Harley and I went to the front porch to escape the morning cat fight chase.  Bella and Maude are not dividing the territory in a peaceful way.  Out on the porch it's quiet.  There's knitting.  And coffee.  No spitting, hissing and galloping.

Birds singing, cicadas whining and a soft breeze make the front porch a good place to be.

If left to my own devices, I might sit here all day and finish this second sock.

Or I might dive back into the brilliant Cassis sweater that has been languishing in a bag all summer.  

What do I love about this pattern and this yarn?  Everything.  If you haven't knit with Quince & Co yet, you are in for a treat.  Unfortunately, I cannot knit away the hours this fine morning.  My mother is coming for a visit near the end of the week and I have a lot to do in preparation.  I wouldn't want her to think that I've neglected the gardens -

Truth be told - they've gotten ahead of me this season.  And it's been really hard to knuckle down and wrestle them back into some semblance of order!  While the hydrangea and nicotiana hold their own -

The long border is a disgrace.  The weeds in the vegetable garden tower over my head - this is no lie!  And I stand 5'10" in my stocking feet, so we won't go there.

I included this shameful image because I wanted Mrs. Pom to see the thalictrum (tall lavender spires) which has had absolutely NO attention this season.  And yet, it thrives.  I think that it might be a good selection for the Cape.  It makes a graceful screen when planting closely together.  Don't look at the weeds.  Oh, that's true - it's weeds everywhere one looks!

The grasses ask little of a lazy gardener.  Even in the deep heat of august they appear fresh and healthy.

Someone wants to go outdoors and devil those squirrels.  

We are not accustomed to the temps that the northeast has been suffering under.  How hot is it?  It's so hot that I cannot stay outdoors long enough to pick my beans!  Thankfully, there are always things to do indoors.

I've been having so much fun in the sewing room.

These two fabrics are linen blends from Kokka which I machine-quilted to serve as a base for yet another market bag!  I enjoy making these bags more than I can say... they provide such great ways to utilize favorite previously hoarded saved fabrics!  

This particular bag is going to live in the south.  That's all I'm sayin' ...

This bag is for my sister - she has a birthday in August.  My cousin sent the cute typography fabric to me from a shop in Fly Creek, NY.  Love it, thanks so much Lor.  (My sister's name just happens to be Jane!)  Here's the reverse side -

You can see that I dragged out my dangerously tiny Flea Market Fancy stash.   When it is gone I will be so sad!  There is something about this particular line that appeals to me in all ways ... rare for a fabric line.  I think that it is a brilliant collection.

My daughter chose this pattern from the newest knit wear magazine.  It's uber easy - the kind of knit that you can take along and never worry about the count ... just pick it up where you left off and continue on!   Knitting with mohair - now THAT'S a horse of a different color!  Mohair makes my skin crawl.  

There's beading going on as well.  Never a dull moment!  How are you surviving this heat wave?

outdoor wanderings

My sister gave me a little Gingko tree grown from seed -

Location is important so I have not been hasty ... I'm considering several sites.  I want to plant it at the foot of an aging apple tree where it will one day shade my Aphrodite hosta.  But I worry.  When the ancient tree topples, will it take the tender gingko with it?


I also have this little bay which has been struggling.

I finally realized the culprit today - a nasty case of scale disease.  Alcohol on a q-tip is the favored remedy.  

The hydrangeas continue to please - it seems as though every vessel I have is filled to the brim with various shades of this wonderful flowering shrub.

Plans to enlarge and open my potting shed for retail are on hold.  Thank goodness the hydrangeas continue as always!  The lonicera is failing and will be taken off the trellis.  Climbing roses will take its place.  Scarlet roses? Pink?

A little door knocker which originally graced the back entrance at my mother's house.   I could not bear to leave it behind.  So many precious memories and 'things' were left.  One has to make peace with it all.

The herb garden in late July - time for planting autumn crops ... radish, chard, beets, onions and the like.  

And upstairs in the sewing room - all kinds of goodies emerge ...

My BFF is moving.  It's a good move for her - and a part of me is very very happy and proud of her decision to take this leap.  Selfishly, I am sad because she will be quite a distance away.  You know how it is.  I made a market bag for her so that when she bicycles to the open air markets she can take 'me' along!

