Midnight Munchers and Other Happenings

Yesterday morning I sat down on the front steps to tie up my walking shoes and suddenly stopped... where there had been abundant Geranium blooms only the afternoon before, now there were only chewed-off bare stems!  Groan. The midnight munchers (deer) have been at it again. I use a product that works well in the perennial garden but hadn't even considered our front steps! I've never known them to eat Geraniums before either. I mixed up a batch of "I Must Garden" after our early morning walk was concluded and discovered the Hosta blossoms and the entire Clematis vine climbing up the lampost just behind it had been torn apart as well. Time to be proactive and spray around everything. The product is linked above; I've been using it for a few years now and find it to be highly effective. I just need to remember to be diligent in its use.  

So, while I am trying to repel some living creatures from our yard...

...I'm also determined to bring others back! The Goldfinch had been conspicuously absent this year; until a neighbor told me about feeding Sunflower Hearts & Chips. Well, what do you know? Slowly, a few more each day, they have returned. They absolutely love this seed... maybe a little too much! $$$!! My plan is to switch them back to Thistle seed, which I already have on hand but now I'm worried that they may leave again if I do that. I just don't know.

The Bluebirds have returned to raise a second family already.

And this, from the orchard. Our first ever apple. But, on the entire apple tree, only the one! Why? Maybe it's the same old story as I started with... perhaps it's the midnight munchers; they're particularly fond of our peaches out there too. It's hard to keep up.

Meanwhile, back inside the house... is there a quilter in this country who's not working on a R,W & B quilt in celebration of America 250 this year? Count me in with all the rest. 

Even the trimmings are patriotic!

Work on my version of the Sarah Barker sampler continues in the evenings; seemingly with no end in sight. When I embarked upon this project I had no idea it would take forever; however, it is actually larger than I had envisioned as well as a labor of love; I must say that I am truly enjoying the slow pace and the results. It's a pleasure to return to night after night. Undoubtedly, I will be sad when it's completed, she and I have become a good friends. 

I've got a surprise (WITH ATTITUDE!) loaded onto the longarm right now (speaking of projects that have dragged on for an eternity) and am eager to reveal it soon (I hope)! Someone is keeping an eye on me while I work, it's good to be held accountable. 

SEW... what's new with you?

Life is Good!

Fledging Day

Monday was the day; it was time to fly! Not only the Bluebirds but also the baby birds who'd been raised in the nest perched atop the flood light under the eaves! Mr. Goodneedle kept asking me if the babies had left their nests yet and I told him I wasn't quite sure. Monday left little doubt that the time was at hand. I stepped outside to be greeted with loud bird calls and constant "fly overs" (close to my head); I was being warned that things were happening. Augie and I watched, for approximately thirty minutes, (from the safety of the side porch) as those babies were beckoned out of the nest and, one by one, played peek-a-boo before testing out their wings and taking that first, BIG, step. Within moments they were in the air. It was a privilege to behold. Quiet returned and I stepped outside once again to reposition the sprinkler in my perennial garden. This time I had only been back inside for a few minutes when there was the loudest crack followed by a thundering crash! It took a moment to realize what had happened, I looked out the door, the one that I had just used, to now see nothing now but limbs and leaves; a tree had fallen across the garden and onto our roof! Seriously, where I had been standing only a short time before! I'm still suffering from post-TREE-matic stress over this occurrence.  I suppose this tree thought it was time to fly too! 

This shot was taken after we'd cleaned up the limbs and branches; you can see the dents in the gutter above the side porch where the impact occurred. There was no wind or rain whatsoever, it was a fluke happening on a still and hot, dry day. 

After it had been sawed up and moved. Take note of the stump where it broke off about three feet above the ground. The trunk itself was undeniably dead but, because of the green at the top, and until it fell, that fact had escaped our notice entirely. 

    All thanks and praise to HIM who sees 

all and protects each of us (even those baby birds) from harm. 

Life is Good!

