PEACE

Peace.
It does not mean to be in
a place where there is no
noise, trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the mist
of those things and still be
calm in your heart.

~ Unknown

Thank you are all the emails and
calls checking to make sure we
are okay , yes, thank goodness,
although there are others in my
state who are still dealing with
all the flooding South Carolina
has endured, and it looks like more
rain is headed our way this weekend,
sigh. I have decided to take the Scarlett
O'Hara approach and not worry about
the rain today, I'll think about that tomorrow.
Today I am at peace and just enjoying
this life.

I have taken advantage of the sunshine
and much cooler temperatures to spend
as much time outdoors as I can. To be
honest if it wasn't for the mosquito's I
would sleep outdoors, but oh my, they
are huge and fierce!

I have enjoyed watching the birds, the
insects, butterflies and moths as they
gather nourishment for the colder months
that are not far off.

I have been knitting, but you knew that right?
Hats, lots of hats, so easy,but so appreciated.
Did you see the newest pattern release from
Quince & Co.?  These wicked cute boots will
be on my needles just as soon as I get my kit,
they are so stinking cute I can't stand it!

Do you have fun plans this weekend? My Mike
and Alex have to work and with the rain I
plan on staying in, my studio could use a declutter
and I have some much needed home loving that
needs to be attended to.  Enjoy your weekend.

Much love,
Tracey
XO

A GOOD LIFE

A good life is when
you assume nothing,
do more, need less,
smile often, dream big,
laugh a lot, and realize
how blessed you are.

The weather has been amazing
here, so much so that on my
morning walks I have needed
to wear long sleeves, and while
I know it won't last I am loving
it!

A good friend came for a visit
and brought over the prettiest
pot of mums that I tried to
photograph, but  Flat Kevin kept
photo bombing my pictures.

Because of the cooler temperatures
I spent a lot of time this week in
the kitchen puttering around.
Cheesy grits, leftover oatmeal-
chocolate chip muffins[ well, these
were for Alex, I don't eat chocolate
chips, I just don't like the taste],chai tea,
vegetable fried rice. Heavier dishes
than I normally eat, but my body
seems to be craving them and I try to
listen to what my body needs,
when I do I feel better.

The pears are ripe and I am happy
to say the squirrels left me quite
a few. I have plans to put a few
jars away for a cold winter's day.

I pulled out the never ending blanket
and maybe this year will be the year
I finally cast off.

I was able to spend some time with three
of my guys which doesn't happen often
since they all work so much. They
always bring a smile to my face and
make laugh, just wish the rest of my
family could have been here too.

I talked with my daughter, and Emerson
on the phone. They are loving Germany
and are very happy so that makes my
mama [Olie] heart happy.

I don't have any plans for the weekend,
I will just have to wait to see what
the world brings.

Enjoy your days my friends!

Much love,
Tracey
XO

THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER

Your life is your message
to the world, make sure
it's inspiring!

                             

                          {I pass this noisy guy every morning on my walk
                               and had to take his photo} 

I am wiping tears of
gratitude to all you
you concerning my
last post. The love that
has come from all corners
of the world makes my
heart swell with happiness.
Thank you!

I have spent today thinking
it's Friday, does anyone else
ever do that?  Maybe it's because
I know a long weekend is
coming up.

Alex and I made it through
another week of school,
mostly he is working on
his own, I am just here to
bounce ideas off of and to
had out the books. Oh,
and help with Algebra and
I am thrilled that after all
these years it is finally starting
to click; I guess I just needed
to repeat it over and over and
over and over again.

The cardigan I am knitting
for Porter is ever so slowing
making progress, soon all
that will need to be knit are
the sleeves and then the search
will be on for the perfect
buttons.

I am having to deal with
a tooth that decided to act
up. It wouldn't be so bad,
but I am allergic to so many
antibiotics and the list seems
to grow longer all the time.
My fingers are crossed that
there won't be any problems
and the infection is cleared
quickly.
Update:: tooth is feeling
much better, no pain this
morning!

Do you have fun plans for
the holiday? My birthday
is Sunday!! and I had hoped
to sit on the beach, but am
not sure the weather is going
to cooperate, maybe.
I do know that there will be
cake and I am a huge fan of
birthday cake. Regardless
to the weather, I am looking
forward to a wonderful
day.

