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    Catching my breath

    Last Modified: August 15, 2020 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 26 Comments

    I’ve spent the last week or so catching my breath, and it’s felt like a good move. After a really busy past few weeks, it’s been nice to take a break, clean up, and regroup.

    My sewing machine has been missing me this week. But I think it’s been good for us to have a little bit of space sometimes. Other than making a few more face masks, any time I spent in my sewing room this past week has been trying to clean up my space, put things away, and declutter. It was definitely time for a reset. It feels good to clean the palette/cutting table every so often, right?

    I’m also starting to make priority lists of what needs to get done so that projects are ready to go when I’m ready to sit down at my machine again.

    In the mean time, I’ve been working on a new cross-stitch project to keep my hands busy. I started Camille Roskelly’s Stitchville pattern a week or so ago and it’s been a good portable project to work on while hanging out with my family. (For the first time I’m using this frame instead of a hoop. I love how tight it holds the fabric.)

    Or when I’m in the mood to stab something over and over.

    A neighbor dropped these delightful flowers off this week. Since I’ve got people with flower-allergies in my house, all flowers end up behind closed doors in my sewing room. These were a sweet little pick-me-up.

    Usually by this point in the summer I’m counting down the days until school starts again, feeling very excited to get back into some regular schedules, routines, and bedtimes, not to mention anxiously awaiting a quiet, empty house for a good part of the day where I can think and work without distraction or interruption.

    A few weeks ago I may have had a mini (or not so mini) meltdown when I finally came to terms with the fact that was not going to be the case this fall. 🙁 I’ll have at least one child starting school remotely (online at home) while another goes half days every morning. So pretty much like having a kindergartner. And who knows how long even that will last before he’s home again doing online school again too!

    Basically, like everything about this bizarre year, and like all of the rest of you, we’re learning to roll with the great unknown.


    The good news is I’ve been feeling better this week than I have in a while. I’m trying to just slow the pace and find things to enjoy – particularly out of doors. Being outside has been my sanity saver. I’ve been really purposeful about spending time outside everyday, going for walks or even just sitting in my backyard in the mornings while it’s still cool and shady. 

    I’m also exceedingly lucky to live near the mountains. In stead of going to dinner and a movie, most of my dates with my husband this summer we’ve just driven up the nearby canyon to sit and talk and admire scenery. (We’re so 19th Century. haha)

    Here is irrefutable proof that we’re getting older (and hopefully wiser?). I’ve reached the point in my life where I’m perfectly content to sit and look at a mountain for an hour.  Maybe that’s because I’m getting older, but maybe this weird year of 2020 has also taught me something about slowing down and focusing on the good things I still have in my life.

    One of our drives up the canyon we also saw this guy hanging out near the side of the road having an evening snack. (Hence the reason I could take this pictures since I was in the safety of a protective car.) He was definitely not too stressed out by life. I need to take a cue from him.

    So there you have it: more nature photos than quilt photos this week. I hope you can breathe in some fresh air where you are. Next week, back to quilts. Maybe.

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    Filed Under: cross stitch, quilts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gwyn

      August 14, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      So jealous that you saw a moose! Enjoy all the time you need to relax and recharge. If you need it don’t deny it. Be well.

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:55 pm

        Thank you, Gwyn. xo

        Reply
    2. The Joyful Quilter

      August 14, 2020 at 7:34 pm

      It’s good to hear that you took some much needed time to recharge. Sorry that you aren’t going to have the “usual” back-to-school experience that you’ve come to enjoy. It’s a crazy year!

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:49 pm

        Thank you. xo We’re all adjusting to unusual circumstances, aren’t we?!

        Reply
    3. Robby H.

      August 14, 2020 at 7:49 pm

      I totally laughed out loud at the “stab something over and over” comment. That was me laughing with you, of course. If we’re honest, I think most of us have experienced that feeling some time in 2020. So wise of you to take a few deep breaths and regroup before diving into whatever fall/school may bring. Best wishes for it all.

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:49 pm

        Thank you, Robby. (And glad when we can find something to laugh about this year, right?!)

        Reply
    4. Denise Clappier

      August 14, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      I have been thinking about getting back to embroidery by hand to challenge myself. I still have my readers digest encyclopedia of stitches and such. I started when I was 10 or so. Have done many cross stitch. I have a beauty 3/4 finished form 10 years ago. Your Mountain View is beautiful.

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:50 pm

        There is something so soothing about embroidery, isn’t there?

