According to Farmer's Almanac, the Dog Days of Summer are July 1 - August 11. These days are typically associated with the heat and humidity that many of us are experiencing. We are fighting heat-motivated laziness, in spite of our nicely maintained 77 degree temperature inside the house - lol! However, a few things have happened worthy of mention.
I keep meticulous records of our weather, and when I documented temperatures for last month and compared them to July 2022, I found that last year was hotter! We had 23 days of 100+ temperatures last July compared to 5 last month. Not only that, but our average high for this past July was less than that of July 2022, plus we received more precipitation last month.
I've been on the stepper most mornings because I don't want to go outside and walk. I read books on my Kindle app on my iPad while I step, and Toby has been enormous help as my coach.
I purchased a new sewing machine table - a Gidget I - from Sewing Machines Plus. I also ordered an acrylic insert to cover those gaps between June Janome and the table. It is supposed to be delivered within a month. The table is a bit lower than the office desk I was using - much more comfortable.
I'm enjoying a couple of cross stitch projects. One is from Kate Stitcher on Facebook. If you "Like" her page, you can have access to her free patterns, such as this cute mug, as well as patterns for purchase. I'd like to make a mug for each season for our "new" coffee station, and this autumn one will be the first.
Another is a Christmas cross stitch by Country Cottage Needleworks that is going very slowly. Will I finish it by Christmas? We shall see!
I've been revisiting an old favorite blog by Karen Ruane. Ten years ago I took one of her online classes called Embroider, Embellish, Create and still have the folder and the samples I created using bits and dabs of vintage fabric and some fabrics of dresses from my youth. I spent hours playing with embroidery and fabric. This a project that I picture myself doing again "one of these days".
Current quilting project is for my sis-in-law. It is the Winging It pattern by Wendy Sheppard, and I am halfway there on blocks at 16. The blocks will be in a more random pattern, then they will get sashed and bordered.
Watching TV in our nice cool living room has been big for us this summer. We finally discovered the wonderful Ted Lasso and binged on it, disappointed when we reached the last episode. Another series we enjoyed was Hijack, with Idris Elba - love him! And we recently finished Shining Girls with Elisabeth Moss. In the meantime, of course, we are watching Outlander.
What is going on in your world this summer?
Summer is flying by here! The grandchildren are starting school so soon! I'm glad to see you are fully recovered from your cataract surgery and can do counted cross stitching again. Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteBoy, our dog days have been hot hot hot. We had 12 days of 100 degree weather last month. A new machine is always exciting. The butterfly quilt looks great with the pretty sky colored background fabric.
ReplyDeleteLove that you record weather. We have the dog days of winter! And it has been cold. However prefer it to humid, muggy weather any day. I started a Winging It too, but won't make it the full size. I love your background, wish I'd done something like it. Oh well. Hasn't Ted Lasso been so good, loved that show. I read all the Outlander books, but couldn't bring myself (so far) to watch the show. Have you watched The Diplomat on Netflix, that's good too.
ReplyDeleteI love your cross stitch projects! It's been awful humid here in PA but nothing like what you all are experiencing! That is an adorable butterfly quilt--I love the background you chose! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed and pleased that we are currently in a high 70's/low 80's system right now. We are usually hitting close to 100's at this point in the summer. It's been very pleasant boating weather!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me smile to know how much you love watching the weather.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky to have such a great exercise coach / supporter. Love your cross stitch projects. The little mug will look great on your new coffee station. The fabrics in your butterfly quilt are really pretty. Your sister-in-law will love it. We are still trying to get things unpacked and put away in the new house. We will take our camper out next week. Nothing real exciting for us this summer.
ReplyDeletealways enjoy seeing what you are creating. Our weather has been fairly good - we have had hot days into mid 90s but then for the last week and half mostly mid to upper 80's but we are coolling down good at night. Farmers Almanac states that we could have a very rainy snowy winter. Hope not.
ReplyDeleteOh wow you had enough snow to last a lifetime last winter! Let's hope it's only rain and not that much snow. Take care Sandy!
DeleteLook at those butterflies - they're so pretty! Lucky SIL! Love the cross-stitch patterns you found - I'll have to check out that Facebook site. So glad your kitty can encourage you along on your stepper. I love walking for exercise, but it's so much harder when it's hot and humid outside!
