Thursday, April 25, 2019

I Like/Love #27

Those close to me know that things are a bit difficult in my personal life right now, but that's why doing these posts helps so much. One of the kernels of wisdom I often say to my yoga students is, "You can change your thoughts, but first you to have to notice them." I've been trying to put that into practice more in my life. When I realize I'm going down a dark road of negative or depressing or angry thoughts, I purposely try to snap myself out of that track. It is amazing, because I notice, too, how my inner ambiance changes: I relax more, I feel I have 'space' inside; there's a calm that comes with appreciating something.

Yesterday it was the beautiful shape of a budding birch tree in our neighbours' yard, fanned out so perfectly, that helped change my thoughts. So that is #1 on April's list. Another time it was noticing the leaf buds a little bit bigger on the lilacs, and the red buds on the maple also showing in the photo below. (I still have a hard time with how slow spring is here, unlike the 'overnight' burst of an Alberta one).


2. Sometimes one's world shrinks, and mine has for a few reasons, so some of these likes will perhaps seem odd. I am grateful for a husband who is strong and in good health, grateful that he rebuilt our deck so that there is a pleasant place for us and our animals to sit outside. I'm grateful too that it faces east and south so it gets lots of sunshine. And you know I'm grateful for the railing he designed and made, that matches the fence, upon which I can hang finished quilts to photograph! Click each photo for its post.

3. I am grateful for this baby gate (animal gate!) that our animals respect. It helps set much-needed boundaries at certain sometimes difficult times. For example, I am so glad Rufus respects it, and doesn't go through or over it to get at Bella...an ongoing concern we are trying to snap him out of.
Notice the fatbric in the basket? It's getting cut into a set of charm squares for a prize for one person who linked up in my Beothuk Star QAL.

4. I am grateful for the pleasant day here as I write this list.

5. I am grateful for our animals; they bring such joy and calmness to our lives, and they teach us, if we let them.

6. I am grateful for my quilts, that I have the ability to sew and create, as it helps us, as we all know, in a multitude of ways.This week a couple of mine became: a bed extension of a pet as well as the one below, an RSC one from two years ago that became a mat upon which to walk to avoid slipping on a laminate floor and/or deck boards.

A like inside a like is again back to #2, my husband, that he is creative and talented to design and make the water dish holder for big dogs, especially as they age, to not have to bend down to drink and eat.

7. I am grateful that we bought ourselves a pink saucer magnolia tree the first spring here. Wow! This is now our third spring in this house. Our tree brought me a smile on Easter Sunday after a couple days of rain, wind and gloom. I showed it in my last post, but I'd originally taken it for this one, so here you go again: It's opening even more with the past few days of sunshine and warmth since I took this.


8. I am grateful that I have several free-range hens close by, one within walking distance, from whom I can buy eggs. I mainly get ours from a yoga student of mine.
Which one is store bought?!

9. I am grateful for my blog. It has grown in readership, and I have learned so much from it, on many levels, and it has taken me places and given me wonderful friends and acquaintances, all of which I could never have envisioned when I set out to simply make a record of quilts I was making, and my new life after teaching I was living, and to keep in touch with many friends from Alberta to Florida to New York State.

10. I am grateful for those who trust me to give them another QAL that results in a pretty quilt! If you don't have a blog but are quilting along, please email me a photo of your fabric and/or cutting step and I will put you in for this first prize draw for my Beothuk Star QAL. Here's my cut fabric in case you missed that post.  It's not too late to pick up a kit for the QAL at Needle & Foot Fine Fabrics, my main sponsor.


11. I really like the new show Jann. I found out today it is the #1 sitcom in Canada, and it deserves to be as it is freaking hilarious. Sadly, Windsor CTV doesn't have it in its lineup so I've had to stream it, and missed episodes 3 and 4, which are now locked, grr. I'll be watching the finale once it's available. I love Jann Arden; I've seen her twice in concert and would go again in a heartbeat. 

If you'd like to read more posts filled with gratitude, head on over to Not Afraid of Color and find links, or write a post and join in!

Linking up
Whims and Fancies

24 comments:

  1. I had to chuckle over Rufus and Bella becoming friends, have fun with that. We had a dog and a cat that never got along.

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  2. I have kid gates throughout my house, because old house, doors don't close. It keeps the cat out of rooms, and my dog. Great likes. I agree while spring seems slow, it is much earlier than normal this year.

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  3. Sorry for the rough patch, hopefully things get resolved soon. Lots of great things to like in your post today.

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  4. Thank you for sharing your life - as always, seeds of gratitude that continue to grow!

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  5. I agree that learning to shift our focus changing things. I really should either start posting like/loves or start a gratitude list or something. I am definitely more pessimistic than optimistic, so it would be good for me. You have a bunch of good things in your post, Sandra. I'm trusting that Rufus & Bella will become friends, hopefully soon, and I'm hoping things get brighter for you each day. Meanwhile, I need to go get Wilbur off the counter . . . again.

