Summer Break Half Over

If only Rembrandt could learn to relax.

Tragic, but true: the Break is half over. It is going by like a bolt of lightning. Must continue to make the most of it. Did a very large clearing job in the front yard, gradually and laboriously over a few weeks, made possible by the exit of the Bad Men. Things look much better now. But every year, there are the queen anne's lace and brown-eyed susans filling the yard. They have been beautiful this year, really breathtaking if you are into prairie meadows :-) :

The tall chaste-vitex has also been extraordinary. People have been stopping to comment on how beautiful all of this is:

I say this every year, but I just laugh out loud when I see all of this, thinking of how it appalls Timothy. It should be lawn. Good thing he didn't see it this year, it's the biggest spread yet. A child of the prairie, he isn't.

Two thunderstorms (so desperately needed) have bowed the flowers to the ground; they will have time to recover partly (not completely; they are too far gone), because we are now again doomed to have mid-90s and no rain for many future days. I would consider an escape to Gatlinburg, to do quilting before a bubbling creek for a few days (and to eat candy), but they are having the same temperatures.

Several years ago, I planted a dogwood in the troublesome island. In the wrong spot. I finally decided to take it down. Birds had a nest in one of the hanging gourds at the porch, and apparently were using the dogwood. They snapped at me continuously throughout the tree removal and kept perching on the remaining leafy branches as they got fewer and fewer. Then there were no leaves left at all. Okay, I felt kind of mean. But I'm glad the tree is gone. I want the area for tomato plants and wanted a view to the apple trees. I also didn't like how it was growing perfectly straight like a mini-telephone pole with no character at all; do all purchased dogwood trees grow this way now? Am considering cutting these branches level and nailing a pan to them for a bird feeder. Or a work surface for garden tools:

The first tomato ha:

The first apple!

Despite interference, I managed to quilt my George Washington wall hanging. Quilts look good with quilting!


The latest BB CW block:

I have begun to sash the BB CW, most unwisely using stretchy homespun plaid on the bias:


Muriel P. made the Civil War Flag Sewing Kit that Barbara Brackman has on her regular blog. Isn't it wonderful?? I have to make one of these!

The applique block beneath it....unbelievable??....Muriel is making the Friends of Baltimore quilt!!

Kept this photo to remind myself of what I sent Timothy, so I can send different things next time:

I have lots of Show and Tell and will post that next. There is also enormous excitement among Georgia quilters because of Sue Spargo's upcoming appearance at the East Cobb Quilt Guild.