Dan's Ramblings

Dan here ~

Thursday, it was a nice clear day compared to the last couple. Most of the snow is gone. Anyone else feel like a fool for spending the time clearing the snow when we got it? As I am unable to predict the future, in my opinion it was still worth it. At least the area is back to the tar now. We will see what we get next. Time will tell. I have no idea what is going on with the freezing of the pond. It froze, got snowed on, rained on and now refrozen. I guess I’ll check in a few days.

As many of you know I do the majority of the cooking here for Carol and I. I have been into cooking our favorite squash while it is available ~ Delicata squash.

The skin is edible so there is no need to peel it. Simply cut in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, cut into bite sized pieces and toss with olive oil.

Spread, single layer on foil lined cookie sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 425º for about 20 - 30 minutes, mixing them up about half way through. You are looking for soft squash with a slightly browned outer “skin”. Delicious.

I have been busy in the studio since I last rambled.  Quilt #32 for 2024, size 63” x 75”was almost complete last time.  It is now all done and ready for Carol. 

2024-32

#32 was created from the units I made as I cleaned up my work area. It did seem to be easier to cut the scraps to sizes needed for unit construction not just random sized squares. I made a lot and as I mentioned last time I needed to make more units so that there were four matching sets of each half square triangle and each four patch. I came up with two basic blocks and used a variety of center blocks to create them. Many of these have 1” finished fussy cut squares as the center. It was fun to put together. I thought that the limited number of popped sashing strips with the different cornerstones worked so that is what I did. The sashing strips were popped at 4-1/2” with my Corner Pop III. Here is a couple of close ups of some blocks.

2024-32

2024-32

#33 for 2024 is also complete. Size 65" x 77".

2024-33

I made this still using the units I made cleaning up and that I did not use on the last one. (still a lot left) I again needed to make more of the four patches and the half squares to get four of each of the same fabrics. I also used the 1-1/2" x 3" Flying Geese they had me making as I cleaned up before the last top. After I started, and made several 9" nine patches, I got started on the star-like blocks from the flying geese and decided I liked that better.

So, I put the other 9 patches aside and since the first geese were all dark geese with light wings, I proceeded to make the needed geese to make half of the blocks with dark geese and the other half with light geese. I used many fussy cut centers (you"ll need to zoom in) in the blocks and my wife thought that the sashing strip I chose first would take away from ever seeing the blocks. I switched to all gray sashing and will save the others pieces for another top. With the sashing, I chose a limited number of stars and again popped with my Corner Pop III at 4 1/2”.

33 is a disappointing number and I will now try to get two more tops complete before the end of the year. While it is still quite a few less than last year’s 45, it is still a respectful number. 34 at least sounds better than 33. You got it, time will tell.

It’s supposed to get real cold the next few days, then I guess it will warm up and rain again. No snow in my forecast until the tail end of next week. Maybe the ice will get some thickness to it before it gets snowed on again. Time will tell.

Enjoy your weekend and better hurry and get your Holiday preparations complete, time is running out. Until next time stay safe.