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Today we said goodbye to Yogi, lover of treats, toys, and belly rubs.
He was the dog that taught us:
No matter how much you try to do things right, things can still go wrong. It isn’t your fault.
That no matter how much you try, you can’t fix everything alone. Only God can do that.
Do the best you can, always… even when no one is looking, especially when no one is looking.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
There is no place like home.
While we will miss Yogi, we are comforted by the knowledge that his is no longer in pain and that he never will have to endure another trip to the Vet clinic or any place away from home, the only place he felt safe.
Several years ago, Yogi lost his two companions Lila and Dafni and never stopped looking for them, always stopping when let out, looking back to see if they were coming also. He has now gone on to join them.
I saw this on another blog and thought that someone read my mind. The things we love were so similar that I could have just posted what she wrote without changing a thing, but I didn’t.
7 Things I love:
* My family… 2 legged and 4 legged… who know me well … and love me … quirks and all. Particularly my husband who has put up with me since we were children. And the grandchildren who let me see things through a child’s eyes.
*My home… where friends and family gather comfortably. No matter where it is, big or small, it is unique and much more than just a home.
* Quiet time in the morning with a cup of coffee or tea, watching the sunrise, reading or strolling through the garden while the dew is still on the flowers… with Him who loves me most.
* Curling up in a comfortable chair … with a good book … no where I need to be.
* A winter day with big fat snowflakes slowly falling gently …. snowman making weather …
* Being creative …. trying something new… a recipe … a new craft … new flowers in the garden … and sharing with others.
* Living simply … doing more with less … finding the little treasures in life.
I’d planned to update this blog yesterday, but a pc problem prevented me from doing so. Aren’t computers fun?
Saturday the Benjamin Patterson Inn Museum in Corning held a George Washington’s Birthday Event. Several of the guild members participated in the spinning and hearth cooking demos (I’ll be adding a couple of photos and more info to the guild blog). I’ve been to the Inn quite a few times and hadn’t planned to go until I heard they had a special lace exhibit on. I went to see and I wasn’t disappointed. I picked up a little brochure which gives a lot of info about the Italian community and crochet lacework before ‘The Flood’. I seem to have misplaced it, hopefully it is in the car and not lost. When I find the brochure or get more info, I’ll post it.
And Sunday, hubby and I celebrated a wedding anniversary!
20 years ago Sis gave me this cup with that saying on it. This was after she came to stay for a few days and got a chance to really see just how much quilting fabric I had stashed away.
I’ve kept the cup as a reminder to pay attention to what I have, use it up, sell it or donate it before I buy more of the same. Since then my fabric stash has been mostly replaced with fleeces, fiber and yarn, but the cup still reminds me to only keep what I can use, sell or donate in the near future.
The cup developed a crack last year but I really didn’t want to throw it away. I didn’t need another pencil/tool cup, but I did need a new pin cushion. The cup is now a very handy pin cushion, I use it daily.
Proof that visual reminders help to change how you think, yesterday my dear friend Trish (Amazing Grace Farm) came for a visit. While she was here, we stopped in at the Mt Saviour Monastery gift shop and purchased granola, marmalade, books and more, things we didn’t have and would use right away. We then picked up a friend and went out to lunch and then to a very nice quilt/needlework shop. We admired and petted some of the fabrics, made plans to try some new patterns and fabric, but resisted bringing any home because we already have some fabric projects that aren’t finished.
If I have to die as the one with the most of __________ (fill in the blank) . I think I’d rather it be friends, family, faith, etc…. the kinds of things that can’t be put away up on a shelf.
Once again I’ve been getting nudges from friends who are wondering if I’m ok. I’m fine if you don’t count the seriously injured toe and the broken tooth, both will hopefully be almost good as new again. I’ve been busy with garden work and projects and really trying to enjoy the moments. That means nothing gets done very quickly..
One of things I love about August are the cool nights and the simple pleasure of a cricket serenade while I soak in the tub with a book after a busy day, and later as I fall asleep. It makes the oppressive daytime heat and humidity easier for me to cope with. Strange that someone born on a tropical island would have so much trouble with heat. But, I’ve been transplanted long enough that I’m more acclimated to the colder temps and change of seasons.
Studio work has been on hold while the house is being scraped and primed for painting and while the attic is being cleared out. We have quite a few warm weather house projects to work on, old houses just need lots of TLC.
The flower beds are beautiful. I’ve taken some new photos of garden plants but I won’t be doing much work on my garden blog till the bulk of summer work is done and I have time to sit down and work on notes and photos. At the moment these plants are blooming: Angel Trumpets, Coral Bells, Daylilies, Oriental Lilies, Asiatic Lilies, Trumpet Lilies, Rose of Sharons, Calendulas, Obedience plants, Milkweed, Clematis, Morning Glories (not the weedy kind), Bee Balm, Delphiniums, Camphor, Scabiosa, Purple Coneflowers, Daisies, Black Eyed Susans and more. Foliage plants such as Hostas help create a bit of calm among all the blooming plants, nice rest for the eye. While we have a lot of color, shapes and sizes going on in the garden, the simple plants or blooms seem to be the ones we enjoy the most. Photos of a few of our favorites.
