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Saturday, June 6, 2015

Whew, that's a lot of work!

                         Once upon a time there was a yard


Where the fish swam


 And the flowers flourished


Then that blasted thing called aging hit.
Go figure it doesn't just hit people.

Things started to wear out, parts started to fail.
Wood started to rot!
(can't wait to that rot part to hit me soon)
LOL!!

It was time for it all to go.
:-(


Bye bye pond
All that's left is the pampas grass that sat beside you.

Bye bye gardens and your lovely bushes.


While I have no idea what this bush was...
it produced incredible flowers.

I dug it up once when we put in the pond. It was too close to it.
Having no green thumb, I was sure it would kill it.
Not so...It thrived in it's new location.


So we are going to try it again.
I dug it up and potted it until the new garden is ready to plant.

It split into 2 and seems to be doing just fine in it's new pots.
There is hope yet.


I've been digging up and potting everything I can get out of the garden.


I figure I'm not out anything if they don't make it.


All the hand digging out fences and concrete from the posts
is about killing me.
Oh, how I feel my age now.
But once I got the bid from the landscaper back, I almost had a heart attack!
I can do a lot of this myself, and surely will be doing so.


Years ago when we chopped down a tree
my boys hollowed out part of the stump.
It was just the right size for a pot, but nothing ever really survived in it. 
It just got too hot and dry.


After visiting the garden store last week, I found a much better solution.
Get rid of the pot, add in one of those coconut husk liners,
and fill directly with dirt.
Then add one of those nifty water bottle holders with a clay tip,
that goes into the dirt. A perfect automatic watering system.
I just love my tree stump.

A friend gave me a tip, that by adding a disposable diaper 
to the bottom of your hanging baskets, before you fill them with dirt.
 It helps hold and regulate the moisture.
It's worth giving it a try.

Looking forward...



I know it's no beauty, but it is my new car!
A 1955 Ford Fairlane.
She's much prettier now, than when her roof was crushed in.


Don't laugh, it's true!
;-)

You see my new vision is a new bigger and better pond. 
One that my beautiful car is going to sit along...
with a waterfall coming out the car window.
Her hood and trunk full of flowers!
With all the rain here lately, it's almost sitting in a pond now!
LOL!!


In it's day, this playhouse sat high in the sky, but gravity and aging required us to take it down.


My new vision is...
to have it sit along side the pond with a wrap around deck on it.
Oh and did I mention it's going to be turned into a faux outhouse???
:-)


With my twin toilet planters on it!
LOL!!

My mind is such a dangerous place these days!
We will have to see just what the landscaper has cooked up for the car/pond.
I know he was pretty excited to take on the project.
Nothing like anything he has ever done before.

As for the rest of the work...
I'm heading back outside to start digging out more fencing.
Thanks goodness for tractors.
At least I won't be shoveling all new new dirt and rock!

And that's why I haven't been stitching much lately.
I sure hope to see my sewing room soon.
My ole body needs a rest!

Lesson learned...
Keep off of Pinterest!
It's just too dangerous!
:-)








Friday, June 5, 2015

Need some inspiration?


Need a little inspiration?
Here's scrappy strip quilt from solids.
Going for a bit of the Amish look...
Or just a bright and cheery Disney look.

Anyone can draw a Mickey!

Got solid's stash?


Saturday, May 30, 2015

Easter Party Quilt-A-Long Block 4


Had to believe we are already at block 4.
 Do you realize you will be over 1/3rd the way thru
when this block is done? 

 This time it's egg cups.

It reminds me of the days when my dad sat at the kitchen table 
with his soft boiled egg in a cup.


We grew up eating soft boiled eggs, and I loved them.
But it's not something that I think to make anymore.



These little cups brought me back to my childhood for sure.

Our Island Batik fabrics for this block are from left to right...

111505101 from the Flower Fields Collection
111509193 from the Flower Fields Collection
111502107 from the Country Fair Collection
111512077 from the Flower Fields Collection
111517141 From the Country Fair Collection
111518113 From the Country Fair Collection
Almond from Neutrals

 All these little cups sit nicely on a background of "Vanilla" from the Neutrals group.
These little cups offer any number of ways to decorate them.
 I chose to again, cut out my little rosette and stitch around it...
And a little thread painting to get my dots.


Here is what we have so far!
:-)
 They play so well together.

It's never too late to join us...
You can find out all the information right 

Till next time!
Keep on stitchin'






Monday, May 25, 2015

Memorial Day

There is something awe inspiring, when you attend a Memorial Day Service.


Just seeing all the flags lined up in the cemetery gives you something to ponder.


Today was a service for the Japanese Nisei (second generation) Americans.

My best friend of over 50 years, father was added to the wall this year.
I wouldn't have missed it for the world.


Both of her parents treated me like a 3rd daughter.
What truly special people they were.


We heard stories of their war time experiences, from generations before us.
It was a very moving tribute to all Nisei.
My husband is 3rd generation Sansei.
My boys are 4th generation Yonsei.
There is so much history for them to learn.
As for me, I'm blessed to have been able to marry into such a rich culture.
I miss my in-laws every day.
My mother-in-law is on the "Women's Memorial'" in Washington DC.
She was an Army Air-WAC during WW2.
Such a humble woman. She never told anyone about it.
Friends found out quite by accident, while visiting the memorial.


The Boy Scouts did a wonderful job of helping with the event today. 
Escorting everyone, lending a hand where ever they could.
Even providing water for everyone.


The saddest moment for me was knowing that John and Helen
never got to see their great grandchild. 
But your in all our hearts!


I do hope that you were able to take a few minutes out of your day
to remember those who fought so valiantly, for our freedom.



It Must Have Been the Rain

She must have not been able to get out and do anything else...


Yep...it's me Maynard, again.

I'm happy to report that my brothers and sisters have all escaped the dreaded project bag that we were held captive in for months.

I don't care if it was rain, sleet or snow or what, we are finally free!

Let me introduce the rest of the clan, to you.




Cousin Miles
(He's the book worm of the gang)


Cousin Matilda
(Waltzing ain't her game,
no matter what she tries to tell ya!)


Brother Melvin
(He's our soul brother)


Crazy Maverick
(name says it all)


Cuz...Moon Pie
(the cool guy)


Sister Margaret
(she's a wanna-be Moon Pie)


Uncle Munroe
(a bit of a dreamer...just because your named Munroe, 
don't mean you know everything about the moon)



Auntie Mabel
(her full time job is keeping Uncle Munroe in line)


Mad Dog...
(don't let that innocent face fool you)


Brother Murphy
(he think's he invented the Murphy bed)
Please ignore my eye roll!

 Last be not least, the lovely Ms Melinda
(the sweetest gal around)


And just when we thought life couldn't get any better...
I think we are going to be quilted up soon too.
She actually stitched backing together for us!

I know some wanted to know about us.
We are "Northern Exposure" from the Red Boot Quilt Company.
You can find the link to the pattern 

Yours truly,
Maynard the Moose

PS: Have a wonderful Memorial Day, and remember those who have given their all
to keep us safe here at home.
We salute you and your families!