I am really not sure where today went...
nothing much that I planned to do happened.
And I am not sure how I feel about that.
Maybe it was what I needed.
I did spend 15 minutes sewing.
The button marks the front of a skirt and the wonky patch the back neckline.
It's kind of like "This side up."
The intention? To make nine items of clothing in 2021 (inspired by The Make Nine Challenge) using material that is in the stash... which is mostly bits and pieces left over from other sewing projects.
There was one exception. I had three yards of this fabric.
First attempt was dress length. (What was I thinking?)
Second attempt tunic length. Not there yet.
Third attempt shirt. Yes, this I will wear.
And everything that was cut off? It would make a good lining for a vest or jacket.
Along with the sewing, I also went for a walk in the sunshine. The creek at the park was running fast.
I think I could make yarn this color.
I am not sure that I will ever look at winter the same way after this year...looking for colors other than dark green has been very worthwhile.
And there was winter pasta.
Pasta + dried tomatoes + oil cured olives + canned artichokes + thyme + feta + olive oil.
15+ minutes of mending.
This has a longer story...I am only telling pieces of it tonight.
The quilt square is called "Peace and Plenty."
The chambray was cut from my grandfather's shirts. That's pretty much what I remember him wearing. Jeans, a chambray shirt, a vest, zippered hoodies, boots of some sort...
The other colors were chosen because they made me think of sweet peas.
It will be time to plant them soon.
My mending often reminds me of scar tissue.
Most gardeners have some...
The snow that remained this morning.
I stood out on the porch and thought of another Christmas season with snow.
Of what it means to celebrate a holiday.
What is needed and what is wanted.
Conversation happens at open houses; I need to have this one...
Holidays are quiet for my family.
Sometimes more of us gather, but mostly less of us. Perhaps because there aren't young children with expectations of a day, it's more about the gathering than the holiday itself.
One year, when it was just myself and my parents, there was so much snow the week of Christmas that my parents and I decided it wasn't a good idea to drive and that we would postpone gathering for Christmas. I spent Christmas alone.
I remember the snow was beautiful, the day was quiet.
I was content.
This year there is Covid.
Celebrations are different for most of us.
There will be traditions, perhaps people, that are missing.
And...
still there are things to celebrate,
there are things of beauty.
We may create new traditions even.
My latest GOOD enough COVID 19 quilt square.
I didn't mean to pick out so much red and green, but it happened.
Walking through the front door, one of the first things you might notice is the bell hanging from a beam.
You might want to pull the cord.
I do, it helps remind me to be present in the moment.
To pause.
(And what fun, I learned how to record something separately and then add it to the slideshow!)
Today I've been making candied citrus peel.
It's simple but pretty much an all day project.
Usually I just make it with orange peel but I had a few Meyer Lemons and thought "Why not?"
The house smells fabulous.
Today I decorated my tree.
About 15 years or so ago I asked my dad to make me a metal tree. It has a base, a "trunk" and then branches that slide into holders along the trunk.
The ornaments are a collection of me-made, gifts, locally made, family ornaments, including some from one set of great grandparents; and some made by my mom. The green round one and the red disk towards the back are two of my favorites that Mom has made.
Here's how my tree came together today:
There doesn't have to be presents for under a tree. I like to put additional ornaments, origami, candle holders, a pair of cowgirl boots I wore when I was a toddler, tins, toys, books, and house plants under mine.
It's not quite done, more to come...
This month I have the thought to have an "open house..." With blog posts about home projects, favorite December recipes, and winter decorations.
Of course, every party should have a playlist, so music too.
To start...
Every year I make a wreath built of branches that have fallen out of the neighbor's Doug Fir (there is always a good windstorm to help this along) and things from my garden.
Here's how I build my wreath plus a bit of bird song and a few other things I did last weekend.
1st layer: Old dusty grapevine wreath.
2nd layer: Douglas Fir
3rd: Rose hips.
4th: Hop vine
5th: Ivy trimmings
6th: Holly (volunteer in the garden, probably planted by the birds)
My goal is to post daily throughout the rest of the month, so I'll be back tomorrow.
There was some time in the garden and a lot of making while listening today.
This On Being interview joins my favorite list: Agustin Fuentes.
And this is beautiful too: Rumble Strip, "Shaking out the Numb," an interview with Sylvan Esso.
There is no more daylight.
The colors aren't the way I want them so that will have to wait until tomorrow.
I did this one by drawing a flower onto the fabric and then stitching over the lines.
Plus a few extra stitches.
And then I put it back in my journal and did a rubbing.
Thank you everyone who stops by to visit... I am very grateful for this community.