Wishing You

Wishing you and yours

A Very Merry Christmas

and

A Happy New Year!

November

Thank you for all the comments and private emails regarding my daughter.  She had surgery last week and is recovering well.  DD will be seeing the doctor again next week for a post-surgical follow up and pathology results.  We're praying for a clean bill of health.

I finished the blanket last week -- just in time for the cold weather.  This is my first pieced crochet blanket as well as my first time using a continuous join-as-you-go joining method.  I'm pleased with how it turned out. Hubby and I love how heavy and warm it is.

I've been stitching the Lizzie Kate Sleds.  I'm really enjoying the cute designs, but I'm not too fond of stitching on the perforated paper.  Hopefully, the backordered sleds will arrive in time for gift-giving.  If not, I'll be making these into tags.

I have so much to be thankful for, especially my family and friends!

Wishing you and your family

a Very Happy Thanksgiving

And Safe Travels

Oct 31

Wishing you a Safe & Fun Halloween!

October

Thank you for your comments and private emails.  I still haven't been able to reply to your comments without getting a delivery failure notice, even when I type in your correct email addresses.  

These are the finished squares for a crochet blanket I began working on in June.  I decided to make the blanket big enough to fit our queen size bed.  I think the hardest part of this whole project so far has been laying out the squares.  It took a WHOLE day to get the layout the way I wanted.  I've begun joining the squares and will share that in a future post.

The photos aren't great and the blanket is much wider than the photo shows.
Lisa wasn't home when I delivered the blanket, so I left it at her front door. 

My friend and neighbor, Lisa, has been struggling with severe depression.  Medications are no longer working for her and she's been undergoing alternative treatments.  I wanted to do something for her so that she'd know how cared for she is during those moments when we're not there with her.  I decided a large, warm crocheted prayer blanket would be something she could wrap herself in and be reminded that she has lots of family and friends supporting her.

OTHER NEWS

In my last post, I mentioned that my oldest daughter was struggling with undiagnosed medical problems.  She has had many more tests since then.  One test showed a problem with her gallbladder and she is meeting with a specialist/surgeon later this week.  Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

I'll leave with a pic of my confused Christmas Cactus'.  They have always bloomed around Thanksgiving, but never before Halloween.

 

Take Care!

  

Happy September?

Technically it's still summer for a few more days, but I'm already struggling with what I call my "seasonal sadness."  Autumn often finds me feeling sad that summer has ended and that the bitterly, cold winter is coming soon.

Any of you experience this type of seasonal sadness?  How do you cope with it?

Outside my window...

Baldface Hornet's Nest

This large nest is hanging in the maple tree in front of my house.  I have only seen one in pictures.  I estimate it to be at least 12 inches long and wide.  I asked my neighbor if he's ever dealt with a nest like this.  He told me to stay away from it because they can be very aggressive.  No need to worry about that - there's absolutely no way I'm climbing a ladder to get to that nest!  Then he said it was beautiful and he'd like to have it.  Apparently some people like to decorate their homes with these nests.  I told him he could have it, but he'd have to get it himself :)

 
This year, the Praying Mantis' have been everywhere.  I've rarely seen them in years past, but I've seen one almost every day for the past several weeks.

This little Tree Frog sat on the window ledge outside my office for a whole morning.  It was a great distraction!


Finally...

(I blocked out the baby's name)

...some stitching.  My niece is having a baby soon and I designed and stitched this piece for the nursery.  My son-in-law made the frame and my daughter did the staining and finishing.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out and my niece loved it.

Other news...

We had a great vacation and trip to visit our youngest daughter.  We were also able to visit Washington, DC, Virginia Beach and spend time with my cousin.  I would have loved to spend a whole month visiting DD and my cousin.

This past week brought heartache to our family and community.  A family friend that had been missing since August 22 was found in a nearby community.  Not many details have been published as there is an ongoing homicide investigation and it's all just heartbreaking.

Our oldest daughter is having medical issues that several doctors have been unable to diagnose.  I'm so worried about her and asking for prayers.

Thanks so much for spending some time with me!



  

August Already!

Wow, the summer is flying by!  We have been so busy and every time I think things are settling down, I'm wrong.

My favorite Resurrection Lilies are blooming!

Dottie Dog and the grand-doggers, Hollie and Skye, always want treats.  

Hollie helping weed the zucchini patch

Hollie says swimming is the best part of summer!

Hollie has been my shadow and I call her my gatekeeper because she's always between me and the way out of where ever I am.  When her puppy hyperactivity isn't in overdrive, she is a really sweet girl.  I'm amazed at how smart she is and how fast she learns.

I have been stitching, but I can't show it yet.  My fingers aren't back to working like they used to and I don't know what I was thinking when I chose 40 count fabric.  I'm managing, but stitching on the 40 count fabric is frustrating me.

Hubby and I will soon be leaving to visit our youngest who is now many states away from us.  Since we're driving, I'm hoping to see some sights along the way.

Stay Safe!

Not Able to Reply

Update:  Thanks for your comments, but the email problem I'm having is new.  Even if I compose a new email message instead of replying to a message, I'm still getting the delivery failure notification :(

Not sure what's going on with Google and Yahoo, but I'm getting a delivery failure notification for every comment I have replied to.

Anyone else having the same problem?

It's Been A While

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe it's already the middle of July!

I'm still wearing the brace and doing therapy on my arm and wrist.  Regaining my strength and mobility has progressed much slower than I'd like.

I've only been able to hold a needle for short periods.  I started an ornament, but since I am only able to do a few stitches at a time, I haven't worked on it much.

I've also tried to crochet a little.  It's easier to hold a crochet hook than it is to hold a needle, but still not something I'm able to do for very long.

