Friday progress report and not-so-empty nest

I worked a bit on the following this week:

PS Woodland Santa (on the home stretch now):

HIH Wee Pilgrim (an oldie but goodie):

Lastly...I was digging in my wip pile looking for a CEC fall piece.  I didn't find it yet but I found this one:  Homespun Elegance Fall House Sampler.  I just have to stitch the viney things on the lampost and then find a jack-o-lantern button to finish this one.

Last Sunday we drove to Houston for a Greek Festival.  We loved the food and the traditional dancing.

Our college boys will be home for the weekend so as soon as I get off the computer, I'm heading to the kitchen to bake off some chocolate chip cookie dough, make an apple pie, and make some chili.  I'm hoping we can go to the homecoming game tonight at least to see the band at half time.  (I haven't seen their show yet.)  

Our older son has been planning to stay with us until he moves to Denmark for his post doc fellowship and we were hoping he be able to be here this weekend.  However he won't be here until next Tuesday bc of issues getting his visa application done to a certain point.  I'm hoping he and I can drive to Austin while he's here so he can see his brothers before he moves.

I'm thinking of doing a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.  One can either walk or run the 5K course.  I can easily walk it but am thinking of trying to run at least part of it.  One of my sons is interested it doing it too so I'm hoping to be able to run part with him before I have to walk.  So this week, I've been interspersing my morning walks with running short distances.  I'm hoping by the time of the "race" that I can run enough so that I don't embarrass myself.  lol!  

Happy stitching!

Post Labor Day Update

As you can see, I'm challenged by titling this post, so there you have it.  lol!

I hope you all enjoyed your long Labor Day weekend.  DH and I expected a quiet one.  We got a few things done around the house and watched a couple of movies.  On Sunday afternoon, we drove to Houston and "hung out" in Rice Village where we had lunch and browsed in a bookstore then went to Central Market and bought some "foodie" goodies.  When we arrived back home, we received an invitation to join some friends for a Labor Day pot luck (it's still way too hot to want to have a picnic!) so yesterday I made a big batch of potato salad and some Texas sheet cake for my contribution.  It was fun getting together with everyone.

We got up early yesterday to take a walk and saw a coral snake on the track.  It's only the second coral snake I've seen in the wild and both of them were on that walking track...even close to the same place on the track.  He didn't seem to be too bothered by our presence;  we didn't hang around very long to give him a chance to change his mind.

I finished and mailed off the model and finished and mailed off the donation quilt square so now I can get back to stitching my own stuff.  Here's the quilt square (HIH Wee Vegetables):

I picked up an old wip/ufo of Hinzeit's Sweet Land of Liberty to work on.  I'll also work on LHN's My Dwelling Place.

Friday update

We keep crossing things off the dorm/school list and it seems like every time we cross something off, we think of 1 (or more) things we forgot to put on the list. Aargh!!  I think we're making progress, though.

Proud Mom Moment:  Our oldest DS will be defending his thesis soon for his PhD (Physics) and DH and I will get to go watch.  He's busy interviewing for post doc positions and has some promising possibilities.  Earning a PhD is a long slog and quite an accomplishment.  (I hope he won't make me call him Dr. Mike.  lol!)  We're so proud and excited for him.

I know, I know.....my youngest child graduated from HS (and band) but that didn't stop me from helping out some at their first week of summer band camp.  I helped most of yesterday's practice because my replacement had a doc appointment.  I think I can truly say I'm addicted.....although I'm glad I can go only when I feel like it this year.

I worked on the following wips this week:

CHS 2000 Christmas Sampler (I can only work on this one in small doses.  Stitching on black is challenging for my old eyes.

LHN My Dwelling Place (I'm stitching this one as a sal with my friend, Renee, and I think my friend, Sherre will be joinging us.)  I'm really enjoying this one!  I'm missing a few of the needed overdyes for this one so have to order them soon.

