You already know that I’ve been making more time for fun stuff. That also includes hanging out with my friends!
When the kids were little, so much of my time and energy revolved around them and their homeschool lessons and play dates. And now, little by little, they don’t need me quite as much. The house is quieter. Everyone has their own schedules, their own activities, their own lives happening.
And I’m realizing that this leaves a little more room for my people, too.
I’ve been having lunch with one friend every other week, playing pickleball with another a few times a week, and I even have a friend coming to visit me from out of town this weekend.
Nothing fancy. Just time together.
I think friendships become even more important in this season of life. We need people to laugh with, talk to, share new ideas with and remind us that we’re more than just the roles we’ve spent so many years filling.
I’m really enjoying this part of life. ❤️
And speaking of what’s been keeping me busy, here’s a little of what’s happening around here…
✨ CRAFTY GEMINI WORK
Took a bit of a break from work stuff while I had some maintenance issues at home and with one of our cars. Ugh. That’s never fun. I’m currently working on a cork fabric prototype of a project I’ll share with you later on this Fall. That’s been the main thing on my worktable this week. I have a few ways this can go so I’m just letting the design come to me as I work. I’ll keep you posted on how it turns out.
✨ WHATNOT SHOPPING SHOWS
I’m hosting a fabric, sewing tools & notions show this week! I’m starting all half yards of quilting cottons at just $3.00! I’ll have interfacing and notions for sale and even all-purpose polyester thread bundles. Join us and shop with me while we chat and have a good ol’ time.. as usual! My LIVE shows are a lot of fun!
I’m hosting another show this FRIDAY night, October 9th at 8:00pm EDT.
To sign up (and get a $25 shopping credit) click here: https://www.whatnot.com/invite/craftygemini
Hope you can join us friday night. Here is the direct link to the show: https://www.whatnot.com/s/XxZCK7EB
✨ COMMUNITY SERVICE
My husband has been busy collaborating with a few other organizations to put on another Senior Showcase in our small town. It’s jam packed with information and resources for local senior citizens and we even get to do a little make & take craft with them every year.
That’s in a few weeks and should be a good time!
Learn more about the work we do at: Crafty Gemini Youth Development, Inc.
✨ IN THE GARDEN
The rain here has been almost non-stop and we are expecting nothing but rain the rest of this week, too. My seedlings aren’t doing as well as they should be because they haven’t had a chance to really dry off. All this moisture has caused fungus on all my remaining sunflowers and zinnias. They look pretty sad. But luckily I can still plant more flowers before the frost hits in a few months. Yay, Florida!
I’m harvesting 1-2 big bowls of sorrel/roselle every 3-4 days and dehydrating them for long term storage. I’ve made a few jars of sorrel for the fridge, too. So delicious!
We’ve been harvesting lettuce already! The plants are still small but a few leaves here and there for sandwiches and burgers or a quick side salad have been perfect so early in the season. I love that!
✨ This Week’s Favorite
This week my favorite thing was participating in a craft swap at a friend’s house! Have you heard of these craft swaps? Apparently she got the idea from some viral TikTok videos.
Here’s the gist of it: Depending on the number of people that want to participate each person will bring that number of handmade items to share. I made 6 zipper pouches because there were 7 participants (and I don’t need to make one for myself). Everyone places their items on a table and after chatting and eating we go shopping! You bring a bag or basket and take one of each item home with you! The idea is like you’re going farmer’s market shopping for handcrafted and handmade goodies from friends. This is the second one she’s hosted and I love it!
She even had wildflower seeds we could dig through, label and take with us if we wanted! So fun!
I came home with Butterfly Pea flowers & seeds, wildflower seeds, all-natural beauty, berry insect repellant, an organic after shower oil blend, a set of watercolor painted thank you cards, a delicious mini quiche, datil pepper hot sauce, and a hand carved bud vase! All these ladies are so talented. We have another one scheduled for January so I gotta start thinking what I want to contribute to that one.
Chat with you again next week!
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Learn more about the work we do at: Crafty Gemini Youth Development, Inc.
