They're Still Here...

One of three feeders on the front porch

Sorry my post is late today. Google wasn't uploading my images. Anyhow, I wanted to share a couple photographs of our wee hummers who are still visiting my feeders.

I've been changing out the nectar and cleaning the feeders to make sure they get safe food as they fatten up for their long migration south.

Feeder outside the pantry sink window.

I leave the feeders out well past the last sighting, just to be sure any stragglers are nourished. We've had at least three (probably more) here all summer. 

I've read that they remember where the feeders are placed from year to year, and they return to them. Also that they remember faces. I like that thought a lot because they're never far away when we're rehanging the feeders, and sometimes they even hover around us when we're outdoors.

So, I'll continue feeding these little bugs this season, and look forward to their return next year and beyond.

 

The Light On The Other Side...

Anyone who knows me well knows I already embrace this philosophy. Equally important is taking time for a walk with nature, and combining that walk with art or creativity is a bonus.

I have "chores" to accomplish today...bookkeeping, shredding paper, and tossing "dead weight". I'm going to try to do all this with a happy heart, knowing my outlook will be lighter once it's done. Knowing tomorrow will be better after I do this stuff I don't like to do. I'll look forward to tomorrow as I throw myself into today. See you later.

PS. We've had great news about our loved one They've moved to a facility where they'll receive physical therapy and the extended care necessary for the transition to returning home. Our gratitude for all the healing prayers and good wishes is immeasurable. Thank you.

A Labor Weekend...

I got a lot accomplished last weekend. I canned 34 pounds of tomatoes for starters. Twenty pounds became stewed tomatoes, and seventeen pounds were canned as crushed tomatoes.

I cleaned, cored, and froze the other 15 pounds (the balance of the bushel I purchased) to deal with later. One quart didn't seal (my fault because I didn't put it on securely), so I made spaghetti for dinner. Nothing like fresh tomato sauce.

I took the day off on Sunday, so yesterday was my baking day. One loaf will go up the hill for Andy and Shelly, and another will go to Dawn and Pete (bartered for pints of freshly-pickled, home-grown beets). The rest are for our freezer until we need them.

I was up in the dark today to work my shift, but banana nut bread is in my future. The bananas are "ready". The rest of my day is up for grabs.

I hope you had a great weekend. I'll be back tomorrow.

Labor Day 2026...

 

Sunday Scripture...

John 13:34

Tomato, Tomoto...

This Labor Day weekend will get underway for me by processing a bushel of tomatoes into canned stewed tomatoes.

There'll be nothing better than opening a jar of lovely local tomatoes this winter for homemade spaghetti, chili, or other delicious dishes. A little work now for a big payoff later.

I'd better hop to it  a bushel is about fifty two pounds of tomatoes. I'm going to be at this for more than a minute. I hope you have a great weekend!!

 

Looks Like I Made It...

Well, I finished ahead of schedule...but barely. I got down to the very last spot only to find I was about three chippings short and out of brilliant check purl in that size and color.

I looked in the corgi cup I use for thread ends, and even checked the carpet for the rare snippet that bounced off my fabric when I was cutting them, and thankfully found what I needed. I know more is already on the way, but I would miss my goal. As it was, I finished ahead of time by a few hours.

Next, I'll release it from the ground fabric and finish it into a brooch for our granddaughter. All that will be left then is to create the insert and place it in a special box for her. I'm one happy grandma.

Could Today Be The Day?...

I sat at my Lowrey stand all day yesterday and made great progress. I panicked at one point, thinking I'd used the last of my .5 mm brilliant check, but I found more in my inventory. I'm sure I have enough to finish now, so perhaps today will be the day I secure the last piece. I'm certainly going to try. 

We're expecting rain today, so l plan to stitch until dinner time. I think a bit of laundry is on the agenda, too. Here's hoping I'll be ready to cut this brooch away from the ground fabric today (or very soon). 

I hope you have a great day, too! I'll be back tomorrow.

September Already...

Month Number Nine of 2026, and we're off to the races. Another August to remember as another loved one with medical emergencies. I've been hesitant to mention this, so I apologize that this will be vague.

I'm not sharing many details, mainly because we have no idea how it happened. I'll just say this started August 19th, that it required an ambulance ride, three weeks in ICU, some time in a regular hospital room, and future months in a physical rehabilitation facility. 

This is a close family member who was alone at the time everything happened, and this was definitely not self-inflicted. I need to stop there, but our family has spent hours trying to figure this out. As that's not possible, we pray a lot, and there are many correspondences and trips to the hospital. It's been (understandably) very stressful for our entire family.

For this reason, I've canceled my planned knee replacement surgery for October. Handsome is always my caregiver post-op, and I will not ask him to split his travel and concern between two people and places. Instead, I'm going to be supporting him.

Today will be a restful stitching day. I'll be in my happy place with my love and our girls. I think it's exactly what we need right now. 

Here's to a better month. (Prayers and good wishes are appreciated.)

 

Piece By Piece...

I know it doesn't look like much, but the silver brilliant check is a smaller gauge than I usually use, and each chipping (cut piece) is tiiiiny! You can see them in my little bees wax pot in this picture. That silver strand next to my laying tool is what they look like uncut. It seriously took me a couple hours to get this far.

I'll work on it again when I get home from work today. (I'm liking these new hours, by the way.) I'm hoping to at least complete half of this heart by the time I stop later today.

Wish me luck!