Important Inspiration, Another Thankful Thursday List

I love being the first one up in the morning.

 Doing all the tiny chores to start the day. With those done, lately I've been heading out to the veranda with my cup of tea and just sitting drinking it all in (literally and figuratively).   It being the summer-ness of it all with the greens, flowers, bees, birds and blue sky. 

 Just now two ravens checked out the water tub, took turns taking rather dainty sips for the size of those beaks, and then flew silently, swiftly low to the ground up the laneway.  What will those two get up to, I thought.

Glorious sunshine every day lately but hot and dry.  Our little pond which is a really a vernal pool, begins to shrink at this time of year. When we see the beige clay around the rim we know it has begun. Because there are so many critters living in it, we help out with a hose hooked up to the well and add water some days. But a good downpour usually does the trick too if only that would happen regularly which it doesn't.

 Watering everything including bird baths is a twice daily chore for me as long as this no rain pattern continues.  But I'm not complaining at all. These chores keep me moving and it is bliss to be outside with the sun shining and birds twittering. 

One morning I surprised this fellow who had come to the pond for a drink.  I love how they pause to look back after running off to a safe distance. Just a little one with another in the background. Amazing how they blend in.

Six more blocks of the Dreamy Hearts have been made and a couple more ready to be appliqued this weekend.   I find it very soothing to do applique preparations for my three ongoing projects that require it.             

I've followed many of you stitching the wonderful and free Moda Blockheads patterns. Loads of inspiration in seeing your fabric choices, etc. for each unique block.  When I saw this one, I thought it was especially neat. A great one to use up smaller scraps, a quilting activity many of us enjoy doing.  It's the Corner Garden Block by Robin Pickens.  I think that's one of her pretty fabric lines as well.

                                  

I loved having both grandsons here for a swim last week. That's Jack, the fifteen year old, and Robbie, the six year old, on his dad's shoulders. They had a lot of fun playing water volleyball till the ball landed on the lawn and Murphy very proudly "caught" it with her teeth.   

I kept my distance and wondered for the umpteenth time, when is this all going to end. About that, I am so happy the mayor of Ottawa has mandated the wearing of masks for all indoor public places. Finally!

I hope you are all feeling not too hot or not too cold depending on which season you are experiencing but are wearing your masks, nonetheless. 

One last burst of inspiration...the multi- talented LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color saw my cardinal photo in this post and painted this. I love how LeeAnna is activily engaged in so many activities that encourage self-growth and shares her journey (including many links) with us. 

Isn't it lovely!  What a treat to receive this in my mail. Thank you!

Joining up with these linky parties- My Quilt Infatuation, Viewing Nature With Eileen, Kathy's Quilts, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Paying Ready Attention.