Thursday 5 August 2021

Life's Ups and Downs, Carousel of Time

A friend said to me a few years ago, Jocelyn, now we are the grandmothers. It was one of those moments when an idea hits you with a certain clarity and truth.  From then on I seemed more aware that life is definitely not static, is always swiftly moving on and me along with it. I thought of this when I saw on Nancy's blog, Joy For Grace. she had posted a video of Joni Mitchell singing The Circle Game.  In 1966, as a 15 year old I would have enjoyed her beautiful voice, but now all these years later, the words themselves have fresh meaning to me.  Do they resonate with you?

 This photo shows the side of our house with one of our bedroom windows framed through the Smoketree. Ours isn't so much a tree as a widely spreading bush. I love its pink and burgundy colours. 

Visible too is the Goat's Beard tree that produces beautiful creamy blooms. However, this one had its tallest branches broken during those heavy July rains and I had to trim its crown. Wish I'd gotten a photo before that happened as it was in its glory. 


Below is the entrance to our driveway up at the cul de sac.  These are a form of orange ditch lilies that were here when we arrived.  I added the hydrangea from what I had propagated last year and was happy to see it survived winter and actually bloomed. We had our own little plot of Birdsfoot Trefoil there that Hubby didn't mow because it was alive with bees and flying insects and he knew I would like it left for them.

And here is Neddy waiting patiently for me as I pick up Hubby's paper across from those pretty yellow blooms.
I felt like sewing yesterday and now have 40 of the Courthouse Steps Blocks finished. I think I will need about 80 so I'm halfway there.  Loving using foundation piecing and the accuracy it is giving me. Also enjoying digging through scraps bags for the light strips. 
I've had a couple of emotional weeks and I will tell you about it later.
 But in the midst of that, one of the happiest of things happened too. (And isn't that just like life, the ups and inevitable downs too.) My hubby celebrated his 82nd birthday with a beautiful chocolate mousse cake from daughter and a wonderful surf and turf meal cooked by son in law. Best of all was being together again- it felt like old times when we would share a big meal once a month. 
We are very hopeful the pandemic is behind us as everything is getting back to normal here in Ontario. Mask wearing indoors still is the only sign of what we've come through. 
Hope things are similarly positive where you are!

27 comments :

Brian's Home Blog said...

Your area sure is pretty and Neddy looks very happy with his stick. Your step blocks are most pretty too. Happy Birthday to your Hubby from all of us.

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

the puppy is growing a lot! Happy birthday to Tony - your plants and flowers are doing wonderfully and love those courthouse steps!!

Jocelyn said...

Congrats on hubbys 82nd birthday. You are right, it is so good to be able to get together with family again.

Jenny said...

Happy Birthday to your hubby, please give him a hug from New Zealand from me. How wi derful that he was so spoiled with a wonderful cooked family dinner. Lovely stitching Jocelyn, and your pup is growing up splendidly.

piecefulwendy said...

So many lovely things in your post, all the flowers and green! Neddy is growing! Happy Birthday to your husband. That Joni Mitchell song always makes me a little sad.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Happy Birthday to your Hubby. I love your flowers and how you don't mow them so the bees can have their fill.

Libby in TN said...

Ned is hardly a puppy any more! Lovely flowers and shrubs. Hope you have more ups than downs in the coming week.

CathieJ said...

Happy Birthday to your husband. How nice that you could enjoy a family dinner. I too hope this virus breather lasts, but I live in the US where infections are going in the wrong direction. Your courthouse steps looks very pretty. Love all the flowers and the pup.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Happy Birthday to Tony! It is definitely great to be able to see family in our homes again. I love your photo of Ned with his giant stick, too! Your Courthouse Steps blocks are looking so good - glad you are enjoying the paper-piecing method!

Angie said...

Jocelyn - your garden is looking so lovely. And belated happy birthday to your husband! I never heard that Joni Mitchell song - powerful lyrics and her voice is like silk.

Carol Andrews said...

Happy birthday to your husband. He looks as if he was really anticipating the yummy flavour of his birthday cake. What fun to be able to get together again. Your flowers are all so pretty and I’m enjoying seeing your beautiful Courthouse Steps blocks.

gladiquilts said...

