Morning Glory Studio

think write thursday | the 'gathering' of the to do list ...

 

 

Today's ThinkWriteThursday post is all about sharing three things on our "to do" list...

1. Well, first, I have to decide which list to consult! And therein lies the rub: I have a gazillion to do lists, in all sizes, shapes, colors, on all sorts and sizes of papers, ranging from post-it notes to 3 x 5 notepaper; index cards; various sized sheets of paper : A4, A5, Letter; a 22 x 15 pad to  in aa variety of notebooks: disc bound (my beloved circa by Levenger that I've used nearly 18 years, off and on) to dot grid bound journals - that I also really like except for the fact that it's bound to, some lists even on my iPhone - that I never remember to consult. Why so many different types you wonder? Basically, because I write on: a)  whatever's readily available; and b) catches my fancy ~ one day it might be an index card; another, a fun notepad; or my journal du jour. Lately, I've been wondering if I am Adult ADHD...
2. Secondly, I have to decide what tool I will use for  these to do lists.  As I pen this, I am leaning towards giving the Traveler's Notebook system a whirl, primarily because of its size, versatility and portability. I believe I will function best with a plain page that I create to represent how I think...and  I like the idea of having separate small notebooks for specific functions, e.g., one to capture all the random thoughts, things to remember to do as they pop in my mind and only require a pen or pencil; another for books to read or notes from a specific book; separate brain dumps for planning a trip or a gathering, capturing a quilting idea/inspiration; ideas for blog posts or my AMAZe (about me A:Z) project, etc...I've been gathering lots of ideas and one thing that intrigues me is I can also use a TN to capture my upcoming trip...ideas  for doing that abound down that rabbit hole called the internet. The fact that I can create the system that reflects me: sketching; mind-mapping; jotting down a Haiku; capturing a quote; documenting a connection; bullet journaling; making and coloring a mandala; etc;  really appeals to me...
3. Thirdly, I have to just start! And that's on tomorrow's agenda! Watch this space for a follow-up.

And in closing, to paraphrase a certain ad: "What's on your to do list?" Do visit Carole's blog to see what others have shared.

Cheers~

september is only hours away ...

 

Welcome September.

As I pen this post, I am reviewing my day, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that in a matter of hours, it will be September! My favorite month of the year, the beginning of my favorite season : Autumn/Fall! As I drove north today to gather with stitchin' friends for our weekly meetup, I was cognizant of the trees beginning to change colors...hastened perhaps by the cooler than normal temps we've had the pleasure of enjoying.

This month stirs up all sorts of memories for me, and I'm sure for you, as well. And also, anticipation as this year, September is very special.  I will travel to Oregon to reunite with friends, attend a week-long quilting workshop in Sisters and then to Washington  - Seattle/Tacoma -  to visit friends who just moved to that area, late July. 

Today, I met a darling baby, born the end of June. She and her identical twin sister were 1.5 months premature. Very sadly, her sister died after open heart surgery and other complications. The mother, in her early 30s, is a very pragmatic, delightful and strong young woman. Though her and her husband's hearts are broken, their resolve to give their daughter a stable, loving home is quite evident. And they will.

Today, I saw a lovely butterfly; I wasn't quite able to get a full photo of it with its wings spread. In these tough times, the baby  and butterfly remind me that we should never give up hope or resolve; life and love persist. And that's what I think September means for me.

Welcome September.

 

PS. Do visit Carole's blog to see what others have to say as they welcome September.

thinkwritethursday | does spaghetti grow on trees? ...

 

~Today's lunch starring yellow grape tomatoes~

            Well into my mid twenties, I thought spaghetti grew on trees. Just hold tight...you'll see where I'm going with this. I was home visiting my parents and we were chatting at the dinner table. I think that I shared this revelation because we'd had spaghetti for dinner. Both my parents were flabbergasted, to say the least. I explained that I'd not ever seen nor read anything over the years that had enlightened me - until recently (then).  We laughed about my sheltered experiences and knowledge and moved on to another topic.

I share today because this week's ThinkWrite Thursday prompt is all about tomatoes...and as I was thinking about them, the story popped into my mind...the brain does that. Very logical: one does eat some form of a tomato when one eats spaghetti, right? So, today's prompt asks us to share what we do with one of summer's abundant crops: the tasty tomato: 

• add to pizza...
• add to salads, scrambled eggs, etc...
• make  all kinds of soup... 
• slice and serve with hamburgers...
• eat as ketchup - remember the big stink about ketchup being counted as a veggie for kids' school lunches in the '90s?
• Make bread, jam, salsa and
• Spaghetti Sauce ;-)).

