Happy holidaze!!

 

Musings About A Meaningful Life

It's been very cold out for the past week or so - my mind turns to getting 'stuff' done and inwardly criticizing myself for not getting enough 'stuff' done. 

I'm sure you know the drill...

I just retired from my regular, administrative duties at the local hospital and have great ideas about how much I really should be getting done.  Yup.  I should be up at 7am, out the door to my studio by 9am then work work work until 4:30pm.  At that time I should be able to do ALL the housework, feed myself and hubbie a suitably healthy, dietworthy dinner, finish up the day with succinct and noteworthy verbiage on my blog/web page/social media and finish off with a yoga flourish before hitting the sack at a time sometime before midnight...  Hmm - maybe not so much, eh?

Well, reality is setting in and I'm finding myself dragging the body from my warm sheets sometime between 8:30 and 9am, watching the news and surfing the internet until after noon sometime, MAYBE showing up in my studio by 1pm then downhill from there.  As it is - the only regular thing happening is my hubbie is getting fed - maybe not so suitably healthy, diet worthy items but fed nonetheless and I'm getting to sleep sometime after 1am...or so...

So, I ask myself - "Is this it?" 

Today, I picked up Leonard Cohen's last work - "The Flame".  Engaging and inspiring, though through it all I keep thinking of the man who was suffering during all this collecting and compiling of his work with the knowledge of his ending.  What in the world was going through his mind while working this through with his son, publisher and others in attendance? 

He'd kept notebooks of his writing throughout his life with sketches, poems and the beginnings of songs - all numbered, not chronologically but by completion.  I know I can't compare myself with the genius that was only 'hisown' but what can I leave to the world that shows a ripple that is my passing? What do any of us leave?

I guess everyone probably asks this question when they reach a certain age in life. 

Perhaps I need to plant more trees.  Create a body of work that satisfies my artistic itch. 

Meanwhile - hubbie does the necessary things to keep up the place and feed/water the critters.  He's out blowing the new snow off the pavement so I don't have to wet my tootsies on my way out to the studio.

Maybe I should just cut myself some slack.  After all - this retirement thing is new to me. 

And then it was winter...

I have to admit - it's later than usual.  That doesn't mean that I'm thrilled about it.  I realized today, on my walk from the parking lot of the hospital to my office, that I really wouldn't miss commuting in to work when I retire.  Yes, I could get used to that 2nd and even 3rd cup of coffee while my hubbie rants at the news.
Little flakes fell out of the sky all day.  There must be a metaphor in that. There's an increasing 'skiff' of the flakie stuff everywhere now and I had to drag the boots out of the closet this morning.  (sigh) Are you tired of my moaning yet?
That's out of my system now.  Thanks for listening.
It does inspire quilting though.  I love spending time in my happy space.
Monday, hubbie came out and sat with me while I worked on a wholecloth quilt.  He picked a logo out of his favorite Jean Jacket (didn't wish to advertise for the company) and asked me if I could digitize a patch for him.  This is what I worked out for him:

He's got a Harley Trike and this will suit him fine.  I'll stitch it up for him tomorrow while I work on the quilt.  (I love multi-tasking) No It's not for sale.  I don't want to step on any corporate toes.
Last weekend I spent time at the Dinosewers Quilting Retreat.  Met some very nice ladies, reconnected with some old friends and met a new Gammill owner.  We compared notes and gave each other some great ideas.  I love networking with my Gammill buddies.
Well, on to bed and dreams of quilting tomorrow.

I love this time of the day.

It's the Thanksgiving holiday.

I grew up in the United States.  Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. That's it!  The rest of the week-end is spent watching football, Macy's parades and shopping.  

Here in Canada it takes us 4 days to get through the holiday - Friday it all starts with friends or family members arriving from afar.  Bed to be made up, guest rooms readied.  Quilts shaken out and lovingly placed. Flowers and munchies bought and  - oh - the cooking starts!

Saturday you might need to accommodate kids with obligations at their other families. You might have your meal - or another meal on Sunday.  Monday is supposedly the 'big day' - Thanksgiving 'proper'. 

Today it was just the spouse and me.  He had spent the weekend mourning with family in northern BC.  Flew in to Terrace Friday then out on Sunday and back to me.  He was not expecting a big meal - this year everyone was busy elsewhere.  I spent it alone - but busy quilting.  I was not discontent.  I got lots done. 

Yesterday and today I pulled out all the stops.

I made chicken liver pate' yesterday and a pumpkin cheesecake. 

Today I made radish pickle (korean style - yum), buns, 1/2 a turkey - about 6 pounds worth, stuffing, candied carrots, garlic mashed potato, brussels sprouts with bacon (which I carefully picked out of my own serving - LOL - old habits die hard), and caramel sauce for the cheesecake.  *WHEW*

Brian was overwhelmed! (Who else is coming to help eat all this stuff!!)  I was pleased.  And tired.

So - this is the best time of the holiday.  The dishes are done.  I have just finished the end of my glass of wine.  My feet are up and my bum is down.  Bri is in the chair next to me, tummy full and watching a show about dogs.

Yup.  The best time of the holiday.

The October Sale is here!

It's that time of year again!  (I know, you're all saying 'Oh My Goodness!  She's going to talk about the C word!!!' - yup,) Christmas!  Less than 100 days, my friends!!!

To ease the blow, I'm offering free batting for your quilted project.  Yes, it's true.  Get me to do your quilt at the regular price between October 1st and the 31st, and I'll include the Hobbs 80/20 in either natural or black with your project.  

Possibly too good to be true but there it is.

My minimum price is $75.00 to put it on the frame.  

Call me to book your quilt today.

Holidaze are over - On to Bigger and Better Things!

Finally, the holidays are over.  This year proved to be a challenge for both the Big Guy and me.  We both were down sick with this terrible Flu/Cold/Bronchitis thingy that's been spreading out over the prairies.  It's been over 3 weeks and I'm just getting my energy back!  
I'm getting back to my long-arm machine and puttering (trying to save my strength).  I thought about going to 'Stitch' today - how I miss my girlfriends! - but alas, still feeling a bit 'funk'.  *sigh*

That being said, I got a big shot of inspiration today from an article on an artist in England named Humayra Bint Altaf.  She's a photographer, industry trained fashion designer, embroiderer and general artsy person.  Check out the bit about her in  Sisters Magazine and also on her Facebook page at The Old Sewing Room.   Check out her bugs!  Her birds!   

I find myself inspired about detail work again.  Thank you Humayra, for that.  Just when I thought my creative juices had all but dried up!

I think illness can do that to us.  The point is to draw up our courage and muddle on to health again.  Then, when you least expect it, all is well!

“Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that – one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery” – Oliver Wendell Holmes.

I'm off to Stitch!

Well, I'm off to 'Stitch' and a great visit with the girlfriends.  A person needs to keep her friends in the circle of their life!  I also need to feed the big guy (he equates caring with food sometimes) so today I've filled a crock pot and am trying the following recipe...

Healthy Chicken Chili

I found it at http://www.yummly.com/recipe/external/Healthy-Chicken-Chili-1471686

I'll let you know how it turns out when I get back.  It's starting to smell very yummy around here though!