Hermitting in the Snow

Well, not really IN the snow, but I was looking at it the whole weekend!

We came to the lake this weekend since the boys had a half day Thursday, and no school Friday and Monday.  We had friends join us and had a great weekend.  Relaxing, sledding, gaming, movie watching, talking, entertaining ice sculpting, and oh yes, even some stitching!

Nathan loved the frozen cantaloupe ice bowling, even if he didn't get a strike.

I think I took a picture of every ice sculpture there, but he was still carving them as we were leaving.  I love the expression on the kids faces as they were watching.

More outdoor fun, but too cold and windy for me on Sunday!

 

This is what I like to see, men cleaning in the kitchen! 

Boys watching Star Wars.

 

Reading time with Shana.

And hey, I actually did some stitching this hermitting weekend!  Still not as far as DJ on our One Nation SAL, but it's coming.

 

Post Valentine goodie

Thank you for all the comments for my Valentine posts yesterday! 
The Secret Stitching Sweetheart hop had great stitched pieces and I found out that Miss Lilly was my secret stitcher, thanks Lilly!  My secret stitching got send to Nicola.

As for the post for my Mom, she loved it!  I'm so glad I was able to see her yesterday, only if it was just for the afternoon/evening.  My older brother and I were laughing about how we used to run away from her as she chased us with a wooden spoon!  But it didn't happen to me that much, I was the good child!  She said it must have worked, because we turned out just fine! 
No pics from our visit, my Dad didn't send them to me.

I finally sent Karen her belated Christmas present, which arrived on Valentine's Day.  Oops!  Nathan and I went to visit her last summer and we met her three furbabies, who we fell in love with.

Henry, Sadie, Emily

Parsley had stitched this pattern last year and had a give-a-way for it.  I didn't win, but had to have it so I could make it for Karen!  I knew it was perfect since we spent July 4th with her and she's got her three wonderful pups.  I thought I would personalize it and include their names.  She loved it!


This is the framing piece that the store messed up - the fabric was crooked, buckled and found out they didn't even pin it.  Thanks to DJ & Sonya's framing skills, they made it look the way that it should.  Thanks again, girls!
 

These Hands

In honour of Valentine's Day, you don't have to have a sweetheart to tell someone you love them.

These Hands

These hands held me as a baby.

These hands carried me when I was tired.

These hands comforted me when I cried.

These hands tucked me in bed.

These hands fed me when I wouldn't eat.

These hands held my hand when I walked.

These hands picked me up when I fell.

These hands helped me get dressed.

These hands scratched my back whenever I asked.

These hands spanked me when I needed it.

These hands helped me to swim.

These hands made my dolls clothes.

These hands knitted our treasured afghans.

These hands held all three of my babies.

These hands still make the German pancakes I love.

These hands still try to pinch my bottom.

These hands still hug me tight.

These hands, I love these hands.

I love you, Mom.

 

Secret Stitching Sweetheart

Happy Heart Day to you! 

Jo has hosted a Secret Stitching Sweetheart Hop and this is what I received.  Way cool, what a sweet stitch!  How can you not include loving cross stitch on Valentine's Day?!  So go take a hop over to Serendipitous Stitching to see the other wonderful pieces.

I have no idea who stitched this one, so at some point today, please let me/us know!

I hope you get some loving today, or maybe you'll be the one giving? 
Tell a friend, or even a stranger, they look nice.  I don't hesitate to tell someone I like something they're wearing, even if I don't know them.
Give a friend a hug, who couldn't use one of those?
Buy some flowers and hand them out to people who need a lift.
Call a friend, let them know you're thinking of them.
Are you a baker?  Share your goodies!
Send a funny ecard, make someone laugh.
Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, need I say more?!
So Happy Hearts Day to you today, and every day. ♥

Gifts and Fun Tuesday!

Today was a day for receiving and giving.  I received this wonderful booklet from Jo, from her Grow Your Blog Party give-a-way.  There are so many cute things in there, I just need to make the time to stitch some.  Thanks so much, Jo, I love it!
And for the giving, I finally went to the post office today to post everything I needed to.  So for those of you who are expecting something from me, it's coming! 
As for the Poopy Pattern, guess what I found OUTSIDE the litter box yesterday?!

  Today Nathan had his belt test for this purple belt.

 He did it!  Here he is with his big brothers.  They took a break from their homework to watch, such a hardship for them.

 Did you know, it's Fat Tuesday!  I was going to make a King Cake, but totally forgot and ended up buying one at store.  It wasn't very good, so I'll have to remember next year so I can make my own.

February TUSAL

I saw no point in posting a January TUSAL since my glass was empty!  But I finally have something to show for this month, even if it is hard to see. 

 Here's my snuggle bunch, my spot is where the purple blankie is.

