The Roar of the Saw–the Call of Spring!

This has been going on here over the past several days -

In between days and nights of rainy deluge -

And I am so excited about this project!

Last summer when we went to Idaho for my brother Scott’s 50th birthday, wetook a side trip to Oregon to visit friends Debbie and Kent. I admired a corner bench they had built into the deck at their cabin and I had mentioned at the time (8 months ago now?) that I would like something like that for our deck – SOME DAY.

Well, this shelter at home thing due to Covid-19 restrictions and the desire to be outside doing SOMETHING has really kicked in around here.

The bench making has commenced!

Emmy Lou isn’t sure what to think about the noise and the mess.

But I love it already!

There is a redwood staining to happen.  And a round propane fire pit/table will be installed – SOON!  I am hoping for VERY SOON!

Summer mornings with my coffee out on the deck are my favorite way to start the day.

It’s still too chilly in the morning yet – not to mention extremely wet today as of yesterday’s pounding thunderstorms and night time torrents.

But this corner is going to get a lot of use!

The humming birds have also come back around so the feeders are up.

We’ve also had trouble with carpenter bees in the past, so have hung some traps – and it seems to be working so far.

There are still bat houses to be made and put in the trees to hopefully keep them from the garage eves -

All of this cabin life stuff – it’s a continual push back of nature.

My view to the east is filling in!

We can pretty much say goodbye to the mountain range view beyond – until leaves fall again in autumn.  

But I also love this curtain of green and it is fun to watch Zoey running and exploring through the trees chasing this, smelling that, jumping and kicking up her heels.  She is in 53 acres of mountain heaven here.

And we are in heaven that she is ours.

MOM!  Turn out the light – it’s time for bed!

She is just exhausted at the end of the day – and sleeps soundly all night.    I don’t know how we ever got along with out her.

She came with me yesterday to the QPO (Quiltville Post Office for those who are new) and supervised the cats Dresden and Lola while I sewed.

My brain feels like this quilt in progress....swirling, churning, a whirlpool of thoughts, feelings - stuffing in emotions.

A friend passed away from a heart attack last week. There was no way to attend her funeral due to Covid-19 and the inability to travel. Her memorial service was live streamed online. 

It's not enough.

Another dear friend and someone I admire greatly is alone in the hospital scheduled for brain surgery this morning. Her family can't be with her, due to Covid-19. Our hopes and prayers and positive thoughts are with her and her family and the medical team at this time. If you are of the praying kind, please keep Jennifer in your thoughts and prayers today.

But that still doesn't feel like enough.

And so we stitch our cares and fears and hurts as well as our hopes and dreams into the pieces we are putting together.

Because where else are we going to put them?

Many have asked for the pattern for this quilt.  I am not offering a pattern yet as I am just beginning to stitch the blocks.

It’s the whole “What came first – the chicken or the egg?” thing.  There WILL be a pattern when the quilt is done.  Thank you for your patient understanding.

This is a traditional block called Snail’s Trail, and I was inspired by an antique quilt I found on my many journeys to antique malls.  There are several versions and variations out there if you head on over and hit up the good old Google Search.

Make the block any size you want it to be.  Graph paper is also your friend.

All I know is right now these blocks have become my solace – something I am doing for myself while working on our Unity Quilt Along on the side.

Did you get your triangles from Part 6 done yet??

The sun is “sort of” out this morning. We are currently sitting at 46f and that looks like the warmest it’s going to get today – temps start decreasing by 3pm and we will be back in the 30s over night.  Brrr.

Hello, May? Where are you??

Another good day to stay in and sew!  What’s up for your Wednesday?

Quiltville Quote of the Day

Remember - it's only a failure if you fail to keep trying!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!