I prefer simple quilts these days

I read one quilt blog.  I mentioned her book lists previously. I set up a “quilt blogger” label for her. Clicking on the label, at the bottom of this post, will find the previous post. 

I enjoy reading about her quilting. She is prolific. She posts nice pictures. Here is a post with all her quilts from 2023 -

https://sisterschoice.typepad.com/sisters_choice_quilts/2023/12/quilts-of-2023.html

Some of her quilts, I love -

Sometimes I gravitate toward specific elements of her quilts, like simple blocks she makes to form a border. 

Here is a good example. I love the posey blocks on this border.

Too many different, complicated blocks combined into one quilt just looks exhausting to me. I am so far past being able to sew that style of quilt. The setting/sashing of this quilt is quite unique. 

I prefer simple quilts. I like very basic blocks with organized colors that look restful. These often look old fashioned. But somehow, they are absolutely timeless. 

My favorite quilt photo from another quilt blogger -

https://mondaymorningdesigns.com/2021/07/12/making-a-scrappy-on-point-nine-patch-quilt/

Book list source

I follow one quilt blog. 

She writes about cooking, her dog, decorating for the holidays, quilting and books. 

She recently posted three very good lists with lots of book recommendations. 

She writes a very good/short synopsis for each book.

 https://sisterschoice.typepad.com/sisters_choice_quilts/2024/01/my-best-books-of-2023.html

and

https://sisterschoice.typepad.com/sisters_choice_quilts/2024/01/runners-up-for-the-best-books-of-2023.html

and

https://sisterschoice.typepad.com/sisters_choice_quilts/2024/02/books-read-in-january-2024.html

Audible queue

If a book (mentioned anywhere) looks good, I have just started getting it on audible. 

If I start it and do not like it, I simply return it. I think returns must be done within a year of purchase. 

So then I always have a few books in queue, ready/available.

It is rare that I see a book reviewed or mentioned in a podcast and think “that sounds good”. 

Most often I think the opposite. 

If it is a classic, many times I have already read it.

So when a title does sound good, rather than putting it on a list, which I might forget I even have, I simply use an audible credit and put it in my library.

Genealogy blogs

I keep my genealogy documents in red three ring binders. I have a lot of binders. And most of the documentation is on closer family members - My parents and grandparents, the greats, aunts and uncles, the greats, etc. I also have  a lot of things on my computer. . I save documents, pictures, invitations, news clippings, obituaries, etc.

My mom has a friend whose genealogy research is all hand written. Binders and notebooks full.  (She is in her 80’s).

So where my binder has a copy of a death certificate, hers has handwritten notes on what the death certificate said. To be honest, I shake my head at that methodology.

I question what is actually going to happen to all that handwritten data. But I also wonder about mine.

My kids, my brother, my niece and nephew live in a very digital world. I would assume it will continue to get more digital. And decluttering and downsizing  will continue as the trend.

I am not sure if I have mentioned, I am scanning family archives of pictures, steadily, to both preserve and share them.

It started with pictures of my brother, which I scanned and texted to him and  his kids.

Then we made a trip out of state to my husband’s cousin. And we scanned pictures for two full days. We bought a flatbed scanner that hooked up to my husband’s laptop. He scanned and labeled every picture. We saved to both the lap top and drop box. We are the only ones to have copies of all those pictures.

And I have been scanning documents.

Those pictures and all my documents and the facts and stores about each person, require a home. Family trees are needed to explain. Everything needs to be organized and readable/understandable.

I needed a digital structure. I wanted one that could be private, was free, and was easy for me to use. I wanted something that could be opened on any phone or computer with no special program needed. I wanted something that could be printed into a book if wanted/needed.

So as I write, I am in the process of putting all my information and documents and pictures in a blog format for various branches of the family.  I put each branch on its own separate blog, for ease of volume and use. But I can link between the blogs, which is quite handy. I am using lots of tags and links as I go.

I am using blogger, because I am use to it.

I will give access to extended family who are interested.

So I am not sharing the genealogy blogs  here, but I wanted to mention the idea.

And if you happen to know of any genealogy blogs like this that are open, I would be interested in seeing them.