MEMORIAL DAY

Peace to each manly soul that sleepeth;

Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth...

~Thomas Moore

WORDS

my weekly posting of a poem, a quote and a passage from literature.

After a While

After a while you learn

The subtle difference between

holding a hand

and chaining a soul 

and you learn 

that love doesn't mean 

leaning

and company doesn't always mean

security.

And you begin to learn

That kisses aren't contracts and 

presents aren't promises

and you begin to

accept your defeats 

with your head up and your eyes ahead

with the grace of a woman

not the grief of a child

and you learn

To build all your roads on today 

because tomorrow's ground is

too uncertain for plans 

and futures have a way of falling down

in mid-flight. 

After a while you learn

That even sunshine burns

If you ask too much.

So you plant your own garden,

and decorate your own soul

instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers

 and you learn

that you really can endure

that you really are strong

and you really do have worth

And you learn

And you learn

with every goodbye 

You learn . . . 

~Veronica Shoffstall 

"When at last I took the time to look into the heart of a flower, it opened up a whole new world...as if a window had been opened to let in the sun."
~ Princess Grace of Monaco

"I looked again at the heap of quilts. An hour ago they had been patchwork and nothing more. But now! The old woman's words had wrought a transformation in the homely mass of calico and silk and worsted. Patchwork? Ah, no! It was memory, imagination, 

history, 

biography, 

joy, 

sorrow, 

philosophy, religion, romance, realism, life, love, and death; and over all, like a halo, the love of the artist for his work and the soul's longing for earthly immortality."

  ~from Aunt Jane of Kentucky by Eliza Calvert Hall

CHANGE IS GOOD

I always feel good when I make some changes to a room or add in a new color or fabric. Change is good. To see things in a new light, or add empty space where there was none, is always refreshing.


I painted the inside back of a tall bookcase purple, or in precise terms *Vintage Claret* ( by  B.M.).

 The vintage claret color flows with a few toss pillows (by Susan Sargent) . . .

a painted dresser in the kitchen, and these *funky* painted island legs which have the same color.

I took down the large quilt on the wall, that we use to cozy up the great room in the colder months,

 and moved the bookcase to that long inside wall, along with a bench and a small wallhanging.  The bookcase blends right into the wall as they are both painted clementine. I told you my house was *funky* and full of color !

I thought of adding one or two more tall bookcases, and attach modeling to the fronts so they have that built-in look, but eventually, there will be a spiral staircase to the loft where the bench and small wallhanging are now.  

To access the loft now, we move the bench out a bit and climb a ladder. The kids do,that is, not me :)

 Everything takes time, and most everything takes money, but there are usually small things we can do and change around our house and property to make ourselves happier. 


I like to think positive and look at what we *have* done and not dwell on all the things we still need to do.  I have always called it our *joyful journey* and it still is.


happy day!

SUNDAY STROLL- WHITE

The world is awash with greens in all shades, so glorious what springtime brings to us in New England. 
Today I took my Sunday Stroll, looking for  white, all the while singing softly to myself .. 
 "and everything emptying into white"   
 (Have a listen Into White by Cat Stevens)

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. 

~Rachel Carson

FRIDAYS FLOWERS

The Daisies have bloomed and are in abundance in the meadow and throughout the yard near the house. The Irises are still in bloom on the grassy hill down the driveway and another by the pond but I wanted to enjoy them right where they were.

I gathered a few blooms for Fridays Flowers hosted by Renee at FIMBY

I am enjoying having fresh flowers on my table. I also like to use Hosta leaves.

I have also made a combination table runner/centerpiece using a myriad of Hosta leaves we have growing on our land. They are sturdy and last for quite a few days.

happy day!

{this moment}

Following SouleMama's inspiration :
"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

MEW MEW MEW

The newest members of our farm, Romeo and Juliet, are adored by the children. 

Who can resist kittens ?

