Summer Projects

I picked up some peaches at the farmers' market last Saturday. When the peaches are available at the market you have to get there early because the line is long but it doesn't matter because they are worth it. And today I thought I would give peach ice cream a try. 

I love summer so much. There is so much to be grateful for. The vegetable garden is thriving, the flowers are blooming, I can be outside all the time. I appreciate every warm, wonderful day. But when there are rainy days, I have taken the time to enjoy my embroidery machine. 

I'm also having some fun with some of the things we've collected on our antiques and barn sale shopping trips. 

This spring I wanted to paint my garden fence. In the process of scraping off the chipped paint, the boards just broke away. The fence was so rotten we ended up taking it down. I was sure I would miss the look of the white pickets, then Jeff designed a new fence using stuff we had lying around. Some cedar boards and leftover wire fencing made a really nice new fence.

What a nice, fresh look we have in the yard now. 

Happiness is . . .

kohlrabi. In summer sewing takes a back seat to gardening. Mother Nature waits for no one so I have to bow to her demands. So every morning I spend time weeding, tending and raking in my garden. After that, there's a good amount of time spent watering all the plants around the house. I don't just grow vegetables in my garden, I also have a raspberry patch, pumpkins, cantaloupe and cucumbers (viney things) growing on trellises next to the house. Everything requires much attention so by the time I am finished in the garden, my back is pretty sore and I have to rest. I don't mind the sacrifice but it is really hard on my spine fusions. Here are some of the benefits of the hard work.

Happiness is . . .

Happiness is the view from my sewing room window. It's been raining since 4:00 yesterday afternoon and it is still an amazing view. Especially since spring is here and everything is turning green.

The trees are budding and seeing the fenced-in garden reminds me that I can start thinking about planting vegetables. I've already planned out where things will be planted and I've made a list of seeds and plants I need to purchase. It's still a bit early to actually do the planting but it's fun to think about it.

Even through the gloomy day, I love this view.

Happiness is . . .

Happiness is a Valentine's Day cupcake to share with my honey.

Happiness is . . .

My daughter gave me an Etsy gift certificate for Christmas and it took me 4 whole days before I spent it! I also had some money in my PayPal account since I sold my Tutto case. I think the $$ were burning a hole in my pocket.

There are three fabric shops on Etsy that I call my favorite(s). They are all wonderful and unique and I hope they are all around for a very long time.

Normally I'm not very spontaneous when purchasing fabric but my husband was in the hospital having a 5 to 6 hour cardiac procedure and while sitting in the waiting room, I made the purchase. Long waits in hospitals make me do crazy things. This was sort of crazy. I didn't need any fabric and after cleaning up my sewing room earlier this week, I was feeling even more guilty for being so impetuous.

Today the postman delivered my new fabric selections - some were from the clearance section of the Etsy site so that really gave me more bang for my buck. Just look at these little beauties:

As always, there's some Sweetwater fabric in my purchase. I'm not sure what I will use it for, but I can guarantee, it will be used. What fun to add to my stash!

Happiness is . . . new fabric.

Happiness is . . .

This is the view out of my patio door today. It's a good indicator that I made the right plan for the day. And that plan is to decorate the Christmas tree.

My husband put the tree up on Thursday evening. We knew a winter storm was coming over the weekend so it made sense to get the tree into the house before the snow flies.

Yesterday he put the lights on the tree and it is ready to be decorated today. And what better time than to do it than during the Packers game while we watch the snow come down!

Happiness is . . . being home-bound for the day.

Happiness is . . .

Happiness is spending afternoons with my granddaughters on beautiful summer days.

The warm days are limited here in Wisconsin so we have to take advantage of every moment. We play in the pool whenever we can and the girls absolutely love the water.

Happiness is . . .

pumpkins growing

Happiness is . . .

progress in the garden

Happiness is . . .

doing something significant on Memorial Day with our granddaughters.

Avery, Chloe and Grandpa

Chloe and Grandpa

Happiness is . . .

Baby Ducks

Happiness is...

a full moon early in the morning

Happiness is...

View from the Sewing Room Window

...watching it snow from the sewing room window knowing I have no place to go and nothing to do but sew.

Happiness is...

full bobbins