Pumpkin Sunrise

  Good morning! How are you on this wonderful Monday morning? The weekend was pretty good. I didn't do anything super exciting which is fine by me. The weather was fabulous on Saturday and super drippy rainy on Sunday.  I am thoroughly loving the flowering dogwood trees in the back yard. I've shared with you one photo but gosh my phone has so many. All of a sudden everything is green! Trees, bushes and lawns, the beginnings of the month of May are simply the best.  I worked a tiny bit on the cross stitch project which is so challenging for me since it's on linen. I know some of you say to keep at it but at one point I wanted to scrap the whole project and start over on Aida cloth. I resisted and will keep going. Sunday was all day rain and some rumbly thunder. I put on some piano music for Frodo and it seemed he didn't hear the thundering (he is afraid of thunder!). I might be onto something good. How was your weekend?

  We've been home for over a week and I just might be recovered from the travels. I am pleasantly back into the ordinary swing of things and doing the activities that bring me joy. Such as:   - walking daily, weather permitting - exercising - menu planning (not enjoyable but I do like to eat!) - knitting daily - easing in a bit of sketching and watercoloring - reading daily - trying my best to be PRESENT - journalling - connecting with family While it took me a week to get back into my daily groove, Frodo needed three days to recover from the kennel stay. He might have too much fun and bark more than he should. Thankfully he had a grooming appointment and looks dapper. I pulled out my little watercolor notebook and quickly sketched and painted some daffodils.  While the weather was spectacular these past few days, it looks like winter will edge back in and --gulp-- with it some snow showers. Oh March you do love to do this!! What  brings you joy?

After some ridiculously warm weather last weekend where it felt like summertime had arrived, the wild swings of Mother Nature are now taunting us with winter weather once again. We had about three inches of snow the other day, unpredicted I might add. The snow was beautiful. Tomorrow they are forecasting 3-6 inches of snow (trying to be more accurate in the guessing). No matter what, the birds continue to sing and the daffodils continue to grow. You and I both know it will melt quickly. Besides the weather swinging wildly, my knitting mojo has ramped up to normal production. Oh how wonderful it is to be knitting and enjoying my knitting. There is nothing like it in the world. I'm on the hunt for a baby sweater pattern and will probably use an old printed pattern that my mom used for when my kids were babies. I just have to locate the pattern! I finished reading, The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert and it was really good. I wasn't expecting to be so engaged in the plot so th...

This week we celebrated my husband's birthday by going to the Van Gogh Immersion Exhibit. We loved the experience but it was very short compared to what we thought the length would be (expectations can be brutal). Also to celebrate, we stopped at the local bakery for a treat and on the way home we picked up pizza and wings. We had a lovely time and we both were happy to be doing something cultural in Pittsburgh, one of the benefits of moving so close to the city. How have you been?  Winter keeps trying to be a big show-off but spring is edging her way in. The birds are singing, the daffodils are sprouting. We are warming up a little bit (but not today, brr). I love winter but I'm excited for spring time and some lighter clothe wearing. Even Frodo walks with a jaunt in his step when he doesn't wear his doggy coat. I am fully recovered from the stomach bug, for some reason fatigue was a huge factor for a week. Yesterday on my walk I felt like I had the energy to walk.  Can yo...

  Good morning! How are you? The last time I posted I mentioned that my husband had the stomach bug last Saturday. After diligent sanitizing, social distancing in our house, I was blessed with the same virus on Tuesday (ugh!). I am feeling better every day but this virus has taken a lot out of me. Yesterday was the first day I was sitting upright and able to read and comprehend a book. I haven't done much knitting or anything else this past week. Eating food is a chore as well. I am getting too old for this! The above photo of me knitting maybe 4 rows on a second sock before exhaustion sets in once again and I set aside the knitting and resume reading a book. Frodo has been my constant companion, he is a funny little guy. The older he gets, the more clingy he becomes. He mainly sits beside me most of the time but does like to sit beside my husband as well. However he has to see me and gaze at me lovingly while fighting sleep across the room. And while he shows his age in some ways ...

