Monthly Archives: March 2017

The A in Anvil/#AtoZChallenge

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During the month of April, I’m participating in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge for my 4th year in a row – 3 of which are on this blog. Each day, except Sundays, there will be a post for the letter of the day as well as keeping with my personal theme of Quilts and Quotes. Feel free to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you! Also check out the other A to Z’ers in the comment section of the Official A to Z Blog Page.

“Don’t knock the weather: nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in awhile.”  Kin Hubbard – Cartoonist 1868-1930

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I’ve had the priviledge of learning to sew from a very young age from my mother and grandmother. Fast forward to my late twenties to early thirties, I began piddling with quilting. First was a signature quilt for a family reunion, then a crazy quilt, applique quilts and finally arriving at pieced quilts. I’m beginning an A to Z Quilt and using the gold and royal blue calicos that I’ve had put back for quite some time. I’m very eager to have a quilt of these colors as I adore this color scheme. Many thanks to the author of “500 Rotary-cut Quilt Blocks” by Judy Hopkins, for putting together such a versatile quilting book that fits my needs to a T this year.

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The Anvil

My blocks will be 6 inch blocks and will include some extras along the way as it was sometimes easier to make 2 blocks rather than just a single one. That is also helpful when you mess one up; you still have another chance for redemption.

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Just demonstrating a little part of the reason I’d choose The Anvil quilt block to begin my challenge this year.Our sometimes volatile Midwest weather had the above results on February 28, 2017. Pretty early for us Central Missourians to have this kind of action.

Join me again tomorrow for more of the April A to Z Blog Challenge 2017!

Beer House/Thursday Doors

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In my near, foreseeable future, I’ll be visiting here….. Good Lord willin’ and the creeks don’t rise. The above photo is compliments of my eldest daughter on a recent weekend getaway to St. Louis, Missouri. Thanks to her for sharing with me.  I’m certainly ready for some door viewing opportunities.

Check out Norm 2.0 for other Thursday Door blog entries. Just find the blue frog link at the bottom.

The Parking Lot View/Thursday Doors

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Thursday Doors this week is a bit different for me.

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We’re taking in the nighttime appeal of Lawrence, Kansas. Here is the very well-loved ‘Mass’ Street with it’s festive look for the holidays.

But now let’s take a look at the other doors you may have missed if you normally park along the store fronts.

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We parked in a back lot and were able to find these hidden gems.

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I’d like to return during the day to browse here.

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And maybe here too. KC Royals attire is an absolute Midwest must!

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Not sure which store this belongs to,  but they seem patriotic.

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And this one I’m pretty sure is a ‘No’.

So just for the record, Lawrence, you have some attention-getting doors. Can’t wait for warmer weather to peruse some more.

Check out Norm 2.0 for other Thursday Door blog entries. Just find the blue frog link at the bottom.

The Color is Determined/A to Z 2017 Theme Reveal

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Just a short post today.I’m diving in once again with my fellow A to Z Patriots. Beginning Saturday, April 1st (no foolin’ here), I’ll have a post a day (except Sundays) for the entire month of April. I am going with another “Handmade” blog theme. This year I’m calling it, “Quilts and Quotes”. I’m creating a quilt block for each letter of the alphabet and adding a positive quote, saying or tidbit for each day as well.

Sorry, no pics until the Challenge has begun. I hope you’ll check back each day to see how the quilt-making evolves.

Til the ‘day of submergence’, I will keep up with my normal style, including Thursday Doors with the well-respected Norm 2.o and friends.

 Happy Monday Everyone!

When I Walk Past Here

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The below announcements can be heard on radios here in the Mid West.

