Sunday, December 27, 2015

All Is Calm. All Is Bright.

     With Christmas day behind us, I think many of us including myself, are looking forward to a quiet day.  We'll be going to our church service, and once home, we've decided to go to the beach to go through a couple of shops and have some lunch.  If the weather stays as nice as it has been, we'll take our shoes off and walk in the wet sand.  We're looking forward to it.  Seems as we get older, we tend to just stay home.  We forget the joy of what's out there!


     This year we have flowers still blooming and shrubs already putting out new buds.  We had one frost thus far this season.  I know it can still happen, but in this area we start warming up in March.  We still have green lawns.  Flowers blooming and big fat polliwogs swimming in the quiet waters of the brooks in the area.  They're usually way down in the mud this time of year.
   
     I think over the next couple of weeks I'll be adding a couple of pages to this blog.  One on quick gifts to make up.  Every year I wait too long to stitch up a few gifts.  The last few days before Christmas, I decide I don't have the time and I'm running out to the stores.  I know I'm not the only one that does this, so I think it will be fun to try and helpful as well.  So if you would like, if you have a fun quick gift that you enjoy making up, you can send me the site address or your written directions with a picture of the item, and I'll post it here for you.  Can be any type of needle work or crafty thing.  You can send it to me at MissLindaLee@ec.rr.com

     I've been doing a little stitching on a small sampler.  I know that I've shown you before, but here it is again.  Just a simple stitch to remind myself this coming year that I should and I want to "Live Simply".  The less stuff I've accumulated the better.  I want to make things easier for us.  A place for everything so we don't spend hours looking for something.  This is being stitched in a hand dyed thread.  Go here to see the chart itself.  www.pinterest.com/gettysburgmary/cross-stitch-patternssamplers/  Here's a picture here of it as well.




     Now with just one more picture, I will let you my dear friends go.  The other night, we went to church, and when we got home, there was Tiny Girl in the candle lit living room window awaiting our arrival.  Gosh I love that little girl!


     Until next time, stay healthy and safe, and don't forget to "feel the colors".

Friday, December 18, 2015

Needling Away!

     Yeap! I've been doing the last of my Christmas shopping and in my spare time, I've been doing some knitting.  Enjoying a free pattern that I ran across.  My sister loves beret or slouchy style hats so thought I'd do up a couple for her for Christmas.  Here's the first, which is a free pattern.  It can actually be done up in an evening.  White goes with everything I'm told.


In the second one here, I decided to use a skein of ombre that I had.  My sister is so opposite from me when it comes to wearing colors.  You see her mostly in black, grays and dark blues.  So this hat will be a real challenge for her.  I did go with a dark ombre though.  Here's a picture after the blocking.  I decided to try it on, and I think she'll love the shape.  Oh my! That really is me with all those wrinkles! No make up either mind ya'll!



     Every year when this is all in bloom I have to thank a lovely lady I knew that is now in Heaven.  This was a piece from Miss Getty's cactus, and of all the cacti that I have had over the years, this is the one and only that has actually grown and bloomed each year.  Thank you once again Miss Getty.



A lovely surprise gift that I received in the mail several days ago.  I love the ornament and the stitching is beautifully done.  You know who you are, and thank you once again.


     Oh! I don't know how may of you are familiar with this salad dressing, but we had it for the first time when we were in Georgia a couple of weeks ago.  It is sooooo good.  Make your salad first and use this like you would a Ceasar dressing.  Add it to the salad and toss.  This jar came home with us, so I'll be watching for it up here when I shop.


     One more thing and for sure and I can't not post this.  So many of you, my dear friends and followers have kept me in prayer due to my platelet disorder, ITP.  When it was first discovered, my platelets were at 700.  I was told that if I hadn't gone to the emergency room that day, that I would have died by the following day.  It has been a roller coaster ride for nearly a year and a half and I was expected to live no longer than a couple to three weeks when they let me go home after a 44 day hospital stay.  Well yesterday, I had my blood work done, and for the first time since I became sick, my platelets are actually within the normal range.  Normal is 130,000 to 400,000 and yesterday we found out that I am at 188,000! So all my thanks to each and every one of you.  I'm doing real well and so much of it has to do with your thoughts and prayers.

     Now until next post......Ya'll stay warm, well, and happy.  Love each and every one of you and "Don't forget to feel the colors!"

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Busy....Or disorganized....

