This week I've managed to grasp little moments to myself. It's been very difficult since Otto came to join our family, to find any time. I hope when he gets older, I will be able to leave him for a few hours, pop down to my studio and immerse myself in the colour and creativity. My own little bubble at the bottom of the garden.
I took him down there today...you can image the chaos! He was soon evicted out into the garden after he tried to eat my yarn and then my slippers. He ran up and down the garden, getting into all sorts of trouble, then he would trot down to the studio, and bark at me through the window. There is one good thing from all this chaos, I've not laughed so much in years, he does the silliest things.
My crochet blanket is growing...I'm trying to do six squares a day. I need to edge them, I'm not sure if I will use white or grey yet. Probably white as I've plenty left, but then again, I do like a splash of grey.
This week I've felt an almost overwhelming gratitude for my life, and the good things I've got in it. The world is full of heartache and conflicts at the moment. I am grateful that I'm surrounded by love, from my great friends, as well as my family. I am grateful for my home, that I have enough money to pay the bills each week, warm beds to sleep in at night, and food in my cupboard.
I am also very aware of how fluid life is, how things can change, in an instant. I'm grateful for what I have right now, and I certainly don't take it for granted. It's good to have hopes and dreams, but it's also good to look at the here and now. I am very grateful for those little moments of time that I've managed to grab this week, and for my ever growing blanket.
Not sure where all that came from, this post was really just going to be about my blanket.
What are you grateful for today?
Amanda :) xxx
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I'm afraid your home sounds much like ours did this time last year with a young pup! Practice leaving him in the house for short periods and extend the length over a period of time. Maybe try taking a dog bone or a kong filled with peanut butter down to the studio with you it might keep him quiet for a short while!
ReplyDeleteI have handed in my notice today and am grateful I can do that without worrying where my next penny is coming from. Sarah x
Thanks Sarah, he does get left in his crate, for short periods now. He loves a kong filled with peanut butter and treats, licks it out at Olympic speed! ;) xxx
DeleteI find the best time with our 3 dogs to sit and craft is after a good walk, they're usually tired and are happy to curl up next to me and sleep xx
ReplyDeleteHe's not keen on long walks unless it's in the woods...playing with his doggy mates wears him out though! ;) xxx
DeleteI am ,like you,grateful for the simple things in life.Things can change in an instant and we should make the most of every day.this is often easier said than done.Today we had a New Year lunch with 100 plus other U3A members.Great food and great company.Then we drove 45 min
ReplyDeleteUtes to collect our granddaughters from and have them for a couple of hours.Always a happy time with lots of fun and laughter.Their dog has just had his little operation and is wearing a cone collar until things have healed up.So funny watching him.He is such a character and such a part of the family.
I have put out all my odd balls of wool and I think you have inspired me to do some squares.
Sounds like you've been having some lovely times, glad you've been inspired to crochet! :) xxx
DeleteI am glad that you have much to be grateful for. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Any :) xxx
DeleteYou're right, it's always good to look at the here and now and be aware of how good things are. Dear little Otto, he's so very adorable, I can quite imagine how much he makes you laugh. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteHe's the funniest little thing CJ :) xxx
DeleteGratitudes, even for the simplest things in life, are the key to happiness and contentment. "Count your blessings day by day, and your troubles will go away"...
ReplyDeleteYour blanket is going to be gorgeous and so joyful, I love those happy colors. (Love the bag, too!)
Aaah, Otto :)) The fact that he's making you laugh is a blessing in itself. He'll soon grow up...
Having married a sweet Italian (for 42 years, now), I can only be happy seeing your magazine, and it brings joy to my heart.
THANKS for this lovely post, and for the inspiration !
Greetings from my little country village, in Belgium.
NADINE
Hello Nadine, thank you so much for you're lovely comment :) xxx
DeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteI love your granny squares and I think white would make the colors in the squares "pop". So glad you have your studio and will soon be able to enjoy it more. I love mine although I don't go out to it as much in the cold weather. I love being in it when I can open the windows and hear the birds sing.
