My Yellow Farmhouse

Sunday Throwdown With Anne

Yup it's that time again - for the weekly block reveal with Anne.  Last week I was a no show with my blocks - hadn't sewn them and couldn't find the book - that was my story anyway and I am sticking to it.  This week I met the challenge and finished my 2 blocks.  Not wild about the 2nd blocks color choices - I felt like I needed to add in some lighter fabric and step away from the darker side of the lighter end.  Geez does that even make sense lol.  My light fabrics in my other blocks tended to be more towards the golden/yellow/khaki/tan colorway - so I felt I needed to bring in a brighter/lighter one.  Also I was staying a bit safe and decided to throw a brighter red/green/blue fabric in there.  It's not a screaming fav but I'm sticking with it.  Sometimes those "non favorite" blocks help a quilt pop in a scrappy version.  Anywho it can always be redone adown the road if it doesn't work for me.  This evening was perfect for taking the pictures outside - everything is do green - LOVE IT

This block is called Strength in Union

This one is called Fox and Geese - it's the one I'm struggling with

 

So what's new in the nest - well not much.  I'm really taking my time going through things and being very very selective on what I'm putting back into the cupboards or closet.  Today I went through my personal stash of civil war fabric and put into stacks that look pretty.  Didn't finish it up - but I'm close.  My other personal stash needs to be really gone through and donated - there's now way I will ever use it all up lol.  Does anyone else ever feel like hyperventilating when they take a really good hard look at their stash.   I feel like I should have a brown paper bag next to me at all times while I sort through it all.   So as I said before - look for a few things to pop up on the blog over the next few weeks that I will offer up for sale - I'm getting close to that point - finally :).

It was my turn to host bookclub here last week and we were able to be outside for our discussion - first really great night for doing so this summer.  We were able to be out there all evening with no bugs and a very light breeze.  Great book and great discussion.  I would recommend The Snow Child - certainly leaves you thinking.

great discussion and lots of different thoughts

I made a dessert for book club - a blast from the past - one I used to make quite a bit during strawberry season - homemade strawberry shortcake. 

I think tho I used the wrong cake pan - the shortcake wasn't as thick as I remember it - but it was still good anyway.

The kids popped on down on Thursday for a quick dinner together to celebrate Father's Day - and Grandpa and I had a little Ellie time.  She's looking in this picture like - why are you holding me like this Grandpa and hanging on with a tight grip lol.  I like how the youngestfarmhousehouse-son didn't want to get into the picture while holding the cake they brought Mr. Farmhouse

Ellie is really getting fun with her smiles and giggles and really likes to look around and check things out.  Hey PH first spin on her little play mat - she loved it

 

I gave this recipe a trial run earlier in the week and it was a keeper for the Mr. and I.  So I whipped up another batch of Company Mac and Cheese for the kids when they were here for dinner - it was a hit

not the best picture - you know I struggle with food pics lol.  But trust me - it's a keeper, at least in our house it is.  It's a Taste of Home recipe - and I got it off line somewhere best I can remember.

Company Mac and Cheese

• 1 pkg (7ounces) elbow macaroni
• 6 tbsp butter - divided
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 8 oz package of cream cheese - cubed ( you knew it had to have cream cheese in it)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tsp spicy brown mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 3/4 cup dried bread crumbs -  I used Panko crumbs
• 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley (didn't do)

Cook macaroni according to pkg directions.  Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp of the butter in a large saucepan.  Stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually add milk.  Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes.

Reduce heat, add cheeses, mustard, salt and pepper, stir until all the cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.  Drain macaroni, add to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.

Transfer to a greased and shallow 3 qt baking dish.  Melt the remaining butter, toss with the Panko crumbs and parsley if using.  Sprinkle over macaroni.  Bake uncovered at 400 for 15-20 minutes or until golden.  Yummmmm

The flowers are really starting to show their glory and color - I LOVE me a red geranium

This beautiful basket I can't take credit for - but I sure hope I can keep it alive for the summer - its full and glorious (yes the hanger will come off)

I haven't even dragged out the red white and blue for summer yet - hopefully this week - but I did get this cute flag from Sandy No Blog.  When I was out visiting Anne we popped over to Sandy's house and she had made a set like this

So I asked her if she would whip up a flag for me - she did and popped it into the mail for me - how cute is this.

