I’ve just gotten home from Cincinatti. I was there all of last week for the photo shoot for my new book.

I actually was only home for a few days in September (during which I was working flat out on the final flurry for the book) and so, I am in major gear changing mode here.

First order of business is to get rid of the nasty cold that I bloomed out in Cincinatti. erk. It stinks to get sick when you are away from home!

Now that the book is out of my hands and in the works at my publisher, I am shifting my focus. I’m working on a whole bunch of new ideas for self published books and also on all kinds of fun stuff for this blog. So stay tuned!

About the photo session: I’ll be pulling a monster heap of pix off my camera and will be sharing photos of the photo session last week… photo sessions are really hard work, but they are fun in an exhausting sort of a way, too!

About this blog- There will be contests…. oh yes!

There’s the Blogtoberfest at the beginning of this month, and then the Bloggy giveaways at the end of the month.

I’ll be checking in with you about what sort of things you’d like to see as goodies in that!

Closing up with this: Jim just downloaded this pic of  his sister and me strolling along Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria, BC, back in September.

Her poochie is strolling along so nicely, and you’ll see our little guy in his favorite mode of ‘taking a walk’. (Being carried)

I love this pic. There’s something soooooooooooo special about ambling along with a beloved sister with dogs in tow…….

But now, I need to take this cold and put it to bed…..

Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

We drove cross country to Victoria BC (well, to Vancouver and ferried to Victoria)

and I flew off to Portland to teach at the Knit and Crochet Show while Jim hung out with family for the 5 days of the show. Then we drove back home again – so we were away for almost 3 weeks……  and the weather was gorgeous (except for driving through the snow storm in the mountains – erg).

We came home to incredible hustle and bustle as relatives were arriving for a visit at the same time as we were dragging our weary selves through the door….. and Jim had a gig today, so whew….

So, we’re just getting  our bearings.

We just asked each other why other people go away on holidays and come home all refreshed, when we are cross eyed with exhaustion?

It’s a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng drive…………..  pretty, but lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng……….

There were some really lovely times! am working on photoshopping the pics…..

more to follow……….

Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

This is a pic I just snapped of our 2 horsebabies, out standing in their field.

Now, they may be ‘outstanding in their field’, (sorry, I know I shouldn’t make stinkie puns, but I couldn’t resist)

but neither of them can be ridden – they are both rescued from truly wretched conditions.

Well, that’s not quite right… the little mare >began< her life in circumstances that were horrid beyond belief, but thank goodness, she was saved by a wonderful rescue organization. And that’s who we adopted her from.  She was a mess, but has come along beautifully.

Anyhow, their job is to be loved, and not ridden.

BUT!!!!!

This morning, I was shrieking and hopping up and down when Eric Lamaze won the Gold medal in individual jumping at the Olympics!  OHMIGOSH!

Talk about a ‘rescue’! Eric Lamaze came out of incredibly difficult circumstances in his life and has created a moment of magic and delight for himself, his beloved horse, and for those of us who cheered him on.

Hurrah for hard work and determination and the desire and grit that Eric Lamaze put into this marvelous event.

Bless him and his horse, and the people around him.

Gold moment indeed!

Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Last week, we were really upset when one of our neighbour’s sons was in a horrible car accident.

It’s been a wrenching time, so if you could send good thoughts to Joey and his family, I’d sure appreciate it.

When I was feeling particularly upset at one point during the week, I caught a flicker of movement from bird flashing past the window.

I thought… We need the Bluebird of Happiness to build it’s nest in our neighbourhood!

It struck me that I could make some of my  Little Bird Tatting Shuttles into Bluebirds of Happiness… and so I did!

I find that woodworking is very grounding and soothing. Making Bluebirds of Happiness calmed me down and gave me a feeling of hope…..
I hope that peace, healing and joy will unfold in our neighbourhood, your neighbourhood, and every neighbourhood that needs to have peace and joy and blessings……

Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

A couple of months ago, I was ecstatic to have won a Flip camera in a blogging contest on b5.

Well…. it’s taken almost 2 months for the camera to get here… but….

Ding Dong!

The doorbell rang today….. and

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Look what was sitting between the doors!

Open the box….

The batteries go in WHERE? and HOW?!

ahhhhhhhhhhhh…. okay…..

get set up and start shooting…..

Oh…. duh….. I have it set up so it’s shooting upside down. phoo……..

alrighty…. learning curve…..

:O)   Happy Dancing!  and no no no…. no videos of happy dancing!

Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay Copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn