A Dillydally Monday

The coastal storm left ... blue skies returned ...

... through my window I see proof that fall is nearly here!

I cleaned up my hexie project tote ... the good news is that it was too full ...

... twenty-one hexies went in storage ...

... Flicka and I will begin filling it again!  Too much fun in DillyDallydom!

QBee Barb and I spent the afternoon goofing around in her sewing room!  Before I left, I forced asked her to pose on her deck with one of her recent finishes. ;-)  Her home is on Eyak Lake ... what a beautiful view!

And the table runner is stunning!  Barb really enjoys wool appliqué ... her needlework skills are off the charts ... plus, she is fast!

What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon ... it is such a blessing to be surrounded by friends who create lovely things.

8.12.13 - Late Afternoon

This view greeted me when I got home from Barb's ...

8.12.13 - Evening

... I enjoy watching nature evolve in front of me as the tide slowly retreats and returns.  The ebb and flow of the tide reminds me daily that things are always in motion yet constant.

"Here I am, I still go on, you know, like the tides." 

Angela Lansbury

Yep ... another simple and wonderful day in my remote corner of the planet.

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Five Hundred and One!

The first full week of August ...

... and like teachers all over America ... I begin thinking about the upcoming school year!  Yep, I've done some homework ... begun preparing lessons ... and prioritizing the things I need to accomplish before school starts!

Sunday, 8.4.13

It has been a terrific summer ... however, I noticed early in the week that the alpine meadows have already begun to change color.  Summer passes quickly here in my remote corner of the planet ... the daylight hours have become noticeably shorter.

Tuesday, 8.6.13

Later in the week ... a huge coastal storm moved in ... torrential rain! Our first big storm of the fall season!  Well ... enough about school and weather ... let's talk about dillydallying!

The final session of the basket class was last Saturday!

All baskets were nearly finished ... they are beautiful!  I have been tweaking the handle application ... am currently on my third version!  Constantly learning ... it is the dillydally way!

Berry picking on Monday!

 Participated in a couple of group knitting projects ...

... the blocks are knit as rows ... individuals take turns knitting different block patterns.  Fun!  They are 007 projects ... will reveal the final product when I can!

Now that Flicka is 18 months old, we have allowed her to be outside part of the day.

She loves to spend time down on the beach ... patrolling!  She has brought home dragon flies and even one live bird!

She spends most of her time crouching in the sea grass ... acting just like lions on the plains of Africa!  So cute!

Her assistance in the sewing room is ever present! ;-)

When she wants my attention ... she sits in the middle of what I'm doing and then pretends to ignore me!  Such a silly kitty!

Even with Flicka's involvement I made progress this week ...

... on the Seasonal Table Runner by Quiltworx.  I've actually appreciated the stormy weather  ... it has forced me to stay indoors and make progress on some maintenance issues.  Today was all about moving furniture and cleaning ... things that I need to finish before the school year begins!  It wasn't necessarily dillydallying, but it felt good to make progress!

One last thing ... this is my 501st post!  I didn't realize that when I posted on Wednesday, that was my 500th post!  Blogger actually keeps track of things like that!  It has prompted me to reflect on why I began blogging and why I continue ... all the wonderful people it has brought into my life ... my dillydally lifestyle ... many, many thoughts!  Too much and too deep to discuss now...maybe later! ;-)

Do what you love.  Reflect.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Beginnings!

A beginning ... two become one ... a new family is created.  So much to celebrate!

It is such a honor to witness the birth of a new family ... especially when you have known the couple their entire lives.

I knew them as children ... they were students in my classroom as teens ... and now as adults they have chosen to unite as one.

Weddings also provide an opportunity to dillydally!  A tablecloth from the bride's gift registry ...

 ... I added a set of coasters in an assortment of coordinating colors.

Two lovely women ... the mother, a dear friend ... I remember the day her daughter was born here in Cordova.  Now ... the daughter, a Bride to Be ... my friend, the Mother of the Bride ... another new beginning about to take place.

 Another opportunity to dillydally!  A table runner ...

... with a set of 8 coasters.

Mr. and Mrs. DillyDally ...when we were newlyweds!

I have so many fond memories of being a newlywed ... one was turning our living space into a "home".  My hope is that these simple handmade gifts will help the new brides build a "home" of their own ... a new family begins.

Do what you love.  Celebrate marriage!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

    

Celebrating Friendship!

Yesterday, August 4th was National Friendship Day!

The QBees and I celebrated our friendship a few days early ... we used my recent birthday as an excuse! ;-)

One of my favorite of Julia Child's quotes is, "A party without a cake is just a meeting."!  This was definitely a party!  QBee Diane made an amazing cake ... she created this gluten-free piece of art!  Such a sweet gesture of kindness.  It was as delicious as it was beautiful!  And we ate every crumb!  Yep, we know how to party!  We had such fun catching up with one another.  They showered me with gifts and affection ... I am so blessed to have these women in my life!

Remember Valerie beginning her hexie project while on the plane in early June?

She finished it ... and gave it to me ... it is lovely ... in every way possible!  I'm overwhelmed by such kindness ... a gift that represents so much ... again, I'm blessed.

Eleanor Roosevelt had it right when she said, "Many people will walk in and out of your life.  But only true friends will leave footprints on your heart."  Oh ... how these women have touched my heart.  Someone in our group asked when the next QBee birthday was ... the answer was October.  We immediately decided that was too long to wait!  Gosh, I treasure the time spent with these women ... how fortunate I am to have them in my life!

Do what you love.  Party with your friends.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Living "Off List"!

I began yesterday with a list ... I had very good intentions ...

... everything appeared to be normal.  Flicka and I began our day like always ... fresh brewed coffee, Facebook, blog ... I could feel the dillydally winds changing ... then the storm hit!

It started with three quilt design options swirling around in my head ... how I love pencil, graph paper, and an eraser!

The winds shifted ... from quilting to knitting!  Pulled out yarn purchased 33 years ago ... while in Iceland ... before I was a knitter!

Gauge swatch complete ... calculations made ... time to cast on!

The storm passes ... all is quiet ... just the soft rhythmic click of my knitting needles.

I wish I had the time to create all the designs that swim around in my head ... guess I will have to live forever!  ;-)  Nothing on the list was accomplished yesterday ... love living off list!  It is the dillydally way!

Do what you love.  Live off list!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Flicka has mastered her knitting manners!  Now if I could just train her not to unfold the laundry!  ;-)

It's August!

The arrival of August means that summer is nearly at an end here in my remote corner of the planet.  I try to soak up as much of this green as I can.

I've been checking on my favorite blueberry patch ... they are nearly ready for picking!

Today, the first day of August is Nat'l Girlfriend's Day!  How fun is that?  I have been blessed to have amazing women influence me through out my life!  Our girlfriends serve as our own personal cheerleading squad!  Yes!  Let's celebrate friendship!

 I plan to celebrate with my furry girlfriends today!  Kysa and her unconditional affection!

And Flicka who is always in charge, so I don't have to be! ;-)

August has arrived ... seasons change ... friendships linger ... their influence is felt forever.

Do what you love.  Celebrate friendship.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally