Day 151 of 2021

The blue line has been snapped 

and I'm about to cut loose with power tools.

 

Day 150 of 2021

As much as I love making the yard look nice, painting and refreshing rooms, 

I really miss spending time with my sewing machine.

 

Day 149 of 2021

Fireball picks up sticks. 

I need to build up the trellis for my new clematis.

 

Day 148 of 2021

Things are starting to come together.

 

Day 147 of 2021

We're expecting a visitor soon. 

It's important to have the right things on hand.

 

Day 146 of 2021

Fireball suggested that I swap out the tile on our two little tables

 to reflect the color direction I am taking this room for its refresh. 

I found this star pattern, 

which I have loved since I first saw it a couple years ago,

 in a tile in the correct size and color. 

Lucky me.

 

Day 145 of 2021

There is more work going on in the sunroom but nothing picture worthy. 

No one wants to see pictures of more trim being painted, 

nail holes being filled or touch up paint being applied. 

So I decided to share one of my favorite diffuser recipes. 

I use equal drops of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils 

in my bathroom diffuser as I get ready in the morning. 

It helps me breathe and start my day.

 

Day 144 of 2021

Fireball and I went to dinner with friends tonight. 

It's been a very long time.

Also I keep forgetting to tell you What is it? 

The book I mention in the post from Day 131 is called Extra Yarn. 

It's great and I highly recommend it for kids and adults alike.

 

Day 143 of 2021

Today's adventure:

Second coat on walls as promised. 

Changed all electrical outlets. All seven. 

They gave Fireball all kinds of trouble. 

Removed all tape, drop cloths and protective paper. 

Caulked where needed. 

Assembled, cut and installed trim around the brick wall. 

Finished approximately 9:30 p.m.

 

Day 142 of 2021

The last two days of the sunroom refresh went something like this: 

prep, painting, more prep, more painting. 

One of the walls in this room is brick. 

The one gallon we bought for walls is about two thirds gone 

and another coat is needed. 

Back to the store we went for another gallon. 

Second coat and trim happens tomorrow.

 

Day 141 of 2021

They said the cicadas would come out once the irises bloomed. 

I guess they were right. 

If you can't handle the bugs, skip today and come back tomorrow. 

If you are as fascinated as I am, zoom in on this photo if you can. 

You will see cicadas in every stage- 

still in the shell, just emerging, 

just finished emerging, almost ready to fly off and ready to fly off. 

I haven't heard them yet. 

I'm sure that's coming soon.

 

Day 140 of 2021

The purple irises finally decided to bloom. 

Many more opened after I took this picture 

but they are all falling over. 

I think I need to find my support sticks.

 

Day 139 of 2021

This poor gingko is having a difficult season. 

Don't let the full sized leaves fool you. 

They are few and far between and the tree should be full of them by now.

It sprouted its first leaves earlier in the spring

 and then promptly got caught in a freeze. 

The sprouted leaves turned brown and fell off. 

Later as it was working on more new leaves, 

it got hit with a frost and lost its leaves again. 

It is actually still spilling tiny brown leaves all over our deck and yard. 

I can now see new growth and have high hopes for its future. 

 

Day 138 of 2021

This building used to be a bank. 

I can't remember it ever not being here and I've been here since 1979. 

Other buildings close by, including a school and a restaurant, 

have seen a similar fate.

 

Day 137 of 2021

I've changed the dishes in anticipation of the summer holidays coming up. 

At the end of May is Memorial Day, and in June, Flag Day. 

July brings Independence Day and Labor Day is in September. 

I may leave this combination all summer long. 

Dishes shown here are Fiesta Dinnerware colors Lapis, Scarlet, White, Peacock, Cobalt, Periwinkle and a set of six blue speckled bowls I got at a sale recently that I believe originally came from Pier 1.

 

Day 136 of 2021

Before.

This room needs to have some special issues addressed. 

It also just needs to be freshened up. 

I am planning something lighter and brighter. 

I'll keep the progress pictures coming. 

Yes, I have a Christmas tree painting on display in May, actually all year long. 

Yes, there is a picture frame with no picture in it. 

Yes, you see bolts of fabric.

And yes, there is a bag of supplies from the hardware store on the table

 so we can get this party started.

 

Day 135 of 2021

I'm sitting down with my second Mother's Day book tonight. 

A long time ago I used to make some of my own clothing. 

I have been itching to do more. 

I am hoping to learn a little more and get inspired.  

 

Day 134 of 2021

The front of the house is improving. 

Today I planted lots of flowers and plants.

 

Day 133 of 2021

A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera. 

-Dorothea Lange

 

Day 132 of 2021

More shirts, but I am happy to report that these six are the last of the shirts. 

My goal was to finish them by the end of last week, 

but today's just as good a day to finish something. 

Now I can move on to something else. 

I do have some set aside for a red, white and blue flag quilt 

that appears in the June 2021 (issue 170) American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. 

I think some of the greens may end up as trees in a wintery/Christmasy quilt.

 

Day 131 of 2021

Fireball got me two books for Mother's Day. 

I read this one tonight. 

It was great. 

Do you know what book this is? What is it?

 

Day 130 of 2021

Happy Mail.

I have just participated in a fabric swap through Instagram for the first time.

My package arrived today and I could not be more excited.

 

Day 129 of 2021

My kids always post great photos in our family group texts. 

I never have one to share. 

Today I found one from one of the very few (only?) times 

we had our picture done professionally. 

Our neighbor had a photography studio and took these in our own back yard. 

On this Mother's Day I want you to know

I am so honored to be your mom.

 

Day 128 of 2021

Fun and Funny

 

Day 127 of 2021

Here is a sneak peek at a quilt top I bought at an estate sale today. 

When the weather is cooperative, I'll get more pictures and show you what I got.

Hint: This is not the only one.

 

Day 126 of 2021

What a surprise it was to get an early Mother's Day flower delivery. 

I am excited to watch them open up.

Thank you.

I love them.

 

Day 125 of 2021

Sisters. 

It was so fun to hang out with these girls today. 

GB#2, GB#5 and GB#4

 

Day 124 of 2021

The parade of wildlife seems to be never ending. 

This is one of three rabbits which were running, jumping and eating

 in our yard this afternoon.

 

Day 123 of 2021

Just when our nest becomes empty another mama comes to our yard. 

I have counted and recounted 

and keep coming up with eleven babies she is hauling around. 

She circled the deck twice but I don't think she is staying. 

I saw her disappear under the rear fence.

This is the craziest thing I've seen since I don't know when.

 

Day 122 of 2021

The last couple days have been beautiful. 

We're taking advantage and getting the yard in order. 

Tomorrow it's going to rain.

 

Day 121 of 2021

Today was fledgling day. 

This is baby number two just one hop before flying off over the roof. 

The nest is empty now.