Merry Christmas

It's been SO long since I blogged. Work has kept me busy, afterall it is the busy season.

Christmas is tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to a leisurely Christmas day, full of good food and family.

To the left is my Gorgeous mincemeat pie I made at Thanksgiving. This was my most perfect pie ever. It was really delicious too.

I'm not finished with hubby's sweater vest, I really haven't had time to knit on anything. But I hope to do some of that soon too. Yesterday I took the day off of work and did some errands. Today, I purchased some last minute items for dinner tomorrow and completed an ornament. In 2006 I stitched this lovely ornament from the JCS ornament issue and I'm JUST now finishing it into an ornament. I will be presenting this to my mom for Christmas today. I think it turned out very nice.

I have more ornaments to finish, and then I have to get dressed to go to see the family tonight. Happy Holidays to all and best wishes for a Blessed New Year. I am looking forward to 2010.

OMG! I need a spanking

WOW! has it really been over a month since I blogged? Where did the time go? OH, I know! It must have been aliens. Yes, Yes, that's it. They came and fuzzled my brain. That has to be it....and that's my story and I'm sticking to it. September came and went in a flash. Busy at work, at home, with kids, etc. Excuses, excuses. Well, I'm blogging now.

I LOVE October. Nearing the end of the year, the holidays are coming and cooler temperatures. Yes, 70 degrees is a cooler temperature. I was in a mood, and made some caramel apples, I think the autumn just SCREAMS for caramel apples. So I made my caramel (from scratch, no Kraft carmels wrapped in cellophane for me), melted chocolates and dipped some granny smith apples. Don't they look yummy? Oh, they are...the tartness of the granny smith against my yummy adult toned caramel, smothered in chocolate and decorated with oreos, toffee, mini m&m's, or reeses pieces. I had a blast making them, and the family had a blast eating them. They were SO big it took 2 days to eat one apple. I also made some lovely home made scones, a traditional cream scone, and then a cranberry orange and white chocolate scone. Served with strawberry preserves and homemade clotted cream of course. What a joy.

Currently on my needles...I started a Men's Sweater vest class at our local yarn store, the Knit & Knibble. Oh, I could spend weeks in there lost in the luscious yarns. So I am working on my very first garment. I'm working it in a sort of Navy shade of blue in Cascade's Sierra an 80% cotton 20% wool blend. I'm pleased so far, and I will get a picture posted soon. I'm also working on an afghan, but the sweater really is the priority at the moment. I have to have a certain amount completed by my next class in November.

In the Cross Stitch realm....well, I'm still working on the Big Round Zipper. The border has given me a ton of problems. I'm diligently working through them, and hope to finish the border today. I'm stitching with my best stitching friends today at the FIRM, and that is an easy project to work on while talking. Or maybe not, as I keep making errors on the border. I may need to reconsider.

What a week

It's been a full week. School started for 2 of the kids and work has eased up a bit for me. I've had some success in selling last semester's college books, and have been hunting the bargains for this semester's books. I've done pretty well on both accounts. We purchased Kelsie a car. It's a 96 Ford Taurus. Now all we need is for her to get her license and she'll be independent like the rest of the family. I think she's excited about it.

I've been trying to find time to stitch all week. I've started taking an hour for lunch at work, and I've been spending that time stitching on Bent Creek's The Big Round Zipper. I finished the outer border and was working on the fill of the border when I discovered a boo boo. Oh darn. I couldn't leave it, and have been working my way around frogging as I go. I hate that. Part 2 is now out and I'm really loving it so far. It's not really much to look at yet. I'm off to get stitching.

Back to School

Well Tuesday was the first day back to school for our kids here in Tampa. My DD, pictured here, is my baby and a senior in HS. WOW, where does the time go. I'm so proud. My son, graduated last year, and my oldest daughter, the year before that. Tempus Fugit.

DD 1 started college classes on Monday. She's really excited about this semester's classes. That is so inspiring to watch. All my little birds getting ready for Mama to PUSH them out of the nest. LOL. My son is testing his wings differently, and I don't always agree, but overall he's a good kid. His classes won't start until January. Too much time on his hands.

Best wishes to all the students going back to school this fall. Have a great year. Lots of Love to my kids (including my niece, and nephews). Have a GREAT year!

Yeah for Weekends

After the never ending week, I look forward to today with visions of a PERFECT weekend. Well, as close as can be expected. Today, I slept until 7 am (yeah for me). I got Hubby and DD1 to accompany me to the Buckler Craft Fair at the Fair Grounds. Oh, I always can find inspiration. Hubby spent more than I did! Who would have thought he'd find beauty and appreciation for the work involved in a handmade quilt for our bed. Yes! And it was HIS idea. We got a spectacular deal! We then went to Ikea. GOOD GRIEF that place is beyond HUGE. After leaving exhausted and tapped out, I arrived home to find my cross stitch mags waiting for me and new listings on my online store. YEAH!!!

