December Days

I could come up with all kinds of excuses and reasons for not making many blog posts lately but honestly, it's mostly just plain laziness! I keep thinking that I will wait until I have something exciting or clever to write about. Well, that's not going to happen! *wink*

After my three finishes over the long Thanksgiving weekend, I had planned to continue on with my Christmas stitching but then I remembered Backyard Birds by La D Da. I had started this piece when DH had out patient surgery on his elbow back in September. I had hoped to get more done on it before posting any pictures of my progress but I had a bad spell with my stitching mojo. Then I decided to work on other themes for a bit but I have picked it back up and am working on it steadily! I have changed a couple of colors (nothing major) and I am using an Ivory 18 count Aida.

I made a recent update of my charts for sale on my Wishlist blog. I hope you find something you like. Maybe an early Christmas present to yourself? With the arrival of the holiday season, also comes more baking. Not just turkeys and trimmings either. Cakes, pies but mainly lots and lots of cheese cookies! A batch of these will disappear around here before they have time to cool off after being taken out of the oven!

December has arrived and I have my Christmas wish list all ready for Santa! But I also get to make a birthday wish list for later this month! In the past, I have tried to be good and only ask for what I need. Pooh on that logic this year! LOL. I gave my list to DH last night thinking he would either break out in laughter or give me a "are you out of your mind?" look. Neither happened. He just sat there and nodded as if he was (pretending or not?) taking it all in. Now to wait and see if my "wishes" come true!

After my last blog post, I was asked what were my stitching goals, wishes and dreams for 2013. I still have to go through my stash but for right now I am wanting to work on some WIPs to finish them off. I have some A&E designs that I would just love to get stitched, primitive marking samplers (a must) and I want to do more Christmas/Winter pieces for our bedroom and, of course, there is always new stash that cries out to be given attention! That sounds like plenty to me!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart!

More Destashing

I have added more charts and items to my blog. There are more Goode Huswife and Blackbird Designs. Keep watching as I have some more boxes of stash to go through later this evening and should have even more to add!

Destashing Update

I have udated my stash for sale in my Trade and Wishlist blog (link in right side bar) and on Never Enough Stash (link also in right side bar).

How about a trade?

After finishing off Baby, It's Cold Outside by Heartstring Samplery, Joy to the World by Shepard's Bush and Favorite Spot Sampler I was looking around for my next new start. I decided to keep with the Christmas theme and chose another holiday design from my stash. I would love to do a trade with these three charts. They are in good condition. A little dog earred but no tears or other damage.

I am interested in any of the following charts - Silent Night by Country Cottage Needleworks, Christmas Carols by Country Cottage Needleworks, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Pineberry Lane, Up on the Housetop by Sunflower Seed and Tate's Stocking by Raise the Roof Designs.

You can contact me through the comments on this post or at my email (birdwatcher17@aol.com) if you are interested. I may have other charts you have been looking for as well. Thanks for stopping by!

Autumn Review

The last days of Autumn are making a grand show.

The splash of colors are making their final curtain call for this year.

Good bye Autumn 2012. See you next year!

Stitching Holiday

I hope everyone had a nice holiday. We had a lovely Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. Two days of chopping and baking but worth it all. Everyone was happy and full. In between cooking on Turkey Day, I was thrilled to finish off three pieces! Not one. Not two. But THREE - count 'em - 1, 2, 3 finishes! Do I sound excited? I have gotten on a Christmas/Winter stitching kick lately. I love a pattern that has a portion of the lyrics or words to a winter/holiday song or phrase! With the cooler mornings and evenings, I decided to pull out Baby, It's Cold Outside by Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery to start on. I had taken several weeks off from stitching and I needed something to get that mojo flowing again! I just love this song. It makes me want to snuggle up in front of a fire with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate! I chose 18ct Aida Fiddlers for the fabric. Beth had used WDW and TSA threads in her piece. A lot of you know that I am mainly a DMC gal so I converted the threads to accommodate my stash.

There is only one thing I love more than a new start and that would have to be a new FINISH! This was a great piece to stitch! Simple. Fun. I pulled out Favorite Spot sampler by Plum Street Samplers. I had almost finished this piece when I set it aside for some reason last year. It only took a couple of hours to finish it up. It really isn't a holiday song but the way Paulette designed it, it fits perfectly on my winter/holiday wall!

After getting these two finished up, I decided to pull another Christmas start. Joy to the World by Shepard's Bush! I did not have the buttons they used but I had some of my own in my button stash.

The challenges and stitch a longs for 2013 are beginning to surface on blogs. As of right now, I have no plans to join any of them but instead have made my own list of stitching goals, hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. Thanks so much for stopping by! Until next time, may you simple days and an uncluttered heart!

Happy Holidays

Good Morning everyone! It has been awhile since my last post but everything is fine around here. We are just staying busy. Getting ready for the holidays. Doing some extra baking. And I finally got my mojo back so I have been stitching up a storm.

I decided to extend my blogging break on through the holidays this year. I may pop in every now and then though! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends, food and lots of warm fuzzy feelings!

Getting into Autumn

Ohhh listen to that thunder rumble! There is a bad storm going on outside as I type this post. The skies are dark like late evening just before darkness takes completely over, the rain is steady and hard while the thunder is making sure his presence is not overlooked! As long as I don't have to go anywhere, I enjoy a day like this once in a while.

The trees seem to be changing colors this Fall much sooner and quicker than in the past. DH did not believe me when I told him the mountain colors were near peak until I pointed out the trees already changing colors here. We had planned to take a day trip to the mountains for the show but he got bronchitis and needed to stay home and rest. Maybe next year.

I fixed Beth's Rustic Sausage Dinner the other night with a few of my own variations added. Oh wow! I do believe we have a new Autumn favorite! By the time I thought of taking a picture, it had been devoured by my group of bottomless pits so once again I used Beth's picture.