Ms. Anne gave me with this darling pillow when I was out in Portland that she made for me - she knows I like me some red white and blue - it goes perfectly with the other pillow

When we were visiting Anna out in Sisters Oregon one of the places we went to was a great drug store in that town

WOW that place was loaded with wonderful things - I finally did see a drugstore in there - but it's definetly a great place to look for fun and unusual things.  They had a great selection of my fav's Willi Raye figurines.  So I bought myself this cute patriotic couple.  One of many things I shipped home lol

 

So that's all I've got out for summer so far - lots more to come that's for sure and I'd better get going - times a ticking.

Until Next Time

Happy Flag Day - And Yes Folks We Have Winners

Happy Flag Day

My father-in-law's birthday was today/Flag Day and when Mr. Farmhouse was little his Dad would tell him and his brother that all of those people put flags out to celebrate his birthday.  So Flag Day always makes both of us smile at the thought of 2 little boys who believed that everyone thought their Dad was special just like they did and wanted to celebrate his birthday.

Thank you Thank you Thank you for all of the comments - I so loved reading all of your comments regarding the "lurking" or "commenting".  I have to say I was not surprised to find just how many people visit without making a comment.  I know from the traffic stats that when I post - your visiting and that's good enough for me.  I love when people comment - but since I've backed off so much myself with comments I totally understand that part of it as well.  I'm just happy that you visit. It takes time to comment and with all of the wonderful blogs out there to read - if we all commented on all of them we'd never get of the dang computer.   Thank you so much for the love on my new nest.  As I've said before I feel absolutely blessed to be in the position of having this space to call my own.  I'm blessed with a wonderful hubby who is not only my best friend but my biggest supporter.  I'm looking forward to getting things in place and getting busy in there.

So let's get to the winners here.  I decided since so many people left comments that I needed to have 2 winners this go around.  So both will get the fabric and pattern.  I was chatting with my friend Randee and I said that I needed to figure out a number for the drawing.  Her son Aaron - said use number 7 - because that's his age lol.  So I used that number and then decided because it's Father's Day weekend I decided to use 31 which is the age of the newest father in our family - the oldest FarmhouseSon

So #7 is Kandy   # 31 - Sandy F

I will email you ladies to get your address so I can pop the pattern and fabric in the mail to you.

Well I'm off to work in the nest so maybe I can have some good pictures to show you on Sunday when I have my Throwdown with Anne.

Until Next Time

 

No Sunday Throwdown BUT A Giveaway

Happy Sunday out there in bloggy land.  Well of course the day is almost over - but it's still Sunday.  Yup no Sunday Throwdown with Anne for me.  As I told Anne earlier in the day - I don't even know where the book is to make my block.  I was going to attempt it this morning - but I knew I would spend more time looking for it then I had at that point.  So I will be back next Sunday with my 2 blocks ready to go for show and tell. 

So what's happening in the nest - amazingly not as much as I had hoped.  I had a visit up to see my sweet little Ellie for some Grandma and Grandpa babysitting time - yes wool can wait - baby can't lol.  She's growing so fast and she giggles now - be still my heart.   Of course there was the road trip with the Peeps that happened on Friday and yesterday Mr. Farmhouse and I did some work outside that needed to be done.  So those few days I had I did make progress - just not as much as I had hoped.  It's amazing how long it takes to stack wool

but it sure looks pretty and the only wool missing is the unfelted stuff - it was fun to touch each piece and I found many I had forgotten I have - lots of pretty textures and colors. 

The fabric is coming together

I'm waiting for a few more fabric boxes and then the configuration might change a little bit.  That's all I will show your for now - cuz the rest isn't pretty and it's still pretty bare in there .  There are just a few things left to finish up - like the star transom above the bathroom, the tv hook ups and a few other little odds and ends - but we're very close and nothing that's going to slow me down.  

