September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours, but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn. — Rowland E. Robinson
Happy almost mid-September! This quote… so very true. I love the warmth of the September sun that gives way to a hint of the coming autumn at night! Yes to another blanket on the bed… at least on my side! Ha!
Ruminating —
I have been doing a good bit of thinking about my making life… how I really want to spend my time next year.
My Rumination List:
- I think I would like to do another temperature project… perhaps a bit of a riff on this genius little book that Jo Avery is doing this year. I think square within a square would work… and would be a touch simpler than stitching circles.
- I am pretty sure that I will be letting Ali Edwards go… no, I am NOT giving up a word! (My new word has me so excited!!) What I don’t think I need any longer is a video of direction and ideas. And while I am not a scrap booker, I the past two years I have worked a bit in a Word Journal… one which I print out a photo of me sort of for posterity (and really to get more comfortable with taking *and appreciating* photos of myself). But next year I am trying a new calendar/journal… I ordered a Hobonici Weeks MEGA (thanks, Carole for the inspiration) and I am going to do *all-in-one* next year… calendar, thoughts, images, word, etc.
- I am not letting go of Ann Wood’s Stitch Club… the group of people there is most inspiring! And I am looking forward to another 100 Day Book!
- I am waiting to see what Karen Turner does for 2025 daily stitching before I make a decision there.
- And… I am thinking about paring back on knitting. I know. I know… but I am just thinking about it at this point.
Indulging (my) Inner (painter) —
One thing I have really loved this year was my impromptu sketch/painting time. I am spending about 15-20 minutes every weekday just doing. I generally use a photo I have taken for inspiration and I am learning so much! Do I see room for improvement? Absolutely! Do I expect perfection? Oh hell no! It is all about the process and I am liking painting so much more now than I did trying to recreate someone else’s painting. Now, don’t get me wrong… I learned volumes in all those classes I invested in… but I needed to find “my style” and I think I am figuring that out!
September’s Paintings…
(vote) Forward —
I am making my way through lists each week this month… I have somehow been fortunate to get Michigan voters. I am enjoying jotting a note about the JOY of voting. I hope my letters inspire everyone to go vote! I am especially loving sitting outside on these glorious sunny afternoons and writing a letter or ten!
(RE) FILL —
The loss of Sherman has not easy but this month we began to contemplate being ready for a new furry family member. I did some research, made some phone calls and, wonder of wonders, we have a plan that will find October welcoming a new little furball into our lives! Yes… after we get back from Erie we will be taking a trip to pick up a new pug! I don’t know which I am more excited for… a vacation with just the two of us or that vacation being over so we can go get the new puppy! I have not had a puppy in EONS… Sherman came to us when he was six months old! I am nervous and excited all at the same time!
This little boy will be coming to my house soon!
That’s it for me this week! See you all back here on Monday! Have a great weekend everyone!
It’s good to ruminate once in a while and it sounds like you are thinking about what you really enjoy doing and what you spend your time on. And like Annie Dillard said, “How we spend our days, is, of course, how we spend our lives.” And how wonderful to spend your vacation time together and then spend time with an adorable puppy! That is wonderful news and I look forward to hearing all about him.
Oh gosh! I’m thrilled to hear the puppy news (especially after you mentioned earlier…some time ago…that Steve was anti-another dog)! He (she?)is adorable. About your ruminating – I get it and understand it. At times it is difficult to fit into a day EVERYTHING I want to do. For me, the key is to enjoy what I’m doing and have some fun. If I don’t knit one day, that’s ok. If I don’t stitch one day, that’s ok too. I love your idea for a new temperature project for 2025…squares within squares sounds marvelous! Happy weekend Kat – enjoy!!
I am so happy to hear about the new puppy! I’m sure he will take a lot of time but also help to heal the Sherman-shaped hole a bit. I am hoping that you will not give up on the gnome knitting because I always love how you elaborate on the patterns and give your gnomes such character.
Enjoy that lovely September sunshine this weekend!
Wow – that painting is so gorgeous, Kat. I am in awe of what you can do! And that puppy – all the heart eyes!!
And welcome to the obsession of Hobonichi. I can’t wait to hear what you think about using it 🙂
Oh a puppy! That will be fun.
I enjoyed every word of this post, Kat. First–HUGE smile on my face when I read your puppy news. I can’t wait to glimpse a part of that journey. (What a fine challenge to ‘Be Here Now’ while in Erie! Because ohmigosh.)
And I love your Rumination List, taking the TIME to decide where you want to keep investing, and how. Similarly (funny enough…), I kept a Word journal this year, differently than I ever have before, and I am feeling so connected *to* it and *because* of it. I think it’s a practice I’ll continue next year. I’ve loved feeling it get thicker with all the treasures I’ve pasted and washi-ed to the pages. Writing, drawing, practicing, reflecting, reminding. I’ve made ‘pockets’ and printed out a few blog posts in small text that I want to keep handy.
As I’ve let go of some things and pick up others, and delight in all the things friends are picking up (or letting go!), I remind myself that there may very well be a season when I pick some of those things up again!
Happy weekend to you.
I admire your Rumination List. It’s well to give some thought to how we want to spend our time and you do it with grace. Your painting is beautiful. And look at that puppy. Now that will be something to look forward to as we move through the days until the election.
I am so glad you are getting another dog. Nothing eases the sorrow of losing a beloved furry friend than giving another one a home.
Oh, Kat. There are a lot of great things in your post . . . but PUPPY NEWS IS THE BEST NEWS! I am so excited for you, and I just can’t wait to meet him!!!! XOXO
A PUPPY! That’s the best thing for your broken heart! I hope you like the Weeks journal. I got a Cousin for 2025 because the Weeks started to feel too small for me but now that I have the Cousin in hand it feels like a LOT of space to fill each day!
I am so excited that you are getting a new puppy!!! What a way to honor your beloved Sherman and to add some spice to life. Having a puppy will be so much fun!! I adore your watercolor paintings and I need to get back into it.