Another Special Giveaway!

     Nancy over at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is doing it again! This time it's even more than usual if you can believe that! She gives away so very much! This giveaway is called,

Be Ye Thankful Give-away, enter NOW!

You need to go on over and check out the rules, and good luck!

Victorian Motto Shoppe

     Is having another beautiful giveaway.  Lovely threads.  Please go over and check it out.

!

victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com

Now there's some beautiful colors

Down to Georgia and Home Again!

     We took a much to short trip down to Florida to see a big part of our family there.  Amazing how the kids all grow so quickly.  Here are some pictures below.  Families are amazing!

     I did a lot of crocheting on the afghan I'm working on while on the road.  I never know if working on something or reading is going to work for me while riding as at times, just checking our location on a road map will make me feel dizzy and queasy.  All worked out well this time and here's a picture of the afghan so you can see the colors.  Not the usual colors I would choose or work with, but I wanted something for the porch that would brighten it up come spring.  I think this will do the trick!

Just an easy shell stitch.  Easy to work with and using knitting worsted.  I haven't done much crocheting in quite some time, so this is something different.  I miss my cross stitching, but I do have one piece started.  Just haven't picked it up in a couple of weeks !at least.

     I've been busy throwing away, sorting and cleaning out still.  I've gotten a lot accomplished.  A lot of things organized, but let me say this! I have already found that being organized hasn't helped me find everything.  I have a pair of mag eyes that I love using when working with tiny stitches.  All my cross stitch things are organized and put away where each belongs.  I haven't found my mag eyes anywhere! I wound up ordering another pair before we left for Georgia!

     I've also been enjoying changing our home somewhat.  Loving the farm and primitive look.  Everywhere I turn, I see things that I just have to have, and it's hard telling myself I can't! You understand I'm sure! LOL.  Doing a room at a time, but have been working on our bedroom the last week or so.  Loving the comfy look and feeling.

     Still have lots of large branches and lots of debris in the area from the two storms.  It's a shame what people have lost, and continue to recognize how much God was watching over this family.  I happened to see this below, at the end of our drive and just had to take a picture.  Being Halloween and all, I'm not sure if this is what's left of a downed tree or twin goblins!

     I should let ya'll go for now.  I pray that tonight and tomorrow will be full of blessings for all.  Be well and safe, and don't forget to "feel the colors".

     

   
 
   

Old Folks In a Tizzy!

     Yes! Bill and I in a tizzy indeed! Nothing bad at all and as a matter of fact, many good things put us there! It started the first of June when we decided to spend some time in NH and Maine.  We have a son and a beautiful daughter-in-law up there.  A beautiful daughter and her significant other in Vermont.  Two grandsons and a dear sweet young lady who is engaged to one of them.  Last but not least, we have our great grand, Isaiah.  Here he is here with his daddy, Dylan.  Needless to say, we had so much fun and spent lots of time with everyone.  Enjoying a beautiful lake and mountains.

   
     New England is a wonderful area to find lots of classic and antique pieces, so we visited many shops.  Found some beautiful pieces for excellent prices.  Also went to a lot of thrift stores and church yard sales.  Amazes me how you can walk up to a register with an armload of treasures and they say, after looking over what you have, "Ummm.  How does five dollars sound! s to you!".   I got into that kind of buying real quick like!
     We enjoyed church at what we still call our home church in Milton, NH.  Nute Ridge Bible Chapel is full of wonderful brothers and sisters and grows in leaps and bounds.  Also went to our son and daughter-in-laws church as well in Portsmouth.  Had some wonderful Sunday fun days with lunch and fun after the church services together.
     Billy and I went skydiving for the first time ever! A tandem dive for both of us and it was amazing! I thought for sure I'd chicken out at the last minute, but we both stayed so excited.  Here are a couple pictures below.  We jumped from 14,000 feet and free fell for 15 seconds.  Dropping at a rate

of 135 miles per hour.  Dang cold up there.  Once the parachute opens you have lots of time to enjoy the view.  Beautiful mountains and lakes.  I'd do it again in a heart beat.

     We also went zip lining for the first time ever and loved it and went for several rounds of tree top adventuring.  Another couple of pictures.

     We got some mountain climbing in as well with my beautiful DAL, Liza.  She's such an amazing lady and just never stops.  God has blessed my son so much with her.

     Now for the tizzy part! Once up in Maine, the postal service didn't deliver all that was to be delivered.  Two packages, to this day has never come.  Some monthly bills that we have always paid, the day they arrive in our mail box never showed up.  The Daily Bread wasn't delivered.  So we started calling back here and checking with the postal workers up there, and in the meantime, calling our utility companies down here and paying the bills online.

     Though we loved the house where we were staying, it was like we had a hard time actually ourselves enjoying it completely.  We tried to settle in but knew that we weren't going to be there but a few weeks.  Our normal routines got lost in all the vacationing and fun.  I know it all sounds crazy, but it's true. 
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     Once home, we went back to attend Isaiah's dedication service and had to head right back as our area was expecting Florence.  The day we arrived home, we had a mandatory evacuation and left again in less than two hours after we got here.  Praise the Lord, we were able to stay with our dear friends, Pete and Sheila in the mountains of NC. Then of course there was Michael when we got back.
     From the two storms we have just a little damage.  Insurance will cover what we need so we're very blessed compared to so many others in this area, but not this area alone.  People have lost entire homes and everything that they had in them.  They've lost automobiles.  They've lost jobs as their places of employment have been destroyed as well.  Pray for all of these people when you think of them please.

     So we're home again to stay and we now feel that we so ignored our beautiful gardens and all here.  Weeds galore and plants I'm afraid, lost for good.  I know some will be back come spring and I'm grateful for that.  We're back to our usual and what's normal for us routines, and things are now starting to feel real again.  Please don't get me wrong.  We feel so blessed that we had the opportunity to spend the summer in a beautiful area with people that we love.  I always used to think that people who could live in two different areas, depending on the time of year were so fortunate.  Now that we've had the chance to do it ourselves though, we realize that we couldn't do it without feeling like we would just be so out of it.
 
     Well, I've prattled on and on here and I'm sure you've heard enough about the wows of this old couple.  I am excited to say that next weekend, I'll be driving down to Georgia for a few days to visit and be with family.  Some I haven't seen in a good two years if not longer.  I'm looking forward to it.

     I'm doing a little crocheting.  An Afghan for next spring for our porch.  A simple shell stitch with five different colors in it.  Will post a picture when it gets some size to it.  Also working on a small cross stitch piece for a Christmas gift.  I normally work on 14 to 18 count Aida, and this is on 28 count linen over two threads as well as an area over one thread.  Quite different for me, but I am enjoying it.

     It's good to be home.  I love our porch first thing in the mornings with our cups of coffee.  I love watching the birds at our feeders that have finally all come back.  I've missed ya'll.  Stay well and safe until next time, and don't forget to "feel the colors"

       

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Giveaway

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Is having another giveaway.  As always it's a nice one.  A half yard of Linen or Aida dyed to your choice of neutrals.  Check it out to enter.

A Giveaway at Victorian Motto Sampler Shop

     Yes! Nancy is having another giveaway, and her threads are always beautiful.  You need to run over to her blog and check it out.  Beautiful charts as well.  Good luck to all who enter.
     victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com

A Little Progress

     A little progress is better than none, and I'm feeling good about my hour of stitching each morning.  I used to think that one day I could sit in my stitchy chair for as long as I wanted to and stitch for as long as I felt like it.....I must not have figured at the time that my house would continue to get dusty.  Yes.  Dust bunnies hold meetings under the beds from time to time still.  I also didn't figure in that clothes and linens would still need to be laundered.  Bathrooms would still have to be cleaned.  Floors washed.  Well.  I'm sure ya'll get it! So, I really am satisfied with the time I do get for my needlework.  Below are a couple of pictures.  The first of the piece I've been working on, and the second is to show the other houses that go with it that I have finished.

