' Keeping in Touch'
Newsletter for July
July isn’t a month most people would associate with quilts.
It’s a season of open windows, warm air, and long sun-filled days—
hardly the time to think about layers and stitching.
And yet… this is when I find myself noticing them the most.
Not folded away for colder days, but out in the light—moving gently in the breeze, their colors shifting with the sun, becoming something entirely new.
“Rest is not idleness… and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees
on a summer’s day is by no means a waste of time.”
— John Lubbock
Lately, I’ve been looking at my quilts a little differently. Not as projects.
Not even as finished pieces.
But as something alive… changing with the light, the breeze,
and the season itself.
'When Quilts Step Outside'
There’s something magical when seeing quilts outside.
Not tucked neatly on a shelf
Not folded away.
But hanging freely -
moving gently in the breeze. r
Colors dancing in sunshine
Patterns soften.
Even familiar pieces feel new again.
A quilt that felt bold in winter suddenly feels playful in July.
A soft floral becomes vibrant in the afternoon sun.
And it reminds me… These aren’t just things we make.
They are pieces of our story—changing with us.
'the Beauty of Letting Them Breathe'
We often think of quilts as
something to carefully protect.
To fold.
To store.
To preserve.
But July feels like a gentle
reminder to do the opposite.
To let them hang.
To let them move.
To let them be seen exactly as they are.
What we create was never meant to stay hidden.
It was meant to be lived with.
'a Simple July Thought'
Maybe this month isn’t about
starting something new.
Maybe it’s about stepping back…
and seeing what’s already around
you in a different way.
The colors.
The patterns.
The quiet beauty in what you’ve
already created.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little sunlight.
'Take a Closer Look. Can You Remember?'
Let's play 'I Spy Game' with the first image on this newsletter.
Can you remember if there was:
• a bird? What kind of bird was it?
• a dog? What kind of dog?
• did you notice the flowers along the fence? what kind are they?
• is there a basket or blanket detail that stuck out to you?
• who was helping the momma?
• how many kids were helping their momma?
Take a quiet moment… and see what you can find 'Hidden in the Summer Light'
“It is the small quiet moments that tell the real story.”
OR
simply choose one word…
and notice where it appears in your day.
'the Village Clothesline'
Long before social media, community newsletters, and instant messages, there was the clothesline.
On summer mornings, it stretched across backyards carrying far more than freshly washed sheets and towels. It carried glimpses of everyday life.
Neighbours learned a surprising amount simply by paying attention. A new set of baby clothes. Special linens airing in the sunshine. Children's clothes growing larger each year.
The clothesline was a quiet storyteller.
As I worked on this month's newsletter, filled with quilts hanging in the summer air, I was reminded of a lovely poem that captures that feeling perfectly.
A clothesline was a news forecast
to neighbours passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
when clothes were hung to dry.
It was also a friendly link
for neighbours always knew
if company had stopped on by
to spend a night or two.
For then you'd see the fancy sheets
and towels on the line.
You'd see the company table clothes
with their intricate design.
The line also announced a baby's birth
to folks who lived inside,
as brand new infant clothes were hung
so carefully with pride.
The ages of the children could
so readily be known
by watching how the sizes changed,
you'd know how much they'd grown.
It also told when illness struck,
as extra sheets were hung.
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.
It said, "Gone on vacation now"
when lines hung limp and bare.
It told, " We're back!" when full lines
sagged with not an inch to spare.
New folks in town were scorned upon
if wash was dingy grey,
as neighbours raised their brows
and looked disgustedly away.
But clothes lines now are of the past
for dryers make less work.
Now what goes on inside a home
is anybody's guess.
I really miss that way of life
it was a friendly sign
when neighbours knew each other best,
by what hung on the line!
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Let's bring back...
the outdoor clothesline and clean fresh air-dried sheets.
'From Clotheslines to Pickle Barrels'
The poem about the village clothesline reminded me of another small part of summer that seems to belong to another time.
Many of us remember country stores with worn wooden floors, penny candy in glass jars, and those giant pickle barrels tucked into a corner. There was something special about watching the shopkeeper fish out a cold, crisp dill pickle from the brine.
This recipe brings back a little of that old-fashioned country-store charm and the simple pleasures of summer.
"The sweetest memories are often made of the simplest things."
Grandma's Secrets: find yourself in a pickle problem?
Soft or slippery pickles:
• scum not skimmed from surface daily if slow brining.
• pickles not well covered with brine
• jars did not seal well.
Shrivelled Pickles:
• brine too strong
• syrup too sweet
• vinegar too strong
• cucumbers not fresh
Dark Pickles:
• water too hard
• used copper, brass or galvanized metal or iron containers
• canning lids corroded
Hollow Pickles:
• cucumbers over matured or sunburned
Lids did not seal:
• proper headspace not maintained
• non-standard jars or lids used
• jars not sufficiently processed
• jar rim not wiped well
There is certainly no shortage of traditional July themes—berries ripening in the garden, summer picnics, lemonade on the porch, and long days spent in the sunshine.
Yet this year, my thoughts kept returning to the quilts.
Perhaps it's because quilts, much like summer itself, are made of moments gathered over time. They hold our stories, our traditions, and the memories of those who came before us. Hanging on a clothesline, they become something more than fabric and thread. They become reminders of neighbourly conversations, shared laughter, country stores, family kitchens, and the simple pleasures that often mean the most.
In a season that moves so quickly, quilts invite us to slow down and remember.
And perhaps that is why this July newsletter became less about summer activities and more about summer memories.
Because long after the berries have been picked and the flowers have faded, it is the memories—and the stories stitched into them—that remain.
May your July be filled with warm sunshine, gentle breezes, and memories worth holding onto.
xo Shelley
' Keeping in Touch'
Newsletter for June
June arrives like a soft breath of warm air — the kind that lifts the edges of your imagination and reminds you that life is still full of tiny wonders.
The world feels freshly awake now: gardens humming, breezes carrying secrets, colours brightening as if someone turned up the light.
“Butterfly Wings” has always felt like June to me — that moment when something small and magical brushes pass your cheek and you remember that transformation doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes it’s just a gentle unfolding, a quiet becoming, a shimmer of possibility in the early summer sun.
Every June, my kitchen turns into a little alchemist’s workshop — jars lined up like tiny glass spell bottles, fruit waiting to become something more. And then there’s this jam… Tomato Strawberry. I know — it sounds like a dare. But trust me, it’s pure early‑summer magic. The tomatoes bring sunshine, the strawberries bring sweetness, and together they taste like a warm June afternoon spread on toast. This is the recipe I pull out when I want to surprise someone — or remind myself that the best things in life often come from unexpected pairings.
Tomato & Strawberry Freezer Jam
4 cups ripe tomatoes, peeled, chopped
4 cups sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
1x 6oz package of strawberry Jell-O
-
Cut up and mash tomatoes with a potato masher.
-
Add sugar and lemon juice
-
Cook 20 minutes, stirring often
-
Remove from heat and let set for 5 minutes
-
Add Jell-O and mix until dissolved
-
Pour into hot sterilized jars or freezer containers
(If freezing, be sure it is cooled)
Grandma's Secret: Grandma put all bits of her leftover jams, jellies, or preserves in one jar!
Then she used them for basting chicken, ham, or lamb, and sometimes she used it in place of sugar while cooking red cabbage.
' COME ON COACH'
They gathered in the honey‑warm hush of June, bats resting on shoulders, dust still clinging to their knees. The game could wait — summer had its own slow rhythm, and the corner store always held a little magic.
He stood a step behind the others, caught between childhood and something new, watching the girl trace circles on the window as if she were drawing constellations only he could see.
And the kids were growing impatient. No time for love in their agenda.
Coach would come, eventually. But for now, to coach, the sweetest thing wasn't the game, and it wasn’t the candy in the window.
Just some memories:
When my kids were little, June evenings had a rhythm all their own. They’d come home from a long afternoon of play with dusty knees, tangled hair, and that proud little sparkle kids get when they’ve spent the whole day outside.
They’d burst through the door asking what was in the kitchen — always hungry, always sun‑kissed, always full of stories.
Some recipes feel like they belong to summer evenings — soft light, open windows, and something sweet simmering on the stove.
This Strawberry Tomato Dessert Sauce is exactly that.
The strawberries melt into a ruby‑red syrup while the tomatoes add a quiet depth, a whisper of warmth that makes the whole thing feel unexpectedly luxurious. Spoon it over ice cream, cheesecake, or warm biscuits, and suddenly dessert tastes like a sunset you can eat.
Strawberry Tomato
Dessert Sauce
1 lbs (about 3 cup)s fresh strawberries,
or can use frozen strawberries in a pinch.
¾ lbs peeled, diced, ripe tomatoes with juice
½ cup sugar
½ cup red currant or strawberry jelly
1 tbsp fresh lime juice, or more to taste.
