Wow! Really?!

It has been 4 months since I even looked at this site.  Time for a little catch-up.

So here goes:
Backing up a ways - Dad took a week off to install sprinklers in the back yard.  Uncle Bob came over to help with the trencher.  Here is what we have today:

Maybe next year

One reason the sprinklers didn't get finished is because Dad got excited about another project.  He wanted to paint the kitchen.  It is beautiful.

This Wednesday I chopped down all the raspberries and got several bites on my face (spider, I think) and scratches on my arms.  Should have worn long sleeves.  Ah, me.  But the job is only half over.  Our last trip to the dump was so heavy that it bowed out the bed and was rubbing on the tire causing the rubber to melt.  Bad.  Before we can make another run to the landfill Dad needs to take care of that little problem.  So you can imagine all the piles of weeds and rubbish around the yard. (sigh)

HAZELNUTS- This year our bushes produced, even after moving them.  I am so happy.  Here is our first crop:

Cute little things.  Too small to even crack.

 FIGS- And here is one of the 2 figs on the tree this year.  They are as small as my baby fingernail.  I don't imagine they have time to get any bigger.

ALMONDS- I haven't cracked any of the almonds yet this year, but looks like we may have a bowlful.  Here is one about ready to drop.

The late freeze we had this spring killed back the walnut pretty severely.  It is still alive but not thriving.  It may have something to do with the gophers from last year also.  Darn those vermin.
While chopping down hollyhocks and weeds this week in the side yard, I discovered another fresh gopher hole.  I set a trap but haven't caught it yet.  It may be the same one that dug down and then up into one of our window wells and dug extensively around the corner of the house that caused our basement flooding last month.  I really need to get rid of that thing.

IN THE KITCHEN -

We had plenty of raspberries again that are now in the freezer.  Love those berries.  Aunt Sue brought back from Colorado 2 boxes of peaches for us, which I bottled.  That was all the canning I did this year.  We still have 2 cases of salsa from last year and we can't eat it all.  What was I thinking?  I need to give it away or dump it, I guess.
At the first cold snap we had, something in my genetic makeup compelled me to make some candy.  I first made some raspberry jelly sticks.  The next day I made some PB fudge, but that wasn't good enough.  I cut the fudge into candy bar size sticks, made some caramel,  dipped the fudge in caramel and rolled in chopped peanuts.  Some I then dipped in chocolate while I was dipping the jelly sticks.  There was left over caramel that I cooled in a pan then wrapped and froze for another day.  I think I will foil-wrap the fake "Oh Henry"s and give out for Halloween.  The jelly sticks I will share at our next election day.

QUILTS, ETC. -

Sewing has taken up a large part of my time.  I have been making book bags for sister missionaries at the FHL just for the cost of materials.  Dad thinks I should try to sell them online. I don't know if I could get enough to make it worth my time.  It takes about a day to make one (since each is a unique creation w/o pattern) and materials range from $10-$20 depending on fabric quality and doo-dads added.
I have also been sewing skirts and blouses to wear to the library.  (Unfortunately, I have overgrown my wardrobe)


Here is a project I am working on for our December Quilt Guild Challenge.  It has a way to go yet.

And here is my QG Block of the Month wall hanging.  It is ready to be sandwiched and quilted this coming week for display at our December meeting.  I'm not crazy about it.  Any takers?

I whipped up this quick flannel rag quilt with a soft fleece backing.  It is so cozy.















And coming up next is a batik damask applique that I have been dreaming about making for some time.





Of course, I still have a few tops in the basket that need to be quilted.  Will I live long enough to finish what I start?

The next non-fabric project is one my mom requested last year.  Papa Ed's hummingbird windchime kept falling down and it needs massive repairs.  So far I have replaced all the bird hooks.  Next will be the painting, finally the reconstruction.  I hope to give it back to her on my next trip... whenever that may be.







GENEALOGY -

 I have really been blessed this year to be working at the Family History Library in SLC.  Not only have I been able to help others with their searches (which is my calling) but in my free time I have found so much on some of my brick walls.  This past week I found the will of Richard Mann, my 3great grandpa.  I haven't found where it was probated yet but when I do it will name the brothers and sisters of his wife, Eliza F Brown.  Another brick wall is slowly being dismantled.
I have had fun searching out land records and have stories to tell there after I get all the pieces in place.
I had tinkered with the idea of starting blogs for each family line, as a sister missionary has done, but outside of you two, no one would care.  I think I would rather put together the info and send to you to do with as you like.  Much of what I have is already online at ancestry.com.

I am still doing the early elections but not working on election day, since Tuesdays are one of my mission days.  I wasn't going to work there at all until after my mission, but the other Grantsville gals called me and begged, not wanting any subs brought in.  I do enjoy our time working together and life is so busy for us all, it is the only time we seem to get together.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT.  MY LIFE IN A NUTSHELL.