I Guess Summer is Over...

I've really enjoyed my clothes line and my Champion Stay-Open Clothespin Bag. I know it won't be long before I go back to using the dryer and will lose that fabulous scent line dried clothes have. It has been unseasonably warm, in the 50s and 60s during the day all this last week. So, I am going to enjoy it while I can. Apparently, I am not the only one that feels this way. We have a number of flowers that have popped out blooms in a last ditch attempt to savor the sun. We have lilies, echinacea and sun flowers that are blooming right now and I have seen violets in the last couple of weeks. The grasshoppers are huge. But, the birds know what's going on. They've suddenly accelerated their feeding schedule. The sunflower feeder was only getting filled maybe once a week this summer. Now, it is empty by the second morning.


Knowing that it is migration season, we have set up a landing pad and feeding station for our traveling hummers. I wasn't able to find an entirely red plastic table cover. So, I settled for this classic checked style and picked up some of that Krylon paint for plastics. Eric sprayed a huge red circle onto the cover, then gave it a red and yellow center. We are hoping that it reads as a beacon from overhead. Eric also welded a shepard's hook to a clamp, which we then attached to the edge of the table. So, there is no mystery where to go, once you get here. I have no idea if it has provided a respite to any travelers. I hope so.

While I am thinking about birds, Eric experienced something a little disturbing last week. We have a resident great horned owl that lives at the edge of our yard. Apparently, (s)he cruised very low over Eric and the dogs as they were out for their evening outing. Eric said (s)he was very silent and the dogs didn't even know that it had happened.


So, now that we are spending more time indoors, we are pressing ahead to finish the living room. Last week, we finished prepping the walls and faux finished them with one shade of pale green and two of pale blue. We then hand painted tree silhouettes onto two of the walls. The window trim has already been finished and is back on. The mop boards are close to completion. But, before they go on, the floor will get refinished. Then, the crown moulding will go up and we get to move back in! That sounds so good. We have a pin ball machine tucked away that will make it's way in; so much fun!


It's also this time of year that I want to work on sewing projects. Of course, I need to get busy with dog apparel. I've been inspired by the block I did for the Hospice Quilt to start collecting squares for an autograph quilt. I've already arranged my first block swap! And, I want to make some hats. I have the pattern for this 1940s work hat. I think I will redraft it a bit and figure out some fabric for it. I am thinking of using some designs from my WW II era Thermographs (also from my mom's stash) to design some fabric on Spoonflower. We shall see. I am also quite taken by this 1950s design. I plan on drafting this as well and rendering it in Sonic Fabric. I've also been scheeming on taking apart my wedding dress and reworking it. It went together a little slap-dash at the time and I'd like to rectify that.

In a completely unrelated note: check out this deluxe topiary! Sometimes, I pass this place on my way to work. I must remember to photograph it in the spring. The cloud-pruned trees are a flowering variety and are lovely then.

More photos are here!