9/20/16

Loose Ends

Yesterday was a day of checking in on things that have been neglected while we've been traveling. The bird feeders were empty, and so I filled those. There was no hummingbird nectar, and so I made that and then filled the hummingbird feeders. There were tomatoes in great need of harvesting, and so I picked 12 pounds of the ripest tomatoes.


There are literally hundreds of tomatoes still on the vine, and so canning season isn't over just yet. I'm happy about this because I'd like to can enough plain old diced tomatoes to get through the winter. Tomatoes are one of the few things I still buy in cans, beans being the other notable item. Last year I was able to can the last of the tomatoes and ended up with 8 pints, which didn't nearly take us through. So far this season, I already have 8 pints. There is probably an upper limit, but I'll just keep canning until I run out of shelf space, friends, neighbors, and anybody else willing to allow me to foist tomatoes on.

Speaking of foisting, zucchini anybody? This is what happens when you leave your zucchini plants unattended. Looks like they've been having some kind of party growing until they are the size of a caveman's club. 


The zucchini were planted for their blossoms this year, and they are still blooming away, much to the delight of the bees. As for the zucchini, we had our fill quite a while back. These got heaved down the side of the hill, which helps keep my pitching arm in shape. I'll catch the smaller ones and harvest them if we're in the mood. Zucchini fritters are quite a delight, and so I might make some more of those. As for these...well, they might make good weapons if you need to club someone.

While checking out the monster zucchini, I noticed that two of the six echinacea plants have buds on them. 


I'm hoping there's still enough warm weather left that I'll actually get some blossoms before it's too late. They are supposed to be a perennial, but sometimes a hard frost or an ice storm will kill them off.


This sunflower started growing randomly before we left on our trip. I figured it was one of the black oil sunflowers that the squirrels raid from the birdfeeders and then plant in random spots. We always leave those alone. As it turns out, this was a stray seed from one of the ones I planted myself. What a nice surprise!


After the yard work was caught up, it was time to give my sewing machine some quality time. Smitty was just glad to get some of the dried catnip I keep in the sewing room. He likes both fresh and dried. Think of it as kitty snuff.


After unpacking Sunday evening, I'd just started sewing the strips together for the pumpkins on the Pumpkin Patch table topper. Yesterday I finished those up and then created the pumpkin blocks by adding the corners and the strip across the top.


After that, I fused the leaves and the stems. The top-stitching took a while, but when it was finished, I sewed the corner blocks together.


Then it was time to sew together the middle block.


When that was finished, I was ready to assemble all the blocks.


Lastly, there were two borders and this top was finished.


This is my project for the September "Let's Book It" challenge.

There are several quilts in line ahead of it and so it won't get quilted for this season's use. I'll have it ready next year, however. We'll probably be traveling by then, but at 28 x 28 inches, this will fit the little table in our fifth wheel. 

This morning I finished all the stitching on Block 7 of Hocuspocusville.


The next time I work on this (in a couple of months, probably), I'll be stitching this one. I think this block might have the most stitching of the group.


This morning was reserved for running around. I started out meeting Erik for breakfast...always a good way to start the day. After that I needed to stop off at the post office, and I needed a few things from the grocery store. Then, it was time for a badly-needed pedicure and then home to write this post. It's a CSA pick-up day, and I have just a little time left before I need to head over to the farm.

Tomorrow I'll have another day at home, and so I'll get started quilting the Written in Thread quilt. 


This one won't take long since it's a small wall-hanging. Those little borders around the embroidered blocks are only half an inch, and so I'm not sure yet whether to do straight line quilting there, stitch in the ditch, or something a little more squiggly. When it's finished, it'll be as much of a surprise to me as it is to you. 

21 comments:

WoolenSails said...

Your gardens are always so beautiful, mine keep dying, I am horrible with plants.
Love your table topper, that is a fun piece.

Debbie

TheEclecticAbuela said...

I like to can my paste tomatoes whole sometimes. I pull out a jar in the winter, heat them up, and eat them plain in a bowl! Such tasty goodness of summer when it is cold outside.

Debbie said...

Wow..tomatoes look great. Your zucchini remind me of the years I would make zucchini bread at the end of the season. Love your pumpkin project.

Anonymous said...

Your pumpkin table topper is a pattern I've not seen before. I love it and also the fabrics you used!!!!

Lyndsey said...

I love the pumpkin table topper, very pretty. Zucchini is something you can have too much of especially when they grow that big!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I could go for a BLT right now - yum. When Zucchini get that large I don't like their taste - compost pile. Oh, you put that little topper together very quickly - so cute!!

piecefulwendy said...

While I read through your entire post and enjoyed all of it, I'm still dazzled by the quilt runner under your bowl of lovely tomatoes! Question of the day (for me) - if you leave zucchini alone, just how big will it get? Is there a point where it doesn't grow anymore? Those were huge! Wendy at piecefulthoughts@gmail.com

Quiltdivajulie said...

Your are wearing MY shoes in that photo with the monster zucchini . . . too funny.

Susan said...

Too bad I don't live near you as I would gladly take those zucchinis home. I would halve and seed them and the cut some into chunks, blanch and freeze them to use in soups or other dishes, and some I would grate for zucchini bread.

Ariane said...

Your little pumpkin quilt top is so cute. I love your embroidered block. Can't wait to see how you quilt your little quilt. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I have a great recipe for zucchini soup and cobbler. The soup is just soooo good when its cold out. And the cobbler tastes like apple cobbler not zucchini. Let me know if you'd like them I can email them to you. ninepatch@hotmail.com Laura V.

Denise :) said...

I adore your pumpkin piece -- very darling! It looks complicated, too, but you explain it so nicely!! Your sunflowers are gorgeous! I love sunflowers, but we have a hard time finding a spot that gets enough sun for them. Your Hocuspocusville stitchery is coming along nicely. I've been eyeing that pattern for a while now...seeing yours take shape may be the impetus I needed! :)

Rosa said...

Wow, the topper caught my eye,it`s the first time I see your pumpkin table topper.Any of your projects are so beautiful.Great job!!

Brown Family said...

You can never have too many tomatoes. Now, zucchini, that is another story!

Deb said...

Well you sure did get lots of tomatoes which should keep you busy and the zucchini are beautiful. I just started block 10 for Hocuspocusville Quilt and I do believe block 8 has the most stitching. Love you pumpkins quilt and the written in thread patten will be so pretty.

quiltzyx said...

I will admit that the tomatoes are gorgeous in the bowl, even if they are still Poisonous Wolf Peaches!! I hope the birds or other critters enjoyed the tossed zucchinis. I remember a friend telling me years ago a story about some area that during this time of year you don't dare drive with your windows down as someone would be tossing zucchinis in!!
The pumpkin table runner is terrific. And you finished the top so FAST, wow!

Kalicocreations said...

Your pumpkin patch quilt is very pretty! The garden had a garden party while you were away. You never know what is going to happen when you leave a garden to its own devices ;)

Monica said...

What a great set of projects, Barbara! I love those pumpkins, and all your stitchery projects are lovely too. Talk about productive! Great job. :D

CathieJ said...

Wow, your garden has been plentiful. I love your pumpkin blocks.

Rachel said...

I love those pumpkins! Great little table-topper!

Kate said...

Love your pumpkins! It's a very pretty table topper.