Weekly update: more sunshine, OMG finished, and CW birds

 

Four forest preserves in four days -- because the weather has been absolutely stunning (70-degree temps, lots of sunshine).  

Raven Glen was a gem.  It's made up of a former campground around a glacial lake plus a former dairy farm.  In 1962 and 1963 I went to summer camp on land that is now Rollins Savanna. I've known that for years but this was the first time we've been to the preserve. (I wasn't able to walk far enough to get to where the campgrounds were. I'll need to do more research.)  We discovered Lyons Woods during the pandemic shutdown last spring, when Illinois Beach State Park (where I usually walk) was closed. Lyons Woods is just six miles from our house and we've been there a couple of times since. Independence Grove is a big complex with a lake, fishing pier, meeting facility, nature center -- and, today, several *hundred* people out picnicking, bicycling, roller-blading, strolling. I want to return when it's not so busy.

I did not poke the wasp nest to see if anyone was home.  The photo of the flower on the lower left looks as though it's been put through a filter, but that's just what it looked like.

# # # #  # # # # # 

Quilters talk about irons a lot.  I buy them at Wal-Mart and when one burns out I buy another. But this time I (a) made a note of the model and (b) bought THREE.  Now I am prepared.  

My One Monthly Goal for November was to make a set of placemats.  I used blocks remaining from this quilt.   

The CWRSRP (Civil War Repro Stash Reduction Project) continued this week.   

I posted the photo of the 80 Birds in the Air blocks

and how I thought I was going to set them. 

Here's what happened.  I ran out of bright gold so the outer sashing is a different, darker gold than the inner.  I consider that a tip o' the hat to the "make do" that a 19th century quilter might have done. 

73 x 88, 4-1/2 yards.

I'm working on a new block for the next CWRSRP project.  It's a bit trickier and so far I like the results.

# # # # # # # 

Just one book report.   Outsider is the 12th in the Katie Burkholder series by Linda Castillo.  It's a police procedural set in small-town Ohio Amish country.  A fast read, which was what I needed this week.      

Linking up with Monday Making            Design Wall Monday   Oh, Scrap!   

P.S.  He surveys the parking lots at each forest preserve while I hike.