View out my sewing room window. The deer and the turkeys take turns dropping by.
The exceptional warmth into the fall added extra life to the blooming things in the garden. Here I've captured the very last rose on our front walkway bushes. Not a bee in sight anymore.
I had lunch out at a little diner recently. Lovely Chai Tea (which made me think why don't I make this at home) and poached eggs on sourdough toast with my favourite...smoked salmon. They didn't skimp on it either. I could have had a green salad instead of the home fries but I eat so many salads at home...
Fitness wise I'm doing well. Our firewood has been delivered and stacking it has kept me busy. Definitely a workout for my arms. I'm still using my Cubii for 15-20 minutes while watching tv. most nights and keep weights by my stitching chair. I've been mostly keeping up my little jogging efforts too while walking Ned. My stamina has improved a little which was not a goal as I'm not entering marathons or anything. But it's good to have fewer stops and with cooler temperatures, I can add another loop now to the lane way run, I've noticed. Mind you I never overdo, 😏
Here is the finished flimsie EPP Tiny 9 Patches quilt top caught in a slight breeze. It still has most of its papers. The same red fabric was used throughout so how strange to see different shades here.
Though I've not added to my quilting stash, I did purchase a cross stitch pattern recently from 123stitch. They kindly offer a $4.99 flat fee for delivery to Canada. I included the 28 count Antique White Cashel linen in the order too as, except for a few odds and ends, I don't have anything the size required for this one. Another Rosewood Manor seasonal design, this one is Summer Quakers. I've been eyeing it for years. I'll use DMC threads for this. With an alphabet on this one, I might personalize it too. This photo is really not doing the design justice...it is very pretty.
Our days follow much the same pattern, being the creatures of habit that we are. I like to think Tony is more entrenched than me but probably not. I've never liked surprises. We are both very content with staying home, tending to our little pastimes and eating on a schedule. Our combined total years on earth equal 158 now! We both loved Lord of the Rings and this just about sums up our needs these days.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on whether you were goal or details oriented. It is interesting isn't it. Hope all is calm and going well for you!
The last flowers to come into bloom in my garden are the Asters. The wild ones are also in bloom and like these, starting to fade. The sunlight lately has been wonderful and has that noticeable October slant. But shines strongly with a golden tinge that makes it beautiful. I've tried to capture it in this weeks' photos.
Lots of things are being illuminated by this wonderful light like a baby Chickadee- so tiny!- trying out the birdbath for the first time, judging by how long it stayed there poking about.
He finally took the plunge and immediately took off so I didn't get a photo of an actual bath.
And last week a tiny creature took all night to create this beautiful and large web at the pond's edge. Did it get tired as it progressed I wonder. Gone the next day. But I had to investigate webs and found out this is an Orb web, a typical wheel shaped structure probably made by a common spider from the Orb Weaver family. In the case of this one, the spider would have had to size up the space beforehand and carefully choose the anchor points. Where the weaving is widening would have had to do with the tall reeds it was being attached to not its lack of skill or tiredness. Spun in about an hour, it had the potential to capture many insects overnight so hopefully it was worth the effort.
The Red Squirrels are extra busy these days gathering and stockpiling. How they all seem to know the season is changing. This one was glowing in that late afternoon light. I wish the photo had captured a crisper image of the squirrel but it appears the twigs were well in focus.
Not just the wildlife have been busy, I too have been keeping myself very, very busy. Besides my daily tramping about outside, here are a few snapshots of what I've been doing inside.
The scrappy EPP Tiny Nine Patch quilt keeps growing and I think I'm nearing an end with this project. The red certainly makes it cheery. This was meant to use up scraps but I still haven't made a dent in my scrap bin. That last bit seems to defy logic.
It is about 48 in by 90 in at this stage.
More simple embroidery stitches on the Newfoundland Redwork Pictures, a project of Mom's that I am finishing. The top photo is of a line drawing of the Newfoundland museum called Rooms and the bottom represents the fabulous jams to be made from local wild berries, Bakeapple, Blueberry and Raspberry. I started stitching the label with two strands which proved to be too big for the space. Will remove that and start over with one strand. Presently stitching with DMC 115, a variegated thread which I think adds a little interest to the basic running stitches.
I'm reading and enjoying another Emma Donoghue book...Learned By Heart. Emma is the author of Room which is on Netflix as a movie now. I read the book when it came out but had to skip some chapters and go to the end; I haven't watched the movie but it gets great reviews.
