Scoping Out the Garden

Yarnbombing at The Secret Garden is still a work-in-progress.

One thing we have agreed upon is that it is just way too hot to install anything large at this point.  So the big tree is on hold until the Fall.

I went last week to measure some of the smaller trees, but forgot to write down the numbers.  For some reason, I thought I would retain that information in my head.  What was I thinking?  Yesterday I went back again but this time I forgot my measuring tape.

So I took my little yarn strip around and was trying to figure out measurements that way.  At a nearby picnic table three Indian guys having their lunch were watching me and even offered to get some rope to tie my yarn strips to the tree.  They didn't speak English so I showed them my darning needle already threaded with yarn for sewing ends together.  Unfortunately, this strip was 3 squares too short.  The rough bark held it on nicely for a photo op, but there was so no sewing yesterday.

 I did have a pleasant walk around the garden, and even though all the plants have died away, I always find something interesting and colorful.

My idea is to yarnbomb a few small trees and some of the branches just to see how it will hold up.

For my next trip to the garden, I will definitely be armed with everything I need to measure and record so that the actual yarnbombing can commence.

Have a great day!

Finally Finished

There are certain times when you think that the day you've been waiting for will never come.

When I went back to work in August, I knew I would not be returning for another school year.

Sunday was emotionally draining as there were video presentations for leaving staff.  So many moving on; my boss retiring after 12 years here.  Saying all those goodbyes certainly took its toll.  But yesterday, all was calm, and I was finally able to get my work done.

I was finally able to call it quits.

Today was my first day of freedom.  Believe me, after all the workplace chaos and turmoil of the past year, this feels like a new lease on life.

I'm open to all the new possibilities that are awaiting me.

This past Saturday, I met with some of the yarnbombing group again to crochet and make plans.

After my last blog post, I was contacted by a local lady who found me through a blog friend in India.  Now how's that for networking?  She has been looking for other crafters in the country to meet up with.  Turns out she only cross-stitches (something I used to do a lot of and would like to pick back up again), but had found a small group of knitters on Ravelry called Kuwait Crafters who she has been able to connect with.

In order to try and meet more people, she is hosting a World Wide Knit in Public event this coming Saturday at one of the Costa Coffee locations on the seaside.  I agreed to help the cause by posting to my yarnbombing chat group and to Instagram and having others do the same.

The way things are already playing out, I have a feeling I'm going to be a very busy crafter in the months to come.

The constant creative mess doesn't seem to bother Jingles in the least.  

Happy day,

Five on Friday: A Whole Lot of Leavin'

Five moments from the past week.

And a little added music bonus.

A friend is leaving after 12 years teaching in Kuwait so a few of us from the old group took her out for Indian food last Saturday.  Everyone else has already moved away so what was 10, is now down to 5.

On Wednesday, two of us met at Color Me Mine to paint some tiles for trivets that she can take with her as a reminder of our friendship and her time here.

I'm leaving my job (not Kuwait) after 7 years and was gifted with this beautiful necklace from co-workers.  It's my name in Arabic.  20 years here and I've never gotten one for myself so I especially love it and will always remember them fondly when I wear it.

Today, a friend and I took our boss and his wife out to breakfast.  They are also leaving Kuwait after 12 years.

It's a beautiful day, but very, very, very hot!  Today's high was 117 and at 5:30 p.m. it's 108 degrees.

Bon Jovi says it best.
There is definitely A Whole Lot of Leavin' going on.

Joining Amy at Love Made My Home for Five on Friday.

Have a good one!

Seeking Shade

When I headed out at 8 o'clock this morning for a walk, I thought I was beating the heat.  Boy was I wrong!

Our high today was 118 degrees.

And with the sun beating down, it is just WAY too hot.

Yet street cleaners were out there in their yellow jumpsuits and workers were at construction sites.  I don't know how they manage.  Or why they should even have to under these conditions.

Established landscapes are doing well despite the heat.

And dates are growing again. 

Trees and bushes that provide shade and naturally cool the air are always a welcome sight.

The closer I got to home, I just wanted to get there ... quick.  I wanted to run but didn't even have the energy to do so.

It is the kind of heat that literally makes you feel sick.  After a shower, it took me about 30 minutes to recover.

I walked again tonight and let me tell you, even though it was over 100 degrees, it was a whole lot more bearable.  And that full moon was absolutely gorgeous!

I will miss wandering up and down the neighborhood streets as I normally do during the daytime.  But for now, walking will have to take place at sunset.

I'll just have to find other ways to get pictures of my surroundings.

Like stopping my car along the side of the road to photograph this beauty.

Hope you are having a terrific Tuesday.

Sizing Things Up

I went in to work for just a short while this morning and on the way home made a quick detour to The Secret Garden. 

My mission was to see if the two crocheted strips I've created so far would fit around the tree after an earlier test proved the biggest one had not yet reached the right size.

 Of course, I can't do this on my own, so had to grab the first friendly person I found to help out.  Thankfully, there was a guy there raking and though he didn't speak English, he was happy to assist.

Both pieces are now bigger than they need to be so there will be some adjusting.  We've planned another meet-up for this coming Saturday so hopefully we will have a lot more squares to join and be even closer to getting this project finished.

These recycled tires are just waiting for the Fall when planting can begin again.

 In the meantime, our yarnbombing will add some much needed color to the area.

Have a wonderful day.

Five on Friday

Five every day simple pleasures.

Blooms ... despite the heat.
(It's currently 115 degrees and rather blah.)
I still have flowers blooming on my balcony gardens.
The scent of jasmine is so sweet.

Doodling ... with markers and watercolors, on paper and on rocks, makes me happy.
Doodling sure was easy in my younger years, but now I have to really think about it and am always seeking inspiration from all around.

Crocheting ... working with others for a common cause.
I posted yesterday about our yarnbombing project for The Secret Garden.

 Simple, healthy food.
This was lunch yesterday.

New potatoes and green beans, salad with beets, toasted walnuts and a maple syrup mustard dressing and vegan cornbread (recipe can be found at food52.com).

And lastly, for the past few weeks, some concoction of "nice cream", or a smoothie bowl, has been my dinner.

Frozen fruit blended with a liquid (either water, natural fruit juice or almond milk), until it is a soft serve consistency, topped with nuts, coconut, cacao nibs whatever you want.
Really so refreshing on these hot summer days.

I'm joining Amy at Love Made My Home for Five on Friday.

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

 Laura Ingalls Wilder

Have a fabulous Friday!