Remember my strawberries planted in the water tank? I’m guessing that this is my harvest. Next year I’ll be planting flowers .
Had lunch in Clear Lake yesterday with a friend. Here’s a few dandies!
Reader photos
Today is approving the second printing of Oh, Susannah! and therapy and driving to Mason City in search of a bed Rick can get in and out of. The guest bedroom has an adjustable bed and a soft mattress – it has to go! It’s an emergency!!!
The rest of the world is having bizarre weather and North Iowa is enjoying perfect 75 – 80 degree temps with low humidity. Enjoy, Neighbors!
Yes I am sorry for the parts of the country dealing with flooding.
I learned this week that famous quilter from Sun Prarie WI died early April- Klaudeen Hansen. Did you know her Mary? I took a class from her once.
I am so out of it. I looked through the listings for the Madison Great Wisconsin Quilt Show Sept 7-9 and didn’t recognize one quilter’s name😀
Rhoda – I’ve been familiar with her name for so many years but I don’t think I ever met her. Thanks – I didn’t know she died.
That strawberry looks delicious. It’s a treasure–literally!! Maybe next year will be better? Give ’em a chance.
Hope you find a bed that works.
Our locally grown strawberries from markets all said the same thing that it was a bad year for strawberries as we had a frost late in April that hurt plants. Thus crops were much lower this season. Peaches are now ready so hoping they will be more plentiful.
Beautiful post today.
I’ve missed you all. I’ve been navigating the world of medical billing and having to reinvent the wheel with every statement. But all are being resubmitted, so that is a huge accomplishment.
My longarm is broken, I got the sprinkler system fixed, the garden is overgrown with weeds, the porch swing is repaired. Bushes and trees trimmed, some more mowing done. By the end of the day, I’m too pooped to write nice things. The millers and ants are …..I don’t even want to say.
Enjoy your coffee this morning, I am.
Jo,
You have my sympathy. Sometimes it all gets overwhelming but you still have to take it one day at a time. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a bit brighter. Good luck.
Jo – oh no! Why did everything have to be resubmitted????? Oh dear! And your longarm is broken? Yikes – I wish I could loan you mine that just sits there because I don’t have time. How is Steve? I know all about the weeds – I decided to pull along one side of the fence tonight after supper – it’s a never ending job, isn’t it? I’ve got a real morning coffee story to tell from this morning. I’ll post it tomorrow. It’s a fun one!
I really think the driver who managed to take 4 parking spots did it on purpose. They really think they’re special!
Quilts and the block are very pretty! And the picture of your yard is beautiful and so inviting . Looks like an ad for the perfect summer day.
Hot and humid on the eastern shore of Maryland today! The only perfect place to be is in air condition! That’s where I will be..😁
I love all the photos. Don’t get me started on how so many people these days simply don’t care about how what they are doing affects other people – from people completely blocking the aisle at the grocery store while they go off to look for something, to blocking the check out while they go to get something they forgot, to coming in the wrong way while parking , to blocking everyone while they back in while parking. It is almost that so many people have no self awareness or they simply don’ t care. My son and niece say I should not be surprised. They both work with the public and see the worst everyday. I don’t go out much. But brightening my day is hearing from you. Thanks so much.
We have finally had a few nice summer days here in Colorado, but yes, I’ve watched the weather news closely. My son is a West Point grad and I’ve been there many times, so it was with deep sadness that I watched the devastating flooding there a few days ago. This is the time of year that the next class of cadets are there doing their basic training, with no access to their phones for six weeks. Each of those cadets have parents who have been very worried about the safety and well-being of their sons and daughters. Thankfully, no injuries reported and the damage on post is already well on its at to being repaired. And then last night, tornadoes in Chicago! Crazy, crazy!!
One strawberry? Sounds like my raspberry plants!!
I loved the pretty block posted—the colors made it especially lovely!!
I got a chuckle out of your 1 strawberry. HOpe you enjoyed it. Next time try Seascape. They are everbearing, delicious, and productive. They also don’t make all those runners to have to cut off.
The quilts are great today. Especially love your scrappy quilt, Teresa.