This story is about Anne Lister and Eliza Raine while at a girl's boarding school in early 19 century England. How an author can create/ bring such varied storylines to life is a wonder ( and The Wonder just happens to be the title of one of her books). I like the title of this one and it is a familiar phrase as back when I went to school there were many things we had to learn by heart. Was that a big thing in your schooling as well? I don't think memorization is as important these days.
I think we have a muskrat in the pond. There was a tunnel into one of the banks when we came here and we've always wondered if there had been a muskrat here as they are very common in small ponds in Ontario. Lately, twice I've glimpsed something much much larger than the frogs moving through the water stirring mud in its wake and going into the tunnel. A lone muskrat would have a field day there having it all to itself.
I got several questions about what was on my turkey before baking in the last post. As many guessed, it was pats of real butter. It was fresh from the fridge which made it hard to cut hence the odd triangular pieces. Happy to know so many are paying attention here and your kind words and encouragement are sincerely helping me through whatever the heck this is I'm traversing.☺ How we all love to know we are not alone on the journey.
On that hopeful note, I'll sign off for today. Staying Steady and Keeping Calm (trying to). Hope you all are too!
The two of us went down to the pond early evening during the time some call the Blue Hour. As we turned a corner of the skating shack, I saw clearly two fawns lying together in the tall grass at the far end of the pond. Luckily Ned was entranced with something on the ground and hadn't seen them. I watched for a minute, then pulled him back to quietly exit the scene. No photo, just the beautiful image still in my mind.
My indoor Geraniums have put on quite a show outside this summer. The heavy rainfalls did not affect them. Such a hardy and colourful plant when in full bloom.
And my Madagascar Jasmine also flourished in the summer heat and rain. These flowers have a waxen feel and love rain.
It is basically a vine and sent out a shoot that wrapped around the neighbouring Black Eyed Susans.
Several times this summer, I've spotted two fox travelling together. At the first sighting one was notably larger but now they seem to be the same size. I think they are litter mates. Here is a photo from early June when they are "blowing their coats"( shedding the winter fur) so appear very scraggly.
I've spent most of my stitching time with two projects since I last wrote to you.
My progress on the cross stitch project, Tudor Bee, has been slow and interrupted by travel. It went with me but I didn't lay one single stitch while away. Here is how far I am with it...
I was so unsure of what colour to use for the solid alternating blocks in the 3 inch EPP Tiny 9 Patch Block challenge. I tried a blue then a green but they didn't really grab me. I was tempted to just go with white like the original antique quilt that was the inspiration for this project. But I also kept returning to look at the red which seemed to make the scappiness of the blocks shine. Btw, the red is not this orange/red as showing. It is what I call a true red.
So far, I am liking it and finding the red cheery to work with. I did a wash test with it and it is, importantly, colour fast. What do you think?
I am sad that two of my favourite blogging friends have decided to give up blogging.
Jenny of Jenny of Elefantz has decided to say farewell for now after blogging for many, many years. I was a member of her stitching club for a year and have purchased several of her sweet designs. I loved all that she shared with us...her tidbits about their life including the struggles of living in northern Australia, her garden photos and the wonderful recipes she also so gladly shared with us.
The wonderful Weaver of Grass, Pat in the Yorkshire Dales, has decided to stop blogging. She has cancer and is receiving end of life hospice care at home. She is 90 years old and I have been reading her words for almost two decades. Her wonderful musings and terrific advice, descriptions of food and flowers, love of her dogs and the monarchy, steady focus on the positive, her will to keep the body moving...all inspired and often prompted me to buck up and get on with it all myself. Her final note...it is better to travel than arrive.
My goal for August was to keep things light. I failed miserably at that having been downright emotional at times and letting my feelings seesaw so much my head felt tired of it all. That ever happen to you? You just feel tired of juggling all the thinking about all the things all the time. But I'm putting a stop to the moaning and groaning right there. Yes sireee, September will be super I'm determined and so far, so good. Do you feel like this statement too?
"September is the other January." -Gretchen Rubin
And there's stuff to be done here. I've decided to downsize my sewing room and move it back to the tiny room I had used originally when we moved to this house. I'm basically only in the sewing room when at the machine and I don't need much space for that. I've purchased a bunch of those under bed containers to sort fabric and projects and store them properly and hopefully, more efficiently.
