Word Play Winner

The winner of the Word Play Quilts book, as chosen by Mr. Random Generator is Number 6.

Cyndi said...

 Congratulations to Teresa - hope she enjoys her gift! And I'm in the same boat with you, Janet. Looking for a new camera...mine has been dropped so many times it amazes me that it even still takes photos. But I keep getting all types of crazy stuff on my view screen and every time I take a photo it sends me a message that my "card can't be read"! I know absolutely nothing about cameras, so I can't give a recommendation....don't have any idea what type I'm going to get, either! Good luck, my friend.

Cyndi is an old hand at sewing, but a new quilter.  She makes fabulous bags.  Congratulations, Cyndi!  I hope you have fun looking at this book and possibly a word quilt is in your future.   Good luck with buying a new camera too.

I love Mr Random.  He takes the hard part out of the give away, so quick, easy and impartial.  Thank you for all the camera advice.  I haven't had time to look on line yet.  I may have to go to Pierre tomorrow for the Rhino's windshield.  I'll check at Walmart and see what they have available there. 

I have been a cleaning demon this morning.  I really need a couple weeks of that fervor.  Cleaning is not one of my favorite things to do.  It just needs to be done again the next day or the next week.  I have two very clean bathrooms right at this very moment.   They smell wonderful and everything is clean and shiny from ceiling to floor.  I really need some sunshine to get in the real Spring cleaning mode.  I have some painting I want to do too.

The Yukon is fixed and has new tires.  We'll need to go get it later today.  I am so thankful that the Rhino and the Yukon are in good working order for their busy season ahead.  It is cold (28 F) and gloomy today again and no promises in the future. 

The Camera is Kapoot!

This give away is closed.

I grabbed my camera this morning to take a picture and no "action".  Ahhhh---must be the batteries.  Quick change!  Still no functioning.  I plug it into my computer and see if the software comes up. Yes! Ok,  I just used it yesterday to take and download those pictures for the blog.  Now the camera turns on, but does not take pictures.  Some of you may remember I dropped it and the viewing screen no longer worked, but at least I could still take pictures and download them.  I guess I need a new camera.  I've been looking at them, but not seriously.  I'll be looking seriously now.

Thank you "everyone" for the well wishes and praise.  I'm looking forward to another year of blogging fun.

The winner of yesterday's give away is---TA--DAAAA 

Number 23 

Teresa said...

Well you know I am a fan...if you get tired of all that snow, just come on to South Carolina. I have a guest room and you are welcome to it.

I used the Random Number Generator, but some of you may think that the guest room was a little "extra incentive" to choose Teresa.  I wish I could do that, but DH says he will come and track me down if I leave during calving season. 

We got a couple more inches of snow last night.  It was a least 28 F this morning, so not quite so cold.  DH keeps checking the weather channel and looking for those 50 degree temperatures they keep promising us.  The poor geese and ducks are flying around in circles wondering what the heck happened to spring.

Today's "one day" is Word Play Quilts by Tonya Ricucci.  I don't have a picture for you, but you can check out the book on this Amazon link.  I accidently ordered two when I ordered mine from Connecting Threads.  When I got it in the mail, I knew it would be just right for this give away.  I  haven't tried doing letters like this, but there are some reallly cute ideas for quilts that people have done.  My So Scrappy Friend is such an inspiration to me.  This post shows some of the  "talking quilts" she has made.  She gets so much done!  I love her blog and if you haven't check it out--you need to.  I love the idea of creating a totally unique quilt.

This give away is open to everyone who would like to win this book.  I'll choose a winner tomorrow.  Just leave me a comment.  I'll be looking for a new camera, so if you have a recommendation let me know.

Blog Birthday/Anniversary

This giveaway is CLOSED.  : )

Does this look like Spring to you?  The temperature isn't Spring-like either.  I'm certainly thankful that we let "the boys" out 10 days later than we usually do.  The girls are still holding on to those babies in this cold weather.  We are anxiously waiting for the first one to come.  I can't imagine trying to keep everyone warm and dry, although we have done it other years. 

I think the cows are even tired of the cold and snow.  They are wondering when is it ever going to get nice.  They walk slower and slower as they head for water.  The snow is really coming down today.  We are suppose to get 3-6 inches.

The Rhino got fixed and had maintenance last week, so it's ready to start the busy work ahead.  It is also sporting a new top and DH ordered a windshield too.  The top and windshield will be very nice for those April rains we hope to get.  The GMC Yukon we use for the calving vehicle broke down last week and is in the shop.  I'm praying for a quick repair job for it this week.

