lake of shining waters

BLOG HAS CLOSED...NEW BLOG UP....

2010-12-19T06:33:00.000-08:00

Please visit my new blog.....and hope that you will leave a comment...it is still....a "work in progress".....so bare with me...

Thanks!!!

Good morning! (EDITED TO ADD A COUPLE OF PHOTOS)

2010-09-21T05:06:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day here! It is sunny, chilly and windy...and I absolutely love days like this!

I am using my daughter's laptop at the moment and am not able to upload any photos...but I hope to add some later today, when I get mine back from my son.

Ive been doing a bit of stitching...."Seven Days of Creation"...and also "Mary Margaret"....I also started a new swedish weaving blanket, which is working up very quickly and is going to be donated to The Lion's Club in our community for a Christmas drawing....

On the homefront........lots of exciting things....we had a new front veranda/porch...whatever you'd like to call it built...I love it!! I wish I could enjoy sitting out there during the day, but the carpenter is still here working on our roof...LOL...he should be done in a day or so though...and then on the weekend my DH and son installed new flooring in our kitchen...and back hallway...next up is the front entry hallway....and our new fridge was delivered yesterday! Isn't it funny how things like this excit me so! LOL.......our home is looking just great!
So....hopefully I'll be able to show you these photos tonight....

Do take care everyone and have a great day!!!

Okay, here are a couple of photos of my new kitchen flooring, and a couple of the new veranda, as it stood last week...it's now completed, but there are old shingles, staging, etc from the carpenter still working on the roof in front of it...so when he is GONE for good I will take new photos of that...LOL

Marion

GOOD BYE EARL....YOU HAVE TO DIE!!! EDITED!!

2010-09-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning to the news that Earl has shifted and is due to make landfall a bit down the coast and then come up through Halifax...we are experiencing high winds and rain now and Earl has not landed.
If you are so inclined to say a prayer.....I'd appreciate it. All our trees are laiden with leaves, and that makes them easier to snap.
I'm not one of these people that likes a good storm....nope...not me......
Anyway, everyone in Earl's path...stay safe!!!!
Will be back later..
Marion

EDITED TO ADD...STORM HAS PASSED....LOTS AND LOTS OF POWER OUTAGES, BUT THANKFULLY WE KEPT OUR POWER AND OTHER THAN LOTS OF LEAVES IN THE POOL, AND STUCK TO THE HOUSE..ETC.....NO DAMAGE AT ALL!!!!
SO VERY THANKFUL THIS STORM HAS PASSED!!

WONDERFUL FRIENDS, A FRAMED FINISH AND A HURRICANE!!

2010-09-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

Good evening!!

Wow....we are having EXTREMELY hot and humid weather here...with the humidex it is like 41 celcius. Unseasonably warm.......actually HOT. AND, we are in the line for a direct hit from hurricane EARL. so if you can say a prayer for us.....it would be greatly appreciated! Tomorrow is the first day of school for the kids around here, and I'm doubtful if they will be there a full day because of the heat....but I am heading to the grocery store as soon as they are on their buses and getting stocked up for several days. I am so thankful that we have a generator, (and a major one at that) that will provide us with light, the fridge, (no oven, washer and dryer, but I can surely live without that!!)....water (we are well water and depend on electricity) and all the other comforts we need. Six (I think) years ago, we were hit with hurricane Juan and we were without power for 7 days. I remember stepping outside the next morning and it was like a war zone...and the quiet.....was unimaginable......fortunately my parents were both alive at that time and they were restored power in a few hours, so the kids and I went to live with them for the rest of the time....DH would come down every second day for a hot meal and a shower. He did not want to leave our home unattended. It was an event in my life that I will never forget and I pray that this weekend is NOT a repeat of that for our area of the world!!!!

This past weekend I travelled to my hometown area for a wedding. It was the son of a good friend of mine. I don't usually post photos like this, but these girlies are my best friends in the entire world.........we are known as the OMS...between us we have 12 kids, ranging in age from 32 to 13. We see each other as much as we can, and usually try to plan a yearly overnight shopping trip......what we have is precious and I am so thankful for their friendships....I love them all dearly.

And finally.......Bethlehem - Cross Stitch Patternby K. Elaine Kramer Designs........finished by moi and framed by the DH of a good friend (and fellow cross-stitcher).

Have a wonderful evening everyone!!

Marion

GOOD INTENTIONS...

2010-08-26T02:30:00.000-07:00

With summer coming to a close and school beginning again next week, I am hoping to get back into a routine, which I hope includes only weekly or bi-weekly trips to the grocery store! I feel like I have been in the grocery store just about every day this summer! Yuck!!!
Starting this weekend, I will browse the grocery store flyers, go shopping on Monday and plan my meals ahead of time...wish me success fellow bloggers!
I'd love to hear how each of you do this...how many trips to the grocery store do you make? How do you plan your meals? Any recipes you care to share with me? Tips?
Feel free to post a comment, or email me....I'd love to hear from you!!
Have a great day everyone....it's foggy and rainy here today.....good day to try and get my house organized!
Marion

SHORTEST JOB IN HISTORY!

2010-08-23T17:36:00.000-07:00

Well, if you can believe it, I only worked for 3 days!!! I knew after the first day that it wasn't for me, but decided to keep trying. I liked the work, but I didn't like having to push memberships to the place, I am not a seller, and time didn't seem to mean anything to the person I was working for.....no one else there was married, or had a family, and when you are expecting to get off at a certain time and don't...and have a daughter waiting for pick-up...it's not good....so I thanked my boss very nicely for giving me the chance, but it just wasn't for me. Part of me is relieved, part of me is sad...but what is meant to be...is meant to be.....right? I will find something eventually that will feel right.

In the meantime, we are on our last full week of summer vacation here. Today we went to the beach (well myself, my youngest and her friend)...this is a new to us beach...and I am in love!!

It was absolutely gorgeous!!! We are going back on Wednesday!!

Have you read about THIS designer in the Halloween Issue of Just Cross-stitch??? I love THIS design! I don't know that I'd attempt it....but I sure love it!! I would not frame it with a clock though....but that's just my opinion. I think I will actually put it on my wish list.....

Have a good evening everyone!!

Marion

NEW BEGINNINGS.....

2010-08-16T02:02:00.000-07:00

Good evening!

Summer is winding down here in eastern Nova Scotia....we are down to our last two weeks of summer vacation.

As for me...I start a new chapter of my life tomorrow! I am going to start working part-time!! It's been 11 years since I technically worked outside the home...I did do three years of lunch-time duty at the kids school, but this in official part-time job! I will be working at a Massage Therapy Clinic about 20 hours per week. I am hoping it works out...it will be a nice change...and if it doesn't work out (or at least this job doesn't work out)...it's not the end of the world.

We've been busy around here...two family BBQ's this weekend! Lots of good food, good company.....

I've been busy stitching too! I started "Seven Days of Creation" by Plum Street Samplers.......I do love Paulette's designs..this one is stitched on 32 count..

.and I also started (and "almost" finished)"From The Deep" also from Paulette.....this particular design will hang in my bathroom when done. It's stitched on 32 count as well.....AND....I finished up this freebie that Paulette designed......it's stitched on 40 count!! My first attempt at 40 count, and I LOVE it!!

I also started Jenny Bean's Humble Servant Sampler and it's stitched on 40 count!! Who knew that I would love this count!!

Sorry for the bad photo of Jenny Bean!! I cannot seem to get a clear photo of this one!!

And so my friends...I will say goodnight for now....

Take care......

Marion

Greetings Fellow Bloggers

2010-08-03T03:28:00.000-07:00

I am still among the land of the living. I have been browsing Blogs the past few weeks when time permits.....I have been stitching a bit, knitting a bit, and basically doing things with the kids (okay.....actually mostly just my youngest child, as older two are both working for the summer). We've been going in the pool, to the beach, to movies, etc...etc....etc.... I've gotten away for a night with a friend (great time...yard sales, second hand stores, etc....).....
and that's pretty much it so far this summer. We still have another month to go around here before school starts, so not sure what the rest of the summer will bring.....
hope you are all still with me for when I start Blogging more in the coming weeks!
Take care everyone!
Marion

MY YARD SALE FIND...

2010-06-14T09:05:00.001-07:00

Don't you just love this old wicker rocking chair??? I picked this up on Saturday at a yard sale...we are going to be building a veranda on the front of our home this summer and I thought it would be perfect for the veranda! It is so comfy!! I was sitting in it on Saturday afternoon...stitching away.

I have been missing in action once again...........I guess I haven't really felt like posting...no real reason....

Also, if you are so inclined, would you keep my oldest in your thoughts and prayers? She has really struggled these past few months with growing up, things/people in her life changing and career/school choices......19 is such a hard age........so good thoughts that she will find what she is looking for and make good decisions for her are welcomed. She's a beautiful girl and I want to see her very happy.

Take care everyone!
Marion

HERE I AM AGAIN...AND MORE PHOTOS...

2010-05-23T04:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for your comments...I really appreciate them!! I know we will be fine..we always are...and that job isn't DH's only source of income, he actually has his own business, so we will just have to incorporate benefits into that......god has a plan for all of us and we will survive. I just get stressed about things sometimes!

Anyway, I do have another finish!! I started this a couple of years ago and dug it out of the UFO pile and told myself..."Self, you are going to finish this!" I love this design, and hope to get it framed soon.....I'll give my framer a bit of a break, since he only frames in his spare time..LOL

Also, a few posts back I mentioned that I was doing a Mother's Day exchange with an online friend of mine......we were to make something, and then send something else we thought the other person would like......I made a pin cushion (Blackbird Designs) and FOB for her, and I included a couple of other things in her package, which for some reason I did NOT take a photo of?!

And, this is what I got from Terry! Look at that beautiful wool to make myself some cozy slippers! And a dish cloth, which she knitted, a sweet change purse, which she made herself, and two pairs of earrings, which her daughter made!! Thank you Terry!!

Anyway, enjoy your day everyone...it's sunny here, so I am going to enjoy mine!

LONG OVERDUE....AND PHOTOS!!

2010-05-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

Good evening everyone!

I have been hibernating lately...I've been here, but not really in the mood to post.....I've been doing some "soul searching" so to speak.

When I made the decision at the age of 41 to leave work and stay at home with my children, I did not do it lightly...I had been at the job for 20 years, but I KNEW that the time was right, and it was what was needed to be done. I had wanted to do that the entire time I had been married.....fast forward 11 years.....I am still a stay at home mom, with the exception of a 3 year stint as a school lunch monitor at my childrens' school (again I felt it was needed for a couple of reasons).....and now I am at the age where had I stayed at my origional job of 20 years, I would be 3 years away from retirement. Do I think I made the wrong decision? Not on your life, but there are times when I wish my future years were more financially secure. I think what brought this on was a change in one of the jobs that DH does. We thought it would always be there....it is no longer going to be there after next week...and it was a shock to us. Not the end of the world, but it was the job that paid our medical and dental benefits, and therefore we must (and have) search out alternate benefits. I don't like change...I am the first to admit it! I have been thinking that maybe I should start looking for a part-time job, now that my youngest is almost 13....but at what? I am not trained for anything anymore and the thought of a department store makes me gag (sorry if any of you do this...I admire you, I could not do it)...so....I have been doing some soul searching and whining! When I read Katy's post today I realized how selfish I had been...and how fortunate I am......thank you Katy!

I guess we all have days/weeks where we feel unsettled, discouraged, etc...

I took a couple of photos, (borrowing from Katy's idea)...of the wonderful things in and around my home, and yes, I am truly blessed.
My doggy...Nallie...who is 12....and my daily companion:

Looking out my large kitchen window to the back deck and back yard...

My other kitchen window...looking towards the road that passes by our home....

AND.............TA......DA.......

Here it is in all it's glory!!! I love it!!!! "STILL WATERS"

I truly love this piece and am so glad I decided to stitch it (and finish it! LOL)

Have a great evening everyone!! Maybe you each can tell me one thing you are thankful for in your life today!

Marion

Over-Scheduling?

2010-04-27T02:45:00.000-07:00

I have had something on my mind since last night....
I took my youngest to her gymnastics. I usually don't stay for the entire time (2hours) I do a few errands and come back and stand in the lobby for a while to watch. Last night I went to the "viewing room". There were other parents there from another class that goes several times a week and compete. As I was watching my daughter, I was listening to some of these parents talking about their childrens' schedules...what it basically came down to was that besides several hours, several times a week, some of these children were in other activities that were several hours a day, several times a week, and in one case the only day off was the middle of the week, and that was homework night!!! When do these kids get to be "just kids"? Hang out, relax, have a friend over???? I ended up leaving, going to do some errands and coming back and watching from the lobby. I just could not imagine......and the other thing...these particular parents seemed to have the same type of schedule themselves!! Like they needed to schedule a time for everything! I'm all for activities...my kids have all been in activities, but due to money and time we limited the activities...geesh!
I just was in amazement.....
EDITED TO ADD: My youngest only does the advanced recreation gymnastics (which she has done for 4 years....once a week and she takes piano lessons as well.) She's 12 and this is quite enough for her...still involved....but has it's limits.
Marion

'MORNING ALL!!

