Come See Me

It has been a tradition in our southern city of Rock Hill, SC for many years (1962) to have a spring event to Welcome folks to come and learn more about our fair city and expose them to Glencairn Garden which was built in 1960. The festival's mascot is 'Glen the Frog,' who was designed by Vernon Grant of Rice Crispies: Snap, Crackle, and Pop fame. One of the favorite events for my son has always been Gourmet Gardens where local restaurants and some benefit organizations offer tasty selections of great food!

Today was one of my favorite events - the local newspaper, The Herald, has an annual yard sale. This year the proceeds, along with United Way and the Postal Carriers, will "replenish area food pantry stocks...offer nourishment to people less fortunate."

I got a later start than had intended, but it's probably a good thing. I was telling someone earlier that I haven't done any CQ in months, but not stashing more didn't occur to me!

The first thing I found was a box of buttons! Did I need more buttons? NO, but they were just sitting there, and she gave me a discount for buying two bags!!

Then, down under the table, on top of the packing box were some old linens. These are stamped, ready to be embroidered... A couple of the areas had already been started. Don't you just love these 'bib a day' ones?

And these look perfect to make Mom a few trivets. Think I'll put two together with some pretty colored fabric between.

Then I stumbled on these vintage ash trays. They're yellow - depression glass? I remember seeing them when I was a girl.

And then, finally, the biggie. This box full of fabric samples, Braemore and Kauffman... There are big samples of linen, lots of cotton, some micro suede... Just a great assortment. This wasn't the only one she had - but she let me pick what I wanted for my box full.

Pixie was helping me check it out ;-)

And so, I'm happy. The festival was to end tonight with a tail gate, music, and fireworks at the coliseum - but the weather was iffy. DS was going with friends, so I'll learn tomorrow if it was a go or not.

Looking for me??

If you're wondering where I've been lately, come over to my Needle in Hand blog to see what I've been up to.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas

I hope all the shopping is done, list checked off and complete, and packages wrapped. I hope your home smells wonderful with the scent of spice and cookies from the warmth of the kitchen. I hope your family is well, and your Christmas will be as peaceful and joyous as you planned.

…with love and hope, from our home to yours!

December 15

Tomorrow is December 15 - my birthday! Want to celebrate with me? Turn off all your demure, controlled behaviors and get ready to let loose. I mostly dance in my seat, but if you REALLY feel like a party, get up and click here.

Follow-up to Catching-up

Since I've been doing a lot more Cross Stitch than Crazy Quilting lately, I did the follow-up to Courtney's questions about the storage units I use for threads over at my Needle in Hand blog. There is also a link to it on the left if, when you land here, you'd like to see what's going on on that side of my brain. If you're like me, there's not much going on on either side of our brains except Christmas preparations.

I'm leaving town tomorrow for a training class in the Virginia/DC area. It had been snowing there earlier this week, but today it's supposed to be about 75~ here. Earlier this week the highs were high 40's. It's hard enough to pack for a trip without two seasons being involved!! But after I return from this, back to work on Monday, December 17, we get finished on Thursday, December 20 at 3:00pm and won't go back until Tuesday, January 2, 2008. WooHoo! I can hardly wait!!

Catching Up

It's December and Christmas is approaching quickly, but I'm not ready! I've done a bit of shopping, but no decorating. I don't know if it's age, not having little ones in the home, or if it's all the commercialism, but decorating just isn't so important to me any more. Oh, I will put up a tree and a little more for DS's sake, but my heart isn't really into it. I can't get the un-decorating out of my mind - that's the part I truly don't like! I see all the chatter and love of decorating beginning after Thanksgiving, and do think it is beautiful, but just not my cuppa tea. So there's another example of my being in the minority - could be read as weird!

Yesterday was a day with such beautiful weather here, sunny and around 60`. I spent a little time outside, but had promised myself that before the weekend was over I'd have my bedroom/closet straightened up. What a mess it was! When the season's change, I typically just switch clothes from the extra closet (sewing room) into my BR closet. Since I'd had change of sizes there were big, middle, and smaller clothes stuffed into the closet. I'd started putting the bigger into clear storage boxes, and getting smaller ones out. Then I brought down from the attic a rack of things I hadn't worn in years - the bar holding the hangers broke! So all sizes and seasons were here, there, and yonder! And the actual closet had shoes all scattered on the floor, along with hangers, tags, and dust bunnies... yuck - BUT - it's all sorted and put back into shape. I'm so glad it's finished - about 2:00 am, and it was a JOB. There's a big bag of trash and a big bag for donation. It doesn't look like much to really wear now, but plenty enough!

