Pumpkin Sunrise

  I've been thinking about the word 'abundance' all week long. Specifically, in my daily life and where is the abundance. In nature, there is an abundance of spring time blossoms and birds singing away. On my walks I try to notice what I see and hear to ground myself and to be present. This noticing crowds out the to do tasks and what's on my mind. I have abundance in yarns, projects and all sorts of creative pursuits. I believe you all do as well. That's what we creators do. Most importantly I've been thinking of the people in my life. Family, extended family, friends, neighbors and all the other people I have yet to meet in my new town. I still keep in touch with my friends from my old town. All of you dear readers who are friends as well. The community we share here is quite abundant. In other news, they came and put up our awning! Now I know it's going to be warmer days. Of course there is snow in tomorrow's forecast but I'm ignoring that bit of ...

  Well well well. I finished this gift cowl over the weekend. I am thrilled with the color striping and the fact that I barely made it with the gray and white yarns. I used the same three skeins from the first cowl here  changing the order of the yarns used. There is nothing as exciting as winning at the yarn chicken game. If you look closely, I did have to stripe the lacy section to officially make the gray yarn last. What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How was your weekend? My husband and I along with my sister and brother in law went to the Phipps Conservatory to see the spring garden show. Outside it was wintry cold but inside the views were springtime hopefulness. We had such a great time. My favorite space was the Japanese garden and I did not take a photograph. We hope to go there every time the exhibit changes. Hopefully the next time we venture over there the weather will be much better and we can stroll about the outside gardens. Yesterday was bitterly cold and I did not wear a winter coat but a spring jacket, I don't know what I was thinking. But it makes you feel alive! Spring is around the corner, right??

  As I sit here and write this post, there are teeny tiny snowflakes doing their best to say 'ha ha, springtime, winter can still be here'. I'm ignoring the flakes and celebrating the first day of April! Can you believe it's April? The daffodils are blooming and my lilac bush is sprouting.  Yesterday we went to the local park for a walk that we haven't done since late fall. The weather was warm but the winds were fierce. I don't mind being cold and/or damp down to my bones but I highly dislike windy days.  My very first time visiting this park was after the high blood pressure event in early August and my meds being adjusted. I then committed to walking over 150 minutes a week which I've kept up with except for extreme snowy weather conditions or that horrible stomach bug. I'm proud of my commitment. April beginnings remind me of new beginnings. I'm looking forward to more outings, day trips and exploring our new to us area. April means: fresh - new ...

  Hello! Believe it or not  I have started a new project this past week. I have a few friends that in their family they are expecting some babies.  As you know I like to knit new babies a simple cardigan. (According to Ravelry this sweater is number thirteen!) I've knit this pattern so much it's sort of memorized and my print out is tattered.  What are you working on this week?

  How was your weekend? Mine was SNOWY. Goodness, just when I'm easing into springtime and blossoms and a feeling of renewal, Mother Nature gives her attitude adjustment. The views of beautiful! Frodo is back to shivering instead of strutting around with confidence knowing his coat-wearing days are over and I am begrudgingly wearing a winter coat.  My weekend wonderfully ordinary. Lots of knitting and reading, what could be better?  (BTW Holly is not really as angry as she appears in the photo. She is wondering why I am taking a photo of her!)

  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?