Life As I Know It

Hearts And Flowers....

2012-01-25T11:42:00.000-08:00

Don't panic! You didn't miss Valentine's Day.... I'm just feeling happy right now - because this is the time of year when I go into the stores and see all kinds of heart themed items! I love heart themed items! This is a cup I bought a couple of years ago. Isn't she sweet....

Oh, another reason I like this time of year - it is almost time for NASCAR to start up again! Vroom Vroom!!

Gurgle gurgle - down the drain goes....

2012-01-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

my soap opera "One Life to Live"! The last show aired last Friday... There were hopes that it would continue online - but that hope was lost a month ago.... And now all the actors are scattering to the winds - trying to find new jobs. I started watching One Life to Live many years ago - after my favorite soap was cancelled. That was "Another World". I sobbed and sobbed so hard while watching the last show. I think part of it was I had really come to love the characters - but a bigger part was the fact that my Mom watched it too - and we used to talk on the phone about it all!
I never came to care for One Life to Live as much - but I still liked it quite a bit - and teared up a few times on Friday. Since they thought it would continue online - the stories did not get "ended"... So now I will have to make up my own endings. I know that four of the characters are moving over to General Hospital - and possibly more will come on later. So I will start watching that now. Altho I haven't watched it since I was in high school - and that was really a long time ago! I remember rushing home from school so I could sit there and watch - LOL!

Baby, It's.....

2012-01-06T13:14:00.001-08:00

well, it was rather nippy out there at the beginning of the week. But yesterday was pleasant and today even more so. Altho, I'm one of the people who really like cold weather over hot any day!! Even with it being 31 on Monday and the wind whipping around like crazy, I still got out for my walk. Felt like an ice cube when I got home - but I still felt energized!!

I went to the yarn shop today and picked up this pretty pretty shade of green yarn... What will it be? Why leaves of course! I'm going to knit a scarf of leaves... When I get a bit of it done, I will be sure and show you!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T20:37:00.000-08:00

I hope all of you and yours have the best year in 2012!

Now, I'm off to bed - and it isn't even midnight! But I'm sooo tired! So raise a glass of champagne.... or milk for me!

I'm Wishing You All..

2011-12-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah...

A sparkle of orange....

2011-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

An afternoon trip to the mall... a gift card to use.... equals.... a new sparkly orange scarf!

And then a nice lunch....which came with a real slice of orange!

A walk past Santa - who waved and called out Ho Ho Ho! His beard was real - so he must have been the real Santa - really!

And then...at the Starbucks in the mall...a Lyle Lovette sighting!

Now I am home...it is raining...and I need a nap!

What I've Been Up To....

2011-12-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

In the past couple of weeks, I've:

Done lots and lots of knitting....
Talked to my sister lots and lots about knitting....
Argued with my sister lots and lots about knitting....
Finished three books....
Went Christmas shopping....
Had lunch out after Christmas shopping (my favorite part of Christmas shopping)....
Watched a whole lotta blue jays come out of thin air as I was throwing out crackers in the yard....
Almost put up the Christmas tree.... still have lights and ornaments to put on it - but hey, the tree itself is up!

And that is about it for me right now... How about you... what have you been up to lately?

HAPPY GOBBLE GOBBLE DAY!!

2011-11-24T09:03:00.001-08:00

On this day, I wish you many blessings for the coming year....

I will be sitting here today, doing a bit of house stuff, doing a bit of reading, and doing a bit of knitting - while I ponder how they make yarn out of corn and milk.....

A Whole Lotta Knitting.....Going on.....

2011-10-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

A light cotton blanket to keep me warm; two cabled scarves for my neck;
a necklace to pretty up a blouse; and a dishcloth for my sister to wash dishes with..... and a partridge in a pear tree (not really - just making sure you are paying attention!

My Week.....

2011-10-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

On Monday, I filed for Social Security - yeah!

I saved a chipmunk from the visiting cat that comes around.... I am hoping the neighbors did not see me running around screaming like a banshee - telling the cat to drop the chipmunk - DROP the chipmunk NOW!

I listened and watched as my big woodpecker with the bright red head sat out on the tree limb (where the suet feeder normally is), yelling about it not being there and filled! It was inside, all filled up, but my husband needed to hang it back up. So I told the woodpecker to blame him!

On Thursday, I met up with my niece Sara and her Mom Barb. They were in town for a few days. We went to our favorite town of Occoquan to do some shopping. Barb bought us all gorgeous scarves - scarves that are so long and wide, they can be used for a shoulder wrap to keep warm. I told Barb - if you wear it out to a restaurant or work as a scarf and you get chilled, just take it off your neck and wrap it around you! She got the scarf with red tones, Sara got the one with purple tones, and I got the one with orange tones! Then later, Sara bought me an umbrella that is bright orange with white polka dots. Too sweet of them!

On Thursday night, we all met up for dinner....

Then on Friday, we all met up again (including the guys) and we went shopping at the mall. Well, they shopped, I watched! Barb bought me another scarf - this time a more casual one in madras (brought back some memories of when I was growing up and we wore madras alot). This scarf has shades of pale lilac, and pale orange and a bit of purpley blue - makes me happy whenever I wear it.

Then we had to part.... I had to try really hard not to cry! They left on Saturday morning. Booooo!!

And that was my week.....

Crock-Pot Sundays....

2011-10-02T15:46:00.001-07:00

I often use my crock-pot for Sunday dinners - especially in the winter time. Even though we are not quite into that season yet, today was a chilly cloudy rainy day. So I got up today and got the crockpot going. Into it went some chicken breasts. Then in a bowl, I mixed up one cup of apricot preserves, a packet of dry onion soup mix, and one cup of Catalina dressing, and poured that over the chicken. Cook for 6 to 8 hours. I did it for 8 - which was a bit much as I only had 3 chicken breasts in there and they were on the small side. So next time, I will go about an hour less. But it still turned out delicious. I had some brown rice on the side. And some lima beans for my husband.... Easy peasy....

My Oh My....

2011-09-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

I do love this sampler! It is "Sally Spencer" by Birds of a Feather. The colors are just popping on my Lakeside Linens Vintage Examplar! On the one hand, I want to stitch it quickly, so I can get it framed and on my wall. But on the other hand, I will miss stitching on it when it is all finished!

Ten Years Ago....

2011-09-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

I remember where I was on that day....
I remember crying and crying for weeks - until I thought I could cry no more - and then I cried some more....
I remember the silence everywhere I went, as if everyone was so filled with grief that they couldn't speak....
I remember the skies over my house being so still - skies that are normally filled with planes going in and out of both of the nearby airports....how strange it felt not to see and hear them up there.....
I remember so many things about that day when the world did seem like it actually stopped turning....

I will never forget all those beautiful people who are now gone from us....

Laaaa D Daaaaa...

2011-09-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

Here is my almost finished Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack - All Dressed in Black Black Black... oh, and silver buttons too.... on her back back back! I may end up putting some actual silver buttons on it before I get it framed! I've been stitching on her for a long long looooong time - and look forward to having her on my wall!