COMMISSIONING & GRADUATION

DePaul University ROTC Commissioning Ceremony 

First Salute with Uncle John 

Graduation Ceremony 

The Commissioning Ceremony was the first time I've seen my daughter in her dress uniform.  

It was another one of those "mom moments" that brought me to tears.

A new Army Officer and her new-to-her truck

(notice how big Hollie is and she was only 5 months old when this pic was taken) 

Hollie loves her pool and getting wet!

We were vacationing last week.  Lots of deer came to eat the mulberries from the neighbor's tree.  

The first few times the deer came, Hollie only barked at them.

The deer are amazingly silent and tame.  

We wouldn't realize they were nearby until Hollie would bark.

Dottie Dog didn't bark at the deer, but watched them intently.

Curious Critters! 

This deer is as curious about Hollie as she is about it.  

They would get within feet of each other, back away, come back together, 

back away and then get close to each other again.  

Not much else to share with you -- kind of hard to believe considering how busy we've been.

Whatever season you're in right now, I hope it's going well for you.

STAY SAFE!

   

It's Off!

I saw the doctor on Monday and got the cast off!  WooHoo!  I'll have to have some physical therapy 

and wear a brace, but at least it's not as ugly as the cast.   

As soon as I can handle a needle again, I'm going to start on my list of ornaments that I plan to 

give as gifts this year.  

I also plan on starting a 14 week CAL (crochet along) I've been following.  Each week a new square is introduced and since I want to make a large blanket for our bed, I will be crocheting 8 of each square.  

I have no stitching to show, so I'm sharing a few other photos. 

Not sure what this flower is.
It's blooming earlier and more than it ever has.

I thought it was cool that this hummingbird perched on my hummingbird garden stake.
Sorry this isn't a very clear photo, I took it through the screen door. 

Hollie doesn't like when I use my laptop and thinks she needs to chew on it (and me) to get my attention.
Not cute!

And this is the look I get when she behaves and I give her my attention!

It's Commissioning and Graduation at our house this weekend.  DD will leave on June 22 for her Army summer assignment.  Then in August, she will go to another base for a leadership course until December.  We think she'll get to be home for Christmas before she reports to her next assignment in January.

Have a great week and be safe!

Visitors

Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 

I think this one looks like he is ready to have a conversation with me!

These are first time visitors to my backyard and I'm enjoying watching them.  

I have counted 4 males and at least 2 females.

The Hardy Azalea is spectacular this year!

I love how vibrant the blooms are!

Hollie's new thing is smiling when she wants something!  

Hollie stays with us during the week and we've been working on obedience.   

Dottie "shows" Hollie how it's done so Dottie can get a treat too, lol.

We celebrated DD's birthday on Mother's Day.  I can't believe my youngest is 23 years old!  

She's looking forward to graduation and commissioning with the Army in June.  

Not much else going on.  It's only been 3 weeks since I got the cast, 

but it sure seems like it's been much longer.  

Have an awesome weekend!

April Happenings

Hollie & her mom

Sisters ~~ Hollie and Stella 

Hollie ~ 12 Weeks Old

Muddy Paws

Tulips

Happy 11th Birthday Dottie!

I'm planning on ordering some of the new Lizzie Kate designs -- I just can't make up my mind which ones, lol.

I'm slowly getting my stitching mojo back, but any stitching will have to wait.  I managed to tear ligaments and fracture my right wrist over the weekend.  I had sprained it moving firewood over the winter and thought it was healed, so I wasn't wearing the brace while helping Hubby cut down an apple tree.   Hopefully I'll get the ugly cast off by the time my daughter graduates in June.

Praying for all those affected by storms and bad weather.

Be Safe!

Happy Monday

It's still pretty chaotic around here.  Hollie, the grand-dogger is still here, growing fast and getting into whatever she can find.  

Found Hollie laying under the antique desk.  I turned away for a second and looked back to find her sleeping there.  Silly puppy sleeps just about anywhere :)

  

There are several of these finches visiting my feeders.  I was thinking they are House Finches, but my neighbor says they are Purple Finches.  Whichever type of finch they are, they are a very bright red and are always singing (when they aren't eating at the feeders).

Still haven't started any projects, but I did have a needle and thread in my hand the other day.  Three dog toys needed some repair thanks to the teething puppy.

Are you having spring weather or winter weather in your area?  Or maybe you're having weather like we have in Illinois -- more than one season in one day!  I've been told that this is normal Illinois weather, but I don't remember ever having the strong winds as often as we have had.  The strong winds that hit on Saturday took part of our roof off the house.  Several of our neighbors also lost parts of their roofs. Hopefully we can get our roof fixed soon.

Have a great & safe week!

Chaos

I really thought I had posted around the beginning of March.  Turns out, I started a post but never actually finished it.

The Grand-Dogger, Hollie, has been staying with us while DD is in Ireland.  Hollie is just 8 weeks old, but she sure has a ton of energy!  Then she crashes where ever she happens to be.  We're working on training and puppy manners.

This squirrel started visiting my backyard a week ago.  I've never seen one like this before.  Except for the white, this squirrel's coloring is the same as the other squirrels that visit my backyard.

These two squirrels were visiting at the same time.  Their tails, faces and undersides are the same coloring with only their bodies being different.  I'm wondering what's caused the one squirrel to have the white coloring and if it's sick.

I still haven't picked up a needle, but I did organize some of my threads.  I even purchased a couple of kits.  Maybe the stitchy bug will return one of these days.

We have a long weekend instead of a spring break this year and will be staying around home.

Wishing you safe travels if you are traveling for spring break or Easter.