Hinzeit's Sweet Land of Liberty which was recently "rescued" from a drawer where it had been languishing for a few years.  (Yes, I said years!  I'm not proud of that.)  I sang in a "cantata" with a community choir that was called Sweet Land of Liberty (I can still hear the title song in my head.) the year after 911.  I thought this piece would be a great way to remember that event.  I noticed I'm half a stitch off in the bit below the right flowers....I blame the pesky teensy weensy thread that I must not have seen when I was stitching that part.

I'm also working on a new model which, until it's finished, will be my stitching priority.

It's very hot and humid here but I keep making myself go out for my am walks.  I enjoy the walk (minus the heat) and how it makes me feel but for some reason I dread getting started even after all this time.

Thank you for reading my ramblings and for the comments.

Happy stitching!

Small beach themed finish

I was in the mood to stitch something "beachy" so, being the serial starter that I am, I put down my wips and stitched this little piece taken from PS July.

I also ordered some stash from 123 Stitch and it's on its way.  I may even start something new when it arrives.  lol!

I've been increasing my walking distances this week toward where I was before I let myself decrease it.  It's really hot and humid now so I really have to push myself to do it.  I feel so much better when I exercise, though, so it's worth it.

Happy stitching!

Friday already?

I'm not sure how but I seem to be keeping pretty busy this summer.

I finished and mailed the model and it's been received.  Sending a model out is almsot like dropping a child off at college...by then you've done all you can but your sort of hold your breath.  I'm always a little afraid the PO will lose the package but so far, so good.

My walking buddy is on vacation...so getting myself going (and walking the full distance) has been a struggle, especially because it's been so hot.  So far, so good on that too.  The ipod helps...a little.

I'm back to personal stitching.  I finished a little DMC freebie called Island Stamp.  It had numbers in the corner...like would be on a stamp but I left them out.  I'm thinking of someday finishing it into a little pillow to display in a basket (with other future beach themed little pillows.)

I also started a beach themed wedding piece for a neice who had a beach wedding.  I like the design but am not enjoying stitching it.  I think rather than stitching on it constantly, I'll put it in rotation.

I also put in some more stitches on LHN Family Sampler.  It's not a great pic because I was too lazy to take it off the scroll rods but you get the idea.

On the very day of our anniversary, I was looking at Jill Rensel's blog and found a sampler I just have to stitch....A Sweeter Love by Plum Street Samplers.  It's on its way to me as we speak.  Now to decide if I want to stitch it in silks or DMC conversion.  (I'm leaning towards silks.)

I really have to stop looking at stitching blogs.  I'm so week against the enabling.  lol!

On the reading front....I'm on the second book of The Hunger Games trilogy and really enjoying it.  I should make some time to find an online discussion groups about this series.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Lazy Days of Summer?

Not exactly!  lol!  DH has been on 2 business trips in the last 2 weeks, one DS is taking summer school at UT, and another is taking dual credit (HS and college) courses at the community college. 

I'm still walking every weekday morning...up to 4 1/2 miles now.  Sometimes I even run for little parts with the emphasis on little.  I hate the heat and humidity!  It must be paying off, though.  I had my annual exam with the doc yesterday and my bp is lower than I can ever remember it being.  I feel great too.  Yay!  The doc was happy and I was too.  I had to remind myself that when I trudged out this am b/c my walking buddy couldn't make it.  Did I mention it's hot and humid?

I've been stitching but can't show anything.  I'm finishing up a model and another piece for a gift.  It's nice to be on the "home stretch" for 2 projects.  Hopefully I'll at least have a progress pic of something else next week.

We've enjoyed watching a couple of birds building a nest right outside our back door.  I'm no expert on bird ID but I've been looking online and think they're a couple of barn swallows.  Last night we climbed a ladder and, with a mirror, looked into the nest to find that mama had indeed laid her eggs.  Then I carefully angled my phone to take the picture below.  I look forward to the babies hatching.  I keep a feeder full of seeds year round and enjoy watching the birds.

This Sunday we celebrate both Father's Day and our wedding anniversary.  Occasions such as this remind us how blessed we are to have those special people in our lives.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

(Did I mention it's hot and humid?)

