Bird Food

Ok...I know you're all anxious to see picks from the trip and those are coming.  But today a quick note about returning home.  It was nice to get home, but it's quiet here...no ocean lapping at the beach. 
However, although I intuitively know what happens to the bird food I put in the feeder, I now have the proof.  And let's just be clear here that moving the feeder away from a tree is useless. 


At first I thought this was bad, then I noticed that whatever the squirrels ( I know they're evil, Kathy) dropped, the doves were eating.  As a matter of fact....there were many birds eating from the ground that don't prefer the feeder.  So, maybe by letting it ride I help out the other birds....or so I told myself.

Please note in this last shot he is looking directly at me.  I know he's there, he knows I know he's there....he doesn't care and today, neither do I.

PS....the furry white belly is pretty cute.

And We're Off

Ok....so here the adventure begins.  On Sunday Reyna and I left Nashville for sunny Destin, FL in the prequil leg of the january spin-in journey. 

Wait, did I say sunny Destin, FL....I meant foggy.  However, where there are two woman with a mission to be on the beach....there is no weather that will stop them....perhaps the dangerous animal warning flag....nah....  We took a walk on the beach in the fog....listen to the water, knowing the road was to the opposite side and thankful we could see the dangerous sea creatures...man-o-war. 

I have never taken a walk on the beach in the fog, but I must say, I would do it again.  We were dripping, I looked like a wet rat, but no one could see us anyway. 

What was amazing was the color of the ocean.  It looked like sea glass....

Today we were able to have lunch on the beach in....mostly...sunshine.  It's all good where there is seafood, sand and the ocean.

Foggy Bonus....silicone implants washing ashore...

Ritual

Ok....so post holiday I have been thinking a lot about community and being together with friends and family.  I have been thinking of all the times my family gathers around the dinner table to eat, laugh, share, vent, argue, eat and laugh some more.  It's our way.  Ok, we're Greek Macedonian and that really is sort of genetic...like our Italian cousins across the river....but it's more than that.  It's us...being us individually, but together. 
Bringing our hopes, dreams, memories, fears...all to the table.  When I was younger, we weren't texting, we couldn't get phone calls every moment of every day, we didn't live in front of the TV and my parents didn't live to work.  It was different....we still did dinner together, but now it seems more important to perform this ritual.  To be all together for a moment.  To see each other across the table, taste wonderful foods, laugh at ridiculous jokes and ourselves, to remember great times past and dream about what is to come....to take a moment away from running every which way to just BE together.

Because I can't get this as often as I'd like with my family, I have discovered other ways of ritual that bring me together with people.  I knit.  Seriously, is there anything more community?  It's a craft and ritual as old as time.  People getting together to knit, spin, crochet, stitch anything...talk and eat....to be present in the moment, enjoying the company...learning and sharing.  I cook.  I bring people in to eat. (it's another Greek thing).  Sometimes I just go to a movie...alone....with a bunch of other people.  We laugh together, cry together, eat popcorn together and although we don't know each other....for a moment, we have been a part of a ritual that brings us together.

Look around you.  These rituals are a part of our everyday lives and we often miss them.  They give us a places to be playful, to explore the meaning of our lives and to experience something new and wonderful.  Take a moment to see them, to acknowledge where you are, who is with you and how it feels to be together.

Project Update

Ok....so here are a few finished projects....the first is a woven scarf I made for Mum for Christmas.  Could not post before now because she actually reads this blog.  Mohair boucle....soft, light, airy and beautiful. 

Second, a scarf made of my handspun for Colleen's birthday.  The fibre was from Daily Fibers (Jan rocks with the color) and the pattern my own...check it out here. 

The third is just completed....the Vermont Shawl in MissBabs Northumbria.  I started this shawl in October while at SAFF with Jan and Darlene.  It was a gorgeous fall day....sunshine, conversation, yarn winding and a diet soda.....beautiful.

I've also been spinning a bit....here is some cormo...so soft and perfect for the lace wrap I've been thnking about.  I bought this roving while at the Michigan Fiber Festival in August.  I'm so pleased with how it came out.  It was a challenge for me to spin, but a joy...so soft.

And some lump Stone House, dyed by Lynne Vogel.  I have bought enough of this colorway in a mohair boucle for a coat....wait until you see that.  But this little bit will be a scarf to go with my coat.

A little bit of bombyx silk and rayon....soft, beautiful....and plenty of yardage.  Also from Lynne.  This one will be for sale soon.

Epiphany

Ok...epiphany....a sudden realization of a significant truth.....
I have too much yarn in my house,
I have too many projects started,
I want to start more projects,
I have too much fibre in my house,
I want to spin more fibre,
Spinning more fibre makes more yarn in my house,





Conclusion...too many truths, not enough hours in my day and too much real work is keeping me away from reducing and replenishing my stash.  Amen!

Pictures from the Northern Road

Ok....I think these speak for themselves.

Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it. Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
Kierkegaard

My Little Monkey

Ok...so for the holiday season I was in Michigan and Canada with the family.  Prior to this trip, I received an email from Kathy (the little monkey's mother) with instructions on what we were to expect during our visit.  The email was sent to myself, Mum and Pascoe (monkey's uncle....seriously) since we are not permanent residents in the house.  I am posting this because it is truly priceless and as I have experienced.....true.  The chld was using the word 'no' for everything....it was great!
Note the socks on the monkey...he wore them all... 

