Snow Art and For the Birds Nov 15, 2014

TAKE A STITCH TODAY

Oh today it was cold. Today we had a few snowflurries in the area. I even saw one or two while I was outside. Last week, when the last warm temperatures made their last stand I went out side and placed the Christmas lights in the trees around our home. Lou came out later in the afternoon and hung the icicle lights across our garage entry door, and the garage door. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

When I came in later on to warm fingers and toes I found some of Mum's older quilting and Ladies Magazines. With coffee in hand I started to look through the several copies I had in front of me.

On one particular page I found two really cut, and interesting pieces of information......now I would like to share these with you.

When I was a little girl, how many times can I remember that Mum bundled Driscilla (my sister) and myself into our winter snowsuits. How many times as she got us totally dressed did we remember we had to make a stop before going out. If you have children in your past, I know you will relate to that removal of all coats, boots, hats, mittens and scarves. The deed done, it was time to bundle us up again.....off we went to be joined by our Mum once she was completely suited up to join us.

Let the fun begin......remember that art of Snow Angels? What little child, who lives in the vicinity of snow, hasn't gone out into the world of white make believe and made her very own Angel? Once the fun was over, and we were freezing cold, and totally wet through to the skin, in we came again with bright, pink, rosy cheeks.

Oh those were the days. Wonder now if I got down into the white stuff, would I ever be able to get up again? Time might tell.

Coming back into this moment and remembering that as I was stringing up the lights I heard and saw the oh, so familial sight and sounds of the Canadian Geese flying overhead in the famous “V” formation.....yes,,,,our feather friends are beginning the long trek southward to warmer climate. But, this also gave me pause for questioning.......what happened to the little feather friends who rough it out in this cold weather with us human souls? Ask a question, get an answer......wouldn't you know it, right there beside the Snow Art feature I saw and read: FOR THE BIRDS.

I think this is a really neat treat for the birds, and I believe that this winter will find several hanging from the branches of our Japanese Red Maple by the front steps. Imagine the fun I will have this winter watching the little birds getting some good food to sustain them over the months.......hummmm I'm also wondering about the neighbourhood squirrels. They seem to feel they own everything edible in this area. I'll keep my camera handy and maybe have some updates to share with you.

Enjoy the winter friends, that is exactly what I hope to do myself.

Nov 15, 2014

Friends who have been following my BLOG here on TAKE A STITCH TODAY

How humbled I am to have finally figured out how to see if anyone has been part of my Blogging life and I didn't know.  What a huge surprise.  LOLA, you are here. I have made a new friend SHIRLEY.  KALIA, my blog inspiration. Another new friend in Washington.  I can't believe all the wonderful, kind and loving words you have all shared with me.  I thank you from my heart. I have started printing out the pages as I figured I'd be the only one reading them.

Of course, there have been a few people that I actually send emails to tell them I'd added something new....how is that for "tooting" one's own horn.  I just have such fun letting my thoughts come out on the screen, instead of constantly bobbing around in my head.  I'm sure you have all heard of that famous "COMMITTEE OF ONE" that tends to stay in our own heads....talking, encouraging, complaining, back-talk constantly.

I have heard of other people who have written blogs appreciating so much the feedback....now thanks to every one of you, I can actually say the same.......what a huge boost it is to have my friends, and meet new people along the way. Please feel at home here, and a special thanks to each of you who has taken the time to send me a little note.

Do you have any idea how you have raised my spirit today?  If not, just wish you could see the smile on my face.

Thanks you again and again....please come and visit again. I love the company!

Denise

Published November 15, 2014

Accepting a 7 Day Challenge

Here in Canada we have just celebrated Thanksgiving Day.  Recently my niece invited me to write on my face-book account 7 days worth of people, events, or what I have been thankful for in my life.

So, if you have the time, and the inclination, I'd really like to share with everyone here the 7 days of feeling of blessings.

Thank you.

DAY 1  Thankful Challenge. I accept the challenge from my Niece Heather 
Challenge for 3 things to be grateful for.

1) Life,  the roller coaster ride we signed up for. Through our lives we are given special gifts of love, family, personal disappointments and growth.  I am very blessed to have been given life by two wonderful parents.

2) In turn was able to have two children myself. Whom I love and pass the flame on to.  I am also very grateful for my Niece. I always held her in my heart as my first heart-love child. I held her as a newborn then was privildged to watch her  grow and become a wonderful woman. One who stayed close to my Mother and brought her much love, laughter, and care in her later years.

