Links, Free Patterns, Sawtooth Stars, Delicious Black Forest Trifle

 It was a week of horrid muggy weather setting a dew point record.  I had a vague idea of what that meant but looked it up anyway. Muggy is what a high dew point means; in our case, very muggy.  Dew point is not something I ever had to concern myself with in Newfoundland. But that broke overnight on Saturday and the temperature went down to 10C so very refreshing on the morning walk with the dogs.

The last of the lilies coincided with the hostas in bloom which is happy news for the bumblebees. 

One of these days I must write down the day lilies that are here. They are so pretty and I do take them a bit for granted. The bird bath was busy during those hot days with American Robins, Chipping Sparrows and American Goldfinches being the major bathers. 

They play nice and give way for each to have their turn. 

And we were happy when the turkey parents brought by their young ones for us to meet. The dogs and I watched a turkey fly from its overnight roosting spot down in the deciduous forest. But it flew from a spot so high up I've since questioned if it was a turkey; am now thinking it was a heron as we have seen them at the pond. 

 More of the late summer plants are starting to bloom now, another sign the season is moving along.

Stitchy News

Joann's is now shipping worldwide. I always enjoyed a poke in the one across the border in Ogdensburg when we used to travel. I liked their prices on notions and the good specials they offered so it is fun to have online shopping an option. Link to Joann's here!

 I also came across this panel called Rebel Without a Claus that I thought very nice. Not all Santas look as sweet. It is the work of Mariam Bos for Dear Stella Designs. Aqua is still very popular this year.  Here is one link to an Etsy shop selling it.

Here is a free cross stitch chart from the talented and generous Teresa Kogut.  Kindness is Free Chart. Teresa shares many beautiful charts for free downloads on her blog. 

Teresa also paints (and quilts!) and in this video she shows step by step how to paint your own Earth Angel. 

 I would love to see you try your hand at cross stitching if you haven't done so already. It is the ultimate slow stitching, soothing kind of hand work with such wonderful results.  Here is a good article on the Mental Health Benefits of cross stitching. You don't need machines, gadgets, stash, a room (LOL), etc. in order to engage in this wonderful hobby. There are enough free charts offered online to occupy a lifetime of stitching. In particular, there has been a resurgence in stitching American and other country's samplers, a wonderful way to celebrate history. I've also found it entertaining to watch the Flosstube videos which I usually stitch to. 

 In the sewing room, I have the Sawtooth Stars back on the wall trying out different arrangements for piecing. This will be fun!

Before she left, daughter dropped off a wonderful dessert, Black Forest Trifle, which to say we enjoyed very much is putting it mildly. 

The combination of whipped cream, chocolate and real cherries was so good. Just writing about it now is making my mouth water. Here is a link to The Novice Chef's Easy Black Forest Trifle recipe.

On that delicious note, I'll leave you this Thursday.  Hope there is something tasty on your plate today.

Happy to join Not Afraid of Color, Life in the Scrapatch, The Inquiring Quilter, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Viewing Nature With Eileen, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Applique, Patchwork, Quilting and Paying Ready Attention.

Dog Therapy, Dining Out, Squids and Blueberries, Bring Flowers and A Poem Too

 I recently met up with an old friend to have lunch- it's been such a long time since I could write that! Everything is far here compared to what I was used to so I had a 40 minute drive to the restaurant.  On the route which is familiar to me, two new roundabouts had been made during pandemic days. I don't know what it is about them, but you can see the drivers hesitating though really, they are fairly straight forward. I had to wave a woman on in one-she had right of way but maybe was too polite to claim it. Roundabouts appear to be a great way to handle 4 way stops and there are so many of those here in the country. Anyway, it was wonderful to spend a couple of hours just chatting and eating somewhere completely different. I had delicious Steak Frites which I often order when out.  As I've mentioned I don't eat much red meat at home and fries are always a treat for me. 

Here is the front view framed by both my kitchen window (which I've shown so often as it is my window on my world it seems) and the verandah roof. The hydrangeas are wild this year. But that is not what I was focusing on.  Can you see her?

I've been fortunate to watch this mother with two fawns cross the front a couple of times now. 

I think it is unusual for them to have two. Update...I've been told it is fairly common.

The fawns are especially pretty.

These weeks I am dog/chicken and house sitting for Daughter and family to make their annual trip to Newfoundland and Labrador which they missed last year.  Here is Robbie in Newfoundland squid jigging which is a lot of fun and I bet not many of you can say you have done that!

And the eating of it is fun too.  Calamari is one of my favourite dishes; any of you like it?

They've also been picking wild blueberries. I am envious.

