yolo . . .

 A while back I read a newsletter that mentioned YOLO - seems it's the new trend.  I was curious what YOLO could be - haha, turns out it is an anachronism for You Only Live Once.  This just so happens to be my fella's  favourite expression.  The YOLO trend pertains to all the shopping that folks are doing now that the pandemic is winding down (?) and shopping with the attitude that You Only Live Once.   ^^

This summer I frequently felt dumber and duller and I've heard others say the same thing.  It's one thing to entertain oneself and another to keep the wheels turning with face to face socializing.

Anyhoo, I've read lots of books, enjoyed the sunshine, did a bit of stitching and crocheting.  It was such a HOT summer that we didn't spend a lot of time at the cabin (no AC) but enjoyed the covered patio and central air in our new place.  

All the Windows updates had slowed my laptop down to a snail's pace and after months of frustration I bought a Chromebook - what a good decision that was!  I love the speed of it and actually have no complaints with it.  Perhaps it was a YOLO purchase.  ^^

The sunflower sampler is a design by Pinker n Punkin . . .

some people feel the rain - others just get wet (bob marley)

all our visitors bring happiness - some by coming, others by going

the biggest difference between money and time - you always know how

much money you have, but never know how much time you have

why . . .

 Have you ever asked yourself  why didn't I think of that?  I do it frequently.  Recently Maya had a blog post about yarn holders - see it for yourself - and my reaction was why didn't I think of that. I will be the first to admit that I love the yarn bowls that are available but cannot justify the price.    This is what I came up with -  it worked like a charm - to work on my most recent project (thanks Maya) . . . 

This summer has been a different one for me - it's extremely HOT and DRY, we haven't been spending a lot of time at the cabin and I'm not doing much handwork.  However, I did try my hand at Wild Rose Syrup and  Lemon Balm Mead - both are delicious  . . .

Some quotes that I like . . . 

knowledge is knowing that a tomato is  a fruit,

wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad

i have no particular talent, I'm just passionately curious (Einstein)

everything is possible - even the impossible (Mary Poppins)

 

Sunday morning . . .

 Sunday morning coming down - I like that song - it tells quite a story - I like to listen to Kris Kristofferson sing it.  It's been hot here and early this morning we were chilling on the patio . . .

The book I'm reading is 'Fatal Inheritance' by Rachel Rhys.  It takes place in 1948 on the French Riviera  - I'm really enjoying it.

Some quotes I like . . . 

blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures

those who fly solo have the strongest wings

if you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path

this is a good day to have a good day

road trip . . .

 During the hot spell last week we took a wee road trip.  We ended up in a village called Kelwood and what a treat it was.  This community is so well cared for - everyone seems to take pride in their homes and yards.  In the centre of town is a beautiful park!  Many folks had huge gardens - I haven't seen gardens this big since I was a kid - just like then the gardens are totally weedless and picture perfect.  There was one that was all garlic - I'm hoping some of the garlic will be at the farmers' market in the fall.  There is a place there called the Kelwood Barn that is a convenience store (Mountain General)  and gas bar.  At the back there is a restaurant (Farmer's Daughter) that is very inviting as is the outdoor patio.  Unfortunately, in our neck of the woods we cannot dine in or on the patio yet.  Since take out was available we chose a burger  - oh my, these were huge and homemade - homemade buns and patties . . . they were absolutely delicious!!!  We haven't bought a burger this good for many years and we were reminded that when we were younger this was what a restaurant burger tasted like.  Needless to say we'll be visiting here again.  The photos of the park do not do it justice.  

These were taken at the cemetery which was well cared for  - the storage shed is a unique design.

happiness is an inside job

restart . . .

 It makes me chuckle whenever I read "did you ever stop to think and didn't restart" - I suppose many of us have felt that way sometime or other.  But it got me thinking about restarting our lives following this pandemic.  Many of us have been in lockdown for a year and a half (and still are) and during that time haven't gotten together with family or friends.  We've done other things to entertain ourselves  which makes me wonder if it will not be easy to restart visits with family and friends when the time comes.  After all friends and family have had to find other things to do as well - will we all be content doing those other things.  I guess time will tell.  And I wonder as well about handshakes and hugs - will it be easy to return to doing them . . . I hope so.  

I have learned that I can cope with the isolation quite well - mind you, it helps having access to the internet and telephone.  Will I enjoy shopping again - I don't know - I've not shopped, other than for groceries, for so long I can't imagine doing it again other than for essentials.  I've also learned that I can give myself a good haircut - who'd have thought?  

