Gone To The Beach

Monday, October 6, 2025

Cheddar and Blue

Good evening everyone! We had a few chilly nights last week and, inspired by blog friend QB's tales of ''three quilt nights'' in her northern NY home, I was so happy to get out all my October quilts.

Of course the days are hot and sunny, the nights here just cooler, not frosty--no flannel sheets yet. I love this NY weather guy, he makes me laugh--oh so true! Yes the quilt inducing nights were what we call First False Fall.

You can also see the leaves don't change here---not anytime soon, that big green swath on the eastern coastline. Not that we have trees right here anyway, the ugly black spruces don't get pretty red leaves, so they.

QB was also kind enough to say she enjoys my seasonal decorating, so I primped around the cottage a bit. I only used things I have! Nothing new, shopped my closets and so on. If you're bored, scroll on by, okay.

First up, Starry Eyed Jack greets everyone with a smile.

Then around the open living space:

My brown and pumpkin colored bowls on a little corner stand a friend found sidewalk surfing. I painted it my turquoise. Many years ago. A tad messy bec I had moved everything away from walls due to brick guys' jackhammering.

My room...

Still deck days, my sewing box and Whatnots.

Prim Jacks, will be working on the faces during October.

Mo is doing okay. He yearns for the AC though. He likes temps in 40s-50s best...or colder.

Have a great week!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....

nature note: The oystercatchers are still here. They should leave on October 2, but in recent years are seen here thru November. I watch them form their family flocks and practice group flying in the late afternoons. In case you are not familiar w Oystercatchers [a somewhat endangered shorebird], link to Audubon page Oystercatchers

Below is a dune swale. The basin has seasonal ponds that form, attracting migrating birds who are attracted by the food and water and serene quietude and safety.

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Unknown maker, from my files: [Inspiration] Autumn Leaves

Monday, September 29, 2025

September Fades Away

[above drawing is NOT by me***]

Hello, hello! How is everyone? I think the looming hurricanes went out to sea, and we all are safe. I used to pay no attention to hurricane forecasts, until H Sandy caught me very unaware. Now I watch and worry.

Mostly I have been doing projects for friends [think tie dye, think patches], next some alterations and some doll clothes..

and laboring along w various quilt projects. Sometimes I lose creative momentum. . I get busy and happy, just having fun--- then a tiny glitch can totally throw me off track.

Does that ever happen to you ?

Noah’s Ark: the aqua whale w the other two grey was hopelessly wrong. Trust me it looked awful in person.

Had to do over. which didn't please me as a redid the aqua whale's mouth at least three times. So tiny, so fraying.

Red baskets. Stymied by a border and the realization I won’t get it done and back from quilter in time to use this year. And who knows what next year may bring.

I loved the the anchoring base border in the Tiny Pumpkin print.

Just for fun I asked on IG and everyone but one [and me] chose the burnt orange sprig instead.

I went with that because I know it is more usable that way--but was surprised at everyone's somewhat safe boring choice. However I knew--in my practical heart--that I'd regret the tiny jackolanterns come November, lol. And I am very grateful to Two Thimbles who include a gift fat quarter/ fat eighth? in each order. The pumpkin colored almost solid was their choice, otherwise I'd not have had it or thought to use it. Two Thimbles

Next make do/ upcycle: a darling gingham Maple Leaf that was mixed in w the Red Baskets. Just a candle mat or crock tuck. But someday I would love to make an Autumn Leaves quilt, like blog friend Nancy made a few years ago.

Darling Whatnots: it’s back! [pics to come] Wait til you see it quilted, it's just a delight. But I’d planned to match the wide tomato red border for its binding. But not enuf fabric. I dithered all week. Made my choice---six times! I will show you soon. It may not be anyone else's taste but it will always make me smile.

Snow children: Silent Night's final touch. I keep burying the wool and patterns, ignoring it. It's the quilt that just won't go into its closet and shut up, isn't it.

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Another stymy moment: my dining room plate rack.

I had to take down all the plates and not use the summer blues because of the vibration of the brick workers jackhammering. Couldn't decide what to put up now. I haven't used my beautiful polychrome brown and sepia transferware in many years---but then I 'd have to change for Christmas, so soon, and again in January. I decided to go with Winter and just do the black Staffordshire. I can put a few red pieces out if I want to at Christmas. My days of redoing the home decor each month seem to be gone. I so rarely have friends or family in like I once did. Life is so quiet, times change. How I miss the joy of the bustle and chaos.

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Last week there was one cool day. I refocused and did some baking. Yummy roasted cauliflower. Biscuits from a Pillsbury Grands roll. Yes my oven needs a clean cycle, it is just too hot though.

[I am going through, using up, supplies ahead of storms and cold weather to come.] And I made The Most delicious pear tart.

It could be any fruit or a mixture. I love pears.

The juice sort of ran through the crust and made the bottom pastry wonderfully sweet and crispy. Served warm with a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt. I could have eaten the whole tart. Yum!

Mo had a child visit him today. He was sooo good, remembering his tricks and being so sweet. I don't let him dance on his hind legs anymore due to hip pain and arthritis. Those are young pug antics. The mom always says he is so stinky, though. I never notice, he is brushed daily and sprayed w a special fur .conditioner every third day. Peach! Face and neck washed. I'd do his feet but that is a big no for many pugs: "Do not touch my toes, mommy!" In my opinion, Pugs are very clean and just smell faintly wooly, so it upset me on his behalf.