Yesterday, I sat on the back porch reading and watching the birds feeding in the rain. All of a sudden there was a whoosh and mourning doves, finches, and sparrows  all took off at once.  I looked around to see what had startled them and saw this Cooper's (?) hawk settle on the fence.

I waited for him to fly away, but after about five minutes, I realized the rain didn't bother him and he was in no hurry to leave.  I looked at the time and decided to wait and see what happened next.  I kept reading and glancing up at the fence for the next 20 minutes.  All he did was turn his head back and forth, scanning for prey I guess, even though his presence had scattered all small things, including squirrels, from the area.

A week or so ago, flocks of cedar waxwings swooped back and forth in our neighborhood looking for holly trees.  Our neighbor has a large holly that was full of bright red berries, and the cedar waxwings descended.  In short order, all the red berries at the top of the tree were gone.  

Here is part of one flock waiting in our crab-apple tree for their turn on the holly.

despite so may overcast and rainy days, 

The Carolina Jasmine offer a bright contrast to dreary skies

that have been the norm lately.

Today, sunshine!

 The other lettuce bolted about 6 weeks ago, but this one just keeps producing.  The kale, green onions, and lettuce have kept me in fresh salad material since November.  

 Because the lettuce was doing so well, I gave in and got another salad spinner.  Years ago, I had one and liked it.  Avoiding the plastic ones, I decided on the OXO steel spinner.  It is large enough to accommodate the largesse of lettuce and kale and makes washing produce quicker and easier.  The amazing thing is how crisp it keeps the lettuce.  The only drawback is that it takes up a lot of room in the fridge.  As much as I love my salads, I can put up with it sacrificing a little room in the fridge.  

Taking a break from the decisions involved in  cleaning and organizing my studio space, I cut several different sizes for more gift bags.  I donated a lot of fabric to GoodWill, but kepts some pieces that were large enough for gift bags, and I got started.

 For really large items, I'm making some bags out of dish cloths I bought on sale and tucked away with using.

While cleaning out drawers, I found some tea bags in my stash of miscellaneous items and made some lavender sachets.  I may make some from muslin as well.  

Incoming Mail

Outgoing Mail

First Week in the New Year

25 Million Stitches Project.  Panel 2. I think I'm finished with this panel.  Time to get it in the mail.

I enjoyed working on both panels while making my way through some Netflix shows and listening to podcasts.  Often, however, I would sit down to stitch and simply let my thoughts take me where they would, in silence.  Both panels are typical of the way I stitch, improvising on patterns, threads, and stitches as I go, but I loved finding the quote for this panel to give me a more thoughtful beginning.

It also pleased me to include a series of French knots that (hopefully) spell out "refuge" in braille and some knots and dashes that say the same thing in Morse Code.  I checked different sites to get the two alphabets, but don't know if they are truly readable.  

The next panel, the long one, will be more challenging.  A few thought are beginning to float through my head:  heavier thread or 6 strands of floss and larger stitches.  :)

Three 2020 Goals.  So far so good.  

Walking.  I am walking more.  Not as much as I was during July, August, and Sept., but much better than the past 3 months.  

Yoga: 16, 23, 45, 40, 42, 20, 45 minutes for Jan. 1-7--and I am pleased with that.  Knowing that my goal is only five minutes helps me go for it, and then I only do what I feel like doing or have time for.  Since I love yoga, it is easy to keep going, and not worry about the 60-75 min. sessions I used to do.  With such a minimal goal, there is no excuse for skipping a day.

Out of the House.  Although not a particularly inspiring "get out of the house" accomplishment, I made a trip to Michael's.  I only go to Michael's two or three times a year, so I am counting it for my first weekly "get out" goal.  I didn't need anything, but I did buy a couple of baskets for organizing and storage and two pens. :) 

 Christmas Projects.  I mentioned that Annie (Annie's Musings)  worked on Christmas projects throughout the year this past year, and I decided to give it a try.  A couple of unfinished projects from 2019 and 2018 and several things I want to make are on the list. My first one attempt this year was to finish the mouse/rat eccentric in a red sweater and a tutu that was supposed to be for Erin last year.  Yay, for one project on that list completed!  

 Books/Reading.  I found it too difficult trying to sort out my favorite mysteries, but other favorite books I listed on my book blog.  

So far this year, I've read The Stillwater Girls and When I Was You by Minka Kent, and I'm currently reading Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins by Katarina Bivald, and the nonfiction The Idea of the Brain:  The Past and Future of Neuroscience by Matthew Cobb.

How is your new year going?

Painting Rocks, Making Dragons, and Other Stuff

Annie's last letter mentioned that she was painting some Kindness Rocks.  I remember reading about the project, and since I have a pile of rocks that need to be hauled off AND Bryce Eleanor was coming on Saturday, I washed some and brought them inside.  Would she be interested, I wondered, in painting some?  

We ended up painting several and distributed three around the neighborhood on a late evening walk.  The rest she has taken home to place in her neighborhood.  

But then she wanted to play with clay...

dragon in progress

Dragon is now wrapped securely in plastic wrap with misting to keep him moist.  Hopefully, she can finish him next weekend.

Outgoing Mail

:) I've already used one of the book page

cut outs Connie sent me on Annie's letter below.

Thanks, Annie, for a timely suggestion on Kindness Rocks!

 🐌