September Happenings

We made a quick trip to the campground where our son and his family were staying this week for dinner out on Saturday evening; we wanted to help celebrate our favorite daughter-in-law's birthday (albeit a few days late). They're loving their new camper trailer and finding every excuse that they can to hit the road and explore the sights that our state (and those close by) have to offer. Gregory and Lynnleigh, being virtual learners again this year, have the benefit of classrooms without walls; now in fifth and third grades, they'll look back on these days of being truly remote with fond and happy memories, I feel certain. 

We were treated to a low-country "griddle"; it was delicious, every. last. bite; we had a great time!

When we left the house to drive there we passed beneath this flag flying at a local fire station, honoring the anniversary of September 11; it brought a lump to my throat to see this level of patriotism. No, we'll never forget!

We met these two when we arrived, they escorted us in, leading the way to their campsite on new bikes! They're squeezing every bit of fun out of these waning days of summer-like weather. 

It looks like the warm days will hang around a bit longer around here, this week shows no immediate relief despite the days getting shorter. Giving in, with a nod toward fall (Chrysanthemums and a hot meal at noontime), I made up another big batch of homemade tomato soup for lunch today, thanks to a church friend who's sharing his bumper-crop of remaining summer goodies; those generous tomato plants just keep on giving!

Life is Good!

Quilt Camp, Day #3

Day three of Quilt Camp was a momentous one! As you can see by the clock on the wall, all twenty blocks were completed before 11:00 AM! This was reason for celebration, and a well-deserved break before lunch.

Today was a perfect day, weather-wise; jump roping and spending some time outdoors was a great outlet for expending energy. We had story time after that, time spent with my all-time favorite children's book.

She loves it as much as her Nana does!

Someone left a little surprise this morning. 💗

The afternoon was spent joining the rows together. She was unstoppable. 

She monitored her own progress, keeping track with this tablet parked beside the sewing machine!

In an effort not to tire her out too much, our afternoon break was a card game. That "poker" face! 😂

She finished piecing her top shortly after that, this is a portrait of pure,  proud accomplishment!

She couldn't wait to wrap up in it!

And what could be better to top off the perfect day than some backyard s'mores after dinner?

Life is Good!

Fire Starters

 This post is a sort of a follow-up to the sawmill, logging post from yesterday. What to do with all of those leftover chunks, hunks, and slabs of wood that didn't make it into the board pile? Well, they're destined for the bonfire of course! I had seen a tutorial for making firestarters a while ago and I started making and collecting them, originally for my son who enjoys camping vacations, but he now has a portable propane campfire. Oh well, I kept on making them anyway... today my husband put a few to the test. I keep a clear plastic glass on top of the dryer with an empty toilet tissue tube standing in it (this containment cuts down on dust) into which I stuff all the dryer lint as it accumulates. You can fit a LOT of dryer lint in one tube, I pack it in firmly.

When the tube is full roll it up in an empty cereal or cracker box liner; 
twist the ends in opposite directions.

My husband sets the first one into action, it took a minute to catch but then it did a slow burn;
he had plenty of paper kindling too, which didn't hurt to get the fire roaring. I am thinking that the cereal and cracker box liners of old (wax paper) would be much better then this wierd plastic material used now, but it does burn. (Perhaps dipping this entire unit into a parrafin bath would improve the flammability level... however, that step's way too messy for me; I'll leave them as is.)

I'm not sure how much my homemade firestarters really helped, but I'll probably keep making and setting them aside, until someone tells me to stop; they're items that I would throw away anyway, and they look really cute all lined up in a zip-loc bag!   The bonfire has begun...

There's plenty of fuel, too, to keep it stoked... pass the marshmallows.

Life is Good!