Out and About ~ May Rushes By

Hi everyone! And welcome to new readers and commenters.

from Penny in SA, a morning cappuccino

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The past two days here have been oddly summery, not really warm but that balmy softness of summer has permeated the air. Is it vestiges of Storm Arthur, his outer reaches, bringing us tropical air? This afternoon the wind really picked up, bouncing the tiny green leafed branches of the ugly locust tree. Again it looked like June or July---but when Mo and I went for his dinner walk, I found the wind howling from the east [rare] and very nippy again.

Over the past week I've worn shorts and flip flops and layers including blizzard weight down parka and wind pants over sweatpants, wool socks and boots, and every choice in between. You just never know. And when it's cold but there's a late 830 sunset, I find  my inner clock very confused---feels like 3 PM in November but is 9 PM in May. What's a girl and her doggy to do?

Mo and  of course go for our walks. We are finding bits of spring, like the aforementioned tiny leaves on the trees. I always loved the  traditional legend, that Native Americans knew to plant their corn when the leaves on the trees were the size of a squirrel's ear.

More Van Gogh iris. Now is their big bloom time. The blue is very hardy here.

Below, one of Van Gogh's Iris series, glorious color. I put a link at the end of the post if you wish to see more of his iris paintings.





And in the beach lane one day we got a rare glimpse into someone's slightly open grey wooden gate. Yes, we peeked.

On the back of the door was a  heart shaped planter, wood and tin. Lovely! I have one similar, to try this idea?

Late fancy tulips.

Grape hyacinth, the tiny bells are such a beautiful blue.

Lilacs in bloom, despite the chilly days.

I still do not have the nerve to pick up treasures. I always forget an extra bag. Many round shapes have caught my eye, washers mostly, but also a gold coin and a gold hoop earring.

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Meanwhile I stopped working on Baby Pineapples because I was hemming pants for a friend.She is always there for me if I need her, so I am happy to help. But it was hard, my machines are set up for cotton piecing; high tech stretchy sportswear fabric was a challenge. A typical virus annoyance, for her---no tailors open, no drycleaners, to fix her spring pants! We rely on our small businesses far more than we realize, I think.
As I did the sewing I had time to think about the bright mustard and blue Blackbirds quilt.

I tried to recut the long rectangular block with the velvet star, and still couldn't find sections to easily cut or even piece to create the needed 9 x 15" background. The J Crew blouse had cut darts, princess seams and was a size 0. Discouraging.

Then I had a eureka moment.
I was making When the Wild Geese Fly, in bright mustard yellow instead of cheddar.

But no! Wrong wrong wrong.

The idea of this quilt is a Winter quilt...an early sunset on a grey day when everything is dark--brown fields, black branches,  indigo shadows and grayness; that odd white sun [I was set on the wrong track by the idea of ''the sun must be yellow'']---with, who knows, maybe a hint of palest barely there pink? Long wavy skeins of geese and winter ducks silhouetted in the last cold breaths of the sun.The blackbirds who do not migrate  [crows, starlings?] that feed at sunset on the frozen marshes.

That is what I want this quilt to convey.

I put the blue velvet stars away for now. They will become something, someday. I am so glad I caught my wrong path in time and rethought this project.

Another project for a friend, my grocery shopper. We both love batiks. Prices tho are sky high, two  30" pillow zippers cost 25.oo, wow. And batiks are running around 12.oo a yard.

Mo wore his earflap hat tonight for his walk in the 35 mph cold wind.  But no coat.

I hope your week is good!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

beach pictures today from Penny's daughter Nicky in South Africa; isn't this beach amazing! Umhlanga beach, South Africa.

Note the ships lined up on the horizon, just like mine, a world away.

and from Kelley in Southern California. This was the Pink Super Moon a few weeks ago,with the stately blue heron standing in the moon's reflected path. .

***more on Van Gogh's many iris paintings, over 100! The lesser known paintings are quite fabulous and beautiful, worth a look: HERE

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What we call a ''clear'' storm, high winds, sunny skies, huge waves:

"High Surf Advisory issued May 19 at 9:08PM EDT until May 20 
at 6:00 PM EDT 
...REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT WEDNESDAY...
* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 6 to 8 feet in the surf zone.
* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions andlocalized beach erosion.
A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in theadvisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.
..............................................................I hope the nesting birds are okay!

Out and About ~ My Readers Check in!

Hi, friends! Since early March as our world closed down, blog friends have been sending me photos to share and cheer me--us all--up. Walking has become very popular and now many many bloggers include walks around the neighborhood in their weekly posts. I like to think it all started here, years ago, with our neighborhood garden peeping walks. So today we'll travel far in our rambles, let's enjoy the day and give thanks.
"My" van Gogh iris, early this year.

First, a Welcome from QB.

QB lives in NY state, as I do, but she couldn't live further away unless she hopped across the border to Ohio. NY is such a big state, who knew. My estimate is QB is about 450 miles west of the Beach. Here is her darling doggy. I think he is an Australian sheepdog.

And her woods and creek, with early daffs.

Closer, Julierose in Connecticut: her daffodils in bloom too.

From Lynda in Pennsylvania, her darling Corgi pups.

And her rescue horses, enjoying a loved and quietly cared for retirement. We've heard a lot about rescue dogs and cats, how wonderful to think of kind people rescuing other species too.

From Kelley, in Southern California, lots of fun views. Kel is a walker from way back and she enjoys her neighborhoods and the lush plantings  she sees.

This is a fun bridge she walks by. Easter...

and now Cinco de Mayo.

More 5th of May decorations, here.

And far far away, Penny in South Africa. My friendship with Penny has really opened my eyes to the beauties of her country, not all what I imagined SA being. Her area has a Mediterranean climate and often is very reminiscent of my parents' home on Cape Cod MA.
The view before lockdown:

This is her fairy tale looking woods. I just imagine gnomes and pixies living here in the mossy solitude.

Her gardens:

And she often sends me virtual bouquets, this one is pink rhododendron that apparently blooms in the fall in SA.

 "Maman Cochet" and David Austin pink roses, russet Holmshjoldia and heirloom milkglass hen egg-box.

Meanwhile, out and about in North Carolina, very kind friend Joyce saw my blog post about shortages here. She snapped up my two comfort items, Charmin and Triscuits, how kind is that. Big smile from me as I opened my box from Joyce. Funny how we now cherish the little things we once took for granted.

A box is also here from Kit in Montana, but I have to get my car back to get it. [big eyes! whatever can it beeee?]. edit: Oh YUM! More Triscuits, family sized even. And a darling card. I only like the ''original'' flavor and Rye, so I am all set. Lucky for me I have you guys for friends. So kind and a big smile.

Mo borrowed the Jeep to be driven with proper social distancing to his visit with friends. Mo has had an exciting out and about  while I recuperated from my clinic adventure [omg!, scary]. New fences to inspect---on this street the fences are white.

And the comfort of finding his favorite blanky and sofa section at his babysitters' new house.

Last, from Scotland, the blog of a writer / knitter / designer who I do not know, but whom I admire. A walk around Scottish suburbia with two of her staff. HERE

Perhaps things will open soon? I hope the openings are done thoughtfully and lives continue to be saved. I know there is criticism and backlash about stay at home orders, but it has happened and we have done our best to comply and save lives. I hope in hindsight these months will be applauded as an effort the entire world has been willing to make, and not denigrated or trashed by those with restless souls and even financial woes. May you all stay safe and well always.

love

lizzy  

gone to the beach....