Hey, Friends!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer filled with all your favorite activities and vacation spots.  Do you believe that it’s past the middle of July?  Oh my goodness, where does the time go?  The good thing about that is that in July I passed my 29^th year of service and have only two years to work until retirement.  Woo Hoo! 

Along with most of the southeast, we’ve had rain severe thunderstorms and downpours almost every day for the last two weeks.  The great part about that is that we haven’t had any 100° days, but the humidity is oppressive!  

One of my six 25 feet Bradford pear trees split and fell into my neighbor’s yard.  It was only inches away from his house, and a couple of feet away from his HVAC system.  Whew! My yard man came and cut it up and hauled it away. I’ve asked him to go ahead and top out the rest of them so it doesn’t happen again.  He’s done two others, so three to go.   

I saw a first recently.  Looking out onto my front porch, there was a squirrel having a little snack – on the paint of the rocking chair! Talk about nuts!!

From the last post – Yes, I did replace the white stitches (bubbles) with beads on the July WordPlay. Here’s the August Word Play, all ready to go into the frame at work.  

July is also my DS birthday.  We went to Captain Steve’s fish camp for dinner with Mom, then had Boston Crème pie for dessert.  Remember that I’ve been stitching a surprise piece?  Well, it was Da’Kats by Prairie Moon.  I left off the skull wall sconces and think it came out great.  He seemed to like it, and even commented that he really liked the frame! 

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

  

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

No Snow Here

Hey, Friends!

Have you been seeing the snow of all our stitching friends?  Judy commented that my sidebar thermometer stated that it was 71 degrees (the thermometer was wrong) and it was snowing at her home.  It still is, by the way, and beautiful.  The outlook isn’t so positive around these parts this year (February?).  But if you want to see some lovely snow, grab a big cuppa something hot and take a look over at Michele’s or Beth’s. 

I live in the country which means there’s a horse pasture across the road and a creek beside my house, and we use well water.  When one has a well there are parts (don’t know exactly what they are) that are above ground and should be covered in some manner. I’ve always said NO to fake rocks, so for that first Christmas I asked my folks for a ‘wishing well’ cover. This is a spring picture from 2009.  We’ve been here about 15 years and it finally crumbled.  I have been looking all around town at hardware and places where there were wooden swings, etc. but couldn’t find another wishing well… so I crumbled, too, and now have a fake rock!

Remember those knitting needles from the consignment shop?  I took a couple days off from stitching and started a few scarves.  That didn’t last very long – but they’re there when I need to busy my hands!  A little stitchy gift surprise is in the works, so I won’t show it just yet.  

Then I pulled out Mary.  She’s been napping since the urge to stitch smalls hit me – when was that … October? Nope, it was November 6.  Oh, Mary Who?  Why, it’s Mary Gibson.  I was happy to see her and get reacquainted!  She’s a very light and bright girl!

I'm grateful that DS visited on Saturday! 

Thanks for all your kind words and comments.  Sometimes they feel like hugs, don’t they? 

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Independence Holidays!

Hey, Friends!

Today is the first day off work for my staycation.  Remember, I’m planning to do some cleaning and organizing…  This morning I cleaned the guest room vacuumed, washed linens and window, dusted, and it only took a while.  Why do I constantly put it off?  And several other tasks I’ve wanted to do – change the yard flags, hang the US flag,  plant a few seeds that have been sprouting…   Just need to take a little while every day to do a few little things and it wouldn’t get so far behind.  Ummm hu… that’s easy to say; right?  Especially when I come in from work and all I want to do is sit and stitch!

I haven't shown you anything from my year this year, either, well, not since the snow. These are the hibiscus out near the deck - after a rain earlier this week, they popped out!  After some painting was done, the planters needed to be refreshed.  Aren't these flowers pretty?  One of the next projects (that won't be a 10-15 minute job) is to paint the rocking chairs on the porch. 

I’ve been stitching away on the BBD “Land of the Free” and it’s coming along nicely, but won’t be finished by July 4^th.  Maybe shortly after.

DS and I are cooking hamburgers at the parents for the holiday this year.  Dad hasn’t been in the best of health recently, and we’re trying to ease back on the amount of effort he has to expend.  You know how 'they' are - we got someone to go cut their grass (acres) and he got out there to help, and paid for it with pain the next week.

Check out my TuSAL for July:  Reminder:   TuSAL is in the side bar this year à

If you’re out boating or having fireworks to express your Independence, please be safe! Have lots of fun and try to stay cool whatever you do!

 

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Let the Count Down Begin

Christmas is only a few short days away, and no one has mentioned this directly to me, other than Mom asking carefully, “Is the party supposed to be at your house this year?  You can have it here if you’d rather.”  Why carefully, you ask.  There are years when I am a Christmas Scrooge, but so far this year has been going along rather nicely.

Remember, Thanksgiving was here at our house, and I enjoyed it very much.  Reason being?  I didn’t knock myself out trying to make the house sparkle and the food taste like Martha had helped.  I did the bare minimum – made the house look like people really do live here, and cooked the way I like to eat. 

My great LNS, Stitch and Frame, gives those who are registered a certificate for 20% off a complete project during their birthday month.  Since this is my month, I decided (a while back) it would be for Rosewood Manor’s Quaker Diamonds.  One of the girls at stitch night Tuesday was working on it, and it is so pretty!  When will I stitch it?  Don’t know, but it’s in my stash now!