-
In a food processor, liquefy the strawberries, tomatoes, and sugar. Reserve.
-
Put the jelly into a small saucepan over medium heat and warm just to melt, whisking until smooth.
-
Strain the sauce through a triple- mesh chinois (***see below) into a storage container. Adjust the flavour balance if necessary.
-
Chill thoroughly and serve cold.
Makes 2 cups
This is a good sauce to put over ice cream, or sorbet.
As an accompaniment to panna cotta or custard or with cakes,
Also good with desserts that include goats cheese, cream cheese, paramesan and fine herbs.
*** A chinois, also known as a bouillon strainer, is a conical sieve with an extremely fine mesh. It is used to strain custards, purees, soups, and sauces, producing a very smooth texture. It can also be used to dust food with a fine layer of powdered ingredient.
Momma's Secret: This refreshing, delicious dessert sauce will surprise you! The tomatoes add a subtle savoury flavour. Very intriguing. Momma loved to see if her guests could detect the mystery ingredient.
Tarot Card
Corner
Welcome to a new little corner — a place where intuition stretches its wings and the cards offer a whisper for the month ahead. Nothing heavy, nothing fated… just a gentle moment to pause, breathe, and see what energy wants to meet you right where you are. Each month, one card will step forward with a message wrapped in warmth, creativity, and a touch of June‑light magic.”
This month, The Empress steps forward — lush, nurturing, abundant, and deeply feminine. She reminds us to soften into the season, to tend to what we love, and to let beauty be a form of nourishment. June is not a month for rushing; it’s a month for blooming.
The Empress whispers, “Create something small. Water something tender. Let yourself be held by the warmth that’s finally here.”
A COZY SUMMER GUESSING GAME
INSPIRED BY CHILDHOOD BASEBALL DAYS
How to Play
-
Cut out the little pennants below.
-
Each pennant has a tiny clue on it.
-
Guess the summer item or moment the clue refers to.
-
Write your answers on the answer sheet.
-
Collect all 12 pennants to win!
Answer Sheet (printable section)
1. __________________________ 2. __________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________ 5. __________________________ 6. __________________________ 7. __________________________ 8. __________________________ 9. __________________________ 10. __________________________ 11. __________________________ 12. __________________________
May June wrap you in gentle warmth—the kind that softens your shoulders and opens your heart.
May something small and winged cross your path and remind you that transformation can be tender.
May you bloom at your own pace, in your own way, without hurry or comparison.
May the Empress bless your home with beauty, your hands with creativity, and your days with quiet abundance.
And may this month bring you one unexpected joy — light, simple, and perfectly timed.
As June settles in and the evenings stretch long, I hope this little corner of my life brings you a smile — maybe a memory, maybe a spark of inspiration.
If it did, I’d be so grateful if you’d share it with a friend who might need a bit of that same summer light. Gentle things have a way of finding their people when we help them along.
Here’s to warm days, kind hearts, and the small magic that travels when we pass it on.
Shelley
' Keeping in Touch'
Newsletter for May
Sparklin’ the Parlour —
A May Moment
There’s something tender about the way May light slips into a room — soft, warm, and full of promise. Sparklin’ the Parlour captures that feeling perfectly: windows open, fresh air drifting in, flowers waking on the table, and a quiet sense of tending to the home.
May is the month of gentle refreshment — not the heavy cleaning of winter, but the soft kind: opening a window, shaking out a cloth, letting sunlight touch the corners we forgot about.
This painting reminds us that caring for our space is also a way of caring for ourselves
.
A little sparkle, a little fresh air, a little beauty — that’s May.
Lemon Thyme Cookies
There’s something beautifully simple about baking with herbs in May — the way fresh thyme perfumes the kitchen, the way lemon brightens even the quietest afternoon. These Lemon Thyme Cookies come from my Cooking With Herbs 2 cookbook, and they’re one of those gentle bakes that feel like opening a window. Light, fragrant, and just a little unexpected, they bring a touch of garden magic to your teatime plate.
If you love soft citrus, tender crumb, and the whisper of fresh thyme, you’ll adore these.
Lemon Thyme Cookies
½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup white sugar
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla
1½ cups all purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
4 tsp very finely chopped fresh lemon thyme
-
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together
butter & sugar -
Beat in egg and vanilla
-
In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda
-
Stir into the creamed mixture.
-
Stir in lemon thyme
-
Divide the dough in half; shape into two 7" logs
-
Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour
-
Cut into logs or shapes ¼" thick
-
Place on greased baking sheets; bake at 350° for 10 - 12 minutes or until slightly browned.