At the cabin the bees were busy and  enjoying the chive flowers - there are two in this photo.  ^^

if you can stay positive in a negative situation - 

you win 

 

rhubarb . . .

 

  

I made some 'rhubarb vanilla bean jelly' and it is absolutely delicious!!  Sadly, the vanilla seeds are not showing very well in this photo - if I had a third hand I would have held a jar up to the window for light so you could see the seeds.    I used this recipe and can tell you it is foolproof - ask me how I know.    It would be so tasty on vanilla ice cream and is actually quite tasty on a spoon.  ^^

Today we got our second jab for Covid.  My arm is sore just like it was with the first jab - it's a small price to pay for the protection.

We've been watching 'Mare of Easttown' and it is fabulous!!  Another one that I'm enjoying is 'Whitstable Pearl'.

you learn a lot by being silent

by the river . . .

  Finally we were able to stay overnight at the cabin - we have been making day trips but it was wonderful to actually spend the night.  The evenings and early mornings are the best time of the day there.  One evening we watched an Osprey fishing.  It was perched atop a neighbour's dead spruce tree and would suddenly make a dive and there'd be a big splash!!  Once it stayed a long time in the water which had us concerned but all was well - perhaps it was enjoying it's catch.  ^^

There have been dozens of pelicans on the river - usually there are just a few.  This year it is so dry that the river they usually inhabit is a mere trickle so I guess they migrated to our river.  The river is low and the big rocks are showing - the pelicans seem to enjoy standing on them.  

 Blue Heron is enjoying our shoreline again - it is so gorgeous although it sounds prehistoric when it 'speaks'.  It is quite shy. 

 

The chipmunks are back - one has a long tail and the other a shortened tail.  I'm sure there is an interesting story behind the shortened tail but they're not sharing it.

The birds haven't been as plentiful as usual but then there is nothing 'usual' about this year - seems like everything is screwed up.  The Goldfinches, Evening Grosbeaks and Purple Finches have been around along with the less colourful birds.  Blue Jay remembered to ask for peanuts, Crow knew to look for treats and a Baltimore Oriole visited - he is so beautiful!  Hummingbirds, male and female, have returned and put on a wonderful show!

 

 Although I've been absent from posting I have been reading blog posts.  I have not done much needlework but have read a lot of books.  In April we decided to move (again). We were not enjoying the current place and my fella was especially unhappy there - with good reason.  So, we moved back to a small community that we lived in a few years ago whilst we waited for the condo to be completed - it was apartment style with an outside door to the patio and an inside door to the central hall that led to the shared garage, etc.  Our new place is also a condo but each is like a separate house so we have our own garage, our own front and back doors that open to the outdoors.  It's nice for my fella to have his own garage so he can putter about if he wishes.  We also have a covered patio which is a treat.  This one has a very  nice layout that is comfortable and a superb kitchen. 

This is our first long weekend of the summer.  It is quite cool and wet.  I daresay no one is complaining about the rain although warmer temps. would be nice.  It is extremely dry in our province with several forest/bush/grass fires burning.  The rain is a blessing.  We talked to one lady this morning who was ecstatic about the rain - they raise cattle and were still feeding them but with this rain they'd be able to release them to the pasture to feed.  

This Buddha quote made me stop and think and I'm still thinking about it. . .

what you think, you become

what you feel, you attract

what you imagine, you create.

bunnies . . .

 I made these bunnies to give to our immediate neighbours.  A lot of folks are struggling with all the restrictions.   In February I crocheted some wee flowers to leave each neighbour followed by  hearts for Valentine's Day and  four leaf clovers in March - the bunnies are for Easter.    These minis don't take long to make and I understand that it's been a nice surprise to find one - I leave them on the purse shelves anonymously.   ^^   If such a small thing can bring pleasure to someone's otherwise mundane day I consider it 'mission accomplished'!  

 

 

 

 

 

These tags are a x-stitch design from  here .  I stitched them on some scrap pieces of aida and finished them as tags.  The tags are  kraft stock but photographed pinkish and the background is the same green as above  - some things defy a logical explanation.  I took the photo on a Monday - I've always liked Mondays - this particular one  was a day that went from bad to worse - and most of it was out of my control. ^^  

go the extra mile - it's never crowded

 

March . . .

 May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load,

May the mist of Irish magic shorten every road,

And may all your friends remember all the favours you are owed!

