March 5

 March Photo of the Day.  March 5.  Ash Wednesday.

This photo may not seem like much, but this small bottle is filled with ash.  Not just any ash, but ash from the volcanic eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington on May 18, 1980.  On that day, my parents who were living in Portland, Oregon, watched the eruption from their home. As the ash from the volcano began drifting down on their car, they gathered some of it and put it into a glass jar to save.

All these many years later, the vial of ash still reminds me of that day when I heard about the eruption and was concerned for the safety of my family.  We were living in Indonesia, in the process of moving from West Java to what is now West Papua (on the island of New Guinea).  I treasure it as a memory of how my mom and dad thought of me every day and saved this tiny bottle of volcanic ash so I could see for myself a tiny bit of what they experienced that day.

March 4

 March Photo of the Day.  March 4. Keepsake.

I know that I have posted about this cross stitch I made for my grandmother.  Since she passed away in 1984, I made it before then although I am not exactly sure  of the year.  Grandma loved this because she loved to garden.  When she died, my mother took it and saved it for me.  Today it hangs on the wall of my kitchen and daily it reminds me of "Emma Louise".

March 3

March Photo of the Day. March 3.  Adventure.  Can you imagine heading out from your safe home in Ohio or Virginia or Massachusetts with a wagon filled with all your belongings?  Driving your oxen team westward on a road almost impossible to follow?  What an Adventure to follow your dreams to Oregon or California.  Last August, The Professor and I had our own adventure on the Oregon Trail, driving our Honda CRV, not a Conestoga wagon.  It took us eight days, not six months.  But what an adventure it was!  One of these days, I'll write all about it-- our Oregon Trail adventure.

March 2

March Photo a Day.  March 2.  Dream.  When I think of the word dream, my mind immediately envisions my dream place-- the beach.  Today I am dreaming of the beach.  All the Pacific Ocean beaches where I would walk and wade and watch the waves.  Imperial, Silver Strand,  Huntington, Ocean, Redondo, Manhattan, Pismo, Hendry's, Santa Barbara, Emma Wood, Thornhill-Broome, Ventura, Rockaway.  Just to name a few.

It was hard to choose just one.  Point Mugu Beach along Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura County, Ca.  The closest beach to our home.  I dream of walking there again.

March 1

 Well, I'm going to try it again.  A photo a day in March.

March 1.  Selfie.   Me and Charlie.  Charlie Chaplin. Waterville, Ireland.

The End of February

 Goodbye, February.  It's not that I won't miss you, your holidays and beautiful snowy landscapes, but I am happily anticipating warmer and longer days.  It's time to say, "See you in eleven months."  You were very generous to me, February.  I did find many many blessings in your month, and especially in this past week.  So as we part, I will share Five Faves, Five Blessings from this week.  (the link takes you to where you can share your Fave Fives if you wish)

1. Speaking of warmer days, I am thankful for the warmish weather we have had a few days this past week.  We were able to take three walks outside along the local paths and in our neighborhood.  I am so looking forward to more and more walks and hikes in warmer temperatures.

2 and 3.  A double fave here:  One morning, The Professor and I were enjoying the company of a tiny seven week old baby (and her mom, of course) and getting to know her, holding her and watching her smile.  I happened to notice out our front window that someone had parked in our driveway and was bringing a package to our door.  I was surprised since we had not ordered anything from Amazon... But it was another young mom who was dropping off what she called a 'love package' for me.  This mom is a great thrifter and found the perfect sweater for me!  Included with the sweater was a little note just expressing their (her and her husband) love and thanks for us.  Oh my.  What a wonderful morning of love and care that was.

4.  Dinner with friends.  We always just eat soup and salad when we share with this couple.  And I always make my "Grandma R" rolls (recipe from my grandma) which they love.  I left all the extras with them for their sons who love them, too.  Their younger teenage son ate dinner with us and stayed to listen to our conversations.  That was so sweet.

5.  A spontaneous trip to Joann's with Younger Daughter.  I'm sure you have heard the news that J's is closing all their stores.  It has been a mainstay fabric/yarn stop for everyone in our community, so we are all sad that it is closing its doors.  But right now, everyone is rushing over to the shop to grab what they can.  Yes, the lines are long and the cashiers are busy.  Younger Daughter found some great fabrics for quilts she is planning to sew. I stocked up on my favorite yarn for knitting baby blankets.  (Don't ask how much I bought. I'm not telling.)  So in the sadness, we found fun and joy in choosing our purchases and in spending that time together.

Note:  no photos today because the laptop is again annoyed with me and is having a tantrum and won't download pictures.  The Professor is on it--working another fix.

I hope you are enjoying this last day of February.

A Cold Cold Friday

 I haven't had much energy today so I'm lagging on writing up my Friday Fave Fives.  It's not because there are no blessings to focus my attention from this past week, but it's because I'm just COLD. I don't think our outside temperatures have gotten above 32F all week (maybe a 33F or 34F but certainly not high enough to be noticeable). But now I'm here and working to focus on the warmth of all the things for wbich I have to be thankful.

