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The heat and drought are already taking their toll on the garden.  Crepe Myrtles, however, laugh at these conditions.

 And leave their confetti-like blooms scattered in the pine straw.

A new favorite garden blog:  In the Garden.
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At Megan's baby shower, in various conversations with my sisters-in-law (both adaptive PE teachers, although one retired last year) and my cousin, we found ourselves  discussing the benefits of exercise.  Schools have cut PE programs to concentrate on improving test scores (another dubious goal to my mind--all the emphasis on preparing for standardized tests), but with the growing evidence that exercise benefits concentration, focus, alertness, and brain activity--it seems that once again efforts at improvement have gone awry by eliminating PE.

For the last several years, more and more evidence from studies on physical exercise and brain activity have linked fitness and learning.  The discussions yesterday reminded me of the Naperville High School program that I think I posted about a year or so ago.

This following video is from a PBS program (you can skip the first minute or so to get to the good part):



Highlights:

• obesity rates among young Americans are nearly 4 times as high as in the 1960's
• only 2% of American high schools provide daily PE
• the key is to get heart rates up right before most difficult classes
• exercise promotes the growth of new brain cells
• stimulating brain cells to grow and connect--perfect environment for learning
• even 20 minutes of walking before a test raised test scores
• it isn't simply gym time that works; it is fitness based PE 

My cousin and I also talked about how many kids spend their summers in front of the television, on smart phones, IPads, and computers instead of playing outside, riding bikes, and swimming.

I love all the new technology which can be used in wonderful, exciting, and inspirational ways, but as with most things, we can abuse the technology and neglect other really useful and joyful activities.

Retreating from the world of physical and social activities is a mistake (and a problem for me as I have social anxiety), but the best of all worlds can combine the physical, social, and technological opportunities available to us.

Technology can stimulate, inspire, and provide useful information.  I love my computer; still...there really is and should be more to life.
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Working on the other side of the jacket, now.  Well, actually, I move around quite a bit on the jacket, from one side to the other and from front to back.  If a patch won't fit in where I'm working, I just find a place for it.

Rain, Rain...

After last year's drought, we appreciate rain, and given the dramatic and dangerous weather that parts of Texas and Oklahoma endured Monday, we are grateful that all we received was rain.  An 80% chance for more rain today.

I worked on a couple of prayer flags yesterday and got in some reading time as well, so staying in and watching the rain in comfort was quite pleasant.  That is--after I got over the generalized anxiety that sometimes occurs when there is a sudden change in barometric pressure.

When the anxiety hits, I'm restless and unfocused, unable to settle down and get anything done.   After a little yoga,  I was able to sit down with needle and thread and enjoyed myself.

This is a glimpse of one of flags I'm working on at the moment.  This week's TAST stitch is the barbed chain, and I've managed to work it in on the left.  I'm including this stitch in the other flag I'm working on, too.

 Here's the thing about the prayer flags that puzzles me a bit.  I rip the fabric instead of using the rotary cutter and making sure they are squared up, so they are all a bit wonky.   I spend no time on making the basic flag; they are all uneven and raw edged.  Then, for some reason, I'll spend hours embroidering them, knowing that they are meant to hang outside, subject to the vagaries of the weather.


Books:

Trying to my book blog back on track after a dry spell of little reading and less reviewing.

Reviewed Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey.   Have a review scheduled for The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney. Reading How Firm a Foundation by David Weber the 4th in the Safehold series.  Three really good ones in a row.

I'm debating about how badly I need groceries because I'm not eager to get out in the rain.

Have a great day!

Bryce Eleanor - Featured Model

After putting Miss Bryce Eleanor down last night, I finished the knickers and sewed the buttons on the dress.
We had a little photo shoot outside this morning.




Miss Bryce Eleanor is now on her way home. Chris picked her up a little while ago. She was a pleasure to keep because she smiles and laughs all of the time...except when I have a camera in hand. This is the only one where I caught a smile.
Now, on to Mila's outfit and half a dozen other projects in the works.

Mila's Dress & Happy Mother's Day!

Finished Mila's dress yesterday. Much easier, much quicker than the little bubble suit.


Neck detail with bright buttons.
To make the details a little different, although I loved the bright little ribbons on Bryce Eleanor's, I had this great ric rac for to peek out of the hem.