Lucie Heaton fairy

'Tis the Ides of March, soon to be St. Patrick's Day, followed by the Spring Equinox - dare I mention DST . . .  March is a busy month.  

follow your dreams - they know the way

welcome . . .

Can you believe it's March already?!  

This winter went by very quickly and I don't mind.

 A freebie from Plum Street Samplers. 

the slower we go  the more we see

 These are the pouches I made - assorted sizes - useful for all sorts of items. The black one shows the lining - lousy photo, I know -  I'm not going to sweat the small stuff.  ^^

Today I used up some fabric by covering my small ironing board - I rather like how colourful it is.  The wee tray is one that has been waiting to be assembled for months - today was the day!!  The centre portion is embroidered.

Our temperature reached +7C (45F) today - wow!!  And that was with a  mostly cloudy sky.  Snow has disappeared and there is lots of bare grass.   We had morning coffee break outdoors on the patio and sat out again after lunch - delicious!!  Hmm, wonder if it will get even warmer before the day is over. ^^

On the weekend I watched the movie "To Olivia" and this quote stuck in my mind . . . .

I can't unthink what I think

heart month . . .

 Valentine's Day has come and gone but it's still heart month. 

I've been working on my fabric horde stash.  I sorted, pressed, cut and even made a few things.  The pressing and cutting was back-breaking at times - I quickly learned to pace myself.  One of the most interesting items I made was a tote bag that is reversible and sewed up rather quickly - I found the design here.    I've also made several pouches in a variety of sizes - they come in handy to store all sorts of things from ear pods to patterns.   Some pillowcases were created along with a  swiffer duster refill that was quick and easy.  I'd received a free swiffer duster and really like it for getting into the little knicks and crannies but the refills are very expensive so I was pleased to be able to make one.

The good news is that the COLD weather has departed - woohoo!!

 

your happiness always begins with you

a confession . . .

 

Last month I did not finish a book that I'd started.  It turned out to be a collection of short stories - the first was quite good but the next couple were off the wall, so to speak, and I didn't waste any more time on it.   I started this one and what a fabulous read it was!  There is a sequel to it that I'm hoping to come across.  

Once again I'm working on downsizing the pantry and freezer - I started this a year ago and then the grocery shelves emptied for several weeks because of the pandemic panic buying  -  I quit using up everything since I couldn't replace anything when needed.  It's nice to walk into the pantry now and see empty space and to have space in the freezer again.  ^^

It's bitterly COLD just now but the sun is shining for which we're grateful.   You don't want to know what the windchill value is - really, you don't - it makes us appreciate being retired and able to stay home.  Perhaps this Arctic Vortex is payback for the mild winter we've had so far.  

an idea from homeroad.net

happiness is not a destination - 

it's the journey

dolce far niente . . .

I've finally experienced  'dolce far niente' - the sweetness of doing nothing -  I quite enjoyed it - I recommend it.  I'm not a workaholic but I try to keep busy and keep up with whatever needs doing so 'dolce far niente' is a new experience for me.

shoot for the moon

and even if you miss

you'll land among the stars

Alba gu broth . . .

 

This month is flying by - actually the last 11 months have flown by.

This may be the first Elizabeth Lowell book that I've read - 

it won't be the last - it was an excellent read!!

The snowflakes are 5 minute snowflakes from here - they really

do work up that quickly!

Today is Robbie Burns day . . . Alba gu broth - Scotland forever!

we rise by lifting others

keep on . . .

 

Stitching is my go-to for relaxing and something I enjoy as well.

This is part of a design by Sue Hillis.

I completed my third book of 2021 - 'First Light' by Bill Rancic.  The ending was not what I was expecting - silly me.  I finished this book only because I had started it and I try to discipline myself to finish what I start.  ^^

every morning is a fresh start - 

wake up with a thankful heart

oh hoot . . .

 

These cute little owls were something I worked on over the holidays.  They are a pattern from Annemarie.  I made the beaks with 3 lazy daisy stitches,  added squiggly eyes just because I have lots, made them in different sizes and used neutral shades of yarn.  They make me smile.  

This is my second read of this year.  In 2020 I read a lot of books but didn't keep track of them.  This year looks like it could be another  reading marathon so I'm going to keep track of the books here so that I have a record to look back on.  I hadn't read this author for many years -  when I spotted it in our building library I decided to give it a whirl - I was not disappointed. 

without rain  nothing grows -

learn to embrace the storms in your life

off and running ...

 

I guess I'm off and running having started and finished my first book of 2021 - it was a good read.

look around . . .

all that clutter used to be money