3) I am thankful that I met and married Lou who has given me a quiet strength to face the challenges  in our lives. To watch with me as my children grew into adulthood. To bring into my life his four children  (Janet, Jeffrey, Scott and Mark) into my life and enriching me with these special people.

***********sent to FB Aug 7**********

DAY 2 Thankful Challenge --  I accept the challenge from my Niece Heather 

1)  I am very thankful for the friendship extended to me from Jim during our married years, and since then, he has always been there to help when advice is needed, and to share thoughts and means to help our two children.

2)  My son, Derek, who has made great changes and strides forward to become the great man I knew he would be. Derek came home to Ontario this summer and I could not have been prouder of the way he shares all he has with other people, his way of laughing at life, and yet knows where he wants to be and his plans for making challenges in life work for him.

3) My daughter Emily. her love for family and friends. Her ability to help others, to teach many people she knows. Her, gentle ways and love for family, including her Sista-Cousin Heather. The ways she opens herself to help others, to share good and not so good times with me,,,,,it is great to be a Mother-Friend with her.

***********Sent Aug 8*********

DAY 3  -- Thankful Challenge I accept the challenge from my Niece Heather 

1) My love of handcrafts......a gift given to me throughout my life time started by my most loved Grandmother.  Many hours she would entertain me teaching me to do embroidery from a very early age during summer holidays spent on her farm.

2) My Mum who taught me the skills of knitting, sewing, ceramics, taking rug hooking lessons with me, listening to my beginning notes on my guitar to the later years where she and I would sit quietly as I entertained her with the music she and Dad put in my heart.  The way she and I worked together on her last quilt made for Jim.  How we had wished I learned to quilt may years earlier so that we could have made more than one together.

3) My Sister Driscilla who taught me to crochet and for the two sweater sets we made for our sons when they were born. Then later she helped me make a set for my little daughter and her first trip into the world. Up until that time, crocheting was a foreign language which she helped me learn.. When she passed away in 1999 I was left with a huge void in my life.On that morning and for the months previous as cancer claimed her at theirs not mine any longer. That morning I went from a dark, black night, into the dawn of a new morning and life without her.  Although she is gone now, she has and will remain always in my heart and memories.

*************Sent Aug 9*********

DAY 4 Thankful Challenge  -- I accept the challenge from my Niece Heather 

1) My grandchildren.  In this life we are given special gifts......Amber-Lynne and Andrew.  The road of life brings us together for a time, then that same road splits bringing loss and missed family times.....then suddenly and happily that road reconnects.

2) I am grateful that this past June, my family came together again because my youngest grandchild Andrew graduated from High School. Thanks to this young man and his dedication to himself accomplishing his best, we were all brought together to help him celebrate.

3) I am very grateful for the ability to  write and share my personal thoughts or ideas with others through my Blogs.  it is a good feeling to know my thoughts may have  given them strength, helped them see life in a different way, and just shared a bit of myself with them.  It makes me happy to know that something I have written will bring them a smile or two.

***********sent Aug 10**********

Day 5 of my Thankful challenge from my Niece Heather

1) I am very thankful for my quilting.  When I married and moved away  from my family, friends, and familiar haunts to a new world along the shores of Lake Huron for a few years I felt lonely for all left behind. Thanks to the encouragement of my then new hubby I became involved it the new and challenging world of quilts, embellishing and having to step of of my home comfort zone.I broke the space of lonely and stepped into a new world of friends and fun.

2). I am thankful for Friends In my life over the years
MAKE  NEW FRIENDS, BUT KEEP THE OLD, ONE IS SILVER, THE  OTHER GOLD. When I think of my lifetime from youngest days to now. I think of all the friends I have known. A reason, a season or a lifetime.  Many have remained in my life for a long time. The longest two would be Paula and Tom. They have both been there with me since childhood through many changes that life held and I know always will be nearby in friendship.

3)  Another special long-time friend I am thankful for is Sue. My long and patient teacher and friend who  opened my world to music, singing and guitar. We didnt go anywhere without our guitars and music books. Sue helped me come out of my home  with my voice singing loudly and a happy heart full of music. These three people are my Gold.

To this day they are all three still in my life.

Today I challenge anyone who will sit quietly each day for 7 days and bring out thankful
Thoughts to share. At first I thought this to be an easy task, and then I thought if it were not for my dear Niece I would not be sharing such inner thoughts. Then I connected with something inside myself and was thankful to have the opportunity to share with others, but more so, to touch something inside yourself.
***********Sent Aug 11*********

DAY 6 Thankful Challenge from my Niece Heather

1) Quilting Groups
A world opened to me in new experiences and friends.
I am bringing together a wonderful group of Ladies who have all filled a need in my life. Some to make me laugh until my cheeks ached. Others have helped me limp along while learning what I can in my quilting fun....and FRUSTRATION.  These wonderful ladies have no idea how much I value their friendships.

