Garden in July

Last week we spread out 10 yds of red mulch over the existing grass areas of the yard. Red designed a horseshoe pit(above) in one section and the other houses my removable clothesline.

The lilies have been spectacular this year!

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View coming through the front gate

Raspberry patch

"cold season" garden winding down

Beans!

This area was grass last week~no more~horseshoe pit just beyond.


The "New" Garden in the front yard. Corn's pretty high already

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

We had our 4th annual Neighborhood 4th of July BBQ at our place. Weather was pleasant and fairly cool~rained a bit after everyone had left, so couldn't ask for a better day. Burgers , Brats, Beans, Beverages and all the neighbors pitched in with the rest of the fixin's~desserts galore! Fun was had by all. ;)

Crocheted Cotton Skirt

Here's a cotton skirt I crocheted for my sister~I'm sending as a 4th of July gift. They make nice swim suit coverups and she lives on a lake or 2 in MN so spends some time in swimsuits this time of year. ;)~but they also are fine as a regular skirt as I do single crochet stitches throughout the hip area so they aren't so "see-through" there.

1973 Classic A-Line

Rifling through my vintage patterns , found this summer dress pattern from 1973 by McCalls. The fabric is a cotton from Free Spirit.

Viking Wear

My friend & neighbor was needing a summer tunic for his Viking reinactments. This is what I came up with. One of my sewing machines(the 503 special "rocketeer") does decorative stitches so I tried a few out on the hems and neckline. This started out as a mock-up from muslin to use for sizing, but he liked it so I added some border color and black stitching. He'll probably dye it a darker color and add lacings for the neck opening, but I think it turned out pretty decent for a first stab at clothing a Jarl. I used a NA shirt pattern as the basis and cut the sleeves off. He wanted battle gussets under the arms, so I added those to give increased movement.

Around the Garden

Litha/Summer Solstice

June 21 -- Summer Solstice -- Litha
Also known as: Alban Heruin (Druidic)

Although the name Litha is not well attested, it may come from Saxon tradition -- the opposite of Yule. On this longest day of the year, light and life are abundant. At mid-summer, the Sun God has reached the moment of his greatest strength. Seated on his greenwood throne, he is also lord of the forests, and his face is seen in church architecture peering from countless foliate masks.

The Christian religion converted this day of Jack-in-the-Green to the Feast of St. John the Baptist, often portraying him in rustic attire, sometimes with horns and cloven feet (like the Greek Demi-God Pan)

Midsummer Night's Eve is also special for adherents of the Faerie faith. The alternative fixed calendar date of June 25 (Old Litha) is sometimes employed by Covens. The name Beltane is sometimes incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca, even though Beltane is the Gaelic word for May.

Traditional Foods:
Garden fresh fruits and vegetables are made into a variety of dishes and eaten by Pagan's who choose to celebrate this day.

Herbs and Flowers:
Mugwort, Vervain, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Lily, Oak, Lavender, Ivy, Yarrow, Fern, Elder, Wild Thyme, Daisy, Carnation.

Incense:
Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, Wisteria.

Woods Burned:
Oak

Sacred Gemstone:
Emerald

Special Activities:
An Ideal time to reaffirm your vows to the Lord and Lady or your dedication to following the old traditions.

Yarn

I was all proud of myself. I consolidated 4 mesh storage bins of yarn into just 2 by reorganizing and sending a box of fun furs to Lisa in KY to use for her tribal dance costuming. Then I happen to stop into Hobby Lobby while up in Greeley visiting my son...........clearance.............now I'm diggin out the original mesh bins........lol Organization lasted about 24 hrs. I couldn't believe they were clearancing their "Infatuation" yarn~I've made 4 shawls in various colors from that yarn and it's soft as rabbits fur and usually expensive. Couldn't pass it up....44 skeins later........

June Garden

Larkspur

~Here are some scenes from around the yard~


Columbine
"cool season garden"
Raspberries
Tomatoes
Lilies by the Kitty Korral

Potatoes

Fire 'n Ice Roses

My roses are just starting to bloom and it looks to be a stellar year.

Another Crocheted Cotton Rug

Here's a tutorial for this easy project to make yourself:http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/2009/01/crocheted-cotton-rug.html
These have become my favorite thing to make when I want to crochet something that uses up leftovers & odds 'n ends. They always turn out pretty.....and useful!!

Columbines

Are BEAUTIFUL this year!

SYTTENDE MAI !!

Happy SYTTENDE MAI
http://www.bosque-norsemen.com/Significance.htm

My son happened to be in Oslo a couple years ago on this day and it's quite the celebration there, as well in some American communities with large Norwegian populations (ie: Minnesota)

First Salad Produced by my Garden!

I planted a Mesclun sweet mix for the variety of lettuce/greens, plus radishes.

Garden Taking Shape

Columbines


Row of Various Peppers

Fruit Garden~cherry bush, raspberries, gooseberry, strawberries

"New Garden" plot~carrots, beans, corn, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, melons,cukes and squash

"cool season" garden~lettuces, spinach, radishes, turnips , snow peas, onions,chives, garlic,

Police Officer Academy Graduation~AIMS May 8, 2009

Bryn Jacob Reid

2 Officers from the Greeley PD were also in attendance. Now just have to wait for the official word as to the start date. ;)

Colorado Organics~Recipe of the Month

http://coloradoorganics.net/

Fast & Easy Apron Top Tutorial

This is a lined easy to do apron top that you can stitch up fast. I'm like a sz 10-12, so you can adjust the width accordingly if you are smaller or larger, although it's very forgiving, as the ties make it adjustable. For a "halter top" it's still pretty modest as long as you're comfortable showing your sexy back. ;) lol

Here's your pattern(as shown above): Measurements
Center top to bottom: 27" (vertical)
Bodice top l to r: 13"(horizontal)
Sides, armhole to bottom hem: 18 1/2" (vertical)
Width across bottom: 31 1/2" (same measurement as where sides start, measuring across)
Arm holes are 7" down from the top neckline of the bodice top( measure from center top of neck down 7" , then go horizontally to where sides should start) free hand draw the armhole curve.

Fold the pattern in half and lay on the fold. Cut out 2

Ties: 5" x 17" tapering at the ends to a rounded shape. Cut 4


Stitch the side ties to the bodice as shown~2 sets
Put right sides together and starting at the top right corner of the neckline, stitch armhole, side tie, down the side. Sew both sides. Sew bottom hem. Leave neckline open.
Turn right sides out and press.
Turn under neckline raw edges and press.
Turn top of neckline to the inside lining 1 1/2 inches~press and topstitch closed leaving a casing for your cord/ ribbon/ fabric drawstring.
Thread your drawstring through the top casing
Tie it on around the neck~halter-style and behind your back snugly.

Graduation Time!

My son, Bryn, is graduating from the Peace Officer's Academy next Friday.
He's secured a position with the City of Greeley's Police Dept.
We aren't sure exactly "when"~could be right away or as late as August. The Police chief and captains are going to be in attendance. Next Thurs. we get to attend a "pre-grad reception" that will show us what all they've been doing for the past 8-9 months. ;)

Sew What?

I've mentioned the "Sew What? Skirts!" book before

but now I want you to invest in another volume: "Sew What? Fleece!" I just got my copy in the mail this week and I LOVE IT!! Lots of useable and easy patterns for those of you that are as enamored with polar fleece as I am.