     I wonder sometimes.  Maybe I'm just lazy! I often wonder why I don't post like I used to, which was quite often.  Now it seems I go weeks at a time without posting.  I still want to blog.  I still have things to say and to show.  I still love all my friends and followers.  So, I wonder if it's because I've been real busy....Hmmm.  Haven't been any busier than usual.  I'm home just as much as I've always been.  There is still 24 hours I can use in each and every day.  I have not any added any interests or hobbies.  I read many wonderful posts on other bloggers pages, but always have.  Yet getting to my own post and letting my sweet followers know what's going on in my life and all, I find is something I have gotten out of the habit of doing.  Maybe I'm just not organized! Who! Me! Yeap.....I find that I'm forever starting one thing and leaving it to get to something else, or not even starting what I planned at all! A good way to lose things I find.  Taking something to a different room to put it away, only to stop halfway there, laying what I have down to take care of something else.  I hear others do this same thing,  and I hope it really is true! I'm forever setting my coffee cup down and then having to hunt for it.  Can't find things that I know I have.  I've almost given up on finding the perfect spot to put things, as I find the perfect spot often winds up the secret spot to even me.  Maybe I just need a major clean out and toss away weekend.  I often think about the saying, "Live Simply" and I see others that do.  I love the way it works! They have a place for everything and there aren't extras to look for.  They have far more room and less "stuff" to look through when needing something.  They spend far more time doing things rather than looking for things.  With all that being said.....I love you again sweet followers and here I am once again.

     I have actually been stitching and I'm finished one piece.  Can't show it right now as it's a Christmas gift and I don't want to spoil the surprise.  When it's seen, the one who I made it for will know right away that it's for her.  So we'll wait.

     So, last night I started working on "Serenity Harbor" once again.  Oh yes, of course I'm way behind where I should be as this was supposed to be a stitch along.  For me it's a catch up along or a stitch alone along.  I am laughing though as I think of it.  The first four months I did fine.  Kept right up and was patting myself on the back.  I really am enjoying the stitch though.  It's by By the Bay Needleart and I love their things.  Always bright colors and great charts.

     Now I do need to show you a picture of a rose in one of my gardens.  I took this about three days ago.  I must say that with some very cold nights and freezing temps, I was very surprised to find it.  I love the colors in it and look forward to more blooms come spring.  Bill got me this rose for Valentine's Day.  Thank you again Hon.


     I don't believe that I've told you about our walks in the mornings now.  Bill would take Riley for his walk every day.  I decided that if I got a carrier for Tiny Girl, I would go as well.  So I enjoy our walks now and Tiny Girl mostly meows all the way.  Here she is here getting ready to go, and the second pictures shows just how co operative Riley was about having his picture taken that morning.  They're our fur babies though and we love them.  


     Have to also show you an updated photo or two of our grands down in Dallas, Georgia.  We went down for a week so we could attend grandparent's day at their school.  By the way, they go to a wonderful Christian school.  They're growing so fast.  There is big brother, Brandon.  Then there is Miss Emma and little sister Miss Hadley.  Love those little ones.

 
     Christmas is so close and I have been doing a little bit of knitting also for gifts.  I see all the traffic out on route 70 here from people out shopping and all, and I'm so glad that I have so little left to do.  Basically pick up a few cards and that's it.  I'll be back here before Christmas though to see how ya'll are doing.

     One last thing....Getting back to Tiny Girl....First picture is when we just got her.  Just a tiny little ball of fur..  The second is her now.  She has grown so much and is so friendly and smart.  She loves cooked veggies!  Mushrooms.  Corn.  Green beans.  Squash.  Carrots.  You name it.  She makes us laugh as well.



   
     Until next time, and I hope that, that will be real soon, ya'll stay safe, warm and well.  Enjoy this wonderful season and remember to "feel the colors".  Love you all.    

Saturday, October 3, 2015

A Beautiful Morning

     Yes! After several days of rain and then the threat of the hurricane, which passed us by, we woke up to a beautiful morning.  Sun is shining and there's a beautiful breeze.  A lovely October day!  We started it out with a walk with both dog, Riley, and kitten, Tiny Girl.
      With all the rain we've had, you would think that I would be way ahead with my stitchy projects.  Not...... I did a lot of inside puttering and actually reading a book that our friend, Dave has lent me.  About a grand daughter discovering a beautiful cross stitched piece in her grand mother's attic.  I'm really enjoying it and it seems good for a change to get lost in a story.
     The rain also gave me time to finish up my sister's curtains for her kitchen.  She has three windows total,  and here's a before and after picture of just one of them. Just valances on two of the three windows and a full curtain on the window in the door.


