Thursday 30 July 2020

Dragonfly Block, Solidarity Block, EPP Flower Garden Quilt Smoked Salmon Lunch

It's turning into one of the hottest summers on record here just outside Ottawa, Canada. Several days have broken a 100 year old record. Of course, it is the humidity that people complain the most about as there has been lots of that too.  I find it saps my energy when it hits a certain point and working outside becomes uncomfortable. That being said, it is cooler today with continuing sunshine so promising to be a beautiful late July day.

 No veranda stitching lately but lots inside under one or another of the ceiling fans. I finished Melva's latest block, Dragonfly, in her Pieces From the Past SAL. Not perfect by any means.  Said it would challenge me and it did. It went smoothly till I joined up the final quarter which I think I can easily amend. 
This colourful Solidarity block is now finished. 
And I was happy to achieve my July OMG at Elm Street Quilts. I have 13 of these 9 1/2 inch Flower Garden blocks made so far -this is a pattern also available from Melva's Pieces From the Past SAL. I will keep stitching them as I enjoy EPP very much. Great for evening t.v. viewing/listening. Later I'm going to retake this photo to try to show the pretty blues better. 
My audio book this week is Ann Patchett's Bel Canto, an Orange Prize for Fiction winner and available on YouTube.  I disappointed myself years ago when I couldn't get into it and I'm now finding it enjoyable to listen to her confident writing being read by a soothing voice. 
                                                         Image result for bel canto ann patchett review
My lunch is always better if I treat myself to smoked salmon and avocado with it. Since lunch is important for me as it breaks my fast, I try to choose wisely what to eat. That does not always happen!
Cone flowers are in bloom and attracting lots of attention from the butterflies, especially the Swallowtails.
Meanwhile the hydrangea seem to love the heat. The blooms are so heavy the branches are all but lying on the ground.
I loved this delightfully written post from Carol Michel at her May Dreams Garden site (which is called that because we dream all year about May and getting into our gardens). The Five Secrets to Achieving Happiness in Your Garden

And visiting my garden recently, this bird of prey.  It sat in the grass for a while idly eyeing the bird feeder area. It sat there so long I worried if it was okay. But after a seeming rest, it strutted around for a bit and then flew off.  My amateur guess is this is a sharp-shinned hawk. 
I'm sure my hawk-eyed 😉 birder friends will identify him.  

One day I turned a corner in the path to the pond and this guy was just sitting there. Hastily got a shot before he hopped away.  I told him he was very lucky it wasn't Mr. Fox that happened along.
I have another very unusual visitor to the garden to share with you on Sunday. I had to google him to find out what exactly he was!
Hope your days are filled with interesting bits and bobs too. 


 


 
 






34 comments :

LA Paylor said...

ahhhhh so good! I haven't heard of that book, but I know what you mean. I couldn't get into Harry Potter in the beginning!!! Imagine that! Then of course went on to read all the books etc. The hawk! what a picture. Bet he's hot too. We've been seeing robins stand on the ground opening their wings to cool off, and our fountain attracts them all. We have a day in the 80's F today, a respite from the extreme heat! LOVE your EPP blocks...
LeeAnna

Brian's Home Blog said...

Your stitching is sure pretty and the salmon looks yummy. That hawk doesn't look too happy.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Good morning, Jocelyn! Your Dragonfly block is beautiful. What pretty fabric and nice contrast. Hmm, I've never had salmon and avocado together but I love them both. I'll have to give that a try sometime! I hope you are doing well and staying safe. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You got a good photo of the hawk and it's probably the one you think it is. It's always hard for me to tell the difference in hawks. LOVE your quilt designs and hydrangeas are my favorite flower. Lots of my favorite things on your post this week! Enjoy your day.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

You get the prize for the most creative blog title this week, Jocelyn! I always love seeing the blocks you're stitching - the Pieces of the Past block looks great to me! Pretty Solidarity block, and those stars are wonderful, too. I can see why you're enjoying making lots of those! I remember reading Bel Canto and liked it. Your lunch looks delicious! I find hawks hard to identify, but you could be right that yours is a sharp-shinned. Interesting that he was sitting in the grass like that!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
we have had a string of hot and dry days too. Your quilt blocks are pretty, my favorite is the flower garden blocks. Love the shot of the coneflowers with the Swallowtail butterfly. I have trouble iding the raptors, I have two guesses, the Cooper's Hawk or the Sharp-shinned. Take care, stay safe! Have a great day!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Wow - amazing shot of the bird! I can't help with identification but he sure is magnificent. And that photo of the butterfly/flowers is postcard worthy! Try to stay cool.

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

I'm sorry you have been having such a hot humid summer - I know exactly what you are going through as we have that from late May well into September and it is miserable trying to do outside work in it - even trying to sit and enjoy oneself on the porch after 11AM at times is difficult. We will have lower humidity and heat starting tomorrow for about 5 days and it will be so welcome - we have not had many days of extreme heat this year.

