Our little goldfinch flock continues to visit the smorgasbord, and a few cardinals are now stopping by regularly. I think I have a mated pair and two of their juveniles. This is a juvenile male, he looks a little moth-eaten, with his baby feathers molting and the new brighter red ones growing. I’ve seen another female juvenile, and she was being fed by an adult. Pretty soon they will know how to get food on their own.
There is a pair of downy woodpeckers living nearby as well. This is the female.
When she scooted through the cage, more goldfinches arrived to get a meal.
Here is your Gracie photo for the week. It was a rainy day when she came by for a sandwich, so she found another place to eat that was a bit more sheltered with leaves overhead.
I have a couple of hummingbirds that have been visiting almost daily, but they come and go so quickly that I usually cannot get the camera woken up in time. But this day, I saw this sweet girl as she arrived to begin working her way across the hanging pots and pots on the veranda.
She likes the petunias, attracted to the purple color. This was a pretty good picture of her.
She usually stops by the red flowers of impatiens as well, which surprises me. I didn’t think impatiens had any nectar. Maybe they don’t, as she doesn’t stay long before moving to another petunia basket.
In the kitchen, Brussels sprouts were on the menu for a meal. I’ve made these with apples before, and they were wonderful. This time, I wanted to see how the Garlic Confit would do. Plus, a little bacon makes most everything better, doesn’t it? I begin preparation by cleaning the sprouts and cutting them in half.
I cooked the bacon, drained the grease, then added the sprouts with a dollop of confit. I really like using the cast iron skillet for this, as it chars the sprouts nicely. When they looked like they had enough char, I add the bacon back in with a half cup of water and put a lid on the pan to steam them so they are cooked well. Still crisp, but tender all the way through.
Yum, they were delicious with a pan seared pork chop.
In the garden, the tomatoes are really producing nicely. Looks like another tomato pie is in the near future.
But for this day, I had to have some on a salad. So good, vine ripened and organically grown.
In the sewing room, I finally had time to put the pattern together for Quadrille. I know it has been more than a year, and quite frankly, I just forgot about it for a while. But several inquiries lately brought it back to my attention. The pattern draft is done, and is in the hands of my ace pattern reviewer and math checker. Look for publication in early September with a special deal for the launch.
It took all week, but the quilting on the bird quilt is done. I’ll show you that in detail this week. I’m working on the binding this weekend while watching pre-season football games. I’m also going to write this pattern up, and it will be free to email subscribers. Everyone else will get an introductory special. Hopefully I can get that done by mid-September, as soon as the fair is over. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek. As you can see, the backing is a nice blender color, and I decided to bind it with the scraps.
This next week is going to be insanely busy, with three quick day trips, a meeting, and appointments. One of the day trips is to Fountain Inn, South Carolina on Tuesday for the Busy Bees Quilt Guild meeting presenting Scrap Dancing. Those events are always fun, and I am taking a trunk show, too.
A friend of mine recently sent me an article on the healing power of saying ‘no’. Having more time to yourself can recharge your energy, and give you more time to spend with family and friends. That can sometimes be a double edge sword, can’t it? It is sometimes easier to say yes, then kick yourself later. But, saying yes allows for new friends and new experiences. I think it is all about balance. It is also about asking for help sometimes, and praying that the people you ask don’t say no! I have always felt that many hands make light work, and when everyone does a little, no one person has to do a lot. So I will balance this busy week with a lower key one next week. And enjoy the friends and fun each day.
From My Carolina Home 
Good morning, Carole. I love seeing what is going on at your place. The cardinals have been really active in our garden along with the goldfinches and hummingbirds. Your tomatoes look delicious and a tomato pie for certain. Enjoy your day and a busy week ahead!
Hi, Carole, It’s been a while since I’ve commented on your blog, yet I read it faithfully each time you post it. I always love seeing the many beautiful birds enjoying, not only the food, but the many lovely plants on your veranda. As for your garden, there is nothing like fresh tomatoes ~ sometimes eaten when picked right from the vine. Thank you for a lovely start to the day. See you Thursday.
Oh my, that quilt is stunning. Beautifully done. And I love seeing your bird friends, who are clearly enjoying the buffet! I had my first “real” tomatoes of the season this week and more to come. That first basil-and-tomato sandwich (with pesto rather than mayo) is always a hit. Maybe soon, a BLT too!
Have a wonderful week. It sounds like a busy one!
I love Brussels sprouts but have not cooked them with bacon – in fact I rarely use bacon it is a bit greasy for me but that looks wonderful the way yours cooked up. I am using up the last of my tomatoes this week I think.
I really enjoyed reading this Carole
You are a very giving and involved wonderful person.
I am so happy you are enjoying getting out and about,.
Happy Travels to all of your gatherings.
I always enjoy your bird captures and Gracie with a sandwich, what kind of sandwich do you make her? Bacon and Brussels sprouts were made for each other in my opinion, love the combo~ so good as a side but also a topping on salad or pasta too~ Enjoy your busy week ahead!
Jenna
Look at all your goldfinches! That’s a fun sight! We had a family of downy woodpeckers hanging out in our tree and at our feeders the other day. I don’t know if the babies were just fledging, but I was out watering plants, and the parent birds were very upset with me! I love the Quadrille design, and have always thought I might like to make a bigger version of it than I did last year. It’s on the “someday” list!
Spectacular capture of the hummingbird! Although lightening fast, they seem quite sociable, don’t they? Ours hover at the window when the feeder is low. Come to think of it, the squirrels get right up to the slider and look inside when the ‘bird’ feeder they’re mooching from runs out. The wildlife has us trained. Quadrille is my favorite of your mystery dance patterns; looking forward to the official pattern. Brussel sprouts & pork chops, what a perfect pairing.
Carole,
Wow! Wonderful picture of the hummingbird!
Looking forward to more on your bird quilt! Beautiful quilting!
Yes, many hands make light work! My philosophy is to reward those who help with positive reinforcement and give them the respect they deserve.
Thanks for providing respite with your blog!
So much info – yes I can say no to everything except friends, fabric, food and kids. They don’t even have to be my kids. Oh and animals. The humingbird picture is lovely! Her wings are going so fast!!!!! But you caught her perfectly! Doing a Dr. Suess quilt now that was fighting me. It’s a panel and your floral panel instructions is so helpful! Thanks so much!
I was excited to see that you were going to be at Fountain Inn tomorrow while I was at our little farm this week. I’m looking forward to your presentation and to check out a new Guild.
Jenny G
I have also been enjoying the birds and seem to have the same sightings as you. Yellow finches galore chowing down on the hyssops that have gone to seed. Scruffy cardinals in & out from the feeders, especially the black oil sunflower seeds. What a great show you will be presenting with all your Scrap Dancing. Sounds like you’ve got your life pretty much under control and well balanced.
I hope you are enjoying your busy week Carole! You got some nice shots of your hummingbirds. I do enjoy your wild life photos and your food options too. We are busy in the garden now. DH pulled that last of the carrots yesterday, and is trying a sand storage method for some in the basement. I hope it works well. Will try some beets too, and maybe a cabbage, unless we eat them all!
Here it is, Wednesday night and I am just now catching up to Sunday. I like your idea with the Brussel Sprouts and bacon! They sound delicious and something I can make next week when I have the “whole gang” here for dinner. I am unfamiliar with the garlic confit though. YAY to getting Scrap Dance Quadrille ready for publication. I can happily say I FINISHED that quilt! 🙂 In fact, with a lot of effort all of my Scrap Dance quilts are finished. 🙂
I just love all your lovely wildlife pictures. There have been some wonderful photos this year and wondered if any met the categories for the fair?