The Fairy Tree

When my first granddaughter was little, the fairies would occasionally leave her tiny treasures on our front lawn. I loved watching her race outside, eyes wide with excitement, eager to see what had been left for her. My husband told her that fairies especially loved children who were grateful for their friendship. If you talked to them—especially if you thanked them and showed appreciation for their gifts—they might continue their generosity.

When we were searching for a new home, we scheduled a viewing one evening. As soon as we pulled up, I gasped, "It has a fairy tree!" In that moment, I was sold. I don’t know what I would have done if the interior of the house had not met our requirements —we had to live there. I had fallen madly in love with that tree.

It’s a magnificent Russian olive tree, the only one of its kind on the block. At least thirty years old, it has a massive trunk with smaller trunks that reach in every direction. At its base, the four trunks intertwine, forming a small, sheltered space—the perfect hiding spot where the fairies leave their treasures for the children to find. In addition, at its base is  a natural alcove where the local rabbits like to sleep.

Every Halloween, we transform the tree with pumpkins, skeletons, and ghosts dangling from its branches. At Easter, it becomes the perfect hiding place for Easter eggs.

I also make fairy doors, and several now grace the trunk, adding a touch of magic to our beloved fairy tree.

Whenever the grandchildren visit, they always check the fairy tree to see if the fairies have left them something. However, as one granddaughter discovered to her dismay, visiting every day doesn’t always guarantee a surprise.

Sometimes, the fairies leave a colouring book, a dollar-store toy, or a lollipop. Other times, it’s a shiny rock or a little treasure from Grandma’s junk drawer—perhaps a tiny mirror or an old bracelet Grandma won’t miss.

One day, my younger granddaughter, who was four at the time, stopped by with her dad for a quick visit. About half an hour before they arrived, it had started to rain. When she found her treasure, she picked it up, looked at it, and exclaime, "Wet socks? Really, fairies?"

As would be expected, the fairies share their tree with many other creatures. As I previously mentioned, there are often rabbits that visit the fairy tree, they love to eat the olives and tender leaves that they find under its branches, and like to nap at the base of it's trunk. Many birds visit the fairy tree as well, and my husband loves watching them perched on the branches outside of his den on the second floor. 

And of course, there is the squirrel.

One time, the fairies left a Kinder Surprise—a chocolate egg with a toy inside—for one of the kids to find. As I glanced out the window, I spotted a squirrel high up in the tree, busily unwrapping the treat! I can’t help but wonder if, somewhere, a tiny Kinder toy now sits in that squirrel’s nest—a prized possession and the talk of all his cocktail parties!

I should mention that the kids often leave treasures for the fairies, too. The fairies love sunflower seeds, pine cones, and even leaves. Pretty rocks are always a favorite. Now that the kids are a little older, we’re encouraging them to leave notes and drawings for the fairies. I think I’ll make them a mailbox so we can be sure the fairies receive their messages.

Most importantly, it’s about gratitude—learning to appreciate the magic of small kindnesses and giving back in return.

Little Bateese

I lost my beloved dad six and a half years ago. I miss him every single day, and I know that my entire

family still feels the loss of him being here. But every once in a while, something special happens that reminds me that we are still connected. Today was one of those days that poked my heart.

In searching through my vast compilation of work emails (seems I never DELETE anything, only archive) my search keywords for some reason brought up an email from my father from three years before his death. I love it when this happens, and make it a practice to always open them up, it is like conversing with Dad again! 

This one really struck a chord with me, as we have our first grandson (Dad's first great-grandson after two great-granddaughters) and the family has been talking about how much Dad would have loved the new little guy. Dad was a sentimental man, a rare fellow who did not hide his feelings. He would tell us on a regular basis that he loved us, and that he was proud of us. And those words have stayed, even though he has gone. 

I hope you enjoy Dad's favourite poem, "Little Bateese" by William Henry Drummond. 

Bunnies and More Bunnies!

 Spring has finally arrived here in my corner of the world, and Easter is only a few short days away. A very welcome time of year, as the winters here in Alberta are often very cold, and very long. But without those long winters, you would not see the joy that the arrival Spring seems to bestow on my part of the world.  Everyone seems to have a little more bounce in their step (which my also be in part to the fact that they are no longer wearing heavy snowboots), as they walk their dogs, and get out in the fresh air. Garden centres and home improvements stores seem to bustling with people that are planning projects for the warmer weather and the sunshine to come.

