I'm Still Here....

I guess it's been a while since I posted anything here.

I'm still model stitching.  I finished one (need to mail off today) and am on the home stretch of the sampler.  It's turning out to be a beautiful one.

I also stitched a pumpkin theme exchange block from one of the JCS mags.  I already forgot whether it was a normal issue or from one of their special Halloween issues.  I also left off bits of the border.

We briefly escaped the TX heat/humidity with a trip to Boston for a short course DH was taking for work.  I'd never been and really enjoyed it there.  We walked quite a bit on the Freedom Trail touring many of the historical sites along the way.

While DH was in class one morning, I walked as far as Quincy Market for lunch and to explore some of the shops near there.  I discovered the Body Works exhibit was there and, since I never got the chance to see it when it was in Houston, I toured that too.  I was reminded of anatomy practical exams from back when I was in college.  The exhibit was nicely organized into body systems and very educational for both students and adults who want to learn more about the human body.

One evening we walked up to the North End (from the Back Bay where we were staying) and had a delicious dinner in an Italian restaurant there.  We figured that day, between my walking while he was in class and then our walk to the North End, that I walked 8 miles.  I earned that big blister!

We rode "The T" one day too.

After Boston we drove to Salem, Mass for a very brief visit.  We went to a Witch Museum which, although informative, was a bit "cheesy" as the kids would say.  I wish we would have had time to walk around the old town (maybe someday we'll go back) but we were running late for our next stop in Bennington, VT where we stayed in a very nice B+B called The Eddington House Inn.

The Eddington House Inn

Patti, the owner, is a wonderful host.  The Inn was spotless, comfortably "appointed", her breakfasts and snacks were delicious, and she was a great tour advisor, pointing out nearby places of interest.  We'd love to go back and stay with her sometime during fall foliage time.

 We kept pretty busy touring the area including the summer home of the Robert Todd Lincoln family, Bennington Battle Monument, Robert Frost's Stone House, a little shop in Arlington, VT with a display of Norman Rockwell illustrations (he used many people he knew here as models for his illustrations), and, of course covered bridges.

Patti also told us about a wood shop in Manchester where I bought a cherry bowl that I'll use to display "smalls".

It was a nice trip.  Now I'm curious about where DH will go next for work to see if I want to go along wherever that is too.  :-)

I'm still walking in the mornings here...can't wait for cooler weather to arrive.  Here's what I saw this am while walking:

Time to get off the computer and try to get some things done around here.

Happy stitching!

Friday ramblings

It's another hot, humid week in Gulf Coast Texas and life goes on.  In addition to the heat/humidity we've been "blessed" with a fresh "hatching" of mosquitoes....which makes my morning walks SO pleasant (not!).  I had a check-up this week and the doc is pleased about my walking and the yoga.  I feel a lot better for exercising so I can't complain.

I took another brief break from model stitching to stitch up a little piece for an exchange...LHN's Country Christmas.  It's on its way but, of course, I like it so much that I'll be stitching another to keep for myself.

The model is a big one but it's coming right along.  It's a great design.

I'm also in RR where we're stitching hearts from the CHS design "Friendship Sampler".  The second one arrived yesterday so I'll be working on that too.

I've been debating myself for a long time about whether I'd like a laptop or a tablet...and whether or not I even needed either.  Since my birthday's coming up, I finally decided that I want an iPad (some of my family has Apple products and this would be our only Apple device, so far, anyway).  It arrived late Wednesday afternoon and already I'm wondering how I lived before I had it.  lol!  I've already downloaded a couple of apps (synced to my Kindle and Netflix accounts) and have ideas for different ways to use it in the future.  I still can't say I actually NEEDED it but when you're as old as I am, having a "toy" isn't such a bad thing.  We plan to Skype with our DS in Denmark this weekend so, since he doesn't have an Apple product, probably download Skype to my iPad.

No culinary adventures to share this week but I plan on baking some raspberry lemon squares that I found on Pinterest.  We're going out to play Rook tonight so it's a good excuse to bake something.

The saga of the garage repairs continues.  It's been like torturous having this work done bc what should have taken 2-3 days max is now almost finishing up the second week.  They come and work a couple of hours and then leave....and either I have to be here to open the garage door or leave with it open and unattended while I'm out.  Ugh!!!  I will be SO glad when this is finished!

I finished reading "Defending Jacob" (what a heartbreaking story!) and then got back to reading "Flags of Our Fathers" and finished it last night.  Now I want to watch John Wayne's "Sands of Iwo Jima".

DH plans an upcoming business trip to Boston and invited me to come along.  Since I've never been there, I decided to go.  Luckily we just happened to talk about this when there was a good sale on air fare.  Unfortunately I've been told that there are no LNS' there but I have a feeling there's plenty other things to do so it's all good.

Happy stitching!

Heartbreaking week

This week's events of the bombing in Boston (and the aftermath...I'm still glued to the news watching the unfolding events), the ricin letters, and the explosion at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas just breaks my heart.

 I will never understand the hate that flourishes in some people's hearts as to the man made/intended events.

I'm trying to focus on the good deeds/actions that come from so many after events such as this.  Really, when you think about it, there's so much more good in the world than the bad...both in the reactions to these events and also in day-to-day life.


Still, so many people are in my prayers today...the victims of the violent acts and the people affected by the accident in West.  So many people's lives will never be the same.

 I also pray for those whose hearts are filled with hate....that their hearts will soften.

On the stitching front....

Diane from Little House Needleworks released a model I stitched for her, Miss Peepers.  It was a FUN stitch and stitched up quickly:

You can also see it (along with other recent releases) here:

Little House Needleworks

I've also finished and sent another model so picked up my wip of LK A Good Marriage to stitch.

Another last....T's last band UIL competition was yesterday afternoon.  They did an amazing job and earned Sweepstakes for their concert and sight reading...the highest score possible.

I probably should get going on T's graduation piece.  Time's a'wastin'!  lol!

Happy stitching!