ReplyDeleteWell I learned something new on the dates of "the dog days of summer" . So interesting that last year was hotter- that would be interesting to keep records of the weather. I just may do the same. Have a great week, Linda.
ReplyDeleteWe've had so many hot summers in Texas (I'm 63) that this doesn't feel like anything new to me :-) I'd prefer we get back to a rainy pattern though so things can green up - maybe it will be a good el Nino winter, lol. By the way, the 'dog days of summer' are called that because that's the time of year that Sirius (the dog star) is rising. Sirius is the brightest star we can see (after the Sun) and is part of the constellation Canis Major. Your fun fact of the day courtesy of my ex-husband who minored in astronomy, lol. I'm definitely a lazy dog this summer - no motivation for any sewing, just bingeing shows on tv. I was making progress on my A Ribbon Runs Through It BOM, but put it away a couple of months ago and can't muster up the energy. I'm looking at my favorite sewing/quilting blogs today (starting here :-) ) and hope to get some mojo back! Have a wonderful week and stay cool!!
ReplyDeleteYou put me to absolute shame with all that you do. It also blows my mind that your workspace is so neat and tidy. My room looks like it’s been ransacked by a pack of marauders. Seeing your stitching project makes me think that I should probably get out one of the many unfinished projects that I have, and actually finish one or more of them.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy visiting and seeing what you are up to, Linda. Interesting about weather patterns. Adore that Christmas cross stitch piece. And the idea of using one of your dresses in a project is just so creative. Winging It is beautiful as well. Lots of good stuff happening at your house!
ReplyDeleteHard to believe it's been cooler this year, it's just been so hot for so long in Texas. Love your butterfly blocks, that's going to be a beautiful finish. Switching from a desk to a sewing table is a good idea. When I made the switch, it was easier to sew for longer without the aches and pains. Happy stitching this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing. I thought it was hotter this year. I think you have had a few cooler days than we have had. I like your spreadsheet. Is that from your weather station? Hubby never has set ours up but now I'm curious to see what our numbers are.
ReplyDeleteI love your sewing table! I wish mine had more room on each side of the sewing machine. I'm always knocking something off the right side. I like your stitching too. What did you make with that ruching? I thought it was mainly for bodice tops.
How do you like that butterfly pattern? It's going to be a beauty. Those are my favorite colors too.
I don't have a weather station, although every time I get an email from Acurite, I want one! Haha I never made anything with the ruching, it is still waiting. I like the butterfly, and I've started chain piecing - there are 6 corners on the bottom and 4 corners on the top that make it into a butterfly, so it takes awhile for me to make each block. I wish this table had more room on the left, but I'm happy to have it! Thanks for visiting, although I don't have your name! :)
DeleteSorry I am behind in commenting. I like your new table. I still have my portable one that we used in the RV. It had inserts for my HQ Sapphire and my Featherweight machines. The cross stitch really makes me want to start on a project…. And your butterfly quilt is going to be very pretty for SIL. Talk about “wanting to do nothing” days… About 3 weeks ago I had to really realize that I had to push myself and just get over the heat. Now I am not 100% successful, but ever since I started the 10 minutes of walking and 20 on the indoor bike, I am doing much better. I am counting down the days to September. We are reaching 116 and below every day here in Wilson County. It is horrible. I need to check into some of the binge programs you mentioned. Maybe they will keep us going until football comes around. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThankfully, we're not having the kind of heat/humidity you are. We'll have about a week of low 90s, then back to the 80s again, and no rain so humidity is lower. Look at that poor man behind the women in your top picture. Can you imagine how he's suffering, dressed like that??? I keep mine at 77-78 most days, sometimes going down to 75-76 for a short time for a break under the ceiling fan. I look forward to fall and winter, because of the humidity here. In the desert, I never minded 110 because with low humidity, I could set the A/C to 85 and be comfortable, and we had time of day lower rates, too. I can't remember when I watched anything except Ruby and the Well on free BYU channel (Roku) with my granddaughter. It's very enjoyable fun, even for me without her. Middle schoolers, and a magic well, how can I go wrong?
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