     I need to show you a few more things in our yard.  I love this time of year as it seems every day holds something brand new to discover.  One of my Clematises is loaded with buds this spring and some have just started to open.  Not all of their true colors are showing yet but they will.

Love my Wisteria.  It grows outrageously wild in our area.  Is considered a pest by many, but I have my own in my yard and can keep it in control.  The smell is delicious!

Our Egyptian Onion, or Walking Onion as some people call them are looking nice.  We started what we have of them over 20 years ago from one that we were given.  They do well no matter where we plant them.  I use them a lot in salads as well as my cooking and all.  These sit in one of my herb gardens.

     One more of a perennial type of Oxalis. Oxalis Articulata Shamrock to be exact.  Again! These aren't  fussy at all.  Plant them and they'll grow for sure.  I love the splash of bright pink here and there..

Well once again.  I need to let ya'll go.  Thanks for stopping in and come back soon.  Love every one of you.  So until next time, stay safe.  Stay well and of course.....Don't forget to  "feel the colors"

A Little Progress

     Yeap! I've gotten back into the habit of reading the Daily Bread as I have my first cup of coffee in the morning and it's good to be keeping up with it again.  I've decided that since I have that down good now, that I would add another little thing to my morning routine, and that being, to stitch some.  Whether it be for a few minutes or an hour.  Yesterday morning I did get in a half hour and then this morning a full hour, and I can see some progress on this small piece I'm doing.  This is a picture from 123 Stitch and what the completed piece will look like.

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And this below is what I have done so far.  It's progress for the Year of Finish, so I'm pleased.

   
     It was so pretty out this morning that I read and stitched on our back porch.  So while I stitched I listened to the birds and watched them at our feeders.  Also watched the Bluebirds feed and go in and out of their nesting boxes.  I am so very blessed! Took a picture also of my first Spider Wart in bloom.  Years ago, I was trying to find just one of these so I could put it in one of our gardens.  Now....I'm trying to give some away every year.  They multiply like crazy!

    To let ya'll know! I have a new lovely follower here! We're up to 95! Please now! If you can drop over to see Lesley at one of her blogs.  The first being where she shows you her beautiful cross stitching and some of her knitting as well.  Yes! She's a very sweet and talented lady. The second blog is full of her beautiful knitting.  Oh just wait until you see it! Very inspiring.  Her two blogs, you can find here.  You'll love them both I think. 

• NorthWest Knitter
• Lesley's Stitching Diary

     Headed outside to work a little in my gardens.  Ya'll have a blessed day and don't forget to "Feel the Colors".

Year of Finish.....and Giveaway Reminder

     As I work on these pieces in the near future, I'll put a name to each one and a picture of what it will look like when finished.  Until then though, I'll rotate each one to get it closer to the finish! I used to, for many years, start a piece and stick to it until done.  Not starting another until the first was completed.  What has happened in the last year or more has boggled my mind.  I can't understand how I've come up with so many unfinished, beautiful pieces.   Oh! This has happened deliberately indeed! There are so many beautiful pieces out there.  So many beautiful colors to use.  So many ways to display the finished pieces.  How though, I might get any of them to that point though is beyond me at this point! So.....They all need to be finished to be appreciated.  Therefore, I've decided that this is going to be the year of finish! The pictures you see below are just the cross stitch pieces that I have going.  The first is the beginning of a scene of a farmhouse and a field.  Ducks flying over the property.  I have loved this one for years and finally ordered it.  This is how much I did before I moved on to another piece! Sure is sad.

Then there is this piece below that is all beautiful soft greens, blues and purples.  Once finished is will have "cross stitch" in many different languages on it.  I love it.  Only got this far though.

