Birthday Break

Five days in Sri Lanka was my birthday gift and the reason for my absence.

Whenever I travel, I completely unplug from technology.

Our time was spent walking, relaxing,

hiking, eating,

enjoying the great outdoors and the company of friends.

Two of the days were spent at a bungalow with our "adopted" family.

After we had said our goodbyes on Monday, we were called back under the pretext that we had forgotten some of our belongings.

Instead, I was treated to a surprise rendition of happy birthday, cake and a group photo opportunity. 

It's always so lovely to get away.

But yesterday and today it was back to school and back to reality.

Lots of catching up to do.

Hope all is well with you.

Appreciation

I've not had a lot of time the past several days to blog or visit as I would like, but thought I would share a few of my favorite photos taken over the past week.  Tomorrow after school we will begin a 5-day holiday as Kuwait prepares to celebrate its National and Liberation Days on the 25th and 26th (which also just happens to be my birthday).  I will be away from the computer for the next week but wanted to stop in to say hello and wish you well.

Thanks always for your kind thoughts and comments.

Blessings to all,

Sunday Stash Busting & Sky Watch

The soul, like the body, lives by what it feeds on.

J. G. Holland

Sustenance is required when stash busting.

And lemon ginger infusion with dark chocolate & ginger are a perfect combination.

 I didn't get much time for crocheting over the weekend but did manage to finish one stacked shells doily. A very easy pattern that you can find here.

 As you can see, today's weather was much improved from the dust and haze of yesterday.

 I plan to make more stacked shell doilies using other variegated yarns I have in my stash.

 And also will be upcycling candle jars as I've done in the past.

A large tealight candle from Ikea fits in them perfectly and makes for a great little gift.

 

For more stash busting posts and ideas, visit Ana and Linda.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Thursday's Sunset Sky

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.

Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds

Unfortunately, today's weather took a turn for the worse.

No more blue skies.

Just dust and haze.

I hope your Saturday is a good one.

Joyful Walking and Discovery

All walking is discovery.

On foot we take the time to see things whole.

Hal Borland

We weren't the only ones who were out for a walk this morning.

I convinced Sam to take a different route.
He tends to get stuck going round and round the walking path.

A change of scenery every once in awhile is nice.

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

Marcel Proust

There is joy in discovering something new to see even if it is just around the corner.

My eyes are always peeled for little treasures to bring home.

The leaf and rock got instant makeovers.

Inspired by Alisa, Kimmie and others.

Wishing you a joy-filled day!

Sweet Hearts

Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.
Voltaire

 Today at work I gave out little envelopes filled with green tea, chocolate and crocheted hearts.
It's amazing how the simplest of gifts can spread such joy!

 In return, one of my co-workers sent me this graphic.

So cute!
She used the website ImageChef ...
which is where I created this little image.

There's lots of different options for frames and mosaics so I plan to make more for all sorts of occasions.
 Our Middle School Principal recently returned from a trip to the States and brought back conversation hearts.
I haven't seen them here in years so it was a nice surprise.

This past week has been crazy busy so I am very, very happy that the weekend has arrived.
I hope that you are all having a great week.
And that your day is filled with sweet, sweet love!

Sunday Stash Busting Again and More

I hereby declare Sunday as Stash Busting Day with Ana and Linda.

In addition to granny squares, I've been making lots of hearts.

So easy to do since both patterns are committed to memory now.

Have you been visiting Nancy at Sugar Lump Studios for 14 Hearts?

A project a day through the 14th.

So many lovely ideas.

And now a thank you!

Sangeetha has passed this little award my way, she says for "my sunny disposition and finding joy in all the simple things in life."

That certainly is what I true to do every day!

There's enough chaos and craziness in the world without creating more.

Thank you, Sangeetha!  Your blog posts always make me smile and sometimes laugh out loud.

I do hope you are all having a wonderful day.

Best wishes,