What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Heavy rain and the odd thunderclap were keeping us inside for the most part. It came with wind too lashing about the trees.
 We went out for our walks but I worried Hubby would get cold from the dampness.  I grew up with those notions; did you?
Bit brighter today and there is no doubt "spring is breaking in glad surprise" all around us.

For instance, the phoebe has returned to the rafters of the tiny garage by the pond. Last year two nests were inside and the birds didn't seem to mind the closeness. Having a pond on ...

Lately this has been my favourite lunch which I make sure I eat by 1 pm.  Two slices of dark rye bread, a little olive oil, an avocado and a sprinkling of pink salt. I find avocado, like bananas, filling.

A most welcome April but the wild melting/freezing/snowing cycle we've been experiencing is mostly unspringlike but making the landscape take on a harshness just the same.  Exposed are last autumn's withered leaves, all the stumps and sticks and suddenly there are even soggy areas where you can go over your boots. Unlike the crisp freshness of winter air, walking today, the air had a smell that was a little woody and earthy.
But the Canada Geese are returning! I was mesmerized by that very moody March sky.

Was my life too a pilgrimage...one that led me here on this calm Sunday thinking grateful thoughts for the journey that has been my life. There have been valleys to trudge through but also mountain tops to wave from. Maybe there was a purpose to all the happenings that came before; perhaps to lead me here to this very spot of beautiful land that I troll every day for little sights that please my eyes and make me happy.
Like this very fluffed up mourning dove for instance.  There were just the two together trying to stay warm.  Love ...

This would be a good day for the Kitchen Drawer Police to visit me.  I spent my domestic pursuit time today cleaning out the four big drawers beside the sink.  How does it ever seem a good idea to keep take-out packets of soya sauce there?  Or pens, or rubber bands, old toothpicks, plastic spoons, or coasters. When I have perfectly good designated areas for all that stuff.  In a hurry, I guess.  But in retirement should I ever be in that big a hurry.

Another thing I did was make Hubby a cake.  Honestly we are still celebrating his ...

It came to me in a dream last summer: the most lovely of all perennial gardens, it was filled with color and fragrance, it was a haven for birds and butterflies; it was right outside the door from my studio, just beyond the side porch. And then--I awakened! I recounted my dream to Mr. Goodneedle. We decided last fall that this was, definitely, a dream that we could work on together to make a

It came to me in a dream last summer: the most lovely of all perennial gardens, it was filled with color and fragrance, it was a haven for birds and butterflies; it was right outside the door from my studio, just beyond the side porch. And then--I awakened! I recounted my dream to Mr. Goodneedle. We decided last fall that this was, definitely, a dream that we could work on together to make a

Hubby, having eaten his oatmeal breakfast, has retired to his computer eager to finish making a sale online.  I've told you how he has driven motorcycles all his life but gave it a break last summer after having a little mishap the year before. Here with one of his pride and joys.

I wonder how the early pioneers did it for we are not long from those times here in Ontario. Their marks of old stones for fences zig zag through this property still.  Their triumph over nature in the true sense of the phrase puts our complaining about winter weather- a snow storm today, into perspective especially when I read detailed accounts of their agonizing experiences settling Lanark county.

As  you may know we are surrounded by woods here and this allows us to get up close to nature.  Here is an instance that was very close.
 I glanced out the ...

Winter, the Huntsman, is still riding through his iron glade here outside Ottawa, Canada. We are very much a winter wonderland with narry a sighting of spring to be seen even with these hopeful eyes.  For I am starting to think this is enough now.  Let's move to the next season please.

Indoors there has been baking and reading going on and tending to my little garden.  A sunny week has perked them up.

The still early darkness is making long evenings, even longer nights for sleep, leisurely mornings for us retirees, comforting ourselves with food and hot drinks all the while. Sort of housebound but in reality not. This winter seems to be going on long without a break, not giving us any hint of an end in sight just yet.
We are comfortable though and only uncomfortable from our own doing...over eating and not walking as far or as long. The urge to treat yourself seems stronger when the outside weather is cold and too much treat type food has found ...

Tea cups and time pieces, once so important, are now to be found in the thrift shops.
 I have a few tea cups here inherited from first wife. I remember the only English lady in a tiny village I was teaching in showing me how to pour tea properly so everyone got the same strength in their cup. I took that knowledge to heart.  I remember Dad telling us that in the Korean war, any time they camped with English troops, tea would be offered and to his surprise, even to those injured.

Hubby would definitely second this!

 And growing ...

Happy February to all!
Half way through the winter and the sun on our backs this morning had real warmth to it despite the freezing air temperature.
Here is the February block for A Patchwork Year called Forget Me Not, designed by the wonderful Kathy Schmitz.

My elderly grandparents liked to sit in a darkening kitchen and listen to the clock tick.
 I was always too shy to ask that a light be turned on so sat with my book in my lap and pretended it wasn't there for I didn't want them to feel badly they had neglected to turn on a light for me. It would seem to be a surprise to them that suddenly it was dark and we needed a light. I would have to say they had a high level of contentment just sitting like that with each other ...

Sleep is precious.
My quest for better sleep has led me to consider many sleep related things. I have tried to find the perfect pillow, use higher thread count pillow cases, invest in a beautiful mattress and a cosy duvet with colourful covers that I love.  Because I know for me, I do find comfort in these small things.
 I'm baffled as to why such a simple thing as sleeping eludes me sometimes. I'm getting my hour of fresh air every day, moving my body lots, eating mostly well...a bit more sugar than usual lately though.
 I ...