Goodbye February

Spring is well on its way.  Early this morning I took a walk because it was snowing and because who could resist. It was a light snow following a few very spring like weeks.  Nature really has this 'ole life down and speaks both deeply and quietly.

Yes, bloom it will!

Made me think of T.S. Eliots 'The Waste Land.'  

I will show you fear in a handful of dust.

                      Frisch weht der Wind

                      Der Heimat zu

                      Mein Irisch Kind,

                      Wo weilest du?

“You gave me hyacinths first a year ago;

“They called me the hyacinth girl.”

—Yet when we came back, late, from the Hyacinth garden,

Your arms full, and your hair wet, I could not

Speak, and my eyes failed, I was neither

Living nor dead, and I knew nothing,

Looking into the heart of light, the silence.....

“That corpse you planted last year in your garden,

“Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year?

~Tanya

Wild Flower Seeds

I found these wildflower seeds the other day while going through my seed box.  Yes, it's feeling very spring like here. I have cabin fever and am yearning to be outdoors enjoying the sunshine and planting time.  What a beauty of artwork on this little seed packet.

I almost forgot I had these! What a little treasure waiting to be planted. Wildflowers- something beautiful about how natural and simple they are. 

Antique teacups and a newly fashioned 'antique' crocheted pink rose hot pad. Right, a hot pad! Well if nothing but to make things pretty- and who can't use a little pretty in their life? I'm a sentimentalist and each time I see special things in my life it brings joy to my heart and special meaning.  

Maybe this year I'll take a walk some place beautiful among the wildflowers and just breathe it all in.

~Tanya 

Grow Your Blog 2015

Welcome to my blog and to the Grow Your Blog party 2015.

It's hard for me to believe a year has gone by since I participated in last year's Grow Your Blog party.  Last year I was included in the party at the very last minute and it was such a fun experience for me. I met and visited wonderfully inspiring blogs and even made some new blogger friends.

Welcome to my page and I hope you enjoy your visit.  As most people when the New Year rolls around we tend to reflect and think about how we want our upcoming year to look. We often try to set goals or put in our 'to do' lists things we have put off doing.  I've never really been a resolution maker but this year I some how turned a corner in my life.  I didn't do it consciously but it just seemed to happen.  The words 'just live' kept coming to me- and that is what I have set as my 2015 intention. To LIVE- to enjoy, to experience, to let go, to become, to forget, to never forget, to look forward to, to remember, to keep moving forward, to learn from the past,to hope- and most importantly to just live.

I'm so happy you've taken a moment to visit my blog and I hope you enjoy the party.  I'm looking forward to meeting new friends and to continue posting and sharing a snippet of my life and world.  Thanks again for spending a few moments of your precious life here and may we inspire one another to live more happily.

~Tanya

Gently Falling

Gently falling...

No two are alike. Snowflakes. Just like us.

This Sunday morning I'm writing from my small antique desk on my laptop near a window looking out to a beautiful quiet world.  No, there are no snowflakes falling from my sky where I am. At least not today. 

I've always been an early-morning person. I love the quiet and serenity in the early hours when the world is still asleep. Who hasn't been in awe when there is a dusting of fresh snow covering the streets or countryside.  Tranquility and noiselessness... two things often missing from our world. Snowflakes are a gentle reminder of  purity and uniqueness.  Even the most simple things- branches, park benches, fences and walls become more beautiful with a dusting of snow.

Melting snowflakes provide much needed water for our world. It fills lakes with much needed water for crops, a fresh drink for wildlife and water for plants that bloom in the spring.

I'm looking forward to the first snowfall this year. You can be assured I'll be up early in the morning looking out on the quiet world. Hopefully remembering to slow down and enjoy the tranquility. The unique beauty and gift provided to our world. Happy Sunday before Christmas 2014.

~Tanya

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Share Your Cup Thursday- Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Blessings

One of my blessings is my job. This year I've been blessed to be able to coordinate the 'Angel Tree' for my company. Each ornament represents a child's wish list. I was given the list of children's names and wish list items from the Northern Nevada  Children's Cancer Foundation.

 My heart pounded a little softer and faster as I read each child's list. My mind immediately went to the family of each little child and how each family member is affected.

An even  bigger blessing is for me to walk by the office tree every day and watch new gifts appear in the baskets and boxes around it.  Each day a new package quietly and anonymously arrives. Along with it are wishes of love, kindness and generosity. My co-workers amaze me.  I'm blessed.

 Blessings.  They come in all shapes and sizes- times and places.

~Tanya

Romance in Black & White

Black, white, gray... Romance.  A fun very last minute quilt made for a special couple. We held a small surprise reception at work for them- what fun!

Pre-quilting... 

A beautiful wedding cake made by a talented artist!

 Personalized for a couple who has everything. A gift from the heart.

It was so nice seeing her reaction while she was reading the personalized sentiments.

Love is Patient, Love is Kind.... Love never Fails.

~Tanya

Sunday Prayers

Sunday Prayers

Shadow Work Embroidery is one of my favorites to do. It's time consuming but also can be meditative while taking each tiny stitch.  It's basically a backstitch on the front but on the back a herringbone stitch. The densely packed stitches on the back allow for the color of the floss to show through the sheer fabric.  This heirloom bib is made of Swiss Nelona Batiste and has antique tatting around the edges. The heart is French lace shaped- another of my favorite techniques to do.

Tiny bouillons are stitched to form flowers.

First Prayers-- is one of my childhood books along with the miniature tea set.  

Pink baby afghan is an adaptation of an adult afghan pattern but stitched in baby yarn.

May your Sunday be full of a prayerful heart and blessings your way.

~Tanya

Sharing with:  Share Your Cup Thursday- Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson