Spring Cleanup, Finishes, A New Start

 Here are the dogs taking a dip one day when the clouds did a very unusual thing.

They swirled and darkened above us in the center with a rim of brightness all around the horizon's edge. It looked like we were under a bowl of doom, LOL.

  It was both neat and threatening looking. And I wish I could have captured some kind of surround photo. Everyone's complaining about the cold and cloudy spring. The weather people keep promising higher temps that don't happen or there is a chilling breeze. 

My Merlin Sound ID ap is identifying usually seven or eight different birds around the pond every morning. Nashville Warbler is the new one to me but I've yet to see it. Keep hoping to.

Meanwhile, here is the second brightest bird I get to photograph, the Blue Jay. 

My cross stitched project that is an homage to Mom is finished. I think of her every day, usually with something I want to ask her about. 

And here is my next summer cross stitching project, Summer Feels, from the clever folks at The Artsy Housewife. They have an Owl design that I love, but my rule is this one has to be done before ordering another.

 I don't stitch on coloured fabric that often but the design certainly suits this pinkish shade of 32 count Belfast linen called Sorbet. I already know I will struggle to show you this colour as it really is.  

And here are the flosses around my upside down very tiny start.

My FPP Primrose Flowers small quilt is at the flimsy stage. I've sized it to fit a certain side table here. These blocks are pretty and the FPP makes the sewing go quickly. Now to choose a backing and get it layered for quilting.

Meanwhile I'm almost finished the quilting lines on the Lone Star Medallion. I'm using the seams as a guide.  I'm also using Frog Tape to help keep the lines straight too. Any of you use that?

 May has been a productive month for me. I've changed over the bed linens and reorganized three closets. I've cleaned out the flower beds in front and to the side of the house...still have more to do in the back yard. I tidied up the laundry area in the basement where I also keep all my plant stuff. It's one of those places where you dump things and can get messy after a while.

 There have been three ticks on me so far and I do a check every night. I'm using the OFF Tick spray and so far it seems to be working; last year I'd found 7 or 8 ticks at this point.  

Yes this is the center of a Tulip. Besides the brilliant yellows, I like the hexagon shape and the brushed edges of the brown.  There's so much more beauty to see when you look closely. Plants don't disappoint...unlike weather, people, politicians, etc. LOL

I do hope there is nothing disappointing you! One final thing... I've bought a fitness device that I'm loving. I'll share next time.