Thursday 19 August 2021

Links, Free Patterns, Sawtooth Stars, Delicious Black Forest Trifle

 It was a week of horrid muggy weather setting a dew point record.  I had a vague idea of what that meant but looked it up anyway. Muggy is what a high dew point means; in our case, very muggy.  Dew point is not something I ever had to concern myself with in Newfoundland. But that broke overnight on Saturday and the temperature went down to 10C so very refreshing on the morning walk with the dogs.

The last of the lilies coincided with the hostas in bloom which is happy news for the bumblebees. 

One of these days I must write down the day lilies that are here. They are so pretty and I do take them a bit for granted. The bird bath was busy during those hot days with American Robins, Chipping Sparrows and American Goldfinches being the major bathers. 
They play nice and give way for each to have their turn. 
And we were happy when the turkey parents brought by their young ones for us to meet. The dogs and I watched a turkey fly from its overnight roosting spot down in the deciduous forest. But it flew from a spot so high up I've since questioned if it was a turkey; am now thinking it was a heron as we have seen them at the pond. 
 More of the late summer plants are starting to bloom now, another sign the season is moving along.
Stitchy News

Joann's is now shipping worldwide. I always enjoyed a poke in the one across the border in Ogdensburg when we used to travel. I liked their prices on notions and the good specials they offered so it is fun to have online shopping an option. Link to Joann's here!
 I also came across this panel called Rebel Without a Claus that I thought very nice. Not all Santas look as sweet. It is the work of Mariam Bos for Dear Stella Designs. Aqua is still very popular this year.  Here is one link to an Etsy shop selling it.


Here is a free cross stitch chart from the talented and generous Teresa Kogut.  Kindness is Free Chart. Teresa shares many beautiful charts for free downloads on her blog. 
Teresa also paints (and quilts!) and in this video she shows step by step how to paint your own Earth Angel. 
 I would love to see you try your hand at cross stitching if you haven't done so already. It is the ultimate slow stitching, soothing kind of hand work with such wonderful results.  Here is a good article on the Mental Health Benefits of cross stitching. You don't need machines, gadgets, stash, a room (LOL), etc. in order to engage in this wonderful hobby. There are enough free charts offered online to occupy a lifetime of stitching. In particular, there has been a resurgence in stitching American and other country's samplers, a wonderful way to celebrate history. I've also found it entertaining to watch the Flosstube videos which I usually stitch to. 

 In the sewing room, I have the Sawtooth Stars back on the wall trying out different arrangements for piecing. This will be fun!
Before she left, daughter dropped off a wonderful dessert, Black Forest Trifle, which to say we enjoyed very much is putting it mildly. 

The combination of whipped cream, chocolate and real cherries was so good. Just writing about it now is making my mouth water. Here is a link to The Novice Chef's Easy Black Forest Trifle recipe.

On that delicious note, I'll leave you this Thursday.  Hope there is something tasty on your plate today.

30 comments :

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

your daughter certainly keeps you supplied with desert doesn't she,she must love baking. I love seeing all your birds I don't have a bird bath and only fill seeders in the winter so most times I don't really see the birds in the summer all that much but do hear them near by

Linda said...

I enjoy seeing your wildlife and your beautiful yards and gardens. Your daughter should have a bakery; what you've shared on your blog shows a very talented baker. My husband would love that trifle, and I've saved the recipe. You are so right about cross stitch. It's funny that I've gone from exclusively embroidery when I was younger to much preferring cross stitch now!

Nana said...

Now I would love to eat the entire bowl all by myself. Goodm that you ate it already, hahaha.

Nana

Debbie V. said...

Oh thanks for mentioning the benefits of cross stitch. I had forgotten about it in the midst of figuring out what I want to do as far as needlework/sewing/crochet. I have done a few projects decades ago and I do remember how helpful it is mentally. I have done one project each of stamped, counted and something called "chicken scratch" which looks really nice.

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
I really like all the pictures you share of your flowers and "critters". The Day Lilies are beautiful! I don't cross stitch much any more...but I do enjoy embroidery! Your Sawtooth Starts are coming along...love all the pretty colors. Your Black Forest Trifle looks really yummy! Have a great day!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Reading about and seeing that trifle, just before lunch, really makes me hungry.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Those birds sure were enjoying the bird bath. Your stitchings are always amazing and boy, that Black Forest Trifle looks so darn good!

Jenny said...

Oh my, that trifle looks delicious! Obviously it was because you managed to eat it all. Such a kind daughter to bring you such amazing desserts and cakes. Love your star blocks, always fun when it's time to assemble blocks. And, as always, the bird photos are so sweet.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love your photos of the birds at the birdbath, Jocelyn - we enjoy watching them at ours, too. Thank you for the link to the free cross-stitch pattern - that's a lovely one. I may try that one! I used to cross-stitch a lot, but haven't done any in awhile. The trifle looks delicious! A nice thank you for dog sitting!

piecefulwendy said...