I've been taking a break from Crazy Quilting recently, but have gotten totally engrossed in Cross Stitch again after years of being away from it. During one of my organizing frenzies I had sorted all my DMC into color groups thinking since I wasn't doing CS much, it would be more convenient for CQ and used the little cabinet for buttons. Well, yesterday I got a 60-drawer storage cabinet and sorted it all back into numerical order! Now I'm ready to pull threads for CS patterns, and will have to scramble through when looking for a specific color, but pulling drawers open will be easier than looking through for those tiny numbers! If you want to see what I've been working on, take a look at my Needle in Hand blog.

Most of you who drop by here know that my dad had been scheduled (twice) to have a growth removed from his kidney. The last time, they had him in the pre-op stage and realized he has an atrial fibrillation. They decided at that point (EKG) he needed to be evaluated by a heart specialist, so he went for stress and others tests. That doctor says he is fine for surgery, and after that they will prescribe some medication to regulate his heart rates. I'm so thankful that they were cautious, but WHY hadn't they done this before? Who knows - perhaps it didn't present while he was having check ups. He goes back to the surgeon on December 11, and I imagine they will schedule the surgery. I'll be in a class for work in Va/DC during that week, so hopefully he won't want to do it the next day!!

Off to do a little blog visiting, then more stitching :-)

Happy Thanksgiving

I had my cookbooks out the other evening planning our Thanksgiving meal - same things using different recipes, perhaps. My DS asked, what are you doing? I said, looking for recipes... He said, I look for them online -- are we not having green bean casserole? Are we not having squash supreme?

So the menu will be our fairly standard fare: Roast Turkey, Dressing and Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Squash Supreme, Winter Veggies (potato, turnip, brussle sprouts (several stores didn't have parsnips), carrots, and garlic in olive oil), and rolls.

Something new I'm trying for dessert: Pumpkin Tassies. The recipe included a crust, but mine are 'semi-homemade', Sandra Lee style. I bought the little pie shells and baked them first. Mine must have been larger than the recipe because it said, makes 20-24, and mine made eight. Had to make two batches ;-). The filling has brown sugar, pumpkin, egg yolk, cream, spices and flavoring. The topping is very similar to what I use for sweet potato souffle - brown sugar, butter, and pecans. One of the crusts tore, so we HAD to eat that one - it was good! Oh, and my dinner rolls... they're rising in the freezer ;-)

So how about y'all ... trying anything different this year?

I am thankful for so many things: family, health, home, job, but also among the tops on my list are all the online friends I've 'met and befriended' over the past year or so. Thanks for being there, and for allowing me to share in your lives!

I'm a Sagittarian - Can you tell?

As you know, zodiac descriptions vary a lot. I believe this is about the most accurate description of This Sag I've read.

Sagittarius, the ninth sign of the Zodiac, brings us the philosophers and adventurers.
Sagittarians seek knowledge on a higher level than their cousins, the Geminis. They seek truth. Ruled by fair-minded and beneficent Jupiter, Sagittarians seek justice, generally have a great sense of humor and treasure independence.

Sagittarians often suffer from "foot and mouth disease". They just say what they think. Period. Bluntly. They often hurt others feelings--though they don't mean to. And are ironically sensitive when they get the same treatment back!

Set your heart on a Sagittarius? Well, good luck. Sagittarians rarely stay put. Life is an huge adventure they can't wait to partake of--and that means romantically, too. If you want freedom in your relationship, pick a Sag. He'll never be jealous or possessive. And he might hang around if he has his freedom, too.

As friends? Few are better. Sagittarius is just so much fun, how can you resist? Yeah, they say exactly what they think, but it's not out of malice. They are just that honest.

Sagittarians have a short attention span, are notorious for leaving things undone. Want to see a Sagittarian in their prime? Put them in the underdog position and watch them pull it off. (All that Jupiter luck at work)

Jupiter, the 6th planet out from the Sun, past the asteroid belt, is the largest planet in our solar system, 318 times larger than the earth. Jupiter currently has 17 known satellites and a ring system. The largest satellites are Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Called the Greater Beneficent, good aspects to Jupiter usually mean abundant, happy times. Even difficult aspects aren't that difficult when Jupiter is involved.

Wherever Jupiter sits in your chart, he brings abundance and ease. If it's the 11th house, you'll have lots of friends, etc. He's also where your sense of humor will be keenest.

August Heat

It's been a busy time at work, but I have a minute and want to share our local weather predictions with y'all. Too bad this display didn't include the humidity... but it's running about 50%. Oh, and that breeze... it feels like sauna air. Thus it's not so bad to be working, you see - better in than out. Of course, I'd rather be home stitching, but the mortgage must be paid!

Blog Title

I have been looking for the source for the name of my blog. I read it once, and partially remembered that it was from an old quilt or other stitching...and finally, I found the one I remember on Patricia's Quilter's Muse:

When I am dead and in my grave,

And all my bones are rotten.

