Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara logo

Blog Friends

There are days when I wonder how long I’ll continue to blog. Yesterday when a reader wrote me that the blog was down . . that causes immediate panic because I don’t have a clue how to fix anything. I can type and add pictures but other than that . . I have to pay dearly to have things fixed. Anyone remember when I was “editing” something in the scary part of the blog and I slapped a bug on my touch screen and the blog was down for three days??

Then, it takes time. Even though I never run out of things to say, it seems like some days I could write a dozen posts and there are days when I sit here and think . . there’s absolutely nothing I can think of to write about.

On the other hand, after having blogged since about 2000, I cannot imagine not blogging.

But, you . . the readers who read, comment and write me . . you’re the reason I’ll have a computer when I’m in the old folks home and I’ll still be blogging.

Example: Last night I got a note from a long time reader and she had gone back to the old blog posts and read every post I wrote about the lost cookie molds to see if I had written anything that might help her help me find them. How sweet is that? It almost caused my eyes to leak a bit to think that anyone would take time to try to help me find those lost cookie molds.

I understand that people who don’t read or write blogs (Vince!) don’t get it but you, the readers, I don’t know if you realize how much a part of my life you are. It’s almost like I have a lot of imaginary friends out there . . except you’re all real!

Thank you all! You make my blogging life so fun!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I would miss you if you stopped blogging, even if I don’t comment nearly enough. I’ve been reading for 12 years! However, if that’s what you want to do, of course, do it.

    I can “blame” you for my blog, my wheat grinder, my chickens, and many hours of happiness!

  2. You are a large part of our lives as well. I’m always checking to see if there’s a new post, and though I rarely comment, I definitely feel like you’re a friend. When I found out you were moving back to Missouri, I so wished it wasn’t to the opposite side of the state. I have learned so much from you…and bought so many things because of you! Things I really needed, of course!

  3. I’m definitely one of the blog readers who LOVES to read your blog every day. You’re a “real” person who shares such neat stories (whether it’s chickens, gardening, food, the wonderful animals, knitting, quilting, and, of course, Vince, Chad, Nicole and Addie) that your reader feels like they are one of your bestest buddies. Thank you!

  4. So sweet, Judy. I have been following your adventures for years and years. I can’t imagine not reading what you are up to. I do wonder about those cookie molds. I thought for sure you’d have found in the move. There’s still hope.

    We moved from Florida to Georgia last year and for some reason I can’t find our little deep fryer. We barely used it. Maybe once every couple of years but for some reason is not here. We don’t believe that we donated it but we might have. I have not caved on buying another one though. Just in case. ?

  5. I’ve been reading for years too Judy! Love you and your family & that you take time to share your lives with us! Even my guy asks occasionally what’s up with “Chicken Judy” 🙂

  6. My Judy inTexas (many Judy friends) are a joy to follow. And being married to aClemson Man to boot. Please keep on blogging and we will read. Love your take on life and good sense. Your adventures in food are inspiring and get us out of ruts. A little granddaughter to add variety. Thank you for blogging!

  7. I definitely fall into the category of ‘hardly ever comment” but seeing a new post up from you just makes me happy. I have the exact opposite in life than you have (I live in a small condo with no yard and no pets and no family) but I love hearing about all you are up to and what you are doing. I have no idea how I found you but it was way back while Chad was in high school so I’ve been around a while. I hope you’ll want to continue blogging because there’s one lady in New Jersey (me!) who loves to read about your life every day. Thank you!

  8. I enjoy your blog posts and your posts are always the first ones I look for in my reader. I started following you when you lived in MO and several stories stick out from that time…..Chad’s car catching on fire, Vince moving the purple chicken coop, the snow shocked all being in the storage place and the orange creamsicle quilt. And your visit to Circle in the Square Quilt guild where you stayed with my friend Darlene.

