Strawberry Season

 Happy Sunday everyone!

It's strawberry season here and we've been getting some very tasty ones lately.  Even Tofu got in on the sweetness, tops included.

I am enjoying vegan pancakes nearly every morning topped with powdered sugar and tahini.

Years ago I crocheted the start of a gift bag but never finished it up, so was inspired to make a strawberry applique that I whipstitched to the front, did some single crochet to close up the bag, made a drawstring and it was a quick finish, which shouldn't have taken quite so long to make.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

Take care.

A Cheerful Heart

Hello Friends!  I hope this finds you doing well. 

Had a lovely walk around my neighborhood this afternoon.  Weather is mild and perfect for wandering.  I kept an eye out for all things yellow today.

We find from experience that yellow excites a warm and agreeable impression.... The eye is gladdened, the heart expanded and cheered, a glow seems at once to breathe toward us.

(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

A Monday meandering makes me happy.

As always, when I find an empty plastic bag, I fill it up with trash and toss it in the nearest garbage can.  And, of course, feed the kitties along the way, too.

I had run out of the cotton yarn I use for my crochet hearts so finally, after more than a year, visited the craft store for a restock.

Making pretty, colorful hearts makes me cheerful.

There is no personal charm so great

as the charm of a cheerful temperament.

(Henry Van Dyke)

Happy Monday!
Have a good week.

An Art Date Again, Finally

 Today I met up with my friend, Aruna, for brunch and a drawing date.

We met at the vegan restaurant, Wilgrow, which is walking distance from where I live, and when we opened our sketchbooks, we realized it had been exactly 11 months since our last outing at the very same place.

(She is the serious drawer of things and I am the doodler.)

The weather was just right for my walk there and for us to dine outside, but these are the only pictures I manage to take.  Guess I was too busy talking, doodling and eating.  :)

Since she will be leaving Kuwait for good in the next month or two, I'm hoping we can maybe get in a few more meet-ups before then.

Sunday blessings and warm wishes,

Wednesday Walk

 Silence is the great teacher, and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it. There is no substitute for the creative inspiration, knowledge, and stability that come from knowing how to contact your core of inner silence. The great Sufi poet Rumi wrote, 'Only let the moving waters calm down, and the sun and moon will be reflected on the surface of your being'.

(Deepak Chopra)

I've been in a very contemplative mood lately and when I feel that way I tend to draw inward.  You would think that through a pandemic, isolation, lockdowns, that I might be craving the company of others, but the older I get, the more I prefer silence, most of the time.

Monday was my husband's birthday but it was not a very happy day since he had to attend a funeral.  This past Sunday (which is the first day of the work week here) was a holiday for the new year.  Many people were out and about, celebrating and enjoying the weather over the long weekend, but sadly, the day turned tragic when the 12-year old son of one of his friend's was fatally hit by a car.  He said the father was so distraught at the gravesite that he kept collapsing.

We don't know the details of what happened but it's usually speed or distraction that causes these types of accidents.

Every time I am out, I see so many people rushing, speeding, racing around other cars, and I wonder where they are all going.  Why is everyone always in such a hurry?

Don’t be afraid of taking the slow lane in life.

It brings more happiness.
(Jennifer West)

Walking helps me to think, work through feelings, clear my mind.  

And that allows me to get back on track and get my mojo back.

Hope you are all doing well.

Have a peaceful day.

Gift Bags and Warmth

 During some of my recent cleaning sprees, I found freebie cards my husband got at a trade show many years ago and some party poppers that a friend gave me for my birthday more than 15 years ago.  Instead of holding on to stuff, I decided it's time to get creative and find ways to make use of them.

I wrote a simple New Year's message on the card and then put it in a gift bag along with a party popper, some chocolate and a crochet ornament.  I'll take them with me whenever I go out shopping and hopefully bring a little joy to an unsuspecting recipient.

We've been using our electric heaters for weeks now to keep the chill out of the floors and walls.  It can feel like an icebox inside even if it's not super cold outside because of the tinted windows and the fact that there's no insulation, but today we had really mild weather so heat wasn't necessary.

Walked to our neighborhood grocery store for a few things and bought a couple of plants, too.  I refuse plastic as much as I can so the guy who bags things gave me a box instead.  :)

Sending warm wishes your way.

Have a lovely day.

First Day, Fresh Start

Hello everyone. 

Did you do anything for New Year's Eve?

My husband snoozed right through the midnight fireworks show courtesy of several neighbors.

I was in bed but hadn't yet fallen asleep so went out on the balcony to watch. Capturing photos of flickering, flashing lights at night isn't an easy thing to do.

We were greeted by the moon on this first morning of the new year.

Had oatmeal with flaxmeal and strawberries along with green tea for a healthy start.

And then for lunch we went to our favorite Lebanese restaurant.

Cloud watching.

Bird watching.

And a bit of plalking (picking up litter while walking) on my afternoon stroll.

I've decided that I shall do my very best to focus on being joyful, peaceful, purposeful and hopeful in 2021.

Sending much light and love your way.

Happy New Year!