THIS MOMENT

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining with SouleMama. xx

THRIFTY THURSDAY

"I have three precious things
which I hold fast and prize.
The first is gentleness; the
 second is frugality; the third
 is humility, which keeps me
from putting myself before others.
 Be gentle and you can be bold;
 be frugal and you can be liberal;
 avoid putting yourself before
others and you can become a
 leader among men.

~Lao Tzu

While I have no desire to
be a leader amoung men,
I do strive toward humility
and frugality, two traits
I deeply admire in others.
For as long as I can remember
I have kept a button jar. If
an item of clothing wears out,
I cut it up to be used as rags,
but before that I always make
sure to cut any buttons off
to add to my jar. Since I don't
sew very few buttons leave the
collection, but many of them
have been used to teach
colors and how to count. Some
buttons really are little pieces
of art and are just fun to look
upon or sort into containers to
be used as doll food.  I thought
it would be a fun idea to make
my own buttons so now I am
spending a little time each day
hand polishing some cedar
buttons I decided to make.
This has not been a quick project,
in fact it is teaching me to
slow down, to breathe and just
enjoy the whole process. Really,
that is how I want to live
every aspect of my life so
it's good practice.
Joining the week with Jenn
who so kindly took over
Thrifty Thursday.

YARN ALONG~ WILLOW

Doll cookery is not a
very exacting art.

~Marjorie Winslow

I would like to introduce you
to Willow, the doll I have been
working on non stop for days.
While outside collecting the
ingredients for mud custard,
Willow was spied hiding, where
else, but in the willow tree. It
only took a quick climb to reach
her and an even quicker time
to fall in love with her. It's
nice to have a little friend to
play with, even if she's made
of wool and stuffing.
We have been reading and cooking
from Mud Pies and Other Recipes,
a cookbook written for dolls. I
think I am enjoying it as much
as the wee one.
Now, what is on your needles
this week?
Joining with Ginny for this
week's Yarn Along.

WEEKENDING

Children need the freedom and time to play. 
Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity. 
~Kay Redfield Jamison

This weekend began at 4:30 a.m. Saturday
morning with picking up the  wee one to
stay with us for the week while her mom
is out of town. There was a visit to the
market for extra special treats,there
was a little thrifting for 'new to us' books,
a stainless steel cup and a few glass
casserole dishes. It brought wonderful
surprises in the mail from blogging 
friends that are still making me smile
today, thank you. The rest of our day
was spent building horsey houses,
reading books, loving on the rabbit
and drawing lots of pictures that are
now taped all over the house.
Today has been baking cookies
with lots of dough tastings to make
sure everything was just right, visiting
the chickens and ducks for morning
treats, and berry picking. This
afternoon has a picnic planned,
swimming and just playing.
What has been going on in your world
this weekend?
Joining with Amanda for Weekending.

THIS MOMENT

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining with SouleMama. xx

YARN ALONG

The dragonfly, in almost every part
 of the world symbolizes change
and change in the perspective of
 self realization; and the kind of
change that has its source in
 mental and emotional maturity
 and the understanding of the
deeper meaning of life.

 Over the last week I have
been knitting quite a bit, but
most of my knitting is for
gift giving so I decided not
to photograph it.  Besides all
my 'secret' knitting, I have been
working on a doll to give to
the wee one. I do not have an
exact pattern, instead just
going by mood and seeing what
comes off my needles. I am trying
to write everything down so if it
turns out and anyone would like
the pattern I can share.
Yesterday my Amazon order came
in and I have been slowing turning
the pages of 10 Secrets of the Laidback Knitters
A guide to Holistic knitting, yarn and life.
I feel I must have already learned something
because as I was taking pictures I had a
dragonfly who decided to join me and
hang out for awhile, that shows I'm
pretty laid back, right? The book shows
you that knitting isn't just a product, but
a process. That being said, the patterns,
[and there are 27] are amazing. From a
camisole, to a scarf, to socks and tunics, it
has patterns that I can't wait to knit along
with inspiring tips for a whole world of
knitters that I want to learn. 
What have you been up to this week?
Joining Ginny for this week's Yarn Along.

A THANK YOU

The stories of childhood leave
 an indelible impression, and
their author always has a niche
 in the temple of memory from
which the image is never cast
 out to be thrown on the rubbish
heap of things that are outgrown
 and outlived. 

~Howard Pyle

Not long ago I was the lucky
winner of a sponsored giveaway
hosted by Lisa aka earthmama 101.
Ever since the boxes of books
arrived we have been enjoying
not only reading them, but
finding that little fire that lights
our imagination leading us
on numerous rabbit trails of
fairies, mudcakes and childhood
dreams.
Thank you Lisa and Valarie
for not only enriching our days,
but a childhood too.

WEEKENDING

Turn your face to the sun and
the shadows fall behind you.

  ~Maori Proverb

Not just the weekend, but
a week of...
long, long walks as the sun
rises over the marsh,
lifting weights again [it's
been too long],
knitting miles of yarn
and reading new books,
of holding paint brushes and
seeing colors on paper,
eating new to me recipes
of the most wonderful
tasting foods,
naps every afternoon,
swinging in the hammock
with sunshine on my face,
finally getting on an acceptable
schedule with new meds and
vitamins.
It's been a  week of realizing
that life really is good!
Thanks for all the well wishes,
I am fine, really!