  Lately I've been thinking about what brings me joy. I revisit this theme over and over throughout the year and try to tweak my days so they reflect what fills my bucket. My challenge is that I have many many things that bring me joy and trying to fit all of them into my days is nearly impossible. I keep a track of the following in my planner: knitting, journaling, sketching/watercoloring, reading and cross stitching. I'm not strict at what I do each day I just like to see how I end up allocating my time. Anyways, when I eat well and exercise daily I feel fantastic and that brings me joy. I keep track of those activities as well as daily meditation and yoga. Good health is a top priority for have a good day. Keeping my creative pursuits revolving in and out during my days makes for a delightful existence! Since moving here I've been managing any perceived stresses (usually self generated!). I want to sit down at the end of the day and feel like I enjoyed the day, lived it ...

  How was your weekend? Ours was quite cold, even Frodo has had enough of the frigid temperatures. Lucky for us today just might be above freezing! Yesterday around 3 pm, Frodo and I took a walk because it was warm -- 23 degrees -- what a weird mindset to think that that temperature is balmy. We bundled up and layered up. Frodo hates to wear sweaters and coats but I think he is coming around to the benefits of some cozy warmth. How do I know? Well he doesn't run away from me when I pull it off the hook. The coat he's wearing now I ordered from amazon and I think it keeps him toasty warm. Yesterday afternoon we attended our grand-nephew's first birthday party. How nice to be with a small family gathering to celebrate one year old. And I did not cook dinner since we at a big lunch - double bonus for me. My weekend mainly was reading and knitting but I didn't snap a photo of either of those activities so you are left with an early morning photo of my morning reads. 

  This week has been bitterly cold and yet Frodo and I keep trying to take a walk in spite of the weather adversity. He loves his walks but he doesn't remember his limitations (almost like me!). He is a glass half full kind of dog (unlike me, I'm trying to be more like him). On one walk we were approached by a loose dog then another loose dog by the same owner. I'm lucky I can pick Frodo up and wait for the mayhem to settle. This owner like many loose dog owners before him thinks Frodo is afraid and that is why I pick him up.  Sadly I pick Frodo up because he can get nasty with other dogs...I still love him and his 'spunky' attitude.  Since the weather is frigid, I am doing all the indoor activities. Lots of reading, knitting and I started a new cross stitch project. It's been fun circulating my brain amongst all of my hobbies, I'm lucky that my hobbies are vast and I rarely get bored.  I have a routine eye doctor visit early this morning, I'm hoping she...

  Right now I'm sitting in my family room with Frodo writing this post. The weather is freezing cold out there, brr. I like winter and snow - now I have to remember to bundle up and bundle Frodo up. I don't think there'll be a daily walk today. How are you? How are your wintry days going along?  My husband and I have been huddled up in the house. I am a homebody and loving it! Right now, I've been squeezing in more reading during the day which squeezes out other creative pursuits. My long list of what I want to do can never be accomplished in a given day and I'm okay with that. I'm being realistic.  I came across an interesting saying that I thought I'd share with you: You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building nests in your hair - Chinese Proverb I've been mulling this one over and over again. I plan to do a creative art journal spread with this quote in my big notebook sometime today or tomorr...

  Gosh it seems like forever since I've talked to you and yet it's not even been five days. How are you? How was your Christmas if you celebrate Christmas? We had a quiet one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I missed the kids but we managed to talk to them over the weekend. On Christmas Eve, we were invited to celebrate at my sister and brother in law's house with her son and son's family and our aunt and cousin. It was nice! We had lots and lots of good food and unwrapping of presents. Having my grand nephew who is almost one year old made the holiday more joyful. That evening my husband and I had a mini-miracle - Holly snuck in to snuggle up to my husband on his left side and then Frodo jumped up to snuggle on his right side. Look at Holly's dirty look!?! She is a hoot. I know you are wondering and NO Frodo did not realize that she is sitting there, if he did he would have chased her and barked at her and that is the Christmas miracle. I don't know what it is abo...

