Sunday 2 August 2020

Rare Visitor, Slow Stitching Sunday, August OMG, What Will I Make??

My happy chair with a view of the back yard this morning. Perhaps you can make out the pouring down rain. That old expression, the heavens opened up, applies today. We can use it so it's all good. 
For instance, this is a little patch of hardy fleabane and there are many dotting the side lawn. Normally it is pretty against the dark green grass but this summer the grass has disappeared in the heat and the area is actually crunchy to walk upon, a strange sensation.
A bank of violet mallow on the partially shaded left side of the house...I think it has gone feral as there used to be a rock garden there years ago.  In my dreams, I am restoring it.
 I still have some transplanting to do as I did buy those geraniums from the local nursery. The very pretty variegated pink geranium attracted a special visitor that I feel so lucky to have gotten a photo of.  (Hubby will now remind me if I step out without the camera so I usually have it nearby.)

I was weeding the front stones when it appeared.  First I thought it a little odd to see a hummingbird around a flower not at the feeders.  Then I realized I was looking at a large moth of some sort, its wings moving so fast as to make them invisible. It was flitting quickly just like a hummingbird, hovering only a second at each flower.  Off to Mr. Google for the answer... a clearwing Hummingbird Moth though I don't know which one. So happy for this capture!
And aren't those geranium blooms pretty. It will be my challenge (and pleasure) to keep it alive this coming winter. Hopefully this week, I will be truly done with all planting for the 2020 garden.

Which reminded me, I need to order a tripod for my camera, the one with the zoom capability. When the lens gets extended, keeping it all super steady is challenging. I've been looking online and need to get that done. 

My Dreamy Hearts project is moving along. I've begun stitching the blocks together, the ones I've appliqued so far, that is.
 I don't want to turn it into a mountain of blocks and then feel overwhelmed by the task of joining them.
  I've decided blocks of 9 hearts are what I can handle to quilt. 
  It is just straight stitching except for matching the seams. Oops! 
This will be my August OMG over at Elm Street Quilts- to get them all stitched together in groups of 9 and the hand quilting begun. So far I have 8 of these larger blocks. A surprise there are so many stitched and a great start. I feel lucky to work with pretty fabrics and also to incorporate some scraps from recycled blouses/shirts too. 

I have these ingredients assembled for a little dessert square I'm going to make.  Any guesses as to what I have in mind?? No oven required which is an essential aspect of feeding us these days.
While there won't be any lying down in meadows today or venturing out at night by me either-I really don't know what's out there😟, Wendell's words still apply. He's about 87 now and I wonder what he is making of things right now if this was his thought in 1968.
See the source image
I believe nature can save us if only we could put aside the tiny matter of our colossal greed.

With no let up yet in the rain, I'll get to catch up on inside chores this morning with the promise of  hand stitching time later on. But first a cup of decaf and some blog reading. 






33 comments :

Brian's Home Blog said...

Those flowers sure are pretty and so are those blocks. Hey, our Mom made Rice Crispy Treats a couple of weeks ago.

K Reeves said...

Glad you are getting some much needed rain! We got 3/4 inch this week, and it was so appreciated.

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
I've never seen this kind of moth...it's beautiful...awesome capture! Your flowers are beautiful...really like those white ones. Love your little hearts...so pretty! Could you be making Smores...yummy. Have a great day!

Quilter Kathy said...

What a lovely blog post to read! Thank you for the inspiring poem!
Your moth photo is quite an accomplishment!
And OMG your heart stitching is absolutely perfect with smooth curves and sharp points!

Deonn said...

Beautiful flowers through the dry grasses! Looks like a perfect time for the rain. Happy Sunday!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

It's so fun to discover those huge moths on your flowers! We've mistaken them for hummingbirds, too. Your hearts look like they're going together perfectly. Some kind of rice krispy treat? Anything with peanut butter and chocolate combined appeals to me! I loved that poem, too, Jocelyn!

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

is that rice krispie bars with peanut butter and chocolate in too? I have never made them like that - good idea.

Nancy J said...

What a beautiful moth, and so aptly named. Love those words," the day-blind stars" so true, waiting to shine when darkness comes. We all need nature to restore our faith in a safer life.

Nana said...

I have never seen a butterfly like this but I have heared of it a few times. Wonderful creature.

