Thanksgiving Blessings

"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing,

He chastens and hastens His will to make known.

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,

Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own."

~ Traditional Folk Hymn

"Over the river and through the wood,
To grandmother's house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood,
Oh how the wind does blow;
It stings the toes
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go."

~ Lydia Maria Child

Wordless Wednesday - Fall Stitching

On The Menu This Week - Creamy Carrot Soup

This is a delicious soup with a hint of tomato flavor.  When I worked in Greenwich Village in New York City, we had a favorite small restaurant we frequented for lunch called The Front Porch and this is very similar to one of their delicious soup recipes that was always my favorite!

~ Joanne

Creamy Carrot Soup
(Makes 6 servings)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onions
3 cups chopped carrots
4 cups water
2 chicken-flavored bouillon cubes
2 teaspoons tomato paste (I usually use about 2 TBSP instead of the 2 teaspoons)
1 ounce uncooked white or brown rice
1-1/2 cups evaporated milk (fat-free may be used)
Salt and pepper to taste
Sour cream, optional

~ Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until tender. Add water, if needed, to prevent burning.

~ Add carrots, water, bouillon cubes, tomato paste and rice. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, until rice and carrots are tender. Remember that brown rice may take slightly longer to cook than white rice.

~ Pour soup through a strainer into another saucepan and place about 1/2 cup of the vegetables back in the broth. Place the remaining vegetables in a blender container and puree. Add the puree to broth. Stir in milk, salt and pepper. Place pan back on stove and reheat, stirring frequently.

~ Serve hot, with a dollop of sour cream.

Wordless Wednesday - The Horrors of Halloween, 1989 :)

Monday Inspiration - Morning Thoughts

Photo: Joanne Thayer, Tubac, Arizona, September 2014

I wake each morning glad that I

May know the sun, the rain, the sky,

The gentle twittering of birds...

The joy of creatures without words.

Dear Lord, Your wonders bring to me

A deep sense of humility;

And I am awed each time I wake

To the beauty of the days You make!

So, thank You, Father, for every hour

I live to see a tree, a flower,

A bird in flight, a sunset hue,

That I may share, dear God, with You.

(Author Unknown)

Wordless Wednesday - Fall Decorating

Making Plans

I've had so many thoughts on my mind lately that when I woke up I decided to get dressed, drive thru Starbucks for a Cinnamon Dolce Latte, and then take a long ride through country roads, rivers, and small towns.  That's always a sure way to give me time to think and make plans -- much better than when I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of these things, or can't fall asleep because my mind is busy working :)

It's a beautiful, breezy, sunny and blue skies day with some white puffy clouds, and we were just in the low 70s when I was out.  A nice day for a country ride.

The thoughts and plans I had on my mind??

First, Christmas.  Believe it or not, I have most of my shopping done, with the exception of a few people.  I've been doing it throughout the year when I've been traveling, which is always a great way to find just the right thing for someone.  I know what we're giving the other people on our list, so I just need to get those things over the next month and I'm all set to get things mailed.

I'm in an annual handmade Christmas exchange with several friends from an online group (we've been friends since 1999, and doing this exchange since 2005).  I think I'm pretty sure what I'm making, but will visit the crafts store tomorrow.  I'll either buy what I *think* I'm going to make, or I'll get a completely different idea. 

Also for Christmas... I have some needlework projects that are all stitched but need to be finished (framing, made into pillows, ornaments, wall hangings, etc.), and a few of those will be done for Christmas and used as gifts.  I'm also making a list of some baking ideas for friends and family, which will more than likely end up being a variety of shortbreads :)

The other thing I've had on my mind, which has actually been there for a few years, is a publishing project.  I've been making a lot of notes recently and working on plans and goals, contacts, and everything else needed, and after my ride today I've decided on a March 1st goal for this to begin.  Now that the date has been determined, I just need to start working backwards from there to have everything else fall into place, plan some meetings with friends/contacts, do more research, and get going!  This is a project I'm excited about, and will share more as time goes on.  

I'm curious... what does everyone else do when they have things on their mind and need that special time to do the planning?  Taking a ride?  A walk?  A bath?  Talking it out with someone else?

Joanne

Time in Tucson

A couple of weeks ago I took a road trip to Tucson, one of our past hometowns, to visit some favorite spots, play with my camera, and spend time with my dearest friend.   Here's a little photo journal of my trip...

I stayed at a hotel that offered regular rooms as well as "casitas", which were small apartment-like suites.
This is the view from my patio looking north towards the Catalina Mountains
which were covered in clouds with a rain storm coming in.

This is the front of my "casita".  The bay window was the table and chairs in the kitchen area.

