New Book and Fourth of July Recap

All Things Quilty checking back in after a week off.  It is hot here.  The past two afternoons, this was the reading on our indoor-outdoor thermometer.

Yes, 109 degrees outside.  The afternoon sun bakes our front porch, so it is probably hotter there than the general temperature.  But...our air conditioning unit that cools the upstairs broke yesterday.  And my Gammill is on the second floor, and my sewing/painting rooms are in the finished attic rooms on the third floor.  I have been reading a lot the past two days!

Even though I got a lot of new quilting/art books for my birthday, I picked up this colorful book (Collage Unleashed by Traci Bautista) at the mall last week.  It is chock full of ideas for using paper and fabric to make journals and wall hangings and lots of other fun projects.  I have actually made a few backgrounds using fabric, paper, tissue, and paint.

I also have read several novels recently, including The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells, and several murder mysteries by Robert B. Parker.  I like all three of his detectives  including Spenser, Jessie Stone, and Sunny Randall.

Last weekend we escaped the heat and had perfect weather for a fun-filled Fourth of July.  Our little mountain place was overflowing as we had lots of company.  We had ten people and six dogs as guests for the weekend!  Dave and Emily's friends from East Carolina University are lots of fun to be with, and they took care of all the meals.  Love it!

The annual float down the river was Saturday.  This was probably the most perfect weather we have had...no rain, thunder, lightning, or hail that we have experienced in the past.  It took four hours to complete the float through beautiful mountain hills and pastures.

The next day, Sunday, we went down to the creek and enjoyed the shade and the cool water of the creek.

 My sister's family was there, too, so we played with the babies while the adults enjoyed playing horseshoes.

I actually have a customer quilt finished, but it is too hot to go up and get it to take pictures.  Our AC guy is supposed to come this morning to check out the problem, but we are pretty sure we will be buying a new heat pump for the upstairs.  Meanwhile, I'm sure we will be heading for the hills again.