Art

Ok....so as I sit here working, listening to Pandora.....I'm thinking I'm really grateful for music...all of it....ok maybe not country for me. Any form, blaring from car speakers at 75mph, in the house, in a store, or all alone, late at night through headphones.

When I listen I'm transported to past memories of people and places, allowed to create in my head, sing out loud (to the dismay of my co-workers sometimes) and to relax and breathe it in.

Art. Artisans. Artists. Things that people make.  I am in awe of what people can do with their hands, their eyes, their time.  What a gift to be able to share in someone else's creativity.  To have a bit in your home, wear a bit on your body, see it in a museum or gallery, hear it through speakers or in a park concert.....it's all around us.  What joy!!! 

I'm grateful I can appreciate art....all of it!

Faith

Ok....so today I have been thinking about Faith.  Could mean religion, could mean trust in someone, or in a process.   I'm grateful for my continued faith in humanity and the people around me, for the people that have faith in me, for the plunge I take every day....stepping out there, letting go to see where I'm taken; where I'll end up and for the faith to trust that in the end I'm where I'm supposed to be (whether I like it or not), doing what I'm supposed to do and finding a peace in the journey.  Call it karma, kismet, luck, fate....whatever your term...it's about letting go. 

Now that I have spouted all of that....let me be clear that sometimes I seriously go kicking and screaming down this path....no faith, no peace, no trust....spewing bad karma all over the place.  Just sayin'...sometimes that happens too.

Friends and Family

Ok....so I know I'm lucky in this department...I just know it.  I have crazy family and plenty of dysfunction, but the core of my family is amazing and I'm thankful for them every day.  I'm thankful we're all a little off.  I'm thankful that we can call each other whenever we want to and not a moment is missed.  I'm thankful we all have each other.  At least one of them makes me smile every day and I look forward to seeing each of them whenever we can.

PS....regarding the photos....we're a goofy bunch....especially when Greg and Pascoe are involved.  I also have so many people around me who are not technically related to me, but feel like they are.  So many people who are in my life.....not just passing through, but really in it.  What a gift. 

I spent this weekend with two of those people....Ashlyn and Sarah....my virtual nieces.  Movie, popcorn, tie-dye, cookie making, pizza eating, Nintendo, soda, cookie eating...you know...groovy weekend. 

The few photos give you an idea of what Christmas weekend is like here.....a very long tradition and one I look forward to even though one is driving and the other is close.  I thought of posting pictures of them younger, which I adore and you would too, but these are young women and I want them still talking to me tomorrow. 

I'm looking forward to the holidays with all my friends and family.  What a lucky gal I am.

Brother

OK...so today (and today only....ha, but seriously)... I'm grateful for my brother.  He's awesome.  He's someone I can call ten times a day and won't mind.  He'll help me pick out something in Home Depot or tell me how to fix something from three states away.  He makes me laugh....again and again and again.  And he's the person who I've shared my entire life with. 

Because we're so close in age, we grew up together; same school, same friends, same memories.  Well, I am older, so sometimes I was the boss of him, but it didn't last long.  He's creative and talented and an amazing cook.  He's my friend and I love him.

PS....Pascoe is with Greg.  Cousin, another younger brother...same thing.  They share one brain....it's great.

Poor Mum doesn't stand a chance.

Gratitude

Ok....so I'm going to take a cue from a friend and use the month of December to express what I'm grateful for.  There is a lot....I'm a lucky gal.  Let's start with my Mum. 

Tina is an amazing woman.  I hope someday I grow up to be loving, giving, strong, funny, beautiful and patient just like she is.  She is my best friend, my girl friend, the person who knows way too much about me (thank goodness) and a great mother.  She doesn't mind when I say, let's just sit and knit or how about a movie....or even let's trek to Lowe's for wood.  She's an amazing gardener and cook, but most of all....she takes care of me when I'm down and feeds my soul. I'm truly lucky and grateful for this woman.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

Ok....so I decided to take a couple of days off this week, one of those being yesterday.  So, rather than sit and knit (pleasing activity), spin (relaxing activity) or read (exciting activity).....I ran errands near the mall.  Now most of you know by now that the mall during the holidays scares me.  I avoid it....I don't want to be upset with people who apparently want to do this to themselves.  So, I went yesterday and it wasn't too scary. 

Here is what I witnessed:

1.  Jo-Ann Etc - Christmas has exploded.  I know it did weeks ago because I was there when it happened, but it's truly out of control.  The 50% off gilded ornaments are flying off the shelves.  I had a return and purchased a picture frame....simple enough....15 minute wait in line...not too bad.  Side note.....I saw a woman leave wearing a purple and pink lame tee-shirt that read "I love (heart symbol) turkey." It had a picture of a cooked bird on a platter. Really? Seriously? Was this going too far?