More heat waves and high humidity here making walking and sitting outside uncomfortable for me and the dogs. They've all been good as gold though. Being Labradors, I've yet to find their saturation point for pets, rubs and hugs. We've had to draw the line at all three of them on the bed with us and so far, they are taking turns.  Below here they are... Abbey and Neddy panting and Petey posing prettily...very hard to get a good photo of the three together. They are good therapy for me right now and I'm grateful. 

I finished my May Bring Flowers block for A Year at Hawk Run Hollow a while ago.  June is a bride which will be fun to stitch. 

I'm giving Fraktur Flowers attention these days.  In Flosstube world, there is a custom of allowing yourself a new project start on your birthday. Since my birthday is coming up, I've been thinking of which pattern I'd like to start next. Maybe more flowers or another bee since it is still summer.  

A poem I liked.

So that is my weekly round up. I surprised myself by getting it written and the photos taken and added in time for the Thursday link ups. The dogs are keeping me pretty busy.  😍

Happy too to link up with Not Afraid of Color, Viewing Nature With Eileen, Kathy's Quilts and Brian's Blog. 

Life's Ups and Downs, Carousel of Time

A friend said to me a few years ago, Jocelyn, now we are the grandmothers. It was one of those moments when an idea hits you with a certain clarity and truth.  From then on I seemed more aware that life is definitely not static, is always swiftly moving on and me along with it. I thought of this when I saw on Nancy's blog, Joy For Grace. she had posted a video of Joni Mitchell singing The Circle Game.  In 1966, as a 15 year old I would have enjoyed her beautiful voice, but now all these years later, the words themselves have fresh meaning to me.  Do they resonate with you?

 This photo shows the side of our house with one of our bedroom windows framed through the Smoketree. Ours isn't so much a tree as a widely spreading bush. I love its pink and burgundy colours. 

Visible too is the Goat's Beard tree that produces beautiful creamy blooms. However, this one had its tallest branches broken during those heavy July rains and I had to trim its crown. Wish I'd gotten a photo before that happened as it was in its glory. 

Below is the entrance to our driveway up at the cul de sac.  These are a form of orange ditch lilies that were here when we arrived.  I added the hydrangea from what I had propagated last year and was happy to see it survived winter and actually bloomed. We had our own little plot of Birdsfoot Trefoil there that Hubby didn't mow because it was alive with bees and flying insects and he knew I would like it left for them.

And here is Neddy waiting patiently for me as I pick up Hubby's paper across from those pretty yellow blooms.

I felt like sewing yesterday and now have 40 of the Courthouse Steps Blocks finished. I think I will need about 80 so I'm halfway there.  Loving using foundation piecing and the accuracy it is giving me. Also enjoying digging through scraps bags for the light strips. 

I've had a couple of emotional weeks and I will tell you about it later.

 But in the midst of that, one of the happiest of things happened too. (And isn't that just like life, the ups and inevitable downs too.) My hubby celebrated his 82nd birthday with a beautiful chocolate mousse cake from daughter and a wonderful surf and turf meal cooked by son in law. Best of all was being together again- it felt like old times when we would share a big meal once a month. 

We are very hopeful the pandemic is behind us as everything is getting back to normal here in Ontario. Mask wearing indoors still is the only sign of what we've come through. 

Hope things are similarly positive where you are!

Happily linking with Not Afraid of Color, Life in the Scrapatch, Love Laugh Quilt,  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Brian's Home Blog. 

Free Patterns, Christmas Stitching in July, Playful Pups and Empty Nests

Summer is in full bloom here in Ontario. The fireflies are out nightly and we've had strange moons, weather, and thankfully, this week a break from the humidity that further drags me down. We also had one noteworthy storm that was kind of frightening. Suddenly it turned dark as night, the wind came up and then we had torrential downpours of rain with thunder crashing all the while. It was how suddenly it turned dark like night that I couldn't get over. However, after 20 minutes or so it all cleared off, leaving in its wake many of my taller plants and bushes beaten down. And worse, severe damage to farm crops in the area.

Strange moon rising...

Down to earth all the day lilies are in bloom. Many shades are represented here and they provide beautiful colour amidst all the green.  

And the bees and insects are busily foraging which I always like to see in the garden.

The Eastern Phoebes on the back of the house have all fledged. I got to see one who left the nest and flew to the metal roof where it proceeded to gently slide down. The parent alerted me with its frantic calls but when the little guy ran out of roof, it discovered its wings and flew to a tree a couple of feet away. The parent immediately followed it. I watched and got to see them both fly off into the big wood together. I miss them very much, as even in the tv room in the evenings, I could watch the parents alighting on the trees that frame that window. However, I hear their calls on our walks so they are about still. 

