Thoughtful Thursday
For today’s Thoughtful Thursday post, I’m joining up with LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color. Each week, she hosts an I Like Thursday party and invites us to share things we’ve noticed during the past week that have brought us joy, gave us time to relax and rejuvenate, ponder the deeper things of life, or just a moment of laughter. You can find the whole list of us who participate at Not Afraid of Color. If you’d like to join in, leave a comment there, and let LeeAnna know you’d like to be part of our group. It’s a fun way to be aware of things going on around you, and a change from always being nose to the needle as we quilt!
As you can see from the photo above, I’m still enjoying our Christmas tree. Each day around 3 pm, the sun (if we have any) shines on the tree and makes the ornaments glow. Wilbs loves to tuck himself under the tree for a sun-soaked nap. I usually spoil it for him, because I have to close the drapes to keep the sun from shining right into my eyes. He gets over it by climbing onto my lap to continue his snooze.
Of course, if there’s a cat snoozing on your lap, you need something to do, right? I’ve been having fun with this new cross stitch design. I found this design (and a few others) at Modern Folk Embroidery. He has some beautiful patterns in his shop!
I can’t stitch without a break while he’s napping, so I have read few good books. Here are two worth mentioning.
The third book in the Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger had me hooked from the first page. I enjoy his storytelling, with Minnesota history and folklore entwined into his fictional tale. I’m already itching to read the next.
I like to switch up my reading now and then, and this book was such a delightful read with an interesting twist at the end. If you need a feel good book to put on your list, make it this one.
Piano Update
Here’s an update on the progress of converting the piano to a desk. The recessed lighting has been installed. At a later point, the keys will be put back into the piano (in the area where the mug is sitting). The keys will be all one level. Then he’ll pour self-leveling epoxy over them so they will be part of the desktop. Hope that makes sense.
The Weekly Wilbs
Wilbs thoroughly enjoyed Christmas, especially the wrapping paper and the catnip fish Molly gave him for Christmas. The fish has now gone missing, likely under a couch or chair. Meanwhile, the birds and squirrels outdoors are keeping him on high alert.
What are you pondering on this Thoughtful Thursday? I’d enjoy hearing about it, so leave me a comment. See you next Thursday!
Wendy
Checking In
26 Comments
Catherine
What a lovely idea to post joyful things! I love yours. I am fascinated by your plano desk – what a brilliant idea! I will look forward to seeing more. Wishing you a very happy 2022 🙂
Cindy Pieters
That piano desk is going to be beautiful when done!
The Joyful Quilter
Nice job with the photo of Wilbs on high alert. Your “new” desk is going to be incredible, Wendy!!
karenfae
the conversion of a piano into a desk sounds so interesting – I must have missed you mentioning that before – what a piece to add to your house – let us see it when it is done.
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! That piano desk is going to be just fabulous. I can just imagine how good those keys are going to look in that epoxy. Is BigJ working on it in the garage? Just curious if the cold slows him down any? Thanks for the Wilbur shot with his intense, on-guard look. He’s got a bead on those birds and squirrels, doesn’t he?! Happy Thursday! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Barbara J Stanbro
The piano is looking good. I’m very curious how it will look when it’s finished. And, of course, Wilbur is very handsome. I expect the pawpawrazzi is following him around bothering him now.
Tracie
Wow, the piano desk is going to be so cool! I like the looks of your new cross-stitch project and took a look at the other patterns. I love them all! Someday I plan to read the Cork O’Connell series; next up for me is the book from you. I’ll let you know if I get past the first 20 pages (heehee). This is definitely the kind of day for curling up in a quilt with your pet. Stay warm!
Judy K Blauer
Enjoyed your post today! Nothing better than a little cross stitch, a little book reading and a kitty on your lap! Thanks for the recommendation of All The Lonely People. I’m adding it to my Want to Read list!
Sandy Panagos
I really enjoyed this post. That is a beautiful shot of your tree. The piano desk is a fun project to watch. It’s going to be so cool. Thanks for the book recommendations! I am un-decorating today and packing away Christmas. It will be nice to have the living area clean and cozy and “decorated” with familiar items. It may be a good night for a fire in the fireplace and some hot cocoa!
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
Your new cross-stitch design looks pretty! So nice to have that kind of stitching to do, especially with the cst on your lap. Like everyone else, I’m fascinated by the piano project! Thanks for the peek at it. I’ve enjoyed a lot of the Cork O’Connor books – can’t tell you if I’ve read them all, but lots. I guess Krueger’s newest book is about Cork when he was young. I’ve got that one on my library hold list.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I’m really enjoying seeing the progress on the piano conversion. I like that the keys will be epoxied back in place!
texasquiltgal
The two cats that will lie on my lap get annoyed if I move too much, so I either watch TV or read too. Love seeing a progress report on the piano desk! Wilbs looks quite handsome, please give him a pat for me.
I’m going to try the first book in that series – Iron Lake. The description I read of Cork O’Connor sounds right up my alley.
Katherine Duquette
I hope you post a picture of the piano when it’s completed. Keeping the keys as part of the desk is a neat idea. Love the guard cat keeping the critters away.
Rochelle Summers
What an interesting project that piano is. I love the “in progress” photos. Your books look very interesting. I’ll be adding them to my list. And that Wilbur just keeps me smiling. He is so photogenic and really does adapt well to change…except maybe when you are packing your bag to leave on a trip. Happy 2022.
laura bruno lilly
I read ‘This Tender Land’ by WK Krueger – loved it. I always enjoy the inter-weaving of local lore/facts/etc that outsiders (me, in this case) can ‘get’ on one level and not feel excluded, but then insiders will thrill at the bits that shows the author’s regional savvy.
Colette
Oh I love the William Kent Krueger books, I got my parents hooked too. I took my Christmas down and packed it away for another year. Great pic of Wilbs. Oh I love the idea of the piano keys with the self leveling epoxy. It will be marvelous!
quiltinggail
Thank you for sharing! I absolutely LOVE that the piano keys will be part of the desktop. I’m looking forward to seeing that!
And Wilbs certainly earns his keep – watching for birds and squirrels! 🙂
Helen
Love seeing the piano / desk project!
Sally
Oh, cool – keeping the keys, that will look awesome! Christmas tree looks so pretty (and still so healthy). Wilbur is so handsome.
Nancy Bekedam
Wow, that piano desk is going to be amazing! I’ve read all of the Cork OC books. I should check and see if he’s had any new ones come out.
marissthequilter
Looks like you have had a cosy first week of the year. Enjoy the cross stitching — it’s a lovely pattern you are making
Jay
Thanks for the book recommendations. While I’m deep into the Cork O’Connor series, I’m excited to read All the Lonely People. I also appreciate the reminder of the cats in my past going nuts over catnip toys (or catnip alone), and finding their toys in all the odd places. I sure miss having a cat!
Jocelyn Thurston
Wilbs really is a quiet little beauty, isn’t he. You capture him perfectly it seems. Like everyone else, I’m intrigued by that piano a la desk project. And your new pattern is lovely…what fabric and threads are you using?
Kathleen McCormick
Love your cross-stitch, it is sos pretty. Wilbur is handsome as ever. The desk/piano is going to be a gorgeous piece…so interesing.
lapaylor
I will definitely check out those books. LOVE wilbur and sometimes dh will say he can’t get up, he has dol. (dog on lap) so you spend the time with col, or wol, and need a hand maiden to fetch tea for you
Mia is mine
The beautiful ornament took away my breath! It’s stunning! I have All The Lonely People on my TBR list. The piano conversion is really coming along! How nice! 🙂