Time

 

Cross-stitch is one of my hobbies when I can find the time to sit down and do some sewing.  This sampler was in a box in our basement and I dug it out and hung it on the wall.  I actually stitched the date on it upon completion.  As you see, that was in 2001.

 

It started me thinking about life and what had happened in the years since I worked this design.  I used to buy cross-stitch kits on my visits home, though it is some years since I've done so, as I have quite a collection of unfinished kits and some still to be started.

 

I also thought about the direction that my life has taken in the last thirteen years.  There have been a lot of hiccoughs along the way.  I still don't feel like I'm heading in the right direction, but I don't know how to get where I want to be. 

 

A blogging friend gave me some advice recently and that was to ask the universe for help.  I know that it worked for her and she found her way home.  I'm willing to give it a try and hope that in time, it may lead me safely home too.  My only hope is that this will be sooner rather than later.

Yorkshire

 

I may live in Canada, but my heart is firmly in Yorkshire.  This oil painting was a gift many years ago and it is of the village of Keld in the Yorkshire Dales.  The winter scene of grazing sheep is so peaceful.  I look at it and I feel like I am admiring the view from my window. 

 

In my imagination, I am cozy in my living room, a roaring log fire is blazing in the hearth and I'm enjoying an afternoon cup of tea and reading a good book.  As I turn the pages, I glance out of the window and feel thankful for being safe and warm at home.....

Herbals

 

I love browsing through book stalls and I was doing so recently when I discovered these two gems.  With a background in aromatherapy, I am very interested in herbs and their uses and The Herbalist is a fascinating read.  I can dip into it at any time and read about many plants that I've heard of and some which are new to me.  The first edition dates from 1918, but my copy was published in 1973.  The author was the late Joseph Meyer.  I think that this book is now out of print, but you may be able to find a copy if you search hard enough (try abebooks).

 

Eyewitness Handbook of Herbs is illustrated in colour, so it is a more attractive read.  It was published in 1994, but the copy I've found is in excellent condition.  This book is a guide to herb species from around the world.  Some plants which I had never even considered to be herbs can be found within its pages.

 

The best part of my finds was the price: at 25 cents per book, I could not afford to turn down the opportunity to add these to my collection.

Sweet Violets

 

This bone china cake stand was another find at Mayfest.  The design is Royal Albert 'Sweet Violets'.

 

 

I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but I'm hoping to find some time to do some baking soon.

Grow Op

 

As I mentioned in my last post, the weather has not been great this spring.  I started my seedlings indoors weeks ago ~ far too early as I have been unable to put them outside. 

Having taken over the living room with a six foot table covered in seed trays and pots, I then proceeded to do the same in the kitchen.

This is the end of a long weekend here and I did spend some time in the garden planting some newly purchased perennials.  I also moved a lot of the seedlings out to the cold frame.  The taller ones (tomatoes and cucumbers) are waiting for the plastic greenhouse cover to go back on so that I can move them into there ~ we had to dismantle it again last week after strong winds threatened to blow it away!

Lamplight

Last weekend was Mayfest, which is a fundraiser for our local hospital.  This was the first time that we have attended and I was unsure what to expect, but it proved a worthwhile visit.  I bought this lovely lamp for $10 and four trays of perennial plants for $2 per pot. 

 

Considering it is May, spring has remained somewhat elusive.  We even had snow flurries one evening last week and yet another frost yesterday.  I am desperate to get outdoors and plant my garden, but I don't want to lose all of my plants.

 

Once again, I find myself not having posted for weeks.  It has been a difficult period in my life and my motivation for blogging has been absent.  I miss visiting your blogs in turn and hope to catch up soon.

 

Have a great weekend!