Stirring a bit...

     The weather is starting to turn a bit.  A bit more like Spring every week.  Although we have days when Winter does not want to let go, Mother Nature tells it otherwise.  It is a welcome change here.  We are getting outside more.  Hikes along the river.  Time just spent sitting along the banks listening to the water moving by.  Sitting in spots that will be underwater within weeks when water is released from the dam for irrigation.  It's so wonderful.  Especially when you have made a bad habit of hibernating too much during Winter and sitting at home in the warmth of it all is so addicting.

     Daylight savings is not a friend of mine.  I much prefer to wake up early in the morning with the sun peeking over the hills watching all the beautiful colors that come with it.  Boo to the pitch black that lingers around much too long for my liking.

     I finally got my hands on my Christmas/very early anniversary present (the spinning wheel) after patiently finishing it.  It is so addicting after getting the hang of it, of sorts.  I'm not by any means a pro at it yet but it is so relaxing to sit for long periods of time working with the movement of it all.  I can't wait to get my hands on more wool just so I can sit and watch something colorful come together.

     Cooler mornings have me working on several things.  A quilt for hubby.  Helping a little one work a little more on her quilt.  Crochet Easter presents for the grandsons.  And early morning tea with knitting while watching the sun peek through the darkness.  Then after lunch and school work it is out to the yard for as long as I want or as long as the weather permits.  I can't wait to get seeds planted so that everything will spring up and show all the colors there is to show off.  The patio has been cleaned off and bouts of knitting with very pretty yarn, listening to the birds and just sitting in the warm sun are happening here and there.  I might even go outside today and mow the grass.  Just because I am itching to start doing it.  I absolutely love it.  I know, I have issues.

~*~

Kar

This week...

     This week was busy week with so much going on.  But it was also one that made us stop and relax in order to recharge.  And relaxing was one thing that we were not about to complain about.

     A very special quilt that I had been working on was sent out and received by the "Fantasticly, Fabulous Miss Freddie".  She is my Mom's best friend/next door neighbor and it was a special gift that was long over due for her.  A gift that hopefully lets her know how much we all love her.  A gift to let her know that she is part of our family, whether she likes it or not.  From what I could tell from the phone call the other night, she loves it.  That was thanks enough for me.

     When the heat made us retreat back inside yesterday I just had to start working on another project that has been floating around in my head.  With scraps all strewn about on the craft desk, work was started and as of this morning I am quite pleased with how things are turning out.  Too bad I can't cancel all of tomorrows plans just so I can work on it non-stop and finish it.

     Even though it was quite warm today, I felt it was perfect for washing beds and drying everything out in the sun.  And my king sized quilt finally got it's proper photo shoot, with the help of one of my handy dandy quilt holding helpers.  Not sure how laying on the floor of the deck is helping but I'm not complaining.

      A couple of days kept us in due to all the smoke in the air from all the wildfires in the region.  So with that a knitting project was started and lots of reading was accomplished by the peeps.  Slow, calm days was just what we needed after all we had done the days before.

     I had received an email earlier in the week from one of my bloggy friends, Judy, whom I have had the pleasure of chatting back and forth with for at least 4-5 years now, to let me know that she and her husband were taking a trip out to my neck of the woods and would like to meet up.  It just so happens that they were going to stay with another bloggy acquaintance who lives just around the corner from me.  Small world!  We were able to get together for a couple of hours, not nearly long enough, but enough to know that she is as nice and sweet as can be just like she is on her blog.  Both our husbands seemed to have a wonderful time chatting together while us girls chatted away.  How could they not have a wonderful time chatting when they both are die-hard hockey fans.  Piece of cake.  Judy even brought some homemade maple syrup that they make themselves and the cutest little quilting kit for me.  So sweet!  And the maple syrup is to die for!  Hands down.  What an absolute pleasure it was to meet them both.  I just hope next time we are able to get together it will be for a longer amount of time.

