Finally Sunshine...

After a week of dreary, cold, cloudy and rainy weather - including for the funeral yesterday - the sun is finally shining. Of course, the sky is streaked with the persistent airplane trails, so it's already beginning to cloud over again as I type this. Seems every time I see this crisscrossing in the sky, the clouds appear and the sun disappears. It's quite frustrating for those of us who are sun-worshippers.

 
Karen's funeral service was beautiful yesterday as all her family and friends paid their respects. It was a fitting goodbye for a woman who was so kind, generous and genuinely lovely. 

I''m going to enjoy this day off. I plan to make my monthly artist trading cards today so they can mail off tomorrow. There's also more than a little laundry calling to me, so there's that, too.

I hope you have sunshine skies and warmth where you live today. I'm sending all my love and gratitude to each of you for your friendship. Whether or not we've ever met in person, I look forward to your messages and hope you continue to enjoy the thoughts I put out into the world every day. It's important to me that I tell you that out loud. You're very special to me. Thank you.

Labor Day…

Happy Labor Day!

From our family to yours,We hope you enjoy the last summer holiday of 2021. 

How Can It Be?...

August Image

How can it already be August? It seems like Summer just began, and the gardens are already beginning to fade. The Baltimore Orioles have moved on; the hummingbirds are now emptying their feeders every few days; the raccoon babies (only three left with their mama) are getting bigger every time I see them; and my little garden is almost ready for harvest.

I love the cooler nights for sleeping, but our porch project is still waiting to start because the rain put our crew behind schedule. I'm hoping to be able to enjoy it before the snow flies.

Remember when you were a kid and it seemed like summer lasted forever? Lazy days spent at the city swimming pool, riding our bikes with our friends, playing Kick the Can after dark? The fireflies were in great abundance, and going to camp was something we looked forward to every year.

Don't get me wrong. I still have plenty of leisure time, but it seems that each day flies by, and before I even noticed, another August has begun...my sixty fourth. Fall is around the corner (in more ways than one). My favorite time of year. I'm not sure yet if it's my favorite time of life (in term of the whole life cycle thing.) I still have much to accomplish.

Ahhh. I'm a little nostalgic today, I guess. I think that I'll savor this day and be glad for it, as I am every day. I'm healthy, and so is Handsome. Our sons and their families are happy and thriving. We have so much for which to be grateful. I'm good with that, so rather than lament, I shall rejoice and say my thanks.

I have a lot planned for this month. Handsome has his last concerts of the season in August. I have a show to do, orders to sew, perhaps a trip out of state with The Black Dog (Bella, could you start already, please?), family Birthdays to celebrate, and more that I can share with you as the month progresses.

I'm so grateful you came to visit again today. Before you go, I have one more thing to tell you about.

 

I finally took the plunge, and installed the Instagram app on my phone, and in my desktop computer. You can find me @brynwoodneedleworks. I only have a few photographs uploaded so far, and I'm going to try very hard not to double post between my BrynwoodNeedleworks page on Facebook and my Instagram account (unless it's a new creation I have to crow about).

 

I'm still finding my way around, so any pointers you care to share would be greatly appreciated. Just leave your wisdom in the comments, or send an email to me. Oh, and feel free to follow me, too. That would really make me smile.

Time to go back to the studio for a half day. I'd like to spend the rest of my Friday with Handsome and the pups. You know how that old saying goes..."All work and no play..."

Stitching, Of Course...

Week Three Primitive Gatherings Summer Freebie

 

This is the design for the third week of the summer freebie blocks from Primitive Gatherings. Week Three - three flowers. (Week One had one...Week Two had two...) I think I've identified a pattern here. 

I completed the stitching on this one, but not before dark. I'll show you the completed block when I show you the Week Three design for Twilight Garden. For now, I'm getting back to a little holiday relaxing...stitching, of course!

Tuesdays With Tag - Summer In Fall...

Brynwood's Taggart

 

Hi, Everybody!

 

I'm comin' to you today from my second favorite spot at the farmhouse...my comfy sofa.

We had a great Thanksgivin' last week, and I want to tell you about the new friend I met.

 

Summer, Tag and "Aunty Jan"

Her name is "Summer", and she's Mom's sister's pup. Actually, Summer belongs to Aunt Jan's fiance'. She's a really nice little girl. Of course, she was the perfect hostess. She welcomed me into their house, and she was fun to play with, too. We even shared the big, comfy footstool together. (She's almost as nice as bein' with Bella!)

