Birthday Crochet

     I have a friend who recently turned 92 years old.  She is a gardener and still plants a huge vegetable plot that she takes care of all  by herself, not to mention picking, canning, and freezing all the produce she grows.  Baking and cooking, another of her many skills, is one of her favorite daily activities.  All things I love to do and we have in common. 
     I wanted to give her a handmade birthday gift, something from my hands to hers... something she could use.  I needed something practical as my friend was raised when times were hard and money was scarce.  Her family farmed and survived on what they raised and created with their own hands and ingenuity.  After some careful consideration  I decided to crochet her some potholders.  Everyone needs potholders right?
     My grandmother was also close to my friend, and being an inveterate crafter would constantly crochet, knit, and embroider gifts for her on every occasion, and yes, a certain potholder pattern was her favorite.  I had also been a recipient of many of those same potholders, but had never gotten the instructions or even tried to crochet my own.  My grandmother passed away several years ago and my friend still misses her company and her crafts.  What better gift than the same potholders that she had loved before and would remind her of my grandmother's friendship.
     After a  short search, I found the pattern that I was looking for here.  Where else would I be able to find it but a crafty gal's blog!   Thank you "Boring Knitter" for sharing.  My friend was very happy with her gift and immediately recognized they were the same as those she had received from my grandmother many years ago.  I'm sure those potholders will be lovingly used.
     I draw so much of my inspiration in daily life from the friends and relatives who have lived before me.  They have so much to teach and share so, I listen and learn and feel privileged to carry on their values and skills in my own life......even in the humblest of birthday gifts.

Normal Everyday Life

     We just went through a very difficult time with Flynn, our Maltese.  He suddenly became very ill with pancreatitis and had to be hospitalized for four days.  I really believed  he was going to die.  Trying to imagine life without him was too painful to comprehend and I kept thinking over and over...."I just want things to be normal again."
     Well, my pleas for normalcy were heard.  It took about a month of medications, special diet and plenty of  tender loving care and now I am so happy to report that Flynn is back one hundred percent!  Normal.
Our days are back to normal and I won't take any of it for granted.
    

Fruition

What required faith last October.......

Has blossomed into February Magic. 

A much needed splash of color amidst the snow and deep cold.

Celebration

Happy First Birthday Flynn!!  You have grown into a funny, happy-go-lucky friend and a very sweet companion.  You even put up with wearing hats for a photo......what more could a person ask of their dog?

Maye Daye Surprise

Maye Daye morning I found this tiny Maye basket in my enchanted garden!  It was left there by the Gilly Hobs who inhabit the herbaceous borders here at the croft.  Such a sweet surprise to begin my most favorite month of the year......Mayefair!

Sunday, February 14.....Valentine's Day!

A Valentine Vignette. My thoughtful and endearing husband had roses waiting for me when I awoke on Valentine's morning. Such a beautiful shade of pink. Aren't roses the most exquisite blooms?? It does my gardener's soul a world of good to have such an extravagance in the middle of a snowy winter.

Friday, February 12

My February Mantel.

Thursday, February 11

My Valentine cupcakes ready to be packaged up for delivery...it's a tradition I do for my family. I love that they remind me of the grade school Valentine parties I had growing up. We would make a beautiful box to hold our class Valentine cards and eat cupcakes and cookies that our mother's proudly baked and decorated.

Wednesday, February 10

A Valentine tattoo that was included in my Valentine card from my niece. She very kindly applied it for me. You take one washcloth, wet it and hold it on the tattoo while singing the ABC song twice in a row. Voila! A tattoo kiss!

Tuesday, February 9

Mr. Rabbit has joined the group to announce his favorite Valentine. I painted him several years ago when I was part of a ceramics group.

Monday, February 8

Homemade Valentine Marshmallow Lollipops, wrapped in decorative cellophane and ready to deliver to a special someone!

Sunday, February 7

Yet another Lefton treasure found at an antiques mall. It is actually a wall pocket, but I have it decorating my baker's rack in the dining/sunroom.