Thank you, friends, who reached out and sent kind words of encouragement during my little blogging break. Stitchers are wonderful people!
There are certain weeds I won't cut down right away. The wild Thistles are one of them and it is for this reason. Goldfinches depend on thistles for food and use thistledown for their nests. This one was checking out the Purple Globe Thistle plant that won't bloom till late July.
The spiritual meaning of Goldfinches is to encourage resilience and embrace changes gracefully. So many of us have been tried and tested in both those regards, right?
Mid week progress on two of my quilty projects...the extra scrappy EPP 3 inch 9 patches and more Tilda Peels. I was pleased to note fabric from four men's shirts in my 9 patches. Can you spot it?
I love Tales of Cloth where Jodi Godfrey shares her amazing slow stitching journey through life. And when she made this book available, I had to buy it. I got my copy from Amazon. EPP is a favourite pastime of mine as you know, and I also love how Jodi's designs are uncomplicated. BTW, I found Jodi while researching the famous and beautiful Kingwell EPP Smitten quilt that so many folks stitched. Here is Beth de Maille's Smitten Pinterest page if you'd like to have a gander at that.
One design of Jodi's in particular has been in my file for a long time. I bought a number of large pieces of soft florals when I first started fabric shopping many years ago. That was back when I thought the only way to buy fabric was by the yard. They would suit that pattern well I think. More about that later.
Jodi also has a bank of free patterns to check out. I downloaded this one called the Orbit Quilt.
I happened to be out front pulling weeds when my latest OddBunch box got delivered. The driver, whose name was Sarmad- I get text notifications- stood there looking around and saying beautiful, beautiful. He was so nice but had to run off quickly keeping to a schedule. I really hope his time in Canada is going well.
I'm enjoying the challenge of using whatever appears in the box.
To date I have had a number of items that I never buy and a few that are new to me..blackberries and radishes that I know of but never buy, tiny cucumbers called Poppers, limes, apricots, butter beans, beets, various squashes, a huge crispy living lettuce head with the roots attached and when I looked it up, had been grown with hydroponics. There are always a number of organic items, which I never buy at the grocery store. Beth and I think these are available because of how expensive groceries are esp. the organic these days.
And speaking of food, I showed you my mini muffin pan last time. That's melted chocolate there and my special vanilla older daughter brought me back from Cuba.
I made these no bake 2 bite treats and I'm loving them. I used milk chocolate for my top layer instead of the dark. They have to be kept in the fridge because the mixture gets soft quickly. I added a couple of sprinkles of sea salt.
I got my recipe-very simple ingredients- from The Roasted Root but there are many versions on the net. Instead of peanut butter you could use mashed banana. Though I love bananas, I'm not crazy about the flavour in baked things ... odd I know.
LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's Prompt this week is if we have a favourite summertime drink. I wish I could say I did enjoy a special or fun exotic drink- I could show it with one of those mini muffins. But I do drink more of my favourite sparkling water during summer time...San Pellegrino, in particular. Here are other drinks I keep cool in the fridge...Mango juice, Kombucha, and Cranberry Ginger Ale. And I squirt lemon and lime into everything. What about you? Iced coffees maybe?
Rain falling in sheets there outside. Day 2 of that. Thank you, Beryl.
Otherwise, all is rosy in our garden here at the Wooden House. Hope all is equally going well for you as this summer moves right along at a very snappy pace.
Writing outside this morning. 8 am and already 25 C. We have a heat wave warning but it is very pleasant just now. A little breeze is blowing too. I must be a pessimistic gardener. In front of me is a Blue Beech tree I planted here years ago with little expectation that it would grow.
Well grow it has and is now at a point of crowding out the other things I've planted like the Weigelia. It was a wild shoot that had sprouted on the opposite side of the house and I read that it was slow growing. I do like it- especially the way the leaves alternate daintily along the branches ending in a tuft of little leaves. It's disappointing now because it will have to be cut down or trimmed back unless I figure out a way to dig up the roots. The early spring, though so wet and wild at times, was especially good for all the growing things. The garden is amazing this year.
I removed the robin's nest from the front door light. I knew there were two fledglings and there usually is three. Sadly one of the eggs did not hatch. What a gorgeous colour that is!
I took outdoor photos of my weekend stitching. More Hour Glass blocks.
And also Tiny 9 Patch blocks on white batting resembling snow in this June light.