The next night I fixed seared chicken strips with a salad, corn on the cob and some delicious parmesan tomatoes! Another winner! I trimmed the chicken breasts (the number you use depends on your family) then I cut them up into thin bite size strips. I used my trusty cast iron skillet with about 3 Tablespoons of oil. While the oil is getting nice and hot, season the chicken strips generously with salt and pepper. Place chicken in hot oil in the skillet then sprinkle Worsterchire sauce on chicken as it cooks. The chicken is small and thin so it doesn't take long to cook and the seasoning along with Worsterchire really packs a flavor punch! You can saute some complimentary veggies in another skillet to add in with the chicken before serving.

The tomatoes were delicious. Preheat oven to 425° F. Place sliced tomatoes on a baking sheet. Top with shredded Parmesan, dill, salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil and bake until the tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

I can definitely see these two meals being made again! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

When the first sweatshirt chilly day of Autumn rolls around, my taste switch over to more hot drinks instead of all the cold sodas and iced tea of the summer. With those chilly days comes coffee, flavored coffee and different flavors of tea! Have I mentioned lately how much I love my special coffees? Spiced Pumpkin, Hot Buttered Rum, Southern Pecan and so many more flavors! I don't know which I enjoy more - actually drinking these flavored delights or the wonderful comforting aromas they provide! Fleece sweatshirts, sweaters, flannel pj's, fuzzy slippers, a quilt, my stitching and flavored coffee! Ahhhhh - life is good!

  I made a big fat stupid, stupid mistake a few months ago. It all started when I decided I needed a stitching chair in our bedroom (which I haven't gotten yet but still want) and that meant moving things around. Part of what got moved were my stitching supplies. Fabrics, patterns, floss. The patterns and floss are fine where they are now but the fabrics were put in a case and stored in the closet. Not good. I need to put them in a place much more accessible and easy to get to. That mean more moving around but I think it will be worth it in the long run. In the meantime, the search continues for that perfect chair (which includes the perfect price tag) to tie it all together!

The mailman brought a nice surprise for me over the weekend. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Heartstring Samplery! Yea! It's been busy around here so I haven't pulled my fabric and threads yet but soon. I just love love love this design and can't wait to start on it.

I have read several blog posts recently by stitchers who are no longer worried about the "right" way to stitch and are free of conforming. Thank goodness there are others out there who feel this way. I have done it my own way for a while but never said too much about it because, afterall, who needs the criticism or that one lone raised eyebrow? As I noticed others were changing floss colors on designs, I admitted to doing that. Once I saw that not everyone was using the recommended fabrics, I confessed to still using Aida. Some posted photos of past WIPs show that I often use masking tape to keep my fabric edges from unraveling while I stitch. I fuss at myself for not being a faster stitcher and for not getting more done but I would rather get my measly handful done each year than none at all! I keep reminding myself of all the years I was unable to stitch until I found the right magnifier and I need to be grateful for that instead of trying to catch up on that lost stitching time! I usually leave my WIP in their hoops from start to finish. This would make some stitchers cringe but my pieces have been none worse for the wear and until I hear them complain about it, I am good.

To quote Mick Jagger (Mother's Little Helper), "what a drag it is getting old"! I hear ya, Mick! Another stitching break for several days. For almost a week, it seemed that each time I held a cup, made a fist (which you do for more things than you realize), opened a jar or held a needle my hand would cramp up and continue to do so (off and on) for several hours. Ouch! I think I have finally come to accept (not like, mind you but accept) that there will be aches and pains of old age from here on out. Instead of getting online and looking for fashion tips, I now get online and search for arthritis remedies! Instead of bragging about the great bargain I found at the shoe store, I want to shout from the roof top when I have a day without any aches. My new best buds are Ms. Heating Pad and Mr. Heat Rub. Neither one has much in the personality department but like a good friend, they know how to make me feel better when I need it! C'est la vie!

Sorry but no pictures this time. The weather has been too rainy and overcast to bother with pulling out the camera and the inside of the house has just been too messy and I don't care to show that off! lol. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Autumn in the Air

Where did Summer go? Where did September go? I feel like I missed a good bit of both while being sick and staying cooped up in the house. No sooner did I begin to feel better from pneumonia and I treated myself to a "no cooking, let's eat out" night and I got a mild dose of food poisoning. No one else got it. Just me. Guess it was my punishment for not wanting to cook! Even though it was mild, it still knocked me for a loop and I was unable to cook the next night because of it! It took awhile to build my strength back up from it all but after I finally began to feel like myself again and stepped out to run some errands something was different! The seasons had changed from Summer to Autumn and the weather along with it! Our mornings are sweater cool then it warms up to Summer temps later in the afternoons.

  It just isn't Autumn until I set out my Spiced Pumpkin candle along with a few others but this year I picked up a new candle to add to the collection. Blackberry Jam. Oh my gosh! If only my blog had a scratch and sniff option! Close your eyes and imagine walking into a kitchen where someone has been canning blackberry jam all day! It really makes you want to spread some fresh BB jam on a buttered muffin! I can't help but take a whiff of it each time I walk past. Whether it is lit or not!

Once I got some energy flowing again, I decided to do some blog reading and catching up. To my surprise I found that Blogger had finally gone and done the dirty deed by switching over to new format and no longer allowing those of us who fight change the option of which to use. I hung on as long as I could to the old format though. At least until Blogger made the decision for me. Once I get the hang of something cyber related (or basically anything), I don't like having it changed on me and re-learning how to use it! Oh well. C'est la vie!

I mentioned before that I was working on an oldie but goodie from my stash so I will let you in on what piece that is now. Backyard Birds by La D Da. I have changed a few colors in it and I have been hopping around with my stitching. A little border then some letters then some birds and plants, more border and so on. I can't help but wonder if I am meant to stitch this piece though since each time I begin working on it, I fall ill to one thing or another and just can't find the strength or desire to pick up the needle! One more try!

  These cooler mornings have me in the mood to stitch some Autumn and Winter pieces. I mentioned in a previous post that I was waiting for a certain pattern release from Beth at Heartstring Samplery. I had only seen a sneak peek of it but was intrigued by what I saw and the theme. Once again, she did not disappoint! It is a must have and will be ordered with my last gift certificate. I hope she doesn't mind my sharing her picture of this wonderful design! It will be perfect for my Christmas/Winter wall that holds designs with verses, poems or sayings of the season.

