Pumpkin Sunrise

  Good morning! How are you doing?  Right now I am sitting at my kitchen table in the morning writing this post. Yesterday the rain came all day long, today we are in for some more rain. Our backyard is a mud pit and I try to walk Frodo from one tuft of grass to the other trying my best to avoid mud - the success is intermittent, but my determination is strong. On my daily walk yesterday, I snapped that tulip photo from a neighbor's garden. We cannot grow tulips in our yard because the deer eat them up but I guess where she lives the deer are respectful. My daffodils continue to bloom and are wonderful to look at. I came across these two gratitude quotes and decided to write them down to remember them.  Today I am grateful for: - my healing wrists - being finished with an antibiotic - my raincoat and umbrella - leftovers - a captivating novel on a rainy day - easy peasy sock knitting - Frodo and Holly - phone calls from the kids - silence - the kindness of others What are you grate

  I cannot believe we are celebrating Easter this weekend. The Lenten season has gone fast and yet is has gone slow at the same time. I am excited about the weather being more like springtime and less like wintertime and I say this with my fingers crossed.  How are you?  Earlier this week, my husband and I went to the conservatory to see the spring flower show and it was the first time going without my sister and brother in law. We had a nice time and enjoyed seeing the flowers. I was surprised that some of the glass roofs of the greenhouses were drippy from the outside rain. I guess a lot of work and maintenance goes into the upkeep of not only the plants but the structural integrity of the buildings as well.  I've had the whole week off from my classes and have focused my attention on knitting (carefully so that the flare doesn't flare up again). I'm looking forward to seeing my local family on Easter Sunday and eating lots of food. Happy Easter!

  And just like that, spring has arrived. Yesterday was a warm and sunny day - everything is starting to bloom. Maybe it's a little earlier than usual compared to previous springs, but I do like it. The weather is heading back to colder weather over the weekend and I thought I heard the word snow once more in the forecast.  Spring is such a fickle season and that is one of the reasons I like it.  I pulled my sketchbook out to draw a downy woodpecker. I was outside and heard a woodpecker and used the merlin app to identify the bird. I then fell down a rabbit hole of differentiating a downy woodpecker from a hairy woodpecker (I do love a rabbit hole!). I spontaneously wanted to try a sketch. I could list a million things wrong with my sketch, but I am focusing on the fact that I did a sketch and did enjoy the process. Creativity also blooming. I hope you are experiencing some spring time magic where you are!!

  Good morning! How was your weekend? On Saturday, my sister and I drove north to visit my dad and step mom for the afternoon. We had a lovely lunch and spent time catching up. The drive up and back was a little stressful. Crazy drivers and pouring rain, but we made it safely there and back.  On Sunday, we went to the conservatory with my sister and brother in law to see the orchid show. All the flowers and displays were beautiful. I was disappointed we were unable to go outside in the children's garden (one of my favorites) but maybe they are getting it ready for the spring, which as you know is right around the corner. I've been busy knitting away over the weekend and reading my library book on my kindle ( The Stone Circle by Elly Griffiths)before it was due. This weekend was over all lovely!

  I had a busy weekend but a very good kind of busy. My sister had a fall craft show at her house and I was there keeping her company while her friends came and perused her items. I saw family members and had a great time all together.  Yesterday, we all went to the conservatory in Pittsburgh for the fall flower show. I love how creative they are in creating displays and arranging the flowers. We had such a great time! On a whim, my husband and I started shopping for a new fridge and dishwasher. All of the appliances that came with the house are VERY old. We will be hosting Thanksgiving and will have a full house with our kids and grandkids. A new dishwasher will help immensely because my current one can only do dishes (no pots, pans, trays etc...). Just the thought of running a dishwasher multiple times a day warms my heart (and to know they are CLEAN). I just plainly hate our current fridge. It's old and inefficient. How was your weekend?

  How was your weekend? I had a fabulous one. Nothing much happened and I guess that is what I like most of all, nothing happening. I did a lot of knitting and a  lot of reading. Friday evening we went over to my sister and brother in law's house for dinner. After dessert and a quick board game, she gave me a tour of her beautiful garden where I captured some pretty photos. Saturday was all the knitting and reading and then back to knitting, so so so good!! Sunday we went to church and I did a bazillion household chores. (I'd rather be knitting or reading!). I tried a new shampoo and my hair is all over the place. I can't decide if it's a win or fail.  While I was walking Frodo around the house, I spied this maple leaf wishing me good things to come. I don't care how hot it gets or how humid (and it is humid = hair all over the place) I know and you know that FALL is coming and there are signs of it's arrival. That is all I need.

  Good morning! I'm popping in here for a quick hello since the weekend is still going strong today because it's Labor Day. Yesterday, we had lunch at my dad and stepmom's house along with my sister and brother in law. The food was delicious and the flowers were beautiful!  On Saturday, my sister and I went shopping and had great fun. I bought more yarn even though I swore I would not buy more yarn and would faithfully knit from my never-ending stash. I swear the purchases were 'necessary'. I am hopefully finishing a Christmas stocking today for our newly minted granddaughter. The yarn is acrylic, so my hands are very sore. I cannot wait to return to my sweater knitting.  How was your weekend?

  Good morning! How was your weekend?  On Saturday, I did some early morning errand running and was home by 10 a.m. and spent the rest of the day enjoying the fall-like weather. Wearing a sweatshirt in the morning was decadent. I love when there are hints of fall as we are knee-deep in late summer. Today the heat and humidity return, sigh. Sunday was a relaxing day, I rearranged my journaling supplies and cleaned out my knitting bag. I'm making room for new projects and for new holiday knitting. My husband and I sat out on the back patio in the afternoons and enjoy what summer was offering to us over the weekend. As the weather heats up again, our afternoon patio time will shift to mid morning. My non-credit classes start in a few weeks. I'm taking: two history classes and Tai Chi. I'm ready for my school adventure.