-
Let cool on racks and store in a covered container
Makes 36 - 40 cookies.
Kitchen Tips:
Fresh lemon thyme from a windowsill pot gives these cookies a bright, clean flavour — perfect for May. What fun to fill your kitchen window box with a miniature herb garden! You can pinch off fresh herbs, perhaps lemon thyme, sage, oregano, and basil, whenever you need them.
Also, a heaping plate of freshly made cookies makes a delightful (and delicious) centerpiece.
A little light.
A little air.
A little renewal.
That’s May.
May Tea Ritual
The Open‑Window Cup
Before your first sip of tea, open a window — even just a crack. Let the morning air drift in. Take three slow breaths. Feel the shift. Then sip.
A tiny ritual for a month of gentle renewal.
THE MAY SWEEP —
A Breath of Fresh Air
There’s a special kind of quiet magic in May — the moment when the world outside finally matches the lightness we’ve been craving indoors. This painting captures that feeling perfectly: blossoms opening, birds lifting into the sky, and a home touched by the softest spring breeze.
It feels like the house itself is stretching, waking, breathing again.
This is the heart of The May Sweep — not a heavy cleaning, but a gentle clearing. A month for:
-
opening windows
-
letting the warm air drift through
-
shaking out the old season
-
welcoming the new one in
Just as the blossoms unfurl and the birds take flight, the May Sweep invites us to refresh our own spaces — one small, tender act at a time.
“May the light find every corner of your home, and may your spirit feel freshly aired.”
MAY SWEEP BINGO
A gentle little game to welcome the light & air of May.
How to Play:
Complete the tiny rituals in any order.
Mark off each square as you go.
Three in a row = A May Sweep Moment
Full card = A Sparkled‑Up Spirit
I love receiving messages from my friends. I was asked if I happened to know the entire 'Queen of Hearts' Poem; well, I do! So, for those who wish to see it in its entirety, here it is.
My goodness, May really snuck up on me. Some days just seem to fly by anymore. Seeing the playing cards in this month’s theme brought back the sweetest memories — my grandparents and parents playing canasta on the cottage porch as the seasons changed. Those are the kinds of moments that stay tucked in your heart.
As I wrap up this May newsletter, I’m about to open the windows wide and let the soft spring air drift through the house. The light is different now — warmer, a little braver — and it always makes me pause to notice the small things: the scent of lilac, the flutter of a curtain, the way the season quietly shifts around us.
If these May musings brought you a moment of calm or a breath of fresh air, I’d be grateful if you’d like and share it.
Gentle things have a way of finding their people when we help them along.
with heartfelt thanks,
Shelley
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
April
April arrives softly - with rain on the windows, warm mugs between our hands, and the kind of afternoons that invite us to slow down.
This is the month of quiet comforts:
• shuffling a deck of cards
• learning a new game
• letting the kettle sing
• watching the world turn greener by the day
Here's to rainy-day joys, small rituals, and the gentle pleasure
of keeping our hands busy and our hearts unhurried.
April's Rainy-day Recipe
SAVORY HERBED STEW
A warm, comforting bowl for rainy April afternoons.
This hearty stew is filled with red potatoes, baby carrots, tender chicken, and a trio of fragrant herbs - thyme, rosemary, and tarragon. It's the kind of recipe that fills the kitchen with cozy aromas while the rain taps softly at the windows.
Perfect for a quiet game of solitaire - a slow Sunday or a comforting dinner after a chilly spring walk.
Kitchen Memories
It never ceases to amaze me how the fresh smell of herbs can conjure up many delicious memories of home. Beginning with the slam of the back screen door ~ the glorious aromas of meat roasting in the oven ~ potatoes simmering on the back burners ~ home made bread fresh from the hearth, steaming inside its woven cradle ~ dinner pie cooling in the gentle breezes of an open window ~ which is draped by string hung herbs
that stood ready to be dropped into every bit of this
delicious country meal. This scenario has been true for
literally century after century.
The fragrances of herbs ever remind one of a gentler
time, when life was less chaotic, and the very things
we find nostalgic were embraces. Home-cooked meals.
April Showers Bring
Solitaire Hours!
I created Someone Bored? (20 + Games of Solitaire) during a season, I needed small, steady comforts. Solitaire has a way of calming the mind- one card at a time.