This is what waits for me on the dark side lol - see why I couldn't find my book - lots of sorting and purging to come - I'm sensing some kits coming to the blog for sale and maybe a fabric pack or 2 - just sayin

But the outside is now done

WHAT you don't like th 2 tone look -  it's starting to grow on me - just kidding.  If it would EVER quit raining they will come and paint - that's the word on the street anyway.  I sure do miss the port a potty and the big red dumpster - they added a nice touch to the outside lol.

Ok so now for the giveaway - here's the question for you to answer.  Are you mostly a "lurker" or a "commentor" on blogs.  I used to comment a lot on blogs and I have to say I've turned into mostly a lurker.  I think it's because I tend to be on the computer so much more than I used to be for lots of different things that I just want to sit back, read and enjoy the pretty pictures and all the inspiration I get from you out there.  Plus I tend to read blogs more at the end of the day when I'm tuckered out.  So leave that answer and I'll throw your name in the bowl for these deeeee-lish new fabrics and pattern.  The pattern I picked up at market and is from Geoff's Mom pattern company. It uses lots of wonderful fabrics and the beautiful fabrics are from Pam Buda's new line called Pin Money.  I ordered a ton of her new fabrics and LOVE every piece of it.  I will pick the winner early in the week.

Until Next Time

Here I Am

A little business first.  For those of you who are involved in the events with Stacy/Buttermilk Basin and myself - both online and in studio - this message is for you.  Our event planned for June is going to have to be cancelled at this time.  Stacy's Mom is very sick right now - and all of Stacy's time is being spent with her Mom.  She is battling cancer and has a rough rode ahead of her and could use your thoughts and prayers.  I'm sure you all understand why this decision had to be made.  If you have any questions - please email me and I will do my best to answer them. 

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Well I'm few days late - dang it.  Sorry Sunday came and went and a post that was meant to be wasn't.  I had told Anne earlier in the weekend that a Throwdown block wouldn't be happening with me.  I hadn't gotten my block sewn for our challenge - in fact I couldn't get to my sewing machine to even try to.  So we agreed to wait until this weekend to post our blocks -  she's ahead and I'm not - I was but not anymore.  Saturday afternoon and Sunday were days spent moving things into the nest - YAHOOO.  Monday and Tuesday was time spent with our sweet Ellie and today we are back to business and working at sorting and straightening.  I will have some pictures to share this Sunday.  I am LOVING the new nest.

I wanted to share a few pics of my visit to Anne's house after market in Portland.  I've put several in a smilebox - but some just didn't want to fit very well - so I'm going to share those first.  We also took an afternoon and went to visit Anna at her house.  Anna treated us to lunch at a local spot and some shopping in the area.  I've got to say I was really lax on this trip taking pictures - when I was looking through them to organize them - I realized there were areas I never photographed - go figure.  Maybe it was the altitude lol - well that's my story anyway.  So here's a few shots that just didn't fit into the smilebox. 

First off - where I hung my hat while I was there - perfect guestroom and I slept like a baby - I didn't make the bed as pretty as she did - but it's close lol.  Thanks again Anne and Mr. Cottons for being such wonderful hosts for my visit.

cool bench made by Mr. Cottons - talent runs in this family

love all of these beautiful quilts - but there red - what's not to love

and this sweet grouping as your coming down from the nest

love this quilt in progress

This is the next quilt I'm currently working on for Ellie - of course Anne had already made it - we certainly like the same things

sweet eye candy everywhere - dang that star quilt is a stunner

Another view of the tote Anne bought when we were out checking out the local antique stores.  I saw it full of stuff and told Anne she needed to buy it lol - so she was a good girl and listened to me.  It looks great in her sewing room which you'll see in the Smilebox - Hey Mrs. SweetApple can you make me one of these - pretty please :).

Anna's quilt collection of flimsy I do believe -  with sweet Enzo resting underneath

I just love this sweet stove - you'll see it again in the smilebox - but this is a better picture - so you get it again :)

love these redwork stitcheries - I've ordered the redwork sampler one on the bottom and have extra patterns if anyone is interested

So check out the Smilebox for a few other pics - and that will catch me up

Make a picture slideshow

On a personal business note - I think I've gotten back to everyone who was interested in the BOM that I shared - if you haven't heard from me - please shoot me another email at karen@farmhousewoolens.com and I will get back to you. 