2010-04-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

Good Monday morning to each of you!

Well I did it!! I finished "Still Waters" by Plum Street Samplers!! No, I don't have a photo here of it....I am taking it to my framers this week, so I'll do a seperate post when I get it back framed!

I love it....just love it!! Cannot wait to hang it in a place of honour in my home!

On the stitching front...I started "Gloriana" by Plum Street Samplers. I think I am going to actually change this up at bit.....when I was looking at the letters, I realized that without a lot of changing, my last name would fit instead of Gloriana, so I am going to try that.

I also dug through my WIP's and brought out "Bethlehem" by K. Elaine Kramer Designs and worked on it a bit. I hope to get most of it (or all of it) done this time before I retire it once again to the WIP container. This is a beautiful design so I really do want to finish it.

We have been having wonderful spring-like weather here.....I'm so enjoying it!

Anyway, have a great day everyone!!! Love the comments....makes me feel like someone is actually reading this!!

Marion

An Honest Scrap (a Meme)

2010-04-19T05:33:00.000-07:00

I decided to do this about myself...got it from Mel's Blog

1. My most favourite food in the world is pizza! (Pizzeria Pizza, homemade pizza....)

2. I am a "what if.." person...I always evaluate the "what if" in any situation.

3. I am a homebody and get more so as I get older.

4. I am a worrier. I have to worry about something!

5. I started doing needlework when I was about 3-4 years old. I can remember doing this embroidery thing as a little girl and everyone being excited about it. I still have that piece of embroidery.

6. I had a wonderful imagination as a child. Something I am grateful for.

7. I always wanted to be a stay at home mom. I didn't achieve that goal until my youngest was almost 2. I hate it when people ask what I do all day!!!

8. I am a private person. Maybe that comes from being an only child?

9. I always said that if I didn't have kids by the time I was 30, I wasn't having any...I had ALL 3 of my kids in my 30's! Thus I am now an "older" mom.

10. I crave chocolate. I also crave Doublemint gum.....weird, I know!!

And, that's it! I am not going to tag anyone...feel free to do your own.

A Stitchy Update!

2010-04-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

I HAVE been stitching lately. First of all, I have been working on a little something for a private exchange I am doing, and I can't post anything here, in case she reads my blog, but once it's received in time for Mother's Day...I'll post photos!

Also, I have tons of new charts I want to start, but I do not want to put "Still Waters" down until it is finished...I am getting close! This has been an absolutely wonderful chart to work on, and I have so enjoyed it! Thanks to Paulette for designing this!

In other news...I am feeling much, much better!! So glad, as being dizzy is not a pleasant thing!!

I have been trying to read all my fav blogs, but for the most part have not commented....I have read though!! And I will get back to commenting in the next couple of days!

Take care everyone...

Have a great day!

Marion

WHERE DID I GO??

2010-04-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

I'm still among the living....two weeks ago today my girlfriend, her uncle and I drove to Maine! We had a fantastic time! We dropped her uncle off at his niece's (my friend's cousin) house and checked into our motel/home for 3 nights....this chick that normally is NOT a shopper....shopped and shopped and shopped! We spent some time with my friend's cousin as well...it was such a wonderful getaway!!! Only downfall was getting stopped at the Border, coming back to Canada...thank heavens we had all our receipts...but STILL...just the feeling of some stranger going through your things!! We happened upon a new person and she was VERY slow!! Once through there though..it was smooth sailing all the way home! Most of what I did buy was for the kids, but I managed a couple of things for myself...DH, and even brought the dog home a toy! LOL
Anyway, it took me a couple of days to get back into a normal routine ( I could get so used to not making meals each day!) and then I was hit with an inner ear problem! So for the past several days I have been dizzy and queasy. I do have pills to take, but the Dr said it could take some time to feel back to normal! That's why I haven't been updating my Blog!
So all you followers...don't give up on me...I'm still here!!!
Take care
Marion

Good Monday Morning!

2010-03-22T04:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow bloggers!
Today my kids are back at school. I am a little sad that we are back into a routine...I do enjoy having them around....youngest is always going somewhere, having friends over...etc...today it's back to just me and the dog...LOL
My goodness!!
Saturday turned out to be as warm as summer here! We broke records on the temps! Fabulous day!!
Anyway, I think I will get some phone calls made, stitching done..."maybe" start a new Plum Street to perk my mood up.....(it's foggy, and dark, that's my excuse!) and ofcourse the ever dreaded housework!
Have a great day everyone! Pop on over to The Thread Gatherer Debbie has a great givewaway going on!!
Take care my friends
Mariojn

Good morning!

2010-03-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

It is a gorgeous spring day here in eastern Canada.....an afternoon of stitching, a BBQ for supper...what more could a girl ask for????
Check out this wonderful giveaway on Terrie's Blog!
Have a great Saturday everyone!!
Marion

UPDATE TIME, AND PLUM STREET SAMPLERS

2010-03-19T07:05:00.001-07:00

Good morning everyone! For the past week or so we have enjoyed FANTASTIC! SPRING LIKE weather! Also, this is spring break week for my younger two! We didn't do anything spectacular, but did do things close to home each day..

I've been doing some stitching! Seems like almost everything I work on these days is by Plum Street Samplers! I still have my morning project on the go, but didn't work on that this week, so no update on that....(Ink Circles)...but here is a couple of photos of Still Waters....and also, I threw this small one into the mix...."Ye Olde Woolery Shoppe.....stitched on 32 count linen.

I also received my order from Amy at Down Sunshine Lane .

I am off to the movies this afternoon....my youngest, her friend and I are going to see Diary of a Whimpy Kid...

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Hugs

Marion

GOOD MORNING, AND STITCHY UPDATES!

2010-03-10T02:15:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone!! **EDITED to add that I am linking to Leslie at My Country Home for Whatcha working on Wednesday once again (it's been a while!) Check out her Blog and her wonderful work!!

I've been stitching this past week....(okay, when do I NOT stitch?)

Here is my "morning" project update...."This Heart of Mine".....

The above one is an actual "true" colour one, not sure what happened to the one above this!
And here is my Plum Street Samplers "Still Water's" update...I am still enjoying this project SO much! It's been great therapy......and this was one of my mom's favourite Hymns....

"Mary Margaret" by Carriage House Samplings arrived in the mail this week! Can't wait to start her, but I am going to be good and get more done on "Still Waters".
I have a question for all you ladies out there...where do you get your Longaberger Baskets? A lot of you seem to have these wonderful baskets displayed around your home? I have ONE. I found it at a second hand store years ago. Can you buy them in stores? I am going (hopefully) to Maine in a couple of weeks (if all works out with the girl I'm travelling with) and was wondering...I'd love to have some more of these great baskets!! Do they have stores, or what??

Thanks for your help...

Anyway, have a great day ladies...it looks like it's going to be a sunny, springy day here!!

Take care
Marion

WINNERS!!

2010-03-02T14:08:00.000-08:00

Cross-stitch envelope:
Marjorie said...
Please enter me in the giveaway from the cross stitch package. Some fantastic charts there1
February 9, 2010 12:17 PM

Non Cross-stitch related envelope:
Mel R said...
What a fun idea. I may swipe it. :-) I'm up for playing. I do not cross-stitch though so put me in for the other. Thanks!
February 3, 2010 11:05 AM

I'll email you both....
Thanks to everyone for entering!

Will draw and post the winners tomorrow!!

2010-03-01T18:47:00.003-08:00

Sorry everyone....!!
I will have youngest pull two names tomorrow and will post the winners later in the day, as I am out most of tomorrow!!
Stay tuned!!!!
Had a great Birthday!!
Marion

A COUPLE UPDATES TO SHOW....

2010-02-25T06:17:00.000-08:00

I've been working away on my morning project each day for a few minutes and also working on Still Waters during the evenings....while those trees and that grass are making me a bit buggy......LOL...it is SO worth it! I love the outcome of this project so far!!!

On the homefront....busy as usual. We are all going out to celebrate our Birthdays this weekend, my DH's is Sunday, mine is Monday and my son's is the following Saturday...we chose to go out this weekend though.

Also, my oldest had a fun photo shoot done last weekend. This is one of the photos that were taken....

Have a great day everyone!!

Marion

A NEW TREASURE!!

2010-02-21T15:42:00.001-08:00

For sometime now I have been searching antique shops for a spool holder/pin cushion rocking chair. My maternal grandmother had one that I played with as a child (they make great Barbie doll chairs! LOL) and I have fond, fond memories of playing with hers.....hers, by the way had a drawer underneath (again, terrific for Barbies!). I have no idea whatever happened to hers.....

anyway, I was browsing the Thrift Store today with youngest and came across this!!!!! It had $2.99 marked on the back!! (Well within my budget!! LOL) Now it isn't EXACTLY like what I had wanted (I so wanted a darker wood one, with the drawer underneath)...but it will do for sure and will become a part of MY history! Now....fellow stitchers.....I fully expect lots of comments with wonderful ideas for this!! My plan is to stitch a pin cushion pad for the chair....I have invisioned in my mind something "antique looking" and rather "delicate" looking...can anyone think of any pattern that comes to mind?? Any freebies to point in my direction? I'd love some advice on this!!! Also, I have some of my mom's wooden spools of thread, so I'll be putting those on the thread holder. I'm so looking forward to making this into a nice little treasure!! My youngest has heard me telling the story SO many times about what my grandmother's was like...I think eventually she may appreciate how this one came to be. I would kind of like to incorporate something of my grandmother into this...but not sure how. Her and I have the same name....I was thinking maybe our initials and birthdates....gosh, I don't know.......please, please....offer me up some suggestions!!!!

Take care

Marion

I LOVE THE HISTORY, EVEN IF IT WASN'T MINE!

2010-02-19T06:10:00.000-08:00

Today I thought I'd show you a couple of purchases I made not too long before Christmas. I was on the lookout for a new curio to house some of my Pendelfins I had collected over the years...., which you can read about here....but I didn't want to totally replace the cabinet I had, as it was a purchase made by DH when we were first married...anyway, I was browsing Kijiji.ca (like craig's list) one Sunday morning and I noticed two curios....they were antiques (even better!!) and the lady was moving and had them listed as a lot...$75.00 for both. I offered her 50, not thinking she would take it..she did!! I picked them up a couple of hours later...what a lovely lady! She was I'd say mid-60's had retired three years prior, lived in a large condo, and decided that she was downsizing. The curios belonged to her mom...her dad had gotten them for her many, many years ago...and this lady's daughter did not want them, but did want the Hummels inside.....so...she decided to see if she could find a good home for them! I absolutely love them! The larger one (excuse the fingerprints..I didn't notice ANY until I looked at the photo!!) houses some of my Pendelfins, and the smaller one I am presently using for some toys I had as a child. At Christmas I put antique Christmas ornaments in it. Anyway, the reason for the title...it may not have been MY history that made up these curios...but they have now become part of what will be my children's history!

PS...I was thinking that eventually I would use the smaller one for all my needlework "smalls" that I have yet to stitch! Like for example this one! What do you all think?
Have a great day everyone!!

Marion

MY MORNING PROJECT

2010-02-18T04:11:00.000-08:00

I have referred in past posts to a "Morning Project". I am an early riser...I get up before 6am, have my morning coffee and stitch in the quiet, peaceful house....my daughter gets up at 6:20, but she gets ready and then grabs her breakfast around 7am, which is when my son gets up.....so I have some morning quiet stitching time.

A while back I started a "morning project"...only stitching this particular project at this time of day...currently this is what I am working on...It is by Ink Circles..."This Heart of Mine"...stitched with Carrie's Creation silk floss in Masquerade.

I also want to "thank" (note sarcasm here)Siobhan for enabling me on her Blog......when I saw this ....I just HAD to have it...so I ordered it and it is on it's way to me......between seeing it on her Blog and my youngest saying she liked it...that's all it took....sad, isn't it? LOL Can't wait to get "Mary Margaret" by Carriage House Samplings......

Kids are back at school today, DH will be leaving in a bit, it's snowing out AGAIN, so I won't be out driving anywhere....great day to stitch and watch Olympics...

Enjoy your day everyone and don't forget to sign up for my giveaways,you can see them HERE.

Take care

Marion

FIRST SNOW DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!

2010-02-17T03:17:00.000-08:00

6:15AM

7:15AM

All 3 of my kids are safely tucked in at home...even university has shut down for at least the morning........muffins are in the oven, about to put soup in the crockpot....great stitching day!!!

