Another Gray Day

nother gray and weird day woke me up in the morning. No sun light, not even memory of it on the dark, colorless sky. Branches of trees in front of my window creates odd pattern, rain drops make every brunch dark and glossy. Branches moves, and moves without any sign of wing. Seems like they alive and not too happy… Red cardinal started his song, and suddenly stopped and run away. Gray fog gets closer and covered ground. “Shhhh….. Shhh….” – it is sound of cars driving somewhere around, but I can’t see them, seems like all planet covered in heavy mist today… Silent and monochromatic picture…
And then came wind and colors became lighter. It is still gray, but now I can see trees, and fields, and cars again. Then came one of our engineers with slice of cheese cake from his wife Tomoko - and world don’t look so gray to me anymore! I shawl cake with cup of coffee before I realize I have to make photo! Oh, what a shame! Then came another guy and gave me tiny bottle of cognac for cooking – hey, did I tell you before how much I love my job??? I can handle cheese cakes and others gifts every single day! Well… Sometimes I made for them home-made staff too, so it is two-way road! Not like I just taking, I am happy to give to… But it always feels like I didn’t tell or show enough back to the good people HOW much I appreciate their kindness…

Some Cupids

esterday I drove to Ann Arbor to see my daughter and even spent night in her tiny apartment. It was long and stressful week, I was so happy to see her again (and to have my camera back too!)...

Oh, boy! She like it HOT - literally! I believe it was 80 degrees or more in her bedroom! I was roasted all night and hardly survive till morning.

Likely it is cold and crisp outside and only 72 in the office; our guys don’t mind it! It is still winter here, even without any snow. My daughter took the photo of sky in the campus – doesn’t it look, like we have winter again???
Of course, we spent few hours at Panera. Actually, it is the best place to do homework. And eat, and chat, and browse Internet. Then we went home and finally I was able to make couple photos of my project.

I making sampler with the few cupids and late will add to it dozen birds and may be some letters, hiding between flowers and wines. As usually I don’t have any clear plan. I will see what happens! I also almost finished another small heart and it is time to stuff my project tonight. I can’t wait!

I think I will take little brake from big projects and start making couple biscornu - tiny eight-sided embroidered pillow that can be used as a pincushions, a holiday ornament, key chain or a scissor fob. Usually it filled with dry flower petals or herbs to make a sachet... I think you will see the first one soon!

Post About Nothing.

hat’s right! Nothing happened since yesterday. I didn’t sew, stitch, cook, clean or even read. I have a migraine! Best what I can do just fall asleep and try to sleep as long as possible. So I did. It helps little bit, as usual.

Early in the morning I received e-mail from my daughter with BACON. She knows how much I love bacon! Who doesn’t? There it is:

The photo of bacon doesn’t have any special meaning in my post. Sorry – it just make me smile! Who was this crafty woman, who weaved bacon strips?!! I have no idea, but I should admit – it is fun!

I make photos of couple my old projects and want to share with you.

It is two socks, or stockings (I still not understand difference, even I open dictionary …). Usually it takes an evening or two to finish them. In winter they hold dry lavender or ivy. In summer, I place small, vintage apothecary bottle with water and keep fresh flowers from my garden. Either way it works and looks good!

Another is holder for the cinnamon sticks – oh, I love this one! Sometimes I found pattern I love, and in excitement, I start stitching without thinking HOW actually I will use it! That was one of such projects. Surprisingly, it is one of my favorite.

Ooops! Cinnamon sticks mysteriously disappeared, I just noticed it. What happened??! I have no idea…

My David Austin roses came, and I even didn’t open the box.

I don’t know what to do now – it is still cold in Michigan. I can’t plant them… I don’t have garage to keep them… Our tiny garden house (in reality it is just a shed to keep lawnmower and tools) too cold, I suppose, and roses will not survive… Besides, I can’t keep them at home – it is too worm, buds will reinforced to grow. Is anybody can tell me what I suppose to do now?

More snow today....

Tonight silent snow covered ground. I woke up and soft-blue light outside the window make me smile – I knew it suppose to be flurry!

Mild and soft, large snow flakes little by little floating down the sky and it become quiet – no sounds of birds today. The snow is fluffy and crisp, perfect day for taking cross country skiing or to walk at the forest.

I spotted bunnies’ footprint in the backyard, he coming often to my garden now, big lover of blueberries and cuts from apple tree. All summer he hides under the blooming bushes and pretend to be one of my garden decorations – he doesn’t move, no any motion, even his eyes not blinking. But in the moment, I turn my head out – he jumps and run out. Silly bunny! We don’t eat bunnies! We feed them!