Well that's it for now.  But in celebration of the completion of the new nest - stop by on Friday and check out the giveaway I'm going to do- some delicious new fabrics have come to the Farmhouse and I think you might enjoy a few of them and who knows what else could be in the goodie basket.  Also a day trip with the peeps is coming on Friday as well - this time I promise to bring my camera and USE IT lol.

Until Next Time

 

Sunday Throwdown With Anne

Happy Memorial Weekend to you all.  I hope your weather is better where you are - we have typical Memorial Weekend weather - cool and damp.  Seriously it's so hard to believe that we are at the end of May already and our docks just went in yesterday.  That is the latest ever for us to put them in.  Crazy weather this year - everywhere.

It takes six guys to roll that big dock from the back of the house and into the water - and those poor guys in the water with the boat lift - brrrrr, only one of them wore hip waders - the other guys were in shorts. I'm not sure how they stand it - probably it's their young age - they can handle anything.   Hubby is the one in the below picture with jeans on and the white sweatshirt - he doesn't get in the water lol.  It's a process and let me tell ya those youngins earn their money.

But now everything is in it's right place except the jet skies and I'm not helping with those until it warms up - Momma didn't raise no fool lol.

So if you checked here last Sunday - you probably noticed there wasn't a post by myself or Anne.  Sure you say to yourself - every Sunday will see and read something from Mrs. Farmhouse.  I did mean to post something before I left - but it just didn't happen.  I took a big jet earlier in the week and headed out to Portland for quilt market.  What's that you ask - did I find much

well I found 43 lbs worth of stuff that I shipped and that DOESN'T include stuff that is still being shipped to me.  So yes I do think it was a fruitfull trip for Farmhouse Woolens.  My plan is to start getting things listed in my Etsy shop by the middle of June.  One of my projects will be this BOM

not 100% sure how I will run it yet - but I do know I won't run it for 12 months.  It's  been a favorite for quite awhile - in fact I personally own the pattern lol.  Yes it will involve wool - how can it not :).  So if your interested in being notified when I'm ready - pop me an email at karen@farmhousewoolens.com and I will send you the info about the project and you can decide if you want to play along.  At this point I'm sticking with my Etsy store (the link is on the sidebar)  and that's where your going to be finding the new patterns, kits, fabric and wool. I see a website in the near future - but one thing at a time for now.  One of the things I will be doing is starting up a different blog for the business and will let you know when that's ready to go as well.  There you will find info for the clubs that will be happening both in studio and online.  Plus new items that will be going on Etsy.  I'm so excited about my new venture and can't wait to get started.   It's been a little hard to turn off the brain at night - thoughts and ideas are swirling.  I've been collecting some fun things along the way for decorating it up to be a fun place to hang out in and hopefully be eye candy for me and others who stop by.  I've got some groups that are already lined up to come and visit - can't wait to share it with those who venture my way.  But first things first - I need to move into the new space and that will take me a couple of weeks to get things in place.  I know I will need more fabric cabinets cuz there's lots of fabric coming to live here lol and it all takes time.  I am planning on a small open house by invitation only - so if you live in the area and are interested in knowing what I've got planned send me an email at karen@farmhousewoolens.com and I will put you on the list for an invite - sometime in August. 

Speaking of the nest - lets take a looky shall we.   The nest should be ready to move into next weekend.  Carpet and cabinets go in on Tues and Wed and final cleaning will be done on Saturday.   So the door going into the new nest was just installed on Thursday  - YAHOOOOO - that was pretty exciting for me

here's what's going on so far

those builtins will be full of glorious wool - behind that is the stairs coming up for the garage - saves traffic through the house

the door to the left is a bathroom and there's the doors to go back into the house - this is what's on the other side of those doors

