An apple a day ... or more

The sweet apples on our most prolific tree start falling in September and from that time on Morris is scarfing up at least a dozen apples a day.. He eats them seeds, core, stem and all... At about 60 calories an apple Morris is starting to resemble a pot-bellied pig... I took this photo just before the big snow when we had had strong winds and hundreds of apples came down... Of course the deer are there all day and they look fat and healthy also...

This is a huge tree just across from the house.. The apples are small and kind of mealy and since we have other much better apple trees for us, this one is for the wildlife... It sets thousands of apples and even though they have been falling for three months there are still a lot hanging on the tree.

I took this shot yesterday and if you could zoom in really close, here is what you would see...

The tree is full of quail eating the apples that are still hanging on the tree.. Not only the quail but the finches and other small birds dine "on tree" also... Before the winter weather set in I'd see both squirrels and chipmunks eating apples also... Even our chickens eat the ones fallen on the ground..

But the sweet apples are by far the favorite for all the critters and they consume every last one. Meanwhile there are numerous crab apple trees that are just as loaded with apples... But they are very sour and are not eaten until all else is gone... Not a bird in this tree now.... Wait until January though.

Making the most of my mess....

Since I had all the fabrics spread out everywhere for the suffragette quilt I decided to make the most of it... Besides the nine blocks for the quilt I made an extra block to use for the AAQ contest and also this little fan.

It is going to be an ornament for the Needlework Guild Christmas ornament exchange... Since every last member is a cross stitcher I felt obligated to do some VERY CQ... and what is more CQ than a Victorian fan...

Rather than cut out tiny fan pieces I drew the fan on muslin and did it "flip & stitch" working from the back and trimming as I went.... much easier... I plan to do the seams, embellish with beads, add SRE and lace...

I also ended up with a nice pile of "crumbs" of these fabrics and will do a Allie-style crumb piece later... Although I am in love with all these dark fabrics at the moments. I'm sure by the time I finish all these I will be ready for something pastel or bright and cheery... These colors suit my winter mood and only 27 days until the days start getting longer. All the mess is cleared away and DH can actually eat at the table again.. for a while anyway...

We will move Mom into assisted living tomorrow...in the midst of a snow storm... and spend the next week finishing up at her old place and getting her settled in the new...

The other doll and bags

This was the second doll... She's the same size, floppy, and has a hand painted face ...She also has some lovely petticoats and a stylish hat...all in her own colors... I am still amazed I did all that work on these dolls and forgot them...They have to have been in the trunk for 8-9 years.

This doll had beaded bloomers and beaded shoes... The comments are right I should give the girls the option... If they don't want them I will put them in a charity auction... which is a much better plan than sticking them back in the trunk until great grandchildren...which may be a long time coming..

Also in the trunk were 4 tapestry totes that I can really use right now...

Then after I rearranged all the furniture I didn't like it and as soon as DH got home he helped me move it all back where it was.... but I wouldn't have found the dolls otherwise... maybe I should deep clean more often.......................maybe not!!!

My surprise!!!

This morning I decided to rearrange my furniture which I only do about as often as I cut my hair...every 20 years or so... In the process I had to move a heavy antique trunk which I knew was full of rolls of really cool wallpaper (don't ask!) but when I opened it I also found 2 dolls... I vaguely remember making these dolls for my 2 oldest granddaughters when they were too old to play with dolls but I thought would like a "bed doll" I must have made them during some long ago summer and put them in the trunk until Christmas but forgot them..

They're very large.. about 2 1/2' tall, cloth and very rag-doll like with painted faces. Even if I must say so myself they are delightful but since the girls are in their twenties.....hardly appropriate anymore..


But check out these petticoats...#1 and #2

And the bloomers and stockings are to die for...

When I look at the dress I'm thinking these fabrics would make a great crazy quilt block...

Morris immediately fell in love with them so I just photographed them and put them back into the trunk and will save them for great-granddaughters I guess.

Things are looking up!

Things are looking up and DH may get to come home after all..... I am happy to report I am not drifted in... The weather report has been upgraded from -12 degrees to -7 degrees for tonight and the "Blizzard Warning" is now just a "Hazardous Weather" warning.. I did have a crisis of sorts with the outlet in the pump house last night but was able to string enough electrical cords together from the garage to keep the heater going and this morning I found a new breaker in the barn... A friend came today to stitch and drove her 4-wheel drive in and out a few times so I have a good track for getting out tomorrow.

I laughed at Cathy's L comment today... I also had plenty of years when I was teaching and working that I hated dealing with the snow (especially living in Alaska)... Being retired is the "very best." I always said I wanted to be a hermit also but what I really want is being able to never leave home and have wonderful friends come to visit me... which is pretty much what I have.... How lucky for me...

DH will be on his way soon from Italy and it looks like he will be arriving between storms....only cold...He has to fly into Seattle to get a plane to Spokane and this morning the FAA Status Advisory for Seattle was: Due to SNOW-ICE, ...... arriving flights are delayed an average of 3 hours and 52 minutes. I will check it again in the morning... Good thing I love him...anyone else would have to sit at the airport until spring...