Gardening Workout, Pink and Red Applique, Quilty Mail

I'm working on the new Blogger platform- fingers crossed this works out. 

 I've now planted the few new flowers and two new bushes and also transplanted a number of things.  I've still got to move this Bleeding Heart plant that is blooming prettily though mostly shaded behind the back deck wall and completely out of sight. I'll look it up if autumn would be a good time for that.

 Perhaps the other trees were not so tall when it was planted there.

  In between the garden stuff, I've been getting the pool ready. We heat it with a special wood stove and it is my job to run the stove till the water temperature is okay. Usually three days gets it done and if the summer temperatures stay high, it will only need to be used once or twice more. Also I've swept the back stone walkways...with all the fir trees there is a carpet of needles after the fall and winter. Again a once a spring time thing.  Yes I'm still busy outside which is good for me. 

A small but vibrant patch of primrose also hidden in the back yard. Again as with the irises, the blooms fade quickly. I think I lived here two years before I discovered these.

These chores have definitely eaten into stitching time. However, my two figure skaters have their heads.  I hope to finish this February block this weekend.  March is a lion so that should be fun to stitch.  ( I sometimes  run extra lines of thread to keep me on track and it makes the counting easier. ) 

I'm happy to finally finish these two blocks of the Solidarity SAL. How out of shape am I that my arms are tired in the evenings!

 I used EPP with freezer paper templates.

 I spent a couple of hours veranda stitching last weekend which was so enjoyable. Summer has begun with lots of sunny days so far.  And lower humidity for just now. Murphy is not nearly as excitable and actually rested nicely with me out there. Even the red squirrels running about didn't interest her. What a great place to keep an eye on the birds.

I just made a cup of this Twinings Honeybush, Mandarin and Orange tea...with a tiny bit of honey, it is wonderful especially if you like an orange flavour.

I received an order from the Missouri Star Quilt Company, a fat quarter bundle of French General's Le Beau Papillon.  Their service was marvelous. I couldn't resist the sale.  Are these prints that would appeal to you?

 And I liked their message to their Canadian buyers.  

Canadian Rates

For our friends north of the border, we'll keep it simple, eh'. You get $10 flat rate shipping on all orders! Packages are shipped via FedEx's International Economy option and delivered within 2-6 days, depending on proximity to the US Border. So, grab your favourite (yeah, that's right, we spelled favourite the Canadian way) Tim Horton's beverage or bowl of poutine, and kick back and relax while you order 'til your heart's content.

I'm grateful today, as always, to be feeling well in body and mind.   

Also grateful to link this post with Not Afraid of Color, My Quilt Infatuation, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and It's a Small Town Life.