So...then I made these little cloth shoes to go with the bubble suit. I had a pattern I'd gotten from the web a couple of years ago, but had somehow lost the instructions. After checking out several sites, I found JoAnna's Stardust Shoes and used her instructions. Next time I will use her pattern as well because the shape of the foot is better on her pattern.

And there should be enough left to get several more little projects out of this cheerful material...

And now I'm getting ready to go down to the cabin at Raft Bayou where we will have a late lunch with Amelia, Chris, and Bryce.

Hope all of you have a wonderful Mother's Day!

I've made another bib and am working on some quilting for a new bag. In fact, I've several new projects on the agenda that I'll be working on this week. When I clicked to enlarge the pictures, I noticed a stray white thread on the bib that I wish I had plucked off.

Acey, can you see your pin cushion? (Correction: Sorry, Rissa. I got confused. No, I actually stay confused. You sent the pincushion, about two years ago, I think.)One of our favorite care givers for Laddie is going to be leaving to take care of her grandchildren. We have really been blessed with these women, and I will miss Gloria, but certainly understand the situation.

Some sunny garden pictures:

Best Bib and Tucker

No, I don't really know what that means.

Amelia let me know that Bryce Eleanor needed some bibs. So I've made a few. These are fun.
Max is sick, so I'll be heading to Baton Rouge for a few days. Wish I had a laptop to carry with me, but maybe I'll be able to use Erin's computer.

Monday Musings

I was the weekend babysitter for Bryce Eleanor. Well, from Saturday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. She was a joy as usual.


More stuff from the room organization:

Brooches I started and didn't finish over two years ago
The winter class piece that didn't get finished. The first part of Julian of Norwich's prayer:

All shall be well,

and all shall be well,

and all manner of things shall be well.

I was going to do the rest of the quote in embroidery, but now I really don't know how I'm going to handle it. Maybe it will be finished by next Christmas.

On Zebras and Inspiration

Yesterday, after looking at the zebras on Bryce's pj's, I decided to make a little stuffed zebra. I cut out the pieces, but then put it aside to work on the bookmarks. Then this morning when visiting Jude's blog, Spirit Cloth, I found that she had been working on a zebra, too. I love all of Jude's work, especially her whimsical animals, but this one is my all-time favorite. Isn't he the most charming zebra in existence?

Here is my little zebra, cut out and ready to go. I will go ahead and finish him today--just because I love being on the same wave-length with Jude.

There are so many times when I have no ideas or inclination to do anything, but right now, I have dozens of little projects in mind. Yesterday, when Amelia picked up Bryce, we were chatting and came up with another baby idea that I hope to work on today. Baby projects are so quick and easy and fun.

Since yesterday's trip to the post office was a no go --and I did know it was Veteran's Day, I just had the post office and the bank on yesterday's list of errands without thinking. Actually, I don't think another couple of stops were in the works yesterday anyway because I was pretty tired.

Today, however, saw the book off to Amy and the beads on their way to ACey. What I want to do tomorrow is...not leave the house. At all. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know there is something I have to do, but I haven't checked my calendar yet so whatever it is just kind of teases me.

Latest addition to the onesie sets. I will probably make a burp cloth to go with this one, too.
I've also made a little progress on the letters for the Winter Class. The invocation by Dame Julian of Norwich posted a month ago has stayed with me; the repetition, rhythm, and simplicity of the quote are calming. I had planned to use pieced letters for "All shall be well" and then move to embroidered letters for the rest of the quote. Unfortunately, relying on my faulty memory, I thought it was will (no, it is shall) and made a w and an i and will now have to make the appropriate s, h, and a and discard my i. All I had done was the first two words and one of those was wrong, nevertheless:

All shall
be well,
and all shall
be well,
and all manner
of thing
shall be well.

dame julian of norwich - 14th century - mystic

Or I may decide on something else entirely. The pieced letters appear to be more challenging for me than for some of the other participants, but if there is ever an hour straight to work on them, maybe I'll get in the flow. "All shall be well" as Dame Julian said. Whether I stick with this plan or move in another direction with-- maybe-- only one word. And a short one at that.

The refrigerator is clean, left overs disposed of, sheets changed, living room picked up, sewing room re-arranged again, laundry almost done, supper planned. Life is good.

