It is too cold outside

Yes, that is ice.
Today we drove to an area known as Starved Rock, on the Illinois River near the town of Ottawa.
We were interested to see the Bald Eagles that are known to frequent this area.

Here is the lock and dam with 7 barges in it.   There is open water on the river, so the barges are still working their way up or down the river.  

We thought they were all in the lock, and ready to be lowered to the other side of the river.
The Park Ranger came up to check on the progress.  Ron started talking to him, and found out that there were too many barges in the lock for safety sake. They had to back out three of the barges, then they would lock the gate, and start draining the water.  There was too much ice in the lock.  It was interesting to watch, but we found out it was going to take at least an hour and a half longer.

This is the pusher of the barges.  He got the barges ready that could go through.  The barges were going to have to be manually pushed through once the lock opened.  The second phase, would then have the actual pusher come through the lock.  There was massive locking and unlocking of the barges.  It is fascinating to watch.

You can see how much ice is on the upper level of the river.

There looked like there was only one section of the dam open   The lower part of the river hardly had any ice on it.

We saw 11 Bald Eagles on the river today.  We enjoy watching these fascinating birds.

Hope you are having warmer weather where you are.
Happy stitching
Mary

Stitching, here I come

I have to say I was stitching long before I learned to quilt
It feels good to  add it to my sewing activities again.
Working on the Tammy Bag hop, and We Support You hop has renewed my love for embroidery and cross stitching.
I think I have been doing it a little at a time through the years, but recently, even my husband has noticed that I was embroidering more.

As you can see I love to put the pieces I stitch into fast and fun smaller projects.
I think they add a little something to them.

This little Halloween stitchery went together fast. It is finished and hung for Halloween.

Even embroidery looks good on a Tammy Bag.

These little cross stitch pieces are great to fit on a Tammy Bag.
I wasn't even aware I was doing this.  In looking back, I find I have been purchasing patterns that are incorporating embroidery needle cases, cute drawstring bags and miniature wall hangings.  Small projects that don't take long to complete.  I like the feeling of gratification that comes with completing something in a short amount of time.

I hope you are having a super day sewing, embroidering, or whatever makes your heart sing.
Enjoy

Mary

Spring must be coming

Checked out one of my favorite places to bird today.
The weatherman is saying it will be getting even colder as the week goes one.
Thought today was a good one to get out.

I saw a flock of robins. I am afraid it will be pretty cold for them.

There were a lot of male cardinals.

Madame Samm had some pictures with a red umbrella. She posed a challenge to put an umbrella in a picture.   I don't have a red one, but thought maybe this one would do.

It is still very snowy around here .The sun was out for a while. I think it adds a bit of color.

I was out for a couple of hours. It felt good just being out of the house.
I sat a lot this weekend working on my Birds quilt for the upcoming hop.
Hope every one is ready for a good week.
Sewing is in my future.

Mary

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day
Madame Samm of "Sew We Quilt" Had this great graphic and I think the sentiment is perfect.
We need to love more, 

Friday the 13th was my birthday.  My sister found this picture taken in about 1966 and was kind enough to post on "facebook" .
It is an oldie but goodie.  Check out that hairdo and those glasses.
Those were the days.
I had a great day. Lunch with my husband and son at Red Lobster, a drive out to Yorkville to see if there were any exciting birds.  There was 5 Trumpeter Swans and a Bald Eagle.  We stopped at Baskin Robbins for ice cream. It was cold outside, but still nice.
I feel so blessed to receive birthday wishes from around the world.

I hope everyone has a fun Valentine's Day and gets to spend it with someone they love.
Happy Day.

Mary

We Support You

Today is my day to join all the wonderful creators in "We Support You"

hop organized by Madame Samm of Sewwequilt, and lead by Pat Broe of Life In the Scrapatch. So many wonderful stories  of survival and showing of support.  It does the heart good.

Madame Samm has a wonderful pattern to use as a guide to help in the showing of our support.

The "We Support You" Friendship Quilt Pattern is available 

for purchase for $12.00 by emailing Madame Samm directly to

  madamesamm@me.com

I used Madame Samm's wonderful Tammy Bag pattern.
It is just the right size to carry medicine, lotions or a sweet cross stitch project to work on when going for therapy.

The back has two little pockets for other incidentals.

There is an organization that has a pattern for an Angel Pillow.
After the surgery the patient needs, encouragement, support, and comfort.  The pillow is designed to fit comfortably under the arm that has been effected.

This drawstring bag is the right size to for the heart pillow to fit in .
Your Tammy Bag will fit, too.
When you are out and about it is important to feel good about yourself.

Life can give us all challenges, cancer being one of them.

There is not reason we can't face them with love, support from family and friends, humor, and a sense of style.

Join me in supporting cancer research, whether is for colon, breast, pancreatic, prostrate or any number of types, every dollar help.  Don't forget to have the necessary tests, and be aware of signs that are key in cancer detection.

We Support You

Mary

Please check out my fellow quilters today and offer them your support.

 I Piece 2 - Mary

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