Spring at last

Color is happening...

Small things in the garden too..

“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.” 

― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Spring in my garden

Is so awesome! Some blooms to go..

love bearded iris..

pink roses!

And the veggie garden is going too!

a family of chickadees has taken up residence on our deck..

meadow views

Even though it doesn't look like the picture on the bottom, the art quilt was distilled from that view, just in a different season!

With hand dyed fabric (I'm really loving this process, and have lots of hand dyed silk stuff to show you)!

Not a whole lot of embellishment , an excercise in restraint.

The back garden in high summer.

summer thoughts

As birthday #45 approaches for me, I stumbled onto one of those long lists of things to 'live by'. By coincidence, 45 of them..I do not profess to follow all of these, but I'd like to. I think there is a little nod to Bill Cosby in there as well as Erma Bombeck. Both of whom I hold in high regard..

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written." My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1.Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you no one else.
20. When it to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.Enjoy!

colors of summer

This summer is racing by like a rushing river. I can hardly believe how quickly the days are flying by. During the summer, I rise early to work in the studio. Before the phone starts ringing, before the hot, humid air drifts in. Quiet and calm.

Water colors of the pool and river and sea...


A simple 1-patch, with fabrics so beautiful not much is necessary..

To dive into when I can't get to the water, like I want to.

The colors of summer, greens, violets, turquoise..

Keep cool!

late spring

I've managed to finish this shawl: These colors really remind of the sea.. turquoise, lavender, moss greens.. I loved making this one. Two yarns, alternating, one a rayon ribbon, the other a thick and thin loose spun wool, hand dyed..

The garden has exploded in color, texture and weeds! Must. get. some. pictures.

Sweet pea..

pink roses, my all time fav..

an Asian lily.. love the color combos here..

I feel overwhelmed at the moment, school is coming to a close, the house, the new work in progress.. need to relax and take things one at a time. I'm a horrible multi-tasker. I end up doing things in halves.. one step at a time..

snow or not

It's been another strange winter. Bitter cold, then 70 degrees, flurries, but not real stick with it snow.


Where I grew up in So. Cal snow was something you drove to. The kids are a little bummed we really only got about 1-2 days of decent sled snow this year..

It's beautiful, I know there are those that hate the stuff, but I don't. A quiet, white world. Spring is around the corner. I saw a robin in the garden, which can only mean one thing!

late summer garden

Before the birds and deer get to it! I haven't had too much luck in the past with sunflowers, but these, my daughter planted, so she does! I adore the lime green centers.. also coneflowers that have come and gone, the finches and nuthatches love the seeds and a crepe myrtle that is in full pink-ness. Color inspiration that is steps away.. love it.

august

Even though it's my birthday month, I really am glad when August is over. Usually way too hot here for me. However, we had a cold front come through and it's like 65 degrees! Soo, my roses are sending up canes like it's April. Have a great weekend, hope it stays nice..

here to there

July is not the greatest month in Va, we have scorching heat and humidity. I hang out on the porch in the morning, then as the sun chases me back to the deck in the evening.. the humming birds don't seem to mind, they go go go.. still hanging in there, sweet peas, daisies and lilies..

summer garden

My garden in July and August explodes and overwhelms. The vines, flowers and plants go into overdrive and soar up, up, up. The soft roses and sweetpeas from May are long gone, and now the perenials take over. Honeysuckle, shasta daisies and gladiolus go bonkers. I just stand back (sit if I can clear a space!) and take a few pictures..

more garden

purple coneflower + visitor

I'm so pleased with the garden this year, I'm not sure what the difference is from last year, but I'll take it. I know blazing July and August are coming, when I really won't want to step out at all. I'll enjoy this for now.

small garden interlude

A little delight in the mid-June garden..before the sizzling temps of July and August..

Mother's day

This is Monet's garden in Giverny..a place I would love to visit someday. What an inspirational place this is. To all the moms..

last day of macro

A rose from my garden to all the macro pool..it's been fun!