Sunday, May 11, 2014

like bees and honey








i hope love surrounded you this weekend, whether you are a mother, have one near (or far) to hug or call, or, bless, have just the memory of her... my kids made me cry, with cards and gifts and words, those words. the best gift of all. happy mother's day to all!

friday it was time to take hannah back to the airport, oh dear, already? my best friend left on friday too, for almost a month long holiday half way around the world. driving back from los angeles international airport, feeling sad, trying not to cry (i did anyway). i know... bookstore therapy! it really did the trick, sitting with stacks of books and magazines, and a strong coffee, i spent a few hours and felt much better. i found a magazine with an article on shetland, and 'the magic of shetland lace knitting'. and a fictional novel, bought for the cover (i don't really read fiction). but LOOK at that shawl! i want to make a shawl just like the one on the cover of 'If you follow me'. can't stop looking at it!

arriving home, where it is way too quiet again, those feelings came back. after moping around a bit, i went to collect the mail. OH MY GOSH! inside my mailbox was an incredible surprise. all the way from Sweden, from a dear friend, was a piece of handmade lace (top photo). made by my friend's mother. i'm still so touched, all feelings of sadness disappeared. thank you so much irene for your thoughtfulness and generosity. the lace is a treasure i adore. the delicate impeccable handwork (how was this done?!) will be forever appreciated.

i made a cowl too, so pretty, the pattern and yarn came together, like bee's & honey, more on this soon! i hope you have a wonderful week ahead! xoxo lori

31 comments:

  1. Happy Mother's Day to you. I can't imaging having you kids spread out as much as they are. My boys are planning on buying a house together and they said I can live there too when they are all grown up :)

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    1. oh how sweet! i hope that happens andee, your boys are so darling (mine used to say that too when they were young, alas, it didn't exactly happen when they grew up, tho they did live together for a while). i was not invited, lol.

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  2. Those books and magazines were waiting there just for you!

    And I love your new cowl - the colour is so beautiful, like faded driftwood on the beach.

    xx

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    1. thank you celia! the yarn comes from your neighboorhood, so pretty. it is like driftwood, a very soft muted color, sometimes it even looks like a shell too, the color has so much depth and variance. i've been terrible about getting photos lately, but it's lovely to wear also. it was so exciting to make these bookshop finds!

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    1. thank you gigi for your sweet comment. something happened to it!

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  4. I am so pleased that you like the lace - my mum would have loved the idea of her lace travelling all around the world!
    It sounds like you had a wonderful Mothers Day; and look at those roses - gorgeous! In Sweden we mothers will have to wait another few weeks until the end of May.

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    1. dear irene, LOVE the lace. it is in a very good home here, it will be cherished. my goodness your mother was talented. thank you again so very much.

      do you know if it was made with bobbins? i can't stop looking at it, and wondering how the stitches were achieved. so amazing.

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    2. Yes it was - sometimes I wish I had kept her lace-making equipment. She had a set of really old, worn bobbins that were beautiful. Just to think of all the beautiful lace made by these...

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  5. It often happens that at moment when you are feeling low, something nice happens! I am glad you received your parcel Lori!

    Your mother's day sounds lovely! I spent it with my three daughters too and will visit my own mum on Wednesday.

    Enjoy the preparations for The Shetlands. I will be hiking and visiting gardens in The Cotswolds in two and a half weeks time. Can't wait!

    Happy week!

    Madelief x

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    1. so great you were able to spend mother's day with your beautiful girls. ooh! the cotswolds! i can't wait to see your photos, how exciting, that sounds wonderful. have fun visiting with your lovely mum this week too. :)

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  6. It's hard to say goodbye to children when they leave, but I'm sure glad you had a wonderful time with your daughter!

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    1. thank you karen, we did have the best week!

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  7. Thank goodness for bookstore therapy and sweet friends who send thoughtful and well-timed gifts (I'm convinced the timing was no accident). I'm so glad you were embraced by love this Mother's Day, you're so right, those words are really the best gift of all:) xo p.s. your cowl is so, so pretty, I hope you like it!

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    1. i love the cowl leigh, thank you so much for recommending it! it was fun to make and really lovely to wear. hopefully i'll get 'wearing' photos someday...i believe you are right, things always seem to happen for a reason, and at the right time (even if sometimes it doesn't feel like it at the moment).

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  8. bookstore therapy is the best cure for everything

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  9. The title of this post is so aptly named, so much sweetness! I'm so happy that you had such a lovely mother's day, you deserve it!

    The cowl is absolutely stunning—perfect marriage of yarn and pattern ! Can't wait to hear more about it.

    And I'd love to know what magazine that Shetland article comes from! I think I need some bookstore therapy of my own....

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  10. Lori, once again you've given us a post that is filled with light, inner light and outer light, too!

    Yes, that return drive from the airport must have been a toughie, but what joy arrived soon after. Isn't it grand to be reminded of life's balancing rhythms?

    The lace is exquisite!

    You already know I share at least one of your new books...and it's a gem, filled with information and inspiration. How you must be enjoying prepping for that splendid upcoming trip! The cowl with the lacy details is lovely. As others have already written, your choice of yarn suits that design so very well.

    Hmmm, Lori, this comment is growing longer, "row by row," just like knitting. It's always a pleasure to chat with you this way. xo

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  11. Oh Lori, the gift was just beautiful and so is your post. I am amazed of how blogging has touched my life and reminded that it was my Kelly that insisted I begin one. It feels my heart with joy and I suspect she knew that, XOXO

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  12. The lace is stunning! That would cheer me up, too. :)

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  13. Big, big hugs to you dear Lori, I know how you feel all too well. There are days when I wish my babies were still babies and all home under my care, sigh, but that isn't possible. I am proud of all my babies and it does make me happy that they are happy.
    I'm glad you have your trip to plan for and a new grand to welcome soon, exciting times.

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  14. I love what you did with your sad, wistful feelings- channeling them into your curiosity and creativity. I'd love to see your If You Follow Me shawl! Your Follow Your Arrow is ever present in the back of my mind, calling me to make one too.

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  15. Such a sweet post! It is strange and wonderful how life works out, and just when you feel sad something lovely happens.....beautiful lace! ( And book store therapy would work for me too!) Gorgeous gifts from your sweet children too....and lovely words from them mean so much......(yes, btw, Rosie is my (younger) girl..) Enjoy your planning for Shetland, I am sure you will have a wonderful trip there, dear Lori.
    Wishing you a happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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  16. what a lovely mother's day you had!!! and great memories to hold dear far longer than just that day….! (stunning photo of hannah…..i'm still trying to catch up in blogland)

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  17. Lori, Happy belated Mother's Day! Lovely lace. xoxo

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  18. Hey Lori! your kids were so lucky to find you out of the sea of couple (the Buddhist say they scan a sea of couple "embracing" and the little soul takes their pick!) . Happy Mother's Day! belated.
    I laughed to read you picked the novel for the shawl on the front! That's something i would do!
    Your cowl looks delicious! I'm sharing your excitement about Shetland.

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  19. Oh my goodnes! I used to live in The Shetlands for a time!
    Thanks for the memories and it looks like you had a wonderful day! Bless!

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  20. Hello! I haven't visited for a while, but your words are like reading the words of an old friend. Always warm, kind, gentle, non-judgemental. I feel your pain at saying goodbye to your absolutely beautiful daughter, and oh, the Shetland Islands! I live in Scotland, and have never been - it's really expensive to get there from here, so we haven't made it yet. I'd love to go. Blessings and hugs to you, and thank you for a calming, inspiring, heartwarmingly beautiful blog. xx

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xoxo lori