Ramblings.....

2011-08-31T13:24:00.000-07:00

Went to lunch with a friend today. First time I've been out to lunch with a friend in a long time. Who knew it was so expensive! $21.00 for lunch! I enjoy being with this friend, so it was worth it! Altho a part of my mind goes to how many cross-stitch charts or books I could have bought with that money! Does that make me a horrible person? Don't answer - LOL! No, seriously, it was well worth it and more....

While out shopping, I stopped at Sur La Table. I love that place! I only had about five minutes to spend in there before meeting my friend. I need to go back soon and just spend as much time as I want - looking at all the interesting gadgets, books, and other fun things they have in there!

My parents arrive from Ohio on Friday. I'm furiously trying to get all my cleaning done..... My Dad always says - don't worry about cleaning. Uh, I tell him - so you are fine with sleeping in a bed with unclean sheets and using an uncleaned bathroom..... Uh, he says.... nope.... Thus, I have to do some cleaning. I wish the cleaning fairy would stop by. But, I gave up waiting on her a long long time ago!

My Dad loves to go to the malls... he already has a trip planned to one on Saturday.... My Mom hates to go to the malls. But he drags her along anyway! I am okay with the malls - just can't deal with all the crowds of people. But for some reason, everyone else enjoys going to the malls too. I've tried to figure out a way to get them all to stay home when I'm there, but so far, it hasn't worked out that way!

I've been stitching away - for a year or two now. But I still haven't finished anything! Well, I finished some things - but they were gifts or models for my friend who has a cross-stitch designing business. I've also finished a couple of small things that I framed myself (not very well). But they are at least "in a frame"..... I'm coming close to finishing one piece that I've been working on for many many MANY years. So I'm getting excited about that. I have this dream of a "wall of samplers"... but until the stitching and finishing fairy comes to visit me, that isn't going to happen any time soon. I think she is off somewhere with the cleaning fairy!

Earthquakes and Hurricanes - oh my!

2011-08-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, I was at the library with my husband. He came with me to do my volunteer hours. Before I started that, I went to the biography section to get a book I wanted and all of a sudden, there was a low rumbling coming from the roof area. I thought it was a low flying plane. Then it got louder and people started jumping up to leave. Then the metal shelves started rattling. I was looking around and asking my husband - what is it! what is it!! Someone standing there (before he ran out) said earthquake! Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that was what it was. I thought it was a plane coming to crash into the building. Luckily we were all okay, altho there was damage to many buildings around our area and of course, at the epicenter, which is about 70 miles from us I think.

Then tons of rain and wind yesterday with Hurricane Irene blowing her way through. We were very fortunate to just get some milder aspects of it around us - not sure how other cities in our area faired. We lost power for about 3 hours. Today the sun is shining, the sky is blue - the wind is gently blowing - it is gorgeous out there - cooler, the way I like it. My prayers and thoughts go out to all of those who lost property and who are, I'm sure, still without power. I am also keeping in my prayers, the families, who lost loved ones during the storm.....

10 Magpies in a Pie....

2011-08-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

Or... Birds of a Feather's "Counting Magpies".... Not sure how tasty magpies would be in a pie! If you ever try it (that is saying you can find a magpie), let me know how it goes! I've changed all the DMC conversions in this chart, except for the black #310. I feel one of my few "gifts" in life is being able to match up DMC colors to sampler threads. After collecting tons of sampler threads of various brands, I found I really don't care to stitch with them! But they still come in handy when I do my own versions of "converting". Sometimes I will like the conversions the designer has done - other times I find ones that I care for more. In this design (which I'm so happy to finally be stitching - I've had it forever) - I am using:

instead of DMC 3729 for Pecan - I'm using 434

instead of DMC 648 for Tin Roof - I'm using 3023

instead of DMC 3826 for Terra Cotta - I'm using 918

I love the way it is turning out!

MRI's and Baby Crows....

2011-08-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

What do they have to do with each other - well nothing really - LOL! But the baby crow softly cawing and then loudly squawking as it waits for his/her Mommie to feed it some crackers, is keeping my mind off the MRI I'm having today - in about an hour. This baby crow (I think there are actually two) has been entertaining me for weeks now. I am constantly throwing out crackers and bread for the Mom to feed them. I'm sure they would find food elsewhere, but I worry... so I keep putting it out for them.

I use the term "baby" lightly - as the baby is almost as big as the Mom!

I'm going to have an MRI on my lower back to see what is causing the problems in my left leg (for almost a year now).... I'm hoping it is just a pinched nerve and they can fix it easily! I'm claustrophobic, so the thought of going into that closed up tube is not making this lady happy! I have some Xanax that they gave me and I just popped one. Hopefully it will calm me down and help me not to freak out and squawk for MY Mommy! LOL!

Strange Things That People Collect....

2011-07-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

I don't collect as many things as I used to - lack of money, lack of room... Heck, the real reason - the stores where I used to find the stuff are gone! However, with tons of Starbucks on every corner, I never have trouble picking up a gift card with a different design on it. Everytime they come out with a new one, I grab it. I've got around 60 now.... I was trying to think of something to store them in... and found the above! I am pretty sure that it is supposed to be used as a planter. However, I thought it an ideal vessel to put my cards in!

I'm still here!

2011-06-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

I feel terrible not posting anything, but I've just been in one of those
sort of "out of it" modes - LOL! Let's see... what I've been up to:

1. Reading tons of books at the same time
2. Knitting some dishcloths for my sister as Christmas gifts
3. Stitching on various designs
4. Getting out for my walk each day (well, almost each day)
5. Volunteering for two hours each Tuesday at the library where I used to work
6. Suffering through two days of 100 degree heat with a broken air conditioner! Thank goodness it was fixed quickly! Not quick enough for me, but quicker than I thought it would be!
7. Enjoying the new season of some of the shows I like - White Collar; Memphis Beat, The Glades... and looking forward to more that will be starting soon... The Closer; Rizzoli & Isles; Royal Pains
8. Writing - or trying to write - a children's book. My plan is to self publish it via B & N and the NOOK.... Have to finish it first though!

I will get some pictures on here soon of my stitching and my dishcloths. Since my sister doesn't have a computer, I don't have to worry about her seeing anything!

Ahhhh.... Retirement....!

2011-06-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

I've been "retired" for a week now. I'm slowly getting used to it. I keep forgetting that I don't have to go to work! I still find myself getting that "rushing around" feeling - like I have to hurry up and get things done before I go to work - or after I get home. Then I remember... I can sloooowww down - LOL! Here is how my husband and I spent the day. We went to Great Falls and just stood above them and watched the rushing water and felt the cooling breeze. We even saw Great Blue Herons flying around. Some of the younger ones were down near the water - sitting on little rocks - trying to catch the fish as they splashed by! I was going to try and get a picture of them - but since the herons were almost the same color as the rocks and the water, I don't think they would have shown up. But it was fun to watch them! We walked around a bit more (we've been to Great Falls many times over our years of living here), so it was just refreshing our memories.... And then we stopped for lunch. And then we dropped by B & N so I could pick up some books I ordered. Now, I need a nap!