Yesterday's Labors

Finished the burp cloth and added a flower to the skirt. Another complete set. Yes, Amelia, this one is yours. Now, I'm going to work on something for Ren's baby. I have her quilt, but think some of these onesies and burp cloths will be a nice addition for tiny Chloe Elizabeth. Isn't that a lovely name?Tag blanket. I put some still plastic in two corners that crackles.

Wednesday Was a Great Day

Fee left me a note wishing me a happy birthday, then Erin called with birthday wishes, and we spent quite a while getting caught up on everything. A great way to begin my day.

Just as I was about to leave to pick up Amelia (I was actually tossing items into the back seat so she'd have a place to sit), someone said my name and I almost knocked myself out when I jumped to find a delivery man from The Wooden Spoon delivering this basket of home baked goodies. Now, Marty and Robin have keen insight into my sweet tooth proclivities, and I can only be delighted and grateful!

After taking the goodies inside, I left to pick Amelia up, and we went for an early (and long, chatty) lunch before setting out on our shopping expedition. Oh, and Amelia gave me my birthday gifts! Love them! The necklace even went with what I was wearing, and I needed a compact mirror, but never expected one so pretty!I wish I'd had my camera, because we saw so many cute things, and even bought several things including a pair of tiny red Mary Janes that I fell in love with. It was so much fun and the echoes of "that's so cute" -- that one generally hears in shops with baby clothes -- issued from the two of us too many time to count. I'm so amazed at all of the baby conveniences now; some are mostly for show, but so many are such wonderful and clever ideas that I WISH had been available when Erin & Amelia were born. Cool stuff, useful stuff, silly stuff, clever stuff, and just plain cute stuff.

I got home around 5:00, rested for a short while and then when Fee came home, we went to Amelia' and Chris' house for dinner. Delicious! Steak, baked potato, salad, chocolate silk pie. Mmmm.

I spent a lot of time in the nursery admiring everything; Amelia is so crafty and has such creative ideas. Again, I wish I'd taken pictures.

I did manage to get a few pictures:

Here are the prospective parents.How about these two? Similarities??My baby girl grew up. Lady Carolina Belle loves attention. And she's heavy enough to make sure she gets plenty. Just bulldozes her way right in. This is a family of female divas. Poor Chris and L.J. are overwhelmed with feminine personalities. Even husky Carolina Belle is very girly, girly.I'm going to have a glass of wine!
It was just about a perfect day!

How to Make Errands Fun

Yesterday was a busy, busy day. I had several errands to run and duties to perform so to reward myself, I made a list with places I wanted to go that were "on the way" or "on the way home."

It works like this: on the way to the first unpleasant, unimaginative, or mundane chore, you stop at a place you enjoy on the way. Depending on the time of day and time of year, it might be (for me) stopping at Counter Culture for a Humphrey (yogurt and fresh fruit, mmmm) or Papa's for their delicious sandwiches on heavenly bread. That sort of thing. Food, however, wasn't the reward yesterday.

Yesterday's route, planned with more efficiency than usual, took me first to Ladies-In-Waiting to pick their stylish brains and purchase a little dress Amelia had fallen in love with. Newborn size and waiting for its prospective owner to arrive, it is being monogrammed.

Next stop. Boring.

On to Material Girl, a local quilt shop that is having a going-out-of-business (slowly) sale. Fat quarters for $1.25-2.00 and one yard lengths and most notions at 40% off. Hands full of stuff I didn't really need, but couldn't afford to pass up (?) , I took my grinning self to the counter. Where, in that serendipitous the way of the world, a flyer for the Red River Quilters made its way into my bag.I must have had baby girls on the mind because I bought plenty of pink!
Next stop. Mundane.

Next stop. Duty and confusion.

Next stop. JoAnne's to pick up some elastic, some linen, some more rick rack, and to enjoy another browsing experience. And I met someone who reads my blog and who also belongs to the Red River Quilters, another serendipitous event. Hi, Jacquie!

Last stop. Mundane.

Then home, to admire my new purchases. It was 4:30 by this time. A full day of rewarding myself for doing what had to be done anyway. Heh!

The only sewing I did yesterday was this little skirt, which took no time at all. I had already done the the top.

Today: lunch and shopping with Amelia. A difficult life, but one must work with what one has. :)