Tuesday 18 October 2022

Decisions- To Do and Cross Stitch, A Finish and A Book, Red Quilting Lines Too

 I woke up this morning with deep thoughts but they have become shallower as the morning moves on. :D My early morning walk in almost darkness and light rain helped. Making a few notes in a journal helped. Ned wanting to play tug also helped and good for my weak hand grip too I'm thinking. 

Writing this post will definitely brighten my mood. For starters I'm sharing this enjoyable book below. I saw it on one of your blogs, very sorry I've forgotten who, and knew I needed it. Wonderful words and neat illustrations. I plan to share this book with younger grandson, Robbie. Things to Look Forward To... 52 Large and Small Joys For Today and Every Day by Caldecott Medal winner, Sophie Blackall. It's important to learn that it is small things that sustain us, that move us forward in bad times, that help us appreciate this world of ours which, in my opinion, is a kind of paradise surrounding us. 

Here is a wonderful interview with Sophie talking about this lovely book and the need for anticipation and enjoyment of small things in daily life. 
A small thing amazing me these days are these milk pods letting go their seeds.  Good for butterflies.
And this treat every autumn- the very old Golden Maple as viewed through the basement stairs window putting on its stunning fall display. It always makes it seem the sun is shining even when it isn't.
My Jackrabbit journey is done; do you like his little smile? A pleasing finish!  A very enjoyable stitching project. Pattern from Cottage Garden Samplings. #3 in their series called A Year in the Woods.
Now I'm going to pick up stitching my Rosewood Manor Autumn Quakers where I left off last November. Then I'll choose my next pattern. Maybe something for Christmas first and then I'll consider a project more personal and sentimental maybe for Mom.
These Valdani threads are beautiful deep colours and cute names...Proud Turkey, Chocolate Brownie, Old Brick. 
 Last time I think Autumn Quakers had an appearance here on the blog was in the post I've put in the sidebar. 
I've stuck with the cheery red Perle cotton for the hand stitching on my Super Scrappy coffee table runner. Thank you all who approved that choice! All done in one direction, now on to the other with this hopefully finished this week in between working on Plaid Tilda. I haven't forgotten that is my October OMG. As always, I especially enjoy seeing the fabrics up close.
After all the turkey and fixings got eaten, the fridge was emptier than usual. A good time to give it a scrub which I did and replaced the shelf liners. It makes me a little bit happy every time I open the door now. In keeping with small things! Doesn't take much folks! 

I'm going to tackle the spare room this week which is a good one because I keep donation stuff, Christmas stuff, wrapping paper, gifts I've tucked away, etc. in there. That will help me take stock. 
Also brightening this old woman's mood, your lovely comments and emails. They are sustaining in their own way too. Sincerely, Thank You!💕
Hope your week is off to a great start too. I am linking this post with the wonderful linky parties....Texas Quilt GalTrue Blue QuiltsAlycia QuiltsCreations, Quilts, Art, Whatever and Wendy's Quilts and More.



 

26 comments :

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

I love seeing those milk pods we had them in Wisconsin where I grew up and maybe a few other places but I have never seen them in Arkansas. I just don't do morning walks - I'm not a morning person and takes half the morning for me to wake up - although I do take walks with Melanie in the fall and winter she knows better than to ask me to go too early. The quilting looks lovely

MissPat said...

My library owns that book, so I'll check for it next time I'm there. You've been busy on a number of projects. Always good to have things to do.
Pat

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Your golden maple makes a beautiful photo, Jocelyn! I love the trees around here that just glow, and make you think a light is on in the room. Lots of milkweed pods opening up around here, too. Your Jackrabbit turned out wonderfully! Quilting with the red thread is looking great, too. Enjoy your stitching time this week!

Nancy J said...

Down here we have Swan Plants, that I think come from the same fam ily as the Milkweed. When I was a child one of my favourite games was to find a dandelion and blow the fluffy top away, counting out the hours.!!!Your red stitching is lovely.

Nana said...

To me it seems that this year the autumn is fuller of colours and shinier in colours and more beautiful the all the years before. It is a lovely autumn so far, but still I look forward some storms.

Nana

Jenny said...

I'm a great believer in having things to look forward too, plans for the future, outings, birthdays! And little things too, washing drying on the clothesline in the sunshine, a friend popping around,home made baking, that sort of thing. Your Jack rabbit is a very handsome fellow indeed.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Your rabbit turned out beautifully! I rather think he is actually a she because she's enjoying the flowers. My favourite part is the ears!
Now I'm off to scount our library web site to see if they happen to have a copy of that book.

Ivani said...

Hi Jocelyn, Your hand quilting and cross stitch rabit looks wonderful. Oh My!!! Your Autumn colors are gorgeous! I do agree that we need to learn that it is small things that sustain us, and I am so grateful for all of them.
Have a great week.