They play together and then the two kittens go off for another slumber time. After all, growing takes a great deal of energy.

Soon they are ready to play again!

We decided to make a very simple toy to use when they woke.

The children tied a long piece of ribbon to a jingle bell. It was good practice for them tying knots.

Then they tied shorter pieces of ribbon onto the long ribbon.

They were quite happy with the result,

and so was someone else!

The children were so proud they had made a useful toy, and had great fun playing with the kitten.

BUTTERCUP BABY

I love how the little children gravitate to the small things in nature. It seems to come naturally, that connection they have with the natural world.   

They love the little buttercups, picking them, twirling in their fingers and often asking to add them to their faerie houses. And the question, "Do you like butter?" was always asked as they held it under each others chins.

Be wary though, as small and cute as they are, Buttercups are poisonous and cause a skin irritant. That's why skin turns yellow when put they put the flowers to their chin. It has nothing to do with liking butter, but is still great fun nonetheless.

Take a walk with a child and they will be sure to discover something for you to see.

We actually learn more from them at this stage. 

They notice all kinds of changes too , especially if brought to the same places often enough, like how the buttercups close up on cloudy and colder days.

We do not need to *teach* our children about the natural world, we just need to provide the experience to be in it on a regular basis, in the same places as well as different places.


Exploring, discovering, observing and delighting in nature is a treasure they can keep for themselves and use their whole lives.


        Nature is there for all of us, all the time, whatever our mood. I love the quote by John Burroughs "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order"

happy day !  

COLOR

Be Bold!

Live with what excites you and makes your eyes light up and your heart skip a beat!


I love color and I have learned to be bold over the years. If I had to pick something that describes me it would be this:

It's bright, it's funky, it's different, and most importantly, I feel a rush of energy every single time I see it ,and then want to create. It inspires me.

 It is a very small wallhanging, measuring only 18 X 27, that I made for my second daughter over ten years ago. It had been tucked away for safe keeping during moves and other life adventures, and I came upon it again just recently. It is hand pieced (applique) and hand quilted.


It is actually her artwork captured in fabric. She had taken an art class and  had made an abstract drawing in pencil. I took that drawing, enlarged it somewhat, and taking into consideration her personality and her color loves ( and mine of course..I couldn't help it!) , I created this piece for her. It is titled Imagination.

I have taken more risks with color since moving to our log home, which being one palette. . .wood. . . just calls out to me for more vibrancy and zest!  One of these days I will show you many of the colors and the *funkiness* with which we live. . .and love!


Right now I am going to hang this *Imagination*  in sight until my daughter comes and reclaims it for her new place :)


What is it that describes YOU or excites you? Is there a color you LOVE but are afraid to take a risk? Start small. Paint something in that color for the garden. Paint the inside of your cabinet so that when you open it, your heart races. 


Be bold, and  be happy!

ONE WORD WEDNESDAY

                    ~ exploring ~

FROG WATCH

There is a small circular area of rocks where the frogs hang out. It's connected to our larger pond enabling the frogs to make a clean getaway if need be, but they prefer hanging out in here. The children just need to sit down and get comfortable. Sometimes it is like a game of I Spy, but if they are still and quiet and look closely enough,they will see them.

             Can  you  find the frog in each of the following pictures? 

       These frogs are Green Frogs (Rana Clamitans). They are also known as Bronze frog.
You can check out a few more facts about Green frogs and listen to the sound they make here.
If you hear all kinds of sounds at your house, and perhaps they are frog sounds, have a listen here and see if you can identify it.


It is mentioned that Green Frogs are not as wary as many other species of frog. That would explain why they don't hop away when they see little faces peering in at them, or a net coming their way, and why the children can easily catch them with their hands.

Take part in the online Wildlife Watch from the National Wildlife Federation and record the frogs and other species you see in your area. It's easy and it's fun. Above all, have fun connecting with Nature!


Do you play the Outdoor Challenge?