A Stitch In Time

 My roses have come back after the big pruning. I get about 3 wheel barrows full when I trim the first blooms. These Queen Elizabeth roses are original to the house, so probably about the same age as me (50) and grow 8 feet tall. We had one at the farm that I always loved, and we walked through giant hedges of them in Sydney when we visited Australia in 1990. The other hedge was Peace roses, but mine has been slow to take.

 The dahlia bed is growing with gusto. These were originally given to Emily by one of the men at church because she always admired the bouquets on the communion table.

 A quick knit, the Rathtrevor had in beautiful yarn, Two Junipers, from the Canmore shop I visited last fall. It was a great success, but not the kind of hat I would wear. I love Tin Can Knits designs. Thankfully Emily was home to claim it. She is back to UVic and starting 3rd year Music Education next week.

 I've picked up an old needlepoint project and it is going really quickly. Right now all the leaves are done and I'm just filling in the back with "tapestry blue". Because I'm doing it free form, I struggled a bit with making all the decisions. But I had all the yarns and couldn't spend several hundred dollars on a kit for a pillow.

 Globe thistle brought into the house. It will dry a bit, but won't be everlasting.

 At knit night, we are finding it darkening before 9 pm and many flocks of geese are moving from their day time grazing in Sardis Park to fields in the west.

 Another Tin Can Knits. Can't say enough about their patterns. The False Creek cowl knit up so quickly and only used half the yarn I bought (on sale years ago) that I made another one. Two more Xmas present: check.

 I am borrowing D's kilt and just had to move the hip buckles. My bass drum is so different from the one I used to play that I am having to work hard! Teaching the adult tenor drummers is a delight and with their music and dance background, they are really learning well.

 Our first parade together was one of our young piper's wedding. Such a great day.

More stitching, I turned this into a pin cushion.

 Two sets of pecan pies have left the kitchen for BBQ's.

 I visited our local quilt store, Hamel's, and was so pleased with the great welcome.

 The light is changing and the grass is being cut for hay.

 When you walk without the dog, you find different companions.

 My nephew and his girlfriend are having a baby in December. Did I say I love Tin Can Knits? This waffles blanket knit up within a week and I have enough yarn left over to make another one!

 Loving The Fat Squirrel Speaks podcast. Amy Beth loves apples. I appreciate that she is maintaining her recording schedule through the summer. So many of my favourites have dropped off. And I like the company when I'm downloading audio books from the library, baking pies, knitting and doing ten other things.

 My Lintilla is finished. This is my favourite yarn ever!! Emily dyed it and it is such a great mix of colours and so soft. I'm so glad I didn't ruin it with the wrong pattern, but I don't think you can go wrong with Martina Behm.
Speaking of designers, Emily's pattern, The Nesting Shawlette has made it into the "Hot Right Now" board on Ravelry!

 This has been a big week with Vacation Bible School and I am the games maestro. There were water balloons and soccer balls and hula hoops.

And a pinata. Great fun! But exhausting.

 Carly thinks so too. It is finally cool enough to enjoy our shade chair again. Right now it is even raining a wee little bit.

 The basil has been exquisite this year.

 And, never one to rest a sore wrist from over crocheting, I am embarking on ripple pattern dishcloths.

 September's sock is finished and I have already started October's. I like the OMG heel, but I have a nasty gap in the first one. I'll try again. Once the toe is on, I can knit mindlessly to 9 1/2 inches. Yes, I do not have small feet.

Last night, after dinner, I enjoyed a quiet walk on the trail with the big black dog. I can't say I'm impatient for autumn to begin, but I am worn out from very hot days that are unusual here. It has been a good summer of friends and family. Technically we still have till September 21. But all we have is the time we are given, and we can be thankful for that.