Can't see the forest for the trees

Or so it is said.

During the week the first two trees were made for 'Arboretum'.  First there was an orange tree....

......then there was a green tree......

......and then they stood side by side.

The fabrics for the next two trees have been pulled from the Big Basket of Batiks.  They are quite easy to make; the only fiddly-diddly bit was lining up the side seams on the angled cuts so they weren't too far out of whack, but I reckon that by the time I have made a heap ton of blocks I should be pretty good at it.  The blocks are trimmed to size anyway, which accommodates for discrepancies in piecing.

Like the original quilt some of my trees will have co-ordinating branches and leaves while some will have contrasting; some will have two cuts, or three, or even four - or maybe more! - while a few might only have one in addition to the centre cut.  It's certainly going to be fun dipping into those gorgeous fabrics, I didn't realise I had quite that many.....it's been a while since the Big Basket was raided.

How has everyone been this week?  We have had rain, not as much as the folk further out west had, but rain is rain after all.  More is forecast for the coming week so our garden (and all the other gardens in town) will be smiling again.  The recent nasty hot temperatures have cooled somewhat, making for much more pleasant days; even the nights are not too steamy for sleep.

The Frog has been croaking in the drainpipe quite a lot recently, which could be a sign of more rain to come.  Ever since we moved here we have heard and seen the occasional green tree frog; several years ago one even made its way up through the drain into a toilet bowl (fortunately I looked before I sat down, just imagine those cold clammy little fingers tapping on one's bare bum, I would still be in orbit) but so far - touch wood - we haven't had one inside.  Somehow I suspect that our current croaker is not the same frog which welcomed us over 14 years ago, but you never know.....they can apparently live quite long lives......

Words have been read.  Stitches have been sewn, and more diamonds need to be cut.  Songs have been plinked and sung.  We hunted and we gathered, keeping clear of much of the festive Stuff currently around.....plenty of time for that still.  A little running around here and there, hither and yon, and that was another week done.

For the past few years our neighbour kiddos have knocked on our door late in the year as their school has a mango fundraiser to make some funds for the "over and above" things that kids in primary school need.  The two older kiddos are now in high school but the youngest still has four years to go - so, four more years of yummy mangoes!  The mango tray is sitting on the kitchen counter and as they ripen I am peeling, slicing and dicing them to go in self-seal bags in the freezer.  They are good on ice cream or gelato, and really good blended with milk for my breakfast smoothie.....and, of course, the kitchen smells mango divine.

"The comfort of others.

In seeking his own comfort, no passenger has a right to over-look or disregard that of others.  If for his own comfort, he wishes to raise or lower a window, he should consult the wishes of passengers immediately around him before doing so.  The discomforts of travelling should be borne cheerfully, for what may enhance your own comfort may endanger the health of some fellow-traveller."

Words as relevant in these days of air travel as they were in those far-ago days of train travel.....although I wouldn't recommend opening a window on a plane.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

No fame and glory this week

Aren't these glorious fall colours? Today is quite autumnal, with a stiff breeze blowing from the south across the valley and up onto our hill. Much nicer than summer's heat. The photo was taken in Dawes Road, Toronto, Canada; if you know Dawes Road you may recognise it, and you don't - why then, it doesn't matter. Just enjoy the colours.

Last weekend when the state quilt guild visited, a photographer from a local paper was wandering around taking pictures.....I was duly lined up with a few other ladies and posed in front of a quilt. When we received a copy of the paper today there is the photo.......but no me.......

I have been cropped!

While I didn't particularly wish to appear in one of the local rags I can't help feeling slighted.......makes me wonder about the conversation back at the newspaper office when the photos were being selected for publication. "We'll use that one, but oh dear - better get rid of that woman on the end" I can hear them saying. One picture is of the whole room with people sitting, standing and milling around and there I am way over at the back, if you didn't know it was me you probably would never recognise me. And that's OK. At least I wasn't cropped out of that picture, it would have left an odd hole.

There are no pictures of me on my blog. I doubt now there ever will be, because obviously I am something to be shunned and feared. Something with which to frighten small children and give honest people nightmares. I shall never feel the same about the image in the mirror again - that is, if I can bear to even look into a mirror.

On a more cheerful note, I have decided to put up a tutorial on the technique I taught my quilt group recently. I made sample pieces showing the different stages of making the block but the fabrics I used were a bit dull and didn't photograph very well (a bit like me, obviously) so I am cutting out some brighter fabrics. Look for it over the next few days.

Recently I ordered myself a cutting table like this one, I hope it arrives soon. There is a backlog of cutting and pinning, the kitchen bench is a good height but a bit narrow. Still, we use what we have, don't we - even if it is less than ideal.

Last week I had a most unnerving experience. We were on our way out when I decided to visit the bathroom first. Shut the door, lifted the lid on the toilet prior to doing what it is one does in these situations, and noticed a large green tree frog sitting in half in, half out of the water looking up at me with beady eyes. Erk. I very quickly shut the lid and left the room. Kevin, who is braver than I am, lifted it out and put it in the garden. I always check for frogs now before using the toilet. If one was sitting in one's usual position and a cold clammy little hand reached up and touched one on one's bare nether regions.........can you imagine the shock?

Showy dress.

The glaring colors and "loud" costumes, once so common, have given place to sober grays, and browns and olives; black predominating over all. The light, showily-trimmed dresses, which were once displayed in the streets and fashionable promenades, are now only worn in carriages. This display of showy dress and glaring colors is generally confined to those who love ostentation more than comfort."

I was wearing bright colours with an orange top when photographed - perhaps it was considered too loud and glaring to be seen by readers with delicate sensibilities?

Enjoy your days!