So good hearing from you this morning Mary! I wish you so much luck on your bed search and will be interested to know what you find to be suitable. It’s a different shopping world out there now!
Once again the photos are so stunning to see and I love what your readers create to share with us. They are so appreciated by all of us to admire and maybe want to make a couple like them as well as the flowers are so beautiful. It’s a nice summer day here, have my laundry out drying but rain storms expected this afternoon. I have a story to share in my comments next time about people….it’s like your parking vehicles situation. I don’t like losing faith in integrity and thinking of others, but I am hanging on by fingernails just as you are with Ricks situation. I hope each day gets better for him to recover.
Hello! Your strawberry is so pretty! Our son and family were in Bayfield, Wi last week and brought home a bunch of strawberries from there and shared! They were so juicy! Yum!
I’m sorry to hear Rick can’t get out of bed. I couldn’t sleep in bed either for a long time, not because I couldn’t get out but I couldn’t lay that flat! I slept in the recliner for a long time…6 weeks or so. Hope you can find a bed for him.
The pictures are so beautiful! The flowers are amazing!
We have been blessed with a couple showers of rain. The lawn is even a little green. The crops are looking better and the corn is tasseling. Well, I best be baking the cake for dessert tonight at the park. Zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting.
Joy – we have just hd a major thunderstorm and heavy rain – I’ll go out to look shortly. It’s still rumbling in the distance – thankfully no hail.
What a perfect strawberry 🍓! We got a few in June off 2 plants in a big clay pot, just alive now. Somewhere in a parking lot my Honda CR-V got scratches along the tire well area. My pretty glitter blue paint has been chipped off!😡 I always make sure I leave room for people to open their doors enough but some fool went too far. I used different sized daisy vinyl decals on my last car for looks and having to hide multiple scratches. It worked and got lots of compliments and notes on windshield how my flowered car made someone happy. Now I have told hubby it’s either some touch up paint or more daisies 🤣. He said we can get paint at the Honda dealership…. The quilts are so pretty and especially love the patriotic one. Is there a pattern name? Beautiful flowers and labs pictures 🥰🥰🥰🥰 My Penny & Lucy were spayed yesterday and were running around last night like normal. I sure couldn’t after my hysterectomy!
IHi Pamela, I am gjad you like my Patriotic quilt. It is a panel that I quilted around the pictures b/c I didn’t have time to make one before July. I actually can appliqué😂. Sometimes life and husband’s surgeries just get in the way…
It’s too cute!🥰
Mary I cringe when my husband doesn’t park correctly, even pulls through a parking space so he doesn’t have to back out and then is going the wrong way when pulling out. It’s only wrong when he encounters someone that inconvenience him.
The quilts are lovely as always. Love the flower garden pictures.
Had my appointment with the eye surgeon and yes the cataracts need to be done. Will wait till October after a trip to Texas.
Rita – most men are inconsiderate parkers including Rick. Once again please know that this is my blog and this is my opinion. It’s a pet peeve and I should probably quit talking about it.
Looks like beautiful weather where you are. I don’t blame the owner of the Mustang for parking that way. My old car was door dinged numerous times. When I got a new car I began parking way out and taking 2 spaces.
Lisa b – then I hope you’re considerate enough to park at the far end of the lot so the rest of the shoppers have a spot. I often park there when I’m driving Red but I’d never be so arrogant as to take up two spots close to the store. Sorry.
Agree. I park far out where there is usually a car, or 6, doing the same thing! And I live in a rainforest!
Great post today. If you planted the strawberry plants this year what you got is not unexpected. The first year is for growing the plants. The second year you should get berries. When I start a new bunch of strawberry plants I always pinch off all of the blossoms the first year. If you decide to keep them be sure to cover with straw or something when winter comes.
I had to read your comment about your strawberry harvest twice. Then I literally laughed out loud. Flowers will be beautiful. I live in Seaside Oregon on the Prom. I bought a house it was built in 1906 and I’ve been slowly restoring it. The beginning of summer I had concrete poured for my driveway and they took the old rocks and piled them up on the side of my house. So I made a dry Creek riverbed and if I had a way to post pictures I would send them to you.