EDITED TO ADD MORE OF THE MORNING....

7:45am

8am (CARROTS, CARROTS..WHERE DID YOU GO?)

8:05am...dessert tonight? (8:31am...now in oven)

8:15am...the things a dog has to go through to pee!!

Hugs to all

Marion

STILL WATERS UPDATE..

2010-02-15T02:54:00.000-08:00

I am really enjoying working on this project! I only work on it in the evenings...work on my smaller projects during the days, if I have time to stitch. I am doing it page, by page, hence the complete words are not showing yet.

Hope each of you has a great day! I'm not sure what is planned for my day...yet...LOL

Take care

Hugs

Marion

WHAT TO DO....WHAT TO DO...

2010-02-12T05:23:00.000-08:00

Today is an inservice for my children from school...I've got the urge to go to the ocean and feel that wonderful, cold, salt air refreshing me! (Imagine two of my three children looking at mom like she's lost her mind when I suggested going to the beach!)....we'll see...could be a trip to Starbucks on the way too....be back later with photos of what we decide to do. (as you can see..they are added now)

Well, youngest DD and myself headed out...we went to a different "water" place than I had planned, but still great salt air and scenery. I love the ones of the ship leaving the harbour and heading out to sea!

Stopped for a slice of pizza, then on to a Thrift Store, and a stop at Starbucks on the way home....ah...a great way to spend an inservice day!

Have a great day!
Marion

FRAMED AND READY TO HANG...

2010-02-10T06:43:00.001-08:00

I just love how this turned out!! My friend's DH frames as a hobby, and I"ve known this for years, but it slipped my mind until recently when I wanted to get this framed professionally....isn't it just lovely?? He did a fantastic job! I'm very pleased with how this turned out, and it was a wonderful, fun stitch!

Have a great day everyone!

Marion

WORKS IN PROGRESS!

2010-02-09T06:08:00.000-08:00

Good snowy morning from Nova Scotia!!

I have a couple of WIP's to show you....first up is STILL WATERS by PLUM STREET SAMPLERS...what a wonderful chart to stitch!! I am so enjoying this and how the colours are coming together!!

Next up is my JANUARY FLIP IT by LIZZIE KATE...all 12 will be stitched on the same fabric and then framed. I am stitching these over 1.

Have a nice day everyone!

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE GIVEAWAYS....CHECK DOWN IN THE POSTS A BIT...DRAWING IS MY BIRTHDAY, MARCH 1

Marion

PHOTOS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO GIVEAWAY..

2010-02-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

Check down in the giveaway post and you will see photos and a description....tell your blogger friends about them!!

I did not go stash shopping this weekend, decided to wait until the new releases are out in a few short weeks.

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Marion

AMAZING FRIENDS.....

2010-02-06T05:09:00.000-08:00

Look at this photo! I got a surprise in the mail on Thursday!! A little history...about 10 years ago, I was matched up with a fellow stitcher on the 123 Message Board...it was to be an exchange for I "think" either 3 or 6 months, where we sent surprise packages to each other....well.....here it is many years later and this stitcher and I are still friends!! We found out that we shared the same Birthday as well! Each year we do packages for each other....sometimes a Birthday package, or a summer, or Mother's Day, or a fall package....Christmas..etc...it never seems to be the same. Anyway, we did Christmas packages for each other in 2009, and when I received that one, my friend told me that I would be getting surprises throughout 2010! I had no idea what she was up to...however, this came in the mail this past week and she tells me that I will get a package each month with the chart and threads to stitch each month!! I have decided to do it over one on a large piece of fabric and add each month as I receive it!

I have also been gifted by an amazing online stitching friend....her generosity amazes me...and I truly treasure her friendship. I was gifted with a gift certificate to my favourite online stitching store.....Downsunshine Lane! I'll let you know tomorrow what I decide to purchase!

I am still deciding on the packages for my giveaway, but promise to have photos either later today or tomorrow...don't forget to add your name to the giveaways..two posts down!

This afternoon DH and I are headed out for a while by ourselves! We are heading to the winery area of the province. There is an ice wine tasting/chocolate tasting event this afternoon! Yum!!

Can't wait!!

It's a beautiful, sunny, cold day here today.....

Take care my friends...chat later!!!

Marion

BLANKET CLUB

2010-02-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

I was asked in one of my comments to show some of my Blankets again, so I decided to do another post on what I refer to as "Blanket Club". I also realized that I do not have photos of all of my Blankets, so I'll have to take photos of the ones that I can...none of the ones I did for my kids are on the computer...hmm...

Anyway, Blanket Club was formed about 4 years ago. It all started after my dad passed away (5 years ago this month). At that time I realized what fantastic cousins I had in my life. Being an only child, with ageing parents was very difficult..and when my dad passed away at the age of 89, rather suddenly, I was left with the responsibility of my mom, who was suffering from alzheimers..although was very functionable with my dad in her life. When dad passed away, her life fell apart....anyway, my cousins, whom I had been close to has a child...played very important parts in my life from here on in. It was ironic, and I think in a sense a "gift" from my dad.....you see, for a few years before dad died, he'd always tell me that I should contact a couple of my cousins who lived fairly close to me..it had been ages since I'd seen them, and he wanted me to be in touch with them again.....(as we got older life got in the way and we just lost touch)....well...anyway, I didn't do that...however, it is one of these cousins that re-entered my life when he passed and we have been very close ever since! I like to think that somehow he had something to do with that......as horrible as it was loosing my dad, wonderful people had re-entered my life.

So..here is how Blanket Club started.....my two cousins and I were having lunch one day and decided that we needed a new craft in our life. The particular cousin that dad wanted me to contact told us of a craft that she had learned in Florida...."Swedish Weaving"....it sounded difficult, but her sister and myself decided to meet at her house the following Tuesday to see what this was all about...we did..the rest is history. The three of us meet weekly...usually on a Tuesday...I have made 17 of these so far...my other cousin is ahead of me in numbers!!

so there you have it!!

If you haven't entered my giveaways in the previous post...please do so...and I will add the photos on the weekend...I'm still making decisions as to what goes in each package......

GIVING BACK....TWO GIVEAWAYS!

2010-02-03T05:42:00.000-08:00

My Birthday is March 1. I will be 52 years old, and proud of it.(most days!!). I was married in my late 20's and had all 3 of my children in my 30's. Anyway, I would like to have TWO GIVEAWAYS!

1. FOR ALL MY CROSS-STITCH FRIENDS/READERS...I WILL GET TOGETHER AN ENVELOPE OF A FEW CROSS-STITCH RELATED ITEMS. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT TOGETHER YET, BUT WHEN I DO I WILL EDIT FOR A PHOTO. **EDITED TO ADD PHOTO...(you will receive: The Drawn Thread "Garden Recipe" bellpull chart....Plum Pudding Needleart "Bits of Blue".....With Thy Needle and Thread "Sarah's Garden" and "Love Letters" (these two are gently used and I LOVED stitching them!!), Elizabeth Designs "Home Sweet Home"...and two older copies of "Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly"...these are fantastic magazines...I bought several from a lady that was selling her MIL's stash....and you will get a skein of dinky dyes. I hope you will find something of interest in this package! I may be adding more before it's actually mailed!

2. FOR ALL MY NON-CROSS-STITCH FRIENDS/READERS....I WILL GET TOGETHER AN ENVELOPE WITH NON-STITCH RELATED ITEMS...AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE THIS TOGETHER YET, BUT WILL POST A PHOTO WHEN I DO. **EDITED...PHOTO HAS BEEN ADDED!** You will receive a "spring" themed envelope...socks, notecards, napkins, a dishcloth my MIL makes and a set of bookmarks......again I will most likely add more to this as I am out shopping!!

Enjoy!!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ENTER EITHER GIVEAWAY, PUT YOUR NAME IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF THIS POST, AND I WILL HAVE MY DAUGHTER DRAW TWO NAMES, ONE FOR EACH ENVELOPE, ON MARCH 1. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET ME KNOW WHICH ENVELOPE YOU ARE ENTERING FOR!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO POST IT ON YOUR BLOG AND A LINK TO THIS BLOG, YOU WILL GET AN EXTRA CHANCE TO ENTER. JUST LET ME KNOW THAT YOU HAVE DONE THIS WHEN YOU POST A COMMENT....GOOD LUCK!!

Have a great day!!
Marion

AND.....THEY HAVE LEGS!!! (AND FEET)

2010-02-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

They are done! I had a lot of fun stitching these legwarmers, and it warms my heart that my daughter likes them so much!! She's worn them almost non-stop since I finished them!

While I was snapping a photo of the legwarmers this is what I was seeing...a little jealous maybe?

Our weather has been quite cold the past few days....but perfect for my son and his snowmobile! He has quite the trail going all around our property and the big field next door that he so maturely called the owner and asked permission to ride his snowmobile on!!

And....very little progress on "Still Waters"..but I love this design!!

Today was "Blanket Club" day for me......each Tuesday I meet with my two cousins and we do Swedish Weaving, (for anyone that hasn't been reading my blog). I look so forward to this day each week. It's been great the past 3plus years!

Anyway, I hope you each have a great week....I'll try for another update on stitching later in the week!

Stay warm and cozy everyone...and THANK YOU!! for the comments on my last post!!

Hugs

Marion

NEW LOOK, NEW POST, AND HOPEFULLY NEW VISITORS TO ADD TO THE REGULARS!!

2010-01-31T05:09:00.000-08:00

FINALLY!! I figured out how to change the look of my BLOG! I've been busy reading some wonderful stitching Blogs lately and when I see the number of comments they have, I think "wonder why my poor little Blog doesn't get many comments?!"....Okay, agreed, it might help if I updated more often!! But, if you read my Blog will you comment on this post for me??? Pleeease?!! That'd make my day...really!!!!

Life's been busy around here...raising 3 teenagers (okay two teenagers and an "almost" teenager!)...but I still managed to find the time to stitch and do a bit of knitting....

I'm on a Plum Street Samplers kick lately...I love Paulette's Blog and her designs, which I discovered a few months ago!

I started "My Pretties" on some 30 count mystery fabric I have in my stash....and I also started "Still Waters"...on some 28 count fabric I had. This is a larger project for me, but I will get it done at some point this year!! I see on her Blog that she has a new chart coming out soon....ofcourse I'll have to get that one too!! Can never have TOO many charts!!

On the knitting front, I had all this extra yarn left from my Blankets that I make and my youngest is on a Legwarmer kick, so I told her I could make her a pair...I started these last night...and I'll be working on them until they are finished, so had to set my stitching aside...

anyway, my friends....thank you for reading this post!! Maybe one of these years I can hope to get more and more comments!!!

Have a great day!
Marion

I DO STILL STITCH!!

2010-01-09T05:44:00.001-08:00

Good morning everyone!

I do still stitch, have been doing a fair amount lately!

First up, this is a UFO from a few years ago, I dug it out just before Christmas and have it almost finished...just a bit of backstitching on the last little angel, and then I have to put in the "wording"...this will be finished as a bellpull. The skirts on the angels are "Sutherland" tartan...Sutherland being my maiden name. I did the first two as ancient tartan and the last as modern.

Secondly, I finished this little gem that I started a few months ago.....I switched the Sampler Threads to DMC and I do think it turned out okay. When I first started this I wasn't enjoying it, but after picking it up again AFTER Christmas...I finished it in no time! It is "Earth Sampler" by The Primitive Needle. It's stitched on a piece of mystery fabric I had on hand.

Excuse the poor photos and wrinkled fabric! I didn't take the time to take better photos this morning..sorry!

I started this design last night, and it's a fun stitch! I ordered the chart and fabric from Amy at http://www.downsunshinelane.com/

A Bird in Hand by La-D-Da.

As well, I previously ordered this from Amy, and it's next on my list to start.

I'm just going to use fabric I have in my stash for this one....doesn't it look like a fun stitch? It's called "My Pretties" by Plum Street Samplers...and I just love her designs! If you haven't checked out Paulette's Blog, please to do....
Also on my list, this this cutie:

"Just Add Tinsel" by Blue Ribbon Designs...I just heard from Amy last night that my fabric has come in and will be on it's way. Sara (check out her latest nativities) is going to do this as well.

As for the homefront...things are going very well! My daughter is much happier and we are much happier as well! Thank you for any prayers that you have sent...things seem to be working!

Take care everyone...and stay warm! (We are doing quite well as far as our winter so far, but I know a lot of you are getting extreme cold and lots of snow...that seemed to be us last year!)

Hugs,Marion

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACY!

2010-01-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

I want to wish my beautiful daughter Tracy a very happy 19th Birthday today!!