This little book is filled with simple, comforting card games for quiet moments, rainy days, and anyone who needs a gentle pause. It's FREE for you in my book section of this website
PYRAMID
• Remove pairs that total 13 • Kings = 13 (remove alone) • Queens = 12, Jacks = 11 • Only uncovered cards can be used
• Draw pile: one card at a time
CLOCK
• Deal cards into 13 piles (like a clock)
• Turn over cards; move them to their matching pile
• Goal: reveal all cards before the 4th King appears
GOLF
• Build up or down (any suit)
• No wrapping (K → A not allowed)
• Goal: clear the tableau
ACCORDION
• Slide cards left if they match suit or rank
• Can move 1 or 3 spaces
• Goal: compress the deck into one pile
ACES UP
• Remove lower cards of the same suit
• Only Aces remain at the end
April Reflections
“April teaches us to soften —
to let the rain fall, to let the earth drink,
to let ourselves pause.
Every puddle is a promise that something green is on its way.”
A Nod to the Queen of Hearts
In my solitaire booklet, you’ll find the classic poem “The Queen of Hearts” — a playful old rhyme about a queen who baked a tart, a knave who stole it, and a king who wasn’t amused. It’s a reminder that cards have always carried stories, mischief, and a little magic. A favourite line: “The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts…” A perfect companion for a rainy April afternoon.
As I finish up this April newsletter, I’m about to slip on my boots and head outside to look for the first green shoots — the tulips, the chives, the brave little dandelions, or even the tiniest buds on the trees.
If this newsletter brought you a moment of peace in a world that feels so unsettled, I’d be grateful if you’d like and share it.
Gentle things grow best when we pass them along.
with sincere thanks
Shelley
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
March — the in‑between month. Snow melting, mud everywhere, the first hints of light returning. A month where people crave small comforts and tiny rituals.
March always feels like a pause between seasons — a place where we’re still wrapped in winter but dreaming of spring. I’ve been leaning into small, quiet pleasures lately, and I wanted to share one of them with you.
Wherever this month finds you — knee‑deep in mud, dreaming of spring, or curled up with a warm blanket — I hope you find small pockets of calm. Thank you for being here with me.
Warmly, Shelley
A little Irish kitchen magic for March —
warm potato bread, roasted tomatoes, and a cup of tea "
to welcome the season of small blessings
In our little family, that little bit of magic always began in the kitchen.
Kitchen Memory
My Grandmother's Peas: A Little Irish Luck
Every spring, on St. Patrick’s Day, my grandmother,
(we called her Momma) would press three pea seeds into the cool earth just outside her kitchen window. She said it brought good luck — not the flashy kind, but
the quiet, steady sort that keeps a household
humming. The kind that helps bread rise, keeps
the kettle warm, and brings people home safely.
I didn’t realize until much later that this
is an old Irish tradition —planting peas on
March 17th to bless the home and the year
ahead with Wealth, Health & Luck.
It makes me love her ritual and miss
her even more.
March a month of small hope
the first brave green shoots, the softening of the earth, and the old belief that luck can be coaxed into a home with a few simple rituals.
March Charms
'A handful of Irish Kitchen folklore to warm the month
MATCH THE SYMBOL WITH THE FOLKLORE
1. Sharmrocks symbolize protection, renewal, and the promise of brighter days.
'Where shamrocks grow, blessings follow.'
2. A sprig of green - peas, herbs, or even a single leaf -
placed on the kitchen windowsill was said to invite spring into the home.
'Green on the sill brings green to the door.'
3. If the march wind blows through an open kitchen door, it was believed to carry away the heaviness of winter.
'Let March winds carry the old year out.'
4. A candle lit in the kitchen welcomed good spirits and softened the darkness. It guided loved ones home.
'A candle lit in kindness keeps the darkness gentle.'
5. On St. Patrick's Day, Irish families planted peas to bless the house with a steady, fortunate year. Some tucked three peas into the soil for faith, hope, and love.
'Peas planted on St. Patrick's Day grow luck as they rise.'
6. Potatoes, bread, beans - simple foods were believed to hold the strongest blesssings because they came from the earth.
'Blessings rise from simple foods.'
7. Irish cooks cut a small cross into dough before baking - not only for faith, but to 'let the fairies out' so the bread would rise.
'Bread shared is luck shared.'
8. Tea leaves were believed to hold the whispers of the day, gentle reminders, not predictions.
'The cup remembers what the heart forgets.
A= B= C= D=
E= F= G= H=
A Touch of Folklore:
'this is anotber fun thing my grandmother did'
For hundreds of years, tea leaf readings have been
practiced in home parlours.