There is a great Halloween stitch along starting up August 2 from the Fat Quarter Shop. It's called Bats and Boos and will offer free quilt patterns and also free cross stitch patterns to match. Here is the link.

My own hand stitching this week is a little Christmas in July stitching. I love to think of Christmas and am really hoping this one will be like old times. Moda with designer, Susan Ache, offered a free Holiday Stitch-a-Long featuring Baltimore inspired patterns to be set in a quilt with Courthouse step blocks.  I downloaded the patterns.  Here is the link to all the downloads and info about the beautiful quilt.

I also downloaded free patterns for tiny stitcheries, 5 inch blocks, in winter/Christmas themes. These, of course, work up very fast.  Here is a link to 10 sites that offer free Christmas embroidery patterns including vintage.

I was asked about the sites I follow about the Royal Family. I used to have several on my Blogs I Follow list, then when that grew, I moved them to my Reading List. I've put three of them back into the current list on the side so you can click those links to find information and news about the royals. I'm such a nerd; I also like architecture so love the virtual tours and photos of the various homes and palaces.  

Sweet distraction during trying times are the puppies. Here Ned has a good play with his litter mate-brother, Petey. Daughter brings him along when they drop over for a swim much to Neddy's delight.

I hope you, dear reader, is as happy as a pair of pups running amok on a summer's day. 

Happy as always to link up with Not Afraid of Color, Brian's Home Blog, Life in the Scrapatch, Viewing Nature With Eileen, Kathy's Quilts, Letting Go of the Bay Leaf and Paying Ready Attention. 

Nature Sings, Courthouse Steps and Tumbling Blocks, Have You Heard of This?

Since reading The Overstory, I've been more aware of trees. I still count as one of my duties here to name all the trees; I'm sure many are represented just outside my front door. Though I do not think our woods are enchanted, the sounds I hear there are kind of enchanting to me.  For instance, early one morning, I heard two barred owls hoot to each other from different parts of the woods. Then a couple of cardinals chimed in, also distances apart, to sing their tuit tuit calls. Meanwhile, chickadees were chirping continuously and a couple of red squirrels were chittering. It was all a kind of symphony to my ears, one that made me feel emotional in that moment. It reminded me of a hymn we used to sing growing up..."All nature sings and round me rings, it is my Father's world." Is that familiar to you too? 

I think I found one of the chipping sparrow nests way up in the eave of the side wall tucked away; what a great spot! I had to use my distance camera and would not have seen it but heard this one out of the nest and chirping loudly and then noticed a bird fly somewhere up there to feed it. The adult wasn't much bigger than the one being fed. Do sparrows make messy nests?

A day later this brave little one took a dip in the bird bath then stood around calling to its parent. I waited but never saw one show up.

I continue to follow our Majesty and enjoy reading about her habits, clothes, jewelry, duties, etc. 

Below here she is at the G7 Summit in her summery flowery dress with a sunny smile to match. 95 and still working. Apparently her mind is just as sharp as it always was-still reads her daily political briefings and considering her knowledge of dogs, horses and medals is extensive, that's impressive.  She still rides, albeit a much smaller horse and with a companion, but also remarkable I think. One can only hope to be so well in mind and body at such an age.

Foundation Piecing is going well!

I'm feeling successful with the foundation piecing of the Courthouse Steps scrappy blocks. This many completed. If I'm going to be on the machine, I may as well sew something I like as much as these. And I must admit this is probably the most precision that has ever happened in my sewing room!

The Tumbling blocks are gradually being joined, I have five sections like this now sewn together. So many hand stitched seams and I'm very happy my enthusiasm for it hasn't waned. Hopefully, my current motivation will see me through to getting this large undertaking finished. Fingers crossed!

Ned continues to provide so much pleasure. Such a good little fellow almost like he knows we are old so he must be well behaved. 

Have you heard of the Hepburn Voice? I read about it on a blog and looked it up. Sounds like an interesting device- designed to look like a retro radio but has all the latest technology to control all your other devices. Especially interesting is the choice in covers. Cath Kidston designs available for covers. 

Here is a link if you'd like to read more about it.

My photo uptake gave me issues this morning...this photo of a bluejay feeding another was supposed to be up top there in the bird section. 

My ipod Shuffle finally died; I think it is about12 years old. The young man in the store I went to to get a new one told me they haven't made them for quite a while. Now folks put their music lists on their phones. But what about wanting to have music while swimming, I asked him. Look up headsets, he said. He was sure they've made something just for that purpose. So I'm hunting and if you have a suggestion, I'd appreciate it.

  Speaking of which, I enjoy reading all your emails and comments so much! A Sincere thank you for your kind words, suggestions, advice and sharing a little of your life as well. 

