Happy Birthday Cathy!

Here's to a great day and a 

wonderful year ahead!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Linda!

Wishing you a great day 

and a wonderful year.

Happy birthday Linda!

Happy Birthday Donna

Donna...

Here's to a Happy Birthday

and a great year ahead!

The Unfinished Line

There is this filament

Unseen, but felt

It traverses the universe

It’s a thought

It’s a prayer

Words spoken from the heart

Can you hear me?

This my request

Did it reach you?

From my heart to God’s ear

This gossamer thread

A beam of light

A tiny vibration

Almost a song

A flutter from within

I’m hoping you remember me

Can you see me through the darkness?

The darkness

I pause

What darkness?

A remembrance

As I look I notice the dawn

The sunlight to guide my steps

Brilliance during the day

A gentle light at dusk

Twilight to highlight my hindsight

Moonlight to brighten my dreams

Stars to twinkle my fantasies

A comet to show me the way

All of this brilliance to light my life

Darkness

What darkness?

Imagine the illumination

If we all saw only the light

One voice multiplied becomes a prayer

One song multiplied becomes a chorus

One step multiplied becomes a new path

One heart light multiplied becomes a beacon

One dream multiplied becomes a new world

The unfinished line…completed

Life fulfilled

Cathy

The Finish Line

Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mt. 5:10

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mt%205:10&version=NRSVCE

             

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Mother Teresa

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mothertere107032.html#4X5SF6wCMGUU11PZ.99 

 http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomascarl142110.html#GemQdg0GP5ppOyIL.99 

Happy Birthday Anne

Anne...

Wishing you a happy birthday 

and a wonderful year.

Lilies Of The Field

In wishing you a happy Easter, please consider the center of the life source of the lilies of the field…the heart of God and His love.

MT 6:28

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin;

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.%206:28&version=RSVCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6w255CGkk

Happy Easter to all.

Cathy

The Time Traveler

As I sat quietly

The Earth spoke to me

It spoke through a speck of dust

A time traveler

I gazed upon it

Insignificant in size and appearance

Ordinary for sure

Yet, unique…no two specks alike

Not even colorful was it

Bland

Yet as I pondered it

I questioned the occasion of our meeting

How is it you came to me today?

By way of the Earth did you set out in ancient time?

A mighty rock or boulder

What is it you have seen?

By way of fire

A molten path from a volcano,

Or Vulcan itself?

By way of the oceans…

You have traversed the seven seas?

What did you see?

What wisdom do you carry with you?

Have you been lifted up to the heavens?

Ridden on an eagle’s wing?

Or a castaway in the rhythm of the wind?

Has this mighty wind brought you here today to speak to me?

Or do we just commune

Akin to each other

On this our journey

Sharing the moment?

“I’ll tell you my story if you tell me yours, I thought!”

“Fair enough!” the speck replied.

I sat amazed and intrigued

What could this speck possibly expound?

I began in greatness, a speck in the vast universe

I have taken many forms as you have speck-u-lated!

I have travelled many firmaments

Travelled light and dark alike

Elementally speaking, I have seen it all

Earth, air, fire and water are all known to me

But it is my ‘spirit’ within the universe that brings me here today

I say this to you…

‘You are on the right path’

You are perfect in all ways

The questions you have are meant to be asked

The doubt that you have is meant to be examined

Your curiosity will drive you to the answers that you seek

Once sought and answered, you will find your peace

You are as you were created

A ‘seeker’

One with the divine

One with the universe

Finding your place in this world at this time

I am a humble messenger

Travelling through time

A speck left from the tumble weed I once was

Then speeding at a steadier pace

Now slower, yet not done with my experience of this my life

I tell you this

I gather your questions and your quest for this communion with me

And I will carry this with me forever

I will extoll your tale of ‘us’ to the universe

Of your awareness of our oneness

We will be timeless

We will be forever

As we are now we will always be

Never to part, yet when parted, connected

I feel the elements readying me for the next steps of my journey

The wind stirs

The rain swells in the clouds

I shall be carried forth soon

I bid you well

Peace my fellow traveler

Namaste

Namaste, my new and forever friend

BFF

Cathy

Happy Birthday Patty

Wishing you a Happy Birthday and a wonderful year!

