Breakfast Buffet

On Saturday morning, our balcony was all abuzz.  At one point, I counted a total of 10 doves feasting on the plants and whatever it is they find in the soil.  

I also have two containers of water out there.  One for drinking and one for bathing.  So it would seem they've got it pretty darn good.

All of the above photos were taken through a dirty tinted window with my phone but they still turned out pretty good.

I went off to have my own breakfast with friends which was lovely.

And when I came back 2 hours later, the birds were still there, plus a few surprises.

This is the first time I've seen a dark capped bulbul.  And yes, just as I get excited about the moon, I was definitely over the moon about seeing this bird.  I even messaged my husband about it and sent the picture to him.  (He doesn't get quite as excited. :)

Normally we see the common white eared bulbul.

They usually travel in pairs and have the prettiest little singsong.  But when they are angry, they chatter away like little monkeys.  (Definitely need to clean those windows.)

And, of course, another common little bird is the sweet sparrow.

What a joy it was watching them all morning.  Funny thing is, there hasn't been that much activity since.

The good camera came out for this shot of the moon this morning.  Still big and beautiful!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

You and the Moon

That's what my husband says to me when I start looking up at the afternoon or evening sky and then run or reach for my camera.

You and the Moon!

All of the above photos were taken on Friday when we were out at Khiran Resort (close to the Saudi border) visiting friends at their holiday chalet.

And, of course, there were lots of moon photos taken while traveling this summer.

Moon over New Orleans.

Moon over Alamosa, Colorado.

Moon over Moab, Utah.

Moon over Salt Lake City, Utah.

Then there was last night's full moon here in Kuwait.

And because my husband knows I love the moon so much, he woke me up this morning to see the eclipse.

“The moon is a loyal companion.
It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human.
Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.” 
― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me

Have a blessed week.

True Stashbusting

How is it that yarn bits thrown into a basket manage to find their way to each other and turn themselves into a tangled mess?

I have several of these massive messes and am slowly pulling them apart.  

Tying them together and turning them into scrappy, happy surprise balls of yarn.

That get crocheted into stripes and squares for yarnbombing.

 However, some bits are destined to be hearts.

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.

Rumi

Linking to Linda's Stashbusting September.

Have a super Saturday!

Advice from a Canyon

Carve out a place for yourself.
Canyonlands National Park

Aspire to new plateaus.
Dead Horse Point State Park

Stand the test of time.
Fish Towers Trail

Don't get boxed in.
Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch, Arches National Park

Listen to the voice of the wind.
I literally almost gone blown over by the wind at The Windows Section of Arches National Park.

It's okay to be a little off the wall.
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Reach deep!
Park Avenue Trail, Arches National Park

All of the above photos were taken during our trip to Utah over the summer.  I bought a few bookmarks with the theme of Advice from Nature that were all written by Ilan Shamir.  If you've not heard or read about him, it's quite an interesting story.   His motto is Honor the Earth, Honor Yourself, Live Your True Nature!

Advice from a Tree has been beautifully set to music and seems appropriate for this time of seasonal change.

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

World Gratitude Day

Gratitude Day was established in 1965 in Hawaii by an international gathering who decided it would be a good idea to have one day set aside to express appreciation for all the wonderful things this world has to offer.  Foreign attendees went back to their own countries and began celebrating the day on September 21, 1966.

 Whenever we are appreciative, we are filled with a sense of well-being and swept up by the feeling of joy.

M.J. Ryan

 You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.

Richard Bach

 Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally “count our blessings,” give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have.

Shakti Gawain

 Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend… when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present — love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure — the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.

A.A. Milne

There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance.

Joseph Addison

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.
Eckhart Tolle

Grateful for all who wander this way.
Happy World Gratitude Day!

Sitting and Waiting

Waiting for my son after school.

Waiting for friends to arrive.

Waiting for the show to start.

Waiting at airports.

Wherever I may be.

Crochet is always with me.

Waiting goes from being passive, to active.  10 minutes here, 15 minutes there, and in no time at all, I've got a stack of dishcloths to give as gifts.

Yesterday while sitting for two hours with the craft group who were knitting and sewing and stitching, I was able to finish a crocheted cowl. 

Sitting and waiting is very productive with yarn and hook in hand.

Have a super Sunday!