  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

A Quick Catch Up

Everything went well with DH and surgery. He was home by mid afternoon. Sore and hurting but he was home and in his own chair with his own remote control! lol. We both want to thank everyone who sent well wishes to him! It meant alot. I took my stitching to keep me busy while he was in surgery and I got a good bit accomplished on the border. I even had several doctors and nurses comment on it.

The day after his surgery, I began to feel really bad with the room spinning ALOT, feeling weak and short of breath so I dragged myself into the doctor with what I thought was a bad case of allergies only to find out I had pneumonia. No wonder I felt so rotten but where the heck did I get that stuff in the summertime? Not even any stitching was done because I was either to dizzy, too weak or just sound asleep.

I began to feel better in time to make DH his favorite birthday cake. German Chocolate. I am lazy with the cake and just use a mix but it's that rich German Chocolate frosting that really makes it so delicious! That always gets my extra attention as I stand over the stove making enough frosting for 2 cakes. One for home and one for him to take to work and share.

I had some gift certificates waiting to be used so I placed an order. I got Melicent Turner by LHN, Emma Mills by The Scarlett House and Beauty and Grace by Tree of Life Sampling. A new order is always fun especially when you don't have to pay for it! lol.

Now it's time to announce the winner of the giveaway for the chart Liberty by Hands to Work. Sound the horns!!! And................the..........................winner..............................is...................(more horns, please)....................Terri! I wish I had more than one to giveaway! Thank you all for entering and keep checking back because there may be another giveaway soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Slight delay

It's been a busy week around here. DH is having surgery this week and getting all the pre-op work scheduled has kept us hopping! A spider bite started the whole thing rolling until it finally ended up here (for now, anyway). He has already assured me that he will draw a winning name for the chart giveaway tonight. Since his surgery is tomorrow, I will try to announce it and get it into the mail by the weekend! I am sure he will have me running around waiting on him. Some men can handle pain and being sick but I married the typical 'big baby" when it comes to that stuff. *said lovingly, of course*

I have started a new piece but I will wait until I have a little more done on it before posting a picture of it. It's another oldie but goodie from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by! I will contact the winner later this week and annouce it here. Have a great day!

Feed Those Birds

You know me and my birds so I just couldn't resist listing some Autumn bird watching tips!

1. Don't wait until the really cold weather to start feeding the birds again. There are still plenty of berries and insects but now is the time to begin because they are already shopping around for yards to frequent and stay close to for the upcoming cooler months that are close.

2. Several things that will attract them over the Autumn and keep them close during the Winter are a good buffet of various feeders. Also try putting out several trays on the ground (I use large terra cotta pot saucers) for the ground feeding birds. Use a variety of seeds, unshelled peanuts, dried fruits and dried corn to keep them all happy. Some birds prefer ground-level feeding locations; others would rather be several feet off the ground.

3. Don't have a suet feeder? Try smearing the suet or peanut butter onto the bark of a tree or simply break up the suet and put in a bowl to set out for the birds. Don't hesitate to make a birdfeeder with pinecones, peanut butter and seeds like when you were little. It works and the birds will love you for it!

4. Keep those bird baths full with clean water. Even a few old shallow pots or bowls set around with water are good. Birds don't care about how much you spend to do it. They just appreciate that you do it. Period.

5. If you have bird houses and/or roosting pockets, clean them out and get them ready for shelter on those chilly Autumn nights and even colder Winter time. No bird houses? You can still provide shelter. A pile of twigs, logs and old leaves really make for comfy cozy lodging.

6. After you have taken care of the basics, sit back and enjoy watching the birds.

Now is the time to put out the word to your feathered friends that your yard is a good place to be over the upcoming seasons!

Remember, you still have time to sign up for my giveaway on the previous post.

Finish!

I am having trouble with Blogger again. It seems that when I leave a comment on other blogs, it disappears within a matter of minutes. I noticed this on several blogs I left comments on recently then began to watch all of them more closely as I commented. Each one, same thing. Now you see my comment - poof - now you don't! A disappearing act that I wish would disappear! Is anyone else having this problem? Either way, I want my readers to know that I do read your blogs and I do comment!

I have fallen back in love with my stash. I decided to clean out a lot of older patterns that had been sitting in there for who knows how long. During the process of choosing what goes and what stays, I discovered quite a few that I knew I had but had forgotten why I liked them so much when I first bought them. Suddenly I remembered and it was like having all new stash again!

And now on to a picture showing Liberty by Hands to Work. It was a quick piece to finish and a fun one to work on. I had a blast with the color changes. I just picked colors I liked out of my threads and as for how I used them -- no special rhyme or reason. Just whatever I wanted, whenever I decided. The word "liberty" was stitched over one but since I use Aida, I chose to do it in backstitch.

I decided to have a giveaway for this chart now that I am done with it and hopefully someone else will enjoy working on it as much as I did. No rules, no gimmicks. Just leave me a comment on this post by midnight August 20, 2012 telling me you would like to be entered and I will have DH draw a name to be announced on August 22, 2012. Make sure I will be able to get in touch with you by email (either a link or your email address in the comment) in case you are the winner. Otherwise, I will draw another name.

Coin toss time. Heads, I make a new start. Tails, I work on a WIP for awhile. The coin tossed into the air and showed Tails when it landed. No complaints. I have wanted to work on Mother's Tree again. This will be such a special piece when finished! Who knows? Maybe I will do both!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Summer Stuff

It's August and I can't help but wonder where did most of the summer go? Fall is around the corner and I couldn't be happier! Hopefully it will bring a little relief from this horrible heat and humidity we have been having! Summer has not held a lot of exciting news around here. Grocery shopping and regular errands never take a break and hot humid day with a rain shower most evenings. A little container gardening on the deck, some birdwatching and taking care of some long over due projects on the house. If we take any type of traveling vacation, we both like to wait until right after Labor Day. The crowds are gone and the weather is still nice.

