Penny Quilts

They're on again, so I'm enjoying these long August days when I'm pretty much left to myself.  Living with a farmer and his son who work together with uncle means the day follows the following plan:

7.15am - farmer sets out to work bellowing at son.
7.25am - son charges out to work
8.15am - both return and bicker over breakfast
9.15am - son leaves for work
9.20am - uncle telephones to ask where son is
9.30am - farmer goes out to work

12.30pm - farmer comes back for lunch - son may or may not do the same so there may be a bit more bickering

1.00 pm - if son came back for lunch, he'll go out again about now

1.05pm - uncle telephones to ask where son is

1.15pm - farmer goes out to man the drier

8.15pm - both return too tired to bicker and just eat

and that's it really.  At least for now when Jonathan is working at the drier at Maidencourt.  Once they move over to the drier barn here, things get a bit more complicated and there are lots of calls for lifts back and forth, or cups of tea, or slices of cake which really disrupts my peace!

Anyway, the garden is finally being a bit more productive and I made pasta with sunburst squash and courgettes yesterday:

both of which have been a long time coming.

And I've also finished my chair back cover made as a Penny Quilt:

Penny Quilts or mats were very popular in the 19th century and made with whatever fabrics the maker had around the house.  Pennies were inserted in the little circles to make sure they laid flat, and the folk art designs usually included hearts, flowers and birds.
I've used the off cuts from the woollen quilt I made and I'm pleased with it (the woollen quilt is over the sofa).  I really wanted something over the back of the chair but it would make a really pretty cushion too

- I've put it in the Autumn schedule on the 16th November - yes, the schedule is almost complete, just waiting for one more date to be confirmed!