I'm always the first one up in the house and most mornings that gets to be my time...to walk Ned first and then go back out alone with my camera, sit by the pond, fingers and toes crossed that some special bird or other critter will appear just for me. That is also my time to mentally count my blessings. That bit makes me think of the lines of the old hymn...Count your blessings, name them one by one, and then it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Anybody else sing that when young?? I remember singing this in a United Church junior choir eons ago and being happy when it was added to the hymn list rather than another of the stodgy, mournful hymns.
Pond views
SIL mowed the path around the pond...this year's tick count is 4...two bites but all okay- caught early. Having this mowed is a big help. It's such a great spot for a good think.
This was the first summer in the 7 years I've been here,
I did not have to run a hose to refill this vernal pool/pond. A sure sign of all the extraordinary rainfall this summer.
It is haying season here in Ontario and I snapped this photo of a nearby field. This is a common sight in our area.
Ned is bored by photo shoots. He moved into the screen just as I took this shot... resting his head awfully close to that bowl of plums and strawberries. I realized I hadn't shown the little tabletopper that got finished last month so here's a final look. And here are various sashings for a number of projects in the queue to be completely finished. The greenish ones, not at all the true colour, actually the darker green as in the photo above, are now in use on the Solidarity quilt. Just goes to show how off the lighting is for photos in the sewing room. I did not meet my goal way back in June's OMG at Elm Street Quilts. That was to get the Blue Courthouse Steps blocks all stitched. I did get to add to them but that still makes it only about a third of the way done. I've stitched four more blocks so this is going to take a little more time at this rate but that's all good as I'm still concentrating on the long time WIP's.
Here I've decided to swap out the lighter yellows and oranges for ones with more oomph. I like the stronger contrast with the blues.
Cooler temperatures recently and I noticed our wild crab apple tree has a few blooms that have turned. Apple Blossoms are so beautiful. They are the state flower of Arkansas and Michigan. At Turkey Feathers in the side bar you'll find a link to the free download for all 50 State flowers embroidery patterns including, of course, the apple blossom. Lots to keep me happily busy and I hope it is likewise with you.
20 comments :
know that old hymn well and sing it often, i too have many blessings to court...
What a lovely area you live in.
Your blocks are coming right along.
God bless.
I love the pond and field views, they both look so peaceful. Howdy Ned!
yes mowing to keep the ticks at bay is a must!! they are so horrible in Arkansas in the tick diseases & allergy is so on the upraise here and all over the country I assume it is there too.
You take the best pictures! The area you live in looks so pretty. We've had too much rain this summer also. So weird since last year we had drought conditions. I love your new table topper.
I remember singing that hymn in junior choir at united church in Ontario too.
I'm not familiar with that hymn, but I like it. Cute table topper. Ned's saying: I just wanted a sniff, right?
What lovely views of the pond and the hay bales--so serene...nice;)))
I really like your log cabin block with that spark of yellow/orange .
I do really think your vase of flowers turned out so lovely, too.
Hugs, Julierose
That is such a beautiful area there where you live, Jocelyn! I would enjoy an early morning walk and the thinking time, too. I love your pretty tabletopper finish, and sweet Ned wanting to be close! (Maybe it was those berries!) The brighter orange and yellow will be pretty in the Courthouse Steps blocks.
Your nature photos are so pretty. Ned just wanted to get in a shot...such a cutie. Love your little table topper. The fabrics are so summery.
Such lovely photos especially of the pond. We haven't had a tick problem this year.Usually ,we do. Your Courthouse Steps blocks look fabulous. Have a great day.
Love the photos from your property! Ned resting his head made me laugh. All my dogs have done that when I try to photograph something...and love that table topper! Love those courthouse blocks! It's going to be an amazing quilt! Have a great day and as always, thanks for the link to the free patterns!
I feel such a sense of peace and good nature when I read your posts Jocelyn! Thanks for the link to the state flower embroideries. Those will go into my "want to do" list. How very cool that you and Ned have your special time together daily, what a joyful dog he must be. Ugh on the ticks, glad your path got mowed. When we moved to acreage back in 2016 was so delighted to be "in nature" and sat so trustingly on the ground to do weeding and walked through the woods brushing against bushes. I learned pretty quickly about ticks!
I sure remember singing Count Your Blessings years ago and it happily plays through my head frequently still. Not only did I love the message, but I enjoyed the alto part in the chorus particularly.
The pond sounds and looks like a lovely spot to gather your thoughts to start the day.......I too like that me time before the rest rise.......
Ticks seem to be getting worse year by year. There's always something to spoil our enjoyment of being outdoors it seems. I hate having to wear long sleeves and socks in the summer.
Love Ned's photo bomb and his goodness in not snatching that bowl of fruit.
Another first try rise here. There is something precious about waking up to greet the world with gratitude.
lovely visit to your part of the world
Nasty ticks, I'm not sure if we have them here, but I believe there are lots in Australia. Do hope with your strip of mowing you and Neddy can walk around the pond without being bitten.
I think hay fields are very pretty. Our farmers should be getting ready for a second cutting soon. Thanks for linking up.
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