Stitching Slowly, Food and Flowers, Fall Blooms and Birds

 Hello again and thanks so much for stopping by. I heard the Barred Owls hooting early morning around 4 am and stayed awake till they finished about half an hour later. Then I slept in till 9, so late for me that Tony woke up enough to ask if I was alright.  

Last fall I watched a wonderful moment...an adult male Cardinal was feeding two young ones in the big fir in the back yard. It took a long time to get this photo and I never did capture a good photo of the three. But here are the new Cardinals patiently waiting for his return. I'm thinking they would have been from a second or possibly third brood. 

I had the patio door open for the dogs one day and a baby Chickadee flew in. I didn't notice till I saw  Ned excitedly at the side window and realized at the same moment, Petey was pacing nervously. I easily captured the tiny thing in my hands and it flew off no problem. I hope it had been there so briefly as to not notice at all. I still remember the surprising warmth of its tiny body in my hands. 

Fading blooms but still so pretty in the September sun ...

I've had a busy week though I've not left the property. In the garden, I've been dead heading and using my Gorilla cart to carry it away to my various piles in the woods. These piles are getting bigger (but they collapse some too with the weight of snow) and in the winter I will see prints of critters using them for a little warmth or even a home maybe. 

As soon as that heat left us, I was back in the pool for a daily swim which, with the much cooler water, is so invigorating. We will be getting it closed at the end of the month so I have to make the most of it. 

Inside I used my Bread machine to make a Sweet Bread for Tony. He loves bread so much he was happy enough with egg salad sandwiches and a salad for dinner the night I baked it. I like doing this because I can add my own ingredients like an egg for a little extra nutrition. This Kitchenarm is working out very well. 

I also made a meat loaf one day and covered the top with a little catsup/honey mixture like Mom used to do. Do you do that?

I found that oval pyrex dish at a thrift store and it is just the right size for a one pound meat loaf.

 I always bake potatoes and sweet potatoes too when I have the oven on.

 Another night I made tacos and that seems to be as adventurous in the kitchen I get these days.  

I read this book When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton. I'm pretty sure I read it before but long ago. Just the odd line here and there was twigging with me but I very much enjoyed the reread if that was what it was. I've loved all Jane's books. 

Slow Stitching This Week

I finished the hand quilting lines on Tony's bureau scarf and have it ready for finishing completely. Someone is pretty much always there reminding me to put the needle down and get moving.

And look what the Best Grandma has taken out for September very slow stitching. 

Autumn Quakers is almost at the finish line so my goal is to enjoy these last few motifs and any extra stitches that may need to be added. I'd forgotten how wonderful and truly Autumn like the colours are. 

One more thing...I almost forgot to show you this. In my wonky Propeller quilt top, I'd made one block stars and stripes just for fun as a little nod to my American blogging friends who have been so kind to me and this blog.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week was did we get new clothes for going back to school in September. Though we wore school uniforms, I always got a new cardigan, coat and shoes which were usually bought for me. I do remember the first time Mom took me out to West Street to Goodyear and House Department Store in Corner Brook to help pick them out. It was a huge treat. That store had a section in the basement just for Boy Scout and Girl Guide uniforms so I went there to get my uniform later on. Dad's best jacket, a Harris tweed, came from that store. He wore it for decades. I guess a lot of towns had a wonderful general retail store like that. What about you? New duds for a new school year?

Memory is tricky isn't it...I can remember that stuff but be fuzzy about some very recent things. For example... currently I'm on the hunt for my slippers I stored away somewhere last May. Very annoying!

I hope you are remembering where you tucked away all your belongings and your Sunday is going well. We are going to a couple of Open Houses. Wish us luck!

So happy to share this post with linky parties at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Creatively Beth, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Quilt Schmilt and Quilting Patchwork Applique.