Today was a beautiful Fall day

Made the mistake of going to bed, beat, at 8:30 last night so I woke up at 4:30 a.m., restless 'til 5:30 a.m. I got up and fixed coffee for hubby and self.  Around ten , I went to use the tiller, but it was hesitant to start, so I took advantage of the sunny morning to wash the jeep maybe one last time before I store the water hose for the winter. 

Then after getting hubby some lunch, the tiller finally started for me.   I got 2 full 3 ft. wide rows done before running out of gas.  I'll probably try one more time before draining the tank and readying the tiller for it's winter storage too.

Yesterday, I caused a short in my kitchen range while I was cleaning it for Thanksgiving's heavy workload.  The light that signals that a burner is turned on wouldn't go off after that, so I deemed it unsafe.  I've been wanting a new range for awhile, so that was a good enough excuse for me !!

I finally got myself a smooth-top range.  I feel like I'm going to have to replace my cookware too now, something that I wasn't aware of before this purchase,.  But my older pans are making marks on the top, so I won't be quite satisfied until I've done that.
But the oven performed wonderfully today when  I made biscuits and later, cornbread muffins.  I wish I could have gotten a white one, but stock is very limited in this little town.   However, the price was right, so I have what I have.  It actually looks alright, I just have to be a little more proactive about the super-cleaning, since every fingerprint, or even speck of dust, shows up grandly.

Good timing

My quilting buddy, Wanda Gayle, told me that she has been appliqueing blocks using the method where you put the top fabric onto the background, and just snip an inch at a time along the applique line's seam allowance.  At about the same time, my other quilting buddy, Jodie Ann, decided to send me an applique block to do for her, and I found that it was the perfect candidate for this method of needle-turn applique.

Here's my beginning drawing, traced onto the dark fabric
 by placing the pattern in a sunny window.

Here's my progress thus far.........

My starting slit is cut and applique has begun.

Slitting another inch or so ahead of where I'm stitching.



Halfway done.

Jodie worked as a secretary for many years and has retired now, ready to do her 'retirement quilting', but left with hands that have damage from all of that keyboard work.  They won't let her hold the applique for long periods, so she and I corroborate on projects like this.  She's always sending a little work my way........she knows it gives me a new perspective, as her choices for projects, and mine are always so different.  Plus, a little fun spending money isn't minded either !

On a weather note, it was absolutely beautiful today, and I DID get my little ol' Jeep washed.   She's sighing in relief as we speak.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that today was the first day this year that I've hung full loads of laundry out to dry on the clothesline.  Yippee.......Spring is truly on it's way.