Linking with Not Afraid of Color, Brian's Home Blog, Paying Ready Attention, Our World Tuesday, Viewing Nature With Eileen, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Life in the Scrapatch. 

Critters Big and Small, Imperfect Stitching, Exercise and My Brain

4 Ticks!

Yes, I've picked 4 ticks off myself this season so far. That's three more than average. And I've had to extract one each from Hubby and Ned (though Ned is on a medication to repel parasites-too bad I couldn't have such). A lot of critters have been flourishing this year including these tiny as mites things.

 And the garden continues to grow like crazy...I guess it's the heat. View from my kitchen window this morning showing the lawn on the left where I play ball with Ned.

I was working on my photos this week, an ongoing goal, and came across photos of the Fans quilt I made last fall/winter. I realized I hadn't shown the piece with all the blocks sewn together. Still not quilted and definitely imperfect (perhaps why I hadn't shared it). And I do have regrets about using those two lighter blues though in real life they are the prettiest blue fabric here.

I must share with you this photo...in my last post I wrote about feeling distracted.  Noticed yesterday that my May doesn't have an A. Definitely imperfect! Oh well, a little frogging and it will be remedied. 

Note the specs in that picture.  A couple of blogging friends mentioned these particular readers.  I checked them out and bought a set, 5 pairs for $19 US. And I could get magnification of 4 which I didn't even know was possible. These are well made and I can stitch any thread count with them when I want to take a break from my real magnifiers. Here is the link to Eyekeepers and the women's readers collections.

Garden visitors We continue to be blessed with all form of creatures, great and small, visiting our summer gardens. And that includes the ticks!

These chipping sparrows have flourished the last two summers here though I've yet to find a nest. Many of them in the trees and under the feeders. 

Lots of chipmunks too. Hard to count as they seem to be loners.

There is something about turkeys that fascinate me...their size, the strange featherless heads, the beauty of their large feathers; I don't know. 

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful and encouraging comments on my last post. The heat broke and it is cooler now- to me more pleasant outside.  A swim every day, an early morning little jog to the newspaper box with Ned and playing ball on the lawn with him is making me feel fitter. When I feel fitter, I do feel better mentally which I know is how my brain works.

  Plus I was able to have both grandsons here for a swim (and a float) last Sunday which was wonderful. Things are slowly starting to feel more normal.

Hope everything is even finer than normal where ever you are!

So happy to be joining the group at Not Afraid of Color, Life in the Scrapatch, Viewing Nature With Eileen, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, So Scrappy, Kathy's Quilts, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Paying Ready Attention. 

  

Which Me Am I Now?

 I've been a bundle of thoughts since I last wrote a post. So much bad news in the news and sadness abounding it seems. And this heat...which I say feels like you're stepping out into warm, thick pea soup, has also served to dampen my spirits and sapped my little energy along with it. How hot has it been?  So hot Hubby is wearing a short sleeved t-shirt without a long sleeved shirt over it. I've never seen him wear such before. 

Ned is learning to enjoy the walks especially in the shade on a hot day.

So we are bumbling along. My hair, which has a little natural curl, has been frizzy just like any time I was in Florida. It makes no difference to pull a comb through it. This, of course, is the least of my concerns just now. 

 It's more my mood that worries me. Up and down and all over the place. Reminds me of that saying, which me am I now? The normal me is, if graphed, a straight level line but not lately.  And oddly I've had a hankering for hearty food during this heat. I made a large pan of colcannon which is basically mashed potatoes, cabbage and bacon. And a large tuna/macaroni casserole that lasted two suppers for us.  Not suffering a lack of carbs!

And of course, my concerns pale in comparison to what people are going through in the western provinces where folks have died of the heat and now are coping with massive forest fires. On the heels of the residential schools continuing horrific news- all the loss and suffering! I find it all distressing to hear about.

Meanwhile everything in the garden is growing wildly for Neddy's first summer.

A bit overgrown as I've neglected the weeding this week.

Nice to see purply sedum and lavender, my additions, doing well in the garden.

I did get to try out the foundation papers to stitch two new Courthouse Steps blocks. It worked quite well and definitely improved the accuracy of the straight lines. Now that I have the hang of it, I'm doing three at a time. I'm pleased with myself for trying something new. I still like the heritage red fabric and love the using up of scraps too. This pattern has the center block smaller and the same size as the two nearby red blocks (unlike the vintage block I had sewn before).

I'm reading this book and enjoying it, After the Fire by Henning Mankel.  I like books where the protagonist is old; how they are coping with life is interesting to me. Perhaps I can pick up some pointers.

 I hope this Thursday finds you well and coping with whatever life is throwing at you!

As always linking to Not Afraid of Color, Life in the Scrapatch, Quilt Fabrication, Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Brian's Blog.