3/16/17

Good morning. A weaker Dollar has boosted commodity prices in general and grains/soybeans in particular during the overnight hours. The weaker Dollar has been a “buy the rumor/sell the fact” type of reaction to the Fed’s decision yesterday afternoon to raise short term interest rates by ¼ %. Weather focus is beginning to shift from the southern hemisphere to U.S. forecasts. Dry conditions across much of the winter wheat belt will persist into early April while a wetter pattern is forecast to set up across the Midwest over the next two weeks . The northern Midwest will turn colder than normal during this period. The deep south will be dry enough the next two weeks to allow timely corn planting there. Export sales for the week ended March 9 were as follows (million bu.):

2016/17                                                   2017/18

Corn 49.4 8.6
Soybeans 17.3 8.3
Wheat 9.7 2.7

 

While walking past this elevator on the Katy Trail, occasionally my thoughts turn to this.

 

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Tree lined March 4, 2017

I shared this sneek-peek recently. Now for some closer looks.

Doors at the top.
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Pointing out some ‘door’ detail.

Close and closer looks at the lighted door at the bottom. We are only seeing one side here as it was getting late and we needed to head home. The Katy Trail Park closes at sunset.

I hope you enjoyed our evening stroll.

Check out Norm 2.0 for other Thursday Door blog entries. Just find the blue frog link at the bottom.

Some Royal Blues/Sunday Sampler 

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Future pattern for sale in the works. 

Uncelebrated/Thursday Doors

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The often uncelebrated,underappreciated and unnoticed are in my spotlight this Thursday Doors post.

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US Post Office in Sedalia, Missouri March 2017

One evening recently, while standing in line, a young woman insisted she be given a package (of meds) without the appropriate signature. Those of us standing by were suddenly privy to a very tense moment between the post office personel and this woman. It didn’t end with a positive note as the young woman stormed out with some choice words. But the employees of this particular office were very professional and stood their ground. Pat on the back to you! My question is this:

Why cause such a brouhaha? There wasn’t time to bring a signature back since they closed in 5 minutes?

Now it’s confession time. I’ve been that upset before and it was not  A-Door-able. Hopefully I’ve gained at least some wisdom with age.

At this time I’d like to extend my sincerest apologies to any of my victims.

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“Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world.”  For other Thursday Door entries, click here and find Norm’s blue link button at the bottom of his post.

Finally! The Road Taken/WPC/SundaySampler

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The Road Taken

We’ve had our driveway blocked for about 2 months. January 8th to be precise; the water main broke sending a river down the road. With no warning, the cavalry arrived to patch it up on Wednesday.

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The Road Taken – Literally

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Another road taken down the Katy Trail with one of my daughters and husband. At least I didn’t receive bunny ears (eyes rolling).

Tree lined March 4, 2017
A break in the trees

Some more of our walk on the scenic Katy Trail.

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Another Road Taken with my neice to my favorite section of any store – The Fabric Section! Let me just say this is a gigantic step for the next generation. Fabric purchasing and selection is an unknown territory for many of them. I’m beaming here if you can’t tell!

And guess what?! She sews! Zach you have a good catch…. but I’m sure you know that 🙂

Back to the subject at hand.

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View #2

Our 3-generation project has begun. Above are the fabric choices she made, the blocks that she and my mother cut out, and the sample arrangement suggestions I sent to her via cell phone. We’re making a special something to use in her July 1 wedding. Can’t tell you what we’re using this for yet, but I can tell you she chose view #2. I am in total agreement.

Have a Wonderful Rest of Your Sunday!!

The Dinner Car/ Thursday Doors

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A birthday party on Sunday is the occasion. The look on my daughter’s face is that ‘get this over with’ look from yet another “Door” photo moment. I believe it was a “do you really need to do that here?” that you’re seeing in her eyes. And yes I needed to right? For this…..

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Sedalia’s very own Kehde’s Barbeque with an authentic dining car experience.

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This is not inside the dining car but in the original part of the restaurant. It is chock-full of photos and memorabilia railroad and “Sedalia” related. A definite must-see if you are ever in town.

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However, my daughter and I did not eat here, which is why I failed to photograph the dining car. If they offered a gluten-free option without a fear of cross-contamination for Rachel, we would have gladly eaten, and brought the other half of the family as well. But we kindly conveyed our well wishes to the birthday girl with a smile, a little gift/card…..

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And made our Ghettoway.

“Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world.”  For other Thursday Door entries, click here and find Norm’s blue link button at the bottom of his post.