Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my blogger friends. I wish you joy and happiness, as well as health and energy. I am still anxiously waiting for the arrival of my Scarlet Letter samplers. I think they will probably be in on Wednesday. Until then, I'm working on "Baby, It's Cold Outside." It's a lovely sampler by Heartstring Samplery.

Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year

I decided that I needed something to enhance my waning enthusiasm for stitching. I'm not sure what happened, but I couldn't get going on what I once so dearly loved. I blamed it on everything, from work to worry and anxiety about everything. Whatever it was, I couldn't get that enthusiasm back. Happily, I happened on Plum Street Samplers' blog where Paulette mentioned Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year. I clicked on the link and came across what really intrigued me, a year of working on a Scarlet Letter sampler. I have often looked at the beautiful samplers but felt they were too much for me. Well, I decided to join Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year. It should be an opportunity to meet wonderful new people. I ordered two beautiful samplers. They haven't come in yet, so the pictures are from the Scarlet Letter website. I think this will be so much fun. Hopefully, you will too. The first sampler is SDW A German Band Sampler, circa 1710. I love the different animals that are on this sampler. I ordered the chart instead of the kit because I want to look for a fabric to stitch this sampler on. I haven't decided if I will use cotton or silk fibers yet. My second sampler is Margret Lawrance, A Scottish sampler, dated 1823. It has an illuminated alphabet which reminds me of William Blake, the poet, who engraved illuminated alphabets. I ordered the kit with 35 ct. fiber and silk fibers. I am so excited to receive both of these samplers.

 

http://scarletletteryear.blogspot.co.uk

Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year

 

SDW, A German Band Sampler, circa 1710 

Margret Lawrance, a Scottish sampler, circa 1823

 

 

http://www.scarletletteryear.blogspot.co.uk

Mom's Handmade Ornaments

My dear mother always made handmade ornaments for my son John for Christmas. I wanted to show you some of the ornaments as they are on our tree this year as every year. I really think the stocking is beautiful. My mother used silk ribbon embroidery to embellish the stocking. The snowman is just adorable and is an added highlight each Christmas. Mom sewed it and added some fun clothes to Mr. Snowman. The Santa has always been my son's favorite. He's a friendly Santa made of felt with added decorations. My mother was an excellent seamstress. She could upholster and also made many of our clothes, including suits for my father. She also quilted and was a cross stitcher, as well as a needleworker in other mediums, including embroidery, candlewicking, and crewel.

 

Old-Fashioned Snowman and Gnomes

This is a comforting image of an old-fashioned snowman and gnomes. We don't have any snow, so I think this is the closest we will get to a White Christmas.

The Saturday Before Thanksgiving

These are some unusual gourds I took pictures of at an apple farm/stand in New York.

 

This is the apple farm/stand I went to in New York. They had homemade apple donuts and homemade apple cider. Yummy.

Happy Halloween!

Fall Colors

I just love Fall. I have a few pictures taken in various places this Fall. I plan to post more often with some pictures of my knitting. Yes, I've been knitting. I still love cross stich, but I find knitting to be quite relaxing anymore.

 

This is my ornamental pear tree starting to change colors. It is the last tree in my yard to change. The other trees' leaves have come off because of the rain and wind.

 

 These pumpkins are part of a display in a restaurant called Gigi's in Rhinebeck, New York. It was so quaint with such a neat menu. Reinbeck is one of the most beautiful places I have visited.

While I was staying in Rhinebeck, this was my view from my room. Rhinebeck is on the Hudson River. Aren't the colors and the river magnificent?


 

 

This was the view from the back of FDR's farm in New York. It was absolutely beautiful. Touring the house was phenomenal.



Strawberry Picking

On Monday I went to a local farm and picked strawberries. It was so much fun. It so helps that the weather in June is gorgeous. I felt a sense of freedom and peace from walking around the planted fields and picking the strawberries. The strawberries are so delicious. They don't taste anything like what we buy from the store. I can't wait until the raspberries come into fruit. I plan to go back and pick them. I made jam from the strawberries. It wasn't perfectly set, but it tastes good. I also picked some June peas. My college son shelled them for me. I didn't pick enough peas to make much, but they sure were tender and sweet.

Catching Up

I thought I would post some pictures today to catch up. Summer is beautiful here in Illinois. I have, as usual, an abundance of wildlife taking over my yard. I also have my precious Jessie Rose posing for pictures as always. I'm finding the new blog options somewhat challenging. I suppose that's what I get for being away from blogging for so long. It's difficult to catch up. Thanks to Tracey for mentioning my blog on her blog. I would like to suggest that my readers visit Creative Cottage Dreamer. Patti writes such beautiful poems and posts such lovely pictures. I think you would really enjoy her blog.

