Just a Few Random Things -

Things that happened while I was away!

I arrived at the inn to find that the extra-giant old blue spruce just off the inn side yard and on our neighbor's property had been duly stripped of all of its branches....and it was standing there like some naked  spruce-trunk-totem-pole.

This ancient blue spruce has been diseased for years - and the wide reaching branches were home to many bugs and spider webs...

Not only that, but did you know that blue spruce trees cause problems for apple trees?

Blue spruce trees can be affected by several diseases and pests, and various insects like spruce spider mites and spruce budworms. 

Apple trees are susceptible to diseases such as apple scab and powdery mildew, as well as pests like aphids and codling moths.

I took this photo when the apple trees were blooming in April - you can see the close proximity to that old blue spruce at the left edge of the photo.

It caused rough skin and scabby patches on the apples - the fruit itself was good, but the peels were unattractive...just ugly fruit.

Hopefully the tree came down before anything these blossoms will produce get to the ugly stage!

And there is that old spruce again - too close - but no more!

I didn't see if the totem-trunk was down yet yesterday - I forgot to check with everything that was going on.  On Wednesday afternoon the chipper-shredder was busy chewing up all of the limbs that had been cut off in preparation for felling.

I'll check to day and see if it is still there.

I do know that removing that tree has really opened up the view to the creek and hills beyond.

And since I share this apple crop with the folks who own the little red brick house (They live in Winston Salem and come up a couple of weekends a month) it benefits us both.

Hopefully no more ugly apples!

You may get tired of seeing these...there are so many more left to complete - but it's my main hand stitching project right now.  I'm nearing the half-way mark and don't want to lose my momentum.

My morning was taken up by catch up desk work (I'm putting together what our next leader & ender challenge will be for this coming July!) and a zoom meeting with my Craftours tour manager to firm up some details (and get really excited) about our upcoming trim to Iceland - only one month away now.

My deskwork also included getting our group stitching workshop info sent over so they could get it to my 22 travelers (all women, no hubbies this time!) so they can get their supplies ready.

If you are one of those traveling with me, I look forward to meeting you at JFK for our flight!

One of things I am looking forward to is the nearly 24 hours of daylight.  From what I understand it's light until midnight now, and only dusky until about 3 am when the sun comes up again.

(Yes, still hoping for blackout blinds and I'll pack that sleep mask!)

Back to where I was at the top of this - I got my work done in the morning so I had the afternoon to pull up a seat and do some more hexie work while chatting and laughing with the Muddy Creek Misfit gals. I needed it.

Retreat just started Wednesday afternoon, but projects were already ramping up by yesterday morning:

Crumb star in progress!

Some turkey applique happening -

What's happening here with leftover jelly roll strips?

Oh, cute, cute, cute!

And a bag full of scraps as a gift for me!

It doesn't take much to make me happy!

Today - Ultrasound appointment at 1pm to find out what that grape sized lump by my right clavicle might be.  

I hoping it's just a fatty deposit or something - but whatever it is, we are on the road to dealing with it.

And between now and then I'll be checking in on the quilters and doing a bit more with that new leader & ender that I'm excited about.  And making kits.  This weekend I need to settle in to the kits for my Iceland trip.

What's up for your Friday?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Quilting is my pacifier, the shortcut to my happy place!

I am so grateful that I get to share what I love so much with so many others who feel the same way!

Have a fantastic Friday, everyone!