Tag: Friendstitchin’

sometimes mondays | 11.8.21…

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thinking I frequently approach Mondays focusing (obsessing?) about all that’s on the week’s docket: things to do that are due or even, overdue… and I (we) wonder: how will I fit it all in? Today, I took a different approach and decided to focus on the following:

inspired by the gorgeous colors of autumn ~ especially today’s display of trees, their foliage, captured on my walk this afternoon… a perfect autumn day with just right temperature for a long walk…

grateful that my niece Dolly, husband and the two little guys arrived safely in North Carolina to visit in-laws – both are having health-related issues. not (ever?) a good time but all are thankful for and taking each day at a time. Dolly did all the driving; for sure she’s tired. Rest up!

fulfilled by yesterday’s Friendstitch gathering. this time we celebrated two birthdays: Margaret’s Oct 29th and mine, on its way Nov 15 <more on that next week… As always, the food was delicious: yummy homemade vegetable soup; delicious salads; scrumptious desserts (no, one could not just eat one); and Prosecco…

… and now the sun’s beginning to set – it’s just barely 5 PM non-DST ! I for one am perfectly happy that real time has returned! How about you?

Cheers~

reunion…

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yesterday was a five+ star day: our Sunday Friendstitching group met for the first time since January 2020. we -all fully vaccinated – gathered in a spacious, well ventilated screened-in porch with a beautiful view of trees, accompanied by the incessant, unmistakable drone of cicadas …but we didn’t mind ’cause our chatter drowned them (the cicadas ) out! t’was a glorious day, one indelibly written on our minds and hearts.

we were all doing some sort of handwork: Theresa – knitting; Pat – applique; Barbi and Michelle – crossstitch; Margaret – needlepoint; and I – practiced drawing ( I was attending a Zoom session featuring Samantha Dion Baker, artist and author of Draw Your Day and soon to be released – 22 June – Draw Your World ).

I cannot put into words how incredibly grateful each of us was for this day; life hasn’t been easy for any of us, in addition to the pandemic. we each appreciate the blessings of our friendship and that we had this opportunity to reunite. I suspect we all slept very well … I know I did. I have this quote next to my Mac: each morning we are born again, what we do today is what matters most. ~ Buddah

celebrating…

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~Atlantic Ocean view from restaurant,  4:20 pm, 15 Nov 2019 ~

 I had an absolutely delightful weekend celebrating my Fri, November 15 birthday with friends: some from far away and long ago; others, right here in the area:

  • Thursday, friends Kathy and Laura (both former work colleagues. Laura lives in FL; Kathy, DE. Laura was here Wednesday for an end-of-training session celebration in Columbia MD. I picked her up Thursday morning} and I drove to Bethany Beach , DE for a retreat in the off-season!

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~sunset, Bethany Beach, 15 November, 4:55 pm EST~

  • Friday, we walked the beach; collected shells and pictures of the ocean, sky, waves; ate; laughed; chatted; journaled; shared books and ideas and caught up with one another.  Friday was also Journal Club  and we joined in, sitting at the same table!  Afterwards we went to a fun restaurant for an early dinner, more laughing, sharing, reminiscing,… wash, rinse, repeat…
  • Saturday, we awoke to a roiling ocean. Sadly, our gathering was ending and we had to resume normal lives. After depositing Kathy at home, I dropped Laura off at the airport, drove home arriving  about 8 pm. Exhilarated and tired. Ready for my own bed…
  • Sunday, monthly Friendstitch gathering. More birthday celebration: good friends, good  food (pizza; champagne; salads; cookies and lemon tart cake) and fun… and on
  • Monday, she rested!

I am so grateful to my friends for this wonderful celebration and forever memories.

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.

sometimes mondays | 4.1.19…

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7:45 am

I sit here,

smelling the gift of daffodils from Michelle’s yard

holding a hot mug of tea in my hands …

looking out at the view I see most mornings, if not all when I’m home…

thinking as I look, “Spring! has indeed arrived “…

hearing the steady tick, tick, tick of the clock …

recalling the time spent yesterday FriendStitching, the good food and camaraderie …

holding tight in my heart the gift of our friendship…

smelling the gift of daffodils …

friendstitchin’…

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A friend is a gift you give yourself ~

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Sunday was my monthly Friendstitchin’ meet-up. We have a new member, Michelle, who is a baker extraordinaire; she made each of us a small bag of oatmeal cookies – yum! and for dessert, chocolate bundt cake – double yum! In addition to the delicious sweets, hostess Theresa served mac-n-cheese with crabmeat – yum!; Pat made a delicious broccoli salad  – and we also had grapes, strawberries, raspberries and champagne. There was applique´stitching,  knitting and needlepointing going on.

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The photo above is Margaret’s needlepoint; eventually it’ll be a 3-dimensional slice of cake; you can see the mockup sitting on the canvas.

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We celebrated my birthday – my friend Pat created the above watercolor of a morning glory for me. I am delighted and plan to frame and hang in my stitching studio.

I am so grateful for my friends and our beloved Friendstitchin‘ gatherings.

Cheers~