This is a little tease of the quilt I had hoped to finish by this Friday. The thing is, this week is my birthday, Friday that is, and my husband is surprising me with a little get-away. Of course, it isn't a surprise, because I totally guessed what he had up his sleeve! I flat out asked him, "Are you taking me to Disneyland?" He looked a bit flabbergasted, then admitted that was indeed his plan. Men. He was inadvertently dropping clues all week long. How could I not guess?
So, anyway, this Friday I may not actually get my quilt top finished. But look what I have gotten done so far. I have the top pieced together and these are my three border fabrics. The pattern I used was Jellyroll Junction from one of the Anka's Treasures books. I used two jelly rolls of Madeira by Blackbird Designs for Moda. The pattern calls for one jelly roll, but I wanted more choiced in my fabric placement.
Here is a little anecdote for you all. I have recently read a great book by Barbara Kingsolver called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The subject is how her family moved to a farm in Virginia and made an experiment to only eat local food for one year. They grew it or raised it themselves, or bought it from local farmer's markets. That included raising chickens for eggs and well, chickens. The book really made me think— Not only about the health benefits of eating food grown within 100 miles (or less) of your home, but of the economic repurcussions of making a local food choice. Think of the fuel resources it takes to truck or ship food from Chile up to California so we can have our out of season raspberries or grapes instead of waiting for them to be in season locally.
Anyway, not to be preachy, I decided to join a local CSA, which stands for Community Sustainable Agriculture. You get a box of fresh local produce each week, delivered to a drop off spot near your home. The selection includes herbs, all sorts of vegetables, fruit and flowers! It is all organically grown and comes with inspirational recipes in case you don't have a clue what to do with chard or kale for instance. Or how to make pea shoot and strawberry salad. Not only do you eat fresh, but you have to try some things you normally would just pass on by at the supermarket.
I made my arrangements to pick up my first basket of produce in Salinas yesterday afternoon. I drove around and drove around and could not find the drop off spot. I was so excited, and just refused to give up. After an hour, poor Ozzie got car sick in the front seat and I had to go home and get everything cleaned up. I may have to sell my car.
It took him awhile to recover from the ordeal. And he thought he liked going bye bye in the car.
So my first effort to eat locally didn't come out all that great, but I am not going to give up. Next week, I'll be there! I understand there will be fingerling potatoes and something called broccolini. Think I'll leave Ozzie home though.
46 responses to “Future Friday Finish”
I wished I lived in that part of the country. I, for sure, would be doing that weekly produce thing. Love your quilt, of course, and greet Mickey for me! Nancy in WI
I wished I lived in that part of the country. I, for sure, would be doing that weekly produce thing. Love your quilt, of course, and greet Mickey for me! Nancy in WI
Nicole your quilt top is wonderful…poor Ozzie he looks so pitiful…Have a blast at Disneyland…that will be so much fun!!!
Nicole your quilt top is wonderful…poor Ozzie he looks so pitiful…Have a blast at Disneyland…that will be so much fun!!!
Poor Ozzie, and poor you. The quilt looks great, and I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I haven’t been to Disneyland, but I’ve been several times to Disneyworld, and your post made me want to go again. I’ll have to start working on it..
Poor Ozzie, and poor you. The quilt looks great, and I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I haven’t been to Disneyland, but I’ve been several times to Disneyworld, and your post made me want to go again. I’ll have to start working on it..
I love my CSA – we used one in the past, but found it difficult to meet the arranged pick up times and gave up. The new one is very convenient and so far has a wonderful variety of fruits and veggies . . . but no flowers 🙁 I love the challenge of trying to use everything before the next delivery. I hope to continue for a good long time.
I love my CSA – we used one in the past, but found it difficult to meet the arranged pick up times and gave up. The new one is very convenient and so far has a wonderful variety of fruits and veggies . . . but no flowers 🙁 I love the challenge of trying to use everything before the next delivery. I hope to continue for a good long time.
Have fun at Disneyland. Your quilts are turning out so nicely. I haven’t sewed a stitch for 5 days now. I am not in the mood.
Have fun at Disneyland. Your quilts are turning out so nicely. I haven’t sewed a stitch for 5 days now. I am not in the mood.
I used the CSA program through work for a short time last year. They gave us the freshest, most delicious produce. I even got my boys to try things they never tried before, which is a miracle in itself! I hope next week is better for you (and poor Ozzie!)
