Life Happens While Making Plans

Life seems to happen while you are making plans. And yes it happens to me all the time. You? I can’t decide if I should catch you up… or just press on as if nothing has gone off the rails. October did not quite go as planned!

Posts and Errors

There was a plan to create a post. I got it done, but then the life part happened. The website and the blog experienced some technical glitches. One that greeted you with a blank page at IHaveANotion.com and the other would not allow comments. Several days and phone calls later fixed!!! Not what I had planned for the day or the rest of the week.

Web Error


Next up the software, I use to publish the store had some updates. Yep, Another error. This is where the blog post actually disappeared. The “help” is all by email and takes considerably longer. So the blog plan was put off.

Of course, life just kept going but the whole design for the week went out the window.

The Plan for Fall

To catch you up a bit, In late October I Have A Notion, had another booth. It was further away from home so the drive to and fro was longer! After this one, I needed a day of rest! Definitely, not part of the plan! I was so tired I seriously considered not doing them anymore but I do love to be live and not just online! I was so out of time that I totally forgot I had planned to take pictures! I will wait until next year… I already have at least 2 venues scheduled, waiting on information about number 3. All early in the spring. One in Louisville and one in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Contented Plans
Momma and her calf

Since I didn’t take a picture of the setup I thought I would share this cow and calf. They were in the field across the road and look so content and doesn’t that calf look comfortable and loved!

Plans On The Farm

So, here on the farm life is mostly going along with the plan. This week all the trees are showing color. The Poplar trees are all mostly yellow, most of the Maples are showing the reds and oranges, and this year the Oaks again are showing lots of colors too. The skies have been mostly gray, so the glory of the color is not really visible. The weather will turn cold next week. that means most of the show is over. The leaves will fall.

fall leaves
The life of the Red Maple is going to to pause mode, but not before showing awesome color

The plan for the pigs is almost complete. The pigs took a ride. Similar to the old saying ‘A long walk off a short pier”. These two were not as nice or as endearing as Iggy Piggy or Piggy Ann. They also were not as cute. I know, when is 400 pounds ever really cute? But I think in this case the personality made all the difference. These two did not have any personalities and fought over just about everything, food, treats, and attention. However, we are looking forward to BACON!

The Pig Plan
Bye Bye Pigs

The ‘Cow boys’ are enjoying life with the cooler weather. During the heat of summer, they did most of their grazing in the night… and laid in the deepest shade in the pasture during the day. There is a very large strip of shade that never sees the sun in the summer and that is where they spent their days. Now they graze and lay about in many places out there.

Patton
Patton has turned 2!

Dog Life

Patton turned 2, a few weeks ago and Goldie turned 4 shortly after! Patton seems to have outgrown his shoulder issue (possibly shoulder dysplasia). Doctore suggested reducing his activity, weight, and Glucosamine. We did, and it worked! He is almost back to his 1-year-old weight of 90 pounds. He is looking good. Goldie is the same weight and also looks great. You might think she was the younger dog!!!

Coming Up

I am making plans for a week-long workshop in Wisconsin this month. The long list of supplies, fabrics, and of course, the necessities for personal appearance. Preparing to travel feels very strange, especially since my last trip was to Houston in 2019. I will try to remember to take pictures and share about the workshop. When I get back!

More Later! Beth

It’s Fall Y’all!

Its Fall and half of the month of October is nearly gone !!! I would love to say I don’t know where it went, but I do!

