Happy Christmas Eve

 Christmas Eve...
Resting and snuggled in their beds.

Visions of sugar plum fairies danced in their heads.

 May you be happy, safe and snuggled in your home dreaming of a beautiful Christmas Day, 2016.

~Tanya

Thankful...

Thankful for blessings 2016.  Birthday and Thanksgiving weekend all in one.  We were blessed to celebrate another birthday for my mom.  I count each year with her as a gift.  She's a real trooper, kind-hearted, giving, patient and continues to be an example to me every day.

I've missed blogging and look forward to coming back to it! I also have missed my blog friends and being inspired by their blogs and creativity.  I'm thankful for much in my life. 

~Tanya

Far too long

It has been far too long since I've posted.  Gentle nudges put me back on my blog.

Life can be busy, hectic and full of 'have to's' so this post is simply about another 'have to'.

I have to....

take time to look at fluttery rose petals

Absolute perfection.  Nature does it like that.

Layers of incredible petals.  

Fully open on fluttery petals- light pink edges.  No, not really a 'have to' but more of a have to.  Have to take time to enjoy the things I love.  Have to take photos and publish them so I can share them with others.  Have to enjoy each and every moment- even when there are moments we may think we don't want to enjoy. Have to breathe in the beauty I am blessed to see each day as I walk past these incredible gifts of nature.  Have to wish you a wonderful day... whenever you read this, wherever you are.  There is beauty all around.

~Tanya

Vintage Farmhouse gift-Teacup Exchange 2015

A vintage farmhouse gift...

What a delightful box waited for me on my front porch.  While participating in The Enchanting Rose's Teacup Exchange 2015 I was gifted with a beautiful one-of -a kind teacup.  Jo from Anne's Attic-design sent me this lovely teacup. It was handmade and came from an old farmhouse that is over 200 years old.  The tea cup isn't that old but the lady she purchased it from had hand crafted it when she was in her 30's and she is 91 now!  I absolutely love stories like this! I'm a sentimentalist and to know that this treasure has found its way into my home-- it's most welcome here.

Jo included Bits and Bobs... so fun!

 The teacup will be wonderful this holiday season... I am looking forward to enjoying a cup of Christmas tea with it.

The unique shape of the petals on the saucer... ruffly, unique and lightly shaded with green.

 Truly a unique and charming piece.  I'm so happy it found its way to me.  Thank you Jo for your lovely gift and new friendship.  Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose... thank you for hosting such a fun and sweet event. I had a sweet time putting together my exchange for Janet of Rosemary and Thyme- she did a beautiful blog post and I'm so grateful to have been introduced to two new friends.

~Tanya

Lavender's Blue

Lavender's Blue... dilly, dilly

Freshly cut this morning from my garden.  Wonderful to be the end of September and still have my roses blooming and lavender!

I could walk in fields of lavender! So pretty. 

'When I am king, dilly dilly, you will be queen.'  A pretty little nursery song... my mom used to sing to me when I was a child. Such sweet memories.

Dilly, dilly! 

~Tanya

Sharing with:
The Enchanting Rose Roses of Inspiration #38

Romantic Pink Hollyhocks

After a light spray of fresh water this morning my pink hollyhocks seemed to flutter in the breeze.  These blooms are from seeds a coworker gave me many years ago and were a surprise this year in my garden.

My former coworker loved to garden and would put thoughtful small gifts together for her friends.  She gifted me with a small seed packet from her flowers.  Many years later I planted these seeds and this is the gift I received again from her.

My coworker friend and I lost track of one another many years ago as I moved away out of state but I often remember our shared office times together.  She had a love of gardening and flowers and was always so willing to share the fruits of her labor.

Late last year I decided to see if I could find her again after 20 years but was saddened to find her obituary in a Google search.  This spring I planted the seeds she so lovingly placed in an envelope and gave to me over 20 years ago.  They have bloomed and fit right in with my double pink roses.  My heart is happy to know her gift of seeds is blooming and right at home in my flower garden.  I hope she sees my flowers and smiles because they made my heart sing this morning. 

Plant your gifts of love and generosity today... for you never know where or when they will make the world a beautiful place or touch those you love.

~Tanya

Creative Process

Leaning tower of Maybell Flowers.

Petals stacked upon petals.  Stitches upon stitches. 

How could I resist stacking these pretty flower motifs?

A study of muted tones with a splash of yellow.

Time spent creating is never wasted.  

Forming each stitch, watching my hook breathe life and shape into one long strand of yarn.

Making a circle into a square.

Playing with the layout.

A lovely burst of fresh sea foam.

Makes me think of the sea air blowing.

Enjoying forming each stitch.

Scallops and curves.

Sea foam and white.

Ahhhhh the joy of creating.

~Tanya