Long Weekend

I'm taking time today to acknowledge those who have served and those who continue to serve our country....

It has been a beautiful weekend here in upstate NY.  Sun is shining, everything in bloom, and signs that summer is on its way.  On Saturday I took my camera to the park to check on the ducklings. They are getting big! But they are still all downy, and piled together to take a nap. They are so cute it hurts! My new favorite thing.

I've been working on a shop update. Hopefully I will get these beauties listed in the next couple days!

I also made a little table mat for me. Oh how I love making mama blocks!

On  a drive around town on Saturday my mom and I spied these gorgeous lilacs on the side of the road. I had never seen so many bushes all together. They smelled wonderful and looked equally so.

Even Lola enjoyed the drive and sun! I love this time of year.

What have you been up to? 

Spring Adventures

Last weekend we brought a gardenia plant home, and Tex had to check it out. We get such beautiful sunlight through the living room windows.  I am so very happy we are having such lovely weather...finally!

Over the weekend, my mom and I took a drive out to Rochester to attend the Rochester Lilac Festival. We were a bit disappointed to not see any blooming lilacs. I'm afraid after the long, hard winter and cold temperatures through March, the lilacs have had a slow start.  However, we did see many other lovely blooms!

Tulips, tulips everywhere!

I also enjoyed the cherry blossoms. They were painting the ground pink with their petals.

Ah, the sweet violet. I love these little violets peeping up from the ground.

Wonderful, sunny daffodils.

Lola enjoyed herself, walking through Highland Park.

The magnolia tree in the background was just gorgeous!

It wouldn't be a trip without a stop at a local quilt shop.  The shop had an amazing selection! I splurged on my favorite 1930's prints. These fabrics will make for some fun summer sewing!

Today, I went to the local park to see the ducklings. Oh, they made my day! They are just the cutest, huddled together in the sun.  Momma was close-by and she had her eye on me as I got closer to snap this shot!

There are 14 of them swimming in the pond!

What spring delights are you enjoying??

Comings and Goings

Spring spring, happy spring! On a sunny Easter morning I went out to admire the daffodils in the front yard. They are more abundant now and so cheery to look at. I also love the purple violets popping up in the grass.

I've been spending some time playing with mini hexagons, and granny squares! I can't stop making granny squares!  Oh my! It's all because Lori Holt's book Great Granny Squared is so so cute!  If you don't have it yet, I highly recommend it.  Cutting out 2.5 inch squares from my favorite fabrics is so fun! I am working on some things for me, and some things for the shop....coming soon!

The pets are also enjoying the sun. Tex especially. My sunny boy.

I was so excited to learn about the Great Granny Sew Along  and so far have managed to keep up and make the first 2 blocks. I'll be honest, the idea of piecing the basket block and yarn block wasn't initially my cup of tea. But after making both blocks, I am so glad I did. I love the way they turned out!  Weekly blocks are posted on Mondays and you need Lori Holt's book to participate. There's still time to join!

The sweet violet plant is really enjoying her place in the kitchen and keeps blooming for us. I never had much luck with violets in the past. They key I believe is direct sun and not too much water.

What have you been up to?