ouch what a mess

ouch ouch ouch - triple mess - I can't even show you the boy's rooms - there's crap in there as well.  I will say it's a bit depressing to go up there and see such a mess - but now that the door has been cut into the new area - the dust will be kept to a minimum and I can start working on filling those white cabinets back up - sorting and storing is the project for the day.  The completion of the new nest is going to start a domino affect of change throughout a good portion of the house.  Things will be moving and changing and I can't wait to get started.  I haven't really done any decorating since Christmas came down - how bad is that.  Then the closer to the addition the less excited I was about doing anything - but now - watch out Mr. Farmhouse - your going to be busy helping me move furniture and such lol - I've been plotting and planning for a couple of months - I think I can hear him groan lol - no he doesn't care, he's easy like that.  I will have lots to share with you once it's done - I promise.  I do want to share 2 new pieces that have come home to the Farmhouse - this piece came a few weeks ago and sits sadly empty as it could be moving as well - right now it's in the entryway

isn't the cupboard great despite the lack of nothing in it lol.  When I had it painted I wasn't sure of the final resting spot so I had it just painted black - it might be painted burgundy or cream, but I knew I wanted a black underbase for sure no matter what.  I knew I wanted the inside kept natural as I have a collection of cream platters and pitchers that will be inside it and wanted them to pop and not blend in.  This other piece I just picked up yesterday

isn't it sweet - I love the little scallop detail on the back.  It's an old table that the store had painted a pretty light blue - but I wanted it painted burgundy.  So I asked them to paint it since I knew I had no place to do that myself - remember construction everywhere - so they did and it turned out perfectly.  I think this piece will stay there - but hey time will tell lol.

I have a bunch of photos to share with you from my trip to Portland.  Anne tagged along with me at market, along with Anna and Sandy no blog.  After market I headed on over the mountains to spend a few days at Anne's house - had such a great time and I have photos to share with you.  Anne and Mr. Cottons and Wool are just the best host couple around.  They took great care of me and Mr. CnW made me his wonderful chicken taco salad - yummm and even shared his secret recipe lol. 

Look at this view from her nest on my first night there at sunset - not to shabby huh

And sweet little Jack even got used to me - we were tight before I left - Anne says he's missing me - that's my story and I'm sticking to it :)

One of my favorite pictures of us was taken up on Pilot Butte - which isn't far from her house.  I tell ya it's a little slice of heaven in her neck of the woods.

Look at those gorgeous mountains behind us.  Hey Anne after the day before - we clean up pretty good LOL.

Oh ya here's the block for this week for my challenge with Anne - guess I got a little distracted on that one. This is our 6th block and it's called Port and Starboard. I know I have a little salvedge on the end of 2 of the blocks - but it will get absorbed into the seam

Well I guess I'd better think about getting dinner in the oven for Mr. Farmhouse.  He was busy today helping FarmhouseSon#1 at his place of business where he sells seeds to farmers - getting deliverys put together.  Then came home to weed our little farm :) - so we can plant our garden tomorrow - just enough to eat, no canning or freezing.

Now head on over to Anne's and check out her block - and I bet she's got some pictures to share.  Also I know Anna's been a blogging like crazy about market - so check it out as well.  I'll be back this week with my pics from Anne's - I seriously took only a handful of pictures at market - but I know Anne and Anna where busy with their camera's.

Until Next Time and if your traveling this holiday weekend - please be safe.

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all of my family, friends and friends out there in bloggy land a wonderful and Happy Mother's Day - but of course especially to my Mother Tother - who's nickname is Sunny - because she always is. 

She is happiest when she's in the kitchen cooking or moving around things in her house to tweak a room or decorate for the next holiday - which she does beautifully.  THIS is where I get my love of being creative anywhere around the house.  She is a blessing in my life and I'm lucky she's my Mother Tother.  Unfortunately she has been under the weather for the last couple of weeks - but turned the "torner" (as we like to call it instead of corner) to feeling much better a few days ago.  So since she was not feeling good I stayed home rather than heading down to see her.  I was lucky enough tho to be home a couple of weeks ago and spend some time with her. 

So it's time for the Sunday Throwdown with Anne and show you the next block in the Civil War Sampler.  This block is called  Hovering Hawks and was a fun one to put together

It's beautiful outside today so I took my pic outside and the colors show up much better than last weeks.    I'm enjoying these blocks and getting into the stash and pulling out fabrics to use.  There's a lot to pick from lol.

