Doubling Up

Yesterday we went to lunch with one of my husband's business associates -- Indian food, one of my favorites -- but for some reason, by the time we got home, I had a splitting headache.  

 I did not walk, did not do yoga; mostly just read and went to bed early.

At midnight I woke up to go to the bathroom and had two thoughts pop into my head:

1.  I didn't blog; and
2. I forgot to look for the full moon.

Well, I wasn't  going to post at midnight, but I sure could take a photo of the moon from the balcony.

Today, I did yesterday's and today's yoga routines -- in my pajamas.

And was able to take several walks.

As I was passing our neighborhood park on my mid-afternoon walk, this sweet girl came bounding around the corner of a building and started following me.

Gosh she's cute!

I talked to one of the neighbors and some kids at the park, but no one had seen her before and didn't know who she belonged to.  I left her playing with some boys and then posted her on Instagram.  Didn't see her when I passed the park on the third walk of the day so I hope she found her way home or that her people found her.  I'll have to check again tomorrow.

Some Caturday advice from feline friend, Woody.

Don't forget to stretch.

Have a good Saturday.

Root to Rise

 Thankful we had much nicer weather today.

Yoga was done this morning.

And several walks were taken throughout the day.

A collage of clouds.

Today's yoga was entitled Root which reminded me of the tree roots I see at the park.

Red berries at the walking path that I've never seen before.

A heart I left and a heart I found.

Plus the sighting of a ladybug.

Really love when little moments all string together so beautifully.

Happy Thursday!

Hand and Home Made

 Well, yoga happened.

Walking did not.

It was a very blustery day.

Winds are still howling at 9:15 p.m. as I type.

In addition to daily yoga and walking (even though it didn't happen today), I also hope to blog, read and craft every day.

1. Finished a round of pink on my growing granny square made from scrap yarn.

2. Granny stitch stars (pattern by Kristines Crochets).

3. Always making hearts.

4. Will do another round on my granny square before going to bed tonight.

Today is my husband's birthday so I made Sesame Cookies to have with coffee when he got home from work.

Mix together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of oil, 1/4 cup of tahini and 1/2 cup of sesame seeds then add 1 cup of flour, 1/2 tsp of baking powder and 1/2 tsp of vanilla.  Form into balls and bake.  Cool and roll in powdered sugar.

To be honest, I have never actually made them with sesame seeds.  I just crush up some walnuts and add them instead because that's usually what I have on hand.

Sweet wishes for a wonderful Wednesday.

Listen With Your Heart

 Today's yoga practice was entitled "Listen".

And on my walk today, I found hearts.

Someone had done chalk art on the sidewalk at the park.

A small piece of chalk was left behind so I made my own heart, tried to draw a cat and also left a crocheted heart behind.

Love clouds.

And really love when the moon aligns with the minaret.

Sending love your way.

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Show Up

 CENTER

A 30-day yoga journey created by Yoga with Adriene.

Yesterday was Day 0 with a welcome video and today was the first practice.

I've signed up in the past but haven't always finished out the month.

One year it took me until May to do the 30 days.

Wish me luck.

Started this book last night.

The first chapter.

Today was overcast and hazy, just like yesterday.

This sun did try to peep through so my afternoon walk was nice, but the evening walk was a little cold ... at least to me (temperature was in the 50's but I'm a winter wimp).

Speaking of peeping.

I love when I snap photos while out on my walks and don't realize exactly what's there until after I get home and look through my camera roll.

A little peek-a-boo moment there on the left.

So cute.

Also cute is this little guy I found on the ground.

Happy Monday!

Hello 2023

 Hi Friends!

From my walk  yesterday it was apparent that some people had already started celebrating.

More celebratory litter on my walk today.

The weather on this first day of the new year was very hazy and overcast with a chilly wind blowing through but I still took a couple of walks this afternoon.  I'm determined to walk as much as I can each and every day.

Sending you blessings of love and light and wishes for a healthy, happy new year.

Take care.

Solstice Salutations

... This is the solstice, the still point
of the sun, its cusp and midnight,

the year’s threshold

and unlocking, where the past

lets go of and becomes the future;

the place of caught breath, the door

of a vanished house left ajar. ...

(Margaret Atwood)

Sending light and love.

Find It, Found, Foiled

Rubbish Walks in the UK is an account I follow on IG.  It's run by Jason Alexander who refers to himself as a litterologist.  Yesterday I watched one of his videos where he found a cup on the beach and filled it up with litter.

