November Ends

Where did it go?  I had posted, went back to edit text, and it vanished.  Try again... come on pictures...  Hope it works this time!

November ends with a beautiful day.  The sun is shining, and it’s almost 60 degrees.

Thanksgiving dinner was a success.  Everyone enjoyed the meal which is fairly traditional for our family ~ Turkey, dressing, cream turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, squash casserole, collard greens, cornbread, rolls, and pumpkin cake.  DS even said “that’s the best you’ve ever done, Mom.”  Wow – I sent him home with tons of it. 

I enjoyed using my new mixer! Started out with butter cookies.  

Next the cake here in the prep stage, and I meant to take a finished shot,

but this is when I thought about it again.

With sickness and Thanksgiving, I forgot to update my TUSAL for November 19.  Here it is for November – turning to Christmas colors!

Now for some stitching updates:

Continuing the French project, Point de Croix (Sewing Box) by Fanny and Company, started on Friday, November 20.  It’s on 30ct Alabaster linen using DMC variations 4210.

Also started a Santa sampler from Kirsten at TGOS, on 32 ct linen over 1 using DMC 815.

Thank you for coming by.  I appreciate your visits and especially your comments.  Come back again, soon!

My last cigarette was on November 13, 2009.
Happy Stitching
Charlene in SC USA

Where'd November Go?

“As November dawns,” was the beginning of my last post, and here we are heading into Thanksgiving!!  

Where have I been, and what have I been doing?  What started as bronchitis, that I thought was over, turned into the flu.  I tried to battle it for several days, then went to the doctor.  He prescribed meds, fluids, rest  ~ I do believe the meds make you feel yucky so you don’t want to get out of bed!  So after all this time I am feeling human again, but I’ll be SO glad when all the nauseating (antibiotics?) meds are finished.

We know I was really sick because I didn’t feel like stitching (eating or reading either)!  The new mixer I ordered for myself came, and haven’t even taken her for a test drive!   For almost a week, not a stitch was sewn – and just about that much time from logging on to the computer.  There are SO many messages and blogs to read, but I’ll get through that slowly! 

As usual for the last few years, DS tries to make sure I don't forget - asking, Are we having Thanksgiving at our house this year?  No, he doesn't live here anymore, but I hope he will always think of it as "our" house!!  There's a whole lot to do to get ready since the house is a disaster and I've only bought the turkey, but that will wait until tomorrow.  THEN I'll get to test drive her.

DS Installed Windows 7 while visiting his sick mom, and after some adjustments for connecting to work it seemed to be working fine… Until I started to download pictures!  Ah, uninstall first... then choose the update! 

Remember a while back I won a giveaway from Sarah at her blog?  It was the JBW Alphabet Pumpkin.  I think it was Monday when it arrived, but when I felt like opening any mail was I ever tickled.  She included lovely threads and a beautiful, large piece of linen for the project.  She also sent along one of the most beautiful stitched Christmas cards I have ever received.  There’s a dainty little silver star charm at the top, and the tree is made up of the words Joy, Love, and Peace.  I just LOVE, Love, love it to pieces.  Thank you so much, Sarah, for the giveaway, and for the beautiful card that boosted my healing spirit!

I’m continuing to stitch the NovaLee Christmas Noel SAL, using DMC on Vikki Clayton’s 35ct linen in off white.  Ten parts have been issued, and I’m fairly well caught up.

I don’t think I showed you the finished Baby pillow, did I?  Here it is.

I started a new French project, Point de Croix (Sewing Box) by Fanny and Company, on Friday, November 20.  It’s on 30ct Alabaster linen using DMC variations 4210.

And last, but certainly not least, I want to say thank you to all who have wished me success in the quest to quit smoking.  My last cigarette was on November 13, 2009.  The Chantix really does work.  There are a couple of issues for me – nausea and a little problem going to sleep at bedtime, but I believe I can deal with it for a while more until I’m confident that the habit is totally broken.  I’ve only really thought about lighting up a few times.

I wish you all a lovely time of peace and that we will spend some time in thankfulness during this holiday season.

Thank you for coming by today, and I hope you will come again, soon.

Happy Stitching
Charlene in SC USA

November Arrives

As November dawns, there may begin some angst about the looming holiday season, especially the stitching of gifts.  How many of our WIPs are Christmas related and what do we have in the stash for the holidays?  I really enjoyed the Spinster Stitcher's take on the topic. 

If you think you really need longer than the six weeks or so remaining, I see that the Bride's Tree Blog has openings for members to join. The Bride’s Tree is a German tradition. It is believed that a couple’s Christmas tree needs twelve specific ornaments for happiness in their life journey together.  The intent is to complete an ornament a month, but there’s no pressure here.  I was a member of this group in the past, and did complete the set of 12 Best Wishes Ornaments by Rosewood Manor.  You can see them here  if you like.

I’m continuing to stitch the NovaLee Christmas Noel SAL, using DMC on Vikki Clayton’s 35ct linen in off white with the Let’s Stitch blog group on Friday night.  Eight parts have been issued, and that's what I stitched most of last night.

I also started the Shepherd's Bush Occasional Musings, Baby.  It's on a piece of light teal and I just picked colors from what was sitting around that I liked... 

Started taking Chantix on Sunday, November 1, and have been able to notice a real difference in the desire to smoke.  A typical break would be once every couple of hours at home, but noticed longer intervals. 

I was also able to leave home without a ‘fresh pack’ when there were only a few left in the old pack.  I went back to work Tuesday from the weekend and sick leave Monday, and at mid-afternoon in the day I’ve usually had at least five, and now only had three.  I’m trying to drink more; especially water.

Are there side effects?  The only thing I've been distracted by are a little nausea if I don't eat with the pill, and bothersome restless legs at bedtime.  So here we are on Saturday.  Tomorrow, Nov 8, is the goal date to stop completely.  Throughout the week, I've continued to have roughly five per day.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Y'all come back again soon!