I shared Thrifted blouses in this post. Still on the topic of clothing this body of mine...I must tell you what happened one morning when I pulled on a pair of those elastic waisted capris from Walmart. The waist was so tight I was uncomfortable. I always buy size large so I can be comfy in such things so all sorts of thoughts, all negative and down on myself, went through my mind. What is the point of the exercising, eating right, etc. blah, blah, blah. A little later, I changed into long pants to go in the garden (tick coverage) and glanced at the tag on the capris...size small! Make no wonder they felt tight! I'd picked up the wrong size and I know exactly how that happened. Didn't take the time to get out my reading glasses in the store. I'll pass them along to younger daughter.
I'd brought out my cross stitch piece to lay a few stitches. Natural light is the best. But it's a bit buggy and the temperature has risen. Time to go inside, get some laundry going and check on Ned and Tony.
To my left
In front of me
I do enjoy living in our little private forest! I hope you too have lots to love and lots to do this week and best get at it.
Everything is about the garden these days here in our tiny patch of the world. I tried to think of a word to describe ours and came up with lush. I was exclaiming how the heat has encouraged so much growth; the front area is full and almost overgrown looking so early in the season. Tony pointed out that I've been adding to it each summer for the eight years I've been here. Of course, everything has grown taller and wider over those years. At this point, I won't be adding any more plants/trees to the front and side gardens. My work here is done. But on second thought, maybe more flowering bushes in other parts of the property would be nice.
Ned smelling the poppies while thinking get me out of this heat!
We topped 30C on Wednesday and Ned does poorly with the heat. We think his dark brown coat might have something to do with it. And just like last summer, his dermatitis has set in. We are spraying and shampooing each day to help control it for him. Poor Fellow If you know of a helpful product we could be using, please let me know.
Tiny 9 Patch EPP blocks in blues...still in their cardboards so a little bumpy...
I'm also still plugging away at my ongoing scrappy Confetti Blocks. I keep this batting covered piece of foam next to my sewing machine to sort the scraps for these blocks. The trick is to use lots of whites to perk up the colours, I've noted. These are leaders and enders, as some call it.
I still have lots of Tilda fabric left over from my Plaid quilt finished HERE in 2022. A quilt I've always wanted to make is an Orange Peel one. I might give that a try on the weekend- I do have several orange peel templates. I'll have to look for any solids that might coordinate too as these are busy.
LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is if we can rest during free time or do we feel we have to keep moving, doing, etc. I was definitely taught to keep doing...the devil finds work for idle hands. Though I never heard that said in the home, we definitely learned that you must keep busy. I think these lessons get absorbed. Like never sleeping in or lying down during the day unless sick. I did hear keeping your hands busy is good for you-it takes your mind off things, etc. My parents led by example with this as I don't remember either of them ever sleeping in or taking naps, or taking time for themselves in any kind of way, etc. I can watch tv during the afternoon while stitching. Tony learned that this is somehow a bad thing, that there is something wasteful or lazy about it. Even now at almost 85, he cannot watch tv during the day, only at night. 5pm is the magic hour when it is "okay" to watch tv. Can you believe that?
I have to keep busy and my hand stitching certainly plays an important role in this. How about you?
I find the first cup of coffee in the morning disappears quickly. Do you? One cup is my limit so I'll have a cup of decaf later on. This is my old Pioneer Woman mug from Walmart. Still love those flowers and the pretty shade of blue handle.
I'm off to the library for a poke about and then to the grocery store. Almost always we bundle our chores off the property these days. Thank you for your kind comments on my last post...very appreciated! Hope you all are enjoying these early summer or early winter days depending on where you are on this amazing planet of ours.
We are doing well with the healthier eating. The weekly box of fresh vegetables and fruit has certainly helped. There was a large cauliflower, potatoes and green beans lately that I used in one of those mushroom soup casseroles...actually I switched to cream of chicken and it was good too. I also made a lentil, pea and bean soup with added carrots and sweet potatoes from the box. Not foods Tony would like but he enjoyed the soup. And for me, I can make a meal of a salad. I always add carrots and oranges. I'm still using Jenny of Elefantz's salad dressing...1/3 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup maple syrup. I cut back the maple syrup for me as I don't have a sweet tooth.
I did get shoe shopping for running shoes and bought these. Sketchers with hot pink soles with a little more cushioning than I'm used to.