The Confetti Chain and Other Warm Weather Happenings

This is what I'm calling "Confetti Chain",  as it stands right now, 24 blocks. I hope to add the same number more; making it a generous 60" X 80" quilt. Eventually.

Here's the basic block unit laid out. Each block has forty three pieces! I can't remember where I ever saw this and I can't find a source. My version uses lights and darks out of the 1.5" scrap bin for the 4-patches. The background is all different low volume prints (one of my fondest weaknesses) cut into the following: 7 - 2.5" squares, 2- 2.5" X 4.5" rectangles and 2- 2.5" X 6.5" rectangles. That's it. I keep these going by the machine all the time and stitch them up leader-ender style as I am assembling other things. I needed to get this together so that I could fold it up and get it off the design wall for now to start auditioning different projects that are also in the works.  

The birds are out in force! We've got five baby bluebird hatchlings in the birdhouse and various birds nesting everywhere around us! It might be hard to tell in the photo but this determined Mama decided to build her nest and start her family directly on top of a flood light under our eaves! We have to be careful not to turn that light on accidentally when we go outside after dark; talk about a rude awakening!

And this... totally unrelated to anything else in this post. Those of you who've followed this blog for a long time will remember when Mason, our oldest grandson, was born. He's now almost driving age and serving as a Jr. Swim Coach for his neighborhood pool this summer. Our daughter sent me this picture yesterday. Here is Mason holding one of the youngest swimmers that he coaches; at a meet last evening. Could this moment be any sweeter? I don't think so, at least not for this Nana. 

Don't forget- today, June 13th, 

is the day; make it count!

Life is Good! 

Happy July!

I missed wishing you all a Happy 4th of July, but, today, I'll wish you a happy July instead! Our flag was flying proudly yesterday, as always, and we're keeping busy as these days grow increasingly warmer. The potted flowers in front have never been prettier than this year, I can't take any credit, all I did was set them into the pots. Recently, we've had additional heartbreak where our nesting bluebirds are concerned. For the second time this year we've lost two families of fledglings to black snakes! Both times the reptile attackers have been removed, permanently. I am at the point where I want to simply take the nesting box down, as I feel responsible for them even coming here and setting up housekeeping at all. Mr. Goodneedle wants to persevere and has been doing research on new pole baffles and more effective deterrents than those we've been employing. We've learned that snakes are one of the most common predators; this is all new to us after twenty years of blissfully watching our bluebird friends arrive, raise their families and launch those scruffy little bluebird babies out on their own without so much as a care in the world. If any of you have any sure-fire solutions to this situation please let us know! Nature, for all its beauty and wonder, can also be so cruel.

The new laundry space is ready, at long last, for countertops! The folks from the stone place are coming out this afternoon to measure and "template" the top for the quartzite that we've selected. The room should be completed in two weeks. We've installed the new washer and dryer; there's so much more technology than I've been accustomed to from a major appliance! They're bluetooth compatible (I get a message on my phone when the clothes are dry!) and have many other handy features, ones that I never even would have thought of! The washing machine has a reservoir for the detergent that is filled for 40+ loads. The soap is dispensed based on the weight of the load. There's been a LOT to learn, it's all good.

I've begun quilting on "The Workout" quilt (pattern from Wonderful Curves Sampler Quilt Block Book). It's been a long time since I've feathered a wreath. 

This arrived in the mail last week! I had pre-ordered a copy back in January and almost forgotten about it until the amount hit my credit card. Oh, yeah. 😉 It's everything that I hoped it would be, and more! The premise of the book is to use up the scraps that you have on hand and includes a system for organizing those leftovers from other quilts so that they're ready for any of the patterns published here. 

From the last fat quarter bundle that I purchased I had little to no leftovers whatsoever! Believe it or not, I pieced quilt #1, quilt #2, bound those block boards (#3) and pieced these minis for doll quilts (#4) all from one bundle (plus the background) of fat quarters. Now I can start all over again, creating new  quilts and more scraps! Just like the title of the book above: Scrapiness Is Happiness; it really, truly is! 

