Order Out of Chaos

I continue to find peace in piecing -- and in knitting and embroidery -- when I'm not out in my yard, that is!

Since I last posted, I've done a great deal more shovelling of wood chips, edging of flower beds, and generally preparing my garden for planting.  I even managed to wrestle with my new lawn mower and mow the land (2 narrow lots) next to my home before it rained.

This baby is a Troybilt 159 cc, 21" 3-in-1 gas lawn mower with rear-wheel drive and push-button electric start!  Whoa! 

I've never owned a gas mower before, but there's no cord long enough for me to mow that piece of land with my electric one...so...I had to put on my Big Girl Pants and move up in the lawn mower power world! 

It's heavier, and far more complex: battery, charging source, oil, gasoline, 3 types of mowing -- mulching, grass bag and side chute...

And as per usual, the photos illustrating the assembly and operation were written by someone who never had to follow his own instructions! LOL! 

But I managed...and that lot got mowed.

Then the rains -- and the wind -- came, and I was most happy to hunker down inside again...sort of.  I spent Wednesday afternoon and Thursday stitching, but yesterday morning the rain lightened  up enough for me to get out early to the nursery for bedding plants, and to travel on up the road to Stettler for more topsoil to finish filling the raised bed.  Temps have been cool, so nothings actually planted yet...but starting tomorrow...

Meanwhile, as I mentioned, there's been peace to be found in the sewdio.

On the knitting front, work on my Tegna top continues, but the focus has been my May "Socks from Stash" project.  The first sock is finished and I'm making my way down the foot of the second.  Using 60 stitches, I just love how the colour play is working!

Yarn: Ancient Arts "Reinvent" in 'Calico Cat'
Pattern: "A Nice Ribbed Sock"
Designer: Glenna C.

A couple of posts ago, I mentioned in passing that I'd resumed work on an embroidered sampler designed by Jeannette Douglas of Calgary.  Having let it languish as a UFO for 20 years, I've firmly committed to finishing it and sending it to my friends for their 25th 45th wedding anniversary in August.  It's a bell pull, so I've sealed the deal by ordering the hardware and hope it will arrive in good time!  Meanwhile, this is how it looked a day or two ago:

As of this writing, there's a row of text below those flowers that has been completed, and I'm moving down the "trunk" of the Tower.  (There are gaps where buttons and beads are to go, and there are outlines to complete, but I always leave those to the end.)  

It's a rhythmic, quiet process that I particularly enjoy with my early morning coffee and again after dinner in the evening.

And in the sewdio...I've finally sandwiched the "Strip to Shore" quilt top, so it's ready to go under the needle.  My main focus though has been the orderly piecing of not one but two Bonnie Hunter mysteries.

Stack of 25 main blocks
for "Frolic!"

One is "Frolic!" which she released as a mystery per usual -- in November 2019 (free pattern link no longer available; this one is now available as a digital pattern and right now Bonnie has a sale going on those!)   

I finished all 25 of the main blocks some time ago, and set them aside.  In typical Bonnie fashion, it's a large quilt, and this one is set 'on point'.  

Well, now.  In the past 10 days I've returned to that project, and made even more progress -- to whit: I've finished the four (4) corner blocks.  Where in other quilts these might be corner triangles of one solid fabric, these ones are pieced -- such that they look like 1/4 of one of the "regular" blocks!!

And  I've finished four (4) of the twelve (count 'em!) "half-blocks" that will function as the "setting triangles" as this top gets put together in rows -- again, on point!

Each one is like assembling a jagged-edged jig-saw puzzle, with some mirror imaging involved -- meaning, with my eyesight (astygmatism among other things), continuing struggles to get every piece going in the right direction!  Still, I've persisted...

(L) pieces of the 1/2-block waiting to be assembled
(R) a stack of four (4) finished 1/2 blocks

See what I mean?

And then there's her "Unity" Sew-in-Place Project.  In a recent interview with Lyric Montgomery Kinard*, Bonnie admitted that this project was originally intended as her 2020 Mystery...but now...with COVID-19...she produced it early -- double quick! -- and will have to come up with something new for the fall.  With staying-at-home (for the most part in most places) being the order of the day, I'm guessing that will happen...but I have no idea for certain.

Anyway...This pattern is now complete (as of Monday, May 18) with eight parts.  As I set it aside after Part 2, I'm now playing catch-up. 

