More Garage space than bedrooms

flowers

Summer Solstice

We are almost at the Summer Solstice. We had a beautiful few days through Saturday last and then Sunday I thought fall was here already--cold and the wind right out of the north. But they are predicting warmer temps and pretty days again starting today for a few days. We have had no precipitation however. I have to water my garden by hand every day. The water right out of the well is too cold and shocks the young plants so I have to water by hand. Same for my greenhouse where we have buds on the tomato plants and things are thriving. I can't keep up with the weeds in the yard though--the dandelions are taking over as well as horse's tail! I have picked rhubarb already but there is promise of tons of strawberries!

We have a family of swallows in one of the birdhouses on top of the pole that holds up the fence surrounding the garden--I don't have a photo yet though. We also had some sort of sparrow banging himself into the kitchen window--he is a slow learner--notice I said "he"! Don't know if he is suicidal or wanting to mate with himself! We have the most beautiful robins too. There are many species we watch sometimes as we sit right there in the yard. I will try to get some photos.

Larry bought an older ATV and has fixed it up--he took me on a ride down the street about 1/4 mile--there is a trail on the side of the rd for snowmachines and ATVs. We plan to take it to the beach soon--that should be more fun than the side of the rd--we had a dog come running out of his yard at us but I spoke to him or her, and he was ok with us invading his territory. When we go riding again I will take my camera.

We spent Sat. night on the boat at the harbor--it was too rough (6 ft. seas predicted) to go out on the water on Sunday--at least for me! The entertainment at the launch was awesome. So many boats in and out of the water. A big fishing boat came roaring out from the side dock and almost hit a small boat coming into the harbor--the small boat took evasive action and almost sent someone standing in the rear into the drink! Some ladies came down on the dock one up from us and fished in an open area where there were no boats parked--I saw them catch a herring and a small halibut right there! Larry tried it the next day but all he did was lose his bait. That was our entertainment and excitement for the weekend. The wind came up in the night and gently rocked the boat for nice sleeping.

Very little sewing happening here for me since the garden has taken precedence. I did do sundresses for Reily and Tatelyn. Gabby's is in the process. Lots of unfinished projects waiting. There is the big quilt show called Quilting on the Kenai happening this weekend and I have plans to go with the quilters from Ninilchik on Friday. We will do lunch out too! I was too busy with the garden to enter anything for display. Everything happens at once and I have found multi-tasking is not my forte' any longer! Wonder if age has anything to do with it?

And one last note--#10 grandchild due in November. And it's a boy!

company

Today is dedicated to company who have come and gone--whew 8 days of buzzing bees. That's what Larry said anyway. One time 12 for dinner. But after the long weekend, they started leaving for home, a few every other day, and we spent last few days with Greg, his school/neighborhood buddy Jim, and Jim's 12 yr old son Brooke. We have lots of fish in our freezers now as the main thrust was for fishing. We also had a friend from a crochet list--Cool Crochet--visit and the hubby got to go out fishing one day. That's all they did here and missed a whole bunch of other things to see and do but the highway called them. So it was hectic week last week to say the least--now it is like dead silence! This photo is of me and my friend, Ree, from Maine who came to Alaska.

quilt show

A couple of fun small ones.

This quilt does not show up as pretty as it was actually. Done for a 50th wedding anniversary. The quilting was done with gold thread--it was very attractive in person.

I just liked this one and want to do something like this some day.

This is hand done embroidery in the middle of each block--each block represents the month of the year. This was done by another friend I sew with Nada Torgeson.

This is the one that won viewer's choice. It is pretty and nicely done.

The Mariner's compass one was a wedding quilt --quilt was made by Cheri Worley for her daughter. I sew with Cheri and also go to Cheri's quilt classes. She taught a mariner's compass class and I learned so much. I had hoped this one would win best of show.

This show took place on Mother's Day in Homer, Alaska. There were 64 total quilts there.

Is it ready yet?

I put the finishing touches on Larry's boat--I made a new flag. A brand new angel now for the Sea Angel. So there are two photos of the boat all done and ready to go in the water--she has a newly painted bottom too. I was able to snap that photo before they carted her off to Homer Harbor to slip her off trailer into the clear blue Pacific! Now let's see if they can catch some fish!

Love these sandhill cranes

I took these shots on May 8, 2007. I bet there is green grass now out there--we have had some rain since then. These were taken way up on the North Fork. Aren't these birds something else? Hope you all enjoy!