😊
Teri – ok, I want to see the pictures. YOU cannot post them! I am the only one who can. Do you know how to send them in an email? If you do, send to me at maryehazel2020@gmail.com and then I will post them here on the blog. We all want to see what you did with the rocks!!! You know how much I love rocks…..
I’ve been to Seaside. Some of the Prom houses to the north have the most beautiful blue and pink hydrangeas I’ve ever seen. Except for the blue plants my aunt had on both sides of her front door from which my love of hydrangeas comes from.
I just received Oh, Susannah! in today’s mail, read it and LOVE IT!! Makes me want to go get a baby pigmy goat! To all Mary’s blog readers… if you haven’t ordered your copy it’s delightful and young and old will enjoy it. I enjoyed the pictures so much. Mary, you did a great job. Such a sweet story. Thank you.
Diane – thank you! I signed off on the second edition today with all corrections being made. Wouldn’t you think I could have seen them the first time around? I think I could recite this book by memory.
Well, I didn’t see any errors! I loved how the story was told and every picture. Susannah was adorable!
Diane – Susannah was indeed adorable and I loved her so much!
I know about getting in and out of bed after hip surgery. I slept in my lift chair and most nights I still do.
I hope you find what your looking for. Love the Labradors.
Hi Mary, I’m looking at the lovely lawn and shady trees in your photo, l can see a bunch of quilters, sipping tea and eating scones served with strawberry jam and cream, chatting away, perfect! Hope everyone has a great day, take care, best wishes from Sandy. cha
Sandy, I like the way you think! Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Sandy – oh, wouldn’t it be nice if that bunch of quilters was us?
Mary, your one strawberry brought back a funny memory. My husband had 4 cherries on a cherry tree one year, which he guarded with his life. But, the robins won that battle. We still talk about that and have a
good laugh.
We got about 1.5 inches of much needed rain in West Michigan last night. Today it’s sunny and comfortable.
Sorry to hear about your strawberries. Maybe give them 1 more year. They might take awhile to get established. I’ve been noticing crazy parking now that you pointed it out. And it’s not always pick ups.Praying for patience for you with your recouperating husband. Bob is home doing well physically. Sleeps alot and is getting therapy for memory issues. Slow process.
Diane – we missed you at book club. You and I should talk face to face.
I’m at home a lot except for taking him to his appointments. I’m not supposed to leave him alone for very long but he has no access to a vehicle so wouldn’t go far. Daughters have been wonderful helping me out when I have to do something for my 98 year old mom. It is a different lifestyle for me for sure. This too shall pass.
So much to comment on in your post today!
I hope two seconds after you took the picture of the strawberry it was in your mouth and tasted as good as it looks!
The hydrangeas photo and the quilt above it look great together! As does the next pair of flower/quilt photos! Did you do that on purpose? The pink block is a real beauty—love it!
Who would say hip replacement is easy? There is a huge range of experiences and recovery obstacles and I’m saying a prayer for both of you right now! My Mom’s hip replacement was the worst nightmare you should ever hear, yet I’m sure there are worse. It makes me cry to think of it still. Deep breath.
Roxanne – a nightmare? How did she cope and how did she come out in the end?
Hi Mary, It looks like my ALL flannel quilt should be on your lawn with your Hydrangeas! Perfect color combo. Ahhh, the pitiful Parker’s! What can one say? Self interest is here to stay! Next post I will tell you all a nice story about a nice lady😀. I met Lola, a Pitbull in Home Depot today. She is lovely—wish I had taken a picture. She wiggled and loved the attention. Made me smile all day🐶😀. I hope your strawberry was yummy. You’ll get more next year. What does Rick think of a sleep number bed? Our neighbors love theirs. Good luck🤞
That is supposed to say parkers as in those who cannot park a car🙀. I changed it and thought it had stayed changed.
Love the colors in Susan’s quilt and Teresa’s quilt. That is one bonus of seeing reader quilts – I get ideas to use as I draw from my stash. The lovely pink pastel block is a beauty and completely different from the color array I am usually drawn to. Hmmm…maybe another new idea to try. I inherited some fabric in light pinks.
