Stitchy Wizardry, Blue Strings, Summer Desserts

 Well summer is upon us...it happens around this time every year :) no matter what the weather or temperatures. And what a marvel it all is. From the very early morning light to later sunsets, I am trying my best to take it all in and appreciate it. For it all moves by quickly...take the Phoebes with their nest on the sound box on the back of the house, for instance. The family...three little ones, are already raised and gone. They must have snuck out in the dead of night for me to have missed them the way I have. 

Such a sweet little bird...

Here are six blue stringed blocks. Fun machine stitching for me- I can say that now and mostly mean it. I can see there are a number of patterns these blocks can make, a decision to be made further along. 

 But I need to figure out a way to move the process along...the choosing of the strings and how they match each other seems to take me forever, etc. And I'm not sure that matters much in the overall end look of them. Also just a little unhappy that the scrap bin appears to be almost still at the very same level as when I started. As so many of you warned me it would be. 

What stitchy wizardry is this!

Below is Jenni Oliver's 1987 cover for The New Yorker, one of twenty eight paintings of hers the magazine used over the years. She deliberately didn't put people in any of her work so, per her wish, we are left imagining the lucky person who would use such a pretty sewing space. 

I watched this video featuring Jen Kingwell. I had no idea she was such a fervent hand stitcher and only uses the machine when she has to. Her lively designs are unique and interesting.

                                         

Here is one of Jen's latest patterns- it's called Burrows and Boughs. There is always a lot going on in her designs. More to be found here...Jen Kingwell Designs.

Are you watching This is Us on Neflix? Tony and I are enjoying it very much. Heartwarming I guess is what you could call the stories. 

If you are looking for a great summer dessert recipe, I have one for you...Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle. This blog called Country Reflections ended in 2015 but the recipes are all still there and I liked how they used just the regular old ingredients if you know what I mean. I love trifles in the summertime both for how easy they are to make...kind of assembling rather than baking/cooking if you have a store bought pound/sponge or angel food cake and how you can include all kinds of fruit. It's an especially great dessert because everyone always loves them. BTW, I couldn't find a name for the lady who wrote that blog so if you find it, please let me know. 

Taste of Home offers another variation of a strawberries and cream trifle. It's so easy to make this dessert look mouth watering... 

 So here I am thinking of delicious desserts and enjoying the blooms like the flowering Weigelia flowing onto the veranda. I planted three of these in bright colours that Tony loves and all three are blossoming well. What shade of pink would you call this one?

All the while I'm keeping a sharp lookout for ticks (two so far taken off Petey). Speaking of which we send well wishes to our blogging friend, Julie Rose Quilts, who is thankfully recovering from side effects of medications against tick borne illnesses. A lesson that my vigilance is warranted for sure.

We had chicken with mashed potatoes last night for supper. Yes, that's right I have a chicken to use to make my favourite- soup. Crock pot time!

Hope your week is ending on a high note! 

Check out Not Afraid of Color where folks are sharing what they like this week. And loving these linky parties...Alycia Quilts, Creations Art Quilts, It's A Small Town Life,  Sum of Their Stories, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Quilting Patchwork Applique.