How are you? Around here things are settling down in the daily schedule. All of my packages have been sent and I am officially done with holiday shopping! I'm looking forward to enjoying the lull between now and the New Year. I might do some Christmas baking, but then again, I might not.  These days what brings me comfort and joy are:  twinkle lights - slow and easy knitting -  talking with the kids - a crossed off to-do list -  sketching and doodling - knitting for myself for a change - knitting with really nice wool - simple dinners - bird watching through the kitchen window while I do some dishes - friendships in real life and on line - the kindness of others - outdoor holiday decorations - the colors red and green - fountain pens - journaling - aspirations for the new year - family living near by -  What brings you comfort and joy? Yesterday we went out for an early lunch at a cafe in a local town, it was nice to be out - we rarely are out anymore and I have...

  Hello! How are you? It seems like forever since I posted but really it was just less than a week ago. How was your Thanksgiving (if you celebrate of course)? Our son and daughter in law arrived on Wednesday to stay with us during the holiday, It was nice to see them and we will not see them again until the baby is born in early February or later, it is all up in the air since babies do not follow a set schedule.  We spent Thanksgiving Day at my dad's house and exchanged presents with him which is our yearly tradition, We missed our daughter and son in law as well as my nephew, his wife and child who could not be there. Hopefully 2022 will be the year we are all together! On Saturday, my husband and I hosted a small baby shower for them. Lots and lots of preparations but also a really nice time with close family and a few of their friends. I was exhausted AND I had many many helping hands with my family. I cannot imagine how tired I would have been without their help. We've h...

  How was your weekend? First off I'd like to announce we had our first snow of the season. This knitter was quite pleased and the snow event occurred both Saturday and Sunday - sweet!  Over the weekend I managed to finish the cross stitch holiday ornament, I just need to glue some felt on the back side and find where my ribbons are (I think I know where they are but moving makes everything wonky with memory). Yesterday's morning walk was quite chilly so Frodo wore his coat under his harness, he is so trendy! Someone handmade this coat many many years ago for when our previous dog, Zoe, was a pup. She never wore it for long and then I tucked it into the back of the hall closet. Last year I unearthed it and trained him to wear it (he stands frozen like a statue with coats....) because he shivers a lot as an older dog. Of course I did a ton of knitting this weekend but more on that on Wednesday. Tell me about your weekend!

  Oh November, why do you go so quickly in my mind? Already we are on the fifth day. I cannot remember when I started to love November - well first of all it's my birthday month but I love the days leading up to Thanksgiving and witnessing the leaves dropping and the weather whispering winter temperatures. I love how Christmas creeps in before you've celebrated Thanksgiving too. November is usually a coat wearing month and a wool wearing month. I've been receiving emails from all the stores giving me birthday presents for the month. Ikea sent me such an email and we made the trip yesterday to visit the store in Pittsburgh. He needed a new office chair and I picked up a few things for around the house. They were in the process of decorating for the holidays and my last photo of the gnomes on the counter was one of their rooms in progress. Every month I give my self a little challenge. I've done daily haikus and daily sketching but this time around I am carving out one ho...

  I have exciting news! I FOUND THE CANDLE REMOTE. This is me shouting from the rooftops and it was in the weirdest of places - the battery box. Why I placed it there is beyond my comprehension and just so you know, I've been in that box many times since moving but haven't looked at what was in there. We both were really excited because now we are officially unpacked.  My husband unpacked the garage and did another cardboard box recycling run. All of our spaces look put together now. Storage space remains tight in this older home but I'm so glad we did the major decluttering before the move because we would not be unpacked like we are now. My husband and I went on an outing to the south part of Pittsburgh to a new to him record store. I tried to be patient in there but ended up popping into the adjacent stationery store. After a yarn store, I do love to look at paper. We had lunch at a pizza shop then headed back home. The outing was fun but the high heat and humidity were...