This is proof that the above was a really, really good fat quarter bundle- 

good clear down to those last too-small-to-use strings and threads!

Life is Good!

Renewed Hope!

After the heartbreak of last week's baby Bluebird loss, there is abundant hope that we have another family in the not too distant future. Mom and dad have been back checking out the nesting box! 

Speaking of nesting birds, at long last I have gotten this one quilted and the finishing binding on this four block folkart wallhanging; this is the result of a Sue Nickels workshop that I took years ago at MidAtlantic Quilt Festival up in Hampton, VA.  I was inspired to get it done after touring the Southern Quilts exhibit at the National Quilt Museum and being enamored with the historic applique quilts there earlier this year. 

Not only is it finished, but it's hanging, at long last, in our home; I always HOPED I'd see this day. Don't we all start every new project with high hopes and determination ~ only to lose steam? 

I need to teach myself the importance of being a little ol' ant and hanging on to those high hopes! 😊

We hosted our former neighbors for the weekend, we had a glorious time catching up (it's been years);  the late nights took their toll, I needed naps for two days in a row after their departure! Back in August of 1985 we bought a newly constructed home right next door to these fine folks. For ten years we lived side by side, we raised our children together and Janis and I walked together every single morning after we loaded the kiddos on the school bus; those were golden days. A good neighbor is a found treasure and we certainly were the beneficiaries of that, to the fullest. We moved away in 1995 and, after a few more years, retirement saw them selling their home and moving to Oklahoma. You may remember, in September of last year, I requested prayer for Janis in this blog post. Thanks be to God, she is now totally free and clear of cancer! Her healing is complete and she has been released from further treatment for her lymphoma. She never lost hope for one moment but, rather, as a role model of immense faith, persevered and triumphed over this dread disease; and she did it with a joyful heart! I have always marveled at her strong spirit and unshakeable faith, one that has been demonstrated as long as I have known her. She gives all the thanks and glory to God; and is grateful for your faithful prayers and for her doctors, nurses and drug therapies that all, ultimately, come from Him, creator of all things!

And so, we go on, with HOPE in our hearts for every. single. blessing; both great and small.

Life is Good!

Cut It Out!

I have my work cut out for me, literally. I've done research on the history of that phrase and have found the most prevalent explanation as one that comes from the sixteenth century: "This phrase is supposedly a metaphorical allusion to the preparation of fabric to be worked on: once the shapes have been cut out, the tailor still has a lot of sewing to do, by hand in the past, before the cloth becomes a garment." This is certainly appropriate for today's post. I wrote most recently about going through the full-to-overflowing scrap basket to collect the batiks in there that were serviceable enough, size-wise, for making more masks. The requests for more have been steady. Today, Wednesday, has been deemed as mask-making day. I rescued enough fabric from the scraps to make thirteen! In the meantime, the rest of the scraps needed to be dealt with. Slowly, working my way through the heap, I pressed them and diligently cut them up into usable sizes. 

These scraps, leftover from various and assorted projects, were eventually transformed into this:

... and these squares, triangles and rectangles were all used to feed these...

...the bins that reside beneath my cutting table, Bonnie Hunter's Scrap User's System which has worked for me for many years! These, in turn, will be used to make more scrap quilts, and SEW it goes! 

After days spent cutting, the trash can looked like this. Yes, there are scraps too small to save! 😉

Meanwhile, out on the porch, Mr. Goodneedle had his work cut out for him too. He began re-slinging the dining chairs that have literally fallen apart after years of being out in the weather. The before and after, above, is night and day. We are both very pleased with the new, lighter (and sturdier!) look.

And So It Grows...

Last year was the first year for the perennial garden just outside my sewing room. Some of you might who've been reading along for awhile might remember that we made stepping stones to place in the garden while it was being laid out and that four of them were personalized for the grandchildren. Here's Gregory a year ago with a side-by-side shot from the same spot today for comparison; things are beginning to fill in nicely. 

