Hello April

Yesterday I added the fourth section of cross-stitch to my Ramadan stitch-along with Tirazain.

The fifth and final part of the design will be to fill in the star -- and that comes out April 7th.

Sometimes I feel like when I concentrate on a certain thing -- I start seeing or finding them all around me.  Sometimes it's hearts, but lately it's been stars.

A couple of stickers, a pin ... 

and today found another one.

We had some wild wind last night but today turned out to be a nice day with a cool breeze especially this evening.  April here can be a very unpredictable month weather-wise so we never know what we'll have in store.

I took several walks today and am always happy when there's pretty flowers to see along the way.

Sending you wishes for a happy new month.

Moon Update on Caturday

 Tonight's moon.

And an update on my Ramadan cross-stitch -- part three was released and stitched yesterday.

Some photos from my neighborhood walk and a little surprise.

While hanging a heart at the park, there was a kitty twirling around my legs -- but I kept hearing a meow from above, not below. 

I was so confused -- looking all around -- and then from the branches above me appeared the sweetest kitty..

They were both happy to eat some leftover chicken that I had with me.

Sending bright blessings your way.

Happy Saturday.

The First Day

Let your light shine and your heart bloom.

 Today is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

Two weeks ago, I joined a Ramadan stitch-along hosted by Tirazain with a new part of the design being released every Friday for 5 weeks.

Part 1 took the longest to stitch.

Part 2 was much quicker

And I'm ready for the next release tomorrow.

Took a nice meandering walk around my neighborhood and through my local park this morning.

Sending blessings your way for a lovely day.

Wednesday Walk With Me

Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.

(John Muir)

We are still having nice weather over here so I am getting out for walks as much as I can -- at least two or three times a day.

Found this little butterfly on our neighbor's driveway that was having difficulty flying.  I noticed it only had one antenna but read that they are still able to navigate so don't know what was wrong, but I carried it around the block to a garden filled with flowers which is much nicer than being stuck on the pavement.

Flowers and butterflies drift in color, illuminating spring.

(Unknown)

Happy Equinox.

A Very Good Day

 Today was my craft groups's bi-weekly meet-up.  We even had someone new show up who found us on Instagram -- she's from Washington State and has only been in Kuwait since June of last year.

Didn't get any good pictures, but there was a parade at the restaurant complex where we met -- never could figure out what exactly it was for but certainly made for an interesting morning (I got some video of the dancers and marching band that I posted to my IG account.)

Received some really lovely belated birthday gifts from one of my craft friends that she brought back from her recent trip to India.

The chocolate was toffee and so delicious with coffee this afternoon.

Another craft friend shared this beautiful mandala art with us that she did yesterday at a workshop she hosted for a yoga retreat.

And finally, a photo from my evening walk.

It really was a very good day.

Happy weekend!

Hello March

Flowers and colors everywhere,

I am so glad that March is here.
(Anamika Mishra)

This morning I read a post by Di at Quilting is Blissful in which she mentioned having lunch with a friend at the beach.  There's beach front all around me, just a hop, skip and a jump away -- but it's not a place I often go.  Since my husband keeps telling me I need to drive my car (and our mechanic suggested at least once a week so that the tires and battery don't go bad again), I decided to head seaside for a walk.

A pretty blue sky always makes me happy and beautiful flowers planted along the parking area were a colorful surprise.

I probably should go to the beach more often -- especially before the heat arrives.  It's already getting warmer and by next week we will reach 80 F during the day.  

I gotta get as many walks in as I can while the weather is still good.

One of the reasons I've hated going to the beach is because there was always a ton of garbage.  It's better now, but of course, there's always something to be picked up.  

Spotted some balloons floating around so grabbed them and popped them with a shard of glass then picked up the pieces and placed them in a trash can.  There are loads of trash cans along the boardwalk but some people just can't bother themselves to use them.

Sending wishes your way for a happy new month.

Have a wonderful day.

Beauty After the Chaos

 I am so glad the long holiday weekend for National/Liberation Days is over.

Unfortunately, the celebratory debris remains.

It is flowers that should be dotting the landscape -- not shredded balloons and trash.

Plalking (picking up litter while walking)

With everyone back in school and at work, I took an extra long walk to make up for 2 days of sitting at home.

It has been awhile since I wandered the neighborhood -- mostly I've been sticking closer to home.

There are certain homes where I know I can count on seeing beautiful flowers at this time of year.

The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.

(Michael Josephson)

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Another Kind of Trip

 A trip around the sun.

Yep, today's my birthday.

Before turning 50, I felt like I was reaching a very big milestone, but now at 57, I know I'm still relatively young :) even if my body doesn't always agree.

Today is also Kuwait's Liberation Day and after what happened yesterday, I am hiding out at home.

Construction of The Kuwait Telecommunications Tower was started before the Iraqi invasion occurred  on August 2, 1990. It was only halfway done at the time but received no damage during the 6 month  invasion and so was completed after liberation in 1991; thus, the name was changed to the Liberation Tower.  Apparently it's the 2nd tallest building in Kuwait and one of the 50 tallest in the world.  But, honestly, I don't much care about tall buildings.

I'd rather see tall trees.

So let's throw it back to this day last year, in Colombo -- where our friends always spoil me on my birthday.

Seven birthdays have been spent in Sri Lanka and I hope there will be more to come.

This year, I'm hiding from the hooligans.

Sunday blessings.

There's a Reason Why

 Today is Kuwait's National Day.

We usually try to travel during this time but weren't able to this year because my husband is moving to a new office and needs to vacate his current premises before the end of the month.

I walked this morning.  Fed kitties at the park and picked up garbage at the walking path closest to where we live.

Had a very nice conversation with a young guy who is around the same age as my boys (mid-20's) -- we met a couple of years ago when he thanked me for picking up garbage and now we chat whenever we are out there at the same time. 

Unfortunately, this past week, there's been a lot of littering of the land with balloons and syringes because the kids seem to think that water balloon fights are a way to celebrate their country.  They also use water guns to spray passing cars and people.

I really hate it.

And when my husband suggested we take an afternoon walk, I knew it was a bad idea but went anyways.

Some jerk (much stronger words were used when it happened) lobbed a full bottle of water at me from a big black truck hitting me from behind in the left shoulder.  My husband had already crossed the street and had no clue what was going on.  Obviously, it was quite a shock -- good thing it didn't hit my head. 

 We did a circle around walking path number two in our neighborhood and then I went back to find the bottle of water that had been thrown at me.  Watered a couple of small bushes with it and then as we hightailed it home, I threw the empty bottle in the trash.

Last year on this day, we were in Colombo, Sri Lanka and I had such a lovely day out with my friend and her daughter.

So, yeh -- that's the reason why we usually try to get away.  It's chaotic and crazy and the hooligans are in rare form during these so-called celebrations (tomorrow is also their Liberation Day, so you can bet I'll be hiding out at home).

Take care.