Patina Moon

Hello friends!  It's not even December, but I'm always so excited right after  Thanksgiving to  decorate for Christmas!    Have you started your holiday decorating and shopping yet?  Last year was Lucy's first Christmas, and most of the time we'd  find her, at the top of our 9ft Christmas tree!  This year, she's still fascinated with the tree. Although, she's simply taken to just biting at the branches and playing underneath the tree skirt.  Silly kitty. For me, I just love the Christmas music, baking,  and seeing the beautiful reflections from  all of the lights. Speaking of reflections... I celebrated my Birthday yesterday! I had Dim Sum in Seattle with a couple of friends then shopping at Pike's Market in the rain.   At the end of the day, I was quietly reflecting on my life a year ago,  and how I was anxious and ner...

It's been raining...and raining... and raining some more today.   You know how much I love it! I still laugh at myself for thinking it'll rain hard for 10 minutes then  stop for another 8 months like it did in Las Vegas.   (even though I know better here in Seattle.)   It's funny what you become accustomed to over the years.  So I sat, drinking hot tea by the fireplace, (a loose leaf blend called "Seattle Sunset" from  Savrika Tea in Kirkland  )  listening to the rain against the window.  I started crocheting star garland with my favorite,  linen yarn. Star garland...for the holidays, or everyday. You can make them any size, or any color. I'm using a 3.50mm steel crochet hook with linen yarn. Step 1:   Ch 5, join with a slip st to form a ring. Step 2:   Ch 3.  14 dc into the ring.  Slip st to 3rd ch of ch3 to form a circle...

Greetings dear friends! November and the holidays are upon us, so I wanted to get one last  Autumn post in before everything turns to winter here.  I took these photos at the Washington Park Arboretum,  a short distance from our home.  This is the kind of place that you need to visit  every season, to see the change.  They even have a calendar to show you what's in  bloom each month! It was a lot larger park than I expected and we didn't get around to  each garden that was on the map this time.  We picked a beautiful day to do this.  The sun was peeking through the clouds and the  temperature was not too cold.  Some places had benches and some  had picnic tables just out in the middle of it all!   I'm bringing munchies next time. :-)  So many varieties of trees and plants. Each with their own bu...

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of joining my friend,  Judy and we attended the annual  Block Party Quilters' Quilt Show in Issaquah, Washington. Sadly, I didn't get the names for all of these artists. I'm sure, however,  if you visit the BPQ website, I highlighted above,   you can get more information. Here are some of my favorites:  Even if you are not a quilter, or fiber artist, I think seeing these lovely  pieces is an inspiration for your creative soul. My photos do not do them justice either.  I wish you could have been there!  Below is Dreams by Maria Michurina. I love what she says about her piece.  "All of my works are based on something I've seen; therefore,  as a quilter, I  definitely make what I see.   Like everyone, I perceive the world in my own way; so if you can't recognize the lady on the portrait, just believe...

A Perfect Autumn. Our first one since living here. I know you've seen a lot of posts already, about this time of year. But, I still can't get enough of it.   Today, I'm just walking around our yard, taking in every step and moment. Decorations from nature, adorn the ground.  The sun comes out briefly to show off the colors. The leaves...they're everywhere!  Maybe that's what this rake is for  that's been leaning against the house since we moved in.  :-)  Some branches are starting to show signs of winter already,  as the leaves flutter to the ground,  leaving me feeling a little melancholy.    I'm not ready for Autumn to end! ("It'll be back next year!" Russell reminds me with a smile.) All the different types of leaves,  and all the different colors. Hum, nature's tear...