Friday, June 3, 2011

Checking In

At the outset, I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers that you sent my way.  I can’t tell you how much they have meant to me.

houses and hearts

As of an hour ago, we have finished planting the gardens.  Yippee! 

Most of the plants are new this year and as a result, there are large spaces in between to afford them the necessary room to mature.  Because of this, we decided that we are going to spread some cedar mulch in the void spaces to help keep the weeds to a minimum.  That is on tomorrow’s agenda.  After the mulch is down, I’ll take some new photos.

houses and hearts

This morning, Mr. Painted Quilt and I treated ourselves to breakfast out.  Right after, we decided to go for a little drive around the countryside before returning home.  Luckily, I had my camera in my purse.

Everywhere you go at this time of the year in Nova Scotia the wild lupins are a sight to behold. 

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Along the roads…

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And in the ditches and fields for as far as the eye can see.

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We drove up the north mountain to Parker’s Cove.  That’s the Bay of Fundy in the distance…for as far as the eye can see.  Too bad the day was overcast.

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The scenery is just spectacular.

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There is a little harbor where the fishing boats put in to unload their catch.

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We then came across the little fishing village of Hampton where we saw a sign saying that any vessel in distress is welcome there.  The Hampton light house is now an historical landmark.

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Each day 100 billion tonnes of seawater flows in and out of the Bay of Fundy during one tide cycle, more than the combined flow of the world’s freshwater rivers.

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Another view of the Hampton light house.

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As we started our decent from the north mountain, this was the view into the Annapolis Valley with Bridgetown in the distance.

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One last photo of the lupins before returning home to work in the garden.

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The wild lupins that I saw were mostly purple and pink with an odd white one here and there. I’m hoping to collect some seeds and scatter them at the far end of our property this fall.

houses and hearts

For those of you who stopped by expecting to see a new FFF (First Friday Freebie) today, as I mentioned in my last post, I will be taking the summer off.  At least that is my intention at the moment.

On the health front, the results from my CT scan were inconclusive so I will be going into the hospital on Wednesday for exploratory surgery at which time they will remove some tissue to be biopsied.  

Please keep those positive thoughts and prayers coming.

Kaarenheartname

68 comments:

Darlene said...

You can bet that you'll be in my thoughts and prayers. It's wonderful to see you - take care.

Tiffaney said...

Looks like a lovely drive. Prayers.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Thank you for the beautiful tour of your "neck of the woods." All good thoughts headed your way.

Kigwit said...

I love seeing your pictures of NS. My sister and I visited there several years ago and I could not get over the lupines. I took so many pictures. We both loved our stay in NE and went whale watching on the Bay of Fundy, out of Digby Neck. Next time I hope to spend more time investigating the scallops!

I'll add you to my prayer list. I do hope you get some answers and, preferably, good news.

Sara said...

Yes beautiful country side!! Hope your hospital visit is uneventful and you return to good health again:)

WoolenSails said...

I am glad you were able to get out today, I love to take rides and explore new roads and areas. Now if the gas prices would go down, that would help;)

Continued prayers coming your way.

Debbie

Donna~~ said...

I love lupines--had no idea that they grew naturally like that--so beautiful. Thank you so much for the lovely tour--it's nice to be able to "get away" like that for a short time. Hope next week goes as smoothly as possible for you!

Monica said...

It's really good to hear from you. Best of luck to you on your surgery Wednesday. May it be uneventful. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Annette said...

You are in my prayers for sure. I enjoyed your beautiful pictures. So peaceful.

MoeWest said...

Thanks for posting the pictures. Lupines are so pretty. Good luck on Wednesday. I'm sending good wishes your way.

B J Elder said...

Lupines are so beautiful. I am always on the lookout for them too. Also really enjoyed the other scenic shots you posted. Lighthouses... ahhhh. That one is a great one! I just love the area where you moved - I could easily pick up and move there (if money was not an issue - LOL).
Praying they soon find what health challenge you are facing and can get it easily dealt with. Blessings.

tink's mom said...

My prayers are with you. I know telling you to keep a positive attitude may seem lame but it really and truely makes a difference. Selina

Sherry said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I always enjoy visiting your blog and love your designs. I have embroidered one recently and have not completed the project but will be sure to let you know when I do.

Susannah said...

Hi Kaaren...I am continuing with those prayers for you. I went through some of this stuff last fall.It is so upsetting to wait to find out what is really going on. You take care...and keep yourself busy until then.

All my best to you and hubby.

Susannah

Anonymous said...

