LAST MONDAY IN APRIL 2025

Another month just about over. The past few weeks have gone by quickly. The weather has been nice enough for Galen to get out to take pictures. They even got a 3 day trip in to SE Texas. We had a lot of rainy days in our forecast. Most of the storms however went around us. The ones west of us should have helped our lakes some. But here at our home we have only had 4 1/2 inches since the first of the year. That’s not good!!! Mexican Sunflower plants are sprouting from last year’s seeds as is the Butterfly Weed. The Bee Balm is also growing. We managed to keep some Lemon Grass through the winter as well. Our older Amaryllis bulbs are also doing well. This pot is from 2024 or 2023. Not sure which year.

And we are getting a few tomatoes. Yes I bought a tomato plants that had buds on it! Too our surprise we also have 2 or 3 volunteer yellow pear tomatoes growing!

We have rabbits frequently in our yard not to mention those pesky squirrels. We have to keep moving birdfeeders. The squirrel would reach over to the feeder to get food, The rabbit came on to the deck Easter morning. When we sit out on the deck in the evenings it’s been fun to watch Lady stalk the rabbits. It’s a game between them. The squirrels are up a tree as soon as they see her.

I have been sewing this month. Have the Alice in Wonderland just about together. This picture it’s on the design wall. Yes the prints are not all in the same direction but then I have never known babies to stay put!

When I got my one machine back it of course behaved when it was in for cleaning. I decided to see if the laser light was still being a problem. Made 12 log cabin blocks over the weekend and this time kept track of what it was doing. The dealer was going to contact Viking to see if others were having a similar problem. Since I need to get backing for the Alice quilt I will talk to Mike again. My log cabin blocks are made using batik fabrics.

Have more pieces cut so my block count for April should be pretty good.

That about covers it for us. Until next time.

 

April 1 2025

And a month later I’m doing a blog post! March was a strange month.  The Weather was crazy- cold days, warm days. Days where you didn’t want to be out much. Smoke from the wildfires west of us,  not to mention the dust being driven to us by strong winds. And very little rain.  Our total so far for the first 3 months.  3.77 inches.  We got .6 while towns along the coast got 14 to 20 this past week.

Galen wasn’t able to get out much but he did get a few pictures. He went down to our small lake one afternoon looking for Dragonflies.   While there an Eagle flew in fairly close.  He thought he had seen one a few weeks earlier but it was flying away so he wasn’t able to get any pictures.  This time he did.

Eagle at Forest Creek

Several times we had Cedar Waxwings in the yard feeding on our Yupon Holly bushes.   They really go after the berries. Galen managed to get one picture with them at the birdbath. 

Just before he took this picture there were many more lining the rim.

I guess my main accomplishment this past month was sewing dog bandanas for my friend Lisa.  These were all Easter themed ones

These are just a few.

I am still going through bins, boxes and the like. I knew these blocks were somewhere.  Found them. Forget why they were put away but now they have seen the light of day.  12 are made, not sure of the pattern anymore.  But all the fabric was with the blocks.  Easy to figure out.  Will get more made and decide on a layout

Picked up one of my sewing machine.  It was needing a good cleaning job. I don’t care how often I get the lint out of the bobbin area, it still gets to where I can’t reach it.  At the price of today’s machines a cleaning is worth every penny! My other one goes in late May. That one is also capable of doing embroidery.  I need to start doing that again.  Need to get labels done for the quilts plus I have collected numerous designs.  Need to get busy!

That about covers it for us.  Everyone stay well.

 poodlegirls  Daily Happenings, General Sewing, Life at home, Nature, Quilting, Uncategorized

 

April 8th 2025

I think we are finally over having cold snaps at least according to Accuweather! This year though I wouldn’t count on it. A couple nights in the 30’s is a little unusual for us right outside Austin.

I was able to do more sorting. That proved to be a good thing! Remember this block from last week?

I found the pattern!

The blocks are sewn into rows now. This is what I have done so far. Thinking of putting a corner stone in the horizontal sashing. Will get it finished this week.

I found some fabric that I thought would be good for placemats. Have cut them but need to cut the fabric for the backs.

Galen will be away Thursday to Saturday-East Texas trip to see what’s flying. I hope to sew a lot while he is away. Of course plans are always greater than my accomplishments. Too say the very least I have enough here to keep me busy!

That about sums it us for us. Go to the link below for more quilt inspiration.

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/2025/04/design-wall-monday-april-7-2025.html

 

Must be Spring!

Our temperatures are saying it’s Spring.  And there are no cold temperatures in the forecast.  Hopefully that is the case.

I finished up 39 bandanas- St. Patrick’s and Easter themed ones so Lisa could take them back to CA with her.  Delivered some St. Patrick’s day for the groomer here.  Need to make a few more for him and take them down on Tuesday.

I decided on the quilt pattern for the Wizard of Oz baby quilt.  Lisa’s daughter is expecting and the baby girl is due in June.  The theme is the Wizard of Oz and I was able to find fabric on line.  While it’s great to support my local shop, sometimes it’s necessary to shop on line. The main fabric is cut – 5 of 4 different fabrics. Have the accent fabrics cut. Just need to sub cut the background pieces. This is my next project after I make a few more bandanas. Am going to make BQ5  from Maple Island Quilts.  Sorry about the reflection from the lights

Thawed out a turkey last week to cook on the grill.  It was in brine for 14 hours ( 1 hour/ lb). Had it on the grill for just a little over 2 hours.  We have a gas grill

It was nice and crispy and moist

It’s grilling season. Tonight we had venison steaks on the grill for my birthday.  A friend had given us 2 bacon wrapped jalepeno and cheese chopped  venison steaks.  They were very good.

Friday night I made Thai Chicken Coconut Curry. Fun to try different recipes.

We’ve been working outside, Galen mostly.  Our cold temperatures did in a few bushes.   Galen got them cut back.  They will start shooting up new stems soon.  Our Spirea is starting to get some green on it.  It doesn’t take long for things to come back to life after a cold snap. Our Live Oaks  are starting to drop their leaves.   They do that in the Spring as new leaves come out.  Yes. We have 2 seasons of leaf raking!!!!

Galen did go down to our local lake this week.  The Dragonflies are starting to show up.  This means more trips will be happening now.  Weather is getting better for Dragonflies.

Familiar Bluet

Yesterday we drove out to Granger Dam area.  Migration time again.  At the dam overlook we got to see a good size gathering of White Pelicans as well as a very large grouping of cormorants.

And we lucked out with the Burrowing Owl.  He wasn’t hiding among the rocks this time

Galen got a few other birds as well so it was a good morning.

Maybe next week will be some pictures of Bluebonnets!

Hope everyone has a good week

 poodlegirls  cooking, Daily Happenings, Gardening, General Sewing, Life at home, Nature, Quilting, Travels, Uncategorized Leave a comment  March 2, 2025 2 MinutesEdit"Must be Spring!"