This and That for March

 February was a very interesting month of weather for us.  We broke all kinds of cold temperatures and low snow levels.  I am hoping March is a bit kinder to us.  I've been having to cover all of my tender plants each night and it is getting rather old at this point.  We have, however, added inches more rain to help fill up our lakes and streams - all good and welcomed.  We've enjoyed rain, rainbows, hail and snow.  The groundhog was apparently right about six more weeks of winter.  

All the cold temperatures have made me want to stay in the kitchen and turn up the heat.  The Meyer lemons ripen at this time of the year so processing them was necessary.  Lemon curd and preserved lemons are always favorites around here.  Of course, sourdough bread also heats up the kitchen and is great with warm soups.  

A bit of sewing has also been completed.  Our great grandson loves to help his mommy cook, but was in need of an apron.  Doughnuts on one side and vehicles on the other seemed like a good idea for a little guy.

Project Quilting 14.5 prompt for this week was Sew Not a Square.  In the hopes that spring is on the way here, I created a quilted puzzle piece. Instead of sunshine, I added clouds and rain. 

I've been sewing lots of HSTs for my Harrisonburg Quilt Quiltalong (#harrisonburgquiltalong) hosted by Wendy Sheppard.  Harrisonburg is such a gorgeous pattern and it's not too late to join in on it.  I love these blocks.  

When Wendy had her Crockpot Weekend Sewalong, I was selected a winner of a layer cake from P&B fabrics.  It is a beautiful selection of red, black and white fabrics.  I think it will make a gorgeous Christmas quilt.  

 For Valentine's Day, my husband gave me tulips growing in water.  They have lasted so long, but I finally had to call them officially expired today.  I loved seeing  them in the kitchen and will miss them.  I hope the bulbs will bloom again next year.

I hope that March will consider leaving like a lamb.  I am excited about the time change coming up soon.  How about you?  

Mid February

I'm not quite sure how we have already reached the middle of February, but the calendar never lies.  I guess I can start pulling out the greens for St. Patrick's Day now.  

We had such beautiful, warm days last week and we are now under freeze warnings for the next few nights.  Today was spent covering up all of my frost prone plants, and there are quite a few.  The stone fruit are all in full bloom and too big to cover.  The citrus is as well.  We just need a tent to cover the entire yard at this point. lol  I am more than ready to see the arrival of spring.

I have finally finished piecing the Quiltville Mystery Quilt, Chilhowie, for this year.  Between my design trials and mistakes, I think I have sewn every seam at least twice!  It feels really good to have it finished and ready to quilt.

This week the Project Quilting Season 14 prompt was a novel project.   We were to stitch something that reflects a book we have read.  The book I chose was Goodnight Moon which was read over and over and over again to our children and continues to be a favorite of the grandbabies.  The children always enjoy searching for the hidden mouse with each turn of the page as you slowly put each item in the room to sleep.  Goodnight red balloon fabric postcard!

I managed to finish the quilting on my red Kaffe heart quilt in time for Valentine's Day, but I need to find a good binding for it.  I was not pleased with any that I had so it got displayed this year with no binding.  I guess I need to make a trip to the LQS.  That's always a dangerous place to visit.  ;-)  

One of my favorite heart quilts I have made was for our youngest granddaughter.  I think I need to make another one for our house.  Ramona of Doodlebugs and Rosebuds just made this quilt as a baby gift and her version is so sweet.  

We have no big, fancy plans for dinner out tonight.  We've always preferred to fix a nice meal at home.  Two of our sons own restaurants and it is always their busiest night of the year.  I made a nice loaf of heart shaped sourdough bread and a fresh orange cake.  DH is going to BBQ lamb chops and we will both be happier with that than any meal out.  How about you?  Do you dine in or out on Valentine's Day?

Bits and Pieces

The last few weeks have allowed for some fun sewing in between the hectic life schedule.  There have been so many SALs/QALs floating out in blogosphere and it is so easy to get sidetracked.  I’ve joined in on several of them.  

There is the Fat Quarter Shop’s Sewcialites 2.  I’ve managed to keep up with this one, using my bin of solid fabrics.

Then there is Project Quilting Challenge with a new suggestion every other week.  This week our inspiration is 54-40 or Fight.  I’ve always loved this block.  I went with some wild colors and will use the block as a small table topper or a large mug rug.

Over the weekend Ivory Spring had a SAL Crockpot Weekend.  Other than fun recipe links, we created a nice sized small quilt top using HSTs.  I had a stack of green charms and made a table topper for St. Patrick’s Day.

Then there is the Bonnie Hunter Chilhowie Mystery quilt.  I am down to my final borders.  I decided to add some navy stars to mine, but I’m not too sure about the new shape that I created with the sashing.  I hope the borders convince me.

We took off for a little vacation in the Sierras.  The amount of snow they have gotten this year is incredible. The trip up was like driving in a snow tunnel.  The little ones had a blast in the snow.

I'm not sure that I am overly thrilled with Mr. Groundhog's prediction of six more weeks of winter.  How about you?  

Project Quilting 2023

 Kim has kicked off Season 14 of Project Quilting for 2023.  The theme for the first challenge is One.  Thinking along those lines, I came up with FIRST.  There are so many firsts in life, but I went with first signs of spring, which I am eagerly awaiting.  To me, the happy little crocus popping up is always a sign of spring to me.  They pop up right through the snow in some areas.  My simple postcard reflects the yellow crocus in backdrop of ice crystals.  

Pop on over to see what others interpret number ONE means to them.  You can check it out at https://kimlapacek.com/2023/01/14-1-the-first-one-challenge-1-of-project-quilting-season-14.html.