4/5/20

This and That

My day was filled with a bunch of different activities yesterday. I first finished off the Appalachian Memories block. This is the "Spinning Star" block.


It's the 9th of 12 blocks. Here are all the blocks I have for this quilt so far.


When that was finished, Smitty and I got out for a walk. We chattered at a few birds and squirrels and ate some grass. He was also nibbling at some dandelion greens. They're very nutritious, and you should always eat your greens.


While we were out, we checked on the peonies. They're all doing well. This is the largest so far.


Also, we noticed the cherry trees are budded out, but not flowering yet. I'm hoping the warm and dry weather forecast for the coming week will have them bursting into bloom.


Back inside, I started working at sewing together the bonus triangles. I'm arranging them by size. The 2-3/4 inch sandwich bag was bursting at the seams, and so I moved those into a plastic shoebox. The rest still have plenty of room. They range in size from 1-1/2 inches to 3-1/4 inches.


Sadie was willing to help with the organization, but I discouraged her from this by opening the clubhouse. I have an idea that's what she wanted anyway since she knows her organizational skills are not propurrly appurreciated.


The job of trimming HST's to size always gives me tendonitis in my left wrist. Yesterday, I sewed these 20 at a time, and then trimmed what I'd done before sewing more. All-in-all, I think I did at least 100. Still, there is no dent in the bag.


I sewed a few more after I took that picture, but the bag doesn't change at all. I have an idea all the bonus triangles in the universe are flying into the sewing room and stuffing themselves into the bag when I'm not looking. What do you think? It only makes sense when you realize that COVID-19 can bring the entire planet to a standstill without ever showing itself. So, it follows that bonus triangles could be stalking the earth in the same invisible way...invisible except when they're inside a zip-lock bag...which is like their kryptonite...and then they can no longer maintain their cloaking capabilities. Not that my imagination is running away with me or anything. I just think we can never be too careful about such things. Bonus triangles, in particular, have always seemed a little sinister to me. But, I digress.

Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, I had bread rising. When it came out of the oven, it looked like this.


This is American Sandwich Bread, or plain old white bread, if you prefer. It's so soft inside...like store-bought bread. It's made with whole milk, rapid-rise yeast, honey, and white bread flour. You can make it a whole-wheat loaf by using whole wheat flour. It's a very easy bread to make, although I'm told yeast is hard to come by these days. I'm nearly out of instant yeast, so I'll be on the hunt for more the next time I'm out.

Today I'm roasting a turkey. Originally, we were going to smoke the turkey for a family get-together, but that isn't happening now. Still, the turkey is thawed, and so I'll roast it in the oven. I'm not doing the whole Thanksgiving thing...just a 7-layer salad, mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. It was supposed to be a dinner to celebrate Matthew's birthday, and so he requested the 7-layer salad.

Also today, I'll start the hand embroidery for the Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs block, and get back to my bonus triangles if my wrist will allow. I'm determined to get them sewn together, even if they don't end up in a quilt top just yet. What's on your agenda for today?

21 comments:

Julierose said...

You do have a ton of those HST's ...they should make a pretty good-sized project--I am interested in seeing how you put them together...
That bread looks good..;))).

I am making an oven roast beef, mashed potatoes and Thom's fave green bean casserole...
Have done the usual laundry and chores...hoping to begin reading my new book (which has been de-virusing for three days in the garage)
"The Scholar" by Dervla McTiernan...and perhaps a bit of hand quilting. I did my 2 short stints of flute practice also...so basically relaxing for the rest of the afternoon here...

~ ~ ~ from another gray day here Julierose;)))

Karrin Hurd said...

Lovely barn embroidery, and the bread looks yummy. Today is my husband's 77th birthday!

Beth Strand said...

Oh those sneaky triangles! They infiltrate my house, too. I have a long list for today including the beginning of cleaning my sewing room.... gasp! I'm also working on more masks and scrub caps. Thanks for your posts, they always make me smile.



Frog Quilter said...

I have the same problem with those triangles. I have been using mine after seeing how full the box of them is.

Good post. Always love the kitty pictures and the kitty talk lol.

Kara Kwilts said...

Good morning - have you tried one of the Martelli Ergo 2000 rotary cutters? They are on sale on Amazon right now for just under $13 (if you are a lefty, it is under $20). I just found them and I am LOVING mine. It just might help with your tendonitis.

I made bread this week too - yours always looks better than mine - I have gotten out of the practice of making it.

