Monday Musings and the Harvest Basket

For the last year, I  have been trying to eat fish at least twice a week. It's good for  ya' - well that's what my doctor says.  Anywhooo... Tuesdays is "Tuna Tuesday" . I always try to give a little twist to my tuna salads . 

Last week I made the most delectable tuna salad- with the addition of a chopped apple, chopped celery, homemade relish ( yum yum) , feta cheese ,pickled  jalapenos and olive oil mayo with a blanket of fresh spinach on toasted wheat bread. It was just mouth watering. The addition of chopped apples and the spice of the jalapenos was a favorable surprise. 

 As I made my sandwich, my mind wandered to past joyful days in the garden - staking tomatoes, picking cucumbers and summer squash.  The sweet cucumber relish that we made  a couple of years ago  brought back many fond memories . Every time we pull a jar out of the pantry it is like getting a pleasant gift from the garden. This year I hope to plant more cucumbers , tomatoes and of course peppers galore. 

Have you started thinking about your garden? 

Homemade sweet cucumber relish is the bomb! 

This brings me to Block #3 in Melva's Little  House on the Prairie Sew Along. Eeeeh! It's Harvest Basket. 

"Some old fashioned things like  fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. " -Laura Ingalls Wilder

Last year Mr. Pinker and I would spend "many a hours" in the garden filling our own harvest baskets. In fact , there were times that we would take one basket load in and then go out for another.  I should be so lucky if we have a good harvest this year. 

"A farmer depends on himself, and the land and the weather." Laura Ingalls Wilder - Farmer Boy

 All of the fabrics for Harvest Basket were found in my stash. Strips of calicos, plaids  and prints. It was fun to look at the information on the selveges . Some of the fabrics were nigh 20+ years old. 

So tell me. If you are planning a garden, what do you hope to fill your harvest basket? 

I am making progress on Little House Needlework's "Farm Life". Vegetables are being harvested. 

Well Sweet friends, I best get off here and see what mischief I can get into. 

Before you leave. Do you have any suggestions on new ways to prepare canned tuna or salmon? I would be every so grateful for any new recipe suggestions. 

Melva's Little House on the Prairie Sew Along Posts:

INTRODUCTION of the Little House on the  Prairie Stitching Along - January 29, 2026

Block 1 Maple Leaf- February 5, 2026

Block 2 Native Star- February 19, 2026

Block 3 Harvest Basket- March 5, 2026

Block 4 Shoo Fly- March 19, 2026

🌻  A Sneaky Peek of what is on the finishing table today- Eeeeh ! Summer Stamps! 🌻

Have a beautiful day! 

Hugs and Stitches

Melisa 

The squirrels are running rampede here in the holler - gathering seeds and such. 

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred..." - Laura Ingalls Wilder -  A Little House Sampler  A Collection of  Early Stories and Reminiscenses 

Beehives and Matchsticks- Making Progress

 Just a quick Howdy Do! Welcome, sweet friends and a very lovely sunny day to you. I just wanted to drop in to say hello and share my plans for the day. Mr. Pinker and I just returned from a quick trip to the great state of Louisiana so I am trying to get back into my daily swing of things. 

The kitchen tiered tray by the corner sink is decorated with stacks of condiment bowls , eggs and chickens. 

Anywhooo... Summer Stamp stitching is going on. I will finish this little stamp today, and then I have 2 more to stitch before I will be ready for the big stamp sampler. 

"In the Apiary" Summer Stamp is in the works. 

Also a small quilt that I am calling Matchsticks is in the hoop. It was made using leftover 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" strips. 

Well that's it for me! Hee! Hee! I told you this was short and sweet. 

Of course, I had to add a little  vintage piggie to the tiered tray. 

May your day be filled with sunshine, beautiful blooms  and remember to stay as busy as a bee! Love ya'! 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Create your own sunshine!   " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Lots of cabbages on the 2025 Easter shelf display. 

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy. Love and miss you, Amo. 

I am joining these lovely ladies' link parties. I hope you check them out; they always have so many wonderful projects going on and provide the opportunity for other needle workers to meet.

Frederique at   Quilting Patchwork Applique for Patchwork & Quilts - Saturday

Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday

Kate at Life in Pieces for  Stitching Stuff ( Sunday) 

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap - Sunday 

Melva at Melva Loves Scraps for Sew & Tell- Sunday

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday

Sunday Musings , Strawberries , Tomatoes and a Freebie

 Sunny Sunday Salutations. How are you doing on this lovely warm day? 

I have been puttering around pulling my plants out of the greenhouse. Not all of my ferns made it, but a few survived the few months that we were gone. I have been clipping and cutting dead leaves, stems and fronds. And giving my surviving plants a good watering and a dash of epsom salt. 

