Me On A Monday - April 22nd

 

It's spring & like most people I'm into a mindset of spring cleaning.  I've seen a lot of posts about de-cluttering.  I've also read on the subject of why we stuff our homes & ourselves with things.  It has made for some interesting reading but it has also made me feel very much like a failure at life & a contributor to the world's ills.  I'm going to stop reading those books, un-subscribe to the daily/weekly emails about de-cluttering & opt out of those FaceBook groups - thank you but I'm good for now.

One phrase that popped up repeatedly on uTube vids, blog posts & books were  "De-own so no need to de-clutter" .  A lofty goal for sure.  I know that there are experts in the field of de-cluttering, down sizing & sparking joy but for now I'm going to strike out on my own path of what I need to do with all my stuff. I know it is not an overnight cure/fix. I also know I do not want to be a minimalist or live in a home reflecting nothing about me.   I think it is good to stop, pause before a purchase; do I really need or is this a want, is the want to fill something else that is missing or hurting.  Sorry to my crafting stores but I'll be absent for a few weeks/months.  In sorting through clothes, I've made a list of the things I need & have decided that is where my dollars will go for a few months, but really shopping for some new bras isn't as exciting as shopping for some new stamps or scrap paper!

So sorting through all my scrapping stuff I've made some discoveries & with the resolve of using, I've made a few pages for my "Month Of Numbers" 2019 project.  They are not turning into works of arts, but it is clearing through some of the bits & bobs that aren't really favourites.  I've completed February's & March's  page & have set up the pages for April & May.  Here's what March look like.

Take Three Thursday - Easter Colours

In an effort to notice more of the ordinary in my life, I have decided to share what I have noticed this week in Take Three Thursday.   The idea is to take photos that are linked some how; by theme, by colour, by date, by moment,  by points of view. There is no formal link in but please feel free to join in.     

What have you noticed this week? 

It's Easter weekend & what could be more fitting than to celebrate renewal with flowers & plants showing off their coats of many colours.

I really like the Easter Lily but cannot have them at home because everything about them are poisonous to cats.  I wanted to have one on my desk at work but the scent is far too strong for many of the patients.  Thankfully we have them as part of the display at church.

In this part of the world,  hydrangea at Easter at the second most common plant/flower.  The blue were my Mother's favourite.

Of course at this time of year are the multi coloured primroses, not hardy in the outside in our part of the world.  Such a cheerful lot.   

Wishing everyone all the blessings of the Easter season.  Good Friday is a holiday for us but other than schools & government run offices, Monday is not. 

Me On A Monday - April 15th

Tulips in my garden pushing through which gives rise to hope ...

I had such a wonderful moment last week.  The library called to say there was a book in for me - yeah.  When I got there to pick up the book, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, I thought oh, OK, I don't remember requesting, but a need a read ... when I said to the lovely young librarian that I didn't remember requesting, she said "oh you didn't, I knew how much you liked the author's first book, The Keeper of Lost Things, so when I saw that she had a new book, I put you on the wait list."  How cool is that - they know me, they look after me at my library.  I am forever grateful for this kindness.  Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes has taken a few chapters to really get into, but I have now embraced the main character & her friends.

I also picked up a book I had requested, The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker.  I read about 4 chapters & then got out of bed & started to de-clutter a table top 4 drawer bin of scrapping stuff.  Three of those drawers are now empty.  Next day I tackled the big 6 drawer storage bin - I cleared out two drawers before I started the "well maybe I'll keep, I may need"  When I hear myself say that, I know I'm done for that moment of de-cluttering & sorting.  I think my time limit is about 15-20 minutes of really productive sorting, after that I then start bargaining with myself. In the next couple of weeks I will tackle my closets - yes I said the plural, I have more than one & in there may lie the problem.  Mind you living in a 4 season multi climate place, it does require major differences in wardrobe needs & hence a need for multiply closets - there justified - BUT - they still need de-cluttering & sorting.

I made these cards at the last Sunday card workshop.  I now stamp all envelopes in the belief that there should be no naked envelopes going out into the postage system.

It's a go for starting the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt May 1st.  I'll post the list before the end of this month.  I hope everyone joins in for the fun.  

