Awful Night, Farm Sampler Box, Birds and Blocks and Hubby Has a Birthday!

Recently I had the most awful of nights.

 Murphy woke me around 3 am with a very sharp bark and simultaneously it seems I heard too what she did.  A very loud but soft thud.  I got the flash light and looked all through the rooms to see if something had fallen off a shelf or toppled over. Just like the t.v. detectives do (have you ever noticed they never turn on overhead lights; just use their itty bitty flashlights to search). Not a thing out of place.  I've watched enough movies to know not to go down into the basement by myself and I was pretty sure Murphy would have kicked up a fuss if there was a reason to go down there. Of course, by then I was wide awake and stayed up.  Drank chamomile tea and read and watched dawn break.  The first bird sang at 5:10 am. I felt out of it all day and even the nap, something I can count on two fingers I've done in years, didn't snap me out of feeling kind of groggy.  If only there is something I could take for odd sleepless times like that or even if I drank, a little I mean! I know someone who drinks a large sherry at those times and is happily soothed back to sleep.  

 Sorry to start today's post on such a jolly note!

But I made up for it by having a wonderful sleep the next night. Be thankful if you are a good sleeper!

Thank you to fellow birder, David, at Travels With Birds who correctly identified the little guy taking a bath in the water tub (HERE).  I found other photos of what I think is the same bird in the front yard and turns out it is a gal.  This bird is a first for me- so exciting...one to note in my journal. A female Yellow Bellied Sapsucker photographed from my kitchen window.

The mallards are still around the pond. We've seen three females at a time there having a little swim.

Here is one I photographed on an early morning visit. So much easier to capture as they don't flit about!

I was so happy to get a food sampler box from another local farm, Welsh Hill Farm; daughter was trying them and ordered one for me too.  We loved it. Besides the array of vegetables, eggs, herbs, dill pickles and two meats, there was a freshly baked loaf of whole wheat bread with homemade chive and garlic butter. Things were wrapped in brown paper and tied with string just the way I remember the little shop in Maberly, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland used to do when I was a girl and visiting my grandparents.  

I'm going to get our name listed for regular supply as supporting local is a good way to go. 

Lots of happy stitching this week and thankfulness too for this hobby of mine. I can't imagine my life without it! Not tiring of stitching hearts and working with pinks and reds.

Anne Varley's Solidarity block from the Quiltmania SAL. A do over would be to pick a background fabric with a little print in it. These blocks are offering a great chance to dive into my pink and red scrap box!

And a couple more Quilt Bible blocks-and dare I say, enjoyable machine stitching. 

Here is Block 26, my version of Ribbon Star

and #89, Four Patch and Geese.

  I've downloaded Melva's latest block from her Pieces of the Past SAL- the 1936 Dragonfly, a block that I like but will definitely challenge me. Can't wait to try it. 

                                    

I'll close this post on a very happy note. It was Hubby's birthday last week. 81!!!🎈He doesn't have an ache or a pain and has absolutely no problem sleeping. 

 Daughter made his cake, chocolate, of course. Her recipe is now well tried and is delicious.

Tony having his favourite, a Guinness, by the pool with Miss Murphy.                                 

I say that he is not aging but Murphy and I sure are! Also wish he would smile more and show his lovely teeth!

Thank you for all the wonderful comments on my posts! I read them all when I need a little boost and I try to always return the favour by visiting your blog too or writing back to you. 

So thankful to link up with these great folks- Not Afraid of Color, My Quilt Infatuation, Viewing Nature With Eileen, So Scrappy, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Paying Ready Attention.