Well I'll update tomorrow with some pictures.

Inspiration and Annoyance

As the bug of inspiration bit me in WalMart I purchased a couple of cute Simplicity Patterns and some clearance fabrics. What can I say, it spoke to me. Pink with Glitter what more do I have to say?

So I purchased the Pink fabric thinking how my Darling Daughters would love it made into a purse and then found an adorable pattern and lining fabric. Just perfect for back to school....

Kelsie loved the funky pink design and polka dots and Kristy picked out more grown up colors in browns and greens. I have some secret fabric (shhhh) in my stash for my bag. How fun to have matching purses! ....Alas, a sad note to this tale...my sewing machine is broken. Boo Hoo, and I can not create the darling bags until the machine is fixed. (sniff) So just as inspiration struck and on the verge of something GREAT, the dratted machine will not work. (and YES it is plugged in) So I will need to find another project to occupy my time. I guess the mending will have to wait too.

The Wrap

I completed my knitted wrap. I wanted to make something for myself and started this beautiful elongated knit wrap. Without the fringe it measures about 8 1/2 feet long. With fringe it's over 9 feet. I used a Moda Dream yarn and a black with silver mohair yarn. Yes I know it is summer, but my office at work is FREEZING, so this will make a wonderful wrap or can double as an afghan (allbeit a single person one). It's lovely and soft.

I'm cross stitching Bent Creek's Big Round Zipper. I'm trying not to get bored with the border. It really is the hardest part of the whole thing. The filling in will be the fun part. I can't wait for the next installment. I have several pieces waiting in the wings to start, but I'm trying to finish things before I start new ones, and I do have a stocking to start. Oh well, that is too deep for me today. Maybe I will think deep thoughts tomorrow, after all tomorrow is another day.

Saturday Morning

Well, it feels like the time is picking up speed. Good Grief, has this been a whirl wind week. It began with DD (Darling Daughter) being ill last Sunday. Monday I worked from home, thank you to my boss, and took DD to see her doctor. Doctor suggested we go to ER and so we trucked over there. DD was admitted to hospital. That really puts a crimp in the week as you struggle to be at work, be at home with care for other kids and pets, and visit DD in hospital. Good news, DD may be coming home today. Woo Hoo! Also this week Bruiser was ill and had to be at vet, and then went back mid week for annual shots, then wasn't feeling well, and had to rush him back to vet yesterday for follow up for fear of somethng serious going on. Bruiser is now feeling a bit better and recovering from shots. New sofa arrived!!! LOVE IT! Last night was the first night I was able to sit on it. I was there for 30 minutes, then off to bed. Exhausting week. Wednesday I met a few of my stitching ladies at Panera for a light stitch. I was able to regenerate a bit, with them. They are always so much fun, and I managed to put a few stitches in. My Princess House party was rescheduled to next Friday evening, so I suppose I will serve wine. I think that pretty much wraps up my week. I finished Harry Potter book 5 (for the umpteenth time) and started book 6 in preperation to see the movie tomorrow. I can't wait! today I will be doing the HP movie marathon! Time to get going. Happy stitching everyone.

YaHOO! Happy Dancing!

Ding Dong the chair is dead! Ok, let me explain. Hubby has a chair. It was a beautiful brown leather recliner upon purchase. Now, it is in abused condition (thanks to children, children's friends, and pets). We have taken the first step in ousting the "Chair" from it's beloved position in the house by purchasing a loveseat/sofa with double recliners and a console in the center.

The new Sofa/love seat will arrive a week from Tuesday. I'm so excited. I will have a comfy place to sit and enjoy my stitching and recline! Hopefully I wont sleep more than I stitch.

Cleaning Day

I'm missing the beach this morning. I took this picture on Thursday morning as I watched the son come up. My hubby was down on the beach enjoying the view, and he didn't know I was snapping pictures. The majesty of the ocean is truly amazing, and the relaxation was incredible.
Today is Cleaning Day. We have laundry to do from the trip, and general cleaning. We have friends and family coming over on the 4th, throughout the day to spend time with us out by the pool.
My diet went out the window through the week, so back today to the exercise regime and the eating healthy. I want to get some stitching in today. I started the Big Round Zipper while I was away, and finished my pink scarf and 2 dish rags. I have a few more pieces I want to start and I still need to finish EEK. I'm trying to get over the boo boo. I'm afraid I won't have enough floss.
Well, I'm off and running. I need to get ready to go to the mall to pick up a couple of essentials and some decorations for tomorrow.

