Stuff

    Just stuff! Things that keep me from my needlework! ...Doctor appointments! As we're getting older I find there are more and more of them! Laundry! Where does it all come from! Housework in general! I haven't seen that "house fairy" in months. No! Years!  Trips to the pharmacy to pick up another prescription! "Stuff" that has to be done, and it's up to me alone to do them! I would much rather be in my stitching chair with my fingers working with beautiful colored threads and yarns! 

     Okay! So now that I got that out of my system! Let me show you the beautiful colors that we'll be working with starting next Saturday! I've show you the piece, but for anyone who missed it, here it is below.

Now here are those colors! Aren't they warm and homey! Oh how pretty.  Remember that if you would like to be part of this "Stitch and Send" project, join up with LindaLee's Cross SAL on Facebook.  It should be fun.

     Bill had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon this morning, and the good news was that she feels all will heal on its own with therapy, but could take up to six months.  So no problem.  The fall could have been so much worse.  Black and blues are fading and his ribs are feeling so much better!

     I finished the blanket that I was working on, and after it's washed will take it to church Sunday to leave in another pew.  I've been enjoying this project, but it's sure going to take a while before every pew has a blanket or lap gan.

     I'll let you go for tonight.  Time for dinner and then time in my stitching chair tonight. Hallelujah! Thank you for stopping in once again.  Love you all, and keep those fingers busy.  Remember, "if you love colors, you can feel them".

     

Start Something New

 

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"Start something new" they said, and then I asked, "Who's going to finish the old"!

Isn't is exciting though, to get out a new cross stitch chart along with the fabric and colored threads! I've seen a lot of posts the last few days from people who have something new to start on the first! Also, more posts from people saying how they have their charts and kits and all set up for the entire year! I'm very lucky when I get a piece finished, and here others are doing a couple three, or more pieces a week! Amazing to me, and I would love to watch someone work this way.  Maybe I could learn some new tricks.  

I plan on finishing my one cross stitch project that I have going, this week.  Then I'll have to make it into a pillow.  I have my next stitch planned and all the needs taken care of.  Will be exciting and enjoyable to get it going.

Bill is doing better since his fall.  The healing is slow of course and it's going to hurt when he sneezes, coughs and even just turns just so.  It is what it is though, and he was so blessed to not wind up with broken bones or a concussion even.

A picture of the small blanket or lap gan that I'm working on now in the evenings.  Another, what I call a lazy piece as all it is is double crochet throughout.  It should be ready for another church pew come Sunday.  I may have already shown you the start of it, but now the colors are

blending in nicely.

Over on my Facebook Group page, "LindaLees CAL" I'm taking names and all to get a "stitch and send" piece started by the 15th..  Please check it out along with the explanation and if you're interested, join up.  I think it will be fun and I love the piece.

Well, I think I'll look for a good movie to watch while I do some needlework.  Bill goes to bed very early, so he's already sound asleep.  I've found so many great movies and now I'm looking forward to one nearly every evening.

You all take care.  Happy New Year and a year ahead of good blessings for all.  Keep those fingers busy with some beautiful colors, and remember, "If you love colors, you can feel them".  Love you all.

                                                    

Merry Christmas Day

Merry Christmas to all of my faithful followers and I pray that the new year ahead will be good to us all.  The day was nice and sunny here all day in the mid 60's.  We stayed right here at home due to a fall that Bill took the other night.  

Oh yes! He fell hard and we were blessed to find out at the emergency room after we waited for close to six hours, that no bones were broken.  He had his middle finger on his left hand so out of place that the bone did break through the flesh, but it was set and more x-rays showed that it wasn't broken at all.  Bruised ribs and muscles.  Emergency room staff was very surprised that he hadn't broken anything! Still very, very sore with a hand swollen was up beyond the wrist.  Hard for him to breathe deeply or even move around actually.  Here he is now, and no need to show the awful looking x-ray before the finger was set.  Swollen everywhere today and has a black eye.  It will be a few weeks before he's feeling himself again.

I got the blanket I was working on completed, and after Bill telling me so many times how much he liked it and loved the colors, I decided I would gift it to him for Christmas.  The next one I make will be another one for the church.  Here's a picture.  Easy double crochet throughout.

 

A little closer look here. 

Wondering what all of you have planned for the new year.  What beautiful stitched pieces you're looking at to start.  Whether it be cross stitched, knitted or crocheted.  So many gorgeous things to make out there.  Always finding more and new things also!

Hey! Wondering about new year's resolutions also! I have two only.  First is to listen for God's guidance and directions and the second is to keep my eye on my priorities.  That's it.  Tell me yours!

