Don't Make Me Go to Town

 Yesterday was a town day. DH and I both had so much to do that we took separate rigs and met up for lunch. Divide and conquer was the theme of the day.

It was horribly windy, but we both crossed everything off of our lists. We're gearing up for a weather week. Mother nature is going to give us quite the variety this week.

Around here, they close roads when the wind gets ferocious due to lack of visibility with all the dirt in the air so then you worry about being able to get home.

I do not enjoy running errands. It's a fact of life and everyone has to do it, but we are pretty remote so running to town for a gallon of milk isn't really feasible. 

 So, when I DO go, the list is long and it takes the entire day. I try to do a grocery store pick up for most things and that helps, but its hard to gauge the time slot and I still go in to pick out my produce and meat.

Yesterday's stops included 2 grocery stores, Sam's, the post office, the health insurance company, the bank, the CPA, Walgreens, Hobby Lobby (to return some elastic), Home Depot, a furniture store (to order a new bed for the guest room), a 2nd furniture store (to look for a lamp),

and the quilt shop. Oh, and lunch with DH... 🥰 the best part of the day along with coming home.

I hadn't been in the quilt shop in over a year, but I had a gift certificate that a friend had given me when I shared some fabric with her. Such a thoughtful and generous gift from a thoughtful and generous friend. I didn't need anything, but it was about to expire. 

When you factor in the 2 hour driving time (to town and back), all those stops, unloading the pickup,  and putting everything away, town days just wear me out. 

"Don't make me go to town" is a very popular tagline in our home. Years ago, my mom found a book with that title and sent it to me.  I didn't write it, but that would be the title of my autobiography, if I wrote one. 😂

Under the Needle: March

 Between having a houseful for a week, a 2nd batch of overnight company, spending 4 full days immersed in taxes, and ongoing outdoor projects, I was surprised at the progress I was able to make on the sewing front this month.

I cut everything out for this Farmhouse quilt at the beginning of the month, got it pieced and binding made - the blocks are big and it didn't take long to put together

I pieced this little quilt I am calling Blustery Day and will hand it off to Jackie later this week.

And I cut and pieced this Smokey the Bear donation quilt

I patched a hole and replaced the binding on this quilt I had made for our boy in 2008

This Animal Crackers quilt was finished

As was this Baby Dinosaur quilt

These monthly posts keep me focused and that helps me move projects forward. Without them, I'm fairly certain I wouldn't get as much accomplished. You would think there would be a noticeable dent in my stash because I'm not bringing new fabric home, but thus far, that hasn't been the case, but I did empty 2 project bins and have crossed off 2 other quilts that are on my list I made in January. Tomorrow I'll start binding my next finish. 😉

Baby Dinosaur Quilt

I don't remember where I picked this print up, but it didn't have any company name on the selvedge so it was probably from Walmart or Hobby Lobby years ago. I thought the colors were great and who doesn't love cheeky baby dinosaurs. 😁 

It was easy to pull coordinating fabrics from my stash. This is my preferred design to highlight a fun focus fabric. There is no pattern; its one I made up 6 or 7 years ago.

This is an old UFO that's been hibernating in the back of the closet for 5 or 6 years. All it lacked was the binding.

The backing was the leftovers from a backing of a quilt I made our girl 12 years ago...it was just the perfect size for this 48" x 48" quilt

The orange binding came from my stash too. 

It feels good to be using things I have.

It's hard to see the quilting, but you can see the fun design Sandy stitched across it best in this photo

I need to stock up on some baby boy quilts and I think this one will be a great addition

Alycia invited me to her Friday Finish Party so I linked up and look forward to the inspiration and seeing what others are up to.

Alycia

Recap From Last Week

 Just jotting out a quick post for my journal about last week because being in Gram-mode made it extra-special. Our boy, our dil, their dogs, and E were here from Sunday through Saturday.

It was busy and fun and I wouldn't have it any other way, but boy was I feeling my age by Saturday!

 And apparently multi-tasking is not my forte because I made Chicken & Dumpling Casserole (a long time family favorite) one day and just as we finished, I realized I had forgotten to add the chicken. 🤣🤣🤣 And no-one ever said a word! I had cooked the chicken the day before and there it sat in the fridge. Sheesh! So I added it to the leftovers and we had proper Chicken & Dumpling Casserole the next day. 🤭

Our boy was a ton of help while he was here

He and DH worked on cutting and pounding pipe for a permanent fence around headquarters. E crawled up behind the bathtub to keep an eye on them one day.

She was fascinated for a good long while and asked endless 'why' questions. I love this age.

One day we had my in-laws over for dinner and my FIL was called into action as well...does my heart good to see them working together 

This little 3-yr old kept Gram busy

My dil works remotely and she's taking online classes for a 2nd Master's degree as well so she was able to work while they were here. Not too shabby for an office view

E and I baked

And cooked

Washed lots of dishes

Should you ever need to know how to keep a little one busy, just add water. And Gram's floors have never been cleaner

We bought new baby chicks and stopped for donuts and colaches on our way out of town

And decorated our circle drive with all matter of artwork

She asked me to make her an angel. ie: she already is one. 😉

And then she said it was my turn and she wanted to take my picture with it. I'm so impressed. That's the best picture anyone has taken of me in years. 😁

Lots of stories

And one night she wanted to read 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed to Pap

She changes the voices and everything and when she deepened her voice to read, "and the doctor said...no more monkeys jumping on the bed!", Pap lost it 😂

The wind absolutely howled most of the week so we didn't get to wander and explore like we had hoped, but there was no shortage of antics

I introduced her to the sewing machine

And she had her 1st lesson

It was a lovely week. The only thing missing was baby L and his mama and daddy, but hopefully we'll get to spend some time with them soon. After all...we have more memories to make!