Other than taking care of the above mentioned, I have been busy stuffing my face with fresh from the market cherries my neighbor brought over to me! Yum! Of course I thought about making a pie or a cobbler and if I have enough left from my eating binge, I just might do that! lol.


While we were out over the weekend, I took advantage of a new shipment of seeds into the store for next spring! Once again - yum! I have made my list of plants and seeds I want to be sure to get. A lot of these are things I always told myself I wanted to try to grow one day. Well, I'm certainly not getting any younger so I may as well do it! lol.


After taking a stitching break I finally pulled out everything I needed for a new start. I am working on Liberty by Hands to Work. This chart has been in my stash for a very long time. It's among the first ones I bought when I was able to return to stitching (which I still count my blessings for). I am using 18ct. Fiddlers Cloth and I have made a lot of color changes.


I was thrilled to see some new followers to my blog and want to welcome you all! I always enjoy reading everyone's comments and finding new blogs to put on my reading list!

Old Bones

We have been getting storms every evening for about a week now. Sometimes, twice a day! It has helped the temperatures and my plants! My River Birch seems to be standing taller and has a perky look to it! My water guzzling mints are taller and fuller. All the birdhouses are empty now. Baby birds have flown on. I still hear a few cheeps and peeps from one of our larger trees but even with my zoom, I can't find the nest. Several missed photo opportunities lately were an owl flying over low one evening after being scared by some fireworks and a young Peregrine Falcon that stopped to rest for only a moment in one of our trees. I hate missing shots like these!

Problem. We replaced the blinds in our bedroom. We bought a different brand and then I put up some sheers over them. Sounds pretty and easy enough. But now the bedroom has that Winter light all the time. The kind of grayish white light when there is snow on the ground and the skies have that cold gray look. I see a bedroom makeover in the future and I know just what I want to do! I can already see DH rolling his eyes! lol.


While we were on a clean out and downsize roll, a corner in our bedroom became available. I quickly claimed it as mine and am now shopping around for a stitching chair to put there. My own little get-a-way corner! It will be perfect for this Winter too since I won't have to drag my quilts into another room for cuddling up. Cross your fingers for me to find the perfect chair soon!

I haven't really decided on my next new start. I have plenty to choose from but after seeing a seeing a sneak peak of Heartstring Samplery's upcoming new releases, I am holding off a bit and waiting for several of them!

Ok, I know I'm getting older. My kids laugh at my out of date phrases like "Cool. Totally Awesome. Bummer." and more. Then they turn around, hold out their fingers in a V sign and say "Peace out". lol. Uhhhhh duh! lol.

The other day I ran up to the corner convenience store to grab several items. It's a local store and you often see the same people over and over up there. I was walking to the door and a younger man ahead of me opened the door. He stood there holding it open for several seconds while waiting for my old bones to get there (I guess I could have picked up my step and walked a little faster for him).

When I walked through the door, I looked at him, smiled and said thank you very much. His reaction totally floored me! He tipped his baseball cap to me, smiled and politely said "no problem, mam." Mam! He called me Mam! OMG! I told DH about it and he laughed all the way home. This is the kind of thing I used to do for people I thought were over the hill! Of course I still do it but not because of that dang age ridden hill anymore! Since then, it seems like I have noticed a lot of similar things happening! *oy vey!*

Thanks for stopping by! I always enjoy your visits and comments!

Good Morning!

It has been a busy few weeks around here. DH took some time off and we decided to spent it on the house this time instead of a trip. We did a few more repairs and replaced alot of old worn out things around the place. We still have alot more left to keep us busy over the rest of the summer! Putting things on the back burner just makes for a big to do list later down the road! Whew!

I was able to finally finish up Gentle Stitches by Shakespeare Peddler. With DH being home for almost a month, I didn't get much stitching done so it ended up taking me longer than I had planned! But now I can find my next new start!

Have you been to Pinterest? I heard about it and mozied on over out of curiosity and the next thing I knew I was signed up and making my own page! Yikes! Like I really needed something else! But it is fun and very interesting! You can go to my page via the button in my sidebar on the right.

Not much news this time around but I did want to drop in to say hi. I hope everyone is having a lovely summer and the heat isn't too bad where you are! Until next time...! Thanks for stopping by!

Summertime (lots of pictures)

I love our yard! It's not super special and will certainly never be on the cover of a gardening magazine but it is my own little piece of heaven right outside my back door! Oh yeah, I get tired of pulling weeds and doing the chores involved with it. That's not my thing but I love going out back, sitting in my chair and just taking it all in. The activity, the little surprises hidden for me to find, the wonder of all that God has created and set out for me to enjoy.

My potted garden on the deck. I love growing mints especially. Any and all kinds of mints or unusual herbs.


The bees enjoying a morning romp in my Virginia Rose bush that will soon get luscious red rose hips on it this Fall.


The Japanese Red Maple we planted years ago has grown tall and strong providing shade and shelter. The first signs of peeling bark on our young River Birch tree.



The little island I began years ago with small trees and bushes that provide berries for the birds has grown up and become a haven of delight for them.


Watching the birds check out the birdhouses for a suitable place to raise a family never ceases to excite me. My most recent family of Blue Birds just left the nest. I always miss them but look forward to a new family moving in.



Time for some pool side fun! An early preview of Autumn colors yet to come.



An old abandoned bird feeder that is now a resting place and offers temporary shelter for my feathered visitors.


No matter what season it is or what the weather is like



I know our yard provide food, shelter and comfort for all my little visitors. It always has something for me to enjoy. Something new for me to discover. Something for me to be amazed at and be thankful for. Whether it be a new family of birds, a pile of dead branches that will provide shelter on a cold day or the sounds of Nature filling each corner of the yard I feel blessed.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share our yard with you! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Framing!

I have been away from my blog for awhile but not from reading all the others that I enjoy so much. I wish I could post of exciting travels, wonderful finds and bargains and other such things but none of that has been going on lately. Just life as usual which is fine with me!

