July Happenings

 July has been about enjoying the long summer days that I love so much.  Days spent outside in the gardens are the best, but my dermatologist would profess differently.  There is great satisfaction in harvesting the benefits of your labors.

The garden has really been exceptional this year.  We put in raised beds last year and it is so much easier on our backs!  Last summer’s chill resulted in less than stellar crops, but this year has made up for it.  There are basketfuls each day to be enjoyed and shared.

As well the flowers have also done great.  The zinnias have been prolific in their bed for over a month now and no signs of slowing down.  The plumerias are also in full bloom with their incredible scent.

The sewing studio has been busy, but still not a lot to share yet.  Check back August 4th for a blog hop in which I am involved.  I do have my Confetti Stars block for this month in the color yellow.  These are for the Color of the month project at Freemotion by the River website.

My sister had a birthday this week and had been admiring a tote that I carry.  I have seen so many totes using old jeans and decided to use them.  It wasn’t nearly as difficult to sew as I imagined it would be with all the thicknesses, and it came out with such nice body to the tote.

I made a couple of the little mini wallets that I’m seeing everywhere.  I hate shopping with my purse and this is perfect for my Costco or grocery runs.  It’s just big enough for a few credit cards, folded bills, change and a key fob.  It easily fits in a pocket and I’m ready to shop without the purse in tow.

The June That Was

 Although June passed at warp speed, we managed to pack a lot into it.  We started it off with a little getaway, touring the Southwest.  It is the 100th anniversary of Route 66 so we spent a good amount of time traveling leisurely along it, including the section known as the Arizona Sidewinder.  Those 8 miles include 191 “tightly packed curves”.  Surprisingly, we encountered very few cars along the route.  I guess people prefer the speed of the interstates, but they miss so much including the wild burro and teddy bear cactus.

From there we went to Williams, AZ and took the train into the Grand Canyon.  It’s such an amazing sight.  Words cannot begin to describe it - nor photos.  There is a bridge that crosses the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon.  With no roads, every piece of equipment was carried down on the backs of man and burro.  That is a mind boggling thought.  

From there it was on to Monument Valley with its stunning sights as well.

Last week we took one of the grandsons to the Griffith Park Observatory.  I hadn’t been in years and it was fun to visit it again.  It was a clear day in L.A., but the dark skies were from an industrial fire.

As far as sewing goes this month, I did not finish any UFOs. I did manage to get my star blocks with this month’s color of orange.  You can find the Color of the Month challenge at https:Connie Kresin.com.

I was selected the winner of last month’s color challenge and received these beautiful fabrics.  

I also won an IG (@cherrytreecottage5) giveaway of three one yard cuts of patriotic fabrics and a pattern book to go along with it.  I finished piecing the top, but I am going to add some blue stars down one side to make it QOV size and donate it to our guild.

There has been a bit of behind the scenes quilting which I will share soon, but I am working with the grandchildren and their sewing skills this summer.  It has been fun to watch the progress.  This was sewn yesterday, a first with no help.  

The kitchen has been busy to.  Lots of strawberry jam made with my daughter and granddaughters.  Then last week another granddaughter was over for a day of pickles.  It’s nice to share the task.  The time goes by swiftly while chatting away.

Many days are filled for the July calendar so guess we will see what gets finished next month.  Bring it on!

Mid September

Gosh...here it is - almost mid September.  Fall décor is everywhere.  It won't be long before Christmas decorations start appearing.

I had a dear friend come up for a much too short visit, but she brought some treasured quilts along with her to share.  One that particularly grabbed my attention was a stunning yo yo quilt.  It was made by her Aunt Tillie.  I think that the yellow background drew me to it instantly.  It was BIG and so heavy.  It was also in fabulous condition.

Look at the great fabrics that were used .... if they could only talk..... and the wonderful arrangement of the yo yos.  Oh...those tiny stitches.  I wonder how long it took her to make it.

That scalloped border.....SWOON!

Leisa (no blog), our Gridster Bee recipient for October, sent us some African fabrics that her parents had collected for her.   We were to make the African Queen blocks by Anne Batiste using the fabrics.  The fabrics really called to be used with fussy cutting and these are my blocks for her.

Our September started off super hot, but has mellowed out a bit as seen in my Temperature Quilt.  We had two days about 105* so I actually had to find a new color for it.

I'm also continuing to finish off the Confetti Star blocks from my Gridster Bee choice.  I needed a few more blocks to bring it to the size that I want it.   I am looking forward to having this quilt finished as I love the blocks that I received.

These cooler days will slow down the wonderful summer garden that we have enjoyed.  Our son is growing some of the giant pumpkins this year in his garden and they are HUGE.  I have no idea how he is going to move them from the location where they are growing, but it should be interesting.

The late laid eggs of the tortoises are now hatching.  I forget how quickly they grow, but seeing the new one next to August's hatchlings really makes me realize how fast they grow.

We had an exciting weekend as a guest of Stanislaus Foods in California's Central Valley and were able to tour their tomato processing plant and their Corto Olive Oil Co.  It was fun to follow the tomatoes from field to canned in under five hours.  The olive oil production will start in October.  The tours were just fascinating.  I would have loved to share some photos, but no photographing was allowed.  I am always amazed at the machinery that is created for each job along the line.  Machines play such a huge role in our lives and I am in awe of the people who develop machines to do the various tasks.

We have another busy weekend coming up as we are keeping five grandchildren and one dog while their parents are away. There won't be much computer time.  ;-)

Mid July

I really didn't plan on being away for two weeks.  Life just seems to have something new and exciting every day.  I feel out of the loop as I have been off of the computer much of the time as we entertained company, celebrated the 4th of July and started the busy season of canning.  Two peach trees are done and one to go.

As I mentioned in my last post, I was the recipient of the June blocks for the Gridster Bee.  They have all come in and I just love the way this is coming together.   I'll add a few more Confetti Stars and get this put together shortly.

Meanwhile, as we move on to the next month's Gridster Bee blocks I completed my August block for Debbie - IG littlebirdquilts.  I have seen this quilt popping up on the different blogs and think Debbie's bright colors will look so nice.

Our July 4th party was loads of fun.  I always feel so blessed that the children have been able to grow up together.  Their cousins are their best friends and they always have someone to join them in whatever they do.

Pre sparkler instructions.

Serious yearly Corn Hole tournament.

They just look mischievous with those water balloons.

Master chef!

For Father's Day the kids gave their dad a Sous Vide immersion cooker.  We finally had a chance to try it out over the weekend and loved it.  We did a pork loin on Saturday night that was so moist and tasty.  Sunday we did a steak and it was also fantastic.  It is an interesting concept in cooking as the meat and herbs are cooked in a sealed bag and placed into warmed water (thus the ping pong balls to reduce water evaporation).  It is then finished off by searing a few seconds in a hot skillet.  It is great for timing the meal to be done at a certain time.  We were both very impressed and will be using this often.

I recently was selected as a winner of this beautiful Mulberry Lane jelly roll from Cherry Blossoms Quilting.  I just love the colors in these fabrics and look forward to making a quilt with it.  I have followed Cherry for many years and love her creative pieces.  One of my favorite quilts that I hang each year is a pattern of hers - the Feathered Christmas.

Tomorrow the girls and I start the pickles.  I'm looking forward to the fun.