We are having spagetti, garlic bread and DQ ice cream cake!! Yum!! Then Tracy is off to university for the night to go out with her girlfriend...

**Edited to add......cake WAS delicious!!!!

Love you Tracy!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2010-01-01T06:29:00.001-08:00

Welcome 2010!! I welcome this new year and new decade with open arms! I hope each of you has a prosperous and wonderful year!!
We survived Christmas in our household...actually it was a wonderful, Blessed Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve together....the 4 of us until almost 9pm, then the 5 of us (oldest visited and then came home to spend the rest of the evening with us). We played board games......we talked, listened to Christmas music, etc...it was great. Christmas morning I was up EARLY!! I always wake up early, but this year I was up at 4:30 am!! Yes, that's right....4:30!! I got the veggies ready, made muffins, coffee, etc....and finally our youngest woke up at 7.......we opened presents, relaxed for a while and then had our family dinner.
My DH's sister and her family went away for Christmas this year...they rented a gorgeous cottage right on the water in a neighbouring province. They had a fantastic time. Their two kids are 21 and 24, both were home for the Holidays and went with their parents....they had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree with all homemade decorations, played games, walked on the beach, etc...a truly wonderful family Holiday.
As most of you know, my family has struggled along with our oldest while she makes some changes in her life, some good, some not so good (to us anyway), but things that have to be her choices....I hope 2010 brings her peace and Happiness and wise choices. It's hard to watch your children grow up!
I will leave you with a few photos of the Holidays...

Take care everyone!!

Hugs

Marion

Where does the time go???

2009-12-15T06:38:00.000-08:00

Things are okay here.....maybe a bit better than they were, any prayers for my daughter are still much appreciated. She is going through a very difficult time in her life, and I hope things turn around soon.

Anyway, on another note...I'm almost done my wrapping...and before I tucked these in with her present, I thought I'd show you the sweaters I knit for my niece's Build a Bear. Aren't they cute? I think she (and the bear...haha) will like them!

Have a great day everyone!

Marion

Thank You Everyone!

2009-12-11T02:27:00.000-08:00

I am touched at the kindness of fellow Bloggers! I appreciate all your good thoughts and prayers! Sara, I may just send you an email this weekend...hope you don't mind!

Sandy, you're right! I need to take a deep breath, what doesn't get done...doesn't...it isn't the end of the world! I have the tree up, now decorated....a few other decorations up...that's it. I will do a couple of necessary Christmas cards to people that look forward to them, but I doubt I will get the rest done this year.....that's okay though.

To everyone else...thank you! You are wonderful ladies!

DH is taking today off and he and I are heading out later this morning to finish up a few things....I am looking forward to his company and we will have lunch out.

Take care...hopefully I will get a few photos posted over the weekend.
Marion

I AM STILL HERE.....

2009-12-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

Seems like I say that a lot. Our family has been dealing with a lot of issues the past few weeks....and we are muddling through. I won't go into detail on the internet....but our daughter has made some unexpected and family felt decisions. We will survive and come out on top and whatever is meant to be...will be....just know that I am still around, just not much into the Christmas spirit and for the first year ever, I may not get Christmas cards sent out. Everyone will just have to understand I guess.
Anyway, my Blogger friend Katy is keeping us in her thoughts and prayers, and if any of you are able to...I'd accept all good thoughts and prayers.
Thanks!
Will be back to posting as soon as I can.
Marion

WHAT DO YA THINK??

2009-11-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to make one of these for a couple of years, but have been lazy about it, didn't think I could do it...bla...bla...bla....LOL...SOOOO....I got out all the jewellery I wanted to use, went to Michaels and scored a shadow box at 60% off, went to Wal-mart and happened upon the perfect fabric in the "ends" bin, got some pretty stick pins and off I went to create.

I made a "tree". I still plan on writing where each piece of jewellery came from and taping it to the back, but I do like how it turned out! I have pins from my mom, my two aunts, my grandmother, my husband's grandmother a tie clip of my dad's and some jewellery I had as a child!

What do you think of this creation...I am curious!

Have a great evening!

Marion

November 1.....life......should I be thinking so much?

2009-11-01T03:15:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone...and Happy November 1st!

It's been a busy and typical week here in my household. I got a bit of stitching done...I did not finish Creepy Crawly and will keep it in my sewing basket..(still love the design, but black on black is very hard on these eyes!!.....I'm getting there though, skeleton is done! ).....I have to move on to making a couple of little things for Christmas.

I've been in one of those moods were I contemplate life. I hate feeling like this! Short history...I do not work outside the home. I have not (except for a 3 year stint as lunch monitor at the school) worked fulltime since 1999. I and many of my workmates were offered buyout packages at the company we worked for. I took it...I was the 3rd person to sign up for it...the second person was Sidney Crosby's mom for any of you Hockey fans.....anyway, I had 20 years with that company.....long drives and hours....little time seeing my children...etc....I was estatic at the prospect of being a stay at home mom...and I have never regretted that. Fast forward to present.....my kids are almost 19, almost 16 and 12 1/2. They are not little anymore. The problem is....I still enjoy being a stay at home mom. There are still places to drive them, appts....friends over..etc...and we still live WAY out in the country and I do not handle the winter driving part well....so no, I don't want a fulltime job. I feel guilty....I feel like I should be doing more...or should I? I go through feelings like this periodically. Another problem is, I am not a young stay at home mom. I had all my kids in my 30's, so while I am not completely OLD at the ripe age of 51, my kids are still fairly young. I guess I can look at it this way...I had 20 years fulltime for the same company....BEFORE my kids were very old....oh I don't know...I am rambling....the thought of working part time in Wal-mart or somewhere makes me gag....maybe I just need to go for a long walk and clear my head! LOL.....if you are still reading this....god bless!

On the Halloween front.....I had a vampire (minus the vampire teeth) going to a party last night...and a "Canada's new top model gone vampireish" and her friend who is going as a guy....

My son (who I don't have photos of) went to a "Haunted Yard"....in the area...it was spectacular by the way. I just realized that my older vampire is on my other camera, so I'll have to dig that out and post later...sorry.

Anyway, fellow bloggers...thanks for listening!....This too shall pass......

Hugs

Marion

HAPPY MONDAY!

2009-10-26T03:49:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow Bloggers! I hope everyone had a great week...and here it is the beginning of another week!
I had a good week. I drove 60 miles (each way) to meet a good friend for lunch on Friday. I took my youngest with me, as she had an inservice day. My friend and I browsed some second hand shops, but I got nothing...nothing at all! It was great company for lunch though.....we have been friends for almost 30 years. We actually shared an apartment together about 26 years ago...and lived to tell about it...and remained friends! She was a bridesmaid at my wedding...and she is about the best friend a girl could have.
Anyway, I have been busy working on blanket #15. This was origionally going to be a baby blanket, but somehow I ended up with an "almost" full size blanket. The lady I am making it for wanted it for her grandson, so I debated on what to do...I realized the error just after I started...she said she will be thrilled to get whatever I make...so I continue.....it will actually be great for a toddler...her grandson is about a year and a half at the moment, so it should be good for his bed?! The lady picked the colours...yellow background and brown and green yarn. It is actually quite pretty, although not colours I would pick for myself.

On the stitching front...I dug out this design that I started last year. I truly love this design, but felt the need to sit it aside for a few months...I WILL get it done at some point...even if I just work on it a bit here and there. Isn't it cute? I fell in love with it after seeing it last year on
Sara's Blog.

The design is "Creepy Crawly" by Blue Ribbon Designs. Sorry for the awful photo of the design!

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Marion

NUMBER 14 finished!

2009-10-20T03:49:00.000-07:00

So, I finished blanket number 14! This is a "new to me" pattern, and will go my daughter's friend that had a baby girl a couple of months ago. At my daughter's request, I made a full size blanket, rather than the baby size...as we think the mom will enjoy cuddling with her daughter in this!

I have already started number 15! It is a baby size blanket for our mechanic's sister's grandson. This will be the first one that I have actually charged anyone for. I am only asking for reimbursement for the yarn and fabric, and she was extremely happy with that. I hate quoting a price, but I do need to start getting reimbursed for at least the cost of everything.

On the cross-stitch side, I have purchased a floor model Ott-Lite...and I am really liking it! I can see again! LOL I have been stitching a bit, but no real progress to show.

Anyway fello bloggers, you have yourself a great day!!

Take care

Marion

Stash for Sale?

2009-10-10T20:01:00.001-07:00

If anyone reading my Blog has stash for sale, post a link or leave your email in the comment section...I'm always on the lookout at acquiring new stash! LOL
Thanks!

Fantastic Giveaway!

2009-10-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Check this out!!!

SO, I got my needles out and came up with this....

2009-10-10T05:27:00.000-07:00

My DH gave me a camera for our anniversary. I have a really, really great camera, and one of my hobbies is picture taking, however this camera is too big to carry around, so he bought me one I can take in my purse at all times...if I want! The other night I was organizing my purse and decided that I needed some protection for my little camera, so I got out some yarn that I had and came up with this little drawstring camera case! It fits perfectly into my purse and my camera won't get scratched!

Today I am off to get youngest from a Birthday party sleepover in a bit, and then I think we will browse a couple of second hand stores...it's a rainy and windy day, so great time to do it!

Have a great Saturday everyone!

I HAVE BEEN ASKED....

2009-10-08T05:50:00.001-07:00

WHAT IS SWEDISH WEAVING, AND HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Well....I'll explain as best I can....you go to your local fabric store (in some cases Wal-mart) and ask them for Monk's Cloth. (For us stitchers...this is a 7 count fabric).....and you get two yards/metres (depending on what country you live in and whether or not they use the metric system)...then you take it home....stitch (by machine) on either end...leaving about an inch or two on each end...so that you can fringe it.....then you put it in the machine and wash it!! When it comes out you have a fringe on either end....throw it in the dryer...and pretty soon you are ready to begin!

Next you find the middle of your fabric......and after you decided on the pattern you want....you start weaving your yarn through...row by row....I always use Red Heart yarn, varigated or plain, depending on the look I want.....and basically in a nutshell...that's it.

Here are a couple of the many I have made....and when I am ready to start a new one, I'll go step by step with photos!

Have a great day everyone!

POOR. POOR NEGLECTED BLOG!

2009-10-07T03:42:00.000-07:00

I look at all the beautiful Blogs that I follow on a pretty much daily basis, the beautiful stitching, the great photos...and then there is my Blog....poor, poor Blog! I need to pay much more attention to MY Blog!!

Things have been busy here. I have been busy stitching, and also Swedish Weaving. I finished up my 13th Blanket

which I made at the request of MIL to give to her sister for Christmas. I started #14, which is well underway...it will be a surprise gift to my oldest daughter's friend.

I ordered a bit of stash from Amy at Down Sunshine Lane...can't wait to get a start on those!!

I finished up two little ornaments from the Just Cross-stitch Halloween Issues. My goal is to someday have my ornament tree up and running on a year round basis, with ornaments for each season/Holiday.

DH and I celebrated our 22nd Wedding Anniversary on Saturday. We managed to get away, just the two of us, we had a late lunch, drove to look at some wonderful scenery, visited an antique store and also a winery...it was a fabulous day!

This white vase I picked up at a local second hand shop for $2.00. My mom used to have one like it. Anyway, on Saturday while at the antique shop, I found the flower frog insert that fit it!! I was thrilled to say the least!!

At the same second hand shop I picked up a couple of Vera Bradley's. This is one. This particular store imports all their merchandise from the US and a lot of it was display models...my Vera Bradley's are in new condition, just ones that may have been older store models or something. I have a few bags now...I really like switching them around.

Anyway, fellow followers...I hope you are still around.....my goal is to be much more enthused with this blog and not everyone elses!!!!

I want visitors!!

Take care...Have a fabulous fall day wherever you are!

BACK TO ROUTINES......and new beginnings..

2009-09-16T03:39:00.000-07:00

I'm still here...busy, but still here. I have been busy working on Halloween ornaments, which I hope to hang on my ornament tree at some point (now that I found it) and I have been finishing up a swedish weaving blanket, and getting ready for a new start with a new pattern....pictures will follow at some point on that.

My three children have all gone back to school. Youngest in a new school....Middle School.....my son in grade 10, and my oldest in University! (She's liking it, by the way).

I have been taking the dog for a walk every single morning since school got in two weeks ago! Just a short walk, but still counts, right?

Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know that I'm still here.
Take care
Marion

Two Days Until School starts!

2009-08-31T06:12:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that summer is almost over!! On September 2nd, my younger two will begin the school year. My oldest has another week, as she is starting university....

We've been busy...doing little day trips, shopping for back to school, the kids have been having friends over and sleep overs.....it's been nice.

