Somehow autumn crept up on me. I realized it when I went to Beth's for corn and strawberries and when I drove up, I saw mums, pumpkins, cornstalks and squash!  What the heck! Where are the fuscias, the lavender, the geraniums? The blueberries?

And, it was cool enough to have a fire in the fireplace as the sun went down and what a lovely sight, isn't it? 

I've been working on a quilt for my friend Florence. She is going to be a grandmother for the first time and is over the moon! I love this fabric she chose by Bunny Hill. It is called Ooh La La.  Very sweet for a baby girl. Somehow the size got away from me . . .

here's a closeup

And lastly, I title this photo: "Why yes, I am digging up the lawn. What of it?"

Oh! Also wanted to say I posted a link to the right, of a short slide show of my trip to Bali, taken by one of the girls in the group, Juanell.

My friend Sue came over yesterday to help me cut fat quarters out of my Bali batiks. Actually, I ironed while she cut and we had us some good gossip and some laughs as usual. We took ourselves out to lunch at Morse's Sauerkraut in Waldoboro which was fabulous as always. When we came out, the wind whipped up and we tried to outrun this storm to get home and close the windows.

Unfortunately, we were a bit too late and it was a gale by the time we made it home. Got some water in but nothing too bad.

So, last night, I folded fat quarters while I was transported to beautiful Bali in my mind. I can smell the incense in the fabric and it takes me right back.  happy sigh

Happy days

Remember tissue paper flowers? I spent the morning in my jammies making tissue paper flowers after I couldn't find a bow for a birthday present. Something so gratifying in putting all this paper together and pulling it this way and that to produce such a pretty result.

Afterwards, off I went to Rockland for a visit to the Quilt Divas, Deb and Doris. They have the most beautiful shop and it's always fun to visit. I highly recommend you give them a try. They're right on Main Street.

I took myself out for fish tacos at the Sunfire Grill, also on Main. I hadn't been for a few years. They've expanded and the food continues to be muy fabuloso!

So, I bought a fabric remnant at Joann's the other day and decided it was time to replace my lampshade. I loved this lampshade but one night over the summer, when the kids were here, the mosquitoes were on the attack and I smacked two of them on the lampshade (the bugs, not the kids), leaving bloody bodies and a stained shade. I tried a bleach pen which made it even worse. So.

 Ta da!  Look how cute and vintage-y this looks.

 Now I was on a roll, so I whipped up a couple of new collars for Rose, at my Daddy's request. I love this fabric - another remnant - full of doggies in yoga poses.

 And, lastly, I picked up this ugly little table at a yard sale for five bucks and it was just calling out to me for a little oilcloth re-do.

And, voila:

It's the little things that bring us the most pleasure, isn't it? Happy days.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

I Do Not Like It

I spent most of my day today finishing up (finally!) the quilt top for Roman's baby quilt. I'll show you a much better picture when it's all together but here is the top on my ironing board. The fabric is so cute: space men and rockets and planets - I actually bought it last year at the World Quilt Show in Manchester just for this purpose and had planned to get it done before Roman was born (he is now 10 months). Oh well, the best laid plans and all that . . .

Then I spent a good ten minutes hating my former husband (much less time than usual which I look on as a good sign) before tackling my vacuum cleaner, which was blowing instead of sucking. I spent an hour-and-a-half taking the thing apart and cleaning it and reassembling it and trying it and taking it apart again, etc. until I finally got it to work. Yes! Awesome I am woman hear me roar moment. Good for me.

Now, if I could just figure out what is wrong with the freaking dryer... oy vey

Here is Anna's book bag for her last year of high school! wow  It is a canvas bag from Reny's that I lined. Easy and cute and strong with lots of pockets.

And, I spent yesterday afternoon on this big Genevieve Bag for my friend, Sue. She picked the oilcloth and isn't it great! We are bartering. She is helping me cut fat quarters from my Bali Batiks in exchange for a fab new bag! A fair trade and I wish we could do more business that way. Like I could get a pedicure in exchange for a home made table runner or have Sophie's teeth cleaned at the vet in exchange for a quilt. You get the idea. . .

 

Just so much to catch you up on! So on Friday, Gloria and Gretel and I drove down to Bowdoin College to the Museum of Art to check out the William Wegman exhibit.  And it was fabulous. Absolutely crazy talented photographer/artist/ videographer (The Hardly Boys)/painter/writer. It will be there until October so if you are in the area, you really must go. It will make you smile and laugh and oooh and ahhh.  I loved it!

Afterwards, at Gretel's suggestion, we had lunch at Bombay Mahal in Brunswick and all I can say is YUM and thanks, Raj, for a fabulous lobster tiki masala!