  9. Thank you for your blog Judy. I have enjoyed reading your blog for years. I first found it through quilting and your blog is 1 of a few I read daily. Since my husband retired 2 years ago I tell him about things “Judy in Texas” writes about. Today I was trying to explain to him how much people with chickens love their chickens and mentioned you. I’m impressed with how many boxes you are unpacking daily. During our COVID lockdown in April, I sorted through boxes I had in the garage since we moved to our current home 22 years ago. Over 95% was either donated or recycled (lots of paper). The job will soon be done and then it will be time to really enjoy your new home. Tomorrow I will again look for a blog to read. Gayle in New Zealand.

  10. I look forward to your posts every morning with my coffee – I’m always interested in reading about the latest ‘rabbit hole’ you’re going to lead me down. Seriously, I don’t know how many years I’ve been following – for sure since Chad was in high school. Your posts put a smile on my face and sometimes an outright laugh – things I treasure more than ever these days.

  11. Hi Judy! Another long-time follower and long-time commenter. You are the only blogger I follow on a consistant basis and I’m not sure why. 🙂 When I first found you, you were doing a BOM or something similar, but I know you were giving away free quilt patterns. I collected them all!!! 🙂 Still have never made any of yours, but I stilll have copies of them on disks somewhere…. When others I would follow quit doing free quilt patterns I quit following. You’re the only one I’ve stuck with. Again, I don’t really know why, other than I relate to a lot of what you do. I’ve been begging hubby to let me get chickens for years!! He kept saying when the grand-niece and nephews were old enough to come take care of them when we were gone, I could. The twins will turn 16 soon…. I don’t think I’ll ever get my chickens!! LOL I wouldn’t blame you if you decided to quit blogging, but if you do I’ll probably have a good bit of extra time on my hands because I read just about all of yours!
    Yesterday I didn’t read a single thing on the computer. I am a poll worker, so we have to be at the polling place by 6 AM to help set everything up, then from 7 AM to 8 PM I sign people in and give them their ballots. Yesterday we had people around the building from the time the polls opened at 7 AM. I got half my breakfast about 11, a voter went out and bought us all coffee around noon, since we hadn’t had a thing to drink since we started….At 8:00 when the polls closed, I looked in my lunch bag and my sandwich was still in there. VERY busy day!!! Today I can barely move. I spent 13 hours on my feet, bending over the table to push the sign-in book to the voter, then pulling it back, Now I know why PA has such a hard time getting people to help at the polls. It’s hard work, and we don’t even make minimum wage….We’re paid based on how many people vote at our polling place, and now that we’ve gone back to paper ballots it’s taken forever for people to get done. We only had 591 voters at our precinct and we never got a break.
    Sorry, I didn’t mean to write a book!! Gotta run to a meeting anyway, so I’m out of here! Have a super day!! 🙂

  12. I am so thankful for your blog! We have some similarities in our lives…I’m married to an engineer, live in the country, have had chickens and other pets, am a quilter, and both enjoy fiber arts, although I crochet instead of knit. I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts over the years and read quite a few to my husband who gets a good laugh with me at the similarities we share. Thank you for being real and sharing your life with us. Addie posts are always a real treat as well!

  13. I enjoy your posts even more since I’m isolated working from home and not socializing, it’s like having coffee with a friend, only it’s a one way conversation.

  14. I started following you as a quilter. I already had one of your books in my library at the time. Even after you stopped quilting, I kept reading your blog. I don’t knit, have chickens, or grandkids. But, I consider you a friend. You make us all feel like we’re part of your life whether we’re laughing or crying. There’s one sir way to find the missing cookie molds, order more. Lol

  15. In regards to the lost cookie molds…..try sending a prayer up to Saint Anthony. For Catholics, he is the patron Saint for lost things. He’s helped me more than once. And please keep blogging! For years I have enjoyed following along!

  16. It’s crazy since we’ve never met in real life, but after so many years of reading I feel like I know you and yours. Sometimes you enter my thoughts in random ways. A friend brought eggs from her dad’s chickens and I wondered how Addie was getting on with hers. I picked up some crochet and thought how we are complete opposites in that regard; I can crochet without thinking but if I knit it’s like I’m not even using my own hands. I saw a photo of Springerle molds and wondered where yours are.

