Monday 4 April 2022

Pond in April, To Do Applique Finish, Crazy Feelings

The pond is gradually losing it's icy surface and the water level has dropped. This morning I heard a frog, a sure sign of spring.

Prelude to this comment...I can make my clothes dirty eating an apple; not kidding.
That moment when you put on a brand new blush pink t shirt and remember you were going to make spaghetti sauce for Saturday night dinner and also transplant some flowers so going to handle dirt.  

Took it right off!! Hubby and I both wear aprons...his a manly one, to eat our suppers. 
Speaking of Hubby, he was confused about the flying geese comments on my last two posts. I don't see any geese he said. Where are these geese people keep talking about?  LOL
Not a goose...just got a quick shot of a retreating turkey. The tail feathers are really magnificent. The two females with him didn't appear as impressed as I was.

This week I need to put away the shovels and winter gear, boots, and what not and get out  the spring jackets, etc. Seems like only yesterday I was doing this in reverse.
I enjoy reading Jackie's posts at In the Land of the Living Sky II. I especially like her meal planning, organization and general frugality. Though I know I am not wasteful, I need to make the effort to be more like Jackie. 

My next OMG at the Elm Street Quilts link up involves applique and is a runner I almost finished, also from 2017 or thereabouts. It's Angie's Pots from Angie Padilla Quilt Patterns and here is my favourite of the motifs.

I paused this project because of the space between that pot and the pink flowers. I can't remember what Angie had shown, I think a card, but I didn't care for it. Then I couldn't think of what to put there. So the old thinking cap will have to go on to get this one all done. Any suggestions of something kind of small/skinny that could fit?? To Do this week.
Do you ever get an overwhelming anticipatory feeling thinking about what is on the agenda for the week?  I've noticed this lately about myself. Now I am a loner by nature so outings have always been a teeny bit stressful sometimes. But I wonder if now it is just where we went almost no where for a few years.  Now we are back to in person appointments and get togethers, etc. so have the usual  things lined up for the week. Nothing crazy mind you. But still enough to ramp up my "fight or flight" feeling. I know, crazy, right.

I hope your week is off to a great start with absolutely no angst and only happy thoughts. 
Happily linking with Love Laugh QuiltTexas Quilt Gal and Life in Pieces

35 comments :

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

I love the turkey photo - I used to have wild turkeys here and then suddenly we never saw them again I wonder where they went and why. It must be nice at this time of year to see the ice melting from the pond - I actually never mind winter but yet I am always glad to see it leave.

Juliana said...

I'm so glad you posted the turkey photo. I moved to Detroit MI over a year ago from South Dakota where I had large flocks of wild turkeys that wandered by my house regularly. I miss them. Can't wait to see more of your applique.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Beautiful pond view, and look at the green across the way! That is definitely an impressive turkey, too. I love your appliqued flowers in their pots! Since there is a watering can on it already, what about some other kind of gardening tool in that space - a trowel maybe? I do get a little anxiety about gatherings these days, and I'm sure it has to do with these Covid years and being so careful. I understand how you're feeling!

Michele McLaughlin said...

LOL at hubby's comment about the geese :) Hey it looks like you have a small pitcher on your table runner (like a creamer). How about a sugar bowl? Thanks for the fun post!!

Robin said...

I can picture a small bud vase with a single flower on a stem in it between the other pots, or maybe a bird house would look cute. I always hate to see winter go because it means I have to go out and meet the world again. I'd much rather stay home.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Our frogs started singing in February. The nights weren't THAT warm though the days were. Love the turkey. We have wild ones here but I think they went up the mountain now. We have a pond too. It looks like it is about the same size as yours. We had the bottom cleaned when we moved here. It's about 30 feet deep. We stocked ducks on it this year. We try to make them come in to the duck house at night to protect them but they like to stay out there. There are lots of predators here. Nice applique.
xx, Carol

Shelley said...

I totally feel overwhelmed by this going out stuff too and for the same reasons. How about a teacup or perhaps a little bird to fill in that space 🤗

loulee said...

Oh, Spring, the land is reawakening.
How about a skinny bud vase, with a single flower?

piecefulwendy said...

What a gorgeous turkey! I would think the ladies would be quite impressed with him. What does Neddy think of the turkeys? I used to have a big group of them visit our backyard, but that was a few years ago. I think that hunting season may have changed that, sadly. For the pink flowers, could you add a few more leaves to those stems? Maybe a few that draped over the lip of the pot or something like that? I was a home-body before the pandemic, and while I'm back to normal in some social situations, new ones definitely make me more anxious.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I'm totally on board with feeling antsy about being out and about after so long being at home. Quite truthfully I'd be happy to stay home all the time but don't want covid to be the reason.
Fantastic photo of the turkey tail!
I'm with the previous comment and wonder about adding some sort of garden tool to your quilt? Either that or perhaps some of the yellow flowers that have 'fallen' out of the vase?

Jackie said...

Wow, that male turkey has quite the tail display.

How wonderful to hear a frog...we have our yearly infestation of Boxelder bugs happening. Really a bit too early this year.

Love the appliqued flower runner.

God bless.

Brian's Home Blog said...

The pond is super cool and so is the turkey! Our Dad is messy too, he was born in December so our Mom calls him a Sagimessius!

doe853 said...

Dear Joc,
I too suffer from social anxiety, staying home is my favorite thing. I wonder if a little pot of grape hyacinths woul work. It is beautiful, you should finish it!

Dale from Vermont.

Jenn Jilks said...

I love ponds so much!
Good luck with these projects. You do such fun work.

Hubby was doing dishes, and I carried the lasagna dish outside to dump out the soaking water... you know what happened! On my fresh turquoise sweatshirt!