The  possibilities are limitless - but my favoritest way to eat tomatoes, especially grape,  is raw with or without salad...I can't just eat one

How about you? Do hop on over to Carole's blog for more ideas on how to fix/eat tomato!

Cheers~

think write thursday | I'm with Kat ...

 

 

(@ sunset ~8:08 pm)

ThinkWriteThursday is taking the week off so, as Kat, I'm sharing just a little of this and that:

• Olive (Kitteridge)  and I took our last walk this morning; I grew to like the crusty ol' lady...
• Met with friends for an afternoon of stitching...I took the third Top This hat to begin, knit the first row and discovered I'd made a mistake...so, I'm right where I was: at the beginning...
• Bought a loaf of Asiago Cheese bread from Panera this afternoon...it's supposed to serve 10; I think I could eat the entire loaf by myself - it is that good! I won't...at least not in one sitting. But I'm tempted...
• Treated myself to  a mani-pedi this afternoon and had my toes painted a lovely pink red ~ usually I just have clear polish...
• Still deadheading (aka clearing my brain) -  takes a little longer than one thinks but in the end, so worthwhile...
• Today is National Spoil Your Dog Day. Apparently there is a National something for everyday of the year. Check it out. Fun! ...

And with this, I end and bid all a great Fri-YAY!

Cheers~

 

 

think write thursday | an august hello ...

 

On my walk this morning, I saw these leaf-less lilies; they look like little sentries. And generally bloom in August!

 

This week’s Think Write Thursday topic is to write a post to welcome August.

There are five, at least,  things I'm looking forward to this August:

1. Congress goes away for summer recess. It gets a little quieter. Not so sure that will hold true for this August...one can hope...
2. Officially, according to the meteorologists, summer ends Aug 31. For sure, I'm hoping that is true. Already, the crickets are beginning to sing their songs and there is a bit o' evidence that Fall is is nigh. I generally celebrate/mark Fall according to the September 22, 2017 Equinox -  but since I love FALL, my favoritest time of the year, I'll happily accept two occasions to celebrate the arrival of Fall ...
3. This year, we get to experience a total Solar eclipse on August 21...and one of the best things about living in the Nation's capital, is the Smithsonian Museums. This year, the Air & Space Museum is having a watch party and providing special glasses - I think I need /will order some. I'm considering going - but I imagine the entire population of the area might be contemplating the same...
4.  I have no special plans other than to prepare for my trip to Oregon at the end of September for a week-long quilting class in...
5.   I plan to continue to read and play book bingo, knit a bit,  stitch a bit and tell my AMAZing* stories ...

What's on your agenda for August? Check out Carole's blog to see what others are planning...

Cheers~

 

*AMAZe: About Me:A to Z

 

think write thursday | I'm cool ...

 

(on my morning walk, water bottle in hand)
 

Today's TWTH topic invites us to share three ways we keep cool when it's unbearably h-o-t! My formula is simple:

1. I stay inside in the air conditioning...we keep the thermostat room temp set at 74 degrees and the A/C comes on accordingly. It's not too cold or too hot and the temp is consistent pretty much throughout the day! We also have ceiling fans that whirr 24 hours, especially on the top floor. And I wear loose fitting 100 % cotton clothing. This is getting to be a real challenge as I need to replace some items and finding 100 % cotton clothing is akin to finding the proverbial needle in the haystack...
2. I drink lots of water ... my water glass, filled with ice, is seldom farther away than I can reach; excuse me while I take a sip ...
3. I walk in the morning ... usually around 8:30 am before it gets too hot and humid...I wear 100 % cotton clothing and carry with me water. There is often a cool-enough-breeze that helps keep me cool.

As I draft this post, the temperature's a cool 97 degrees and feels like 101 degrees at 1:45 pm (technically 12:45 pm if we remember that we're on DST). My day has met all the above conditions and I'm one cool cookie...and keeping my fingers crossed that we don't lose power - that would for sure be catastrophic...not in the forecast but Mother Nature is  known to kick things up a bit...

So, what's your formula for keeping cool? Do hop over to Carole's blog to see how others stay cool.

Cheers~

3 on the 13th...

 

Today's Think Write Thursday prompt invites us to share  3 good things that happened this week. Here's my list: short and sweet on a 95+ degree day:

1. Starting the day before it got too be way too hot, walking and listening to Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk  and enjoying July s flowers - these two conveniently stuck in the chain link fence.
2. Spending this afternoon wth quilting friends: we began with very tasty treats: a corn dip; spinach cheese balls; grapes; and a fresh fruit pie. All Y-U-M!