I've been busy stitching and working on my swedish weaving. I did finish up this cross-stitch and framed it. This is a frame I bought new, but I have been on the search for neat second hand frames and do have some on hand for future projects. This now hangs in my dining room. I just loved working on this one! It's "Sheltering Tree" from With Thy Needle and Thread. Wonderful, fun stitch.

Yesterday we took a drive to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, and to the Swiss Air Memorial Site....for those of you that aren't familiar with the Swiss Air Memorial Site....a plane crashed off the waters of Peggy's Cove in September 1998, killing all aboard. This site is a dedication to them, and a place for family members to go and pray, or just sit quietly. There was a couple there when we arrived...the man was hugging the woman, and they were reading the dedication. I was wondering if they had lost a family member in the disaster.

Well, much to do today...I think I'll try and squeeze in a trip to the Thrift Store as well...if I have the time!

Have a great day everyone!!

Hugs

Marion

New Blog!

2009-08-10T05:04:00.000-07:00

I have started a new Blog, as there are some Cross-stitch charts that I am done with and willing to sell or trade....I only have a couple on there right now...will add more as I get to them...please have a look if you are interested. Thanks!
http://stitchandstash.blogspot.com/

Randomness around my home....

2009-08-09T06:10:00.000-07:00

This is Blackbird Designs, "My Gift to You"...stitched and hung on my "Antique" wall going down to the family room. It was a fun stitch, and I like the frame I found for it.

The above is a memory box I did in honour of my mom. I found some neat things when I had to go through her possessions....My mom was born in 1920, so alot of these things are super, super old. I have a school photo....a report card from when she was in grade 4, a "BirthdayBook" presented to her when she was 14, and most precious of all, an Autograph Book that belonged to her older sister, and mom wrote in it, and signed it when she was 7!! Also, all her sisters and brothers and mom signed it!! I just love that!!

The above are beautiful barn photos taken by a friend of mine...he was nice enough to send me them and I printed them off and framed them for my kitchen!!

This is a Bellpull that I did a few months ago, I incorporated my children's initials into it. It's hard to see here, but it looks really nice on the wall, or so I think! LOL

Have a great day everyone!!

Hugs

Marion

Getting Away!

2009-07-31T05:44:00.000-07:00

So...the entire family...(3 kids, DH and the dog!!) went away for two nights/3 days!! It was absolutely wonderful! In a summer that has been mostly rain, we had wonderful weather! No internet, no TV, no phone (except for cell in emergency)...and home cooked meals in the cabin!

I did not plan activities...the kids found their own....canoeing by the cabin, badminton, ball, walking to the small town for slushies...it was great! It was kind of bittersweet as well, our oldest, who is 18 came with us, and this might be the last year that she was so eager...but she DID have a fabulous time....dispite the fact that she lost every card game she played to her dad! LOL

Our dog thought that DH was trying to kill her....taking her to that giant bathtub two days in a row!!! She was ready to jump into any car that would take her away and she's not a social typ dog! LOL

Here are a few highlights of our little trip (we were only about 2 hours from home).

Canoeing at the cabins......this photo is my two daughters, my son went as well, only later, and I didn't get a photo.

The three of them together at the waterfront. This is right at the edge of town, you can see how close some of the houses are!

The dog travels in style as well...her own seat in the van! LOL

My girls staring at some black cows...staring at them! LOL....look at the view these cows have!!!!

The fog hadn't yet burnt off when we got to the beach to walk.....

My 3 walking on the beach! This beach and surrounding area are popular for fossils.

Looking back towards the town....

Have a great day everyone!!!!

Hugs, Marion

A Little This, A Little That...

2009-07-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

Today is a gorgeous day....any day that isn't raining here this summer is gorgeous!! LOL

I am trying to get things organized for a two day vacation this week...can't wait!! The entire family will be going!

I have a few photos that I would like to show you.....first off.....I did a shadow box in memory of my grandparents...I had a few things that were momentos of them, and being the youngest grandchild.....and my mom being the youngest child of theirs...let me say, these things are old!! I was named after my grandmother, so it is even more special to have these things! I didn't know my grandfather...he passed away before I was born.....

Okay, in the frame (which is like a little cabinet (opens on the side)....is a post card my grandmother sent to my grandfather in 1945...she was away on a little vacation to Boston....a key to their barn, a photo of my grandmother and grandfather around the time they got married...(1908)....a photo of their oldest child....who would be 101 now......a tin photo of my grandmother, which was given to me years, and years ago...she was about 2....so it would be about 119 years old....and a tin photo of my grandfather's two brothers when they were little boys...well over 100 years old!! And, a gold bracelet/locket of my grandmother's......with her name engraved on it...and what looks like teeth marks in it!....LOL...I envision her wearing it and her kids (8 of them) chewing on it when she is rocking them or something.....will never know actually how those marks got there....but...still...... I absolutely love looking at this in my dining room/den! It's so much better then having these things stored in a box somewhere! The kids love it too and are always showing their friends and telling them about it!

And, as I mentioned a while ago..we painted our kitchen...so I changed things around in it. I tried to get some photos of the curtains I made, but it's too sunny out at the moment...anyway, I found this shelf at the Thrift Shop! Already painted!! I also found the star (75 cents) and I painted it the colour I wanted it....I found the baskets at various Thrift Stores...and the little blue house with the star on top....25 cents!! I love searching for bargains!!! I also think this looks really nice in our newly painted kitchen!!

I have been stitching.....I can't seem to get good photos of my stitching though!! Any ideas what I am doing wrong? Here is what I am working on...I am loving it!!! It is called "The Sheltering Tree" by "With Thy Needle and Thread"...and I am stitching it over one.

Have a great day everyone!!

Hugs,

Marion

Blogger Generosity!

2009-07-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

While browsing through stitching Blogs this afternoon, I came across this beautiful and very generous cross-stitch giveaway! http://dipdiddlydesigns.blogspot.com/
What a sweetheart to give this away!!!
Have a great afternoon everyone!!

Still Here!

2009-07-16T03:51:00.000-07:00

I will do a post as often as I can in the summer, and hopefully my Blogging fever will return one of these days.

Well, after a winter of about 18 snow storms, our summer has been rain almost every day! And also a lot cooler than usual!! We manage to squeeze in some fun when we can thought.

I have booked a cabin for all of us (including the dog! LOL) for a couple of weeks time...it will be a really nice family getaway for a couple of nights. I've already mentally started packing and preparing the meals.

My youngest has been enjoying camping most weekends with my oldest DD's boyfriend's family. He has a sister the same age as my youngest, and they are best friends.

My son is bored...he's 15 and this is his last summer to "hang around"...he'd love to have a job, but most places won't hire until 16 and the few that hire at 15 aren't hiring. I've been giving him things to do around here and pay him a bit periodically for the extras...so that helps. I asked him to make me a little chair for my garden....this is what he came up with...isn't it nice!!!!

Anyway, must go....I'm off to Starbucks in a bit to have coffee with an old friend! Have a great day everyone!!
Marion

Should I continue

2009-07-01T02:47:00.000-07:00

It has sadly been one month since I have updated my blog. I have been reading my favourite blogs for the most part, but the blogging fever has not picked up for me. I am sorry that it has been so long....I am around on Facebook a lot and that seems to be my main focus at the moment.

A lot has happened in this past month. I now have a High School Graduate! I now have a Grade 6 Graduate! It has been a busy month for sure! Oh and I now have a 12 year old!

I always feel like Canada Day (today) is the beginning of summer. In a bit we are headed to our neighbours for their annual Canada Day Breakfast that they do for all the neighbours around here.....tonight, weather permitting we will head into the fireworks. I am not sure if they are still going to have them or not, as it has rained here for several days and today is not different! Bummer!
So, what do you think, should I continue the blog....anyone care..

I will leave you with some photos of the past month of celebrations....

IT WAS MISTY, COLD, A BIT RAINY, FOGGY...

2009-06-01T07:10:00.001-07:00

But, the prom still went on.......and they looked beautiful and had a great time. The above are my daughter and her boyfriend of 3 years at her High School graduation prom.

Pathetic...

2009-05-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

That's what I am! TWO weeks of not updating my Blog!!! I guess life kind of got in the way, and I have been hanging out on Facebook some....still no excuse.

We have been busy painting away...I do not like painting ceilings! LOL We are on our kitchen now, which is the hardest room so far...so many things to move......it will all be done soon though.

I've been stitching and will take some photos of the Bellpull I finished and show it next post, and I finally started "Creepy Crawly" by Blue Ribbon Designs...I just barely started that...should have some progress to show tomorrow.

I am meeting a fellow stitcher for lunch tomorrow. We meet periodically, we only live 1/2 hour from each other....she is also a poster on the 123 Board...it's been quite a while since we have met this time though.....so tomorrow will be fun!

Next Saturday is our oldest DD's prom! I hope the weather co-operates! We have it all planned as to where to take the photos....but not if it rains!!!

Speaking of daughters...here is my youngest at her school. She completed the D A R E program.

And...some visitors that stop in for food each day...LOL

Have a great day everyone!!

Marion

I AM TRULY BLESSED, AND LIFE IS GOOD...

2009-05-10T18:44:00.000-07:00

Life is precious......and life is good.......I am so aware of this! I hope everyone that is a MOM had a blessed and wonderful day...I did.

I awoke early this morning....I heard our oldest DD getting up and ready for work...and had planned on getting up to see her off, but fell back asleep for a few minutes...it was just about 7am when I woke. I came out to the kitchen, put some coffee on and walked into the dining room/den....this is what I saw....LOL

That large white envelope is a card from oldest DD, the purse is what she bought me...it is GORGEOUS!! The other two cards are from my son and youngest DD....they got me Rhoda on DVD and some chocolate......how sweet was that!!!!! I know Mother's Day is not about "THINGS"... but they were just so sweet to do this!!

Today, as I mentioned, oldest had to work, but my son and youngest DD and DH and I packed a picnic and went for a drive...we got lost, once...LOL, but ended up being where we wanted to be. Here are a couple of photos of our drive...this was taken just before it poured....so it's kind of dark!

I've got some ideas I want to share with you over the next couple of days...so I hope you stop by!

Take care everyone!

Marion

IT'S DONE!

2009-05-03T03:39:00.000-07:00

This is Isabella's Garden........and I finished up the framing last night! I'm really liking her....almost as much as Emma's Garden, which I did last year.

Have a great day everyone!

Hugs, Marion

Life...Our Style...

2009-04-30T03:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the usual on the go type of day...seem to be having those a lot these days.

Last night my oldest DD called me from her work and asked if a friend of hers could stay here a couple of days. I told her I would have to check with her dad, and I would get back to her. I checked...he said yes, (with a few rules) and so we are back to 4 kids. (We had a different friend of hers stay for a month in the fall). This friend is going through a difficult time...and just needs some space.....from her mom. Her dad is terminally ill, and the mom is having a difficult time (naturally) with it all. So, maybe a couple of days apart will do them some good. I feel sorry for all involved.

I cross-stitched some last night while watching American Idol. I'm presently working on a small "Just Nan"...and have the perfect spot to hang it when finished and framed.

I had my hair cut and highlighted a couple of weeks ago...and as much as I do not like photos of myself...I will leave you with a photo of my present hair style.

Have a great day everyone!!

Marion

Picture Overload!!

2009-04-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

I think I have my mojo back for blogging!!! I seemed to have taken a much needed break...more or less...random postings....not very interesting....but I do think I am BACK!

Let me play a little catch up.....we have been busy around here......the kids always seem to be going somewhere! Here is my daughter...and our dog.....she was getting ready to go to a school event..

We've also been busy painting. We (DH and I) did the ceiling in the dining room/den, and I've been working on the walls. It's looking nice...we still have to finish the walls and put up the new moulding/trim...but I'm happy with it.

And, very exciting for me....I had the opportunity to purchase some (okay, a lot!!) cross-stitch stash recently. I saw an ad posted in Kijiji (not sure if everyone has that...online for sale ads...local)....anyway, it really peeked my interest, but she was selling it as a lot, and I didn't want it all. After a couple of nice emails, the lady told me to come and look at it, and she would sell me what I wanted. It turns out that it belonged to her MIL. Her MIL started stitching at the age of 70 and was a perfectionist. I was amazed at what she had.....the designers were ones I had not heard of until I got online years ago, so I assume she was online as well...and we do not have an LNS near us.....she stitched on linen as well!! Turns out....she developed alzheimers eventually and kept buying, but could not stitch.....and now is in a nursing home. Her DIL told me that she knows her MIL would be thrilled if she knew her stitching went to someone that enjoyed stitching as much as me. Here is what I got:!!

The above photo is a couple of designs that she had almost finished...I liked them, so I'll finish them off!

