An Outing and a Finish

We had an unplanned outing yesterday. As I mentioned, we were hoping we could get my Nikon camera repaired locally by providing them with the older version of the same camera and allowing them to use the parts from the older model to repair the newer model. Mike called the camera shop last week to inquire. We had to wait for their technician to provide the answer yesterday. As it turns out...they can! So that was good news. We hopped in the car and drove to the camera shop right away.

Of course, I took my new Panasonic camera along, hoping to get pictures of every blooming thing. There wasn't much to see in the way of flowers...nothing I could get a picture of, at any rate. However, I did manage a shot of one of my favorite local barns. I'm generally driving when I'm on this road into town, but Mike was driving yesterday, allowing me to get this shot. This barn is quite a distance off the road, and in a moving car, I didn't get it in sharp focus. Oh well. I'll try again when we go to pick up the repaired Nikon.

Often the field around this barn is planted in red clover and it is beautiful when it blooms. We had lunch in town, and then walked the half block from the restaurant to a bakery where we enjoyed our afternoon cup of espresso and a little pastry. It was a nice day. It's very nice to be able to walk around freely without masks, although we did have to wear masks in the camera shop.

Back home, I went to work on the quilt binding, turning all four corners.

Shortly after turning the fourth corner, I had myself a finished quilt. Charm Stars was started January 6, 2019. It was one of two Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilts that year, and it finished up at 61 x 76 inches. It's destined to go in the fifth wheel to snuggle up in when we travel.

It was nearing the end of the day by then. I went out to fill the bird feeders and took some pictures of our weedy garden while I was out. The peonies are all looking good, although their bed needs some clean-up work.

This second one from the left is an overachiever. It's at least twice as tall as the others. We might consider giving them some nicer trellises this year. For now, they're stuck with tomato cages. 

Nearby, the little blue clematis we planted last year has poked its head above ground. I worried it might not have survived the winter snow. We generally let the fallen leaves lie, keeping the plant below ground a little warmer as they decompose. A rake is in order now that it has shown itself.

Behind me, the star magnolia is in full bloom. It's nearly finished now, and we can expect to see a carpet of white petals at its feet soon. 

Despite the recent rain, the flowers are still looking pretty good.

Around front, the Andromeda is getting its white flowers. Eventually it will produce bright red leaves. It's a thing of beauty when it's in full bloom.

Continuing around toward the front door, the purple clematis is finally putting on some green. It was another I worried about, having only been in the ground a year, and having to survive the winter's snowfall.

Just around the corner, its neighbor is nearly ready to bloom. This is always one of the earliest bloomers. We're expecting some warm weather tomorrow, and that might put it over the top.

Finally, one of the newer daffodils. It looks like the squirrels have been enjoying this one. I'm hoping these will multiply over time, and we can enjoy more of their pretty colors.

Today I have a phone consultation with a nurse over an upcoming routine medical procedure. Routine if that includes things one does only once every ten years or so...with a horrible prep...and too embarrassing to talk about. Anyway...it gives me something to look forward to in the coming months. Not. 

After that, we'll head out and get our grocery shopping done. With warm weather expected tomorrow, we want to be ready to eat dinner outside, if possible. And we don't want to spend that nice weather in the grocery store. I'm hoping for a good day of weeding. As for today's activities...the sky's the limit. Nothing else is planned. I'll probably get busy sandwiching and quilting the Posies quilt.