Dinner Is Served

I have a habit of looking out the dining room doors as I pass through. Imagine my surprise when I found the family of turkeys strolling through the yard feeding on our "salad bar"! They have been a constant morning sighting for several weeks. This was the first time I had witnessed them so close to the house, they are usually in the pasture south of the house. Before I grabbed the camera they were actually beneath the bird feeder in foreground. They are interesting creatures, and gutsy too--turkey season opened September 15th!

One of the neighbors corrals butts up next to our west fence. This summer its been the home to their bull and a palomino. Whenever we are out in the yard the horse will come over to the fence to see "whassup". Perhaps it is a habit created because whenever we see him we feed him apples? Can't tell his age, but he is a beautiful creature. The bull? He isn't quite as congenial ... he likes to hang out near the shelter and the hay bale.

~~~ Wizard-ing ~~~

I'm bummed. Sewing/quilting projects were put on hold due to furnace/heat pump issues. With that major expense out of the way things were returning to normal. I was looking forward to returning to the sewing room to complete the quilt-in-progress, "Slash your Stash". Unfortunately when installers were needing into crawl space for duct work we discovered foundation problems. Long story short ... we're under contract to have major foundation repairs made. Work will begin in mid-October. Now, what to do with all my "down" time?

I was reading through one of my quilting catalogues when I found a quilt design computer program. While researching that program I came across it's less expensive wizard "sister", which I felt better suited my current needs. I'm usually designing a quilt with colored pencils, graph paper, calculator, etc. The wizard seemed to be the next step, so I ordered it! Program arrived this past week, is installed and I've laid out a quilt for the "boy cave" in Ogallala. So, I'll be happily entertaining myself in the second floor computer room while basement wall/foundation issues are being addressed/repaired!

I'm still bummed with the expenses that lay ahead ... but when the work is finished we will have repaired our settling problems!

Dave Lennox ...

Current drought conditions were to much for our 11 year old heat pump and furnace. Today Dave made a call ... and decided he better stay ...

... installers were here for seven hours. Old heat pump has been replaced and furnace installation is nearly complete. Duct work is all that is missing and should be completed tomorrow afternoon. We will be "toasty" warm this coming winter and "chillin'" next summer!!!

For installation to occur ... the sewing/quilting rooms really "took a hit" (with bathroom also becoming a storage room)!

Unfortunately we have also had foundation "issues" that need to be remedied before the snow flies. So, that will occur before rooms can be put back in order. Downside is my current quilting project (on drying rack) is at a standstill, Ty's t-shirt quilt will be delayed (but all fabric is "at the ready") and Jake's quilt will remain in graph paper mode for awhile longer.

Of course, once furnace, heat pump and foundation issues are resolved there will be painting, etc. that should occur ... oh the joys of home ownership!!!

Dimples "metallic" fabric

Procrastinating ... again ... This time it was a "how do I" dilemma for a t-shirt quilt.

Before Tyler moved out in December, 2009 we "disassembled" some of his t-shirts. We very carefully folded up those that he wanted included in a t-shirt quilt and put them into a very nice storage container. The container was then placed under my cutting table where it "lived" somewhat happily, until that day when I decided I was tired of moving it to get at other containers with batting, shipping boxes, fleece, etc. etc. etc. Also, when my sister shared her t-shirt quilt pattern I knew the time had come!

I sat down and laid out my quilt top design, made a list of materials needed and began. T-shirt blocks are cut to size and are all stabilized. Tyler was here over the Labor Day week-end and selected the cornerstone and sashing/border fabrics. I ordered the "Dimples" fabrics from my favorite on-line shop "Ladyfingers Sewing Studio" (Oley PA) and they were received this past week. I really like the dark metallic fabric, which unfortunately does not show well in this photo. If you look hard enough that is gold metallic on black -- a perfect combination for a Lincoln Southeast High School graduate! Now to purchase a suitable fabric for the backing.

Dateline: Same day, early afternoon = Update to this post

Visited two fabric stores before finding this at ... of all places ... Hancock's! I bought the rest of the bolt because it was a good quality flannel. Now I can get this party started!

They're back ~~~

Had a flock of turkeys doing their morning "walk-a-bout" yesterday. This particular flock was a family of nine ...

As I got closer the adults herded the kids (poults) together and started heading south to the safety of the tree line. Now we know there are at least two separate flocks in the "hood". Way cool!

Clouds!!!

Look, look those are (hopefully) storm clouds building up in the east!!!

Ooooh, ooooh. There are more in the northeast!!!

Rain, rain ... rain here today!!! Please?
Now, we wait and see ...

"Sister" Jean

When somebody you love becomes a memory,
the memory becomes a treasure.

Jean A (Nootz) Lutz

August 22, 1934

August 29, 2012