I Like Thurs #126

I see it's been a while since I posted an I Like post. That doesn't mean I haven't had anything to like. It means I've been lazy or busy or maybe both. I looked through some of my pictures and can tell you that there have been things that I've liked. So here are some of those in no particular order.

My SIL with the dog showing off their 48# of sweet potatoes grown in the backyard garden. Definitely ready for Thanksgiving!

My brother and SIL have a great garden. They successfully grow all sorts of veggies including peppers. Here's a puzzle-worthy picture of some red and yellow peppers.

I watered the clematis and got a late bloom. There were actually three flowers on it last night!

In spite of the clematis bloom, this tree reminds us that Fall is right around the corner.

Do you remember I shared that Brody started school? If not here's a reminder.

Look how good he is writing his name now and also coloring!

I started and finished "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus since last post. This book was recommended to me by my friend Sharon. It is a very enjoyable read. It was funny, poignant, sad, and just a really good book. If you can lay your hands on it, read it!

GoodReads summary HERE

I have now started "The Maid" by Nita Prose. Can't remember how I came across this book. Maybe on the NY Times Best Seller List? Anyway, I'm not very far so I can't say if it's any good yet or not.

GoodReads summary HERE

I've eaten some really good food lately but I'll save the recipes for next week's post. This has gotten long enough. But speaking of eating, the other day I saw this guy in our backyard looking for dinner. He was back again today but I didn't get to my phone in time for a picture. Obviously this is a 5-star restaurant for him! Haha!

I hope you enjoyed a few of my likes. Wishing you a very good week!

Linking up with LeeAnna @ NotAfraidofColor

I've Been Having Fun!

Yes, I've been away from blogging for a while but it's been because I've been having FUN! My sister (Linda) who lives in TX has been visiting! I'm pretty sure you understand now, right? Of course you do!

What did we do while she was here? We visited three quilt stores, had a mini retreat over 2 days at a local quilt shop, enjoyed Tips & Techniques at another quilt shop, cooked meals together, tended to Mom together, went though a few things at Mom's house, and visited a local apple orchard. We walked Gracie every day and paddleboated most evenings. All in all, we had a GREAT visit. And through it all, Fred cleaned the kitchen, made sure Mom was OK when we played away from home, managed a couple of appointments made for the house, and, generally speaking, held down the fort without complaint. The last part being most important. Thank you.

Linda left yesterday and I was off to get Mom to hair weekly hair appointment so Friday Night With Friends started early. While Mom got her hair done, I finished most of my EPP project. Then while watching TV last night, I officially finished the sewing and started removing the papers. Here it is, front & back.

There's a little RSC turquoise in here too!

Some of the papers removed from the center

While on the 2-day mini retreat, I managed to complete three blocks for Twilight Stars QAL with Primitive Gatherings.

Accidentally made this block with the dark in the middle

The actual "assigned" blocks for this week

Then it was time to do a little serious RSC sewing. Got four turquoise/teal pineapples sewn up. Obviously they're missing their tops at this point but that will get done before month's end.

Besides a little secret sewing and a little shopping, I had to laugh at this stitchery in the bathroom.

I hope you have a great weekend. I'll be pulling out papers from my EPP and working on the last Uptown block!

Linking with Wendy @ Sugarlane Designs for FNSI and Angela @ SoScrappy for RSC.

Yellow Pineapples Finished

I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days retreating last weekend with my friends. This means I got to catch up on a few things. The first thing I did was get all four of the RSC yellow pineapples completed. Here they are in all their glorious sunny splendor!

Then I figured, since Labor Day was quickly approaching, I'd better get my "summer" Chubby Charmer bag finished. So I did.

Minnick & Simpson Charm Pack

Inside has a nice pocket, divided for my phone

Have you heard about Primitive Gatherings "Twilight Stars QAL"? I'm working on that too. I figured it's only two blocks a week. Shouldn't be too much to ask for, right? Here are last week's 8" finished blocks.