There is a pocket inside with a nice brass clip for her keys.  The reverse side is slightly different -

I can't show you the gifts that will be carried inside until tomorrow, when I hand this over and say goodbye.  I'm sure that the computer is one of the last things she will remove - she's clever like that.


It's hard to make new friends.  


These beautiful hydrangeas and a puppy image of the Bubbha have been keeping me company while I knit -

I feel a little lost - kind of fragmented, but always grateful.  Mom moving to Connecticut, Bubs crossing Rainbow Bridge and Patty winging her way across the states all occurred without coincidence.  There IS a master plan and we usually are not offered a glimpse into or an explanation why.  I'm going with acceptance today and the faith that everything is happening exactly as it is meant to.  
It would be nice to win the NYS lottery tonight.  Just sayin' in case anyone is listening...

What would we do without our design walls?  Errors do not go unchecked - design flaws can be instantly corrected and we have the inspiration that we sometimes need watching over us - waiting for us.


I am camera-less.  My daughter borrowed both of my cameras to take to Newport ... hopefully I will see them today!

Meanwhile, here are some pieces that never came to fruition.  One has to thank the design wall!

Do you have a tub of 'Might Have Beens'?

Knitting is not exempt from this club!

this is vacation?

We moved mom on Sunday and lost Bubbs in the afternoon.  In between, I tripped over some terra cotta pots and injured myself pretty badly.  Added to this mix - I ended up with Maude, my mom's cat, which brought the animal count up to three.   Of course our Bella wants nothing to do with a new cat so I have to keep them separate.  Now we are talking about individual dishes, cat litter boxes ...


Today I took in a boarder -

Hilary's pinscher Peanut is here while his 'parents' take a much-needed break to Newport.  Oh boy.  Another set of food requirements, sleeping arrangements, leashes, etc.  I'm exhausted!  And my wrist hurts!  Waaahhh waaahhh!  (want some cheese with that whine?!)

Still, I find time for this thing that gives me so much satisfaction.

Thank goodness for the quilting!  Where would I be without it?


 (It's 9:00 pm and 91 degrees outside.  I have to go walk a dog.)  I'm reminded that this life is precious and I feel grateful that I have this time to take care of my family.  We have air conditioning, our health and each other.  This IS vacation!

every day has its dog

I'm going to miss this boy every day for a long long time.  It's hard for me to accept that he's moved on.  I like to think that he will return in an ever so elevated state - because he was that GOOD.  A swan?  An elephant?

  I made this quilt for my daughter - it was a collaboration - a connection with my vastly talented friend, Linda Hibbert, of Silver Linings Originals.  I sent a photo of our beloved Bubbha, and she designed the portrait of our guy.  Piecing this original pattern was one of the most challenging things that I have ever undertaken.  The end result made me deliriously happy - I wish that you could see the beadwork!

Today my son took this quilt back to his house and hung it over the mantle.  I am touched beyond reason - so very happy and pleased that it will take its place in the home where Bubbha spent his last years.  

Our last photo together, in June.

RIP my friend.  In the words of Leon Russell - "I love you in a place where there's no space or time .."

wings

Bubbha got his wings this afternoon.  I think that my heart is broken.

Correction:  I KNOW that it is.  We will miss you sweet boy - more than words can express.

for emma

I was asked to make a little hanging for a six year old who LOVES peace symbols and beads.

What little girl doesn't need some pink, orange and purple in her life!

I'm told that this gift was a happy hit!

The dog days of summer are upon us.  Ayumi published her adorable popsicle pattern and I couldn't wait to piece it up!

Speaking of dog days ...

The way that he crosses his paws just slays me every time!  Terminal cuteness is essential for someone who is NOT supposed to be on the couch!

Simply irresistible.

a quilt for Teddy

Another little quilt is ready to journey toward its new home -

Hedgehogs and pinwheels for Teddy!

This is my Paul Klee period!  It's fun to pair free expression with traditional blocks.

I'm crazy for pinwheels and I love the 3-D effect of these on a piece.  When putting through the laundry you must remember to baste down the 'petals'.

Goodbye little quilt!  Congratulations Happy Family!

Have a happy Fourth!  I am making my famous baked beans and hanging out the red white and blue!

A day off from work to relax and contemplate independence ... the best!

How will you spend your day?