Thursday, October 22, 2015

Patches


Still working my way around the blanket squares with 2 rows of green/blue yarn...
 (10 squares done...10 to go)


Just finished Bird by Bird.  Really enjoyed it!  Have read a few of Anne Lamott's books,  but I think this was the best...

Started  The Future of God by Deepak Chopra (from the library).  Will see how it goes...




And here are some patches in my garden...

herbs (mostly mints) and roses



 up the garden path - succulents and apple trees along the side fence
and a little fuchsia (which I thought had died but it was just tricking me) under the first apple tree
 
 
more herbs - oregano and catmint,  (daphne) and wormwood at the back.  The irises came up by themselves (clever irises!!)
 
 

 beautiful beginnings! lettuce and rocket


mint and parsley - in one of the raised beds


along the back fence - roses, curry plant and (more) daphne
 
The roses, daphne and apple trees were here, and as I am only renting...they must stay.  But I've filled in some of the gaps with herbs.  Have I mentioned that I love herbs!!!
 
Looking at doing something herby (perhaps a table at the local Farmer's Market) next year when I get into my own place, the plans for which have been approved by council,  so hopefully building can start soon :))
 
Have started taking cutting and potting up...
 
And reading up on herb info in my various books...
 
Also looking at possibly doing a herb course next year...
 
 
Will leave you with a final quote from Bird by Bird, on trying to find some elusive sense of serenity(p221)
 
"The world can't give that serenity,"  he said. "The world can't give us peace.  We can only find it in our hearts."
 
"I hate that,"  I said.
 
"I know.  But the good news is that by the same token, the world can't take it way."
 
xx
 
Oh...and...  linking up with Ginny for Yarn Along!
 
 

Saturday, October 17, 2015

For hands and minds...

Keeping the hands busy...
(Have these two blankets sewn together)


Now have these crocheted squares to make into a blanket...
 


But have decided to do 2 rows around each square of this variegated green/blue yarn I had...
 (will make the blanket that bit bigger)
 
These will all go to Mission Without Borders who will be coming to speak at my church 1st November.
 


Keeping the mind busy...
 
Picked up this interesting little book at the library Out On A Limb by Jennie Beal Counts.  Helped me realise that most times our passions and desires are not opposed to God's plans for us!!
 
And am half way through Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (love the way she writes!!).  Don't think I'll ever be a writer of fiction, but it is interesting to read about the process writer's go through...with some glimpses into life (and all its humour) along the way :))
 
And then hope to start Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. 
 
Not into fiction at the moment.  Seem to be in need of books to stimulate my mind!  Don't know if it's working :)))



Picked up this little book (Who Moved My Cheese?) from the library yesterday (after being recommended by my friend Debbie) and read it in about an hour...



I am a person who doesn't like (or handle well) change.  I do get there in the end...but it takes me awhile :)

This is the summary page of the points in the book (but read the whole thing if you can...it's a sweet little story)...

I have no problems up to point 3, but that's when things start to get tricky and I slow down...

Points 4 and 5 can take me years to work through (not always...but sometimes...)...

Points 6 and 7??  Still working on those...  I have trouble with the 'enjoy'  word...  :)))


And to finish on...

Read these in Bird by Bird...

"Don't look at your feet to see if you are doing it right.  Just Dance". (p112)

and this...

"I get up.  I walk.  I fall down.  Meanwhile, I keep dancing". (p130)


Good thoughts to live by wouldn't you say??
 
xx
 
PS - linking this post with Ginny for Yarn Along!
 
And...all is growing well, so... I've removed The Bucket :)))

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Bucket Head


Had my hair cut recently.  It's very short!!  So until it grows a bit...


I'm wearing a bucket on my head...
I remove the bucket in the privacy of my own home :))


And while I'm waiting...

I found my English piecing flowers I'd been working on...how many years ago??
 
We did a fabric swap on a snail mail group I'm part of and this was what I decided to do with my pieces of fabric from each of the ladies.
 
Maybe I should finish them...
 
 Maybe...



And using up yarn scraps to crochet granny squares...



And almost finished the highly recommended Quiet. Will then start Bird by Bird...
 
If you'd like to see what others are crafting and reading, go to Ginny's Yarn Along blog 
 
xx