Lovely turquoise, eh?

Later during the week, I really, really wanted to get caught up with Uptown. August block looked to be easy but had a lot of edges to applique. Finished it on Wednesday -- one day to spare before the September block was released on Friday! Yippee!

The final block was released as promised along with the finishing instructions. Lots to keep me busy to get this done.

And that brings you up to speed with my doings. I hope to catch up with what the other quilters are doing, particularly with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge people. September's color is turquoise and it's usually a favorite!

Have a great Labor Day weekend and be safe!

RSC Yellow Pineapples

My yellow pineapple from last week made a couple of friends this week.

I'm hearing the rumble of thunder in the near distance. The Midwest heat is supposed to be relieved starting today a tad and in the week after that. Hello, 80s again! I will make friends with those temps next week!

August FNSI -- Going Around in Circles

This weekend marks Friday Night Sew-In with my global friends. Wendy from Sugarlane Designs organizes this group every 3rd Friday of the month. You can catch up on all the doings HERE if you like.

As for me, I decided I wanted to finish up the July block for the Uptown sew-along. Here's how I started Friday afternoon.

I could easily tell that it was going to be sloppy in the middle. Others had commented that it was a difficult block. I had decided it would be OK to get the outside looking decent and then do what it takes to get the center right. What do you think?

Ta! Da! Looking like it was meant to be! Ha!

While I was at it making circles for centers, I decided to also finish up the Dresden plate block from EPP Club at my LQS.

Very productive weekend. Thank you, Wendy, for gathering us up once again. See you next month!

RSC Yellow -- It's a Start!

I managed to get a yellow pineapple finished this week. There are more parts in the works though.

The EPP club project has progressed. I've got my "plus" signs finished. Just need to fill in the holes.

Yellow -- Front & Center!

I'm also sewing along with Lisa Bonjean from Primitive Gatherings. Are you? She is hosting a Twilight Stars QAL. We make two blocks/week. A while back I won a FQ tower from Island Batiks (YAY!) and that's what I'm using. The fabrics are from the line Baroque. This past week's blocks looked like these:

I was a skeptic when it came to Triangle Papers but these have me sold. I followed Lisa's directions to a tee and (so far) have been successful. If you'd like to see what Twilight Stars SAL is all about, you can find information HERE. I'm making 8" blocks.

That's what's going on around here sewing-wise. The upcoming weather forecast for all of next week stinks -- hot, hot, HOT! I'll catch you later if I haven't melted! Hope you have a good week ahead of you.

I'm joining Angela and others HERE for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

I Like Thursday #125

While we were gone to Knoxville TN for the funeral, there were still things to like. For example, my friend's cat, Jasper. Jasper was adopted by my friend when her mother died and Jasper has made himself right at home these past 9 months or so. He's HUGE cat!

Mom & Jasper

My friend also has a TINY dog named Daisy. She was adopted when her original owners moved. Daisy is a Teacup Yorkie weighing in at a few ounces over two pounds.

Jasper & Daisy

Jasper is big enough and smart enough to make his way to the refrigerator whenever he hears it open. He is always looking for chicken!

While we were in Knoxville, my friend's son and my husband shared a Buc-ee birthday. Have you heard of Buc-ee's? They are humongous gas station/convenience/fast food stores.

Fred & James's Buc-ee birthday

When we got back home, I made Fred a pineapple upside-down cake for his birthday. He loves them!

Three Candles - Happy, Healthy, and Wise

Blow them out!

Have you heard about Primitive Gatherings's Sew-Along? I decided to jump in -- a little late, of course. They're on Week #9 but I've been working on catching up with the block. These are the two blocks from this week. I think they're pretty and I've never used their triangle papers but I will now. They're wonderful!

I'll close with a sweet picture of my son & and his little one, Jakey. Such a great picture.

Thanks goes to LeeAnna for gathering us up once again for I Like Thursday posts!