Stepping Gently

 A window view in Washington, NC

Summer is such an amazing time,

there is so much to do,

a relaxed feeling each day,

beautiful sunshine,

vacations and mini getaways,

hot temperatures

and an awakening of the spirit.

People seem happier

and

more relaxed to me!

There are gatherings with family,

vacations and times to slow down from the norm.

More books are read for sure

and 

many more naps in hammocks, right?

Even my Josie Grace finds time to chill

It is already mid August

and I find myself wanting to step gently

for the rest of the summer.

My tapestry camp is over

(and I looked so forward to that!),

we were able to sneak in a day trip to the OBX,

it was our first trip this summer :(

Finding time for a little play at the ocean

We have had so much going on

with our family this summer,

and we are learning to appreciate

each and every day and moment.

Stepping gently has taught me so much.

I look at the wonder around me

and appreciate all that I am seeing!

Here are just a few of my favorites:

My birthday is fast approaching and I will be 60 years old!!!

It will be on August 21st

and I must say it is a very special day this year,

there is a full eclipse!

I call that pretty special don't you?

So in the meantime,

I will continue to look at my surroundings

with a keen eye of appreciation

for all that I see,

I will step gently and quietly,

calming my heart and my spirit each day.

It is so important!

I am totally smitten with my new

Midori Traveler's Notebook,

and am recording my thoughts,

dreams and desires inside the pages.

I'm sketching, writing poetry,

collecting quotes and so much more!

It goes everywhere with me,

and it feels so good in my hands.

Have you heard about them?

They are all the rage for journalers these days.

Here is a link to the one I purchased!

(There is something yummy about red leather!)

Last, but NEVER least ...

I am weaving a little bit each day,

making my time at the loom special.

I have committed to weaving something each morning,

and I must say it starts my day off perfectly.

Weaving always calms my spirit

and I can get so easily lost in the process.

I am still trying to finish up

my woven sampler I started

at Tapestry Camp a few weeks ago,

I'm not rushing at all,

just trying new techniques

and working them out.

My new Lani 8" loom is portable,

and I am enjoying weaving time

outside on the deck!

Weaving row by row and learning along the way

My finished sample of techniques

Dear friend stop and pause,

if only for a moment.

Enjoy this season of fun and play,

relax your spirit,

find time to step gently . . .

Look at the beauty around you

and embrace what is right in front of you.

Don't be too busy,

distracted by your phone in your hand,

put it down,

embrace a slower pace.

Summer is a gift we are given,

what are you doing with it this season?

Donna Lee

Returning to my Spinning

A treasured keepsake I found in Providence, RI

Perfect prop this morning!

It has been years, literally years,

since I have picked up my spinning!

I returned to my wonderful 

spinning wheel just last week

and I am falling in love with it

all over again!

I have had a Schacht Matchless Spinning Wheel

for ten years

and it is brand new!

It had become a piece of furniture

in my living room

that I dusted and polished every now and then!

Oh my ....

Say Hello to Rapunzel

I knew it was time to try and work with her again.

My granddaughter loves to play with the drive band

and spin the wheel around!

I want my wheel to be more than just a toy!

So I decided I was going to sit at the wheel one afternoon,

grab some fleece, oil the machine and

find my rhythm once more!

I sure did!

I truly had forgotten how wonderful

spinning your own yarn was.

A practice bobbin full of yarn

My whole desire to return to spinning

was to create my own unique yarns

for my Tapestry Weaving.

I have the fondest memories of

the Southeastern Spinning Guild

here in the Tidewater Area

(I'm talking about 20 years ago!)

We would rotate homes, bring our wheels,

fill the house with laughter, chatter and the sound

of wheels going round and round.

I had forgotten about that for awhile

and remembered while writing this post!

Oh the friendships that were formed back then.

Now it's all gone ... how we lose touch with others!

Life moves on and we forget!

I did learn a lot during that time,

and I do know that your spinning rhythm

doesn't disappear ... it returns with practice!!

For my birthday I purchased the amazing

Jenkins Turkish Drop Spindle.

My Tapestry teacher Rebecca Mezoff

had demonstrated and shared hers

and I wanted one.

There is quite a waiting list to get one,

but I finally got mine.

I have been playing with her and

the beautiful rainbow dyed fleece that

came along with it.
It was  60% Merino Wool and 40% Bamboo blend
from New Hue Handspuns

I am taking Rebecca's Little Looms class
right now online
and I am spinning these fibers to create
a small tapestry.
I want to see how my yarns weave up!
Can't wait, but first I need to spin up a fiber stash!

I completed my first skein

and am now on to the next!
I ordered more from this company
and got this luscious Periwinkle blend!