   Over the years I have had great success rooting different plants. This year I decided to pull out my pretty Dollar Tree tea glasses and line the windowsill with little clippings in high hopes that they will take root. More cuttings in pretty glasses will soon join these.  Do you have a favorite plant that you like to root? I usually work with Spiderwort, Spider plants, Coelus,  and Sedum ( I just stick it in the dirt)  . Last year I gave myself a big pat on the back when I rooted an Annabelle Hydrangea and 2 rose bushes. 

Gardening season is fast approaching. I am sure we are in store for more cold days, but I will place my plants in the greenhouse if there is a cold snap. 

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A few years ago when the "strawberry farm " was still in operation , Dad and sometimes us youngins' would be busy in the field cleaning chickweed from the plastic that peeked out from the plastic near the strawberry plants. The first harvest was usually around mid April . If there was a cold snap beforehand, the sprinklers were ran during the night which made for a long day for Dad. By morning time, the strawberry blooms would be covered in ice to protect them from the frigid temps. ( That is funny how that works, but it does. ) 

I have been appliqueing strawberries for my Berries and Butterflies quilt. 

 Such warm memories. I do miss those busy but simple days when the whole family was around. 

The berries are appliqued on 8 1/2" backgrounds. I need to add the berry caps this week. 

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I can tell you "many a stories" of all of us dragging the irrigation pipes through the fields and putting them in place. Whew, you talk about back breaking work.

 But I guess I should be talking about other things shouldn't I? Like today's and this week's stitching plans. I have a lot of slow stitching that I have high hopes to work on . Can I do it? Hmmm... I am not sure , but if I can get half of it done I will be one happy stitcher.  

Now onto the plans for the week. 

Hmm.... What Should I do This Week? 

🌞1.Work on Berries and Butterflies quilt blocks. 

🌞2. FFO Blooms for You. 

🌞3. Quilt Pretty in Peach Quilt.

This has been my 15 minute a day piece this week. Kate at Life in Pieces keeps me motivated  with the 15 minute challenge. 🤗

🌞4. Work on A Sampler for Lois Ann.

I began this little sampler while camping last month. I am stitching it using a palette of pastels on gray Rit dyed Aida. 

🌞5. Work on Little House Needlework's Farm Life.

Progress as of January 30, 2026

🌞6.Work on red four patch mini quilt. 

🌞7. Work on March Roundabout embroidery. 

🌞8.  Plant marigold seeds in pots.

  

Well, I think this list should keep me busy . Don't you? Will you be making a "To Do List for the week? 

A little Sunday quilt stack. The 3 gallon churn was my Christmas present from Mr. Pinker. Swoon.

Oh my, I almost forgot. I do need to add TASK #9 to the list. Continue working on  A Basket of Pincushions. It is just a super simple basket filled with tomato pincushions.  If you are interested in stitching with me, grab the chart below, your favorite floss colors and fabric . You can then go to town on it. 😁 This is a Choose Your Own Color Chart. These are the colors that I am thinking of using-

POSSIBLE FLOSS COLORS  I MAY USE: 

 DMC 924 (border) , 610 (basket), 815 and 3011 ( tomato and strawberries) .

Of course these colors are subject to change. I will certainly update this post as I progress. 

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If you are interested in stitching this piece,  just grab , the images. For printing tips, refer to the post Tips for Printing which has loads of tips from my sweet friends. 

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Hmmm, I am curious . What floss colors would you use? Would you stitch the tomatoes in different shades of red? 

It is stitching time so I best get to work. Thank you so much for the sweet Sunday visit. You always make the day ever so special.  Have  a blessed day.  🤗 And enjoy your stitching time too! 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness ."- Frank Tyger

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy. Love and miss you, Amo. 

I am joining these lovely ladies' link parties. I hope you check them out; they always have so many wonderful projects going on and provide the opportunity for other needle workers to meet.

Frederique at   Quilting Patchwork Applique for Patchwork & Quilts - Saturday

Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday

Kate at Life in Pieces for  Stitching Stuff ( Sunday) 

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap - Sunday 

Melva at Melva Loves Scraps for Sew & Tell- Sunday

Brenda at Songbird Designs for Monday Musings

Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Carol at Quilt Schmilt  for To Do List Tuesday  

Signs of Spring- A House Freebie

 Welcome, Sweet friends. Do join my on the porch. We can listen to the sweet melody of the chirping birds, watch  the butterflies flutter and admire the flowers in bloom. Aaah Spring time is a a wonderful time of the year.  In celebration  of this season, I stitched a new house in soft greens, and it even has a porch . 

