Seems hard to imagine that winter is just beginning...
It's been so cold and still, colder is coming. It snows almost everyday. And then when it doesn't snow, it rains, and now it is wind and ice. I couldn't sleep last night, the wind was so loud. The chimney cap blew off but no trees fell.
The deer have such thick coats they look like donkeys. I feel sorry for them but then sometimes, when they look in the window, I think they feel sorry for me.
I stitch a bit on and off when all that needs to get done gets done. There was no plan for this one but I let the image form while considering peace and holding on. Sitting close to the scraps of self basket. A December stray just wondering how things might happen.
I feel I am at a crossroads with my creative work. I look and realize that there are two roads I might take to continue. Maybe it will be the road less taken...
Looking, thinking, wondering if there is still time to explore a still deeper self. Not planning to party New Year's Eve. I'll just be here, in transition. Keeping the fire burning.
The brown cloth in ‘hanging along’ with the small pieces saved in them; how special they must feel to be a part of it, to still add to beauty and warmth, to still be.
This one is close to me in many unspoken ways. I’m loving your words here which might help me find some.
Our wildlife of late has been turkeys (12-20 of them) and occasionally with a couple of their peacock friends.
I think I’d be frightened by strong winds here, but only because of the very large cedar at the NE corner and an even bigger redwood at the SW corner. Though I think redwoods are more stable, I really don’t know about cedars. Pine trees are easily uprooted, and there are plenty of those around. However, we’re in a little nook in the side of the hill that the winds seem to pass over. Mostly, unless I’m trying to work and the wind is causing problems, I love wind (not hurricane strength, but a bit fierce). Fearless fool that I was as a young woman, I liked being outdoors in thunderstorms, might even have stood on a hill during one. I think I wanted to fly.
I love the stray self, hugging herself, loving herself. We need to hug our selves; to love our selves. I believer there is strength in that.
Happy New Year!
I miss the winters, especially sunny says with a lot of reflective snow around, of my childhood in Rochester, NY. I don’t miss being IN that weather, just the very bright days when sunny, and the general beauty of a snowfall, fresh snow around. It’s a bit weird here. Daffodils have been pushing up all month. Some of the roses have been blooming since May and continue to bloom. Even a couple of summer annuals are struggling through, still alive, so far. I’m not sure , but I don’t think temps have been under 40 degrees more than once, maybe twice, and that was at night.
wind can be so scary but also so amazing. I’m glad I cut the ones that were too close to the house, the wind here has been huge.
I was offered a job at Fischer Price Toys in Rochester when I got out of art school. But no way was I going up there…
Jude your words and images help me keep going especially when fear and doubt cloud my vision. Especially when the inner critic gets LOUD.
“Just keeping going “as you would say and open the heart to possibilities.
Keep unfolding.
Love from the sqidgee west of Ireland.
The images form from fear and doubt but mostly from just going.
Thank you for your words…
In the 30s early morning and 70s this afternoon. I love it. It’s been a strange Autumn season. Wondering if there will be a Winter.
Happy New Year
Oh, sounds lovely, last year, my first year here was nothing like this winter. All the best to you!❤️
Deer with their winter coat,snow falling,ancient trees,and windows to the winter while Jude is warm and peaceful with her basket of stories. And of course, SoulO.
How I miss the gentleness and stillness of snow.
Here’s to new paths…
Thank you for warming my heart.♥️
Glad to share the warmth, let’s keep the fire burning!🔥❤️
Take the road less travelled and that will make all the difference.
Dad’s favorite poem…
Happy New Year!
Glad all is beautiful with wildlife and stitching and coziness!
It’s really a matter of perspective, right?
perhaps the two roads will merge into one! but at 72, i find that “still deeper self” impossible to resist! no snow here in nor cal yet, but 5 layers of clothing, chai tea, dark chocolate ‘n a wood fire keep me reasonably warm. ha! “sail on, silver girl, sail on by,… your time to shine has come… all your dreams are on their way!… ” happy new orbit! x
Maybe path is a better word…road is always too travelled… or maybe straying is in my blood. I’ll probably just wander off, slowly, ha!
Jude~ There is just so much love in the heart hug. I can feel it way over here. Love surrounded by peace…a wish for all. The bit of bird fabric, telling a bigger story. The heart on grid w/ roots…yes. Yes. Sometimes the roots of a specific love are there, long after one suspects. And that bits of the color wheel piece – I always loved that one 🙂
As far as NYE, we will be home, per usual. We may or may not be awake. Ha. May 2026 bring with it some sense of calm, like a warm blanket on a snowy day. May your good heart and the beasts nearby, including Soul-o share gentle days in this cold month. (((hugs)))
I’m going to try to stay up till midnight. Doesn’t always work, ha! ✌️ to you both, here we go again.
The valley wallows in fog here; we went over a month without seeing the sun. Depressing…..
No new year celebrations; just another day. I celebrate spring as my new year.
Good thought…
Happy New Year Jude 🌟I can really appreciate simplifying our lives as there is always so much going on around us.
May the New Year bring many delightful occasions for you Jude. Thankyou for sharing all that you are 🌟🙏 big hugs 🤗 Maria
Way too much going on. I need thing I can touch all the best to you.✌️
Stepped outside early today a “balmy” 27 degrees here in New Mexico. Snow at higher elevations but here in central New Mexico we only get a smattering at times which is fine by me. I too am not a huge fan of the cold although I lived in Leavenworth, WA, for a time, where snow season begins in October and ends in April. I also lived in Maui where celebrating Christmas and New Year wearing a t-shirt and a bathing suit, equally took some getting used to as well!