So many pairs I tried on were white or light colours. Around here on the trails, they would be dirty so quickly, I opted for the black and I've come to like Sketchers over recent years. They are very comfortable which is the main thing, of course.
Have you heard of doing this? Yet another use for toilet paper rolls. There must be a book that could be published with all the uses by now. Last weekend, I got out my saved toilet paper rolls and made quite a lot of these. Planters for seedlings which I put to use on the weekend.
It is always tricky getting delicate, tiny sprouted seedlings out of containers to put in the ground. This way, they don't need to be removed; you can plant the whole thing. Here is a short video showing how to make the containers. Two from each roll and this tiny project definitely scratched my thrifty/frugal itch too.
Two Amazon Delights
If you google latest quilting trends, you'll probably turn up this. Alice Carolines' latest book, Alice'sWonderland Sampler Quilt. It features 100 blocks, I think all sewn in Liberty fabrics. It's popping up all over the place. Many quilters are sewing these blocks which are a variety of applique and piecing. It sold out quickly but is back in stock now even found on Amazon. Here is a short video preview of it.
And I saw this at KatyQuilts and thought I'd share it. She got hers from Sam's Club Online. Great for many uses besides sewing tools, maybe jewelry or other craft supplies. Makes a cute gift. I found similar on Amazon too but there are variations available from a number of companies and all in pretty colours. A new fangled twist on the old metal tool chest. Amazon link
My weekend's progress on the Pileated Woodpecker. I've switched to stitching some of the boring bits to get them out of the way.
And in a bit of amazing coincidence, on the weekend I was able to grab a shot of our local fast moving Pileated Woodpecker making his rounds of the trees beside the garage. Ned and I spot him quite often early morning. He always seems so intent on pecking the heck out of the trees that he doesn't notice us. And look at that... leaves have appeared almost overnight it seems.
Prep for this week's Tiny 9 Patch blocks...and nine at a time. And sadly not making any noticeable dent in the scrap bags.
I have to continue the garden tidy up this week and begin my new border on the Bramble Blooms. I hope I'm going to like what I've planned. Next time I'll talk about that and my Mother's Day outing. Hope your week will be one that includes doing something you love!
Ned's big brother is staying with us for a little while. Here he's having a chat with Tony. Petey is demonstrating his signature move...how he can balance and beg at the same time. Definitely treat worthy, he insists.
During this week, I've been tv stitching. So enjoy making these tiny EPP blocks.
I found another YouTube stitcher to watch who enjoys both cross stitch and quilting. Laura at LalaDeeStitches. She has a great upbeat vibe and shares much enthusiasm for each of her many projects. She does beautiful work in both cross stitching and quilting.
I heard from many of you who also loved that very colourful Future Dreams yarn. Here is the beginning of the particular Irish Moss (also known as American Moss) pattern I chose. From Studio Knit which offers a fine collection of patterns that just use knit and purl stitches.
It is a four row repeat pattern perfect for beginners. It is also reversible which is good for a blanket. Nothing fancy stitch wise. I'm liking the look of this better than the cross stitch pattern so I'm going to be knitting this blanket. Here is the Studio Knit video demonstrating the Irish Moss Stitch.
And HERE is the link to the West Yorkshire Spinners free pattern page for you who are clever enough to knit not only blankets, but clothing.
Pretty much all my knitting/crocheting tools are from thrift stores. I keep them in this E.R. Fisher vintage box that belonged to Tony's mother. They are a century old Ottawa menswear shop that is still in business. This box is almost as old as me!!
I loved how someone had sewn a simple knitting needle caddy to hold her own collection of needles. Though a little worn, this just had to come home with me.
There is always a huge bin of hooks and needles at the Value Village...really no need to pay full price for such items. I wonder can metal knitting needles ever wear out.
LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is how we celebrate our birthdays. Growing up, my late August birthday was kind of bittersweet as it marked the end of what were always great summers and it was back to school the next week. I was always nervous about school so that definitely took some of the fun out of the day.
These years my birthday is a reminder of, simply put, still being here. At my age, I've known a lot of people who have passed on. Recently I've been making one promise to myself on my birthday- some simple thing I want to keep up for the next year. One year I promised to keep up connections with folks, another was to improve my fitness. Last year it was to read more books rather than rely so much on audiobooks.
What about you? Was your birthday celebrated in a special way in your house?
Just noticed...I've got a robin nest building on a front door light. I'm wondering if I should discourage that.
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