Yes, tea leaf reading is one of
those pleasant pastimes
that we are losing. Some say it's
the invention of the
commercial tea bag that
sealed its fate.
This intriguing custom is great
fun for your guests,
leaving them to ponder the
patterns on the bottom of the cup
and to relax & enjoy life.
Tea-Leaf Symbol Matching Game
'Match each tea-leaf symbol to its meaning
& enjoy a quiet moment of folklore'
1. A message or news is coming.
2. Good fortune or protection.
3. A new beginning or fresh start.
4. Love, affection, or emotional warmth.
5. A wish coming true
6. Growth, progress, or steady improvement.
7. A peaceful moment or rest ahead.
8. A journey or small adventures.
9. Success after effort.
10. Harmony or things falling into place.
“Ready to sharpen your tea‑leaf reading magic? Click here to download my tasseography booklet.”
It is FREE for you!
Whether you’re planting peas, sipping tea, or simply watching the light return, I hope this month brings you small comforts and a little Irish luck.
Warmly,
Shelley
If this quiet little newsletter brings you a bit of peace, I’d be grateful if you shared it with a friend who might enjoy it too. Word of mouth is how these gentle things find their way
WHOOPSY -
so sorry, I added the wrong crossword puzzle in February's Newsletter, which was just the mock-up I was playing with, rather
than the final draft.
So I have put the real February Crossword in the Feb
newsletter below if you'd like to give it a try.
Thanks for humouring the elderly! xoxoxo
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
February
February arrives quietly, like a letter tucked into the snow.It brings with it soft light, heart-shaped cookies, and the kind of love that doesn’t need grand gestures — just warmth, memory, and a wooden spoon stirred with care.
This month, I’ve been thinking about the way love settles into small things: a tin on the shelf, a scent in the kitchen, a puzzle shared over tea. So I’ve gathered a few gentle offerings for you — a cozy recipe, a story from my grandmother’s kitchen, and a little crossword to warm your winter morning.
Whether you’re baking, puzzling, or simply pausing, I hope this newsletter feels like a quiet gift. One that says: I’m thinking of you.
“The Shelf Where Love Lives”
On the old pine shelf in the corner of the cottage, they danced every February. Not in real time, of course — but in memory. The couple in the photograph, framed by heart garlands and candlelight, had once twirled across a winter floor in their finest clothes, laughter echoing through the rafters. Now, their image sat among pitchers and ribbons, a quiet reminder that love doesn’t fade — it settles in, like warmth in the wood grain, like the scent of cinnamon in the air.
The Cart of Kindness
They gathered hearts in winter’s chill,
Red and bright, with gentle will.
One pulled the cart, the other gave,
A love so simple, soft, and brave.
No need for ribbons, lace, or gold —
Just kindness shared, and hands to hold.
And in that cart, a truth was spun:
That love begins with only one.
February’s Messenger
She walked into the wind with purpose — not to fight it, but to carry something through it. A bouquet of red and pink blooms, gathered from her garden’s last breath before snow. Her hat nearly flew, her boots soaked through, but she smiled.
February had asked her to deliver a message: that beauty can bloom in the storm, and love — real love — is often carried on the wind.
When I was little, there was always a tin on the kitchen shelf — round, floral, and slightly dented from years of use. It wasn’t fancy, but it held magic. Inside were cookies my grandmother, who we called Momma, made by hand, often shortbread, sometimes with herbs from her garden. She’d press them into shapes with the back of a spoon or a carved wooden stamp, and if it was February, she’d use the heart cutter she kept tucked in the drawer with the tea towels.
I remember standing on a stool to peek inside, the scent of rosemary and sugar rising like a promise. She’d let me choose one, and I always picked the smallest heart — not because it was the prettiest, but because it felt like a secret. A quiet little gift, just for me.
Now, when I bake these shortbread hearts, I think of that tin. Of the way love can be tucked into small things. And how a cookie, warm from the oven, can carry a memory across generations.
Kitchen Memory
A Tin on the Shelf
Cozy February Checklist
A checklist of gentle things to do:
-Bake something with herbs
-Write a note to someone you love
-Light a candle and read for 10 minutes
-Go for a winter walk
-Make tea and sit by the window
-Save a heart-shaped cookie for yourself
Thank you for spending a quiet moment with me today.
If this little puzzle brought a bit of warmth to your February,
feel free to share it with someone who could use a gentle pause in their day.
Wishing you soft light, warm kitchens, and small joys tucked into the week
ahead.
