Winter has finally arrived. We had about 9 inches of snow on Thursday, then another couple of inches last night, then rain on top of that. My driveway and yard is one giant slushy mud heap. Good thing I still have my original pair of L.L. Bean boots from when I was in college!
I've been back at work for a week and it has successfully wiped out any restorative benefits of the vacation! LOL I'd better stop talking about work, though...or you'll get a rant.
Despite the weather, we saw our first bluebird of the season at the feeder today! In honor of the happy bluebird, I found this at the thrift store.
Mostly, I've been hooking like crazy. Saundra over at Woodland Junction was so kind and sent me a pattern for Magdalena's dog. Thanks so much, Saundra!! I've been gathering up all of my wools and trying to color plan...without copying hers too much! (That's hard, 'cuz hers is coming along wonderfully!)
Here's what I've done so far...
I'm having fun with this rug...though I've done a good deal of reverse hooking. The gold around the dog is not as bright as this picture. The triangle in the corner looks black, but it's a very dark purple. There's more of that purple in the small penny on the bottom.
I just finished reading One Thousand Gifts. I decided that starting a 1000 gifts gratitude journal would be a good thing. Maybe it will help to create some of the necessary changes that I so long for...at any rate, it can't hurt to start noticing the good stuff!
I used to write a good deal and I have all kinds of journals which were gifted to me over the years. I'm using this one to keep track of the things I notice each day that bring me joy.
Again, I feel like I've been quite a slacker with my blog. I always stop by and visit all the blogs I follow, but I've been terrible about leaving comments. There have been some stressful things happening on the family front...with parents becoming ill, and I guess I'm a bit overwhelmed and distracted. But, spring is coming...I can feel it in the air, regardless of the snow!
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32 comments:
Hang in there and don't forget to take care of yourself through the stressful, overwhelming days.
Kim
Courtney, it is coming along very nicely!!!!!!!!! You're doing a fantastic job and ya dun good with the color planning.
Saundra
I have not heard of the book 1000 gifts. I do try journal or just take a few minutes to be thankful.
I know it is hard to focus when you have all the stresses of life coming down on you. So sorry for the family illness.
Cathy
I wish we had had some snow this winter, but I don't think I'd want it now! Good old LL Bean boots, they last forever... I love your Magdalena dog, I want to hook one too!
Melinda
Courtney ~
Your Magdalena dog is coming along just great and you are making some real progress. That Saundra is a generous soul, isn't she? I just got a pattern from her, too, that I will hook as a birthday gift.
Your journal sounds like a marvelous idea!
Happy Saturday!
Hugs :)
Lauren
Courtney
You have been missed! But sometimes there is just too much on our plates to do it all.
I really like the colors you've chosen surrounding the dog rug you're hooking.
A journal-I'm thinking about it!
I hear you about the vacation being long gone.
We are in a slushy mess too.
I'm sorry to hear about your family, I hope it is nothing too serious. And I totally understand about stresses, living that right now. I too visit all my blog list but am not that best at leaving comments. We can only do so much, right?
Take care and I hope this upcoming week is better for you.
Tiff
Thinking of you and wishing good things to you and your parents!! ;)Love your rug work! Wish I knew how. ;)Alyssa
Hi Courtney,
We are getting a liitle nasty weather tonight too. Where the heck is Spring anyway? I love that rug. You've done a great job.
Sorry you have had some family troubles. I hope things brighten up for you soon.
Kim
Sometimes I think it is more stressful when our parents become ill than it is when we are ill ourselves. On the bright spot, I love your rug and it must be wonderful to spot a bluebird! We're have our winter weather here too. Guess Mother Nature thought better late than never!
Hi Courtney,I know how stress feels try to find time for yourself. Courtney I have a question for a newbie sock knitter which is easier in the round or double pointed needles. Hugs Cheri
Yourr rug looks great!!
Courtney, I agree with Saundra, I love the colors you have incorporated into your rug, and yes it is coming along quite nicely. I do hope the sun shines tomorrow, my poor hens would love to stretch their legs and breathe a bit of fresh air. Are you still thinking of getting chicks? spring is just around the corner! Hugs, Julie.
Courtney, we are having the same weather as you. Thanks for sharing... What a cute little bird house and you are so lucky to have Blue Birds in your area.
Your rug looks real nice and journaling is such a positive thing to do. I have lots of journals that I used to reread once in a while but since blogger, I stopped journaling, what a shame.
I'm sorry about you feeling stressed about an ill parent. I hope that you will be able to make some time for yourself. Big Hugs. JB
I'm sorry to hear about the stress that you've been experiencing. Finishing One Thousand Gifts at this time must be providential. Your project is beautiful...
