R and R at a Coastal B&B

At home it's been in the mid-nineties for the last week. So Frank and I were especially glad to escape to the Pacific coast for our 32nd anniversary last weekend. The cool fog and colorful gardens were such a refreshing change.

Our room had a wall of windows facing the garden and the ocean. It was so restful and picturesque I felt like I was living in a movie.

The Art of Seeing

My husband says he has no artistic talent; he can't paint, color or collage, or draw a figure to save his life.

But he has a way of seeing that is plenty artistic to me.

Summer's Last Flora

I don't know the names of the flowering weeds that grow in my yard. That just seems wrong somehow, they add color to my landscape. I've decided I should've paid closer attention in Bio 1A class my freshman year of college.

Oh wait, that one's a rose. One out of six isn't bad.

Following

I guess I'm a little late learning what's new in blogland. But I just added the Followers gadget to my sidebar. So if you like what you see or read here, please feel free to join.

I know it's not a popularity contest, but it'll be fun to see who's visiting Pieceful Moments.

More Than Just Finches

The finches seem to come to the pine tree in the late afternoon. Frank decided to try out his new camera as well.

It turns out they move a little too quickly to make a good photo op. But while he was looking in the tree he saw the neighborhood barn owl. We hear him occasionally at night, but rarely see him.

He sat perfectly still and sound asleep the entire time Frank took pictures. They are so eerie looking. The next day I found a breast feather on the ground, soooo soft. A souvenir of his visit.

Who's That In the Tree?

Being on the fence wasn't close enough to the birds, so Spunky went up the tree. Maybe eventually she'll figure out they're always gone once she gets there.

Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts

Found this quilt exhibit at the New York Folk Art Museum. Wow! The image viewer is a little clunky, but check it out. http://www.folkartmuseum.org/infinitevariety

August Flowers

These flowers are all within a 15 minute walk near our home. Some of them would be considered weeds, but I love how they grow without cultivation, like God's lilies of the fields, watered and cared for by His own hand.

Unknown (added later: Broomweed)

Red Hot Poker


Queen Anne's Lace

Pennyroyal

Unknown, not a dandelion


Vetch

If you know the names of some of these, please write and let me know. They live in my yard and I see them every day, I feel I should know their names!

Also seen on our walk, Miss Lila. She's pretty scarce around home, since Spunky's joined our family.

Aug 2 note: I added photos from yesterday's walk. Pictures by dh.

New Lens

It's true my husband is the real photographer in the family. I do alright using the point and shoot features on the digital SLR, but more than that is a challenge. So I'm still not sure what to do with the new lens, because I have to make choices before I can take the shot.

Okay, actually? He took these too. But the subjects were my idea as we talked about focal length, depth of field and aperture. I guess like anything, it just takes practice.

August 1

Guess who turned one year old?

Spunky Roberts; who continues to live up to her name! I wish I could get a picture of her on the back fence as she tries to get to the finches in the pine tree. She's on their level and sooo close she can almost reach out and touch them, but not quite. So she settles for making strange chirping sounds to them in her throat. Strange cat.

Montgomery Woods in June

We visit Montgomery Woods at least once a year. The beauty, grandeur and stillness always feed my soul.

New Hair

I was so ready to go short. I'd been thinking about it for weeks, so when I finally got it cut it was like I'd had it forever, no big deal.

But it's the shortest I've ever had it since I've been married (32 years). The comments and compliments are still coming after two months. It's embarrassing.

"Was it hard to make the decision?!" "Wow! What brought this on?" "I've always wanted to try that, you give me courage."

Really? It's just hair.

Evan At Three Weeks

I ran into a long-time quilt friend yesterday and she asked me if I was still quilting. Well... in very small fits and starts. Someone new is claiming my love.

Flowers of July

What do you do while you're waiting for the grand baby to wake up so you can hold him?

Take a walk in the yard and stop and smell the roses.

Sweater for Evan

I also made a wee cardigan for the baby. The color? Lavender of course! I modified a free pattern from Ravelry found here. It was knit in one piece from the top down, really easy.

I'd never knit with Alpaca before, oh... heaven! Kitten soft.

My DIL opened it at the baby shower and passed it around. One of the guests asked, "Do you make these in adult sizes?" What a great idea. Maybe I should. :)

Jewels for Evan

Here's a picture of the quilt I made for Evan. His Mom - and Grandma (oh, that's me!) like purple, so it was great to work with such fun jewel tones.

Baby Love

There's a new man in my life and I've fallen head over heels in love with him. He lives in another town and when I'm home I spend my time thinking about when I'll see him again.

Welcome to the family Evan Matthew! Born June 30, 2011, 6:22 am. 7 lbs, 5 ozs, 20.5" long.