Day Twelve

It's been an absolutely beautiful day here in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. Mid-70s, low humidity--loving every minute of it! Spent part of the day weeding flower beds and decided to share a gardening tip with you.

I had an old ladder that was too rickety to climb on and my dad painted it cream. Then we set it into the ground with stakes to anchor it and planted a trumpet vine in the middle. That was several years ago and you can see the results! (Actually, I just remembered that originally there was a dead white birch tree that the vine was climbing. Unfortunately, the tree got dry rot and fell down during a storm, leaving the vine with nowhere to climb. So the ladder was its second home and I guess the ladder was centered over the vine.) Anyways, it is a great use for an old ladder.


My dad also made me bird houses to put on the ladder. There is a single house on the top of the ladder (you can see the bird at the very top--it rotates!) and then there is a two family dwelling on the paint can ledge. All three are usually full. The birds like that there is so much foliage and that they are so protected. Do be forewarned--trumpet vines are very invasive. From the original one, as I was weeding today, I found at least seven more. And I am still cutting them off from the original planting site near the back door. I'll try to remember to post a pic when the blossoms are fully out.

We had major thunderstorms with high wind yesterday and I had a big branch from the Black Walnut tree come down. Of course it landed right where I mow, so I took my non-motorized camp saw out and sawed it up. Also cut down a volunteer tree that was too near the front porch. So many volunteers--trees, WEEDS, bleeding heart plants, four butterfly bushes (loving those)....

Last night I did a bit more hand blanket stitching on my Quiltmaker piece. I'll show it off when I get it a bit further along.

That's it for now. Remember to smile, especially at work--it makes people wonder what you are up to!

Hugs,
Sharon

Day Eleven

A quick post tonight before another thunderstorm rumbles through. I've spent part of the day working on a new applique block of the month. Have the background blocks cut and have a big stack of batiks to play with for the flowers. Even with all the batiks I have, I think I need a different green to do the stems and leaves with. But I still have to do overlays and I am working on several other things as well.

To be honest, I have spent a good portion of the day reading the new Evanovich book--OMG! It is sooooo good! I have burst out laughing several times and Lynnie thought I had flipped my lid!

The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson is what I am listening to and I can't wait to read that in paper as well. Freeville is a small town near where I live and it is so exciting to know people from the book and the locations she talks about. I rarely read anything I have listened to but I want to savor all the descriptions and what she is saying. If you haven't read that, give it a try as well.

Okay, the thunder is getting closer, so I will close for tonight. Pictures again tomorrow.

Hugs,
Sharon

Day Ten

A busy day here, but with good stuff. My mom and I went shopping this morning--the usual groceries, sundries, banking, and office supplies. (Don't you just love office supply stores? After quilt shops and book stores, I head for the office supplies.) Then I got to see a foal that was born about two weeks ago--he's quite a cutie, and his mom is very high spirited! What a treat! Reminds me of my teen years when I had a horse of my own. Visiting is even better--all the thrill, none of the expense or work to keep a horse!

These are the last pictures from the lilies at my mom's. It just amazes me how Mother Nature can make things so intricately. Can you imagine how many spores of pollen are on each of these stamens (or are they pistols? I can never remember!) But that doesn't stop me from being in awe.

I just got the new Janet Evanovich book, Finger Lickin' Fifteen. Only about 10 pages in and I'm hooked--as always. If you haven't tried her books, especially the Stephanie Plum series, you are missing out.

Okay, ten days and counting! I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Hugs,

Sharon