Braid in a Day Quilt in Gray, Green, and Blue

Have I mentioned how popular this particular quilt pattern has been this Spring? Perhaps it's due partially to the class Stitch & Craft had on this technique?

The top was QUILTED with a Butterfly Meander (freehand)

Have the "dog days" of summer hit your neck of the woods? We've had some decent summer weather, but I've managed to make it out to the pool only a couple times & I've been in the water just once. The days I've had a little time to run out there have been cloudly/rainy, and on the hot days I seem to be working like crazy or running errands.

In other news, my beastly dog, Smokey, has been put on "rest" for 6 MONTHS. The vet suspects a partially torn ACL... whoever heard of such a thing in a dog?? Leave it to mine... leave it to my dog who loves to take our daily walks (some of you may remember over the years my descriptions of how "over eager" he's been to walk me... err I mean, walk WITH me), who loves to jump enthusiastically into the pool, doing so over & over for 30 or more minutes at a time, who loves to follow me up & down & up & down the stairs as I run hither & yon doing mountains of laundry & cleaning up this old house... to curb his activity seems so mean, but then watching him hobble knowing he hurts isn't fun either. Sigh... 6 months is a long time

Patriotic Log Cabin Quilt

Log Cabin Top; QUILTED with Stars & Loops (freehand)

Finished this quilt earlier in the week, but I've been awfully busy playing in the snow with Smokey & digging out cars (over & over!), so I'm behind in posting. 

I can't admit to being sick of the snow just yet. Even after having 20"+ dumped in the last week, I can't help but feel like I'm witnessing a beautiful event orchestrated by God. Snow is beautiful! It's peaceful (as long as you're not in one of pile-ups on the turnpike I suppose.) 

Yeah, it's annoying, it drags the school year out, messes up fun plans & work days, but well, that's life. Every day brings about annoyances & obstacles or blessings & life-changers ... a snowstorm, a hurricane, a flood, a beloved's death, a birth, an engagement, a broken heart, a mended marriage, illness, broken cars, missed bills, empty bank accounts, and the list goes on. 

Perspective is everything. And I choose to see snow as beautiful!