Back in the saddle

We got a package of quilts with the morning mail, and my plan to start quilting the Lone Star was put on hold. One of the quilts has a deadline, so I pinned it on and quilted it this morning while listening to my murder mystery. It was a giant Packers quilt, and fun to do.The fabric selections were really well thought out and the whole quilt was a delight for this Packer fan to quilt!

Go Packers!!

Mr Wazoo did this before going outside to play

After a quick lunch, I started a huge batch of collard greens, answered some mail and paid a couple of bills. Then it was straight back to the studio and the start I have been anxious to do...the antique Lone Star quilt I restored and added background and borders to.

Stitch in the ditch done, and quilting the star started.

I am doing an elongated leaf pattern in each diamond. That should reinforce the hand stitched seams and flatten any 'poochy' spots.

Tim planted some sweet Johnny Jump Ups in these planters

The two forsythia shrubs are in.

Wanna be grossed out? These are fire ants!! Tim found two hills just beside the studio porch, put on the ant killer, and then the swarm of angry ants moved onto the concrete! He sprayed them with the hose back into the nest to die. Gross to the nth degree!

Tim also finished the lattice under the back porch to keep the critters out from underneath.

Molly likes her new walk. She doesn't have to get her nice white paws muddy. ha ha

Tim and Molly took a well deserved break at quitting time. He put in a hard day digging holes in the clay soil.

The mountains are greening up in stages, making them more interesting and beautiful. And how about those clouds?! The view changes every day. I love it.

Home again, Home again, Jiggidy Jog!

It rained all the way home from Texas, but we didn't mind...we're home! Poor Molly got into some fleas there and we have been treating her scratching and biting for days. Oh well, into every life a little rain must fall. Ha!
Yesterday, we ran errands and then took a fun visit to a couple of nurseries for trees and plants. Yup, still raining through the whole thing, but ever so lightly...just enough to spot up my glasses. You know what I'm talking about if you wear glasses. Its raining again today, so I don't think they will all get in the ground. Tim put in the hosta when we got home, so he's somewhat appeased.

Spring is in the air! Let's get some trees.

The discerning buyer picking out a red bud tree

I opted for this lilac. I miss them since leaving Wisconsin.

Oodles of veggies and herbs

A truckload of goodies for the yard

I really wanted to take some pictures of all the trees in bloom around the area, but the rain wouldn't cooperate. I did take just a few on the way home and in the yard.

The ever changing view on the road home from town

Our mountain in the background on the right.

Our dogwood tree is blooming! We were worried it may have been damaged during the construction, but it looks fine.

Can't see the mountain tops today, either. Low clouds add a mysterious touch to the view from the front porch.

Later, we went to Walmart for groceries, and there were the quilts from the guild!! They have a display there that changes with the seasons to get people interested in quilting and the guild. I have two quilts in the display! This is the Spring group, so I sent my Easter bunny quilt and my hand embroidered flowers and butterflies quilt. I think the display is a brilliant idea, and it sure livens up the area of the store!

One of my quilts hanging at our local Walmart.

Another of my quilts for the Spring display

All the quilts add a happy flair to the fabric department.

Last night, I finished the hand sewing on the binding of my latest quilt. This was a tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company that I made at a retreat and just recently quilted. It is a big one, so I draped it over the queen bed in the guest room for photos.

Ta da! I think they look like envelopes.

The backing is a really soft plaid shirting fabric from Pennsylvania

The fabric line is Eclectic Elements.

Today, I will be starting quilting on the first lone star customer quilt. Rainy days are good for quilting! Off to the studio! Meanwhile, Mr Wazoo will be dodging raindrops to add more foliage to our landscape.

Baby hosta, cooling their feet in the moist soil.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

After a two day haul, we arrived in south Texas to see my folks and my sister. We drove through rain and fog, heat and wind, but made it without incident.

Dogwoods in bloom in South Georgia

Really foggy in Alabama

Over the bridge into Louisiana

And then there is East Texas. Flat...dry...boring.

On the horizon, a city and an oil refinery

Hundreds of miles with this view

Cotton seed storage on the outskirts of Harlingen

We recovered nicely after a wonderful dinner, and toady, I went with my sister to her quilt guild, The Killer Bees. Don't you love that name?! The 'bees' had a great time watching a demo of mitering border corners, and then a fun show and tell.

The Killer Bees chatting before the meeting

These name tags are funny!

Some of the bees are different

This nice snippet quilt was the project used for the mitering demonstration

These bee ladies were discussing binding

The girl on the left was visiting her mother and brought her fabulous show quilt to share with the group.

When we arrived home after a fine Mexican lunch, Mr Wazoo was working in the yard, weeding and mulching my Dad's flower beds. I'm glad its overcast and windy, so he doesn't faint from the heat!!

What a nice son-in-law!

A garden visitor1

My Mother

My Dad making sandwiches and Tim taking a break. I made that cactus wall hanging when I was in High School!! Parents are the greatest! They still have it on display.

My sister's house

More news from the Parker's house tomorrow!

Finished working...off to Texas

Mr Wazoo finished his last quilt (the one with the cute dog fabrics) and I finished mine so we can get on with packing and getting ready to go see the folks in Texas.

Texas, here I come...WOOF!

part of the pieced backing

See the stylized turkeys? I love it!

I did this farm animal quilt

Aren't they cute?!

Its been a big day for everyone. Molly had her bath and is now completely worn out.

I'll be traveling for a couple of days. We'll have to see what the wi-fi is like and whether or not I can post here. Fingers crossed!