We have talked about painting the exterior of the house for some time and this weekend we made the first big step towards it. Picking out the colors. We went to the store and brought home color samples galore! DH joked around about using Hot Pink for the house, purple for the trim and orange for the accents. OMG! We finally ended up agreeing on something a little less subtle which I am sure the neighbors would be grateful to know! lol. A pale ivory called Marshmellow for the house, white for trim and a brown called Hot Chocolate for the accents (shutters and doors). Doesn't that sound yummy? Hot chocolate and marshmellows!

I picked up my framing over the weekend. I am always thrilled with her work. Now to hang it all plus last years framing! That's right. A whole year went by and I never got around to hanging up last years framed pieces! In my defense, I have a good reason. I have been playing with the idea of changing out the walls or just doing something different so I didn't want to grab my hammer and nails until I was sure of what and how I wanted to arrange it all.

I just love the frame on Good Maidens by PSS. The detail looks like a row of standing trees.

A Weary World Rejoices by Shakespeare Peddler. I used 18ct Aida.

And last of all, I sew'd my heart by Heartstring Samplery. Sorry for the shadow on the picture. The morning light was a bit hard to work with.


I am still looking for my next new start! Since I have been working on small to medium pieces lately, I am debating on a larger piece. Hmmm, but I do seem to work more diligently on the previous size designs. But, gee whiz and gosh darn it, there are so many I like and not all of them are those sizes! Start one of each?

Thanks so much for stopping by! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

For Now

I didn't get any stitching accomplished for several days thanks to a stiff neck. For almost a week, I could not turn my head from side to side but had to turn my entire body to look right or left. Something as simple as looking both ways when I crossed a parking lot was a challenge as well as looking pretty silly!

Before my neck went all wonky, I was working on the new freebie Sister Stitcher by The Primitive Hare. What an enjoyable little piece this was and just what I needed to get the needle moving again! It took longer than I had planned to finish it up what with my neck and other things that called for my attention. No pictures yet but I will get one posted soon.

Ok, I want to start a new stitch so I pull out my stash and begin going through all the patterns. New, old and really old! Yeah, I haven't done an Adam and Eve piece in awhile. Hmmm, but I really like this other sampler. Oh wait, this one is beautiful but ohhhh, I really don't feel like a BAP right now. Yeah, this one is it ------- maybe. What about my WIPs until I decide? That's an idea but not really what I wanted to do! Maybe I could just eenie, meenie, minie, moe to pick out something! Naw. I need something I really want to start AND finish instead of tossing it aside. Soooo, for now I am just going to use my time to catch up on things around here and hope that one of these patterns from my stash will call to me loud and clear. Soon.

For now, we are staying busy around here trying to take care of a lot of the things that have accumulated on our "to do" list. Home repairs, errands, appointments and those normal pesky chores.

So there is no big or exciting news this post. No pictures. Just me dropping by to say hi. I always appreciate your visit and comments and they add a special touch to my day! Until next time....

What Happened?

Once again, life has kept me from posting on my blog as often as I would like. When did everything get so hectic around here? I want my dull, take it one day at a time life back! Hopefully this is just a phase!

I picked up several new additions for my rooster/hen collection that I found on sale. I have no idea how or why I got hooked on these feathered fouls. Maybe I got one as a gift years ago and it grew from there or possibly I saw one I liked and bought it to fill a space but it all started somewhere. I don't buy them often and I don't have many but I am always on the look out for a special one or a good sale price!


I have been on a stitching break for awhile. First, it was because my wrists were bothering me. Then DH took some vacation time and we worked on catching up on life in general. After he went back to work, I kept telling myself to start stitching but it just never happened for one reason or another. I did use the time to straighten up my stash and threads though. I even kitted up a few more patterns and made a list of threads I have run out of so I can pick them up on my next trip out.

I mentioned several posts ago that I had ordered a couple of other patterns that I had been wanting. They arrived and with all my new stash to tempt me, I want to start them all! Wouldn't that be chaos! I know that Mother's Garden by BBD is in the top running. I just love it. I have an idea in mind for the initials that is a little different than what Barb used but it will work for me! After I get a start on it I will let you in on my idea! For now, I am going to start on a new freebie by The Primitive Hare to get my mojo up and running again.


Thanks so much for stopping by! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Good Morning, Mr. Blue!

I have been absent lately from posting because of Blogger problems again. I was not able to sign on. It was extremely frustrating but after a lot of headaches it finally cleared up but, low and behold, when I was able to sign into my dashboard again there was a notice that the old Blogger interface will be discontinued! There are still a few other problems going on but I am not sure if it is Blogger or my computer.

No new starts yet. My wrist has been giving me fits making it very difficult to stitch. I thought my next new start would be from new stash but I have a hankering to work on something different. Once I decide, you'll be the first to know! During my time away from reading and posting on my blog and stitching, I took advantage of the extra time in other ways.

DH is off those horrible annoying hours and has been taking some well deserved time off. Of course, he may feel he would be better off still working since we have stayed so busy catching up on things that were put on the back burner during that time.

I made the trip to the LNS to drop of my stitching pieces for framing. It will be longer than usual in getting them back because everyone likes to take advantage of a framing sale! I love the frames I chose. Especially for the holiday pieces. Not really what I had expected to go with but sometimes you see something that just screams at you! Also, I placed another order. Just a couple of designs I have drooling over for awhile. They are both on the big side and have detailed borders (not my favorite thing to stitch) but if my finishes are as pretty as the pictures, they should be worth the extra xx's.

While we were at the LNS, there was a snow storm. Actually it was white fuzzy pollen coming from some trees behind the shop but it was coming down so heavy, it looked like snow. Everyone was looking up in confusion before realizing what it actually was! And of course I left my camera at home!

I walked around the yard and took in all the beauty that only Nature can take credit for. There are bluebirds nesting in one of bird houses again this year! I always enjoy watching them. To make it even more enjoyable, we put up another bluebird house, a wren/chickadee house and put the squirrel feeder back up! I can't wait to see the activity around them all!


My pyracanthas have grown so much since they were first planted. They were planted about 12 years ago with the purpose of covering up and hiding an old steel satelite dish pole that was cemented into the ground. Can you see the pole? It started as a practical reason but they are now one of my favorites in the yard. The Mockingbirds love this bush and take it over every Spring. Other birds try to enjoy it's shelter and fruits but those Mockers don't let them stay very long. Come Autumn, beautiful orangey berries will load the bushes and replace the white flowers.