Another year is coming and I’m grateful to still be here and to still have my hubby. January will see us together for 56 years. A little ritual that I do, that my parents, who came from Spain, did every New Years is to eat a dozen grapes at midnight, signifying the 12 months of the year. As you eat each grape, you say a blessing for each month.. My mantra for the coming year, as it has been for many years, is to keep on dancing. The thing about this coming year is that there are so many reasons to do this, Dancing for me does many things. Lately, it is an important way for me to maintain my sanity by letting off steam as a result of what is going on in this country. I foresee a lot of dancing in 2026 but hopefully, I can take a break at the midterms!!! However we face the coming year, may we be happy to be able to come here to Jude’s world and share our lives and, may we do so with kindness, strength, caring, and a bit of silliness to keep it all in balance.
And dancing is moving a d we need to keep doing that for sure! Best wishes for the new year Marti, 🎶
Like your singing heart very much Jude , hope you continue the whole new year……………………
Singing helps!!!
Coffee and winter solitude sounds nice right now ! I am still in the workforce but have started longing for something less stressful!! Stay warm and dry ! Deweu
Solitary pursuits, fire burning and a kitty to keep you company….purrrfect way of turning g the clock into the New Year! Stay warm n cozy!
Simple enough, right?
Yeah, I get it. I’m finding I need less than imagined.
Snowflake greetings Jude! ❄️☃️
The snow creates a silent softness & brightens the gray days!
I love that sense of quiet it gives.
Though the wind last night roaring in and out seemed to want so much attention.
A second cup of coffee sounds comforting next to a warm fire.
…There’s always time to go deeper!
Wishing you deeper joy, peace & love throughout the New Year 2026.
Wow, that was and still is some crazy wind. I’ll keep digging, see what I find. ✌️
Another year .. I’m grateful that I’m still here with all my loved ones near. Having been spoiled by living in Hawaii I am not a fan of winter although l do very much love the beauty of it .. just not the cold and ice. I’m grateful for you .. I miss Grace and the others but grateful for the years of sharing. Happy New Year Jude ..
Yes, the ice is tough now that I am older. The cold air is so fresh though.
Can’t believe how long I’ve been at this.😂
Another beautiful piece of work. Seems appropriate for a new year. Wishing you warmth and peace, love and light.
There is no tension in this one, it feels like that. ❤️✌️
Blessings Jude,
Morning brought more snow and less wind.
My delight was to see a post by you and of course the coffee maker, dripping the last bit of brew into my new 5 cup coffee maker. Brings a smile to my face seeing your wild visitor. Deer are so beautiful. Love your new hugging self stitching piece. Peace moons, great idea, we need more peace in this world.
I’ve been stitching together this and that’s from my favorite scrap basket. Might have to make a few peace moons in mine
Wishing you a very cozy, New Year.
Pat in Ohio
Still blowing here, ans snow just started again. On my second cup of coffee. ✌️
hey! not so much snow here, but rain and wind wind wind, roaring up the glen.
Howling!!!
Happy New Year’s Eve, dear Jude. Our weather has been crazy, lots of cold, some snow, some rain. Not as extreme as yours probably because we are near the coast. When indoors, I can see the beauty in it.
👋 yeah, standing back from the action helps. Perspective. ❤️
Staying in for NYE is my favorite thing to do, been doing it for 30-40 years. And I’m 81.
And the mostly empty page stage of creativity is the most exciting one, where the next big idea is about to manifest, even if it is a bunch of little ideas, or even the glimmer that gets you to the next step, and the next…
Empty page, perfect…
I trust the future when I see your stray
(hmmmm, can’t you run for president . . .?
guess not : hell of a job)
Ha!
I believe it’s never too late to go deeper. And what magical companions or guides you have in the deer! Surely it is what we’re called to do. At 82, I’m still exploring and learning about my self. In fact, these days my creative work seems to be mostly internal. Sending love.
Yes, I get that. The i side work. ❤️
Happy new year. Thank you for sharing your fabulous work and ideas.
Here it comes!
Simple and clear are today’s stitches. And the Costello song ” (what’s so funny about)Peace,Love and Understanding came with it…
Pulling back from expectations always clears a path.
❤️
Sounds good to me the staying home, and I hope you stay warm creating the new ideas that come to mind! 💙
Happy New in 2026! ♥️✌🏼
I’m not sure I can make it to the mailbox today. I need ⛸️…
Winters seem to use needed strength and energy to just keep going. A friendly face with four legs or paws are definitely good. Happy going. ❤️
It’s beautiful if I let myself relax into it. And the little birds are at the feeder, if they can do it so can I
I’m glad you are safe. We have had gale winds here near Lake Erie. Again today. The new project is wonderful, brings a smile to my face.
I cannot decide what I’m wearing for New Year’s Eve since I will be staying home too. lol I do use this time for reflection and quiet and listening
Oh, yes! What to wear! Ha, you have smiling…😊
Sounds like a perfect way to spend NYE! Your sweet deer are beautiful creatures indeed.
So great to hear from you, Jude…
Just to be here with nature as it is keeps my heart singing.