       3. Stopping , on my way home to browse at B& N ... bought the third Louise Penny Inspector Gamache title: The Cruelest Month  and an absolutely gorgeous book - The Flower Book -all about arranging flowers. The photographs are stunning! Just flipping through the pages has created all sorts of ideas from sketching to stitching to even swooning... The book also includes tips for gardening. Oh, for sure, this book is a treasure and since it's going to be beastly hot -still - throughout the weekend, I will be diving in deeply.

Do visit Carole's blog to see what others have shared this week...and do stay cool if it's h-o-t  where you are!

Cheers~

 

thinkwritethursday | hello July ...

 

 

Summertime, Summertime ... and you, July, came into our lives with vengeance: Hot! Hot! and more Hot!

Thankfully, on this the 6th day of the month, we're havin' a little reprieve: Rain! Rain! Rain! And that is good 'cause we need the rain.  Now that the 4th is over, with the exception of our Recent Reads bi-monthly gatherin', the calendar's pretty empty - lots of time to stay cool and settle down into some serious:

• readin' and
• knittin' and
• weavin' and  
• stitichin' and
• learnin' to make mandalas with a new toy/tool*...
• doin' nuttin'...'cause after all it is summer and
• livin' is easy ...
• includin' the elimination of the "g" at the end of words...Did you catch that?

Perhaps, if I really feel like it, I'll even get 'roun to clearin' out the basement storage room - it's small and filled to the gills. But that's an if...no need to rush into anythin'....after all it is summer and the livin' is easy....

Hop on over to Carole's blog to see what she, Kat and others have on their July agendas. What's on yours?

Cheers~

* My errant package did arrive - yes, Mary, on Wednesday! I'll share it tomorrow after I play some more...

Think write thursday | three favorite outfits...

(Me in my Jammie's for the last session of Winter Journal Club) 

This week's Think Write Thursday: Share Your three favorite outfits.

Mine, in no particular order:

1. Pajamas
2. Pajamas
3. Jammies...aka Pajamas

I actually think I like jammie's best because they are the most comfortable clothing items I own; they don't require much care, maintenace or complimentary shoes. I am the first to admit that I don't like getting dressed - even into everyday clothes; I'm not overly fond of  shopping: looking, trying things on. And, I'm not at all satisfied with the material, the fabrics that are used. Most are, at best, flimsy. So, that's the truth. Now, having said that, I do of course wear real people clothes and shop, maybe once a year when I absolutely need something, like new undershirts - I like sleeveless 100% cotton tees and am having zero luck finding them...

Yeah, my three favorite outfits, in no particular order:

Pajamas
Pajamas
Jammies...aka Pajamas.

Hop on over to Carole's blog to see what others like. How about you?

Cheers~

think write thursday | halfway there ...

 

“Just living is not enough... One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

~Hans Christian Andersen

This week's ThinkWriteThursday topic is to do an assessment on our first six months'  2017 intentions. Yes, I know it's Friday and no, I didn't get my days mixed up...just that yesterday's Simply A Moment post takes/took precedence. 

As I pen/type this, I have to share a few statistics: this is my 212th consecutive daily post since 1 Nov 2016! I am pretty stoked about this and yes, I admit, some days I've really stretched my brain to post something that is - I trust - worth your time to take the time from a busy, demanding schedule. Not only to read but also, comment. I don't think I say thank you enough. Thank you. Your comments and support are totally appreciated. I am so enjoying the conversations we are having and especially your support and what I am learning - especially from your blogs! 

I was bent and determined - after four years to the date - to finish my Flower Garden quilt...know that your support and encouragement played a significant part in my fulfilling that intention...

I am stretching my reading preferences to read at least 12 fiction titles in 2017. I am on my fourth book! One third of the way there.

Progress is a tad slower with my AMAZe (About Me: A-Z)  Story project but progress is the operative word. Inch by inch... What is most important is that I am developing a system that is providing the scaffolding I need to keep moving forward...

I have been known to  be (and the first to admit  ) easily beguiled by inspiration...so, I have been putting in place different habits and routines that help keep me from going down that rabbit hole --- or this one...or  here ? I often refer to my choices as a groaning board - too many items on the breakfast buffet from which to choose and so I pile on... winding up with accomplishing or enjoying very little. This habit change stuff is tough, of course, 'cause the nature of a habit is to not have to think about it...

I am taking my own sweet time with my #100 day and stitching projects: knitting; quilting; needle arts... The name of the game is practice - not only to get better but more importantly to play, experiment, learn and relax...

This year, I have  three guiding words: practice; complete and peace. The actions I take on a daily basis become practices, habits, a way of life that contribute to my feeling complete and being at peace. I am on the right path. To be continued...

And do visit Carole's blog to see the progress others have made!

Cheers~