Monday, September 13, 2010

Wedding Throw

Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/13/2010:
 I crocheted this throw for Heidi & Marcus as a wedding gift.
I hope to make some more of these, it came out so pretty.  
I found the pattern on Lion Brand's site.
I love crocheting for loved ones.  Throughout the project, I often reflect on the person for whom I'm making the gift sending them loving kindness and happy thoughts that I imagine get woven into the stitches.  

~May Heidi and Marcus be safe, know peace, be healthy, be happy~ 


I hope this throw warms the Swain family for many years.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Wedding Bells

 Yesterday we were honored to attend the wedding of my cousin, 
Heidi, to her husband Marcus.  It was a beautiful occasion filled with love and laughter and we were so happy to be there!
Congratulations and best wishes, Heidi and Marcus!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

~Just pears~

Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/11/2010:

~ Holding close all those changed by September 11, 2001~

The attack that day was one month and one day after Nathan died.  
I was already grieving and then, so was the nation. 

I chose this photo for today because these pears have been calling to me the last few days as I dashed off to work and errands running past the tree in our yard.  This is Nathan's Tree.  Friends of ours in Bethany came together to present us with the tree after Nathan died.  Nine years later, I am in a stage of grief in which I recognize and find immense comfort from the gifts my son - his life and his death - gave me.  
The fruits of my grief seem to ripen and sweeten with time.  
I could write all about that, here on 9/11, or they could just be pears. 
Just pears.  

Sometimes things become heavy with sentiment and "over thought" and really, 
to me, right now, these are mostly just pears with a little glance toward
this whole idea of the "fruits of grief" and such.  
I'm choosing to leave that unexamined.  
Not every question needs an answer.

I should note, that's something only the bereaved get to say, "fruits of grief."  I wouldn't recommend asking a bereaved friend or family member if they've 
discovered the "fruits of their grief" yet.   
You may wind up with a much deserved knuckle-sandwich. 

Again, holding close in heart and thought all those whose lives changed on that day and sending up prayers for peace and healing.

Friday, September 10, 2010

~Unexpected pinwheels of light~

 Look at the beautiful pinwheel of light cast by our new cheapie $3.00 solar light! 
I first began to notice these just the other night.  Truth be told, my enthusiasm for the 365 project was waning recently.  And, then tonight, the beauty of the night - the stars, the air, the sounds, the smells, the sleeping children, the moment alone, the not misbehaving dog - just hit me.  I turned my head and there, again, were these cool pinwheels.  It felt so good to experiment with camera settings and my tripod to catch these photos.  I'm really pleased with the way they came out.
 So pretty!
 Lighting up the path to our door.  It's so nice when little things make a person happy!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The kangaroos are assembling...

Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/9/2010:
I took this photo at a recent Kangaroo Meeting, 
held at the lake in town and facilitated by Annie.  
What's happened here?  What do you think they are thinking, saying? 
LOL!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Brooklyn Bridge

 I took this photo on my "2nd Annual Visit to the Brooklyn Bridge" with Paul.  
This is one of my very favorite places because of the amazing and huge mass of people from all over the world that gathers here each day.  
I love the hum of humanity moving on this historic bridge.   
It reminds me that I am part of something much, much bigger than lil' ol' me. 
I especially like to be here with Paul.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Catch up

I've allowed the adjusting to a new school year and new schedules, picnics, 
swimming, impromptu date nights, *HEAT*, hurricanes, crocheting, reading, relaxing, dog misadventures, and change-of-season migranes 
to keep me away from both snapping photos and blogging.  
(And, I must say, I'm feeling my photos are so blurry - it's discouraging.  Hmmm.)  
I'm trying to catch up and get back on track with the 365 project.

Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/5/2010:
 Annie's Happy Feet.


Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/6/2010:
 Emma showed great enthusiasm for the first watermelon ever grown here at Shaggyhill Farm.  Its the "moon and stars" variety, complete with seeds.  
Way to go, Paul! 


Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/7/2010:
Paul and I recently had a date day in New York followed by a game at Yankee Stadium (thanks to my father-in-law).  It is always such a treat to see a Yankee game, win or lose.  I so enjoy the city, the stadium, and spending time with the men in my life.

Friday, September 3, 2010

New apple, dangling

Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/2/2010 (yep, that's yesterday!):
 We have an old apple tree in our front yard.  The first apples of the season have appeared outside our living room window and have captured our attention.  The one pictured above is up rather high and just dangling at the tippy end of a branch, just hanging straight down as if just waiting to drop.

Paul and I have been watching The Botany of Desire on netflix and finding it fascinating.  I'd highly recommend it.   It is based on Michael Pollan's book.
(I think it's funny that his last name is Pollan -- get it, pollen?)
The first section is about apples. 
Here's a link to the PBS website with more information,
including lesson plans and a look behind the scenes.

Sailor's warning

Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/3/2010:
Connecticut awaits Hurricane Earl today.  So far, it's just a gorgeous morning here, although really, really hot.  The photo above is taken from my deck.  
It made me think of: 
Red sky at night, sailor's delight
Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning
Check out this Library of Congress page to see if this adage is true.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Night-night

Creative Every Day/Flickr Project 365 photo for 9/1/2010:
Finish each day and be done with it. 
You have done what you could. 
Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; 
forget them as soon as you can. 
Tomorrow is a new day; 
begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit 
to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some nights I just really, really love this quote.
Night, all!