God Bless America.... and our Troops!

2011-05-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

My Daddy is a World War II Vet. He turns 85 this July 22nd!

CHCHCHCHANGES....

2011-05-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

A good change! After working since I was 18 years old (I'm now 61 and a half), I am finally retiring! This will be my last week of work and I'm beyond excited! I have little things planned for my first few weeks of "no work" .... places I want to go, things I want to do around the house.... After those things are finished, I will then need to sit down and figure out what I might do in this next "chapter in my life".... Any ideas or suggestions?!!

Feeding the Birdies...

2011-05-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

and the squirrels... Every morning, I go out and feed the birds and the squirrels. Along with their regular seed, I also throw out crackers and bread (or in other words, junk food for birds). Usually, like this morning, as soon as I start throwing the stuff into the yard, one of the birds will "send out the message". I was laughing this morning, because a blue jay started yelling out - and within a minute, it was like a Disney movie! All kinds of birds zooming in, and 7 or 8 squirrels popping out of nowhere. It is alot of effort each morning to put it all out, including fresh water - winter and summer - rain or shine or snow...., and it gets a bit pricey buying all of the food, but I truly enjoy it. I stand out there for a bit each day, chattering back to all of them.

Happy Marriage Will and Kate!

2011-04-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

So many years ago, I remember getting up very early to watch Princess Diana's wedding. Back when I was much younger and had the energy to get up that early. Well, that, plus the fact I was working full-time and had to be at work - so I was up almost that early every morning anyway - LOL! This time around, I decided to get up at my normal time, knowing I could catch recaps of Will and Kate's nuptials. And I was right! I got to see her on the way to the church, getting out of the car, walking down the aisle - Harry and Will's arrival - the exchange of vows - them leaving the church and getting into the carriage for the ride through the crowds! And I saw the "kiss" - both of them. I didn't think I would cry - but I teared up several times - over and over - as I watched the scenes unfold. I kept thinking of how wonderful it was to see all of the people come out to watch them marry - the excitement of the crowd for them - the well-wishes you could just "feel". And I kept thinking of how they are just starting out on their journey... I do so wish that they will be as happy for the rest of their lives together - as they were on this day....

Easter Memories from....

2011-04-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

long long ago. My sister and I on various Easter Sundays - dressed in our almost identical outfits. We always wanted to try and be a bit different than the other - so would carry a different purse, or wear a different hat. I'm the shorter one....

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!

Sara... It is Done!

2011-04-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hey Sara, if you are reading my blog, your stitchery piece is done!

For my other blog readers, Sara is my niece. Last year, my friend in Texas started a cross-stitch designing business called "Of Generations Past". I've been helping her stitch some models over that timeframe. She sends me the chart in pdf format and I stitch it here and mail it back to her! I really enjoy being part of the process. I get paid in Starbucks cards - which I love!! Well, many many years ago, I wrote a Halloween poem. And my friend turned it into a cross-stitch design! I stitched the model.... She sent it off to Hoffman Distributors and they agreed to sell it to shops who might want to carry it! I was so thrilled when the first copy sold. And then was even more thrilled when more of them sold! I was so touched that people wanted to spend money on a poem I wrote. I feel like a published author - LOL! I give much much credit to the fun colors my friend chose for the wording. I framed the model and have it here on my wall. My niece Sara loved it too. So I've stitched it for her and will mail it off soon!

And the Winner Is!!

2011-04-08T06:57:00.000-07:00

The winner of the CHS chart is - ta da - Lynda! Congrats! Please contact me with your mailing info and I will get the chart off to you soon! I need to get a mailing envelope first! Linda

Book It!

2011-04-06T05:53:00.001-07:00

I love bookmarks of various types. For years, I've been collecting them. One of my favorite items to use for a bookmark are postcards. I favor using these in my hardback books. For my paperbacks, I like the magnetic type they've come out with as they don't damage your pages like some of the metal ones do. I always try to match up the bookmark to the cover art or the storyline... (yes, I do have too much time on my hands - LOL!) Here are some of the latest magnetic ones I've found. (If you click on the picture, you will be able to see them better....

Give Away Time!

2011-04-01T17:36:00.001-07:00

I'm having a giveaway of this chart by Carriage House Samplings. It is called "Miss Lila's House". If you are interested in a chance to win it, please leave a little comment to this giveaway posting. I will pick a name and announce the winner on April 8th! Make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you if you are the lucky chosen one!

Do Not Adjust Your Set OR....

2011-03-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

your eyes...

Yes, some of the letters on this sampler are "upside down".....

I posted (quite awhile back) about the possible meanings of this, including one being that Mary may have been writing in code - or... that her younger sister had taken over her sampler and did it wrong.... When I finish stitching it, I will retell you all that is said about this adorable piece.

Little Things....

2011-03-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

can really improve my mental state! I was reading one of the blogs I read and saw where she had updated her laundry area. I didn't take any "before" pictures, but suffice it to say, my before was 20 times worse than hers was - LOL! When I got home from work, I decided to clean and freshen up my area a bit. It is a laundry "closet" in my kitchen. Because my dryer vents into that area (for various reasons we cannot vent it anywhere else), all of the lint gets all over everything! I threw out tons of old cookbooks and cookbook pamphlets (those ones they sell at the check out line). They were wet from all of the dryer heat and filled with lint. I cleaned up the cookbooks I kept (which are the ones I use all the time)... I hung a few little items on the wall - the santa and the "smile" sign (which is really a photo holder that I got for a dollar at Michaels)! The photo holder hangs right on the nail in the wall! I already had a little hanging basket to threw my lint into (that I clean out from the front of the dryer). Then I bought a cute Easter basket to hang above it and this is where I'm keeping my dryer sheets now. And I bought another Easter basket to put my laundry soap bottles into. I cleaned off the shelves of all the lint that was all over them. I am going to do this every month now to keep on top of it.... On the wooden shelf where I used to store other cleaners and bleaches and stain removers, I put a lantern with a candle in it (for show only) - and then yesterday I bought the little pot of colorful zinnias to put next to it. I can't have them out too far on the shelf as the clothes come from the laundry shoot within inches of the shelf! I had the dishtowels and dish rags just sitting on the shelf, but I found two baskets that I had here - cleaned them up - and now I have one for the towels and one for the rags! I also plugged in a little nightlight by the washer and had that turned on while I was doing laundry last night. Made it a bit easier to see in there and gave a nice "glow" to the area while I was washing and drying away! Just tiny changes that don't add up to much when you look at it, but if you could have seen it before, you would know why it has made a huge change for me every time I open those closet doors!

Historic Reproduction Samplers....

2011-03-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

are a love of mine. However, this one is making me a bit "hysterical"... If my eyes are not permanently crossed, or actually fall out before I'm done stitching the one over one section, it will be a miracle. A miracle I tell ya! I've decided to not worry whether the letters and spacing of them are perfect. As long as they all fit within the border and are readable, I'm good to go!