2) Thankful for all my quilting friends and groups I belong to either in my living area or on line. 

I  know you are there to teach and share with all of us.
I am also part of two smaller groups I found these friends always there for me.
 I am grateful and want to say thank you to all those "quilters that have gone from being a group in my area, or on my internet to" groups I have learned to laugh, teach and return home with aching cheek bones. Thankful to those who offer shop-shops, group projects, teaching sessions, sharing patterns and revising The Quilters Bucket List for future challenges and surprises.

3) is also extended to my friend Val as we get together once a month. Val has become a very special teacher to me. We both live in the country and travel about half hour to spend the day together. Val is my best source for mojo and enthusiasm of quilting goal completion.  She keeps my excitement in finishing the many UFO project I have set aside, but not forgotten.

**********sent Aug 13

DAY 7 of my Thankful challenge from my Niece Heather

Once more my challenge is met in being thankful for these three thoughts
1) Health....I am thankful that in  learning I have Stage 2 diabetes has opened the door to me for exercise. I find I am thankful for bike rides with my husband Lou, walks with him though neighborhoods, along paths on the shore of Lake Huron and. Just for the total well being of my life and body. Thankful for the weight loss for many years of not caring, now having feelings of gratefulness.for my new lifestyle.

2) Love of Nature
Camping canoeing, trips all through northern Ontario with my friend Phil.
Fourteen years of family camping memories at Killbear Park, through weeks of rain, sun or cold, even once winter camping there.

3) I am thankful for Canada. Our people and the life of freedom Canadians enjoy.  To live in a country that cares for our children, the environment and endangered species.  A place where we can live and grow.  Enjoy freedom of Religion and know that we can join together  in groups for fun, learning, and even for the freedom of sharing our thoughts in this  Thankful  Challenge that I am seeing from so many family and friends.   Mostly for the freedom of speach and sharing and being able to share my belief in God.  We do not walk alone. The best way I can describe my feelings is to recommend the poem FOOTPRINTS. I have been carried many times, and yet I know I am not alone even when I can walk again on my own.

Thank you Heather, you have really opened my mind and thoughts to the many times in life I need to stop and be THANKFUL for the life I life and have. God Bless you.

Sent Aug 13, 2014

I am now still months later thinking of all I have to be thankful for. And now I can add to this list I'm thankful for the people who read my Blogs and send me notes to let me know they enjoy, or have read certain items.  Thank you also.

2014, Oct 19.......................................................................................................................................

A full moon, A raging brook fed by nature's bucket of rain, and a beautiful memory

Hope this works!

Thank you Janet from the cyber group LEARNING FABRIC ARTS for guiding me this far.  :)

What do you see in this photo, something vague, something moving, something that lives in the quiet of the night.

This was a most amazing look I had at diamond reflections of a full spring moon as it danced and waved on the top of a flooded field.  In the day a couple days earlier this same area was a thin, ribbon fine, curve of almost dry brook bottom.  Nothing stirred, not even the loosely growing, fanned out green algae that some would mistake for mermaids hair in deeper water. 

Tonight, however, listen quietly you can hear the brooklet as it floods it's sides, expanding ever into the whole area around. Drowning weeds that have spent weeks growing and feeling comfortable in the dry ground along side this brooklet. Flooding the homes of little field mice which have been built to open up near the banks for this almost always drinking place. Raccoon are squawking loudly trying to figure out why they are stuck way up here in the tree tops when there is hunting to be accomplished.

A bit of history here I think is required. Spring, rain, quick, severe, and seems to overtake that lazy, meandering, stream which is lying all through the surrounding farmlands.  Here carved out in its own niche is a brook, which only a few days ago fish struggled to swim up the current and recreate their fantasy and  bring to life new little spawn.  You can see a bit about this several pages back. I was amazed at the size of the fish fighting to gain higher land.

I regress, thank you for staying here a little longer.  I think you are seeing what I have been studying.  The rain came. A few hours, a lot of wetness.  Suddenly all the streams, brooks, ponds in this area overflowed and rushed here to our brook to play with the other raindrops and rush on their way to Lake Huron and all the fun that was happening there.