Runnin' Around The Yard

She has a huge backyard, and it's all fenced in, so you know what that means? We could just go out the back door and play, play, play! The weather was perfect, too (almost 60º in Wisconsin), so it was perfect for bein' outside!

More Runnin'

We ran and ran, and if it hadn't been for the fact that I knew there was turkey and fixin's inside, we could have just hung out here all day. Mom said we were like little kids..."Let us in!"..."Let us out!"...repeat...repeat...repeat. It was just my kind of day.

This Isn't A Dog

There was somethin' else that caught my eye, too. This HUGE, fuzzy critter kinda reminded me of a dog, but I had to get closer to explore further. My aunt said usually dogs don't want to have anythin' with this corner of the room, but I'm not a usual dog. I'm TAGGART! I jumped right on the sofa to give it a good sniff. 

It actually didn't have a smell, and it wasn't breathin' or movin', so it held my attention for about thirty seconds. After that, I jumped down (before I got hollered at), and played with the real, live Summer instead. She was a lot more fun.

 

One Bushed Corgi

 

We had a great time, and by the end of the day, I was one, tired corgi headin' home. We got in the door, Mom fed me, and I came back to my favorite spot. I stayed just like this until it was time to go to bed.

It was a wonderful Thanksgivin' for us...and I'm lookin' forward to goin' to Summer's house again soon. Or better still...I hope that she can come to the farm some time. We could really run around here, and that would be great.

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

Planning A Restful Weekend...

My "Grace" necklace.

Remember that "creative imperative" I'm always telling you about?

Well, I think it's gone on a little break...and taken my sewing mojo along with it.

I'm sure it hasn't gone far - or for too long - but my attention span in the studio is 

like that of a four year old. I'm more content right now to dust and rearrange than 

actually sit down and make something. That doesn't happen to me very often.

"Grace" and sand dollar charms, with my "lucky" sixpence.

I'm looking forward to enjoying the holiday and taking a little time off. I'll be posting over the weekend, but I'm going to concentrate on Handsome,  Tag and homekeeping rather than playing in the studio. Maybe we'll head to the beach or take a little day trip. I'm sure a cookout will be in order for Monday.   I have a knitting project to work on, and perhaps a little handwork, but I won't be sitting at the sewing machine until next week. I'll grab my camera, like a good blogger, and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures to share with you.   Labor Day is the last official holiday of summer. If you're anywhere north of Jacksonville, soon the leaves will turn and there will be a little nip in the air.    We always had a big party this weekend, followed by Labor Day Monday, when  we cleaned up the yard, put away our lawn furniture and prepared for fall and the  inevitable winter that followed. This weekend was always our farewell to summer.   So, have a great weekend, enjoy your time off...and please be safe.  Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Summer Breeze...

You know I adore the star jasmine bushes thriving in our back courtyard.

Yesterday, Handsome and I went in search of the perfect green touches

to place in the beautiful blue planter near our front entryway. What

we found was a gorgeous variety of jasmine called "Confederate". 

It was love at first sight.

The vines are loaded with white, fragrant blossoms which

will provide a sweet welcome for our friends and family.

 Every time I open the door, the smell of these white blooms

beckons me outdoors. It reminds me of "great days of summer,

the jasmine's in bloom..." from Seals & Crofts "Summer Breeze". 

It's going to be fun watching this little vine take off and fill

our entry corner. I bet the bees are going to love this spot, too!

Day Lilies...

There you are again

Painting the roadsides with an explosion of color.

 Pretty orange heads nodding to passers-by.

Catching every little breeze and marking Summer's sunny days.

 Multiplying your numbers as you march all too quickly toward Fall.

                                                                                                 - DCL 6/21/12

Let Summer Begin...

 

Memorial Weekend has always marked the 

un-official beginning of Summer for midwesterners.

There are flowers that always come to mind...

Geraniums

Chickory

and

Queen Anne's Lace  

Enjoy your holiday weekend and take time to remember

those brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedoms.

Don't forget to take time to smell the flowers, too!

I've Been Reading...

You may wonder why you haven't seen many projects from me lately. I have a perfectly great reason! I've been reading this summer. I've been an avid reader since I was a kid, so it's not unusual for me to be found with my nose in a good book.

You already knew that I'd tackled the latest five Stephen Donaldson books (I read those in less than two weeks! His available books are available through BAM here. Be sure to read my book review so you know in which order you need to read them.)

After Fezzik died, my friend Twyla sent me a copy of Heaven Is For Real . I wrote a book review for you here, and highly recommend this book. It's a wonderful and uplifting story.

