On a cool, rainy day...

I'm warmed and cheered, baking oatmeal raisin cookies.  I've made variations on this theme for years, but recently found this recipe by surprise on Joan Ford's site, Hummingbird Highway.  I made 'em with a combination of "quick"- and "slow"-cooking oats in order to use up the last of what I had of each.  The raisins are plumped by simmering.  All in all, they're just the right size, soft and chewy -- just right as 'thank you' gifts for my son and my girlfriend, with whom I'll be staying in Lethbridge and Calgary this week.  (And yes...I stashed a few away for myself, too!)

It seems I've been very domestic recently, but what can do with a harvest like this?

Bumbleberry Pie - rhubarb, Saskatoon berries, raspberries, apples

And then there's the veggie garden, now producing green beans and tomatoes in addition to lettuce, which is ongoing!

Fresh-picked!

A Perfect Day

I began August by spending most of the day with my daughter, right here:

Rochon Sands Provincial Park

under this Alberta sky....

The photographer went to work

And I took a few shots with my point-and-click...

A rocky pool at the end of the spit

Anyone know what these are?

Or these?

Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h.....Midsummer.....

What S/he said...

As I tumble along on my 'Summer Sabbatical', I can't ignore the fact that this weekend will mark the ending of July and the heading into August.  It's a long weekend in most of Canada, and the weather promises to be perfect.  There will be lots of time for me to enjoy my Summer Studio with knitting, stitching and hand quilting -- the stuff with which I've been soothing my soul since the end of May.

But once in August, there'll be something in the air...High summer, yes, but just the faintest whiff of BackToSchool, and for me, BackTotheStudio with fresh eyes and a new outlook on my art.  Still pacing myself, but with a fresh flexibility and confidence.

And what Monika's client said is what makes it all worthwhile -- for her, for me, for all those of us who put our creativity Out There:

 "'you artists really bring us to the place where the world is a better place"

Thank you, sir, whoever you are.

On Retreat

in my own backyard.  Yep. Taking a couple of days to be quiet in the Summer Studio.  Have some pansies to plant, and some serious stitching to do, just because.


So, as Jude would say, "See U later."  

Too Nice....

to stay indoors, so I have created for myself a "Summer Studio" beneath one of the flowering cherry trees in my backyard. Here you see all I need to enjoy stitching my latest 'Spirit Series' piece: a tall glass of tonic water and Rose's Lime Cordial, my new-to-me faux wicker settee, a quilted seat coverlet (till I get cushions made), a sunny afternoon, et voila!