Then there is this angel which was given to me many years back.  I got this far on it and put it away during a time when I kind of lost interest in the art itself.  Thank the Lord I came back to cross stitching as I really do love it.  Not that much left  to do, but the fact is, is that it is still not finished!

     Then the last few nights I've been working on the piece below and am enjoying it still.  It is just one piece from a series from Little House of Needleworks.  I have three of the series finished and this is the "IJK" one.  So there is a ways to go before all the little houses are complete but I'm wanting to make them into tiny pillows to display in my dough bowl.  I'm loving the soft muted colors in these pieces.

While I'm at this horrid look at myself stage! LOL I'll keep going.  I also have the beautiful crocheted shawl in the works.  Well only about ten rows of it done really.  Done with a yarn that I love because of the color variations.  This is how far I've gone.....so far! By the way, for those of you that enjoy crocheting and knitting as well, like myself, this is Scheepjes yarn and if you want to see some beautiful things that is made with it, go to official scheepjes - international group on Facebook.  Be prepared to be lured in once you see these beautiful creations.

So there! I confessed! Not is it just cross stitched pieces I have hanging about unfinished, but a a crocheted shawl as well as a knitted pair of socks and a close to finished crocheted afghan as well.  Shame of me! Also want to add that I haven't gone through all my stash at this point and don't really dare to.  I'm sure there are other things that need finishing as well.  

So as I work on the things that I've started up until now, I'll share updates with you my dear friends and we'll celebrate together as they're finished with a cup of coffee or tea and a few minutes relaxation time.

I may have mentioned that I've gone into a different style in decorating at our house.  I love the farmy, primitive look and have been doing one room at a time.  I found these two little critters over the weekend and they fit right in.  They're both over seven inches tall and six inches high.  Paid just $5.00 for the set.  Can't beat that! 

At the same place I found this doily which is over 31" in diameter! It is beautifully done.  Now I have the pattern for this as well as the thread, but for $8.00 I felt it would be smarter to grab it up and use it than to wind up with another unfinished project! I am learning! It looks lovely on my dining table.

Keep in mind my dear friends and followers, that when I get to 100 followers that I'll be giving away a box of pretties which will include some thing that everyone likes.  Crafty things and just fun and pretty things are in it, and it's anxious for a trip.  So let your friends that may be interested know also.  Hope to be able to get the box on the way soon.

Until next time, please ya'll, stay well and safe.  Enjoy some beautiful weather and come back again soon.  Love ya'll. Oh! Of course, last but not least......"Feel the colors"

Oh For Spring Time

     This time of year it does seem to so many, that spring weather will just never arrive.  Same here in this part of North Carolina.  We had several beautiful days but knew that winter's cold was still going to come back and hit us.  It has indeed.  Though we don't have any snow in this area, we do have a strong and biting cold wind.    We've also had a few days of rain and a few just misty cloudy days.  On the other hand! We have different flowers that have been in bloom for about three weeks and more.  The colors are lovely and just the sight of them can make one's heart smile!

You can also see fat buds on trees.  Most are green but you do also see red and white and even yellow buds.  The cherry trees have bloomed and are now dropping petals.  In a couple of weeks we'll see the pollen from the pines blowing through the air over the roadways and through the rural areas.  The birds are gathering up soft mosses and pine needles and making their nests in the bird boxes we have.  Yes.  Spring in certainly on the way and we all look forward to the changes and the new life it brings to this wonderful world.
     Finally finished up! I say "finally" as I thought I would never get the veins in the two large leaves right......Truth is, is that they still aren't correct, but enough is enough! I put in a total of 43 hours on this.  Enjoyed working with the autumn colors and the stitch was really easy and enjoyable.

     I did up another set of three dish cloths as well.  These are fun knitting up as they make nice gifts and they're quick.  Only thing is, is that there is always left over yarn and I never know what to do with it.  I have an idea though and I'll try it.  Will show you all when I've finished it.  For now though, here are the cloths.  I always like doing one up with the variegated and a couple in matching colors.

