My gratitude list

Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s been an odd, unsettling, unusual year, hasn’t it?  One could approach this Thanksgiving with an attitude of “What do I have to be thankful for?!?”  But rather than focus on the negative, I choose to look at the happy events of this year so far and the opportunities for positive change that Covid-19 has brought us.

I am thankful that there has been no community spread and no deaths related to Covid 19 here on the Island.  Dr. Heather Morrison deserves a huge thank-you.  With her calm and reasonable manner, she has kept us informed and made wise decisions with respect to opening up our borders, our schools and our businesses carefully.  Islanders on the whole have followed the protocols of social distancing and wearing masks.  No, it’s not been perfect but we have managed to keep our seniors and most vulnerable Islanders safe and healthy.  (photo courtesy of cbc.ca)

I am so incredibly thankful that my wonderful niece has had a healthy and happy pregnancy.  She is due in only three weeks time and will be blessing us with my first grand-niece and my sister’s first grandbaby!!!  No – this baby will NOT be the least bit spoiled…..

I am grateful for the support of friends, family and customers.  Yes, it has been a challenging year on the business front.  Support comes in so many forms – a purchase, sharing posts, kind comments and encouraging feedback have all played a huge role in helping me keep a positive attitude and outlook. ​Believe it or not, I’m actually appreciative of the slowdown in business that Covid 19 brought this summer.  The “season” can be so unbelievably busy that you don’t have a moment to pause, much less to think.  I’ve been able to dream up new ways to keep the business active and stay in touch with my wonderful customers. 

It started with our porch pick-up option for locals who have made purchases through our webstore but don’t want to pay shipping costs. 


My first video tutorial on YouTube launched at the beginning of the Covid 19 epidemic in North America.  I’m closing in on the number of subscribers I need to request a custom URL to make my YouTube channel easier to find.  I hope you will subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzubWbpJe0Hb__hdzcAq8mQ  


Because so many people were not able to visit PEI this summer, I wanted to be able to offer my workshops even if you couldn’t be here.  I’ve just run my first, live online video workshop test case!  Stay tuned for a calendar of video workshops – coming soon.  If there is a technique or a workshop that you would like to see offered, please let me know either by commenting below or sending me a message!

I am thankful for my “Ewe Love to Knit Night” friends!  When Covid-19 first hit, we had to shut down our gatherings.  When we were able to get together once again, it just made my heart sing.  It was amazing how much I missed everyone!!!

I am thankful for my family -that everyone has managed to avoid contracting Covid-19.  I am grateful for my fur baby family members, too.  Their antics make me laugh every day.  Their cuddles are soothing.  

Who knew that buying this property with a small feral colony (that very quickly exploded into a humungous colony) would bring such joy.  Yes, dust bunnies abound.  This old house requires a lot of work – and we are slowly making all the upgrades necessary.  But it is cozy and crazy and full of love.  And I have such a long commute across the yard to the studio!  For those of you who have visited the studio, here’s a “before” picture for your amusement!

So – yes, it’s been a challenging year.  But it has also been a year of change and growth.  In Bruce MacNaughton’s (owner of the PEI Preserve Company) most recent blog, he quoted Shauna Niequist:  “When life is sweet, say thank-you and celebrate.  When life is bitter, say thank-you and grow.”  For me, this pretty much sums up 2020.