Good morning Jocelyn! The Circle Game is such a great song - thanks for reminding me. I’m a couple years older than you and have been feeling the push of time and the fleeting nature of it for a few years already, thus my advice to “cherish each day” to my readers. I’m so glad you are enjoying the FPP technique for your log cabins!😊. I enjoyed your photos as always.

Michele McLaughlin said...

Neddy is getting so big! Family get togethers are so important right now! I wish I could do something to cheer you up. Sending you hugs and hugs!

Linda said...

That picture of Neddy and his stick made my day. Congratulations and happy birthday to your husband! How wonderful you are finally able to all be together again. Your Courthouse steps are really coming along. You are right about the ups and downs - it just happens so quickly too.

MissPat said...

Happy Birthday to your hubby. I'm sure he enjoyed that chocolate cake and getting together with family to celebrate. And I'm sorry you've suffered some trying times of late. We had hoped we were over the hump with Covid, but after enjoying a few months of relative freedom, the Delta variant is rearing it's ugly head and sending many of us back to restricting our activities. Of course the naysayers are still ignoring the danger, which means the whole trauma will carry on much longer. Stay safe and be well.
Pat

dq said...

This was a very happy Thursday post - every bit! I favor your lovely yard and dog waiting for you to play fetch. They just love that game and never tire of it.

Yvonne said...

Wouldn’t it be marvelous if we could say in the future: ‘remember those days of the pandemic, glad they are way behind us’
I hope that moment will come soon, but with so many countries not being able to vaccinate all their inhabitants..... it might take a while.
Congratulations with your husband. Your court steps are beautiful.

Jackie said...

Beautiful photos, your yard is amazing.

Happy Birthday to your husband a bit late.

God bless.

LA Paylor said...

what a perfect picture of Ned... needs to be framed and hung on the walls. What a good puppy he is to relocate sticks for the family! Congrats on dh's birthday with delish cake... many more. How lucky to feel safe from the pandemic where you are... with the two variants here and so many people refusing to vaccinate or wear masks I fear I might never be safe again. I understand emotional moments or days (weeks) so I send you my virtual love
LeeAnna, very emotional week draining me too, and now the thick smoke

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Such pretty, colorful photos on your blog entry! That is one cute pup! Your scrappy blocks are looking great! And happy belated BD to your DH!!! Nice that your family treated him!

Nancy said...

Thank you for the nod to my blog regarding Joni Mitchell's song.
Your Ned looks less like a puppy than he did a month or so ago. I see he's becoming an efficient branch manager.
Your courthouse steps blocks look great. Love the red!

Embroidery Digitizing said...

Happy Birthday to your hubby, wish him and very good health Ameen.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Happy, although now much belated, Birth Day wishes to your hubby! He looks pretty happy with his cake.
Can't get over how much Neddy has grown! Seems like just yesterday he was just a wee puppy.
Your Courthouse Steps blocks are looking good. I never would have thought of using foundation piecing but I can see how it would make them a whole lot more accurate.

Scrapatches said...

Your courthouse steps blocks are looking wonderful. I am really enjoying seeing this quilt in the making. Your gardens are looking lush and green. Wildflowers plant themselves for the birds and bees and the butterflies. It is nice to see them left to share their beauty and bounty. Happy Birthday to your hubby! Many happy returns of the Day! Neddy is growing so fast. What a handsome dog he is with his patient, pleasing face and his big eyes. Joni Mitchell has always been a favorite of mine and The Circle Game was the song that made it happen. Thank you for the video and for linking up with my Wednesday party ... :) Pat

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Pretty Courthouse Steps blocks, and happy birthday to your hubby ;)

Judy Hansen said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Thanks for the Joni Mitchell song, I had not heard it before. Through research, I found out she wrote it for Neil Young who had just turned 20 years old. (And he was feeling nostalgic, lol.). Happy Birthday to your hubby. It sounds like he had the perfect meal, and with family which makes everything taste better. Hugs, Judy

beth s said...

That quilt will be gorgeous and I too love Joni Mitchell.