  How was your weekend? Mine was nice. Another weekend home doing my regular stuff. On Friday, I had a sister outing and in the morning we stopped to feed the chickens my sister is babysitting. They were all so cute! We picked up smoothies and shopped at a few stores before heading home. I'm having the tiniest arthritis flare, so I've been taking it easy and staying out of the sun, heat and humidity which makes it worse. I'm in a knitting mood so that just aligns with my values these days. I did some art journaling as well. The iris below has decided to bloom a few months late. We've had thunderstorms over the weekend that were intense but luckily Frodo cannot hear them and slept through the noise. Holly can hear them and she doesn't like them at all. How was our weekend?

  How was your weekend? My weekend was restful and felt like a mini-vacation. I ate lunch every day out on the back patio, enjoying the nice weather in between the raindrops. I'm grateful that we are not super-super hot, just regular warm weather pushing humid. Frodo and I walked early each morning before the full sun and or heat was blaring down. The neighborhood is quiet except for the birds singing. More flowers are blooming in our yard, my husband did so much work last year and we are reaping the benefits this year. I mostly read this weekend for hours on end. The library ebook,  Spare,  became available Friday afternoon and I quickly started reading the memoir. I'm also trying to finish A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths before the next ebook becomes available through the library. July might be a massive reading month for me. I work a little bit each day on the baby cross stitch sampler, I'm over half way done! How was your weekend?

  I'm delighting in the ordinary days of approaching summertime. During nice weather (as in not raining) I go for my walks and notice the changes in nature. This week the tree frogs have started to sing. In March I cannot wait for trees to leaf out and wonder when it will occur. In June I feel like I didn't pay enough attention to the changes for spring.  Around here the kids are done with school and I love to listen to the neighborhood laughter.  For the party last week, my husband quickly filled some pots with annuals to brighten up the deck, their pops of color fill me with delight whenever I'm washing my dishes and looking out from the window.  Many times this week I dabbled with paints and pens, exploring new ways to be more loose in my work. Not an easy task but it's fun to try. Letting go of expectations and exploring without a means to an end is the most delightful way to spend some creative time. What has delighted you this week?

  How has your week been so far? I'm busy with the preparations for both a family reunion in town and a little baby shower here at my house. Each day this week I did something on my list to pace myself so that I wasn't doing everything all in one day. Sadly, those one day marathons are over. I remember cleaning my entire house in one day in my younger married years - what? Now I do bite sized pieces of cleaning so that I have time to rest. Am I ready? Yes I'm getting there. Our son and daughter in law and grandson arrive late tonight so I have most of the day to get my tasks done. I'm excited to see them, March was the last time we visited them and helped out with babysitting.  The Miss Holly photo is her sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for her nemesis (Frodo). She loves to taunt him and scamper away just as he is close to her. My husband gave our Mary statue a cosmetic redo. She had her cracks filled and sanded, then received a fresh coat of paint. She is look

  Good morning! How are you during this warmer than usual week? Today will be 90 degrees, oh my! I am trying to ignore the hot as best as I can.  Frodo and I sit outside on the back patio for little bits until one of us is too hot. It's a system! I've been working on that little blanket (final knit for now) for the granddaughter-to-be and hopefully will finish it tomorrow or definitely Sunday. I do not have enough yarn, so the blanket will be the size that it ends up! This week I've watched my ONE peony blossom do its magic. Every morning I check the status, always amazed at the beauty of it all. My sister just gave us more peonies to plant and every morning when they are watered I send lots of well wishes and hopefulness that the transplants take hold during this hot week. Easing back into a consistent art habit has been bumpy but I've found that being lenient on myself helps. I just do what is inspiring me. The other day was a doodle page with ONE bold fine line marke

  How was your weekend? Yesterday we went to the P hipps Conservatory with my sister and brother in law and had a fabulous time. This is our second year of having memberships and the displays are wonderful. We go right when it opens so that the plants are abundant and the people are few. I had a restorative weekend. Lots and lots of downtime while slowly taking care of tasks around the house. We have company coming and staying with us starting on Wednesday so every day I clean a little bit more of the house. I remember the days when I could clean the whole house in a single day with babies. I guess I could do it in a single day but I'm not motivated, where is the fun in that?! I'm feeling so much better now that I am home and resting after our trip. Today I'm starting up my strength training/yoga practice after a whole week off.  How was your weekend?

  Good morning! How was your weekend? Mine was eventful as opposed to uneventful. On Saturday my sister and I picked up some smoothies and went to a local yarn store. Of course I bought more yarn - life is short. However I am very specific in what I buy and have a plan for the yarn. In my younger years I bought yarn because I liked it but didn't have a plan for it. I'm trying to be mindful in my purchasing. Sunday we all went to the conservatory to see their Orchid show and soak in all the greenery during the February brown days. I loved it and it was toasty warm in the conservatory.  Sunday afternoon I did a bit of sketching and relaxed.  How was your weekend?

  How was your weekend? Mine was busy! My sister had a craft show both on Friday and Saturday and I helped her on both days. Sunday morning the four of us went to the fall flower show at the Phipps Conservatory . This visit was my favorite one so far, probably because I love Autumn so much! My favorite spaces are the Japanese Garden and the Children's Garden both outside. I'm looking forward to their holiday show coming up sooner than ever. My weekend was filled with pockets of knitting, all those pesky household chores and writing lists so I remember everything I'm supposed to do this week!