My old dishwasher died last summer and I have been washing 4-6 sink full of dishes by hand each day. Boring and hard on my wrists but no more! My new dishwasher was delivered and I can load it up to run once a day now! How much easier and a lot nicer for me to just press a button and walk out while it does all that work!

I noticed that I have some new followers! How fun! I love finding new blogs to add onto my reading list! I have tried to visit your blogs as well but I may have missed a few out of my occasional "now, what I was doing?" moments. If I haven't visited your blogs yet or sent you a thank you for following my blog, let me say thank you now and I will try to get to it as soon as I can! My new followers and visitors are just as important to me as all the others. I added a few new blogs to my sidebar as well!

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart! Thank you so much for dropping by!

Stitching Weekend!

My stitching order arrived! Fabrics, threads and wonderful charts! Included in my new stash are Christmas Garden by BBD, Gathering Basket by BBD, Hedgerow Birds by BBD (which is due to ship out soon), Wild Rose by BBD, Bless my scissors by NFF, Sergei by PSS and A Stitcher's Heart/Gentle Stitches by LHN and Shakespeare Peddler. Several of these included more than one design to stitch so I feel like I got double the order! And by the way, the soon to be released Mother's Garden by BBD is already on my next list!


One chart that made onto my order list came as a surprise to me. Boris by PSS. We are not pet owners at this time (although we occasionally think about making the leap again). I have always been a dog person and loved having one around. I do miss our sweet Whiner even after all this time. But back to Boris. I have wanted this pattern since Paulette first released it but felt I should wait until we decided to get another dog before adding it to my stash (just my own quirk). Maybe it was his sleepy soulful eyes but it was like picking up a puppy in a pet shop. I caved and brought Boris home!


They are all wonderful designs and several are designated to become pillows for my bench project. I really wrestled on whether to get Christmas Garden. I absolutely love it and all the ones I have seen stitched on other blogs just made me want it even more! But the size! I had promised myself that I would not start another BAP until a few of my WIPs were finished up but those deer, the family initials, the birds and beautiful trees just took control of my senses! I was under the influence of the stitching needle!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Stash Fun!

After finishing up my last piece, I took a rest from the needle for several days. Gotta give these old hands a break and get them refreshed for another round! No pictures to post this time but hoping to make up with extras next post!

Harold has been working those awful quirky hours lately. It's always hard on him but it also throws a big kink in everything else around here. Dinner time changes, days get jumbled around and forgotten, regular weekly chores and errands get postponed or skimped on. Life as we know it, takes a back seat for awhile. We are always so glad when it's all over until the next time!

I have had some trouble with Blogger recently. Several times I could not post my pictures and once I could not even find my blog! It had been removed! After some harrowing moments and a lot of deep breathing, everything is running again as it should -- I hope! Has this happened to anyone else?

On to the fun part of this post! Stash! I have been a good girl for the past 3 years only buying what I absolutely need and no more than several charts a year (which doesn't count freebies I happily gathered). My fabrics and threads were beginning to dwindle. I was getting restless seeing so many designs I loved but were not in my stash yet. I finally got the green light to build upon my empire! Stash, fabrics, threads, finishing fabrics and trims and even some framing!

Several pieces are packed up and ready to go to the LNS for framing. They haven't even left the house yet and I can't wait to get them back to show them off! She always does a beautiful job and I can't say I have ever been disappointed. And of course, this splurge will have to include a trip to Mary Jo's fabric shop for finishing fabrics, trims and more. This always takes awhile because the selection is so big plus I like to visit a bit with the gals I used to work with.

I have a new project spinning around in my muddled old brain. The bench in my dining area needs a new look. The bench it's self is fine but I want to put stitched pillows and a basket or two of smaller stitched pillows on it.

That's about all the news this post. Thanks so much for stopping by. Your visits and comments always make my day brighter!

Stitching and Frogging

I haven't been on the computer much recently. My house guest, Mr. Arthur I. Tis has kept me tied up in knots (literally). Each time I do something with my hands, they would cramp up like a clump of twisted vines! I tried out witting him by sneaking in a few chores or stitching here and there but he would soon catch on to my games.

The weather has been just wonderful here the past week! Beautiful Spring like days, temperatures in the 70's or higher and lots of sunshine! A shower or quick thunderstorm every now and then but that's Spring! And I forgot - lots and lots of green pollen covering everything! Ugh. I have ventured outside in the morning hours but come afternoon when it is at it's worst, I hide inside with my stitching (if possible).

I decided that I wanted to finish up several of these smalls I had in my finished pile but where was I going to set up my sewing machine. I used to sew on the kitchen table but the table we have now sits higher and doesn't allow a good view for sewing. I could put a few books in the chair for me to sit on to adjust the problem. No, that would just be uncomfortable. The coffee table? Too low and a cramped space. The computer desk? No available electrical outlets and I hate to unplug anything in that area fearing the whole shabang will crash! So until I find (or make) a place to set up, my small finishing is on hold!

Before the hand cramps started, I was stitching on this wonderfully sweet design by Beth Twist! It is an exclusive design available only to those who participate in her simple rules at Heartstrings Around the World (even though I had to read it several times for it to register). I did change out a few colors since I did not have all the required threads and I was so anxious to start on it! No patience here! I had a little trouble at first with wondering about my color choices, my fabric choice and a herd of frogs invaded my time. Once the frogs left and I got some color stitched into the piece, it has become a fun piece to work on.



I had a hard time deciding on the name to put on this special piece. So many strong and creative women to choose from in our family lines. I kept coming back to my MIL because this verse and the pinks really reminded me of her. I am thinking that I will probably frog out the last line and redo it later when my hands are better as I saw a major boo boo after it was completely done! Why couldn't I notice it sooner?

And last but not least, I thought I would share my TUSAL post (since I can't remember if I am late with it again or not)!



Thanks so much for stopping by! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

How Long?