Prayer for Pope Francis I

May God grant Pope Francis I the grace needed for the support of his elected office.

Amen

MT 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God”

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A3-12&version=NIV

Our Lady of Fatima

"If My requests are granted ... there will be peace"

http://www.fatima.org/essentials/facts/story1.asp

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Wishing all, much more than the ‘Luck-O’-The Irish’, but the faith of St. Patrick. May all you do today and in the days to come be in the footsteps of Christ as taught by the beliefs of St. Patrick.

 As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God uphold me,
the wisdom of God guide me.
May the eye of God look before me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God speak for me.
May the hand of God protect me,
the way of God lie before me,
the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me.
May Christ shield me today.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen

Top o’ the morning’ to you!

Cathy

http://www.2heartsnetwork.org/Patrick.htm

http://prayerfoundation.org/st_patricks_breastplate_prayer.htm

Rumors of Crocus

This past month, I can recall too many times staring out the windows…the inside looking out…housebound…watching the snow fly… then watching the rainfall compact and compress the snow into mini-glaciers…then watching the mini-icebergs float down the street. These moments of semi-wonderment (repeated from year to year) were only replaced by today’s greater surprise …all of it disappearing overnight in the rain. WOW!...to what do my wondering eyes appear…NO SNOW!!! Thank you Mother Nature.

I heard in our last group conversation, ‘rumors of crocus’. (Sigh!) How nice. I’ve had my eyes peered to the heavens, rather to the tree tops, looking for signs of spring. There are some very ambitious trees in the sunniest areas with buds ready to burst with the most recent snow fall not deterring their lofty spring dreams. As I spied the yard today I too noticed the buds on the quince bush. The azalea is not quite there, but soon to follow I’m sure. Two days in a row of fifty-degree weather does give rise to the human spirit in this muddy month of March. With a prayer to St. Patrick in this his week, may we please have the ‘Luck-o’-the Irish’ for a green spring here to stay… beginning right away!

Cathy

Honoring Pope Francis I

Pope Francis

May he walk the path of St. Francis of Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/cardinals-elect-new-pope.html?_r=0

…and March Roars

February passed with winter’s fury. Three storms later and with daylight savings time in place, we are regrouping for spring. As the ice and snow melts in fifty degree weather and the sun lingers just a bit longer on the horizon, we delight at the nearness of spring. Snow days and snowmobiles are soon a thing of the past. Rain is in the forecast…NOT another foot of snow!

We did have a small get-together last weekend for a crochet meeting for our prayer shawls. A small group of five made great progress as we exchanged patterns and crochet tips while clicking away at our shawls. Samples of our wares were displayed as we compared our progress. Emails are flowing as we double-check our work and pass questions and answers back and forth.

The next meeting is anticipated in April, after Easter. Let’s hope March and April are kinder to our mission! We shouldn’t have to shovel our way to the mall for more yarn in the next month!

As you complete your shawls, please take a photo and send it along for posting.

Photos, courtesy of our hostess…Patti. Thanks again, Patti.

Cathy

Crochet Capelet

I have completed another prayer shawl. It is very similar to one we have a picture of, yet still need the pattern for. I found this one and feel that it is very easy for a beginner. The fact that it fully encloses the body and leaves your hands free is both appealing and comfortable. I am enclosing the pattern too.

Cathy

Welcome February

February

The color of red

The landscape may be white and blustery

But there’s red in our cheeks

Shiny red lips too

With the whisper of love

For hope is in the air

With the poetry of love

As thoughts are always

Centered on our hearts

And their desire

As the romantic energies are

Blowing our way

Towards springtime

And the fever yet to come

Cathy

http://www.heavenletters.org/life-is-coming-up-roses.html

Spring's Sleeping

Variegated Color Shawl

I have added another infinity scarf to the ‘Prayer Shawl’ page. This one is in a variegated color yarn. I thought you might wish to see a variation on this pattern.

