Life in Stitches

April's full moon was visible Thursday night even as dark clouds floated by. 

On Friday I completed the 5-week Ramadan stitch-along I was doing with The Tirazain Initiative.

And I've been keeping up with the 27-week long blackwork stitch-along hosted by Tangled Threads & Things.

Weeks 1-15 are done.

12 more weeks to go.

Patterns released every Monday.

When I walk, I see designs that resemble what I'm stitching.

Hope this finds you well.

Happy Thursday.

A Meandering Morning

Only from the heart you can touch the sky.

(Rumi)

A nice morning walk through one of my favorite neighborhoods that's just a short drive away.  I don't think I've been there since our nephew was here at the end of October last year.  In fact, when I posted about his visit back then, I said I would share highlights of my favorite spots that I took him to, but never did -- so this is one of them.  The walking path goes nearly all the way around the neighborhood and there's lots of covered workout spots with exercise equipment that anyone can use.  Lots of nice houses, too, with gardens and flowers that I always enjoy seeing.

I didn't take many pictures when he and I walked that day, but I can tell you he was very glad to see a different side of Kuwait since he spent most of his time going to work with my husband and visiting customers.  

There's also a spot along the walking path where you can see all sorts of feathered friends.  I didn't go by there today but will check next time to see who is in residence.

Wishing you a terrific Tuesday.

All the Blues

 Pay attention; see with the eyes of love.
(Magdala Marie Gilbert) 

I found this dead dragonfly as I crossed a pedestrian bridge the other day. Carried it to a group of flowers on the other side so that nature could do it’s thing rather than it blowing around on the concrete.

Had a beautiful walk along the corniche this morning.And instantly had someone twirling around my feet when I stopped to take my first photo.

This area by the sea has a colony of cats, many that have been TNR'd -- and unfortunately, when selfish, irresponsible people see an area where cats are being fed, they dump more and more house cats. 

Sadly, my walking meditation ended in a rather distressing way as I watched a guy run over a black cat.  Realizing what he'd done, he hesitated only a split second before driving off. He was a father whom I’d seen walking with his young daughter, but while I checked around my car for stray kitties (there was a black and white one sleeping under my car) he just didn’t consider his surroundings.  I couldn’t leave the poor thing in the middle of the street so moved it to a sandy spot along the fence line.

Today there is a memorial for my cousin who died in her sleep on March 22nd after a brief illness. She was 63 years old.  She was an animal lover who had taken in many stray cats and dogs over the years. She also crocheted and, in fact, it was her sister who taught me to crochet nearly 40 years ago. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to an animal shelter so I will be doing that in remembrance of her.

Sunday blessings.

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.