Happy 82nd Birthday Dad!

My Dad doesn't use a computer, so he won't see this, but I wanted to share it with all of you. Today, July 22nd, 2008, is his 82nd birthday! Last year, at this time, he was in the hospital, recovering from quadruple bypass surgery after having a heart attack on July 14, 2007. I'm so glad he will be celebrating it at home this year - or maybe out swimming in the wave pool back at Kings Island in Ohio! This picture was taken at the American Legion in Vienna, Virginia. We stopped by there when my parents were here for a visit. We also went to see the World War II monument in Washington, D.C. right before the official opening. My Dad enjoyed both of these so much. At the big World War II events on the mall in D.C., he "told his story". These stories are being put, eventually, into the Library of Congress.

Quaker samplers....

As I've mentioned before, I love stitching Quaker samplers. This one is called "Quaker Samplings". I'm using DMC #816. I get such pleasure and peace whenever I pick this piece up to work on it.

Summertime and the living is....

well not quite easy, because I hate hot weather. But there have been some pleasures here and there - watching my snapdragons come up in the garden. My Mom always grew them when I was growing up - so they remind me of those carefree days when summers were filled with walks and bike rides - going to the library - playing hide and seek... Another pleasure - looking out my window the other day and seeing a big bluejay trying to fit himself into the small bowl of water I keep on the railing for the birds to drink from. He would stand there - cooling his legs and feet - and then try to get his wings a little wet. After a few times, I guess he was refreshed and flew off.

Ding Dong - Avon Calling

\ Here kitty kitty kitty....

She's a lady - whoa whoa whoa, she's a lady....

Mary Mary Quite Contrary and Little Miss Muffet Sat on Her Tuffet....

Here comes the bride.... I actually bought each of these pieces at different antique stores.

The armoire stands alone.....

O H I O....

I'm slowly building a collection of samplers that have the word "Ohio" on them. Ohio is my home state, even though I've lived away from there for almost 35 years.... I'm close to finishing the one on the right - still have a ways to go on the one on the left. But they are very enjoyable to work on! These two samplers are by the designer "Stacy Nash". Love the thread color selection she chose for both of them!

Flowers and Trees and Storms - oh my!

So here I am to tell - about a good ole tree that fell. This is the tree we lost in the storm a week ago. It had been shading us for almost 25 years. I actually started to cry when they cut it down and took it away. We planted some yellow flowers around it - hoping to cheer the " forlorn trunk", and me, up a bit....

This is the little garden area we have in the corner of our backyard. That big "monster" is a plant we planted last year. My husband thought it wouldn't come back this year, but oh, it did - and even bigger than before! It has really pretty white flowers - almost like "bells". It is hiding two of the three snapdragons we planted. We also planted some white petunias. To the left - the bigger bush - is my lilac - and in the back part - in the grassy area - is a pink rosebush.

Proud and True....

I saw this sampler a couple of weeks ago at an online site. I fell in love with it and wanted it so badly! Last week I started the search for it in my local LNS's. No one had it yet! This week, I tried again and SCORE! I grabbed that sucker up as fast as my little hands could reach out for it. And it was mine - all mine -

ahhhh! The linen it is laying on is what I will be stitching it on. Starting tonight - as soon as I have my shower and settle down on the couch!