I love her vintage red counter top in this little kitchen, and they just may keep it when it comes time to remodel.  Time will tell.  Here's the after picture.  The fabric was an old but like new red checked table cloth.  I think I have enough for two valances in my own kitchen as well.


Last post, I mentioned my new addiction....Sock knitting....Well.  I think today I will finally be
able to start the first sock.  First the yarn came, and once I tried to rewind it, it was in a really bad
state!

It actually took me three nights to get the knots out and get it into a nice ball.  I wanted so much to throw the yarn across the room several times, but stuck with it. Love the colors.


Then, I found that out of all my needles, which I have a ton of, I didn't have the correct sizes the pattern called for.  So, after checking out two nearby stores, I realized that I had to send for them.  They arrived yesterday.  Look at the tiny double pointed needles! Five inches long.


I haven't been neglecting my "She Has Found Her Home" stitch completely.  The letters and numbers are done at this point and I'm looking forward to starting the house next.  The Stitching at the Beach retreat is coming up pretty quickly now and if I'm not finished with this piece before I leave, I'll take it with me to finish.  I am very excited about meeting my room mate Debby for the very first time and just enjoying the getaway.


I had my lab work done this past Monday, and found that I have gained 4,000 more platelets.  Praise the Lord.  He has been right with me through this whole journey and  I feel great.
I hear some yarn calling my name I believe, so I'll answer the call with a hot cup of coffee out on our back porch.  Pictures of my sock adventure will come with my next post.
Until next time, be safe and will.  I love each and every one of my dear friends and followers here.  Please come back to visit often, and last but not least, remember to "feel the colors".


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Another Addiction Coming Up.....

     I sure hope not, but from what I've been reading, knitting socks can become addicting! With all the beautiful cross stitch pieces I'm working on, where would time come from to knit.... I had to do it though! After I found the Sock Along Blog by accident, I decided to check things out.  Oh my! What beautiful stockings these ladies are making.  All the beautiful colors.  I just couldn't stop myself, and ordered "Super Socks" by Christine Perry as well as some yarn for my first pair.  Here's a picture below of the book and the yarn as well.  Any of my followers knit socks let me know of any tips and tricks please.




     I've been doing some stitching on "She Has Found Her Home", and am enjoying it.  It's a quick stitch I think.  I have six hours into it now and have nearly all the letters finished.


        My sister and her husband "Georgia and Bob" have just bought a home within eight miles of us.  They had owned a home in Georgia for close to 30 years, so it's a real treasure to have her this close now.  I do believe that my sickness is a cloud and their move up here is the silver lining.  It's nice to stop in for a cup of coffee and to get together having a little sister time together.  I took an old but nice table cloth that I had and made her up some kitchen curtains and a couple of valances.  Love her kitchen with the primitive red counter top.


  I'll be going to the Stitching at the Beach retreat in Myrtle Beach next month.  My very first retreat ever and I'm really getting excite about it.  Will be picking up the gifts for the grab bag exchange this weekend.  I've heard that it's a very friendly retreat and can't see how I'd go wrong spending four days on the beach anyway.  Any of my dear friends and followers going.....Let me know.  Would love to meet each and every one of you.
     Past my dinner time here, so need to leave ya'll now.  Until next time, be well and safe and remember to "feel the colors".
     Someone else knows it's dinner time also!
She thinks I can't see her behind my computer screen!

Friday, September 11, 2015

This and That

     I just can't believe how fast this week has gone by.  Here it is Friday once again and people are planning their weekends.  Looks like the beach won't be an option for most of it, as we're expecting some rain and milder temps.  Outings with the family and cookouts with family and friends are a sure thing though.  I'm looking forward to just starting each day with a hot cup of coffee on the back porch with Mr. Bill and getting a little more yard work done.  The weeds aren't just looking my way at this point....They're actually laughing in my face! How dare they!

     Tiny Girl has grown so much but will always be a petite little girl.  She loves veggies of all different kinds and here she is with her corn cob.  We make sure to leave her a few kernels when we have it.  Oh how I have missed the love from a sweet kitten.  Another thing I have always loved

about cats is the way they sit in a favorite spot at a window.  Just to feel the sun or to keep an eye on the birds.  Tiny Girl has found her spot.

 My chart from Nebby Needle came the other day, and I got started on it the very next.  Enjoying the easy stitch and when done I'll put it away for a Christmas gift.  I do want to finish it as the picture shows, on a basket.

