Tuesday progress

 Sunday did not progress with lots done but things moved forward. 

I moved my EZ3 hand quilting frame from my bedroom (where the cats would shred the batting if it was loaded) to the front room. I got rid of the futon and coffee table that were in this spot. The dog crate was also moved to the dining room (about 6 feet away) for a bit until I figure out how that room will be set up. 

Then I sewed the last seam after pressing the top and had to remember how to load it on the frame. Lots of youtube videos to watch. I had to cut the backing and missed by an inch or two. Sigh, I just rolled one side over that extra inch and called it good. It is not in the hand quilting area - although it is quite tight. For a 90x90 quilt, I think the frame says it is 96 but is more like 95 inches across. I might have put some extra leaders in on the backing 2 poles so it is long enough. 

I looked through the batting options and will try this wool batting. I just need to remember to wash it in cold water and not agitate it much in the washer. I pulled it out of the bag, but I've got a few hours on the final decision on this. Anyone else use wool batting? Do you like it or not? It feels soft so I'm hoping the needle will pull through it well.  The backing is a 108 - 3 yard cut in blue from Missouri Star Co. I got last year. 

I just took it out of the package at lunch to relax it. It will need to get trimmed to fit on the frame better. I hate cutting batting, especially when it is going on the frame and a tight fit.

I made a bit of progress on the cross stitch. The green parts were finished, and the outlining began. I need to add the words as well.

Yesterday was a Sam's run after my work day got done at 2. I had dinner planned and the chicken marinating for Chicken Tikka Masala. I finished the prep work and got that cooked and on the table by 5:45. Aidan had guitar and Emily was late with marching practice. I picked up their grilled herbed chicken in the meals section. I got 5 - 4 ounce portions and add one to my lunch salad. My Noom app tells me I need more protein and to do more strength exercises. I do like their sitting stretching videos - it has helped ease my neck pain this week. I also got a roaster chicken, which will be tonight's meal I can't pass up a $5 chicken that I can make stock with for a soup later this week. I think they get leftovers Wednesday to clean out the fridge. Em and I have a GS planning meeting Wednesday night. I made my Mon's spaghetti meat sauce Sunday to go with Emily's homemade pasta, so a few things to clear out by then. 

The temps are in the 80's with feels like right below 90 - so I'm hoping to play with weeds in the garden this evening and finish getting that cleared out for tilling. I do notice there is tons of sand rather than dirt, always a challenge here in Florida. I'll have to go get bags of moo doo on Thursday and get that tilled in so I can plant it up soon. I had gotten a couple cukes, but since I did not put the fence back up the bunny must have munched it. At least the basil plant is still intact.