Who am I kidding?!  It's not a race!  I've just decided to take it up again because working on these blocks is very soothing, repetitive and peaceful.  More Order Out of Chaos!

I showed you the centre medallion HERE...and the next steps HERE.  Part 3 continues the theme.  Let's just say that Miss Bonnie is rather "star-struck" or "star crazy" with this quilt.  And yes, if you select colours in line with hers, it will have a distinctly American flavour...but being Canadian, I've changed it up a tiny bit, eh?  

So... there's another border of star blocks in process -- 36 in all.  As of this writing, I have 4 left to do in that column down the left side, but the photo was taken yesterday...

And here are a couple of the star blocks close up:

Even though I am not the world's greatest piecer, I continue to be amazed at how well my blocks turn out...and how everything seems to line up in the end!

As I've worked, I've particularly enjoyed vid-casts from Lyric Montgomery Kinard (especially her *Covi-chats) and from Kate Jackson (The Last Homely House East of the Sea).   I listen to Stitchery Stories (Susan Weeks).  The literary chats and poetry of Malcolm Guite and the music of Carrie Newcomer and Steve Bell (Canadian) bring hope and sustenance.  Podcasts from Parker Palmer (with Carrie Newcomer) and Krista Tippett (On Being) and Mary Hynes (Tapestry -- Canadian) bring inspiration and food for thought.

And right now, having everything line up in orderly rows; keeping Zoom meetings and online seminars and FB discussions to a minimum; sitting for long periods in quiet; going for long walks (no ear buds); and/or working in the garden (more rows) and with my hands -- well, that's what's supporting me.  

I don't make phone calls (much) and I take my time answering e-mail correspondence.  I have to manage the "noise" or it overwhelms.  I am thankful I have loving family and friends...and am satisfied in knowing that you think of me often and maybe even hold me in your prayers.  I hope before too long we can see each other in person...but for now...All is well.  All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well. (after Julian of Norwich)

I hope whatever you are doing to manage, wherever you are...that those practices are healthy, helpful and soul-sustaining.   I'm linking this up to Nina Marie's Off the Wall Friday (another great source of connection!) -- finding that she too has been 'creating order out of chaos' with reorganizing her studio.  I hope you all have a good week, Gentle Readers -- take care and stay safe!

It Happens Every Year

...around this time.  Between the Third and the Fourth Sunday in Advent.  No, I'm not talking about 'Ember Days' (for those of a Christian liturgical persuasion).  I'm talking about the edges of 'Christmassy' feelings -- some nostalgia, some sweetness, some anxiety, some delight.

I start to listen to Christmas-themed music -- everything from "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" on the vibraphone to "Oh Holy Night" sung by Celine Dion/Johnny Reid/A Major Choir Somewhere -- take your pick.  One of my favourites isn't a standard...it's from a Christmas Special made for television at Christmas 1984.  That's right.  It's so long ago that my now-married son was...well...only a few months expected, and had a good six or seven months to go before arrival (he chose six)...

Christmas Without You

Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

I watch the dancers in that video and remember the jive steps my Sweetie and I were learning in the mid-nineties before...well...before he had no legs to stand on...

I remember the year I took my son to see the full production of Handel's Messiah with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.  He was a newly-minted bass-baritone, learning the "Hallelujah Chorus" to sing at his high school's (ahem) "Holiday Concert"...and he wondered aloud, as we stood for that part of the Oratorio, "D'you think anyone would mind if I sang along?"  Little did we know that within a very few years there'd be a "Sing-along 'Messiah'" that would have fulfilled his wish...and that there'd evolve something called a "Flash Mob" which would have people singing it outside a concert hall setting altogether...

Handel in the Food Court, 2010

I dig out the creche and put part of it up on my buffet -- just the stable, the shepherd, a lamb and a donkey, for starters.

I get out all my Christmas card paraphernalia -- cards and stickers, return address labels, stamps, my favourite pen, and even -- in Momentous Years, such as 2016 -- compose a Christmas Letter, which I proceed to modify slightly for each household to which I send it.  This year Hanukkah and Christmas fall together, so I decided to add personal Hanukkah letters to my husband's family.  The ones to the U.K. and Spain were sent last week; the ones to the U.S. and Eastern Canada -- for the most part -- went out this afternoon.

I bug my kids about who's spending Christmas where.  As of "press time" this has been resolved!  Christmas Eve in Edmonton!  And Christmas Day!  And maybe a bit of Boxing Day too!

