Thursday 11 March 2021

69th Spring Still Holds Surprises

 You'd think my 69th March would hold no surprises for me. But the suddenly melting snow, emerging sidewalks, sun feeling so hot on my back I had to unzip my coat and remove my woolen toque, all took me by surprise. This happened in just the last three days but so wonderful. Temperatures above zero and even into double digits one day like what spring is meant to be. Now if only the snow can stay away and a hex on freezing rain too. 

And the birds started chirping just like that. I've heard the male cardinals now singing their glorious songs and suddenly there are three or more around the feeder. Several were dancing a jig along this branch but they would not oblige for a photo together. Drat.

The Indiana Barred Owl cam is back on line and she has already laid one egg. I just love to check in each day to see what's happening in her nest box. It's the highlight of March every year now for the last three. It's so nice to know nature is continuing on all in its usual order and time.

Red squirrels took me up on my offering of apples for the birds. Both apples disappeared in a matter of minutes!

The one below sat in the comfort of the feeder to munch. Hubby said I'd better keep an eye on them or they will set up house in it. 😊 He is definitely using his paws to hold his food here.

Guess what this is???

Yes, the back of my hexagon piece and looking at this reminds me that's a lot of hand stitches there. There is a certain card quality I like to use...not too thick but also not too flimsy. Some of the real estate advertisements are just right.  I think I'll add a few more hexagons to even up that one end on the right and say this one is big enough.  Love hexagons!

I've also been making good progress on Quilting Bee just in time for spring it seems. Someone asked...usually on smaller projects, I work from the top left over and down. I prefer working on the left side first and stitching left to right. If the project is a large one, I also run a threads through the center vertical and horizontal to keep me on track. Then I will probably work the whole left  bottom quadrant first.  I note a lot of folks work from the bottom up or the right side over to left. Some prefer to work the border all the way around first. Why we get these preferences is interesting. I think sometimes it is due to concern about having enough fabric for the design. 

The ladies, Deb and Liz, who have a flosstube channel called the Country Stitchers recommended this piece of headgear and I ordered it from Amazon.  It's magnifying glasses, comes with 5 different interchangeable strengths, and LED lights. I really like how the glass part is situated so you can watch tv by just looking straight ahead without having to move your head. It's also surprisingly comfortable to wear and I was telling Hubby, I can feel my eyes relax when I stitch with them, the same feeling I get when I put on my good sunglasses. Here is the Amazon link if you'd like to check it out yourself.

And, btw, I have no affiliation with Amazon or any other company that I link with here on the blog...just sharing what I like myself and enjoy. 

Deb and Liz are one of my favourite duos to watch while stitching. They are in Pennsylvania and actually stitch while they chat about things. This is Liz here on the left and Deb on the right.  

I've added this online word game to my list of games to play to try to keep the aged brain synapses firing- Word Nut.  You have to make as many words as you can with the letters they give you and fit them into a crossword. Each puzzle completed adds percentages of points to what they call your IQ; I am at 112 now and I wonder when I will wash out.  

I miss going to movies with older 16 year old grandson, sigh. He has his G1 permit and is doing his Driver's Ed. At this rate, he'll be able to drive me to the movies by the time this is all done here in Ontario, Canada. 

I have floors that need mopping and a mix put in the bread machine...making whole wheat today. Then it will be some stitching time. Hope your day is equally as stress free and enjoyable.

Also enjoyable to link with Not Afraid of ColorQuilt FabricationViewing Nature With EileenKathy's QuiltsQuilting Applique PatchworkConfessions of a Fabric AddictWendy's Quilts and MoreSugarlane Designs and Paying Ready Attention











32 comments :

Brian's Home Blog said...

Such wonderful photos and we always love your beautiful quilt art!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

What a great shot of the cardinal, Jocelyn, and love the squirrels, too! It's definitely a favorite time of year when we can go outside and start peeling off those layers. I love the hexie project you've been working on. I would never think to keep things like the realtor advertisements to make the hexies out of, but now I will. I look forward to going to the movies again, too!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Thank you for the light link. It is fantastic! No more moving a lamp around to read and write at night.

The bee design is beautiful. The squirrel photo is hilarious.

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
I really enjoy seeing all your "critter" pictures. Thanks for sharing them. Wow, that's a lot of Hexies...beautiful. Your Quilting Bee is beautiful, hoping the snow is gone...we've been having high 40's and 50's temps this week. Today it's raining. Your new "headgear" is awesome...I'll be checking that out. Thanks for sharing the link. Have a great day!

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

your hexies look wonderful and how neat you will have a baby owl around this spring. Spring does have a way of just appearing doesn't it. Here too, I just put a couple plants out on the porch as the outlook is now in the 60's about every day - I'm surprised my ferns made it through the winter in the house

Ruth Hiebert said...

All those early signs of spring are so welcome. We had a few really warm days, but today is cold again.

Libby in TN said...

The cardinals wake me way too early these days! Like you, I stitch top left to bottom right. I think it has to do with the way I read. I have new glasses -- went from trifocals to bifocals. Overall I'm much happier, but I do need some magnification on the closeup work so will check out those glasses.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Just LOOK at that cardinal! I have heard a few outside my window at work this week. I've actually had the window open a wee bit even though it is a little chilly. It's worth it for the fresh air and to hear the birdies. Fascinating about the Indiana Barred Owl. I will keep checking on it as well. I had to giggle about the apples and squirrels - they probably thought it was their lucky day! Hmm - Word Nut. I love 7 Little Words, so I'll give this a try. Thank you! ~smile~ Roseanne

PaintedThread said...

