Gratitude Wednesday

It's another Gratitude Wednesday, and just one day before the Thanksgiving holiday in the US. This week, I am grateful for so much....

spending time with my mother for the holiday
the ability to provide a home for myself
my creativity
my headaches being slightly more manageable than they were
the little love seat in my office... for afternoons when the headache catches up with me
the ability to put good food on the table
excellent neighbors, including Brooke who brought me soup when I was under the weather
the love in my life
hand lotion, as it gets colder and my hands feel dry (simple but wonderful!)
the ability to laugh at even the smallest of things
life, the verb.

What are you celebrating today?

Thanksgiving Prep

This weekend I did a bit of preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving is truly my favorite holiday. I love the idea of giving thanks for the blessings in our lives. I love the idea of people coming together to break bread and celebrate. I love the foods I have but once a year, like my mother's sweet potatoes.

This year, I'm having a fuller table. My mom is coming to town on Tuesday. My friends Dorthe and Robyn are coming for dinner. Robyn's father is also coming. I'm grateful for all of these loved ones gathering together, knowing dinner will be filled with laughter and friendship.

On Saturday, I went shopping at TJMaxx. I got a couple of things for the centerpiece, which will be small so we can fit all of the food on the table. I also got some Christmas gifts - woohoo, I'm almost done with my shopping!

And, I made a trip to Wegmans to get all of my groceries. Although it is a bit of a drive from my apartment, they have the best produce in the area. I now I have a 12 pound "young, fresh turkey" in my fridge. (It sounds so cougar-like.) I also made some applesauce that may or may not make it to Thursday! I have one more day to accomplish the laundry and cleaning before my mom comes.

Today, I was able to carve out a little time to work on my friend's Christmas quilt. I made about 5 mistakes while sewing pieces together so the seam ripper was highly utilized! But, I'm genuinely loving how things are coming together and I think she'll really love the final product.

A wonderful weekend leading into a wonderful week....

So Much Fabric, So Little Time

Amy just got back from Japan and I have to say, is a horrible temptress. I just almost spent $60 in her shop on adorable fabrics. Seriously, I had to close down the tab. And then I opened fabricworm. Oy! Really, what was I thinking??? I somehow managed to walk away. However, I'm pretty confident that paypal credit is doomed by weekend's end.

Handspun Beauty

I've been remiss, due to not feeling well, in blogging about this wonderful yarn I won from Becky's recent contest. It's handspun baby alpaca loveliness! Aren't I the luckiest? Now, to find the perfect pattern to compliment it....

Another Etsy Item

I haven't been an overwhelmingly productive crafter lately due to being under the weather. (By the way, did I ever tell you about the psychic who told me my father was under the weather? This was in college. My father died when I was 14. So, in a sense, he was right. The phrase "under the weather" always makes me think of that.) However, last night I finished up this baby set. I promised to have it done by the middle of the week and I like to keep my word.

My friend Allie was looking for a gift for a friend of her's. She needed something green and yellow to go with the theme of the baby's room. I was happy to order some new flannel so I could oblige the request. The items tied together on the left are a stroller blanket, a burp cloth and a bib. I threw in a small patchwork cloth. Allie is pregnant so she can either gift it with the set or keep it for herself. Tomorrow, it gets mailed out!

T-shirt Quilt

I'm hoping to take this pile home, along with a few other shirts, and make a small-ish t-shirt quilt for one of the students I've worked with for two years. I think it would be meaningful to her and relatively speaking, an easy gift. I'm waiting on a few other shirts but hoping I can use the winter break time off to get a start on this. She's done with her office at the end of January. Although the quilt most likely won't be done then, it would be nice to have made a good start of it....

See, my brain is thinking creatively even if my hands are not!

Seeking the Positive

In general, I tend to be all about the silver lining. I believe everything in life has some positive, which we can see if we try. And, I also try to focus on the positive in my life within this blog. I believe positivity breeds positivity....

As I've told you, lately I've been waylaid by a string of migraines, coming on a daily basis. The medication prescribed be the doctor was good for dismissing the headache that day; however it came back again the next. This Saturday, I emailed my doctor regarding the on-going pain. It has been cutting into my efficiency at work and my love for life. My doctor, bless her heart, emailed me on Sunday. After two email exchanges, I'm on the way to trying a new prescription and hopefully combating this pain. I'm so impressed, and deeply grateful, by the Sunday exchange with my doctor.

Between working and headache pain, this weekend was a bit of a wash. Although I managed to varnish some el cheapo Ikea frames (love 'em) not much else was done. Sewing primarily took a backseat, as did socializing with friends. I'm hoping since I have to depart work early today to handle some Comcast shenanigans, to squeeze a wee bit of crafting in this afternoon.

Playing with Fabric

What I've been doing....

Flea Market Finds....

On Sunday, I got to visit my favorite Buffalo flea market again. Since it was a gorgeous day - 60 degrees in Buffalo in November!! - there were a lot of vendors there hoping to clear out their stock before the winter.

I was able to purchase this little step ladder for $6. It was originally marked at $16 and then marked down to $8. As I'm looking at it, trying to figure out where in my apartment could become a home, the vendor walked up and said I could have it for $6. I am still not sure it has found its right home, but for now it is in the bedroom. I'm glad I didn't walk away... I think I would have regretted it.

I also got this orange crate. It's a pretty simply one with no markings on the side. It was marked at $3 and the vendor tried to give me this one and another one for this price. When I wouldn't take the second one, he gave me a dollar back! Again, not sure this is the final home. Or its final color. I am contemplating sanding it and painting it a light green.

And, I bought a Christmas present. One of the vendors was selling (somewhat) vintage pins for a variety of baseball teams. My boss is a big Phillies fan so this will make its way to him for the holidays. It's just perfect!

My mom got an AWESOME sideboard for her dining room for only $20. It is a gorgeous piece (I should have taken a picture). I will admit I kind of strongly encouraged her to purchase it. But I know she doesn't regret it!

And, we bought a large milk jug for a family friend's umbrella and cane. He served in WWII and this was a Veteran's Day/you're good people gift. My mom is going to re-paint it for him, as he is out of town currently.

Altogether, I spent $23 and my mom spent $25! Fantastic outing!

Gratitude Wednesday

I'm again celebrating Gratitude Wednesday. On this Veteran's Day, I'm grateful for the men and women who have served or are serving the United States. Thank you for all you do to protect and defend.

On a smaller scale:

• I'm grateful to my doctors for taking me seriously with regards to this on-going migraine. I'm home again today, hoping a solution is around the corner.
  
• I'm grateful for the rain cleaning the dead bugs off my windshield.
  
• I'm grateful for a little dog that likes to snuggle when I'm not feeling well.
• I'm grateful for a fridge stocked with food... ziti, English muffins, apples, Lean Pockets.... all of these will get me through the week.