I thought I should duly inform you of Mitchell’s new rules of ownership of all items entering the home before you all come over for Christmas:

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.

7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
11. If it's broken, but you are having fun playing with the pieces, it's mine again.
12. If there is ANY doubt, it's mine.

Yep. That about covers it.

Oh, and the word of the season for Mitchell is “no”...lots of “no” flying around this house from him and us! Practice saying, “No, Mitchell, do not jump onto the Christmas tree!” and “No, Mitchell, do not take off the Nutcracker Prince’s head, please!” and “No, Mitchell, do not feed your ham and cheese to Mommy’s Frosty the Snowman figurine!” and “No, Mitchell, do not climb the hutch to play with Mommy’s glass snow globe!” and “No, Mitchell, do not play with Baba Tia’s light up Christmas sculpture!”...you get the idea.  Theree you go...very good practicing. See you soon!

Holidays and Family

Ok....so this holiday season I spent a few days in Canada with my family.....and....a little bit of snow.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting older, but with each year that passes, these trips and times together are more and more precious to me.  I visited with my loving and caring Teta Mary, my amazing Uncle Nick, my Mum and cousins and yes, of course my little man.  We had adventures, lights and laughter, peaceful morning coffees, socks and snow, paper runs and food....holy crap....the food. 

Kathy is a wonderful cook....and she out did herself for this yummy holiday....she did tell me how many pounds of butter were used, but I'm not revealing....eek.  And, egg salad....Teta Mary's egg salad.  Now, I have no idea what's different about this egg salad from any other, but it's the best in the world....ever.  And she made some for me.  Come to think of it, every time I go for a visit, she makes egg salad for me......aren't I a lucky girl.

When I'm away, I miss my family every day.....but I also know how fortunate I am to have a goofy, wonderful, caring group of people to call my own. 

To all of you...may the new year bring you close to those you already love and into circles of new people to share your life with.  Happy New Year!

Knitting

Ok....no brainer here....or so you would think....I'm nuts about knitting.  I have been knitting since I was a small child...I knit every day...I can't imagine a day in which there is no knitting...I can't watch TV without knitting and yesterday, when in the dark movie theatre with my brother (watching Sherlock Holmes) I caught myself thinking....I wish I had my knitting.  Sad and joyous.  I love intricate patterns, all types of fibres and color and just the practice of weeding my way through a pattern.  The thrill of discovering a new yarn, then hunting for the perfect pattern to accompany.  The excitement of designing and swatching and planning for the wonderful finished object and then the journey...the wonderful hours of watching your creativity grow. 

I am currently working on the following:

• three pair of thick gift socks
• one pair of thick socks for me
• one pair of thin socks for me
• one pair of thin gift socks
• an alpaca sweater coat
• a cashmere cardigan
• another alpaca sweater coat
• the Vermont shawl
• and a partridge in a pair tree

So here's to knitting....my constant creative outlet....

Time

Ok....so I have been thinking about this a lot.  I know I say that often lately, but I've been in thinking mode....go figure.  Anyway...today it's time.  I have been given the gift of more time that I thought and I very often take time for granted.  I'll do it tomorrow, I wish this week would end, I can't wait until next week.....seriously....what about now? 

I believe in living in the moment....and usually I'm pretty good at it, but sometimes it gets away from me and I fall into that pattern of rushing or wishing away my time.  We only have so much.....so why am I doing this?  Who knows?  Like everyone else, sometimes I just get moving too fast and forget....forget about the importance of this moment even though it may not have a great event tied to it. 

Mostly, I enjoy the moments...all of them for what they are...time for me in this life to try something new, enjoy something old, or just daydream.  What about those great days when you plan one thing and something else happens....something unexpected and wonderful...because you chose to go with it...  So, just go with....just let the time happen and enjoy the moments.

Today, I am enjoying the quiet moments with my little man and family.....ah......

Happy Holidays

Ok....for me it's Christmas, for you it could be any number of other celebrations, but the wish is the same....happiness, health and prosperity in the new year.  Enjoy this time with your family.  They are a gift.

Senses

Ok.....so this morning, I was thinking about how grateful I am for my senses.  That I can see, smell, taste, hear and feel the world around me.  I'm so fortunate to have all of this working (reasonably well most days). 

To be able to read everything, book, sub-titled movie, Christmas card....watch the water hit the trees from a window, shadow, light, color, a smiling face....a gift.  To hear...music, the rush of the ocean, a laugh, the mew of the crazy cat next door, a child's giggle....a gift.  To smell....ok, now most of you know I'm highly sensitive to smells, but when they're good....coffee brewing (Starbucks...mmmm), fresh bread baking, the salty ocean air, a rose in full bloom....a gift. 

To touch....wool through my fingers, cool marble, a hug, holding a child's hand....a gift.  And my favorite.....to taste....ice cream, sushi, tea, popcorn....a gift.  It's something we so often take for granted.  Take the time to pay attention, take in the world around you through all of your senses.  I am so grateful.

I just realized as I was choosing photos for this post that I chose three water shots and wanted to choose more....hmmm.......imagine that....