Well I'm going to let you all go for this time around.  Only six here but it feels so much later.  Lost track of time and days even since Bill fell.  Time to get back on track.

Love to each and every one of you, and don't forget to "feel the colors"!

Another Lap Gan

 Got the idea the other day to use up some gray yarn that I've had, and put it with a brightly colored variegated yarn.  Had the variegated also.  This is what I have so far.  All simple double crochet and I'm really liking the looks of the combination.  The gray looks lighter than it actually is in the picture.

We went out to eat a couple of nights ago, and pulled over when we saw the sun set here in town.  The contrails are actually what caught our eyes first, but just look at this beautiful sky! Just a month ago

the trees you see here were covered with leaves.  Now here it is so close to Christmas! My goodness.

The whole year! It went by so fast!

     It poured last Sunday for most of the day, and it looks like we have another, even bigger storm showing up this Sunday as well.  Lots of rain and it's supposed to travel right up the coast.  So all of you who are in the path of it, just stay warm and dry and get those crock pots going with yummy soups and all.  After church we plan on hunkering down with bowls of chili and watching some movies.  Will be a good afternoon too, to work on my cross stitching and all.

     Not a newsy post today or a long one, but one filled with love for all my followers.  Wondering what you might be stitching up at this time.  Keep those fingers moving and remember to "feel the colors".

 

Where Did the Sun Go!

 When I woke up this morning it was a beautiful sunny day! Temperature was 65 and not a cloud in the sky.  What a difference a few hours can make! We're expecting some thunder storms to come in tomorrow, so the clouds are here already, and that means the sun in now hiding.  Yes indeed.  Thunder storms tomorrow with the temperature in the low 70's.  Sounds good to me.  A church service in the morning with some movies and cross stitching in the afternoon.

I finished the lap blanket and got it sent out the other day.  It should be delivered to Eddie today.  I pray for better health for this dear man "my daughter-in-law's dad" and hope the blanket helps to keep him a little warmer.  I was leery about using the off white that it called for, but as you can see, it really helped to show off the sections. 

Yesterday was so busy with doctor appointments and not here in Havelock, but in New Bern.  I'm not complaining though, as since we didn't finish until after one, we decided to have a nice lunch out.  We were so full that we didn't need any dinner at all! Always a plus for the cook here! LOL.  Going to make an easy dinner tonight of egg foo young with pork gravy.

A couple pieces I plan on working on in January.  First, the piece that will be a "stitch and send" piece from my LindaLee's Cross SAAL group.  A few ladies have signed up to receive this piece and do some stitching on it before sending it on to the next participant.  If you think you might be interested in this, join in at LindaLee's Cross SAL on Facebook.  When it is completed a name from the participants will be drawn and that person will receive it as a gift to be finished to her liking.  

And then, for myself, I'm looking forward to this one below.  It will be added to my sampler wall in our guest bedroom.  A much simpler stitch than Grey...............Thank goodness!

I wonder what you all have planned for stitching in the coming weeks.  I know that it can be a busy time of the year, but as for me, as I get older, I plan less.  Dinner at my son's in the later afternoon and the rest of the day at home with no plans at all.  I hope to get more stitching done this coming year of course.  Grey has taken so much of my time. 

So I will let you all go for the day.  I do pray that this finds you all well and know that I love you.  Remember that, "if you love colors, you can feel them"!

Some Fun and Some Rest

      The Senior Center here in Havelock had their annual Christmas party last night.  Weeks and weeks of planning, purchasing prizes and food, getting donations from local businesses, selling tickets and decorating go into this one night.  It takes lots of time and energy for this one night to turn out well, and it always does.  The DJ had a picture booth as well this year, and here's what Bill and I came home with.

My little daughter-in-law, jokingly calls me "Queen Mother"! So I chose the crown to wear! LOL  We ate way too much and once home, went right to bed!

We woke up this morning with an overcast sky, but a nice temperature of 65.  Then and there we decided that it would be a stay at home day with hot cups of coffee and warm and toasty toes as well.  Of course Bill got his nap in while I worked on the lap blanket I'm making.  So far so good.  It's a quick stitch and easy to remember directions.  I'm also like the pure white crocheted in with the off white.  The off white makes the pure white pop.

I just can't believe that this is the month of December! It seems that I was up camping for the week with my family in NH, and that was in June this year.  We had so much fun, and I've already reserved our spot for next July.  Looking forward to the swimming and hiking.  Playing board games in the evenings and making and sharing meals with the family.

I saw this picture online the other day and fell in love with the chair.  It is so amazing to me to see all these beautiful colors together on one piece of furniture! "If you love color, you can feel it", and I can certainly feel this chair.

Love you all!