Karen said...

How about some ivy to tie the pieces together?

Deb A said...

I think a lot of people are feeling that way concerning going out and about now. I hope the week of outings goes well. Love the pond - I always used to think the ice just dropped to the bottom in the summer and rose up again the following winter! In my defense - I was under 10 and the bottom of the lake always felt ice cold =) Maybe a small thin vase with a single rose in it or a small bunch of flowers no taller than the black vase top?

northernknitter said...

Yes, the angst feelings are certainly part of my week - Covid concerns, feeling the need to keep hibernating yet begin previous activities like yoga and quilt group. Enjoy your blog immensely.

Nancy said...

He seems like a handsome turkey to me, but maybe the ladies know it's not all about looks?
Ohh, I love your Angie's Pots applique flowers. That was a fun way to make leaves for the pink/coral flowers. For the space, maybe a small vase or flower pot with just a few leaves? But you'll figure it out as you continue to work on the rest of the applique.
Not crazy at all to have that fight or flight feeling. (For me it's nearly always flight!) One of my daughters and I are both introverts. It's always hard for me to be around groups of people (though one on one I'm comfortable). She and I both agree that Covid has made it easier and more comfortable for introverts to be introverts (though Covid has been very hard for extroverts). So for me, it's not just because of Covid that I'm uncomfortable to be out and about with lots of people.

Kate said...

Love the retreating turkey photo. You've got a very fun OMG goal this month. What if you went with a tall and skinny bud vase with a single flower in it for that open spot? Or if want to balance the high/versus low, add a single flower bud there? Good luck!

jmsx3 said...

No harm in being an introvert! I used to escape from events with great relief at being "out of there," without realizing why they were so hard for me. Took me years to realize that I was more introverted than I thought. You have tons of projects and creative challenges in your life to keep you busy, so plan your outings carefully knowing you have fun stuff to do at home.

LA Paylor said...

wearing an apron to eat... brilliant.

Yvonne said...

Isn't it nice to notice Spring is almost there? We had some nice and warm days here in combination with the first snowfall this year.....

I totally understand how you feel, I liked the more quiet life we lived the last few year's. I am still avoiding party's with many people and other crowded places and if I must go always be sure to ware my mask.

The Cozy Quilter said...

I was thinking of a small skinny bug vase with a single flower in it… i think someone else also suggested this. Lovely appliqué project. Spring is coming! I’m ready for it!

Jocelyn said...

Not crazy Jocelyn. I have always been a bit shy and a loner too. And after two years of mostly being home bound, it does feel kind of strange to be out and about again.

Jenny said...

What a handsome Turkey! Great photo, as all your wild life photos are. Things are changing here with Covid, lots of cases, but the restrictions are easing, doesn't make sense to me. The official view is that with our vaccination rates so high, we are all more protected, so will be "living with the virus" rather than trying to eliminate it. Masks are still required to be worn in shops, shopping centers, buses, trains and planes.

grammajudyb said...

Enjoyed your post today! From the discussion of changing your shirt to fit the plans for the day to the turkey photo to the dilemma of the space issue in your table runner. Lots of great suggestions for a fix there. I'm not really a loner or an introvert...but I am anxious about getting out and about more. It's been a strange couple of years. I certainly hope people are able to feel good about being with others. Have a great week, Jocelyn!

PaintedThread said...

LOL! My partner tries to get me to wear aprons - instead I just have certain clothes that are designated as cooking/dirty-work clothes. But sometimes I forget and get the good ones dirty. He often says he can dress me up but can't take me out. :-) I like your pots of flowers!

MissPat said...

I share your reluctance to fully return to the social world. I'm very content to stay at home and social occasions always leave me tongue-tied. Add the fear of Covid and it's easy to avoid going anywhere but necessary trips.
How about adding a few butterflies in that space between the pots?
Pat

gladiquilts said...

I’m watching spring come to “my” pond, too, and saw some tadpoles and buds this week! Your turkey photo is fantastic! Personally, I’m happy to be getting out more as this pandemic hopefully winds down. To calm those anxious feelings, try meditation and deep breathing and remember to “cherish each day” as they quickly fly by!

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

What a beautiful spread of feathers on that turkey!!
I'm a bit of a loner by nature as well--I think some of us just don't need that much interaction! And yes, I feel a little stressed when I have several things (or more!) going on in one week, esp if anything is social--unless it's just dinner with one couple, ie. I'm a VERY-small-gatherings-only person!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

How about a little bunny? That would be cute, playing in the flowers. Hugs (a little late in posting a comment! Hugs

Linda said...

So I raced to read this post and find out what the "crazy feelings" were about, since I'm crazy most of the time. And yes I get the same thing!! I've wondered about this, but I rationalize it by realizing that we don't get out as much as we used to, and our comfort zone is here at home. Such a change from our younger years when I couldn't wait to get away from the house to "do something, anything!"
Love the departing turkey, and I'm impressed with him whether his female companions are or not. I like Diann's suggestion of the trowel next to the flowers, although don't use mine with chunks of dirt on it as a model. ;)
Thank you for sharing your lovely post with To Do Tuesday!

Nana said...

Lovely turkey and your applique too. I have done this myself, but for some reason I stopped after row one.

Nana

Angie said...

Jocelyn - fabulous turkey shot. I love watching both turkeys and peacocks strut their stuff - never gets old! For your applique project, what about a snail (or 2)? I don't get overwhelmed about a single outing, but if I have too many "people" gatherings in one week, I definitely need time to re-group on my own. Not crazy at all!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I am glad you got this floral runner out of the cupboard. It is going to be wonderful! Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!