Pretty Things

The fun and joy of having pretty things in our lives...and by pretty I mean whatever is attractive to you. I think they help us slow down and enjoy life in a way the big things can't.  Here are a few pretty things noted around here lately.
 Hubby with a visual display of how large our pretty hydrangea blooms are this year...bigger than his head! And yes this is his amused face. :)

Pleased with how my new tough little point and shoot camera is working out. Loads of pretty colours in the garden.

A Little Golden Book...The Golden Book of Birds available here at Amazon with its pretty pink cover.

All things April Cornell including the table linens...I always had a few of their skirts and jumpers but I've weaned myself away from them.  Check out the pretty things here.
                 
 Antique jeweled thimbles from Germany.





Christmas Wishing
A bank of free patterns is available here including this lovely Christmas cardinal.

                        
I worked on the tiny quilt on my Summer Storm piece and had a struggle during which I doubted my fingers' ability to stitch. I just couldn't get the white threads to lay right.  I moved over to the pretty little house and the stitching seems to be working out okay (but not what I want it to be) and my confidence is improving.

It is our monthly SAL meet up time over at Avis's Sewing Beside the Sea.  Lots of pretty stitches to see at our participant's sites, that's for sure.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley,Megan, Deborah, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon
My mother accumulated lots of pretty things in her life time and one of her few regrets in life is that she did not use them enough thinking they were too "good" to use.
|Hope your Sunday involves all that you enjoy.
Linking up with Kathy's Quilts.

In My Head, It's July

I feel like summer has turned into a runaway train or horse...something running at high speed and will be out of sight way too soon. And I'm some sort of looker-on just watching this thing fade into the distance. And this is with me trying to be mindful every single day, out with my camera noting all the growing things or on my knees weeding those growing things. Hanging out on the veranda whenever it's livable out there, swimming every single day, wearing my caftan and the couple of linen things in my closet. Yes, trying to soak it all up. But in my head, it's still July.
We have been busy too so besides not being long, this summer has not been lazy either.
Our old fellow, Rex, hanging out with me on the veranda.

 I had littler grandson with me for a day that we spent mostly outside planting seeds, cleaning out an old bird house, making a new bird house, and gathering sticks which we added to the wild small animal house I have over in the far woods. I was so happy a little red squirrel popped out right when we were there.  I had him help me plant my new additions to the garden. I always add a bush and a couple more perennials each summer. This year it is a purple clematis

and three more day lilies that I've planted near the new steps we had built at the far end of the veranda...just about the only place left that needs more colour.  I love my little green wagon, btw.

I have my Spring Strings piece sewed together; it is now a flimsy! I like it better in its entirety than I did as individual blocks.

Here is what is left of the shirt I used for the sashing. I even saved the buttons which were faux wood but looked nice. The white bits are the collar interfacing. This was a satisfactory process to me as during the 'deconstruction' I could see just how the various shirt parts had been sewn. And was impressed by the cleverness of it all.

I made a turmeric/lentil curry soup and extra healthy muffins.  I admit I love seedy, grainy foods and will eat these not just cause they're kind of healthy but because I like them. And on that, recently I bought a loaf of probiotic bread...it was so like eating cardboard I just couldn't do it. The spirit was willing but the body was weak, LOL.  On the right there is my leftover vegetable mixture I had been saving in the freezer and boiled up to make a broth. Looks good but it was very tasteless so I don't think I'll be bothering to continue that.  Just add those bits to the compost bin instead.

Older grandson, who is a recent Tarantino fan, and I went to see this movie.  I enjoyed it very much, perhaps because I have my own memories of the last bits of the 60's. I especially liked the ending which has been called a valentine for the tragic Sharon Tate. I admit I teared up as I always had a soft spot for her story. Margo Robbie who played Sharon in the movie even wore her jewelry.  That Leonardo is quite the actor.

I've been doing some stitching on this little kit, a woolen floral pincushion that has been my summer take along project.

Wool is so nice to embroider. I'm testing out a blanket stitch to border it in this photo.

