8/8/13

Palm Trees and Flamingos

Too bad that title only refers to the blocks I made today. It would be wonderful if it meant we were going to some island paradise, but no.

Wednesday afternoon I took the latest Yard Art blocks to the point of fusing down the applique pieces. You may remember that I had to remake one of the palm tree blocks, so I did two of those to my one flamingo.


It's quite tedious cutting around all the little nooks and crannies of the palm fronds as well as all the little corners of the tree trunks. That's nothing compared to the tedium of top-stitching them, however, which is what I did this afternoon. It took 15 minutes for each of the green palm fronds. The rest of it went a little quicker. So far, I have three of each.


Given that the finished quilt has ten of each block, this quilt is going together beyond slowly. But then, I'm not in any hurry for it. Here's how the finished quilt will look. Of course, my fabric choices are different.


This morning I made salsa from the tomatoes I've accumulated from the greenhouse. It takes four pounds (or eight cups) of chopped tomatoes. Today's yield was five pints.  


If I can get another four pounds, I'll make another batch of salsa. Each batch of pasta sauce also requires four pounds of tomatoes, and I'd like to get three batches of that. It surprised me that I had enough to make this salsa, so the tomatoes are producing more than it seemed. The season is still young.

Today I made an appointment to see the knee replacement specialist, and so that process is moving along. I'll see her on the 23rd. I won't know what her recommendations are until I see her, of course. My knee has been quite painful for a solid week now, and that is the longest period of intense pain I've felt since this all began about 30 years ago. It seems something has changed, and not for the better. It has not improved one iota since it began, and so it seems it's here to stay for now.

Despite all of that, I'm getting around the house, although the stairs are a literal pain to negotiate. Many folks have spoken up to say that they are happy with the outcome of their own knee replacements or that they know anecdotally of someone who is happy with theirs. Also, I read a woman's account of her own knee replacement on her blog. Hers was a little over a year ago, and she informed me via email that she is very happy with it now. It helps to take some of the dread out of the whole prospect for me.

So I'm not going to turn this blog into a whining account of my knee problems, but I will let you know when there is something new to report. For now, I'm just trying to stay optimistic that whatever happens will be a positive change.

Tomorrow I need to do some cleaning to get ready for my friend Carla's visit this weekend. If I have time to get into the sewing room, I'm going to make the quilt sandwich for the True Hope quilt. I still haven't nailed down how I'm going to quilt it, and I probably won't know until I put needle to quilt. Sometimes when I can't make up my mind about something, I just go and see what happens next.

That's it from me today. What's new at your end?

9 comments:

Tami C said...

Good luck with your palm trees and flamingos. I guess just taking your time and tackling another 1 or 2 when you feel like it and you'll be done in no time. My brother-in-laws tomatoes are doing real good. He's got loads of the little cherry ones that he sends home with us. They are so sweet and so good!

Good luck with your appointment on the 23rd. My last boss had his knee replaced and was really happy that he had it done. Take it easy doing the cleaning. I know that it's always hard on my knees. Enjoy your visit with Carla this weekend!

Lyndsey said...

The flamingos and palm trees are looking good and I love your flamingo fabric. I didn't plant any tomatoes this year so I jealous of your home made salsa. Our apple trees have a fair crop of apples this year so there will be home made apple chutney. I hope the pain in your knee starts to ease soon and no you're not being whiny just telling it like it is.

Lynn - JnL4God said...

Your blocks are very darling you did a good choice w/ fabric. Hoping for the best on your knee. Praying whatever the treatment needs to be that it makes it better for you. Have fun with your friend this weekend - what a treat.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

A block or two here and there and that project will be at the quilting stage. Enjoy your weekend.

Diane Wild said...

I have a friend who loves flamingos and this quilt would be right up her ally. Have a fun weekend with your friend, which I know you will. Laugh a lot.

Vicki W said...

I love these blocks! I can't comment on the knee thing except to hope that you get relief soon!

Brown Family said...

It is nice to have a quilt you are not in a hurry on.

Kate said...

Love the Yard Art blocks, it's going to be such a fun quilt.

quiltzyx said...

The flamingos & palm trees might be going slowly, but they are looking good! It is a SMILEY kinda quilt, for sure. :D

The salsa looks good, even if it is full of poisonous wolf peaches. hee hee. I think the combo of the PWPs & onions counteract each other when I eat them, lucky for me.