Nana

Sarah said...

I like the position of your chair. Nice place to sit and watch (and sew of course) and I don't think I would even mind the rain! Great photo of the moth too.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

What a great capture of that moth! I've only ever seen one of those once I think - amazing cretures. Your happy stitching place looks so peaceful, particularly on a rainy day.

kiwikid said...

What a beautiful view from your chair, it will be a wonderful place to sit and sew or read. Well done on the moth capture, I have not seen a big moth like that. Your hearts look beautiful too and are coming together well. Enjoy your crispy treat.

Martha said...

I LOVE YOUR CHAIR AND THAT VIEW!!! What a beautiful scene, and your heart quilt is lovely!!!! I have a similar one ready to quilt!!!

Libby in TN said...

We have had periodic heavy downpours for the last few days, but too late to save may veggie garden. I have a few more cherry tomatoes that need to ripen a bit. We don't have one of those invisible wiinged moths, but we do have a resident hummingbird who comes to the red bird feeder only to be disappointed that it has seed, not syrup.

Ruth Hiebert said...

That is special to see a Hummingbird Moth. Your picture looks great.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

That moth is amazing! What a gift to see.

Love the sweet heart blocks. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

loulee said...

Your heart blocks look lovely.
You have your chair in a great spot for watching the wildlife.

Linda said...

What a glorious moth! I love the little peeks of your beautiful place. You use the "good chocolate" on your Rice Krispie treats! Or as my husband has always called them "Rice Krispie deals". :D

Needled Mom said...

The photo of the moth is fantastic. So is the geranium. Your hearts will make such a nice quilt. Enjoy your rain.

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

I don’t think I could leave that chair by the window! What a lovely view. That heart quilt is coming along nicely. I like the idea of quilting those larger 9 piece blocks. I ant believe you got that great shot of the moth-nicely done. Enjoy the cool rain. Mary

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Great post. Your yard is lovely. What a wonderful place to enjoy.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh a Hummingbird Moth! They really are special to spot. I haven't seen one lately but they are exciting to see and a challenge to photograph! You did great! And I love the hearts and that beautiful quote! Enjoy your day and your flowers!

Snickelfritz said...

Nothing like nature to calm our souls. I think that is what is wrong with so many of our youth today. They never get out into the woods or fields and see the wonders that are there All they see are sky scrapers and city streets and that could depress anyone.

PaintedThread said...

Love the flowers. And the hearts! Rice Crispy bars with peanut butter? Sounds yummy. Mom used to put mini chocolate chips when she made regular rice crispy bars. Always a treat. :-)

Denise :) said...

Your chair is fabulous; well done! Great capture with the Hummingbird Moth!! Your hearts are beautiful! What method do you use for applique?! They look perfect!!! :)

Yvonne said...

Glad your flowers got some rain, they are beautiful, although the moth I am not sure of, it looks huge. Your hearts are lovely, clever to quilt them in little sections.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am sure that you were happy to see the rain, as were we. The moth shown above is a Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe). Great find!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Hi Jocelyn: For some reason the previous post does not seem to want to accept my comments. I have commented twice now and neither one appears. The bird is a female Sharp-shinned Hawk, probably a young bird. More pictures would help to clinch it.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

I wonder if fleabane would grow in my yard. I'll have to research. How cool was that to be in the right place at the right time to see the hummingbird moth. I had no idea there was such a thing. I love the idea of stitching a mountain of hearts. :-)

andy's colours said...

How did you manage to take that photo of the Hummingbird Moth? Actually I saw them for the first time in our garden last year (northern Germany). A slightly different kind, grey and maybe a little larger, but a fantastically long proboscis. It was moving around so fast there was no way I could photograph it. They originate from the mediterranean area and due to the climate change have moved up north to places like Sweden. But if you even have them in Canada, wow. Do you often have such hot summers or is this year unusual? That sweet dessert would be one of my favourites when its pouring down outside. Its very hot here just these few days. Altogether our summer has been too cold (and dry).

sewyouquilt2 said...

Pretty hearts and that moth is so cool.thanks for sharing.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Great view from your armchair! Fun huge moth, and lovely heart blocks.
Thanks for sharing!

PKBrandon said...

Hello,
I love the poem and your comment - so very true.