JULY 21, 2012

Hot, Dry, Summer here in Wisconsin

Lilies were doing fine until the drought hit our state for almost

a month now.  Temperatures of high 90's and up to 104 degrees.

Gee, it has been so long that I was able to write a blog and centuries of happenings since my last one.

Health issues one after the other was the main factor.

I love the quote of Max Lucado "don't let the bumps in the race keep you from the award ceremony at its end."  which I have applied day in and day out working through one thing after another.  But there is light in the tunnel.  Health is better, Life is better, and counting my blessings every and each day.

This is the second season of not being able to work steadily in my 2 1/2 acres of gardens.  This summer has found me in the house more than out.  Weeds have gotten higher than the flowers.  Time to cut back I can see that will be true for next year.    Got a lot of reading done, discovered a few new authors as I grasped at getting well.  

Luke is growing like the weeds both in character and behavior.  He went to a private trainer with Dick and I and we all learnt a lot about dealing with a beautiful male Airedale terrier.  We were use to our 10 year old Gilly an Airedale female terrier who was gentle, old, and girl all the way through.  Luke is full of young vibrant energy along with only being 1 1/2 years of age.  He is so intelligent, and use to be two steps ahead of us all the time.  We are at an even keel now, and oh I forgot how much fun the Airedale is.  Our Gilly passed away with a very lengthy illness.  Her immune system closed down and finely closed the door on her life with us.  So very sad, I still miss her.

Another tragedy was when we were notified my precious big brother died, heartbreaking for us but a blessing for him to free him of a long term illness he was suffering. He is missed by all his loved ones. 

Brother Steve and wife Karen

                                          Started to hand quilt on Katelyn's lap quilt she made all by herself.  With her summer filled with working and practicing band   (she played in the Symphonic Band in our local city 's concert. ).  So I told her I would do the long putsy stitching on all the seams to finish it off. 

Ordered some new quilt books:  Exploring embellishments more artful quilts with fast piece applique by Rose Hughes and Sew embellished artistic little quilts, personalized with easy techniques by Cheryl Lynch.  Both are real interesting and quite modern, away from my safe and sure traditional quilts I work on.  Time to take a chance and join the trend of wild and carefree quilting........

Dick put up a wall felt so I could design my own quilt.
I took apart  a fan quilt top I found in a rummage sale from the 50's.
It had a horrible purple background for the fans so now I am
playing around with the peaces trying to find out what I want
to do with it.

 I should make letters -- sew -- on it to remind me to stick to the project instead of procrastinating all the time.What I would really like to do is the Crazy quilt stitches on it once I get the design made. 

This picture was passed on to my on the net.  I do not have the author and if I can find it will include it next time.  

Until the next time sending you all my blessings that your summer is going well.

Kate