Morning Glory Studio

ten on tuesday | weekending with memorial day

          Saturday morning I "slept in,"  getting up at 8am! Practically unheard of for me. Not sure why I was so late  rising...guess my body decided it needed the sleep. After a very leisurely morning, I left to run errands and was greeted with a flat tire! Thursday I'd bought some new chairs for the deck and left them in the car...Saturday, I took them out and it's a good thing I did for the flat was on the passenger side and I would not have seen it, otherwise. I called Norman to come out to the garage and he confirmed, yep a flat! Thank goodness for "roadside assistance" via my insurance policy. That gadget is a tire inflator - it runs off the cigarette charger. Tire inflated and off I went to have the tire repaired and to run my errands. 

 

 

Sunday, thankfully, the heat broke! Periodically, my friend Pat and I play this game dubbed "If/Only" I had an hour or a day...to (insert X). We call one another and state what we're going to do for the next hour: stitch on this project; gather these items; take a walk; etc. We've played this game for at least 5 years. It's the next best thing to actually being in one another's presence...and we always manage to make headway on stalled projects - whatever the reason. I chose to stitch more of the double wedding ring quilt blocks. And finished off the day watching baseball with Norman.

 

Monday, during MSQT I read a bit and posted to the blog; watched POTUS lay the wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier; straightened up the deck - we'd had a slight storm Sunday evening - and did some other odds/ends things. Norman watched baseball and periodically, I joined him. About 7 pm, I pulled out my knitting!!! and knit 5 rows on the poncho (started May 2014 and untouched for over a year!) If I do 5 rows at least every day, who knows, I may even finish by summer's end...only time will tell...

 

 I found this lovely card, made by a member of my quilting group... and decided I'd send it to another member who had a stroke - her second - several weeks ago. Luckily, she's doing well and soon to be up and about. I hope so!

We didn't have any thing special to eat or drink; Norman's diet doesn't include a lot of different foods, including  any alcohol due to his propensity to develop gout...and I guess that's just as well. I had a glass or two of champagne over the weekend...

Hope your holiday weekend was filled fun, friendship and good food.  Visit Carole's blog here for more ideas.

Cheers~

MSQT...Memorial Day 2016 Style

 

 

        9 am: It is very quiet as I type this post. I hear the gentle whir of the ceiling fan and the sound of my fingers on the iPad keyboard; the refrigerator's suddenly quiet...no ice cubes dropping nor motor. Occasionally, the sound of a car traveling down the street...in years past, we would hear and see Rolling Thunder come and go thru the City - down US Route 1, but not this year.

The sky is cloudy - the effects of tropical depression Bonnie which -  no doubt - has marred the beach-goers kickoff to summer over the weekend... and bringing much-needed and appreciated relief to the heat and humidity. I broke down Saturday evening and turned on the A/C...but turned it off yesterday because it was cooler, thankfully. I think I could stand heat much better if there wasn't so much humidity accompanying it.

I remember Memorial Day when I was in high school: the fashion was to get a new outfit: shorts or pedal-pushers, a top, tennis shoes and gather with friends for outdoor picnicking, all the while keeping our fingers crossed that it wouldn't rain. And of course, the day also signaled the end of the school year- wahoo! Because of snow this year, kids have school through the third week of June in DC (and most of the surrounding jurisdictions) but ... the outdoor pools are open!

 Catching up on reading ... and thinking about today's agenda: nothing pressing on the schedule. My sister and nieces are all using today as a day of rest. The bébé had a slight fever yesterday, so he's coolin' too. I hear water running...a signal that Norman has awakened... We have nowhere to go or be and plan to just cool it today. Whatever your plans, enjoy and safe travels if you are out n' about.

And let us all take time,  not only today but everyday, to express appreciation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Peace.

currently...

 

Currently ... It's hot! Not a complaint, just a statement of fact! Whew!

Currently ... I was up at my usual time- 6:45 am-ish this morning and had to go back to bed about 10 am ...total energy drain. Slept a couple hours and now feeling that I've reconnected with some of my get-up -and-go...

Currently ... just made an appointment to have an estimate re: tree trim or cut down of photenia bushes that have now become trees and although a home for birds, they're right over the walkway/steps to the deck and it is quite evident that birds live there...

Currently... trying to decide how/if I want to rearrange my craft room that is rapidly also becoming the library...too hot to move furniture but I think I will...

Currently... taking many breaks for a long and deep drink of water as I move this here and that there and reconsider...

Currently ... thinking about the next three days and what I hope to most accomplish:

• set up for Book Bingo and join in Kat's KnitAlong - I plan to stitch and knit a tad, too
• finish stitching Double Wedding Ring quilt pieces
• stitch on Flower Garden borders and Baltimore Album quilt block; both very much still in progress
• delete way-too-many  photos on my iPad and iPhone

Currently ... wondering where did May go? Only 4 days and June will be with us...

Currently ... wishing you a peaceful and productive holiday weekend and if you travel,  a pleasant and smooth journey.