This snapshot is from the back side, looking toward the side porch which enters into my sewing room.

This view is from the walkway that leads onto that side porch, another view. I don't remember when I've enjoyed another pastime more (when I'm not sewing); working in the garden is such special and looked-forward-to time.

These are Easter Lilies planted from our church service a year ago, I have two other groupings of these too, elsewhere in the same garden; I cannot believe how they've spread and multiplied~ Alleluia!

Not only is this spot a treat for us, but it's become a haven for birds and butterflies too. 

I find that I simply cannot watch the news anymore. The garden has become my spot for cultivating peace and beauty, for communing with nature; there's no labeling, divisive language or attacks. This has become my sanctuary: serenaded by birdsong and buzzing insects I find peace here. Where do you go for your peace of heart and mind?

"For the Lord comforts Zion; 

he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden,

    her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her,

  thanksgiving and the voice of song." - Isaiah 51:3

Life is Good!

Loafing Around?

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen last week, moving forward with my bread-making pursuit. At this time I have two, different, sourdough starters going. These loaves are a result of the second starter, it's a recipe from my life thirty years ago;  originally, I received a cup of starter as a gift from a neighbor. At that time, with children at home, I made two to four loaves each and every week! This starter that is fed with instant mashed potato flakes, sugar and water. 
Getting that going is all thanks to a good friend; how do you spell friend? I spell it: Y-E-A-S-T! This particular starter requires a boost of instant yeast and I got such a surprise when this baggie arrived. I got right to work. Now, to keep it going, I'll be feeding and baking once a week, I need to assign a bread-baking day.

So, that "wild" yeast starter is the trickier one of the two. I'm NOT giving up on it though. Last week I measured out a cup and set it aside for something less ambitious than loaves. Pictured in my mother's original, antique measuring cup. After doing much reading and research I decided to try my hand at English Muffins.

These turned out perfectly! They go through two risings; one before they're cut out and one after, then they're griddle baked on each side for ten minutes. They smelled wonderful during that baking phase. The great news is that they tasted every. single. bit. as good as they look! I may never go back to store bought. 

Buoyed up by the English Muffin success, I tried more rustic loaves with that same starter. They rose just fine, but I was underwhelmed with the outward, lumpy appearance. I would prefer a smoother, more elastic dough. I'll keep at it this week, I'm not about to quit yet. 

Sliced, these loaves did not disappoint. It's a denser, heartier bread- perfect for going beside soup or with olive oil for an appetizer. The flavor is quite good, it has a pronounced sourdough "tanginess". 

This one, the first bread that I mentioned (above), is sweeter and lighter, perfect for toast or sandwiches. Mr. Goodneedle couldn't wait to cut into it; even hot, right out of the oven! This received a thumbs-up.

YAGOF* was completed last week and in its rightful spot on the porch. As cool as it's been the last few days, it's nice to have it out there right now. Spring temperatures have retreated temporarily.

I backed this one with a wicker print. 

"Sweet Sixteen" is currently under the needle, just in case you thought I never left the kitchen-- I did!

And, once again, the Rose Breasted Grosbeaks have returned to the feeder. They've appeared every year for as long as I can remember, they don't stay long, a week at the most and then they're off.

This post is a recomposition of one created yesterday, I think that this is a reasonable duplicate of what I wanted to say. There's few things more frustrating (at least for me) than losing something in an instant while at the computer. Here's hoping that your week is a happy and productive one. 

Adapting in an upside-down 🙃world: We'll start to see a few things returning to the "new normal" here in North Carolina this week, we're in Phase #1 of re-opening. Fingers crossed that all goes well. I need to get back to my LQS, hopefully they'll reopen this week, I'm running out of supplies!! Wash your hands, my friends,🧼 stay safe!

"Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word." - Psalm 119:74

Life is Good!

*You're A Grand Old Flag