     
     I've been enjoying doing some redecorating at home.  I've fallen in love with the farmhouse and country look.  Getting a lot of great ideas from different pages on Facebook as well as Pinterest.  Here's a before and after picture of an old piece of furniture I picked up second hand a few weeks back.  It now sits in my kitchen and is being used as a "coffee"  bar.  Not the first time I've  painted pieces  with this red and I always love the way it turns out.  This is chalk paint covered with a dark wax.

     One last picture, and I must, must, must show you this! My birthday is this month and my sweet Billy and our best friend, Dave bought this beautiful sewing machine for me! Not only is it in tip top shape, but came with the case and is fully operational as well.  Sounds so good! I love it, and it does fit right in with my new decor!

     I know I said that there was just the one more picture, but I just remembered that I have this one of our sweet friend, Dave.  This was one day when I was getting ready to prepare some collards.  Tell me he doesn't have a sense of humor! We sure enjoy Dave so much.  He is such a best friend of ours and we truly love him.

     Well I need to let ya'll go now.  Thank you to all of my dear friends and followers for stopping in to see what's going on here.  Sometimes there isn't much.  Sometimes there's a lot.  It's always interesting to me though to live in my world.  I'm so blessed.  Come back again and in the meantime, be well, stay safe and don't forget to "feel the colors".

Busy Time of The Year!

   

     A dear friend of mine asked me yesterday if I hadn't posted since December! I  thought about it, and had to admit that I hadn't.  With Christmas.  The flu.  A trip to NH to see my new great grand, Isaiah, and everything else going on....I had ignored my postings.  Sorry my dear followers.
     First thing I noticed, when I arrived here this morning, is that we still need only six more followers to reach the 100.  Once there, I'll draw a name to see who wins the surprise box of goodies.  We've been at he 94 for a while now, so let your friends know about the give away.  Keep in mind that they have to sign up as a follower and they have to mention the giveaway on their own blogs.  Here's the box below.  Shoe box size.  It doesn't look like much, but it's full of goodies.  I hope we reach 100 soon.

     I made, knitted, a few Christmas gifts and then crocheted up a kitchen towel and cloths to go with it.  Wish I had taken a picture of these.  The towel wan the red, white and blue ombre, and I did one red and one ombre cloth.  Made a nice set.
     I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever finish this piece below, but I have only about an hours worth of stitching on it.  Just got too busy with other things over the holidays and didn't pay a lot of attention to my love of cross stitch.  As you can see, all I have left are the long stitches in the leaves.  Maybe today........

      I have seen quite a few SAL's this past week or so.  Very pretty things.  Not only cross stitched, but knitted and crocheted as well.  Are any of my sweet followers here participating in any of them I wonder and if so, which.......  I participated in just one long time back.  Did good for about three months, and then got involved with too many other things.  I decided then and there that, that would be the last one.  I did finish it, but way, way later than it was supposed to be finished.  Good thing I wasn't being fined for being late! So now I look at them and admire what everyone else is doing.
     A happy but late Valentine's day to all of you.  This picture below was taken of my Bill and I at the local senior center.  It was a Valentine's day celebration.  The love of my life indeed.

     Must catch you up on another love of mine.  Here's the latest picture of Isaiah, my great grandson.  He just loves Peepa, my son.  They're so blessed to live so close to him  They're great grandparents.

Just one more of our four generation family photo.

      Well I was given a delicious fig bar recipe and I'm going to go ahead and make some.  Between the soup and the bars, the house will smell homey and fantastic. 
     Want to thank all of my dear friends and followers for being so patient with me.  I think of you so often, and just need to get myself here to this site, to catch up with ya'll.  So until next time, stay safe and well and warm.  Of course, the last thing I want to remind you is, not to forget to "feel the colors".