Quilt-a-long: Morning Day 1

Good Morning Fellow Quilt-a-longers! This morning has me with the kitchen dishes taken care of and my crock-pot started. Okay I'm cheating a bit as I already had one of my ready made Spicy Chicken Soups frozen, it's in the crock pot on warm now melting down so I can check it a bit to make certain I wont need to add anything. I posted my Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe long ago, but as I've made some changes I'll pass those along to you along to you. Starting with chicken stock, and a pound of chicken (I never stint on the crock pot or else my family might rebel and then how would I make my easy meals?) Then in goes carrots and celery of course; sliced to whatever size you like to eat in a soup. My family doesn't much care for celery so I chop that up pretty fine.  If you like onions by all means add them too, this soup loves to be messed with.

Also add between one clove and one bulb of garlic. Seriously the amount of garlic I use varies widely depending on first how much I have on hand and two how afraid I am of getting sick of whatever is going around. Nothing is going around now, but I want to kick it up so all the cloves around the outside will do me today. Then I add the hot sauce as I have a violent bell pepper allergy I have one brand of hot sauce that I can use. It's called Frank's Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce. I add between 1 tsp and 1 tablespoon of that to taste. Perhaps it's me or maybe it's the chicken but different days seem to need more or less spice.

I try to make my stock from chicken quarters and then use chicken breasts in this recipe - cook them whole and break them into yummy bites just prior to serving.

I add any leftover noodles cut into bites (if needed) right into the bottom of the bowl so they don't end up cooked to much in my pot.

But seriously what's all this about cooking - now set the crock-pot to go and let's sew!

Quilts in waiting.

I think the most daunting task I have right now is to move all of the quilts that have been diligently awaiting the return of my computerized machine to come back from being serviced (it's been 3 or 4 times this month!) in favor of the table runner I'm making for my cousin today.

Lady Bird Post Summer Molt

Lady Bird had been going through a molt and is just starting to look a bit better, I took these of her yesterday and just had to share!

Lady Bird Cardinal

It's Today, It's Today!

Yes today is indeed the day. The day my little one turns 5. Her father pointed out that means she's been around for half a decade; of course he said this before any morning caffeine.

Last night I needed a project to put my newly repaired - but as yet still not fixed sewing machine - through so I made another dressing gown. I love these, they go so easy and the gussets are so much easier than gathers. It's of course for the birthday girl. The photo was supposed to have her in it, but she was in such a hurry to get dressed this morning, you'll have to settle.

Then DH, my newly 5 year old little girl, her aunt, and uncles and off they went to see Toy Story 3, I stayed home and basted that Christmas Row Robin. Surely that must be against some sort of Quilter’s Code staying home to baste a quilt, after all I've had the supplies for a long while now. But it was more restful this way and hopefully it will mean (regardless of my spur of the moment quilting choice) I'll have plenty of energy for our little party this afternoon.

Speaking of parties check out the cake I baked. It's Funfetti inside and whipped frosting on the outside. I was able to find the Wilton butterfly pan at Michael's and use a Joann's coupon so the pan was only $7.80 after tax. The sprinkles are mostly all sugar, which are DD's favorite with some palm tree sprinkles on the leading edge of the wings just in case you weren't certain it's hot here.

Now while I was writing to you I realized it's been a while since you've seen Lady Bird, the same cannot be said for us. We've been seeing her nearly everyday and often more than once. DH had to clean out the feeder due to a wasp invasion, which caused Lady Bird some trouble for about a day (no seed in the bottom to eat) but as she seems terrified of wasps I'm certain we've been forgiven the inconvenience.

To Much of a Good Thing

I have created at least 4 or 5 different layouts for that fabric, and I'm still no closer to figuring out an answer to that pretty fabric.

Late last week Lady Bird brought her babies to see us.  Turns out she has three, two boys and a girl, I can't imagine and I'm rather glad they're her babies and not mine. 