My little table runner is up next on my summer to-do list; I received my fabric last month. I find all the online fabric shops so good and am so thankful for the convenience they provide.
I'm thankful too that our political news this week was the leader of the opposition party criticized our new Canada Food Guide...he's got the nutritionists all riled up apparently. Yes it is boring which is what Canada is often labelled but I'll take it.
And finally ❤ to my friends across the border; what affects you affects us.
Linking as always with Not Afraid of Color.  Also linking with Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Brian's Home Blog, |My Quilt Infatuation, Wendy's Quilts and More, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Creations-Quilts, Art...Whatever.

What I'm On Top Of (Sort of)

Some days I think I'm very on top of this aging thing.  Then other days not so much and a bit of uncertainty creeps in.  It is treading into unknown waters, I guess, but tread we must.  We also waver between the two of us, one up, one down.  Do you know what I mean?  Aging is a gift we keep reminding each other, but it is not always a beautiful thing. With the swimming, I'm aware of my arms suddenly. They are so scrawny...why can't my thighs be like that.  I'm like a snowman melting from the top down, especially in this continued heat. There have been heat warnings for most of July which the thriving corn loves far more than me.

Thank you all who had clothing suggestions and I followed up as promised.
The Dress Barn does not ship to Canada but American friends, right now they are offering 40% off their already reduced items which looks like a deal to me.
Sadly Christopher and Banks also will not ship to Canada and they presently have everything 50% off.  Soft Surroundings also does not ship internationally.
But Chico's, JJill and Overstock do.  So lots for me to explore.

Getting on top of Windows 10, sort of. Boring but necessary.  I finally broke down and bought a new laptop as my last was flashing it needed a new battery for over a year now.  I bought the same one but this one has Windows 10 so there is a little learning going on.  The keyboard is faster which I like.
The strawberries were ripe by the first week in July and we got to pick a week or so later when they were huge! And so sweet.

 Littler grandson had a ball. |We teased him that they would weigh him on the way out to figure out how much he had eaten.

We enjoyed this Netflix docuseries called The Last Czars very much.  It is really a fascinating story of how the revolution in Russia evolved to the point the Czar and his family were assassinated. Did you know that Czar Nicholas and his chosen wife, Alexandra, were a true love match? I had heard of Rasputin of course but it was also interesting to learn more about his role in their downfall. Woven throughout was the mystery of the woman claiming to be their daughter, Anastasia, who had somehow survived the massacre. Well acted and cleverly mixed with historians providing background, this was not dry at all and left us wishing more of history could be presented in such an entertaining way.
                                  
Figuring out what was disturbing things in the garage workshop.  Hubby has been noticing for some time that things looked disturbed in his outdoor workshop. I keep my gardening stuff there and saw one day that the birdseed bin had the top partially removed, no mean feat as it is one that locks.  I heard a noise further in the garage, peeked around the door and spied this.  Just so happened to have my camera with me.
Can you see him?

Yep a raccoon.  Hubby thinks he's been living in the attic part of the garage for a while now.  It was cute how he held this "hands up" pose not moving a muscle for all the while I was there.

However, we are really hoping he has moved on.  They can wreak havoc with buildings.
I have my Sweet Pea trellis stitch afghan almost finished, just crocheting an edging all around. It is now big enough to cover arms and feet at the same time, the role of an afghan.

Christmas Wishing
This wonderful project which I know will appeal to many of you is called Sleigh Bells by Jan Patek . I think I've mentioned before how much I like Jan's attitude to quilting...have fun with it, enjoy, etc.  She only ever includes the simplest of blocks to piece. |It would be interesting to see this made with more modern style fabrics.
I've made headway on other stitching so a few photos next time...have that shirt I used for reclaimed fabric pretty much down to just the buttoned placket!
 I feel like I've been really busy-for me, and today I'm off to the Outlet mall for some retail fun. Hope there is something fun in your day today too!
It is always fun to visit the blog list at Not Afraid of Color.  Also linking with It's A Small Town Life, and  Viewing Nature With Eileen.

Favourites... YouTube, Potato Salad, Basket Blocks,

Yes, the chandeliers at the Hilton, Lac Leamy, are the exceptional work of Dale Chihuly.  His remarkable glass blown creations are completely new to me so thanks to all who commented about it.

This photo has a number of my favourite things in it.

