Can it be the last days of January already? This first month of 2015 has flown by. I am glad I have the Friday Fave Fives to make me stop in the whirlwind which is my life and give account of the blessings of the week.
1. After way too many months, I finally finished this shawl. Made from my handspun alpaca fiber, it is something with which I'm quite pleased. The finished and blocked size is 26 inches by 84 inches. The pattern, Bird's Nest Shawl, can be found in Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle. The recipient, she who I call 'the world's best neighbor' looks lovely all wrapped up in it.
2. My mother taught me by example to notice and appreciate the beauty in the world around me. I'm not usually one to rise before or with the sun. In winter, it's a bit easier since the sun lies abed later. I do love watching that busy old fool, unruly sun, gliding over the hilltop behind my house and pushing through the high fog--if I'm awake.
3. Truly, I'm more likely to be attentive and appreciative of sunsets. The mountains across El Camino Real to the south glowed with gold in the sunset.
And to the north behind my house, the setting sun highlighted the rock outcropping which stuck up from the green grasses.
4. January is nearly finished. I will need to trim the mandarin orange tree. So the last few ripe fruit will be eaten this week. I try to ration them out because I love them so much.
5. My dear friend, The Blueberry Lady, dropped by and delivered---blueberries! Freshly picked and frozen by her, these berries are now in my freezer and waiting to be consumed with my breakfast cereal. As much as I love my local blueberries, handpicked with love, the best part was sitting and chatting and sharing a cup of tea.