I got....tons of beautiful linen...all serged on the edges....I got Bellpull hardware, Shepherd's Bush charts, Just Nan, Praire Schoooler, Antique Sampler charts and magazines....Elizabeth Designs, Sweet Nothings...etc...just to name some. The lady had taste!! AND, I got a box of embellishments.......however, most of the charts that required embellishments, had them kitted up with the chart. I also got all these frames....two are antique! To say I am thrilled is an understatement! I can't wait to stitch for my newly painted home!!!

These are stitched...just need the "finishing"...and although you can't see it in the photos, the stockings are mostly beaded!

Have a super great day everyone!

Hugs

Marion

My Good Intentions...weren't so..

2009-04-22T05:11:00.000-07:00

I know you all like posts with lots of photos....this one isn't going to be like that. I've had all good intentions to take the photos and post regularly in the past two weeks...but that didn't happen. Life got in the way. I've been around...I've visited as many blogs as I can, I've popped into Facebook daily.....it's just been so busy here. DH and I are trying to paint our entire main floor, including the ceilings....and are doing it in our "spare" time. I've had my hair cut and highlighted, I've gone to the dentist (twice), my daughter has gone to the dentist, we have had Dr appts....you know the usual stuff that gets in the way of "fun stuff". It's been a busy couple of weeks. I just thought I would take this opportunity to update that I am still around.....I'm just trying to get so much done here. I've set a goal that I want all this painting and renovating done before my daughter's graduation party in June. What is done...looks great....so anyway, have a great day.....and yes, I'm still here.

Hugs
Marion

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO????

2009-04-09T05:48:00.001-07:00

and....HAPPY EASTER!!

I have been around....you will find me on Facebook....usually pop in at least once or twice a day, and although I for the most part have not commented...I have been around to visit my favourite blogs....so yes, I am still here. It's been very busy here lately....I thought as the kids got older, it would quiet down a bit....not the case......now they are going more places, need drives.....have people over......

I have managed to stitch some....I will hopefully get some photos uploaded later today or tomorrow......and in the meantime...I am on my way out to get some last minute groceries for Easter....so I wish all my fellow bloggers....a HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Marion

STORM DAY #?????? "THIS' IS SPRING???

2009-03-31T03:37:00.000-07:00

Here is is March 31......spring.........yeah right! The kids are home today on yet another storm day!! I lost track of how many.....but up the road (which is another county) it is storm day #14. We are not that high, but close....it is actually storm #14 for us!

Today was going to be a great day....my cousin was travelling up to the city for the day and her, her sister and I were going to "craft" at Blanket Club....but that isn't happening. :(

Oh well, I guess I have another "stitch" day here at home!!!

Have a good one everyone!!
Marion

SUNSHINE AND JOY......

2009-03-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a cute chart??? This was a Birthday gift from a longtime online friend. Her and I were matched up.....I think it was at least 8 years ago...maybe closer to 10. We do packages periodically....have been ever since....sometimes it's random...sometimes we get together and decide on a "summer".......or "Mother's Day"....package......I value her friendship greatly. Anyway, this chart, fabric, floss and buttons were part of my Birthday package....she also included notecards and hot chocolate!! I started this last night and will continue with it tonight...it will hang in my kitchen when it is newly painted.

Today was a great day.....DH and I were able to go for a nice drive (just the two of us) and we went for freshcut fries (nothing better on a sunny, spring day) and a drive along the coast....past Peggie's Cove...and then it was time to pick up youngest and her friend at the Theatre.

This will be a busy week as well. My two best friends will be travelling to the city....on Tuesday my cousin will be in the city for "Blanket Club"...with her sister and myself...and on Thursday my other best friend Betty will be here for the night. She is taking her mom and sister to the airport, so she will come by our house and spend the night. I think we are going to make a Costco trip while she is here as well......so anyway, I want to get my house in order for when she comes. It's not like either of these two friends live THAT far...one is 100 miles, one is 125, but we really don't see each other as much as we'd like.

What else....oh yes.....this is what I've been using as my stitching basket for the past few months....I picked it up at a church rummage sale....I think it was $1.00....it's very sturdy and I love it! I cleaned out my stitching that I had in it last night....put a couple of WIP's away and took a couple more out....sigh......we all have so much stash, don't we??

Have a great evening everyone!!

Marion

A UFO BECOMES A WIP...

2009-03-25T05:44:00.001-07:00

I was so pleased to have finisihed Isabella's Garden that I dug through my cross-stitch UFO's and found what was calling to me next..LOL.....it is "Bethlehem" by K Elaine Kramer Designs.....I bought this chart and fabric a few months ago and started it, but put it aside almost immediately...not sure why now...anyway...I have worked on it a bit the last couple of nights. I do love this design, but I am thinking it won't get finished in this rotation......oh well...it WILL get finished at some point. Sara, I know you did this....I saw it on your blog a while ago....it's gorgeous done up, isn't it?

On the weather front....we had quite the storm yesterday...the kids did have school, although most of the province didn't. Today is cold, very windy and apparently some treacherous roads around.......spring...where are you??

Thanks for looking, and I love your comments....

Marion

THIS AND THAT..

2009-03-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

The kids had a good break. We didn't too anything too exciting, but did manage to go out somewhere each day. On Friday I got to go to an LNS...and bought one chart....yes, I was good, only bought one!

Isabella is finished!! The next time you see her, she will be proudly framed and hanging in my hallway........here...on this empty wall.

I managed to make curtains for our back door.....we will be painting the kitchen walls in the coming couple of months....so they will look much nicer, and a solid colour.....

I've also started sanding down my vanity in the kids bathroom....I'm eventually going to whitewash this...can't wait!

I thought I'd take a photo of our back deck....and the snow...and......if you can believe it....it's SNOWING out right now! We are in for a spring storm and could get up to 25CM of snow...this is just not fair!!!! You can't really tell in this photo...but trust me...it is!!

Hugs everyone!!

Glad to be back to a normal routine...and seemingly feeling better!!

Marion

Soul searching...and sun!

2009-03-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

This is March Break for the kids, and I'm still not feeling like my old self, but two of the kids and I decided that we would head on down to the area I grew up in, and where they spent ALOT of time when my parents were alive...so we packed a lunch and left early this morning....it's 1 1/2 hours.....we went to the beach! This is the beach in my header and it was cold, but SOOO nice, and we weren't the only people on the beach! What an amazing place...always said it was my own little piece of heaven. We walked a bit, then went to the car and ate our lunch.....after that we drove back up to town and visited with my aunt and ate again...LOL...(she a fabulous baker, still, at 86). So it was a great day........

Sandy and Becky......sunshine was definately a good idea!! I had a fantastic time today walking on the beach...nothing like cold, salt air to revive a person!! LOL Thank you for caring.

Take care everyone

Hibernation or????

2009-03-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

That's what I'm asking myself. I have been hibernating from posting and for the most part, have not even been visiting my favourite blogs much! What's with this?? Honestly, I don't know. I love Blogging, I love visiting other Blogs, but lately I just have not had the energy to do so.

The kids are on March break this coming week. I am not sure what we will be doing...probably some days trips, depending on the weather. We still have lots of snow in our yard.

I've done some painting, I've done lots of stitching.....and I've moped around like crazy!!! I am tired of feeling like this, and hope I can shake this mood soon!!

Anyone ever felt like this? I honestly don't know how to shake this "off" feeling that I have at the moment.

I'm leaving you with my stitching......I plan on hanging this in my entry way, when done. Not sure why the fabric shows like this! The fabric is actually taupe.

Hugs....

Marion

What I have been doing....

2009-03-05T05:02:00.000-08:00

First of all, I CAN still use my camera, but it is a pain...the large screen is not accessable, so I have to look at the small view finder....

I have been busy painting. We are starting with our hallway..leading to the front door, the kids bathroom and the kids bedrooms. I am so excited and loving the colour! I still have to put a second coat on, and take off the tape, but it's looking good!

I also made this window topper for our front door. The taupe in the window topper is the same colour as the walls. I even lined this window topper, thanks to and idea from my friend Leslie.

I have a "helper" hehehe....

I'm also busy trying to stitch up "Isabella's Garden"...to hang on my freshly painted walls! I love this design!

I am feeling a little "off" the past few weeks, not sure why....I guess partly because my husband's job is feeling the effects of the economy, as are most businesses around here...with him, comission only...no sales...no pay...so it's been tough. We also have our oldest going to university in the fall.....so money, money, money....I know we are better off than alot, and I am so thankful for that, but we are still having a tough time.....I hope things turn around soon!!!!

On that note....have a great day my friends!

Marion

STORM DAY #????

2009-03-02T04:11:00.000-08:00

Yup...another storm day! This is getting so old! It is freezing rain, but supposed to turn to rain later this morning and then go really warm this afternoon...I sure hope it gets warm, I have to go out later!

I was hoping to add some photos, but when I got my camera out...it was broken! Great start to a new week! I'm sad...I loved my camera.......I can still take photos and upload them, but when I take a photo, I can only see a tiny bit of what I am actually taking a photo of! I don't know if it just broke, or one of the kids somehow dropped the padded bag I keep it in!! I guess I'll never know.

I had a quiet Birthday yesterday....we went out on Saturday to eat as it was DH's Birthday and also because it was forecasting freezing rain and snow yesterday.

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Marion

A WEEK OF BEING ABSENT....

2009-02-28T02:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has been a week. I have taken a week off from Blogging. It's been busy around here, and quite honestly, I just have not felt up to it. Each day has been a massive list of errands to run, places to drop the kids off, etc. I've had a dental appt, youngest has gotten braces, etc. It's been one of those weeks. It's over...thankfully. Today is DH's Birthday and tomorrow is mine, so I believe we will go out to dinner tonight.....tomorrow is forecasted for freezing rain, ice pellets and snow...you know, the norm around here this winter!!
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in to say...I'm still alive..and well....and will hopefully get back to normal posting now.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Marion

Baby it's slow out there....

2009-02-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

Picking up on something that I have been thinking and my friend Leslie commented on....it's been slow in Blogland recently!! I don't think we have lost our appeal for blogging, I know I still plan to continue...it's just that I think we all are feeling that long winter "BLAH". For me, it seems like I have to force myself to post, and really the only different thing is that it's winter and we have had 10 storms...and lots of school cancellations.....it's not just Blogging....I am the same with things I want to do here....paint, renovate...I just don't have the energy at the moment!
Now, if you all were HERE, that would be a different story, I'd have lots to chat about! LOL
So for me, please understand, I am not going anywhere, my blog will always be here...I'm just a little lazy and suffering from the winter BLAHS at the moment!!

Take care
Marion

Storm #10...yes, #10.....and a bit of Randomness

2009-02-19T08:58:00.000-08:00

Today we are having storm #10 of the season!! The kids are still in school, but will be home before it gets too bad....it actually just started snowing a short time ago. I am so sick of snow and winter!! You can't really tell in the photos, but it IS snowing.

I framed and hung up my daughter's grad photo...isn't she beautiful!!

And, I wanted to show you these two little dishes. They are very, very old, and almost a match to my mom's china. I got them from my cousin, who got them from her husband's aunt many years ago...she knew that they would be a close match to my mom's china, and she had nothing to match with them...aren't they cute? I love things like this.

I do hope everyone has a great afternoon. I'm not sure what I'll be doing the rest of the day. I know I won't be taking youngest to her piano lesson!! :)

Marion

BUSY, BUSY...and another storm brewing...

2009-02-18T03:58:00.000-08:00

I know, it's been a while....I have not diasppeared. I have just been busy. With my oldest not having a car at the moment, I did not realize how much extra driving it would involve!! (Not to mention miles and gas on the car! LOL)

It's been hectic here....the kids had ANOTHER storm day last week, and then an inservice day, so actually they had a 4 day weekend...and you know what....another storm is coming tomorrow!! Is it ever going to end??

We had a pretty uneventful Valentine's Day....we went out to supper.....DH, DS and myself. Oldest was working and youngest was at a Birthday party. It was quite nice. We will be going out again not this coming weekend, but the following, as it is DH's and my Birthdays....yes, DH is one year and one day younger than me.......LOL..

I have been working on my Blanket this past week and trying to squeeze some cross-stitch in.

My son has joined the GYM at the Sports Stadium we have here. He had been on a week free trial and last night we signed him up for 3 weeks. I am surprised that he is doing this, but a few of his friends are as well, and it certainly will not hurt him! He is quiet and shy and this will be all good for him. He's enjoying it....ofcourse this also means MORE driving and picking up, but at least with him, some days we drive his friends, and visa versa.

Well, I must get my day going...I've got errands to do and also a dentist appt at 10am. I am so enjoying going to this dentist!! Yes, I really said that!!!

Take care and have a wonderful day!!

Marion

Will it ever return to normal??

