I Like Thursday #191

 It's Thursday again and time to share the things we found during the week that we like/love.  Thank you LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color for encouraging us to look for those things to share with others.  

I made a pillowcase for Finn for his 9th birthday.  I can't believe that almost all of my grand kids are tipping on the precipice of double digits.  Where did the time go?  I made Finn a pillowcase using these fabrics.

It was a fortuitous gift because he got a new pillow for his birthday also!  

I have complained a lot lately about the cold gray (what they call hazy) days around here.  We have had a little snow lately and have been in the mid teens as a high and single digits at night.  What I do love about it though is that we have beautiful blue skies most mornings.

I like this cute dog sweater I saw at work.  I thought it was appropriate for those of us that jump from project to project.

I like that a statue of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte was installed on Centennial Mall in Lincoln, NE.  Per Wikipedia:

Susan La Flesche Picotte (June 17, 1865 – September 18, 1915, Omaha)^[1] was a Native American doctor and reformer in the late 19th century. She is widely acknowledged as one of the first Indigenous peoples, and the first Indigenous woman, to earn a medical degree.^[2] She campaigned for public health and for the formal, legal allotment of land to members of the Omaha tribe.

Somehow this week I ended up stuck in the past when it came to my reading.  

Death Comes to the Village by Catherine Lloyd.  Miss Lucy Harrington is the daughter of the rector of Kurland St. Mary, and has been given the task of caring for her father's home, and siblings after her mother's death during childbirth, and visiting the infirm--including Major Robert Kurland who was injured during the battle of Waterloo.  When one of the maids goes missing Lucy is convinced that foul play has occurred, especially after the Major discloses that he thinks he spied something suspicious going on in the graveyard one night.  Lucy is sure that both incidents are related.  

 

A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh was written in 1934 and along with Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and Margery Allingham is known as one of the Queens of Crime.  A Country house party with 5 guest and a game called Murder.  Suspects with what appears to be air tight alibis, a Russian Secret society and Detective Alleyn of Scotland Yard has quite the puzzle.  

Murder at the Manor by Catherine Coles.  Evelyn Christie is resigned to a long weekend house party with her husband's family at Hessleham Hall.  The Earl of Northmoor is murdered and the next in line is a boor, until he too is bumped off and Evelyn has to use all of her sleuthing powers to prove that her husband Tommy who is next in line to inherit is innocent.

Thanks for stopping by, please head over to Not Afraid of Color to check out the other I Like Thursday posts. 
 

I Like Thursday #190

 OK so I am a wee bit late this week.  But sometimes it is just the fact that you show up, am I right?  

Welcome to my 190th I Like Thursday post, where we are encouraged to share things, we like/love which we have discovered throughout the week.  Thank you LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color for hosting and encouraging us to find the positive in life. 

Every New Year we see posts about getting organized, cleaning, purging, getting healthy.  I am just trying to get my dining room table cleaned off.  Many times as I am sewing cutting, I cut up scraps and then they get lost in the mess.  I bought a couple of sets of these cute tiny baskets to through my scraps in as I cut them up.  Then I can transfer them to the bigger containers.  Also if I am using a template I have that in the basket too.  I will say at least I can see a larger part of my dining room table.  Still not cleaned off yet, but I am working on it.

My second organizational, clean up was getting a handle on my patterns, and quilting books.  I am sure none of you have ever purchased the same pattern, or book multiple times....but I have.  A few weeks ago I started a spreadsheet on my computer listing the patterns I had just sitting on my dining room table, chairs, and nearby.  This is not even attacking the bookcase in my sewing room, or the expand file sitting at the top of the stairs.  

My first page was organized by designers, then as it started to get a wee bit full, I started breaking it out into tabs by pattern name.  I even added a label if it is a pattern, block, applique, embroidery.  

But then I had this pile of patterns, what to do with them.  I always keep in the back of my mind that I need to consider that we will be moving in the distant future.  

 So I bought 4 of these file boxes, a box of hanging folder, as well as a box of manila folders.  Every day or so I will spend an hour or so cataloging the patterns, and filing them.  If I have a small kit, I even throw it in there.  

If I have a BOM, SAL, or large pattern I put it in a pocket folder, and place it in the file box too.  I am sure eventually I will be buying more hanging folders and using more of the boxes but for now this is as much as I have got accomplished.  

I have tried a couple of new recipes lately.  One I made (sorry no pics) was tortellini soup.  I used this recipe by Peas and Crayons.  But I wanted it to be a bit more hearty.  So I added some browned spicy Italian sausage, broccoli, and kale instead of spinach.  I also used 2 cans of diced tomatoes and peppers, and added a can of tomato paste.  The recipe made enough for 8 servings, and I actually froze 6.  The soup had  a lot of flavor.  