    I don’t comment a lot because it feels strange to just say something like, “I agree” or “I prefer X color”. I think it probably doesn’t matter to you what I think, but maybe I am wrong about that. I first found your blog when you were living in MO and quilting. I was so excited to find someone such as yourself that didn’t live too far (I’m in St. Louis), and I was waiting for you to post about workshops/classes. Wouldn’t you know that it wasn’t too long after I found you that you up and moved! LOL You’ve not quilted for some time, but I still find your posts so interesting to read. Thank you for sharing my morning coffee with me all of these years!

  17. OMGosh…I don’t know what I would do…I look so forward to reading yours and Vince’s adventures…I even read them to my husband….I refer to you as the Texan because we have 2 friends called Judy and my husband was always asking which judy I was referring to…so now I have to start calling you the Missourian…or maybe I’ll just still call you the Texan….I would miss you my friend….

  18. I love your blog, reading your notes and thoughts. You are to me, like a well-known friend, if in real life we lived next door to each other the coffee pot would always be on, I would truly miss you. And Vince too.

  19. I rarely comment on your posts but find them helpful, amusing, amazing, etc. You would be missed by me and many others if your posts didn’t continue. Thank you for continuing to blog.

  20. OMG I can’t imagine not reading “Day in the Life of Judy” every day! I found you when you were quilting and was very intrigued with your take on borders-I bought your borders book. And the rest as they say, is history. I’m a farm girl so loved the TX years of huge garden, chickens and battling the elements. And all the cooking, the canning…..well I can’t list everything or this would be pages long.

    Suffice it to say, I hope your blogging continues always.

    Happy Wednesday to you!

  21. You’re the only one that can decide if you’ll keep blogging, but you’ve got a fan club, girl, and there’ll be a lot of pouty people out there if you’re no longer popping into our inboxes and readers. It seems like so many bloggers have moved on to other social media platforms, but I still enjoy writing and reading blog posts from the end of the dirt road. And you can’t leave us hanging – those cookie molds will show up one day and I just keep waiting to find out where the heck they’ve been hiding.

  22. You are one of the bright spots of my day. I look forward to seeing each and every one of your blogs.

  23. Awww… We love you Judy! Keep blogging please or you’re going to have to talk to us all on the phone and email pictures!

  24. Hi, Judy, I hope you keep blogging. You lead me down lots of rabbit holes. I really enjoyed getting to meet you when you had a quilt retreat in Brownwood. Hope you continue because I would miss all the fun you get up to.

  25. I don’t blog but I read them every morning with a cup of tea to start my day and you help make that a verry pleasant morning ritual!

    I also do not Instagram, Facebook or Twitter so you are one of my few splurges in “social media” lol

  26. Judy, I hope you keep blogging. I’m always telling my DH about your adventures. Judy does this, Judy does that, Judy uses her instant pot etc. He’s surprised that I don’t know you in real life! Plus I am dying to know if you ever find the cookie molds!!!

  27. The blogs I read daily have now become one of my most important links to PEOPLE since this whole pandemic has limited our ability to be social. So I would certainly miss you.

    My own blog is mostly my own journal of quilting, family, etc. and I don’t have as many interesting things to share as some folks.

  28. Please continue blogging … I started reading when you were in MO the first time, and I’ve been a faithful reader ever since. I would miss it terribly if you quit! Glad to hear you plan to have a computer in the old folks’ home. 🙂

  29. I love your blog! Whenever I come to “blog land” I sort everything else out and read yours first. I’m impressed with how much you get done everyday! We should all accomplish as much as you do. Kudo’s dear e-friend!

  30. Hi Judy – I am another long time reader but I am not good at commenting. I go back to when Chad was in high school! If I ever see mention of a duck call I think of you guys! I’ve been with you daily for so long I kind of feel like you are distantly related family. If I ever relate one of your stories or recommendations to someone, I usually just say it happened to a friend rather than saying I saw it on a blog. In fact now that I think about it, yours is the first blog I started reading so many years ago. I started blogging myself shortly thereafter and blogged for years but ended up giving it up. A bunch of “life” happened and I took a break and ended up never going back. I know how time consuming it is to blog, especially if something goes wrong. Nothing is more frustrating than computer issues that are beyond our knowledge. I hope you stay with it! Thanks for sharing your life with us!

