Daily Notes- February 18

French Hens.   I tried to collect fabrics that had a French feeling--not actually made in France.  The Hens were fun to shop for.  Looking for fabrics that evoked the look and texture of feathers.  And of course, shopping for dotted fabric for the eyes.  All different.

Here's the full quilt.  Sixty inches square.  Perhaps I should have placed the red basket in the center? I haven't ever seen the quilt this way--as a photograph.  Which leads me to think taking a wide view photo and looking at it can make you question some decisions made. before you sew the whole thing together.  The spot that is un-quilted is on the right side of the blue basket in the top row. I made the baskets at home--my Dad's sewing machine wasn't working correctly when I visited but I did cut them out and appliquéd the handles to the top triangles while I was with him.  If I was visiting now I might have been able to fix the machine--but more likely I would have hand sewn the baskets together.  That would have been nice to do while we watched tv and talked.

My Dad had his very own sewing machine (my mother had one also).  He altered his clothing and made himself a very nice bathrobe when he could not find a warm enough one in the stores. He also baked bread and canned pickles and made sauerkraut in large crocks in the basement before he got too old and frail.  My brother told me the sauerkraut of our childhood was so good because it came from big crocks under the basement stairs. I have no memory of it. How could I have missed that??

I have another pot of Vegan Lentil Stew on the stove--all the chopping of vegetables is my favorite part of cooking.  Our daughter arrived yesterday after work--anticipating Lentil Stew to take home for breakfasts this week.  She left with a small container of baked beans instead (and very pleased about that) and the final jar of the chicken broth with ginger and turmeric and the promise of Lentil Stew making today.  I chopped up two pounds or more of potatoes, an entire bunch of celery and four very large carrots. 

Cross Fit people enjoy hot soup for breakfast.  Turns out long distance runners do also.

Daughter spent the unhappy part of her day at the Chocolate Factory waiting on customers.  She's not a "people person" and then was asked if she'd like to help dip strawberries in chocolate.  Yes!!! I think chocolate covered strawberries are just about the worst idea anyone EVER had.  Every Hallmark Valentine movie had them.

Some people are front of the house (me and G) and some are back of the house (daughter and son).

Well, the stew is nearly done and G and Riley are back for the walk where Riley got a run for the money with a small mutt chasing him--so we are thinking he'll be sound asleep in a few minutes.  We're going to the grocery and library and then home again.