As the title states I'm having a blog birthday or blogiversary today.  One year ago today I jumped into blogging with no skills.  I've learned many things, met many people and had a lot of blog fun this year.  It's fun to look back at the pictures and see what the weather was and what I was working on.  I want to thank everyone for the "blog encouragement" on my boring post.  Sometimes my life seems pretty boring, but I know I enjoy every post I read of other bloggers.  It is fun to travel to other states and countries.  Thanks so much to all of you for being my friends.  I can't believe I have over a 150 followers.  I really appreciate all my regular commentors. 

I'm going to being doing some one day give aways like my friend, Cindy does to celebrate.

My first prize is a 1 year subscription to McCall's Quick Quilts.  If you would like to win, please leave a comment today.  The winner will be drawn tomorrow.  This will only be for friends in the USA.   Some of my other prizes will be for everyone. 

I'm off to start lunch and continue doing laundry.  

A Boring Post

Yesterday it thundered, rained, sleeted and last night it snowed 4 inches.   It is the usual mixed up March weather.  I'm showing you pictures I took last week-end.   Here is the slew that is just south of our house.  It is very full right now. 

Rocco and I enjoyed a couple walks last week.  He can't wait for the nice days to stay, so we can walk every day.  He runs ahead so he has time to smell everything while I catch up.  Most of the time we have 5-10 cats following along too.  This morning we snuck off while they were eating breakfast.  We both need to get our walking time built up--too much winter sitting.  Rocco has gained a little weight.  I've stayed the same, but that still means I need to lose. 

 

The cows are still holding back on calving--as they should. We really shouldn't start until 4/1. I hope they hold them in until the heat comes back. DH cleaned and bedded the calving barn today. The Rhino is still at the dealer for fixing. DH is hoping it will be done by the end of the week.


I baked pumpkin bread and cooked roast beef for supper to take the chill off the house. It seemed extra damp and cold today. I'm still working on the redwork blocks. I need to get in my sewing space and do some organizing. 

Sorry for such a boring post!  lol

The Mud Season

As my blog friend, Deanna says we have a season between Winter and Spring--mud season.   The nice weather has caused the snow to leave quickly and the water to build up.   The ditches are full of water and the creeks are running.

The water started running over our main road out in three places.

It's much better today, but we are left with big ruts in the road that will need some fixing.  I met the mail carrier at the highway today to mail books to Desarae and Terry.  I needed to get some bills in the mail too.

She refuses to drive on our road and I don't blame her.  I don't like driving on it either.

DH is checking out the water flow and damages.  Road construction was his first job off the farm when he was young.  He knows alot about road building and maintenance.  This part of the road is not county maintained, but is part of an organized township--not a township we live in.  It will be interesting what happens and how quickly it gets fixed.  So far it is solid enough to drive on very slowly.

Sunday I went to town for a birthday dinner and a baby shower.  I used an alternate road that added 6 miles to the trip.  DH called me on my way home and told me to use our road.  The water had started running over the alternate road more deeply than ours.  It has been raining all day, so it's not going to get a lot better soon.

It's just part of the "mud season".  I'm thankful for a dry house! 

The geese continue to fly every day.  The sky is full of different groups and lots of honking.

 

This is a corn field east of our house down by the mailbox.  Clouds of geese fly over and some stop to eat and rest.  At night if you step outside the night is filled with the voice of thousands of geese.  I'm not sure if they are planning their trip for the next day or discussing territory boundaries.  There are the dark colored Canadian geese and the white Snow geese. This morning on the way to the highway there were alot more Snow geese.

What do you do when it's wet and cold out?  I'm stitching Raggedy Annie redwork blocks.  I may need to bake something to take off the damp chill in the house.  Rocco and Peanut are snuggled up for nap time.   Snoozing with someone is always more cozy.  I hope you are having a good day!

Book Winners

I can't believe how quickly the week went.  I didn't even take time to post.  Here are the winners of the books.  Please send me your addresses.  Happy reading!!

The Quilter's Apprentice     Marie

Rainwater    Terry

Girl in Translation    Deserae

Thank you to everyone who stopped and commented.  I'm sorry I didn't get back to all of you.  My blog anniversary is coming up the end of the month too.  I plan on having an anniversary giveaway too.

We have been getting ready for calving--lots of fixing and running around for supplies.  The temperatures have been warm and the snow is leaving quickly.  There was water running over our road in 3 places yesterday.  We are hoping it doesn't do major damage as this is happening all over and won't get fixed right away.  We didn't get our mail.  I'm sure the mail carrier turned around when she saw all that water running over the road.

The main sound of spring this week has been "honking" --geese that is.  We saw thousands yesterday on our way to Pierre--snows and canadian.  I was wishing for my camera.

