MAY FLOWERS

Although the weather has not been the greatest, and Spring has been late in coming, it’s been worth waiting for. I have never had more beautiful flowers. I really don’t think I need to say anything, just enjoy.

Echinacea

Purple Cone Flowers excite me almost as much as Poppies. Maybe I’m just a flower nut. The latest issue of the Missouri Conservationist has an article stating that there are five species of cone flowers. Which are these?? There is no answer at the bottom ’cause I don’t know! This  big cluster is over by the State Park.

 

 

 

Little Road Trips

It’s deer hunting season and not a good time to be hiking in the woods – So –  we take little car rides along the country roads. Last week we came home through Bois D’Arc and found that most of the houses were built of stone. Here’s two examples. Actually this is a church, which is obvious.

And this is a garage, but have you ever seen such beautiful stone work on a garage? The stone mason must have been having fun.

Today we drove down Hwy. Z. More evidence of deer hunting in this “grocery” store.

Do you think they do any business any other time of the year?

And here’s a pastoral scene of a horse and bull enjoying the shade together. Don’t ask about the school bus in the background. I haven’t a clue.

I do love this time of year after the leaves have fallen and one can see through the trees. The whole landscape opens up. But, it’s hard to take pictures on these roads. There’s no shoulder and too many hills and curves to park safely.

Fall Colors 2012

We made, what has become, our annual pilgrimage to Arkansas to see the Fall Colors. Someone asked if I didn’t think the Missouri colors weren’t pretty enough. Yes, they are. It’s just fun to go a little ways away from home. We started out in Missouri on the Glade Trail which took us south to the “Natural State.”

We call this a “knob.”

Who could imagine finding a little Banty Rooster up in the hills all by himself. Such a pretty fellow and he must be lonely.

A lovely ride across Bull Shoals Lake on the Ferry.

106 in the Shade.

The latest Uncommon Treads challenge was Hot and Dry. Dianna Callahan chose that title since we have experienced a severe drought this summer. You can see the other participants works here.

Mine was inspired by my dead and dying landscape, thirsty animals, and the dying trees in the forests. If I were to make it again, I’d put a window with bars on the house because I felt like a prisoner in my own home. It was so hot one only went outside when it was absolutely necessary. The worst day was a Saturday that actually was “106 in the Shade ” when the sun felt unbearable and the wind felt like I was standing in front of a blast furnace. Thank goodness, we’ve finally had some rain and some of the landscape has revised.

 

Dancing Trees

Several years ago most of the trees in this area of SW Missouri received severe damage in a terrible ice storm. It’s still very evident in the winter time when the leaves are gone. Every time I go down this road I look at these trees and fantasize that they are dancing. Maybe they are dancing for the joy of still being alive!

Apple Sauce and Apple Butter

I’m still busy with my ant vs grasshopper activities. The weekend was spent making applesauce and apple butter.

And evening colors over the lake get better and better.

Fall 2011

I was busy canning tomatoes this week.

The fall colors are slow in coming and may not be as good as usual due to our drought, but this field of soybeans was beautiful.

And the sunsets and sunrises are gorgeous.

Evening, about 5:30 PM

This morning about 6:30 AM

I’ve Been Away

We’ve been away.  First – to our annual high school reunion.

This was the grade school I attended. It was the only school way before me and it’s long gone now. But we all get nostalgic over this picture remembering each other and teachers. I started there in the sixth grade but about six of my class mates started first grade and attended all 12 grades. There were about 60 in my graduating class; the town’s population was just shy of 2000 then. Now it’s about 2014. Hasn’t grown much. BUT – the point I want to make is that the Alumni Scholarship Club awarded $36,000 in Scholarships this year. I think that is positively amazing for such a small community to raise such generous alumni and they do it year after year. I applaud you, Willow Springs.

Second – From there we headed straight to coastal North Carolina to deliver a boat. It was hot, hot, hot. By the time we got back home we were hot, tired, hot, grumpy, and hot. But the Smoky Mountains were beautiful and cool and I loved it there.

And Third – I have just uploaded the “Notan” theme 12″x12″ art quilts for the Uncommon Threads blog. You may view them individually here.

Latest Challenge – Winter White

At the just past meeting of the Uncommon Threads Art Quilt Group, we all brought our “Winter White” challenge pieces. The following is a composite of the finished works. They can be seen individually at the UT blog.

From goggle images I found this wine bottle with a “winter white” label:

I really liked the colors

Mandy in the snow. Isn’t she cute? The snow was deeper than she is tall.

Road Snow. This would have been challenging but I like the monotone.

This is our local gas/convenience store. The white and black with the three primary colors really spoke to me and this was my choice.

Winter Oxymoron