Lou and I were out for a walk. It was dark saving the moon peeking between clouds.  The noise was getting louder. The closer we got we could hear rushing water. Could this be so?  Our tired little brook had suddenly "sprung" to life taking with it a memory of the moon dancing in the water.

Wonder of wonders I had my new camera, what fun to record this special vision of loveliness to share with my friends here on my blog.

That I will always remember as the night that the water danced.

And that is how it was one late, spring night during our walk in the dark.

:)

Written Sept 10, 2014

Tree of life as I see it 2014.08.10 (August)

Can you imaging the feeling of greatness and smallness as I walked out of the nature path and came to find this Grandfather Time tree growing there in the clearing just waiting to be discovered.

How old are you? I wanted to ask, but knew in it's own kind of wisdom it would leave me standing there just wondering. 

Does each bump and growth found on what was once a smooth bark covering stand for every scar on our earth's crust? 

Or perhaps for every season you have seen come and go in your tree life?

As I got closer to this old gnarly remains of what was once a new and fresh tree life I just had to stand there and share thanks for having been here today and for the opportunity to view and experience the life and markings on this old tree.......as I stood there in amazement I glanced up to the very top growth.  

Up there, do you see it yourself. Life is still growing from withing the heart of this tree.  Still giving oxygen to our world, still providing shelter for our birds that might come to rest in these lofty branches.

Even when we are old and wrinkled and wondering what our future holds, we can think of the wonders in our forests when we just happen to turn a corner and see the works of nature just waiting there for us and wonder through our own lives' scars what will the beauty be when we are finished?

.......Aug 10, 2014 

July 2 2014 Falling through the Cracks in Life

 2014 Jul 2                        Falling Through The Cracks in Life
Life in today's busy world

 Do you ever feel like....

You have fallen into a crack?  Well, take strength from this photo. On July 1, yes, Canada Day Lou and I went for a walk about town. To celebrate Canada and where we live. I stopped along the way and took many photos, but this one truly stayed in my vision, long after the camera did its job. 

Falling through the cracks can be very upsetting at times. But if we just wait, and give life a chance we all may be surprised at the beauty we will find after the wait. Imagine this flower. I know that it was a seed from last year's town flower decorations growing in those half wine caskets that are usually placed along the sidewalk near the road.  Last years was filled with pink petunias. I know this because this year we have bright reds and whites. Smart little detective that I am.

So......this little seed found its way there last fall, and waited patiently through the winter storms, the spring cold and rain, dark nights, and long days. Waiting patiently until that magic moment when suddenly something inside this little seed says......it's time to make my move.

From the little seed grew this beautiful flower, albeit, small, it is beautiful and strength of character is just blooming there for anyone who chooses to notice.  What amazes me most, no one has picked, stepped upon, or in other ways destroyed this determined little bloom.  

So let this be a life lesson for all of us. Be strong, grow where you are planted, and let your own colours shine for all the world to see.

:) July 2 2014

2014 Jun 4 That little creek that fcouls

2014 Jun 4         The Little Creek That Could
Here we are....spring has sprung, the creek has risen. Thankfully not over the bridge and will probably never get that high. Instead it reaches out and covers all the land around.  Do you remember the photo taken with description of the fish swimming upstream.   The picture on the right shows how swiftly the current flows now. The fish wouldn't stand a chance to get up that creek now.

Today, as I type this note, the creek is way down in size now, almost back to normal flow size for the spring season. I will try to take a photo come the hot, dry part of summer so we can once again compare the difference.

Stay Tuned
:)
Jun 4th.....

April 25 2014 A miracle of nature....

April 25 2014
A miracle of nature....

This is the little creek that runs through our little village.  It is spring time here now. The fish were coming up stream back to their spawning grounds for a few days.

The most amazing sight happened two days ago when my hubby and I were out for our daily walk.

We looked down into the very swiftly flowing water and we saw about 30 fish between 10 and 13" long swimming in little groups between the waterfall above and the shadow of the bridge across the road, which we were standing on looking over into the depth of the water.
As we watched we saw the nautical struggle to get upstream, fighting a strong current.....they would swim up so far and then becoming tired from this struggle float backwards with the current...back under the bridge.

Each time they got a little bit closer, and the little band of swimmers drew closer and closer together, forming a stronger knot of bodies.  We watched, and we were rewarded. A particular band of 4 fish came right up to the rock....see the large grey one on the left side of the top of the photo....well, just to the right of that rock there was a branch of the creek that was deeper and the fish kept squeezing one of their members until suddenly with a huge struggle, several body flips, a tail going so fast it was propelled into the deeper pool at the top (the spot showing smooth water).  He seemed to wait by the rocks for a few seconds. I'm not sure if he was getting back some strength or if he was waiting for one of his buddy fish to join him......finally away he went. See the photo below shows you he is now over one rough spot in life and has gone on to start many other lives.

