Swoon Block 3

Okay, I'm definitely Swooning over these babies.  I didn't think it was possible to crush on yet another block.  You may be detecting a theme by now, but I'm not sure if I'm committed to it.  So far my blocks are quite patriotic, but I'm not sure if I'll keep that going or do the whole Picnic and Fairgrounds line.  Although the thought of having a 4th of July quilt does drop visions of good times in my head.  Oh, I'm thinking of Montana a lot lately.  I can't believe its already mid April, and yet...I can't wait for our summer holiday in August.  Ahh, warm weather please come sooner!

We Have Growth!

I have HAPPY inside.  

I'm so excited!  Coming up here is spinach. 

And here we have cauliflower and red beets.  The corn also sprouted, but I didn't get a good shot of them yet.  No sign of the carrots though.  Or at least, I'm not sure if what I see is carrots or weeds.  I was able to weed the rest of the box, but the carrot section I left alone.  I couldn't decipher where my rows are.  It could all be weeds as I may have planted the seeds too deep. I'll wait and see.

I've been reading The Pocket Guide to Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark on Kindle.  Last week I read that  "The average Amish farm in Lancaster County has about 70 acres, and the crops commonly include corn, tobacco, alfalfa, and various grains.  Unfortunately, rising land costs and decreased availability are prohibiting many younger Amish from continuing the farming tradition.  Nowadays, the Amish work not only on farms but also in other trades, factories, restaurants, retail establishments, and so on...  

Glenn Rifkin gives this report in the New York Times: The business, which favor such Amish skills as furniture-making, quilting, construction work and cooking, have been remarkably successful.  Despite a lack of even a high school education...hundreds of Amish entrepreneurs have built profitable businesses based on the Amish values of high quality, integrity and hard work. 

...With the shift into entrepreneurship, of course, comes all sorts of challenges to the Amish way of life-new technologies, less time spent at home with family, and even mothers working outside of the home."

I sometimes wonder if the world that surrounds the Amish culture will inevitably infiltrate their way of life as technology competes with skill.  Still they have managed to remain authentic even when they make new exceptions into their culture.  Got to love the commitment & perseverance!

Speaking of growth.  I found this awesome growth chart for my little man on Etsy.  

Abbie's House

Isn't it cute?  It looks like a giant ruler!  I got the decal kit from Abbie's House on Etsy for only $12.  Gonna head to Lowes to get my supplies today. 

Catch ya later,

Lindsay

Friday Favorites

This has been a CRAZY week!  I got hit with a flu virus on Tuesday afternoon and ended up in the ER!  Finally starting to feel better.  Thank God!  I'm so thankful for all the days I'm not sick and that I have such a wonderful husband.  He has been a real trouper and hasn't complained one bit.  I think I chose wisely when I married him.  :D  

Not much sewing going on around here this week although lots of surfing the web.  Bored out of my mind in bed.  I'd like to be productive, but I'm still not quite there yet.  

So I leave you with some Friday Favorites I found this week:

 

1. fiesta pitchers, 2. patience_lieblingsdecke krabbeldecke quilt frankfurt_DSC_3833a, 3. starry skies sampler, 4. sherbet squares., 5. Sneak Peek, 6. Fandango Charming Stars, 7. monogram pocket placemats, 8. TT22, 9. On a Whim Quilt Finished, 10. Wonky Crosses~Finished, 11. Red and White Hand Quilted, 12. Baisakhi Medallion Quilt, 13. Lavender Kiss14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available 

Oh, and if you haven't been invited to church on Easter Sunday, its this Sunday, April 8.  

Please do not hesitate to go.  Celebrate one of the most amazing events in world history – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (The only competition comes from Christmas when God became a man!)

Happy Easter!

lil of this, lil of that

daffodils

In the last couple weeks, I've been catchin' up with my routine.  

Jack and I finally got those seeds in the ground last Tuesday.  I let that darn box just sit there for a week before planting.  Of course little weeds began to grow in that time.  Now I'm not quite sure how often to water.  I think I'll just stick with checking it every morning for moisture.  Sound good?