Mickie, Indiana USA
I was hoping for snow today Mickie, I was going to go down and watch the birds in the snow, minus Otto! No snow sadly, but I will still pop down. I think white will be good, I'm going to put a row on a few and see :) xxx
DeleteIt is always good to read you blog as you do inspire me to see the world as it is and to be thankful for what we have. Otto is running rings around you still, hopefully he will in time not be so demanding, cats are so much easier!It is good you are finding a few moments to crochet and even visit your studio, wonder how you heat it in the cold as think we are in for a cold spell now after a mild one so far
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, what a lovely thing to say. I think Otto will always run rings around me, he's so fast...Minnie is so easy to look after! We've just got a lovely heater...so I will be all snug :) xxx
DeleteBless Otto he is so cute no wonder you smile :-) Having 2 greyhounds one that is blind and one that is nervous and anxious I can never leave them for long an hour maximum so I understand where you are coming from we take them everywhere with us but some times it would be nice to have a little break. Your little space looks so cosy and colourful and so does your blanket. I am thankful for lots of things my health being one of them as living with fibromyalgia it can be up and down, im thankful for my family my eldest sons being in remission from his crochns disease and my youngest son is still here after taking an over dose 2 days before Christmas I probably shouldn't have put that and im thankful for the chance of our new life in the country and for my wonderful husband. dee xx
ReplyDeleteOh Dee, how awful for you all. There is still so much to do to raise awareness of suicide and mental health amongst young men. My family too have been affected by suicide, it's affects are felt for many, many years. I do hope you are all getting the support you need xxx
DeleteLovely post. Like you, I have so much to be grateful for and you have made me realise that. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLiz
Bless you Liz :) xxx
DeleteWhat a lovely post. Yes, I too believe that we all need to live in the moment, and treasure every single minute of every day. Your home, studio, work and pooch all look lovely. Love and hugs Sue xx
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to forget to live like this but it's so important, for happiness and balance :) xxx
DeleteOtto looks like such a playful little character. I didn't have my Rocky from a pup but he is now a very much loved & valued member of the family. Its good to be grateful for things isn't it xx
ReplyDeleteHe's a little dog with a huge personality Jo ;) xxx
DeleteAfter weeks and weeks of rain and floods i was grateful to see the sun today and the snow on the lakeland hills ,i wanted to skip and jump for joy ,your little pooch will settle down in another yr or so ,its just like having a child ,but they dont answer back ha ha ,love your blog by the way xx
ReplyDeleteThe rain and grey has been relentless hasn't it, we are lucky that we've never had any flooding here but some poor families have been devastated. Yes the sun is very welcome. Does barking count as answering back?! ;) xxx
DeleteI'm gratefull for so many little things in life... like the blue muscari's in my garden...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind reaction on my blog.
Love,
Mirjam
It is beautiful Mirjam...and let's us know that spring is just around the corner :) xxx
DeleteI'm grateful for a couple of hours off - which has allowed me to catch up on reading blogs! I'm currently sitting in the village cafe with my laptop and enjoying a bit of thinking time.
ReplyDeleteJoe managed to flood the (new) bathroom on Tuesday and we have the watermarks across the dining room ceiling to prove it. Being responsible for children and animals can be relentless and exhausting, can't it?
S x
Oh no Sarah, we've had similar here, especially when newly independent children want to take themselves to the toilet, but put way too much paper down the loo! Hope you enjoyed your few hours solitude! ;) xxx
DeleteA lovely and thoughtful post dear Amanda. Beautiful images of your crochet squares, Otto and Minnie. Otto is certainly growing up and it's good to see that he gas settled happily into your family. I am grateful for many blessings, just at present the abundance of yellow and orange flowers on my french marigolds, they look so bright and their fragrance is so fresh.
ReplyDeleteHugs
xoxoxo
Oh Dianne, I always find it so funny that the other side of the world is enjoying summer as we are freezing...I've got lots of free seeding marigolds in mine, the bees love them :) xxx
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