1.  Warm snuggly blankets.  These blankets are certainly being used this week.  They're all ones I've knitted through the years.  The one The Professor puts over his legs when he is reading up in the 'library room' was knitted by Younger Daughter when she was a young teen and given to my father when he was in a care home.  I love that 'Grandpa's blanket' is still keeping us warm.

2.  I love our library.  We had a few minutes one afternoon after dropping some unwanted items at the St. Vincent dePaul thrift store and before picking up the grandboys from school, so we spent those minutes at the library.  I found a book that caught my attention and checked it out.  So far, I'm enjoying the mystery, set partly in World War II and partly in the Twenty-first Century.  I'm thankful I have access to so many books.

3.  I have been thinking so much lately about all the moves I have made in my lifetime.  Three states where we have owned homes.  Two other states where we spent several months studying in special academic programs.  The two provinces of Indonesia--West Java and West Papua on the island of New Guinea (formerly Irian Jaya).  Even in the different US states, we have lived in various counties.  What has kept us centered?  The people.  The friendships we have made through all those years and all those moves.  It's the people.  And I'm thankful for the friendships.

4.  Speaking of friendships--- we had the best time with T and S this week.   In spite of the snowy icy, we ventured a bit farther out than usual and had our coffee time at a newish coffee place in a town about half hour away.  We never know where our conversations will take us. Squirrels and Rabbit Holes are a vital part of our non stop talks.

5.  While we were there, a mom and her two daughters popped in.  I had been given some crafting beads and yes, more yarn which I didn't want, but I knew the girls (K and K) would love to have them.  So on their way to the library in that town, they stopped in and picked up the beads and yarn.  I wish I could have caught a photo of the look on the younger one's face when she opened the bead box.  It lit up the whole room.   

Bonus:  Eleanor Elizabeth had joined us for coffee and was so excited to meet K and K.  I think the feeling was mutual.  (photos shared with permission from their mom)

I hope that you have found joy and gratitude in this past week, too.  Did you have cold cold weather?  Maybe some snow or rain?  Find warmth in your coffee and tea and blankets and friendships.

Off To Ireland, Part 11!

 This was our last full day in Ireland.  What we did on this day was something I was eagerly awaiting the whole trip.  A visit to a sheep farm complete with sheep dog demonstration.

After overnighting in Galway, we enjoyed a lovely breakfast at our hotel and then boarded our tour bus.  We headed north to County Mayo.  Glen Keen Farm was our destination.

We met the young sheep dog.

He even let me pet him.

And Eleanor wasn't afraid of him.  He's a sheep dog, not a bunny dog, after all.

Waiting patiently...

OK!  Go get 'em!

Uh oh.  They ran off into the other pasture.

Not a problem.  He still quickly rounded them up and brought them to the pen.

Did I do a good job, Dad?

Do I get a snack?

After the demo, we headed to the farm house and the dog headed off to get his reward.  We were treated to a wonderful lunch and traditional Irish music and a wool spinning demonstration.

I was quite surprised to find that, according to our hostess who was doing the spinning demonstration, there are only TWO spinners in all of County Mayo.  If you have been reading Willow's Cottage blog for any amount of time, you will know that I am a spinner and know many other people (men and women) who spin.

Finally, it was time to depart.  I hugged the spinning wheel and wished it many more years of productivity creating yarn.

Then it was on to our very last stop...

Love In February

 It's Valentine's Day. And it's Friday. Since it is time for Friday Fave Fives, my focus is on things I Love.

1.  I love knitting. This week, I finished this afghan.  Younger Daughter bought the yarn and then decided she didn't want to use it.  So I took it and knitted the three colors in variegation.

2.  Whenever I am walking or hiking out in nature, I look for hearts.  Leaves. Rocks. Even hearts mowed into lawns.

3.  I love being able to see.  I have worn corrective lenses since I was eleven or twelve years old.  This week, The Professor and I had our annual exams and are set for another year.

4.  Today is our daughter-in-law's birthday! We love her!

5.  I love sunshine.  Today it is quite cold outside.  But the sun is shining.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday and Happy Valentine's Day!

Joys of February

 I took a few days off after my tsunami of January posts. But now it's Friday Fave Fives time, so I'm back. The link will take you to Susanne's blog and you can join us in finding five blessings from your week to share with us.

A friend posted a Dolly Parton quote about thankfulness on her blog yesterday.  I loved the last part... "Keeping my eyes open for the unexpected joys..."  YES!  If we focus on finding the joys, we find more joys.

1.  I finished the sewing project I have been working with for a couple of weeks and mailed it off to PAL today!  A pioneer dress.  I can't wait to receive some photos of her wearing it when she attends the Pioneer Museum with her homeschool group later in the month.

2.  On Saturday, we joined extended family for the first birthday party celebration for little M.  Chuck.E.Cheese was the location.  Little M had fun but his two big sisters probably had the best time.  The fave in this?  We got to be there and watch the little ones having such a fun time and having their photos taken with Chuck.