 Veranda stitching, my pretty robin cup for keeping drinks cool (or hot) and my latest viewing on YouTube.  The Last Homely House in the East is the title of this video channel featuring Kate and her cats, chickens and ducks on a small farm near Hexham, Northern England.  She shares her cooking, baking, crafting, knitting and quilting and chatters on in a very engaging, interesting manner.  In the video I'm watching above she shares how she makes her Kaffe Fasset Trip Around the World block.  Below she is making something completely new to me, a Nut Roast which consists of nuts and loads of vegetables.  Btw, does anyone recognize the reference in the title of her vlog?

A favourite of Hubby's and the quintessential summertime dish is potato salad.  I am always on the look out for a great potato salad recipe.  What I've learned during my search is that a lot of folks claim one or all of the following....
their recipe is
- the best in the world
 -their grannies' recipe thereby more authentic than all the others
-sure to be a crowd pleaser so the best to bring to pot lucks
- has a secret ingredient that will make it the best you've ever eaten
 I've visited many sites and here are the links to three that sounded very good to me.  Hope you try one and come back and let us know if it was the best.
At Susan Branch's very pretty site she shares her family recipe for Old Fashioned Potato Salad.

                                


Here is Stacy Lyn Harris' World's Best Potato Salad recipe . A mother of 7 children, Stacy Lyn knows a thing or two about feeding people. I've made her Cowboy Cookies and they were so good!  Too Good!
                                          
As Heidi says on her blog, Foodie Crush, this is not her first potato salad rodeo.  She has shared several different recipes before but thinks she has hit the potato salad jackpot with this particular recipe.

                                           Oh writing about this and looking at these photos is making me hungry.
I guess the inclusion of certain things is a distinguishing feature of each recipe.  I'd never had celery in my potato salad till I went to my mil's and she wouldn't make it without it.  Probably the prize for most colourful potato salads would go to myself and my fellow Newfoundlanders who make mustard and beet potato salads. I know that  sounds a bit weird but is very tasty.  Here is Bonita cooking in her Newfoundland kitchen showing just how this is achieved.  I must admit hers are even more colourful than I'm used to.

Something that is bound to be a favourite is the latest autumn fabric collection called Plum Garden from the team at Tilda's World.  If you like dreamy florals, this is sure to please. Also at that link, you can find a selection of very nice free patterns.
                                    
Still a favourite of mine, my wall of baskets keeps on climbing.  If  I just keep making them, I'll never have to face the putting together part which is my least favourite bit.

Favourited by so many, the daisies are in bloom.  Pretty green beetle there, some kind of weevil?? Ahh July. And summer, the second favourite season for most especially loved by extroverts apparently. That  is not me but I'm thoroughly enjoying my gardening/outdoor time which is definitely a favoured pastime of mine.

So have I struck on any of your favourites?  Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this post and those past...especially the recent clothing suggestions. To be chatted about next time.
As always linking to Not Afraid of Color where you will find a list of bloggers also sharing wonderful, fun and interesting things on a Thursday.
Also linking with It's A Small Town Life, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and My Quilt Infatuation.

I Meant To Do My Work Today

There used to be rules about dressing for the older ages. I remember the talk about old lady clothes and not wearing bright colours, etc.  Nobody wanted to be called mutton dressed up as lamb. Those old "rules" seem to have fallen away just like so many other things. Now it seems we need to know how to dress so we don't look old fashioned.
Like this advice, definitely British...
Avoid tweed skirt suits teamed with lace-up brogues...and anything crimplene."  I thought of Agatha Christie when I read this though I wonder what exactly is crimplene??? 
I was thinking about all this recently while looking about for a new good summer outfit.  We had/have several outings planned and my wardrobe has definitely slipped all the way to garden casual. I looked in the usual places and did not see anything a) suitable, or b) likeable.  I didn't even see anything I liked that could be called frumpy to have a mental debate about. I came home empty handed and thought, well that's a fine howdoyoudo. Trying to clothe myself going forward with no discernable style other than preferring black or white with the odd flowery blouse thrown in and definitely needing to feel comfortable is going to be a bit of a challenge it seems.  Anywhere online you are shopping and finding appropriately youngish old lady clothes?

