Morning Glory Studio

simply a moment | 3.15.18

Yesterday, March 15, was :

• Simply A Moment;
• the reveal of Ali Edwards' monthly Story Theme : Home;
• the gathering with my  Thursday stitching friends; and 
• I joined Ali (and countless others )in capturing a day in the life .

The photo collage above shows:

Top row:

• my calendar for the day - I didn't attend the 12:30 online event...
• me watching the monthly story theme presentation...
• Norman fixing breakfast.

Middle row: 

• me leaving for the gathering...
• a quilt my friend Diane is making (stay tuned...you may see a similar one made by moi)...
• my grocery basket - we needed bananas (and a few other things) occasioned  a stop at Whole Foods on my return trip home.

Last row:

• me, sorting papers  -  Döstädning continues! Maybe forever...
• us, watching Nightly News...
• me, preparing to write in my journal before lights out. I wrote last week that I'm trying to establish ESQT (evening solitude and quiet time)...I'd say I've succeeded 3 times so far...eventually...

And just for fun, click here for a little trip down memory lane...Enjoy the weekend!

Cheers~

 

Simply*A*Moment is the time on the 15th of each month when I stop, pause to document the moments: what I see, hear, smell, touch, feel, remember, and/or do. 

 

3/Thursday | 3.15.2018 ...

Quilts...Quilts...Quilts...

Thing 1: My Thursday stitching group met at friend Diane's and got to see more than 100 quilts, stacked on a dining room sideboard  - the work of members of our quilt association since Sept 2017.  Impressive! All the quilts will be donated  to charitable organizations.

Thing 2: Wednesday afternoon, I decided I needed to add a little more white to the border strips on Baby Elias' (BE)  quilt. Today, on my way home, I stopped at a quilt shop and walked past this extra large bolt of backing fabric - over a 100 inches wide. I was attracted to the design; reminds me of Spring. There is a possibility another Nor'easter is in the making for the weekend. Just have to wait and see...thing is: we've not had any appreciable snow here in Washington DC this year...

 

Thing 3: When I arrived home, the fabric I ordered for BE's quilt had arrived! Yay! So in case it does snow - or even if it doesn't - I'm ready to stitch away!

Joining Carole and others for 3 on Thursday here. 

Cheers~

unraveled wednesday | 3.14.18

 

Happy Pi π Day...or as some mathematicians think, we should be honoring Tau τ. I'll leave that debate to them and just take time to rejoice in the memories of my mom, whose birthdate is today... were she alive, we would be celebrating her 103rd! 

Spent time in Morning Glory Studio - the sun was out earlier - stitching strips for  Elias' quilt...two rows done (almost...need the new fabric) and two to go...piece by piece, 20-30 minutes, here-n-there, it's gettin' there...

Döstädning continues...clearly at least a two-faceted process - neither dependent on the other, I've decided: 1- the traditional definition means getting rid of, decluttering, clearing/cleaning out...something we all probably need to do  with gusto on a daily basis. The other aspect: DO! As I sat at my machine, thinking and stitching - the latter, a very meditative/mindful process - the light bulb went off: there are no magic wands and the project won't get done unless I take the necessary steps to DO! Gee! Honoré, what a revelation (cue up sarcasm)! Duh! 

Debated between reading The Immortalists and Kristen Hannah's The Great Alone. My goal is to read at least one fiction title a month...and if I don't hurry up and make up my mind, March will soon be over.  Finally decided Monday on The Immortalists... The Great Alone, based on reviews I read, seemed to promise more doom and gloom; not in the mood.

Now, back to Döstädning...the clearing out process this afternoon. Do hop over to Kat's blog to see what others are reading and/or unraveling... links are in the comments. 

Cheers~

 

 

ttmt...

     ...the start of a long and relaxing Morning Solitude and Quiet Time...not intended but not complaining either that it worked out that way. I took the photo at 7:29 am...still adjusting to DST...and just whiled the morning away, engaged in quiet and mindful activities and pursuits. A lovely way to spend a lovely, albeit windy and therefore, chilly morning. 

Now, to get stirrin'. Evening will be here before I know it!

Cheers~

weekending...

 

The first sunset of DST (daylight savings time and also the English letters of my Greek Sorority, Delta Δ Sigma  ∑ Theta Θ - just a bit of trivia...) 

7:14 PM/ESDST:  I looked out the window and noted the sun was setting...and promptly went to capture a few pics...

Quiet around here today; we're both trying to readjust to the loss of an hour -  I didn't do so well, getting up a good hour+ after my normal waking time and then, lounging in bed, reading, journaling, etc...

Spent some time - the sun was shining in my sewing studio - sewing the strips of Elias' quilt. Yesterday, I decided to order some fabric, after all, to include in the quilt...I think it's going to be "just perfect;" the only problem: it's coming from Oregon...

My arm still smarts from Friday's pneumonia shot. Seems that as the day wears on, discomfort intensifies...

I listened to this week's 100 Day Project interview. Not sure that I'm doing a project...contemplating several options. If I do, it will be to create and establish or solidify habit/s pertaining to my 2018 words, especially "mindful"...

Döstädning  continues... a long, slow process, especially sorting through papers and odds/ends of notes, mostly written on whatever piece of paper was handy at the time the thought materialized... but I have no deadline. Who knows, this may be my 100 day project! ...

Last Sunday, I stopped at the grocery store and there was a Brownie troop, setup outside, selling Girl Scout cookies - after all, it is March! They were a loud group of little ones, just as cute as can be with their fun sunglasses and signs and unbridled excitement. Reminded me of my Brownie/Girl Scout days: I was not a successful door-to-door salesperson and we certainly didn't have the opportunity to set up shop outside a supermarket. Of course I bought a box of shortbread cookies - my favorite - and got permission to take their picture. Fun trip down memory lane! 

