6/20/17

A Sunny Day

You have no idea how happy we are to see the sun. It has been a long wet spring...one of the wettest on record. When we left to head south back in early May, we hoped the wet weather would be over by the time we returned. Since we've been back, it has rained nearly every day. Mike was only able to finish mowing the field yesterday.

It was a perfect day to start our regular Monday walks. Matthew has asked to come along as much as he's available, and we were happy to have him. We walked just a little way on the Fanno Creek Trail before we came to a picnic area with a large tree. I spied a place to sow my heart into the wild, leaving it in among the branches. When we came back this way, there was a family using the picnic area, but the heart was still where I left it.


That's two for two, and so I'll need to make some more today. 

I would be remiss if I didn't warn you of the dangers facing us on the trail this day.


Almost immediately, we were confronted by sure and certain death.


Our hero, Matthew, forded the stream ahead of us. After watching him, we both felt brave enough to try it on our own. Life vests might have been in order.


There were plenty of blooming things to see along the way.






Included in the mix were these wild roses.


Just a little ways further, there were rose hips.


 These were tiny, all growing in a big patch.


The Oregon blackberries are blooming, and the bees are all over them.


 I spied this next one in the parking lot when we returned to our cars.


Sue and I would ordinarily walk twice as far on this trail, but we walked just to the duck pond. Remember the ducklings we saw this past spring?


They're not little any more. It looks like quite a few survived.



On the other side of the path, the pond was filled with little minnows. We often see a Great Blue Heron here, but not on this day.


And on such a sunny day, how could our shadow selves not get in on the act?


When we got home from our walk, I had just enough time to take a shower before heading off to the vet with Sadie. Sadie got her immunizations and a clean bill of health. The last time she visited the vet was shortly after her "Gotcha" Day. When we adopted her she weighed 10.9 pounds. At our visit yesterday, she weighed 11.2 pounds, so she's maintained her weight well.

It was after 3:00 p.m. when I got home, and it seemed a little too late in the day to start any sewing. Instead, I finished the last of the stitching on Block 11 for the Hocuspocusville quilt.


The next time I work on this, I'll be doing the last block:


With that one finished, it was time to make up Block 6 for the Wine Country quilt. This is one of my favorites for this quilt.


This morning, I got started on the stitching


while the kitties soaked up the morning sun.



Today is a CSA pick-up day, but the morning is reserved for sewing. There are still the Monday Mini blocks to catch up on...three of those...and then I'm two weeks behind on the Quilt-Along happening at The Inbox Jaunt. If I can finish all of that, I'll get back to work on the scrub jay quilt. All that's left now is to make the "tick marks" on the pattern. Those are used to match up the seams when I start sewing it together. When those are in place, I'll be ready to start auditioning fabrics.

11 comments:

crazy quilter said...

So glad you got to see the sun! I would certainly send you some from Texas as the days head fast to what I call the dog days of summer. It had been pretty warm here but I thin that Tropical Storm Cindy might send us some cooler temps, if only for a couple of days...looks like you had a really nice walk with the guys, and the blooms are so pretty. Glad the kitties got to soak up some sun . They look very content!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I worked on my tiny blocks and then went to an English Tea at the local library which was quite delightful.

claudia said...

We've had overcast and clammy days here. I can't stand that humid warmth!
We just took the grandson back to Tacoma yesterday...a four hour round trip, and it turns out my back is not overly fond of long car rides. I spent today nursing a painful back! Plus I have had lack of sleep and my usual movements the past few days, so a long nap was in order. I mean L-O-N-G! The back is feeling better this evening.
Tomorrow perhaps I can start catching up on all of my projects that have gone by the wayside the last few months. We'll see!
All of those blooms along our walk are beautiful! I've been walking my property admiring all that Mother Nature has set out for me to enjoy.
All this time I thought Sadie was a tiny thing for some reason. She is the same weight as one of my boys and they aren't tiny!
Here's hoping for more sunny days! We are all due I believe!

Brown Family said...

A friend of mine went to Oregon while you were gone. She was surprised at all of the water (lakes, rivers) and how much it rained. I told her it was the wettest spring ever! She wanted to know how I knew and I told her a little birdie told me!

It looks like you had a fun walk! As usual there was a lot of pretty flowers!

Robin said...

Your embroidery and photography are always so nice. Has anyone told you yet on block 11/Hocuspocusville the front tire on the 1st bike is not completely round. I think you forgot to finish the top of the wheel. 😒----robin in florida

Robin said...

BTW, do you read the comments added on the blog area? Just wondering...Robin in florida

Robin said...

BTW, do you read the comments added on the blog area? Just wondering...Robin in florida

SJSM said...

Well we are in the dog days of summer already. Grand dog is visiting for 3 weeks while his mum and dad are traveling to Australia for 2 1/2 weeks then back to Ohio for a wedding for a few days. It is HOT here in the SF Bay Area. Today over 100*. Many spots over 100* for over a week. We are used to this heat until maybe August and then a couple of days. That means we walk Chorizo very early in the A,M and after dark in the P,M, Stella and Lana , our cats , are not amused by the dog. At least they aren't disappearing for the whole time Chorizo is here. There is a truce of sorts. Cats get the bed. Dog gets the floor at night. During the day, cats getr the bedroom, dog gets the living room. Sewing room is whoever gets there first. Thus far it's Lana.

Enjoy your week with the sun!

piecefulwendy said...

It is a quiet, cool, lovely morning here with sunshine peeking out. If it's anything like yesterday, it will be a perfect MN day. Enjoyed going on the walk with the three of you. So glad Matthew was along to help you ford that river! Your two kitties looked like they were enjoying the sunshine in the best way -- naps! Your embroidery is lovely!

Dana Gaffney said...

I like that you and Mike are walking together, plus the bonus of Matthew makes it even better, I'm glad he saved you from drowning :)

quiltzyx said...

I am sure glad that they had that sign posted about the high water! And that Matthew was there to show you the safest way across. What a good son. :) You sure saw lots of beautiful blooms too - thanks for sharing with us.
Hard for me to believe you only have one more Hocuspocusville block left. The Wine Country stitcheries look like they would lend themselves to the crayon & embroidery technique. I really like the simple line drawings that they are.

Ohhh, nothing like kitties layin' in the sun spots!