Oh, almost forgot to tell you WHAT we planted: sweet corn, carrots, red beets + cauliflower (might be to late for cauliflower), spinach. 

Unfortunately, we had some hard rain Saturday night, I hope it didn't do any harm. 

Indoors we have the tomatoes + cucumbers.  

I'm so nervous...I hope something grows, anything.

Got my second Swoon block finished.  Not totally as thrilled about this pairing, but I'm sure it'll look cute in the mix.

Picnic & Fairgrounds by DS Quilts

I'm really excited about this Little Golden Book.  Remember when I went here, and purchase this fabric panel?  Well, I finally pulled out the panel and some scrap batting and stitched it up.  Finished it in a few hours!  Its available here.

I love cloth baby books, don't you?

Especially ephalents...Yep, thats right I said, EPH-A-LENTS.  Thats what my mom says I called them as a kid.  My dyslexia apparently began before I could read, ha ha.

Just for fun, I also thought I'd share our dinner menu for the week. 

Monday:  Cobb Salad

Tuesday:  Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup + Strawberry Pecan Spinach Salad

Wednesday:  Lemon Honey Dijon Curry Chicken + Spinach Orzo Salad

Thursday:  Cream Pasta + Veggies

Friday:  Lettuce Wrapped Hamburgers + Sweet Potato Fries

Saturday:  I have NO IDEA...lets each out!

Sunday: Deviled Eggs, Easter Ham + whatever my family brings to share!

If you'd like any recipes, just email me.  I love to share.

<3

Enjoy your week!

Swoon Pinch :: Friday Favorites

Today I completed my first Swoon block.

 

I think out of all the Denyse Schmidt Picnic & Fairgrounds prints these two are my favorite together.  I might have to find more of them to make something for myself.  

This block is HUGE!  I mean I knew it would be 24.5" square, but once I finished it and saw how big it was... I fell for it.  I've been pinched and am Swooning.  Now to pick my next two prints for block two. 

On another note, Friday Favorites:

 

1. Holly Hobbie!!, 2. swoon7, 3. farmer's wife sampler, block 24, 4. Vintage Pyrex Butterprint Cinderella Bowl Set, 5. PTS 7 Complete!!, 6. Hope Valley, 7. Granny #4, 8. flea market fancy lattice quilt, 9. Scrappy Stars, 10. Spring Finish!, 11. velveteen star, 12. Cogwheel progress., 13. January 201214. Not available15. Not available16. Not available 

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Have a great Spring weekend!

Lindsay

Back and Busy

We've hit the ground running.  San Felipe, Mexico was great!  It was the perfect little get away for me.  Beach, movies, friends, ahhh.  Upon return I set out to finish building my vegetable garden.  It turned out way cool!  I never thought I could build somthing like this all by myself.  Now for the hard part:  GROWING FOOD!

We are waiting for a storm to pass this weekend before planting seeds.  I think we might do a starter kit in egg cartons. 

I hope I can do it.  I mean, I usually kill every plant that enters my home.  Lord willing, I'll have a healthy garden.  Jack picked out 10 vegetables.  We'll see what ends up getting planted first.  He is a great little farmer.  As I said here I got the plans to build this from Better Homes & Gardens, but I found a second resource and find it much easier to follow.  To build a raised garden bed like mine visit Sunset Magazine tutorial.  It was missing one item on the materials list (bird netting) but that was a mear $5. 

I'll keep you posted on the progress.  

Again, gardening tips are welcome, so please spill your beans!

Lindsay

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow!

Hi all, I just wanted to stop in and say hi!  I just enjoyed a lovely visit with my sister Shiloh in Oklahoma.  I flew with my Mom and Grama and together we four ladies had a blast.  We each got to contribute to her new home in our own special ways.  Yes, she be getting a quilt from me some time this year.  We haven't yet gotten together to decide on anything yet, but boy was I inspired.  She has a lovely new home.  I was so blessed to be there.  

Well, its a busy day.  I got home last night and tomorrow we are off to San Felipe, Mex for a race.  The fun part is that we are staying with friends on the beach.  I can't wait! 

I'll be back next week to share some more!

Lindsay