Oh, that trifle looks delicious! You have so many pretty birds and animals that come to visit. I have a cross-stitch ready to go, I just need to find my hoop!

Libby in TN said...

Oh, My, that trifle looks delicious! Beautiful flowers and great photos of the birds.

Jenn Jilks said...

That dessert is amazing!
I really ought to take up cross stitch again...

Jackie said...

I have binders full of free patterns from the internet, and a stash of cross stitch books, fabric and threads. I have been busy getting the vegetables and herbs in for the winter, but hope to be back cross stitching very soon.

Lovely free pattern.

God bless.

PaintedThread said...

Oooh. That Trifle!

Angie said...

Jocelyn - hostas and daylilies - I miss them from our days in the Midwest. They would be deer candy out here! Our weather was hot, muggy and smoky up until a few days ago. Now it is unseasonably cool and rainy - but I am not complaining! So glad to see someone promoting cross-stitch! It is my favorite craft!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I really wish we could have a birdbath here but the birds aren't comfortable on the balcony. I should search and see if there's such a thing as one that would clamp onto the railing....hmmmm.
Cross stitch is a 'thing' for me right now as I'm working on my third advent calendar. Little 3" stitcheries are just the thing in the hot weather.

MissPat said...

Another delightful post from up north. Wish I had someone to bring me such delicious looking desserts. I have sadly neglected upkeep on the birdbath this year. It needs a good scrubbing. And I can't see it from the kitchen window so I'm not sure how much use it gets. I used to do a lot of cross stitch, but left it behind when I started quilting. I have some unfinished pieces I should dig out, although they may be too wrinkled to work on now. Hope you weren't inundated by the remnants of Fred and that Henri keeps far enough out to sea.
Pat

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Great post - that dessert looks so good! Have a great week-end. Hugs

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

You always have such great pics of the birds, and your flowers. Oh the trifle looks sinfully delicious. Yep we have been having the same high dew point which makes it just bleh. Love your stars quilt.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Love, love, LOVE those Sawtooth Stars!!!

gladiquilts said...

Hi Jocelyn. Your wildlife photos are excellent, as always, and those sawtooth stars are beautiful! I was an avid cross stitcher in the past, but am so passionate about making quilts and have so many quilting ideas to get to, and enjoy hand appliqué and quilting so much that I just can’t see going back to cross stitch - even though there are some gorgeous designs out there! That truffle looks amazing! Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jocelyn,
Your hosta blooms and daylilies are beautiful. We have had some of the muggy weather too, your birds look like they are enjoying the bird bath. Cute shots of the Robin, Shipping Sparrow and the Goldfinch. I would think it could be a heron or the turkey in the tree. I have seen Wood Ducks flying away from a tree here. I love the cute Santa! The Sawtooth Star is a pretty wall hanging.
The trifle looks and sounds delicious, yum! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend!

LA Paylor said...

your TRIFLE!!!!! I love black forest cake above all. Thank you for the links... kindness is free... your birdbath photos are professional. So impressed with your composition and cropping, the clarity and capture of gesture
( hi Ned... good boy!)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Love seeing the birdbath. It's so nice to have a feeder AND a bath for the yard birds. LOVE that dessert...wow! And the turkey family is a treat to see. I love baby birds..even big ones! Happy weekend!

QuiltGranma said...

Love your sawtooth stars, looking forward to how you decide to put them together.

Rebecca Grace said...

So much loveliness all in one post! I adore your sawtooth stars and very much enjoyed the birds and flowers.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Love seeing the birds taking a bath. That's so relaxing. Meanwhile your projects are wonderful! Love the sawtooth blocks and the variety of colors you're using. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Hmmmm, this Black Forest Trifle looks good!!
Your rainbow Sawtooth Stars are looking very pretty on the design wall, I love the sashing on their side!
Thank you for sharing!

Carol Andrews said...

Thankyou Jocelyn for more pretty photos. We have thousands of wild turkeys here in my part of the Kootenays. They actually are a nuisance, stopping traffic and attacking fur babies, but they are fun to watch from a distance. I have to get the fixings for that Black Forest Trifle now. My taste buds are tingling just thinking of it. 😉

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! I hope you are doing well. Our dew point has been so high lately. It's 73 right now which is considered tropical. I wanted to comment on your photo of the three pups you shared last week. How cute are they?!! Neddy just warms my heart, as I know he does yours. {{Hugs}} Stay safe and cool. ~smile~ Roseanne