Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Wildflower Wednesday


These are some of my absolute favorite wildflowers...Shooting Stars! I discovered these on one of my first trips up here, and sketched them in my sketch book so that i could look them up later. It took me a while to figure out what they were, and sadly, they never grew back in the place i originally found them. Then about 3 years later, i discovered them on the south side of the island in a nice sandy spot along the river, and they spring up there every year. These delicate little flowers grow straight up on a very thin stalk, and i find it amazing that such tiny flowers can survive in the wild the way they do. Arent they gorgeous!

These are called Yellow Sweet Clover, and we have bushes of them growing along the driveway and ditch.

Horsemint grows on the island, but they are blooming in large batches all over this year. This flower is very interesting close up and also one of my favorites!
Hope you have enjoyed this weeks Wildflowers :)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

1% Well Read Challenge ~ Beloved by Toni Morrison


Book #3 for me in the 1% Well Read Challenge is Beloved by Toni Morrison
This book was very good, very dark, and very disturbing! Its about slavery/life after slavery and all of the horrors that entails. It took me a while to get into the style of her writing, but once i did, it was a page turner...and frightening and depressing after each page. I wont read this book again...as i said, it was depressing...but an eye opener for sure! A reminder of a world we never want to see repeated! There were two sections of the book towards the end that nearly lost me...the story was really moving along great...and then Morrison threw in this bizarre dream/poem sequence that really stopped the flow of the story for me...but since i was so close to finishing, i trudged on, and then the book picked up again. Over my head, i guess, but i just didnt get it. But on the whole, the book was very good.

Meanwhile, i promised something quilty...well, this is a teaser of the doll quilt im swapping on about.com. The top is nearly finished, but i didnt want to give away the surprise just yet. So stay tuned!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Wildflower Wednesday


Another batch of wildflowers...This first shot is a blanket flower, and they grow along our driveway. I have these planted in my garden, so i was surprised to see them spring up in other parts of my yard :)

This next one is a bit of a guess, but i believe it is called European Milfoil. Very small delicate white flowers, with beautiful greenery.

and finally, Smooth Aster...rather abundant in these parts, but lovely just the same!

Meanwhile, i hope to blog about some quilty stuff soon! cheers~

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Rogue Camp 2009!!!


Rogue Camp officially ended at 7pm tonight when the last Rogues pulled out of the driveway. We shared laughter, food, music, dancing, kegs, potato guns, oxygen, more laughter, more food, hilarious stories, zip lines, tears, glow sticks, and even more laughter. Stay tuned for entertaining details!!! I miss you guys already!!!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Rogue Camp Be Here Matey!


Rogue Camp was officially kicked off last night when the first two marauders, Ali and Phin, showed up...and partook in a shot of rum! We have quite a crew of pirates showing up this year, traveling from all over the country....Michigan, Florida, New Mexico, Utah and Idaho. Last year was super rainy, so several folks canceled on us, meaning this years adventures should be filled with revelry!
To enjoy some shots from last years adventures, click here!

Ill check back in after the weekend.....arghhhhhhhhh!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wildflower Wednesday


These have recently sprung up everywhere, the Narrow-Leaved Penstemon. They are part of the figwort family. (meaning, they look very similar to many other figwort family flowers)

I have been looking for these...we had two at the end of our driveway, and i was very excited...then about a week later, 10 more popped up. These Mariposa Lilies are very beautiful in person!

Ive been told these are Golden Tickseed...they have sprung up all over the mountainsides, adding color to a normally brown rocky landscape. The splashes of yellow all over the mountains are quite a refreshing change! The rain has certainly brought about some lovely new colors this year, and i love it :)