Another view from my patio looking at the lush greenery surrounding the area and the mountains in the background.

Back of the courthouse... this is where we got our marriage license 30 years ago.

Steeple of Tumacacori mission amidst a stormy sky.

Colorful building and flowers at Tubac in the Crowe's Nest area.

Wood carving of bear, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Metal turtle sculpture, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Colorful frog sculpture, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Colorful scupltures in Crowe's Nest area of Tubac, with the Santa Rita Mountains in the background.

Closer view of the rooster sculpture seen in photo above.

Mexican Bird of Paradise above water fall, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Butterfly on flowering bushes near waterfall, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Another view of the butterfly.

Primera Iglesia Bautista, Stone Avenue, downtown Tucson

Cathedral of Saint Augustine, Stone Avenue, downtown Tucson

Colorful shopping area downtown Tucson

Looking at the city from the road up "A" Mountain.

One of my favorite spots in the Tucson Mountains, Gates Pass road, which I used to take home from work.

Another view from the Gates Pass road.

San Xavier del Bac Mission, south of the city.

Beginning Again

"Every day we meet people whose eternal destiny may be affected by what we do or say."

~ Janette Oke 


That quote was my first post when I created this blog back on October 14, 2006, so it seemed like a good way to begin again.

The last time I wrote was Mother's Day in 2011, so I've been missing for awhile.  Over the missing years I was busy with my needlework business, Of Generations Past, and then became involved in a new project or two for my new company, Sweet Hollow Publishing, which I'll discuss more over time.  I also found a completely new passion in wildlife and photography.  Then, of course, there have been lots of road trips, another of my passions.

It seems that I become nostalgic in Autumn each year, and I started thinking about Joyful Blessings and realized I missed it, so here I am.  I'm anxious to get back to sharing favorite quotes, inspirations, Bible verses, holiday ideas, recipes, crafts, and everything else I love.

Joanne

Autumn Greetings

It's been a busy autumn so far and I've been spending long days here at the computer working, while enjoying the cool breezes coming in from the front door.  We've been having some lovely fall days here in south central Texas with days in the lower to mid 80s, and nights in the lower 50s.  Colors on the large trees at the golf course in our neighborhood have been changing to golden the last couple of weeks and when you walk or drive past in the mornings you see lots of leaves on the ground. 

Most of our color changes occur later in October and continue throughout November and even into December.  Thanksgiving time is when they seem to be at their brightest colors of orange and red. When I went to the mailbox this morning I noticed 2 red leaves on the walkway - the first I've seen from the two large trees we have in the front of the house.  You don't notice them changing color as much because they start from the very top of the tree and work their way down, so the first signs are the few leaves you spot on the ground. 

I started doing a little of my fall decorating and hope to have that finished this weekend.  Tomorrow would be a good day while I watch football games all day :)  I'll also be stitching on a few models I'm trying to finish up for the Online Needlework Show.  That will take place October 21st through 26th and my company, Of Generations Past, will be one of the vendors this year.  I'm also happy to report that I'm now with Hoffman Distributing Company, and many of my charts can be purchased through them, as well as through my webshop.  You can read more about these business items on my Of Generations Past blog, so I won't repeat it all here.

This year seems to be flying by way too quickly, but it's been a great one.  I've loved working on my business, even though with deadlines I'm often sitting here working 12 to 14 hours a day.  I've always thrived on deadlines and the more pressure, the more I seem to accomplish.  It works well for me.  One negative aspect of having my own business is being responsible for all the tasks I don't like to do, and would normally delegate.  I'm great at procrastinating on some of these things!  However, it's always great to see a finished product and to share good news with friends.

Speaking of friends, I've been blessed in that area, too.  I have a few good online friends I've known for years who I've been working with - one on a few needlework projects, one on a large book project, and another (as well as the other two) who is always there to encourage and celebrate (both business and family things).

Circumstances have also worked out in strange and roundabout ways that have led me to old friends that I worked with over 25 years ago in my magazine/newspaper publishing career.  Strange the way things work out, isn't it??   Actually, I guess it's not so strange.  When I worked at our Lutheran church in Tucson, Arizona, several years ago, one of the pastors I worked with always said that there were no coincidences - that everything happens in time for God's reasons and His purposes.  I like that, and think that's why these people are back in my life now :)

I guess you can tell that autumn time is also nostalgia time for me.  It seems to be that way each year and I've had long talks about that with my friend Linda.  This year it seems to be even stronger.  And on a silly note, it also makes me very homesick for the apple cider donuts I used to be able to get back east!!  Gosh, I miss those this time each year!!  A favorite thing my husband and I always did was to go to our favorite nursery to look at their fall plants, and they'd always offer free hot apple cider and apple cider donuts while you browsed.  I have the apple cider... just miss the donuts!!

