Monday, May 17, 2021

Checking the List and Checking Items Off


Another quilt DONE!  Again, the week went so smoothly, that I was able to out do my To-Do List.  The Papa Ray quilt has been mailed (not in the original plans, but sometimes life happens), the TOPS quilt has been labeled, washed and photographed, and as I type this, the Cowboy quilt has been washed and photo shoot done.  We walked up the lane in our little neighborhood to a semi-abandoned corral area.  A storm is moving in, so it was a little windy, but I have a few shots I am pleased with.



❧  This means that I will be returning to my brother's Brand Quilt.  I have a loose plan on how to quilt it... remember, he doesn't want it to be heavily quilted, so I will outline the brands and then do some stitch in the ditch around the squares and then maybe some sort of echo "frame" around the brands.  So, in all reality, despite the large size of 90 inches square, it shouldn't take too long.  

One of the things that has helped me find so much time in the studio is the fact that I replenished my supply of No Guilt::Go Quilt crockpot freezer meals.  One new recipe I have added to our favorites is Dijon Chicken...  It is quick and easy to make, even without the use of a crockpot.  (I think the oven is set to 350 degrees)  It  is so easy to prep for the crockpot and it cooks up just fine.  Note:  You can chicken breasts or tenders as well.  And, I skip the rosemary, just because I don't have fresh on hand.  Serve over a bed of rice along with a side of your favorite vegetables... I like roasted asparagus and tomatoes seasoned with just a touch of salt, pepper and garlic and dinner is ready.  YUM!





What else will occupy my time for the week?  

❧  Sashing strips, corner stones and borders for the Santa Fe Trail sew along quilt!  I am anxious to get it done and get some photos at a nearby wagon tracks location while the grass is still green and there is a chance of having some wild flowers in the area.

Block #3 of the sew along will be released on Thursday... Here's a sneak peek of the memoir shared.

"I remember so clearly the beauty of the earth, and how, as we bore westward, the deer and the antelope bounded away from us.  There were miles and miles of buffalo grass, blue lagoons and blood-red sunsets and, once in a while, a little sod house on the lonely prairie - home of some hunter or trapper.

Minute impressions flash before me; the sun-bonneted women, the woolen-trousered men, little mother in her flounced gingham, brother Will walking in long strides by our driver, voices of the lonely and homeless singing around blazing campfires."

I will continue on with the Shutterfly book of my Pieces From The Past sew along letters and stories. :)


Maybe I will have another Friday Finish this week!  But I suppose I should get going.  Time to do a quick swipe over the furniture with a rag and run the vacuum and so that I can get that Brand quilt sandwiched. Sometimes you just have to break the rules.  😜

Do you have a house cleaning routine or tips that saves time?  I'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions.  

Leave a comment...

Quilt Happy!

Melva

Linking with:

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
To Do Tuesday at Chris Knits & Sews
Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
Stitch Sew & Show at Life in the Scrap Patch


14 comments:

  1. The Cowboy quilt is looking great - love the photo on the fence. I'm looking forward to the next Santa Fe block. No tips from me on cleaning, other than ignoring it as long as I can - LOL.

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  2. Love the Cowboy quilt! House Cleaning - Finally found a stable house cleaner. I have had to give it up due to my back, but at 76, I have cleaned enough in my lifetime to just enjoy the extra time to play - even when life gets in the way!

    One tip - de-clutter. We did this about 3 years ago and I may do some de-cluttering in the Studio. I always have a place for everything and Hubby likes to hid things in drawers - so every now and then I throw things out. Just did that yesterday in the Studio where I have my computer - shredded a lot of unnecessary paperwork! Hugs

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  3. The chicken sounds very yummy--rosemary is my fav herb and we have lots of it growing! Cleaning? Well, there's the one room a day thing, or sometimes I pick just a few things and make myself get them done first thing in the day before I allow myself to go sew. Neither are special tips but they work for me. Mostly I just need nice weather and open windows and that will put me in the mood, once I get started anyway. And coffee. LOL

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  4. I have no routine. I think housecleaning is a bad word and we don't say it here. I would rather spend time in the sewing room.

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  5. Hi,
    I really like your Cowboy quilt. Your Dijon Chicken
    sounds so yummy, thanks for sharing the recipe. My son
    does most of the cooking now a days. He loves trying out
    new recipes. Have a great day!

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  6. Hi Melva! I love the Cowboy quilt - it is a cute finish. Good job! I spent my Saturday morning cleaning and my only tip is that I keep all my cleaning supplies in one carrier. I bring it into bathroom #1 and I'm done in no time (it's a half bath). On to #2 and #3 without having to refill my supplies makes quick work of it. Once the chores are done then we can get to sewing. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  7. I do my best cleaning when we're expecting company. I can clean up really fast when I have to. The pandemic really made me lazy. I developed the ability to ignore dust. I'm pushing myself to get back in the routine of doing housework.

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  8. Congratulations of getting your to do list done this week. Recipe looks tasty. The Cowboy quilt is very cute. Nice photos. Thank you for joining in my linky party fun ... :) Pat

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  9. Oh, the recipe!! Must try. Good luck with your weekly list. Thanks for linking up with To-Do!

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  10. This is so cute! I love the cowboys in the red, white and blue theme - well done in moving it off the to-do list!

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  11. Love that cowboy quilt! You got some great photos. The background is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  12. Great quilt. Love the colors and the Lassos! We got a chance to walk the Oregon Trail (in costume!) during their sesquicentennial - so really looking forward to your QAL for the Santa Fe Trail. Thanks!

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  13. What a cute quilt!! and a great place to take its photo!!

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  14. I am catching up on blogs today...my daughter got married Saturday, so everything that wasn’t necessary was off the plate for the past 4-6 weeks. I am loving your Sante Fe series, even though I’m not piecing it. Hanna is just darling, congrats to all! As for cleaning, I do mine on :Monday, so I am ready when the piano students arrive, but I am considering moving it to Saturday, so we can enjoy the clean house on the weekend. That way I can use Monday am for my “big chore” of the week. I usually have a list, but not lately, so it’s time to get back in the swing. My “big list” is the things that need to be done a few times a year...I try to knock off one or two each week, so I don’t have to deal with soring or fall cleaning! My normal cleaning schedule is sweep the floors, dust everything, and pick up the cluttered areas, especially the back counter inthe kitchen, which is used to park things, not for cooking, and do the bathrooms.

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