Tree of Life Pendant Workshop and Today's Walk

Last month I met a very creative and talented lady who makes tree of life decorative pendants and bonsai trees using gemstones.

I purchased a couple as gifts and kept the amethyst pendant for myself since that's my birthstone.

Last night I was very happy to have the opportunity to attend a workshop with her so I could make my very own tree of life necklace.

There were 6 of us in attendance.  We started by shaping a circle with thick wire and then used thinner wire to create the roots.  After a discussion of gemstones and their properties, we picked which ones we wanted to work with.

 My friend, Aruna, used citrine, peridot and moonstone for her pendant.

Finished pieces by the other participants.

I chose moonstone.

The Destiny Maker

Divinity * Balance * Tenderness

Promotes peace, harmony and balance and reminds us to go with the flow.

The workshop was supposed to be for 3 hours but we wound up being there nearly 4.  We did take a coffee break before beading started (which was definitely the part that was the most time consuming) and, of course, some people were faster than others.

I'm quite pleased with my tree of life pendant.  It's always nice to learn something new.  The process has sparked some creative thoughts of my own along these same lines.

As we left the workshop, the moon was there to guide us home.

I do have a real fascination with the moon.

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

I'll leave you with images from my seaside walk today with my very good friend, Melissa.

 

Have a soulful Sunday,

A Little Love

Love is born through the giving of kindness.

(Inderjeet Singh Rajpal)

Over the last few years, leaving crocheted hearts all around has become a thing I do often..

The pattern I use is one designed by @queen_babs that she posted on Instagram.

They are so easy to make and have come in handy in so many ways over the years.

For Valentine's Day, @sweet_sharna on Instagram was encouraging everyone to spread some love by leaving handmade hearts out and about so I left one this morning by the Kuwait Towers.

#leavealittleheart 

The towers just happen to be on my way to the hospital where I volunteer on Thursdays in the pediatric playroom.   I left a jar of hearts there to spread a little love to all the patients.

And tonight, while waiting for my husband to have a CT scan, I crocheted 11 hearts and gave 8 away.

One nurse told me I had a good heart, that's why I was able to give away my good work.

Another nurse told me she was giving the heart to her daughter because she is the love of her life.

I also gave hearts to a patient and a porter.  And to my husband's doctor who said he was going to give it to his 14 year old daughter.  The funny thing is that, we had to see him twice this evening and in between those times, he had gone to another floor where he was given chocolate, so he gave that person the first heart.  That little gift of love was being spread all over the place.  I gave him two more before we left.  The nurse that works with him promptly put her heart on her keychain.

You always gain by giving love.

 These lovely little hearts were given out at our last craft meeting by one of our very sweet and talented members.

And this one was gifted to me by another dear friend.

Sending wishes your way for a happy, love-filled day!

Contrasting Skies and February Flags

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we've had some wacky weather the past several weeks with fog and dust and lots of dreary, drab days.  One sandstorm was so strong that it actually sent my potted plants flying off the balcony into the neighbor's yard below.

But yesterday was such a nice day that when I heard a heavy downpour around midnight, I seriously thought I was dreaming.  It was really very random.  Lasted only a couple of minutes and then was gone

.  This morning when I looked out the back door to the left, there was gray sky, and to the right, a blue sky was dotted with clouds.

I've not walked much lately, so was determined to get out the door today no matter what, and I'm so glad I did.

The sky was completely different depending on which direction you were facing.

Flags are being draped and flown as Kuwait gears up for National and Liberation Day celebrations on the 25th and 26th of this month.

Took another walk with hubby in the afternoon and, according to the health app on my phone, my steps for the day totaled 17,687 (which doesn't include the walking I did without my phone), so that made me very happy indeed.

Hope your Saturday is a good one.

Lunch at Assaha

Since I've not posted in nearly a month, I figured I'd better pop in and say a quick hello and Happy February!

We had some very unstable weather the last few weeks of January, but today it was a beautiful day to welcome the start of a new month.

Our first visit to this restaurant was at the end of November which I posted about here.

It was built to look like a traditional Lebanese village and is filled with so many antiques and really lovely decorative pieces.  I just love the ambience but wasn't able to take as many pictures this time since the restaurant was filling up fast.

 It's easy to find lots of tasty vegetarian dishes when eating Middle Eastern food:  pickles, olives, salad, okra with tomatoes, eggplant with tomatoes, onions and chickpeas, and, of course, houmous.

Plus endive sauteed in olive oil with garlic and onions.

While we were waiting for the check, our waiter brought us a complementary tray of traditional sweets.

All of these tables were completely full by the time we left.

Really love the tiled floors.

I know many of you are experiencing frigid weather right.

Sending warm wishes your way.

Happy Friday!