Blessings, Debbie
Hi Courtney,
Your Magdalena rug is a beauty...glad you were able to get some hooking in over your break. It was 84 here today... yuck!!! I would have liked to have had a bit more winter weather, but I think we're done for the
year.
Sending you good thoughts and a big hug,
Robyn
How cool about seeing a bluebird in all the snow...you are being considered a special bestie with that visit!
I am soooo thinking about you as you step through the trials of moments of stress with your parents. Hard stuff.
The rug is A M A Z I N G!
You are such an artist!
I love your work and your spirit!
xo
Jessy
I am thinking of you and feeling happy the bluebird found Y O U! Lucky birdie!
Please know you are being held in my heart during the rough seas.
Your rug is a work of art. The colors are superb...just like Y O U!!
Love,
Jessy
xoxo
How cool about seeing a bluebird in all the snow...you are being considered a special bestie with that visit!
I am soooo thinking about you as you step through the trials of moments of stress with your parents. Hard stuff.
The rug is A M A Z I N G!
You are such an artist!
I love your work and your spirit!
xo
Jessy
Prayers are with you my friend. Have been in your shoes with both my parents and it will really bog you down. Be kind to yourself. Snow would be welcome instead of the storms we have had. Such weird weather. Love your rug. I so want to learn to hook. Have a great weekend
Angela
I am so sorry that you have had parents that are sick. That is so hard all by itself. Take care of you though.
I love your rug. It looks very nice. I am so glad you are getting to do some hooking. Wow, that much snow!
You saw a bluebird so it will be over soon. :)
It never ceased to amaze me that within 10 minutes of being back in school it felt like we had never had a break! I know that feeling well!
I love your hooking! How pretty!
I'm working on the background of my robin kit. My hubby even commented on how nice it looks! However, he's not so enamored with my thrift store wool finds. Apparently tearing wool is like scratching a blackboard for him!
Sorry to hear of the stressors going on - I'm in the exact same situation these days. My mother ended up in the hospital a week ago Friday, was released this past Tuesday, and rushed by ambulance back on Wednesday...Today we got her out of the hospital and into a nursing home for rehab....and then there are the "other" family issues that go hand in hand with all that....so, yeah, I've been a wee hit and miss in blog land as well. Your rug looks amazing - I've been wanting to do a Magdalena style rug for some time - and my friend has just done up some new patterns perfectly suited for it....but first, back to the cat rug...that is after the family stuff, end of term, grades and all that other fun stuff....Hang in there sweetie - sending good thoughts and wishes your way.....Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin
Hi Courtney,
I am sending you hugs girlfriend..sounds like it's been a stressful time.....I am sure working on your rug helped some..it's beautiful..I think you have a real knack with color..
Keep us posted about your parents;
So glad you read One Thousand Gifts...it's an amazing book. I want to reread it before long.....Gratitude is amazing how it can change our attitude....Love your journal....I collect them because I can't help myself.....
Hugs,
Nancy
Courtney, deep breaths and take care of yourself...no guilt for not having visited as your mental and emotional health is more important right now...take good care!
Hi Courtney: Sorry to hear things have been a bit difficult for you, hope things get better soon for all of you. I'm glad you have time for some hooking; just as I also deeply feel about spinning, it's good for the soul to have one's hands working with handwork. Hope your weather clears up soon. I just hate mud season, although I suppose it's better than no moisture at all! XXXX Martie
Your Magdalina rug is gorgeous!!! Being a caretaker is very stressful... take time to breath...
Love the rug you are hooking!The colors are perfect.Hugs,Jen
Wow! I just saw that Catherine at An Angel in the Garden posted about One Thousand Gifts today, too. I have a journal of gratefulness. It is uplifting to read over the list, again and again. I think yours is very pretty.
You are hooking up a storm! The dog is lovely and the colors are so pleasing.
I hope your week is peaceful and comforting.
Hi Courtney! Your rug is just wonderful, I love it. The colors and the design are so pretty. We had a really big storm last night and the dirt road that leads from our house to the main highway turned into a mud puddle. Two of our neighbors got stuck this morning and had to be pulled out by a tractor! I'm sorry to hear that you are having some illness in the family. I sure hope that they will be better real soon. I really appreciate the comments you left on my blog, they are so thoughtful and kind. I hope you have a restful evening tonight and a good week ahead! Delisa :)
hi courtney, thought id hang out with my blogging friends for a bit. love the rug your hooking. great colors! we sure dont know what the next day will bring do we...its a good thing that we can hook and relax a bit! thoughts and prayers and enjoy your evening!
What a great idea for a journal. My daughter bought one for me for Christmas and I have not touched a pen to it yet. Haven't heard of that book, who is the author? Might be a must read! Hope that you have a great week!
Cathy
Courtney, the rug is beautiful! Can't wait to see it done!
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