Take Three Thursday - Patience Sees Red

In an effort to notice more of the ordinary in my life, I have decided to share what I have noticed this week in Take Three Thursday.   The idea is to take 1 - 3 photos that are linked some how; by theme, by colour, by date, by moment,  by points of view. There is no formal link in but please feel free to join in.    What have you noticed this week? 

See what others have noticed this week:
Melissa at Daily Life - Bits & Pieces
Karen at Random Reflections

This week I have been most fortunate that my patience has paid off.  The very nervous male cardinal that visits my garden & feeder, finally has enough confidence in me not to fly too far if I'm in the garden.  Earlier this week I saw him in the garden, I quickly crept outside with camera & stood very still for the longest time so that he would return to the feeder.  


He first landed at the bottom of the garden on the fence & he sang a little. I thought oh aren't you gorgeous, but not a muscle moved nor a sound did I make.  

He bravely then landed on one of the big rocks, OK this is going well, be still be still.  

Next he flew the closest he has ever been while I'm in the garden - to the ground below the feeder.  I just about squealed with joy.  He enjoyed some of the past their sell by date cranberries I had thrown out earlier along with the nuts & seed of the blend I buy.  

Such a magnificent bird with one of the most beautiful songs.

 It is true, small joys are every where, we just have to be open to see them.
 

Me On A Monday - April 8th

I'm starting out the week with a question for everyone.  Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt (SPSH) - how is everyone feeling about having one?  I have a list ready to go.  Shall we start May & finish end of September?  I suggest May start because I've been reading that many of you have vacation/trips/holiday plans & what better time to find items as when exploring somewhere new.  It's a list with some easy, some put your thinking cap on & some with a bit of a challenge.  Your thoughts please?

I was catching up on FaceBook Posts & saw that congratulations are in order to Sian, formally of High In The Sky blog & originator of Me on Monday posts; she & her friend Linda have opened a yarn shop called Jolly Yarn.  Good luck, well done & yeah for you Sian!

April's Angel Thought is Freedom.   

Hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead of them & remember this is your Monday reminder that You are amazing & can handle anything.

Take Three Thursday - The Destroyers Have Come Home To Roost

In an effort to notice more of the ordinary in my life, I have decided to share what I have noticed this week in Take Three Thursday.   The idea is to take 1 - 3 photos that are linked some how; by theme, by colour, by date, by moment,  by points of view. There is no formal link in but please feel free to join in.    What have you noticed this week? 

See what others have noticed this week:
Melissa at Daily Life - Bits & Pieces
Karen at Random Reflections

This week what I've noticed is the destruction of two well built squirrel satellite nests.  Black squirrel(s) build several food storage nests; satellite nests, near but not in the same tree as their primary home nests.  We had two food nests in our trees.  All through winter's storms, these two nests stood up to what ever Mother Nature threw at them, but this week  neither Bob the builder squirrel(s) or Mother Nature took into account The Destroyers; Conan Grackle & Conan Blue Jay.  Both of these birds have taken turns in destroying the food nests, looking for food for themselves.  The materials for the nests, leaves, twigs were falling like rain.  Now, in a matter of a few hours,  there is nothing left of either of these food nests.  Nature is a harsh master.

The builder or as we call him "Bob"

T

 The food nests

The destroyers - Mr Man has named them both Conan

 Some of the fallout of the nest destruction

I know that this is all common in the animal world but it still makes me feel sad for the squirrels as they are now preparing for the arrival of the babies & food is still not plentiful in nature's buffet.  I guess it's time to throw out some more peanuts and/or fruit gone off a little too much.

Me On A Monday April 1st Is No Joke

Happy April 1st - I say welcome to a new month rich with promise & opportunity.

Source: Internet

This is what we woke up to Sunday morning:

I guess for us March truly went out like a lion

Before the Sunday snow from earlier last week, look who's back.  Front Chippy

Reading more of Louise Penny's murder mysteries in Three Pines ... it is starting to remind me very much of Midsomer - it's a wonder anyone is left alive!  I am trying to read in order; Book 2 Dead Cold & Book 3 The Cruellist Month.  I think I will take a little break from murder ... something a little more cheerful before I begin Book 4 The Murder Stone.



 The WPSH link in:  A Bracelet of Days  Do have a peek to see what everyone has found.

As the newly fallen snow melts, I will continue to remind myself
"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn & April is a promise that May is bound to keep"