2009-02-12T03:30:00.000-08:00

It's busy around here...and why? Well, for example...I got the kids up this morning, son was ready for school...I turned on the local Breakfast Television show only to find out...NO SCHOOL once again! What????!!! I had already been out with the dog, and it was really mild....but apparently it's right around the freezing mark and some places are slippery...but get this..tomorrow is an inservice day..so no school!! My daughter is upset...today was supposed to be her Valentine's party (due to no school tomorrow)....so she's kind of sad...and I'm sad for her...the thing is...if they would only put the schools on delay around here..it would be fine! All this missed school is not good. Not to mention my schedule is all blown off in every direction. When there is no school, most times that means DH is home too...he's independant and it isn't worth his while to be out on the slippery roads, etc.....I love my family, but geesh, it is so hard to maintain the house with everyone off schedule!!

So what have I been up to? This is my latest swedish weaving blanket. I am making this for my sister in law for either Christmas or her Birthday...her Birthday is December 24th. I am liking it, and I think she will as well.

I am thinking since I really can't do what I had planned for today, I will put a stew in my slow cooker and start a new cross-stitch project. I may as well give up on a routine of any kind until this winter weather is over!!

Saturday being Valentine's Day is a day of mixed emotions for me. Four years ago on Valentine's Day, I had to leave my family, job at the school and head down to my parents...it is the day my dad went into the hosptial and my life changed forever. He passed away 10 days later and I didn't return to my family for 5 weeks. My mom needed someone with her. My daughter mentioned that this morning actually..that year she missed her valentine's party because we had to take her out of school and she went to my husband's sister's place...since she missed her party, she was able to have it another day...pass out her Valentine's etc. She was only 7 at that time.

I do hope everyone has a great day!!

I CAN NOW SHARE......!!

2009-02-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

My yellow blanket that I had been working on has arrived at it's new home, and so I can now tell the story. I made this for a friend whose friendship I value greatly. We may be many miles apart, but we are kindred spirits. We were the girls that shared secrets and had many great times as teenagers. We spent alot of time together and we both loved the beach that is the header photo on this blog. So....I chose to make a blanket for her that represented something dear to both our hearts. The yellow is the sky, the blue is the deep blue water, the white are the whitecaps that wash ashore, and the beige the sand. The beach is "a little piece of heaven" to both of us...

Many years have passed since those teen years, our lives have taken us to opposite ends of the country and we missed many years of that friendship, however, fate, or whatever you want to call it, brought us together again a few years ago and though our lives have gone in different directions, we realized that we still had that special bond. We have renewed that friendship in the past few years and it's something I value very much to this day. We don't have to live in the same town, or province, we don't have to email every day, but we both know that "we're there" and it's a friendship that will last for the rest of our lives.

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."- Anon

I took this photo just before I packaged up the blanket to send and I've since apologized to her for any dog hair left behind on it!!!

HAPPY SATURDAY!!

2009-02-07T04:03:00.000-08:00

First of all...thank you SO much to Sabine Foster, if you are reading this, please let me know! LOL I got the chart and fabric in the mail yesterday!! Thank you!! I've lost your email, so I thought I would acknowledge you here.

It looks like it's going to be a nice (but cold) day here in Nova Scotia, so in a bit, my youngest and I will head out to do some errands.

People have been asking for updates on the dentist appt....well, it went very well! Once I got there I knew I had made the right decision concerning the dentist and in fact actually going. I have another appt this week, and also next week. Eventually I need a bit of gum surgery (fun, fun) but I will get that done...and then the worst will be over. I'll space the appts out over time, and what insurance allows for the year...but bottom line...I'm proud of myself for going and I'm very excited about getting the work done!!

I know that I am long overdue to show you some photos. It's been a long week, and my camera is downstairs (pathetic excuse)....LOL

I have a question for anyone reading this blog that will care to answer....what type of person are you, in your lifestyle, etc? I consider myself a very basic needs person, to a certain degree. I don't expect extravagant gifts, I don't have expensive tastes.....and I love my home and being at home. I guess in respect some may consider that I lead a sheltered life. When the kids are older, I would love to travel to other parts of Canada and to the US, but I cannot see myself ever travelling extensively. I have certain people that I want to "meet" and visit...and I do hope to do that one day, sooner rather than later, but I have no desire to "see the world"....I am and will be happy to life comfortably in my home. You many wonder, why is she asking this? Well, I have several friends that travel what I consider extensively...and while it is great to see the world through them, I don't think, given the opportunity, that I would travel to some of those places.
There is one place I would love to visit though and that is Alaska! I've always wanted to travel there....it looks so beautiful!

Anyway, I do hope everyone has a great Saturday!!

Take care
marion

PLEASE WISH ME LUCK!!

2009-02-05T03:04:00.000-08:00

My dental appt that was scheduled for last Thursday has been post-phoned until today...because of a storm we had last Thursday. I have been up since 5:30am......but I am feeling positive about this......I know it will be a good thing in the end....needless to say, I am nervous...so please....think kind thoughts for me.

Thank you...and I will try and update you later.

Marion

WHATCHA WORKING ON WEDNESDAY...MY...SANITY!

2009-02-04T05:57:00.000-08:00

LOL...I was going to post the new blanket I am working on, and still may later today....but I am not in the mood to go downstairs and get my camera....pretty pathetic, right? LOL.....no, I'm not in a bad mood.....

Anyway, as I mentioned last week, my oldest has finished High School early...and she is working basically fulltime at her job...until September....with this came the realization by me, that my life as I knew it was changed......I wasn't anticipating that her hours will mean that she isn't up and out the door around the time she would be going to school.....she's HERE...not that I don't love my daughter here, but it will take some adjusting on both our parts.....my routines will have to change....and so will hers........add that to the fact that the kids are basically averaging at least one school storm day a week, which means DH is also home, as there is no point in him being out on the roads if they are that treacherous (he's a salesman)....so....my routine has fallen by the wayside....I need to regroup and replan my days!

While at Costco the other day I picked up this book...and am really enjoying it......

There is a story inside it which may apply to me.....about a mom that ends up realizing she loves getting up early and getting things done, etc...before her family gets up.....I do get up before everyone else, but I think I may try getting up a bit earlier to get some things done..etc....as this may give me the time I need to get things done.....

Anyway, must go....DH is trying to get our snowblower working, not sure what happened to it, and there is a ton of ice to scrape off the cars!!!

I will try and get back with my blanket later today...

OOPS, OOPS AND HERE WE GO AGAIN!!

2009-02-03T03:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so 5:45am my alarm goes off....and it says on a local radio station that there IS school today, students may be disappointed, but there might not be tomorrow because of the impending storm this afternoon.....etc.etc.....so. I get up...and go about my morning routine....6:50am, my son gets up, has his shower....and I turn on the local Breakfast Television show to get the most recent news and updates on the weather...and.....SCHOOL IS CANCELLED! OOPS...LOL....by this time youngest had also gotten up! I know I didn't dream what was said at 5:45, but usually there isn't indecision like this! We are due to have #8, or is it #9 storm this year.....snow, ice pellets......yuck!!

I also have to say this, I am a morning person, I LOVE mornings....and I found that since the New Year, I have gotten up and looked forward to the days....before that...not so much, despite my morning personality....I know the reason...and it is very simple........my son was THE WORST person to get up in the morning...I was cranky and exhausted and irritated every morning...I was at a loss as to what to do......we got him his own clock radio for Christmas...and not ONE morning since have I even had to knock on his door and say "time to get up".....it's a miracle, I tell you...nothing short of a miracle! It may be a small thing, but it has made life so much easier in the mornings! And, he's getting up in a good mood!! AH....simple things in life...who would have thought that a cheap clock radio would change our lives SO much!!

So, my origional plans for the day have been kind of swept under the rug, with everyone home I will not be painting as planned...but I have lots of other things to work on....and I'd also like each of you to take a look, if you have the time...at my friend Sara's blog...and her wonderful nativity collection....isn't it awesome!!

Have a great day everyone!!!

Marion

ANOTHER WEEK HAS FLOWN BY...

2009-01-30T06:29:00.000-08:00

So sorry I have not been posting...I have been trying to visit blogs, but life just got in the way this week. It's been a LONG week. My oldest daughter had her exams this week, and as of Wednesday, has finished High School! She will work fulltime until September when she goes to university. She will go back for her prom in June. She will also graduate with French Immersion. We are very proud of her and even more proud that she was able to graduate early...she was told she probably could not do this with the French program in her school.

Anyway...yesterday was a storm day from school, so I had my 3 children, my oldest's boyfriend, and my DH here all day....the house was full!! The "storm" was alot of slush on the roads in the morning...the temps warmed up and it was pretty much okay later (around noon). My oldest had to work at 4, so she took her car....she called me a few minutes later from her boyfriend's road to tell me it was leaking oil...drastically....DH went and it wasn't oil, but transmission fluid! Her car is being towed today...I am hoping it's easily fixable....I don't want to get into this car for alot of money. We try to keep her in a car for the time being, as she needs to get to work and we live 10 miles out in the country.....anyway, we'll see. There is a bus service, but it doesn't run on Saturday mornings or Sundays.....go figure.

I finished up one of my swedish weaving blankets this week...now I need to get it ready to go to it's new home....:) I also started another one, which I will show next Wednesday (totally missed it this week).

Anyway, my friends, I must go and get my chores done......kind of a blah feeling day for me...not sure why!!
Take care
Marion

THEY MAKE ME SMILE, THEY REALLY DO...

2009-01-26T09:22:00.000-08:00

Pendelfins! You are probably saying "what?"........my Pendelfin collection...yes, I know, they are just "material things"...but they really make me smile when I look at them! :) I started this collection quite by accident back in 1974. My friend and I went for a weekend trip to visit her sister at university. We went shopping in the small downtown area...and I picked up this little dog ornament named "Tammy" to bring home to my mom. I paid $6.00 for it. About a year later I bought her a bunny ornament for Mother's Day, or some such occasion...and it was made by the same company..."Pendelfin". Soon these bunnies (and two dogs) were in most jewellery stores....I ended up getting one from my cousin for a gift, my mom gave me the ones I gave her..and the rest is history. Over the years....mostly in the 1980's...I got them from my mom, my aunt, my room-mate at the time, and then I met Larry in 1986. For Christmas that year he bought me one of the plates, this stand,

and a couple of bunnies. By now, they were not so readily available in the stores, and their cost was significantly higher than when I started collecting them. I have kept a list of where and when I got each bunny. Anyway, also in 1986, sadly there was a fire at the plant in England and they lost alot of the molds....the factory was rebuilt, but the bunnies had a different look, and ofcourse all the older ones were retired. In 2005, so I've heard, the bunnies has ceased production.

The cabinet they are in is actually now too small for them, however, they will stay where they are.....Larry bought the cabinet for me for this reason, a few months after we were married.
We didn't really have the money at the time, but he saw it on sale and bought it.

I honestly don't know why, but they just make me smile...so many years, so many people helping me in the collection.....I even have cross-stitch pieces of them!! Of all the collection, this is my favourite bunny...Larry gave it to me many years ago.

Thanks for looking at my post today.

Marion

A BUSY MORNING AND A PICTURE!

2009-01-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

Whew....it's only 10:30am and it's been a LONG morning. I awoke with a call from my daughter at 7am....she slid her car on black ice and was in the ditch!! She's okay thankfully, car is driveable, but will need work.....she was to open the store she works at this morning and the roads got a bit slippery as she got closer to work, however, the reason we (DH) and I think she slid is that she forgot the keys to open the store and was on her way back here to get them, thus going faster than she should have! We have told her many times before that she has to allow herself extra time in the mornings and also needs to make sure BEFORE she leaves home that she has her keys, etc......she is a wonderful daughter, but has a real problem judging time....so if I seem harsh, sorry, it was just a hectic morning...we are all glad she's okay and she is now at work. I'm in a position right now where I feel very sorry for what happened to her this morning, I know it was a very rough morning for her too, but also I really wish that she would take the time to be responsible enough to make sure she has all keys, uniform, etc....when she leaves the house. Every morning (and I do mean EVERY) I am after her to allow herself the time to get ready for school and BE ready before the bus is pulling up at the driveway!! Boy, I guess I do should harsh....I'm not really, just sometimes it's so hard being a parent when something like this happens and you want to make it all better for your children, yet you know that sometimes, they need to learn from their mistakes. I am 100% sure this would not have happened had she not been in too much of a rush to come back here.

I'd like to show you some photos of a drawing my son did for art class. He had to draw a picture of everything going to one focal point. This is freehand without following a picture!! His teacher asked him to show it to us and I said I wanted a copy!! His teacher now uses the drawing as an example for the grade 10 classes he teaches...and my son is only in grade 9!! Needless to say, he got 100 on this project! LOL....the bad thing, art ends for him this semester, which is in a few days and he won't have it again until next year. I am going to keep trying the TS's to see if I can find a frame for it....it is an unusual size...any other ideas on how to frame it anyone?

