finding sunshine on a grey day

I presented a short introduction to the process of paper piecing to my quilt guild this week. The deadline gave me the push I needed to complete the block assembly of this quilt top.

I've named it Winter Solstice though it has yet to be quilted. Designing the quilting will take some serious thought. Any suggestions?

cold spell

The fleece cardigan, the outer jacket with hood, the hat and headband, the scarf and gloves, the nearly knee high boots. Fresh water in hand, sprouts and tidbits from the kitchen. Suet and seed cakes.

For our good friends, neighbors, family.  

Our birds.

make use of what you have

I think this will be my mantra for 2016: make use of what you have.

Still in the midst of getting a handle on "stuff." Getting to know just what's in my pantry, sewing cabinet, desk. Promising myself to make use of it all, the large, the small. Keep or give away.

This is a big job and to do it right will take a while. So it's satisfying to take a time out and give yourself a gift of time to tackle a mini project.

Last year's sewing room calendar, twelve quilts illustrated in perfect squares, gave me today's happy diversion.

On the back side of the calendar there were miniatures of each quilt which made the perfect little gift tags for each box.
Gosh, I've forgotten just how much I love to play with paper.

National Houseplant Appreciation day

Gardening catalogs have been arriving steadily.
The thermometer read 9 degrees below zero this morning.
The raised beds out in the garden are nearly unrecognizable beneath the snow.
My green thumbs are twitching and I've been "plant dreaming deep."

Thank you, dear indoor companions, for keeping me good company.
Especially now.

blessings

Twelfth night and Kings Day have come and gone, signally it's time to put the house in order. Serious sorting, packing, purging. An annual opportunity for taking inventory- of what surrounds me, what is within me.

It's a time of reflection, renewal, rededication. Of allowing un-guilty hours of reading, handwork, play.
A time for comfort foods.

Despite the cold and shortened daylight hours, our new flock, now totally integrated with the senior birds, has begun to lay. And our dear LadyHawk, one of the three remaining senior hens who will be 5 this May, has resumed laying. Keeping chickens is such good fun, their quirky personalities both amusing and good company.
Mya and Dovey are pleased that the weather is keeping us indoors so much of each day. They insinuate themselves into every project and activity. They cuddle with us and with each other.

Somehow they always know if a lap is available.

The holidays are past. It's a week into the new year. January is generous with gifts of her own.

a view from kings' day

Oh the sweet melodies of a new year.

I'm so looking forward to sharing it with you.

love and joy come to you

May the final days of 2015 allow for restorative reflection.

And may the new year be all you can imagine it to be.