I also finished up today all the stitching for my Rabbits Prefer Chocolate embroidery today -  a Bunny Hill Design

and soaked off all of the TransferEz - so here they are drying - now I can start the filler blocks.  It's been a fun stitchery.  The little rabbit on wheels thats on white fabric is part of a quilt I'm making for Ellie.  Ellie's other quilt is at the quilter and should be back home for the binding pretty soon - then I can share.  Don't you love the fancy striped beach towel - really shows off the blocks so well lol.

Ms. Cami has been enjoying the sun today

and catching up on her zzzzzzzz's.  With all of the activity around the Farmhouse with the contractors it's hard for a girl to take a nap lol - poor girl.

Well that's all I've got for now.  The clubhouse starts getting it's first coat of paint on Tuesday - then I should have something to show you.  Can't wait to see it with color.

So head on over to Anne's and see her block of the week

Until Next Time

Random Sunday Throwdown

Wow I can't believe it's Sunday already and it's time for my throwdown with Anne. So here's my block for this week, called Catch Me If You Can - again a bit of a make-do block.  This one was also completed at retreat and I ran short of material - so I made do in the corner blocks by adding a different material - sorry for the bad picture - lighting just isn't good today in the nest and I was to lazy to walk to another room - cuz it's probably not good there either :).

The word random is in my title cuz this post is a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  Kind of like the past week - I thought about packing a bag to keep in my car and just spending the night in there because I was in it so much lol.  You know a little bit of this and a little bit of that last week - we all have them I know and it seems like nuttin gets done on those weeks - which would be what my week was like.  Good stuff tho so no complaining.  One of those days was spent cruising the freeway to go see this sweet little girl

She is laughing, talking and smiling all the time - of course not in this picture - but we had quite the conversation when i was visiting and Grandpa and I understood everything she was saying lol

She's growing like a weed and getting those sweet little chunky thighs I just want to squeeze lol.  Grandpa was so happy to hold her this time - he had a bad cold last time we were there and missed out on snuggle time - so like a good Grandma - I shared  - wasn't easy tho lol.  Momma goes back to work tomorrow - she's 3 months already - wow where does the time go.

The nest is coming along nicely.  Last coat of mud goes on tomorrow I believe and paint is scheduled for next Monday already - moving in sometime around Memorial Day weekend is looking like a very good possibility - YAHOOOO.  Today we moved the couches into the new tv room/old sewing nest

isn't the set up lovely - do you think you could watch tv with it behind you lol - probably not.  Until things can be moved into the new part this is how it has to be - then the wall behind the tv can be painted and things can be rearranged to function so much better in the room.  There's an entertainment center also that's on order to go around the tv area - that will help to don't ya think.  As anyone who has ever painted a room or done anything in their house - you reach a point where you just want everything done and in place - I'm almost there.  I'm so blessed to be able to have this happening and it's gone incredibly fast and without much headaches - but everything is such a mess and in such disarray - that's the part that's starting to wear thin - but soon very soon it will be complete and then I can share how it all looks  -  in the mean time - this is life at the Farmhouse :).

There was a fun get together of the Benties on Friday with some good show and tell

Ms. Jean had plenty of show and tell - LOVE this bag

Plus these

she also makes adorable clothes for American Girl type dolls - you know I had a moment when I saw these - now I can buy them from her as well for Ms. Ellie down the road - oh the fun to come

I wouldn't mind a little pair of jammies like these pink ones

and even knits little ponchos and hats

oh and when she's not sewing - she works with wood and even makes bowls, aren't they beautiful or doll beds etc

Ms. Jean and Ms. Faye are sister-in-laws and made these 2 quilts for 2 very lucky twin boys that were just born into their extended family - how sweet are they

Ms. Jolene actually had applique to share with the group - Benties is an applique group if you don't remember lol - but we share and work on everything - cuz we have no rules in this group - that's how we roll 

Ms. Dawn had a totally finished applique quilt to share with us - quilted and bound - beautiful

Ms. Gail had a stitchery and applique quilt to share, so sweet - again totally quilted and bound and ready to hang

a darling pillow as well to share

Always inspiring to hang with the group and see what everyone is getting done.  I'm still working on my redwork blocks and Ms. Ellie's quilt is headed to the quilters this week - so I will have some show and tell to share here soon.

