Hello!

Hello friends. I've been on a short hiatus from blogging. I have been stitching a bit. The fellow above is something I drew out and stitched one morning. Since then I have been stitching away. 

   

I'm a fan of whipping the edges rather than the blanket stitch. It is easy and relaxing, and gives the piece a simpler look. I've read about others who use this means of finishing as well. I am just unable to master the blanket stitch! 

For me, hand sewing is very calming. It's portable and I don't have to fret about following a pattern. Lately, I've been battling a few auto-immune issues, and pulling my needle through wool or linen is the best medicine. 

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A wonderful new book was just released. It is a visual feast! My copy arrived a few days ago and I have not put it down.

"Black Dolls from the collection of Deborah Neff"

Edited by Frank Maresca

Published by Radius Books

The book is full of glorious photos of these magnificent creations. Humble and beautiful, the collection makes my heart sing. Vintage photos of children and their dolls, as well as essays that give a bit of the history behind these lovingly sewn beauties, make this book a true prize. 

Check it out...you will not be sorry!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

  

Passover Seder

Good Morning, friends! I hope you all enjoyed your Easter...with family and friends.

I thought I'd share with you a wonderful experience our family had on Friday evening.

Christians celebrated Good Friday, and this year it coincided with the first night of Passover. We were invited to a seder meal to celebrate Passover with some dear friends. Neither my husband, nor I had ever been to a seder. We prepped Annie a bit, but she is a trooper, and was so excited to see many of her good friends. 

The readings and the variety of foods served as part of the ritual were interesting...and fun. We enjoyed all the symbolism and taking part in such an old tradition. The door was opened for Elijah.

But...what I wanted to tell you about was the group of friends with whom we shared this special meal.

There were nineteen of us. Our host and hostess...an African American police chief (Methodist) and his wife, an attorney...and a Jew. Also at this table, an Indian couple (from India) who are doctors, a gay couple (one being our superb local florist) a Chinese cardiologist, a father and daughter...both professors. Also with us, our very good friends, the wife an Egyptian, who escaped religious persecution (Roman Catholic) in Egypt with her family when she was a child, married to one of my husband's best friends...whose father was a Russian Jew 

and whose mother was Mexican. Both he and his wife are Appellate Court judges. The wife's sister and husband were also there...again, an Egyptian Roman Catholic married to a Jew. Three wonderful teenagers...the children from these "mixed" unions. It was a fabulous table of eclectic friends.

I tell you about this table, surrounded by this wonderfully eclectic group, because it moved me to see all these accomplished people, who have all weathered adversity, come together to show their thankfulness for their many blessings. Individuals with their own histories and beliefs, joined together to celebrate. Hopeful for the future, and a physical reminder of what can be when differences are overlooked, an evening of living proof that everyone has a place at the table.

   

 My thoughts this Monday morning..."Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me."

Have a wonderful week! 

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

April Kitchen Window

A simple window this month. After Easter I will replace the bunny with fresh flowers.

Can you see the bunnies on the mantle through the window?

Greens and a bit of pink to welcome spring.

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The other night we met friends out at the beach for dinner. We spread blankets and feasted...on fresh grouper and the sunset. It was a beauty!

Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy Easter!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Spring randomness...

Happy first day of spring!

Here is a bit of spring randomness...a little of this and a little of that.

Time to spruce up the urns on my front porch...and the door garden. Don't you love poking around in the dirt after the last blast of cold? Lots of things to do to make things pretty again!

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Yesterday, instead of making things pretty outside, I was sorting and moving a few things around inside. I have a few old chests where I store magazines. I pulled these past issues of British Country Living out and flipped through them. I love this magazine!!! It is my favorite! It's like taking a trip to England while sitting on your couch...sipping a cup o' tea, of course.

It features wonderful artisans and their wares. It's pages are full of beautiful landscapes, country homes and farms, scrumptious recipes, gorgeous crafts...just all sorts of wondrous things. 

I have been a fan for years, and have many years worth of issues that I cannot part with, and still pull out from time to time. Every issue is a keeper.

  

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I've decided to hook the borders of Libby Bert. The top I'm hooking as it is draw, but I might make some changes to the bottom. Who knows?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Irish Women

Meet Mary Shore, my Irish great grandmother. I don't know that much about her, other than the fact that she is a link in my Irish roots.

This is Mary's daughter Julia, my grandmother. My Uncle Joe is on her lap.

This lovely lady had a great deal of influence on me when I was young. She still does. 

She was intelligent, witty, graceful, devout...and strong. We were very close. Today, I wear her gold wedding band on my right index finger. She is with me every day.

These are Irish women...my very own.

Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day! Annie and I will be preparing a "boiled dinner" today. Corned beef and cabbage, and, as Annie requested, "lots of carrots". The girl loves her carrots...and potatoes. 

Slainte!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Bunnies!

Annie and I got our German bunnies out today. 

I love these sweet brown hares. 

We sprinkled them across the mantle with some real...and not so real greens.

I have stopped buying bunnies to add to this collection. I have enough. I store them in a plastic bin and they all fit nicely into their winter home.  Any more, and they would be squished. The fellow with the cart was the last to join the group. 

I like his expression. They each have their own personality.  

Some are more somber...and some look amused. They all look happy to be out in the sunshine...resting in the green grass.

Are bunnies making an appearance at your house these days?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

...a finish...maybe

Libby Bert is finished...well, maybe. 

As I mentioned on an earlier post, I might not hook the top and bottom border and turn her into a pillow with a proddy edge. She would be a large pillow at twenty four inches square. 

With the borders she is 24x36. I haven't decided yet. I'm waiting for a new pattern I ordered to arrive and I want to jump right in hooking it. It is a large rug, but one I have wanted to tackle for a long while. More on that later.

I like Libby Bert. I like her folky face and her colors. She's a funky girl!

Aaaaah...what heralds spring better than Daffodils? 

When I was in high school the Key Club sold daffodils on the first day of spring as a fund raiser.  Every grey blazer...and every black habit...was adorned for the day with a happy yellow flower. I bet they still do it to this day!

I know many of you are still struggling with bitter cold temperatures...and many of you have additional snow. I hope that this is the grand finale for Old Man Winter. It's going to be a messy spring thaw! I think our cold temps are done. Our trees are full of tiny chartreuse leaves and the azaleas are already popping. Hang in there!!!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn