Here’s one for Julia & Julie

I have found myself inspired by this book ‘Julie & Julia’ by Julie Powell. I can’t wait for the movie to come out. I have admired Julia Child for a long time so I am really enjoying this book. I don’t think that it is inspiring me to cook all Julia’s recipes though so I made up one of my own tonight. I made Rice Krispie Treats with half Fruity Pebbles then I sliced it down the middle and filled with ice cream…a new twist on an ice cream sandwich! That’s about it for my cooking abilities these days!

Bon Appetit!

Ferne

Zippety Do Dah!

 

I just couldn’t leave it rolled up for long.  I had been studying a quilt pattern that was mesmerizing me because if you look at it one way it is squares then if you look at it another way it is diamonds.  I love when designs do that.  I decided that the pattern in Jelly Roll Quilts was meant to use the Zippety Do Dah roll.  The only problem I have now is that no one seems to have any more of it and I need a border, backing and bias.  I am thinking of going with a simple beige or tan border and a navy or red binding.  That way the focus is on the center.  I almost have this all sewn together.  My points don’t match exactly, but I kind of like it that way.  It is just plain fun! 

I really didn’t need another project, but then again maybe I did because it really made me feel happy making it!

Keep it fun!

Ferne

A Package Arrives

 For once a package arrived for ME!  These days most packages are for Michael and contain fishing stuff…lots of little fishing lures and things.  But, today there was a package for me.  Last week I won a Jelly Roll from In Between Stitches!  I couldn’t believe it…and today it arrived.  It is Zippety Doo Dah by Sandy Gervais and it looks fun!  I will be looking for a new project or two to work on with this.

Thank you Lynn at In Between Stitches! 

I love it!

Ferne

A Peaceful Place

 

We took a little trip last week to revisit Shingletown.  It is such a comfortable and peaceful little town.  We hiked and fished and visited a couple of nurseries, both owned by the same owner.  They were both very nicely set up and the staff was very friendly.  One was in Red Bluff and aptly named Red Bluff Garden Center.  I saw this fountain there that I really enjoyed…it has a bit of a European look.  It is not really as big as it looks, but the display really shows it off and it makes such a nice quiet trickling sound.  I will be keeping this in mind for future reference.  The second nursery was Wyntour Gardens in Redding.  It was a bit bigger then Red Bluff, but just as nice with a friendly and helpful staff.  I didn’t take any pictures here, I guess I was too busy taking it in.  They had an amazing pottery display and carried a lot of the same plants we carry in our nursery even from some of the same growers we order from.  It is nice to see how the same items can be displayed so differently.  They had a large potting area that they even allow customers to pot their own pots in so that they don’t have to make a mess at home.  Now that is customer service!

Hiking to Lake Nora and Lake Grace also brings a similar peaceful feeling and we felt right at home there, so comfortable with our surroundings.  We couldn’t believe how blue the sky looked at Lake McCumber.  It just seems to blend into the water.  You have a view of Mt. Lassen from most anywhere in Shingletown it kind of reminds me of growing up in Colorado, we could always see Pikes Peak.  I remember just staring at it and feeling totally aware of the presence of God all around me.  I don’t go to a church regularly, but feel like I am in a different kind of church when I am out in such naturally beautiful places such as these.

There are little streams all over Shingletown.  Some are seasonal and some are always running.  I think they are fed by snow melt, but I have so much to learn about this place and hope we can spend a lot more time there in the future.  I would love to take more hikes enjoying scenes like these a long the way.   It is amazing the landscaping that nature does so seamlessly and we all struggle with.  I think we could all learn a few lessons here.

  

I was also enjoying the individual flowers that just come up from seed planted by God himself.  Some we sell in our nursery, but none do better than when they come up naturally in nature.  The colors are so intense and every petal is so perfectly placed.  

Well, I haven’t really don’t much sewing lately, but I would say that I have been gathering inspiration from nature.  What a great place to be inspired.  Now I am off to work to see if I can inspire a few people or put some of this to good use!

 

Have a lovely day!

 

Ferne

Giving and Receiving

Okay so I had a birthday and kept it quiet and simple.  My sister made the cutest little cake that was delicious as well as cute, and we went out to dinner with the whole gang.  It was a very fun time had by all.  Thanks Philina!

 

Today we spent some time in my garden harvesting squash and planting beans.  The tomatoes are doing fine, but just not turning red yet.  With all the heat that we are having this week though they should be turning any day now.  I am most happy with the flowers in the garden.  One of my favorites vignettes I accidentally made was to combine some Versailles Cosmos with a  Blue Spires sage.  Nice combinations seem to happen by accident in my garden.  I just plant anything that is new to me to try it out and see what it does.  I have a lot of different varieties of upright Phlox.  I am noticing that sage really doesn’t shop in this picture, that seems to happen a lot with blue in the garden though I could really use a photography class.

I also have some flowers that seem to come from no where.  I forget that I planted them then they make an appearance and bloom as if to say “Remember Me!”.  One of those was this true Geranium I believe it is Rozanne.   It is mostly white with the tiniest little blue streaks looking as if they were painted on by some little flower fairy. 

Now to see if I can get some sewing and cooking worked into my day!  We are going to make a Blueberry Pie, Cucumber salad and maybe even some tapioca pudding!  Guess I should put on that new apron I made!

Speaking of aprons…I tried to give away some aprons or patterns for the Paying it Forward thing I am taking part in, but since I got no response I am going to pick a few recipients that I think are deserving of nice surprise and I will let you know who I gave to that way no one feels obligated to have to repay the favor.  The apron pattern I am using for the give away was designed by Barbara Brandeburg.   I made one apron so far and it was a fun and simple project so I can’t wait to whip up a few more!

May your day be full of pleasant surprises!

Ferne