Patchwork Days....continued

"Then followed that beautiful season - Summer...
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
And the landscape lay as if newly created in all the 
Freshness of childhood..."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow




What a difference one week can make...we have traveled from late Spring to precious days of early Summer as only June can provide. 
The air is not only filled with a "dreamy and magical light," but when the evening is still, the scent of lilacs drifts in through the open French doors.

Beauty of Moscow lilacs against a dazzling blue sky

Next to my stitching chair sits a tiny crystal vase that holds freshly gathered lily-of-the-valley. 

A bed of these dainties greets visitors as they approach our front porch. They might also be welcomed by one of our many hummers.

Yes, summer is definitely here - at long last.Long days in the gardens have produced raised beds filled with newly planted seeds and transplants longing to be out of their little fiber pots. My little bed of herbs is beginning to settle in after being totally uprooted and cleaned out. Photos coming soon...


Early morning hours and evenings after dinner dishes are cleared away have proven to be the most comfortable time to tackle outdoor work. Our afternoons are all ready beginning to be noticeably warmer and working in the hot sun is out for this heat-sensitive gardener.  During the long winter months, while quilting, my mind goes to being in the gardens and now that a trowel is in my gloved hands, thoughts wandered back to quilting...I enjoy the best of both worlds! And when temperatures begin to soar (that is upper 70's here in Northern Wisconsin!) taking an afternoon break means heading to the sewing room...
These are the four latest Civil War Blocks from Barbara Brackman's weekly posting...I started to panic, knowing I was four weeks behind...things are back under control again!

 The Underground Railroad block (top row - right side) was a timely one - during my recent visit to Elkhorn with my friend, Connie...we made a stop at the Milton House in Milton, Wisconsin. This is the only known safe house for slaves seeking freedom that actually held underground tunnels. We stopped by before Memorial Day which meant tours had to be scheduled in advance. During the summer months the buildings are open throughout the week. I would like to go back for one of their tours. (Great photographer that I am, the outdoor photos I took have mysteriously disappeared...)



The only other stitching I can show for now is Block #9 for my Beyond the Cherry Tree quilt. I can see the vase is a little "wonky" and may redo in the future...

A surprise arrived in the mail this week - from Teresa over at It's All Good. She won my needlebox giveaway a few months ago. I sure didn't expect this - a thank you gift! Isn't this little needle keeper so sweet and the accompanying handmade card is adorable! Thank you Teresa! You are a dear!

More things to share with you in the days ahead...in the meantime, I will leave you with one last fragrance to enjoy...


A Saturday morning Apple Pancake to fuel us up for a day in the garden...this started off our busy weekend and is one of Mr. Outback's favorite breakfast's to prepare.

Have a wonderful, fragrant filled week everyone!


Pat

Love those little "volunteers" that pop up unexpectedly!