Advance

I go on retreats for a variety of reasons.  Tired from harvest, don't want to cook, to be inspired, to talk "quilt", to spend time with like minded people!!  Last weekend I attended one that I really enjoyed...good quilting time, good beds, good food,  good partner (as always!), and close to home.  Been having back problems and didn't know if I could take sewing all day for three days.  I'm pretty careful to pace myself....sew a little...press a little...shop a little...eat a little (or a lot!).  One thing I discovered is that sitting in my comfy recliner at night is NOT good on my back.  When I left for this retreat I told Wayne that this is my last retreat...but I have to rethink that. 
In this picture Diane is demonstrating a fun way to make folded pinwheels.

Tracy spent most of her time working on wool projects.

A couple of the gals attended both retreats so were there from Friday-Wednesday!  They got lots done!

Kim was finishing up a project started in a class by Darlene Zimmerman at the Calico Hutch.  Think she just had her border left to put on.



This was a great scrappy quilt that Sue made.



Here's Kim and daughter Katy...our sewing mates,  deciding what meal to order.  More to come.
Jolyn

The Hunters

Sorry if this grosses you out.  Tyler shot his first deer and then there is the process of butchering.  When I stopped by I was hoping to get a picture of him with his trophy, but arrived too late.  He was able to take home some nice meat.  Wayne switched to bow and arrow this year and can hunt into December.  With our beautiful weather it's more fun to be out there and so peaceful. 
Jolyn

Veteran's Day

We are so blessed to live in this wonderful country!  And that is due to God's blessing on it plus the soldiers who have fought to keep us free.  We may not agree with everything that is going on with our country...but in my mind it is still the best place to live.  So today if you know a soldier be sure to thank them for their service!  I like being free!!
Jolyn

A New Thing!!

When Jill and the boys were last home, she spent time working on mittens that she sells.  She takes wool sweaters and transforms them into beautiful (and very warm) wool mittens.  Here are a bunch in the process.  We started brainstorming about how there are kids in the school she works at that don't have warm winter clothing and decided that I could make fleece mittens for them.  Quite a new thing for my sewing machine!  Jill was up at 4am and myself at 5...our brains were already in gear.

Here's the beginning!

The first bunch for little girls.

And some of the second bunch for boys!   They are so much fun and will hopefully be a fun surprise to the kids getting them.  Sunday I and Tracy leave on a quilting retreat and I have two bags of mittens cut out...plus at least 5 other projects.  Some will probably just go along for the ride...but I was at one retreat where I ran out of projects and I make sure it never happens again!  Be a shame if I had to go shopping in the middle of the retreat!
Jolyn

Halloween??

No, this was not his Halloween outfit (but it would have made a good one!).  It's his hunting gear.  No, that is not a hunting dog in front of him.  Trooper doesn't mind when guns are shot around the yard, but let the neighbors shoot a gun a half mile away and he turns into a wimp.  He is better now that he is loosing his hearing.  It's not good to have a large outside dog trying to crawl under the ironing board when he gets scared. 
So how was Halloweening at your house.  This year I learned...no candy.  All other years I faithfully buy bags of candy and each year....faithfully no one shows up....and faithfully I eat the candy.  I do miss that tradition.  My scale doesn't.   I do remember as a kid growing up in Iowa, it was such a big deal to go out trick and treating.  One year I came home with a potato in my bag amonst the treats.  That was disappointing...but I bet the person got a good laugh out of it. 
Weather is still holding and another beautiful day!  Wayne's chisel plowing and Shawn gets to haul liquid gold.
Jolyn

Company's Coming

Horse on the loose!  Here's Sammy checking out what I'm doing.  Wayne came in laughing one day.  Usually when he goes out to do chores, Sammy spots him and walk right beside him to get his favorite treat...horse pellets.  But on this one particular morning...Sammy didn't show up.  It was still dark so Wayne took the pellets towards the east pen and then noticed Sammy in the west pen.  Wayne went over there into the pen.  Sammy would follow him until they would get to where the gate was supposed to be and stop.  To Sammy there was an imaginary gate and he would just not cross that line.  He did figure it out later...but it did give Wayne a good chuckle.

Tyler and Phoebe(isn't she just the cutest!)  came down from the cities with Bryce and helped surprise Shawn for his birthday party.  Before they came down, Tyler played in a football game against Macalester College.  Augies won! Next week they play at St Peter and I get to go!  Instead of yelling at the computor (the games have been on there)....I can yell in person!!   Blue Earth Bucs also won against St. James on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  I like these day games....not quite so cold!  And to make the weekend complete...the Gophers beat some team from Iowa and the VIKINGS won!

Bryce and Brandon (not twins).  Brandon is doing his thumb exercises.

The birthday boy.

And all too soon it's time to go home.  From the left...Suzanne, Phoebe, Tyler, Wayne and Brandon.  So much fun to get together with family!  We are so blessed!
Jolyn

How to Make Your Mother Cry!

Shawn walked in this afternoon and handed me this and said "Happy Labor Day"!  49 years ago...and still a keeper!
Thanks Shawn....Mom