Cathy

Prayer Shawl Update

Today I have added a Prayer Shawl Page for reference to our new ministry. Our previous sites have been added for quick reference. I have also updated the Infinity Scarf page with instructions and illustrations.

May God bless for our new ministry.

Cathy

Rainbow Rings

Love

Winter Winds

Chickadee

Holiday Gathering

Cathy, Donna & Linda

Rosie & Cathy

Patti, Rosemary & Sue

I’ve just received these photos from Michele from our impromptu holiday gathering in Dec.

Thank you Michele.

Cathy

Fleece Prayer Shawl

I have made a third prayer shawl from fleece. This is designed for those who wish to contribute but have little time, a big heart and not having the knitting & crocheting skills yet for the two previous shawls.

This shawl is made from ½ yard of fleece: cut size is 18” x 60”

The ends are bent back 3/8” and whipstitched at ½” spacing using a medium weight yarn and an embroidery needle.

There are so many beautiful fleece designs on the market right now. A small amount of contrasting thread for the edge will make any fleece into a beautiful prayer shawl. If you do not have a fabric store readily available to you, I suggest buying any of the fleece throws from your local department store or chain stores. Find a pretty color or pattern and cut them to the size shawl you wish. Add a border and you are done.

Enjoy!

Cathy

Infinity Prayer Shawl

Infinity Prayer Shawl

This is my most recent shawl. The crochet design is based on the previous one but with a larger hook. The ends are joined in the back and the front drape has a twist in it. I like it because it will stay on your shoulders to allow your hands to be free. It is also large enough to be worn as a cowl on your head or double-wrapped around your neck for warmth.

Cathy

Infinity Shawl Pattern

I like this pattern because it uses 1 5 oz. skein of yarn and it’s fast and simple to make. Because it sits on your shoulders, it allows your hands to be free for multi-tasking!

1 5 oz. skein of med. weight yarn

Size N crochet hook

Gauge is not important. The dimensions before closing is 60” x 12”

Chain stitch 34.

Turn and chain stitch 4. This becomes your 1^st double crochet at each end.

Double crochet and chain stitch into alternating spaces for a total of 18 double crochet and 17 spaces.

Continue this lattice pattern for the length of 60”.

When you have completed the length of 60”, fold ends together, twist the shawl once at one end, and then slip stich ends together. This may be done with a crochet hook or with an embroidery needle. The shawl will have a beautiful drape at the center. It may also be doubled up for a neck scarf.

Completed Prayer Shawl

My first prayer shawl is complete. It is made in double crochet for the end borders and alternating double crochet with spaces throughout. It measures 15” x 55” when complete which is a standard shawl size.

I do have two more projects in work and will update you when complete.

Happy Crafting!

Cathy

Pattern: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/kayes-shawl.html

Morning's Mist

Winterized Girls With Tools

As I reflect our summer with sanding and painting projects, I realize that we have merely exchanged our summer tools for winter tools. Away go the paint, brushes and sprayer and out come the snow shovels, scrapers and rock salt. It’s just a change of season. We are prepared afterall.

We are prepared with our parkas, hats, gloves, boots and scarves for full assault on the elements at hand. A momentary conflict passes as we pause to admire the beauty, camera in hand for a quick shot of nature as we march forward armed with the tools of winter. The snow is moved, the car is scraped and the ugly ice at the end of the driveway by way of the snow plow is in for a surprise. Attack is eminent on this boundary to our freedom of the streets.

For our lives in New England are well-seasoned. We are prepared for all that Mother Nature can send our way. So far this winter, we have been blessed with mild weather. Today’s snow is a reminder to us that winter does always show up. Our shovels in hand are a reminder that we are ready at all times.

Cathy

Delicate Balance

Today’s snow fell softly

A white blanket

Each flake apparent

To the eye

Delicately balanced

Displaying its beauty

To the world

Cathy