Flower Friday: June 12, 2026

 

Sue sent two lovely photos this week and some important advice.  After reading the Wednesday post, she commented that she wished she had her phone with her when she fell in the garden and had to scream for help.  😢 I will always keep the phone now.  You can read her comment here.

Also, I'm glad she emailed me about her comment.  It used to be that comments were always emailed to me.  That is not happening so I'm reading old comments now.  Anyway, let's get on with the good stuff...

Sue's lovely Evening Primroses aka Sundrops!

Gorgeous!

Sue's Peaches and Cream Honeysuckle! 

Wow!  What a statement in the garden!

Thank you Sue and thank you to Lorraine who also shared these photos:

Ground orchids from Lorraine's garden!

Lorraine also shared False Indigo, Yellow Baptisia!

The Lambs' Ears are blooming in my garden!

My Evening Primrose self-sowed in the Lavender. 

Shasta Daisies and Spiderwort:

Andy mulched on Wednesday and the front garden looks wonderful!

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend!

Minor updates

 

I'm sorry but I have very little to report these days.  Most of my time is spent working the garden.  I actually have to take a break now.  It's so annoying--but my body says "STOP!" for now. 

It's hot, it's humid and time to stay in anyway.

These days, I'm working on two quilt tops (both the same pattern).  When it gets too hot in the attic, I'm able to work on an embroidery project downstairs...or clean the house.

I do have more flowers blooming and will post some pics tomorrow.  What have you been up to?

Have a safe and happy day!

Wayback Wednesday: June 10, 2026

 

In 1913, newspapers reported "the pocket telephone" was a new invention from Hungary.

Although I looked, I couldn't find a photo of this pocket phone.  By 1919, more predictions about a pocket telephone were published.

I can't tell you what happened to the Hungarian version of the device but I do know that the 1919 predictions were met with ridicule...and accurately foreshadowed how it would change our life.

My favorite (accurate) prediction is this comic:

Listen, I'm glad for the cell phone because of caregiving and emergencies.  It was also something I carried with me when my husband traveled all the time.  For some reason, I even had it nearby when I was outside gardening (SHEESH, gotta stop that).

What are your thoughts?

Hoping you have a wonderful day!!!

Flower Friday: June 4, 2026

 

Sometimes I can't believe how far behind in my garden and then I remember that the weather has been weird.  Plus I'm older.  I don't have to rush to get everything done anymore.  I get it done in my own time and around the caregiving schedule.

This week there were two wonderful roses at my neighbors:

I love these old fashioned cabbage roses:

There's something wonderful about red roses on a white fence.  

It just pops!

Years ago, a bunch of us were at a quilt program somewhere outside of Philadelphia.  My friend Dawn and I were marveling at pretty white flowers that neither of us knew.  We learned later that they were called "Star of Bethlehem"; I love that since I was born and raised in Bethlehem PA.  

But here's the weird thing.  I have Star of Bethlehem in my garden.  I didn't plant it...it just showed up and I love it.

That's all for this week!

Have a great weekend!

Updates

 

Greetings! 

How are you doing?

I've been mostly weeding my front garden.  It's finally ready for Andy to mulch it; he will do that next week after teaching concludes.  The weather has been very cool which has been perfect for weeding early in the morning.  I now have to tackle the back garden but I'll do that at my leisure.

We need rain but there isn't any real precipitation in the future forecast.  Maybe this weekend...

It's all been a bit of a gift to have the weather like this.  My sewing machine is getting serviced, the dog has been walked a lot, and it just seems the right time to be outside enjoying the garden.

Tonight I'm even going to be able to attend a guild meeting!  I'm pretty excited about that!

Lucky sleeps in more than we do...but he's up and it's time for walkies.  Hope you are having a great spring!

Flower Friday: May 29, 2026

 

This week we celebrate pink flowers!  

There seems to be a plethora of pink flowers blooming now!  Lorraine's garden:

My garden:

The azaleas below and in the header are just starting to fade.

Below, the weigela is going strong yet!

And the peonies are blooming!

The evening primroses are spectacular right now!

Despite some rough storms over the weekend, the foxgloves are doing really well.  Their stalks are really thick this year, most likely because we have had a lot of windy days during this season.

The black lace elderberry is blooming as well.  This fall the birds will be feasting on the small berries on this bush!

I hope you have a splendid pink weekend!

Tuesday's This and That: May 26, 2026

 

Nann emailed me that there is a quilt event at the Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie, PA.  It sounds interesting and you can read the details here.

***

People collect all kinds of things.  I just was flagged on an auction that is selling an iron collection.  A few of the irons really captured my attention.  There were toy swan irons and a "flower hat iron".  But electric irons for children startled me.  I don't remember any one I knew of that had one.  Do you?  The auction is over so if you want to check them out, go here soon!

***

I'm off now.  My niece and great niece are in town and I'm spending as much time with them as I can.  

Have a great day!

Memorial Day 2026

 

Flower Friday: May 22, 2026

 

Today we have submissions from Sue and Lorraine!

Above:  More beauty from Sue's garden!

Thanks Sue!

A bouquet of irises!

 

More of Sue's Garden:

From Lorraine's Garden, some amazing lovelies!  

Thank you Lorraine!

Double tulip--it looks like a tree peony but it's a tulip.  

So amazing!

Tree peony:

Gorgeous Irises!

Clematis:

Lorraine's Garden:

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!

Keeping it Simple

 

I finally finished binding my first finish for the year.

Yes it took more time than usual because of responsibilities, gardening, and sometimes hand pain.  This quilt isn't for anyone but me.  I was inspired by the fabric.  It reminded me of this illustration by Margaret Tarrant:

I just didn't want anything to distract from the feature fabric.

The layout also gave Lizzie a lot of space for her beautiful longarm quilting:

I want to get a navy slipcover and then put this on the couch.  I just like it and it's simplicity makes me happy.

Next I'm going to work on my challenge quilt and my embroidery quilt.  More on those later.