I was thinking back to 1976, when crafters were busy stitching quilts, working needlepoint, and knotting magnificent macramé objets d’art in red, white, and blue—each piece a handmade celebration of patriotic spirit of 1776.

Good morning from a slightly cool, beautiful California spring morning! This morning I went on my morning coffee stroll through the garden, and while I didn't think I had a blog post in me this morning, the garden sort of told me that I did. I took pictures of the veggie garden and then I remembered we'd had a dinner party and some cute pictures of our new pup, and then my weekly blog post began to take shape!

First important update: doggie is doing fine and settling in so well.  He has his issues as all rescue dogs surely do, but he is a gem of a dog and is doing better with each day. He is very much feeling at home in the house and garden. At first he didn't really care to go in the back yard, but now that he understands that he can be inside or outside as he chooses, he is spending more and more time outdoors. I think next week we'll introduce him to the doggie door.

We have named him Biscuit as one reader suggested. It fits him so well and was approved by all, most importantly approved by our grandson. We read and loved the Biscuit books when he was little so that was a factor, but also that his coloring is that of a tasty biscuit sealed it!

Good morning! I’m writing this early, with all the windows and doors open, pulling in as much cool air as possible before the heat of the last day of this heat wave settles in. In a few hours I’ll close everything up, and the house will stay cool all day.

But before anything else, let’s get to the sweater.