It's about time...

Well, I figured it's about time I say hello. Because I miss y'all so much. And things here are wonderful and cool and full of wool and beautiful sunsets and yummy seafood and fiddle music, and the only thing missing is wonderful ladies to enjoy it all with. So here's a brief rundown of some projects I've done and pictures from here and there.

Before I left, I made this hat. My first one! Yes, it is still hat weather here (around 40 degrees) but we had one day in the 80's last week!

Also before I left, I made this little bag to carry around my books...

and pens!   My mother has the most wonderful old Pfaff sewing machine that belonged to her mother when she was growing up (who sewed lots of clothes for her 12 children!), and mom taught me how to sew on it when I was little. Thanks, mom!

And here's where I live. This is the sunrise, half a block from my house! I live right on the edge of Portland, which has a little peninsula that sticks out into the bay. I love getting up early to watch the sun rise over the islands in the bay. For a few minutes, the world is absolutely beautiful.

And while I've been here, I've been lucky enough to hang out with some pretty interesting folks in order to make radio stories. One story I did was about ice fishing. I spent two days out on this lake with the guy on the left, Rick. He's been an ice fisherman all his life. Here's a pike he caught:

They're really pretty! I'm working on a website to put some of my audio stories up so I can share them with you. The first audio piece I ever made is being published by a local magazine's website this week (it will be here)! And I'm also writing a little bit about my time in Maine on my blog, here.

And finally, I'm missing this guy like crazy, but he's already been to visit once, so I guess life ain't that bad. I miss y'all!  If you get the hankerin to head north, you are all welcome here! Lots o love (and lobstah, as they say it!) from Maine.

Laura

p.s. - playing "Say Farmer, Can I Have Your Daughter" - new favorite fiddle tune! and singing "Buffalo Gals" to welcome springtime.
Read: Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton

More Fletcher, of course

Fletcher with his mama and papa, out in the sun.

Ashley, her dimples, and a little bitty baby

Aunt Ann has a go

Fletcher is introduced to the herd

Love from Auntie Ann

Fletcher Hunt Keener

Here's the new addition to Ashley and Kelsey's Family

Fletcher Hunt Keener

Born on February the 12th 2012

The Beginnings of a Cathedral Window Quilt

Daisy and Ann here it is.....

The beginnings of a long quilting journey.

 I've been wanting to make a cathedral quilt for quite some time now and with mine and Kelsey;s house getting started I figured that the start of a quilt would go right along with that. My goal is to have the quilt done by the time our house is done, which seems like somewhat of a realistic goal..

One of the great many things about this particular quilt is that once you 

have finished a square you are done, there is no batting or backing..

You start off with a 9 inch piece of fabric that gets folded down to around 3 inches

so all the extra material tucked away fills the need for batting and a back. 

It's a real nice pattern to just work on when you have the time and you 

don't have to worry about using quilting frame, I figure it will be a good pattern 

for me to work on with a little one.

Here is a great site I found that steps you through most of the process.

http://hyena-in-petticoats.blogspot.com/2007/08/cathedral-window-quilt-tutorial.html

There are a few things not on here that I have found are helpful. So just ask if you have any questions. 

Happy quilting!!

p.s. And anyone who would like to make a square or more for my quilt or pass on a piece of their fabric that I could add in, well I would be delighted!!

Love, Ashley

Music to Listen to: Pete Seeger's Album Bird's, Beasts, Bugs & Fishes (Little and Big)

Ann Keener is Officially a Grown-Up

Forget the business I'm about to start...  I have a guest bed!  I already had a chest freezer, which is pretty grown-up, but come on, a guest bed? Now that's something.  O yeah, and I'm about to be an Aunt.

Anyway, of course I had to make a Guest Bed Spread so here it is:

Elspeth, you may recognize the red fabric.  I got it from you.

I just cut that into pieces and sewed it, as well as a real pretty scarf that
Mike's mom gave me, onto an old sheet, plus I added extensions on the sides.  So it's double layered, but, yet again, not quite a quilt (whew!).  It's not really that sophisticated, but it did leave some nice (if sloppily sewn) patterns on the back.



AND, I've been very diligently working on my Etsy page. Ashley, I finally made some of those bobby pins.  They are going to be a staple at the next Delectable Spectacle . Tell all your friends and relations.

Love from,
               - Ann Middle

To listen to:  A very old Radio Lab podcast from 2009 called "New Normal?", especially the middle part.  It made me cry a little in the middle of piecing together the bedspread.  In a good way.

My First Baby Shower

I am trying to smile but the sun is a blaring in my eyes...

This is for Candice who has been asking to see my pregnant belly. Here it is.

The Milk Cows and I are due at the same time

I wanted to share some photos of some of the lovely handmade gifts that were given for Kelsey and my little one to be. There were many many wonderful gifts but here I will share a few of them. 

A Lovely Trivet from Mrs. Daisy... She says this is to be used when I start making meals for PawPaw

I'm so excited to finally have one of her beautiful handmade trivets. 

An Incredible play quilt in the making from Miss Elspeth. This is her 1st quilt and oh my it is absolutely amazing. It's going to be so stimulating for the little one to gaze upon.

Another quilt made by Mika and her mother in law Granny. This is one where you have you find the pictures and name what they are. That will be a lot of fun.

The prettiest diaper bag I have ever seen made by Miss Laura. The inside is the patterns of the strap with a pocket on the inside. I am so excited to be carrying this around filled with little things. 

The cutest baby hat knitted by Beth Austin. In no time there will be a little head kept warm with this wonderful hat.

And here is the cherry crib that Miriam and Bill bought for us and in it is a quilt that my Gramie made for the baby and a handmade pillow case made by Suzie Millard. 

And the mobile that hangs above it made by Carroll. The branch is dogwood and many little bright cranes hang from its branches. It's an incredible mobile that I love staring at.

And the most adorable little booties I have ever seen. Miss Jennie B. made these and it is hard to imagine anything cuter being on my baby's little feet. 

The Parents to Be

...... And more pictures to come 

-Love Ashley

Music to Listen to: Mozart (Emily gave us a couple cd's to listen to she says it's good for the baby)

The Delectable Spectacle!

As Moss would say, it was just like a story book; with a happy ending

readying the mustard troops

Edibles

Carroll's books and earrings, plus some jewelry
from Ariel J

Keener Breakfast Kit, One of Ashley's biscuit warmers, with other biscuit
 enhancers included

The Talented Jessie B

The Also Talented Anderson Bailey

Cece's Soap!  Carroll's Terrariums! Eric's Iron Work!  

Laura's books make even an ironing board look fabulous

Miss Elf's headbands on Moss' red rack

Mary Beth!  house boxes and books too.  Plus Prentice glasses
and Buggey button trees

Richard's wood coasters, sweetly labeled (even in Latin)
Plus Landon's paintings and also Jessie's hats