When I brought up your website to check the “news,” the ads that came up were all about flowers and blooming shrubs! They fit in perfectly with the pictures of quilts and gardens today. Now that was an unexpected treat. One strawberry? Sigh. It’s a beauty, but not enough for shortcake. When our neighbor cut our lawn (it has a lot of white clover in it) this afternoon, it smelled like new-mown hay. We got 1/2″ of rain yesterday. The wrens are singing in the lilac bush and it’s a beautiful summer day in So.Cen.WI. Kris.
The one strawberry really did look good! Last week you mentioned that your tomatoes in the galvanized tubs were leggy and one reader thought it might be the galvanized tub. I have several very leggy tomatoes planted directly in the ground that I’m not sure will be able to support a tomato. Several others i know have had the same problem this year with different varieties. Maybe try the strawberries and tomatoes again next year in the galvanized containers. Might just be a bad year.
Connie – you could be right because I have two in the ground in the garden and they look the same. Pitiful.
Love Teresa in Indiana ‘s quilt ,so Scrappy and well put together. Hope you find d the best mattress/ for Rick.Does physical therapy people have any suggestions? We rented a lift chair for a couple months when my husband had his done. Not every recovery is the same for every patient. Be well be still.
I remember Lynn was so happy when I could finally sleep on my own side of the bed instead of his..that meant when I could turn on that hip and get up. I find I still reach for the post on my headboard to grab to help myself out of bed. Yes, soft mattresses should be filled with concrete and sunk whereever and May there never be another.
Mary, we drove by your home going home from Garner. Your house and all the buildings are so much more hidden than in the past. Thank goodness, the Hay Mow door has that beautiful quilt on it. I would have missed my former hangout!
Mary…more! I think you have a terrific start to a “coffee table book” when you don’t have a thing to do. All those parking violations. You wonder how city government is not cracking down on the parking ability of others. Think how they could cut the losses cities will have with the loss of the local option tax if they started ticketing people. I hate when I can’t get into my car that is perfectly centered in the space. And, ya, someone hit my car door several years ago, trying to get closer to the steps to the dental office!
Linda in E – a coffee table book, huh? I’d sure have to disguise those license plates, wouldn’t I? Of course, who would be willing to claim their vehicle ? Haha!!!
I love the picture of your yard, it’s so pretty. Hugs,
At least some critter didn’t get that one strawberry. Last year we had a frost that hit the young apple trees my husband had planted near the chicken house but somehow I spotted two beautiful apples up in one tree. Every morning and evening when I went to the barn I watched those apples as they grew and approached the time to pick so I could enjoy the delicious way they looked! Well, one morning when I went to the barn I discovered that the darn deer – who I have seen stand on their hind legs to eat leaves from trees – had eaten the apples! I was so disappointed. That same tree has two gorgeous apples ripening on the driveway side of the tree this year and I am watching them again. I did spray some stinky spray that keeps deer and rabits away around the trees so maybe I can eat them myself this summer.
I think I will start taking pictures of stupid parkers so you won’t be alone in your frustration. I went four places yesterday and every time I parked there were people who had hogged parking spaces so I kept moving until I found a space where I could go between the lines like we should. I was doing good until I decided to stop at a small resale shop where parking is at a premium. They only have about ten spaces and it was a pretty busy day for them. The only space left was next to the handicapped space but the bean brain who was to my left was over her line to the right of me so I did have to park right on the one blue handicapped line. I felt horrible but the handicapped space here is huge as it should be so there was plenty of space but I felt bad. Thankfully both the handicapped remained empty as I shopped and the space piggie next to me shopped longer than I did so she was still over the line when I came out. At least people could (hopefully) see I wasn’t the one who started hogging parking space!
Enjoy your lonely strawberry, it looks yummy!
Your strawberry harvest is beautiful! This is a wonderful, inspiring post—beautiful flowers, quilts and pets.
We arrived home this afternoon, after being out west for a month. After we unpack the camper, I hope to accomplish something in the sewing room. Thanks, Mary 🥰