Welcome Beautiful Autumn!

 I hope to get some good pictures this week but I think the trees here are not peaked in Autumn color but this week will probably reveal  it's plethora of colors that grace the mountains.

Stitchy-slow still but I know with time I will be back and probably more than ever as I won't have the toxic distractions that have been of late.

Gratitude is my attitude this morning and even in the big bumps in the road, there are things that are blessings I'm counting. In fact, I've learned a lesson that in the difficult times I should be thankful for, as if they didn't present themselves to us, we wouldn't be able to appreciate the truth.

With October comes the remembrance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Purple shades are the primary colors used and in last year's designing I still have this to work on one day. Probably will not be done for this October but I'm thankful that I am inspired intermittently to put ideas to linen.

I'm thankful for my lovely daughter Meghan, who inspired me more than she knew and whose crayon- talent clued me in to get her an art teacher so she could express and find her true creativity.

I feel blessed to have a daughter with such inspiration.

I am very thankful for our guardian angels and friends both near and far. The amazing strength of prayer transcends all things in this world.

I am greatful for my son and daughter who grew up to become adults that anyone would be proud of and who through many difficult times became adults that this mama is proud of.

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Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his,

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

~~Psalm 100

Have a beautiful Autumn day and enjoy the beauty around you!

Jennifer

I Know He Watches Me--Thankfully

This past week has flown by with many things to learn and to live. I flipped through my stash to stitch something encouraging and I'm sure it was not by accident that this fell out of my stack of patterns.

The Sampler Girl-Tanya Anderson, designer

Sweet Sparrow Sampler

I decided it was meant for the perfect time to stitch. Now.

  I so love the tealish blues in this one AND it goes perfectly in my bedroom. I plan to finish this in a pillow for the settee in this room.

I'm stitching slowly but surely on 32 count natural belfast linen in cream. I still need to machine sew the sides and cut the linen down to size a bit.

I have been grateful for the following today:

~~watching a beautiful, yellow butterfly out the window in the sun while I write

~~lunch date with a favorite soul

~~the clearest, brightest sun after a cold night on a Fall day in the mountains

~~homemade, juicy hamburgers with scrumptious fries

~~strolling through antique and junk stores just to look with someone special

~~starting on this sampler with beautiful bright colors

~~hot cups of tea

~~hair clips on bad-hair days ;)

Using Crescent Colors and DMC so far. Trying to use the colors called for but still haven't made my mind up on the lettering color.

I stitched this up outside today because the bright sunlight is the best to see.

I'm so glad I found this one.

The verse is a favorite of mine. I used to play this song on the piano before church started.

I draw the closer to Him

from care He sets me free

His eye is on the Sparrow

and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eyes is on the sparrow,

And I know.....He watches.....me.

On the pattern, Tanya wrote His Eyes Is On the Sparrow words were written by Civilla Durfee Martin in 1905 and then Charles Gabriel put it to music.

And of course, Miss Abbie is snuggling on a blanket. Those feet are well tucked under as it's pretty doggone (no pun intended) cold!

Of course this pic of her I took this morning, shows she is also keeping one eye watching.....

Our last 2 nights have gotten into the upper 30's with a little frost on the ground yesterday on my way to work! We are definitely into Fall now. Of course, I put a sweater on her last night and she wiggled out of it in an hour. Bad girl, Abbie! ;p

Stay warm and safe,

Jennifer

From the Heart to those who journey with me

First, I want to thank each and every one of you for prayers as of late. I honestly have been in a whirlwind of major changes, some placed in my hands that I never, ever would have guessed that I would have to go through. Only through God's plan for my life, did these things become revealed to me and He has and will protect me and see me through according to His will. Seems like Spring and Summer went by in a flash, yet in slow motion at the same time as I tried to deal with quite some revelations and deceptions that were very deeply  hurtful; however, overall, I think that the One above, knows exactly when and how to present the truths we need to know, the ones we have prayed for, in HIS time, not ours.

I couldn't answer all the emails that came my way but I do want you to know that you mean the world to me. Through blogging, I have developed so many stitcher friends and realized that writing is indeed a part of me that I can't let go. Of course, through all the trauma this Summer, I didn't have very much time to sit and stitch and didn't even have my stitching mojo at all. There were times that I was afraid for my life; however, the stitching and designing are coming back, as I know needlework is a part of me.

It's just in my fiber.

I miss the networking, the friendships, the laughter, the sharing of our love for stitching.

I can't expand on a public domain of the details of what I"ve been through of late and it's really unimportant because the fact remains that because of the destruction of one individual's choices in life and it's effects on those around him, I will not let that control who I am and what my friends are and enjoy. Therefore, I will slowly be coming back to blogging.

I do not see that I need to make it private at this time as I have met so many people globally who also love needlework that I wouldn't want to restrict it's use due to one person's decision to control.

The most important thing right now is rest, getting back into the stitching world with those who choose to journey with me, and write. Miss Abbie sends lots of hugs and love too. She has been the sweetest, kindest animal I've ever owned (and believe me, in this life time I have had several!!!).

 I have irregular use of the computer right now but due to so many, SO many that wrote me to continue with the blog, and reconsideration, I have decided to begin a fresh new beginning. I had to reflect at the reasons why I would have to choose not to write about stitching and other delights that I so hold in my heart as treasures and have for years.

What a better time that Fall.

Fall has always been, and probably will always be, my favorite time of year. I relate to it as new beginnings, I guess, as August and September roll around for new school starts. Just like fresh, new pencils and paper, it's a time of reevaluation for a new year. This year in particular is a restart on many other things as well. I embrace the opportunity even though through challenges I thought I could never handle, to learn many life lessons.

I can even see some of the Dogwoods leaves starting to tinge a shade or two, and as I sit on my back porch looking through the beautiful mountains of North Georgia, I realize it will not be long before nature makes her show of Autumn color palettes.

As I'm still going through quite an ordeal on the homefront and with irregular use of the internet temporarily, I may not blog daily, but I hope to get back into Feathers in the Nest blogging, sooner rather than later.

Thank you again. There's one thing about hardships: it shows us really who our friends are. It also challenges our fiber to stretch to spaces we didn't even think we could before.

This pic taken 3 years ago in the peak of Fall. I have lost almost 10 lbs since this last 6 months and I so hope to get my health back and overcome the challenges that each day is bringing and I strongly believe that I can, I have, and I will with the help of the One above. I'm praying and hoping that He gives me direction and courage to face the things I have been forced to face in order to live a life free of deception and lies. I'm embracing the opportunity to self-reflect in my own life as in hindsight is truly 20/20 and that the truth shall truly set me free.

Till later and to all those journeying with me,

Jennifer