When I saw how long it had been (once again) since my last blog post, I began to wonder just what had kept me so busy. Well, as usual things are hectic around here and life tends to flow over the rim every now and then but was also that time of year again when the weather is like a roller coaster. One day will be warm and sunny then the next day will be shivering cold with overcast skies and rain. My arthritis acts up more during these times and so do my allergies. Harold has the same issues and we both feel totally void of all energy while Mother Nature plays these tricks and I get very little stitching done. If someone (who did not know about our old people ailments) were to come over to see us during these several months, they would think zombies lived here!

Hip hip hooray! Daylight Savings Time has arrived again. I miss that hour of sleep that is lost in the transition because my internal clocks just doesn't acknowledge DST but I do enjoy the longer days. My forsythia is putting out a few blooms and other trees are budding and blooming! The birds are singing constantly and loudly! It's nesting season and their songs always lift my "stuck in the house over the winter" blues! Each season and time change offer something to enjoy!

I can say I am on the home stretch with PSS Favorite Spot Sampler now! It is going to be bigger than I had thought it would be but that just means that there will be more of it to enjoy!I had so much fun stitching up Paulette's Poor Maidens and this piece has been a joy to work on also!

I had made a promise to myself at the first of the year that I would stitch at least one small each month. Here we are into the third month of year and I only had one small completed! I went through my box of freebies and smalls and picked up this one by The Primitive Hare. I first began working on my normal 18ct. Aida but I could tell immediately that it was going to end up being much larger than I wanted so I started over using 28ct. Monaco evenweave. Other than hardanger, I have not used a smaller count so this was going to be a challenge as well a teaching piece. It still needs to be finished off but I can say I am happy with the stitching on it.



I have a special box that holds patterns when they are completed and I can go through them occasionally to decide whether to keep them or share them. I just love to open this box and put another finished chart in there. My goal is to get this box as full as my stash to do box!

While I was so intent on sorting through everything, I went through my box of completed pieces. I have more than I thought and a couple I had forgotten about that need to be attended to. Several will be framed. Several will be ornament size pillows for my bowls. Several will be larger size pillows. I haven't pulled out my sewing machine in ages so I may have to use some old fabric to practice and get re-acquainted with her before going on to finishing.

My TUSAL jar fell off the table and broke. It was too much trouble to try to separate the threads from the broken glass so I just chucked it all and started over! I looked around the house for an empty jar and found this little one to use. It isn't as full as the other jar but at least I finally got around to posting a picture of it!



Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy your visits and comments. Have a wonderful week and I hope you are getting some of this beautiful weather!

They Say It All

My Favorite Sampler Sayings and Quotes. Do you have a special favorite?

1. Seek Joy in All Things

2. Treat Yourself Well (La D Da)

3. There is Always, always, always something to be thankful for (Erica Michaels)

4. It was Enough (Free Pattern by Heartstring Samplery)

5. Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can in every place you can, and all the times you can with all the zeal you can - as long as ever you can. (Praiseworthy Stitches)

6. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden and the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil. (AAFG by Rosewood Manor)

7. Needle small with magic power. Charmer of the circling hour. May thy various uses be ever understood by me. (Examplars from the Heart) My mother used to recite this as she would mend clothing, knit or do needlework.

8. I sigh not for beauty nor languish for wealth, but grant me kind providence virtue and health. Then richer than kings and more happy than they. My days will pass swiftly and sweetly away. (C Street Samplers and Little House Needleworks)

9. No joy I covet. No riches I want. Ambition and beauty are nothing to me. The one thing I beg of good heaven to grant is a mind independent and free. (Carriage House Samplers and The Scarlett House)

10. There is an eye that never tires. A God who never sleeps. He knows the secret of each heart. A watchful eye o'er us he keeps. (La D Da)

Plus one (11). How I love the samplers of old. The wonderful stories they must hold. A name, a date, of twiming thread. Who knows the path their lives led. (ByGone Stitches)

Thank you for dropping by! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart!

Has it Been That Long?

I have been MIA from blogging for a lot longer than I realized. A lot has been going on around here since December. Too much. I have tried to keep up with reading my usual blogs but no postings for myself or leaving comments on others. I have ignored my challenges to date. Life hit us hard this year and a lot earlier than expected. I feel like we were left behind in the race.

2011 went out with what I thought was the flu and 2012 came in with it. I just cherished the moments I could drop into my chair and let my poor weak body go limp. I thought I could nurse myself back to health. Bad idea. Maybe it's been the dreary yucky weather. That's always a good scapegoat. DH had a near brush with going to the hospital again but a few days off work with some rest took care of the problem. DH and I both have a lot of problems with allergies during the months of December, January and February so that could be a big part of the problem. We have had everything around here so far this winter from colds to strep throat and lots more!

Before I got the nasties, I did finish up Parson Brown and will have a picture to share after I get some energy back! I had not done any stitching since finishing up PB and finally picked up a small freebie by Daffycat. I just love it!

I couldn't wait to start PSS Favorite Spot Sampler! It has been kitted and ready since my birthday back in December. I finally picked it up to start on. A slow start with all the sickness around here but a start just the same. I have a stack of more smalls set out to do over the year. Not really how I had planned my list of stitching for the year but que sera.

Now, I have a problem. I know I have always said that I preferred framing my finished goodies but after going to my LNS last month and seeing all the scrumptious pillows, I am having second thoughts about some of these items. Of course the smalls will be little pillows placed in a bowl but there are a few others I can vision as larger pillows taking their place of honor on the dining room bench but I can also vision a special winter wall. Woe is me. Decisions. Decisions.

After all my stitching plans for this year, I finally made a biggie. I already have several large WIPs and anymore before finishing these would only cloud my mind so for now, I plan to stick with smalls and medium size designs (while working on the WIPs in between). No sense in clouding my mind more than it already is!

I'm not big on Valentine's Day which lets DH off the hook with no worries and February is always a dreary hard month for me. My mother's birthday would be this month and I try to get past the day (and entire month) as quickly and best I can. For a short month though, it sure does seem to drag on. We never know if March will bring an early Spring or a late snow but we can count on those longer days that come with Daylight Savings Time. A sure sign that Spring is just around the corner.