The Weekend....

2011-03-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

arrived yesterday. I was more than ready for it! I did a bit of housework and then my husband and I zoomed down to Occoquan - the quaint little town near me that I love to go. I visited a few of my favorite shops - picked up some cute little items to decorate some areas around my house - partook of the yummy goodies at the shops that were having open houses - looked at all the fun new spring items...

Then we went over to In Stitches - the needlework shop that always grabs tons of my money! I was so blessed to be able to find three charts by Primitive Needle. As many of you know, Lisa - the designer for Primitive Needle was swept away in the flood waters on March 1st. I'm sending her family all my thoughts and prayers as they go through this devastating loss. I opened the packages last night when I got home and thought about her hands folding the charts and slipping them inside..... I started stitching on them right away and cannot wait to have them on my wall. Every time I look at them, I will think of her. I did not know her personally, but from what I've heard and read, she was a lovely person who loved her family and doggies dearly and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Something we should all remember to do - every day....

Linda & Skip's Anniversary Skit....

2011-02-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary, says Linda to Skip...
Skip says - when....
Linda says - today...
Skip asks, what is the date?
Linda says February 19th
Skip asks how many years have we been married...
Linda asks - how much is 1974 from 2011?
Skip says - 114 years...
Linda says - sounds about right
Linda then says - 37 years of wedded.... (big pause) here... uh, bliss
Skip and Linda laugh really hard...

The end....

Sunday Morning....

2011-02-13T08:14:00.001-08:00

A nice hot mug of International Coffee, a few crisp crunchy cookies, some uninterrupted time, and this wonderful, sink your teeth into, lose track of time.... book.... Ahhhh, bliss...

Random Friday Focus....

2011-02-11T05:53:00.001-08:00

Shy Philomena.....

2011-02-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

I went to my LNS last Friday after my dental appointment and fell in love with this samplar. She is by "Examplars from the Heart". However, like a big dummy, I didn't get her due to the fact I was spending too much money already. I was thinking too that I could always order her at some point in time from my favorite online shop. However, my favorite online shop does not carry designs from this designer! I was soooo upset that I did not get her. So today, I rushed back over and delight of delights, she was still there and I grabbed her up. All the way over in the car, I kept repeating, please still have some charts left, please please PLEASE! And my pleadings were answered. I got the linen to stitch her on and am planning on doing just that right after dinner! Shy Philomena is now mine!

Random Friday Focus....

2011-02-04T06:04:00.001-08:00

Red and Black...

2011-01-31T06:59:00.000-08:00

I love stitching "one color" samplers. I find it very soothing, especially on those nights when my eyes and mind are weary, but I still want to stitch... Here are two I have in progress (please ignore the wrinkles!) The red one is Quaker Samplings I by With My Needle. I'm stitching it in DMC #816. The black one is Miss Mary Mack by La-D-Da. I'm stitching it in Crescent Colours Blackbird. I'm hoping to get these two finished and on my walls in the next six months! I'm hoping, we shall see...

Random Friday Focus....

2011-01-28T05:57:00.001-08:00

Tick Tick DING!!

2011-01-27T06:03:00.000-08:00

I started a "kitchen timer" exchange with some women I know from a yahoo group. The challenge was to get something, cute, unique, funny, whacky - whatever.... The one I got was just perfect! I'm always using measuring tapes for my knitting and my cross-stitch - so this one was right up my alley! I am getting a big kick out of using it already. Sometimes I set it for no reason - just for fun - LOL! Sorry for the horrible picture - no matter what I tried, I couldn't get it to show up well. But it is a little measuring tape that comes out - that is how you set the time...

Random Friday Focus....

2011-01-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

I'm Totally Addicted

2011-01-19T09:05:00.001-08:00

to coffee mugs!!! I now have 34 of them.... and I blame it all on Starbucks! Every time I walk in there, which is about twice a week - the mugs just pull me over like we are magnets clinking together - and wham, there is another coffee mug in my cupboard! Here are my latest two additions....

Hello, my name is Linda....

2011-01-17T11:23:00.001-08:00

and I have an addiction to starting new projects!

Knitting projects:

2 scarves
3 dishcloths (for gifts)
a pair of fingerless gloves (soon to be two pairs as soon as I get more yarn)....
1 hat (soon to be 2 hats, as soon as I get more yarn)

And..... 25 cross-stitch projects!

I know there are others like me out there - come on, fess up!!

Random Friday "Focus"

2011-01-14T06:14:00.000-08:00

And the Giveaway Winner Is.....

2011-01-12T05:50:00.001-08:00

Susan in South Carolina!! I will be contacting you via your email address.
Congratulations!!

Dinner = YUM!

2011-01-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe in a little booklet I bought in the grocery store checkout line. I didn't think I would care for it, but it turned out tastier than I thought it would. I knew my husband would like it - and he surely did! Had two helpings! I had to improvise a bit when I realized I didn't get the chili sauce it called for. So I mixed some catsup and some cocktail sauce together - LOL! He said it tasted just fine to him!

It is called a Reuben Pot Pie. Was quite simple to fix - the longest part was the baking - which was an hour...

GIVEAWAY!!

2011-01-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

Due to an online ordering error, I got this chart (it is by Workbasket) for free! If you would like a chance to win it, just leave a short post here.... I will draw a name on January 12! Please leave an email address so that I can contact you if you win!

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2011-01-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

I want to wish all of you happiness and peacefulness and serenity and just plain joy throughout 2011!

Christmas Is Almost Here.....

2010-12-23T11:45:00.001-08:00

It seems to come faster and faster each year. And each year, I get more and more homesick for Ohio and my family. I keep saying I'm going to go back and spend Christmas with them "this year"... and then "this year" passes, and I don't go home. So I say - well "next year"... and then that year passes and... well, let's just say, I haven't spent a Christmas back in Ohio in over 25 years - possibly more. My parents have spent some here with me during that time - and some Thanksgivings - but that hasn't happened either in about 10 years or more.... I was running around today - going to the grocery store, stopping at Starbucks and hitting up Barnes and Noble. Not because I needed to go to B & N, but I just wanted to be around some holiday music and chatter and the bustle of people running around shopping. Did I buy some books - well, of course I did! I can't seem to go into B & N without coming out with at least one. All that time I was out, I kept wishing my parents and my sister were along for the ride... Especially at Starbucks - my Dad likes to go there as much as I do! I went twice - just for good measure.

We will be spending Christmas Eve with my husband's family. Not half as good as spending it with mine, but.... it will still be nice. And Christmas Day will be spent here - just the two of us and our kitty kat....

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday time with your loved ones... and I hope Santa brings you just exactly what you've always wanted!

Knit and Drop... Knit and Drop....

