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:  

Slow Sunday Stitching