And that's a wrap for this, the 10th weekend of 2018. What stood out for you this weekend?

Cheers~

a page from my journal : ritual

 

 Today is Friday and Journal Club Day! My day started with an early 9 am doctor's appointment: blood draw; pneumonia shot; and a couple questions I needed answered. Never saw the doctor - she was busy with other patients, I guess - but she did answer my questions, relayed via the nurse. 

Afterwards, I went to Whole Foods for some veggies to roast for tonight's din-din and then to Starbucks for a  breakfast treat: caramel latté and a cranberry orange scone. Oooh! The calories...and so good! On the way home, I stopped to get a prescription filled and arrived just in time to make a mug of tea and set up for today's Journal Club (JC) session, especially since MSQT  (morning solitude and quiet time)  seems to have been totally turned upside down over the past few weeks.

As always, JC began with a recap of our day, thus far and a free write...I began a deep dive into what has interrupted my normal morning routine. I'm not close to the answer, yet and know that I will continue to explore - after all, one does not cavalierly dismiss a long-standing practice. I sense a change is on the horizon and one that I'm eager to explore: not abandoning MSQT; rather changing the focus and adding an ESQT.  Something I've wanted to do for years - I start but don't continue, etc..Habits are hard to make and break. Perhaps this time will be different.

Speaking of time, I'm not at all looking forward to Daylight Savings Time! There is at least one clock I do not change: the one in my car! Just plain stubbornness, I guess. Are you for or agin' DST? Enjoy the weekend!

Cheers~

Thurs 3 | balance + reality ...

 

 

This morning I walked into my sewing studio to drop off something - don't remember what - and realized the morning's sunshine (now gone as I pen this post) was streaming in. I paused because  immediately I knew three things: 1) I always feel centered and balanced when I'm in the room, especially when  morning sunlight brightens every nook and corner and 2) I've been forwarding "make border strips for Baby Elias' quilt" on my to do list  for more weeks* than I care to admit. 3)  I was going to take the time to spend time in the studio, NOW!

I didn't hesitate nor demur; I dropped what I was intending to do - both literally and figuratively - and proceeded to "make border strips for Elias' quilt." Essentially, sort through my fabric stash and find more fabrics that will work with the quilt top already assembled. I found about 9 that will be just right! 

I've been re-reading Steven Pressfield's  the War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles. My creative battle with this quilt, totally self-made: Perfectionism. My thinking I needed a specific piece of fabric to make four - yep, count: 1,2,3,4 - strips. I didn't have the fabric I thought I needed...and I probably wouldn't find it... But more importantly, it  doesn't matter. What does matter: that I finish the quilt so Baby Elias can crawl around on it! 'Cause he'll be doing that right soon - in a matter of a few more months, no doubt.

Joining Carole and others for Three on Thursday here; do take a look.

Cheers~ 

*even my being down with the flu wasn't an excuse!

 

unraveled Wednesday | quiet...

 

Sounds of quiet:

...the washing machine, swirling back/forth...pause...reverse...drain...spin...refill...

...my spoon as it scrapes the bottom of the bowl, filled with oatmeal and fruit...tasty...

...my thoughts as I listen...write... type the words in this post ... and about the day, thus far...

Over the past week, I've continued to engage in the Swedish art of Dostadning, leaving little time to knit or stitch ...a bit here n there... I read most mornings, throughout the day and perhaps a bit before lights out at night...this week, my interests have returned to mindfulness practices. I'm still undecided about my March fiction read...guess, I'd best make a decision...soon, March will be over...

The washer has finished ...time to reload ... and get on with the day! Joining Kat and others here. 

What are your sounds of quiet?

Cheers~

she stood firm*, not...

 

 

Today, after a 10:15 am medical appointment, I decided to treat myself to IKEA's Swedish-American breakfast: scrambled egg, sausage links, home fries, and Swedish pancakes with lingonberry jam plus coffee - all for $2.00 and some loose change. Afterwards, I browsed through the kitchen section for sponges, dishtowels, an assortment of odd items and remembered I wanted to look for a small box and wandered to the office organizer section. OOPS! Big mistake. I stumbled upon the SKADIS system  There went my Superwoman strength, resolve, firmness ...

I imagined, as I looked at the various pieces one could purchase, that I was being reserved in my choices...perhaps I was or not...I'm more inclined to believe the latter for my total purchase - including the other non Skadis items - came to $65. Professional organizers say one shouldn't buy organizational items until after the decluttering process; in my defense, ;-)), I will say I have a place in mind for the Skadis... and I think it will work! 

To be continued...

Cheers~

* Today's #turnthelensonself  power word is strength. Firm/Firmness is one of many synonyms, according to dictionary.com

 

sometimes mondays ...

 

 

...are  the start of five days of Michelle GD's free self-portrait challenge. Tho' registration is closed*, this time around, you can follow along in Instagram: #turnthelensonself. Today's prompt - warmth and hands - was a "made for me" invitation:

Tho' sunny, it was still a tad cool  - 35 degrees - enough this morning to wrap my reading shawl around my shoulders as I held my tea mug, filled with steaming hot tea...including Peach Tranquility! Yesterday, I was able to score a few bags from a local grocery store! 

Regardless the season, hot tea, my journal/s and a book (or two) I'm reading are the go-to-way I start my every day. How does your day begin?

Cheers~

 

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