2010-12-07T05:49:00.000-08:00

Sort of.... I'm knitting a scarf where you do the "drop stitch" a bit differently than normal. Here is how you do it.... cast on as many stitches as you want - use whatever size needle you want - whatever type of yarn you want... I cast on with a Manos yarn (can't remember name) and cast on 18 stitches. First you knit as many rows as you choose (to go between your "drop" stitches. This can be two rows, three rows, four rows... well, you get the picture. I'm using two rows - sort of wish I had done more. Anyway, when you get ready to do the "drop" row, you put your needle in as if to knit, then you bring the yarn around the back of the right needle and "over the top" of the left needle and then around the back of the right needle, over it and then finish your knit stitch as normal... Hope I explained this well enough for you to try it!

To Tea or Not to Tea....

2010-11-22T13:37:00.000-08:00

I was just reading the Yarn Harlot's blog today. She was talking about having tea time in the afternoons - about how many people she knows couldn't imagine NOT having tea time in the afternoon. I am one of the people that can imagine not having it! I'm not a tea drinker - it just isn't my - well, my "cup of tea"... I do, however, have my version of an afternoon "after school" snack - but mine is "after work", being as how I'm a grown up now after all (well, that is what people tell me I'm supposed to be now)! LOL! I either do cookies and milk - or coffee and a cookie - or today, I'm having chocolate covered pretzels and milk - and later will get a cup of coffee... Sometimes I will grab a few miniature candy bars with some milk. My afternoon snack always seems to involve milk. I love milk! Even when it is cold out, my first thought turns to a big glass of milk and a sugary snack....

So, do you do tea - or not....

Some memories of my childhood....

2010-11-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

Long summer days

Riding bikes

Playing Nancy Drew

Hula hoops

Jumping rope

Playing hopscotch

Walking to school

Scavenger hunts

Going to the library

Sitting in the front yard and reading

Playing spin the bottle

Hide and seek

Just being a kid - being able to go out and about without worry .....

the sound of the mothers on my street - calling their kids to come home - it was time for - Dinnnneerrrr.....

My source for knitted pumpkins

2010-11-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

Someone emailed me and asked me where I got the pattern for my knitted pumpkins. In case anyone else is interested, I got it off of www.knittingpatterncentral.com Go to the directory and click on Food and then the pattern is called "Charming Pumpkins".

Linda

Little Changes.....

2010-11-08T06:47:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning my powder room last night and trying to decide what to do with all my Santas and Snowmen on the little display shelf in there. I was a bit weary of them - they've been there for a long long time. Then I got the brilliant idea (this was around 1 in the morning) to rearrange them! Such a simple idea - so simple I couldn't figure out why I couldn't have thought of it a long time ago - duh! So I did just that and it made me feel much better about them. I almost think of my collections as being "real"...as having feelings. To prove this, I was going to put the biggest snowman away in a drawer for awhile, but didn't want to hurt his feelings, so I put him upstairs in my other bathroom - LOL!

P is for Pumpkin....

2010-10-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

A knitted one that is! I found a pattern online and have already made this one here - and am in the process of doing an off-white one! These are quite simple to make - cute as a button - and so much fun! But I don't think they would make very good pumpkin pies - LOL!

Orange You Glad It's The Weekend!

2010-10-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

I know I'm happy about it! And for me, it will be a four day one! I'm looking forward to being off and going out and about to get yarn, get some Christmas gifts, and get some new stash at the LNS! Here is a scarf I've been working on... and yes, you guessed it, it is orange!

More Good News!

2010-10-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

My friend Joanne, who designed the chart for the poem that I just told you about - sent a picture of the finished piece to Hoffman distributors - and they ordered 48 copies of it. Hopefully they will all sell! All of them - and many more! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the pictures of this design, and the other designs of hers will be coming out on this Friday's newsletter from Hoffman! It will be beyond fun to see them!

Other good news - my car passed the yearly inspection that Virginia requires! Yeahhhh!

I've been doing more knitting than stitching the past couple of weeks. As soon as I get more done on each item, I will share them with you....

The Reveal!

2010-09-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

A little while ago I told you that I had written a Halloween poem a long time ago, and my friend (who is now in the cross-stitch designing business) charted it up. I just finished stitching it last week! I sent it back to her - she framed it and photographed it and now it is for up for viewing and for sale! I hope you enjoy it. You can see it by clicking on this link!

http://ofgenerationspast.blogspot.com/

Kids Say Some Cute Things....

2010-09-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I work at the library (reshelving the books). Wednesday, a school group came in with their teacher. She told them which sections they were allowed in on that visit. Non-fiction was not allowed... Well, two cute little boys were looking for "riddle books". They asked me where they were. I said, well, the only ones I know of are in the non-fiction section. They asked if I could get them for them. I said, um, no... I think I heard your teacher say you couldn't have books from that section today. So then they walked away. A few minutes later, they were back. They asked, well, do you have any "real" books that have riddles that aren't in the non-fiction section - LOL! I got the librarian... she found them some... and they were thrilled.

Remembering....

2010-09-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

Where were you when the world stopped turning...

I remember where I was. I was sitting on the couch, watching Regis... and then the words... we interrupt your normally scheduled programming. I saw the planes and the towers with my eyes, but my mind could not compute it. And still can't...even after all of these years have gone by.
I remember watching tv for days and weeks afterwards. I remember crying and crying, until I could cry no more. And then crying some more. I remember how quiet it was everywhere you went, out and about... like the world had pushed the "mute" button.

I want to always remember each and every one of those people who lost their lives that terrible day - and I want to remember and keep in my heart - all of the people who lost them....

Visits, Excitement, Lovely Weather....

2010-09-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

My parents just left yesterday morning after a visit here at my home. They arrived on the 3rd around 2:30. Over the days they were here, we shopped, walked alot (while shopping), ate tons of food. Good thing we walked alot....

The weather while they were here was great! Not too hot.... a nice cooling breeze blowing each day. On Sunday, we went to my favorite town of Occoquan and walked along the dock looking over the water. It was just a really pretty day to be there - many other people agreed with us. That place was hoppin by the time we got in our car! Good thing we had arrived early and found a good parking place and beat the crowds for lunch! We were just finishing up our sandwiches and soup and the line was almost out the door....

My Mom suffers from dementia, so has problems with her memory and with repeating herself over and over. My Dad has problems hearing. So at times, it was a real laugh riot! I mean that in a good way!! It got so crazy at times, I was just laughing out loud.

I'm always a bit sad when they leave. It is a bit overwhelming to have extra people in the house when you are used to it just being you and your husband - but it always seems so much emptier - and lonelier - when they are gone.... And with my parents getting older - it gets harder and harder each year to watch them drive away down the street.

The excitement!! In 1994, I wrote a Halloween poem for fun. Now my friend, who I've been helping with her cross-stitch business by stitching some of the models - has charted it up for me! I'm in the process of stitching it. When it is done, she will put it up for sale on her website! I can't wait to show it to you in a couple of weeks or so!! Be on the look-out!
Until next time I yak at you all - take care....

I Can Now Show You....

