whimsical wednesday!

even though company will be arriving later today and they could have been invited to participate in whimsical wednesday with me, i could not wait.  at first light i was out to feed the animals and, soon after, i was roaming the trails, bucket in hand, poring over the leaves that carpeted the earth.

because the activity was supposed to be more of a game, i created one for myself.  at least 100 leaves had to be collected, if i touched a leaf it had to be put in the bucket.  the walking was slow and the leaf examination careful as i had to be sure before touching a leaf.  some were touched quickly for it was only an instant that i knew that particular leaf belonged in the bucket.  others took longer because those leaves were quiet and needed more time to be heard.

monday, after posting the activity for the upcoming whimsical wednesday, i was involved in my usual activity....joining the quilting group.  the group quilts for charity and all manner of quilts for all manner of persons are created.  my job is to machine sew together the layers of the small quilts for children.  as i sat at the machine i listened to the ladies complain about the leaves.  my ears perked up since leaves were on my mind......  oh, the colors were dull, not pretty this year. the leaves were falling too fast.  the leaves made a mess.  leaves from neighboring yards blow into their yards; they shouldn't have to rake leaves that don't belong to them.  the oak leaves are the worst because they fall all season long and into winter no less!   "oh, the nerve of those leaves!!!!" i thought as i listened and sewed.

there is no leaf raking on the farm.  the wind blows them about and they land where they land.  watching them blow about and come to live on the earth instead of in the trees brings great pleasure.  walking among them is like being with friends.  that is what i savored this morning as i gathered leaves.  the ones that shouted "look at me!" are vivid among the others and stand out; noticing them takes no effort.  the quiet ones are the ones that thrill me.  the colors, shading and patterns are subtle and reveal their beauty when picked up and looked at closely.  as i returned to the house, the bucket full of beautiful leaves, i thought, "the ladies don't know what they are missing!".

something had to be created with the leaves, per the dictates of the activity.  as i came into the kitchen i spied the cobalt blue bowl full of red apples on the table.  i instantly knew that would make a great home for the leaves.  the apples remained in place and the leaves positioned among them.  another game was played.  the leaves had to be placed in the bowl as they were layered in the bucket.  no picking and choosing.  this made the challenge of arranging more interesting.  one by one the leaves came out of the bucket, held and examined for shape, color and size, then placed where best suited the leaf and emerging arrangement.  when the bucket was empty and the bowl full of leaves and apples, i stepped back to admire.  ah, nice.

then i enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate!  =]

get ready.....

fall is a month along.  leaves are falling fast and furiously.  this whimsical wednesday, let's play in the leaves.  remember raking leaves into huge piles and jumping into them after a running start?  wonder why children enjoy such an activity.....  regardless of why, it is grand fun.  if you aren't inclined to rake, run and jump, collect leaves.  as many different types as you can find.  make something with them or just put them in a bowl or basket or bucket and enjoy their company for awhile.  then have a cup of hot chocolate.  with marshmallows!  share this activity with someone else or several someone elses as this activity would surely be more fun that way.

whimsical wednesday!

i had fun today!  armed with the dozen happy notes i crafted yesterday afternoon, i was about town.  all over town.  some places were destinations; others just looked like good places to leave a happy note.  happy notes were left on bulletin boards, in restrooms, on store shelves, on the restaurant table along with the tip where i lunched with a friend.  these were obviously anonymous.  i stopped by my sister's office and gave one for her to the secretary to put on her desk when she was out and since the secretary was happy to comply she got a happy note as well.  met a friend to pass a few items between us and she will have found a happy note in the bag i gave her.  the friend i had lunch with had one slipped into her purse when she was at the buffet getting dessert.  the last one was the first one i gave.  it was put in the mailbox for my very nice mail carrier to find.  when i returned home and got the mail the happy note was gone so she took it!  that made me giggle.  after leaving each happy note i wondered who would find it and if they were surprised and if it made them smile.  i wondered if the happy notes were left in place for others to find.  hopefully they brightened the day for those who encountered them.  this was much fun.  a whimsey project activity that bears repeating.

2010 southern illinois harvestfest

once again the whimsey project went to the mall!

a conceptual, found object scavenger hunt created by the whimsey project was included in the 2010 southern illinois harvestfest and hosted by times square mall.  people of all ages were invited to participate in the free scavenger hunt during regular mall hours for the duration (october 8th through 17th) of the harvestfest.

participants were instructed to seek out contained, fall related items placed in the public spaces of the mall then to write their discoveries on the available game cards.  completed game cards could be placed in the available gift bag for a chance to win a prize.

keegan neikes of sesser, illinois, won a ten dollar gift card to the mall's subway sandwich shop.  he will be able to take his mom and dad out for a treat!  (keegan's mom, tera, related that the three of them really enjoyed the scavenger hunt and thought it was a neat idea!    .....thank you, tera!)

and many thanks to bethany benjamin and the crew at times square mall for welcoming the whimsey project's harvestfest scavenger hunt.

below are photographs of my grandchildren completing the scavenger hunt.  we had fun playing too!

get ready.....

people love getting happy surprises.  doesn't matter what form, these surprises are grand.  this whimsical wednesday we will leave happy surprises for others in the form of notes.  leave them for family, friends, strangers.  put them anywhere someone else will discover them and be surprised and well, happy!

whimsical wednesday!

after a very long and very busy day, the thought of a long soak in a bubble bath sounded so inviting.  it was lovely.  lots of bubbles in the hot bath took away the wear of the day.  add the giggles that are rubber duckies and it was the perfect ending to a hectic day.  there is an impressive collection of rubber duckies arrayed along the rim of the tub in the guest bath; courtesy of the grandchildren.  the duckies are all sizes and dressed in various themed outfits or are just yellow.  they bobbed among the bubbles and me.  they reminded me of the genuine flock that resides on the lake just outside the front door.  the antics of both real and pretend makes me smile.

get ready.....

life was too hectic monday to post the activity for this week's whimsical wednesday.  today will be very busy as well.  that's why this week's activity is perfect.  on whimsical wednesday we will enjoy a bubble bath.  and play with rubber duckies if these inhabit the rim of your tub.  if you don't have a rubber duckie or two consider stopping at a store and pick up a few to float amount the bubbles with you.

whimsical wednesday!

it was a beautiful fall day.  perfect for walking the trails in the meadow to cut flowers.  there is a daisy like flower that blooms this time of year that i really love.  it's yellow and happy.  flower gathering had a recipient in mind.  my daughter was arriving via amtrak at noon and the flowers were for her.  the flowers and i made our way to the station.  when the train pulled in and she suddenly appeared i was standing there, happy yellow flowers in hand.  she grinned as soon as she saw me and her bouquet and said, "look at you!".  with a hug she took her flowers and our visit began.

get ready.....

the meadow is beautiful this time of year.  the fall flowers are vivid, plentiful and offers the last splashes of color before winter appears.  this week, pick flowers (if possible) and give them to anyone....a family member, a friend, mate or significant other, a stranger.  everyone loves flowers.  wednesday will find me in the meadow.  where will you find flowers to give?