A Super Fun, Super-Bowl Retreat! 🏈

Was this only last month?!

Another fabulous retreat brought to you by LinAnn Events! ❤

Our goodie bag.

Annette with Mind Your Needle, so many treasures there. I bought a cute scissor fob, but it's a bday present so I'm not showing it.

Peggy and Roberta from BFF Pouches and Bags were there, but I didn't get a photo when they were "open." I restrained myself and only bought two bags, one was perfect for tea bags!

Silkweavers/Needleworker's Delight, another hard one to restrain myself, but I did and only bought fabric.

They were selling older models... 

... and other older finishes.

Fritz, Brenda's new puppy, joined us for the weekend. He was an absolute sweetheart and such a good boy. So much puppy love going on!

Our busy/messy/fun table.

Sweet little Fritz, I was able to get a little stitching in when he sat with me.

Karen's finished piece, ring that bell!

Our biscornu class led by Annette. I was finally able to finished my mermaid.

My purchases. I bought the apple stitch for my girlfriend who's an apple inspector, it's perfect for her!

And there's always something to find at the giveaway table.

The pj and slipper contest - love Stitch, so appropriate.

Show and tell on Sunday.

Our fabulous group.

Not goodbye, but see you at the shore!

Still having fun in Oct and Nov!🍂

In October, we headed to West Virginia to the M's family house. We've been invited for years and we finally were able to make it happen!

On our way to WV, passing by Harpers Ferry. (I'll be there this weekend!)

Not sure where this was, but I got a quick pic.

This is the view from their back deck, gorgeous!

I had company while stitching, although it was only for one evening.

More views and fun!

You really need to watch where you're going there, it looks like there's trouble all over.

Can't forget the pups!

We had a great time with this wonderful family, more news to come...

Nathan was a little hesitant with the dogs, but they were such sweethearts.

Back at home, the weather had been beautiful enough to stitch outside and I enjoyed it as long as I could.

And then poof, it's Nathan's birthday and he's 16!

And he only had a tiny bit of chocolate on his mouth this year.

Lots of celebrating when you're 16!

Oct and Nov were spent with friends and also Nathan's band concert.

I had a small finish, but not fully finished yet.

Coming up next post, exciting news!

Friday's Stitching Ground 🐕x4

Today's stitching ground had me stitching with Karen, my "could have been sister-in-law, but this is better chosen sister!"
I guess you could say I finished this, if I decide not to add the word HOPE. I thought about adding something else, but I kind of like it as is. 

I think I might get another Koala pattern, I'm just not sure which one.

As we were sitting in the dining room, this was my view into the front room... three pups! Can you see them all?

And this little stinker was behind me. And I do mean stinker, he had some nasty gas that had me leave the room! Oh, Winston.

This is what Karen is working on, she just started it but was missing some threads. So off we went to The Stitching Post to get them, it's nice that's she's so close to it. I looked around while we were there, but didn't see anything screaming at me to stitch. No worries, I have plenty at home!

Are you able to restrain yourself from purchasing patterns knowing you have plenty at home? I tend to at least buy fabric scraps, but didn't see any I liked today. Not that I don't have enough of that either!

Friday's Stitching Ground 🏥

Well, this is not where I expected to be stitching today, the hospital.
The Sweetheart Tree, Celebrate Summer.

On Tuesday, my parents dog died and on Thursday morning my Mom was taken to the hospital. They think she suffered a mild heart attack, probably from the upset of Tenny.

Here's the email my Dad send me...

Dear Astrid,

    The unthinkable has happened and our beloved and darling Tenny is no longer with us. I took her down to the animal hospital at 8.30 a.m. and snuggled in my arms she was given an injection, and within two seconds at the most was gone and with her went a large part of us.

     Our grief is devastating, as we have never loved a pet as much as we did Tenny, and she was our baby. As Mom said, "it is now just the two of us". Our lives will never be the same again with our little protector gone and for thirteen faithful years she has always been here for us. Who needed a security system when Tenny could hear everything. From the very day she entered our lives Tenny has never spent a night apart until tonight.

     Tenny shared Mom's pain and suffering and was her constant and faithful companion. Those adoring big brown eyes some how helped to ease the pain. Through the year of hell (2018) Tenny's adoring little face greeted me every time I returned from the hospital or Lions and she gave me the strength to go on.

     Mom will miss her beloved little friend when she attends chapel as Tenny was always there in the front pew. I have no reason now to go for walks and everywhere we look there are memories which will never fade.

     Sleep well our beautiful and darling little girl, free from all pain and suffering. We will never forget the joy you brought into our lives from the first moment we cuddled you in Tennessee, blessing and enriching our lives.

     Don't be afraid, little one, as you are in a better place, and one day we'll spend eternity walking happily once again on Route 66. God Bless, Tenny, and we shall always keep you close to our hearts, treasuring the years we had together.

                                                                                             Love, Mom, Dad but sadly no more our beloved Tenny xxx

I came to the hospital today instead of visiting tomorrow like I had planned. While I was there, Mom and Dad told me they want to get another Pekingese. So we started looking online, first for a rescue but weren't able to find one that was somewhat close or fit what they were looking for. Then for a puppy, and we found this sweet girl in "nearby" West Virginia. So it looks like they're getting her, and I might be picking her up at the end of the month for them. They have already named her, meet Addie. The significance of that name is that's what my younger brother used to call me when he was little because he couldn't say my name. Guess who'll be getting a dog sometime in the future - hopefully a long time from now!

Mom just melted when she saw her picture, so I hope it all works out and they get her like they are planning. She will definitely cheer them BOTH up, even though I know as a puppy she'll be a lot of work! 

I'd like to stitch them a little something in memory of Tenny, so hopefully I'll find a pattern similar to her. I have a couple of books to look at at home, I think one might be in there.

Please say a prayer for my Mom (and Dad), she might be able to come home tomorrow, but most likely on Sunday. I'll be here until Sunday morning, so I can keep Dad company at night until she gets home.