Me? I am in full BUNNY mode. I been enjoying the jackrabbits that visit our front lawn under our Faerie tree, and noting that their fur is starting to be more brown than white - a welcome sign! And, every year at this time, I pull out my yarn, and with a slight bunny-like twitch of my nose, I get started...

Nothing says Spring like knitting and crocheting bunnies! Making bunnies is one of my own spring traditions. And there are so many wonderful designs out there, I thought that I would share some with you.

This is one of the first bunnies that I made, one of Spin A Yarn Crochet's wonderful free patterns, called the Ragdoll Bunny. I added a "L" to her dress for my granddaughter...Miss "L" loves when I add a monogram to her toys!  These Ragdoll patterns are very easy to follow, and they make a wonderfully cuddy toy. I have made several of these bunnies - they make the perfect baby gift as well! Very cute, with a homespun feel. (Just as an aside, I am really glad I cut my hair....yeesh!)

Last year, I made this little knitted bunny, using a pattern I found on Ravelry. (If you haven't joined Ravelry yet, and you are a knitter or a crocheter, you definitely need to check it out!) Be warned, once you go down the Ravelry rabbit-hole (I told you it was all about bunnies) you may never come out!  This pattern is called Dutch Rabbits by Rache Borello Carroll. 

I made this one for my eldest granddaughter a few years ago. This one is the Baby Bunny from Claire Garland, also know as Dot Pebbles. Claire has so many beautiful rabbit patterns, and her designs are like no others. I will admit that this one was challenging, but it was a fun challenge, and I am still really proud of it! I must also mention that when I had a question about the pattern, Claire responded to me personally with help. I was so impressed...

As for this year, I admit things have gotten a little out of control.

These little bunny cups will be filled with treats on Easter morning. You can find a similar pattern here, at Repeat Crafter Me's blog.

I also made this cute little Baba Bunny. Isn't she cute? 

I made several of these Chubby Bunnies from A Menagerie of Stitches. They are fast, and easy, and so, so, squishy! These were a big hit at my craft sale last weekend. I kind of wish I had kept at least one for myself, but I guess I could always make some more...

I worked this little love up in an afternoon, from a free pattern from One Dog Woof. I made mine itty bitty, but as you will see on her blog, you can get a very different look with textured yarn. 

And last but not least, my personal favourite for this year, is a pattern I found on another fantastic blog, All ABout Ami. It is actually a pattern for the Chinese New Year Rabbit. The more I worked on it, the cuter it became. I think my granddaughter will love it. I can't wait to see her face when I give it to her! 

Which bunny pattern is your favourite? I would love to hear if you have created any bunnies yourself, do you have any favourite patterns?  Please share in the comments below...and feel free to friend me (sapphire252) on Ravelry!  

A Tale of Two Dragons

I love to knit and crochet. So when my youngest granddaughter, Evelyn, turned 3 in January, I decided that I would make her a dragon to cuddle. (Evelyn LOVES dragons!) 

I found a pattern online, grabbed my crochet hook and started to make Evelyn's dragon.  I wanted to use some soft snuggly yarn, and so I pulled some of my favourite velvety yarn from my stash.  I had enough yarn to make the head, but not more than that! I thought that I could purchase more of the same colour, but I was surprised to discover that the yarn I had used was discontinued, and not available anywhere. For some reason, this is a lesson that I never seem to learn - always make sure to have enough yarn BEFORE starting a project! 

So I ditched my first attempt, and then revisited my yarn collection. I found some lovely yarn that would do the trick. In about a week, I had completed my project, and added a few personal touches - an "E" for Evelyn and a number 3 to commemorate the occasion.  and I am happy to say that it was a huge hit with Miss Evelyn. She loved "Dixie Dragon".  

