Texas Wildflowers

These are some of the beautiful wildflowers we enjoy every day on our walks along the road, along with their proper names.

Big white ones with stickers

really pretty purple ones

yella  ones like daisys

big pointy red ones

big white ones like bells

what Thithter Thushie that on--in pink 

the really pretty orange ones and the little bitty yella ones

a pretty little blue one

little white balls on tall stems

yella sparkly ones

big yella one

little pale blue ones 

red ones like a shower head

a yella/white version of the pretty orangy ones

Spring is colorful here.

Louise and Duane

Beauties And Beasts

Beautiful!

Louise and Duane

My Project

After years of making quilts for other people, I finally decided that I had plenty of time to make one for me.  I had originally cut these 60 degree diamond fabric pieces for my very first quilt in a pattern called tumbling blocks.  Having no previous experience, I had no clue how many I needed for a queen-sized quilt top.  I merrily cut many yards of fabric, but soon found I needed only a fraction of them.  Over the years I have thinking about how to use up the rest of this fabric until recently when I dug up the box of them from storage.    

After much experimentation, I finally decided on a simple diamond pattern.  Since the pieces are cut on the bias, they stretch out of shape when sewn by machine.  All pieces must be hand stitched.

First step is to mark each diamond with sewing lines 1/4 inch from the edge.

Step two is to pin two pieces together and stitch one edge, making sure they are pinned the right way.  Otherwise, take it apart and do it right the second time.

This requires a minimum of equipment--thread, small scissors, pins, a small needle, and a very cute pin cushion that one of my darling granddaughters made from a wine cork.

Step three is to sew four diamonds together for one patch.

Tedious?  Yes.  Time consuming?  Yes.  Do I have anything better to do?  Not really.  Complaining?  No.  In fact I'm very glad that my eyes can see and my hands work well and allow me to do this work.

Glad we didn't try to plan a trip this summer.

Louise and Duane

Keeping Busy

Duane finally caved to the isolation today and decided to get a start on the grandkids Christmas ornament.  First step, decide on a figure, then cut leftover wood into the right size.

Next set up your work table.  When you dig out your tools, discover that you already have enough of the right sized wood.  Put away your saw.

Step three draw your pattern on the wood.

Step four use the power carver to rough out the shape.

Step 5 use the knife to start defining the object.

Step 6 stop carving and don't think about any more until tomorrow.

Might as well do something worthwhile.

Louise and Duane

Interesting

Here in the Piney Woods of East Texas we have really been loving  the beautiful weather.  We have had four whole days of no rain and, up to today, very little clouds.  On our daily walks along Lavender Road we have been enjoying the signs of spring. 

There has been plenty of songs from robins, cardinals, and the Texas state bird--the mockingbird .

The rain saturated ground is gradually drying and creeks have a lot less water in them.

To make our walks more interesting we chat about a lot of different subjects looking at the blue sky, feeling the warm sun and cool breeze, and jerking each other onto the side of the road as traffic zooms by.  

When we saw almost a dozen vultures on the ground we were quite excited. As they flapped slowly into the trees  I started snapping pix with my camera, and Duane took several with his phone.  Then we laughed at ourselves for becoming  excited about vultures.

I guess, like everyone else, we're getting a bit stir crazy.

Louise and Duane

Soaking It Up

On our bike ride yesterday, we road along country and county roads soaking up the sunshine. We passed lots of pastures--some with donkeys

goats, 

and horses, but most with cattle.

There were signs of the recent heavy rain everywhere in full ponds 

and flooded rivers.

We thoroughly enjoyed our ride taking in the beautiful spring colors enhanced by the bright sunlight.

I asked Duane if he wanted to ride through this wild animal park, but he politely declined!  No sense of adventure!

More sun tomorrow, we hope!

Louise and Duane

Stretching Our Wings

Perfect weather made us realize how much we missed riding the bike.  After riding up the first hill that we usually take on our daily walk we decided that this was the only way to do it!

We enjoyed the warm sun, cool breeze and blue sky so much that we kept on riding for 3 hours.

We didn't realize that there was actually hills and curves in this part of east Texas.

We ended up at Lake Fork, but that's a story for another day.

Louise and Duane