 

Cheers~

* At 2:30 pm when I first started this post the temperature was 88 degrees; nice to know the temp's falling!

watercolor wednesday | on my walk...

           Yesterday, afternoon,  I took a long walk-about...the weather was perfect - sunny and warm - and that lovely peony captured my attention. I had a couple podcasts awaiting a-listen...One that I like is Optimize with Brian Johnson. Brian interviews  many authors, especially in the areas of happiness, productivity, sleep, etc...Brian is an inveterate reader and his author interviews are always interesting and fascinating. A perfect way to end a day spent talking about books and ideas. 

Do you listen to podcasts for ideas and conversations about books? Your favorites?

 

Cheers~

ten on tuesday | dessert ...

 

 

Dessert! What's your favorite? This week's Ten on Tuesday prompt is all about sharing our favorite desserts. I'm not much of a dessert eater - don't get me wrong, I do eat it but most times, 

1. a dark chocolate square or a couple scoops of ice cream satisfy me.

2. I do like lemon meringue pie but it isn't always possible to find a good one. My grandmother could make a lemon meringue pie that melted in your mouth.

3. Coconut cake and coconut creme cookies are two of Norman's faves... and

4. ice cream;

5. shortbread cookies and

6. apple walnut brown betty cobbler;  I'll vote for the apple walnut cobbler, too.

Today, three friends and I met for our bi-monthly gathering to share what we've recently read; I asked them for their favorites:

7. Key Lime Pie

8. Ice Cream

9. Aunt Alma's Lemon Meringue Pie (no recipe available)

 Our hostess fed us a delicious lunch and we all agreed:

10.The fruit tart - shown above - served for dessert was a keeper, too...

Any of these on your list, too? Head on over to Carole's blog for other mouth-watering ideas, just in case you have no favorites... Enjoy!

Cheers~

 

the weekend...and hello, monday!

 

        I'd better hurry and get this post written because soon, it will be Tuesday! Several years ago, I tried to begin each week with a Hello Monday post, a meme I adopted from Lee Currie (she is now using twitter). If I remember correctly, Lee's posts were a recap of the previous week with a view of the upcoming week, too. Mine were sort of like that and today's post is going to be a summary of May Sat  21, Sun 22 and a bit of today Mon 23...

Saturday was another day without sunshine and plenty rain! I'd signed up to participate in Fitbit's 10K Step Challenge  and did quite well til a tad after noon...then the rains came and my plans to take several walks outside, rapidly scuttled. I accumulated as many inside steps as I could but there are just.so.many times one can walk around the table and in/out of the downstairs living spaces---unfortunately, we don't live in a McMansion...however, ATC -all things considered - I met 60% of my step goal and beat a previous day's challenge by nearly 2K steps. I spent much of the afternoon weeding books, DVDs, & CDs from the cubbies in the Great Room and rearranging a few more pieces of furniture - it's been a while since I've touched the downstairs and I guess I'm in a spring declutter/refresh mood. Norman "rested" his foot most of the day, watching baseball. We watched the Preakness and kinda regretted that there won't be a Triple Crown contender this year...and ever so often, I read a few pages from Work Clean, . The more I read, the more I like!

Sunday was our  monthly Friendstitch Day. We met a week early due to the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Brunch most delicious: a fresh fruit platter, two kinds of shrimp salad (prepared by our hostess, Theresa) ,Gruyère cheese, French bread and angel food cake with plump strawberries and whipped cream... this delightful centerpiece went to the lucky one of us who found a penny underneath her plate. T'was, Margaret, her sister-in-law. After lunch, we whiled the afternoon away stitching: applique´,  embroidery, counted cross-stitch and knitting...I stitched a bit on my Baltimore Album quilt and: drum roll please, actually knit about 5 rows on my poncho that has been patiently waiting for  me to resume, for more than a year...

The big event of the afternoon, however, was watching the birds that visit the bird feeders on our hostess' deck. Theresa did a quick count and figured there are about 25 species that visit on any given day; to name a few: goldfinch; sparrow; wren; bluejay; cardinal; red wing black bird; mourning dove; starling (greasy-looking birds)...

...and squirrels, one of which is a mom. It is so easy to sit and watch the natural world; I'd get nothing done...

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end: we gathered ourselves, projects and headed home...we'll meet again the end of June...and will have lots to share. Pat will just be getting back from two weeks in Aruba - lucky her- drool, drool...

Today, Monday: quilting day and lunch with friends. After, I did a little furniture browsing ~ looking for a new chair and possibly a table for the entrance or a nightstand...or maybe not... It poured rain! Home in between another deluge. I plan to spend the better part of the evening reading while watching the Nats play...if it doesn't rain!

Have a grand evening and I trust your weekend was fun and dry! Anything special happen?

Cheers~

 

friday...so far...