 

rachelle abellar, illustrator

 

Getting Somewhat Organized

Even though we still haven't gotten the official word for the septic approval for the new house, I've been trying to get ready for the move.  I've been moving all my stitching stash to an armoire, that way I'll be able to keep it with me instead of storing it.  Most of it's there already, just not quite sure what to do with all the "leftover" stash.  But I'll make room somehow!  All the goodies already in the shelves and containers in the background are card making supplies, they'll be staying there and hopefully be staying with me too.

 I also had to clean up and repack all our Christmas decorations to store at my friend's house.  This doesn't include two big containers filled with my Christmas village.  I hope she has enough room!  I was going to bring over my Halloween decorations too, but I don't want to scare her.

 

I finally filled the bird feeder and have had a visitor or two.  Such a shame we didn't get any snow, bummer. 

It's that time again - Send a Free Valentine!

What did the boy octopus say to the girl octopus?  I wanna hold your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand!

What are you going to put on your card?!  It doesn't cost a thing but a couple of minutes of your time... just do it!

 

		Choose your valentine: Help us gather 10,000 valentines by February 14! Dear Astrid, Remember how special you felt when you got valentines from your classmates when you were a kid? It was such a treat to have that decorated envelope or shoebox filled with kind notes from friends. Kids in the hospital this Valentine's Day won't be able to celebrate at school with their friends, but we can still give them a special day to remember. Choose a valentine to send to a child in the hospital. Your card will be printed out and given to a child in the hospital. We’re hoping to shower each of our patients with lots of valentines, so they know how much people like you care. With your help last year we gathered over 8,000 valentines — and the kids loved it! We've set a new goal this year to gather 10,000 valentines by February 14. I like to think Children's National is a pretty special place — not just because we provide quality care to every child who comes through our doors, regardless of whether their family can afford a hospital stay. But it's also because we work hard to create an environment where kids can be kids — and enjoy holidays like Valentine's Day — even when they're sick. Your valentine will help us make that possible. Send your valentine to a child in the hospital today. Just a few words mean so much. Thank you for reaching out and showing kids in need that you care this Valentine's Day. Sincerely, Pam King Sams Executive Vice President, Development Children's National Medical Center
	MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION | HOME TELL A FRIEND | PRIVACY POLICY Children's National Medical Center | 111 Michigan Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20010 | 301-565-8500 | Unsubscribe

 

Poopy Pattern Winner

Sorry for the delay, it seems to be my trademark!  I wish I had two patterns so you both could win, but Linda at Stitchin with my Furbabies wins the challenge!  Please email me your address and I'll be posting it to you shortly.  Hopefully the curse has truly been lost in the mail and you will have no issues.  Be sure to let us know how things go for you, good luck!

Delightful Dragons

Last weekend, my girlfriend and I went to the Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Virginia.  So many exhibits, I loved it!  We walked into this booth near the end, and I was in dragon heaven!  As I was looking at all the amazing pictures, I realized that some of these looked like the ones from Heaven and Earth Designs, and they were!!!  I HAD to buy one and choosing it was really hard.  But this is the one really liked, Flights of the Fireflies.  I figured it was a perfect Valentine's gift for DH and myself!

When I got home, I decided that I wanted to take the plunge and stitch one.  So I went to the HAED website and saw this one.  How perfect, see the kitty hiding on the left - eyes like Ming, colour like Max!  AND, they are having a 35% off Valentine's Day sale until the 9th.  Winner!  Not until I was home did I realize I should have had a picture taken with Randal Spangler!  Oh well, there will be a next time!

The Medieval Shelf

 I finally finished the poopy pattern and it's ready to be passed on, check it out - Poopy Pattern give-a-way.  I guess the curse really was lost in the mail because (touch wood), there have been no accidents here!

Grow Your Blog Winner and the Poopy Curse Give-a-way

 
I know I was supposed to pick a winner yesterday, but my assistant went to a basketball game last night and then had to go to bed when he came home!  So he helped me this morning instead.

With Spiderman to the rescue, the winner is Joyce, of Joyce's Love of Life!
Okay Joyce, your mission is to tell me the kind of things you like to stitch - or since you make such beautiful cards, something you might like for that.  For those of you who haven't checked out her blog yet, get going!
 
 I'm almost finished with the poopy pattern, and luckily we have not been cursed.  But no guarantees for the next winner! 


Since I won this as Parsley's Traveling Pattern, I'm passing it on and here are the rules to be entered in the drawing:
Be a follower
Stitch it quickly so we can follow the story
Post a blog telling us if Parsley's Poopy Curse continues
Promise to pass it on to another when you are finished with the same rules

 If you would like to stitch this pattern, let me know in a comment below and I will draw a name and announce a winner on Tuesday, February 5th.