Enjoy your holiday weekend,
stay safe and I will see you
on Tuesday.

Much love,
Tracey
XO

PIECES OF MY LIFE

The past is always present;
our memories and experiences,
dreams and struggles, the good
and not so good, create the mythology,
the amazing stories, of our lives.

                                      [Erin posted this photo of Emerson while she is on the phone with me]

                                                              [My paternal grandmother]

It's been a week filled with::

* Just laid duck eggs still warm
    in my hand.

* A cat who thinks she can read
   and gets a little testy if you try
   to move her off the book.

* Watching the sunrise every morning,
 
* Then watching it set at night.

* Celebrating National Dog Appreciation
   Day with my almost almost 11 year old
   chihuahua Twinkie.

* Talking with Emerson on the phone, hearing
   all about her pet snail named Rascal, then
   getting a photo of her talking on the phone
   with me.

* Receiving a huge box filled with family photos,
   letters, cards and other bits of family members
   that are no longer here. Reading letters in my Dad's
   handwriting, seeing my grandmother's school memory
   book and photos of great grand parents I never knew
   except thru stories, old passports, my grandparents
   marriage license, it's a lot. My table is still piled high
   and in between the tears I am sorting it all out. I didn't
   expect to be so emotional, but for some reason I
   am a wreck.

Enjoy your weekend my friends, the last one of August.

Much love,
Tracey
XO
 
    

HOME

No words can express
the depth of her contentment
as she walks along the beach.
As the waves lap against the shores
they create the rhythm of her life.
Balmy breezes kiss
her sun bronzed skin,
and she wonders....
could there ever be a greater destiny
than to be born with a love
for the treasures of the sea?
Here she is home!

~ beachblissliving

Can you believe that the first week
of June is almost complete?  My
days seem to go by at warp speed.

This has been a week of dealing
with insurance companies, home
this month, sigh. Insurance companies
make me crazy!

I spent two days cleaning out my studio
and now all that is left is to organize
my stash of yarn; ahem, that may take
awhile.

I was a responsible adult and had my
annual check up. I have now learned
that when you reach a certain age there
are more appointments to be made
and things to be addressed.
Getting older is not for wimps..

My Mike and I spent time at the beach,
walking, laughing, just having fun being
silly.  My body may be getting older, but
my mind is still a teenager!

I've been listening to frazey Ford [thanks
Amanda.] and dancing around the kitchen
as I prepare meals.

Thinking I need to order these, aren't
they great?

Reading this that my sister sent me and
laughing hysterically.

Have a great weekend my dear friends.

Love,
Tracey
XO

IT IS SPLENDID

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things
there are to find out about? It just makes
me feel glad to be alive - it's such an
interesting world. It wouldn't be half
so interesting if we know about every-
thing, would it? There'd be no scope for
imagination then, would there?"

~ Anne of Green Gables
   Lucy Maud Montgomery

 

I've had a great week and I
hope the same can be said
for you too.

I have been waking up way
before the sun and enjoying
time to meditate, practice my
yoga, read, watch the sun
rise, dream dreams and prepare
for my day.

Next week we are on spring
break and I have plans to
gut my studio, do a little
painting and a lot of donating
I would also like to cut my
clothing by 50% since I have
a few favorites and the rest just
takes up space.
.
Yesterday my order for  Bulltetproof
coffee arrived and I had my
first cup of coffee in two years.
Well, it wasn't bad, but there is
a whole production thing to just
getting a cup of coffee...
heat the water
grind the beans
time the French press
pour coffee into the blender
add 1 tablespoon of butter
add 1 tablespoon of XCT oil
Blend and drink.
The coffee isn't bad, just
different, but I did miss
my cup of tea this morning
so am not sure how long I
will keep this up.

I have been reading all about
natural plant dyes and now
have yarn dyeing penned on
my list of things to do this
year. I think I've told you how
I try to learn three new things
a year, how about you?

The clover has grown and is
taking over, but with all
the rain we have been experiencing
the ground is too wet to mow.
This weekend we are suppose to
experience a cold front with a low
in the upper 30's, and my fingers
are crossed it doesn't get too cold
for the fruit trees.

I hope you enjoy a great weekend.
Can you believe this is the last
weekend in March?

Much love,
Tracey
XO