The 2nd recipe I tried was on the back of a bread bag which we produce in the bakery.  We have a new vendor and they make a nice sized Italian Boule bread.  Slice the bread (not all the way through) going two directions.  Then stuff with a mixture of mozzarella, cheddar, jalepenos, and bacon.  Drizzle with about 1/4 cup of butter, wrap in foil and bake for about 30 minutes.  Remove from oven, open up the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes to brown it up.  

 UPDATE:  I found the recipe in the burn bag, so I will share it now.

It was very good, and I had a few pieces then promptly sent it next door for the kids to devour.

 

Even though I have worked a lot of days in a row, I did manage to get a couple of my ribbon star blocks cut and sewn.

I now have 8.  Perhaps today I will get a few more prepped to sew.  This is my first day off since before New Years.  

I have been reading of course. 

Wolves of Winter by R. Allen  Chappel.   Book 6 in the Navajo Nations Mysteries.  A ancient burial of a disabled girl at an archaeological site helps to unlock two recent murders. 

Tie Died:  A Quilting Cozy Mystery by Carol Dean Jones.  Sarah Miller has moved into a retirement community much to her chagrin.  As she unpacks her belongings every item holds a memory of her late husband or grandson.  Thanks to a very outgoing neighbor Sophie,  Sarah starts to find friends and hobbies, one of which is quilting at the local quilt shop so that she can make a quilt of the ties which once were her husband's.  When a local neighbor is found dead in his own home, the local police are convinced that the murderer is one of the community residents.  Sarah and the rest of her friends can't believe one of their own would do such a thing, and so they start to investigate.  Along the way Sarah meets the former police officer that had notified her of her husband's death, as well as worked on the death of her grandson years before. 

The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams.  The 3rd book in the Secret Book and Scone society does not disappoint!  There has been a lot of rain in Miracle Springs, so much that a pedestrian bridge washes out upstream.  As Nora is crossing it among the wreckage she discovers a body.  The body belongs to a Danny a local Cherokee potter.  Though the death is ruled as an accidental drowning, Nora is not quite convinced and decides to investigate further.  

Medium Dead by Paula Paul is the 4th book in the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone mysteries.  Under Queen Victoria's reign women are not allowed to be called physicians.  When a local medium is discovered murdered in the graveyard in the small town of Newton-Upon-Sea wild rumors circulate including one naming the regal personage visiting the local Manor house of Lord Dunsford being the perpetrator of the crime. 

A Noble Pair of Brothers by Suzanne Downes.  When CH Underwood arrives to visit his brother, the vicar of the small village named Bracken Tor in 1820, he fully intends to take a long needed rest after tutoring at Cambridge.  He soon becomes in intrigued with a local murder that had occurred the year previous when the corpse of a young, headless woman is discovered on the property of landowner and Magistrate Sir Henry Wynter.  

Thanks for stopping by, and please head over to LeeAnnas at Not Afraid of Color and check out the other I Like Thursday posts. 
 

 

I Like Thursday #189

 Wow Thursday already?  Perhaps my days and weeks are all melding together to make one huge blob of activity.  COVID is hitting hard in our part of the world and I have had a couple of co-workers who I work closely with catch it.  This means more work for me while they are out since there is no one to cover my shift on my days off.  But it also translates that I pretty much make my own hours right now. 

I saw this by Bonnie Hunter and thought how appropriate.

This too shall pass.  

Anyway welcome to my 189th I like Thursday post where a group of bloggers share things that they have found, or done that they like/love during the week.  Throwing a little positivity and love out into the universe is important!  Thank you to LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color for encouraging us to find those small things throughout the week.  

We have had very cold weather.  Not much snow but in the single digits and barely the teens during the day with winds that throw the windchill factor back to the single digits.  I realized I do like being out, as long as I am appropriately attired.  

I really have been working on managing my time better and getting some reading, sewing, and a small workout in.  

Sewing I managed to get all the sections for the Joy in the Journey Quilt.

I auditioned some fabric for a border, but because I was using scraps I don't have enough of anything.  

I decided on orange.  Now I am contemplating whether I should put a thin border of white, a place for the eye to rest before putting on the orange border.  Of course with the after Christmas sales I found some great deals while looking for fabric.

I found this neat orange batik which I think looks good with the quilt.

I also found some nice bundles of white, and flannel.

Since the quilt is off the wall, while I simmer on my border ideas, I grabbed a UFO and started working on it.  This is Ribbon Star and it was a Missouri Star Quilt Company pattern using yardage and a jelly roll.  I am  using an old Bali Pop, but I may need to add some fabric to make it a wee bit bigger.

These are the stars I had already made.  I cut out 4 more and managed to get one sewn together even.

My parents sent late Christmas to my family here.  My dad had been out wandering around some local garage sales and found this and knew it was the perfect gift for me.

It has 4 booklets and it appears that it was possibly published around 1937.

Since I have been getting home I have been feeding Bobbin.  For some reason this morning I looked at her bowl and seeing it empty and on the floor thought someone had came in and fed her.  I gave her, a spoonful of her canned food.  But she went back to "Place" where she goes when commanded. 