Home

Have you ever noticed it never takes as long to get home, as when you leave home? The trip home from Ormond Beach, was fast. We had a great trip. We stayed just a ways up from Daytona Beach and what a treat! I love private beaches. They are just wonderful. Upon arrival the beach looked sunny and bright. We did encounter a couple of rainy days, but that certainly did not stop us from enjoying the beach. Greg was out to see the sunrise everymorning. We walked and talked and enjoyed the early morning hours of the mild sun, then took to sight seeing for the hotter parts in the day. We spent the evenings enjoying the beach sounds again. It is addicting. I knitted, and stitched. I sunned, and walked. I swam in the surf and enjoyed the family time. I figure I have fewer years ahead where the kids will want to go on family trips. We ate Bavarian on my Anniversary. We visited the lighthouse, and shopped like you wouldn't believe. Greg and I are now officially in love with Depression Glass and see a new hobby developing for us. But, I'm glad to be home. The puppies all missed us and were happy to see us come home. I have a tone of laundry, but I still have several days off to recoup (well laid plans). I'm stitching again. I'm looking forward to catching up on everyone's blogs. There truly is....no place like home.

VACATION/STAYCATION!!!!!

Well, It's Saturday. I'm officially on Vacation. Woo HOO!!!!! I'm heading to the beach today. I have my stitching in Tow. And my Knitting too. Computer? Always! I have plans to visit a couple of tea rooms, and a stitching store too... get some sun, and most of all the big R's! Rest and Relaxation.

I have the new loose feather's winging it's way to me, as well as the new Winter Wonderland series begins. I also have the new LK coming! I can't wait. My Big Round Zipper arrived, and I can't wait to get started on that, although I have to finish EEK. I found a Boo Boo! Yes, I have to employ the "frog". It has to be fixed I can't tweak it. Oh well... I hope I have enough floss. I'll post the pic upon completion. I have managed to put in a few rows of stitches on my knitting while waiting for the dermatologist. Ok, I'm a freak of nature. They don't know what the recurring rash on my leg is. They don't know what causes it. So, I had another biopsy and I continue to wait for some answers.

Well I'm off and running. Posting soon, I promise.

EEEEK

Well, I was told that I needed to post pictures....here we go....

Here is EEK. Not quite finished but soon...

Another Week

I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I posted last. WOW! Where does the time go? I finished my SB necklace "Witch's Delight". It looks very cute made up in it's little case and hanging from some black and white checkered ribbon. I started "EEK". WOW what an easy stitch. I started on Father's Day (Sunday) and nearly finished it in one day. I imagine a more diligent stitcher could have had it completed, but I was up and about taking some breaks, making dinner, checking email etc. Ifinished more than 3/4. I was able to put a few stitches in last night as well, but not much. I get up so early that by 9pm I'm beat and need to go to bed. I'll post a picture later of how much is done, and the fabric I purchased to back it in a flat fold. I think it will be very cute done up as a flat fold.

I had a great mail day yesterday. My new Big Round Zipper by Bent Creek arrived. OOH I'm so excited. I loved the last one. It was fabulous, so I'm taking this one with me on vacation. The large stitches are so nice and easy on the eyes. I'll be taking some more delicate pieces and my knitting of course. We have a house/pet sitter all lined up, so we are good to go. AHHH dreaming of the beach.

The weather here in Tampa is HOT. It's been hotter than normal this year. We are having August weather in June. I can't imagine what the temps will be in August and September. Our feel like temperature over the last week is 110 with the actual temps being in the mid to high 90's. Whew, and the humidity? Let's not go there.

Well I'm off to work. Have a good Tuesday.

Blogs & Social Networking

I woke up this morning to some frustration. My email contained notifications that my facebook had been compromised and has been suspended due to terms of service violation. I have no idea what is going on. I certainly didn't violate any terms of service. I attempted to log in to facebook and yep....account is frozen. The email I received from Facebook security indicated that the account had been compromised. That just ticks me off. Hmmm, I've sent the requisite email, and hope I can get this squared away.

So, I'm pondering scammers and criminals this morning. What's wrong with these people. My account is so vanilla, what is the purpose of stealing it? The same thing happened on Gaia. I had been a member for years. I had a cute little avitar, I blogged, and in a blink of an eye, my account was stolen and years of fun and collecting was gone. Gaia wouldn't even acknowledge the loss or return an email. I never reopened an account. I'm still bitter. I hope my facebook account is able to be recovered, not that I have a whole lot of time or money invested, but my friends and family are there, and it is a great communication medium for us. I try and post regularly to my twitter, blogs, myspace and facebook. So I'm really bummed this morning.

