Love Your Neighbors

I continue to plug away at my 1840's rug.

I've got the four animals hooked, the centre done, and the "1840"

and leaf motifs finished.

I am hoping that the fence, on either side of the centre, 

and a couple errant flowers in each quarter will balance out 

the fact that the animals aren't huge.

I don't want too much background "empty" spaces.

New kitten, Reggie, is not a helper.

When I begin hooking he nudges under my arms

and gets atop my frame where he promptly falls asleep.

Being the sook I am, I cannot bear to move him

and so we sit and sit and sit.

But the rug is making progress.

I am torn up over these small local businesses that are gasping for air.

I arranged to pick up my favorite soaps from a local seller.

She left them on her porch for me, along with a generous discount.

Rustik Soaps are, hands down, the most gentle and lovely

on my skin of any soap I've tried.

The maker, Kate, lives here in Canada and ships for free

 if your purchase is over $40.

w

www.rustiksoapco.com

My other plug is for local clothing store, Eloise, Ltd.

https://eloiseltd69york.myshopify.com/

Eloise's has the most lovely selection of seasonal clothing.

Beautiful.

And my husband has started taking delivery from a local coffee roaster

who also brings bread to the door.

Methinks next time we will skip the bread as we both 

over-gorged on it.

You have local stores to aid as well.

What will happen when the isolation period ends and 

these businesses try to re-open? 

I shudder to think.

But any purchases made from them now helps.

My own business, decluttering for seniors, has been put on hold too,

but my partner makes enough that we don't need to worry.

So we worry about everyone else.

When I'm clear headed enough, I turn the worry 

to prayers.

Love your neighbours...

I have seen so many examples of this worldwide that I am encouraged.

Community Hooking

With the all the extra time

I’ve been hooking away on my 1840’s rug

(Lucy dog is in the upper left holding it down.)

The farm motifs include a horse, chicken, goat, and cat

 as well as fence posts coming from both sides 

of the centre log cabin. 

The plan is to highlight the animal motifs

with radiating outlines so they do not get “lost.”

I’m hooking in a hand cut #8 as my cutter has not

yet arrived

 (shout out to Bolivar to move along faster).

The size of the rug?

 I’m not sure as I drew it out on a leftover chunk.

I like the inviting light in the windows.

Doesn’t it look safe and cozy? 

Our Evening Matters rug hooking guild 

had pins made to celebrate 25 years.

See the “hooker” under the lamp post? 

Because our group is taking an isolation hiatus,

we are sending each other photos of rug progress as 

well as hooking questions.

Speaking of isolation, isolate in body only.

Please reach out to neighbors and friends and family 

and connect— both for your mental health and their’s.

Even here in eastern Canada the air is feeling spring-y

and the snows and ice are melting!!!!

March marching on

About time for a new post I’d say!

The winter has been much better than last year 

as far as my own mental health.

Peri menopause hit hard in 2018 and 2019.

I finished the Grandmother rug, 

using up some of my old wools

 The brick doorstop gives you a size perspective.

Pastel flowers seemed the way to go to avoid 

taking over the centre.

Never stumped for what to hook next, 

I was stumped for what to hook next.

That still small voice kept urging me to hook my own pattern.

Finally I dug out a piece of linen and used the whole of it for a

log cabin and country yard scene.

Here is the central motif:

I think it will turn out nicely-

Stay tuned.

And to celebrate my hubby’s 50th we added 

a new furry pet to our home and 

put a hold on a Scottish Terrier pup being 

born soon in Cape Breton.

Meet Reggie!

Reggie is 8 months old and a cuddle bug and playful 

friend to our long time dog, Lucy.

He sleeps in his own room at night and is 

quiet as a mouse. 

Of course, he loves my wool.

Our small evening guild has been busy 

learning how to use punchneedles, having official pins

made, and selling raffle tickets for the rug below.

Isn’t it a beauty?

Have a beautiful and healthy week 

and create daily♥️

January Ponderings

Enjoying a cuppa with a mug my daughter made...

I’ve been praying about my new routine for 2020 

And it appears to be coming together.

On weekdays I spend a few hours emptying 

the home of a former client for an eventual sale. 

And I have more decluttering jobs waiting in the wings.

Some friends and I will meet weekly for a Jesus study.

(We all left the church building years ago and pursue Him

on freer terms).

I’ll be more purposeful about visiting seniors and 

sick—- I know many who suffer mentally too.

Sunday afternoons have evolved into gathering

with several neighbors at the local craft beer place.

Our group includes some who immigrated to Canada 

from far flung places. 

Tomorrow we will host with some Chicken Tortilla Soup

to welcome back a Mexican student who had been

back home for a month. 

We had lived in this spot for ten years before

 this group emerged. 

We combat the ice and snow with community.

Is there a similar crowd in your future?

Our sweet Lucy is slowing down. 

But she continues to be a big part of our household.

Here she is looking spiffy after a bath,

face trim and blow out! 

In fibre news there’s a punchneedle course

I’m attending here next weekend.

Can’t wait!

I dug out my hooking again after a two

month hiatus.

Too long!

May your weekend be restful and reviving....

2020

We are home at last; 

I am both sad and happy.

After six weeks away I am sad 

 to say goodbye to family who I seldom see 

and happy to see my friends again.

I have a new selection of wool to inspire new rugs

And candles to light the evenings

And memories to warm the winter...

Wishing you all the joys of the New Year

and simple pleasures throughout!

Southern Seasons Greetings

I’ve been enjoying my time South immensely.

It’s such a great time to see family and be warmer.

I’m not a big shopper but in my wanderings

here I’ve loaded up on things to take North to bring

comfort to my Winter—

pewter candlesticks, linen towels, many scented candles,

and textured wools and a new hooking pattern 

(a turkey, my favourite subject).

My parents and I got to celebrate Christmas

in the lovely seaside town of Southport, NC.

The exquisitely decorated old homes, 

the handbell choir at the historic church,

the holiday market.

Merry Christmas
To All!!!

Guadalajara Noel

Guadalajara, Mexico!

It’s only 81 degrees but humid.
Hubby is here for a convention so
I hired a tour guide and found

a most beautiful and historic city filled with
markets and friendly people.

 Day of the dead style creations

Centre of Tlaquepaque

The textiles were amazing but I am not into the super
bright colours.
I purchased a blue and cream bed runner
and several embroidered linen tea towels.
Most of the decorative textiles are hand worked.

 Anthro museum

 Murals by Jose Clemente
We hung out with his grandson
(namedropping)

More of the Clemente  murals

The murals were located in this former orphanage

Beautiful cathedral downtown Guadalajara

Four story San Juan de Dios market
If you can’t find it there, it doesn’t exist.

While I’m sad to miss my friends for Christmas
I’m enjoying the warmth and energy of the South.
I’m heading to NC soon for the duration of the holidays.