 

        This morning, Norman had his quarterly eye appointment check up...and since I had an abbreviated MSQT, I stopped at Starbucks after I dropped him off. My plan was to go to the library to return a few books, a couple which were, ahem, overdue, but I had about an hour and a half before the library opened.

I took my new book and began it. Yep, I am going to like it, a lot. Written by a journalist, not a cook, the first few pages grabbed me, especially this statement: "But only one profession has developed a refined philosophy and comprehensive system of how to work ." (p vii; a note from the author). I'm sure there are other professions that have - medical comes to mind - but I liked that thought because it seems so basic and achievable for most of us. 

I was tempted to stay at Starbucks longer but resisted - I did have other things to do.  It was/is a beautiful day (sadly to be short-lived because rain is forecast for all weekend!) After my library stop, I returned home and decided I needed a nice long walk - hey, the list of things to do could wait. I grabbed my earplugs and iPhone, queued up this week's Gretchen Rubin's Happier Podcast which features an interview with Arianna Huffington about her new book : The Sleep Revolution  (which I plan to read). I was about 10 minutes away from home when Norman called for me to come pick him up.  I completed my walk and went to get him.

Home now and toying with the idea of continuing Work Clean but I'll resist...or I could do as my friend AJ did/does: reward myself with a 30 minutes read after I complete a "chore" on my list... though I think I might go to IKEA! Before the rains and weekend shoppers descend. I'll have plenty of time to read tomorrow...

Enjoy the weekend; I trust yours will be sunny.  What book are you reading now that you're having a difficult time putting down?

Cheers~

 

 

clematis...

                 Today, I was at a  friend's house for a stitching gathering and because the sun.came out, before we went in to stitch and chat, we spent time in her yard as she dug up day lily bulbs and hosta to give us!

Growing along her fence was this absolutely gorgeous clematis; the flowers looked almost unreal. I am not a gardener; never liked the feel of soil under my fingernails (nor clay, so I found out when I tried my hand at working with clay). I do love gardens, especially the more organic ones. And I was absolutely smitten by these clematis. I looked it up and read the requirements for growing them and decided that I  am going to plant some ... we already have a metal trellis support and we get plenty of sun...Saturday, rain is forecast , all day  of course and Sunday, I join other friends for our monthly FriendStitching gathering. Perhaps Monday on my way home from my quilting meeting I will stop at the nursery and buy a plant or two. Perhaps...

On my way home, I stopped at Barnes & Noble and bought Work Clean: the Life-changing power of mise-en-place to organize your life, work and mind ...and no, I am not a cook, either: the premise intrigued me. I had planned to start the book tonight but the Nationals are playing and winning, so I started watching the game and then remembered I wanted to share the clematis.

Trust your evening is/was grand. Are you either a gardener or cook or both?

Cheers~

watercolor wednesday | #the color yellow just makes me happy...

        Lately, I've been reading a lot of books on happiness; I find the research interesting and perhaps, even moreso, the implications and applications for and to our lives. It is amazing what makes or contributes to happiness; one thing: the color yellow. Well, when I read that (and I did write the source down , just can't find my notes), I could totally relate  because yellow is my absolutest, favoritiest color! Hands down! Has been for as long as I can remember. Just about anything with yellow will grab my attention and as I look around my home, I have to smile at all the touches of yellow...and indeed, each does make me H*A*P*P*Y! Especially on a(nother) day filled with grey skies.

So far, today, my reading has included:

• skimming my daily journaling entries trying to find the reference about "the color yellow;" 
• emails and a bit of google searches;
• a chapter each in four books and  the daily entry from another book;
•  notes I write myself on varied and sundry pieces of paper.

And now it's time for me to sit at my machine, stitch a bit on the Double Wedding Ring quilt pieces and practice my FMQ... 

What's your favorite color? How does it make you feel? 

Cheers~

on a rainy day...

                Sadly several months ago, a dear quilting friend died, quite unexpectedly. Among her unfinished quilting projects were pieces cut for  a double wedding ring quilt. Her older son had recently married and we think our friend was in the process of making the quilt for him and her new daughter-in-law. 

A group of 8 of us decided we'd piece and complete the quilt; each took a handful of the pieces to stitch together. Eventually, one of us will put the 56 blocks  together for a king sized ( 93"x 105") quilt. We're excited to complete Carmie's last project .

Today was a perfect day to sit-n-stitch; unlike yesterday, filled with sun, we had a steady all-day rain. My reading today, so far, has included reviewing the instructions for assembling the quilt blocks; emails and book reviews; notes I wrote myself and lists left over from the past couple days; and catching up on blog posts and text messages, including one from my niece who shared that Kayla placed for advanced geometry - GO Kayla GO!  

I dipped into a couple books I'm reading. I haven't begun Miller's Valley yet...today, no doubt would've been perfect for a good novel but I had a few other things I needed to do, rain not withstanding. I also completed my weekly planning session, leftover from Sunday . 

And that's the way it's been Tuesday 17 May. What was on your reading and/or project agenda for today?

Cheers~