We need all the Light we can get this year, don't you think?  That's why on Christmas Eve at my daughter's home we'll light her Hanukkah menorah and mine, and say the prayers together -- mother, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, so that we might bring as much of the Light of this celebratory Season alive as we possibly can!

I plan (and sometimes execute) Christmas Baking.  This year, it's my Annual 5-Minute Fudge (from my "Fun to Cook Book" produced by Carnation Evaporated Milk (R) and a newbie -- "Cracker Candy".

I'll share some at church at our Annual Anglican Church Women-hosted Parish Christmas Dinner after our Lessons and Carols Service; some with my neighbours; perhaps some at The Shop; and some with my kids, and maybe there'll be some left to share with friends to whose home I've been invited for Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day.

I try to Knit Faster.  And sew faster.  Yes...the Annual Christmas Boxer Shorts are under construction again, along with -- this year, as in every few years -- Christmas Pyjama Pants for both my daughter and my new DIL...

I wrap parcels for mailing, which inevitably means that I have a duel-to-the-death fight with the packing tape.  **!!@@@**!!  Still, I managed to get the last two out-of-town gifts in the mail this morning, including one I can show you -- because the recipient knows it's coming...

And I figure out how many days I have left to finish all of the aforementioned tasks before Christmas Eve.

In the midst of all the muddle, some evenings I even manage to stop, to light a few candles, to pour a wee dram and sit quietly in the candle-light, pondering what is, for me, the Reason for The Season...

Blessings to you and yours, Gentle Readers -- for whatever your Reason for Celebrating The Season in this dark time of year up here in the Northern Hemisphere, this dark time in world history -- may we each BE the Light we want to see in the world.

Don't Let Your Halo Pinch Your Ears

It's easy this week with all that's happened, with all the kudos and praise and 'likes' for the book, with the first flurry of pre-orders, to get caught up in the whirlwind...

But as I crawl into bed with my cuppa and my book this Friday evening, a Sabbath eve for my Jewish friends and family, I too need to pause, as my mentor Bonnie suggested, and as Tim McGraw reminded me...and now, Carrie Newcomer...

Three Feet or So

When I'm weary lost or sad, Overwhelmed or just fed up, I say grace for what I have. And most the time that is enough.

We are body, skin and bones, We're all the loss we've every known, What is gone is always near, We're all the love that brought us here.

Chorus: And the things that have saved us Are still here to save us. Its not out there somewhere Its right here, its right here.

If I start by being kind, Love usually follows right behind. It nods its head and softly hums Saying "Honey that's the way it’s done."

We don't have to search for love, Wring our handsand wring our hearts, All we have to do is know The love will find us in the dark

Chorus: And the things that have saved us Are still here to save us. Its not out there somewhere Its right here, its right here. 

I can't change the whole world. But I can change the world I know, What's within three feet or so.

We are body, skin and bones, We're all the love we've every known, When I don’t know what is right, I hold it up into the Light.

I hold it up into the Light.

I hold it up into the Light.

--  Words and lyrics by Carrie Newcomer - 2016 

Or as my mother would have said, "Don't let your halo pinch your ears."  :-)

Love you, Mom!

Because...

Perhaps we all need a little peace and quiet right now...

Carrie Newcomer

Holy As The Day Is Spent (Lyrics)

Holy is the dish and drain
The soap and sink, the cup and plate
And the warm wool socks, and the cold white tile
Showerheads and good dry towels

And frying eggs sound like psalms
With a bit of salt measured in my palm
It’s all a part of a sacrament
As holy as a day is spent

Holy is the busy street
And cars that boom with passion’s beat
And the check-out girl, counting change
And the hands that shook my hands today

Hymns of geese fly overhead
And stretch their wings like their parents did
Blessed be the dog
That runs in her sleep
The catch that wild and elusive thing

Holy is a familiar room and the quiet moments in the afternoon
And folding sheets like folding hands
To pray as only laundry can

I’m letting go of all I fear
Like autumn leaves of earth and air
For summer came and summer went
As holy as a day is spent

Holy is the place I stand
To give whatever small good I can
The empty page, the open book
Redemption everywhere I look

Unknowingly we slow our pace
In the shade of unexpected grace
With grateful smiles and sad lament
As holy as a day is spent

And morning light sings “providence”
As holy as a day is spent

Lyrics taken from http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/carrie-newcomer-lyrics/holy-as-the-day-is-spent-lyrics.html