Friday check-in

I finished a cute model for Country Cottage Needleworks.  Of course I can't show it but you CCN fans will love it.  Next I'll start a model for Little House Needleworks and it looks to be another "winner".   I really enjoy stitching for both these ladies;  I'm a big fan of their designs.

I finished a little freebie from, I believe tantes zolder.  I saw it stitched up and made into a little pillow finish on someone's blog.  I really wish I'd written down the blog addy to link you to it.  If anyone knows, feel free to send me the url.

I acquired the last of the needed Belle Soie for LHN's Elizabeth Hancock.  I'm hoping to start it soon.  What a beautiful design and beautiful silks!

There are some other wips that deserve some attention;  hopefully I'll get to them soon.

I took in one of my samplers to the framer this morning.  (LHN Virtue Sampler)  I even have a place picked out where it will hang.

This was my first week without my walking buddy...although she was in town Wednesday so we "did" lunch.  As much as I enjoy walking and how it makes me feel, I have an inner battle with myself just getting started every morning.  I managed to walk 4 days (3 -4 1/2 milers and 1- 3 miler).  I have to get accustomed to my "new normal".  Finding another walking buddy would be nice too;  I have my feelers out.  In addition to the motivation, my buddy and I joke that we manage to talk out and solve the world's problems while walking together.  If ONLY someone would take our advice! ;-)

Happy stitching!

TGIF

WOW!  Where did this week go?!  Hard to believe that it's March already.

We went to DS's percussion concert last night.  This concert is always one of my favorites and last night did not disappoint.  The percussion director starts seeing these kids the end of their 5th grade year and is involved with them all through the end of high school.  As you might imagine, he's very close to them by their senior year.  I realize how blessed we are to have him work with our kids.  Not only is he a great teacher and percussionist who pushes them to acheive more than one would think HS kids can,  but he really cares about these kids and demonstrates such a good role model for them.    He's "family" by the time they are ready to graduate.  He choked up a bit introducing his seniors last night...as did they with their thank you's and tributes to him.  They won't see each other as often after they go their separate ways, but they'll always be in each others' lives.

It's been warm and humid here and my walking buddy and I have definitely NOT enjoyed all the mosquitos.  I keep thinking if someone would figure out a way to use them as fuel for our cars, we'd solve two problems at once.

On the stitching front, I completed a little PS deer (from the Fall Fields leaflet) for a deer-themed exchange block.  I stitched it on a piece of DMC marbled aida with the suggested DMC floss.  I just have to choose and stitch a Santa and then I'm done with the blocks for this year.

I'm SO almost finished with my PS summer sampler.  (It's a PS week, I guess.)  I just have some backstitching and "signing" to do and it will be complete.  I'd love to stitch at least another from the leaflet....someday.  I love the little "vignette" at the bottom, especially the little bunny.

DS will be away Sat and Sat night at a retreat for his school's service club so I'm thinking DH and I should at least go out to a movie...maybe even dinner out too. 

Everyone have a fantastic week! 

Friday Show n Tell

Thanks for all the nice comments about my stitching picture on the "header".  I'm a sucker for projects with personalization and this is one of my favorites that I've stitched.  It took a while for me to frame it and after I finally did, I wondered what took me so long. 

I have 2 finishes to show this week, the PS Woodland Santa (I want to stitch at least one more from that leaflet...someday) and a little cupcake freebie from The Floss Box.  I'm in a yahoo group in which we stitch and exchange themed blocks throughout the year.  That's what inspired the cupcake stitching.

Without further ado:

The colors in the PS one are pretty typical for me to stitch.  The cupcake one is "out of my box" but I love how bright and colorful this project is.  As small and easy as this one was, there sure was a lot of color changes...a few stitches of this, a few stitches of that, etc.