    Kathy in California

  31. Oh, Judy, I hope you never stop blogging! I’ve read your blog faithfully since your days with the Lime Green Kitchen! And when Vince and Chad left the snow shovel in the garage, and when you were searching for a house in Texas, and when…I look forward to your posts at the end of the day. Thanks for keepin’ it real!

  32. I love reading your blog! Bloglovin’ doesn’t let me comment often, because it says duplicate comment. I connect so well because Addie and Mathew are the same age.

  33. I am not a big commenter either but you are a part of my life. I will often refer to you as “my friend Judy in Texas” (will have to change that). Reading your blog is so a part of the morning routine. Hubby leaves for work, make coffee, clean up kitchen and then time to sit and relax while catching up. You are my neighbor now that Covid is so present in our lives. Thanks for sharing your life and I continue to look forward to the chat even from the nursing home! BTW, I am a quilter and have made several of your quilts, have your books and thinking I have been reading since MO – Round 1! Don’t forget to make those scones as I just scarfed down 2.

  34. I rarely comment but I check your blog everyday. Love to read about all your adventures.

  35. I’m another faithful reader. And, you have inspired me to be more creative via the Instant Pot and other things. Please keep on writing and I’m hoping you get your quilting mojo back, now that you’ll be able to share with Addie.

    • Yes, and you know if ever I’m on that trip from Texas to MO and need help, you’re the first one I’m calling! 🙂

  36. Being a faithful reader since AAnderson group, about 2005, there would be an empty spot in my day without your blog. I’ve used so many recipies you’ve shared, started canning again because of your influence, and I’ve made afew quilts from your patterns…in fact I have one all cut out and ready to roll when I feel like sewing. I so enjoy sharing your adventures and your misadventures and seeing Addie grow up and learn about life. Always stay safe and take care my friend.

  37. Judy, I absolutely DO think of you as a friend. I think we would get along really well in real time, I think Rick (my hubs) and Vince would get along pretty well, too.

    If you are ever in our “neck of the woods”, northeastern Ohio, you’d be most welcome to come.

    Funny thing…I speak of you with the hubs often, telling him of your adventures, misadventures and love of family. I always referred to you as “Judy, the woman who lives in Texas”. Now, I refer to you as “Judy, the woman who lived in Texas and is moving to Missouri”. I’m sure he doesn’t need all that information as I’m telling him of one of your adventures, but he gets it anyway!

    Love reading your blog…I look often to see if you’ve posted again since I read last. It’s like keeping in touch with a good friend.

    By the way, when is Vince planning on joining you in Missouri?

    Best to you and your family,

    Helen Burdette

  38. I’ve read your blog for many years, since Chad was in high school. I started following for the quilt content, but got so interested in your life, I kept reading even though neither of us quilt much any more. I love your willingness to try new things, your positive outlook, and your way with words. I never comment, but I feel as if your blog is one long novel with a few new chapters every day that I don’t want to miss.

    • And sometimes those chapters go off in the wrong direction, don’t they? 🙂

      I know I drive Vince crazy because I want to try so many new things and he’s pretty happy just doing the same things every day. I’m betting he’s enjoying being in Texas without me and my goofy ideas.

  40. I was pondering the thought after I wrote to you about the Be a light song the other day, that blogs cause strange relationships in a way. After reading you chat away every day for years, in my mind you are a friend, but because I rarely comment, to you I am a complete stranger. I do apologise to you for not being more active in responding, in life I am quite shy and sort of feel like I don’t want to take up your time with my chatter even though I love yours. There is a blogger I read from England that is in her mid eighties and lives alone after her husband passed and has had some sort of medical emergency and has stopped blogging and I am just so worried for her, but have no way to find out if she is okay. These relationships are very real to the readers and we do care.
    Kind regards
    Kellie Steele

    • That is sad. I hope she’s ok. Honestly, if something ever happened and I was somewhere and had to put out a call for help and someone responded and knew enough details that it would take a real reader to know, I’d trust them. When I first started teaching quilting, the guilds would often put me up in the home of a guild member and I enjoyed that more than staying alone in a hotel until one time I stayed with an older couple who kept their a/c on about 80 at night and I thought I was going to die. That was 12 or 14 years ago. Not so sure I’d stay in the home of a stranger now (unless it was a blog reader) but the guild people knew them and trusted them so . . I probably would.