Jessie Rose appears trapped, but she can get out anytime she wants. The problem is she is the original "skaredy-cat" and isn't quite sure if she can make it out of this jam.

This pair of ducks found their way to the feeder in front of my living room window. I have quite a few animals who come to eat under the pear tree.

I have always loved cardinals. The cardinal is the state bird of my two beloved states: my home state of
West Virginia and my adopted state of Illinois.

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I bought a Hibiscus plant this year. It is so beautiful blooming on my patio. It is supposed to live through the winter if you take it inside.

These are my day lilies, my roses, and my vincas blooming in the lovely June weather.

Strange eating mates! The squirrel and the rabbit found the corn left under the pear tree. They are frequent visitors, especially in the evening.

Getting Back Into Blogging

Thank you Laura for your help. I am trying to get back into Blogging. I have so much to do to get caught up on in the world of Blogging. I have been reading your Blogs, but not commenting. I have a few more days until school is out for the year, and then, I want to get back to my Blog, which I enjoy so much. I hope to catch up on everything, and I hope people still will read my blog.

Please Help, I Have Lost My Blog Settings

I haven't published for a while, and now, all things have changed. Can anyone help me recover my original blog?

Cold and a Snowy January

Although it's cozy inside, the snowy January weather has come.

Last Friday's commute was an absolute nightmare. The snow started at about 9:00 a.m., and a lot of people left work early. The snow plows didn't have a chance to get started before the roads filled up with people trying to get home before the normal rush hour. What happened is the rush hour started at about 1:00 p.m., instead of 4:00 p.m.

I am usually o.k. with my commute because I am a teacher, and I am on the road by 3:00. I know I'm lucky. Even though I was on the road by 3:00, I didn't beat the rush. Not this time. Not at all. I was right in the middle of the rush hour. I was driving through snow-covered streets that had not been plowed, if you can call it driving. It was more like crawling.

By the time I got to my town, my windshield wipers had frozen, and I could barely see. I was so thankful when I got to my subdivision, but the snow was so high on the entry street, I said prayers that I would make it three more blocks to my house. My home never looked so good when I finally saw it. My thirty-five minute commute had turned into a just under two-hour nightmare.

As soon as I greeted my cats, I started a fire in the fireplace, cuddled up under my great aunt's antique quilt, and relaxed with a cup of tea. Today, we have about eight inches of snow drifted all over the yard. We are expecting some more snow tomorrow. I don't think we'll get what we had Friday, but it will just add to the snow in the yard.

I will try to take some pictures tomorow of my winter snow, which I actually love. I'm happy that we got this snow because it is beautiful and refreshing. On Friday night, I turned on my outside lights, and the snow glittered like diamonds in the light. I was so thankful I was home safely. It is lovely to be able to appreciate the beauty of nature when you're safe.

On the other hand, I always miss the best photo opportunities.Yesterday I saw a large coyote walking across the frozen ice behind my yard. A gorgeous male cardinal was in a tree in my yard. By the time I got my camera, the coyote had moved on, and so had the cardinal. Lesson to be learned. Keep my camera with me. My picture today is of three cold doves who are trying to keep warm under my pear tree. This was taken a few days before our Friday snow, when we just had a few inches of snow. Keep warm and enjoy your January. Thank you for reading my post.

First Stitching Project of 2012

This will be my first stitching project 0f 2012. I have joined Becky's stitching challenge of a large sampler from her wonderful blog: Becky's Stitching Bee http://www.beckysc.blogspot.com/. Here are some pictures of my project. I can't wait to get started. I think that joining challenges often create that sense of purpose that many of us need. I often fall behind in my stitching because of obligations to my job, but one of my New Year's Resolutions (and I make few) is to take time for creativity outside of my job. Here's to a beautiful stitching experience with Red Birds.

I chose this project from Just Cross Stitch Magazine November/December 2011 issue. It is a design by Marie Barber called Red Birds. I love this design. I think the colors of the birds and the flowers are gorgeous.

I am stitching this project on Nightingale fabric by Birds of a Feather. I have had this fabric for many years. Red Birds seems like a perfect project to use this beautiful fabric for. I am using the called-for DMC threads. I think DMC Threads are beautiful and have a lustrious sheen to them. Sometimes in the stiching world of overdyeds and silks, I think that the DMC Threads are often overlooked. It's great also that we have twelve months to complete this project. That also gives me time to work on my other five projects that I have to complete with some stitching friends. Those are listed on my December 28 post.