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love seeing your projects as they develop! I didn't realize that the Flower Garden blocks were EPP (or more likely, I forgot). They sure are pretty! Your dragon fly and flower look great! We are suffering with heat and humidity here. The article about the 5 secrets was a fun read!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I read "Bel Canto" many years ago and enjoyed it very much. We still have a copy so perhaps it is time for a re-read. And the hawk is indeed a Sharp-shinned Hawk, a female I believe. Well done with the ID.

Libby in TN said...

The only way I can identify a sharp-shinned hawk is it's yellow legs so your picture is no help. I love your dragonfly block and can see no problems with it.

Jenny said...

I started a comment and it disappeared into cyber space goodness knows where it ended up. Wanted to say how much I love smoked salmon too, in fact I purchased some yesterday. Robin doesn't like it so it is all mine, I say happily.
Always love your nature photos. Bunnies are not loved here or in Australia. They were introduced by European settlers, and have no natural predators here, so of course they bred like rabbits and do a lot of damage to the land.

kiwikid said...

Lovely post. Your blocks look great to me, love the app. Your lunch looks really yum. Great to see your garden and garden visitors.

Hootin Anni said...

Beautiful hawk! What great timing to show up like that for you long enough to get a terrific photo! Thanks for linking with us at I'd Rather B Birdin this week.

Ps...love that butterfly on the conefliwer too.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Gorgeous quilt blocks. Awesome picture of the coneflower with the swallowtail! That would make an awesome framed picture or art quilt. Your hydrangeas are lovely.

Needled Mom said...

I’m pretty sure that our summer might be setting records for cold! Your blocks look really nice. I’d have no idea what kind of bird that is.

piecefulwendy said...

I think you are correct on the hawk ID. Perhaps he was finishing a tasty meal. I read Bel Canto a few years ago, and enjoyed it. Your two blocks are so nice!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Great blocks, flowers, and critters. Thanks for sharing.

MissPat said...

I like those Flower Garden blocks. I must get back to my EPP project. I've read other Ann Patchett books, but not Bel Canto. I'll add it to my list. What kind of crackers are those in your lunch bowl. They look interesting.
Pat

Eva H. said...

I very like to saw your news.Take care of yourself.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I think every where is having record temps. It makes me think about that movie...I forget the name...when it got so hot that everyone started moving north. The temps and tempers are reaching the boiling point. Your flower pictures remind me that I didn't bring anything from our garden along with us when we moved. But then, where would I plant them in this desert!

Stay well.
xx, Carol

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

So many cool things! Speaking of cool- hope you have cooled off there. Crazy weather all over. We were 118 yesterday and expect to break records again today. Whoever invented the ac should be given a medal. I like that dragonfly block. So many times when I read your blog I learn some-thing. Today I learned there were audio books on You Tube. Unbelievable. What time are you serving lunch? That’s my favorite combo-salmon and avocado. Enjoy! Mary

PaintedThread said...

Ooh - good stuff this week. I particularly like that loopy flower.

betty-NZ said...

Somehow, I never thought Canada would ever be 'hot'! I hope you are being careful for yourself. It looks like the plants around you are enjoying the sunshine a lot.

I'm so happy to see your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!! Thanks for linking up with us.

Miaismine said...

Your Melva block looks so pretty - I did not see an error, just a beautiful block! I love the hand embroidered header! That is a beautiful pattern! Lunch looks delicious! :)

Patty said...

Very nice! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish.

Veronica Lee said...

Love your pretty quilt blocks!

Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Jocelyn

Your lunch does look delicious! I enjoy seeing your current projects and pretty blocks. The Hawk has such intent look, great shot. Your Sharpie id was right on. The Swallowtail on the coneflowers is my favorite, great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, have a great weekend! PS, thanks for visiting my blog and for the comment.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

I love your blocks! Dragonfly looks pretty perfect to me! Your lunch looks delicious. Your yard and animals are always fun to see. I have a few Ann Patchett books a friend gave me. I should read them one of these days!

Kate said...

You've got some projects in the works, love your stars. Your garden is beautiful. Hope you get some cooler, drier days to start August with.

betty-NZ said...

I thought I commented before but in case I didn't these are lovely pieces and I'm loving the garden, too!

I’m so happy to see your link at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!! Thanks for linking up with us.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am quite sure that I commented on this bird before, but for whatever reason the comment did not go through. It is a female Sharp-shinned Hawk, probably a juvenile. If it is hanging around and you could get a few more pictures that would help to clinch the ID with certainty.

Anonymous said...

All of your work is lovely! I’ll be featuring that gorgeous flower block in this week’s Creative Compulsions.

Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com

Karrin Hurd said...

Last week's Pieces From the Past Russian Sunflower I think has 52 pieces! That Dragonfly block was a piece of cake! Your pictures of your flowers are beautiful!