When this you see remember me,

That I won't be forgotten.

Friends' Weather

Those of us who are on different groups and lists have found not only kindred spirits in crafts, arts, or other similar interests, but we have also made friends. Some members post frequently, some you'd like to hear from more often - having found themselves 'busy with life' having less time to visit with on-line friends.

As I ramble into my subject, have you noticed in yourself a different attitude or concern toward the weather? Of course when there is tragedy, we're all saddened by the outcome, even when we are not directly affected. During the predictions do we pay a little closer attention when the state or city of an online friend is mentioned? Oh, that's where lives - I hope this doesn't cause harm or damage there.

This weather channel message is brought to you by the 75` partly sunny day, where it appears the freezing weather has dissipated, and spring has sprung - with empathy for those who are with unmelted snow or chilling rains ...

American Idol Gives Back

Yes, I'm a fan of American Idol - watch every week (recorded), but rarely vote. This week's show was special in that they were making contributions to some of the world's crisis areas. You can read more details about it at http://www.americanidol.com/. One of their advertisers had agreed to contribute $5 million dollars if there were 50,000 votes. I did my part and voted numerous times - redial is wonderful, isn't it? There were 70,000 votes!

I was thinking of driving to the coast this weekend for a couple of days, to see a craft show and try to find some 'Mermaid Tears'. We've all seen the hungry children in Africa, those impoverished with AIDS and malaria who struggle to get miles and miles away to visit a hospital for the chance of receiving the small supply of medicine. It always tugs at the heart strings - the tears of a 12 year old who is the man of house caring for his younger sister after losing both parents. After watching the show and seeing some of the areas that would be recipients, Africa and America alike, I decided to contribute the money it would have cost for the trip.

My tiny contribution wasn't much, but if each of us makes a tiny contribution, medicine will be available, books to be read, food for hungry families - children will be saved. Please consider helping to save a few real tears.

Weight Loss

Several of the members of the CQ for Newbies list joined a subgroup called Stash for Pounds started by Susan. She's the greatest cheerleader!!

A few of you have mentioned seeing the weight loss ticker at the top of my blog. I had started trying to cut back before the group became active, so my loss has been since around October, 2006, I think. It has been slow going, but that's ok - at least it's going in the right direction, and I'm not doing anything that feels like deprivation which has been my problem in the past. Cutting back and moving a little has been my plan. An exercise class that we've been offered at work has fizzled for me. Guess that group participation and following the leader's thoughts on what we all should be doing wasn't working for me!

On the group, we weigh in once a month. April 4 was the last weigh in. This morning there were comments about how we've been tempted and tortured by the two 'sweet' holidays in a row! I have to break down for chocolate, too. It may not be the best way, but I try to eat a salad or something light so I can have a piece once in a while. I was totally surprised that weigh day brought a little loss. There have been weeks when there was no loss at all.

As for our goals, well that will definitely have to be changed for me. I'm not nearly there! May need to change that nine months to at least a year, maybe 18 months! But I'm not stressing over it... it's not a race for me. At least I can tell in my clothes. And I think I've become content in the fact that size 8 is not in my future! I would really love a 10, but will be happy with 12. You all know how sizes are - different numbers for different brands - but I have moved down in pants which is a BIG deal to me - 16W (is that for wide?) to some 14's that are loose. Hopefully when garden season officially gets underway the metabolism will get a little more boost.

A New Blog

I've created a new blog, Needle in Hand, to post all my needle tatting endeavors. It is not simple to move posts from an existing blog to a new one, as you well know if you've done it before.

Most of my craft time has been spent on tatting recently, but as I proclaim, "So many types of crafts interest me... novice of many, expert of none." What is it that drives where the interest of the moment lies? I'd be happy to hear your ideas...

Spring

Today is the first day of spring - and spring fever has really taken hold of me. It has been a long time since I wanted to really work in my yard, but that's where I'd love to be now - but the mortgage has to be paid.
From a distance this red Dogwood looks like it's still winter, but look closer... see the first blooms?






As posted earlier, I planted some rose bushes. Hopefully there will be some pictures to come. There is one peony next to the deck (last year's photo under Home Outside label), and there were two others in a more shady spot, but they've had no flowers for a couple of years, so I moved them over with the one that did bloom. I put Dianthius in a pot on the deck steps, and several that need to be potted on the front porch. Oh, and the pear trees have bloomed, and it looks like snow falling when you walk out at first. Just beautiful. The plum trees had bloomed as well, but the frost earlier this week took it's toll on them - although there are a few that are still white.


The pansies are still looking pretty, even though spring is here and they don't typically like the warmer weather.





These trees are blooming for the first time - and I've been waiting for two years! They're Red Buds.






