~See Ya Next Year!"~

I was up early this morning before the sun came up waiting patiently for yet another glorious sunrise to share with you..well, I got busy with morning chores and missed the red sky as the sun rose. I got to the back porch just as the clouds opened up just a bit, allowing the sun to shine through. What beautiful color! Instead of reds and oranges...blues, and purples, pinks and yellows. Stunning!
Look at the branches of the little tree, all barren and ready for winter! A few tiny leaves hanging on, not ready to go, waiting for a gust of wind to send them on their journey into the fields beyond. Yesterday was a very windy day, and the leaves from the trees were thick and blowing in swirls then up into the sky, they seem to be saying, "See ya next year!"
Time to get out the ol' rake and mower for the last time this year, and in their place, the shovel and snow blower....I feel like the tiny leaves left on the tree..I know it's comin' and I'll be ready, but I'm just not ready to let go!
Blessings~

~Using Time Wisely~

Throughout our lives we have heard the saying, "Use your time wisely." That thought keeps running through my mind today as I am sitting in front of my window watching the rain fall, the confetti of orange and red leaves blowing off of the trees, covering the green grass. The thunder is rumbling and the sky is a solid flat color of gray. I have my quilt, my books, a shawl that I am knitting , and I am cozy and warm. I am blessed.
Sometimes it is just all right to be quiet. It is a time to reflect and give thanks. A time of peace without demanding noise. No television, no music, no insistent message beeps from the phone...just silence.

"There is time in which to be, simply to be, that time in which God quietly tells us who we are and who He wants us to be. It is then that God can take our emptiness and fill it up with what He wants, and drain away the business with which we inevitable get involved in the dailyness of human living." Madeleine L'Engle

Sometimes it is necessary to be still..to use time wisely.

Blessings~

~Rose Colored Glasses~

Good Morning Friends! As I was reading my morning devotional, "Soul Retreats for Women" I came across this wonderful story that I wanted to share with you.

"A gal who is remembered around the world for her mountainous hope was described as "being excessively cheerful and unduly optimistic." She was said to have looked at an impossible situation through rose-colored glasses.
Five days into a trip across the Atlantic on the legendary Titanic, Margaret Tobin Brown found herself bobbing around in a lifeboat in the freezing cold with fourteen other women and prophet-of-doom officer. The officer insisted they'd never escape the undertow when the ship went down.

Margaret refused to give in to negative thinking. If this man wasn't going to save the lifeboat, she would. She insisted they keep warm by fast-paced rowing during those daunting hours before they were rescued, and lifted their hopes with her indomitable spirit. She created survivor lists and radioed them to the families. She even raised money for destitute victims of the sinking, collection almost $10,000 in pledges. She rightly earned the famous nickname, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."

Isn't that a wonderful story? And in keeping with this uplifting theme, John Homer Miller wrote, " Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. Circumstances and situations do color life, but you....choose what the color will be."

My sweet mom gave me this little book in 2002, and I have read and reread it so many times. It's a dear book of poems and scripture mixed with quotes from various well known people. And such a great way to begin my day. I hope that you enjoyed the story as well.
Blessings~

~Dear Sweet Rebecca,

Good Morning Friends~

Just to share a few words and a newly completed project with you all. First,the words...it happens rarely that you find someone who is so generous of heart to take the time to share and post a wonderful new crafting technique with all who would want to learn. Rebecca of A Gathering of Thoughts is that rare jewel. I'm sure that many of you have visited her sites on Blogger and on Ebay as well and have seen her superb work. Rebecca is a very special lady and her work reflects her sweet soulful spirit. Through her beautiful blog I have learned to print a photo onto fabric! Thank You Sweet Rebecca!

~A Nature Walk~

Today is such a Beautiful Fall day! The wind is barely blowing, and the sun is peeping out here and there. I decided to take a little walk and snap some photos. I started from my back porch. Just look at the colors of that tree! Isn't is marvelous? Then out to the front yard to chase Freeway...who was chasing squirrels! As I looked for the doggy I found these HUGE mushrooms! Wow! They are very interesting, no? Wonder if they are edible? Then across the road and down in the valley I spied some beautiful fall colors. The picture is rather faded but still very pretty.

This morning I went to the college and filed my intent to graduate!! In May, my long...long quest for the education I failed to pursue in my youth will be realized! It felt so good to walk out of the buildings and know that my time spent inside those once, so intimidating walls is almost over. I recalled the first day that I attended a class...I had been out of school for 25 years or so. I didn't know where I was going, and I didn't know anyone. I made it to my class...so far so good...then, as soon as it was over, while waiting for my next class to begin...I went outside, sat in my car and just cried!! (smiling) I don't know why I was so overcome with emotion right then...probably overwhelmed, nervous, and scared. I almost drove away..I really did. I remember looking around and being so self conscious that I was the oldest person in the class! Ha! It didn't take long to feel at ease, and like I belonged there. So...hurry up, but take your time getting here May!

As I walked along the gravel road on my nature walk this morning I had a chance to thank the Lord for all of the blessings in my life...the wonderful family & Darling hubby that I love so so much, being able to complete school, to live in such peace and tranquility here on my little hilltop retreat. I even thanked God that I was able to take the walk and thankful that my shoes and pants were covered in mud from stepping in a hole as I breathed in the beauty around me. Thankful that little by little this condo queen is becoming a little more outdoorsy and comfortable with that.

Blessings All~

~Baby It's Cold Outside!!!!~

And that's all I have to say about that!!!

Blessings~

~So, You Think It's Easy, Huh?~Alicia Merret

Greetings! A couple of days ago, I happened upon the website of Alicia Merret, and as it often goes, I ended up spending several hours getting acquainted with the work of this "Oh So Talented Fabric Artist!" I even watched her Part 1, 2, & 3 videos on youtube. I am enthralled with her work, not only the excellence in her designs, and her sewing prowess.....but her colors! She uses bright, bold colors in her quilting art, rarely ever a pastel or white. And it is such a wonderful contrast with her wavy uneven lines that are her trademark. Forget straight lines!! BORRRRING! Go for waves and curves it's fun! Well, after watching her videos, I set out to make a swatch to see if I really understood what she was doing. Although it looked easy enough and made sense when she did it....I found that sewing an uneven line, is rather daunting! You have to get used to crooked being a good thing! It's really not easy at all! How many times I have finished a seam, cut the thread, pulled it off of the machine and looked at a crooked line thinking...what the heck happened here??!! But, when you try to do it on purpose??!! It's hard!! Too funny! Anyway, here is my swatch of crooked lines, and an attempt to boldly contrast my pinks and whites with COLOR!! (smiling) If you get a chance, please look up her youtube videos. She is AMAZING!!

Blessings~

~Fall In Full Swing!~

What Splendor! Every morning I wake up and open the shades to find a drastic change in the color of the yard! Sometimes the sugar maples look pink...the very next day they are a stunning combination of pink, orange, brown, and green! What a beautiful scene what a beautiful time of year! The weather has been wonderful, about 60 degrees this week, and my hubby and I have enjoyed each and every moment of it. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow morning and see what awaits!!

Blessings~