Have a GREAT Sunday!!!
Kara

Kara Kwilts said...

PS - If you need yeast - I just opened a big package of yeast & I will share with you. I live just South of Salem, Oregon. Kara

NancyA said...

Bonus triangles flying into your sandwich bags? You have heard (per Chris Cuomo) that Covid 19 causes hallucinations? 😁
But I believe that those triangles (and strings, too) reproduce in plastic bags/bins. They must, because no matter how many you use in quilts, there are always more.

Nice to see some signs of spring. Thank you for that. We here in the mountains of central Idaho have yet to even get a glimpse. The redwing blackbirds are back and this morning I heard a sandhill crane, but they are probably thinking they came north too soon.

Miaismine said...

Hello There! I have to admit I’ve never seen a kitty on a leash before! How nice to be able to go on a walk together! Your embroidery blocks are so pretty! I love the theme of quilt barn blocks! I’m sure I’m saying that wrong, though. They are quite nice!
Tell me, what do you end up doing with your bonus triangles? I’m always at a loss with mine!
Your bread looks delicious! Thank you for sharing at Kathy’s quilts!

Chris K. said...

I also came here to recommend the Martelli rotary cutter. Mine disappeared in my sewing room the other day, and I had to order another. I'm left-handed.

Deb A said...

So glad you and the cat enjoyed the walk! The bread looks yummy. I completely forgot to make some today. Your barns are just lovely. I have yet to do anything I had planned for stitching .... but I am doing some crochet. Your dinner sounds yummy....

CathieJ said...

Happy Birthday Matthew! I hope you enjoyed your turkey. You should have plenty of left-overs. I love those Appalachian Memories blocks. Smitty looks happy to be outside. Wow, that is a whole lot of triangles. Take care of that wrist.

Lyndsey said...

Having read your comment about bonus triangles I checked my bag and it looks fuller than I remember it. Whether they're getting around with a cloak of invisibility or multiplying in the bag it's a worrying concept. I may run a few through the machine a little later just to show them who's boss. I love the Appalachian blocks and they'll make a stunning quilt.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

It;s wonderful to see all the barns together - just awesome! I haven't gotten into the bread making bit - there is a local gal who I like to support and her bread is sssoo good. I hope to get a walk in today and see what might be awakening.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

You always find great projects to embroider. The memory blocks are stunning in black with just the quilt blocks on the barns colored. I have never been a bread baker. I don't know why but I have issues with the rising. After we move I plan to keep the bread machine out. But you can do so much with the machine and it's just about fool proof. We have a few signs of spring here. I am most happy that my Poppies look like they are healthy.
xx, Carol

SJSM said...

I put my scraps in a Cubie and call it a day. Win/win. Clear the clutter and some teacher gets a seat for their reading circle. I’m almost finished with a donation of masks for a hospital. The next ones go to various family, friends and neighbors. Will I ever get to my personal sewing projects before a) the shelter in place is over or b) I run out of quilting cottons?

piecefulwendy said...

I think your theory on HSTs carries some weight; at least that's how things happen around here. I've stuffed my little 1-1/2" HSTs away and that seems to appease them a bit. I just bring them out when I want a nifty little project, like pin cushions. Today I'm going to try to finish piecing my improv project. That bread looks delicious, and the meal you are prepping sounds wonderful! We celebrated yesterday with all the kid's favorite meals, topping it off with twinkie cake made from scratch, with substitutions, no less. And it was a success!

Quilter Kathy said...

I love the Appalachian Memories project! Those blocks with the outline design of the barns contrasted with the coloured quilt blocks are so striking!
HSTs seem a little sinister to me too!! LOL

Linda said...

Laughed out loud at the kryptonite triangle theory. It pains me to trim HSTs too, but in a place I can't mention on your genteel blog. Wow that bread looks perfect! Yeast was in short supply on our first shopping trip after the virus was announced. I had to buy "regular" instead of rapid-rise, but it works just fine. I just love the look of the barn blocks with their little bits of color.

QuiltGranma said...

I braved going grocery shopping. It is not as easy as it used to be, in spite of fewer people in the stores or on the roads. Once one has them home one needs to sanitize every little thing! And that can take nearly forever! Whew, I am bushed! Now it's time to move the sprinkler!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Yeast is hard to come by right now. Everyone cleared out the flour and yeast when all this started. I finally found a couple of packets, but I'd been looking for 3 weeks.

quiltzyx said...

I think the HSTs are related to lost socks. You can never find them when you want them....