  41. Please don’t stop blogging until I go to my “great reward”!! LOL That should not be for a while, but I would really miss hearing from you and leaning what Addie is doing now. You make everything more interesting.

  42. Also you will always be a member of the Common Grounds Crafters!! One of the original!!

  43. I read your blog daily. There are a few others that I read most days, but I have to read yours every day or I might miss something. Especially now that our lives are so different, I need to see that something is still normal.

    My only problem is I have always referred to you as my blogger friend from TX, and now I need a new name for you.

    • I know what you’re saying. Some days when I talk about “back when things were normal”, I have to really stop to remember. I still haven’t had a hair cut since February and now I’ll have to find a new hair cut person. I keep wondering if I should try to go now or should I wait – will things get better or worse.

  44. I read your every post, Judy. And like others, I search your blog for valuable information. You are a Researcher/Influencer. You test products for your life and recommend what works. And warn against what doesn’t. When you love something, we can see that we also might like what that could do for us. You are a Teacher in so many subjects, and we appreciate it.
    You are a Comedienne. The way you write about male/female, engineer/creative conversations between you and Vince, provide us with comic relief, as we either can directly relate, or attempt to understand the differences.
    My husband knows so much about your family and life because of what I’ve shared from your blog. In July, we drove our rv from Escondido, CA to MS and back. We were near you when you were surrounded by those wildfires, stayed awake praying and checking your status, and are the couple that offered y’all could join us in the middle of the night in our rv if needed.
    Last week, we helped move our son’s family from Esco. to near Nashville, TN. We thought of your move as we drove between you and Vince on the I-30. Now that my grandchildren are 2100 miles away, the thoughts of retiring to their community will increase as I read of all the wonderful times you get to spend with Addie.
    Like others have said, I feel like we’ve been friends for 20 years or so. I do recognize that it’s almost entirely one-sided. But, I so appreciate you sharing your life with us!

    (The website just hiccuped and erased everything I’d typed. I’ll type it as a draft email, then cut & paste to your comment box.)

    Laura Haynes
    Escondido, CA

    • I remember! You offered to let us come to where you were staying if we had to leave. That was so kind. Sorry about the website. Last night it was doing weird things too. Sorry!

  45. I’ve been following you since before we actually met at Vermont Quilt Fest way back in the early 2000s. That’s a long time. I love following your escapades. Sometimes I wish I liked to write but I hardly ever can come up with anything to write about.

  46. I’ve been reading your blog for so long and I’ve learned so much from you, Judy. I truly would miss you in my life if you stopped blogging (no pressure or anything – LOL!)

  47. I’m late to the party but I’m another one who would miss you if you stopped blogging. I haven’t commented much as sometimes I feel like I have nothing to add. But I wanted to let you know I’ve learned so much about gardening, canning, knitting (I took up knitting after following you…need to get back at it), and love your cooking stories and recipes. I’ve made many of the recipes you shared, CJ’s fruitcake being a favorite of my husband (with extra booze basted on it!) pork tenderloin in the oven with rosemary and balsamic vinegar…lots more. I first started following you after you made your move to Texas so to my husband you’re the Texas quilter with chickens. He’s an engineer too so I’m familiar with how that mind works and I get a lot of chuckles from your Vince stories. I’m a quilter and that’s the connection that got me started following your blog and even though you’re not into quilting these days I very much enjoy what you share. Thank you for sharing.

  48. We have been out of town to the Branson, MO area so I am late posting. Just the same this is a heart felt post to let you know I think of you as a friend. I have learned a lot from you and made a few purchases because of your reviews. James will ask occasionally how is Vince and Judy. I read your blog first thing every morning and I would miss it.

    • You weren’t far from me. Depending on which route you traveled, you could have been just a few miles from my house!

Discover more from Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading