unraveled wednesday | 10.2.19 …

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~elm leaves~

today, summer decided to return for a brief, very. hot. spell! at 4 pm, we were one degree away from the predicted high of 95° F… the weather’s been really dry this year and I think the trees are quite distressed. leaves -especially oak- fall and crunch underfoot (leaf collection doesn’t begin til 5 Nov). not seeing any color… maybe after today that scenario will change.

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~new books~

progress is slow yet steady on my myriad of projects in the works. the three books pictured above mysteriously appeared at the front door; all are new publications. Start Finishing arrived last week; the other two, yesterday. wonder who keeps ordering these books? hmmm …

joining Kat for another session of unraveled wednesday.

cheers~

 

collecting september 2019 …

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Here we are into another month. Seems just yesterday September was beginning! September was hot, almost too hot to spend outside but I managed to get my fair share of the outdoors in. Memories of the days:

1 – The first brings the latest One Little Word prompt from Ali Edwards; t’is how I usually begin that morning …

3 – Chris returning home from his first day of school and l’il brother Elias ever so happy to see him; t’was a long day …

4 – Lovely flowers and discovered a new yoga studio on my  morning walk; Note To Self: remember to look into the offerings …

5 – For sure, a sign of autumn, as also in 16, 17, 19, & 20. It’s been hot and dry; not sure what the Fall colors are going to look like this year …

6, 10, 26*, 28 & 29 – AM  and/or PM sky, always a study …. * 26 is a photo of a plane flying toward the moon ( kinda hard to see); reminded me of the popular phrase  to the moon and back …

7 – A beautiful day, weather wise. I walked to the Franciscan Monastery and enjoyed being out in the nature, as Dolly – now 33 – characterized when she was a little one …

8 – Hazel, niece Chris’ pup, is no longer hazel in coloring; 14 – meet Tiki, dog of one of my quilting friends …

9 – A quilt pattern I’ve added to my someday maybe list …

22 – Celebrating friend Pat’s birthday, happy Happy!

25 – Me, waiting at DMV to renew driver’s license … still waiting …

29 – Trying to capture the sunset; the mesh screen added a different look to the photo…

30 – UMD marching band practicing… college football season is here!

And thus it was: many moments that contribute to a grateful life.

Cheers~

 

tgif | 9.27.19 …

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sunrise @ 6:46 am

thankful: relishing this morning’s sensational sunrise coupled with cool – 62° F- temperatures …

grateful: for an extended morning of solitude and quiet …

inspired: by today’s first Journal Club session of the Fall 2019 season. Each season, an animal spirit guide is selected by drawing a card from a pack. Dolphin is this season’s  guide; one wonders how dolphin will show up …

finding it hard to believe that September is nearly over…seems that Labor Day weekend was just yesterday. Time indeed does fly!

wishing you a wonderful, restful and peaceful weekend.

Cheers~

 

 

 

 

unraveled wed | 9.25.19 …

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I’ve not added any new TBRs … On the log cabin front: the green is about 12 rows from done and I’m deciding which shade of blue to use for that last square. In one of my weekly Döstädning bursts, I discovered a few needlepoint canvases from days long gone; this one was nearly done so I finished it Sunday during Friendstitching.  Just in time too ~ Christmas is 3 months away… Just sayin’…

I am now real ... well, almost.  This morning, I went to DMV to renew my driver’s license. After standing in line for an hour, then sitting for another hour (not to mention gathering documents and filling out forms before I even went), my number was called. 15 minutes later, all the information was collected/documented and I left with a temporary paper license, good for 45 days … the real one expected in 15 days. I hope so!

We’re having deliciously cool fall weather, ’cause as Dee sez: It’s Fall, Y’all! Lots of oak leaves on the ground but color changes seem slow – or is it just my impatience? Norman’s off on a walk and I’m headed to my sewing studio to stitch more wonky stars.

Joining Kat and friends for unraveled wednesday.  How’s your day shaping up?

Cheers~

 

one little word sept update | 9.24.19 …

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I read a lot of articles and books on habits and had this article show up in my google feed, I’m sure thanks to the miracle of one’s surfing habits. I share because I like the author’s tone and the information is always worth reviewing, reconnecting, reprising.

Last month, I wrote about my penchant – a fancy word for habit – for writing notes, ideas, thoughts, oops! – I forgot, on any available piece of paper within arm’s reach. I have diligently been working on erasing that habit, with a modicum of success. To date, I’ve whittled notes down to three( or so) receptacles, pictured above. They are, top to bottom:

  • Rhodia notepad @ my computer
  • Rhodia reverse book – an 8 x8 spiral bound with dot grid paper
  • traveler’s notebook/calendar

The last two I generally have close at hand and if push comes to shove, I can always jot down things in my iTools… when I remember.

Habits are hard to make …and/or break but slowly, there is progress.

How are you doing with your word? Joining Juliann for September’s  one little word update.