Angel Trumpet (Datura)… In full bloom. The huge flowers open as night falls, we never tire of watching them unfurl at dusk.
This photo is of some that are partially emerged and ready to bloom tonight.
I have more than 35 varieties of daylilies so it is hard to choose a favorite. These are the ones I enjoy the most.
Daylily Mountain Violet – large blooms, true violet hard to capture.
Daylily Countess Carrots – small blooms, charming
Daylily Pandora’s Box – medium blooms, dainty
Daylily Jen Melon – large blooms, colored like squash blossoms.
I like this poppy… unusual
And this Morning Glory
The kitchen garden has been providing us with turnips, tomatoes, lettuce, yellow squash, zucchini, herbs and more, bees are very happy in that area. Among other things I have Hyssop growing in that garden. I’ve never grown it before and have no clue what I’ll use it for… it smells wonderful.
Here is a garden oddity. A summer squash with another attached. It did well for a while and then one side started growing more quickly while the other started to fail.
What else … 
Grandson Connor had a birthday, he is now 2 years old. I took several photos of his birthday party, this is the one I found most interesting. Note the toys around him, but he is more interested in the books. I’m thrilled that he loves books and loves to be read to.
And I had a birthday. My friend Sue surprised me with a cake at the Community Center where spinners and knitters meeting on Friday mornings. She is a wonderful baker and a good friend. Here is a photo of the cake.. is it cute or what? It says … Got Wool?
A few notable gifts… Friend Judy gave me some dishes. I was really surprised when she gave me these.
. 
I’d admired a plate a few months ago when she brought some cookies to a gathering at my house. I told her how much the pattern on the dishes reminded me of the days when we used to grow and sell raspberries. She’s got a pretty nice car, maybe I’ll let her know how much I admire that… *G* .. just kidding.. I never expected she’d give me the berry dishes!
From Harold … I was told he found these at some type of sale and thought of me. They appear to be old hankies made to be sold as souvenir items. I have some of mom’s dainty hankies and will add these to the collection. What is funny about all of this is that Harold is a scarecrow that lives with my friend Vickie. I have the most interesting friends.
This from daughter Tina, not sure what it is called, I call it a plant tender. It is blown glass that you fill with water and then poke it down into a pot so it can release the water slowly. I show it in a pot holding a resting orchid. She picked this up at an art festival we went to in June.
On my birthday, Tina and I went to a local art festival where I met two vendors who sell yarn and fiber or who have sheep, nice to make some local connections. I found two bracelets that had to come home with me, but managed to avoid any big purchases. I really enjoyed walking around seeing all the great things people create and then sitting and having lunch outdoors in the square while listening to a band play and sing.
I am grateful for family, friends and the first summer in more than 30 years without any (zero, nada) allergy meds … God is Good!
The knitting group that was meeting at the coffee bar/bookstore moved to a library when the book store closed. The music store next door expanded into that space but kept the coffee bar and added a permanent stage.
We’ve started meeting there again. Today anyone who arrived with the Monday blahs was soon tapping their toes and knitting needles to the sound of popular songs and oldies but goodies.
I took a few photos with my camera phone.. they are a little bit blurry.. sorry!
Here is a photo of one of the walls around the area where we sit, there are also pianos, racks of sheet music, diner booths etc.
The group jamming across the store … notice there is plenty of space for dancing or to pull up chairs.
The coffee and snack bar with some of the knitters at the tables…
Knitting, spinning, chatting, toe tapping music, gourmet coffee and snacks… a sure cure for the Monday blahs.
Yesterday the spinning group was scheduled to meet at my house, but my day started spinning long before that.
Softball sign-up was at 10am and I’d promised to take granddaughter Jessica to sign up. That meant running around and getting things done before leaving so that I would be ready for the spinners when they came. It’s a good thing I didn’t leave things till the last minute since Jessica wasn’t ready when I went to pick her up and then we ended up having to wait a while, then fill out a bunch of forms before we could go back home.
I get home in time to find that one of the dogs had been very sick while I was gone… ugh… nothing like having a bunch of people coming and a mini emergency at the last moment.
By the time my out-of-town guests arrived (Hi Lynn & Sally!) I hadn’t even started lunch. So, they got to help me make Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas. Not a common combination of food, but it is absolutely delicious.
Normally out of town visitors come a little early and so they sometimes end up having lunch with me. This time I was running so late that the spinners who started arriving at 1pm, got to try some of the Enchiladas. And since the spinners often with goodies, we had cookies, fruit & dip, chocolate cupcakes and coffee for dessert.