2010-08-28T16:14:00.001-07:00

what I've been helping my friend with for her cross-stitch designing business! Check out her webpage - http://www.ofgenerationspast.com/
I stitched the first two designs on the page!

Knitting and Stitching.....

2010-08-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

I just finished stitching two new "models" for my friend Joanne's cross-stitch business. As soon as she has them available for sale, I will show you pictures!! I'm also knitting quite a bit - I'm making some dishcloths for my sister as Christmas gifts. She really likes using them to wash dishes. Since I don't care to use them for dishes, but like to use them in the shower, I'm also knitting some for me too! I'm still working on my shawl that I recently showed you a photo of. And...I'm making a cabled scarf for me in a lovely shade of orange. I never cared for the color orange before until I started knitting years ago. Now, I find myself drawn to it when I'm out and about shopping - especially for yarn!

Re-reading Old Favorites...

2010-08-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of re-reading old favorites of mine. I have them sitting on my "keeper" shelves - and from time to time will pull one out and read it again - for the third time, or the fourth time, or..... Some of them I re-read every year. Yes, every year. One of them is "Be Buried in the Rain" by Barbara Michaels. This copy was given to me by a friend and is a mass-market sized hardback. I love it... It fits so sweetly into my hands. The story takes place in Virginia (my state), over a hot, humid summer.... Hmmm, sounds like real life for me.. Oh, that's right! It is real life - LOL!
There is a big old house, a ghost, some old bones, and a dog named Elvis. What more could you want!

What Do You Do When It Is Beyond Hot Outside!!

2010-07-17T11:16:00.000-07:00

Why.... you knit a shawl! I'm doing this in a design called "palm fronds", but in many ways, it is closer to what I call "feather and fan". The pattern is simple - only a repeat of four rows - over and over and OVER.... until you get it to the length you desire it to be. I'm knitting it on either 10 and half or eleven needles and using Noro Silk Garden in Shade No. 84....

Now THAT'S A Cucumber!

2010-07-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

My husband is growing lots of vegetables this year - tomatoes (which the deer are slowly demolishing) which is upsetting us! We've gotten to eat two red ones so far. The others are being eaten by the deer while they are green. So we've been picking them off and trying to ripen them in the windows.. And he is growing broccoli, and green peppers and these huge cucumbers! He picked off a couple of them and they were big, but this is a monster - LOL!

Topsy/Turvey....

2010-07-05T12:49:00.001-07:00

This sampler comes from a book I own called "Historic Samplers". This one is by a young girl called Mary Hill. Quoted from the book... "Mary chose fairly bright colors, especially the reds in the top alphabet. There seems to be neither rhyme, nor reason to most of the second and third lines except for the date at the end of the third. It appears almost as if she practiced only the letters she liked. Some of the words run together almost like one unbroken word - so carefully did she employ her allotted space. The spelling of "needle" as nedle may have been an accepted variant in the 18th century, but the letters in the entire line had to be stitched so closely together to get all the words in, one is tempted to imagine that she dropped the second "e" to save space. It is possible too that she may have stitched some sort of code into her sampler. This notion is derived from the three sets of numbers stitched upside down and the three letters executed in unbelievably meticulous eyelet stitches, two of which are upside down as well. It is also possible that a sibling turned it upside down to work on the same piece."

I'm having such a good time stitching this sampler!

Cooler Weather and New Stash!

2010-07-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

What could be better! After two weeks of extreme heat and humidity, it finally cooled down yesterday - over 20 degrees cooler! So my walk last night and tonight was quite pleasant. I also received some new stash in the mail today. With the designer CHS closing down, I thought I'd better nab some of the charts I wanted quickly before they were gone forever! So I ordered 3 charts from my online shop, including one I've never seen before. It is called Visiting Bird. You can see it above, along with the linen I will be stitching it on - Lakeside's "Meadow Rue". In all the years I've been looking at CHS designs and I've never, somehow seen this one.... But I'm so happy I did and I cannot wait to start stitching on it later tonight!

Seeing Blue....

2010-06-16T05:55:00.001-07:00

Carriage House Samplings "Matter's Choice".... Lakeside Linens in "Autumn Gold".... DMC thread in 3750..... equals happiness. I've had this chart for a long long time. Finally decided to pull it out a month or so ago and start stitching on it. What a delight!

Snippets About "Me"....

2010-06-08T12:11:00.001-07:00

When I was growing up, there was quite awhile where all I wanted to wear was brown clothing... When I got older, there was quite awhile when all I wanted to wear was purple clothing....

When I was in grade school, I walked to school each day. In the winter time, my Mom made me wear this really ugly (truly) hat! I would wear it until I was around the corner and she could no longer see me and then that sucker came off my head! It didn't get put back on until I got to the top of my street. Then when I got home, she saw it was on me. I'm not sure she ever figured out that I didn't wear it the whole time. But Moms are smart, so she probably did....

I hated peas... I used to try to hide them in my mashed potatoes. But my Mom (see above) figured it out and made me eat the pea-laden potatoes. I still to this day hate peas. I also hated beets... She would make us eat one big one whenever she had them. I would put the whole thing in my mouth, take a big gulp of milk, and swallow the whole thing. It is a wonder I made it through my childhood without choking on a beet. I still, to this day, hate beets...

I didn't like to mix my food. So I ate each thing separately until it was gone - first the potatoes, then the vegetable, then the meat. I cried every time my Mom said - you know, they get mixed up in your stomach.... I do mix my food now....

We used to ride bikes all over the place - things were safer back then - we could go into the woods and wander around - leaving our bikes while we walked along the creek. And then finding them there when we came back. I once was riding down a hill and hit a hole and went flying over the handle bars and landed on my chin....

I used to play Nancy Drew with my girlhood friend. We took turns playing Nancy. Her sister wanted to play with us, but we didn't want her to (we were mean). So we told her she could be the monster that would knock at the window while we were in the garage plotting out our next mystery....

This same girlhood friend and I would go to the library every week all through the summer and get stacks of books. And then come back and sit out in the yard and read them.... I miss those days....

Helping My Friend.....

2010-06-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

My friend in Texas has a website where she is starting to sell her own cross-stitch designs. For the past month, I've been helping her stitch up some of the models... As soon as the site is updated, which should be in about two weeks, I will give you the link! The models that I've been helping her stitch will go into a booklet of cute sea/beach related designs. She will be donating a portion of each booklet sold to the Audubon Society....

This and That....

2010-05-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is Carriage House Samplings "Helen Bell" multiplication chart... I'm doing it on Picture This Plus linen in a shade called "Relic"... not quite sure I like it, but I think the more I stitch, the better it will look. I didn't know that the "lines" around the numbers were not cross-stitched in. They are backstitched in! I don't do too well at backstitching, but I figure it will give it even more of a primitive look!

Pray that my deposit that I made at the bank today gets put in there tonight. No reason it shouldn't, but pray anyway! I went to Target after work for a "few things"... Ended up spending $60.00 which I paid for with my debit card - not even checking first to see how much money I had in my account at present time. Well, I now have $7.37.....

