Moving into August, the hydrangea is starting to turn color to the muddy pink it usually takes on in the fall. But there are still a few blooms with the pretty clear lavendar I like best.
One blue bloom came out this week. The muddy pink can be seen behind it.
On the veranda, the orchid loves this hot humid weather. The single bloom is still lovely, and has been like this for three months now!
Unfortunately, the smaller bud behind it has never progressed beyond this point after the same three months. Sorry for the blurry picture, I could not get the camera to focus on it.
On the bright side, this impatiens came up as a volunteer in an unused pot and is blooming. It must have had a seed land here from a plant from last year.
And another surprise, a pink torenia in another unused pot. For some reason, I just never was inspired to plant the veranda pots like I usually do. So seeing this come up, again from a wayward seed, was a pleasure.
While working in the office, I noticed movement out the window. Just outside the fence, a herd of three deer were visiting. Two are on the hillside, and the third is on next to the gate in the lower right of the photo.
They worked their way up the hillside, eating a lot of the overgrowth there. I’m happy for them to graze here as much as they like.
Then, they moved around to the front, and made a beeline for my hosta bed. In past years, the deer have taken a few leaves here and there, but this year they have decided that this bed is a favorite eatery. They have eaten the plants down to nubs on the side away from the house, and are working around the other side.
As I looked closer, I can see that the two males are ones I’ve seen recently. One has two points on each antler, the other only one point. The doe is probably the same one I’ve been seeing with the older buck. The two males butted heads playfully, and were engaging with each other in a lighthearted manner, practicing for what will become deadly business in just two more months for dominance and breeding.
Then, they ambled off to the east, strolling into the forest.
Now that it is August, time to get out my Colors of August Placemats (tutorial on that link) and set a nice table. This was a fun project, and I used every scrap of the fabric I was given to make them. There’s a table topper made from the leftovers, too.
I did this table after I made the placemats and runner. The Colors of August Tablescape has orange chargers, white dinner plates and my lemon salad plates. The centerpiece is a yellow ceramic basket with silk flowers.
In the sewing room, it has taken about 13 hours over four days to pick out all the bad stitching on Lemon Twist. My Sweet Babboo came down to help for a little bit as he had time, which did make the work go faster. I put in DVDs of West Wing Season 1, and we both listened to familiar characters in one of the best written series of all time.
Here’s what three hours of work with both of us frogging looks like. Frogging is when you rip-it, rip-it, rip-it. But the worst is over, and I can start quilting again tomorrow.
I want to send a personal note to Twyla in Quinlan, Texas. Dear heart, your card and kind words mean more to me than you can know. Thank you.
There is not a lot on my schedule for next week, so hopefully I can get back on track with the quilting of Lemon Twist, and the other projects I have waiting in the wings. One is a project I’ll save for Fall Fortnight, and one is a secret I’ll tell you later. I don’t want to spoil the surprise for our Area, and it is the program for our September meeting. But I am really pleased with how it is coming out. At least one thing is going well, LOL!!
Fall Fortnight will arrive in early October, so plan some sewing time for then!
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From My Carolina Home 
So sorry for the tear out. Hopefully you are nearing the end of that.
Despite the hosta buffet, it was such a grand gift to be able to observe the trio of deer so comfortably relaxed in your garden and property. How peaceful and lovely. And at least they haven’t snatched those glorious blooms! I’m so glad you’ve finished frogging and get back to the “fun part” of Lemon Twist. How can you possibly put an “hourly” rate on that one!
I’m glad the frogging is finished. I hope the fix is simple and sticks! Glad your DH was helping, that does make it go much faster. I hope this week goes better on that front. That blue hydrangea is so lovely, but I like the pink and lavender too. Did I miss stash busters or is it this coming Friday? I was at String Camp all week, so a little out of touch.
Thanks so much!
Stashbusters has moved to the first Wednesday of the month, so it is coming this week.
Still suffering from shock here realizing it’s August already. Oh boy, Fall Fortnight! Not that I’m rushing the year away, but that sounds like fun. There’s something about the name ‘Lemon Twist’ that makes the tension debacle fitting. As in making lemonade out of lemons & the unknown twists & turns you sometimes take on a journey.
Sorry it took you so long to rip. I’ve been there and know how frustrating it is. Cute placemats! Always fun to see your flowers and wildlife, Carole!
I’m probably almost as disappointed as you are about the orchid bud that didn’t bloom. Do you water it or do you do as some folks recommend — three ice cubes weekly on top of the soil? The ice cubes seem to work for me as I don’t want to make the mistake of overwatering. Too easy to do! Love the deer pics and I’m glad you are just about ready to start quilting Lemon Twist once again. Finger crossed!
Your hydrangeas are so gorgeous, Carole! I love seeing them. And you have to love volunteer plants – unexpected color! Those are such great placemats for August. As you saw on my blog, I got my August tabletopper out, too. I have a bigger runner that goes on the dining room table, too – made from that beautiful bundle you curated for Bernie way back when. It’s always been one of my favorite projects. Glad you got the frogging done, and hope the next quilting goes so much better!
I like the hot summer colors of your table setting. Also the explanation of frogging as rip-it. That made me giggle.
I’m glad you’re ready to start quilting Lemon Twist again. I know what you mean about the deer. They have never bothered my mother’s day lily buds or blooms but this year they have eaten many of them. I hope your week goes well.
I hope you are able to get the tension settings dialed in perfectly and that quilting progresses smoothly this week!
So sorry about all the time ripping out. That is so frustrating! I guess we all have to do it once in awhile to keep us humble – but I could do without it as I am sure you could. Nice visitors, and fun that you are “recognizing” them! We seem to have a chipmunk burrowing under our stairs…not happy….as they were already deteriorating! Fingers crossed for take 2 on the quilt!
Don’t you just love those big beautiful Hydrangea blooms. I have a pure white one that fades to the loveliest antique green. I’m not a picker of flowers, I like to see them clustered in the garden.
Nice bit of togetherness for your husband and yourself working at getting those darn stitches out of your quilt! You’ll be spending a bit of time peering under the quilt as you carry on quilting the rest of it making sure it’s not causing you another ruffle. 😳
Shame about the Hosta bed but lovely to see the visiting animals. They look really lovely so they find plenty to eat – especially all the gardens!!
Mary :))
The deer have been active here. They topped my tomato plants. They must have reached over the fence for their tomato snack.
I am glad you finished the “frogging” and can start quilting again. Hope it is smooth sailing from here on out.
Jo Anne
I have my best luck with volunteer plants out in my yard. I have daisies and black eyed susans that have planted out areas as well as a lovely plant we call Mexican marigolds. I think volunteers end up being my favorites. 🙂
Glad you have been able to give Jack the Ripper a rest. That picking was HUGE! Your woodland deer visit was captivating. My siter has mom’s hostas she rescued before the house was sold. Just getting ready to bloom in the UP of Michigan.
It is always interesting to check out the wildlife in your garden.
It is frustrating to do so much unpicking, but it has to happen.
Great to have the West Wing to keep you company. That has to be one of our favourite series of all time. And still very relevant today.