6/19/2011

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.

18 comments:

Barb said...

What a wonderful cutting garden!
I love the flag box and would love to make one too.
Timothy will sure love that care package.

buttonsagain said...

karen...."There is also enormous excitement among Georgia quilters because of Sue Spargo's upcoming appearance at the East Cobb Quilt Guild"...yes indeed and craziness abounds...
your yard is amazing...and honestly...if you were my neighbor i would sneak over in my jammies...early in the morning...and quietly snip armloads of flowers for my kitchen table...
it was so fun seeing you on saturday...thanks for helping me with my purchases...
bb

Me and My Stitches said...

Rembrandt looks just like my CC kitty - and I think they act alike too! When CC gets tired of me sewing she puts her whole body through my machine and just looks at me, like she is saying "time for attention to me now!".

Lori said...

I love your naturalized flowers!!
You have been so busy. I think it is a good way to pass the time while Timmy is away.

MJinMichigan said...

I would love wild flowers in place of grass. I've liked Queen Anne's Lace since I was a kid but must admire it from afar because I am seriously allergic to it.
The blue plaid homespun is perfect with your blocks. It will be worth all the effort when it's finished. Did you try starching it to control the stretchiness?
I really want one of those flag boxes. It has joined my list of things to do when I can use my arm again.

MARCIE said...

So many things to comment on in this post. I am glad to see Rembrandt is still in charge. Funny kitty! Your yard looks awesome! Maybe someday Timmy will have a farm in Indiana and you can sit on the porch stitching while you have a prairie full of flowers and apple trees to look at! Next to his lawn of course. I hate that you had to take down the dogwood. I love them! You have done an unbelievable job keeping up with the CW blocks! And George Washington would be wowed by your beautiful quilt!

Sharon said...

Loved reading your post...the flowers are gorgeous! We have had two nights of severe thunderstorms, with high winds that took out another section of one of our pear trees. Just finished up with the chain saw and getting it loaded in the back of the truck. Fortunately it is still a bit cool this morning, but it is supposed to get in the upper 90's later on...pool time or sewing room time!

Gretchen said...

I wish I could put this post in my pocket and just take it out to savor all week. Love this post. Maybe I'll print it out. Rembrandt is the picture of chillaxing!!! Lovely wildflowers. I detest lawns and would just as soon have a yard full of shrubs and pea gravel paths. Your CW block and CW quilt is progress are fabulous. Have to tried some sizing or best press for the bias sashing? I want to make a sewing kit too and can't wait to see your Geo. Washington quilt. Too many great things--I'm overloaded!!!!

Mary said...

My preference is NO lawn! If you look at history and why we had them to begin with, all I have to say is I don't have sheep or goats! Besides, flowers are prettier to me. My front yard is where I get enough sun for a garden, so every year more lawn there surrenders. Since I have a dog, though, I kept the lawn in back. I've always liked wildflower gardens.

Susie said...

Your civil war blocks are looking so nice with your sashing. I haven't decided on what to use with my blocks yet. Will probably wait a little longer but it would be nice to have the good head start you have.

Millie en Miles said...

What a lovely weblog !!!!

Karen said...

I think your prairie meadow is fabulous!!!!

Betty said...

I love your meadow! I wish I could grow a dogwood tree, but I've heard they're hard to grow. I have huge tree in the back that's just about dead. The trunk had a split last year and I'm wondering if it was lightening. I need to get it down before it falls into the Live Oak and takes that with it.

Appalachian Mercantile said...

I love love love your garden! It is beautiful!

Heckety said...

Have you been busy...or what??? Been thinking of you and your Timothy, despite not being online- that's some package you sent him!

I think your prairie looks pretty good, myself. Anything which grows itself and doesn't need much TLC, to say nothing of serviving the weather, is good...

And those quilt blocks look wonderful- why doesn't Rembrandt learn to quilt, since he's obviously VERY attached to your work???

Heirlooms by Ashton House said...

Love the pic with your kitty. Reminds me of my cat, who likes to hang out behind my sewing machine and watch the fabric come through! I also love what you did your latest CW block.

Taryn said...

Thanks for all the photos! I must make one of those boxes. I look forward to seeing the quilts that Sue Spargo will be inspiring.

Libby said...

I love the garden - cottage style gardening just sends me over the moon *s*