Lady Bird's Daughter was not interested in be photographed and hid behind the bird feeder nearly the entire visit.

It was early in the morning when I saw this beauty out my back door.  This is a Gulf Fritillary on one of our Passion Vine Plants.

These guys are called Carolina Chickadees and they have built a next in the tree outside my DD's room.  It's sweet to hear the little ones chattering.  They are so little and so fast that it's hard to capture one of them in a picture let alone the two.

We also have the Tuffed Titmouse showing up with their little ones.

Isn't that picture funny?  It was one of my attempts at the Carolina Chickadees, and the look on the face of that Tuffed Titmouse was so comical at the swift departure of the Carolina Chickadee, I had to show you.

Missed Me?

My cousin tells me she believes there are two kinds of pain.  The kind you've earned and the kind you didn't.  The kind you've earned is like working in the yard or the like.   That's the good kind of pain.  It hurts but you did something and thereby it's okay.

The bad kind of pain is the kind that grabs you by the throat and takes over, while you are bewildered that you're even feeling pain.  After all you did everything right and didn't push yourself or anything.  Chronic pain sufferers have to deal this sort of "bad pain" more often than we'd like anyone to know, much less admit.

Last night the bad kind woke me up.  Now you know pain that wakes you up has to be bad.  I mean seriously?!?!?  I was sleeping!  So I dealt with that from about 2 am until 4:30 or so.  Oddly I went to sleep around about the time DH cuddled up to me, which that alone is odd.  Normally when I have bad pain I will lash out as the spasms can be stronger than my desire not to have them.

I guess all that meant I was darn well going to earn my pain today.  I stood and held towels while DH pressure washed the last of the house to protect the air conditioner from water leaking in on it.  Then I held the first new window while Rob installed it.  Then I cleaned one tower of DVD's.  I changed the sheets on the bed.  I helped to unpack and sort windows.  I helped repack and sort windows and then I did all that all over again.  Then I stood and cooked dinner.  Trust me when I say I'm hoping the dishwasher fairy will show up at my house tonight.

Little Boy's Red Starting to Show

Baby cardinals seem to be everywhere these days.  I think we have three boys flying around (they look so silly with their red colors coming in and one girl who was oh so gray) No babies with Lady Bird and her Gentleman Bird yet.  In fact the two of them are here together right now.  Lady Bird has been enjoying drinking from the birdbath the past couple of days and her boy was seen feeding her just yesterday. 

Little Boy Cardinal

So as I mentioned above we've been working on our house.  Here is the first new window installed and a snapshot of my Sapphire Blue Sherwin Williams paint.  So tell me what color does it look like to you?

A Day of Rest ~ Indigo Style ~

Just the other day I saw a painted Bunting. It swooped down low to the feeder early in the morning, and then spying a cat soared back up into the sky, it was only here for a second and gone so fast my fingers were still reaching for my book to confirm.

That reminded me of a year or two ago that an Indigo Bunting stopped by for a Migratory visit before heading off into the stars. Yes I said stars. Indigo Buntings navigate by the stars! Who knew, certainly not me.

 So today about 9:45am when that beautiful bird alighted my bird feeder I was in awe. I had the camera out of the bag a quick as I could manage (I am getting faster) and started snapping. That tired hungry little boy ate for about 20 minutes before stopping to sun himself. He paid no heed to the other birds, and went back and fourth from the bath to the feeder for about 45 minutes! I even snuck out the other door when it was time to pick up dd from school so as not to disturb him.   

As it turns out he wasn't here when we arrived home, but before she had finished her lunch he had taken up his perch at the feeder again. He's here on and off, mostly seemed to sleep, both in the sunny areas and in the shade. No wonder he's sleeping, as I mentioned they migrate at night. I learned that at this wonderful site.

Before I learned of his nocturnal habits I learned that this little boy is beyond his second year, as told by the blue gracing all the way down his wings to their very tips.  Perhaps even this little gentleman has visited us before.  My information on age determination comes from the Migration Research Foundation.

