Spring in Washington DC has arrived! Several years ago, my word was “color.” In all its glory, my daily walks -even on those days when it was a tad, ( a lot ) chilly – have been a sheer visual delight. Spring and Autumn in the nation’s capital are generally beautifully colorful. Come, join me on a quick tour .
Yesterday, Friday, was rainy and cool… t’was still the best for the work Mother Nature does to provide daily colorful journeys and happy Spring memories.
Happy Spring!
3.26, was Friendstitch Sunday … the six of us always, always look forward to these monthly gatherings, now in the 9th year. This past Sunday, we met at Michelle’s and were greeted with gorgeous spring flowers: daffodils and amaryllis. For Christmas 2019, I gave Michelle (and the others, each) a bulb… Michelle has the magic green thumb. We were delighted to see the amaryllis in full bloom. In addition to being treated to a spectacularly colorful array of flowers, we had an absolutely delicious meal. Yum! The memory of Sunday makes me happier…
My walks, most days, weather permitting, I am greeted by the constant display of signs of Spring: magnolia and cherry blossoms, daffodils, maple trees and forsythia bushes. Delightful.
For the past year, I’ve focused on s-l-o-w-l-y retelling my AmaZe – about me, A-Z – life story that I hope to publish as a memoir style photo album/book. My goal is to have completed this project close to June 1, 2023…If I meet this self imposed deadline, I’m confident I’ll be happier!
The star is a needlepoint I found as I’ve been weeding my stash of projects – a project long overdue but also one that has very tangible results. And this too, makes me happier.
You know, happier is a good place to be! What’s making you happier these days?
Cheers~
..buttermilk sky … ever greening are the trees… lone squirrel scampers across the FIOS super high wire … birds zip by, high in the sky, chirping loudly at the rising sun …
Oh! What a glorious morning!
Thinking & Grateful for this truly grand and delightful Spring day! The temperature a delicious 79 degrees; the sun shines and a gentle breeze flows, caresses. Everywhere one looks, trees are budding, blossoming and bright, colorful flowers bring a smile to my face. People, including me, walk slowly, wanting to soak in and prolong this delightful day despite still having to wear face masks…
Inspired by the spring flowers, the sky and clouds, I spent some time pouring over and through my fabrics, ten plus years of accumulation (tho’ no time at all compared to many quilters) selecting colors and designs for my Confetti quilt. Each fabric I select tells a story of my quilting journey. During this pandemic, that journey totally stopped in its tracks; I welcome the rejuvenation of this creative endeavor.
Fun: This colorful chair sits outside the library. I believe it’s made of concrete. The next time I walk by, (the library is open on a limited basis and I always manage to go there when closed ) I’ll touch to see …
Here’s to a gentle and delightful Spring weekend for us all. Enjoy!
Cheers~
this second day of autumn has been a real treat: perfect temps – just cool enough for a lightweight shirt; bright sunshine; crystal blue sky; a soft breeze to caress one’s cheeks. and just before the sun sets, the moon.
last thursday I took a quick trip to Barnes and Noble and bought a few books – to add to my ever growing TBR pile. Among them: Marie Kondo’s newest : Joy at Work or how to organize your professional life. I don’t have a professional life but I do like to read books on productivity/time management – sort of a palette cleanser, I suppose. I also purchased Yaa Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom, Gretchen Rubin’s next #happierpodcastbookclub selection.
speaking of podcasts, on my walk today I listened to Brene Brown’s “Unlocking Us” on which she shared her feelings about RBG. and yes, I can totally relate…as I’m sure many us can and do.
I am slowly finishing Knips (knitting in progress-or not- projects) – it’s easy to pick them up when watching tv* … and provides good warm up practice for when I return to reknitting the Afghan block I goofed up on a while back.
joining Kat and friends for unraveled wednesday
Cheers~
*watching tv is hazardous to our health…and a reminder: next Tuesday, 29 September is the one little word link up.
(just days ago, this tree was white flowers)
My DayONE journal prompt for today asks: What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily? My answer: My brain! At least, most times, tho’ some days I wonder.
I also have, being more practical, several pair of flannel PJs that I’d like to nominate. However, they are pretty much worn to a frizzle frazzle. I hate to part with them, despite that they are thread-bare, mainly ‘cause they’re decorated with Scotty dogs… but, I will have to succumb and use the flannel pieces in a scrappy quilt perhaps or better yet: add to my memory keeping album. Yeah! That’s a great idea!
Interesting, yesterday’s Simple Abundance read focused on “Comfort Clothes and What They Mean.” Sarah shares that she has “a beloved pair of paisley cotton knit PJs that she would wear 24/7 if I could only figure out how to get away with it…” I can relate tho’ I hasten to add that one would also need to shed periodically for a bit o’ washing, I imagine …
Also in my closet of well-worn, cherished items of clothing: 4 plaid, flannel night shirts. They are light-weight yet warm for cool mornings. I’ve had easily 15 years – several were my mom’s so they hold added value. I can just see her mornings, at her desk in a shirt, coffee cup in one hand, a pencil in the other with both the New York Times and Washington Post Sunday crossword puzzles in front of her…and as she tackled the NYT, she’d occasionally say “This is wicked, Honoré, just plain wicked.”
As I write this post, the washing machine is going through the spin cycle, the first of several loads. There is comfort in this activity for it is familiar and well worn in my life too. I am grateful that during these social distancing times we do indeed have comfort memories, items, chores and evidence of Spring: green trees, bushes, and grasses.
What’s on your list of everyday comfort items?
Cheers~
P.S. And a reminder: Tomorrow, 31 March, is our One Little Word share update on this blog.
In just 10 days, the Spring Equinox officially arrives at 11.50 PM, ESDST. Today’s warm temps, sunshine and bright blue sky, were an invitation to journey out for a preview of delights to come. I accepted and out I went. I was not disappointed. Greeting me:
Hurry Spring! So looking forward to spending time with you!
(Dogwood @ Franciscan Monastery, 4. 24.19)
Spring 2019 has been exceptionally lovely, albeit a tad cool, but colorful and delightful, nevertheless. My April was filled with lots of lovely time spent outdoors…
Habits are interesting: hard to both make and break. Habits challenge and reward. I am the sum total of my habits :
I am ready to continue my journey. But now, @ 2:30 pm, I’m going to take a lovely walk outside on this 81°F day!
Joining Juliann and others for a One Little Word update.
…are a quiet and restful and early start to a busy week:
And now, it’s the end of the month – just days before we open the doors Thurs for the quilt show. Off to attend the last committee meeting and the beginning of five trips this week.
Have a great Monday!
Cheers~
Morning Glory Studio 