Back to the Birds

I was hoping to get this Red-Shouldered Hawk done before the last bird pattern comes out tomorrow 

but with all the (really great) distractions from Cyrus and Leia staying with us, then planning for Leo and Jac* to visit, quilting has been on the back burner. 

At least I got it started?? 

All the color changes have made this slow going - I finished 6 (of 22) pieces in just over 4 hours. The feathers are almost done, hoping the body pieces are easier faster.

* Leo is staying 2 days but Jac will be here for FIVE WEEKS. So excited. 

Carnivorous

Dipping a toe in the carnivorous plant pond and it is fascinating. 

I love pitcher plants - so colorful! - so got this Nepenthes alata from a local nursery. It’s more than doubled in size in less than a month. Each of the new leaves will grow a new, (hopefully) larger pitcher.

Several big box stores and nurseries in our area have kiosks with different carnivorous plants. 

This Sarracenia ‘Scarlet Belle’ is from the same nursery as the Nepenthes.

Carnivorous plants must be popular since this was one of only 2 plants remaining from the shelves of plants just a couple of weeks earlier. 

Poor, sad Venus Fly Trap is from Home Depot. It’s perked up a lot since I got it out of the plastic ‘coffin’ and put it in the sun. Repotting with better soil is up next. Hope I can save it. Also, VFT’s are native to the bogs of North and South Carolina. Can’t wait to visit Matt & Mary again!

I’m trying to take it slow and not go overboard (who? Me??), which is made easier by there being no big carnivorous nurseries/dealers in this end of the state (that I’ve found yet…) 

Love the ribbed edges

Thank goodness for the interwebs! The bigger, better quality pitcher I ordered from a grower in NY arrived today, in surprisingly good shape after a 2-day, 3000 mile journey. 

 This was very well packaged 

This was my ‘mystery’ freebie first-time-customer gift. Isn’t it cute?? 

Already planning a bog garden in the soon to be remodeled (again) back yard…