I used the CSA program through work for a short time last year. They gave us the freshest, most delicious produce. I even got my boys to try things they never tried before, which is a miracle in itself! I hope next week is better for you (and poor Ozzie!)
Happy Birthday and have fun at Disney!
Can’t wait to hear what all you get in your CSA package and the recipes you try out.
Happy Birthday and have fun at Disney!
Can’t wait to hear what all you get in your CSA package and the recipes you try out.
Disneyland! I hope that you can stay at the Grand Californian – I could live at that place. DD stayed there last weekend – I was totally jealous. Have a wonderful time, and wonderful birthday, and, of course, the quilt looks great! I’m off to see about a local CSA for me.
Disneyland! I hope that you can stay at the Grand Californian – I could live at that place. DD stayed there last weekend – I was totally jealous. Have a wonderful time, and wonderful birthday, and, of course, the quilt looks great! I’m off to see about a local CSA for me.
First off, What a great post! right before your Birthday, too. I wish I would have known. I’d have sent you Diamonds. I have it goin’ on like that. 😉
Ozzie may have taken a beating but its good for them. Now we know where he gets a little beat up and I hope you’ll give him another chance.
I really enjoyed reading about the fabric combinations! That’s where I have so much to learn and you have so much to teach me.
Naturally I’d do better if I could have the quilt HERE to study!
Student of Fabric Love, *karendianne.
First off, What a great post! right before your Birthday, too. I wish I would have known. I’d have sent you Diamonds. I have it goin’ on like that. 😉
Ozzie may have taken a beating but its good for them. Now we know where he gets a little beat up and I hope you’ll give him another chance.
I really enjoyed reading about the fabric combinations! That’s where I have so much to learn and you have so much to teach me.
Naturally I’d do better if I could have the quilt HERE to study!
Student of Fabric Love, *karendianne.
I’m so happy to hear you’ve joined a CSA! And Nancy in WI, I’ll betcha a hunnert bux that there’s one within reach of you.
Here is a place to find a local one:
http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
I first heard about this concept while reading an in-flight magazine. I arrived home, zapped off an email to the nearest CSA, and a few days later my first box was delivered to my front porch. They are just absolutely wonderful.
I’m so happy to hear you’ve joined a CSA! And Nancy in WI, I’ll betcha a hunnert bux that there’s one within reach of you.
Here is a place to find a local one:
http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
I first heard about this concept while reading an in-flight magazine. I arrived home, zapped off an email to the nearest CSA, and a few days later my first box was delivered to my front porch. They are just absolutely wonderful.
I’ve got to find a CSA around here. I keep hearing about them. It would be wonderful to find somewhere that was supporting local farmers rather than buying produce that has been on a truck for who knows how long! Poor Ozzie!
The quilt looks fabulous. Gorgeous fabrics.
Happy Birthday in advance!
I’ve got to find a CSA around here. I keep hearing about them. It would be wonderful to find somewhere that was supporting local farmers rather than buying produce that has been on a truck for who knows how long! Poor Ozzie!
The quilt looks fabulous. Gorgeous fabrics.
Happy Birthday in advance!
Happy birthday in advance Nicole. Mine’s today. No big celebratons since we are going away in a couple of days. Hope your day is lovely. It’s the same day as my son. Talk to you(and your hairy little pal) when I get back.
Happy birthday in advance Nicole. Mine’s today. No big celebratons since we are going away in a couple of days. Hope your day is lovely. It’s the same day as my son. Talk to you(and your hairy little pal) when I get back.
Happy Birthday Gemini Girl–my birthday is Saturday. Have fun in Disneyland!
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is another good read about the food industry vs. eating locally. You couldn’t live in a much better place for it.
Poor Ozzie probably thought you were trying to kill him to get even for his recent quilt felonies.
xoxox
Happy Birthday Gemini Girl–my birthday is Saturday. Have fun in Disneyland!
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is another good read about the food industry vs. eating locally. You couldn’t live in a much better place for it.
Poor Ozzie probably thought you were trying to kill him to get even for his recent quilt felonies.
xoxox
Please, Mom, don’t make me go looking for organically grown local vegetables again. Let’s just eat Alpo.