What I really like about this....on the sides of the trains me put some "ads"....."Reeses" and "West 49" and "Subway".....some of his favourite things/stores...LOL

I'm not sure what the rest of the day will bring......hopefully no excitment!!!

Take care everyone and have a great weekend!

I DID IT!

2009-01-22T04:26:00.000-08:00

I know I have been missing in action alot lately.....on top of my cold that I had, my mouth has been bothering me. I have problems with one area whenever I get a cold, as my sinuses have dropped and that puts pressure on the nerves of a couple of teeth...it hurts! Not to mention the fact that I am long overdue for some dental work. So.....one of my New Year's resolutions (for lack of another word, as I don't really "do" resolutions)..is to have done what has to be done to my teeth. I have a fear of dentists, so it's been almost 4 years since I went.....I have had a couple of really bad experiences over the years and have let my fears get the worst of me.....not anymore!! I booked the appt with a dentist that seems to have a wonderful practice....I decided to go this route and not go to the dentist my kids go to (they do not have a fear...go every 6 months and have all their lives)....I want a fresh start. My kids do not even know I have this fear....I have kept it from them. So, wish me well...next Thursday morning at 9am I will be at the dentist.....one more week! I will not let myself down (can't with the way my mouth has been feeling at times...LOL) and I will feel good about it all!!! It's all a good thing, right??

Have a great day everyone!!
Hugs

Marion

PONDERING AND BACK IN ACTION...

2009-01-19T03:54:00.000-08:00

I'm back...after a few days of Blogger absence......feeling mostly better, and "thinking". First of all, it's 7:55 am, and I'm sitting here at my computer in a house of silence. My son was up almost an hour ago, and I told him to go back to bed, school has been cancelled....I've heard one of my daughters stir around a bit, but still sleeping.....dog was up and out...back to bed....DH was awake, but realized early that his 8:30am appt would be cancelled, so he's still sleeping.....I love this time of day....

Last night my oldest asked me out of the blue what would happen to all the family recipes if something happened to me! I told her I had no plans of going anywhere, etc...LOL, but that got me thinking.....I have my mom's and my grandmother's and my aunts recipes in a recipe holder, but some are really faded...etc....and then I thought....I could work on a family cookbook for her (and my other two when they are older)...and also try and write a memory with each (or most) or the recipes...some would be their memories, some would be mine from my grandmother, etc....I had planned to start that today, but obviously with no school..that will be delayed for another day. I am thinking in June for her graduation.....or for Christmas this year....for my oldest......we'll see.

Anyway, must get my day underway...I'm late!!

Have a great one!
Marion

WHATCHA WORKING ON WEDNESDAY AND RANDOM THOUGHTS..

2009-01-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

Joining up with Leslie today.

Not too much going on around here today. I am not feeling 100%. I have been fighting off a cold and am battling a headache, so today I will be staying nice and cozy inside. Homemade pizza and marble cake for supper....just waiting to ice the cake when it cools.

Laundry to do...I will NEVER get caught up!!!

My partner in crime for the day....LOL

This was the moon, taken in our backyard on Monday night...pretty cool...eh?

And we picked up the game Parchessi on the weekend at Wal-mart. DH and our youngest and I have played it a few times...but Sara and I got it out last night and the two of us played it while we enjoyed hot chocolate.

I have to show this.....the one thing Sara wanted for Christmas was Elmo Alive. Yes, technically she is way too old for Elmo, but she loves him. I thought about whether or not to get this for her and decided I would....she's only a young girl once and if I didn't get it for her, I would later regret it.....so she has been enjoying him since Christmas. This things NEVER stops talking!! It's like having a conversation with a person......LOL

Anyway, in a bit I am going to grab a tylenol, my stitching (bunnies today) and try and get ride of this headache before the kids get home.

Have a great day everyone!!

Marion

STORM STORM GO AWAY...

2009-01-11T03:47:00.000-08:00

We are supposed to get another storm today.(this photo is from a few days ago)..and I really wouldn't mind, but my oldest daughter has to work today, and her work is about 10-12 miles from here. I am hoping it isn't too bad and DH will take her and pick her up.

I am planning on working on my curtains for my hallway. I picked up fabric to line them with yesterday, so providing nothing stands in my way, I'll be down in my craft room working away at some point today.

I've appreciated the comments on my post a couple of days ago about organizing photos and things for my children....I did see a lady on Oprah that had one of those boxes and put everything in it...and I think that might be the way to go. I know a couple of you mentioned something like this. I will check out Michaels.

Have a great day everyone!!

Hugs

Marion

ANNIE CHRISTENA HENDERSON SUTHERLAND

2009-01-10T04:07:00.000-08:00

January 10, 1920 - September 22, 2006

If my mom was still with us, today would have been her 89th Birthday.....

Not a day goes by that we don't think of you. It's hard to believe that it has been 2 1/2 years since I kissed you good bye. We will honour your memory today with a cake...as we always did when you were with us.
My mom was a wonderful mom and grandmother. My oldest daughter is alot like her...more like her than me. I smile when I see the similarities between them. It definately skipped my generation..LOL

My mom met my dad at a party when she was in her late 20's. She had dated someone for many years before that...not sure what happened there....but my mom and dad got married when she was 35 and he 40. I was born when mom was 38.

My mom was the youngest of 8 children. She was spoiled...she admitted that..LOL

She never spoke a harsh word about any of her brothers, sisters or parents...she loved and admired them all.

One of my mom's greatest roles was that of a grandmother...something she did not take lightly.
My 3 children cherish the times they spent with her and will never forget her. They were fortunate to spend many, many nights sleeping at nannie and grampie's house.

MOM...we love you, we miss you, but we know you are at peace and once again united with the love of your life...dad. "Love you both, always and forever." You're always with me in my heart.

I will get a phone call at some point today...long distance...from my mom's childhood friend, who is 87. She always called mom on her birthday, and since mom passed away, she has been calling me periodically..but always on mom's Birthday....love her dearly as well.
EDITED TO ADD: Received the above phone call at 9:15am this morning. Sometimes it's the little things like this that really make you appreciate what you have.

Sorry for the bad photos..I have tons and tons but don't have a scanner anymore!!

Mom and dad on their wedding day.

My mom...a photo taken for her work around 1955.
And, mom and dad on MY wedding day...1987.

Last photo of my mom and dad together...her Birthday, January 10, 2005.

Marion

TGIF

2009-01-09T05:20:00.000-08:00

It's Friday!!
I don't have a lot planned for today. I have some beans in my slow cooker for supper tonight....the sun is shining brightly....after doing breakfast dishes, a load of laundry...general pick up...not sure what I will do. Youngest is not coming home on the bus today, she is heading out skating with a friend from school..and they will most likely drive her home when skating is done at the arena.

I'm trying to sort out in my mind what to do with all the photos, school keepsakes, etc that I have for each of the kids. I want to organize them better....I'd like to give my oldest a box when she graduates officially in June, but not sure how I want to do it. I thought about scrapbooking, but I don't think that's the answer. She has alot of photos from field trips, etc and I want to give them all to her organized. I did buy one of those photo boxes, so I might just organize the photos in that box and then try and go through the other things and scrapbook the best of them...I don't know...I hate that I am not organized on with those things. I just get overwhelmed when I start to get it organized...any ideas?

I do hope everyone has a great day......

Marion

THIS AND THAT..

2009-01-08T06:59:00.000-08:00

A slightly random post today.

We had an ice storm last night...got freezing rain for several hours...however it has warmed up considerably overnight, so the roads really aren't a problem. Good thing...I have to pick up youngest at school today as she starts back to piano. Her piano teacher was sick before Christmas, so it has been at least a month. I do have to say...I'm liking this teacher (new to us in Sept). She teaches in her home...is an older mom like me with two young daughters she home schools....and she started Sara on Christmas Caroles back in the first part of November. Sara has played almost every day since! I am going to ask the teacher if she can throw a Christmas Carole into the mix occasionally even though it is off season. Even the teacher noticed how Sara took to those! She's doing fantastically!

There is a possibility that our school bus drivers may go on strike the end of this month! I sure hope this doesn't happen! It really wouldn't be a problem for youngest...her school is in the community and we can drive her and pick her up without too much hassles...however....my oldest will have early graduation by then (yes, through high school early) and my son will need a drive to school...that's where the problem is....the high school is much further....I fear I'd be on the road all day!! (With the driving and pickup of the two of them)....hoping we can work something out with commuting to the high school....actually I hope this doesn't happen at all!!

I am going to stop doing housework early today...I have a couple of hours before I pick up Sara, so I think I will have some lunch and stitch for a while. I am in need of ME time today....just feeling a bit stressed.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Marion

WHATCHA WORKING ON WEDNESDAY...

2009-01-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

and another storm!!!

I stayed at home today and am working on a few things. First of all, thanks to Leslie ....I read your blog early this morning...and I had planned on making homespun curtains for my hall, but decided to line mine so they will not fade...and to make them thicker...so thank you for telling me about your curtains!!! I won't start mine until I get some white fabric for the back...the sheet is a great idea as well!!

Okay, I started this scarf on Monday with some yarn I've had for a couple of years...I found the pattern for this scarf and this type of yarn on the web...I like how it turned out and have two more balls of this yarn, so will make another. I plan on giving one scarf to my SIL for her Birthday on Christmas Eve...yes, I did say Christmas Eve....I have been in the mood to do some shopping and planning for this coming Christmas...and I figure while in the mood...do it! We have 3 family Birthday's around Christmas as well, so the more I get planned and done early, the less stress several months from now. Speaking of yarn and patterns, Katy, I know you are still knitting and I found yet another pattern for you, I am terrible about getting them mailed out!! I will...I have not forgotten.....and you shall have them soon...I promise!!!

Not sure why there is that weird colour at the end of the scarf!

Other things I am working on.....I started this Santa on New Year's Eve...I really like working on him and when done, he will hang in our dining room/TV room year round. The girls picked out this pattern for me to stitch.

This is the cross-stitch my youngest gave me for Christmas...when these bunnies are done, I will frame it and give it to her. Wasn't she thoughtful to find this kit at her school shopping spree before Christmas? (It gives the kids a safe way to shop without parents for the Holidays, should they decide they want to participate).

And now on to the weather, which is a big topic around these parts...seems like we go one day...maybe two if lucky without a storm.....tonight we are supposed to get ice pellets...oh yeah...LOL...right now it is snowing.....they are saying up to six hours of freezing rain and ice pellets!!

Anyway, I plan on staying safe and warm inside tonight with some hot chocolate...take care....

Enjoy what is left of your Wednesday.

Marion

DAY 2 of Schedules....

2009-01-06T05:08:00.000-08:00

Well, the kids made out just fine yesterday, being back in the swing of things. I guess we are all back into the routine now.

I am just about to get ready to head on over to my cousin's today for Blanket Club. Our other cousin has gone to Florida for the winter, so it's just the two of us for a couple of months. That's okay..although I am wishing I was in Florida with my other cousin! LOL

I have to say, miracles do happen!! We got our son a clock radio/alarm clock for Christmas....I wanted to get it for him in the hopes that it would help him wake up in the morning...he was unbelievable to wake up! Once up he took no time to shower and get ready, but it was impossible to get him up! He set up the alarm just after Christmas, and has been getting up with it each day!!!! Today he was up and in the shower before the other two! He said he really likes the clock radio and waking up to the music! Yippee! This is a big thing for him and for our household.

Well bloggers...must hit the road........take care...have a wonderfully productive day in your area of the world!

Marion

COUNTDOWN TO SCHEDULES...

2009-01-05T03:46:00.000-08:00

Don't get me wrong, I love having the kids around, but face it, we all need schedules and routines of some sort. It's been over two weeks, and I am anxious to get my house in order. Fifteen minutes to countdown for first bus pickup. Twenty five minutes for the high school bus.
Let me tell you, the kids are not excited about going back to school...heehee.

I have Christmas decorations to finish taking down and pack away (usually I have this done on the first!)....I have cleaning and a good general pick up to do. I want to sew curtains for our front hallway, and tomorrow I hope to take down the trim (we are going to replace it) and get it ready for painting. I will be SO glad when all the painting is done, but that will take time..and patience...

I started a new project (cross-stitch) on New Year's eve. I'll show photos on Wednesday. I also managed to do some Christmas shopping since Christmas...for this coming year. Things I know the kids would like...I got housecoats and matching slippers for each of my girls, I got a Disney store mug (older collects them)..for my oldest, I got some makeup kits 1/2 price at Wal-mart for the girls....I got a housecoat and matching slippers for my niece...so I did well!!

Anyway, I have a busy day ahead, so I think I shall end for now and get to work!! Have a wonderful and productive day fellow bloggers...

Marion