Catching Up...

As you may have noticed, my blog now has it's own very own domain!  The address is: http://www.ivoryblushroses.com . 

A couple weeks ago, I bought myself some lovely ivory blushed roses.  They dried so beautifully in the vase that I've left them out to enjoy.  Mollie Kitty is often to be found sitting next to them.  Though she looks a bit gruff in this photo, this is actually her "I'm very contented" face.  She's happy just sitting here, and especially with the bit of extra attention she gets when I'm taking photos.  

As I looked at Mollie and the roses, I realized that they have the same basic coloring as my feather stitch project, so I've given it a new name ~ Mollie Feathers.  I think I'll print out Mollies photo above and use it as the quilt label on the back! 

I found some time yesterday to work on some embroidered button flowers for a special project that I need to complete within the coming week if at all possible.  

I also did a second set of button flowers for a smaller associated project.  What fun it was to pull out all the fancy mother of pearl buttons and find some unusual ones for these two projects! 

Right now, the calendar is filled to overflowing with things to do.  Many are work related things and because our department is somewhat understaffed at the moment, there are extra shifts on top of my already busy schedule.  Not nearly enough time to get all the projects stitched that I want and need to get finished! 

I did take a little bit of time on my way home from work one morning last week to stop by the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge.  I was hoping to see lots of ducks on the ponds, but they were nearly empty.  Instead, the buffalo herd crossed the road right in front of my car and I got several nice photos of the bison!  I thought that this guy was pretty big ~ and I loved the way his horns curled.  

Then this big fellow crossed the road!  He certainly has a bit of a teddy bear look going, but I'm sure that beneath that appearance of such a placid demeanor, a powerful beast lurks which one would do well not to antagonize!  

I also stopped one morning at Barr Lake State Park a little ways east of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Denver.  It's a large reservoir, partly open to water recreation vehicles but the larger part has been made into a wildlife refuge.  It boasts the largest variety of birds spotted in one place in the entire state of Colorado.  It was pretty quiet the day I was there, but the snowy peaks of the high country were beautiful when viewed from across the lake!  I sat a long time just enjoying the birdsong and the gentle lap of water at the shoreline.  

Their are trails around the entire lake and at various spots, boardwalks extend out over the water to provide additional wildlife/bird viewing.  I was tired enough after a long week of work, that I didn't walk too far, but I look forward to exploring more in the future!  It's nice to know that within such a short reach of the city, there are places like this.  In my increasingly hectic life, having a calm space to go and spend some quiet time in nature is renewing and a healing balm to the soul.  It reminds me of one of my favorite hymns, attributed to St. Columba of Iona:

Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear when thou art near,
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand than if a host should round me stand.

My destined time is known to thee,
and death will keep his hour;
did warriors strong around me throng,
they could not stay his power:
no walls of stone can man defend when thou thy messenger dost send.

My life I yield to thy decree,
and bow to thy control
in peaceful calm, for from thine arm
no power can wrest my soul.
Could earthly omens e'er appal
a man that heeds the heavenly call!

The child of God can fear no ill,
his chosen dread no foe;
we leave our fate with thee, and wait
thy bidding when to go.
'Tis not from chance our comfort springs.
thou art our trust, O King of kings.