Signs of Spring & Crafting Continued

I am thrilled beyond words to finally see signs of spring !! Winters here in upstate NY seem to be endless, and spring just can't get here quick enough ! Today was a beautiful spring day . . . and even better because I was home and able to enjoy it ! Amazing how uplifting it can be to simply open your windows and take in some cool, fresh air ! And it's encouraging to finally see things

awakening in the yard . . . can't wait to see if the few things I planted last year survived ! I've already declared this my year of landscaping (at least in my mind I have !), so I'm ready to get going !

I've been working on my little "comfort food" scrapbook a bit more, and finally have a few more pages to show for it . . .

Love our house !! I'll have to post it's story sometime.

I love the picture in the middle of the left page . . . I've held onto it for almost 10 years now, and was glad to put it to use ! It was taken in Cortland Manor, NY (outside NYC in Westchester County) when my parents lived there, right before Jack and I got married. They lived on this beautiful estate - complete with stone mansion, swimming pool, lake, ballrooom, and gorgeous grounds - that had been divided into condos for rent and sale. This particular picture is of a neighbor's garden . . . a British lady, she had transformed this tiny little square of earth in the front of her condo into a lush, amazing garden. I was just enamored by it, and took a few pictures to remember it. Inspiration !

And last but not least is my latest knitting creation . . . a cell phone sock !

Not the most practical thing ever, but it's cute and it helped me practice the rib stitch ! One day I'll make a sweater . . . really !!!

Onto the next project !!

31

The perfect way to celebrate a birthday . . . mocha chip pound cake cupcakes !! A little bit of chocolate magic for my "special day" !!!!

The Day Off That Almost Wasn't

Today I finally got a much-needed day off from work . . . yay me !! I had planned about a week or so ago to take today off, but my plans were almost thwarted by the evil computer system at work. Our system was extremely close to using up all its available space, so our computer folks scheduled an emergency fix over the weekend . . . which meant that it would not behoove me to be out today, with the usual chaos that is Monday, on top of our computer issues. Needless to say, I was more than upset at needing to change my plans, and pretty down about not getting a day to myself ! But, the unexpected call from our computer people came Friday morning to let me know that our system was no longer a critical case, and the weekend service could wait until its originally scheduled time next month. Hallelujah, Melissa got her day off back !!!

The whole reason I decided to take today off was because of our trip to Pittsburgh over the weekend, to see my lovely and talented sister-in-law, Laura, perform . . . she is a modern dance major at Point Park, and gave a beautiful performance !! Fun as it was, our trip was superfast . . . 5+ hours to get there Saturday night at 11:30pm, dance performance at 2pm Sunday, and back in the car for another 5 hour trip home Sunday night !!!! Yep, a day off was just the thing !!


So I started my day off with a leisurely pot of tea, in my favorite teacup, and in my favorite chair. Mind you, I have tea everyday at work, but tea for me is in a mug, with my mug warmer, at my desk, chugged down when I get a spare moment. What a welcome change !

Then I spent some time finishing up one of my latest projects . . . knitting my own hat. I had done the "first knitting project scarf" a few weeks ago, and had moved on to the "necessary because I live in frigid upstate New York hat" !!! I actually did try many times to take a decent picture of myself in my new cool hat, but it just wasn't happening . . . could be the fact that I have no make-up on today, and that's just scary for everyone !! Now, what to knit next . . . ?!?!!

My day off is coming to an end now . . . almost time for Jack to come home ! The whole situation, though, reminded me that God is truly sovereign and in control, and that He knows our needs, and when and how to meet them . . . even if it's something as seemingly insignificant as a day off from work !!

Crafting Craze

Given my need these days to focus on the things that feed my soul, as well as my more recent need to be working on some sort of crafting project at all times, here's what i've come up with . . . a collage/scrapbook of sorts of the things and people in my life that bring me joy and a little magic !! I've been checking in on the Artsymama blog for a little while, and was really inspired to try something like this . . . . I usually stick with a more "traditional" scrapbook look, but have admired the collage style and thought this might be a good way to explore it a bit !

(Jack is soooo going to kill me for using this picture, but it's one of my favorites !!!)

Still a lot more to go . . . but it's been fun so far ! I'm usually pretty reluctant to display my artistic endeavors . . . I'm always so intimidated by the amazing things I see other people creating, and feel like my little projects scream "AMATEUR !!" But, I guess I can't truly learn without taking the plunge and getting feedback . . . and who knows, maybe someday some project of mine may inspire someone, too !! Onward and upward !!!

Warren Family Fun

If you're not shovelling it, what else is there to do with all this snow but go sledding !! After the customary family breakfast - complete with blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, and toast - we went over to Webster Park to sled a bit . . .

I think we only lasted about 45 mintutes, with the frigid lake wind and all, but it was great . . . except for the back pain we'll all have in the morning!!

Saturday Renewal

I live for the weekends these days . . . just to have no set schedule and enjoy doing what I want, at my

own pace . . . BLISS !!

This morning I finally had the chance to have a leisurely cup of coffee and thumb thru an old issue of Country Living before heading out to do the usual Saturday errands. It was so peaceful, sitting in my guestroom/craftroom, with Tibbs sleeping on the bed next to me, looking out at the sunshine and the snow-covered trees . . . moments like these remind me how rare it is that I see my house in full daylight, and what a bright and cheerful place it is !!

And for a bit more cheer, I bought some daffodils at the store . . . amazing what a little color can do for the spirit !!

Now, on to more of my schedule-free weekend . . . !

Hungry

I chose this name for my blog because of where I am in my life this very moment . . . busy, usually under stress, often tired, and clearly in need of things that feed my soul and inject a bit of magic into my everyday life ! And who can't use some enchantment in their life ?!?! I have found myself these last few months getting easily bogged down by the everyday and the routine that goes along with it, and needing some balance between my responsibilities and my dreams. So one of my goals this year is to really make those magical moments happen and do the things that truly nourish my soul, even in the smallest of ways. This blog will hopefully help keep me accountable and remind me of my intentions, and allow me to share a little of my own soul food !

Here goes . . . !