A patchwork of days...

All of us are now in to...what?...going on 2 months of stay-at-home living...we are learning to adapt, making do with whatever is on hand. Hoping we and all our loved ones remain healthy...listening to constant misinformation, confusion and frequently downright dangerous thinking from so called leaders. What will be the “new normal”?

It is difficult to picture what the coming months will be like, but here at Taylorsoutback, our days try to keep some semblance of normality. As the month of May approaches in northern Wisconsin, it usually means the opening of fishing season, the sound of grouse drumming in our woods and a delightful array of ducks visiting our pond. Grass bursts into a brighter shade of green overnight from frequent rains and spring peepers announce their reawakening in the evening hours. 

Our son has shared his learning experiences with his new drone - we can now see directly above how our resident Mrs. Goose has built her nest and lined it with down to protect the eggs.

In the early evening, he flew the drone above our house and captured this interesting image...that bright pink dot showing, is my grow-lights shining out from the sunroom windows...

The gardens are coming to life and those same indoor grow lights have given me a headstart. Bunches of special order onion plants have arrived and baby pak choi seedlings are anxious to go into the ground... 

In the basement, 4 new windows for the potting shed are being prepped - the old ones have served their purpose long enough.

Baking (stress baking?) and new recipes in the kitchen get a trial run. Any shopping is done online...new lighting, bathroom rugs, books, whatever is needed - we are in replacement mode right now - after 24 years, the house calls for more attention.

And in the evening, stitching continues on Rowdy Flat...

The last of the applique blocks begins...

Thank goodness for patchwork - it sure makes these days easier to negotiate.

What are your patchwork days like? 

Stay well everyone and be safe. 

Pat

Remembering Di...

Joining in with the thousands of quilters around the world who are paying tribute to the amazing Di Ford-Hall who passed away 2 days ago after a long battle with a rare form of leukemia.

We are blessed with people who come into our own lives, however briefly. But they leave such an impression on us with their graciousness, smile and inspiration. Di was one of those individuals. First in 1994 when I was on a tour of Australia...just outside of Melbourne, we were hosted by the wonderful Waverly Patchworkers. Our group enjoyed a lovely luncheon, show and tell and sharing and the very next day, we met again to visit the Healesville Sanctuary (a park housing a wide variety of Australian wildlife). Di and her friends were part of that visit. Afterwards, we all went up to the nearby Badger Weir Picnic Area where dozens of coolers were brought out filled with different foods. With the Australian spring just beginning to emerge, the day was chilly and I remember the warmth of the pumpkin soup from a thermos as we shared a picnic table...

Di (on left in navy coat) with friends...September, 1994 

We both owned quilt shops back then and chatted about fabric...little did I know how much meeting her would influence my quilting later.

Fast forward ahead to 2017...Shipshewanna, Indiana - a very special workshop sponsored by Gay Bomers of Sentimental Stitches...

The class room was filled and yet Di took her time to visit each one of us as we selected fabrics - her input and approach was gently given and we took everything she said to heart. 

(Yep - I look like a “deer caught in the headlights!)

There have been 2 quilts completed since 2015 - the first was the Quiltmania Mystery Quilt designed by Di (2014-2015 issues)

Mountmellick...

And finished in 2017, Drayton Hall - EPP’ing to the max! This quilt hangs on our bedroom wall and I wake up to it everymorning...

My quilting library is so much the better for having both her books (and signed) as well as a third book - Labors Of Love (Secret Sewing Sisters of which Di was part of that group) There is a large basket in my sewing room filled with her Andover fabrics...
I will continue to embrace Di’s philosophy - more fabric - more variety...each piece a treasure, especially the ones she designed.

She will be deeply missed...

Oh what a difference...

...a week can make...Palm Sunday weekend found us clear of snow and ice everywhere and our son’s new Ooni pizza oven fired up...we have all been enjoying the results. From classic margharita pizza, supreme with everything on it, chipotle steak pizza...

and now...

Easter weekend arrives and we are totally covered in snow...but it doesn’t stop our Dave - he whips out a “winter pizza” - fresh pear, white cheddar, caramelized onions and a touch of rosemary...an amazing combination of flavors...We think he should open a pizzeria...

(Dave Taylor image) 

Living in Wisconsin though always means April and even May can bring surprises. But it feels so strange to remember that only a few days ago, I was out puttering in the potting shed and had also actually accomplished some yardwork.  Oh well...there is always stitching...

More little bugs to be added...

I am very partial to any thing that has a buttery yellow color. My first kitchen was done in that color and my 42 year old Kitchenaid mixer is that color.

The palette has to be warm yellow and into butterscotch...you probably won’t find much of the bright lemon color around here.

A small collection of yellow-ware bowls is above the entry to our dining room ...

And these favorites keep watch over our dining room table...

So I could not resist this new piece of yellow wool - it will serve as a tablerunner background for my little wool sheep...

We had a quiet Easter dinner with everyone remaining healthy...a blessing indeed.

Have a good week, get some stitching done and stay safe at home.

Pat

Each day is filled with....

Trying to keep the anxious levels down as we negotiate this unknown territory we are all in...

I keep thinking of all the blessings surrounding our family...

We continue to have good health...

The house is filled with a basic supply of food and necessities (no - we are not part of the hoarding population)

The snow is mostly gone with a few patches left in the woods...

My potting shed will soon be open for spring and summer...

The fabric stash is plentiful as are potential projects

At the touch of a button most any book I would like to read is downloaded on to the Kindle...

(Update - Dear Jane is making her way to her new home in Louisiana)

Sharing a few things that are in the works or completed...

My Rowdy Flat Library Quilt - Bits and pieces that will all be joined together...

(3 completed, working on the last 2)


(Corners - which will be joined to the borders)

(And a thank you to Kyle over at Timeless Reflections for sharing Kathy Schmitz Honeybee link - I have been seeing this little paper doll bee popping up on a number of blogs)

Working on piecing blocks - a pattern from Cute As A Button...

A stack of cotton face masks to be donated to our local hospitals/nursing homes - whereever the need is...

My Tree of Life Quilt top sent to the Wollongong Quilt Guild in Australia - they posted a picture on Facebook as it came off the LA machine. Soon it will go to one of the many people who lost their home during the recent bush fires. To date, this large guild has collected well over 13,000 individual quilt blocks in addition to tops, etc. from all over the quilting world. 

And our puppy quilt - in honor of 6 shelties in our lives...really like the quilting my friend did on her LA. This quilt brought us smiles when hung on the wall - especially after our silver girl, Kelsie (the blue puppy) crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in January...she is so missed. The orange puppy, heading off in her own direction, is our Seana, who is the Queen Bee now...

And so it goes here at Taylorsoutback...taking each day as it comes.

Be well everyone and remember to cherish the simple things...

Pat

Our silver girl, Kelsie - 3/5/06 - 1/10/20