after all ...

I was sorting through my Christmas things deciding what I was going to use this year so that I could make sure the items were clean and pressed - that's when I discovered this cushion band.  I remember making it but didn't think I still had it.  Having put away the autumn cushion cover this band is just what's needed till it's time to dress for Christmas ...

By the way, the tartan throw in the background is the Maple Leaf Tartan 

which is Canada's official tartan.

This cutie was found at the 'thrift' store - would you believe it was only 25 cents  - including the candle - somehow or other it found it's way home with me ^^

I made a few of these paw prints for animal loving friends - hang them on a tree - use them for package tie-ons - you'll find the pattern here ...

there's no such thing in anyone's life

as an unimportant day

November ...

The poppy x-stitch was a freebie from Permin- it's a beautiful design.  

the ones we love

never truly leave us

crochet

A crochet bookmark from here .  I tried this pattern with gift giving in mind - it's too bulky for my liking so I only made one.  

The table topper on which the book rests says "many have eaten here, few  have died" - it usually evokes some laughter - there have been some who have seen no humour in it.  ^^

Are you wondering where October went - I can hardly believe how quickly it flew by for me.  I've been fiddling with 'comments' on my blog - some readers don't like the robot even though they can bypass it and just click on submit, the embedded comment box blocks out some folks (I'm one of them) and the other method presents a challenge for me to reply (if you left a comment to which I did not reply this is the reason - regrets).  Feel free to read and not leave a comment.  ^^

everything comes to you at the right time ...

be patient

thinking of you ...

Over the summer I stitched a few small, simple designs to use as cards.  One that I really like is this lily of the valley by Luli and I like stitching it in a single colour.   I've used this design for lavender sachets quite frequently.  

This card is for a neighbour - she is 88 (we confessed ages one day when we were wishing the most gentlemanly of gentlemen a happy 95th ^^) -  a classy lady who is very pleasant and has a good sense of humour - she's a sweetheart.     The second anniversary of her husband's death is very soon and I know she still misses him very much - so I thought this might be a nice 'thinking of you' card.

The envelope is made from gift wrap - I find it easy to work with ... it's very forgiving and the creases iron out of it.  ^^  I tore the edges for a different look.

may love be what

you remember the most

the tree ...

This is the autumn tree ...

Here's an update on the bizarre snowstorm -  the ground is still warm and there hasn't been a hard frost yet so roadways and lawns with a small amount of snow cleared off very quickly ... a good thing for those who had to travel.  The snowdrifts and windrows took a bit longer to disappear.  Power was restored quite quickly in most areas but some areas had extreme damage with power poles and transmission towers toppled - it's a good thing it hasn't been cold.  Now flooding is a concern - an autumn flood is almost unheard of  since it's usually a problem in the spring.  It's been a crazy year for weather - spring and summer arrived on the same day and looks like autumn and winter did the same.  My favourite seasons are spring and autumn so it's disappointing for me.  

Anyway, onward and upward - I've located the Christmas cards, made a list and checked it twice made a list of baking that I want to do for the holiday season and another list of  ingredients that I need.  Back in the day I would have my cards addressed and the fruit cake baked by the end of October (snow or not) plus have a lot of the shopping done - how times change as we age.  ^^

give thanks for unknown blessings

already on their way

Thanksgiving long weekend ...

This is Thanksgiving long weekend in Canada - and this is what Manitoba looks like!  Not a lot of snow but wind driven to create huge drifts - it was a Colorado Low that hit on Friday - our neck of the woods didn't get it until Saturday - this photo was taken early morning today, Sunday.  Most of the highways were closed on Saturday and thousands are still without power.  The trees still had leaves so the weight of the wet snow caused many of them to snap and bring down power lines.  It's mild today at 6C so with any luck the mild temperatures will continue along with some sunshine and most of this snow will disappear - now the concern is about flooding.  Just now the lawn is bare of snow and there is a large flock of robins looking for worms - nice to see the robins. 

This is a new finish for autumn - a Happiness is Cross Stitching design - Lynn's mini cats are  cute ...

These were the last flowers I picked from the garden just before the snow arrived - blue delphinium and pink lavatera ...

you may be given a cactus

but you don't have to sit on it

couldn't resist ....

I couldn't resist crocheting this cutie by Stitches n Scraps.   I don't  have a newel post for it so I used a jam jar - I used #3 yarn - it's really cute! 

These are the mini pumpkins I made last year ...

It did happen - the snow that is - went to bed on September 30 to big, wet, flakes of it and arose to about a half inch - quickly disappeared once the sun rose.  Hopefully, we can now expect Indian Summer to arrive.  

We went to the cabin yesterday - this little oak is the last to get it's leaves and the first to lose them  ...

I've been  on a downsizing/de-cluttering spree - did a lot of this at the cabin over the summer - am now tackling it at home - almost done (for 2019).  The downsizing will be a continuous thing I fear - it's getting easier to part with keepsakes, memories and good stuff - just can't do it all at one time.  ^^

it might not seem like much to us,

but to people who have little, 

a little more can seem a fortune