The Markers of Fall

Just like any other season, I seem to have a full plate this fall. Mentally September always signals that fall is here, for me. Of course, because I am of a certain age Labor Day indicates the end of summer and the start of the school year, and therefore the start of fall weather. I grew up in the northern wine country of California (Sonoma) and this time of year the fog and onshore breezes start to blow with just a hint of the cooler temperatures just around the corner. Kentucky is nothing like northern California. In September the temperatures are generally still very summer-like outside. The trees are turning, but nothing with any real color. Just this maple in the front yard with a little bit of fall color at the top.

colorful maple with beginning color
The best fall color maple in the yard

September

In September the full extent of ‘Real Life’ came roaring back. The first quilt show since March of 2020 happened. The Elizabethtown guild has an annual fall quilt show in September. This year the Heartland of Kentucky Quilt Show was back on. When the USA shut down for COVID-19 on March 12th, 2020, I was on my way up to Chicagoland to have a booth at a quilt show. I was en route when I got the call. I turned around and came home and put everything away for the next 20 months.

booth fall view left side
the Heartland of Kentucky Quilt Show, fall 2021

Preparing for the Heartland of Kentucky Quilt Show felt very much like starting over! It took a good chunk of September to work it all out and to look things over, make plans, and pack. There were a couple of slight complications too. The show would be at a new venue and the booth spaces would be a different size, so I had to take that into account as well.

booth fall center view
The booth at the fall Heartland of Kentucky Quilt Show 2021 center view.

The show was a success. We asked everyone to wear a mask inside the building and all the comments were good and everyone enjoyed the quilts and the vendors. The new location was also very nice, especially since it was brand new.

booth fall center view
The booth at the fall Heartland of Kentucky Quilt Show 2021 center view.

October

During the first half of October, I prepared for another annual fall event. This time it is the Bluegrass One Stop Shop Hop, in Shepherdsville Kentucky. Because I just had a booth at the Quilt Show, I don’t need to think too much about how to get ready for it. The packing is done and I am getting the last-minute things together.

biscotti on a plate
left white drizzle ‘Cinnamon Bun’, chocolate drizzle traditional ‘Anise’ and center ‘Cranberry Orange’

In addition to the regular fall events above, I have started my seasonal baking. I am early this year and it begins with biscotti and will end with biscotti!!! In the middle will be some pies and other desserts for the Thanksgiving holiday. Fortunately, biscotti is essentially already stale the minute it cools, so it keeps for a very long time! So far I have 3 flavors made, the traditional “Italian anise” (licorice flavor), an original Cranberry Orange flavor, and my own take on a ‘Cinnamon Roll’ flavor, also known as ‘crack’ around here! I hope to get a few more made next week starting with a Christmas favorite “Peppermint”. Personally, I don’t even need to have coffee with it.

Do you enjoy fall? What’s your favorite fall thing? Tell us in a comment!

More later-Beth

So What’s UP?

So what’s up around here? This week wasn’t too much different than the last many weeks. So much to do and keep up with. Most of what is happening at “I Have A Notion” are plans that we put into motion before the whole move thing came about.

What’s Up Around the House

Construction… mostly drywall patching and sanding, and patching and sanding and….. is what’s up. Yep, on it goes. There is an inch of white dust on EVERYTHING!!! In addition, custom milled trim to match the current woodwork whih of course takes time. The working plan is to complete next week. The doors hung, trim and molding placed… and eventually the granite countertop on the island and the fireplace surround… We’ll see. Once the contractor is done, we will paint the main level and then the new flooring! If you want to see where some of this began check out this blog entry.

New Drywall
A new wall patched and almost ready for paint

And another Booth

What’s up for the weekend of October 18 & 19 was another 2-day booth at the 1 Stop Shop Hop of the Bluegrass. That took up another week for preparations. I love being part of quilting activities because it allows me to meet lots of other quilters, share knowledge or tips. Best of all helping to find solutions to quilting problems is the most fun! Also, I often get to see friends that I have been unable to connect with as often as I would like to. Last month was a booth at a quilt show, read about that here.

1 Stop Shop Hop of the Bluegrass Setup
Almost ready for the One Stop Shop Hop of the Bluegrass

Over this next weekend, I will be away at Quilt Market. Like I mentioned, when I made these plans, we were living a quiet life in town…

I’m keeping it short and sweet, so it is less boring. What’s up next… a critter report. Stay tuned!

More Later- Beth