Eventually we got around to fibery things. An order for alpaca yarn came in (photo on my studio blog) and so Mary and Sue got to try their hand at using a swift and jumbo ball winder. Vicki learned to use the hand cards for blending chiengora yarn. And several got to try their hand at weaving a shawl on the triloom. The photos show the loom upside as we got started cause I misplace the clamps that hold it upright. And then later I was able to flip it back up so that the rest of the weaving can be done upright.
These ladies are so much fun and make me laugh so much that by the time they left, my stressful morning was forgotten. And as I said goodbye to Lynn and Sally, who stayed a bit later than everyone else, this is what I saw.
Not a bad way to spend a Saturday!
A glitch in Blogger switching from old to new version has made it impossible for me to post updates on the ‘A Life Overflowing’ blog and so I’m posting my updates here.
In this group we are paired up with another person, round robin style. Partners are to pray for each other, keep in touch and since this exchange has a coffee/tea/drink theme, we are to gift our partner with items we believe they will enjoy based on info they’ve supplied.
The most recent request or assignment is to post photos of our favorite cups.
Here are some of mine ….
A gift from daughter Tina, porcelain with ming style cobalt design, comfortable to hold, nice and big.
A gift from friend Lynn L. If I’m reading, counting stitches, whatever and someone starts talking to me while the cup is close by.. I only need to lift it or point to it and they understand to give me a second to finish counting or reading.
I think there needs to be cups that say. Shhhh.. I’m thinking… or maybe just Shhh I’m _________ and then one can fill in the blank .
A gift to myself… note the little dragonfly and garden theme. A nice stoneware cup for maintaining the temperature of the drink it holds.
A gift from Sis. Just before she gave me this, someone had greeted me saying Feliz Navidad!
Spanish was my first language, but I grew up in the states and so English is my main language now. Sometimes I’ll hear an English word or phrase and not understand it cause I’m listening in Spanish … and the same with Spanish phrases…. does that make sense? *G*
When this person greeted me.. I thought.. what did they say about fleeces? Duh! And then I realized they were wishing me a Merry Christmas.
I live with a pack of Lhasa Apsos and this Lhasa puppy print caught my eye, bought it for my den. Later a friend gave me this cup. When I got the cup I thought, this looks familiar. It wasn’t till I set it on my desk one day that I realized why it looked familiar.. *G*
Yes, I know, it’s not a cup. But you have to have a creamer right? This cute little staffordshire creamer caught my eye because it has dahlias on it and Mom loved Dahlias.
Mom, known to family members as Mamita, also loved roses.
Before she passed she told me she wanted me to have her china cabinet. I spent many hours as a child making sure things in there were dusted. Along with the cabinet I brought home some pieces with roses. The cup on the far left was a gift from Lynn L and it just fits right in.
The tiny little cup in front was one I gave Mamita as a gift. She like miniature things. The saucer says. “I love you, Mom”.
Also in that cabinet are some of Mamita’s art deco cups.. I don’t dare use them for fear they’ll be damaged.
Packed in a box are my grandmother Catatlina’s tiny cups. I didn’t have a place to display them safely and had packed them away and only just remembered that I had them. Now I can put them in the cabinet with the others.
Yesterday I received two pkgs.. one was a trade pkg… a book titled The Knitted Rug. It has lots of nice patterns and ideas for rugs.
The other pkg was my Feet To Prayers pkg from Cary. Inside was a Helen Steiner Rice calendar. I love the quotes and nature scenes. My family will be pleased to see a calendar with something other than a dog theme. *G*
There was also my sock and pattern. Cary mentioned that the colors were not what she asked for when she ordered the yarn, but I really like the colors. I like greens in shades of celery, fern, sage, etc and this has quite a few in there with some soft earthy browns. A perfect match for my chartreuse cabled turtleneck top that for some reason hubby doesn’t like but I do. *ggg* The sock and yarn came in a little bag painted by Cary’s mom… I took the bag to the knitting group last night and the ladies wanted to know where they could get one. It is now my sock knitting bag.
There were a few other things, but I want to point out the card with the photo of pumpkins on it. That card was made by Theresa who will be selling her cards soon. She takes beautiful shots and I look forward to being able to purchase cards from her. I’m framing this one… just gorgeous! Thank you for everything Cary!
A shot of my dining room table. Does anyone else have a table that doesn’t get used for dining? At the moment this table has a little gold wire tree surrounded by little gifts I’ve received, cards, and all sorts of goodies and we keep adding more each day. I don’t know where I’m going to put this all when we have to use the table for dining.
Another pkg from Cary, my Feet To Prayer partner. I opened it to find all these garden and dragonfly related goodies and carefully packed into wonderfully soft Alpaca fiber. Thank you Cary!
This is a round robin type of swap and so the person I had to send something to is someone other than Cary. She should be getting her pkg soon. I hope she likes it !
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