Find it, fill it.

(Same thing I do with plastic bags but on a smaller scale.)

Today I came across two cups and filled them up.

Interesting that the one cup says "Turn Off" because it is definitely a turn off if you are littering.

 

I think there's a theme going on here.

Yesterday I found a bunch of faux flowers being thrown out.
And today I found this on the ground.

A doily I thought I had finished before my walk this morning had to be ripped back because somehow I only wound up with 7 points instead of 8.

Is points the right word -- I don't even know.

But I do know it's my bedtime so gotta go.

Good night.

A Drizzly Surprise

 I thought I had waited out the chance of rain this morning, but halfway into my walk, the drizzle started.  It was a nice drizzle though; refreshing since we don't often get rain in the desert.

I always pick up litter along the way, find a kitty to feed and leave a little love whenever I can.

And just as I got closer to home, I noticed that someone had put out a big bunch of flowers by the trashcan.

"No flowers without a little rain" ... even if they are fake.  :)

Have a nice day.

Several Things for Day Three

My game plan was to post every day this month.  Vloggers do Vlogmas on YouTube so thought I'd do Blogmas here, but I already missed day two.  :)  Whoops!

Last night we went to a wedding -- I normally don't like to go as they are all quite different and never know what to expect.  Often, I'm not appropriately dressed because my husband is not good at asking questions and getting details.  Sometimes we go, just to make an appearance but don't stay very long; however, since we had friends in from New York who went with us, we kinda had to follow their lead .... and as a result, we didn't get home until after midnight.

Dancing went on for several hours which meant the dinner buffet didn't start until 10:00 p.m. (another reason I don't like going since I'm not a fan of eating so late).

Anyways ...

What I had planned to post yesterday was the start of a granny square scrapghan made entirely from leftover yarn.

Since it's just for me -- to be used as a lapghan or table cover or an outdoor blanket -- I'm literally just knotting each new color in and crocheting away.  

Besides, I love the scrappy look of handmade patched together with whatever is available.

Today was our by-weekly Kuwait Crafters meet-up -- 8 of this time, always a lovely morning of sharing and crafting.

Happy Saturday!

Hello December!

 Hi Friends!
Hope this finds you doing well.

To kick off the season today I crocheted a little tree ornament following a YouTube tutorial by Kristines Crochets.  The variegated yarn is some that I've had forever -- just leftover bits of it that can only be used for small projects.  (Plus, the red-green-white combo always makes me think of Christmas.)

I've made many of Kristine's designs but it was her Everyday Tote Bag video that got me started.

I wound up making 9 of them (but didn't get pictures of all the colors) and have already gifted 5.  

.  Her tutorials are easy to follow along with and quite peaceful since there's no talking, only nice background music as she crochets, and pattern details are also printed on the screen as each round is worked.

Needless to say, I'm definitely hooked and will for sure be following along with many more of her videos.

Wishing you a merry month.

Still Here, Crafting Caturday

 Long time no blog ... again.
Story of my life.

Had a lovely couple of hours with my craft group this morning.  We are finally meeting regularly (every other Saturday) after a 2-1/2 year break because of the pandemic.

Some of the members bring finished projects for show and tell.

And then we craft and chat away the morning.

It's always a nice, inspiring time and just about the only socializing I get these days.

Although we did just have our nephew here from Canada for 10 days but I'll save the highlights of his visit for another time.

Happy Caturday!

Crafting Days of Summer

 Did you know that Friday the 12th was World Cross-stitch Day?I stitched and photographed the above for a post to our Kuwait Crafters Instagram account.

And stitched a small design from Gaza that is documented in the book Palestinian Embroidery.On Saturday, 6 of us gathered for crafting in public ... something we've not done in quite awhile.  (We are hoping to start up our regular craft meetings again next month.)Zhraa on the far left is the one who crocheted the granny square sweater for me that I posted about before.  Saturday was the first time I wore it and I really do love it so much.

And speaking of granny squares.

Yesterday was Granny Square Day hosted by @simplycrochetmag over on Instragram.  The bottom left are the squares that some of our Kuwait Crafters posted last year, and the above right is from this year.  Bottom right are some of the traditional squares (my favorite) that I made over the weekend and yesterday I crocheted the Flora Granny Square designed by Lucy at Attic24. 

I miss walking but it's currently 11:18 a.m. and 104 degrees (with a high expected of at least 110 F) so indoor crafting is the best thing to do this time of year.