How I love this masterpiece of handcrafting!
From the hand carved spindle
to the hand blended fibers.

I have always loved art forms that call to me.

Tapestry Weaving slows me down enough to think,

Spinning teaches me patience and finding my rhythm,

Knitting fills my heart with pure joy

and

Zentangle® teaches me to enjoy the process

more than the final product

through meditation and centering.

Life is so fast paced,

especially at this time of year!

So when I have the chance to do something creative,

I want it to be fulfilling

and relaxing for my spirit.

How about you?

What art forms do you like to do,

and why do you spend time at them?

I would love to hear about it.

May your week be filled with joy,

remember to slow yourself down

whenever you can

and take in all the beauty that surrounds you!

Donna Lee

Season Beauty

Williamsburg Beauty

It is such a wondrous time of year!

Every one of us can say we are way to busy,

we have so much to do,

our lists keep getting longer not shorter,

there are so many gatherings to attend,

we are a bit more stressed than normal,

and that we we will truly 

"never get it all done"
and forget getting anything creative done right now!!!

Yet there is so much magic and beauty

all around us

if only we will take a look and see!

I wanted so much to let this be 

the holiday that I didn't stress to get it all done,

that I slowed down to bake the cookies,

that I stepped lightly through it all,

that I enjoy my grandchildren,

wrap the presents

and watch every holiday

Hallmark movie

I could!
So far ... so good!

I think I've done that
and with a strangely sense of calm.
I am just writing to remind you
that YOU CAN control how you act,
how you feel and how rushed you choose to be.
Each holiday is truly made of
the effort you put into it!
Return to self, return to calm,
return to simplicity.
Let your holiday season be
one that is filled with accomplishments,
love for one another,
and a sense of wonder.

Enjoy the little things ...
hot chocolate ... hot apple cider,
24 hour holiday music channels,
smiles you receive from others,
decorations you pull out of the attic every year,
gaudy holiday lights in your neighborhood,
cards in the mail from friends and family,
ornaments on your tree that bring back fond memories,
Christmas Eve traditions,
making homemade gifts
and oh so much more ....

Christmas time in Edenton, NC

For me it will be celebrating my life
with two precious grandchildren!
Loving my family to overflowing,
having time off to enjoy and soak it all in.
Truly recognizing how blessed it all is!

My little Annabelle and Grayson

I wish you peace and joy
I wish you health
I wish you a happy heart
I wish you creativity in whatever form that is for you
I wish you a happy point of view
I wish you joy ... for it is truly a gift

Happy Holiday Season
from me to you!

With love and gratitude,
Donna Lee

Ten Thoughts on a Wednesday

Ten Thoughts on a Wednesday

Beauty can be found everywhere ... if only you will look

Friendships are lasting treasures ... you must always nurture them

Poetry soothes a restless heart ... take the time to write or read it

Spring is a time for renewal ... in nature and in one's soul

You can't do it all ... so choose your steps wisely

We must choose to be happy ... for it is a state of mind

We all have a message to share ... what is yours?

Candlelight is beautiful ... take the time to enjoy it

Our homes are our safe sanctuary ... stay home and enjoy it

Be at peace with yourself ... and you will be with others

Have a beautiful day

and always look for the good in this life!

The Little Girl in Me

The Little Girl in Me . . .

Still wants to play each day

taking the time to just be

Wants to create magic with paints and crayons

they are just more expensive these days

Is in love with each and every day

cherishing all the happy moments around me

Just wants life to be simple again

pushing away all of life's complications

Loves to play outside with her friends

for girlfriend times are the best

Wants to play dress up and be pretty

finding it harder now to find her own style

Will write with her pencil and pen

now creating stories and poems from her life

Still bites her bottom lip when stressed

for she finds comfort still there

Is seeking new ways to discover life

for she never wants to stop growing inside

Always needs her afternoon naps

 recharging for the next get up and go

Is always seeking out beauty in the world

so happy to discover there is still so much out there

The little girl in me

soon to be a first time grand mommy

to a precious granddaughter

OH the things we will discover together . . .

Donna Lee

A Poetry Moment

Simplify

Sometimes our lives become so difficult

We rush from here to there

never taking the time to truly 

slow ourselves down

What a gift we give to ourselves

when we can just Simplify

the way we live

the way we over commit our lives

Simplify your time

don't pack so much into one day

Simplify your mind

let go of unwanted thoughts

Slow your pace of life

way down

you won't be disappointed

with what you see will happen

Simplify your wants and needs

clear out unwanted things

for there is so much waste

just look around and see

To Simplify your pace

can be a personal gift

try today to see the beauty 

you have been missing every day