Sunday 1 November 2020

Scrappy Baskets and Parachutes Applique, Rebecca- the Movie, A Thanksgiving Cactus

I dreamt the other night that I was swimming. It is a recurring dream and the water is what this dream is about. It's an ocean with warm, clear blue-green water. (Nothing like the North Atlantic at home where I grew up). It feels beautiful as I effortless swim through it. I'm thinking all the while, this is so wonderful. I'm a much better swimmer in this dream than in real life where what I do barely qualifies as swimming. I've had this same dream very occasionally but going back some 45 years; it is like a visit from an old friend.  What it means, anything or nothing, is a mystery to me.  But I do love swimming and the old body really benefits and these days it is missing that daily swim very much. Lately I've noticed little aches and stiffness that I do not feel during the summer. 

Anyone care to venture an interpretation??

 After all the hand stitching on very large pieces I've done lately, I feel a need to go small again. Back to Basket Case, the applique scrappy basket project started by Michelle Ridgeway. It felt satisfying to finish a couple of these in an evening and I can see why so many of you stick with small projects these days. 

I also appliqued several more of the Parachutes blocks. This was fun choosing the fabrics, and discovering the Sweet Honey Kisses for Riley Blake fat quarter bundle in the cupboard . It suits this idea of Japanese style stitching as I plan to practice some Sashiko embroidery on the border. Thank you for the comments with suggestions on how to finish these embroidery wise. Learning about new notions/methods/techniques, etc. is important for me. I think I'll set this as my OMG this month.  As this will be another Christmas gift. 
We've decided to have Saturday nights as movie nights; well, actually I decided and Hubby is going along with me. We normally don't watch movies so that's why I'm mentioning this as a thing. The first we watched was  Rebecca, the remake of Daphne DuMaurier's novel on Netflix. When I read this book at 17, I so identified with the young heroine, it was almost painful for me. Lily James does a good job of the role in this version and Kristen Scott Thomas makes a formidable Mrs. Danvers. Do you know this is probably one of the few novels-movies where we never know the name of the protagonist. That clever Daphne.


 The Christmas cactus plant lived outside all summer. I have it indoors now and it is blooming, has been for the last three weeks. This surprised me till I read that if you have a Christmas cactus that blooms in Oct/Nov, it is probably a Thanksgiving cactus. I'd never heard of that. 

And a squirrel had chewed off a good sized sprig which I put in a little water on the window sill. That is blooming as well. 
Well, that's about all the excitement we can take here at the wooden house. I'll leave you today with this photo of Murphy girl lying in front of the fire and also catching some rays from our rarely seen sun this week. She follows the sun around the room so it must feel good to her old bones. 

Oh and then there is this which is well worth a read. 

I know these tiny little things mean a lot to me and my mood when I venture out and about. I try to return them. 

35 comments :

Brian's Home Blog said...

I think that dream is just your happy spot, things you like. I do like that pitcher and am also a big fan of kindness!

Karrin Hurd said...

I don't have an explanation for your swimming dream. I have a dream frequently about smoke. I jump out of bed and make sure nothing is burning. I can see the smoke floating over my bed, but when I get up nothing is there. Love your little baskets. I have had my Christmas cactus out too. I think it is time to bring it inside. It has been down to the 40s at night. Happy stitching!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Lovely appliqué!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I think in the warmer weather you have less aches and pains because of the swimming - the dream I don't know - I dream occasionally that I am a runner - not just jog but run which I haven't been able to do in years and in the dream it is a full out run and enjoying it so much - I too wonder what it means, same dream just now and then. You are making headway on your quilts and your plants look great.

Jay said...

Small kindnesses are so important that we rarely even notice doing them or receiving them. Such a good time to be reminded how they color our perception of the world.

Quilter Kathy said...

What a lovely blogpost to enjoy! Love the pumpkin blog header photo!
Enjoy your hand stitching projects!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love seeing your basket project again - they're so pretty against the gray background! I just put Rebecca on our to-be-watched list. I loved that book and probably saw the older movie version years ago - and Lily James is in it! She has become one of our favorite actresses! This week we watched "Fisherman's Friends," also on Netflix. Based on a true story about a group of fishermen from Cornwall who loved to sing together and were discovered by a young music producer. I enjoyed it! Have a wonderful Sunday, Jocelyn!

Libby in TN said...

Our Thanksgiving cactus is starting to bloom, as well. I thought it was a Christmas cactus as I purchased it right before Christmas two years ago. In reading up on how to make it bloom again, that's when I learned about Thanksgiving cactus and sure enough, the second year it bloomed in November! I wish my husband enjoyed movies; he just falls asleep ...

Sarah Aldrich said...

When my daughter was born we were given some “Christmas” cactus in the hospital. I had them for years. Unfortunately they got left in a room when the door was ajar and froze. Your post brought back sweet memories of my baby girl who now has four children of her own. Thank you! You never know who your blog touches. Today it touched me.

Kim said...

Your little baskets are so sweet with their sweet design and happy fabrics. Love your parachute blocks, too. Gorgeous fabrics. I especially love the pretty bird one. I have read the book Rebecca many times and seen the original movie with Laurence Oliver and Joan Fontaine many times as well. Love both. I haven't seen this remake. I must search it out. LOVE that pretty vase of yours!