I'm stalled on the quilting for now.  I did get the Raggedy Annie blocks traced so I can do the redwork in spare minutes. 

Lots of muddy feet and paws to clean up after this week.  lol 

I Love To Read Give Away

THIS GIVE AWAY IS CLOSED.  Winners will be announced tomorrow, Saturday 3/19

Reading is one of  my favorite things to do.  I also like to listen to audio books when I sew.  I have good memories of my daughters reading to me in the car.  The long trip to town every morning was made much more enjoyable with books.  The girls both became very good readers.  I switched to audio books when my readers graduated.  I have been doing some reading to rest my arm from stitching.  These are quick and fun reading books.

This first book was sent to me from Linda.  She told me to pass it on and I am.  Many of you may have already read some of Jennifer Chiaverini's books.  This was my first one and I really enjoyed it.  I need to get some more Elm Creek books.  Thank you Linda for sharing!!

I liked Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok.   I was hoping this girl would make the right decisions.  I'm not a book critic.  I choose a book and read it for the pure joy of reading.  It was a good read.

The last book in the give away is Rainwater by Sandra Brown.    I think this is the best Sandra Brown book I've read.  I really liked the ending.  : )

If you like to read, please leave a comment telling me which book you would like to read.  I will draw 3 readers on Friday, March 18th.  

Pinwheel Sampler Quilt Finished

The Pinwheel Sampler Quilt is complete!  It is the largest quilt I have completed.  Thank you to Rachel at PS I Quilt for having the quilt along.  I had alot of fun making the blocks each week.  It took me awhile to get them together, border them and free motion quilt.   Puss is wondering what DH and Michelle are doing.  We took the photo here, because the light was the best.  Sorry for the mess, but we are a family of pet lovers and snugglers.  There are lots of bones, toys, pillows and blankets all over the living room most of the time.

I used off white, pink and brown thread to quilt loop de loops in the blocks and borders on my Bernina.  The thread is from Connecting Threads.  I didn't have any trouble with tension or thread breaking.  The only time I had skipped stitches was when I went too fast on the loops.  Slow is better with the Bernina. 

I took my time quilting because of some arm pain I've been having.  I really think I do a better job with more breaks tho.  If I do too much at once I get in a hurry and don't do as well.  Quilting an hour at a time was a good pace.

I love the backing fabric. I'm very pleased with the finished product.  I'm doing a little happy dance.  lol

Michelle was home for a couple days on her Spring Break.  She spent a lot of time doing home work, but we enjoyed having her presence in the house.  Why is it that food is a mother's way of showing love?  We had fried chicken, homemade buns, yellow cupcakes with fudge frosting and creamy chicken and wild rice soup.  I sent soup, buns and cupcakes home with her.  She is looking forward to graduation May 7th.  She just finished up a rotation in ICU.  She will make a very caring, competent nurse, I think. 

We enjoyed watching the local girls BB team play at the State Tournament.  They achieved a 3rd place finish.  There were some really close games--exciting.  SD PBS broadcasted the games and we were able to watch on the internet.  DH's great niece also played on a AA team that finished 7th.  The AA games were on the PBS tv channel we get.  It brought back good memories of our girls and their teams.

The weather is going to be warm this week here.  I'm feeling pretty ashamed of myself for whining the winter away.  So many people in Japan, New Zealand and Australia have suffered so much from Mother Nature.  I need to count my blessings more.  I pray for all these hurting people. 

I mentioned a book give away, so come back--that will be the next post.  Thank you for all your encouragement for my quilting and concern about my arm.  It is feeling some better. 

Slow But Sure

There is not much going on here.  I'm still working on free motion quilting the pinwheel quilt.  I'm doing loops.  I decided this quilt isn't for a quilt show and the quilt police aren't going to arrest me, so just "getter done".  I just need to enjoy the process and the practice.  I'm using off white thread, although I think I'll use pink in the pink border and brown in the outer border.

I'm taking my time, because of my arm.  I don't want to over do.  I really think all the pain I had over the week-end was from this storm that we are having now.  It has snowed about 4 inches so far and the wind is suppose to come up tonight.  I decided I just can't post another snow picture today.  It has steadily been coming down since after lunch. 

I read a couple books over the week-end.  How about a book giveaway next time?  

Market Day

The trucks came this morning and loaded up the calves and hauled them to the sale barn.  After a week of moving snow, worrying, feeding, worrying, sorting and worrying--DH will have to worry about something else.  I shouldn't say that, but I just can't convince him that worrying doesn't help.  Praying helps!

Good by, babies................The cycle will begin again at the end of the month.