I told her, you have already eaten all your food, don't tell me you haven't eaten, your a fibber.  I got this look from her.  Is it contrition or perhaps, um mom no you are losing it, I didn't get my dry food yet.  I finally remembered I knew I was going to be home early enough that I didn't fix her dry food bowl.  Yep, mom was wrong.  

I have read several books this week.  I read books 8 and 9 in the Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries.  

I like this series set during the Regency Era in London and Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, the youngest son of the Earl of Hendon, who has bucked tradition had a well known lover of a famous actress Kat Bolyn, and an uncanny ability to get caught up in many different intrigues.  In the 8th, and 9th books he is now married to his enemy Lord Jarvis's daughter Hero.  I like seeing how their marriage  and they have grown as a couple, even though neither of them really liked each other.  Lots of political intrigue and a little history thrown in as well.  

The Devil's Den is book 2 in the Nicole Rayburn series by Irina Shapiro.  Nicole and Kyle Walsh take a trip to a guesthouse in the Lake District when the COVID lock down restrictions are lifted.  Across from the manor house on an island in the middle of the lake are the ruins of Montrose Abbey, the last known home of Lady Isobel Devlin who mysteriously disappeared in 1540.  Seeing an excellent book opportunity Nicole works at discovering the history of the Abbey and the disappearance of Lady Isobel.

Finally I found this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet.  Max Tudor former MI5 agent is trying to adapt to being the vicar of St. Ewold's in the town of Nether Monkslip.  But not all is well among his parishioners.  Especially when Wanda Batton-Smythe, leader of the Women's Institute is discovered dead during the Harvest Fayre. 

 

I saw this and I love porcupines.  First there was Teddy, and now there is Rico!

Now head over to LeeAnna's and check out the other I Like Thursday posts!

I Like Thursday #188

 Welcome to my 188th I Like Thursday post.  Each week LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color encourages a group of bloggers to share things they have found that they like/love that uplifts them throughout the week.  Happy New Year!  I don't know about many people, but getting through the holidays I always feel like a huge sense of relief.  The winter solstice has occurred, and the days are slowly getting longer.  

The one thing I love are the piles of seed catalogs that arrive.  To sit and leaf through the pages dreaming of spring, summer, growing veggies, herbs, and fragrant flowers. 

Since I am not too sure what will be happening during the spring, summer and fall I am not too sure if I am going to plant much.  Perhaps a few tomatoes in pots, but not much else.  But it is tempting to fix the small tractor, learn how to attach the PTO (power take off) and till the garden area, perhaps plant some beets.  

COVID is taking its toll at work.  So far I have dodged it, but the more people out, the less people to do the work.  I have been really trying to use my time better so I get a little time to read, exercise, and sew.  

I got the 3 different sections of the Joy in the Journey quilt put together.  This is section 3.

Section 1 sewn together and section 2 laid out.

I have had some challenges with this quilt. I am looking forward to getting the 3 sections together in the next few days and then determining what I am going to do for borders.

I got a kick out of the Valentine's Day goodies for fur babies.

Puppy Cookies

A Pooch Pack Heart

Pupperoni with filet mignon.  

I am not too sure if I ever shared my salt lamp which I found in a sale bin.  It is supposed to be natural ionizers and help filter dust, mold, mildew and pet dander.  Interestingly enough it is near 2 heat registers and I will say that area seems to have a lot more dust accumulated, so much so that I dust at least a couple of times a week. 

I also like it, because when I nap for the couple of hours before work it gives the room a nice warm glow, but I can shut all the other lights off.  

I have shared the website Goodreads before, where you can track books you are reading, have read, or want to read.  If you have friends on the website, you can see what they are reading too.  I like that it asks you to set a goal and tells you how many books you read per year, and also throws some suggestions at you also.  Learning to use different tools in my arsenal has enabled me to read/listen to 328 books in 2021.  

Finally I have read a few books, most of them part of one series or another.  Recently I read Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch.  This is the 3rd book in the Rivers of London series and I think the reason why I mention this book is the last book I read in this series was almost 5 years ago, but the previous story stuck with me enough that when I picked up this book it all fell back into place.  

Peter Grant is a London constable, and a sorcerer's apprentice.  When a body is found in the London Underground near Baker street, the family members, a wealthy and powerful family from America demand answers.  

A new author I found which writes in a genre I enjoy is Mel Starr, and his book called Unquiet Bones.  Hugh of Singleton is the 4th son of a minor night.  He was educated as a clerk, and expected to take holy orders, but instead uses what small inheritance he has to travel to Paris to train as a surgeon.  Upon his return to Oxford a local lord asks Hugh to track the killer of a girl whose body was found in the castle cesspool.  

Thanks for stopping by, now head over to Not Afraid of Color and check out the other I Like Thursday posts.