Building Blocks

And for the modern farmer...

Barn Quilts for the Metal Buildings...

(No one wants to be left out.)

I love how beautiful the farm grounds are...

most of the yards are very neat and clean,

very little equipment is out;

most everything is kept inside.

(Oklahoma could take some notes...)

((Yes, that would mean more buildings & Handsome Man would go for that.))

This building is listed in the Cedar Falls website,

and I read that they are planning to add a fourth to the north side.



Admiring art on the farms,

MFSD

PS.  Happy Birthday to our Punkin' Pie!  Wishing you a great birthday!

Barn Quilts

Wow!

(This is a corn crib, "Churn Dash" is the pattern, it is featured in the website listed below.)

We took a few back roads during our road trip.

A few surprises popped into view...

Barn Quilts have gained popularity in the area.

I discovered several websites out in web-land...

The stories that are behind the Barn Quilts are so interesting.

Most of the families chose a pattern that had a connection with their

family heritage or local landscapes.

(I think I've got a new idea for our barn...

I know just the pattern for it!)

Quilts on the farm,

MFSD

Check out the website:  www.cedarfallstourism.org

or type in Barn Quilts. 

A view from day one...

This is one of my favorite times of the year.

I love color!

Even the little guys were bursting with color!

I was quite taken with all the perfect farm scenes;

so inviting.  I kept asking Handsome Man, didn't he want to drop in and

have a "farm chat" with the farmers?

(He passed; I guess they pretty much farm like us.)

((I would have loved to get a peek at their farm life.))

The silo's were a lot like the ones in Oklahoma.

We even saw a few that were the same brand.  I'm not sure why this was a surprise to me...they have John Deere equipment like we do and...

they are farmers.

Farming~State Wide~Nation Wide~World Wide

Viewing the views,

MFSD

Yard Deco

Time for a commercial break..

station identification...

I'm taking a short commercial break from our road trip

to remind myself ~ this is our reality.

I never know what I'll see when I drive up to the house.

It's always nice to get away...

but it's nice to be home,

even with the surprise yard decorations.

Bovine Landscape,

MFSD

PS.  Happy Birthday, Sweet Niece!

Rural America

Iowa was a great place to visit.

Look they even put up a sign to welcome us!

Wasn't that nice!

These huge bins were one of the first suggestions

that we weren't in Oklahoma anymore.

Yes, that is a semi~and it looks tiny.

(Good shot for scale)

I wasn't kidding when I said they poured it

in piles on the ground.

(Birds would be in heaven!)

Corn,

MFSD

Road Trip North

We took a road trip.

Actually, I rode along with Handsome Man~

he was invited to tour the John Deere Factory in Waterloo, Iowa.

As you can see~Vera!

We loaded up and headed out early Wednesday morning.

And, yes it was early...we beat the sun up.

Then scenary along the way was so pretty and rainy.

We saw a lot of corn fields, soy beans, and black dirt.

(They have amazing soil!)

I noticed huge bins at each farm.

Handsome Man educated me on their practice for storage.

Where we might get 80 to 100 bushel corn~if we're lucky and there is rain.

They harvest close to 200 to 240 bushels!

I saw piles of corn in huge stacks; guess the bins were full.

Corn has a waxy coating~doesn't spoil like wheat would.

(That black dirt is very good!)

Thanks to John Deere and Handsome Man,

I had a great road trip!

(You guessed it~Handsome Man drove and I photographed.)

((Sometimes at 75 mph~he doesn't slow down much.))

We got to see a lot of countryside along the way.  And it rained the entire time we were there.  I'll be sharing more of the trip and sites throughout the week.

Loving the road,

MFSD

PS.

Thanks to some special friends who shared a wonderful lunch and opened their home for a great afternoon visit while we were there!  I hope she's painting again!

Quilting night

Cherokee Strip Quilters' Guild

gathered to share talents.

If you are interested in putting together

a T-shirt quilt, a pattern entitled:  Memories to a T,

was shared.  It comes with a block square to cut out the T's.

Instructions are clear and easy to follow.

Hmmmm...sounds like a possibility.

(Though, I've got plenty of projects already in line.)

I thought this was adorable!

I love Halloween!

(Could be because a special someone was born on Halloween!)

They said these squares were no longer available;

that was disappointing.

(Might have to find something similar and move this project up.)

I'm sharing this one because...

well, I really really like batik's.

(Aren't these colors amazing!)

This was our lesson...

using fusible grids to place blocks on point.

And you can see we're still doing the Pizza Box Project.

A few of my favorite things,

MFSD

Have a wonderful weekend!

Vera...

Oh, yeah...

Look what came in the mail!

I love Vera!

Vera Bradley~ Ya! Ya!

(So sorry for all the "!'s"~I just get so excited everytime she arrives!)

((I love the packaging and wrapped in tissue~makes you feel special!))

I visited Vera's sale...

and as you can see...

I really like the "old" bomber style bag.  I have one in yellow and pinks that I started carrying on our Alaska trip.  Well, I loved all the pockets, zippered compartments, the way the zipper smiles all the way from top to bottom and the shoulder straps are a really great length, (for just hanging around.)

It keeps me organized and in style with color.

This bag really fits me!

So, I checked online~looking for a good Fall color.  To my disappointment and dismay...they have restyled my bag.  It's still cute~but it's different.  I noticed a lot of comments given by others that have let VB know they want the new colors in the old style back.  I hope she listens.  Until then, I'll enjoy my new Twirly Birds Pink.  I love that name~sounds fun!  (Handsome Man likes the sale price better anyway.)