2.  Half Off Books - Now I rarely go into the store, although it screams at me, being filled with books, however, they don't really have anything I'm looking for.  This time, I did find one book, talked with a very nice book store employee man who gave recommendations for some young adult books and I walked through aisles filled with books.....  Seriously,  can't be bad.

3.  Marty and Liz - Ok, periodically I have to take a turn through this store just in case there is a pair of shoes I've missed.  I know, I have plenty.  I know, I have missed plenty.  But it's the shoe game I play with myself.  This is where I saw a man and his boy child (about 2-3 years old).  The child was lying on a bench and his father was leaning over him laying down the law.  "If I let you down, you won't crawl on the floor?" Head shake no. "If I let you down you won't lick the shelves?  Because if I see one lick, we're leaving and your mother can finish without you."  How do you keep from falling out laughing when you hear this?  You pay for your one pair of shoes, just one....and how it until you make it outside.  Then you laugh and talk to yourself so everyone can stare and point.  What else?

4.  TJ Maxx - quick stop here for a pie plate.  While in line to check out (wasn't too bad), there was a man before me returning something and a Hispanic woman before him with a young boy and very small girl in the cart.  The little girl was precious....yes, precious...from her little lace socks to her pierced ears, humongous brown eyes and two little teeth.  The man before me was smiling and she had her full flirt on....then....he spoke Spanish to her.  It was amazing.  This man and this tiny child smiling at each other and laughing.  Now that was worth the wait in line.

5.  A quick stop at Jersey Mike's for a sandwich and I was on my way home.  By this time it's 3pm, the day is almost over and I still have a pedicure to look forward to.  I might add here that I usually knit or read during my pedicure....this time I chose to read (reading a wonderful book called, People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks)....and the people at the shop were disappointed because they always want to see what I'm knitting.  Actually I've started several of them knitting....lots of socks and scarves coming from those gals.

So, although my day was very busy (many uneventful stops between)....it was also happy.  I saw people being kind and connecting.  Wonderful thing to see this time of year.  To all of you....Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours....from my family to yours.  Enjoy connecting with each other all over again.

The Facebook Plunge

Ok....I've finally started a facebook page for Blue Leaf Arts.  I know, I know....but you never know.  Stop by, take a look.  Also, remember that I'm posting periodically regarding Blue Leaf Arts on the page linked to the left.  And my patterns are located on the page (also in the link to the left). 

This weekend, the wind has been wicked here.  I have wind chimes.  I love wind chimes....my neighbors probably hate me for having wind chimes, but I love the sound.  There is something soothing about the bamboo....  The other chimes are metal and the pitch is enjoyable.  All night long I hear the chimes from the back yard....all day while I work, I hear the ones by the office.....ah....home, the wine and my chimes. 

Speaking of the yard....it's gorgeous this time of year.  The photo is of the back yard along with my visiting cat.  I do not know her name, but she visits frequently.  Sometimes when I leave the garage door open (as I often like to)....I will find yarn in the driveway....   Sometimes I see her on the deck ready to pounce and next thing I know the squirrels are scattering.  Now....one of the things I like about my yard is the wildlife....plenty to keep me entertained.  So, I wasn't too nuts about this chick chasing the squirrels until I realized that she might be why I didn't see many moles this year.....   So, I have decided to let her chase...as long as the moles stay away.

Fall and the Pears

Ok....so this beautiful fall just keeps on giving back here in Nashville.  It's been a long time since I've seen such color here.  The temps are wonderful.....leading to spinning on the deck with a fire going. 

Now if it would just be light a little longer in the evening so I could actually enjoy the deck after work.  I'm not a fan of dark coming at 5pm.

However, I have had the opportunity to get out with the top down....have to love that.  And the Bradford Pears are turning red.....any of you livinig here know this city is filled with these trees.....so.....gorgeous.

Dye Job

Ok.....so I did it....I actually participated in dyeing some yarn.  Eek!!! 

Saturday past, a group of gals from the Nashville Spinsters and elsewhere rolled out to Three Creeks Farm, thanks to Beth and Steve and we made colors of our yarn.  Animals...check.  Gorgeous day....check.  Large pots....check.  Onion skins......check.  It was a perfect day to be outdoors and as usual a fun group. 

I was not sure at all what I was doing, or how to do it or anything for that matter....but everyone was kind and helpful and we all learned a lot.  Some beautiful yarn emerged.

Here are pics of my hanks which are nothing compared to others.....but I'm proud.  After all the rinsing plenty of color stayed.  Once I got home, I spent an hour rinsing yarn and hanging it outside.  Fortunately, the weather is great and everything could be outside all night and day.