Hungry Bumblebee

I used Kim's recipe she gave us last week using her texture Pheobe, 

but used Water Stained Frame instead.

I loved the feeling in her rose picture and I love soft depth in this picture.

Great recipe Kim.

Please stop by and visit Kim for Texture Tuesday and

Lisa Gordon for The Creative Exchange.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Resting by the Shore

I am joining Kim Klassen for Texture Tuesday and the challenge this week
 was to use her texture 'Phoebe'.

I added it to these ladies resting by the waters edge using hard light at 59%.

Then added a layer mask and gently removed some of the texture on the

lovely gals. I like the warm feel the texture gives the photo.

Have a GREAT Day!!!

Mosaic Monday - A Special Cow

While visiting Scotland in August I fell in love with their Highland Cows. An ancient breed of cattle that originated on the northern steppes of Mongolia more than 6,000 years ago and brought to Scotland by the Vikings in the sixth century. They came to North America by cattlemen in North and South Dakota in response to the cold and harsh weather there. Highland cattle were imported to Canada from Scotland in 1880, and have been a 'closed herd' (meaning only purebreds can be registered) since 1964. I have found a herd (or a fold, as they say in the old country) one and a half hours from my door at Quiet Pine Farm in Mulmur, Ontario. I went for a visit today.

With a significantly thicker hide than other breeds and two coats (one downy and close to the skin and one long, thick and well oiled to shed the rain and snow), they can withstand blizzard conditions and temperatures as low as -40 degrees C. These cattle are extremely efficient foragers and will browse happily on vegetation that other breeds would ignore, making them well suited to pasturing. They are very independent, gentle and thrive in small herds. Linda, wife in the husband and wife team, told me today each has a personality all its' own and there is a pecking order to the fold. 

This post is linking up with Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

I am so glad you stopped in for a visit.

Take care and have a wonderful week!!!

A Journey Ends

But it started September 2008, when a mother stands in a cold hall to say goodbye to her son. He is going to Afghanistan for 8 months as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Army. She gives him a big hug, while tears roll down her cheeks, not knowing if she will see him again.

Her monthly quilt group have a challenge to buy a fabric that can only be used as a border and the material in the blocks must compliment this border fabric. So stressed with worry, her choice is a steel grey with small blue flowers not her usual bright and cheerful colours.

Each month instructions are given to make blocks of varying sizes and styles. She finds this very difficult and cannot sew but the simplest of blocks.  The quote 'One Day at a Time' is her mantra and it is engraved on a pendant she wears around her neck.

Finally, peace is found when she learns to accept 'what was', 'what is' and not live in the 'what if'. 

May 2009 her son returns home and the quilt is finished and put away until... 

this fall, when it is taken to a long arm quilter and finished.

I have named this quilt 'Acceptance'... 

I have learned to accept what is, forgive and let go.

Tomorrow is Remember Day in Canada and I will take a minute of silence,

shed some tears again and remember 

all those who did not return. 

Thank you for visiting!!!

Last Bud of the Season

There is nothing left in the garden,

all the beautiful flowers and leaves have

gone until next spring.

This is the last struggling bud of a Rudbeckia.

I am joining Lisa Gordon for 

The Creative Exchange.

Have a wonderful day!!!