There and Back

My husband had to make a quick trip to Dubai for business and I was able to tag along.

We were up Thursday with the rising sun for an early morning flight.

Crochet is my choice of in-flight entertainment.

A short hour and a half flight and we were there so that meant we had the whole day ahead of us.

Although the weather was a bit hazy, that didn't stop us from enjoying a walk around the hotel grounds.  There's always much to see in the way of flora and fauna ... many friendly feathered friends who are obviously used to having people around.

We made a trip to Dubai Mall; had lunch and dinner with business associates; and were able to enjoy some piano music in the hotel lobby before retiring for the evening.

On Friday, we were back at Dubai Mall for a second time to walk around outside where we worked up an appetite for our traditional meal of fish soup and sourdough bread at Nordsee.

It was then time to prepare for the return flight.  

And by yesterday evening we were back home again.

Always grateful for the chance to travel and get away even for just a little while.

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.

Seneca

Have a wonderful weekend.

Painted Crochet Pendant

This morning I attended a crochet workshop at Sadu House.

The workshop was given by Shelby Allaho who is a crochet designer from Oregon.

Her husband is a woodworker and together they have created "Mini Masterpiece Pendants".

Our wonderful workshop kits.

And some beautiful examples of their frames with Shelby's designs.

Time to get to work.

There were moments when everyone was so absorbed in what they were doing, you could have heard a pin drop.

Our mini masterpieces.

It was a very relaxing morning in lovely surroundings.

2 hours later, when I walked outside, the day had turned hazy and dusty.

I brought my pendant home and placed it amongst the plants for a photo shoot.

The colors became muted after drying but I still like it.

Happy hands, happy heart.

Garden Morning

This morning I had a fun time helping out at the The Secret Garden with a group of preschoolers who came for a field trip.  Interacting with young children, teaching them about composting, garden soil, planting and watering, is always refreshing and definitely filled with surprises.

My reward, besides satisfaction, is bringing home a little harvest of greens.

Gorgeous spinach that was turned into lunch.

I sauteed the spinach in a little olive oil along with a chopped tomato.  Then added vegetable broth, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, turmeric and chickpeas.  I had some leftover rice from yesterday so stirred that in and within 15 minutes had a simple, healthy, delicious lunch.

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.

Alfred Austin

Have a blessed day!

Baby Doll Accessories

Several weeks ago, I was asked by staff in the hospital where I volunteer to crochet clothes for a baby doll from the playroom.  Even though I've never made clothes before, I figured I could work something out.

Inspired by this colorful yarn donated by a friend, I decided to start with something that I could easily make,

A miniature granny square blanket.

So our cute little baby doll had something to cover up with, but I still wasn't sure how I was going to dress her.

In the meantime, I had crocheted a hat, but it wasn't until the end of last week when I saw a post on Instagram of a child's crocheted dress that my imagination was sparked, and I was able to make her something to wear.

She was cute before but I think she's even sweeter with the dress and hat.

I returned her to the hospital this past Thursday and everyone was delighted.

Mission accomplished.

There is a great satisfaction in seeing a thing take shape and form under one's hands.  Especially if they are made from oddments into something worthwhile.
  Nella Last, 1945

Have a blessed day,

Wandering, Wondering

Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind.

Their leaves are telling secrets. Their bark sings songs of olden days as it grows around the trunks. And their roots give names to all things.

Their language has been lost.

But not the gestures.

Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

I was very happy this morning to wake to a fine weather day.

Breezy with some clouds, but blue skies means the dust has cleared and that is a very good thing.

After not walking for the past week, it was time to wander and explore again.

Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first time or the last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.

Betty Smith

I noticed that a couple of my crocheted hearts are still right where I hung them.  One is off the beaten path and the other in clear view.  I wonder if they've been noticed at all, or is everyone too busy doing whatever they're doing to truly pay attention.  I see people glued to their phones even when they are walking and that truly boggles my mind.  To me, getting outside means connecting with nature.  My phone goes with me purely for photo opportunities and nothing else.

The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight.  The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.

Julia Cameron

Have a wonderful Wednesday,