Well I'm off. I hope the rest of the day progresses better than the morning. Blessings to all.

Another Quiet Sunday

It's another quiet Sunday. I was up at 6:30 AM and messing on my computer. I actually was working on this fabulous design that won't leave me alone, and then.....my computer died. UGH, I'll try again later....

Greg has been working on a Shed. He's worked really hard and the kids have chipped in and put their sweat into it as well. I helped this morning. WOW was it hot, but the project is really coming along!

The neighbor came over with new toys. Oh, I mean tools and so I was relieved of duty and the two guys continued on without me. I came inside, started some laundry, always a Sunday chore, and started dinner. MMMMMM, Ribs. I L O V E my BBQ Pit. These beautys are fall of the bone delicious.

These were done cooking at about 3pm, but alas, we had to wait for dinner. We put the ribs on warm and left to visit our Darling Daughter, Kristy. Kristy is currently in the hospital. She is doing well, and we hope will be home soon. We stopped by the grocery on the way home to pick up, what else, potato salad to go with dinner. Yes, I agree, homemade is so much better, but honestly I just didn't have time. I printed some research for Kristy to take to her at the hospital. I took a 3 hour home study course on line, and manage to fit in a bit of knitting. Oh, but I digress. Dinner was delicious. Kelsie (Darling Daughter #2) is visiting my sister and family, so leaving Steven with Greg and I. The house sure is quiet.

Greg is now working on the doors of the Shed, and I'm finally ready to put my feet up and get on with some stitching. Bruiser is showing me how it's done....

He sure looks tuckered out. He's all naked and pink. Bruiser needed to be outside where all the activity was and as a result is a little pink. He needed to even out his tan anyway!

Well, I'm off for some stitching. Another week begins tomorrow. I sure hope it is better than last week, for everyone.

Hugs & Stitches

Morning Blabbering

Well here it is just after 7am this wonderful Saturday Morning, and I've been up since 4:30 AM. What is wrong with me?? I actually laid in bed (deluding myself that I actually wanted to sleep) for an hour before I realized, I was awake and nothing I could do would put me back to sleep. UGH. I got up, put 30 minutes on the exercise bike, read 3 chapter's of "Dewey", made coffee, read my emails, talked to my daughter, shopped and now blogging.
Pictured to the left is a great new piece from Amy Brueken (spelling) Designs. I though this was precious. I loved Amy's designs as Sister's and Best Friends, and now I'm continuing to enjoy her designs. I'm waiting for my copy to arrive from Down Sunsine Lane (DSL). I love the green fabric. Unfortunately DSL did not have the exact fabric, so I've purchased a substitute. Frozen Margarita. Sounds fun anyway. I'm in a Halloween stitching mood of late. The 4th of July feeling has passed, and Halloween is now in it's place. Soon it will be Christmas. Good Heavens....Let's not get that far ahead. I've been too exhausted this past week to really stitch. No knitting either. Just vegetating when I get home from work.
I'm having Tea with my friend Denise today. Something we try and do atleast once a month, however, there are times, money, kids, family, work, life in general gets in the way. I enjoy spending time with her. She is the only friend that I have that doesn't stitch, but that I will stitch for. She understands the love and time it takes to put into a piece and appreciates the work. I love that about her.

Life's a Stitch

This is a great little pillow. It sits on my desk to remind me to take each day one stitch at a time. This pillow was given to me by a dear friend.

I woke up this morning to some unexpected occurrences. Many thoughts are running through my head. Some fears, some worries, etc. I'm reminded by this little pillow that I have friends and family that care. Sometimes, that's all we need. Getting through the day.

Life'

Hump Day

Well it's Wednesday already. Sorry no picture today. I'm awake, did my workout on the exercise bike and am prepping for work. It's been a busy week, and I've been exhausted in the evenings. No stitching or knitting to report. The silver lining? that at noon today, the week will be on the down hill slide into the weekend. WOO HOO! I'd rather be stitching...

Awwwww Lazy Sundays....

Awww the lazy Sunday feeling. I love it! Apparently so does Bruiser. He's looking a bit iritated that mommy was snapping pictures while he was sleeping. He'll get over it with a nice nibble on a doggy bone.

A Day at the FIRM

Today was a GREAT day stitching with the girls at the Firm. We talked, shared, stitched, ate, and laughed. It is always a great time when we gather.

Cheryl, Caron, Barb and Cherie shared some of their fabulous completed pieces.

I made an error in labeling one of my medications that resulted in fits of laughter. I thought we might lose Joan for a moment.

I put a few rows of stitches in on my knitting and was able to start and finish this adorable little witch. She is a Shepherd's Bush design and will be a necklace. I still have the back piece to do, but how long can that take, it's only back stitch?