So, moving right along, Saturday, I had to say goodbye to my friend Stacy and family and here they are outside their cottage. Pat, Jackson, Mike, Ryan, Nate and Stacy and Maggie in the foreground. Way too short a stay and I hope they'll come for two weeks next summer.

Ok, so Saturday afternoon, Gloria and I went off to the Lincoln County Democrats lobster bake featuring none other than Barney Frank! He was terrific! Wow! And hey, the lobster dinner was pretty darned good too. They did a nice job with serving up a hot lobster, mussels, corn on the cob, potato salad and watermelon. 

here is da man

He said, when the republicans stop telling lies about democrats, the democrats will stop telling the truth about republicans.  Hahaha!

 We happened upon this sweet little setting for a wine tasting at the Walpole Barn and tried the Chardonnay. Not so good.

Then, off to the Scoop for some Moose Tracks where we met this little guy. How cute is he?!

Sophie and Gloria

 And home in time for a lovely lovely sunset from the dock.

Here is a poem from Gloria:

August

Three loons

in the middle of the lake

take turns diving

Kingfisher

sits flits white flash

one pine tree to the next

Lucy sleeps

Sophie chews her log

at my naked feet

Such a fabulous fun day and I even finished Anna's book bag up last night. Stay tuned for a picture...

So, I have three whole days off and woohoo! Happy times! First of all, my friend Stacy and family are visiting the Lake and isn't this just a picture postcard of summer in Maine. Here is husband, Pat, and grandsons, Nate and Ryan.

Well, I spent the first morning of my time off at Shephard Toyota in Rockland and they couldn't be nicer! My little Prius has a new side mirror and a new battery. (I figured it was time when AAA wouldn't come out and jump it any more . . . )

a pic from 1965 in their lobby-same family still owns it

It was a day of downpours and the sun came out just in time for dinner with Gloria who blew in on the storm.

 Today we're off to Bowdoin University in Brunswick to see the Wegman exhibit at their art museum.

Well, I have to get busy and make Anna's back-to-school bag and Seth's school backpack and Roman's quilt and I am ready to sew sew sew! Unfortunately, I have to work work work, but soon . . . Last night after work, I took my two favorite models to the dock for sunset.

the girls

Lucy

Sophie

So, the girls and I awoke to an empty house this morning. First time since June 5th, if you can believe that. It is quiet as can be, not a ripple on the Lake, socked in with fog. Here is my little cottage with it's summer riot of perennials needing my attention.

My affirmation today says, I feel love and compassion for everyone on the planet - those nearby and those far away. That is easy to do on a soft quiet morning like this. 

I was so sad to let Josh go yesterday morning when we said good-bye.  I have loved having him with me this summer and I trust he feels the same way. He is a loving person, so bright, with a great future ahead of him. And, he looks darn good in a suit!

So, Catherine left today and Gloria rode into town on the bus so me and my best girlfriends are together for a couple of days. So happy to sit in the sun and talk and laugh with my two friends. 

Gloria and Lu at sunset

Sweet summer bags

The Genevieve Bag in lavender ooh la la

current happenings

So, I got my first flat tire on the way to Augusta the other day. I was cool and collected and steered to the side of the road and probably only used a few expletives. Josh sprung into action and wrestled that sucker off and changed the tire in record time. I took it to mean that when Toyota told me I needed four new tires, they weren't kidding. So, my little Prius is now sporting four new ones.

 And, I've got another full house. Josh is out in my studio again and Lu and Catherine are in the guest room. Their camping trip came to an abrupt end and they appeared on my doorstop with a kayak, loads of food, a grill, sheets, towels, etc. They've been doing the cooking so as far as I'm concerned, they can stay as long as they like! Here is my busy little kitchen. As you can see, even Sophie is in on the action.

 Breakfast this morning was pancakes. And, not just any pancakes. Catherine sprouted the grain and then milled it and then soaked it in buttermilk. Imagine that! Delish

 And, last night we had some celebratory oysters. Celebration of a fabulous day on the Lake with lots of swimming, kayaking and sailing. So what that Catherine got lost on the lake in her kayak and that the sail jumped off the mast while Lu was sailing. It was a great day!

I made an awesome mignonette sauce with shallots and some of my Fiore white lemon balsamic vinegar and Josh is now an accomplished oyster shucker!

So, I've been working on a commission:  making a makeup case with attached brush roll. Here's what I got so far.

Obviously, I have some work to do . . . In other news, check out this float plane on my Lake. It is huge and was quite a surprise when it landed and taxied by. We sometimes get a little two seater landing and taking off but this one must have had 4 to 6 windows along the sides. 

And lastly, here is the view that greeted me this morning. It fits my mood as I had one of those nights, dreaming of the past and then having a rude awakening this morning when I realized it was all a dream. A little while ago the newscaster said, "we're entering the dog days of summer with the heat and humidity." It's going to be in the 70's today. haha