I'm starting to hear the change in birdsong, too. I love the photo you got of that red squirrel. Such beautiful shiny fur. Your handiwork is looking lovely! Lots of good stuff. :-)

Karen said...

Our lane is six inches deep in slush, but I'll take it. The dog needs a bath after her walks. Fortunately the remaining snow in the yard fixes up that mess. The first transition into spring here in Ontario sure is messy business, but I love it.

Linda said...

That is a beautiful photo of the cardinal. Glad you had some warmth to add some spring to your world! You've made beautiful progress on Quilting Bee. Hopefully you will be able to go to the movies with grandson soon! Would you believe I like to mop our floors? We bought the O-Cedar Spin Mop, and I love it!

Deb A said...

Love the signs of spring after a long winter. I finally mopped my kitchen yesterday... it was much happier. Your stitching looks great. I'll have to check out that game. Thanks.

Jackie said...

Very nice work.

When cross stitching I work from the center to the left. First up and then down.

God bless.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

You took the best wildlife pictures. Just beautiful! I have a hexagon project that I've been working on for years. I have it handy in case I want to do hand work. I really should finish it.

MissPat said...

Aren't those first signs of spring invigorating? It hit 70F here on Thursday (a new record) and the sun has been shining way more than usual for western NY. Opening a window for fresh air, cleaning up winter debris from the yard, hearing the birds sing (and the geese overhead). There is hope. My husband is suffering from movie theater withdrawal, too. He's already gone to several viewings during the day and says there are few in the theater, so he felt safe enough. We've both had our first dose of vaccine and boy, does that help with your outlook as well.
Thanks for the heads up on the lighted magnifier. I was surprised at how inexpensive they were as the ones I've heard about previously were much pricier.
Pat

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jocelyn,
I love your Cardinal photo, great capture. I have been hearing a lot of birds singing. It is a neat video of the Barred Owl and nest. Your hexagon quilt is looking beautiful, I like the quilting bee is cute too. If I tried sewing while watching tv I would be sewing my fingers together. I hope you will be able to go to the movies soon with your grandson. I want the snow and winter mix to go away. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post! Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, thank you for the comment on my post.

QuiltGranma said...

Love the articles that you feed birds and squirrels in! So cute!

Rosalea said...

Thank you for the review on the head light with magnifying glass. I have some unfinished cross stitch put aside, that gives me a headache to work on with my 'new eyes'. (Cataracts done last year) I have ordered the light and look forward to easier knitting and stitching!

sue s said...

Thank you for the barred owl video. I watched her last year too. We had a family of barred owls visit us for two summers at our old house in Minnesota. I will never forget them. Your hexes are amazing. I admire folks who do hexes; not m thing!

Maggie said...

The stitching is coming along quickly now and it is beautiful. Yes, your grandson must be looking forward to drive and be independent. Thinking back to how we stressed about passing our drivers test all those years ago. Brings back memories...

Little Penpen said...

Aren’t male cardinals so pretty??? I love squirrel in the owl feeder... great pic!! Your hexies look great and I adore your bee stitchery!

Karrin Hurd said...

Beautiful pictures of the wildlife. We have been in the 70's most of last week when it wasn't drizzling. Hope to start getting back outside and tending my gardens which are a weedy mess! Hope you have a great week!

Dave said...

Enjoy that 69th Spring. The weather will turn for you now.....

The Cozy Quilter said...

The cardinals and robins have been flitting about here too. Our snow is just about all gone. I hope we don’t get any more! The quilting bee is beautiful! I sew with my friends on FaceTime too, we are looking forward to being able to sew together again.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Thanks for the review on the headgear light magnifier! It does make such a big difference when we can easily see our work. Hope spring is here to stay. Those naughty squirrels, but they are so much fun to watch!

Kim said...

How sweet is that little squirrel in the owl feeder. It's nice that your days are beginning to warm up. To see someone's pretty hexies is always lovely and as for your bee, it it looking gorgeous.

Yvonne said...

Happy 69th Spring! Your photos are lovely to see, especially that hexagon quilt that reminds me of WORK. I am in awe of the patience and skill required to create such beautiful quilts.

CathieJ said...

I love the wildlife photos. The hexagon quilt and your cross-stitch are very pretty.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Beautiful photos of birds, and squirrels, it's fun to look at them. Your hexies are lovely, and your embroidered bee too!
Thank you for linking up today ;)

Judy Hansen said...

Thanks for the recommendation of the glasses/light thingy. I will look into that. I love your picture of the cardinal. They are so pretty. Here in Michigan, the robins have returned, and the snow piles are melting. Spring is really coming, I can feel it. Happy Mothers Day to you in Canada. Hugs, Judy

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Awesome pic of the cardinal. I think we have a juvenile male, that seems to think my bedroom or kitchen window is the best place to hang out and sing his little heart out. Love your hexie project. I have started playing a few of those games too to keep my mind working. How fun to have the grandson drive you to the movies.

Susie H said...

Quilting Bee is stunning. I love a good cross-stitch project too. The hexies are always a nice relaxing project too. Great picture of the cardinal even if it is only one and not all three! Ha!