Ivani said...

Here in Brazil we call that Cactus as May Flower, as it blooms in May. I Will be searching Rebecca film out at Netflix. Small kindness make a great difference.
Hope you have a great week without aches and beautiful dreams. Happy stitching.

Jennifer said...

Your cactus is so pretty! I helped my mom replant hers a few months ago as they'd run out of room in their current pot - we split them into 4 and three of them made it, but they haven't bloomed yet. Love the kindness quote that you shared - it is wonderful when a little of it happens in daily life.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Such sweet YELLOW baskets for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!

MissPat said...

Your plant is a Thanksgiving Cactus. You can tell the difference between the two because the Thanksgiving one has round edges along the leaves and the Christmas one has pointy edges. The Thanksgiving ones are hybrids, hence many colors. The Christmas are usually pink and a lot harder to find commercially these days. That little pitcher with the broken piece is cute. It should easily root in water and then you can pot it up.
Pat

loulee said...

Those baskets are very pretty.
That spot by the fire looks good.

Janice said...

I love your little applique projects. You have more patience than me. We call your "Christmas Cactus" a "Zygocactus", as they bloom in our winter, far away from Christmas time. They are such a bright spot on a dull cold day.

Michele McLaughlin said...

So many wonderful likes and projects! Regarding your dream, I don't know what it means as I don't study that. But years ago, I remember someone telling me that water dreams have something to do with spirituality and it sounds like these dreams leave you at peace so maybe you are at one when you dream this? I really don't know. I love the little baskets and so nice to have your flowers starting to bloom early. Have a wonderful day sweet Jocelyn!

PaintedThread said...

Swimming is like flying and meditation. I miss it. I don't swim in my dreams - but I do fly. We have yet to watch the new Rebecca. I love the colors or your cactus blooms. Mine are mostly white with the barest hint of pink.

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Your baskets are so cute...and love the parachutes...I may have to try this pattern out. Your cactus are pretty. I've never had one before, maybe I'll get one this year. I know how Murphy feels. I like sitting in the sun...it makes my bones feel better. Have a great day!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Dream interpretation isn't my forte I'm afraid, and have to say that I rarely remember mine. I imagine I must dream though. Some would say there's nothing much in my head anyway so maybe there's no dreams. Never heard of a Thanksgiving cactus - interesting. I'd like to be with Murphy in that lovely patch of sun!

Linda said...

Jocelyn I so enjoy your thoughts! I occasionally have a dream in which I'm jumping and can do so effortlessly and in big leaps, like I was on the moon. Sometimes I think these dreams of feeling free are a foretaste of heaven, where we won't be encumbered by our achy bodies. :) I love Christmas (or Thanksgiving) cactus but can't have any around the house because of the cats. I love that pitcher you have the sprig in. I love Lily James from Downton Abbey. Most of all I love that little quote you have in your post and agree with it wholeheartedly.

Birthe Marie said...

So beautiful blocks, both those with baskets and the Japanese-inspired fans. I also have a cactus that is blooming now. Here we call it both the November cactus and the Christmas cactus. It often blooms twice a year, around Easter and in November. :-)

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

I had a Christmas Cactus years ago but do not remember it having such showy blossoms. I guess each little segment of the branches can itself become a new plant.

Snickelfritz said...

I try to smile at people when I'm out and about. I read somewhere that your smile could be the only one some people see all day, so I want to be that one. It is the little kindnesses that people remember.

Eva H. said...

I had my Christmas Castus on the balcony whole summer.He is very nice now,but without blooming.
I wish a nice day ☺

Michelle Ridgway said...

Dreams are fascinating things! Lovely to see your Basket case growing as well as your new project! I loved the book Rebecca too as a youngster...loved the original movie also. I haven't seen the new one yet.
That is a beautiful quote as the and of your post xx

Beth French said...

I think your dream is a great reassurance that all is well in your life. Water represents emotions in dreams. I'd say everything is going swimmingly for you! I have a cactus that bloomed for the first time last week. It had been outside all summer here in Maine. Change in daylight hours brings on the blooms. Maybe it celebrates Canadian Thanksgiving! (I used to live in Halifax, so that is good enough for me!)

Angie said...

Jocelyn - I agree with you about small projects. It is so fulfilling to actually finish something - I am working on cross-stitch Christmas ornaments that will be gifts for our kids. So much fun! Love the note about small kindnesses - yes, every interaction is precious!

audrey said...

Loved seeing your sweet baskets! They just make me smile.:)

Julierose said...

Those little baskets are just adorable...nice work and great thoughts on this posting...hugs, Julierose

My Sister Made Me Do It.... said...

kindness is something we all should remember daily. What plans do you have for those sweet baskets? I just watched Rebecca with Diana Rigg as Mrs. Danvers....your Christmas Cactus is beautiful

Kate said...

The parachutes blocks are going to make a lovely gift, love the blue you've selected for the background. Hope you had a very good week of stitching on all fronts.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Politeness and the simple consideration of others is what make life so pleasant, and we should never forget how easy it is for each of us to put a smile on another's face.

Cheryll said...

Your baskets & parachutes look great. You have some lovely flowering plants in your home too. EnJoY.
Thanks for stopping in for FNwF...xox

Patty said...

Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck with your project.