This Week's Tasks

 

Life has been crazy.  

Last week I had to return my mom to the hospital after her mammogram for more tests.  Fortunately, the radiologist found it was just a cyst and she is fine.  

I'm already at the hospital 4 times a week driving Dave to radiation.   He's pretty weak and had a terrible weekend.  He gets chemo on Thursdays--the day his son drives him.  But the reaction from that doesn't hit him until Saturday and this past week was a doozy.  He woke up without a voice and spent most of the day in the bathroom.  It was pretty awful for him.

Brad came home after a month working in Quebec.  Since he got back, I've been cooking his favorite things and spent most of the weekend in the kitchen.  

This week, I'm going to spend more time in the sewing room.  I did finish a quilt top that I made for my brother.  I used the same pattern that I used for Paula's top and I'll be taking that to Lizzie this week.

I'm almost out of hand sewing projects and need to get some more prepared.  Hand sewing comes in handy while I'm waiting for someone at the hospital or watching the Phillies at night.  This past week I did buy more "Daisy and Grace" quilt-as-you-go templates.  I'm enjoying these projects so much, so why not?  The templates come from the UK and I figured if I waited the prices would increase or they wouldn't be available at all. 

I also need to reorganize my scraps.  I really like the system that Sue at the youtube channel "From Small Things" uses to keep her scraps organized.  You can see her videos here.  Sue's only been doing videos for about a year (or less) and she is already very popular with quilters.

So what are you up to this week?  I hope something fun is coming your way!

Flower Friday: September 12, 2025

 

This week:  September Gold!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Victory Quilt

 

World War 2 poster

Years ago, I really REALLY wanted to make an embroidered Victory Quilt.  I'm not sure if I had intended to make it for a program or for my family while our boys were in the navy and one of them deployed to Iraq and Aghanistan.

I had received a box of pattern pieces and found this ad:

While cleaning out, I found the ad again and did a net search.  This time I found a copy of the pattern.  It was a weak copy but I might be able to do something with it.

You can see it here at The Quilt Index.  Unfortunately, I have a long list of projects to do but I might consider doing this one later on.  We'll see.

Do you like this Victory Quilt?

Have a safe and happy day!

Knitting and Physics

 

News Flash!

Not everything on the internet is true!

It should go without saying but I'm married to a person who still hasn't learned that lesson.  Probably three or four times a month I have to gently say to him, check the source, check reputable news agencies.  

Last week, he booked a flight home that would take him to Newark Airport.  A while ago, we had agreed he wouldn't do that because at that airport, there are so many problems with delays, etc. 

So I was pretty surprised when he told me he booked a flight to Newark.  "I read about it," he said.  "The problems with the airport are cleared up."  Translation:  He read it on the internet so it must be true.

Result:  He didn't get home on Saturday at all and ended up booking a hotel for another night until he could fly out Sunday.

Even though I don't knit anymore, I enjoy watching Kristine Vike's youtube channel.  She's a scientist and a maker from Norway.  I love that she cites creditable sources on youtube page.  

The last video was about Knitting and Physics and a critique of a recently published video about Physics and Knitting.  Even if you don't knit, I think you will enjoy it.

The video is here.

I already looked into the book she cited during the video (The Golden Thread:  How Fabric Changed History).  Because my library doesn't have it, I ordered a used copy.

Wishing you a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: September 5, 2025

 

Happy Flower Friday!

We got rain last night!  Whooppeee!  It's been many weeks since our last rain.  My friends in other parts of the valley tell me they got a few brief showers but we didn't here.  I'm grateful and I"m sure my garden is too!

The annuals seem to be doing the best these days.  My brother's mandevilla is still really healthy--of course he waters it everyday.

Most of the petunias began fading in August.  It was so dry!  These mini petunias aka calibroacha are still going strong.

Because weeding has been impossible the last few weeks, I began pruning.  During the early summer a catbird kept scolding and chasing Lucky.  We thought her nest might be in the oak leaf hydrangea.  He kept sticking his nose in the bush and that's when catbird would get more aggresive.  We were right.  I found her nest when I was pruning.

That's all I have for this week!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

September

 

Did you have a good Labor Day holiday?  Mine was quiet and restful.   

I worked in the garden on Sunday morning and began trimming bushes.  The soil is just too hard and dry to do any effective weeding so I am pruning.  It was a cool and productive morning. 

But Monday everything was different.  The bees appear frantic and aggressive.  I can't remember the last time we had rain and I wondered if that and the cooler temps are making the bees that way.  

That brings me to my only goal for 2026.  I want to make a temperature quilt.  I know that most people record the high and lows of the days.  But I also want to record the days we have rainfall.  Have you made a temperature quilt?  I'm interested in any insights you might have before I begin.

I might make one like the one I found on this website (here).

Anyway, that is what I am researching when I am not caregiving these days.  

Have a safe and happy day!

Happy Labor Day!

 

Have a safe and pleasant holiday!