Nice surprise this morning, waking up before I could see the overcast sky and a dull day.  Sunrise a  some where about 7 a.m.   showed  dismal or dreary, and it has surprised me with clear skies, and the less strong sunshine that is typical in the early fall.

The Quilt of Valor is almost on the frame and then I can start quilting in ernest.. so eager to be back to the long arm and have some fun.

This is a quilt I take special pride in, so far.  Blocks well sewn, seems all is square to the eye, and I took special care to square every thing up as I went.  It measured out squared and that  makes for a nice quilt, same width and length top to bottom, side to side..

I have another QoV I've been working on for the show next month, but am going to pass that one by and get this one finished.   I also have to get a label made up,  and was given an idea on another forum, on how to do that easily.   I'm rather excited about that, too.   I hate preprinted or iron transfer labels, for me, so I can style my own, have lines for the info I want to include and be able to sew them on.

I'm going to make about 50 at once, and that will cover the finsihed projects that need labels and give me some to have on hand.   I use to always try to make them about 3 by 5".  After observing others labels, I'm going to increase the size to 4 by 6.  The 6" would be the height.  A bit of design, a flower, or a sail boat, or a carpenter or mechanic tool,  maybe a cup and saucer, or sewing machine.  Just what ever comes to mind.

It is fun to sit here and watch the dove wander their crooked paths to come to the little tray we have water and gravel in.  LOL, i'ts maybe 20 by 30"  with gravel in the bottom, but they love it.  It has to be cleaned before the fall and winter weather settles in.  I am hoping we can put more sand under it so it is raised a bit.  It has settled and we can now only see the far side, when sitting here.  We want to watch them take baths.. it is so cute.  Some of those tiny birds can really splash big time, while the dove I would say is about normal.  The robins and cardinals are the ones I'd call "normal" in taking their baths and splattering.

It would be wonderful if we could take a bath that quick and not have to be concerned about drying off or getting clothes on.  Think how fast that would be.  I hate having to groom myself, so particular care is taken to do it thoroughly and all of it from toenails to hair.  The nails need to have the put the steel coat polish on my nails.. it has really helped them not split, peal, break.  Can keep a nice smooth edge on them, too.

Oh to be able to go fishing.. beautiful day for it, and we could use some fresh fish.

This  afternoon we  spend about 6 hours at the ECA, handing out boxes of picked today produce to subscribers.  We have 3 kinds of box, the Standard, the Alternate and the Bread Box.  The Alternate box has some the same as Standard, with changes in some contents.. we can choose which we want for the following week.  Now and then we change, though not often.  the bread box has just that, a loaf of bread and less produce.. I'd go for the produce, because we love it.

We have tried the dried Kale chips,  didn't impress us.. tried steaming, hate the texture, tried boiling, didn't do much for improving it, then tried my little 4  quart pressure cooker with a bit of chopped onion and celery and carrots and it is wonderful.   I also add a touch of garlic salt and a bit of regular salt.    Still get the kale flavor with a twist.. so good.

I'm told that when washing the Kale, to massage it between the hands, and that helps break down that icky texture.  We should have tried that, and didn't.   Still wondering if Steve was joking.. lol, we expect that out of him.  A nice guy!

Quilting is waiting and times is wasting..

Have a peaceful, most blessed day.