3.  What were we doing seventeen years ago?  Celebrating the birth of our first grandson!  Yes, Tall Boy's birthday was yesterday!  He's seventeen!!  How is that possible?

Well, he sure doesn't look like that anymore...  Happy Birthday, Tall Boy!

4. It must be birthday week.  Yes, another birthday to celebrate.  S, of S and T our Coffee Couple.  Her birthday was Wednesday.  We celebrated at the coffee shop where we met them four years ago. I am so very thankful for our friendship with them.

5.  We had ONE day of warm weather this week.   In fact, it was so warm outside that we took a three miles plus walk with Younger Daughter and her friend and the dogs along the same path and in the same woods as last week.  The snow was gone.  After our walk, we ate lunch outside on the patio of a local restaurant.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Outside.  In the elements.  But, the rest of the week we have had rain and ice and temperatures below freezing.  I am thankful for that one day to encourage us that spring will come.

I hope you are having a good month of February so far.  Keep your eyes open for the blessings!

Closing Out January with Gratitude

 It's January 31st, the last day of January 2025.  And it's Friday.  Time for Friday Fave Fives.  Susanne our host is faithful to post a link every week so we can share our five thoughts of gratitude and thankfulness.  Did you know that having a positive attitude which is fostered by being grateful actually increases your possibility of living longer?  Want to live to 100?  Be Thankful!

1.  This week I have been working on a sewing project that has caused some stress.  Younger Daughter brought her sewing machine over to the cottage and sat with me at the dining room table and sewed with me.  I guess it could be called parallel play sewing.  Since we have identical machines, she was able to help me with a couple of issues.  I had forgotten that our machines have a 'thingie' that will thread your needle for you.  I'm thankful that Younger Daughter came to help me.

2.  Another day, Younger Daughter and I took her two big dogs for a hike.  The weather was moderate.  Obviously, the dogs were thrilled to finally be outside for a walk.  We parked near the paved path and planned to walk to an area where you can move onto a dirt path that follows the river.  Well, we missed the sign and walked almost a mile beyond.  When we realized our mistake, we turned around and walked back to the Harnden Preserve. The sign is much easier to spot in the summer than the winter.  (photo was taken in June)

Anyway, we started walking on the path. But because there was still snow everywhere on the ground, we quickly lost the path and ended up just wandering around on deer paths and trying to follow the river.  It was fun.  And the dogs had a blast.  As you can tell in the photo (I hope), areas of the river were still frozen.

3.  We have very dear friends who moved here from LA a few years ago just after we did.  They are like family to us and we often celebrate holidays and birthdays together.  It was Yeyo's birthday last week, so we took him for dinner at his favorite Mexican restaurant.  It was so good to catch up with them.

4.  This month of January I wrote a post for every day of the month.  A couple of times, I missed a day but wrote and posted a photo for that day.  I had challenged myself to do that and I'm pleased I was able to finish it.  Goal completed!

5.  When Younger Daughter was in England earlier this month, she spent most of her days in the city of Durham and visited Durham Cathedral.  Knowing that I love the Celtic Prayer books, she bought me a small book of daily prayers written by an author (David Adam) whose book on Aidan, Bede and Cuthbert I had read last year.  And she brought me a book Cuthbert and the Northumbrian Saints by Paul Frodsham which explores the history of the Golden Age of Northumbria.  I'm a happy girl, sitting with my tea and reading this book. (It helps in the snow, rain and cold to have an interesting book to keep you focused.)

January 30, 2025

 On a cold winter's day, I need cheering up.  The best way?  Remembering the beach!

What a lucky guy, to live so close to the beach! (near Rockaway Beach, Oregon)

January 29, 2025

 These two photos were taken on the same day in August.  Evidently, red barns are in style these days.  Not that I am complaining--- I like red barns.

And this photo I shot in November.

January 28, 2025

 When you travel, you find all kinds of interesting places, not just coffee shops.  Obviously, I love my barns. I could live there.

LOOK!  A coyote!

January 27, 2025

 Terraced fields are a normal sight in Asia (we lived for a decade in Indonesia), but I don't often find them in the US.   I spied this field on our trip home from Pacific Northwest.  Eastern Iowa, I think.  Terracing is actually a wise way to make use of a hilly area.

Does this count as a barn?

January 26, 2025

 More August flora.  Just one photo.  But it tells so much.  Creeks.  Rocks.  Huge fir trees.  This is what my childhood looked like.  I assumed everyone had streams to play in and were surrounded by evergreen trees all year long.  Cascade Mountains, Western Oregon.

January 25, 2025

 Well, I did miss yesterday's post.  It's Sunday afternoon, the 26th.  So I will try to post two times today to catch up.

June and July were mostly spent across the pond in Ireland, England and Wales, so I don't have many photos of American flora to share.

During August, we were on a road trip, traveling across the US to the Pacific Ocean following The Oregon Trail.  There were purple flowers and honey bees.

And green fields with horses in Nebraska.

And of course, there were barns.