14 March 2020

Goodies & Getting Through It


How's that for a happy little burst of spring color? I spent yesterday visiting some of my favorite local small businesses, in my own small effort to help out ahead of what may be a very trying few months for them. We may as well talk about it, since it's the only thing anyone is talking about: the virus, the quarantines, the recommendations to stay at home as much as possible. For a lot of people, for various reasons, there's a great deal of stress associated with staying home a lot. Everyone's situation is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution, but I will just offer this: be good to yourself. 

If you've been reading here for a while, you know I'm a big believer in goodies, usually the smaller the better. Big goodies are really fun but they're usually few and far between. It's the little goodies that get us through a hard day, a tough week. Stash is always at the top of the list, but there are so many small things that can lift our spirits. I love lip balm and have a vast collection (and I shamelessly added to it yesterday). I love hand cream. I love a brand new, successful recipe. I love carnations. I love getting a new book (which I also did yesterday). I love a piping hot cup of tea. I love 40's music and old time radio. I love little sparkly things, whatever they may be. I love sharing a scone with Tiger Lily every morning. I love finishing my needlework. I love blogging and sharing my stitching.

Think about your list of "loves" and then really focus on allowing yourself to enjoy them. It's a worrying time, and a lot of us have a tendency to get so wrapped up taking care of stuff and other people that we forget we might need a little care, too. The ceiling is not going to fall in if you take a few minutes to savor a cup of your favorite tea. Or go for a walk. Or bake something scrumptious. Be good to yourself.

I was being very good to myself yesterday! I picked up a few Market goodies I had ordered. Here's that gorgeous sampler I posted about a while back.

I already had the fabric (PTP Shale) and even though I don't know when I'll be able to start this, I picked up most of the hand dyed threads, too. Look at these colors!

Look at this pretty fox!

Last year was the first year for the Nashville Market cookbook. I'm so glad they decided to do it again. It's full of recipes from designers and has some small charts in it, too. There are a few more designs from Market I've got my eye on, but Huckleberry Farm and Fox & Friend were my top two. 


It's a snowy spring day and I've been thinking a lot about everything going on in the world, and doing a great deal of praying. There are hopeful signs that things won't be as bad here in the United States as they are elsewhere, but it's impossible to know for sure, and even a best case scenario results in a lot of suffering. I've always aimed to make this blog a happy place, free of the negativity that seems to permeate every aspect of life these days. I have always wanted this to be a place of calm and cheerfulness and creativity. An escape. With that in mind, over the next few weeks I hope to be blogging more frequently. Nothing fancy, just more frequent, "Hey! How are y'all doing? Here's what I'm up to." Think of it as checking in on your neighbors, blogger-style. I've got spring projects to stitch, finishing to do, recipes to try, and just general spring busyness around the house. So after you've caught up on the news (I recommend not marinating in it), stop by here and see what Tiger Lily and I are up to. The blog's always open and you're always welcome to pop in.

Happy Hand Washing!

16 comments:

  1. I think that fox design is just perfect, it's got such a balance to it. I hope it's as much fun to stitch as it's appealing to look at. Stay safe:)

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  2. Very well said. Thanks for the reminder. Love your market purchases. Enjoy your time. I look forward to your updates.

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  3. Thank you for this. I am in Sydney Australia and we are in the throes of edgy panic with virus and crashing stock markets. Good on you for doing this blog, I will really look forward to reading it (as I always do). Robyn

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  4. Lovely post! Thank you for your positive approach and your ideas for focusing on the small happy things in our lives. It's certainly a challenging time, and I think trying to do this will help. I've been thinking along the same lines and trying to focus on the things that make me and my family happy. I always look forward to reading your blog, thank you for planning to check in with everyone more often. Take care.
    Mary

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  5. Super Market purchases, Honeybee! I really like the variegated threads in the first picture. Are they Cosmo threads? The threads for the Huckleberry Farm (should I admit that I wrote Finn first?) are gorgeous. I am always up for a new blog from you and Tiger Lily! Enjoy your weekend and be good to yourself!

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  6. Thank you of you post. I do think that now is the time to relish the good in life and find time for happy moments. I intend to enjoy my stitching. x

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  7. Beautiful fabrics & flosses.
    I too love Huckleberry Farm & all of the nature motifs.
    It's on my list!
    Mr. Fox is beautiful too.
    Looking forward to your posts.
    Say HI to Tiger Lily!
    Marilyn

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  8. I thought of you when I bought this copper fox sweater on clearance: https://www.loft.com/luxe-knit-fox-sweater/514658. I love that springtime fabric and floss. Huckleberry Farm is going to be gorgeous and I think Fox & Friend is sweet. The minute I read your statement about a hot cup of tea, I put my laptop aside and made myself one. I think enjoying tea and a scone with Tiger Lily sounds wonderful. I am thinking about making some Irish Soda Bread scones today, but that requires a trip to the grocery store which I am trying to avoid as much as possible. I adore little cookbooks like that. Enjoy all of your goodies.

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  9. Thanks Honeybee! I have quit watching the news and was shocked after a week long absence from my favorite grocery store, how empty some shelves were! Lovely colors you are showing and I love your new stash, so pretty. I have yet to see what has been released after market. Take care!

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  10. Lovely post! You have some beautiful projects and refreshing thoughts....I'll be stitching along with you....and I also have Mr. Fox heading my way...He was just way too debonair to resist! :-)

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  11. I found a fox freebie you may like!

    http://matryoshkabiscornue.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-fox.html?m=1

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  12. The top picture is so pretty and springy. Be pretty printed and put up on the wall or computer desktop. Your blog is wonderful, and your projects are so beautiful. And with the Lovely Tiger Lily, a great place to stop and enjoy .

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  13. What were the measurements of the fabric that you used for Huckleberry Farm? I have the chart coming and would like to order the fabric! Thanks, and I love your blog posts!

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    1. Thank you! The fabric is a standard cut measuring 26" x 35" (32 ct.).

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