So determined to hang out here that when this family of House Sparrows came up screaming and begging, he went right on with what he was doing. As the males migrate ahead of the females any of his own screaming brood will follow him in a week or two. As both the females and juveniles are plain it’s possible I wont even notice them.

 This is the female house sparrow feeding her two little ones.

Even when I banged around the kitchen a bit, this little Indigo Bunting paid no attention to me. What a wonderful visitor. Because truly a visitor is all he is. We live in his North bound migration path, so a day like today is truly special.

This one is my favorite picture from today.

Lady Bird Update:  Yesterday Lady Bird visited alone, as well as many made by male Cardinals, perhaps someone has eggs?

Healthy Lady Bird

Is it better not to know? Last night I felt that way as I took these close ups of Lady Bird. Normally she sits in the bird feeder so I can't see or show you how I know she only has one foot. But last night she helped herself to a nice long drink at the birdbath so I was able to take these. 

See how she sits here at the birdbath?  Aside from her slight expected wobbliness, I can always recognize her by her leg as it sticks out down and behind her.

In the above photo it's clear Lady Bird's leg is missing from just above her knee. While that said it is also clear that her stump no matter when or how it happened is completely and fully healed. So while it is a bit sad to know more, it's also good that she does not have any lingering problems. Just take a second look at that top photograph; her feathers are in great condition this year.

I did a bit of bird research and the longest documented wild cardinal lived to be over 18 years, isn't that something? The common misconception that cardinals only live for a year is actually a skewed number caused by the high baby and adolescent deaths.

Please keep in mind Lady Bird is a wild bird that is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which allows her the freedom to come and go as she pleases. The Migratory Bird Treaty says that the birds on the list shall never be pursued, hunted, taken, captured, killed, sold or possessed. It also protects all things pertaining to, including, eggs, feathers, and nests.

It makes me think a little of the Kalahari Meerkat Project, to watch but never to interfere.

Gift from Heaven Quilt Back 2

A week or three ago I saw on Gwen's blog a quilt back that made me stop and think.  It was indeed scrappy and inspired me to consider doing the same, you can see the back I'm talking about by clicking here.  She tells me those are 12" blocks, but yet it reminded me of my box of squares.   The ones I cut out for Jessica's baby clothes quilt. 

Most of you wont know this but I spent three months cutting up Jessica's baby clothes and making them into 3.5" squares.  Yes three months.  I had FOUR 13-gallon kitchen trash bags full of her baby clothes stashed away, or was it five?  That's how I was able to not only make one quilt, but an entire second top to boot. 

Now that top has been waiting for me to get off my duff and figure out some sort of back so I can get started on the quilting.  After all quilts like these long to be FINISHED!

So today I got out that banished box of squares and started counting.  I have 760 of the afore mentioned squares, and to think I've made at least 3 baby blankets using those fabrics since I worked on the Blessings from Heaven Quilts! (Talk about overkill!)

To piece the entire full size quilt back I would need...  Are you ready for this?  900 squares to make the entire back pieced from the leftover squares, I knew there had to be another answer and here's what I came up with.

This layout uses a mere 512 of those 3.5" squares.  For the center I have selected a newborn picture of Jessica, which I will have custom printed after I jazz around with it a bit in Illustrator.  I think I will adjust two different pictures and have them both printed so that I can select the one I like best.  Does it make you want to go sew or simply wish me luck?

Lady Bird and her Gentleman-bird stopped by for dinner, so I snapped a couple of photos. Not the one of Lady Bird with her crest up like I wanted, but maybe next time.

Sweet Tea and Next Year's Lemons

Here get comfortable and have a glass of tea with me, while I tell you what I went through yesterday for my tea. I drink about a gallon of tea every two days. The doctors tell me this is good because of all the antioxidants in tea. Personally I just like the way it tastes. 

Here's how it goes.

