The Gift of a Clean Slate

During a very brisk walk this morning, I realized the breeze was getting a little breezier and the chill in the air was a little chillier.  I looked up to see a line of clouds rapidly moving to the east, leaving nothing behind but clear, blue sky...clean, pure, lovely endlessness.
I was suddenly acutely aware of the new mercies that are mine today.  I awoke to a clean slate, a chance to make better choices and make the most of the blessings I've received.  I have the opportunity to be a little more aware, a little less selfish, a little more faithful.  I believe this is the gift for which I am most grateful as Thanksgiving day approaches...the daily gift of a clean slate.

Ready for Monday

It's been a while since I had trouble sleeping. Usually my head hits the pillow and I'm gone, but last night my mind simply refused to get still. Maybe it was the coffee I had too late in the day. Or maybe I allowed myself to dwell too long on my "to do" list.  (I know better.)  Sometimes everything seems so urgent. Ironically, urgency tends to paralyze me.

So, instead of tossing and turning, I padded down to the living room in my sock feet and tucked myself under my most favorite blanket.  In a silent, sleepy house, I pondered my weekend and the week ahead.

It didn't rain Saturday as I had expected. (Apparently I was the only one around here that heard that particular weather report.) Saturday turned out to be a great day to rake and burn the ocean of leaves that covered our front yard. Our pup was a lot of "help", playing in the leaves as we piled them on tarps and dragged them to the fire.

This big guy turned up as I was raking.  He was about 4 inches long and quite plump. (Hard to tell from the picture.)  We admired him for a while and then placed him in some leaves under a bush, hoping he would find a new, happy home.  Isn't he a lovely shade of green?

Sunday afternoon was spent as all Sunday afternoons should be spent... with friends. We demolished a fresh apple cake and drank too much coffee on the front patio, which is most likely the reason I could not sleep later. It was totally worth it, though, because we had a very sweet time (sorry about the pun) and our friends saved us from eating too much cake on our own.

So, after such a lovely weekend I found myself so very grateful for simple things...beautiful things.  I am grateful for unruly puppies and big fat caterpillars.  I am grateful for my friends and family, and the way they beckon me out of the tunnel in which I so often find myself where I get too serious or too focused on me.  And I am grateful that on the brink of a busy, pressure-filled week I had a few very quiet moments to collect my thoughts and rejoice in all that is good in my life.  Okay, Monday.  I'm ready for you now.

A Few Treasures to Share

I did a little shopping last weekend at First Monday in Canton, Texas and came away with a few treasures.  My favorites were these skeleton keys and miscellaneous pieces of hardware.  I can't wait to get them cleaned up and sealed so I can use them in some jewelry projects I have in mind.

I was also happy to find these vintage calling cards.  I don't really have any plans for them right now, I was just just struck by their sweetness and thought I'd add them to my file of fabulous stationary.

Let's see...what else?  Some pretty gemstones and pearls...vintage jewelry odds and ends...lots to keep me busy...and more large house keys to be altered.  I guess I'd better get to work!  I'll post some photos when I get some new pieces together.

We're expecting a rainy Saturday tomorrow.  I need to photograph some jewelry, so I'm going to have to try to get that done before midday, when the clouds are expected to roll in.  I've been doing most of my photography outdoors and that takes a bit of planning.

One last thing...I thought I'd share a color pallette I'm compiling.  It started with a pretty red leaf as the main color.  I laid it on my desk and have since added bits and pieces of gold, light teals and greens, and various blues.  The bit of purple I have added here might be a bit too much...what do you think?

I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend ahead.  Enjoy!