I realize I do forget to show you the things I finish.  My interest lies more in the process I guess and that applies to my baking as well- once something is in the oven, I have a tendency to forget about it; have always had to use a timer.
 However, every time I take out my sunglass cloth pouch, I'm reminded I didn't show you this little project after it was done.  Anyone remember my kantha stitching efforts? I was using a small selection of Tula Pink fabrics and enjoying the stitching very much.

I did turn it into a useful item and in fact it is large enough for both my reading glasses and sunglasses to fit so I'm finding it very convenient.

I sewed it together with a little crossed stitched design that mimicked the pattern on the inside fabric.
You can find the whole project tutorial generously offered by Sara at Radiant Home Studio in this post.

I'm glad I chose to keep the Queen's face stitch free.
What do you think?  Would this make a good gift?  I really enjoyed making it and would make more for family possibly.

There are some surprising sights here at the wooden house. Recently we noticed a small fox trot confidently across the front driveways on several occasions. Then one day I spied this. He'd been in the pond because I watched through binnoculars as he shook his soaking wet fur and groomed himself. Then he very calmly lay down in the middle of the drive and took a nap!

While he was doing that, Hubby went to the net to look up rabies and this little guy definitely was not showing any of the signs other than an unusual level of comfort in front of the house. Since then, Rex was outside off leash with me on the veranda one morning when the fox appeared walking down the lane. Rex gave chase and the fox dived into a den in an ancient rock pile to the left of the big barn (the building he is in front of there). Rex was left wandering all around and couldn't figure out where it had disappeared to.
 I was happy the fox was safe but not worried.  Rex might think he can run fast but for such short distances these days, I knew the fox had nothing to fear.  We have glimpsed a fox down by the pond; not sure if it is this little guy though. But no more driveway siesta sightings since!

I also finished my Cornwall Cottage Sampler as mentioned before. It joins my little group of finishes that would be nice to see framed sometime. This was Karen Kluba's design, 294 x 294 stitches on Belfast linen, 32 ct cream. ( Bad photo: Taken in the sewing room which is either too sunny or too dark with shades drawn these days.)

I've picked Alicia Paulson's kit, Summer Storm, from her pretty site, Posie, that has all sorts of lovely things to stitch as my next project. After the sampler, I wanted something smaller to work on.  Perfect summer stitching actually.  You can read this post about middle of the night shopping when I bought it.

I've sorted the 31 colours of floss, made and labelled cardboard strips to hold and separate the strands. Though far fewer stitches than the last project, the tricky bit in this one will be keeping these shades straight. Pretty names- Cyclamen Pink, Beaver Gray, Nile Green

And made a beginning on the 32count French Country linen in Rain 258 colour ...no photo because it is literally just the bottom row of the quilt there which is where I chose to begin. There is nothing in the dead center which is where I normally make a start.
It is time for our monthly SAL update hosted by Avis at Sewing Beside the Sea. Projects are getting finished and new ones started; always interesting.  Here are the stitchy folks participating...
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley,Megan, Deborah, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon

Yes, I've been feeling very distracted lately. So much garden time watching the blooms and bugs, the birds and the critters.  These summer time experiences have to be favoured over all other things for now.
                              
What are you favouring today?  Please do drop by and share it with me.
Sharing this post with Viewing Nature With Eileen, Love Laugh Quilt, Quilt Fabrication, Sew Fresh Quilts and Cooking Up Quilts

Camelot It's Not, Celebrating in Style, What All the Quilters are Making

I just can't tell you what a treat it is to be outside so much these days. No, as I've moaned about, it isn't perfect what with the heat a little stifling by midafternoon but I've just had to figure out how to work around it.  After all, it is only in Camelot that the weather is decreed by law to always be beautiful as Richard Harris sings to Vanessa Redgrave in this video. What a hopeful, romantic melody!

This was made all the more popular after the Kennedy era when it was learned that John Kennedy listened to it every evening and particularly liked the final lines "Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot."

Though I also think the weather is pretty near perfect in New Zealand from what I hear from blogging friends there so maybe Camelot exists!

Hubby had his 80th birthday this week which we celebrated hugely with a limousine ride to the restaurant, Lac Leamy Arome in Quebec. It was so much fun. My first time in a limousine!