I hope you're all having a wonderful autumn, too!

Joanne

Stitching for Autumn

I'm still busy creating a few new charts which will be released around September 1st and that will be perfect for some autumn stitching!  (You can read more about the Bits of History in my previous post... think "Salem"!).

In the meantime, here's a reminder of one I released last year in October 2009, which is still available for $7.00.  It's one of my favorite quotes by Henry David Thoreau :)   

The chart can be ordered through my Of Generations Past webshop, or through my Of Generations Past ebay shop.

Bits of History

I love history and needlework, and just created a new series for Of Generations Past which will be called "Bits of History".  The first in the series is now with my model stitcher, and will be released soon.  The chart will feature 3 different designs and will, of course, have a little bit of history included.  The first in the series??  Salem!  Just in time for some autumn stitching :)

 Joanne

Autumn in Vancouver

I just returned home from a third road trip to Vancouver, Canada this year.  I realized that with the three trips to Vancouver, one to Santa Fe and Taos in January, and one to Tucson in July, that I've driven over 20,000 miles this year just in road trips.  My husband thinks I'm crazy, especially since a few of those included about 2500 miles on my own (the others were with our daughter).  Flying is great if you want to arrive somewhere quickly, but you get to see so much more of the country by driving, and it's great to explore new places. 

Here are some photos of the beautiful scenery this fall in one of my new favorite places.  The picture at the top of the blog is also from Vancouver, taken near the UBC campus and looking down towards NW Marine Drive.

Enroute - Mt. Shasta in northern California

Love the snow!

In Vancouver...

Some of the colorful trees in the city

The day we visited Steveston Village was a cool, drizzly one. 

I love the clouds as you look past the fishing boats to the island across the inlet.

Here are a few scenes from NW Marine Drive, looking across to North and West Vancouver,

and also to the city itself.

Here are the Olympic Rings at the Vancouver airport. 

They look so pretty at night when the lights are on. 

However, this picture was taken on a rainy afternoon.

 

These photos were taken at White Rock on a very cloudy and drizzly day. 

I had to take a picture or two of the gulls... definitely not my best, but they wouldn't cooperate.

Enroute - Sunset near the California-Arizona border on I-40.

A New Design - To Sit on a Pumpkin

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself,

than be crowded on a velvet cushion." 

This quote by Henry David Thoreau has always been one of my favorites for autumn, and it inspired this cross stitch design..  I put the finishing touches on the pillow this afternoon and here's a close-up of the design...

The chart will be available for sale on Wednesday and you can find more information at Of Generations Past

A Week of Stitching and Cats

This was a very busy week stitching and I worked on a few different pieces. I've just loved stitching a few designs these last several months from Plum Pudding's Bits of Blue. With summer here I was in the mood for some blue and yellow, and I love the way this sampler turned out on the yellow hand-dyed linen. I used Presidential Blue by GAST for the floss.

This morning I pulled some of my blue and yellow fabrics from the shelves to see what works best. I've been making pillows for other people, and decided I wanted one for myself. I'm leaning towards the homespun fabrics in the blue and yellow, and when finished, the pillow will sit on the hearth for the rest of the summer.

The other evening I was going through a box of cross stitch items and came across last year's chart of November from Prairie Schooler. I had only stitched the first three lines when it was put away for the Christmas holidays. I'm so glad I found it because I've been thinking of autumn recently, and this is a fun project to work on. I love working with different overdye threads to give the leaves a bit of a different look, and will do the same as I work on the house.

I loved working from one of the Blackbird Designs books, so I've found myself collecting them. I've used several of the designs as gifts, and have had fun making a few changes here and there to fit the occasion or the recipient. It's hard to say which book is my favorite :)

Since my subject line mentioned cats, here are a few pictures of our family. We've found them in some cute poses recently, and thankfully the camera was nearby. Enjoy!

I left my chair for just a few minutes after having a snack, and when I came back Missy had hopped up on the table, licked a few crumbs, and fallen asleep on the plate.

We always say that Miss Kitty has a "hat face". Here she is wearing one of the American Girl straw hats. It looks good, don't you think?? :) (And yes, she's a very patient cat.)

Finally, here's Dinsdale, our little boy cat. He loves to jump up on the hope chest in the office and watch out the window when any large trucks go by. My husband came home with a new sprinkler this morning that "walks" around the yard, and it's a John Deere tractor. We put it on the floor in the sun room so Dinsey could explore, and he just loved it.

Exploring, playing, and chasing Miss Kitty around the room (their favorite game and they take turns) tires him out, so here he is, snuggled in for a nice afternoon nap.