My hardy rosemary fluffed up tiny leaves, and proudly shows new dress, designed by talented master - winter.

Even my Danish shoes on the porch have some fresh treat, little sparkle of white.

Winter again. I love you, winter!

Mr. White Vest

It was little more crazy week than usual. And it was gorgeous! What a shame to spend it at home - we went out, my husband took me for some antique shopping and lunch. I even worked in my garden, trimming old shrubs, raking leaves and soaking in the sun light. My entire body sore now, I think I overworked and overestimated my power. As usual. Funny part, it happens every spring, it is actually sign of spring to…
Today is cold and gray day again , they even promised more snow. But spring is coming! It is in the air already! I spotted five or six Canadian geese’s flying across the lake – they are back! Small gang of sparrows fighting around the bird fitter, making incredible beautiful to my ears noise. Our baby-squirrel ( we adopted him three or four years ago) not bagging for food anymore, but digging last survived bulbs of tulips from my garden and flirting with girls . It is spring!
New squirrel came for the lunch. He have an unusual coat, seems like he dressed in white vest. I think it is some cross-bread between black and gray. We named him Mr. White Vest and welcome him with few peanuts. And, most important, I almost finished another heart. I think I will stitch bunny in the middle, I don’t know yet! Or bird... Or rooster... Or letter "E"...

Good news – tumor not back

ood news – tumor not back, we will have MRI done in couple weeks again. My daughter doesn’t need radiation so far. Doctor was as usually clever, answer all our questions, give some more options, and most important, he sounds very positive now. I feel I have wings again! (Forgot to tell – my daughter and I both think he is handsome, it is important part of treatment too!). All her response for the excellent news was: “I told you!” I need to pay attention to what she told… At least sometimes ... What a conception…

Driving was terrible! It took 3 hours for usual 45 minutes trip. But gosh, snow is beautiful! There is a photo of Christmas tree just next to my doter’s apartment. I took it today, before 7 a.m.

I also have lunch with beautiful girl Nanamy from Japan. Then she discovered power of Marshall – shopping much less expensive in US. Funny part, I look like a toll girl on a photo. Actually I am 5’2”, she even smaller! By the way, Nanami in Japanese sound like noise of ocean waves – isn’t it beautiful ?

I have time in the doctor’s office to finish couple designs in me notebook. First one is for my bed; I will do it in rosémailing technique. But I need to wait for summer. And I also try to make some monogram in same style, but it didn’t turn well. It’s OK, I still learning.

Snow, birds and needlepoint

We have more snow this week – it’s getting out control. And it is beautiful too. I know, we suppose to complain about cold, snow, darkness, bad driving and slippery roads. I can’t - I love winter. I adore waking up Saturday morning and feed birds and squirrels. Our back yard full of water and we can’t reach large bird feeder, so we just pull out of the garden house an old one and place it in front yard. I guess we are the most popular house on the street now! Hey! I love it!
Dozens and dozens birds left footprints on the snow. They eat it all in couple hours – poor creatures! They mast be really hungry. I will brave tomorrow - I will walk thru the snow and swampy ground of our backyard to poor more food at the biggest birdfeeder we have. Actually it is birdbath, but every winter it became a Mecca for local pigeons, doves, robins, and sparrows. Occasionally coming Blue Birds and couple of Red Cardinals – what a tropical colors on the white clouds of snow!
I also continue my next project – rework on wool canvas. As you can see, I almost finished it, but I am not sure what it will be finally. Canvas bag with toile inside layer and needle pointed pockets for flea market discoveries? Or I can simply frame it? I don’t know yet…


I posted photo of birds I found about year ago in the resale shop. They are so lovely, but I don’t know how you suppose to call them in English. Russian name is SNEGIRY, came from world SHEG – snow. They are one of my favorite birds…

It is snowing again…

Real winter finally hit roads of Michigan. I spent morning shoveling snow in front of house – bad idea! It is still snowing, I just waist my time doing it.
However, I managed to pull my car to the road and slowly (really-really slow! I mean it!) drove to the Joe Randozzo’s – my favorite place to do shopping every Saturday. My plan today to make slow roasted tomatoes, staffed peppers and Muhammara - Bell Pepper Spread with some almonds and molasses.
Sure, I stop for some coffee and bread at Panera. Muhammara can be good reason to have slice or two sourdough bread.
No other plans for evening! My husband out of home till evening, so I can do some painting or needlepoint… Whoever I will feel inspired today. And read – Aristotle Nicomachean ethics. I found lot of appealing in the way how he describes it.
Almost forgot - there is new needlepoint I finished and finally framed. It placed in our TV / computer/ craft room, and waiting for another bird be framed one day.

Finally we have a winter in Michigan