Frosty March mornings

Yesterday morning the hoarfrost was so beautiful as the sun rose.

Spring Quilting

The barn hosted the Stitchin' Chicks spring retreat this past weekend, though it felt more like a winter retreat, than spring, with very chilly temperatures and huge snow drifts outside.  Inside the barn it was warm though, thanks to the furnace, multiple irons, and sewing machines flying along at top speed!

I didn't take as many photos as I should have.  I got caught up in my projects and of course lots of catch up visiting with my favorite group of women.

Nina hand pieces all these hex flowers, then hand appliqued them on to the background fabric.  She is planning to finish off with a scalloped border.  Looking forward to seeing the full finish this fall!

This is a crib quilt that Beth made for her new grandson Case Gordon.  Note the Case/IH themed fabric!

My finished wool bee quilt.  I really really love this project now.  Nicki at Heartbeat Quilting is a master quilter when it comes to hand work.  I wasn't wild about how it looked, until she worked her magic!

Several years ago six or seven of us started a project called The Farmer's Wife Sampler quilt.  Some gals finished the entire quilt.  Lynnie and I didn't make much progress, and decided we would never finish.  Unlike me, Lynnie has turned the blocks that she did finish in to a darling wall hanging, with the help of the barn and silos!  

Martha made this cute little bag for her granddaughter who is involved with a 4-H group that is focused on dogs.

Cheryl made this spool quilt, from a kit that she bought many years ago.  When she got it out to work on, she discovered that the kit didn't include enough fabric for the finish, so she had to improvise.  And what a great improvisation she did!

Martha made this whimsical chicken table runner.  Makes you smile when you look at it.

Beth started this quilt at the fall retreat.  It is her Valentine quilt.  She finished piecing, quilted it herself and had it on her bed during the month of February.  It's SO pretty.

Kathy is not one to follow a pattern.  She comes up with some wonderful designs.  She worked on finishing up this project over the weekend.  

Cheryl focused on continued piecing of the snowflake quilt that she started last fall.  It is a project with many, many, many tiny pieces!

A few years ago Joann started a combination embroidery/quilt block piecing project.  She completed the embroidery portion when she was recovering from her hip surgery.  This weekend she made good progress on piecing the blocks that surround the embroidery.  It's going to be so pretty.

Another one of Kathy's design projects.  She embroidered the figures, then added the quilt blocks and sashing to complete the project.  It's super fun!

Emily stopped in on Saturday to introduce us to her new baby Case Gordon.  This is big sister Hesstyn sitting in Case's car seat, reading a book.  Case was a hot commodity during the time that they were in the barn! 

Case Gordon with Grammy Beth.

The setting sun was shining through the outhouse windows one evening as we made our way to the house for dinner.  

The reflection of the sun on the snow was gorgeous.

Saturday night dinner was a real hoe down!  Alicia, Martha and Nina prepared hamburgers with all the trimmings and the table decor was so much fun.

Martha fit the cowboy theme from head to pointy toe.

Homemade spicy baked beans, oven french fries and hamburgers for dinner.

The condiment table...

My favorite cowboy!!!!

 We had terrific meals all weekend and more creative decorations.  I guess I was so focused on eating, I forgot to take photos of it all!  Anyway, a great time had by all, with anticipation of a fall gathering. 

Waiting for Spring

Still a lot of snow on the ground, but the tractors are ready and waiting for spring work!  Could be a while!!

In like a lion.....

You've probably heard the saying about March.....In like a lion, out like a lamb.  Usually March is all lion on the farm!  This year we are experiencing a raging lion!  I can't remember a more snowy, cold, blustery start to March.  The forecast is for continued cold and even more snow mid-week.  These photos were taken after a big wind event and a few inches of snow.

Then the next day, it snowed even more, with moderate wind, but the snow was so light, that it drifted like crazy.

The following day, it was bright and sunny.  My snow removal crew decided to go to work, clearing the epic drifts that have accumulated.  Reynald also drove the grader up and down Harrington Tokio road , clearing several neighbors driveways as well.  Everyone loves Reynald and his snow plowing road grader!!