     The rest of the week was spent enjoying the outdoors when the temps were still comfortable.  Spotting rainbows when the sprinklers were on and watching bees do their work in the evenings.  Watching them go from one flower to another is quite relaxing.  And rather neat to see how fast they gather pollen on their legs.  Absolutely fascinating.  And enjoying a quick rain shower this evening, 15 mins worth.  But enough to cool things down and have the evening air be enjoyable.  I might even try to have to windows open for the entire night.  A simple pleasure that is surely missed right about now.  

~*~

Kar

     

     

 

Hot days of July...

     We are definitely into the hot days of Summer here in our parts.  It is not my favorite thing about Summer, the heat.  So I get up as early as possible so that the windows can opened and I can enjoy the cool morning air as long as possible.  I drug everyone out of bed early Saturday morning just so we could take a walk down the hill and through town before it got to unbearable outside.  It was a wonderful way to start the day with my crew, even if they happened to bunny hop through one of the crosswalks in town.  Apparently their theory is that no one will hit a cute little bunny in a crosswalk, so they hopped all the way across the road.  I ignored them while rolling my eyes.

     We had a rather enjoyable 4th of July.  We woke up the sounds of hot air balloons all around our neighborhood.  One ended up landing on the street around the corner of our street.  I so wish I could get everyone to move that fast every day to get out the door or just to get the day going.  One can hope and dream.  At least hot air balloons can make that happen occasionally.  

     There was a casualty found in the greenhouse one afternoon.  A pretty swallowtail found its way into the hot little greenhouse and did not make it out before the heat got to it.  Very sad.  The girls now have it in a safe place so that they can look at it whenever they want.  If it weren't for the Asparagus plants that are doing splendidly in the greenhouse we would close it up for the season and not have to worry about little mishaps like this.  We are all on butterfly watch now.

     During this time of not so lovely heat we have been using the deck off my room a lot lately in the evenings.  It was a spur of the moment idea one cool early morning that made me get outside and finish off the "floor" of the deck after deliberating about it far too long.  After a quick couple of coats of paint, bringing up unused patio furniture, placing a brand new brightly colored umbrella in the perfect spot, and bringing up some plants, we were in business.  It has now become a favorite place for us to sit at the end of the day.  It's just perfect after the sun goes down behind the trees and houses.  The evening breeze makes it all the more better.  It has turned into the favorite reading and writing spot for us.

     Now I have to figure out how to turn some favorite casserole meals into skillet dishes because there is no way that the oven will be turned on in the afternoon around here. 

A very good week...

This past week had to have been the best in a while.  In my book anyways.

A very spur of the moment project was started and completed in one day while others decided to go watch birds and I decided to stay home and work.  It was tough decision but well worth it.  A person can be very productive when there is are no interruptions.

The craft closet was finally cleaned out.  Long over due.  While there still might be some things to get rid of at least things aren't falling out any longer when the doors are opened.  Some lovely surprises were found that really have been calling to me the past few days.  I'm seeing some cross-stitching coming up in the near future.

Another quilt top was started.  Still in the planning stages at this point.

Someone had a birthday.  She was treated to a favorite dinner and a cake made by her big sis.  Ponies and sprinkles were the birthday girl request and she got it.  There are no more single digit kids in our house and I'm kind of sad about it.

Some very lovely evenings were had out on the front porch area.  Enjoying the pleasant temps, working on mindless knitting and stopping to see all the pretty colored flowers in front of me.

Several days you would have found us at the park just enjoying the sun filled day.  Just because.

The balloons surprised us on the start of Easter weekend.  Love this to pieces!  My favorite way to start the day and the Spring season.

A favorite breakfast had to be made to start the day out right after our balloon sightings.  A yummy sandwich and ice tea.  Perfect!

Everyone in the kitchen preparing yummy treats being prepared for Easter.  Fresh strawberries and rhubarb.  Awesome!

All coming together for Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake on homemade Pound Cake.  Perfect for after a long walk after Easter lunch.

Looking forward to more of the same.

~*~

Kar