Collecting Barns & Windmills

When visiting our daughter Stephani in southern Minnesota, we pass by this farmstead near Trent SD, where the owner collects barns and windmills. He refurbishes them and has them on display, and has tours during summer months. When Steph and I passed by this time on our way to Sioux Falls SD, I got her to stop so I could take some pictures. Next summer, we'll have to stop there when he is doing a tour. I wish the big red barn was in our yard, replacing the barn we have. Our barn needs alot of work, and if we had the money to refurbish it, we would. About 25 years ago, we did get it straightened. That was a process to watch. Our barn is 80' long, so is really big. We still store hay and staw in the hay mow, and when baby pigs are weaned, they go into pens at the south end of the barn. Years and years ago, it was used for dairy, but there have not been milk cows since the early 1960's. The north end of the barn has pens for boars and sows.

As for collecting - my collections are smaller in size, and considerably less expensive!

Back to sewing!

Just got done making this table runner "Square Meal" by Atkinson Designs. I really like it, but I'm giving it to one of my sister's-in-law that just moved into a new home. I hope the colors match well with hers. She has a wonderful long dinning table that it will fit on better than my small square kitchen table.


Had a little trouble at first following the pattern, but when I did exactly as the pattern said, it went smoother! I don't like cutting all my pieces out first. I'd rather cut, iron, sew, iron, and cut again. Why that is? Don't know. Probably because it started that way, so is a habit. I had trouble at first with the cut lenth not fitting right after sewing the first 9 square! So had to recut for that; and then got my 1/4" correct and away I went!!!


I used Windham's Clara Barton Collection material. It's so unique. Clara Barton (1821-1912) was known as the "Angel of the Battlefield" for her efforts in nursing care during the Civil War. She was instrumental in bringing the Red Cross to America and served as its president for 22 years.



Already have a Halloween table top started for myself, and on that I am changing the pattern! Duh! It was was to big for my table, so, down sizing it a little, you'll see pictures when done. Also have another project started for Christmas presents. Will get pictures of them soon too.

She's Still Growing!

Odda - Our Bernese Swiss Mountain Dog now is now 6 months old. She got bigger the week we were gone - we sure could see the difference, she's filling out more.

Each day I let her inside for awhile. I want her to know what she can do and can not do inside. She does behave very well. Today I had to comb out some burrs that were in her tail and a couple by one of her ears. Don't want those nasty things to get a head start on me and our brushing her. We've had to deal with cutting them out on one of our other dogs years ago, and I hate doing that. Odda now has the upper hand in size over Hooch (Jack Russell), but Hooch can still put her in her place! Hooch is the boss....




Odda can look over the kitchen table, and we'll have to make sure there isn't food there when she comes in. She had to back out this time - instead of walk right through! Not enough room with chairs in the way. She used to crawl through the chairs too --not any more!!

In the mornings she is so excited and happy to see us, but then in awhile she settles down. Sometimes when company comes, she can be a handful too. Hopefully that will settle down as she gets older. She really likes company, and loves to see the neighbors come over with Chance (border collie) -- except the last time Connie came, Chance wouldn't get out of their vehicle! Odda just likes to play a little too rough for Chance. Chance does love Hooch tho. When they're alone to run and chase the ball or frisby, they're both in 7th heaven!

Steph and Cullen's Farm

Steph got this cement horse head one year when we drove to Texas to visit Jessica. We went to a lot of flea markets those years. The rust color comes from an acid poured over the cement. Looks really nice.


This little rooster just loves to wake us up in the morning! The young ones try to copy him - but it comes out pretty squeaky!



Steph's Morning Glories are still in bloom. Just that 4 1/2 hours south makes a lot of difference. We had a killing frost last night, and it's going to happen again tonight. We had 26 degrees at 6 am, and 29 degrees at 7:30 this morning. This year I'm not going to work so hard to save my blooms, as a new puppy has had a hay-day this summer with my flowers. Next summer should be better.



The horses know when supper is served! The sun set as we were watching the horses and visiting.




Stephani came to Louisiana with us, leaving Cullen home to go to work and do chores, etc. etc. When we got home, he had a surprise for Stephani. He and a friend had put up 3 flood lights on 30' poles for their outdoor arena. They will be putting up 2 or 3 more. This will be so good for her when she is giving riding lessons, and training horses. She was so excited!

Baby Renee Arvilla's Baptism

God bless this precious baby,
So innocent and sweet,
Direct the paths that lie ahead,
Guard her little feet.

Teach her tender heart to trust,
Her little lips to pray,
And may this precious baby
Learn to love You more each day.

Leah couldn't be here for Renee's baptism, so Stephani stood in for her. The verse above was in the card Leah sent with her gift. I loved the verse. Renee slept through the whole ceremony!

We're at Baby Renee's!!!

ISN'T SHE JUST THE CUSTEST!








HOLDING ONTO GRANDPA STEVE'S FINGER

On Our Way!

We are on our way to visit Baby Renee in New Iberia Louisiana tomorrow morning, or right after lunch. That is if I can get into the dentist in the morning quick before we go. Tonight one of my bottom front teeth had part of the back chip out. Doesn't hurt, but it feels like a crater when my tongue goes over it, and of course, the tongue can't leave it alone!!!!!! This makes me so mad. I thought I had all my dental stuff done for awhile. If I can't get in, I'll go to the drug store and fix it myself!!!. We used to have some of that dental fix, but it dried up. It's only good for a one time use.

Oh - I have the pumpkin quilt all machine quilted, and the binding sewed on and ready to do the hand sewing on the back side while I'm riding in the car. I'll take a picture with baby Renee and the pumpkin for you.

There won't be a blog for a couple of days; we don't have a laptop, etc. etc. I'll miss checking everyone's blogs and writing; but I can use Jessica's computer when we are there. It is easy to do that because we sleep in the computer room! See ya soon.