     Well, my sister has finally moved into the home they just bought up here.  They lived in Dallas, Georgia for nearly 30 years.  When I became ill last year, they started coming up here and they both realized how much they missed this area.  So, I have been enjoying a new found friendship with my sister and we've enjoyed each other so very much.  God is so good.

     Just a "little" Hercules Beetle that I found last week here.  I saved it for my grandson, and he had it for most of the day.  It surprised us both though when it just up and flew away! It was a good sized one for sure.

     I must let ya'll go at this point.  The day moves on and things need doing! Ya'll please be well and safe until next time, and remember to "feel the colors".  Love to all of my faithful followers and friends.
  

Thursday, September 3, 2015

I've Done It Again!

     I saw the new piece by The Nebby Needle called "She Has Found Her Home" and thought it would be a perfect gift for my sister.  After living in Dallas, Georgia for nearly 3 years, my sister Georgia and her husband Bob, have bought a home here in NC.  It's under seven miles to their house so I'm very excited.  I think what I'd like to do, is finish this piece exactly as it is pictured on the front.  Here's a picture of it.  I ordered it knowing that I have plenty of other things that I haven't


even started yet, and there are already other things that I'm working on.  In other words......I just added to my stash! Ya'll do understand though....

     I am working away on the beautiful "Serenity Harbor" and haven't come any closer to catching up than I was before! I am finding though that by working a 10 by 10 stitch square I feel like I'm moving along a little faster.  It certainly is easier.  Never too old to find a new way to do the things you enjoy.

     The weather seems to becoming milder now.  I'm looking forward to getting the garden areas cleaned up for the winter months, and starting fresh next spring.  Going to be getting rid of a couple of vines that have taken over.  Want to get a lot of mulch come spring and cover a lot of area with it.  It's so hot and humid here during the summer that, that will help us out and help keep the ground nicer as well for the plants.

     I follow one blog that I just love, and this dear lady uses lots of chalk paint to change up her furniture.  Have loved seeing the changes and all, so finally decided to go for it.  I had a good neighbor and friend of hours make me an island type table for my kitchen.  He made it to my specifications and I just loved it when he brought it over! Then I decided to finish it with red chalk paint with a touch of sage green here and there.  Then finished it with black polish and three coats of clear poly.  Here is a before and an after picture.  I love it, and it's the perfect height for working in the kitchen.  Tables are too low for me and the counters are a bit too high.  The table I had Matt make is right in between.  I'm looking forward to working with the chalk paint again.  I love the results.



     Once again....I'll let ya'll go.  I'm looking forward to sitting back after a day with allergy symptoms and just going to bed early.  Love each and every one of you.  Until next time, please stay well, safe and remember to "Feel the colors".

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Fall On The Way

     It has been so very long since I last updated my blog, and I'm so sorry.  I have been doing great health wise.  Platelets at 103,000 a couple of weeks ago.  Will have my lab work done again this coming Thursday.  Bill is doing real well also.  Just a busy but wonderful summer.
     Have enjoyed growing more perennials.  We've about giving up on veggies.  To be honest, we didn't even get green beans this year.  Oh....The plants themselves are at least 10 feet high and not one pod.  So I think this will be the last year we try and vegetables.  Hate to be this way, but in NH we could grown anything and all did great.  Far different soil down here, and just can't seem to grasp hold of the secrets it holds.
     A new Hibiscus and I love the color.  Nearly eight inches across!

Then I found that the shrimp plant is actually a perennial in this area, so I had so get one.  This is another close up, but I wanted ya'll to be able to see the flowers.

Here's the beautiful rose that Bill brought home for me one day.  Beautiful colors.


     We hadn't had a cat for close to 16 years, and I've really missed having one lately.  So, off to the shelter where we picked up Tiny Girl.  Only about seven weeks old when we got her, and her eyes were still blue! Here she is in my grandson's arms.  She was so very tiny.  Here's another picture

taken recently.  In one of her hiding places.

     As for my stitching! I kind of fell out of the swing of things for a while and am now trying to catch up.  I'm in a SAL doing "Serenity Harbor" by "By the Bay Needle Works".  I love working on it and love the colors.  Sticking with it even though I realize that I may not catch up with most of the ladies at all.  It will be beautiful when finished.
     I must let ya'll go.  It's nearly midnight here at this time, and my eyes know it! It's good to be back and I've missed  ya'll.  Until next time, take care, be well and don't forget to "feel the colors".

 She certainly knows how!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

It's ORT Day!

