Today was a good day to get small stuff done that I keep putting off. I had 10 things on my list and all but one is completed.
These are the sun chokes also known as Jerusalem artichokes that I have had on my list for a month to check. They are best dug after a good frost or two. I planted them in large pots as I was warned they could take over. It is difficult to get all the little pieces out. So today I dug through one of the pots and brought in a large bowl of them, scrubbed them well and then sliced them to add to our salad. They are a high protein, high potassium food with a taste somewhere between raw potatoes and water chestnuts.
Then I checked on the water chestnuts and they are too small. Next year, I’ll have to find a larger tub to plant them in. They are only the size of a dime and I’d like them bigger.
I put more salt out for the sheep and brought more hay down from the barn.
I reconciled our bank accounts and filed receipts.
I have my lists made that I want to get done in the coming year. A list for each: sewing, quilting, knitting, embroidery and there are things that aren’t on those lists because I just have too many things to be able to do in one year. So I just put the things on the list I think I can get done. They are under the heading 2017 Construction goals (at the top)
Then I weeded the front, which now looks rather bare and needs some nice summer color spots.
I watered the greenhouse and by the time one adds making a couple meals and sweeping the floors into the day, it – the day- is basically gone. So though it seems I didn’t get anything done, I was busy all day. So that must be what happens to other days when I come to the end and wonder where they went. They went to “small” things that need doing.
Wishing you a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
The Honu quilt is now hanging in the family room! Yes. it is up on the wall. I sewed eyes on the turtles and it really made a huge difference in how cute it is. I thought it cute before, but this is even better. Thanks Lisa, for insisting on the eyes.
Then I opened the little quilt package from Sanibel beach that I found in one of the boxes. I’m not sure what happened. It is supposed to become 7 x 8, but when following their directions it is 10 x 12″ which is fine by me.
This technique is interesting because they want you to bunch, pleat, whatever to get the white fabric to look like sand, very uneven, with bumps etc. Now I get to hand sew all the little fish, shells and whatever else is in the package. Oh, yes and sew the binding to the back.
It’s been a busy day, catching up on animal chores, trying to find homes for various items around here that somehow show up. And we spent some time figuring out how to put the new attachments on the quilting machine. I’ve had the attachments for 3 months, but until today, did not take the time to read through the instructions. And the new pieces were not that easy to attach.
Remember last week when I said I made a list of every project in the boxes and had photos to go with so I could immediately know what is in them? Well, that was last week, and when I finish this, I’ll go hunting, because I do not know to where those papers ran.
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I really pushed for time to work on these “popsicle socks” as I wanted to get them done by the end of the month. And you know how soon that is and how much we always want to get done before a holiday. It would be wonderful to go into the new year with a clean house and meals all planned for the month and more projects finished, but I will be happy if these socks get completed. I just have the toe to finish, so it is possible.
This ufo has seen some activity this week. I worked on it a bit Christmas and then again today. So far these pieces are done
Not pictured: DH got 2 cribbage boards, a tiny one for travel and one for home. So we had to stop there and try them out. (much fun) Plus he received books and other items. In this photo the center pieces is a plate from Israel, on the right is a pair of massive rubber gloves to protect one when using the fireplace or oven (how did they know). In the back are some plates for hors d’oeuvers. The orange pieces in the back are fingerless mitts made from recycled sweaters. In the forefront left is a cute little purse and behind it a DNA test form telling us the kit is coming. The blue Doxie is actually a cute little pen. All items were totally unexpected and appreciated. Now it is on to preparing for the New Year which is so close. I need to finish my planning calendar so I can get more done.
This photo is to show you how many pieces there are in this 32″ square wall quilt. The inside star area should measure about 24″ square before the borders. 
I had started cutting a few of the pieces out before it became a ufo and today finished cutting the ones for these sections. I saved the section with the most pieces for next sewing episode because I wanted to see some progress. So next time, I’ll cut the pieces for that and sew them together. It would be lovely to finish the top and get it to a hanger to wait for the quilting machine repair.
I think this is enough, I’m not looking into any more boxes. I know others have boxes like this, so I’m not alone, but this is ridiculous! I’m making a list with photos of what is in these boxes so that they will get done or discarded.