Squishy Garter Stitch

My knitting needles have been quite busy the last three Sundays. A Quince & Co. pattern that I received on a free offer and left over yarn from my stash made for hours of inexpensive enjoyment.

An attractive and satisfyingly hand made market tote was the result. Will I use or gift it? That I do not know.

But this is certain. I thoroughly love these colors in squishy garter stitch.

A Sunday in Winter

So far today I have...

...fought off a significant headache before exiting bed.

...donned a brand new tunic sweater in my favorite color -- white.

...attended virtual church with Hannah.

...washed fruit in a big, metal bowl of lemon oil water.

...eaten as if I haven't for three days. (Some days are like that, and my pants fit just as usual the next day.)

...finished knitting a not fully successful bunny. (Maybe it will look more convincing after its ears are ironed flat. At present they have a Yoda-esque quality, which quite frankly does not appeal to me.)

...continued a new-to-me audio book with cosy characters and a small mystery.

...gone on a refreshing, 1° F walk.

Garden at Twilight

Our day has been filled with much picnic food preparation, dishes washing, sauna sessions, berry harvest (our neighbor got most of it, so we were spared much processing), plant watering, and general household and personal maintainance. To end a good if not well day, I soaked up the glow of Mom's perennial garden at twilight with a cup of tea. Before the mosquitoes descended.

Truth and Beauty

As a week of treatment takes its toll on my body, soaking up beauty is vital for my soul. While my Sunday was mostly spent between bed and couch, I took an hour to attend virtual church and another to fill a page in my nature journal with one of my many favorite flowers. 

In the evening Hannah and I  decided to rewatch a movie we viewed during a long, monthly treatment last week. "Esther" by Sight & Sound Theatres combined truth and beauty in a way that was just what our souls needed. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

A Day for Massage

Hannah's and my wonderful massage therapist came to our house today to bring relief through her skilled hands and encouragement through conversation. At the end of my discussion filled session, Lori said how much she loves "solving the world's problems" with us. I replied that Jesus is the solution. She heartily agreed.

Watercolor Play: Fragrant Cloud Rose

Watercolor play from last Sunday.

Original rose photo from last autumn.

Hannah's Birthday Celebrations

I love birthdays. Showing the special one how special they really are. Breaking out the beautiful dishes. Cake. Specially selected gifts. A clean and festive house.

Equal in my affection for birthdays is the day after when we take a little extra rest, enjoy the gifts (watercolor supplies for Hannah this year), and have a night off from cooking while we eat a most delicious birthday-meal-round-two complete with cake, ice cream, and of course, quality black tea.

Happy Birthday, dear sister!

A Happy Break

Things I love:

- hand made lace

- pretty pins

- organic cotton pillow cases

- combining all of the above into a restful break from the ever pressing treatments and tasks of the day

02 MAY, 2021

- Online church with Hannah on our deck (multiple chemical sensitivities)

- Nature journaling wild plum blossoms

- 1.5 mile walk

- Allergy symptoms galore, including an all day, low grade fever (Where did all the energy come to do the above? A rare, special gift from my Father.)

Sunset and Comfort

Frances and I enjoyed tonight's sunset in the relatively balmy December air. That is, I enjoyed the sunset while Frances basked in the warmth and security of a lap after last night's stray tomcat trauma. 

The Best is Yet To Be

Listening in on one side of a telephone conversation, I heard Mom encouraging a friend with the words, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jesus  speaking in John 16:33). In the next room I added my two cents to the conversation (quietly, to Hannah), "The best is yet to be!" Then I laughed. Boy, is that an understatement!

Pictured: sunset over the lake, summer 2020

Sunday Projects: Sketching Succulents and Crocheting Lace

 

Sunday Project: Pillow Lace

A few favorite things:

Creating and making my bed with knit and crocheted lace. 

Destashing our basement of craft supplies.

Sharing the creative fruit of these years of illness with friends.

Remembering God's promises and sharing them with others.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

- Matthew 11:28-30 -

Sunday Project: Little Knit Hats

I believe I've written about Sunday projects in the past: handwork that is purely for the joy of creating to enjoy my Creator on the day He set aside for rest every week. Here is one such project that I began in January and carried on into this spring until part of my yarn stash was depleted. These hats will soon be packed into Operation Christmas Child gift boxes by Maren and Jason to be sent to little girls in developing countries. With them will be offered the greatest Gift that came that first Christmas.

Note: This was not only Sunday knitting, but also my sole project on our February trip to Florida. 

Queen Elizabeth Rose

July 26-29: Lake Getaway

 

Hannah and I enjoyed a few days vacation at the lake late July. Every day has brought intense physical struggle this summer, but a little extra rest and new scenes were a refreshment to our hearts.

Sketch Journaling

Sunday Walk at a State Park

Sunday Stroll

Gulliver's world is upside down after meeting Little Spitfire Frances. To give our nine year old cat some personal attention and get some good, old fashioned fresh air myself, I reinstituted my Sunday stroll of years past. A riot of color greeted me and made me determined to repeat my inspection more often. 

July Sunset