Julierose said...

Jackrabbit is so lovely==I really like the smile a lot!! Nice work...
We haven't seen any cocoons here as yet; but finally some trees are turning colors--lots of orange and pale reds and mostly yellows here...
I love the Fall hugs, Julierose

Annie said...

I haven’t read that book, but I’m sure I’d like to gift it to lots of people who have left the slow lane to join in on the ever popular (for some unknown reason) fast lane. Especially in the world of social media where sadly, communication has all but disappeared. The Fall colors show is magnificent this year! I don’t even need to drive out into the countryside to see it all. The trees all over the neighborhood and city are just gorgeous. Your rabbit stitchery is wonderful. As is your Autumn Quakers in progress. I need to force myself to decide on a day or two a week to work on my cross stitch project. It always seems like there’s something needing sewing and that gets all the days of the week. And, wow, your hand quilting stitches are perfect. I love your choice of red to stitch with.

Nancy said...

Thanks for posting the interview with Sophie Blackall. It must have been published after I researched my post on her because I didn't see it. She is delightful.
Your Autumn Quakers piece is beautiful. I love the motifs as well as the autumn colors.

PaintedThread said...

Love that jackrabbit.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Your jackrabbit is lovely! I hope you can finish Autumn Quakers, it's so pretty. I think the maple trees are especially beautiful this autumn, they have more of a touch of red. Happy stitching!

Rosa said...

That jackrabbit has some secrets to tell, I just know it. What a wonderful piece!

Thanks for the book rec, too. I think I need a copy of that for myself.

Lin said...

Well I have never heard of Milk Pods and how unusual they are. I am afraid Google was of no help as all it could come up with was little pots of milk to put in coffee! haha. Our trees are turning too and I saw some stunning ones yesterday on a trip out to the coast. I love your Jack Rabbit, he is so lovely and your Autumn Quakers looks right up my street too.
The book looks lovely - I have just looked it up on Amazon and the illustrations are delightful. xx

Linda said...

I grew up playing with milk pods in northeast Oklahoma, but I've not seen any here in Texas. Like your Ned, my kitties never fail to bring me joy just when I need it the most. Your cross stitching is beautiful Jocelyn! Thank you for sharing with To Do Tuesday!

Michele McLaughlin said...

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I love rabbits and your piece made me smile! Love the smile on that rabbit! Thanks for the book recommendation, I know some folks that could use it. I love your scrappy table runner! Your nature photos are so wonderful! Thanks for a good way to start this morning! Hugs!

Jackie said...

It is the little things that give us the most joy. I am having a great time watching the small birds that stay here on the prairies through the winter. Harvey has put suet out for them, and they are busy nibbling away.

Love the red stitching.

God bless.

Robin said...

I love the way your basement window frames the autumn colors outside. So pretty. The cross stitch Jackrabbit is lovely. I've considered buying some of the patterns for A Year in the Woods. They are so striking. Hope you're having a nice autumn.

gladiquilts said...

Lovely photo of milk pods! I have some in the neighborhood I’m keeping my eye on, too 🙂. The colors and designs in Autumn Quakers are beautiful and should be a delight to work on through the season. I, too, need to tackle cleaning a spare room in which everything seems to get dumped when I’m not up for the type of sorting, culling, and storing that is needed!😊. Good luck with that!

Peggy Stockwell said...

Your rabbit turned out beautiful. I have found this series totally fascinating and hope to add it to my to do list. The colors you have for you Autumn quaker are gorgeous and I hope to see the finished product in the near future.

I have so many quilt tops at this time, to do hand quilting just isn't an option. I haven't even been doing hand binding with my back log. Everything looks beautiful.

Hope your Thanksgiving was great in Canada. Good luck on all your projects this week.
Peggy

grammajudyb said...

I hope I can find that book too! You are an expert cross stitcher. I love your Jackrabbit. Fabulous ears, indeed. Our little town is starting to glow too, with fall foliage. It's a favorite time of year. A few other stitchers I know have done a Quaker stitch. I think theirs are more Halloween in design, I like the Autumn look to yours. Good Luck.

Donna said...

I love the pattern in the bunny body! The autumn sampler is a big one. I look forward to watching your progress.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

The book sounds wonderful , as does your walk and play time with Ned!!! I like seeing all the small things - they add up to such joy!!!

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Love Mr. Jackrabbit! He is just beyond awesome. He is now on my list of future stitching. The Golden Maple is lovely. Fall is such a wonderful season. Your Quaker stitching is coming along nicely as well. Your Super Scrappy runner is looking lovely. Wishing you an awesome day. :)

FlashinScissors said...

Hi Jocelyn,
I enjoyed your post, and love the rabbit!
Look forward to seeing more of your sampler.
Barbara xx