A few weeks later, Evelyn was over to visit. As she was searching for "treasures" on my bookcase, Ev pointed out a "dolly" that she wanted on the top shelf. It wasn't a doll - it was the head from my first attempt at making her dragon. She really wanted to see the thing, so in true grandmother fashion, I did not say no, I pulled the sad lump off of the shelf and I gave it to our little girl. Evelyn was quite enamored with this special toy. She hugged it, and kissed the "unembodied" head, with true affection. "It needs eyebrows, Grandma..." she told me with the authority that only a three year old could have. "It needs a body, Evelyn!" was my reply. "I love it, and it's for my home." she announced. 

Well, the head of the second dragon went home with Evelyn that day, and is part of the menagerie that sleeps in her bed at night, along with Dixie Dragon, of course! 

 

I am the QUEEN OF OVERTHINKERS, and this project, like all others involved me questioning whether I had done the pattern justice, and whether it was good enough to give as a gift to my granddaughter.  Evelyn taught me a valuable lesson:

It doesn't really  matter WHAT you make, or how well you make it - as long as it is made with love! 

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Drops of Moments

My husband is currently going through old family photos. As we look at photos in the stacks of albums, we flip past the pages of landscapes and seascapes and tourist attractions. Of course, there are the happy Christmas photos of family gatherings, and school portraits which are wonderful. But the photos that get pulled and cherished the most are ones of seemingly "everyday moments'. A photo of my husband and his brother, not much more than toddlers, having peanut butter and jam sandwiches on their grandmother's front porch. There is another one of the two boys a little older, at the kitchen sink in their childhood apartment, with dishtowels in hand. Little boys standing in the garden, among the peonies. Those drops of moments in that come together to create the ocean of a lifetime, the story of a family. 

So often we spend our days wishing them away. We wish for the workday to end, wait for the weekend, count down the days until vacation. We get caught up in just getting through until the next big thing. Instead of being in the moment, we think that the things we are doing now are insignificant, not worthy of note.

Our wedding day, 1986

Of course, those major milestones are amazing, those life events can truly be joyful and memorable. I remember my wedding day like it was yesterday, I remember when each of my three children were born. Those memories come to the surface very easily. Those memories are truly gifts. 

But just last week, my husband and I drove by a building that has gone through many transformations over the years, and we both commented on how it used to be a  Sir Donut Shop in the 1980's. Long before the Tim Hortons showed up in our part of Canada, the Sir Donut was the place to go. And we both brought up a memory, of a Saturday back in 1984 when we were first together, and we stopped at the Sir Donut for a coffee and a donut. We sat at the counter, on little upholstered  stools that spun around. We had hot coffee in the white ceramic mugs, and I had a maple dipped donut. I had a polariod camera (ah yes, the 80's!) and I actually snapped a photo of my sweetie as we left the building (I came home and searched my photo boxes so I could add it to this blog post!) 

What a cutie!

The vividness of this memory, and how we both could revisit it with such detail, was a delight to both of us. 

The fact that such an insignificant event, a drop in the ocean of a lifetime, could still hold space in my memory almost 40 years later, makes me think about how many of those moments I just push through, without appreciating them. Those moments are so special, those moments of summers enjoying flowers in the backyard, of doing the dishes after a meal of delicious food and shared laughter, of peanut butter and jam sandwiches on the back patio with the grandchildren. I am trying to make a point of savouring those everyday moments. I want to be mindful of those blessed days as they happen, instead of waiting 40 years to remember how beautiful an inconsequential morning at a donut shop really was.

Four-Legged Angels

These are strange times. Many of us are self-isolating, or working from home.  Even those of us that still have to work, are home more than ever before.

But one thing that I have noticed with any of my family and friends, and in my own household,  is that our dogs (and other animals) are happier than ever.  Instead of spending their days waiting for their owners to come back, we are with them all day long! Dogs are getting walks several times a day.  A friend told me that her dog follows her all around the house.  She said to me in a video chat, "to be honest, I am not sure if she followed me around before - I think I was too busy to notice!" That little pup (along with her other puppy) are a bright light in a trying time of self-quarantine.

For those of us that are working from home, our pets have become our "co-workers."  My office online meetings often have us saying hello to everyone's animals. We finally have had our "bring your pet to work" day!

I know that as someone who has dealt with anxiety and depression, my dogs have given me comfort at times when really nothing else could.  They truly have been the best medicine on many occasions.