     I thought for sure, I had missed this months TUSAL or ORT day, but nope! Right on time! Here is what I've accumulated since the first of this year.  I can see the yellows used in "Serenity Harbor",


In between the chart arrivals for that, I've been working once again on "Quaker Diamonds", and always enjoy that stitch.  The deep green and rust are from the diamonds.  I'm working on the diamond shown below at the moment,


     Latcr in the evenings I'm still crocheting on the afghan and enjoying it as well.  It's relaxing to pick that up and not have to concentrate as much.

     It has been so very cold here.  Right around freezing and the trees are coated with a layer of ice.  I don't want to complain at all though, as the winter here is mild compared to the winters I grew up with.  We have no snow at all, and just a couple of weeks ago, I was sleeping on the back porch.  I will be again soon I'm sure.

     Finished with "Serenity Harbor" for February, and will pick it up again when part three arrives here.  I am enjoying this stitch so very much! Here it is this month with longer sun rays and some clouds now.


     We had a pair of Eastern Bluebirds check out one of our houses a couple of weeks back.  They actually come by in January to see what's going on with the houses and then come back again a couple of months later.  We'll be putting less seeds out this year and more dried Mealy Worms and berries.  Trying to discourage the English House Sparrows that go into the other bird's nests and peck the eggs open and will even kill the birds.  Both babies and adults.  So we'll see if what we do will make a difference.

     Bill has had a nice fire going in the wood stove for days now and it sure makes a difference.  Even Riley feels the cold.......so Bill says, and needed to share a hat with Bill.



     I do have a question for ya'll! I'm thinking of buying a sit on scroll stand for my cross stitching.  I know that they also have what they call lap stands.  Any of you my dear friends and followers have either or even both, and which do you prefer?

     Until next time, stay safe, warm and well and don't forget to "feel the colors".  Love ya'll.




   

Monday, February 2, 2015

February! Oh My!

     Where did January go so fast? I'm not really saddened by how fast it went by though as every new day brings us closer to spring and the warmer weather it will bring us.  It's actually 60 here this morning.  Overcast with expected rain, but a beautiful morning anyway.

     I noticed out front that the Camellia is blooming so nicely this year.  Here's a picture of just one flower and it has started to go by.  I took it just now and it is raining out, so I wasn't ready to hang about outside! We must have close to 100 flowers on it this year though. The NC Jasmine vine has been in bloom outback for a good month now, and that too, for the first time is covered with the flowers.  These flowers assure me that spring is right around the corner.


     I joined a BAP stitch along  and the piece I'm doing is Serenity Harbor by By the Bay.  I just love working on it, and it will take all this year to do it, as you get only one portion of the chart each month.  Check over at http://stitchystart.blogspot.com/ and find out about the SAL.  You can work on any larger piece that you want and just send in a picture once a month to show everyone your progress.  This will be what mine looks like when completed in December.


This is part one completed.  I really enjoyed working on this. I did use three deeper colors for the roses.  So many other pretty pieces being worked on over on the blog I mentioned.  Check it out.


     Another SAL I was a member of was the "I Am A Stitcher" SAL.  You can find that at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/656211661138271/  I finished my piece and got it back from the framer the other day.  The frame has green in it which you can't see well in the photo, but is perfect for the piece itself.  Our friend Dave is the one who picked the frame! Good job Dave.  The piece itself took me 84 hours total.


     I'm working on my Quaker Diamonds once again as I wait for the second part of Serenity Harbor to come in.  I love the Quaker Diamonds piece and all the beautiful colors in it.  I'm quite close to being done with it and so far, have put in 101 hours.

     I have been feeling real good.  My last doctor's appointment, I was doing so well that Dr. Cho decided that instead of once a week blood draw, we would go to once a month.  So far, no spots or bruising so I think all is well.  Still on all my medications but slowly we're cutting back with no bad withdrawal symptoms.  I am so blessed and so thankful.  God has been right there beside me through this ordeal.  Of course my Dr. Cho we love dearly.  A smart and caring man.  Here we are at my last appointment.


     I surely need to let ya'll go now.  You must have some really cool projects just calling your name.  Get those frames and things in your laps at your crafty spots and enjoy the day.  That's where I'm heading now myself.
     Until next time.....Stay safe, well and warm.  Love each and every one of you.  Don't forget to, "Feel the Colors".  My little grands in Georgia certainly are!

        

Stuff

    Just stuff! Things that keep me from my needlework! ...Doctor appointments! As we're getting older I find there are more and more of...