So much talent and blessings

First the blessings . . .

We FINALLY got rain !!!! I'm itching to be in the garden. I really haven't had much opportunity with the trip and then Chewy's emergency. The ground is hard like concrete and just makes the work so difficult to do. Temperatures are forcast to be cooler too, that will help with motivation :)

Even so, there is so much beauty in my gardens. . . 

Purple Sage

 

Japanese Iris

Peonies

I can't remember the name of this one - but I love the pale green and mauve pink of these bell shaped flowers.

This year, the rhodedendrun is the home of a robin. It's the first time one has nested in this bush.

The wind and rain was pretty strong last night, so this over-grown grass in my herb garden got pretty beat up. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep this garden and continue to use it for herbs, or let it go and incorporate my herbs into the vegetable garden . . . decisions !! Those will hold offf until next week. More rain is expected Friday and Saturday. So Monday will be soon enough.

Honey Do has been at it again . . .

 

I have a new pen - "sewing" themed. Isn't it gorgeous? !!!!

Even though I haven't been blogging much lately (my heartfelt apologies), I have been trying to get some stitching done.

I have managed to catch up Wendy's BOF. I'm working on the fourth block.

They are so cute. It's a free series, so hop on over and get your copies of the patterns. They work up very quickly. And the next block has just been published.

Next on the agenda . . .

A-trip-around-the-world quilt. It's being linked to ALYOFs. 

This quilt is more than 20 years old. It was my first attempt at a bed size quilt. It's all machine pieced and the top was suppposed to be finished in one weekend - two days - about six or eight hours each. Needless to say, that didn't happen. I ran out of the red tonal print. I spent a fair amount of time looking for it or something comparable that wouldn't look too much out of synch with the rest of the quilt. I couldn't find anything. So I put it away. Until this year. I realized I could finish it by just eliminating the last row. Off I went. The top was finished in an afternoon. Another afternoon found it sandwiched and pin-basted, ready for tying. And that's the goal for the rest of this week. 

Time to get back on track.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with creativity.

Miss Orneriness, herself :)

Louisville Kentucky - Days 4 and 5

Day 4 was spent driving the Bourbon Trail and visiting the different bourbon distilleries. Time for a disclaimer. I typically do not drink, especially hard liquor. I feel that it's none of my business if others choose to. Typically, my husband doesn't either, but he does like the added flavor that's given to foods that are grilled. That was his purpose in doing this escursion. We enjoyed the day of driving and having each other's company exclusively. We had a lot of great conversation. We aren't able to spend a lot of time alone, so it was a really good day for both of us.

I have found all of these facilities to be extremely clean and well maintained. I loved the different architechtures and art-work. The drive between stops was interesting and had its own attractions.

First stop, Bourbon Trace

 

2. Woodford Reserve

 

 

 

 

 

Tour guide - Ken. He encourage and re-iterated several times the need and desire of the company that everyone drink responsibly. 

Along the way, we saw numerous horse farms. What gorgeous acreage.

Even what appeared to be a castle. I would like to do some research on this place :)

3. Heaven Hill

 

There were more distilleries, but after awhile, there really isn't anything more interesting to photograph. 

 

 

We're not sure why there were fireworks this evening, but we could see them from our room. Added bonus !!!

Day 5 was Saturday. We spent a fair amount of time discussing our departure. Honey Do decided it was time to go home !!! He was ready !!! Not sure I was ready at 5 a.m. !!!! We packed up everything but morning essentials and were on the road by 5:30 a.m. !!! I think we woke the night clerk when we tried to check out :) Coffee wasn't even available yet, but we got some on the road. 

Even the ride home was fairly enjoyable. I attempted to stitch. It was time consuming because every time I tried to place a stitch, it seemed we hit another bump in the road - LOL

We were graced with a beautiful sunrise !!!

Arrival at home - 11 a.m. !!! The pups were very happy to see us. Neither one of us was able to rest much once we arrived. We spent time with "Pops" and almost immediately I set about putting my house to rights - not that it was in too bad a shape. 

It's nice to go, visit, travel, recharge, but there is nothing like being at home. I'm so very blessed to have a home a cherish, treasure, and enjoy being. I'm also grateful to be back to my mostly normal routines. Time to go and start the laundry :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with creativity.