Where has the week gone?

I can’t believe it’s been seven days since I last posted.  Where has the week gone?

I think I mentioned the needlecase swap that I joined in my last post and one of the swap guidelines was that it had to be made from Civil War fabric.  Because I haven’t done much sewing since we moved, I had to sort through several bins in order to locate my CW fabric…which turned out to be a good thing because…

I found my Civil War Bride’s Quilt pattern and blocks! 

For the life of me I couldn’t remember where I had packed them or in which box.  Now I do recall packing them in with my CW fabric because I thought that would be a logical place.  Duh!

The quilt is comprised of 16 blocks and although the original was done in traditional needle turn appliqué, I am doing mine in wool-on-cotton which is my favorite method.  Block 1 is complete…

And the second block is now fused, ready to be stitched.  I love that part!

It’s good to have my ‘long lost friend’ back because until all the spring yard work and planting is done, this is what is going to be keeping my hands busy.

Speaking of yard work, we had a busy week outdoors.  Mr. Painted Quilt and I visited several nurseries in the Annapolis Valley from Berwick to Yarmouth and managed to contribute quite well to the economy in Nova Scotia.  We planted numerous perennials and fruit bushes already but because it turned cold and windy today, we decided to postpone planting the dozen or so that remain.

In the group above are a climbing hydrangea, pink magnolia, lavender, blue columbine, three different varieties of hosta, phlox, three different colors of heather and below are some chives, rhubarb, raspberry canes and lilacs that our neighbor gave us.

It rained for three days during the week so the other plants that we managed to get in just before are doing really well.  Here is the yellow rhododendron now.

The color does not do it justice.  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I also planted another species, a pink one with smaller, darker foliage. 

Can you see the lilac-colored heather to the right and the pinky-orange smaller plant on the right?  These are excellent ground covering spring bloomers and spread quickly.

We decided to name our residence ‘Chestnut Lane Cottage’ because of this huge chestnut tree that graces the area between the wrap around veranda and circular driveway.  See the swing hanging from the lower branch on the right?

The buds that will produce the flowers and eventual chestnuts are getting bigger every day.

The rain and warmer weather that we had over the past week has changed so much of the landscape on our property…which also caused the grass to grow another 4”.  Guess what we did today?

We cut and edged about 3 of the 4 acres because the rest was too wet to mow.  Although it doesn’t really show in the photo, the land slopes gently towards the front of the property and about three quarters of the way up the photo you can see where we stopped because the ground beyond that was squishy wet.

Mac was in his usual supervisory mode.  He just loves being outside with us exploring every nook and cranny on the property.

I don’t think there is one area where he hasn’t left his mark.  *wink*

He’s bound and determined to find that cheeky red squirrel.

Pretty soon all the trees will be covered in leaves…but we’ll still be able to see the ocean beyond.

Remember that this Friday, the 6th of May is the First Friday of the month and another Freebie design will be released on that day. 

I hope to see you then!