Ms. Cami keeps us laughing - she takes a position when Mr. Farmhouse is enjoying a snack - waiting for the go ahead to jump into his chair and share a tidbit or two - doesn't she looked concerned - like hey don't eat it all lol.

when she's not begging - she's usually in this position

not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon I think.  So head on over to Anne's and see her block and whatever else she's sharing today.

Until next Time

 

 

Sunday ThrowDown #3

Well here we go - it's time for the Sunday Throw Down with Anne - sharing our block of the week.  As you know Anne talked me into (challenged/throwdown) working on the Civil War Sampler by Barbara Brackman.  Just kidding Anne - I agreed with you - anywho we will be sharing a block a week with you out there in bloggy land.  This weeks block is called Barbara Frietchie Star.  So who is Barbara Frietchie - well in the book it says:

"She is recalled to be an elderly woman who waved a Union flag from her attic while General Stonewall Jackson marched his Confederate troops through town.  Jackson ordered his men to fire at the defiant woman.  It is said that the embarrassed general rescinded the order and Frietchie's Union flag waved over Jackson's short occupation of the town.  Historians point out that Stonewall Jackson, who died in battle marched nowhere near Frietchie's house and the the 95 year old woman was confined to bed". 

So fact or myth - this is her star block

In making this block I practiced the art of "making do".  When I went to retreat a couple of weeks back I brought along the fabric to make several blocks - well I ended up not having enough of the little cream fabric with the squiggles.  So at a peeps suggestion of making do with the fabric I had - I added the little gold fabric in the corner blocks where the cream colored fabric should be.  I like how it turned out and I did what Barbara probably would have done if she had run out of fabric - stick her hand in her scrap basket and pull out something to use.  So there ya go - block #3.  Thanks Barbara Frietchie for the inspiration. 

I thought I would share a picture of one of the peeps and her winning quilt at our local quilt show a few weeks back - it's Folk Art Album from Buggy Barn

it's such a beautiful quilt - congrats LL on a winning quilt - it's gorgeous

another one of LL's quilts in the show - beautiful - and hey I've got the kit for this one - even started LOL  -  hmmm maybe I should pull this one out and work on it

While at the quilt show - it's always fun to see Bonnie from Willow Wood and see what she has in her booth

she always has fun things and beautiful wool. 

Here's a couple of other fun quilts from the show

one of the woolies finished up this Jan Patek design

 

 

Isn't this quilt stunning - I don't remember the name of it - but I think I would call it Patience - because if I was sewing it - that's what it would take lol.

Darlene Zimmerman was our guest teacher at the quilt show and had a trunk show/lecture after the banquet

not a great picture of her - but it was a fun evening with lots of beautiful quilts to look at.

Well that wraps up this blog - head on over to Anne's now and see her version of Barbara's star.

Until Next Time

Oh Happy Day The Sun Is Shining And It's Warming Up

Just popping in to say hi and share a great dessert with you.  Our weather today was beautiful - I think it reached 61 and the ice is finally starting to move away from shore - can I get a YAHOOOO here.  And you know when there's a will to fish - there's a way to get out onto the ice ( can you see the squirrel inside the bird feeder enjoying some chow, you just see the side profile in the middle of the feeder - I just noticed him when I was cropping the picture - what a hoot) you simply put your stuff in the boat and pull it across the little bit of open water and pull out your stuff and walk across the ice to where you want to fish

those little dots are fishermen - must not have caught anything - they didn't stay long

 

Now here's a picture of those bars to wet your taste buds

Now what did I learn making these bars  - 2 things

1 -I think these are really a one day bar.  Because of the apples, the next day the streusal oat mixture had really softened up and wasn't crunchy - still good but not what your expecting - at least for me, I like the crunch.

2 - The recipe calls for a 9 x 13 pan which I left in the recipe, but I like a little thicker bar and I think I would do the next size down, not an 8 x 8 tho.  I have a glass pyrex pan that measures 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 and I think that would give me just a little thicker bar - personal preference on that one.