Lots of thoughts and prayers are being sent your way!! WOW....you sure do live in a gorgeous area! I can't wait for my holiday there! (wishingful thinking)
Hugs!!!! XOXO

Laurel said...

Hi Kaaren.....lots of warm wishes and good thoughts are coming your way from Virginia USA!.....I hope all will go well for you next week and "they" can get you well and back to yourself quickly...until then I know you're being well cared for by your loving MrPQ and faithful Mac...and in the meantime try to take it easy and let your mind uncover a bunch of wonderful new designs for you to share with all of us here rooting for you....

Jocelyn said...

Oh Kaaren, what lovely pictures. I so enjoyed the drive with you. And I will be thinking of you and praying for a good outcome on your procedure.

Needled Mom said...

Please know that you have my prayers, Kaaren.

Your pictures are just gorgeous. It is such a pretty time of the year.

paulette said...

So where have I been?! I had no idea that you were having medical problems!! I will be thinking of you all this week!! Keep smiling and fingers and toes are crossed!! You take care!
Paulette

Rumi said...

Sending you happy thoughts. Thanks for taking us along on your outing!

BubzRugz said...

Lovely pictures..... best wishes for a clear bill of health....
Hugz

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

You certainly live in a beautiful area Kaaren! I am so glad you enjoying the scenery. It's spectacular! The lupine's are gorgeous this time of year!!

I will indeed keep you in my prayers. As others said, I pray it is uneventful and with a good outcome! Lots of warm hugs!!

darlynn said...

Healthful thoughts are sent your way from the States! Know that many people are praying for you....ones that write a note and ones that do not as well.

The Lupines are fabulous! Just wonderful.

I am so envious (though I know I should just be happy for YOU) that you are living so close to a Bay! Oh my!

Sandi said...

Beautiful pictures of your corner of the world Kaaren. I hope they helped to ease your mind of the worries you've been having.

Here's to the positive outcome that your biopsy will be negative.

May you enjoy the lupines in your garden for many years to come.

marina said...

I hope it is a good outcome from your biopsy.
Lovely photos of your surrounds.

Kathleen said...

Such beautiful scenery...what a lovely place to live...my thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time...

Maria McCabe said...

You are in my prayers. I loved the tour and make sure you take the summer off! After all the hard work that your move took and now some health problems you deserve it. I am sure I speak for many when I say I stop by to see your wonderful home and hear how you are doing - the delightful patterns are just a bonus!
Maria

Janet said...

The very best of thoughts are going out to you and wishes that the cause of your problems be found and addressed while you're in hospital next week. I was out to run some errands today and the fieldrows and roadsides up here on my part of the North Mountain are full of wild apple trees in bloom - shades from white to the deepest pink and then beneath them the lupins - and remarkable chesnut blossoms too - tomorrow I will be sure to take my camera with me as a local historic home has an arched gateway covered in the absolute best wisteria vines - wow!! I'll publish a picture on my blog if I get a good one.

Sandra said...

lovely pictures, thanks for sharing. Hope you have good luck growing lupins, i can't get them to grow on my property here in NB although they grow wild here all around me!!
They say the worse the soil conditions the more the lupins thrive! Go figure. Hope you're taking care of yourself.

Gail said...

Hi Karen,
You will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers, I've loved being a lurker on your blog and seeing your beautiful pictures.

Hope you're back soon.

Gail

Paula said...

I really enjoyed the tour. It looks like a very beautiful area.
You will be in my prayers for a positive outcome. God Bless you.

Gwynette in NW Arkansas said...

Kaaren, thanks for the lovely photos. It's almost like being on vacation to see them.

Wishing you the best with your medicial tests. Prayer gives us a quiet strength to endure many things we didn't think possible. I pray for God's angels to hold your hand.

ShirleyC said...

I loved the pics. I also wish the best for your outcome.
I also just had a C scan and I'm waiting on the results. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Betty said...

Thanks for sharing the beautifule pictures of your area. You are in my thoughts and prayers that all goes well for you. Positive thought coming your way.

GerryART said...

You've got 'em, Kaaren.
Front and foremost on my mind, dear Friend.
hugs
Gerry

Allie said...

Oh Kaaren what a beautiful place you live in! I love looking at your pictures. You betcha I'm keeping you in my prayers, sweetie!

Larkrise garden girl said...

Kaaren, Keeping you in my prayers. Thank you for sharing with us the lovely pictures. Cheri

Janet said...