And we ate a veritable feast.  After platters of meat and seafood tempura, the restaurant treated us to two trays of Creme Brulee, a favourite of Hubby's. The theme for the night was you only turn 80 once!  Of course, the real pleasure was to share the celebrating of reaching a grand age and more importantly, being thankful the life in his years has not diminished.

I received my new camera, another point and shoot and one a little more rugged since these old hands of mine are not as grippy as they used to be.  I've had fun learning its features which are much the same as the last one, therefore, not daunting and I'm pleased with the results so far.
Wild Black Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) grow all over the property (except in the deciduous wood) and each year I pick a little for one indoor bouquet.  These are so pretty and cheery.

Hopelessly Scrappy
Reclaiming fabric from old clothes is something I do from time to time. Recently I saw this shirt at a thrift store and really liked the fabric and the print.  I managed to reclaim from the pieces once taken apart, enough strips to form sashes for my Spring String blocks.   
More neutrals but the fern pattern is certainly in line with the spring theme of the project and using old clothes is scrappy too.  However, as soon as I saw these together on the wall, I second guessed my choice.  Perhaps something stronger in colour would have worked better. Groan, but I'm sticking with this.

I'll leave you with this image of one of the larger chandeliers at Lac Leamy hotel. There were smaller versions and I found them very creative and interesting. What do you think?

Well, it was quite a wonderful week and the birthday celebration continues this weekend with another get together. Very grateful for it all.
Meanwhile, visit  LeeAnna's Not Afraid of Color where you can read about many more thankful, likeable things from her and all the folks linking up there.
 Also linking with Quilt Fabrication where Susan gives a rundown on The 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop.
 And joining The Inquiring Quilter where Jennifer shares how to get a free pattern for the most adorable Button Block.
Also linking with Busy Hands Quilts where Myra is displaying gorgeous quilting on a piece using the very pretty Seaside by Tasha Noel fabric.
Just had to link with Quilting is More Fun Than Housework where Cynthia is showing her array of RSC blocks made over two years and the sweetest plum in pinks added to the group.
As well as Em's Scrapbag where Em has the prettiest pink dresdens on display.
Also joining Small Quilts and Doll Quilts where Judy has used red as an amazing stand out colour.
And Show and Tell Monday With Bambi where Eva is sharing two new sampler blocks.
All wonderful inspiring stuff!

Cranky But Happy (!)

Truth be told, I am feeling a little tired and cranky this morning.  Too hot as well which may be the source of my problem.  A couple of weeks of heat and humidity that has driven us to turn on the air conditioning later in the day might be the source...the ceiling fans in every room just can't keep up and I've rediscovered that unless you are directly under them, they don't cool you off. I have a wide range of tolerance for heat and cold so if I'm feeling it, then I know it's hot.

Hubby has actually resorted to wearing his short sleeved shirts! And it's too stifling for much veranda stitching, sigh.  But though I'm complaining to you, I know this is peanuts compared to the havoc weather is causing elsewhere. 

But flowers appear to love heat...

Whites in Bloom

Snowball bush in backyard that frustratingly begins to drop its petals as it blooms.

Goatsbeard bush that is a gorgeous almost 6 feet tall on the far side of the house.

Hydrangea bush to the right of the main entrance. One of 4 in the front.

A garden visitor who likes to mow down certain hostas-there's another hydrangea sticking out there with tall weed beside it, eek.

A sweet but unnamed little fellow I think behaving like a peewee or phoebe.  Help??

Leanne at She Can Quilt is one of the hosts for the FAL Q3 link up...you can write and share what you hope to finish over the next three months...

                                           

My baskets are getting more plentiful-at last count I had made 55 of these 6 inch blocks. I'm still enjoying playing around with the fabrics and am not tired at all of the hand appliquing...yet.

Christmas Wishing

I did order and receive the French General Fleur de Noel fabric and it is such good material...a little more subdued in design than I would have thought. Reds and greys. But I have the perfect free project to use it with from the folks at Quiltmania.  More later.

Hubby ordered me a new camera...old one that I knew and loved seems unlikely to be fixed 😢. Another learning curve to traverse which is a good thing. 

 Also hope you are not too hot or too cold wherever you are!

As always linking with LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color, as well as My Quilt Infatuation, Paying Ready Attention, Esther's Quilt Blog, Busy Hands Quilts and Our World Tuesday.