Shelley
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
January
Dear Friends,
A new year has arrived quietly, like soft snow settling on the fields. January has always felt like a pause to me — a moment to breathe, to gather warmth, and to let inspiration rise slowly, like bread in a warm kitchen.
Outside, the world is hushed and still. Inside, the kettle sings, the lamps glow, and the simple rhythm of needle and thread brings comfort to winter days. I hope this month finds you wrapped in small joys and peaceful moments
FEATURED THIS MONTH: CROSS STITCH PATTERNS
January whispers softly,
In threads of blue and white—
A month of quiet wonder,
Of lamplight in the night.
We stitch our gentle stories,
One moment at a time,
And find within the stillness
A peace that feels like home.
January is the perfect time to settle into a cozy chair and create something beautiful, one tiny stitch at a time. Here are this month’s featured designs
— each one inspired by the gentler side of rural Canadian life.
for more patterns
click our girl here
Once inside the 'cross-stitch' section of this site, you will find barns, quilts,and cozy kitchen scenes. Spring pieces that bloom with soft colours, hopeful themes. All are aligned with the peaceful, rural life that inspires it.
A Thought for the New Year:
' Beginnings don't need to be bold. Sometimes the quiet ones carry the most promise
A Cozy January Recipe:
MAPLE OATMEAL BAKE
This is the kind of breakfast that warms the whole house — soft, lightly sweet, and full of that gentle comfort we all crave in mid‑winter. It’s easy, wholesome, and perfect for slow mornings when the snow is drifting outside. Recipe Below
Ingredients
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 ¾ cups milk (or almond milk)
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: blueberries, chopped apples, pecans, or raisins
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Lightly butter an 8×8 baking dish.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs,
maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla.
4. Add the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir gently to combine.
5. Fold in any fruit or nuts you like.
6. Pour into the baking dish and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set.
8. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup or
a spoonful of yogurt.
A Little Note
This keeps beautifully in the fridge — perfect for reheating on chilly mornings when you want something nourishing without fuss.
A Little Kitchen Recipe Memory
I’ve always loved how winter mornings seem to hold their own kind of hush — that soft, blue‑grey light that slips in before the kettle sings. When I was little, I remember padding into the kitchen in my wool socks, the floor still cool, and finding my mom already stirring something warm on the stove. Oatmeal was one of those quiet comforts she made without fuss… just oats, a splash of milk, and whatever sweetness the season offered.
Sometimes it was brown sugar, sometimes a spoonful of homemade jam, and sometimes — my favourite — a drizzle of maple syrup that perfumed the whole kitchen. It wasn’t fancy, but it felt like love. The kind of love that doesn’t announce itself, but simply waits for you in a warm bowl on a cold morning.
Maybe that’s why this Maple Oatmeal Bake feels so special to me. It carries that same gentle spirit — simple ingredients, soft warmth, and the feeling of being cared for before the day even begins.
for more recipes
click our girl here
Shelley's Kitchen Tip:
On cold January mornings, I love keeping things simple and comforting in the kitchen. One little trick I’ve learned over the years is to warm your mixing bowl before making anything with oats, butter, or maple syrup.
Just rinse the bowl with hot water, dry it quickly, and then add your ingredients.
The warmth helps the maple syrup blend more smoothly, keeps the butter from seizing, and gives the whole mixture a soft, cozy start — almost like the recipe is waking up gently, just like we are on winter mornings.
It’s a tiny step, but it makes everything feel a little more comforting… and in January, those small comforts matter.
OMGosh;
Just realized, that while I was focused on helping my website clientsI totally disregarded my own site.
But I think it's all fixed now.
On that note since my site was so scrambled, I created a WORD SEACH FOR YOU featuring all my
Cross-Stitch Pattern names! It's a hard one;
have fun searching!
Closing Reflection
January has a way of inviting us inward — into our homes, our hearts, and the quiet corners of our creativity. It’s a month that asks nothing loud or hurried of us. Instead, it offers a gentle beginning, a soft place to land after the fullness of the holidays.
As we step into this new year, may we give ourselves permission to move slowly, to savour small joys, and to create at a pace that feels kind. May we find beauty in the ordinary, comfort in familiar routines, and inspiration in the quiet moments that often go unnoticed.
Here’s to a year stitched together with warmth, intention, and the gentler things in life.
From My Heart to Yours
Thank you for being here — for your kindness, your encouragement, and your shared love of art, stitching, and the gentler things in life.
May this month bring you warmth, creativity, and many cozy hours of making something beautiful.
