Thursday 16 July 2020

Crazy Critters, Summer Flowers, Stitching and Strawberries

A walk around the trails this morning, Murphy pulling hard on the lead. Something interesting had strolled in a zigzag fashion before us. We later looked at deer and unknown paw prints streaking the muddy area of the pond. Rather large...perhaps we don't want to know what made them. 
Mr. Toad, in the back yard, giving me a wide smile.
 I swear it has its own little ecosystem back there and different from the pond area.  There are frogs in the pond and no snakes that I've seen.  The back yard has toads and garter snakes. 
 
Skip this as I know many of you don't like insects but I have an interest in them. This one was found around the pool and it was huge...about 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. It was the largest insect I've seen outside a museum. I found out it is called the Giant Diving Beetle and totally harmless. I moved it to the pond. I then realized there are lots of these in the pond but much smaller. This must be Grandpa!
Everything is blooming, each in its turn.
The Sweet William which is finished now.
The purple Clematis climbing bush that I planted last year. Relieved that it grew back and is blooming.
The Masterwort or Astrantia with its delicate pinks.  There are several pretty clumps of this in the back yard.
Daughter brought us a treat- fresh strawberries. They had gone to one of the local farms and done some picking. Which I missed out on this year. We've been enjoying them as is for several desserts and I froze one container. 
Getting some cheery fabrics in the mail is always a treat. Though I love birds, I have very little fabric that features them. These are a spring fresh sampler.  Would any of these appeal to you?
Here is Victoria Findlay Wolfe's contribution to the Quiltmania Solidarity QAL; well it's her design and my slightly wonky stitching. This one was not as easy as it looks; I thought it was going to be a breeze.  But I had to rip out the last two blocks and resew to make them less wonky and save points. By the time I fussed with that I said this will stand as is- for now.
We are doing well, fingers crossed, or as Hubby so poetically puts it, Not dead yet. But these days are sweet and warm; shining in the sun on every green nature can conjure.  So we really have no excuse not to feel good. 
This is the way I feel...you know our winters are long. From Peace, Love, Smiles
Image may contain: flower, plant and nature
Hope you are not letting a moment get away either!




36 comments :

Brian's Home Blog said...

We like Mr. Toad, he looks like a cool one! Yum, fresh strawberries!!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love that last sentiment, a good idea to live by! Always so fun to see the creatures where you are and the flowers - so pretty. I got to pick fresh strawberries on a trip through S. Carolina a few years back - there's nothing better! I love that fabric with the birds on it, too. That's a sweet bundle you got! Your block looks good - I haven't tried those rectangle blocks made of two triangles yet, and they do look tricky!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love Mr. Toad - we have a lot of lizards around here I don't see a lot of frogs and toads but now and then but I always here them coming from the woods where there is a pond so encircled with brush that I don't venture to it.
Fresh strawberries - such a treat! I am tempted to plant some in the very early spring - but where lol - I have to do raised beds as the soil is horribly rocky to dig and they are all filled up which would mean building a new one.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I like the three fabrics right in the middle. I like small prints and these are adorable. Love your flowers and that last quote. Enjoy your day...save me some strawberries!

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
not a bug or reptile person...like all your beautiful flowers, so pretty..we planted some strawberries, but the bunnies chewed them all up...they must have been really good..lol. Love all your new fabrics..I've got some of the very last one in the picture...have an awesome day!
https://100sweets.blogspot.com/2020/07/i-like.html

Libby in TN said...

If you ever figure out what made those footprints, let us know! All we have around here are tree frogs. They are small but make a LOT of noise.

Nancy J said...

Even in winter here, we have beautiful days. Our Dr told Hugh after his heart attack " Every day is a good day when you put two feet on the floor in the morning", Love those gentle flowers and words, and as for Mr Toad, hope he stays up north with you.

Angie said...

Jocelyn - I am not afraid of many critters (except bears), so it was interesting to me to learn about "Grandpa". The clematis is so lovely. It is probably a journey to disappointment, but I might try planting some near our fences. Enjoy your weekend!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful flowers and those strawberries look wonderful. They are so tasty when freshly picked.

Roseanne said...

Hi Jocelyn! Oh, I love that last saying. Such delicate flowers and no, we shouldn't let it slip away. I love that block - are those half-rectangle triangles? The colors you selected are just spot on fabulous. I can imagine flowers in those shades. ~smile~ Roseanne

Jenny said...

Fresh summer strawberries, so delicious! Love your pretty fabric bundle, not Mr Toad though! As for your hubby's sentiments, we are not dead yet, so true, enjoy every day, as you do!

kiwikid said...

