Counting Bits of Joy

The car being towed twice (in shop 4 times at 2 different locations) and flat tire on second car is going to make for a stressful holiday.  After all, there's been... Decorating Tree trimming Christmas program Finish work for friends Not to mention shopping and the list of to do's.   And yes, even a few cards mailed!  Stress is not in the vocabulary...if it isn't finished, it will not be the end of the world.  I have however, been re-thinking blogging. To blog or not? No stress, I will think about it later.  Thanking you for stopping by and please know, much pleasure and even knowledge is gained while visiting your blogs. How about you are you stressing or taking time to enjoy the Spirit of the Season?

To dance with squirrels...don't  you think?  Or at least one very good "witchy" friend to join you.  Fancey Blackett & the Harvest Dance" by Pineberry Lane was finished over a year ago.  Having found a frame in the stash, it is ready to share.  Fun finish, fun frame and fun friend! Thank you all for stopping by and not giving up on me.  I will get back into the groove someday.  Just know your comments are read and appreciated. By the way, just when does one dance with squirrels?

And I still miss this lovely tree.  As some of you may recall, last year the difficult decision to remove our "anniversary tree" was made.  That decision was certainly not easy, but for a number of reasons, just had to be done. Resulting in no tree and a bare front yard. With a hot and dry summer, the front became nothing more than an eye sore.  Do you know how difficult it is to pull into your garage with your eyes shut?!  Inspiration, guidance and woman power begets a new front garden. It isn't easy landscaping an incline, especially one with tree roots.  However, it can be done. The neighbors drive by, stop and say, "Looks good", "Different", "Lots of work"....Really, what can they say?  I just don't think they understand...no one does much to their yards around here.  Wonder what's said about the purple table setting in the midst of all??!!   Frost is coming soon and one more plant to ...

By my morning walk in the garden.  I'm sure we just welcomed in the Fall Equinox...yet as you can see, a little of every season was found. It is Fall, isn't it?

With the thought anyone would stitch a design over and over...let alone seven times!  This is not my stitching and I normally don't share the stitching of others.  Although, I did finish the witch seven times.  No, I won't stitch a bowl of wee witches, but I would stitch more than one if I knew who the designer was. Do you stitch a design more than once?

For the holly berries to be turning red Or this little gal to have her own FB account And way too soon to think of saying good bye to the morning glories.  Yet, a gentle rain with cool days cannot come soon enough. Tell me, is it too soon to wish for Fall?

How are you today?"  I'm sure that's what was going through this little fellow's mind as I was returning from my walk.  Or maybe those were my thoughts.  At any rate, it was a nice welcome upon my return.  With cooler mornings, comes later starts and the desire to take in the joys of nature. There really has been a needle in hand these past few months.  A few little monthly projects...sorry no photos...as well as model stitching.  This was an enjoyable project, as the "jewel" and Barb both have the same birthdays which brought forth fond memories.   "Flowers for You" by Blackbird Designs How about you, how are you today?

Seem to have escaped me these past few months.  Rather, they whirl around in my mind failing to be heard in the universe.  Words such as--drought, vacation, fourth, hometown.  Familiar words that can tell a story.  Or do pictures say the words. Before the drought. . . "Early Father's Day present...Priceless!", his words. Boogie Babes. . . Family. . . Theme park. . . Buddies. . . Fourth fun. . . All-Star Game 2012 in KC. . . Kauffman Center for Performing Arts Celebrates. . .  Whirly Word or as we say, "Wordy Gurdy". . . Is it true, a picture says a thousand words?

Is typically associated with the NCCA Basketball Tournament games.  For me it's just maddening to think March is so busy and flying by.  Was First Friday almost three weeks ago?!  Oh, the story this tag tells... Then we've had another birthday...seriously nine already?! It's so much fun to spend time with a happy, creative "free spirit" filled with peace and love.  Note the bright socks...they're so she can see should the lights go out.  LOL And while on the subject of "madness"...I refuse to let change get the best of me!  My thought was to redo the look of my blog...you know lighter and brighter...well, after writing this post, maybe it's a little too maddening. What March Madness have you been up too?

Jumping of the fence brings pussy willow branches into the home.  Not only are they a favorite, it's fun to see how quickly the furry little catkins appear once brought indoors. A favorite branch along with a favorite sampler brings a little early spring to the mantle.  The "Sarah Whiteley Sampler" was published in 1985 by Creative Designs with a price tag of $3.50 on the cover.  Now when was the last time you saw that price on a cross stitch pattern?!  Spring, spring...can you tell I'm ready... Are you?

Seem to be running me to the brink of no sleep these days.  For me, emotions are just a roller coaster of life...not bad, not great.  Just life.  It's difficult to stitch on a roller coaster, so I'm sharing a little piece stitched for the youngest grandgirl.  It's by Homespun Elegance . Sorry to say the pattern is no where to be found.  I  will probably find it in the middle of the night. Who needs sleep?!! I do remember changing all the colors to match the little lady's taste. In the mean time... How's your roller coaster of life?

But it sure is difficult to post comments with the recent change.  Yes, I realize there may be a need to prove I'm not a "robot", however, these are not easy to read...and this is an easy one!  Don't even ask what I think about listening for the word...it's crazy!?! Or is it just me?

I'm thinking and she says, "Where's the tag?"  Well, maybe I did get carried away.  For those of you who don't know, last month a challenge of making a monthly tag of our First Friday adventures was begun.  Everything on this tag came from that outing.  Wow!  I guess I did go a little crazy...it does say February and Happy Valentine's Day... Don't you think?  Happy Valentine's Day...may your day be filled with love!

Every day love, that is.  Not being one to point out the day of my birth, I have to say I have been celebrating for well over a week now.  I am so fortunate to have friends and family that fill my heart with love.  I only hope they know how much I love them.  They certainly know my penchant for hearts. And with each of those hearts, I will be reminded of their love. Thank you, I love you...small words with great heart. Every day, "Celebrate every love"...won't you?

Has been completely finished for a time now, but doubts of the "finishing" kept me from sharing. Maybe someday it will be framed, yet today, it's finished and hanging on the new found storage cabinet!  I had in mind to stitch and complete a project before starting anything new.  Well, that idea is being trashed...it just isn't fun!  I do, however, have plans to use what I have "in house" this year.  The chart was a wonderful freebie from Beth at My Heartstring , the fabric I over dyed from the "I don't like pile" and the threads were on hand. It's fun to begin (and complete) a new project while visiting with a friend...she completed hers too!  Better yet, the two of us play together on the first Friday of every month and she had the wonderful idea of making a tag commemorating our outing.  There are rules in making these tags---we cannot purchase in advance for future months and have to use what we find, and I do mean find, that day...note...

Sounds so much better than clutter, mess, total disaster...don't you think?  And this is just a very small spot in my "play" room.  All this for one little tag!  No storage space, my excuse for not having an organized room.  After all, isn't that what the floor is for?!?!  Well thanks to my thrifty side kick, there is now a great cabinet that will contain and hide the workings of my mind.  The goal is to clean and purge before even bring the new purchase into the space.  Wish me luck! Do you create in clutter?

Each new year fills my heart with reflections on the old and expectations for the new.  While taking down the tree this morning, thoughts of  "Will I always put up a tree?" came to mind.  How could I not?  Each ornament has its own story to tell. Even Annie was a little sad to see the tree go. . . However, starting the new year stitching was a perfect way to bring in 2012.  Thank you Beth ( Heartstring Samplery ) for providing this lovely little chart .  Will you make new memories and remember the old?