Smiling Faces

A little washing

a little chopping

a lot of stirring

a few suggestions

Perfect caramel

a masterpiece

no caramel for braces

But, lots of smiling faces!

a tip: sand the apple a bit with a scrubby 

after washing so your caramel doesn't slide off

Happy Friday!

Kyra

Just A Thought

I am beginning to believe that innately we 

know we can do anything and

that self doubt is taught to us over and over

 so 

 thinking we can't comes easier than knowing we can

Our cute lobster boat came out of the water

a few weeks ago, but we always leave the

small outboard in a bit longer,

thinking we will get a few more rides into September

But the wind always starts blowing a bit harder and the

days get a little shorter and Renee summons me to help 

her retrieve it with nary a ride had 

Yesterday was the day

  My job is always to drop her off at the shipyard,

and drive her truck with the trailer over to the landing area downtown.

I secretly love to drive thru town twice a year with the boat trailer,

feeling like a kid, blending in with the locals - I know, silly, but, hey - get your kicks when you can-

This year for some reason Renee suggested this whole rigamarole with my car,

 doubting that I was comfortable hauling the trailer around on her truck

After a moment of self doubt,

I rejected her suggestion and did what I always do,

even getting the chance to back the trailer up in the empty landing area

As I waited for her to come across the blustery bay I had this thought;

maybe all of our self doubt really doesn't come from inside us

but that we take on what we feel from others and make it ours

Even with the hand sewing workshop this weekend-

many of us assumed for years that hand sewing was hard and tedious

  we avoided it like the plague

but in actuality many of us took right to it and want to incorporate it into our work

I read this quote the other day; 

"it is hard when you have to

and easy when you want to"

In my heart, I really do believe, we can do or be anything we choose

Pretty cool.

I am off to the HS to teach 12 young adults how to make

 caramel apples from scratch

I believe!

Enjoy your day

Kyra

A Wonderful Weekend

 O my gosh we had SO much fun

I cooked and sewed and laughed and learned

Tonye taught us wonderful technique and truly opened our

hearts and minds in how we create

And, as in any good learning environment, the teacher was

equally inspired by her students

Lily's House was unveiled

as we ate in the newly decorated dining room downstairs

and sprawled out upstairs in the newly opened up space

It was so cozy and everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves

Two rainy days inside sewing and then

a sunny day to end it all

Lending itself to lunch on the roof

and show and tell in the autumn sunshine

I was sad to see it all end

But as I dropped Tonye at the airport yesterday

she said she couldn't wait to come back

And I continually find myself

astounded at how rich our lives can be

with the simplest of pleasures

Please enjoy your day

Kyra

A New Beginning

A certain kind of calm has settled for me in the last few days

It was 48 degrees last night and as I walk thru the gardens I can feel the plants

slowing down, breathing a sigh,

satisfied with what they have produced and ready for a respite

That is how I always feel in Autumn

satisfied, quieted, nestled in and grateful

People often talk about this time of year as an ending,

touting spring as the harbinger of "new"

But I have always felt a sense of beginning as the colors and days

deepen and darken

A chance to recreate, with a little time to feed your soul

and open up to the next path or open door

I begin this autumn knowing I will not be re-opening Lily's Cafe, as it was.

 I am ready to try something else, wander a different

lane and continue this journey of letting go that I am on.  

I am ever so grateful for the chance to continue.

  For the beautiful, beautiful creations I have to look back on,

and for the hope I feel as I am creating anew.

I hope you will continue on this journey with me, 

I love your company

and there is so much more to come.

I would also like to share my affirmation for today with you, 

the words and energy seem so right;

"Those who are fearful to show what they have inside get caught up in a dichotomy that strangles

their entire intentions.  The downward spiral keeps them on edge.  That flight or fight

posture keeps their bodies and minds rigid and on constant alert.

This is the way of the fearful and this is not living.

It is not easy to know, when in this mindset, that choosing thoughts of relaxation

can bring you back to a more grounded sense of being.

Breathing deeply, full bellied with intention, can bring you back to a place

where life experiences can be more smooth and enjoyable.

It truly is possible to find joy.

You can start by letting go."

-Jovius

Enjoy your day

Kyra

Tonye's Quilts

I left Tonye at Lily's yesterday to set up for her workshop beginning Friday morning.

I spent today at Lily's roasting and freezing tomatoes etc.

and planning my menu for the weekend workshop.

I snuck upstairs this afternoon to take a peek at Tonye's stuff

And it was like Christmas morning

Look at these beautiful pieces of work!

This one is done with wool

My photographs don't even touch on the texture, detail

warmth and energy coming off these quilts

I cannot wait until Friday!!

It is a small group so I can take the class, feeding us lunch from the 

garden in between stitches

I then head to Michigan on the 30th to Gwen Marston's

yearly retreat, featuring the Medallion quilt

Kathleen had the greatest idea to use the block we make

in Tonye's class as the center of our medallion quilt at Gwen's

I'll keep you posted

Enjoy!

Kyra