Saturday, November 26, 2022

Goofin Off With a Kindred Spirit

(If you're here for the project updates, just skip on down.  I promise they're there.)

Anne of Green Gables and My Kindred Spirit

Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote in her book Anne of Green Gables:  

"An intimate, you know - a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul.  I've dreamed of meeting her all my life."  

I have always felt a kindred spirit in my mother-in-law.  From the day we met, we shared a love of quilting, cross stitching, Anne of Green Gables, and...Mr. Goofin' Off, of course!  The one bucket list item she had mentioned over and over (and made several attempts but never made it, which is a story for another day) was to get to go visit the home that inspired the stories of the Anne of Green Gables book series.  Well...

I was determined to make it happen for her.  This trip was in the making for years...originally book for 2020, and then COVID hit.  Last May, as my father-in-law was in hospice, in our final conversation he told me, "You make sure she gets to see the Anne of Green Gables house."  Well, we finally made it happen.   

Anne of Green Gables House - Prince Edward Island - Myself and My Mother-in-Law

As we stepped up to the green-gabled home owned by LM Montgomery's cousins, my dear mother-in-law became very emotional...as did I.  We hugged, we cried, and I opened up to her why the Anne of Green Gables books were so important to me.  It is deeply personal, and I rarely share.  I cannot tell you how much of a "kindred spirit" she is to me.  I get choked up just thinking about it.  

There were six of us girls from the family on the tour, and we opted for a private tour.  It was actually cheaper than if we had purchased the big group tour offered by the cruise line we were on.  Our tour guide, Margaret, did not disappoint and timed things perfectly.  We made a few stops along the way and arrived just as the big tour busses were pulling away.  We had the place nearly to ourselves.  It was amazing!  

If you're an Anne of Green Gables fan, you may recognize some of these places LM Montgomery wrote about in her books:  

  

Cavendish Beach

Path Down to Cavendish Beach


The Green Gables House

The Path Leading from the Green Gables House to the Haunted Woods of Avonlea

As we sat around our Thanksgiving table this past week, we were reminded of what a fantastic year it's been for Mr. Goofin' Off and I.  We were able to cross off so many items from our bucket list.  We are truly blessed and have so much to be thankful for.  

While Mr. Goofin' Off and I ticked many items off our bucket lists in 2022, I know that 2023 we be much quieter.  I hope to have a lot more time for quilting and stitching (and blogging, of course).  Now about quilting and stitching...


Jazzy Blues Quilt


I came across this fabric last year...I think it was a last year's Black Friday deal.  I just KNEW I had to have this fabric.  I like to make quilts for Project Linus, and so many of them tend to be "girly."  It was nice to find a fabric combo that could be used for any music lover.  While I have started cutting out the quilt, I'll save that for my next post.  The pattern is "Checkmate" by Fabric Cafe.  Here is a picture of the fabrics.  

Fabric for Jazzy Blues - Pattern is "Checkmate" by Fabric Cafe

In addition, here is a close up of the jazz-inspired fabric.  I fell in love with this fabric as I love jazz.  I had recently seen the Disney movie Soul when I purchased the fabric...I'm pretty sure that played a part in my fabric pick.  Have you seen Soul?  

Jazz-Inspired Focus Fabric for Jazzy Blues Quilt


Mickey and Pirate Friends Cross Stitch Update


And since I do have a small update for Mickey and Pirate Friends, let's get you up to speed.  Here is where I left off last time...

Progress on October 18, 2022

Progress on November 26, 2022

More of Mickey's pirate hat is showing.  It's coming along nicely albeit slowly.  I am hoping to get progress much quicker now that we are finally home for a bit.  


My Final Thoughts on Kindred Spirits


One thing I've realized over the years, is how important it is to find "friends" with similar interests...kindred spirits, if you will. People we can share both our projects and our personal lives.  People we can laugh with, cry with, and offer our prayers or positive thoughts to.  And I truly think of my blogging friends as "kindred spirits."  

During this season of gratitude, I want to thank all of my blogging friends for their inspiration, kindness, and willingness to share of themselves.  The internet is an amazing thing.  Without it, I would be missing my blogging kindred spirits.  

Thank you!  

Linking up with:  

13 comments:

  1. What a lovely trip to share with your mother-in-law! You are both so lucky. Good luck with your Jazzy Blues quilt.

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    1. Thank you! It was a lovely way to bond with my mother-in-law. Thanks for popping by and leaving me a note.

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  2. BIG fan of Anne with an E!! What a special trip that was. Congrats on ticking the Green Gables tour off your bucket list!

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    1. Thank you! While it was a fantastic experience to share with my mother-in-law. Thanks for popping by and leaving a note. -Andrea

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  3. Anne of Green Gables is a favorite of mine!

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    1. There is just something about the Anne of Green Gables books that are so sweet. Thank you for popping by and leaving a note! -Andrea

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  4. Oh, what a wonderful trip that must have been, Andrea! I never read the books, but have watched several movies and television shows and Anne thoroughly charmed me. I must say how blessed you are to have such a special relationship with your mother-in-law! Truly lucky. Nice progress on your Pirate Mickey--not sure I could do a solidly stitched piece such as that one. Happy December!

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    1. Thank you, Carol! I am lucky in so many ways, but my mother-in-law is a truly special women! Thanks for popping in and leaving a note. -Andrea

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  5. Wow, what a beautiful place to visit! How wonderful to have that kind of relationship with your MIL, I wish I could say the same.
    That is fun fabric and nice progress on your Pirate piece.
    Oh yes, blogging friends are treasures.

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    1. Thank you! I am truly blessed to have the family I do, including my mother-in-law. Thanks for popping by and leaving a note. -Andrea

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  6. In Japan, where I live, the interest in and popularity of Anne of Green Gables are immense. Many people go on a pilgrimage to PEI (at least before the pandemic).
    That is an impressive cross-stitch you are working on.
    Queenie

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    1. Our tour guide had mentioned the fact that there are so many visitors from Japan to the Anne of Green Gables property. She said they also come in and have huge weddings there. Thanks for popping by and leaving a comment! -Andrea

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