I decided to take a day and clear out my stash. I have so many that I know I will never get around to working on. They are lovely but they always take a back seat to other designs when I go through it all. No sense being a hoarder and feeling guilty about not working on them. Besides, even if I were to ever to finish them all I have no idea where I would put them! It's time to be strong and just do it! Plus that gives me a guilt free conscious to add a little bit of new stash every now and then! Speaking of which, I just placed my first order for the year. Mainly smalls since I really don't have that many.

Which brings me to several questions. How do you store your patterns? Size? Designers? Theme? Also, do you collect certain patterns, theme or designers? I realized that I collect about everything but I never considered myself a pattern collector (even though I have enough to open a small store) but I have recently noticed there are several designers and themes I insist hanging on to no matter what. Another collection is born!

Our winter has been milder than usual this year which to me is a blessing because I always dread the sleet and ice which is more common around here than a pretty snowfall. I had a nice surprise yesterday when walking outside. My Japanese Red Maple tree is budding. It's always so pretty and a real spirit lifter to see those tiny red buds covering the branches but on the other hand, it is not uncommon to have some really icky winter weather not long after the trees begin to don their Spring wear.

Enough rambling for now but I had alot of lost time to catch up on. Thanks for not giving up on me and stopping by to visit.

Happy New Year!

This is the same post I make at the end of each year with a few changes here and there to suit the time of my life. It may get old to some but it works for me.

A New Year is right around the corner! A brand new clean calendar! It's up to each one of us what we do with it. Each year I make the same goals with a possible extra or two tossed in for good measure. I prefer to use "goals" instead of "resolutions" because I feel that I am taking already important things in my life and putting my focus on strengthening them.

1. To make an effort to learn something new every day. The joy of knowledge is indeed a blessing no matter what you choose to learn.

2. To make time for myself. It's amazing what 15 minutes sitting on the deck with a hot cup of coffee and watching the birds can do for my soul. A little time each day to refresh my spirit is all it takes.

3. To take time to appreciate each day. Too often we forget to see the beauty around us and take the simple things in life for granted. My continued goal is to look with my eyes but to see with my heart. To simply enjoy life and all that is a part of it.

4. To enjoy my family and friends. I am lucky to have each and every one of them in my life. I have been blessed with so many online friends and each day I am grateful for each one of you! My online stitching and blogging friends are a very important part of my life!

5. Organize and Simplify! Two key words I always yearn to make a part of my everyday routine but often lose focus on. Organize doesn't mean I have to go on a cleaning rampage each day. It just means I need to get my life and things that are a part of my life in some of manageable order so that I feel comfortable instead of constantly overwhelmed. Not putting things off until the last minute can contribute greatly to this cause! Simplify! Just what it means - plain and simple! Stop making a mountain out of a mole hill, do what I can and leave the rest, don't volunteer for more than I feel I can handle or feel will stress me out!

6. To Remember. So many people have come and gone from my life over the recent years and I want to keep their memory alive.

7. To keep my faith alive and strong.

8. The past several years have been horrible for us and have only continued to get worse. Changing things will be hard and will not happen immediately but I am determined to get our lives on track again.

9. To Forgive. Things happen that cause hurt, anger and resentment but often the people who cause these emotions don't care. We are the ones left with bitter feelings that only mount up and make us more and more miserable. I will let the past remain in the past and let go of these feelings so that I can move on with my life.

10. To use kind words and practice patience more often. I will try to live by the good old standard saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

And of course the New Year just wouldn't be complete without a few just plain fun goals!

1. Take more trips. Even day trips can be fun.

2. No pressure. Keep the fun and joy in stitching. This is why I started in the first place! I actually have several special projects planned for this year but will keep them a secret until I start.

3. Work on some WIPs I have been neglectful of. Each stitch on them brings me a little closer to a finish!

4. I also have a lot of freebies, smalls and magazine patterns I have been wanting to stitch.

5. Take more pictures.

Have a safe New Year's Eve! Thanks for stopping by! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Taking a Moment

I was asked about a comment on my last post. If I enjoyed smalls and pillows, why did I stop doing them and only stitching larger framed pieces? Good question and very easy to answer. When my boys were younger, they would use my smalls to throw around the house at each other while playing. The pillows were often used when they would crash on the couch for a quick nap. I always felt like I was trying to rescue my tiny treasures and then I would end up cleaning them over and over again so I decided framing was the safe bet answer and I sort of got into a habit with it. Boys!

I was going to start Favorite Spot Sampler over the weekend but decided to put a few more stitches in Parson Brown by NFF first. He was sitting in my basket and begging for a little attention. I have actually gotten quite a bit done on him in the past several days. I did change several colors just for the sake of my decor. I hope to have him finished by the end of the year then I will pick up Favorite Spot Sampler. I can just see Poor Maidens, Parson Brown and Favorite Spot Sampler in a group together! I'm not sure how I will finish them yet but I can cross that bridge when I come to it! It's been a busy several days with no camera time but I will get a picture of it soon to post!

I knew I would fall behind on my daily blogging but my intentions are good. Thanks for stopping by again. I always enjoy your visits and comments. Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Morning After

Thank you to everyone for the sweet and special birthday wishes. I had a very nice day. DH and I had a few left over errands to take care of and then it was time for some birthday fun!





First we went out to lunch for a super sized burger. Then he took me to the LNS and I picked up several items for my stash! The Green Santa and Black Santa by BOAF and Favorite Spot Sampler by PSS. After I saw the Spot Sampler finished off at the LNS, I knew I would have a new start this weekend so I came home and got everything kitted up for it.



I had yet another realization. I love samplers, no doubt and I certainly don't want to give up on them but I also love smalls. I used to do a lot of smalls. I enjoyed stitching them and finishing them off. They are fun, quick and satisfying. I love baskets and bowls filled with wonderful things. I enjoy stitched pillows, too. I have been working on bigger pieces and only framing. Time to spread my wings again and savor it all!

This is Christmas week and I'm sure everyone will be holiday busy! Enjoy yourself and the season! Thanks for stopping by again.