? lol) , has had a terrible time of it lately.  3 surgeries on her back have left her in terrible pain.  A metal rod support snapped and broke (the thing that holds rods in one's back, in place). 
 Anyway, she's had this material for four years...her SIL Lisa, promised to make her a quilt but reneged on the deal...treated her badly and hurt Laura's feelings on top of abandoning Laura when she most needed help when recuperating from all the surgeries.  In a lot of families there are some members that run at the first sign of having to help out others...fact...you learned it here...you're welcome.  lol
Okay...so I'm a sucker for tears... I have really tried to distance myself from my sister because nothing I do pleases her.  I still try to help out...some...but sister and Laura stopped by the other day (that in of itself, being a shock) and layed this all on me (making her a quilt), I couldn't say no...and yes, I was "set-up".  Some things are just that obvious.  But I told her she'd have to get in line.  I'm working on other projects right now and it would be a while before I could get to her quilt.  That's her material in the above photo.  Pretty colors...still thinking about an easy yet quick queen size pattern.  Any ideas??



This was Halloween afternoon...Lolli, Pops...Lottie and Sloane ready to attack the neighborhood!  We bought Tim's short set last Christmas as a joke...he wore it as his costume...lol, He was some hick fisherman...


Our sweet babies...Sloane and Lottie



Larry's new pick-up...2026 GMC Canyon.  We hopefully, have bought our last vehicles.








Fried Boneless Pork Ribs...


Wings and green beans...


Baked up some bacon dipped into seasoned flour with eggs and toast.




And lastly, we had to buy Libby a new bed...we think she likes it! lol   Buddy sniffed it and moved along most unimpressed.
I'll end your pain, in having to read my boring adventures, with saying... I hope you all are well or at least getting there!  Stay safe!  
Until next time...

Monday, October 27, 2025

The Birds...Sheet Pan Pancakes and The Brazos River


Good Morning Friends...Figured I'd best do a little check-in!  Again, I've been absent for longer than I'd meant to be.... Keeping busy with Larry's Dad's estate...selling the shop buildings...shopping for Larry a new truck...planning to get the house painted...working on another quilt for our daughter, Crystal...getting Sloane's quilt top back from the longarm lady, hopefully soon...church...hunting down a good landscaper to get new hedges in the front yard in February...We are just too old to get out in the yard and dig those deep holes!  At least five of them?!  I'm thinking Sage.  They bloom and you can get the compact size.



Sami and Everett took the greatgrans to the Fair & Rodeo.  Took Sloane by the Parakeet enclosure... Sloane is a country girl...but I seriously doubt she's ever been this up-close and personal with one...Lol...bless my sweet Babygirl.






She did calm down and ended up having a fun time.




I don't think Lottie cared...lol





Yep...happens often! lol






Well...after 50 years...we get a completely new road in front of the house!  We were really tired of all the drainage problems and potholes.



Working on putting together the quilt for daughter Crystal...





This is a trend on TikTok.  Know what?  It actually worked!  And it was delicious...Sheet pan Pancakes.  Recipe 





I always add powdered sugar and lemon juice!  We learned about this years ago in Germany.  Delicious.











Larry made Shepard's Pie...seriously good.



After church, we ate at The Brazos Landing on the Brazos River.  Pricey but delicious.






It was a bit too chilly to sit outside...we've been getting rain...that and being windy doesn't really do it for me...lol


Me...


Larry had Jambalaya and I played it safe with Chicken Frien Steak. 


We could only eat half of what they brought out, on our plates!  It's going to be our lunch again today.  


I made a Cornish hen sometime last week...


And made a meal of Rice & Tomatoes with Butter.
We love this!


Finally...lol...We had several meetings to attend so once again, we ate out.  Fish and shrimp...broccoli casserole with mashed potatoes did the trick.
Well...I guess you need a serious break after all that!  And I suppose the sewing machine is calling my name.
Be safe out there...be aware of your surroundings.  For my American friends, I don't know how much longer this shutdown is going to go on so I hope you are all prepared.  
So...until next time...

Friday, October 10, 2025

Got it Done!



Good Morning Friends... Sorry that it's been a little longer than usual, but I have been trying to finish up Greatgran Sloane's quilt! 
 Larry's Dads house sold...the shop buildings have sold...and we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, as far as his estate goes.
Went to town a few times...mainly to hunt for fabric for the quilt.  We ate out twice...I've started to clean up my sewing room and areas to get ready for my next one for my daughter, Crystal.  She loved the one I made for baby Sydney...the flowered material and pastel colors so...I'm on the hunt.


The quilt Crystal liked...


Then, we went to the antique store, and I bought an old lamp.  I love the three-way light!



Larry finished putting up my new bathroom cabinet and painted the one on the left, white to match.  I like the smaller mirror...with the storage on both sides.  Also had to change out the light fixture!  I couldn't change light bulbs because the cabinet came up too high!  Love the new fixture though...


Our sweet Sloane...


and sister Lottie Lynn...



I worked 7 to 9 hours a day just to wrap this quilt top up!  My back is still sore!  I'd get up around 2:30, 3:00 am and get started then try to rest in the afternoons...but it's done...in the sack...with the backing and binding, ready for my Longarm lady to quilt.




Binding...


An AI video showing the quilt to....NOT my arm! lolol




Grandsons Tylar and William playing around with the Spock Mind Meld! ...I love these sweet babies of ours!




I made chicken thighs with asparagus and pasta.
Wonderful!


I've always wondered why when we order fish from a Mexican restaurant it always comes out wonderfully fried?!!

Then we stopped in at our local cafe for burgers.  I ordered onion rings and they were fantastic!  SO light!


Finally, one day I made Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches.  Really good!!
Well, that's about all the catching up I've got...
Hope you've had a good week...are feeling well and happy.  So, until next time...