Keeping Warm

Pin It The temperatures have been frightful lately which means much time spent indoors and keeping warm. Thank goodness I don't suffer from SAD like some other people. It would be horrible with the type of weather we have!

I am still plucking away at making blocks for my first quilt. It is a fun process but time consuming as I check things once, twice and three times before I cut or sew.


This is the third block in the series.

This is the fourth block.

I laid out all the blocks I have completed so far to see what the quilt will look like. I like it! :)

I have also been working on reducing the paper products we use in our home. I believe we should all do our part to take care of this planet and it helps on the pocketbook as well! Paper towels, napkins, Kleenex and such will slowly be fazed out of our home. Bathroom tissue will have to stay I think!

Here are some napkins I made recently. They will be placed in a big basket so whenever one is needed they are handy to grab. I double sided them for extra strength and absorbency. I have a roll of this material that was given to me by a friend and the roll is 50 yards! I don't think I will have to worry about running out anytime soon.

I have been slowly making a list of new homesteading skills I want to try this year. When I have my list ready, I will post it for you to see. It will help to keep me focused on my goals and be accountable! I am thinking 12 new skills...one a month which I think is reasonable. The skill for this month was to make napkins so I am successful for January.

Have a great day everyone! I am off to do some more housecleaning and crafting. =)

Another Block and Caregiving

Pin It The last few days have been spent taking care of Bob. He hasn't been doing well....he is in a lot of pain. For those who don't know, my hubby has been fighting mouth cancer for about five years. There have been rough roads and smooth roads but the most trying are the days when he is not feeling well.

When he was first diagnosed, it was a stage four cancer. He had a huge lump in his mouth. The treatment was surgery, radiation and chemo. He had the surgery. They cut out half of his tongue, removed 12 lymph nodes from his neck and pulled most of his teeth. The radiation came next which burnt his neck and face so bad I thought he would never look normal again. Then the chemotherapy. The chemo took a lot out of him. The energy was gone and he lost a lot of weight. When he looks back on it, he says it was like a bad dream.

So we take each day as it comes. Some days are good and some not so good. The last few haven't been good. He is in quite a bit of pain and very lethargic. I worry about him and try to make him feel as comfortable as I can.

Today he forced himself to help Luke install a speed bag in the garage. Luke has been wanting to use a punching bag for a while but the cold weather has kept us inside. Today the temperature rose enough that they decided to install the punching bag and try it out. Both of them had a blast trying to make the bag work as they thought it should.

While the guys were working on 'manly' stuff, I worked on another quilting block. I am having a lot of fun with this ... learning as I go.

Here is block number two. It was a little more difficult as it was a paper piecing technique. I had never tried paper piecing before but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I have the quilting bug in me now and want to work on fabrics all day long!

I am hoping that I will have some time tomorrow to pluck away at another block. I am so anxious to finish all the blocks and get to the quilting part!

I hope you have a wonderful evening with your loved ones and don't forget to give them a hug!

After the holidays

Pin It Well the holidays are over. It has been crazy around the old homestead and decorations are finally put away. Things are finally back to normal. I had a wonderful visit with my Mom over the holidays. It is always such a joy when she can come and stay awhile.

Everyone loved their 'homemade' gifts which inspires me to do more next year. Now I am waiting for spring to arrive so seeds can be planted in the garden.....but it will be a while yet!

The temperatures here have been very cold...perfect weather to stay inside and get projects done while enjoying a cup of tea and taking many breaks doing enjoyable tasks.

I decided yesterday to try my hand at block quilting. I have quilted before but have never made my own blocks and it is one of my goals this year. I want to make a few quilts for loved ones and to me there is nothing that screams 'homesteading' than being cuddled underneath a homemade quilt.





This is my first quilt block. The colors in the picture don't do it justice. The corners aren't perfect but I am happy with it since it is my first attempt. I am hoping to get better as I go along!

I am sorry to all my friends whose blogs I read regularly. I haven't been around on the computer much but will try and catch up. Sometimes life gets in the way!

Today will be spent taking our Rottie Sammy to the vet. He had to have emergency surgery before Christmas and he needs his check-up and shots. He is doing well and is as goofy as ever.

I need to make a trip to the library as one of my goals for the new year (I don't call them resolutions as then I don't stick with them) is to learn Spanish. So I have a kit on order there so I can get started. This should be an experience!

I hope everyone is doing well, keep warm (or cool) where ever you may be on the this planet of ours.

Remember to give your loved ones a hug! :)