Book Club

I belong to the best book club. We are quite the varied group, we are 20 if everyone comes (rarely) and we range in age from mid 40's to almost 97! Some live in rural areas, some on small farms, some live in towns and villages. We come together for the better part of a day to talk books but we always manage time to catch up on our lives and happenings. We are artists and craftspeople, writers and "hobby" farmers, a couple are involved in local wineries and a couple are involved in film. We are such an interesting group! The best thing though is our book talk, we read what we want to and we share our books. It is like having our own livingroom talking library!

Last week we drove inland to Uta's, it was a beautiful fall day and the leaves were pretty wonderful. We drove through farmland and came across a farm and a pumpkin field with a herd of cows thoroughly enjoying a feed of leftover pumpkins. They were still at it when we drove back almost 5 hours later!

The cows enjoying a feast at DeLong's farm. It was a big field and there were a lot more cows, this one was quite intrigued that we had stopped to take pictures!

Part of the welcoming committee.

Mr. Watson, the indoor welcoming committee!

Some of Uta's lovely pottery collection.

Love the polka dots!

A stunning Bird of Paradise with a stunning view!

My books this month were the last in Gil McNeil's series "The Beach St Knitting Society and Yarn Club" and Leslie Crewe's "Chloe Sparrow" Both I enjoyed so much. At Uta's request we are all going to try and read something about World War 1 since the 100th anniversary is coming up. I am going to start with Anne Perry's "No Graves As Yet". 

This and That

A few bits and pieces...2014 grape crop, more house renos, a quilter visits and the making of a scarecrow!

The racoons are loving us this year! It has been a good crop! We have 2 grape arbours, one over the back deck and one over the secret garden room, both have had a good but sour crop this year. We are still using last years harvest which was made into grape jelly.

They have been here a long time!

House renos continue and thanks to the good weather Peter is making progress re-shingling the worst of the shingles, the south facing back wall. He uncovered a bit of a surprise...birch bark flashing! 

And lots more wide boards and handmade square nails.

After a Google search, yes, Google does know everything, I found it is quite common in houses as old as ours. Creative builders?

I was so delighted to hear from Kay Phillips awhile ago, she and her husband were coming to NS and would have time for a visit. Peter and Gerry went golfing and I gathered together a couple of quilt friends and we had a lovely but too short afternoon talking quilts! Kay shared a couple of her latest quilts, can't wait for her to come back next year!

Now we are getting ready for the Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival which starts on Friday. Well over 150 scarecrows will appear all over town. If there is one thing this town does well, it is having festivals thanks to a huge crew of great volunteers. More information and the schedule of events can be found here. Our Mahone Bay Quilters Guild bi-annual quilt show and sale happens this weekend too with set-up starting tomorrow.

Please come!!

After moving here last fall, we were determined to have our own scarecrow this year. We get quite a lot of traffic by our house both cars and foot traffic so we just had to have a scarecrow who would advertise our quilt show. Here is her transformation...

This is how she arrived,stuffed with plastic bags and dressed in crimpoline! She is ready for any weather! Thanks to PJ's in Oathill, I had told them she was going to be a quilter and this is what I got! Gray hair and all!

Auditioning outfits!

Thanks to Ben we are getting there! The quilt top was pieced by Peter, a good 35 years ago! Come back to see the final version tomorrow!

Ready, Set, Sew!

I think I am ready. Everything is unpacked and is more or less organized. I am sure as I work in my new space things will change to accommodate drafting, cutting, sewing etc. I have had a few trial runs.

The grandkids all "needed" new Hallowe'en pillowcases and since I found all my Hallowe'en fabric I had no excuse plus 2 needed to get in the mail going west. I love having a designated cutting table. Just the best thing ever, thank you Peter! The last job for him to do is build a shelf to lower my sewing machine. In my old sewing room, we used a sewing machine lift from Lee Valley Tools. I had to leave it there. We were going to get another one but then we found this tutorial online and it makes much more sense and saves almost $200 (more $ for fabric!).

Next on the list is a raffle quilt for the Chester Gingerbread Festival, an easy strip pieced Christmas tree quilt. I'll have some help from a few quilt friends to make this charming quilt. My friend Heather is coming for a week long visit tomorrow. She will be here to teach workshops and a lecture with the Mahone Bay Quilters Guild. So we'll put her to work while she is here! The best way to make a quilt is with friends and it is for a good cause - the new health clinic for Chester.

Really different colour choices for me, I hope they work!

Our new garden continues to surprise us. Blooms can still be found despite the chilly nights, the rain and the wind.

I can't wait to see what the spring will bring.

I should cut this bud and bring it in, it sure looks lonely!

Now we need to see if we remember how to rake leaves! Haven't had to do that in 17 years!