Hello everyone! I’ve needed some different types of therapy lately. My go-to is always crafty therapy. It allows my mind to settle in this crazy world. The events happening here in the USA are disturbing and more than a little unsettling. I try not to discuss politics here, but my heart is hurting as I watch the unraveling of our democracy.
That being said, I been trying to spend less time doomscrolling on the internet and more time being busy with other things. It has definitely resulted in a whole lot of progress on my granddaughter's Christmas stocking.
You can see that I am now working on the bear and have started some of the backstitching also. The ruffle on the nightgown shows up now.
The orange block on Having a Ball has been quilted. The purple block is marked and waiting for me to quilt it. Some of the quilting lines on the purple block are very close together so it will be challenging.
There are only 50 more granny squares to outline in white yarn. I will share a photo when they are finished and laid out for assembly. I have been itching to start a knitting project. I decided to use up more of my random skeins of yarn and make a donation hat.
The pattern is from an old 1960s knitting magazine that one of my aunts gave me many years ago. It is quite easy to work on. It is a straight knit with a seam up the back and a pompom added on. I have made the matching scarf many times for donations.
When I am stressed I also tend eat and/or bake. This Blueberry Lemon Tea bread is from an old recipe clipping that has been languishing in a folder.
It is very tasty. This portion was sent to my mother in law as she enjoys my baking. Of course I had to taste it first and keep a little bit for myself. I am trying to slowly make my way through the thousands of recipes that I have clipped over the years. I have more recipes than I can ever try.This one is a keeper.
Most of you remember that I fractured the tibia on my right leg and found myself in a brace seven weeks ago. I’ve been going to physical therapy for most of that time. My orthopedist said I could wean myself off of the brace, which I have been doing slowly. It is amazing how quickly you lose muscle mass. I have yet to be able to return to my long walks. Of course that is compounded by the fact that I have 4 herniated discs and an impingement on my spinal cord that requires an epidural injection at the beginning of next month. I am sure there will be more PT after that also. Sigh...
What is your go-to when you are stressed? You can see that I have many options.
I am joining Frederique at the Quilting Patch today and Kathy for some Slow Sunday Stitching tomorrow. I hope you take some time to relax with some tea or coffee and pop on over to their sites to see what other bloggers are stitching.
Thanks for stopping by!
I’m happy to hear your leg is healing. It sure takes a long time to recover from injuries as we accumulate more birthdays…
ReplyDeleteYour projects are progressing in leaps and bounds! Do you listen to audiobooks while you stitch?
I try to read enough to keep informed about what is going on and avoid doomscrolling —-very stressful to read about what is happening in the US right now. Take care. Gail at the cozy quilter
not stressed but i think the change in the weather esp from summer to fall prompts bursts of creativity....me being from new england, it's always a time to prep for winter....put food by, make hats mittens etc, bring out crafts too warm for summer temps...i hope your diversions resolve your stress tho
ReplyDeleteWeaning yourself off the brace is a big step. Maturing sure isn't for the weak is it? When I'm stressed , I try to go for a walk; but, I do like to bake too! My best option though is stitching! Something about touching the fabric to the needle is calming.--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteNo, maturing is not for the weak. I am trying to increase my ability to walk. So far I can manage 1/2 mile. I want to get back to my morning 1.5 mile walks. They get the day started on a good note. I agree that touching fabric or yarn is very calming.
DeleteYour therapies are great for focusing on the positive aspects of life. When I'm stressed I eat a lot of chocolate, but not much else. Your cake looks good! The stocking is coming along very nicely, and Having a Ball too. This is a tricky block to quilt! Thank you for sharing and linking up.
ReplyDeletethe hum of a sewing machine is soothing to me - watching the needle go up and down and up and down ... since my machine quit working, i've set up my mom's old Elna and it is comforting to stitch a seam and remember having to help her move it off the kitchen table so we could eat dinner ... when i am REALLY frustrated/angry, i stab, stab, stab with an embroidery needle - there's been a lotta hand embroidery the last few months ... and i found a folding chair to take to the saturday protests so i can hold my sign for an hour instead of having to stop after just a few minutes...
ReplyDeleteI always visit to see progress on Having A Ball quilt. It's stunning.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like we have similar ways to 'destress'. Stitching in any form, baking and walking outside in nature. I'm wondering if you might have access to a pool? A local one or a gym pool or a hotel pool? I've noticed when I had back pain (when pregnant years ago and occasionally when I forget and lift something I should not!), it felt great to be in water and walk. It eased the pain a lot. Good luck working back the muscle and strength in your leg. That is a bad break to heal from. Sending healing thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on having a hurting heart these days - our country and the world are very stressful places these days. I'm glad that stitching is providing some good therapy for you. The little girl is really emerging on your granddaughter's stocking. That blueberry lemon bread looks yummy! Sending good thoughts for your healing, too. I know you must miss those walks!
ReplyDeleteWith each new day there, it seems there is another new incident to raise ones stress levels. Gosh, it's awful! Baking and stitching is always a good idea to try and concentrate on something uplifting. Of course, with baking that means eating ........ =) Sending you the warmest of hugs, Cathie. Of course, if I lived next door to you I wouldn't mind sharing some tea and a slice of that delicious blueberry and lemon tea bread. A good natter with copious amounts of tea, and cake, is always a good thing. Take care. Xx
ReplyDeletewhen I am stressed I knit or I escape into a really good book!
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best on your recovery. Ive witnessed how quickly muscle mass can wither too and it sure it scary. Hope you can get your mojo back and be in better health once those things are taken care of
ReplyDeleteLove the cake, definitely my kind of flavours and not overly sweet looking.
I'm also glad to see the stocking (as you know I've made a few) it's looking very pretty
How I de-stress.... A combination of cross stitch, video games and films, and cuddling up with my cat I'm very much a homebody and like to keep myself busy with activities rather than exploring the great outdoors.
I'm a homebody too. I do like my short 1.5 mile walks just to stay in shape.
DeleteOh dear ne, a fratured leg and several herniated discs as well, you certainly do have a lot to put up with. I do hope you continue to find some comfort and relief with your PT exercises.
ReplyDeleteAttirée via le blog de Frédérique par votre motif de quilting. J'adore ce quilt! Félicitations. Vos autres ouvrages semblent également très prometteurs.
ReplyDeleteCourage pour votre santé, un jour à la fois.
Bonjour de Belgique
Thank you so much for visiting. I enjoyed the challenge of reading your comment prior to checking the translation. I have been brushing up on my high school French. I am so glad you like the quilt I am working on.
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