It really felt like seeing a miracle of nature. I never would have believed these small creatures of God would work so hard, and so hard together to help each other.

Today, the day after this spawning time, we walked past the same area. Do you know. There wasn't a fish to be seen. It is as if with that last jump we witnessed the school of fish turned around and swam away. I guess they had enough of this game or struggle and called it a day.

April 25 2014 7:15 pm

Is today really a bad hair day?

Apr 4 2014   Is Today really a "Bad Hair Day?????"

And today is a day I can only shake my head at and laugh.
What a day.....aching knees (yes, Dr. said you have arthritis)...no kidding
Yes.....it has been cloudy, grey day and expecting a rainy, windy night....so it is April....what else do you expect? May flowers??????  No, not yet, but stay tuned for next month.
The road muck has made a mess of our little white car......well, don't complain it isn't something you have to sweep out of the garage in a few days....Idea!!!!! Leave the car in the driveway and let Mother Nature give it a bath.

Oh the day is better already.  Yes,
Sometimes it helps me to get things straight in my head when I stop moaning (what's that? I have a new name.....MONA!!!!) and see where this day I've been given is taking me.

I have a great daughter who called me from her cell phone during a long drive to catch me up on her medical status....and her good news......and life in general......yes, she was using her hands free equipment while she drove......

I have a wonderful husband who drove through the rainy day and played upbeat music for us...and we even sang a few lines together. He treated me to a nice late lunch or early supper so I could come home and do computer things, or crafty things.  Whooohooo! no meals to prepare tonight.  :)

I have friends who call me on the phone to chit chat away, and others who send out wonderful emails.
I have my quilting times, my new craft making Temari balls (go to my Diamond Days Blog to see my first effort if you wish), and a lovely newly refinished playroom called The Creative Quilter's Room.....which reminds me I'd better stop this chit chat and go get some work started, or finished, depending on that which I choose to do.

Don't go away, I'll be back another day.....
:)
Apr 4 2014

2014 May 12 Erma Bombeck Poem

2014 May 12 In Memory of All Women and Erma Bombeck

This month is special for all women. I wanted to add this special writing in memory of all loved friends and family members. Special thoughts in this poem.

   In honour of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck and all who lost their fight with cancer.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck 
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
     I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
     I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
     I would have talked less and listened more.
     I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
     I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
     I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
     I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband..
     I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
     I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
     I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
     I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
     Instead of wiling away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle..
     When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's, more 'I'm sorry's.' 
          But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it; live it and never give it back.. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!
     Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
     Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us... 

Feeling Good...who couldn't be after watching this video. It was sent to me by my friend Jackie in Chicago.....well, just look at the smiles on all those faces. 

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/144bc40677fc29a1?projector=1

Spring is coming closer each day, the clocks have changed so now we have one extra hour of daylight, and soon a whole lot of sunlight. This is March, and we have been having winds blowing around the house and even another snowfall that left behind about 9" of snow for us to shovel from the driveway.

Yes, we are alive, we are happy, and we are sure feeling good. Enjoy the video
:)

Back To My Blog Again, Hopefully MoreCconsistently.

2014 March I am back, but for how long? I am not sure. It has been a long time checking a new friend Kalia from Temari Group asked me if I had a blog, so this brings me to now. Question I....is it still working?

YES! I found my blog again.........An update of events for us 
basement renovations has brought my machine and sewing up above ground for a few days, maybe a week or so.but when finished we will have an office ad a quilting area.  That would be Lou's lair and Dee's Creative area......nice. I now call it my PLAYROOM. I'm just like a little kid in there with all my toys.

Meanwhile I've used this time so that working ahead on the latest Scrappy flimsy is moving ahead..I have made a 3rd row now of 8 blocks. Many more to go for sure, but this is helping me go slow and steady. I have named this one MaDan after the lady who designed this pattern.  I love it, all scraps.

Today was to have been lesson day for my embellishing students, except along came a March winter storm of snow and freezing wet stuff....oh well, I will practice the roses and leaves again in 2 weeks time so that it will be fresh to my
mind.

Well, for today this is a great start of my coming home to TAKE A STITCH A DAY. 
I will have a good one. You do so also.