I Like Thursday #100

Happy New Year and welcome to the I Like Thursday posts! LeeAnna keeps us on track to think about what there is to like all around us. When you start looking around and focusing on the positive, life just gets better. Feel free to visit LeeAnna's blog Not Afraid of Color to see what others are sharing as well.

We had some balmy-for-January weather here earlier in the week. Broke a record with a 72 degree high on Tuesday. I don't care for that kind of weather in January, especially with the humidity on top of it. However, when my neighbor texted me with a spotting, it was easy to find this guy in our backyard by the lake! I think he was looking for the weakest duck! Ha!

Before leaving for home after Christmas, my daughter asked me to look for her cat Jake's toy mouse. It's his favorite toy which is why she brought it. When I pulled the bed apart to wash sheets, there it was! I promptly took it to the Post Office and mailed it Priority Mail. It arrived today and Sarah sent this picture to me. Look how happy Jake is, playing with his toy right away! Penny, on the hand, just likes to sit pretty!

I also received a text from my DIL saying my youngest grandson had popped a 2nd bottom tooth. You can't see it but look at this face! What a beautiful complexion and my! oh my! those eyes! No comments, please, on the hair. Grammy & Grampa think he needs a haircut but we're 800+ miles away .... *wink*

My orchid has got several blooms on the original flower stem. I almost cut it off after our Fall trip but looky! looky! The first has bloomed again. In the meantime, another flower stem has started growing and it looks like there are buds forming there also!

I'm still reading and enjoying "Sworn to Silence". You can read the Goodreads synopsis HERE.

I don't always remember or acknowledge the prompt that LeeAnn puts out to us weekly but this one struck me perfectly. "Is there any class you'd like to take?" Actually, I'm seriously considering a class on long-arm quilting at my local quilt shop. I've got some quilts that would benefit from pantograph-type quilting. I also think it would be the perfect opportunity to see if I can do it. I've gotten various input from friends about long-arm quilting.

• It's kind of a hassle to gather up everything you'll need to take to quilt
• It's no hassle -- have bobbins & foot packed at all times so you're ready
• You've got to plan ahead -- reserve a machine for your use; have backing, batting, and top together; etc
• Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and take plenty of water/drink
• The shops are so helpful while you're there
• It is very hard on your neck & shoulders

There it is: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I think I'll try it out. I'd sure like to put a dent in my quilt tops. I doubt it'll stop me from quilting on my domestic machine because I do enjoy that process. However, it takes quite a long time and is laborious with the weight & size of the quilt. Wish me luck!

So there they are -- my first "likes" of the new year! Have a great week!