I am still working on Fanny and Company’s Sewing Box.  Someone asked if it is for Christmas, and no, it’s for another project after the first of the year, but will wait until a little later to show that to you.  

The Santa Sampler is also  getting a few stitches now and again.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you're having a great weekend doing everything you enjoy! 

Happy Stitching
Charlene in SC USA

My last cigarette was on November 13, 2009. 

11/13/2009

12/5/2009

-22 days

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

Fall Colors

These are the Burning Bushes of late October that are along the front of my yard.  Aren’t they beautiful?

I’ve been stitching on NovaLee’s Christmas Noel sampler since all that frogging from Friday, and it’s coming along nicely.  This is almost through part four.  Part six comes out Thursday, so hopefully I can get caught up on this coming Friday night’s Let’s Stitch!

I've joined a new online group, The Sampler Life.  A nice, friendly, enabling group!  I know, aren't we all enablers?

As I mentioned before, DS and I were going to the Panthers’ game on Sunday!  It was fun, but not the greatest since we lost.  I expected it to be a win, but it was not to be.  Anyway, it was a chilly, windy, cloudy day, but as the sun was setting on Charlotte’s skyline, I got this photo of the buildings and the beautiful sky.  I got a couple of shots of the team, but as you can tell we were in the nosebleed section!  One of the Buffalo fans made it up there with us and kept yelling for oxygen!  I guess their stadium isn’t as steep as ours!

Charlene in SC USA

The Weekend

Having a holiday and an overnight guest didn't allow for my typical lazy weekend, so I'm making up this weekend. Last night I stitched and watched TV (can't show you yet - it's a surprise), and this morning sitting here reading group mails and blogs. What fun? Love it. Being tempted at every turn... I keep trying to say, NO - you are already S.A.B.L.E. (stash acquired beyond life expectancy).

I just found a giveaway, and if it's posted on my blog I get extra chances. Don't you want to see? Visit Violarium to check it out. Good luck to all.


I finally finished JD Robb's Imitation in Death. No, it's not that I didn't like it, I'm just a few pages at bedtime reader. I went back to the Book Rack and got a couple more after work yesterday. I have credits there - take in books you're finished and they give credits, then when you buy used books they are half price! I love it - don't mind at all reading a book someone else has read. Since as I said, I'm a few pages at bedtime reader, I do prefer paperbacks anyway.

Sharing a few of my glass collections with you today.


Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you're having a fun, lazy weekend, too!!

Fall is Coming

It's a lovely day outside, with the hints of fall in the air. There is so much waiting to be done (as you'll see from the pics below), but I have an inside project to finish this weekend, hopefully! This is my Halloween project, Monster March by Glendon Place. Hope to hang it at work on Monday! Last night I worked on it with the Let's Stitch blog group for about four hours. Here's a look at my stitching chair and my sweet fur baby, Pixie. You can also see how my Ort has filled since August.

Have a look at some of the last blooms for the year, and see how fall is approaching.

Hibiscus: Lantana:

? Dogwood:
Think this HUGE guy was on Web overload?

~Happy Stitching~

Vacation's Almost Over...

Vacation is almost over... and what have I done?

On the first Monday of vacation, I mowed the lawn, trimmed, blew the walks, etc, but got drenched with rain before I could get everything put away. On the last Friday of vacation, I gave the lawn a hit and miss so Pixie wouldn't have to go over to the fence (neighbor's yard) to tinkle -- she doesn't like the grass to be 'in her way.' It was sprinkling rain before I finished.

You've seen the bathroom, so how about the guest room? I got the wrong color pink shams, so imagine white is pink :-) I had planned to use a pink with green leaves and white spread, but it most have been donated at some point I forgot, so ended up using this old quilt from the flea market. I do believe I like it better! This old rocker has been with me for over 30 years, but the pillow, foot rest and mag rack are reclaimed pieces. Refinished tiny table and moved lamp from LR. Here is the vanity that reminds me (if it isn't the same) of the one my mom had when I was a little girl.

Here's how the sofa turned out... and the 'old' recliner that I HAD reupholstered. Oh, yes...now this is how one is supposed to relax, though didn't get much chance to try it during THIS vacation! You can see a bit of the end table that I refinished...and the coffee table This is the back of the sofa. Photos of linen bags with buttons on Ivory Blush Rose site triggered the idea to use them to hold the pleat in place. (I can't get the link to work, but will come back later to try that again.)

This is the angle from my bedroom. I painted the shelves and window white to match the other trim in the room. This is the first time this window has had curtains ;-) This rocker was my grandmother's.

I had painted my bedroom and bath not too long ago, but don't think I shared them.

The dining room Kitchen
and mud room...

These are a few of my favorite tea pot collection as they were washed.


So, do you notice what is obviously missing? Yes, it's the craft room. How do all the things that belong in there get scattered throughout the rest of the house? Well, they're back in there now, along with some OTHER miscellaneous bits and bobs...but that will have to be another time. I promised myself I would do NOTHING today!! I could probably stand to have that as a weekend project... There are other things that I would love to have done, but there was just no more time. I think it will be fantastic when I don't have to work full time any more. The way it's planned now, that's about six years away.

Next vacation (Thanksgiving week) will be devoted to the outside. Pruning, digging, playing in the dirt -- and organizing that outside building!! Well, unless it's snowing or something drastic.

Thanks for taking this vacation with me! I hope yours will be half as fulfilling!!

Namaste