Breaking the Path

This week I'm beginning my new project for work, which is an exciting but also anxious time for me. I write alone in my home office eight hours a day, and unless there's a big problem I can't resolve by myself I have no one with whom to share this part of the work. Everything I do over the next month will determine what I do, and how well I do it, for the next half of the year. I need to be creative, original and inventive every day. I try not to think about the weight of that burden so it doesn't get between me and the work, but it's always there, like a big angry cow ready to trample me if I hesitate on the path.

When I begin a project I am very good to myself. I quilt every day on my breaks, which helps keep me from tensing up or brooding. I drink my favorite teas (including an herbal blend that helps me sleep better) and give myself little rewards when I reach my daily goals. I increase my efforts to stay away from things that depress (news) or upset me (politics) or make me angry (toxic people). I read my favorite books for pleasure, and I also write a lot in my desk journal.

I don't mind working alone -- I prefer it -- and I have a lot of experience with bearing the responsibilities. I will remind myself frequently of how lucky I am to have a creative profession, and how happy I feel to be able to do what I love for a living. More than anything that keeps the big angry cow out of my way.

Image credit: matak from Pixabay

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Stuff

After finding this Caron one pound skein of lovely peach yarn in my thrifted lot I raided my stash for two cakes of Mandala in Pegasus, which matches it perfectly. For practice and hand therapy I'm going to make another Worth Street Afghan with this free pattern , but this time I'll use the yarn that was recommended for it plus the one pound skein. I'm not quite ready to do the vintage/recycled linen quilt I had planned (still a bit too nervous about the idea), so I'm going to use some color therapy and make a quilt from these thrifted green fat quarters. I considered doing another Yellow Brick road patchwork pattern, but I might go with a split rail fence like this one.

Better than Fried

I cut some chives from the kitchen garden to make garlic-chive baked fries for dinner. This is a great side dish for veggie burgers. Click here for the recipe from Taste of Home.com.

The Mercantile

If you don't mind walking 33K square feet in retail space, The Mercantile may be the vintage/arts store you'd enjoy visiting if you're ever in Orlando. I certainly did. Because it was busy I didn't take any photos in the store, but it's absolutely amazing and chock full of antiques and artisan creations, most of which were pretty reasonably priced. For $21.00 I invested in a picture of sailboats for the guest bathroom I'm redoing, and a fairy mystery jar of cool stuff. The jaw was hand-painted and decorated, and utterly charming. I think I wanted the jar more than the contents. As you can see the contents were both generous and pretty cool, too. I finally have some vintage gloves to use for my art quilter bingo challenge!

Rayen

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