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  6. I have to check out the Canadian show. I could use a laugh! LOVE a pink magnolia tree! Smart choice! I dont know if they can survive here... Rufus is a big boy. Limits... Milo has to be pulled up short a lot lately, he's acting like a teenaged boy. DH let him dart out of the front door last night, running down the sidewalk to greet a walker, who luckily forgave us. Sheesh! As if I don't have enough to worry about!
    I am surprised your husband made the standing bowl holder! good job on that and the deck. Love your list Sandy
    LeeAnna

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  7. I'm sorry you are having difficulties right now. You made a wonderful list of likes though! I've been noticing those pink magnolia trees a lot lately, so beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your weekend.

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  8. Great post. Sorry you are going through some hard times. I have days where I think of things that were said or done to me years ago. I usually sit myself down and have a good talk to myself. I cannot change the past but I can make the days ahead better. Spring is here in Alberta, flowers are sprouting up and the trees are getting lots of buds. Sorry to say but we might finish up April with snow. Take care😊😊

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  9. While you go through the alterations, life is a hurdle each day. We start again on Monday with both the builders and plumbers here, I keep telling myself the end result will be so worthwhile. We have so much to be thankful .The railing for a quilt to be displayed on, that is a winning one.

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  10. When we did a lot of long distance motorcycle touring, my mantra was, "The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is attitude." How true that the direction of our thoughts can make all the difference! Sending you gentle, supportive cyber hugs :)

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  11. I, too, find that being grateful on a regular basis changes my thinking! It's easy to get in a funk, and hard to get out of one. Hooray for blooming trees - my favorite part of Spring. I love the quilting/blogging community that we are part of, and am thankful for people like you who so generously share your designs with us. That reminds me - I need to go continue my cutting for Beothuk Star! :)

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  12. Your gratitudes ring so true - pets, hubby, quilting, the beauty around you and the quilting community you are a part of. Thankful for you and your gratitudes that remind me of mine.

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  13. So sorry you are going through a bad time at the moment. But then you are so positive with all the things you are grateful for, including hubby, pets, and love of quilting. We buy free range eggs too, and I love to see the hens outside in th sunshine, pecking about looking for grubs. Sending you and Bella a big hug from New Zealand

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  14. Hi Sandra! At this time of year, things change at an alarming rate. Just a few feet from me the patio doors are open (!!!) and I can hear a robin chirping away. As I walked into work today I could hear a woodpecker! I'll bet the folks that don't wish to be awake at 5:45am or whatever it is pecking on may not enjoy it as much as I did. It's all in your outlook and only you have control over that. How to react, act, think, etc. isn't dependent on others, and it seems to me that when you give off a upbeat, happy outlook you get that back tenfold. {{Hugs}} I know (I hope) that Rocco is doing much, MUCH better by now. The tough days are behind you and soon he'll be romping with Rufus. Almost all of our fabric is cut for Beothuk - I'll do another post sending people your way on the first for the next step. Happy Happy Thursday. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  15. Sorry you're struggling right now. I'm glad it hasn't stopped your creativity. It helps! May things smooth out soon.

    Mmm... fresh local eggs are so nice to have.

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  16. Thank you for bringing us such a wonderful post. I hope things brighten up for you soon. It is wonderful to have a talented partner who can make things run smoother. That Rufus...always a challenge! I love your fabric cuts for the QAL. They are so cheerful. Have a good weekend.

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  17. I am really really really really happy that you are NOT going down the dark road. Loved reading this post, Sandra. Small things, but the effect they have on us are definitely not small. We share the love for trees and animals, they are always here for us.

    -Soma

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  18. I love your honesty and humility. Sending positive thoughts. :-)

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  19. Spring is at last in full swing here although it is still cold and rainy. My pansies are thriving in the cool spring rains. I find solace in small things when I am world weary. That is a beautiful birch tree. May your life soon branch into more peaceful places and your buds bloom ... :) Pat

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  20. You are so right. Our internal conversation is so important, for better or for worse. Sounds like you are winning the battle. We get free range eggs from our neighbor across the street - the difference in taste is amazing - you never want to eat another store egg! Joining you from Wandering Camera.

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  21. These things can really build up and get you down. Glad you seem to be watching it.

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  22. I am sorry you are going through a difficult time right now! It's easy to get lost in that dangerous neighborhood called our minds! I love listening to audiobooks, music, interesting tv shows or even my waterfall and the birds to clear my head. You found some profound and beautiful likes/loves! Good for you! Take good care!

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  23. This was a great post, Sandra. I'm sorry things are difficult right now and I hope they improve for you. In the meantime, finding things to appreciate really does make a difference, doesn't it?

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  24. Sometimes life's challenges are compounded, but you've given such sage advice. After awhile, changing your thought channel becomes automatic, well, with a little nudge. A Pink Saucer Magnolia tree! I told my daughter just the other week that it is a Tulip Tree. Glad to learn another name for it. Enjoyed reading through your blessings!

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