Garden Update

My little garden is beginning to explode with color.
Larkspur

Clemantis 

Clemantis, We have a huge one on the front of our house.

I guess I like purple flowers!

This is our second nesting Robin.  This time there were 2 babies.
I don't know if it is the same mother or a different one.

My latest quilt.
This is one that was probably started back in 2003.  It was supposed to have a lot more block.
I decided it was time to have it done, so just took all the butterflies that were done, and put it together.
I am very pleased with how it looks.
It is at the quilter right now. I can't wait to see it.

The last of my peonies.

I am afraid they don't look like this any more.
They are all going to seed.
They don't last very long, if a storm or heat get to them.

I love them.
I have some embroidery to show soon.
I have been keeping busy.
It has been a beautiful spring.  I have been trying to get outside as much as possible.
I hope you are enjoyed your spring

Mary

Thursday Sew and Bird Update

The baby robins have flown the nest.  Thursday when we went to sew the nest was empty.  We have enjoyed these last few weeks watching them grow and now they have taken flight.  It has been so interesting to watch Mother Nature in action.

Here are the four center blocks of my"It's Chic to be Shabby". They came out pretty good.

This is a picture of what the quilt is to look like. Don't forget this quilt was started in 2002.  Thursday, I worked on the arches that go around the center blocks.  I did go through some of my antique fabrics and am  using them in the arches. Sixteen arches were made to fit the blocks.  

Thursday evening as I watched the start of the final season of Burn Notice and the new Graceland, I was able to applique 10 of the arches down. Only 6 more to go.

The baby mourning doves are still here.  The two babies do stay together.  This morning Mom  was on hand to feed the kids.

I have never seen anything like this.  She is still feeding them.  The two babies stay together.   They appear to be full grown, but do not have the skills of an adult yet. The excitement of the two babies to be fed by Mom was amazing.  Again, Mother Nature at work.
Have a great day.
Mary

Oldies but goodies and bird update

Look at what is finally done!! In 2007 the quilt shop had a club set up to make one of the mini quilts each month.  It was called "A whole Bloomin' Year" by, Bloomin' Minds.  It started in October, with the pumpkin.  I did good until April, the Easter Bunny.  Then things got in the way and I set it aside.  Last year I got the stars and watermelon done, then the apple, and finally this month I got May the basket of hearts and June, the yellow flower. You change the mini quilt on the green homespun main quilt.  

Now this block is one of four that will be the center for a quilt top "It's Chic To Be Shabby", designed by Barbara Vlack in 2002.  It was a class that Barb taught through Prairie Star Quilt Guild, I think in 2002.  I got one block completely done that day, and  sections of the other 3 blocks.  I decided that I would work on this quilt at our Thursday sew.

Bird update!! these are the 3 little guys down by the quilt shop.  Today, I could see  them  eye level. There is not a lot of room in that nest for the three of them.

This time I put the camera over the nest.

Mom is taking good care of her kids!

Here are the doves.  I tried to take  the picture so you could see the birds sitting in the tree.

Here is one of the two baby doves.

This time you can see the second one.  Mom is still sitting in the back watching her babies.
I am so pleased that I have been able to be close enough to take these pictures. I have been watching 3 separate nests this Spring.  It has been exciting for me to be able to witness this miracle.

I hope your day has been as exciting as mine.
Mary

Is it Spring???

Today, when I went to pick up Dad to get a haircut, I was thinking, soon we can start looking for the robins. I could not believe my eyes as I looked out the car window, there were 2 robins sitting in the tree. I was able to get a couple of pictures of them. After I picked Dad up, I was able to show him too. The two robins were flying together. Dad said they were probably scouts. I think they got their directions mixed up. Did they forget to go south, or stayed around.

This last picture is a little harder to see. On the Fox River, on our way into Oswego, we saw one of our resident Eagles. On the computer screen you can see his white head. The battery on my new, longer range Lumix camera, had peetered out after taking the Robin pictures, so I had to use the Canon camera that does not have the long range. I wish I could have taken a better, closer picture. I'll keep trying.

Spring is coming!!!!