2 Quarts (give or take) of hot water, heated just prior to boiling,
Add 3 family sized tea bags of Luzianne Tea (other tea like Lipton's has less tea in the bag and requires more bags which somehow seems to make the oily tea skin that I HATE)
1 cup of sugar added to the hot water
Stir
After 4 or 5 minutes remove the tea bags. (The box says 3 minutes but I'm usually to busy to get back to it that fast)
I used to fill to the top of my gallon pitcher with ice, but now I save energy by adding cold water
1 entire fresh picked fresh squeezed Meyer Lemon

Now here's where I run into trouble. The Meyer Lemon is the best part of this tea and I started adding it right about the time Rob told me that the tree was wrapping up it's season this year and I'd better hurry up and use what was there. Oh my how refreshing tea is this way!

So now it's been at least two months and I'm still picking lemons off my tree (I love my Lemon tree!) Except now the tree is working on next year's fruit, and is in full bloom, oh joy to the lemons we will have next year.

Do you know what adores citrus blooms? Honey Bees! Having lived on a farm for part of my childhood, I have a very aloof way of dealing with honeybees. I'll leave them alone and they leave me alone. It's a very good relationship this way. Except now... The tree has what I want and it has what they want... So how to grab those Lemons and leave the bees be?

These pictures are pretty aren't they? They smell good too, as just yesterday I told my friend Vicki, there was a beautiful delicate perfume in the air and how thrilled I was not to be allergic so I could enjoy the smell. But do you see that butt? That bee butt? There are really two in this photograph, but who's counting?  This tree is covered with many such butts, and for every bee butt there are 10 buzzing bees in the air. Seriously girls can't you give me just a minute with my tree?

So now that I've told my story, my darling Lady Bird has arrived with her boyfriend I'm going to enjoy their company. Would you believe they visit so often these days - every one here recognizes her on sight?

Lady Bird's Close Up

Today I zoomed as close as I dared. Watching her so closely through the LCD screen was something else. While Lady Bird saw me no different than every other time, I could make out so much of her.

This year her feathers are in so much better condition than last year. As cardinals do not line their nests with their own feathers as some parrots do, her beautifully smooth feathers are a delight to see.

2010 Lady Bird Cardinal Pictures

My beloved Lady Bird Cardinal is back and letting me take her picture again!  This is her second visit this year and the new camera we got for Christmas let me zoom really close and in focus for these.  This first photo clearly shows Lady Bird's one foot sticking out.

Of course we're not certain if this is the same male Cardinal Lady Bird selected last year, but he did dart up to her and share a bit of seed with her this morning.  This was taken right after that, as I didn't know what he was up to until it was over.

So if your day feels a bit heavy and difficult just think a moment on dear little Lady Bird here, if her daughter has grow up well it's quite possible Lady Bird will even be a grandmother this summer, we'll never know of course. 

Hard Core Quilter? Or Lazy...

Today I made the binding for the Buckeye Beauty Quilt.  While I was cutting my finger got in the way, but I kept at it.  In this house anytime I get up it might be a long while before I get back to what I was doing.  Would you believe I finished making the binding and wrapped it up for later before doing anything about this?

The best news is that Lady Bird Cardinal is back this Spring, it was such a thrill to see her one footed self yesterday morning.  She was a little tippy as she alighted the bird feeder which is how I reconized her right away.  A Gackle was there as well which was bigger than her and made her a bit leary of staying to long, and of course I dug out my camera, that was to much for her.  Hopefully she will be back soon.  I went back through my old posts so you can feel free to follow the link above and read all about her visits last year as well as any new viewings this year.  I first sighted her as an adult on May 4th, 2009.

Looking at you, looking at me?

