Tropical Twist Quilt

Last year I spent a few days cutting down my scrap basket for 2 quilts from this book

I finished the first one back in March. You can see that post HERE

And this is the second, little sister, quilt. It's called Knots & Chains in the book, but I'm calling it Tropical Twist

It's hard to see the quilting, but Sandy used a design called Spring Fling on it

At 62"x62", it's just a small lap size, but it packs a big punch with so many fun colors & prints.

So many happy low-volume bits and pieces

The hummingbirds were quite smitten with it

We probably have close to 60 birds and they are eating us out of house and home.

They really are the most fascinating little creatures

I backed it and bound it with the same print as the first one 

I would buy a whole bolt of that backing fabric if I saw it. Thankfully, I still have quite a bit left.  

                                                                  

Skeet gives his seal of approval although he's really inquiring about his evening treat.

Not my usual color story, but it just makes me so happy

This dirt road ranch wife must have been channeling her inner Jimmy Buffet while working on these quilts...someone please pass me my lost shaker of salt. 😉

Zucchini Bread

 Those of you who have gardens are probably swimming in zucchini about now. It's such a prolific producer and an over-acheiver. I just have 1 plant and I almost can't pick it fast enough. 

Last Friday, I made zucchini bread using this recipe. Zucchini Bread

Zucchini bread recipes are almost as prolific as zucchini this time of the year, but I've never really settled on a favorite. I think this may be it.

I baked it for an hour and checked it with a toothpick before taking it out of the oven, but I still think it could have used a little more time, but otherwise, this was the best zucchini bread

I sprinkled turbino sugar on top and it made the best crispy top. DH likes his with butter, but I like mine plain.

Next up will be chocolate chip zucchini bread. I think our granddaughter and my in-laws will enjoy those. May as well spread the zucchini love around. 😉

Garden Update

 This is an experimental garden year since it's the first year I've planted anything here, but I can already tell I want to add more beds. 😉

I started out with three 4'x8' raised beds and I kind of just threw things in there. The first bed has a blueberry bush, strawberries, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, snap peas, and 1 watermelon plant that is determined to conquer the world

The second bed is a riot of 10 tomato plants and yellow, red, green, and orange peppers

The third bed has  12 hot pepper plants (jalapeno, habenero, and banana pepper), zucchini, squash, sweet potato, lettuce, lavender, mint, and a basil plant that is related to the watermelon. 😉 It bolted while I was away so I'll cut it back and harvest what I can.

I sprinkled Marigolds throughout and will add zinnas next year. Our girl tossed those in her beds and I really like the addition.

I want to plant rhubarb, raspberries, okra, corn, asparagus, spinach, beans, and onions so I'd like to add 3 more beds plus cattle panels for trellises next year.

I'm hopeful our bees will stay and continue to thrive

They are a welcome and necessary component to success in the garden

I love walking out to see what has grown and what can be harvested each morning and working each gift into our daily menu.

Gardening is so good for the soul.💖

First Ride Flannel Quilt

 Today I've got a flannel rag quilt finish to share.

Yes, it's July. Yes, it's hot. Yes, a flannel quilt in summer makes no sense. Yes, that's how I roll. 😉

However, we DO live in the mountains and our mornings have hovered at 57-60 degrees and I love nothing more than greeting the day out on the deck and a flannel quilt is good company on a crisp mountain morning

This quilt is part of my flannel bin project that I posted about HERE

It finishes at 70"x80"

This cowboy print has been in my stash for at least 15 years

Just a humble rag quilt

But I'm fairly certain it's going to be reached for often in the years to come

And those are always they very best kind.