I went to Starbucks for a vanilla bean frapp after my trip to Target and a trip to the grocery store to look for a specific item that they didn't have at Target. Well, the grocery store didn't have it either! To fortify myself for the drive to the drug store, I needed a "drink"!

I cleaned the bathroom when I got home and got out for my walk. I haven't been walking the past few days due to the rain we've been getting. But a look in a three-way mirror in the dressing room at Target will get you out for a walk faster than you can say - Oh Lordy, please tell me I don't really look like that - LOL!

My husband is fixing dinner tonight - that is a nice treat. Grilled cheese and tomato soup - perfect for a " slightly chilly, getting ready to rain again" Wednesday night dinner....

Summertime and the flowers are blooooming....

2010-05-03T12:44:00.003-07:00

The monster plant is our hosta. At least I think that is what it is. It is the biggest this year that it has ever been! Soon, the leaves will fold down and big stalks will come out of it with little bell shaped white flowers.... The pink daisy - love it! Also, for every one sold at Lowes, they made a donation to the fight for breast cancer. The other daisy has very pale lilac petals, with darker purple centers. Since purple is one of my favorite colors, I just HAD to have it!

National Poetry Month....

2010-04-26T12:57:00.001-07:00

April is national poetry month. I thought I'd share with you a poem that always touches my heart every time I read it:

The spider, dropping down from twig,
Unwinds a thread of his devising
A thin, premeditated rig
To use in rising.

And all the journey down through space,
In cool descent, and loyal-hearted,
He builds a ladder to the place
From which he started.

Thus, I, gone forth, as spiders do,
In spider's web a truth discerning,
Attach one silken thread to you
For my returning...

By E.B. White

Ten Interesting Things About Me....

2010-04-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

I saw this challenge on another blog, and decided to try it. If you decide to accept the challenge on your blog, please let me know! I would love to read your top ten! OK, here are mine:

1. My husband and I lived around the corner from each other when I was five and he was twelve. We played with some of the same kids (we found this out after meeting when I was 22 and he was 27! When we met all those years later where we both worked at General Electric, I was dating his best friend - LOL!

2. I rarely get bored...

3. I have one older sister and two younger brothers. The youngest of those brothers is eleven years younger than me. He was a "surprise" - tee hee! When he was little, he couldn't pronounce my name. So he called me La La. I hated it when he finally learned how to say Linda... I missed that little voice going around the house calling out La La - La La....

4. I'm actually shy. People who know me laugh hysterically when I say this....

5. I love to look through dictionaries and books on grammar....

6. I walk around the same one mile block 4 to 5 times a week - and it never bothers me to do the same walk...

7. As a child, I hated it when my family would sing happy birthday to me. I would crawl under the table and cry. As an adult, I still dislike it and threaten death to anyone who tries - ha!

8. My best friend is my former sister-in-law. She was married to my "older" "younger" brother....

9. I leave a strand of christmas lights up every year - until about March or April.

10. When I was younger, probably up until I was in the sixth grade, the only color my Mom said I wanted to wear clothes-wise was brown....

Now THIS Is A Happy Meal!

2010-04-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

My husband got a bit creative today....

Is It Time For Bed Yet?

2010-04-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

Went to work....
Went to the grocery store
Put groceries away
Went back to grocery store
Fed the cat
Fed the birds - again
Watered the plant
Emptied all the trashcans in house
Went for a walk
Ran the vacuum
Fixed dinner
Washed dishes

it is only 6:40.... but I'm ready to hit the sack! But I will force myself not to - I need to stitch a bit and watch some tv and try not to eat any more junk food! Sooo glad tomorrow is Friday! Now if it was a payday Friday, that would be the icing on the cake... but it isn't....arghhh!

Happy Talkin Talkin Happy Talk....

2010-04-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Talk - Keep Talkin Happy Talk... Talk about things you like to do.... those lyrics are from a song in "South Pacific" (one of my favorite movies by the way). They fit so aptly to this sampler. It is called a Quaker Sampler. However, I call it the "happy sampler". It always makes me happy when I stitch on it. Hmm, I really really should stitch on it more often - LOL!

Mental Health Day....

2010-03-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

I woke up to a cold, windy, rainy day.... My foot was hurting, my legs were hurting, my two fingers that I cut were hurtin.... and I just plumb didn't feel like going in and shelving library books today. So I went shopping instead in my favorite little town of Occoquan! Here are some of the treasures I brought home - the "sister" framed needlework will be a gift for my sister; the picture of the little boy pulling the sled with the cat on it went over my bed. I've wanted this picture for the longest time. Today it was on sale (a little bit anyway), so I splurged! The alphabet placque went in my downtairs powder room. I adore samplers with alphabets on them, so this placque was right up my alley! After leaving the little town of shops, I ran over to the needlework shop and was very very bad.... or very very good - depends on how you want to look at it - LOL!

Rainy Monday Smiles...

2010-03-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

Driving into work this morning, I saw two geese on the strip of grass on the side of the road.... one was sitting, one was laying down.... they were smack dab in front of the bus stop! Cracked me up!

A little girl today at the library (where I work) running into the children's section - yelling back at her Dad - come on come on COME ON - books books BOOKS!!! Too cute....

What made you smile today?

And I Love....

2010-03-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

N - a new stack of magazines on Friday nights

O - warm cookies fresh out of the oven

P - fresh pears and pineapples

Q - quilts - especially the one that was passed down to me

R - the sound of rain - especially when I'm snug in bed

S - reading in the mornings on Sundays

T - a little time alone in the house each day

U - umbrellas - I'm addicted to them!

V - old fashioned valentine cards

W - my walks in the evenings

X - xylophones

Y - yellow roses

Z - zinnias - I've loved them since I was a child

I Love....

2010-03-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

A - Crispy Crunchy MacIntosh Apples

B - Watching the big black crows dip their Ritz crackers in the water dish

C - Cross-stitching each evening

D - Driving to Ohio to visit my family - wish it were more often

E - Earrings - especially antique and unique ones

F - French Fries

H - Holding Babies

I - Chocolate Ice Cream

J - My sister Julia

K - Knitting gifts for friends and family

L - My Mom Lois

M - A cold glass of milk

In the Beginning....

2010-02-24T11:35:00.000-08:00

I told you all that my husband and I just celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary on February 19th. Well, this is us back in 1972 (or thereabouts), going on one of our dates. I don't think we had been dating long when this was taken. We were going boating, and before we had even gotten very far down the road, we had a flat on the boat trailer. It was fixed, we went on our way and had a good time. Those pants he had on - now that is a whole 'nother conversation - LOL!

Collections Close to My Heart....

2010-02-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

I've always loved needlework. As the years have gone by, and I've been slowly putting together a collection made from my own hands, I've also been building a collection of pieces made by others. I would like to share some of them with you today.... I had more pictures taken, but they came out badly. One day I'll get a better camera! All of these items were purchased in shops over the years....

Sun is shining....and no snow is falling....