I currently have two foul chickens cooking in the oven. Why are the fowl foul? (sorry couldn't help the pun) I took those two birds out of the deep freezer days ago, and waited for them to defrost in the fridge. Well they missed the first day I could have cooked a big family dinner because they were still rock solid, and then they missed the second time for being mostly frozen. So I have been cooking them all morning in hopes of having them for "linner" since DH works tonight. Oh well they had to be cooked now that they thawed out. Yesterday evening I looked out the window and low and behold eyes were upon me. Yes, sirree, little Lady Bird was looking at me. I believe in this photograph you can see the one foot sticking out the front where she is sitting. While she hasn't brought her baby around lately, I have been seeing house finch babies. That family easily has four little ones, and when they show up the entire feeder is packed with beggars. That's why I had DH refill the feeder so at least the parents could find room to grab some seed, after all can't feed the little ones if you don't have any in your coup.

Lady Bird

Lady Bird Mom is on the Left and Baby is on the Right.
Darling little bird. For the past two weeks we have been watching our Lady Bird Mom, Dad, and their little baby bird. It is a joy watching this family as I feel the constutition and fortitue this bird has is a testament to life and one being's will to live. I believe the baby bird is a girl as it is the brownest baby cardinal visiting us. Not a touch of red on her entire body.

Often people who have known me for a little while, long enough they call themselves more than aquantiances, but still haven't known me long say things like "how great I am that I don't let my disability get me down." or that "You're my hero for all that you've done and do." I feel comments are made and are a misinterputation of who I really am. Trust me, mircle that I'm a live or not, I am one person. I do not feel I am a hero. Heroism is deep strength used to the benefit of a person or community. At least that is what it is to me. All I did was live and survive. That is what every other living thing would try to do, yes even my dear sweet handicapped Cardinal, inspite of her missing foot she continues on. Living each day the best she can.

Sometimes our best isn't enough to clean the house, or get to the laundry. But if it is enough to raise our offspring, then it's enough.

The Speed

It is amazing to me the speed at which life can slip past. Last night I had a ball wrapping up presents for Jessica's 4th birthday. I'm supposed to say it's hard to believe she's four already, but it's not hard. She is a very smart girl that I doubt would have been able to hide in a 3 year old's body much longer. Jessica is so excited about all things four, but most especially school. My daughter's personality is like a mac truck. Sure, she seems like peaches and cream, but when she really wants something... Lucky for me this is what I want too.

This morning I received a rare and precious gift. I was putting in a movie for Jessica when there was a bang on my window. I looked up and sure enough there was a baby cardinal trying to land on the aluminium between the windows (where the glass is mind you). The little baby must have been out for one of it's first flights. And who was the only other cardinal in sight? Why me special little lady cardinal. Yes, I'd like to believe that the special girl, I enjoy watching out my window, brought me her little one. It's nice to think that she is a successful mom even lacking a foot.

Not working on anything quilty right now. Hopefully after my mini vacation there will be enough money left for me to buy a slew of batting so I can get quilting. Laugh if you want, we'll just have to wait and see.

Oh, I nearly forgot! I did get the clothes thing taken care of, seems not only was my "measurement size" not my size at all I was in the wrong department. I found this out through the grace of my mom. Just like when I was a kid trying things on, she searched the racks and came back to the dressing room with clothes to try on. It was such a blessing to have her there to help me. My leg and foot hurt like the dickens before I started. I'm certain had my mom not been there I would have returned my pile of clothes for a dress and a skirt, the later of the two were straight returns for a smaller size, and retreated to someplace to spend the rest of the afternoon sitting. As it was, I even had enough energy when it was over to do a little rack combing myself from the seat of a wheelchair.

The back for the Holiday Row Robin quilt is all finished up. I thought I was shorter on fabric than I really was so I'm going to redo the blue border fabrics at the top and the bottom to better match, as I'm 100% sure I can't stand to watch that teal "jump" every year during the holidays.

