More Patterns

Since I have started painting my own patterns for the SEWN online class I am currently taking, I am finding I spot patterns everywhere.  During the 4th of July parade in my little town, I spied stripes and fields of stars (naturally), but there were other patterns, too.

The tartan plaid of the Bagpipe and Drum corp that marched in the parade leaped out at me.  By the way, why is it that for any American parade worth it's salt, a bagpipe and drum band is a requirement? Our local 4th of July parade just wouldn't be the same with out this band.

And then, too, you begin to notice patterns that aren't just visual.  There are the patterns, the components, that make up high summer in Edmonds (or any season, for that matter), and the Saturday Market is certainly one of the main summer seasonal components to me.

I went up to my cabin early on the 5th to do some heavy cleaning and maintenance.  I noticed the patterns of sunlight on the daisy meadow and the pattern of light and shade the big vane maple leaves make in the early morning with the sun streaming through them.

 And here are some of the patterns I have been painting for Mary Ann's class.  I have had such a good time just sitting and randomly painting any old idea that comes into my mind.  I find I get more fun from of the complicated ones when I'm actually painting, but visually I rather like the more simple patterns.  Funny.

This mess below is the as yet unfinished feather pattern.  I have no idea where it's going, how it will turn out, and if I even like it.  It is, however, great fun to paint!  And that's really all I care about, the fun part.  I'll figure out the rest as I go along---as long as it's fun!

Summer Snapshots at the Cabin

I had a lovely weekend at the cabin.  The weather was perfect...sunny but not too warm.  Just right.

My bedroom at the cabin is so comfy, and is especially appealing to me when the sun streams in the windows.  Something sweet is blooming outside the front window, which makes sleep that much more pleasant.

detail of the old quilt, an antique market find, at the foot of my bed

I love bluebirds and have them all over the cabin on plates and cups, wall hangings and embroidered on all sorts of linens.  Why did bluebirds go out of fashion?  They are so cheerful and they delight me so.

I, frankly, just like birds!
 

Here's my favorite reading nook in the "library."  My DH made the wall of bookshelves for me when I first moved in, way back in 1999.

view out the front door

Over the years, mowing of the native grasses has given me quite a nice lawn, easy care.  It only gets a haircut about three times a year.  There are daisies, Sweet William, California poppy and other wildflowers that bloom amid the grasses.  It is pretty to view and judging from the critters living there, healthy and good for the environment.  (The garter snakes are fat---and sassy.  )

Right now the Buddleia and the hydrangeas are vying for the most vivid bloom color.

All the repairs that were necessary when my reverse osmosis unit leaked all over the kitchen and dining room in the winter have been made, the painting is done and I just got the new carpet to go under the table.  I like the new look and it no longer just reminds me of the mess, but looks like I redecorated.  It's nice to feel the house whole and healthy again.  I didn't realize how sad the robbery a few years ago and the mess from the leak had made me and how it had tainted my love for the cabin.  All is well now.

I found another, smaller dhurrie for the living room while I was in Long Beach.  I like how it compliments the new dining room rug.  It looks planned, not a repair job, even though that is exactly what it was!

I'll be back up there next weekend and I'm really looking forward to it.

Easter Flowers

I woke up to the most spectacular spring morning.  The sunrise was gorgeous.  The daffodils were back lit and breathtaking.  Birds were singing.  The sky was blue.  A gentle breeze blew just strong enough to make the wind chime sing a little song.  In other words, a perfect morning.

I had some lovely quiet time to work on my journal while I  sipped iced tea and enjoyed the view from the windows at the cabin.  I love Sunday mornings like this!

Happy spring!

Almost Autumn (at the cabin)

The Labor Day weekend is fast approaching, but not as quickly as the 1st of September.  I can not get my mind wrapped around the idea that it is almost autumn.  In the early mornings I can smell it coming, that special smell that speaks of pumpkins and orange and golden leaves falling, of crisp nights and (hopefully) Indian Summer days.  But for right now, at the cabin, it is still summer.  It's green and sunny and warm.

The view from the front windows, down onto the dairy farm just across the river, is of wide green meadows and busy farmers making hay (while the sun shines!).

The daisies are in full, glorious bloom in wide swaths around the house....

....and the hollyhocks are taller than I am and bursting with blossoms.

But, soon, much too soon, the leaves will start to turn.  The maples will go all gold and orange, the larches will turn bright yellow and then all their needles will fall and the views from every window will be beautiful, but autumnal.  I am not ready for autumn.  I still feel like we didn't, really, get much of a summer and I am not ready for the long, gray days of November, December, January and on and on and on....

Even though the sunsets through the bare limbs of the stand of trees that marks the beginning of the road to the cabin are a wonder to behold....

....and the cabin will be all snugged in, with the maples turning spectacular colors all around.....

 

....and every weekend there will be many fishermen trying their skills in the river below the cabin, I am not ready. 

 And then much, much too soon, the frosts will come and the leaves will be gone.  The rains of November will be upon us.  

Just how soon will we have snow this year?  And how much will we have?  Will I be unable to get to the cabin for months at a time, like that miserable winter a few years back?  

I have to admit that as I get older,  I yearn more for the sun than ever before.  I want it to warm my skin and seep down into my bones.  I want flowers and birdsong and blue skies.  I will just have to  be grateful to be surrounded with a bounty of quiet beauty, even if it is of a colder, more subtle variety.

I will look forward to Christmas and having ALL my family home,  gathered together, and it will be a fine first Christmas for Rawlings---a fine Christmas for all of us.

But, really, isn't it much too soon for it to be autumn?

Post Thanksgiving

I spent the long weekend at the cabin, and is my routine these days, woke up early every morning. I was delighted to witness the dawn pictured above! It just kept getting better and better----the sky turned the most beautiful colors. The peak outlined against the sky is Whitehorse in the dawn's rosy light.

I had told a friend that I would fire the ceramics that she'd glazed, many meant to be Christmas presents, while I was up at the cabin. I loaded the kiln and all was well, except that I had two pieces left over. No matter how I arranged the items, I could not get all of them into one load. I won't fire the kiln for two small pieces, I just won't! I decided that I had to sit down and start glazing some of my bisque, madly, as it takes five coats for each piece and that takes some time. (Three coats of color, two coats of clear over glaze.) I found I had a little tea set that I did up for my eldest granddaughter, Emma (of the butter and chocolate turkey fame from Thanksgiving). She is probably too young for a ceramic tea set, but oh, well.....she's getting one now! She does like to have tea parties for her dollies and stuffed animals. I know. I've poured many a cup of "tea" in her bedroom for various and sundry guests at her tea table! I was pleased with how it all turned out. I haven't done any ceramics painting in over a year but found that I can still shade pretty well. My brush technique is still there! I hope Emma likes her tea set. I had fun painting it for her. I also got a few ornaments done so I can add them to packages or send them off in a Christmas box to friends as a little extra. I must say that sitting in the living room, painting ceramics and watching movies while the weather is cold and damp is not a bad way to spend the long Thanksgiving weekend!

While I was doing all this back and forthing to and from the kiln room, I discovered a little long toed salamander (at least that's what I think it was after studying one of my books for a while) had come into the garage and died. It was all curled up in elegant curves and was quite beautiful. I'm sorry it died but glad I got a chance to view it up close and admire it. The little salamander had these tiny little toes and they were very long. It was lighter and more brownish underneath. If I have mislabeled it, and someone out there knows what it really is, please let me know. I had some other little newt-like critter on the porch about a month ago so I know that there are a variety of little reptiles about. I think they mostly live in the wetland across the road from the cabin.