I was hungry for more reading so I decided to download a few books onto my iPad and have been enjoying my choices ever since.
(Just so you know, every book title is a link to Books A Million's website in case you want to order your own copy. I am in no way compensated by Amazon or anyone else for the links. The Stephen Donaldson and Heaven Is For Real links are to my blog posts about them.)

I decided to start with a classic, Alice in Wonderland. I hadn't read it since I was a kid and thoroughly enjoyed Lewis Carroll's delightful book, written for his special Alice.

When I'd finished this book, I rented the Johnny Depp version of the story. (I'm a huge Johnny Depp fan, in case you didn't already know.) It was especially fun to watch the movie, having just completed the original story.

After that, I tackled The Call of The Wild by Jack London. Another favorite from my childhood, I was surprised at how much of this story I'd forgotten! I read through this one in no time at all and was glad that I'd added it to my summer reading list.

Have you read Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls yet? I can highly recommend it. Written by her granddaughter, this is the inspiring and entertaining story of a true pioneer, Lily Casey Smith. Although Jeanette could substantiate every story her mother told her about her grandmother, she wrote it in the first person and hence called it a "true-life novel". I loved every minute of reading about this amazing and enterprising woman.

Next on the list was Tourist Season by Florida author Carl Hiassen. The guy writes the darkest stories with the funniest lines. I've read over a dozen of his books and each is better than the last. Don't look for "The Governor" in this one. He doesn't make an appearance in this story. Written by a man who loves Old Florida and all it's natural life, Hiassen can weave some of the most intriguing story lines, and will help you appreciate Florida at the same time.

If you want a laugh or ten, you can always count on Hiassen, and his books are perfect for a quick read during a trip. I have all the books in our guest room. If any of our visitors want to read a book they can finish while they're here, all they have to do it grab one, and head out to the Holidome with their favorite beverage.

My latest read is Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand. Set on Nantucket Island, it's a story about a woman named Meredith. Shes desperately trying to survive the shame of being married to a man who conceived a ponzi scheme to bilk all their wealthy friends out of billions of dollars. In the process, she rekindles a trusting friendship with her longest, dearest girlfriend, Connie...and Connie's brother, Toby - Meredith's first love. I just love a good love story.

Next on my list is Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. My friend, Amy loaned this book to me last year but I couldn't read it because I was due for a new pair of glasses. Now that I can see clearly, I'm going to make this my next book. (I haven't stolen your book, Amy. Really! I'll get it back to you as soon as I turn the last page.)

I hope you decide to pick up and read one or more of my "suggested reading" books this summer. I'd love to know what you're reading. Any other book suggestions for me?

Summer Morning...

How beautiful the morning,
When summer days are long;
O, we will rise betimes and hear
the wild-bird's happy song -
For when the sun pours down his ray
The bird will cease to sing;
She'll seek the cool and silent shade,
and sit with folded wing.

Up in the morning early -
'Tis Nature's gayest hour!
There's pearls of dew upon the grass
And fragrance on the flower.
Up in the morning early,
And we will bound abroad,
And fill our hearts with melody,
and raise our songs to God.

-Summer Morning by Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879)

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Green Lake, Wisconsin...

The year was 1981. This is a photograph of our boys and our two nephews. The four of them were happy to pose for Handsome's camera on our boat. It was a wonderful summer vacation spent together at the family cottage on Green Lake in Wisconsin. Their eyes still sparkle when they remember summers spent at their Grandma Ev and Grandpa Gurn's home on the lake.

Our nephews and their wives and kids now live on the East coast (New Jersey), while our boys still live in Wisconsin with their families.

This week, our elder nephew and his wife (along with their two daughters) have traveled to Wisconsin to share a week at a rental on Green Lake with our two sons, their wives and their children.

Unfortunately, months of planning couldn't find a free week that younger nephew and his wife (and two sons) could join the group. The original plan was to recreate this photo with all the boys - twenty eight years older. Our younger son is the owner of our boat now, so even though the mahogany is in storage, had our nephew been there, they would have been able to closely recreate the image. It would have been fun.

Instead, they are going to pose our grandson, surrounded by little girls, minus two cousins. It's the best they can do this time, but the dream to recapture that image with the original Fab Four will go on until it's accomplished. Perhaps next year.

We can't wait to hear their new stories of days and nights spent on Green Lake. Grandma Ev and Grandpa Gurn are, sadly, long gone, but they would love to know that the memories they helped create for our kids are coming to life again this week.