Mr. Farmhouse and I enjoyed the bars with a small scoop of Sea Salt Caramel Cashew ice cream - just to gild the lily a little LOL - heavenly

 

Caramel Apple Squares (not sure where I got the recipe)

• 3/4 cup softened butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup old fashioned oats (I used cook quicking oats cuz that's what I had)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp soda
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 3 cups chopped apples - I peeled mine
• 3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 1/4 cup flour

Grease bottom and sides of 9 x 13 pan.  Beat butter and brown sugar until mixed.  Add 1 cup flour, oats, cinnamon, soda and pecans mix until well blended and crumbly.  Press 1/2 of mixture in bottom of pan and spread apples over the crust.

In a saucepan heat 3/4 cup caramel topping and 1/4 cup flour to boiling stirring constantly.  Boil 1 minute stirring until slightly thickened.  Drizzle over apples.  Sprinkle with remaining oats mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes until golden brown.  Cool 30 minutes before serving.  Serve with ice cream.

Here's a quick little slideshow to catch you up on the progress with the new clubhouse.  They are really cruising on this addition and should be done sheet rocking in just a couple of days.  Then the long process of taping and mudding starts - but I can't complain cuz it won't be long

Personalize your own picture slideshow

Have a great weekend - we are in for some wonderful temps with sunshine - perfect

Until Next Time

 

 

 

The Challenge Has Been Met

So let me fill you in on this challenge.  As I've said before Anne/Cottons-n-Wools and I chat quite a bit - whether it's on facebook or on an actual phone, we never run out of things to chat about.  We both share a mutual love of many many things - and both find ourselves liking the same thing without even knowing it  (insert spooky music here if you'd like) and discover it during our chats.  I've been known to shop for her while visiting quilt stores and she returns the favor.  One of the many things we've been collecting is civil war fabrics.  Well let's say we both have a very nice selection now lol.  She threw down the challenge a few weeks back with a "we need to make something with these civil war fabrics together".  Well she knows how good I am at team play - I showed that with Comfort and Joy - I think I fell off the wagon ohhhh about the 3rd week.  Well after I picked myself up off the floor and realized she was serious we got to chatting about what that challenge could be.   Since piecing isn't my first love I didn't want something to complicated and she wanted to do something I would actually finish - again I have the track record to prove her concerns.  So after many different patterns and options were discussed we picked the Civil War Sampler by Barbara Brackman.  The challenge is to show you a new block every Sunday night, her version and my version.  Well now,  I think that I can do this - yes I do so quit laughing out there.  Anne bless her heart has faith in me - so you try as well - okey dokey :).   As of right now I am ahead of the game - and that's my story for today - I for once am ahead of the game.  So for this Sunday we will show you the first 2 blocks in the series and here after you will see a new block every Sunday from both of us.  It will be fun to see the different fabrics we use - and shoot who knows there might even be a cawinky dink in there as well.  You can make either an 8 inch block or a 12 inch block.  I decide to do the 12 inch block with the thought that perhaps this could go on our king size bed when finished - yes I did say when I finish it.  Faith my dear friends - faith lol.

So up first is the White House Block

2nd block is Star of the West - but first I must confess - when photographing the block and looking at the picture I realized there was a booboo in the block.  But I did fix it an retake the picture.  I thought to myself - now those girls last weekend at retreat - 8 of them to be exact all looked at this block and didn't see it - now either they were just being nice and thought oh the poor girl, she really can't piece or missed it as well.  I'm choosing to believe they missed it lol.   It's amazing isn't it how you can look at something and not see it.  Won't be the first time and won't be the last that a booboo is made - for that I'm 100% sure.

I have to say it's been fun looking through these fabrics and coming up with some fun combinations - the sky's the limit. Now head on over to Anne's blog and see her blocks - I will probably like hers better.  Ok off to get some beef stew on the table for Mr. Farmhouse and I.  I have a wonderful bar recipe to share with you later in the week - as the Mister likes to say - It's gooooooood Clark ( channeling Eddy from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation).

Until Next Time