handmade goodness

This beauty is a handmade quilt, created by H's grandmother. We've had this stuffed in the tops of tiny closets in Boston and New York, and lately stored in a cedar chest. A few weeks ago, we finally got it out to use for the first time in seven years! What fools to wait so long.

Because we generally guarded it carefully from the elements, we only ever got a look at it when we were moving, and that was usually cursory at best. I only ever got a real appreciation for it when I brought it out to wash it after our mold scare. When I was folding it to store again, I started noticing how bright and artsy it is.

And how modern - there are quilts of this ilk all over the internet these days. Wild, unexpected combinations of patterns - fresh and exciting colors.

I love the discreet size of the patches, and the matter-of-fact construction. H's grandmother meant business and didn't mess around.

It's hard for me to pick my favorite section of patches. The backing is a hefty canvas, which I love, and it is just the right weight for summer.

We've just put it back in the cedar chest after using it for a good while. I was sad to store it, but I plan to bring it out periodically to enjoy the brilliant colors and facinating fabric pairings.

all right, explain yourself.

I recently discovered my vacuum's dirty secret. I kept wondering why I didn't see the swirl of dirt and dust in the little bucket, so I eventually unhooked the hose to discover a rat's nest that had been building for weeks. yuck! I had to use a long knitting needle to extract this mess.

This pile of shtuff came out of that tiny section of hose you see in the picture above. !!! Oh, the joys of housework.

Sunshine and Jellyfish

Last weekend, H and I finally made it into the ocean for the first time this summer! It was lovely for a while until we heard a little boy screaming...shark we thought? No, his parents weren't screaming. After a little while longer, H decided to head back to the shore while I played around a little longer. When I started toward shore I saw H waving me in - apparently he found out why the little boy was screaming - he had been stung by a jellyfish too!


It was still a good day, despite the jellyfish. I did find a little place to continue swimming with no jellyfish...

It was great while it lasted, but now all we've got are thunderstorms every day. Lightening even knocked out my internet yesterday. Come back sunshine!