Garden planting

Back at the farm in Kansas, set out 42 tomato plants and 12 various peppers.  I hope the tomatoes do better this year so i can put up several quarts for the winter.  I was reading  Patchwork Times blog and she tells about canning pinto beans and baked beans...that sounds so good!  We really don't care about store bought canned beans and sometimes you want beans in a hurry and that would be so great to have your own canned beans..i like knowing what exactly is in my canned goods.  I will be doing that soon I hope! Fridays Fun!

Springtime in Colorado

Spring time in Colorado is glorious!  We have been catching lots of trout and eating them...two of my favorite things! LOL  Our favorite lake is still frozen over so we have been fishing at Blue mesa and the fishing has been great.  Sometimes we grill our trout whole in foil and lemon and butter or fry it in panko crumbs (my fav way) or skewer it and grill.  Mr. outdoors always filets the trout so there are no bones.  Colorado is very dry this year and I fully expect them to impose a campfire ban any day now.  Lots of folks come to Colorado to camp, fish,4 wheel and sight see, we do a little of all of those and the campfires will be missed but worth it if it prevents forest fires.  Not much sewing has been happening but i'll get back to it here in a bit......wonderful Wednesday!

Garmin Marathon

Such a great weekend for our family.  Our youngest son Mark (age 43) ran his first marathon and what an awesome time we all had.  He has been so dedicated in his training and did a fine job of it.  To run 26plus miles just boggles my mind..so very proud of him!  After the race we went to some dear friends for a hog roast and got to see their new granddaughter whom I made the purple leopard quilt for...she is a sweetie!  Drove to our Colorado home today, Mr. Outdoors got us here in good fashion and trout fishing is on our list for tomorrow.  Good times and so lucky to have such a special husband to share it all with..I am Blessed and Thankful in so many ways.

Getting the garden ready

Mr. Outdoors has been getting the garden ready to plant.  Our troy built tiller we have had since 1980 and the engine finally gave out on the darned thing.  Mr. Outdoors installed a new honda engine on old troy and it runs super good!  Starts with one pull...we are impressed!  We've got 40 tomato plants and a dozen or so pepper plants, zucchini and cantaloupe ready to plant, with the rain last weekend the ground is about ready.  Last years tomatoes didn't do much, we are hoping to be able to have enough to can for the winter this year.  (crossing fingers here) LOL

I-spy quilt

Made an I-spy quilt for some dear family friends new Grandaughter.  The new Mom has chosen the purple leopard print for her daughters nursery and it is lovely and fun to work with.  I read an article from a quilt shop the other day about the subject of baby quilts.  When someone comes into the quilt shop wanting to make a baby quilt they always ask if it is for a traditional quilt or more retro?  A lot of the new Moms are going for the animal prints or more modern fabrics than I would choose like the traditional blue or pink.  I embrace this new trend and I think it is great to see new ideas, tho I would not choose purple leopard for my baby I do love it!  The Grandparents of this new baby are hosting a hog roast this weekend to celebrate the newest member of their family...i'll be sure and eat plenty for all of us!  LOL

Alfresco lunch

Mr. Outdoors and I had lunch alfresco today...such a perfect sunny day. Steamed onions, broccoli, butter beans and mesquite smoked sausage...oh and blueberry shakes.  Yummy!  After last weekends tornados ... today was so nice.  We were undaunted by the storms but lots of folks not so lucky.  Wichita, Kansas had quite a bit of tornado damage but Thankfully no deaths.  Oklahoma did not fare as well and we are sad for the families who lost their loved ones.  My laundry lines were full today and a nice breeze did the job of drying our clothes, just got them all folded and put away...smell so fresh!

Tiny teacup

I am a fine one for not reading the "fine" print.  I see something I like and just go for it!  Sometimes that comes back to haunt me, like in this sweet little tea cup and saucer.  I saw it online and thought what a perfect gift for my sister-in-law who has an April birthday, she loves tea and tea cups.  I went right ahead and ordered it online, a little pricey but she is so worth it.  When it arrived I was shocked to see it was a miniature cup and saucer, and I paid wayyyyy too much for something that small.  At first I thought I would go ahead and give it to her but then had second thoughts and decided to just keep it myself.  I will pack it away with my Easter decorations and it will be a sweet reminder to me every april to read the fine print on everything!  Think about it Thursday.......

Lily blocks

I haven't posted about the carolina lily blocks for a longgg time but i am still working on them doing embroidery.  I will put them aside for awhile as soon as some purple fabric arrives I ordered for my Grandaughters wedding quilt.  For her wedding she had every guest sign a quilt block with their best wishes or some just signed their names.  We will pair these with courthouse steps blocks done in greys,yellows and purples.  Can't wait to get started on the blocks and I would so love to have the quilt done for their 1st anniversary on July 2nd.  Both of our sons and our granddaughter got married on our anniversary of July 2nd, that is very special to Mr. Outdoors and I.  Here are the lily blocks so far..don't know where the embroidery will end but i am enjoying all the stitching!  smile....

Easter Blessings

We had a wonderful Easter!

Happy Easter 2012

Happy Easter 2012!  Easter seems early this year, got our cake made yesterday and the Lily of the Valley is in full bloom around here...smells lovely.  Our family will be out for dinner later today and the day is full of sunshine.  Using my Grandmothers pink depression dishes for our Easter table and it is so pretty and girly I just love it.  Blessings to all.

Easter plans

The wisteria is in full bloom right now. I never have a lot of blooms tho I am so happy with what I do get

, they are so beautiful!  This year the clusters of blossoms are 8 to 10 inches tall, never have they been this large, I attribute this to all the rain we have had this spring.  Speaking of rain we had a gully washer this morning, a good ole thunder storm with lots of thunder and lightning and rain!  They promise sunshine this afternoon and a beautiful day for tomorrow, Easter Sunday.  The family is coming out and we are having our traditional ham, gravy, mashed taters,homemade rolls,green beans, mac-n-cheese and Easter cake.  There will be panko breaded fish for our precious Grandaughter who does not care for ham.  We have fallen in love with panko breading, such a great way for fish or shrimp, great flavor!  So on the agenda for me today is housework and setting my dining room table for Easter dinner, we have iris in bloom and rockets and lily of the valley, so my centerpiece will consist of these.  Happy Easter!

Painting

Been painting and papering our living room......golds...I will post pics when i get it put back together...smile.  Yesterday we had almost 90 degrees and today it is in the upper 60's, can't complain about that!  Easter is approaching and our family will be here, the plan is to take some family pictures, the iris, peonies, rockets and some of the roses should be in bloom just in time.  If weather permits we will eat outside under the big cypress tree.  Ham, mashed potatoes, gravy ,homemade rolls and lots of vege's.  I always make an Easter cake and this years will be one a little different, I saw it  on pinterest, involves lots of chocolate, peeps and jelly beans with coconut green grass.  So anxious to see our family!  Terrific Tuesday!  Enjoy!

The Kitchen House

Just finished this last night, what a good read.  Late 1700's an orphaned Irish girl is indentured to a tobacco plantation and is raised by the slaves.  Very heartwarming story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Kansas is going to be 87 degrees today on April 1st, very warm for this time of year.  Next week it cools back down, so nice to not have the AC or furnace running, windows open and lots of fresh air.  Spent yesterday doing laundry and painting and papering the living room, only got half of it done so will finish today (I hope). Time for mowing again...the grass is just growing like crazy! Sweet Sunday!