        Reply
    5. Marge Krempl

      August 15, 2020 at 7:03 am

      I’m new to your log and have enjoyed you very much. Very refreshing! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:50 pm

        Thank you, Marge. xo

        Reply
    6. Bea Savellano

      August 15, 2020 at 9:26 am

      Lovely post…

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:50 pm

        Thank you, Bea. xo

        Reply
    7. Lea

      August 15, 2020 at 9:43 am

      Hi Amy, I’m glad that you got some much needed R&R.

      I completely get what you mean about enjoying nature. Going out to eat is (was) nice, but being in nature is tranquil and does so much for our soul, I think. Yes, I must be getting older but I’ve always been the outdoorsy type.

      Those picture are gorgeous! How exciting to see a moose in person.

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:51 pm

        It really does! I appreciate it now more than ever.

        Reply
    8. k.castanette@hotmail.com

      August 15, 2020 at 10:21 am

      Thank you for the nature photos. I, too, love being outdoors as much as I can. It is so calming to see wide open spaces and something larger than one mere mortal. I really love the photo of the moose. Such a majestic creature! I would have been so excited to see him on the side of the road! Take care and enjoy the rest of your summer.

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:51 pm

        Isn’t it a beauty? We’ve encountered them a couple of times while hiking and I’m usually too panicked trying to slowing back away to appreciate them in those moments. This was a good close look from a safe environment. 😉

        Reply
    9. Brenda

      August 15, 2020 at 10:27 am

      I love moose. Never see them in our area but still love them. So beautiful Gods creation! Thanks for sharing! The view was wonderful.

      Reply
    10. Margaret Andrews

      August 15, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      Amy, It is good to hear that others are having “trouble” with all this free time and not getting much done. Your blog last time was wonderful and I have shared it with my daughter-in-law and others to show them they are not alone. We live by the water and it is delightful to watch the weather, with the wind and waves, and to be comfortably inside. The boats go in and out, doing what they are comfortable doing. I have tried to get myself out of this funk this week as I think about your words. Thank you so much. Do stay safe and enjoy your family….and take teaching a day at a time. I taught in a K-6 classroom, with my own children in class, and we all made it and they are now grown up and successful in their own right….one is a teacher married to a teacher with kids they had to work and teach themselves…scary as to what is going to happen and what their school will look like…but again….take it a bit at a time and try and keep safe….that is all that we can do….and wear our masks…homemade and all!

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 15, 2020 at 3:52 pm

        Thank you, Margaret. How wonderful to live by the water! That sounds so soothing. And thanks for the encouragement. We’re going to make it, right?!

        Reply
    11. jantaber

      August 15, 2020 at 3:53 pm

      It’s so good that you are realizing the importance of taking some time away from your “work” (even if it is work you love!) Every single one of us needs that. Then it is possible to go back with a new attitude and an eager heart. This year, in particular, we need all the “refreshment of our spirit” that we can find.

      Reply
    12. Diane W

      August 15, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      I am doing that cross stitch too. I thought Id never be doing another cross stitch in my life after doing it for years…until I saw this Stitchville. And yes, there is something so soothing doing it. Im really hoping Camille does a pattern for the blue log cabin one shes let us see a peek of.

      Reply
    13. Pam

      August 16, 2020 at 7:46 am

      Thank you for this lovely post. Good reflections!

      Reply
    14. Debra Cheney

      August 16, 2020 at 10:16 am

      What a view you have Amy! I also love the cover pic you posted with your machine. It was beautiful and artful. There have been blessings in this pandemic – many people have learned the value of our families and how to slow down. Enjoyed your post today! Thanks. ❤️

      Reply
    15. Joan Lesmeister

      August 16, 2020 at 10:25 am

      Always…..enjoy your blog! Wow! A moose…what a thrill! The wildest animal we see is a squirrel, many many of those! Love your pictures, comments, & tips. Thank you so much!

      Reply
    16. Helen L

      August 16, 2020 at 5:41 pm

      Love your pics. Yes, just sitting outside can be a wonderful date when you can go a ways away from home and enjoy the beauty of nature. And I’ve been doing cross stitch for about the last year too. I find I really enjoy the peace of “slow” stitching, and I love the portability of it too. Good luck this school year. I know it must be hard with little ones. Hugs, H

      Reply
    17. Rosemary B

      August 17, 2020 at 4:06 pm

      so cool to get a picture of that beast!!
      I love your machine so much.
      I enjoyed reading all of this today. Keep having fun, Amy

      Reply

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