Well, the first snowfall of the season is here. Just a hint of snow on the yards, and the sun is out now. It's very cold, and I look forward to going outside. There's something refreshing about the cold and the snow.

Enjoy your day!

Happy New Year's Day from. . .

my beautiful cats.

Dasher is very sleepy.

Jessie Rose and Snowball are sleeping together. You can barely see Snowball's face, only his ear.

Happy New Year

Here's hoping that all of my blog friends have a Happy New Year.

No Pictures Today, Just a Post

I can't believe it's already December 28. Where does time fly? I know that is a cliche, but it's a good one. My mother always told me that the older you get, the less time there seems to be in a day, or a month, or a year.

I think it's probably a good time to appreciate all the time that we have and make good use of it. Life is a gift.

In terms of trying to complete some cross stitch projects (when I started this blog, I intended to have many cross stitch projects as the focal point of my blog, but it didn't happen), I have entered a small, cross stitch challenge with a few of my friends.

Many of my friends have entered big challenges. Many projects to complete in a year. I can't. I am not a quick stitcher. I admire my friends who are. I try, but I make mistakes, and it never seems to pan out. So, this year, I am working on six projects that I want to see to completion. These projects are:

1. Acorn Sampler by Praiseworthy Stitches

2. Joy by Turquoise Graphics & Designs

3. Winter Wind by The Prairie Schooler

4. At Home with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl 

5. June Berries from A Fine Collection by Blackbird Designs

6. Red Birds from Just Cross Stitch Magazine, Issue November/December 2011.

Winter Wind by The Prairie Schooler

These are all beautiful designs. I have had several of them for a long time and have always wanted to stitch them. The Red Birds from the Just Cross Stitch Magazine is a beautiful (and large) design. I have a beautiful piece of fabric, Nightingale from Birds of a Feather for this design. I have started Acorn Sampler and Joy. I am looking forward to stitching all of these designs.

Here's wishing you a beautiful rest of December.

Squirels Living In My Yard

I have three squirrels who have decided to live in and around my yard. They have a favorite tree. One I believe is a female. She eats her food but hides a great deal of it away. She is my favorite, and the one who is pictured here. The other is probably a male, a little bigger and more rambunctious. The third squirrel is a renegade. He comes by once in a while. I know they're rodents and can be a problem, but I prefer to coexist with them. I give them peanuts and some corn. I think they look absolutely adorable. They also provide endless hours of entertainment for my cats. . .and for me!

She holds on to her dinner quite tightly.

She seems quite happy eating her corn and hanging out in her tree.

Night Moon

I took this picture of the moon a few nights ago. It is lovely but a little misty. It is a perfect moon to accompany my reading of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. I can just imagine this moon watching Catherine and Heathcliff as they run over the moors.

Emily Bronte was twenty-eight years old when she wrote Wuthering Heights. Except for a brief period of time, she spent her entire life in Haworth on the moors in Yorkshire. Her quintessential character Heathclilff remains the perfect example of the Byronic Hero in Literature. If you have never read Wuthering Heights, please do so. Emily Bronte demands a great deal from her reader, and, in return, the reader will discover a novel filled with memorable characters, a complex narration, and a chilling setting.

Fall Decorating

I love the way my fall corner looks. It is on the landing at the bottom of my stairs.

I really enjoy looking at the two decorative birds, a little red and white one and a black crow.

The colonial candle holder belonged to my parents. I change the color of the candle to fit the season.

The blue dish on the bottom of the table was my parents and is quite old. The blue dish originally belonged to my great-aunts, my mother's aunts.

The lace doilies originally belonged to my mother's aunts as well.

The little Welcome Fall is just a small piece from Hobby Lobby.

I love the crow rug. It's quite welcoming, and my cats love to lie on the rug. I think they like the texture of the rug.

Living In A Nature Area

Happy Fall. I know it's already been Fall for a while, but it has been a beautiful Fall. Some years we have so much rain that the leaves fall off of the trees so early, and it is bleak and damp all day. This Fall, however, we have had glorious days filled with sunshine and gorgeous color leaves. We have had some rain, but not to the extent where it ruined the fall leaves. I live in front of a nature area, and I am amazed at the wildlife around me. I took this picture of a small hawk with a blue head. I know he's a predator, but he is beautiful.