A brisk morning walk down the road

When you can sleep with the windows open, the air conditioning off, and are on the cusp of a National Holiday........

well life can't get much better than this. Here in Wisconsin we are enjoying the tease of what's to come. With the cool, less humid weather. The earth is begging for rain and I try to answer their prayers by nightly waterings. I have even been watering my 15 year old trees. We have not had rain for weeks.

Some large maples and oaks in the area are beginning to drop their leaves, or are starting to change to Fall colors already - because they are so stressed.

The sun flowers in our upper field seem to be doing ok. Much shorter than other years but still blooming. It is funny, our sunflowers don't turn their heads like some full sun fields. They keep looking down towards us and the retreat. Guess the view is better.

If it weren't for the morning dew, we wouldn't have any moisture.

Isn't this spider web in the grass awsome?

And the blades of grass?

Well, back home again and back from vacation. Enjoy your day, patsy

Birthday Celebration @ a friend's

Happy 50th, Cindy! I didn't get any pics of people but your Mom and Dad's place is a photographer's paradise! You are special to them and to everyone who came to wish you well that day!

I hope you enjoy the pics of their yard.

They have a strong spring coming into their pond and the runoff powers the waterwheel. Nice, huh?

Love this bug made of a tractor seat and drinking cup. Cindy's folks are in the cattle business.

Happy 50th! You EARNED it!

Weekends Show n Tell

You know, I joined a guild once - just to see the Show N Tell every week. Since the internet, this is kinda like that every week. Ain't it fun?

We had a great mix of talents, some new quilters, some veterans, some cross -stitchers.

and a few more...........

Well, that does it for this week's show n tell. Till next time, enjoy the cool fall air in August! Patsy

What is it? Bird or Insect?

One of the retreat ladies was out for a stroll and happened upon this creature. She came inside to ask me what it was and what she was describing was foreign to me. I went outside to take a look grabbing my camera of course.

Well, I never seen anything like this creature before. It navigated like a hummingbird but had antennas and insect legs - no feet. It was feeding on nectar of the white phlox perennial.

So I went inside and looked it up on the internet. This is what it is. A "Hummingbird Clearwing Moth". What a fine speciman it was. It had a lobster like tail and didn't seem to mind us talking and getting close up photos.

Aren't nature's creatures just amazing? Just when you think you've seen it all. Me at 51 years old, never seen this before? Wow!

Wisconsin Retreat Attendees

We had an entire retreat full of Wisconsin folks - one moved to Florida but just recently. She came back for the retreat though.

Some were working on garments.....

Show and tell was a feast! for the eyes!

Thank you Mary! .........

More to see.....

This is from our guild meeting's show n tell:.

How much "stuff" does a person 'NEED'?

Setting sun at the Chapel after church services last night.

After I compile all the recent purchases, and while they wait to merge into my 'collections', there comes a sensability over myself.

Honestly, how much STUFF does a person really need? It is like a sickness. I have gone to auctions where there is wagon after wagon of STUFF that folks have accumulated in their lifetime. They reach a certain age and start unloading it or they die and the poor relatives unload it. Then the STUFF recirculates and distributes itself to others' homes for awhile. A cycle of life. (The spam piggy bank is for Brady, my son) running joke about spam.

Sometimes I go for weeks or months not getting a thing. And then I just can't stop myself. The unstable economy must get my hoarding insticts on red alert and there I go again.

These polyester double knit pants were a kick and in Marty's size too. We love Halloween so maybe they'll show up with Marty in them some morning for breakfast.

The label on these called them "hand warmers" It has a wick in them.

'Fancy work' was everywhere today.

The little dolly just begged me to take her home so I took her in my arms and told her I would find her some dolly clothes long packed away from Stacy. I never did have a 'girly girl' so all of my doll clothes are in great condition.

Well, I better go merge this stuff and collect my thoughts.

Have a great weekend everyone! Patsy

Junking again

Was it ever fun to visit my favorite local stops to pick up a few nice things. The one store I had to wait for it to open and was undecided for a few seconds on whether I should wait or not? Well, I'm glad I did because they had a 35% off everything in the store day. They do this unannouced about once a month to keep inventory managable. Don't you wish some quilt shops would do that?

Anyway, this was my bootie for the week.

an amateur painting was amongst a pile of them by the same person. I liked this one fine.

I'm a sucker for these old coat hooks that just screw into the wood. The truck is my future "MaryJane Pin Cushion"

Bark cloth at $1 per curtain panel. I don't get deals like that everyday - Oh, and then 35% off that. And I have been drooling over those clothespins on ebay since ebay began. But always too much money. Except today plus the discount. What a find!

Tomorrow I will check out a different county......happy hunting, Patsy

Wilson Creek Pottery - Spring Green

Many of the Retreaters enjoy making this stop just 5 miles out of Spring Green, on their way to the HOmestead Cabin Retreat.

Some especially shop for Christmas gifts for family and friends.

A friend and I took a trip yesterday and had a lovely time shopping.

Take a look at the inside of her shop out in the country.