Heartfelt February

February is the month of hearts, roses and chocolate romance. I've decided to post a week of Valentine Vignettes to celebrate the season of love and to get us in the mood to celebrate. There are somany happy memories to reminisce of Valentine's gone by and much anticipation of happy Valentine memories ahead!
Today's Vignette contains a double-heart candle that was a gift from my (then) young, newer husband, who whimsically, signed both our dog's names on the card and will forever remind me of Tiger and Buttons....two beloved companions and special friends.
I picked up the Lefton Valentine girl at an estate sale, several years ago. She was sitting all by herself on the kitchen counter, looking lonely and out of place. I picked her up and paid all of 50 cents for the pleasure of her presence on my shelf every February. She seems really happy with her choice to come home with me.

January's Wish

Oh, winter-grey landscape....... grant me a tiny spot of brightness and a glimmer of hope that more colorful days are forthcoming, when the icy grip of the frozen landscape will burst forth with spring's abundance.

Until then, thank you for the brilliant spot of crimson red to banish this season's grey and blue.

Simply Live

I tend to ease into things slowly, feeling my way, testing the waters until I feel comfortable enough to immerse myself fully into whatever adventure awaits. The New Year is a prime example. I don't know what is ahead, which directions I will take, what roads I will travel, but,
the journey is always just as fantastical (sometimes more) than the destination.
My approach is naturally slow and deliberate because I want to experience each moment fully, with eyes wide open and senses poised. To be fully aware and not waste a precious second of this life I have been given. And so it has begun.

A Season of Keeping

A Peaceful Christmastide was Kept by All at Turnberry Croft....

A Time of Candlelight, Warmth and the

Blessings of Love, to Hold Close

In My Heart

Throughout the New Year.

My Christmas Mantle

The fireplace mantle is my favorite spot to decorate for all the seasons of the year but, Christmas time is best. "Less is more" doesn't apply to me...I'm more of an "over the top" decorator.
This will be the backdrop for our Christmas dinner and it looks quite lovely when the winter dusk falls and the soft lights glow. A peaceful end to Christmas day, enjoying the company of family, eating a fabulous meal and contemplating our many blessings.

Christmas Trimmings

It's time once again to bedeck my wee house in all it's Christmas finery. This is no small feat (even living in a wee house) as I have been making and collecting holiday decorations since childhood. I normally spend the entire month trimming trees (2 large ones), stringing lights, rearranging vignettes and displays and making sure no corner misses some holiday cheer. My husband absolutely refuses to help...( I am "too picky" and he has better things to do for a month)....however, he redeems himself by doing all the outdoor lights and decorations...in our extreme Wisconsin weather, so I will cut him a break. Besides, he helps me take everything down after all the festivities are over.
I love the smells, the colors, the sparkle and the transformation of everyday living into a Christmas wonderland. I can't think of another activity that I would rather be doing for a month than creating the wonder and spirit of this precious season of joy.

Saving Flower Seeds

The harvest season at Turnberry Croft lasts well into November
and includes more than fruits and vegetables. When the flower
gardens have succumbed to frost, the time is ripe for gathering the
bounty of seeds from my annuals. This saves money next spring
as the cost of seed seems to rise every year and you get less seed
for your money. With flower beds as large as mine, I need vast quantities
of seed to produce the amount of plants I need.

This fall, I collected seed from my Cosmos, both the single and double,
Burgundy Bachelor Buttons, (the dark maroon color is especially
intriguing) and of course, the old standby of Marigolds, both small
and the taller varieties. Each dead blossom holds a wealth of seed,
so you get hundreds of them (which translates into plants) virtually for
free! I always leave some seed heads for the birds. It's such fun watching them perch o them perch on the spindly stems and feast on something that brings such
beauty beauty into my life and ultimately helps the local wildlife survive the long, harsh harsh winters of Wisconsin .

Halloween Night

Halloween was a great success! A spooky time was had by
by all our trick or treaters.......over one hundred little ghosties
and goblins showed up at my door. The October wind was
howling and the air was as crisp as the fallen leaves scattered
on the ground. The perfect background for the graveyard and
other frightening spectacles awaiting the costumed travelers who
dared to venture out on the scariest night of the year.