 As I worked on this piece, I would reminisce back to the good ole' days when I was a child and would visit my grandparents  in the evenings. 

Most often you would find my Papa and Nanny on the porch of their old farmhouse. Papa would watch the cows in the field as Nanny chatted away telling about the "goings on" of the day. 

Spring Farmhouse   which is modeled after my Nanny's home and Spring on the Farm

 Come springtime, Nanny would plant petunias in the concrete planters  which lined the long front porch and front steps. Us youngins' would jump off the porch which stood tall and  would scamper to the mountain stone sidewalk to pick daffodils which lined the sidewalk. We would soon take our bouquets to Nanny . She would lovingly place them in a  water filled mason jar and sit them on the farmhouse table. Such sweet memories. 

The  Signs of Spring  house does not have a pasture with cows nearby , but there are sweet ewes grazing in the front yard. I hope they do not get into the flower gardens. 

"Signs of Spring" was stitched  on 14 coffee/tea dyed Aida using 13  DMC floss colors which included:  356, 436, 610, 730, 829, 840, 918, 924, 926,  3013,  3021, 3363, Blanc

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If you are interested in stitching this piece,  just grab , the images. For printing tips, refer to the post Tips for Printing which has loads of tips from my sweet friends. 

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The "Sister " house to "Signs of Spring is the  The Ewe House . They are similar in color and of course there are those sheep. 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me on this lovely day as I strolled down memory lane. Perhaps fond memories of "days gone by" came back to you as well. Have a blessed day  and...

 As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Sometimes you do not realize how good the good old days were until they are gone.    " - Unknown

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy.  Love and miss you, Amo. 

Spinning with Glee with a Native Star Log Cabin Block!

 I did it! I did it!  Picture me spinning around in glee!  What did I do? Well, finished a block thank you very much. Hee! Hee! 

I know . I know . Not everyone is going to jump for joy just for finishing a block but nowadays , I am one happy gal just to get anything finished. Sigh. 😏

Since getting back from our camping trip. Hubby and I have been running like a couple of  chickens with our heads cut off- running here and there and everywhere. "Cluck, Cluck"  Actually, there is some family sickness that is keeping each of us busy, but we are doing the best we can. So if I disappear for a short time , it may be due to that. But I am going to try to stay afloat. Like Mr. Pinker says it is just a bump in the road of life. 

Anywhooo... back to my finish. Eeeeh I am spinning in glee again. 

I am in love with Melva's new Little House on the Prairie Quilt Along. If you have not joined in, there is still time. It is free through the duration of the the quilt along. So if you are  so inclined, hop over to Melva Loves Scraps , grab the patterns and join in all of the fun. And perhaps you will be spinning in glee just like me!  

 "They were cosy and comfortable in their little house made of logs..." 

Melva's Little House on the Prairie Sew Along Posts:

INTRODUCTION of the Little House on the  Prairie Stitching Along - January 29, 2026

Block 1 Maple Leaf- February 5, 2026

Block 2 Native Star- February 19, 2026

Block 3 Harvest Basket- March 5, 2026

Last week , I pulled out a selection of fabrics for the 2nd block Native Star. 

Fabrics chosen for Native Star

It did not take long to have the large cabin block whipped up. 

"Beyond them the darkness was like a mist thickening over a flat, white world. Stars twinkled far away beyond its rim. " - The Long Winter

The Maple Leaf and Native Star

Today I will work on Block 3  Harvest Basket . Gosh, I better hurry because  tomorrow Melva releases the Shoo Fly block!  (Oooh  that is one of my favorite blocks to piece! Squeal  ! 🤗. )  

I better get to movin' if I am going to catch up with Melva. Have a delightful day. 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Home is the nicest word there is. "- Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy. Love and miss you, Amo. 

I got to see a spot of snow on Monday which promptly melted a few hours later, but...

...it did give me a chance to finish  "Easter Peeps" by Helen Daily. It is a freebie available on her Flosstube channel #77  posted March, 2, 2021 video . Now to add some trim.  

Happy Stitching, Sweeties! 

 I am joining these lovely ladies' link parties. I hope you check them out; they always have so many wonderful projects going on and provide the opportunity for other needleworkers to meet. 

Melva at Melva Loves Scraps for Little House on the Prairie Sew Along

Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday  Wait Loss- Wednesday

Denise at For the Love of Geese for Put Your Foot Down- Thursday

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday- Thursday

Nina at Creations, Quilts, Art , Whatever by Nina for Off the Wall Friday

Alycia's of Alycia's Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

Michelle  at From Bolt to Beauty for Beauty Pageant - Friday