I haven't bought clothes in a long time, just a new top here or there. Since my accident in 2001 it's difficult for me to try things on, as you constantly have to sit, stand, and wiggle around. I dug out my cloth tape i.e. the sewing tape measure that bends and measured, letting measurements do the talking. Then I went to the website where I wanted to order my clothes, and ordered the size that the inches told me to. Now I hate those numbers. They seem so awful, not to mention women's sizes have three different departments. Who dreamed that one up? Shoot I'd rather be like the men's department and only have one place in the store I need to check for my size, but that could just be my disability complaining.

So anyway, with a deep breath I went clothes shopping online. I was so excited by have a few new things the silly size number didn't matter anyway. The days go by and I wait and wait, insult is added to my waiting because of the 4th, but no matter, I can't wait.

The clothes arrived yesterday. Yes siree, they did. All of them are way to big. Huge is perhaps an understatement for most of them. One pair of pants comes close, but DH would have to add a "hole" to the belt so I can cinch it down enough, to keep the pants where they belong. I was a mess over it. What a disaster. I feel so bad for anyone else that might have thought they could trust their tape measure.

So Rob arrives home shortly after I tried on everything in the box. After a few minutes he tells me, "at least you know those clothes are all to big". Right. Is that truly supposed to help me? Awwgee, sure I'm glad their not to tiny, but I was so looking forward to having them fit.

The Special little Lady Cardinal is here this morning. I bet she's glad she doesn't have to stand and try on clothes.

Check up and Check in

Today was annual checkup time for Sunny and Tiny. I've been a bit worried about them so it was nice to hear how great they are. Sometimes I think my cats must be charmers to become divining rods for compliments. Or maybe that's part of the vets job? I don't know they see so many animals. I did in fact ask my sister if she knew of any "ugly" cats and she is certain that there are such things. I've never met one myself.

For a while now Sunny has had his own trading card over at Blue Buffalo. The makers of our cat food. Feel free to head over there and check him out.

Earlier this evening my daughter told me "Sunny went poop!" Followed quickly by "we need to bag it up and take it to the vet!" The things children say sometimes. It cracks me up.

Today was in fact a hard day for Jessica. She missed Kitty very deeply today, and I even though I try my best to love and support her, I feel like sometimes it isn't enough.

Tonight I am watching out the window at my "special needs" Cardinal. Perhaps some of you remember her. The cardinal with only one leg that visits my bird feeder quite frequently. Tonight I can't help but worry a little about her. She is curled up in the bottom "bowl" of the feeder. She's been sitting there for about 10 minutes, and now it's past 8pm. I hope all is well with her as watching her visit everyday brings joy to my days. Since those first visits we've learned a bit more about her. She does have two legs, but one has no "toes" at all and she seems to like to keep it out behind her to keep it from being banged around. Ahhh hark, the Cardinal has flown. It's so nice to see her depart this evening. I'll be looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow. Perhaps she too just needed a quiet moment. Feel free to read more about her and see a few photos here.

Special Girl

I noticed this little Cardinal three days ago. You see she sits a little funny, and I was concerned for her. DH looked and her and pronounced her "fine", but then upon looking closer he told me. She has only one leg, that's why she flutters more and sits funny, but she can fly just fine. Of course we don't know what happened to her, she wasn't bleeding and there are no signs on her feathers of trauma, so it either happened a while ago, or it's a birth defect. Yesterday she brought me a surprise. Her boy. Yes this sweet little bird has a helper male bird, we watched while he courted her a bit. She is the one on the left in this photo. Today the pair were back again, and I couldn't resist sharing them with you.
The center of the second side of the Carpenter's wheel Quilt is coming along fine. Though now I've begun to wonder - if perhaps I should make them two (It's so obvious I know exactly where these quilts are going, hu?). I'd like to try and sell some things on etsy, so single sided would keep the cost down. This as you know is Sunny, he loves to be outside, regardless of what it looks like in this photo he has a good time out there. Yesterday he snuck out, and none of us knew it. Rob found him and returned him to me, panting and clearly overheated, from stress, heat, or having to run from something we don't know. Luckily we were able to get him cooled off and he's no worse for wear.