Cheers~

welcome autumn | 9.23.19…

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The Autumnal Equinox officially arrived this morning at 3:50 am, EST. Despite my desire to be wide awake then, I wasn’t nor did I make plans to get up quite that early. In fact, I even overslept, getting up about 7: 15 am… AND, I actually spent MSQT in my craft studio rather than the Great Room (aka dining room/kitchen). Why? Today was the first Mindful Monday session  – a 10 week’s program created and led by Jamie Ridler, the convener of Friday afternoon Journal Club – which resumes this Friday, Yay! Actually, I have spent most of today at the computer – between two sessions with Jamie and catching up with email, etc. We did take time out to bag leaves for tomorrow’s pickup…and you know, it’s hot out; currently 91° F. Yuk! Plus, looks like it’s going to rain.

Yesterday was our monthly Friendstitching gathering…and we celebrated Pat’s birthday! Lunch was delicious: shrimp, rice, salad, breads, fruit and mimosas plus delicious dessert. It is our practice that the hostess gives us each a tchotchke; we got that delightful fall  dishtowel… On my walk yesterday evening, I ran across the sidewalk chalk art and thought of the towel. Pretty close match.

To quote Dee: It’s Finally Fall Y’all *

Cheers~

*Do drop by her blog to see the delightful piece she just finished.

collecting august 2019 …

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Twenty days into September! Two thirds of the month gone. TODAY,  realizing  I totally forgot to post August’s “Collect” post…so, here t’is…

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Highlights of the month – Photos:

  • 3, 4 & 5: taken on the Saturday friend Margaret and I attended a full day’s preview of Fall’s new book releases, presented by Washington DC local/area indie booksellers. Photo #4 was taken underground at a Metro station, while waiting for a train; first time I’d ever seen a musician playing inside a station ~ maybe ’cause it was a weekend?
  • 9, 10 & 11: weather was absolutely perfect – an early preview of Fall. I walked to the Franciscan Monastery and just enjoyed being… Did you see the butterfly in the 10th’s picture? On the 11th, a friend held her annual Summer Fling – last year, rained out. This year, Mother Nature redeemed herself  and we had a lovely early evening love affair under blue skies, tall, elegant trees, a setting enhanced by music from a jazz trio and good food!
  • 13 -19: I participated in a mini LOAD – Layout A Day this week. I used a Traveler’s Notebook for my album and enjoyed the compactness of the 2-page spread for each story/layout. I see more on the horizon ~ possibly soon. The October 31-days’ session is just around the bend.
  • 20 & 31: 20-tieth  was actually sunset on the 19th ~ such dramatic clouds! 31st was taken in the morning – I loved capturing the sun peeking out from behind the tree.

Always, when I look back and reflect on the month, I am so very grateful for these lovely moments in and of my life!

Enjoy your weekend!

Cheers~

unraveled wednesday | 9.18.19 …

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  • Two Things on my Bucket List

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  • No less than 12+ years ago, attending a library pre-conference, I took a class on paper making. I enjoyed the class and promptly added to my bucket list: take more classes.  Fast-forward to yesterday, 9/17/19: Sorting through old family photos, I ran across the paper and booklet I made plus
    • not only  a photo of me making the paper,
    • but also an article in the March 2015 Washingtonian: The Great Washingtonian Bucket List: 50 Things Every Local Needs to Do!  Some of the items on the list I’ve done, some I know I never will, e.g., “ride through Rock Creek Park on horseback!”
    • There is one thing not on that list but is still on mine: take more paper-making  classes. And that jogged my memory: less than 5 miles away there is a book-making center that offers classes on making paper! Can’t get better than that, agreed?

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This is a picture of a “Wonky Star” quilt block – I have 60+ – each a variation on the theme – that have been on my bucket list for way too long! I needed unifying fabric/s and finally found two pieces that I think will work. The multi-color stripes at the top will be the backing + binding. The other fabric( in between the block and the stripe) will be used as sashing: strips I will attach to all four sides of the blocks and then, sew the blocks together.

And with that I shall hit publish so I can proceed with stitching and also, take advantage  of today’s glorious weather, later, by treating myself to a sit-out at Zeke’s this afternoon, enjoying a pumpkin spiced latté  (I hope they have pumpkin spice) with A Gentleman in Moscow.

Joining Kat and friends for Unraveled Wednesday.

Cheers~

 

simply *a* moment | 9.15.19 …

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~sunday 15 September 2019 | 9:07 am | sunny/74°

  • listening to Sunday Baroque (www.wshu.org) …
  • feeling a gentle, cool breeze on my knees …
  • watching leaves from this tree gently swirl to the ground …
  • hearing sounds of traffic, punctuated by a noisy car or motorcycle, a dog’s bark …
  • drinking tea – my first cuppa…
  • feeling the cup’s warmth in my hands …
  • verifying the time with Norman who’s drinking water, swallowing a pill …
  • cataloging moments as they occur, transpire …
  • thinking the grass needs another cut; I can see the blades moving, caressed by the gentle breeze …
  • giving thanks for these moments – so simple and yet so filled with sustenance …
  • noting it’s been a while since I’ve captured and shared these moments on the 15th of each month …
  • wondering why I stopped after 4 or 5 years? thinking perhaps I needed a break …
  • deciding I’m glad today I resumed and rededicated this ever so special practice of
  • affirming, these small moments in my life, of my life .

Perhaps next month, October, you might like to join me … and share your moments. Watch this space for more details.

Cheers~