What else do I want to do? Well, in a couple of weeks it'll be time to work on the veggie garden. I could spend a good deal of time in the herb garden - once it was overtaken by oregano, but now it seems to be rosemary who wants to spread her wings!!

"Rosemary, the herb of remembrance, friendship and love, has been used as a medicinal and aromatic herb for thousands of years. In ancient Greece students wore it in their hair to improve memory. In the Middle Ages sprigs of rosemary were placed under pillows to ward off evil spirits. Rosemary was carried by brides to promote love and used in funerals to insure remembrance. It is said that if a rosemary bush grows vigorously in the garden, the woman is the head of the household."







Ah, yes - the ornamental Bradford pear trees are in full bloom now, and even though they don't smell the greatest, I think they're beautiful. When I walk out the door in the morning, it reminds me of snowfall... NO, I don't want that now, but it's just the glow they give.

A Tale of Quick Book Purchase

While I had an hour or so to spend yesterday, I went to the used (also new) book store. I found a great embroidery motif book, loved it, and put it in my basket. Of course they don't allow use of store credits on most books, but it was under $20, and I loved it. Just for curiosity sake, I looked it up on a couple of my favorite booksellers, and there it was... about $3 on one and $4 on the other, plus shipping, of course. I'm not sick over it, but do think that extra cost could have gone toward other supplies.

So you're asking, What was the book? Right? It is Waverly Honor, A workbook of Embroidery Design by Martha Anne Hart & Hester Neblett. The dedicaton says, "This book is dedicated to the memory of Virgina Baskervill, who had the foresight to record these needlework designs for the pleasure of future generations..." The Publication Date is 1926, but of course mine is a reprint.

The Blogging Path

I wonder how in the world we get things done; we the inquisitive. We have our bloglines set up so that we know when one of our links of interest is updated, but then there are days like today. SharonB suggested "A Few Links", and off I went to spend a few hours touring the sites.

There was Mary Corbet's site, Needle'n Thread where she was comparing silk threads - but what fascinated me there was the library of video tutorials for embroidery stitches. There are lots of other great resources here, too.

Next I traveled to the BibliOddesey site. There is a lot of intellectual data here, but I got lost clicking on different picture links and finding images galore. I suppose the visual stimulation was enough for my journey today.

So on we go. Traveling the web for inspiration, knowledge, entertainment... Enjoy!

Stitching Enlightenment

Lesa posted a Philosophy/Justification for UFOs (Unfinished Objects) that I agree with, and it proved enlightening!

Many times I think and see comments on this topic: Why is most of my work done for gifts (that may or may not be appreciated) or on RRs (round robins). Not only UFOs, but most of the items we work on are for our stitching enjoyment = entertainment. If it isn't fun, why do it?

Justification for the topic may be, I spend so much time working on _____ that there's no time for MY project, or Using all that great stash on things for others. This could be why my stash grows so rapidly -- the part of the stash that I'm 'saving' for the special project never gets used? I tried to break out of this mold recently by sorting my 'special' fabrics among the rest by color. It has been quite enjoyable using these almost forgotten treasures - what's more special?!

Another Stitching Enlightenment is when it's a LOT more fun there comes a more inspired, creative result. OK, so I'm not an artist like many of the great stitchers we admire. Every piece they stitch truly looks like a work of art. It's not that I don't try my best on any piece, but there are projects that seem be quiet - they don't 'speak to me' demanding more. So what is it that makes some projects more fun than others?

Recently I've been working on two similar pieces. One is infinitely more fun and inspiring than the other. Why is that? There are no time constraints or requirements that make them different. My only observations are that I know one of the recipients better and the colors are more in my comfort zone. I'll post scanned -in progress- pictures of the two later.

I'd love to read your ideas, so comment, please.

Two for February

I found this along the bloggers' path from Dakini Dreams. It's hard to think of two in some cases, and some could be limitless...

1. Two names you go by: Charlene / Mom
2. Two parts of your heritage: Irish / Native American
3. Two things that scare you: Loss of Parents / Mice
4. Two things that make you really happy: Visits with Son / Food
5. Two everyday essentials: Caffeine / TV
6. Two things you are wearing right now: Glasses / Pants
7. Two of your favourite current bands/artists: Dixie Chicks / John Mayer
8. Two things you want in a relationship (other than love): HONESTY / Compatibility
9. Two truths: Independence is KEY / The older I get, the more like me I become!
10. Two favorite hobbies: Crazy Quilting / Tatting
11. Two things you have to do this week: Exercise / Stitch :-)
12. Two stores you shop at: Hamrick's (clothing) / Bi-Lo (grocery)
13. Two shows you like to watch: Please ... House / Studio 60
14. Two things you'd buy if money were no object: Coastal home / Craft Shop
15. Two wishes for 2007: Troops come home / Live, Love, Laugh