I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Monday, October 15, 2012

In these uncertain days............the word "plenty"

may not be the way some describe their lives.
We all at times, face challenging and uncertainty , at one time or another...........
these days, even more so.
But I try to focus on the "plenty" I am blessed with..............it helps to place hope in my heart,  to face those uncertain days in the future.
 I love to see an images of  cornucopias, especially during this time of harvest and approaching Thanksgiving...............
The word cornucopia (in Latin also cornu copiae) or horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers, nuts.

Classical mythology offers multiple explanations of the origin of the cornucopia. One of the best-known involves the birth and nurturing of the infant Zeus, who had to be hidden from his devouring father Cronus. In a cave on Mount Ida on the island of Crete, baby Zeus was cared for and protected by a number of divine attendants, including the goat Amalthea ("Nourishing Goddess"), who fed him with her milk. The suckling future king of the gods had unusual abilities and strength, and in playing with his nursemaid accidentally broke off one of her horns, which then had the divine power to provide unending nourishment, as the foster mother had to the god.

I, however, tie it to the blessings and "plenty" I have in my own life..............although those things might be some of the most simple things to be thankful for. 
 

Going through some of my things waiting to be embroidered, I found a set of autumn and Thanksgiving linens...........given to me years ago from a dear friend.

One of those pieces was a hand towel with a stamped cornucopia design on it.
 
 
As I spent the weekend stitching on it, I thought about my own personal "horn of plenty" so overflowing with wonderful things:
things like, memories of falling in love, getting married, raising my sweet little family.
And now years later, still with the one I love, and my little family...........grown and doing well.
Simple things like waking up to see the sunrise on a foggy quiet morning.........
the sound of a coyote calling in the late afternoon..............
wildflowers blooming across the prairie..........
Being  surrounded with the gift of friends old and new.........
Baking, creating, gardening, and doing all of the things I love to do............
and still living a quiet and simple life.............
for this I fell my horn of plenty runneth over..................
 
 
 
Before I knew, my stitching was done..............and my memories were still lingering.
How about you?
What does your cornucopia spill over with?
I would love to hear!
 
 


 


13 comments:

Hindustanka said...

Thanks for this nice post and a thought behind it.And wow! Can't imagine how to needle work such tiny picture!! It is gorgeous :)

Nicola said...

A beautiful thought provoking post.

I am very blessed with my husband and family who I love very much and soon if all goes well a grandson.

These are troubling times and a lot of families are suffering financially.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

You are showing your age! I often think of all the material things I thought were important when I was young. I celebrated 61 just the other day. Now I find joy in simple things and all things nature and especially my grandchildren and my 41 year marriage. Too bad we didn't know then what we know now. Life would have been so much more simple.
Great post. Have a great day.
xx, Carol

Cindy said...

Very pretty! And also an interesting story of the meaning for cornucopia. Isn't it weird how history somehow comes to us in something we can use?

janice15 said...

I love fall the best. I love the colors and the leaves and just about everything this time of year. Your embroidery came out just lovely. Happy Tuesday with love Janice

Bev said...

That is so pretty. We celebrated our Thanksgiving a week ago... I think what I am being taught right now is to be thankful...for what I have been given...even though it's not what I thought it should of been. It is hard lesson for me to learn...as I often ache for what I don't have.... but have to realize someone bigger than me is in control....

Celestina Marie said...

What a beautiful post of blessings and thankfulness. I agree with your thoughts. Thank you for the story of the cornucopia.
Your cross stitch turned out so pretty. Love it.

Thank you also for stopping by and your blog birthday comment. Best wishes in my giveaway.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

A Colorful World said...

Wonderful post! Lovely cross-stitch!

Preeti said...

Your needlework is gorgeous! It's inspirational that you do such delicate work at this age:) it's very kind of you for sharing a thoughtful post!

letslearnembroidery said...

My life is far from perfect but I count my blessings.I accept life as it is, take time to laugh and I definitely don't wait for tomorrow to be happy.

Anonymous said...

Kathleen, your cornucopia is so pretty. How wonderful that you were able to fill the time with remembrances while you stitched, and to inspire us to count our blessings also.

I'll choose to allow the good memories to flow, and count the blessings both large and small that have so graciously appeared in my life. And for those sad memories of poor decisions, I'll leave at the feet of One who is able to soothe them over with His cooling balm of unconditional Love.

Thank you, dear one, for all your enchanting posts.

Marianne xox

Kathleen said...

Lovely post - thank you! And a beautiful project completed. I think I will find a cornucopia to stitch as well.

Patty H. said...

Beautiful post! and beautiful embroidery!