Thankful Too, Last Garden Glory, New To Me Bird, Free Patterns

 Thank you for all the kind and caring comments and emails you took the time to write me about my shared sad experience in the last post. I had tears in my eyes as I read them. Thanks too for sharing what works for you during such low points. It's always good to know you're not alone. I know I can't change my present circumstances in life and the only thing I can change is how I react and cope with them. I feel fortunate that that shroud (as I think of the dark mood) has not descended on me again. Someone mentioned the seasonal change which I hadn't thought of. It had been a rather gloomy summer and a mostly cloudy fall. With the time changing, the days are noticeably shorter with darkness setting in earlier. But I honestly don't think that's an issue for me. The climate has never bothered me before, but who knows, maybe my seventies are making changes in my fundamental makeup. 

Speaking of changes, every day on my walks, I can see autumn leaving and winter creeping in. As Edna wrote many years ago, the woods that were "crying with colour" are now dimmed. I'm glad I captured a few more photos of the glory before it all disappeared. Here is a deep pink maple leaf trapped by the Japanese Anemone cotton like seed buds. 

I've collected a number of these twigs to keep growing more of these lovely flowery bushes around the property. These seed pods do well overwintering in the basement cold room in paper bags.

And I took a few photos of one of the common Ninebark shrubs in the back garden that turn red to wine in the fall. This photo is really not doing it justice.

Up close the leaves are striking. Think of planting Ninebarks if you like bright fall colours.

And in birding news, I captured photos of a new to me bird.

My very first sighting of a Ruffed Grouse here or as they were called where I lived on the coast of Labrador, Partridge. You can see the very early morning frost on the grass here.

 I have never seen this bird here before. It toddled all around the big side lawn, which means it was taking its chances what with the two fox that visit here regularly. I kept wishing it would fly away. But finally it trotted off into the woods. 

Someone suggested doing some carefree shopping to give me a lift. I've never done stress eating or depression shopping so that hadn't occured to me. Do you? But I do keep lists of things that I could use or give to the family, etc. Anyway, here are a couple of things you quilters might like.

Borders are not something I spend too much effort on but when I saw someone had used these diamonds for a border, I thought they looked beautiful. 

And I do enjoy Foundation Paper Piecing so I downloaded the pattern. It is free from Generations Quilt Patterns. Be sure to check out the other wonderful 265+ free quilt patterns in multiple techniques and sizes those kind folks offer. I'm always checking back as they keep adding to the bank. 

I've also purchased and downloaded the Boardwalk pattern from the wonderful Treehouse Textiles creative folks. Having access to PDF patterns is awesome. I've loved this pattern a long time.

 I did put away the Year at Hawk Run Hallow cross stitch project and indulged myself in a new cross stitch start. I'd shared this pattern with you last year and had put together the fabric and flosses. I love stitching Quakers and this one is called Peace On Earth from Lila's Studio. It features birds, squirrels, deer and other woodland creatures, all of whom are familiar sights here. 

I'd made a tiny start on this 32 count Mocha Belfast linen in such a pretty cream shade. The wonderful folks at 123Stitch helped me choose it. The stitching is one strand over two threads with all the called for DMC colours. I've made my usual start upper left. It's interesting to see how folks make different starts and one of the YouTube stars I watch actually stitches her entire designs up and down rather than across which I find amazing. 

It's time for the Autumn into Winter crocheted throw, the one in the jewel tone colours, to come out.

And I finished this little Give Thanks Every Single Day embroidery. I made the birds Bluebirds of happiness and gave them fancy tails. I'm going in my sewing room today to choose a fabric to frame this. 

The leaves here have all fallen. I love this image below which is Cannonball by Harry Bliss.  I love the New Yorker and especially their covers that illuminate so many different artists' work. 

It's time to get outside with the dogs. I hope you are all fine and coping with whatever is on your plate. A very Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!