What a handsome toad, he has an interesting skin. That Grandpa bug is huge, good that he is harmless 😁. You have some lovely flowers in y9ur garden, that is a wonderful saying.

piecefulwendy said...

Mystery footprints . . . cue the creepy music - haha! Wonder what it was? Your fabrics are so pretty - those little birds singing their hearts out! I don't think I've ever seen a 3-inch beetle, no I'm sure I never have! What a fun post!

PaintedThread said...

Ooh - lots of good stuff. That beetle is so cool looking! And weird. Love it! Oh, those strawberries - they look delicious! Pretty flowers, neat fabric and I really like that block - both the shape and the colors.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

I fight water beetles in the pool all the time. They call them water boatmen here. Small ones eat algae, but the large ones eat the other kind of water boatmen and they bite! Great fabrics....I spot several pieces of Bonnie and Camille Early Bird in there. Awe sweet williams, I don't have any of those planted this year. I will need to plant some next year for sure.

Louise said...

The diving bug is quite interesting with his shiny beetle back! And I love that birdy fabric, being a bird lover myself :)

Rosemary Dickinson said...

You're surrounded with beautiful plants and animals even though the bug was a little scary! And the big paw prints are scary too! I love your fabric. It's so cheerful. Your block looks great!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

That toad is a handsome fellow! I don't think I've ever seen Masterwort - very pretty. And your new fabrics look like fun and I wonder what you will make with them.

Mary in Boulder said...

Your post made me remember all the toads and frogs we'd find in Maryland when my son was young. For his 4th birthday party we even had a toad hunt! But here in Colorado we've only seen toads/frogs once. And strawberries from a local farm; be still my beating heart! Years ago (40?) I used to pick them with my Mom in Maryland at Darrows Strawberry Farm but then the farm was sold to developers and for years there have been big houses there instead of those lucious little strawberries. Thanks for the memories!

Yvonne said...

Looks like Mr. Toad is living a good life in your garden, he looks happy! Your flowers are beautiful, don't you love summer?

Linda said...

What a beautiful tour around the garden. Love the clematis! I've always wanted to grow it here but I think our climate is too hot. I'm glad you don't squash odd bugs. I used to do that, but now I find myself trying to let everything live, even flies - lol!

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love touring your garden! The fabrics are lovely and those strawberries look yummy. Not sure why, but strawberries have been my #1 craving during the pandemic. Your Astrantia is so pretty!!!! Have a lovely day!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

What a great toad and beetle, the rescue operation was nice of you, otherwise he would be missed by his grandchildren!
Beautiful flowers are in your garden, fresh strawberries are always tasty. Your fabrics are cute and the sewn blocks look good to start with. I am glad that you are well!
I wish you a nice weekend
Greetings Elke

Needled Mom said...

I love the big toad! Your flowers all look so pretty too. You could never tell that you had problems with that block. It looks good to me. Love that little bird fabric.

MissPat said...

A happy toad, pretty flowers, lovely fabric and fresh-picked strawberries. Looks like you're having a very good week. Enjoy.
Pat

Mary Ann Tate said...

Love the masterwort. It's a plant I'm not familiar with and so pretty. The fabric is lovely too.

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

You are correct. Let’s not find out who belongs to paw prints by the pond. The purple on that clematis is just stunning and so is your photo. What cute containers for your strawberries. That last photo looks like a painting! So delicate. Pretty fabric too. What a lovely post. Thank you.

Lin said...

Lovely pictures from your garden - the Clematis is such a gorgeous colour and that beetle is amazing! philip would love to see that. Pretty fabrics and I can see that block might be a little tricky. xx

Nana said...

I bet your strawberries smell awesome.

Nana

WFT Nobby said...

That's a really lovely Nature Friday post. And the toad has a most endearing smile!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Every day is a beautiful day! I love your smiling toad, he is cute. That beetle is huge. Love your pretty flowers, Sweet William is lovely. The strawberries look yummy. Take care! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

Magpie Sue said...

I'm a sucker for a bird print too. Love the one you found, and the print just below it in your photo. I'm suffering for not being able to get out and tend the few flowers I have. Our air quality has been poor the last couple of days due to neighborhood grills and local fires. It's a blessing to see the beautiful flowers and gardens others are able to maintain though!

riitta k said...

Fabulous photo of Mr. Toad! All your fabrics & flowers & strawberries are The Summer itself ❤︎

Jenn Jilks said...

What a lovely post!
Toad is my fave. We don't seem to have them much here, although they were plentiful where I've lived in other parts of Ontario.

loulee said...

A lovely post as always. I love Sweet William, mum always had them in her garden. Doesn't toad just think he is a handsome chap.

Michelle said...

Love seeing the toad. He is a cutie! Fresh strawberries are always good, I think. Thanks for linking up!