Log Cabin Cowboy Quilt I Did Not Make

 My sister-in-law was up at my in-laws' recently and my MIL was agreeable to parting with a few quilting related items. Once my MIL began to get irritated, they stopped, but she said she wanted me to have this quilt top. I am honored. She doesn't remember making it, but she absolutely did. At 102"x 118", it is huge. 

I need to hunt for a backing, but It's just a hodge podge of so many old western prints combined into one fabulous scrappy quilt! 

We're thinking she made it about 20 years ago so the fabrics are probably 20-50 years old or whenever western fabrics were first produced.

 I don't know if low-volume prints were a thing back then, but she found some great ones to include 

She hand quilted every single quilt she ever made and part of me is considering doing the same with this one. Is that the crazy part talking or should I have it machine quilted?

I could use your input. My SIL is a quilter and she thinks it's crazy to hand quilt it. 

I'm on the fence....and of course it's barbed wire so I'd like to pick a side because it's a tad prickly up here. 😂

Pulled Pork

 We never ate much pork. Managing ranches and raising cattle, meant we always had deep freezes full of beef so in lieu of pulled pork, we'd shred brisket or roast and add barbecue sauce, but the last few years we've mixed in more pork and chicken. Fish was always available because our dirt tanks were full of fish and we liked to fish.

But last week, I picked up a pork butt and made pulled pork. I served it over baked potatoes. When I visited our girl a few weeks ago, she served it this way and I loved it.

I made a rub, coated the pork, wrapped it in plastic wrap, and left it in the fridge overnight.

Then I just put it in a baking pan and cooked it on 300 for 7 hours...it pulled so easily.

I used THIS recipe. The boys and little E loved it so I've added it to my tried and true recipe book because it'll be on the menu as a summer repeat from now on.

Pulled Pork Rub

1/4 C brown sugar

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 Tbsp paprika

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 tsp cayenne

1 bone-in pork butt

3-4 onions, halved

1 bottle good barbecue sauce

*Mix up all the spices in a small bowl and rub all over pork butt. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refigerate overnight. Place halved onions in bottom of baking pan. Place pork butt on top. Cover with foil. Bake 6-7 hours at 300. 

I've tried the pulled pork with the Dr. Pepper in the past, but we liked this better and I never have Dr. Pepper in the house anyway.

Despite the cayenne in the rub, this isn't spicy at all, so knowing my bunch, they all added pickled jalapenos or pico. 🤗

Tuesday Treasures

 Ever since we moved here, fencing our property has been on the short list. There is a fence, but it's not on the property line and the one in place isn't in the best shape.

Building 2 miles of fence in rugged terrain is a huge undertaking and I'm shaking my head that DH is taking this on at 62. 

Thankfully, our son is able to help, but they both come in with shirts and jeans and hats sweated straight through and they haven't even started on the fence.

We've put in some corner posts and H-braces, but mostly they've been clearing trees and brush, which is what they worked on Tuesday

Little E was eager to supervise. 😉

Buggy rides always lead to adventure

And adventure always leads to tired legs

The 3 Musketeers

I'm certain a nugget of wisdom was being shared in this shot.

She made another treasure map and this time it lead to the discovery of a fairy house

And it's always fun to hunt for treasure in the garden

Today she munched on tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and carrots

To quote our little treasure, "These are the best days EVER!"

Tropical Twist Quilt

Last year I spent a few days cutting down my scrap basket for 2 quilts from this book

I finished the first one back in March. You can see that post HERE

And this is the second, little sister, quilt. It's called Knots & Chains in the book, but I'm calling it Tropical Twist

It's hard to see the quilting, but Sandy used a design called Spring Fling on it

At 62"x62", it's just a small lap size, but it packs a big punch with so many fun colors & prints.

So many happy low-volume bits and pieces

The hummingbirds were quite smitten with it

We probably have close to 60 birds and they are eating us out of house and home.

They really are the most fascinating little creatures

I backed it and bound it with the same print as the first one 

I would buy a whole bolt of that backing fabric if I saw it. Thankfully, I still have quite a bit left.  

                                                                  

Skeet gives his seal of approval although he's really inquiring about his evening treat.

Not my usual color story, but it just makes me so happy

This dirt road ranch wife must have been channeling her inner Jimmy Buffet while working on these quilts...someone please pass me my lost shaker of salt. 😉