Wednesday, September 3, 2008

A Quiet Life

Anything for a quiet life.
-Thomas Middleton

This has been the cry of my ever-running and over-exerted feet and heart lately: anything for a quiet life.

Gustav brought wind and rain, but not nearly what we anticipated, thank God. He's been gentle on us. Unrelenting but calm. Compared to Katrina, I think Gustav rather spared us and I'm grateful.

Having emptied a gallon jar of leaking roof water in the back hall this morning, I now have a tin pail under the drip. Every thirty seconds or so I hear the plunk of another drop. It's so quiet, save that dripping. The stillness is comforting.


I'm working on a new quilt... a postage stamp quilt. I really, really love these. I have squares of fabric from Alicia. I have bits of material from old night gowns and shirts, bags and blankets. I even have a dress in there from one of my childhood dolls. At night, just before I go to sleep, I quietly line up the squares and piece them together. I've been delighted to watch this beauty take shape. (Yesterday I decided to put a twin bed in a corner of the study. This quilt will blanket that bed and I'm sure it will be my favorite.)

For those who've asked, I'm also preparing five more House Helper bundles to hit the Freeman House Shop on Etsy by the weekend. The one I'm doing today will be a baby set. Precious.

So there's your update: rain, dripping, quiet, quilting, knitting. There's also a pan of homemade brownies in the oven.

Anything for a quiet life.

16 comments:

jill said...

What a serene and calming vision of you at the Freeman House, quilting, knitting, baking. Ahh, Brin....you know just how to treasure every day. When my heart starts racing with stress, I'll picture you at Freeman House and use you as my inspiration to breathe deeply and go with the flow. Thank you for such a beautiful post.

Rosa said...

I have had the same cry, time and quiet.
It occured to me this past weekend as I was madly weeding and planting fall mums at the school across the street before I had to( unexpectedly) meet my mom and help her move into her new apartment, that it seems something Always comes up.
The more you look for quiet time, time to just be, the less you have.
Some days it just drives me crazy!
But then I realized. . .
This is just temporary.
We have eternity waiting!
What a blessing.

Unknown said...

Don't you just love rainy days, the good quiet life, crafting and looking ahead. We are blessed, aren't we!

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cathleen said...

Yummy, yummy in my fat little tummy, I can smell that lovely chocolate aroma all the way here. That yarn and fabric together make a deliciously luscious pair. Can an evening get much better then a combo of quilts, fabric and brownies?

cathleen said...

Oh, I mean knitting too!!!! That chocolate aroma has befuddled my brain.

Jessica said...

Homemade brownies and knitting make everything better. I love that postage stamp quilt you are making...It will be so inspiring on that bed.

ancient one said...

Sounds so peaceful...

Harbor Hon said...

What I wouldn't give for some peace and quiet sometimes. It's hard here in the city, the hustle and bustle just becomes too much. But, I can always escape to the bedroom with my crochet and just block the world out. Only quiet place in the house. xxoo

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

I always enjoy seeing your new headers, they're always so beautiful and the colors of your house helper is beautiful! Your day sounds perfect, except for the dripping. Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
MN Kathi :)

Sissy said...

We had a huge hailstorm a couple months ago and now everyone in our neighborhood is getting new rooves because of the damage. Is that how you spell "rooves?" I'm not sure. Anyway, we are going to be getting one too, so as not to have leaks.

I know what you mean about quiet. My Mom moved into my house a couple months ago and when I come home from work drained and tired, she's ready for company because she has been alone all day. The other night she and my husband were both out, and I read an entire book in peace and quiet. I didn't turn on the radio or let the TV keep me company. I had quiet. Sigh. Nice.

Terri Steffes said...

I wish I could handle a pair of knitting needles like you do. If you do the B and B thing, will you include a knitting lesson or two?

I have had plenty of quiet time lately, being a bit under the weather and had to stay home from school. I am rather looking forward to the activeness of school children!

Jen said...

Sounds wonderful. I'm going to try to carve out some time for relaxing and quiet this fall. I have a baby girl due in November-Thanksgiving Day!, so those baby helpers look perfect! I still use those knitted washcloths you sent me for my baby boy.

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

I enjoyed reading about your current life..full of serenity. I really like the sweetness of the knitting and the postage stamp quilt. Thanks for sharing.

Amy said...

Do you do the quilting yourself? Asking b/c my mom just started a quilting business...

Cee said...

Those little wash cloths are so beautiful. I would so love to make some for myself and my baby - just turned one! Are you able to share the pattern at all - or point me in the right direction to find it!

They are adorable and so is your blog. Thanks for sharing Brin.