Wood Violets

Wood Violets....

Image via ~ Maia C on Flickr

After seeing these little flowers growing wild and not paying any attention to them before now, I feel bad.  I never really thought of them as flowers, more like a weed but after reading a book by Sara Jio called Violets of March I reckon they deserve a bit more of my attention.

Wood violets grow wild and pop up where you least expect them.  They are also the state flower of Wisconsin.  Violet comes from the latin name viola and wood violets are the key symbol for redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation.  Perhaps this is why they pop up where you least expect them...in your yard, or a friends... where maybe a little redemption, forgiveness or reconciliation is needed.

Much prettier than a weed I must say
Image via ~ Maia C on Flickr

Violets of March by Sara Jio is a book I would highly recommend if you are looking for a mystery that holds your attention until the end.  It is about a young lady named Emily, a writer, who has just ended her 6 year marriage to her husband Joel.  Having writers block and feeling the need to take a break, she receives an invitation to visit her great Aunt Bee for a month who lives on Bainbridge Island in Washington State.  Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea, and hopes this trip will help get her past her writers block.  While visiting, she stumbles upon a red velvet diary dated 1943 who's contents reveal startling connections to her own life.  I won't go into any more detail only to say that I could not figure this out until the very end.

This book is what caused me to take a closer look at wood violets and their symbolism.  I probably won't ever look at these flowers in the same way again.  Funny how something you thought was a weed and something you tried to get rid of can be the symbol of something so wonderful.  So, if you see these beautiful purple flowers popping up in your yard or someone else's I hope it will give you a cause for pause....wondering who it is that may need a bit of forgiveness, reconciliation or redemption.

Quote and Song of the Day

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

- Dr. Seuss

And Now for a cool video and a great song!

This and That and Everything In Between

There hasn't been a lot going on with the exception that I've been helping a friend who will be moving into a new home soon.  She is getting new furniture so I have been taking pictures of the furniture she wants to sell and posting them Craigslist.  I am the contact because she works and cannot show the items during the day but I can.  I must say we've done quite well thus far selling her bedroom suite which now has her sleeping on the floor atop her mattress.  She has also had to resort to taking two kitchen chairs to use in her living room as her old sofa and love seat have also sold.  We only have a kitchen set and a hutch left to go.  Having to be available to show the items have kept me very busy.  I have however, been able to spend some time sewing up a beautiful pillowcase in a lovely quilted aubergine fabric, ( I love this color!) that has a white linen border and a small accent of silk that was hand dyed from silk saris cut into strips that I have sewn together.  I think its turned out very lovely!

A good look at the fabric

The white linen border and silk sari accent

A better look at it in its entirety.  

I loved making this and have more silk sari pieces to incorporate into other pillow cases.

I also want to mention that I was one of (5) lucky winners of Eliza's (Interior and Design) HERE to win one of these lovely pillow or door ornaments from her Spring Collection!  Aren't they gorgeous!  They are made with antique crisp white linen, hand tinted silk and velvet, ribbons and  finished with an antique brooch c 1930-50.  Thank you JO!

Well, that's it for today.  I'm heading out to the hairdressers for a cut and maybe a nice iced coffee!  Have a wonderful day!