Bits and Pieces

A desert moon,

and pebbles on pebbles.

Two tiny pieces looking for a story.

When I don't know what to do next

I make small pieces like these

then they live in a special box until they call to be included.

Learnt this from Jude.

Breakfast

A favourite breakfast of peanut butter, shortening and cornmeal after a cold snowy night.

Lovely Surprises

Some lush flowers arrived from Brett.
They bring colour and the promise of spring into our white, white winterscape.

Thank you son, with LOL.

Some trees arrived.
All the way from Kaite in Australia.
Knitted Trees, who'd a thought!
One snow covered tree, one summer pine and one rusty autumn maple perhaps.
This generous gift has me thinking of how many different ways there might be to make trees with stitch and fabric.
Thank you, Thank you, Kaite.
How you got my address is a mystery to me.
BTW Kaite is very busy nowadays making quilts and taking donations for Emerald, one of the devastated flood towns of Queensland.

Bowing Under the Weight of Snow

Where the trees meet the sky one gets the impression of them bowing to the weather gods.

We are all bowed down with beautiful virgin snow.

The trees are fighting to stand tall and they look even more dignified than ever.

Do you see the three pigeons sitting on the roof? They wait until we are inside before coming down to feed.

Set in Their Daily Routine

We sip tea...
Rusty pups look at us with puppy dog eyes....
Making sure we remember it is that time of day...
The tea cups get placed on the table...
Tails start wagging...
We rise out of our chairs...
And their excitement explodes!
Their pack is off for..
walkies!

Winter's Landscape

The lake has frozen over.
Wonder if we could walk to that top knot of an island.
Not me!  The rusty pups would if I let them.

The snow and ice simplify the landscape.
Living here outside the hustle and bustle of a winter's city, they simplify our lives too.
A season for reflection.

The skies can sometimes still look like a summery day.

As soon as you are out of the sun's rays your body temperature drops.
Time to get the rusty pups home.

Two Beginnings

In her Boro workshop, Jude has introduced the idea of weaving ombre style.....  

and I'm find this fascinating.

Today we had to venture out in a windy snowstorm and REALLY cold temperatures...

to the Dentist of all places.  

In his waiting room I started stitching on the rusty gate... 

My plan is not to add to the design and complicate things, 

but to add the texture of simple stitch...

This will be a slow meditative piece.
So far I am liking the narrow trails being left between the rows of stitch.