You're a phenomenal blogger and I feel like I know you well. You're very generous in sharing great tips, your creative talents, and your wonderful life. I wish you the best; take care.

Alice I. said...

Kaaren, thank you for taking us on the wonderful drive and for sharing your great pics. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh Kaaren you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Prayers and thought going your way.
Hope you get some answers soon.
Your pics are beautiful ~ I felt like I was on a minnie vacation.
Thanks for taking me along on your ride.
Prim Blessings
Robin

Cathi said...

Oh, Kaaren -- you are definitely in my thoughts! I hope you will get good answers from the tests.
What an utterly gorgeous part of the country you live in -- the pictures are just wonderful!

Jenny's Place Online said...

Love the scenery. It's nice to be able to visit places like this without a passport :) Best wishes, Jenny

Anonymous said...

I missed your last post, so I didn't write anything to you yet. But I hope everything will turn out alright and I will be thinking of you, my dear friend.

Bertie said...

Love your wonderful pictures, the lupins are gorgeous, great to see these in the wild:) The harbour is just a postcard picture too.
Wishing you well next week with the surgery.

LibbiesHome said...

Hi Kaaren,
I love that I get to take a little tour of Nova Scotia when I visit your blog. :) You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers!

Marie said...

Prayers a coming and special thoughts too. Thanks for sharing your beautiul tour the flowers are beautiful and Ilove that old lighthouse too. Many Hugs, Marie

Linda said...

So sorry that you have not been well. I'm thinking positive thoughts that all good will go your way.Take care.

Elyte said...

Thank you for a look around your part of the world. Stay positive and enjoy the warm weather as we move into winter.

Diane H said...

Me thinks your going to do wonders for Nova Scotia tourism, dear Kaaren. Thanks for taking us along on your drive. Hugs and prayers.

JudyCinNC said...

Nothing but positive thoughts coming your way - thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures of an area I will probably not be able to visit. I just love my travels while residing in blogland and appreciate everyone's else. Judy C in NC

Shelley said...

Praying your surgery will tell you something conclusive. The not knowing is awful!! Love and prayers on the way!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Thank you for taking us all on that beautiful drive! And you are certainly in my prayers. Believing with you for a good report.

Anonymous said...

Positive thoughts headed your way.

Loved the tour.

Charlotte

Wendyb said...

will definitely be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Kaaren...... positive positive headed your way!
Take time to take care of you.....we surely understand and it's so lovely you have such a beautiful area to regenerate in!
sugary hugs
X Wendy B :O)

Melanie said...

You'll be in my prayers. Whatever it is.... Just get it fixed.... too many quilts out there that need to be made....

Mary L. said...

Keeping you in my prayres. The lupines are beautiful. Wish I could grow them here successfully but it just gets too hot and humid.

Lori said...

I hope the tests go well and you pass with flying colors;)
Your new area is beautiful!! I love wild lupines.

Candace said...

Congratulations on finishing the garden - now you can sit back and watch it grow, grow, grow! I can't wait to see the pictures! How wonderful that you're exploring your area - and it looks like there is so much to see, Kaaren! We're sending many positive thoughts your way for the surgery, Kaaren! Do take care!

Karen L. said...

Kaaren, Sending along my prayers and positive thoughts too. I am just catching up on your blog so did not know this was going on. Hoping that it all turns out to be nothing at all or a quick fix. You have always been so generous with your patterns that the least we readers of your blog can do is send up a little prayer. (And thanks for the photos of the distant Bay of Fundy. I was there when I was a young girl camping with my family. It all brought back such fond memories.) Will be thinking of you tomorrow .....

edyB said...

Sending lots of good thoughts!

Anonymous said...

Best of luck. Prayers for you.

SueB said...

Your place looks so wonderful. Please keep us posted on everything. I have not been able to post on my blogs that I follow until today. But I have been reading.

Gloria J W said...

Love and the very best of wishes and prayers are winging your way from this side of the ocean.
Hugs Gloria

Terry said...

It's so beautiful where you live! I love the lupines and that lighthouse is wondeful! Will be thinking of you on Wednesday and sending good thoughts and prayers your way! :0)

Anonymous said...

Prayers for healing, answers and peace.

Laura said...

Kaaren - you are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you the best and take care of yourself.
The scenery is just gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing.

Maria McCabe said...

Your blog is one of the first I started following - I have looked forward to your posts for a long time! You are so talented and fun and I can tell from your blog how much you and Mr. PQ love each other. Positive thoughts and prayer are so powerful so I will be flooding you with both! Be well and "see" you soon!
Maria