–Ozzie
P.S. Happy Birthday, Nicole. Have fun a Disneyland.
Please, Mom, don’t make me go looking for organically grown local vegetables again. Let’s just eat Alpo.
–Ozzie
P.S. Happy Birthday, Nicole. Have fun a Disneyland.
What a great way to get local vegies and stuff! Very clever distributor also! Our dog used to get car sick also. What a pain! Your new quilt is looking very pretty!
What a great way to get local vegies and stuff! Very clever distributor also! Our dog used to get car sick also. What a pain! Your new quilt is looking very pretty!
congrats on the csa! we have been locavores for about a year now. and i am thankful because i don’t deal with tomatoes that have salmonella… 😉
good book. changed our lives. although, i still buy almonds and lemons.
congrats on the csa! we have been locavores for about a year now. and i am thankful because i don’t deal with tomatoes that have salmonella… 😉
good book. changed our lives. although, i still buy almonds and lemons.
Dear Nicole,
your quilttop is amazing, can´t wait to see when it´s finished. The book, you´ve talked about, is on my wish-list on amazon. But I can´t buy it in German, I´have to read it in English. :o(
Give Ozzie a big kiss from me, poor dog…
Have a nice day!
Sabine
Dear Nicole,
your quilttop is amazing, can´t wait to see when it´s finished. The book, you´ve talked about, is on my wish-list on amazon. But I can´t buy it in German, I´have to read it in English. :o(
Give Ozzie a big kiss from me, poor dog…
Have a nice day!
Sabine
aw poor Ozzie… I love broccolini, we buy it all the time here, the kids call it ‘little tree’s’ Have a wonderful birthday on Friday (lucky duck)
Lissa
Australia
aw poor Ozzie… I love broccolini, we buy it all the time here, the kids call it ‘little tree’s’ Have a wonderful birthday on Friday (lucky duck)
Lissa
Australia
Poor Ozzie hope he is better now.You will know to leave him at home next time. Hope your Birthday is the best ever enjoy your weekend away. And I love your quilt another one you tire me out with the speed you make your quilts.
hugs Mary.
Poor Ozzie hope he is better now.You will know to leave him at home next time. Hope your Birthday is the best ever enjoy your weekend away. And I love your quilt another one you tire me out with the speed you make your quilts.
hugs Mary.
Don’t give up, we love our CSA.
Don’t give up, we love our CSA.
I love your new quilt. I’m gonna have to run out and get some Madeira. It is gorgeous. Happy Birthday! I’m a June baby also. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment at my blog. My husband got a real kick out of your method of weeding (i.e. sitting on the deck watching your husband do it). That’s about what happened here this time. Have fun on your weekend away!
I love your new quilt. I’m gonna have to run out and get some Madeira. It is gorgeous. Happy Birthday! I’m a June baby also. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment at my blog. My husband got a real kick out of your method of weeding (i.e. sitting on the deck watching your husband do it). That’s about what happened here this time. Have fun on your weekend away!
Nicole, I have been reading your blog for awhile now and just have to comment…..you are so inspiring! I have loved your Friday Finishes and all the beautiful piecing you have done lately. I always look forward to checking in with you and seeing what new project you are working on. Have a wonderful birthday and fun trip to Disneyland! Looking forward to hearing about it when you return.
Nicole, I have been reading your blog for awhile now and just have to comment…..you are so inspiring! I have loved your Friday Finishes and all the beautiful piecing you have done lately. I always look forward to checking in with you and seeing what new project you are working on. Have a wonderful birthday and fun trip to Disneyland! Looking forward to hearing about it when you return.
The quilt is gorgeous, and I am totally in love with that fabric line! I will have to read that book – thank you so much for sharing it. I have been thinking of doing the CSA – I have to find out where it is in my neighborhood. Poor Ozzie – he had too long of a ride, I guess.
Happy Birthday, Nicole, and how fun to spend it at Disneyland!! Can’t wait to see pictures from your birthday trip.
The quilt is gorgeous, and I am totally in love with that fabric line! I will have to read that book – thank you so much for sharing it. I have been thinking of doing the CSA – I have to find out where it is in my neighborhood. Poor Ozzie – he had too long of a ride, I guess.
Happy Birthday, Nicole, and how fun to spend it at Disneyland!! Can’t wait to see pictures from your birthday trip.