Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Seasonal Affective Disorder

I don't think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder but I sure can understand when people get extremely depressed during these gray days of winter.  I find it hard to get motivated and have trouble focusing on projects.  I'm making myself continue to work on UFOs, though, and have spent some time in the sewing room this week.


This pattern is called Christmas Gathering and is by Plum Street Samplers.  But it reminds me of Noah and the dove he sent out from the Ark which eventually came back with an olive leaf.  The small green wreath isn't an olive leaf but but it does bring that story to mind for me so I've renamed it "Noah's Dove."  I made it into a small bag which can be hung from a doorknob or on a front door with some sprigs of pine in it.  It could even hold some sewing bits and pieces.



I have several Prairie Schooler Santa patterns but this is the first one I've stitched and will definitely make some changes if I make another.  The colors recommended are muted and certainly pretty but my taste is a more rich, hand dyed color scheme.  Obviously I chose this one to be my first because of the treadle sewing machine - I love it!  I made it into a small hanging and added the gold cord to hang it with and to finish a couple of edges.  I plan to hang it from a knob on my treadle machine next Christmas.


Andrew, our youngest grandson who just turned 7 last month, had his first duck hunting experience last week.  I asked if they killed anything and my son's answer was, "time."  As you can see from all the clothes he has on it was a bit chilly - I doubt Andrew will be anxious to go again soon.  :)


My early morning routine includes sitting in my recliner with a large cup of hot tea, my Bible and this view.  While the morning gave a beautiful promise of sunshine it didn't keep the promise - it was another gray day after the initial pink sunrise.

How are you managing to get through these winter days?

24 comments:

Barb said...

I'm glad to hear it is grey somewhere besides the Pacific NW. I keep busy and try to get outside even just to sit on the covered porch and have my coffee. I do love your bags. Oh, reading helps me too.

Sparky said...

lovely stitchings and I love winter...i have been missing our snow

Vickie said...

What wonderful work you have done.
Aww, your grandson is adorable.
I stitch and read away the winter.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love the Santa w/treadle machine. I have pulled some lighter, summery fabrics to play with for a perk up with these dismal and cold days.

Gail said...

I like your work.

Annie said...

Nice finishes! Those bags can come in handy for lots of things.

Your grandson is a cutie, but he can the duck hunting for himself!

Hunkering down here for a monster blizzard over the next few days so SAD or not, I do feel seasonally affected!

Robin in Virginia said...

Super finishes, Marlene! What a lovely view you have! Waiting for our first significant snow of the season to arrive! I'm ready.

maria demina said...

Beautiful stitching, Marlene! I love your bag idea (and the bag itself). Santa is so funny! :)

Kyle said...

Your work is always lovely and it looks like you've finished a few older projects. Maybe it's time to treat yourself to something new.

Barb said...

What a view you have...love your samplers!

ChitterChatterDesigns said...

What a lovely way to spend your morning. I love the grey days combined with the gleaming sunshine of winter months.You never know what you are going to get. On dreary days I cuddle up with some stitching and hot chocolate, or tea... and I love the feeling of being so warm while looking at so cold. Makes me feel very thankful and it's hard to be depressed when your heart is full of gratitude. On sunny days, I find myself just like you....enjoying the view of the beautiful sun bouncing off the bright white snow that blankets the ground and mountain tops. It is so beautiful here and I love it. Your bags look very nice. I admire your dedication to finishing up those projects. Cheers to you Marlene!

Anna said...

I hear ya...chatting with friends, a stitch or 2, cup of tea or coffee, warm fire, good book and counting my blessings help me move through the winter💕hugs

MartinaM said...

Lovely Stitching, I like the Santa,
Greetings, Martina

Loniel said...

Very beautiful stitching!

Mary said...

What lovely stitching. It is nice to finish things in progress. I love your ideas of making some of them into bags. You have such a lovely outlook. Thank you for sharing. I needed that today.

gpc said...

Andrew might surprise you -- what a great bonding experience, and it will seem better and better to him in his memory's eye, especially if daddy talks about how great it all was. :) Your stitchery is beautiful!

Needled Mom said...

I loved the "killing time" reply. That would not be a place I would want to sit with all of that cold.

Your stitching looks wonderful. I think sitting and stitching sounds like a perfect thing for the dreary days. I am not a fan of winter myself and we have mild ones! lol

Carol said...

I've been feeling the same way lately, Marlene... just low on energy because we are certainly low on sunshine here in the the north east. I can't remember the last time we saw the sun!!

Love your PS Santa with the old sewing machine :) And the dove is so pretty--like the hanging sacks you've made from both!

Andrew is such a cutie (my son is named Andrew, too--just love that name!).

Sherrill said...

I just got back from 10 days in Hawaii since it had become apparent warm weather was nowhere in the upcoming forecast!! HA Wish I was still there.

Andrea said...

I never look forward to January, not sure why , I just find it a very bland month. I love you bag especially the striped fabric and then the spotty ribbon, a lovely effect. All of your stitching looks wonderful.

Gabri millecrocette said...

Hello lovely photo from your window...grey and cold winter here too...Stay at home to cross stitch and read is a good medicine!!Nice Andrew...and nice story about dove's Noè!!Have happy days

Анна Гончарова said...

Все очень красиво!!!

Karen said...

I love the bird design and what you have done with it.

Tracy P. said...

I get it too, Marlene. I think the most important thing is to get outside, at least a little bit, on the days that either aren't too cold or don't have any wind. There is a ton of beauty out there (well, we do have snow, so that helps!), but you really have to go find it. Our daylight hours are still quite short, which doesn't help at all. And today the wind was whipping. I would take a 5º day with sun and no wind over a 15º day with wind any day. Getting out with my camera has changed my whole perspective on winter...most days. :-)