We'll be on a break for a while

as we focus on family.

Thank you.

Heather

Heritage Tomatoes & more.

green zebras {a family favorite!}

cherokee purple

 big yellow?

zapotecs

Amazing heirlooms from the regular grocery store.

Normally, we have to wait for the farmer's market mid-summer

to enjoy these heritage seasonal goodies.

Fresh pico de gallo & guacamole really hit the spot!

Now we're crossing our fingers, 

waiting & hoping the store continues to stock them.

As I was chopping, someone thought the

tomatoes smelled too good to resist.

When laying in my lap didn't 

pan out,

he climbed behind me and watched 

over my shoulder...

hoping to be there just in case 

I dropped some (or all) of it.

Since the tomatoes weren't labeled with

the specifics, any help identifying 

would be greatly appreciated. 

I recognize some from the organic CSA

but not all of them. 

Also, I'm looking to add some Amish Paste 

to the garden this year and possibly a few others.

Any suggestions?

All my best,
Heather

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I'll be playing in the garden

all day long.

All my best,

Heather

Butterfly Days

Our youngest spent a little time with the camera today,
snapping photos of a very patient butterfly & the Siberian Iris.

The mild spring continues as we take in the warm sunshine and cool breezes.

I've been to the garden center several times this week

and am anxious to get digging....

Mother's Day weekend is our traditional planting time

since chances of frost after that are pretty slim here.

Happy Gardening!

Heather

Strawberry Fields FOREVER

The strawberries are coming in full blast, 

so full in fact, they're dropping to the sidewalk before turning.

The ants are feasting on the berries as they begin to change color.

 But I'd rather give a few up to mother nature than treat my kids to pesticide flavored berries.

We're in the midst of researching organic methods of control

and will probably have a few laughs along the way.

Our first introduction to natural means research was 

cardboard slathered in sugar & syrup and dipped in yeast 

{which requires reapplication throughout the patch after every rain 

and at least once a week}.

...I'm not sure how natural that process really is.

There must be a simpler solution.

After all, I'm just happy the strawberries are growing. 

We planted them on a whim for the kids.

They've learned a lot along the way

and shared the process with their friends.

Everything else is a bonus.

A cherry on top, if you will.

Sunshine wishes,

Heather

One vase at a time.

I have Siberian irises in bloom.

The daffodils are still blooming, too...

seeing both together is a little strange

but nice. 

Very nice.

I'm looking forward to gathering an armful of irises this week

as I begin to bring the outside in

one vase at a time.

piece.

Heather

Shipping Deal----INTERNATIONAL, too!!

Erica's does it again. 

The anniversary sale is going on...no coupons required.

This is the quilt shop's 38th year in business.

FREE US SHIPPING

&

HALF PRICE INTERNATIONAL!!

You'll want to check out the site to get the full details

before you shop 'til you drop.

Many of the 30s reproductions in the collection comes from Erica's. 

I also purchase YLI silk thread, great gadgets & books here, too. 

They have an amazing amount of inventory and a fantastic staff. 

Though I call it a 'local shop', South Bend is about an hour and half drive from here. 

I rarely get to make the trip but when I do it's a real treat! 

Erica's has also shipped an order or two to the house. 

For those of you on the hunt for some fabric {and really, who isn't??} 

or supplies, check it out before May 15th.

Happy Shopping,

Heather

We're Playing Outside!

Spring is in full swing at the Fab home. 

We're playing ball, drawing with chalk all over the driveway &

 running barefoot in the grass....and loving every second of it!

If you'll notice the toes at the base of the hosta on the right, they should provide a bit of perspective on how big this one's getting these days. 

*violets!*

{I just transplanted a few more....shhh.....Mr. Fabulous does not quite 

share the same level of enthusiasm for these little beauties}

I hope you've enjoyed the little tour...

coming soon:

the strawberry patch!

Enjoy a day in the sun

as we begin the count down to summer break.

Heather

Traditional Block: English Ivy Revisited

English Ivy antique quilts in museum collections date back to 1830...though I'm still on the hunt for even older versions.In my research, I came across the same pattern entitled Clover Blossom. RSVP quilt block: English Ivy With this information, I was able to track down free instructions:Clover Blossom on the Quilter's Casche FREE 12" finished pattern. Here's to hoping you enjoy the block as much as I have.

Happy Piecing,

Heather

FWQAL Blocks

Last night the blocks were arranged for a group photo...

not necessarily in the final setting, just to see where things are.

40 blocks complete.

Happy Piecing, 

Heather

Redo.

This is what happens 

when mindless piecing 

and skipping the iron

sound like a great way to piece.

The left and right middle pieces 

were accidentally solid because I was 'in the zone'.

SO, my friendly seam ripper made the situation

right but because I finger pressed my seams

and skipped a proper pressing, the whole middle is off.

It looks like a redo and I'm laughing because this

should have been such an easy block.

Tomorrow is another day.

=)

Rosebud

Farmer's Wife Block #75

There's a lot going on this week,

some of it unplanned.

As I take care of some family stuff,

please bear with the shortened, irregular posts.

All my best,

Heather

FWQAL: Windows

Windows for the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along

came together quickly.

I'm looking forward to some more piecing later in the week.

piece.

Heather

Periwinkle

Farmer's Wife block 'Periwinkle' is also known

as Snowball, Arkansas Snowflake and Arkansas Star variation.

Happy Piecing,

Heather

Traditional Block: English Ivy

I first saw this pattern at the International Quilt Show at Rosemont 

where a beautiful antique quilt called 'tobacco leaf' stole my heart. 

The majority of blocks I've found with tobacco in the title consist of curved pieces.

It took quite a while to track the original pattern down... 

I finally found it and whipped up a quick block 

for the RSVP fundraiser quilt. The English Ivy Vintage Pattern dates back to the early 1900s, appearing in the Kansas City Star in 1931.

Can't you just see a whole quilt of these beauties?

Happy Piecing, 

Heather

The Farmer's Daughter

Another FWQAL block for the stack.

Polka dots + Kaffe=perfect combination for a

rainy day.

Happy Piecing,

H