Friday, June 22, 2007

I’m still here. Work was outstanding this week. After you’ve been away, you always wonder…It’s a “Catch -22”, if they did fine without you…Are you needed? If they suffered without you do you delegate well and are you ready to pick up the pieces? I think there was a balance… A manageable list of task to conquer and get caught up.

I receive this box of gifts from Connie and was just amazed.
A friend who has never met me and yet shared so generously…there’s a special place in heaven for quilters—definitely. I told her I couldn’t begin to pick out my favorite thing… the handwritten card… the gingham paper it came in… or maybe the 30’s reproduction fabrics. I’ve never had any before. I guess I always looked at it like I had my stash of fabrics built and never varied from the color scheme. Now I’m psyched to get some more and start cutting them up for a project.

What’s been going on all week? A little nightly stitching on the Journey of a Quilter blocks. Maybe pictures will come on Sunday.

Ransom and I have been strolling nightly. The guys worked late on Wednesday so I brought the camera. We went after a thunderstorm. While I don’t spend an obscene amount on flower—nature provides free ones on the side of our road…I look forward to them every year. Rain drops on oak leaves.

My kids say I gravitate to anything “rusty”, here a farm tool
that neighbors up the road display on a corner. It’s been banged by teenage drivers making the corners too fast several times, but still I stop and look at it for a second every time we walk. Here’s a view up the road, you’ll find a hundred of them just like it –just about anywhere in the U.P., but I appreciate the view I have.
And here is someone’s mailbox.
They have a flag displayed. Sometimes –I wonder… will mailboxes ever go “out of style”…Ours got hit by someone last week. They didn’t even stop. Don wanted to replace it. I told him, “No way --- It now has character… a mark left by a rear view mirror…” Walking up the driveway, here are impatients peeking through the wagon wheel.


Summer time is great with the longer days, the ease of being outside without bundling up. And while I may not write as often, there’s not a day goes by that quilters aren’t thought about…. Enjoy your weekend… and enjoy your stitches.

Gratitudes:
Connie
Chelsey’s safe travel home
Eric’s safety traveling for tests this weekend
Warm temperatures and clear nights.

22 comments:

Norma said...

You sure have a eye for beauty in simple things and I love looking at your pictures. The gift looks even better when you put it all around your flowers. Thanks for a enjoyable visit.

atet said...

What wonderful goodies and your photos are making me nostalgic and a little homesick for a place I haven't been to in years -- I lived in MI until I was 12. Not the UP, lowlander here, but your photos remind me of my aunt's place in the thumb area. *sigh* Thanks for the memories!

Kim said...

I had to chuckle about your rusty things. I have a simple low sided clay pot that sits in a metal stand that's painted to look rusty. (I like it with candles and rocks in it mostly.) The other night my husband was talking about spray painting "that old thing" black because it's "all rusty." I didn't say anything, but I made a mental note to hide it before he gets ahold of it! Some people just don't get it! LOL! Sounds like you're still experiencing a bit of the peace of your vacation. Have a great weekend!

Leigh said...

How lucky to receive such a generous gift.
Thanks for a lovely post

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Hi, loved your virtual tour. We have a big pile of old harvesters and farm machinery waiting to be picked up for scrap, It's not that I'm not as generous as Connie but I think mailing any over may be slightly out of my postal budget!
I had forgotten that you won the prize...and a great prize it was, well done. Enjoy your summer days, Tracey

Unknown said...

glad to see you back - guessed you must be busy with your return to work - sadly if you're busy for your first week or three it can often fade the benefits of a break right back into the background. Lovely pictures and what a super parcel to receive

Judith said...

That is a beautifull bag of goodies.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad that your week at work was outstanding! The walk after the rain looked perfect...great picturs!

Carol said...

Your pictures could be on greeting cards. Thank you so much for sharing.

CONNIE W said...

The photos are lovely. The wheel with the flowers, the rusty equipment, they are simple and pretty. I enjoy them all.

Carole said...

What a beatufil treasure you received from Connie. She is such a sweetheart! I love the country. Daisies are one of my favourites. I have some that have miraculously shown up in my flower bed, what I now call a natural habitat for nature's beauty! Next year I'm hoping to be able to garden. Thanks for sharing your walk!

Journeying said...

Welcome back - we've missed you. Your pictures are wonderful and give a little taste of UP beauties.

Gail said...

Your photos always make me long for a more pastural location. I love the rusty and ramshackle as well.

Wendy said...

Quilters are very generous and love to share. Connie was very sweet to send such lovely things.
I love your pictures of simple things and yes...if it's rusty...I'm like a magnet and will find it.

Susan said...

Love the wagon wheel picture - so full of character. That was a great RAOK! What a nice friend.

Saar said...

Just found your blog and want to come and swing on your porch swing, drink coffee, share sunday school stories, fondle fabric and give thanks to Him who loves us. Instead I am sitting in my jim jams, its freezing cold and dark outside but the scones are in the oven we have friends coming for lunch after church and I have jsut stitched another leaf on my wall hanging, what more could a girl ask for.

ancient one said...

I almost felt like I was strolling with you. You have beautiful pictures. I like rust too!!

Texan said...

Looks beautiful where you live, very peaceful :O)...

Great goodies you got for a gifty :O)... how fun!!

Good to see you back ......

Darlene said...

I started my Quilter's Journey today - I'm really excited because I finally settled on color choices. I can't wait to see your progress.

Rose Johnston said...

Thnx for your tour, im attracted to the rusty things as well....ur impatients r beautiful!!!
What a special gift u recieved from Connie, i can see why its hard to pick ur favorite!!

Diana said...

Thanks for sharing your pictures. It looks like such a peaceful place to live.

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Hi, I posted some possible machinery! Tracey