I believe that dogs are truly angels on earth. They come into our lives and bring nothing but unconditional love and joy.  And at the moment, during our terrible pandemic, they have been giving their people companionship and comfort at a time of anxiety and fear.  But there is a silver lining in this dark cloud. The drastic measures we have had to take have allowed many to slow down and appreciate these special beings more than ever.  And our dogs are so happy that they get to spend more time with us, because that is all that they ever really want. In a way, we are getting to say thank you to them for their devotion.

Sadly, I am writing this only hours after we have had to say goodbye to our big dog, George.  We had almost 11 years wth him, and now my Molly Beagle is alone with me, a warm heartbeat at my feet.  The tears fall, for another four-legged angel that was with our family for what felt like such a short time.

I am glad that for the last few weeks of his life, he had us all around him. That is what always made him the happiest.

On Sundays, We Dance

On Sundays, we dance.

When it came to a point in our lives where some of our children did not live with us anymore, my husband and I started the tradition of hosting Sunday dinner. During my own childhood our extended family would get together at the home of my grandparents.  On Sundays, I would see my grandparents, and all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins.  This was a time to enjoy my Grandmother’s wonderful cooking, including some of the traditional Romanian fare – oh those dumplings and cabbage rolls! But it was also a time when I experienced a special connection with my extended family. The first time I had a sip of coffee, was at that grown up table! I also learned how to pour tea for everyone. My grandmother's first, because she liked it the weakest, my dad's at the end because his needed to be stronger. If my great aunts and uncles came to visit from the country, or from another city, there was always room at that table, or for us kids, who often lined up along the wall on the floor for our meal. Laughter, gossip and after dinner games of crib for those who were brave enough to play - that is what I remember. One time I was excited to have made a cake for dessert to contribute to the meal, but I made it in my easy-bake oven, and it was so small that there was only enough for my grandparents.  My Grandpa said it was delicious! That was more than 45 years ago now, and I remember it vividly. It was chocolate.

 My husband comes from a very close-knit family.  I think of it as being small compared to mine. Their Sunday dinners were at a smaller table, and more intimate. Most of my husband's extended family lived across the country, so his experience as a child was very different from mine. Those big gatherings only happened rarely when family flew in to visit. I think that the feeling of connection during those occasions was the same as I experienced as a child, but for him, those times were fewer.

Back to now. No matter how crazy a week it has been, we know that Sunday is coming and we will be together with all of our kids again.  My widowed mother is also a steady guest, as often is my niece. My husband is an AMAZING cook (I am truly blessed), and everyone goes home with a full belly, and leftovers.

My eldest granddaughter (who is three) calls Sunday her “Happy Day”. She says it is her happy day for many reasons, one of which is that she gets to see her great-grandmother, and all her aunts and uncles. She also gets to see her new baby cousin, my youngest granddaughter, who, at the time that I am writing this, is just three weeks old. Our big girl is a little uncertain right now, as she was waiting for the new baby to arrive so that they could sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, watch Disney movies together and share play dough. For her, this little bundle of joy that sleeps in our arms all the time isn’t really what she had expected.

But the biggest reason our little granddaughter calls it Happy Day is because, on Sundays, we dance.

After my kids clear the dining room table, and wash the dishes (did I mention I am truly blessed?) the music starts to play, and there is a kitchen dance party. The music will range from New Wave to Country, to Classical fare, but it will all be loud, and there will be LOTS of dancing. The little girl dances with her Grandparents, her Aunties, her Uncles.  Last weekend, while we were enjoying the new baby, and perhaps lingering too long over the last of a wonderful dinner, when my granddaughter came and whispered in her Uncle’s ear…”will you come dance with me?” And that little girl was reassured that even if her Uncle was a new daddy himself, with lots of new responsibilities and distractions, there was always time for a little Spirit of the West, and a Celtic reel with his niece.

And then the dance floor was filled. And when my adult kids dance and laugh together, it reminds me of when they were small and people would tell me how rare it was that siblings could be as close as my kids were. And that it was a surprise to see them get along so well together. That three children was going to be trouble, because there would always be two against one, and that one would always be left out. But no, they all dance together, and laugh, and hug and smile, and my heart is full, and my feet are tired. 

These three amazing adults are as connected now as much as they were as children. And now their children, will learn that feeling of family connection.

So on Sundays, on Happy Days, we dance.