Although there is nothing peaceful about the world at large, my little corner of it is very, very quiet right now. Our son moved out (again) on Friday, taking with him all the noise and traffic of his friends and all their comings and goings. Not to mention loud music, "jamming" in the garage, guitar and drum practice, large groups of young people sitting around in the kitchen or out in the breezeway. I had forgotten how very quiet and peaceful it is without him here. Consider also that my husband is away for a few days on a trip, and voila! no one here but me and my dogs. I may feel differently in a few days, but for now being alone is heaven.

I sat out on the deck Friday night in the cooling late afternoon, listening to the birds and watching the light change until sunset. I thought I would share a few pictures of some of the remaining color in the yard. Thankfully, it has started to cool and the humidity index has dropped, but the last couple of weeks have been so hot that most of the flowers are looking a little blasted. All the trees are thriving, though. I don't know if I mentioned that we have planted over 30 in the last couple of years. I'll spare you the details of the "tree story" just now, but we had our own little set of adventures choosing and planting them.

Saturday I stayed in my pajamas until late afternoon, when a friend called and asked if I wanted to come fabric shopping (I did). I had wandered back to the studio, cup of coffee in hand, and started a new project. After blissfully working away for five or six hours, I had just about decided I needed a break when my friend called. Talk about good timing! Fabric browsing was fun and carefree, and I really bought very little except for a few pieces of net and organza to be filed away in the stash. It was great not to have a schedule.

Today will be another fun day spent sewing with friends. Yesterday's project will stay in the studio, since today I will be working on something more traditional. To tell the truth, more visiting, eating and laughing are more likely to take place than sewing, at least for me. And that's ok. Tonight I may get back into the studio, or I may not. By next Tuesday, I may be bored and lonely, but today it feels peaceful, and I am content.