I ordered these and when they arrived, I liked them soooo much, I decided to order more.  They are going to make great gifts!  And...they are on sale.  :)

Color combos that make me happy~

and I hope the recipients, too!

Shopping girl,

MFSD

Ted's

Ted's

Cafe Escondido

Date Night with Handsome Man.

It's located on Danforth in Edmond~

and if you've never been~

you've got to go!

They start you out with Chips, Salsa & Queso.

Then you get to order...

It's All Good!

   I'm not very adventuresome in the Mexican food line.  But, I do love Ted's!

Besides the amazing food (I had my usual Chicken Quesadillos with an extra side of guacamole) I have some wonderful memories of many dinners with my family and some very dear friends at this restaurant.  It's All Good!

Every time I go~I smile.

MFSD

The Theatre

We went to see Les Miserables,

it was fabulous!

The orchestra,

actors & actresses were soooo talented.

The music was amazing!

The first act was spent trying to figure out where they were headed;

the second half story was so much clearer.

(I'm going to have to start doing my research ahead of time.)

But, none of that really mattered~I was awestruck with the music, songs,

and talented singers.

There were times I had to remind myself to breathe.

Date with Handsome Man!

This is an "our time," we love it!

OKC got about 2 1/2 inches!

My shoes, socks and feet were soaked;

umbrellas were just an accessory.

Getting wet didn't dampen the fun!

If you ever get the chance to go and see this Broadway Production...

I highly recommend it.

Taking a break from reality,

MFSD

Corraling

This is a portable corral;

it's moving time again.

Handsome Man is busy again~

moving cattle.

Yes, you got it!

It doesn't fold up by itself~you can see who does all the work.

Well...someone has to take the pictures.

This is no easy task...

And, yes~

supervisors are required.

Ummmm Hmmmm~

this corral is for you.

From Dusk til Dawn...

and then some!

Oh, yes~with supervising.

Riding along,

MFSD

Keeping it Real

South wind,

wild flowers...

that's my view point for today.

Presidential popularity polls & Vice Presidential debates are all over the news.

I love our Country and the freedoms and opportunities we have.

But, honestly I love stepping away from the media and

enjoying the beauty of our Country, the United States of America.

This is real for me.

Keeping it real,

MFSD

Book Club

Reading & discussing time again, oh~

and yes, we are eating again, too.

My Mom was the reader who shared the yummy for our Book Club.

She made her no~bake lemon cheesecake.

I'm pretty sure the recipe is on the back of the lemon pudding mix.

(She's made it for years...it was a favorite of mine growing up.)

((I love that we are in Book Club together!))

(((She was the first to introduce me to books and a love of reading~

 I grew up watching her read~a great example!)))

This was our latest read,

Tell The Wolves I'm Home.

There was ~ again ~ a lot of discussion.

We had a lot of opinions...

One of our readers gave it an, "F."  Wow!

We all agreed on two things.

The author shows promise for future writings, she has good style, 

but...

(in our unprofessional opinion)

this one lacked experience and substance. 

It was just a story.

Period.

(Please keep in mind~none of us are professional critics.)

((We just love to read, discuss & eat.))

As one discussion ends...

a new selection is ahead!

What are you reading?

MFSD

Nature and Art

You might say I have an appreciation for Nature's Art.

I find tree stumps quite fascinating.

I like getting up close...

and checking it out;

a perfect habitat for tiny creatures.

(Perfect home for a little tree fairy?)

Each one has it's own story,

it's own eco~system,

and it's own art form.

Nature Loving,

MFSD

Mmmmmm Soup!

Cool Fall day...

Handsome Man on the tractor...

I'm thinking soup.

(So, I check the fridge for veggies, pantry for basics, imagination...)

As I've mentioned, I'm not a real kitchen person...

I love to bake ~ but, cook?  Not really.

As you can see, it looks pretty spare up there...

but the end result turned out pretty good.

(I had a great time chopping away!)

((Very therapeutic~You feel like a real chef.))

Finished product is on the stove,

slow cooking~all afternoon long.

I love the smell of soup simmering in my kitchen!

(especially this time of year)

Time to read a good book!

I found some small red potatoes tucked away.

(Actually, they were left from a crock pot dinner

Handsome Man made last week.)

((This is one of my favorite soups, Scrappy!))

Yum,

MFSD

*Book Club today!  What are you reading?

Friday Night Lights

We live in such a great community!

It's our, Home Town.

     Friday night was spent with some good community friends.  We were invited to a "Pig Roast."  The food was amazing!  (My compliments to the Chefs!)  And there were some Chocolate~Peanut Butter Cupcakes there that were...well, all I can say is, "Oh..... My...."

But, what I noticed and loved best was how great it was to visit outside surrounded by people we've known for years, crisp fall air & the scent of outdoor smoked meats, visiting with families passing by headed to the home football game.  Conversations & stories of our families and times past~because most of us grew up here or are raising our children here.  It was such a Wonder~Fall & Warm evening...even with a chill in the air.

A big Thank You for a great evening!
MFSD

:) Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Nursery Time

Nursery Time at the ranch~

isn't it cute!

(I know there's been a lot of "Cow Talk," bear with me~)

There are many things I love about watching baby calves and their Mommies.

One of which is nursery time.

The first time I saw it~I had to ask Handsome Man about it.

One or two Momma Cows stay with all the babies in a part of the field

while the other Momma's are off having a little time to themselves.

Eating, sunning, resting~all those things cows do.

(I am not making this up.)

((Really!))

There they are...

a little Mommy alone time.

Oh~there is one younger calf out there, but it's too old for the nursery.

I know it's difficult to believe.

Yeah...

Makes us all better Momma's when we get a little time for ourselves.

Loving the ranch life,

MFSD