RAISING MY SAIL

The winds of grace are always blowing,
but you have to raise the sail.

  ~Ramakrishna

I wanted to thank you for
all the well wishes and prayers
sent my way over the last
few days, knowing others
were thinking of me made
waiting a little less stressful.
While my phone call was not
as bad as I expected, there are
some issues that I need to
address.  Before I go I wanted
to let each one of you know
how important you have become
in my world because it is a Lot.
I know I only catch a tiny glimpes
of your world, but I firmly believe
that all of our worlds are connected
and knowing you are in mine
makes my days brighter. I love you
all and I do so enjoy our visits.
From the bottom of my heart I
thank you for your friendship and
I wish nothing but happiness and
good things in your life. I will be
back on Friday for This Moments.
xxoo

WEEKENDING

Health is a large word. 
It embraces not the
 body only, but the
 mind and spirit as
 well;... and not
today's pain or
 pleasure alone,
but the whole
being and outlook
 of a [wo]man. 

~James H. West

This has been a weekend of
being kind to myself...

 ::long, slow walks with no regard
for time, just enjoying my surroundings

::considering revisiting this book

::having four inches cut from
my hair and having it styled for
the first time in years

::starting and ripping out a knit
project three times and not crying

:: loving coconut mango ice cream
oh my!

::going to sleep before nine each
night so at least I have had four
hours of sleep instead of the two
I usually have

:: trying not to be anxious as I
wait for a Monday phone call
concerning my health

:: asking if you wouldn't mind
sending a little prayer my way

::realizing this aging thing is hard,
but knowing I am strong.

Joining with Amanda for Weekending.

THIS MOMENT

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining with SouleMama. xx

THRIFTY THURSDAY

Trees are your best antiques. 

~Alexander Smith

I was flipping through a magazine
not long ago and came across
a lovely photo of a room decorated
in a very eclectic-organic style which
is a style I adore. One of the items
in the room was an elm stump...and
then I saw the price...$199.99!!!
I don't have elm growing here, but
I do have some red cedar stumps
that were left over from cutting wood
this past winter that I thought would
make awesome stools.
I rolled one to the back deck and
am now in the process of lightly
sanding it, then I am going to rub
bees wax all over it for a light sheen.
I will need to talk one of my guys
into carrying it up the stairs for
me as it's very heavy, but with just
a little elbow grease and some already
bought bees wax I will have a stool
that will last a life time so I think
that's pretty thrifty don't you?
Linking with Cory.



.

YARN ALONG

There are no seven wonders of
 the world in the eyes of a child. 
There are seven million. 

~Walt Streightiff

I completed my The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief
despite not paying attention to my work, dropping a
stitch near the beginning and having to start almost
completely over. Yes, I do know there is a way to pick
up the dropped stitch, but everytime I do it looks
really bad so it's best just to begin again.
I still need to block it, but with rain every afternoon
and my tables covered in vegetables, it is something
that is going to have to wait. Besides, there
is a wee one here is likes it just like it is so
that is all I care about.

I was able to visit my locally owned bookstore
over the weekend which is always a treat.
One of my favorite things is the stand of
'staff recommend picks' to read. The manager
of the store is a good friend and knows
my reading taste; it was on her
recommendation that I picked up the book,
Before I go to sleep . I was hooked
on the book by the first page, although
the movie 50 first Dates keeps popping
in my head, but this book is not a comedy.

What have you been up to this week?
Joining with Ginny for the Yarn Along.

A WISH GRANTED

“Wishing is good for us.
Daydreams, fantasies,
castles in the air, and
aspirations all drive us
forward, impel us to make
 things happen. They also
 tell us a lot about ourselves.
 Our wishes come straight
from our core, and they are
loaded with vital in."

He was the last to receive orders,
I wasn't sure who was more
anxious, me or my daughter,
but now we know...
they will be stationed only
two hours away...
wishes do come true!

WEEKENDING

Happiness cannot be traveled to,
 owned, earned, worn or consumed.
 Happiness is the spiritual experience
of living every minute with love,
 grace and gratitude.

~Denis Waitley

This weekend has been one
of happiness and thankful
gratitude for...

::a son's longtime girlfriend unhurt
in a car wreck

::chanterelle mushrooms at the
farmer's market

::playing at the waterfront park
with my daughter and granddaughter,
browsing the downtown shops, laughing,
a great girl's day

::finding the perfect gift to add
to my state swap box

::almost finishing my kerchief despite
having to rip out almost all of it
because I failed to notice a dropped
stitch

:: enough ripe blueberries to make
a creamy blueberry pie for a nineteen
year old son who loves it

:: being able to stay awake to see
Hatfields & McCoys despite how sad
the whole thing made me feel

:: eating fresh ice cold watermelon

:: looking forward to a trip to the
locally owned bookstore with my
eldest son who I don't see enough
of because of work

:: and perfect weather with no
rain in the forecast

joining with amanda

THIS MOMENT

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining with SouleMama. xx