2010-02-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

It is still on the ground though - and piled on the curbs. Me thinks it will be awhile before we see green grass.... But the sun is shining, it is almost forty... it feels good to get out and about again - even if most of the getting out is going to work!

Celebrating my 36th wedding anniversary today.... I'm doing laundry - what does that say about the state of things - tee hee! In all fairness, he did say we could go out for dinner tonight - but I said tomorrow night would do just fine.... I'm too pooped to even move tonight!

Cross A Stitch - Knit & Purl

2010-02-11T07:14:00.000-08:00

In order to avoid cabin fever, I've been keeping busy knitting and stitching. Both of the scarves are in the same pattern, with a cable going down one side. The purple one (which will be a gift) is done in an alpaca/silk blend yarn. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you might be able to see the little sparkles in the yarn. The cream colored one is done in a cotton yarn by Blue Sky. It is for me and is sooo soft... The sampler is a design by Plum Street (one of my favorite designers)!

And Mother Nature Said - Ha Ha Take That Miss Linda!

2010-02-10T08:12:00.001-08:00

Blizzard conditions - 12 to 15 more inches expected - on top of the 30 we already have.... If you click on the picture, you might be able to see the snow blowing and feel the wind blowing it back in your face as you try to shovel....

OK - You Can Stop Now! I Mean It!!

2010-02-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

Snow started falling at 9:30 yesterday morning, and it just stopped now at 5:00 today (Saturday). I think we have around 29 inches out there - could be more.... The snow on the deck is after we cleaned it 4 times. I should have taken a picture last night before shoveling it off! We lost electric for thirteen hours. It got really cold in the house! How cold you ask? 55 degrees! Even I was cold - LOL! and I'm rarely cold.... We are lucky tho. I know many other people will be without power for a lot longer than us! I just hope ours stays on! The NASCAR race is tonight! Oh, the last picture - title it - hot water maker - ha! It only took 40 minutes, but it finally got fairly warm - tee hee!

Yes Virginia....

2010-01-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

it IS January! After having 65 degree temperatures here in Northern Virginia on Tuesday, to wake up to this today was a bit of a shocker - LOL! It had been extremely cold out - around 20. And they said we would get a "little" snow in our area. Well, it was snowing when I got up this morning, and it is still coming down. We've shoveled the driveway twice - and cleaned off the deck three times, and they are just about covered again! We forged out, however, and ran some errands - got gas, went to Wal Mart - went bulk grocery shopping. And then stopped for a late lunch at Olive Garden - which was quite empty - ha! Our meal was warm and yummy - and then we started the long slow trudge home on the snow covered slippery highways.... It felt soooo good to be back in the house - comfy and warm!

Leave Me Alone Mom....

2010-01-24T09:14:00.000-08:00

I'm sunbathing....

It's Almost Here!

2010-01-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

Just a month away from three February events - Valentine's Day (I adore heart shaped items), my 36th wedding anniversary (February 19th).... and my big love - vroom vroom vroom - the Daytona 500!! I'm not sure how many of you know (well my niece knows) that I'm a big NASCAR fan! It doesn't thrill me as much since Dale Earnhardt Senior died many years ago, but I still enjoy it! I should get lots of stitching and knitting done while I watch those little cars go round and round and round and....

Hearts & Flowers....

2010-01-13T11:58:00.001-08:00

Cold day yesterday - a chilly hour and a half wait for the coolant in my car to be changed - made better by a hot chocolate at Starbucks and this cute little Valentine mug I bought there. The hearts are on stems making them look like flowers....

Chilly Evenings and Sparkly Lights....

2010-01-06T12:59:00.001-08:00

Every year when I take down the tree, the corner where it stood always looks so bereft. I miss seeing the colored lights beaming out at me on these cold dark evenings - where it is dark by 5:00.... So, years ago, when I took down the tree, I put up a strand of lights around my table on the hearth. And I've kept doing it each year. It makes me feel happy to see them glowing. And then the other day when I was taking down the tree, I got this idea to try some white lights in the fireplace! Doesn't put out any heat, but it sure looks cheerful! I haven't had a fire in there for a couple of years - the flu needs cleaning, the chimney is clogged with stuff - who knows what - and I just get real nervous about having a fire anymore.... Plus our flu seems to be having some issues coming down and going back up - the last time I opened it, I thought the whole thing would crash down. So hence, the white lights! My husband has gotten used to my goofy ideas - but he thought it was cozy looking.... I think he may have just been trying to be nice - LOL! Many many years ago, he came home one winter night, and I had a "picnic" spread out on the floor for us - a big tablecloth for us to sit on - a bucket of chicken and some sides - even some wine. Hmmm, maybe it is time to do that again!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2010-01-01T08:01:00.000-08:00

On December 30th, I celebrated a milestone birthday - who is sixty - oh, it tis me! I spent it shopping in my favorite town of Occoquan - buying birthday gifties for me me meeee!!

Spent New Year's Eve playing a couple games of backgammon with my husband, watching a movie, eating pizza - and then watching the ball come down in New York City - ringing in 2010! I communed a bit with my Christmas tree, as I do every New Year's Eve - and then said good-bye to it until next year - and turned off the pretty lights....

Today - January 1, 2010 - the tree is down.... I've strung up a strand of Christmas lights - as I do every January 1st - wrapping them around a little table I have on my hearth. That way, I still have a bit of Christmas with me for a few more months....

I wish you all good things for this coming year!

Happy Christmas Everyone....

2009-12-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

I just want to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you! I've enjoyed sharing my blog with you this past year - and look forward to sharing more of my days with you in the coming year....

Snow snow snow snow snooooooooowww....

2009-12-20T11:46:00.001-08:00

It started on Friday around 7 P.M., and didn't stop until sometime after eleven Saturday night or early Sunday morning (I was sleeping so wasn't paying attention)! We got 20 inches in total!

Miss Mary - Not Contrary....

2009-12-17T17:57:00.000-08:00

I started this design by La-D-Da over a year or so ago. Somehow the other designs I was working on kept being rude and shoving it to the bottom of the stack! But it has fought its way to the top now and it isn't giving up the top banana position - for awhile anyway. I'm sooo enjoying working on it!

Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack

All Dressed in Black Black Black

With Silver Buttons Buttons Buttons

Down Her Back Back Back

I may even sew some silver buttons on it when I'm finished! (sorry for the hoop marks - should have pressed it before it got its picture taken - LOL!)

A Pillow for Your Head....

2009-12-11T06:26:00.000-08:00

Well you can't have this one ladies! LOL! This is the second of my Stacy Nash "Ohio" designs I've stitched. I framed the first one. This one, however, was just crying out to be made into a cute little pillow. My husband was going to sew it up for me on the machine, but he was so nervous about messing it up. So I mailed it to my best friend in Ohio (she is also the mother of my niece Sara) and she did it for me. When I got it back in the mail, I stuffed it with Bamboo fiber. The fabric that it is sitting on is what I used for the back of the pillow. I think it turned out precious!