This is her outside kiln - I think she has another inside. You can still get some great pottery this year and next year. After that she is retiring after a lifetime of pounding the clay.

Below is some of the unglazed items ready for Peggy's final touches.

Stop in and tell her "Hi" and enjoy the beautiful drive out to her place. She is open most days from 10am - 5pm. Call for sure at 608-588-2195 Later, Patsy

Clothes line baskets

The Coast to Coast girls were making these. Aren't they cute?

I'm sure their's a pattern and books out there for the details.

Fun, huh?

And then there is the two sided binding....take a look.

Weekend of 8-8-8 Coast to Coast

This weekend was a group from Coast to Coast. We had a gal from California and one from Pennsylvania. They were 'Chicago' girls first but have branched out a little. Actually we had a full house from Illinois with the exception for the Coast to Coast girls. And what talent they all shared with us. Take a look...

The Halloween quilts were wonderful.

A far away exchange with a friend.

More greatness.

A quilt challenge replicating the cityscape.

and more and more..

Tomorrow I'll show you how the clothes line baskets are born. And then how Sharon teaches this two color binding so it's one color on one side and a different color the other side. Neat huh, Patsy

Lady Liberty and the grown ups

Lady Liberty is keeping watch over her flock at night.....the retreaters!

What's growing lately?

Purple Peppers, tiny tree frogs,

lilies, lady's mantle,

moss, lilac seeds,

yarrow, and zucchini,

and apples.

Stay tuned for this weekend's show n tell. It was a wowser! Patsy

Permits and Pumping

Todays activities are brought to you by the Letter "P".

Normal activies can be disrupted at the retreat if you

don't have the proper permits.

It seems every 5 years these things will have to be renewed.

The first leg of

the race involves getting a "Lodging Permit" renewed

at the local level. This is the township board and they

"yah" or "nay" your request.

Then it is off to the County levelAnd yes, that is Marty on the board. He is the chairman but had

to 'excuse' himself for the discussion of this item on the agenda.

The other thing happening in my world is the wonderful world of "Pumping" the septic system. Also brought on by our county government. You see, if you live in the country, your flushables go to a sort of holding tank, where the liquids flow off into a drainage/leach field and evaporate. Well the county demands that you pump the solids out of your tank, and have to fill out a paper to file with them that this was done every 2 years. This particular tank is our house - not the retreat.

While I am thinking about the county, today a guy stopped by to take pictures of the outside of the retreat for the upcoming special exemption permit (my county permit hearing). It wouldn't be so bad, but it was the second guy to stop by in 3 weeks! I told him, someone already took pictures but if he would like some too, to go ahead. I also said that it was 'double coverage' and how I 'loved' to see my tax dollars at work. NOT eerrrggggghhhh patsy

Family / Sisters = Fun!

I had the pleasure hosting another weekend with just Family !

It was sisters, mother / daughters. It was just great!

First time (I think) that we had two sets of 3 generation Quilters.

The talent to behold this weekend........

and more and more...............

Good luck at college girls...........

Thanks for looking, patsy

Last week's "Quilting Diva's"

A very few times of the year, I host a mid week group and these are the Quilting Diva's from Brookfield Wisconsin.

They always know how to have a good time.

I didn't get alot of photos of what they were working on but here was one I captured. Nice, huh?

These were made of mostly homespuns.

More beautiful flowers. Yellow coneflowers - should get some of those.

Have a great week girls! patsy

Journey out and about

Some days I do get out. A dear friend and I went to Bear Valley Perennials (it's closing end of month) and got some great deals on day lilies and hostas. It's 10 minutes from the Retreat.

They have this great stone barn foundation and I just couldn't keep my camera in my pocket. The flowers were so beautiful!

Every time I drive to Muscoda, I pass by this little out of the way cemetary and this little angel kept calling me. I finally got to stop and say hello to her. She was wearing her newest ivy for the summer atop her already great mossy patina. She was stunning!

There was another tomb stone that was quite unique. Made of stone but looked like stacked logs.

So after walking about the Dawson Cemetary, I bid my little angel farewell. I trust we will see each other many times as she looks out towards the road. I like to think she watches out for the safety of travelers as they speed by with hardly a glance. But I know you're there little one. I will remember you. patsy

"Yore" ...a time long past

This is my favorite decorating/antique store and it is within 20 miles of the Retreat!!

"Yore" is on Hwy 14 and is owned by two wonderful people Ross and Theresa. Just take a look...........

The "Olde Homestead" sign is no longer at the store :)

Ross can take an old item and turn it into something wonderful and useful. Like a footboard of a bed into a quilt rack. He shines up grungy dressers and cupboards. He is so creative!

This is the same store that I have been picking up the quilted aprons at......another jumped in the car during this trip too.

I just know you'll want to stop here the next time you visit the Homestead, so ask me for directions when you come.

If you see a particular item in the photos and you want it NOW, you can call her at 608-583-2670 . Or their email is eagl@mhtc.net

Another wonderful part I love about the store is it is ever changing and rearranging. Every time I visit it is like a new store. I notice things I didn't before. Just look at this. So stop in, I might see you there! patsy