With gratitude,
Shelley
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
Christmas Edition
Oh, and they are a
natural stress reliever
When the winds are howling & the snow is drifting ~ this night would be a great time to curl up in a comfy chair before the crackling fireplace and unwind as you create your own piece of threaded canvases.
Nearly Christmas!
By Vera Ernst Mc Nichol
It must be nearly Christmas,
there’s enchantment in the air
A certain cheery feeling,
that takes away our care.
Faces radiate with gladness
in spite of frost & snow,
Greetings seem more friendly
everywhere we go.
It must be nearly Christmas,
the children are so good.
They seem so over-anxious
to do the things they should.
Older folks see visions
of Christmas days gone by,
other family circles,
where childish hopes ran high.
It must be nearly Christmas,
the people are more jolly.
Everything is bright and gay,
with mistletoe and holly.
Excitement seems contagious,
vibrating through the crowd,
until love fills with one accord,
the humble & the proud.
It must be nearly Christmas,
Good-will and peace abound.
At no other season
is such magic found.
There is a glow of happiness,
that no one can explain...
It must be that the Christ-child
has come to earth again!
Welcome Dear Friends !
May we be among the first to wish you & yours,
A wonderful, wonder-filled Season!
It’s in the air, in the mood, in the eyes of every child - the wonder of the season that little spark that sets these holidays apart from the rest of the year.
It is that something special we wish for when selecting our gifts– that little flash of marvelous with a sprinkling of merry!
I can think not much would surpass the pure pleasure of sending a note of dearest thoughts to a friend, except maybe hearing “you’ve got mail!”
Let us all leave behind letters of
love & friendship, family & devotion
hope & consolation, so that future
generations will know what we
valued & believed!
Twas Twilight On Main Street!
As twilight drifts about the town
the shadows cast most softly down.
Folks quietly put their shops to rest,
contented feelings of being blessed
graced those merchants of this day
as they reflected and
went on their way.
Gathering coats ~ locking up tight
~ heading for home
~ the beckoning light.
As twilight drifts about the town
velvet snow comes cascading down.
Despite all the frost & snow,
everyone is so friendly as they go.
Kindled fires await their return.
Hot apple cider, their only concern.
As twilight drifts about the town
goodwill, peace & magic abound.
This cherished moment is within view;
this can happen for me & you.
Hold fast to your dreams,
wishes & desires,
positive thinking is all that it required.
Hang on so tight to impossible seems
of your faith, of your hopes,
of your dreams!
Our Christmas Prayer.....
.. that we may touch the earth with kind & gentle
hands, that freedom be found in this and other lands,
and joyous peace shall reign throughout man.....
.... Wishing you Peace, Joy & Good Will.....
We wish to thank, new, past and loyal visitors to my art and website for your continued support & interest. It is sincerely gratifying & appreciated!
'Merry Christmas,
Shelley & Drew'
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
Fall Edition
Welcome to this special corner of my website, where I cherish the connections I've made through my art over the past 36 years. Drew and I have built wonderful friendships with people from all over the countryside and beyond and we always love receiving notes and updates from them about their lives. It's a joy to share in their stories and to keep everyone updated on our journey as well.
Your messages truly mean the world me! Thank you!
AUTUMN SIPPER
from Apple Ways for Apple Days Cookbook
1 Tbsp Whole Allspice 1 pc Orange peel
3 - 3" Cinnamon sticks 1 pc Lemon peel
2 Whole Cloves
1pc crystalized ginger (about size of loonie)
3 cups Apricot Nectar
5 cups Apple Juice
1. Place spices, citrus peels and ginger in cheesecloth. Tie securely and
place in bottom of slow cooker.
2. Pour in apple juice and nectar; cover.
3. Cook on high for 1 hour, then on low for 3 hours.
4. Garnish filled glasses with cinnamon stick.
Makes 8 - 1 cup servings.
FREE ON THIS SITE: ALL 4 COOKBOOKS
Please watch as I update the Herbal cookbooks to make them more readable!
Coming soon.
Here's to October's
frost kissed apples;
teh wild-as-the-wind
smell of hickory nuts &
the nostalgic whiff of
teh first wood smoke!
Ken Webber
Click this picture to visit the Fine Art Book
click images above to take you to
cross-stitch patterns
CROSS STITCHING PATTERNS:
Did you know that cross-stitching is one of the few crafts one can enjoy and feel confident about the finsihed results.
Stitch the stress away! Cross-stitching soothes the troubled spirit and it doesn't hure the untroubled one either.
Further inspect our cross-stitching line on this website. Just click
images to take you there.
