I love that we have several deb looming irises. And I love that this one waited until October to throw in an extra splash of color.
Category Archives: Favorite Things
Sanity, of the sand & sea variety
{humming} somewhere… beyond the sea …
Mid-season report card
As July winds to a close, I think a mid-season report card is in order.
So far, summer has more than answered:
– took my first vacation since spring break 2010
– cut raked, baled, and sold this season’s 20 ton of hay
– explored Mt. Rainier on a four-day MOTO trailer trip
– spray painted stuff … a l.o.t. of stuff
– deepened my 6-year old Teva tan; it’s become part of my personal brand
– used all the major power equipment at least once so far: weed eater, pressure washer, chain saw
Even better, there’s still summer left to squeeze out of August and squeal over. Woo hoo!!
– greeting a warm, sleepy morning serving on a hot air balloon ground crew
– anticipating the prospect of a second MOTO trailer trip … to the redwoods {quiver}
– completing several substantial projects around the farm
– finding more things to spray paint
– allowing, willingly, pitiful dog eyes to coerce me into napping more often than is productive
– breathing deeply the nostalgic smell of sweet August rain on steamy hot pavement
As I plink this out, I’m enjoying another summer favorite–one that marks another season milestone–the tika, tika, tika, tika, tika of sprinklers gently carried on a warm summer breeze through my open bedroom window.
Go, summer.
Mmm, beefy
I passed out for nearly four delicious hours this afternoon. I do so adore a meaty nap.
Forgotten UFO’s
We all need them every now then … a lovely, lazy weekend. This was one such. It’s Sunday afternoon, and I just woke from a most delicious nap. {yawn}. One dog has assumed the position: belly up, feet against the wall, tail flat along the hallway, completely relaxed and sound asleep. The other is curled up at the foot of my bed, occasionally snoring. {bliss}
It seems a bit weird to intrude on the day’s quietness by grabbing my iPad and plinking out a few lines. But you know what they say … striking, hot irons, and all that.
I can hear spring enjoying the afternoon, too. The little house finches, sparrows, chickadees … They are raising a ruckus in the rhododendron outside my window. The wind is taking advantage of the break in the rain and teasing the trees a bit and shadows dance across the far wall. I suppose I’ll have to get up eventually, and go fill the bird feeder. Did you know, chickadees can be awfully pushy about dinner?
As low-key as it’s been, it’s also been an incredibly productive weekend. Saturday decided to pout. Or pour. Whatever. It bucketed. Which meant no outside chores (woo
hoo!) and the opportunity to putter in my room. I cleaned, purged, organized, and found stuff I forgot I had!
hoo!) and the opportunity to putter in my room. I cleaned, purged, organized, and found stuff I forgot I had!
There is the yarn I have finally acknowledged I will never turn into a project bagged and ready to be donated away. The photos FINALLY corralled into an album. A bulging
bookshelf put back into order. The dusting put off too long. And, most importantly, the UFO’s–UnFinished Objects–quilting projects rediscovered. Who knew I had stashed a few in THAT storage cupboard after I moved … six years ago? Or tucked a few away in THAT drawer while I figured out how I wanted to organize my sewing room?
bookshelf put back into order. The dusting put off too long. And, most importantly, the UFO’s–UnFinished Objects–quilting projects rediscovered. Who knew I had stashed a few in THAT storage cupboard after I moved … six years ago? Or tucked a few away in THAT drawer while I figured out how I wanted to organize my sewing room?
Doesn’t matter, not really. They are found, fondly remembered, and now back on the To-Do list. I’ve neglected my sewing machine for far too long. Quilting is my form of therapy–the creative process, the soothing hum of the machine, the stunning finished products. I love shopping for fabric (especially if it’s to be a gift), listening to what the fabric says it wants to be. I love the whole process.
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| Left: a challenge quilt circa 2004, I think. Middle: a crazy quilt started in 2001 (it’s been tucked away a while) Right: Round Robin circa 2005. |
Four of the twelve I found that are ready for backing, pinning, and quilting. I’ve challenged myself to finish at least 5 for the Scio Lamb and Wool Fair in May.
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| I utterly adore batiks. I spent at least a year collecting fat quarters from different shops all over the state. I think my biggest stash might’ve come from the shop in Newport. I’m pretty sure I started this project in 2004. And I’m pretty sure it’s been tucked away at least 3 years, maybe 4. I am really going to enjoy finishing this one. |
After dinner, I’m off to tame a UFO!