I just started a new model for LHN so can't show that until it's released but I also started another themed block.  I chose an old PS freebie for the garden flower theme:

I also just barely started Quaker Gone Tropic (another sal I'm in) by Michelle Ink only I'm using colors from Ink Circles' Hawaiian Mandal Sampler.  I'd like to stitch both and liked the brighter colors better.  Reminds me of all the bright flowers we saw in HI.  (I'm SO ready to go back but who knows when we ever will get to go.)

In the "patting myself on the back" file, my walking buddy and I completed our whole 5 days' walking by doing 4 1/2 miles all 5 days this week.  (We'd increased our distance from 3 miles to 4 1/2 but b/c of either weather or scheduling reasons this is the first week we've gotten to do all 5 days with the increased distance.)  Don't be too impressed.  It's flat as a pancake here so not a big physical challenge.  lol!

Busy but fun week coming up.  Today's baking day for me to prepare for tomorrow's band activities.  I'm working in the Judges' Hospitality Room setting up this afternoon and then being there all day tomorrow.  We'll be dining on chili at the chili supper tomorrow evening followed by a band concert.  After that's over, I'll get DS and me prepared for the band trip to Disneyworld. 

Thanks for reading my blog and I hope everyone has a fantaastic weekend!

Finally Friday!

I love Monday holidays!  I seem to "pay" for them though b/c I spend the rest of the week "discombobulated" and SO ready for the weekend.  lol!

One of the reasons I'm feeling tired is I had to be out 3 evenings this week, 2 meetings and a (longer than usual for some reason) choir practice...or maybe it's b/c of the cloudy skies we've had this week.

 I'm (figure)heading a team that is busy planning a hospitality room (breakfast, gallons of coffee, lunch, drinks, and snacks) for the judges of the upcoming (next week) band solo/ensemble contest that our band hosts.  It's a good team and I anticipate that our part will go smoothly.

My walking buddy and I took 4 4 1/2 mile walks and 1 3-miler this week.  We're becoming addicted;  I really miss it when we can't walk for whatever reason.  We'd been doing 3 milers for quite some time and decided that after the holidays we'd increase our mileage.  We both agree that aside from the extra time it takes, we're glad to be walking more.  It's so flat here, it's not much of a challenge.  lol!  This week's weather fluctuated a bit.  We had a couple of mornings where we bundled up in layers and then a few more mornings where we worked up a sweat and swatted skeeters.



It's going to be a busy few weeks!  In addition to the contest next Sat., the band also holds it's chili supper fundraiser (including a silent auction).  During the supper, serveral of the jazz bands play and we wrap up the evening with a band concert.  Shortly after that is the Disney trip, and the weekend after that is the Belled Dance.  (DS was invited last Sat. via a cake-gram.)

I've been stitching mostly on LHN's Family Sampler and PS Woodland Santa this week.  I put a few stitches in Quaker Gone Tropic but not enough for a picture yet.  I seem to be on the home stretch of the PS so maybe I'll have a finish pic next time.  (or maybe not.....I will probably have another model to work on next week too.)

Thank you all for reading my posts and for the nice comments.

A week of stitching, etc.

I seem to have startitis.  I'm working on LHN's Family Sampler (in a remembrance sal), a PS Woodland Santa, a cupcake (freebie from The Floss Box for a block exchange), and today received my floss for Quaker Gone Tropic (another sal).  I'd really like to start LK's Six Fat Men (received the overdyes I ordered for that too.) but maybe should finish something first.  I'm still waiting on a friend to receive an ornament I sent before posting the pic which is my last 2011 finish.  I sure hope it didn't get lost in the mail.

My walking buddy and I decided to increase our mileage so we're up to 4 1/2 miles.  We can hardly tell the difference except that it takes more time than doing the 3 miles.

One DS just finished his last HS final for the semester and I just sent another DS back off to college today. 

I'm helping tomorrow at a bake sale for DS's HS band and also helping in a committee for a judges hospitality room for an upcoming solo/ensemble contest.  Shortly after that, I accompany DS's band on their trip to Disneyworld.  Never a dull moment around here!

I hope everyone has a great week.