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    WOTY 2022: Treasure

    January 1, 2022 - By 

    I thought long and hard about my word for 2022. I had a handful of contenders. Nothing really seemed to be right until I read the word Treasure.

    Definition below from Mirriam-Webster

    Full Definition of treasure

     (Entry 1 of 2)

    1a(1): wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoarded buried treasure
    (2): wealth of any kind or in any form : RICHES
    b: a store of money in reserve
    2: something of great worth or value also : a person esteemed as rare or precious
    3: a collection of precious things

    treasure

    verb

    treasured; treasuring\ ˈtre-​zh(ə-​)riŋ  , ˈtrā-​ \

    Definition of treasure (Entry 2 of 2)

    transitive verb

    1: to hold or keep as precious : CHERISH, PRIZE she treasured those memories
    2: to collect and store up (something of value) for future use : HOARD

    If the past couple years has taught me anything, its to treasure all things in life.

    Time is a gift, a treasure. We don’t always realize it until the time is done. Time with friends and family. Time with a beloved pet. Time spent laughing. Time spent alone. All treasures.

    Sometimes it’s the little things that we didn’t realize that should have been treasured. Full store shelves, for example. Being able to visit with friends and family. Travel.

    I have had my eyes opened wide. I see the treasure in the little things. The treasure of moments, of laughter and even tears. We don’t cry for no reason. We shed those tears because we loved. Because we were joyful. All of it is to be treasured.

    The gift of creative time and inspiration is also something to be treasured.

    The beauty of nature and the bounty she provides also is a treasure.

    Treasure in the old things and ways but also in the new.

    My aim is to see the treasure all around me and acknowledge as such…

  • Blog

    Strength in 2021

    December 31, 2021 - By 

    It’s that time once again to reflect on the year. How did I do with my Word of the year?

    One thing is for certain…strength played a huge part in 2021.

    Somehow I mustered the strength to return to the classroom while most every fiber of my being was telling me not to.

    I had strength in my resolve to get vaccinated as soon as I was eligible.

    I used my physical strength to grow more food in our garden and amend the soil so I am ready to plant again in the spring. My physical strength also got me out walking and participating with coworkers on weekly step challenges.

    I had strength to let my baby girl go off to college. The strength to let go.

    I was really hoping I could somehow find a way that strength played a role in my art but I’m drawing a blank.

     

  • Blog

    T Tuesday: November in review edition

    November 29, 2021 - By 

    Since it’s been a hot minute since I last posted, I thought it would be most efficient to do a month in review.

    Work has been tiring of course but when I have had the energy or inspiration; I’ve been mostly obsessed with my sewing machine. Whether its fabric or paper or a combination of the two…I’m running it through my machine with reckless abandon.

    I’ve started work on a few new journal covers. This one has me stepping outside my comfort zone with the bold floral print as well as bright colors. Definitely not my usual but perhaps the shake up will act as inspiration or a challenge. I created two more but evidently forgot to snap a picture.

    Making cards is always a relaxing activity for me. I had punched a ton of circles one day sitting in front of the TV watching who knows what. I like to have my hands busy so I don’t find myself snacking. But I digress… I sat down at my sewing machine with a couple different piles of scraps. Fabric and paper as well as the afore mentioned circles. I have mentioned lately how much I love circles!! I do, trust me.

    Now I have a large stack of cards ready to go when an occasion arises. Just add a sentiment or even just a note on the inside.

    The kids came home from college for Thanksgiving break. It was great to see them in person again. Just a couple more weeks and they’ll be home for a month between semesters. Marvin was very excites when Mini-me came through the door. He thought it was me coming home from work but it was his girl. She said that he yelled excitedly. Of course that never lasts too long…the comfort of napping on the “grandma blanket” always wins out.

    Mini-me sent me this one day. The thrill of seeing your own work (or your offspring’s) never gets old.

    Mini-me helped me make our first batch of lefse of the season. We were definitely a bit out of practice…it had been almost two years since I made any. We made a small batch…just enough for Mini-me to bring some back to share with her friends at college and of course, for us to have a few.

    Lastly I’ve been continuing to sew my random scraps together. I decided on 9.5 inch blocks. I just keep stitching and ironing and stitching and ironing…until I have a big enough piece to cut my square. I decided on 9.5 inches mostly because I have a square quilting ruler that size.

    I don’t have a plan in particular for these blocks. I assume I’ll put sashing between the blocks to give the eye a place to rest. But for now I’m just creating a very colorful stack of blocks.

    T stands for Tuesday

    I’m certainly not promising that I will be posting more often but it does feel good to get my words on the page.

    Happy T day everyone!