  

  

Here and Gone!

Yes indeed.  My family came down from NH and was here for close to a week.  My son, Allen with my beautiful daughter-in-law, Lisa, and my great grandson, Isaiah.  We enjoyed them so very much, and hated to see them go, but life goes on.   Me! Never a good picture, but isn't Lisa beautiful! Isaiah was so good for the hour plus, but he has chapel every Tuesday in school, so knows what he needs to do.

 

I took two more afghans to church this past Sunday and am now working on a lap blanket for a veteran.  Double strand throughout with worsted weight.  Just started it, but I think will go quite fast.  The MC is off white, with red white and blue as well.  Sure doesn't look like much yet, but will keep you posted as it grows.  It's certainly going to be warm enough.

The Orioles are back! Came yesterday and they're loving the sugar water.

My dear friends.  I'm going to let you go this morning.  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and I pray that you'll all have a blessed day today.  Love you all, and last but not least, remember to "feel the colors"!

Another Pretty

      I told you the yellow was coming, and here she is below.  One of my favorites.  These beautiful plants would never grow for me.  For years they would just stay as green as ever but never got any larger and never would bloom.  When we moved down here to NC, I started putting them outside in early spring and would bring them in when we got our first frost warning.  Well my goodness! They now grow like crazy and blooms galore every year! I've even been able to start new from cuttings.  God sure does know how to please this senior citizen! 

Close to the end of the third skein of yarn on this blanket, and I do hope that it will be large enough to take to church.  The fan stitch is easy to do and the rows add up quickly.  I'm really enjoying making them.

I've been enjoying the birds feeding right outside the window here for a couple of weeks now.  Bill built a shelf feeder and put it even with the bottom of the glass, so when the birds land, you see them real well.  Took them a few days to get used to it, but they're slowly getting used to it.  The  Hummingbirds are all gone now, but I've cleaned the feeders and have one back up at the said window for the Orioles.  They surprised us last year by showing up at one of the feeders that I hadn't taken down, and stayed with us through February.  This picture was from last year, and taken with the screen down.  Will get a better picture this year.

  

Bill is on a heart monitor now, for a couple of weeks.  Have to make notes when there are any incidents.  He has been having breathing issues as well as dizzy spells, so his heart doctor has schedules a nuclear medicine stress tests in January.  I didn't realize how often Bill's breathing was strained until I had to start making the notes.  I think I have mentioned the dementia as well.  So if you think of it, please keep him in prayer.  Lots of changes going on.  

Once again, I'm going to let you go for now.  Needing to get some housework done.  Dang work never goes away, and the older I get.........!  Love you all.  You have a great day and don't forget to "feel the colors".

That Time of Year!

   Yes indeed! A chilly 54 degrees at one today, and it has been drizzly all day.  Leaves are falling off the trees and we're seeing less people out walking when we're out and about.  The little ones getting on the school busses in the mornings are now all decked out with jackets and hats and even most of us big folk have opted for long sleeves and shoes rather than sandals.  You can step outside some evenings or early mornings and are met with the smell of a woodstove nearby.  Hot cups of coffee or tea  are favored in mid afternoons rather than an ice tea or soda. Yep! It's that time of year! 

     I have several Christmas cacti and all are full of buds at this time and a couple of them, in bloom.   Here's the first to bloom below.  My yellow one is right behind it and I'll take a picture of that one tomorrow.

   I'm working on the afghan as well as my cross stitch piece at this time.  Cross stitch in the morning with my first up of hot coffee, and the crochet any other time of the day.  Not so much counting so less need to concentrate so hard.  The afghan also feels good on your lap as you're working on it this time of year.

I got such a lovely gift from a very dear and long online friend.  I was very surprised an so happy when I opened it.  She does beautiful work, and her and I both love Teresa Kogut's designs.  So the tote and needle book is made from a fabric designed by Teresa! By the way.....This is my morning do! Thank you my sweet friend, Louise. Oh! Also, she made a needle book from the same fabric and the zipper fob is adorable all by itself with a butterfly, bluebirds, an I love you heart and a mustard seed attached.  Such a thoughtful and wonderful gift! 

  

I must show you this beautiful piece that my grand daughter did.  Some of you may know Ashley from LindaLee's Cross SAL group.  I taught her how to cross stitch about a year and a half ago, and she hasn't quit yet! She picked it right up and has done some beautiful pieces.  Just look at the colors in this one that she just finished!

     We went out to eat the other night, for all you can eat shrimp and/or Alaskan king crab legs, and I did indeed eat my fill! As usual! Anyway.....Before going inside, I just had to take this picture of the beautiful sky.  God is so good!

     I should let you go now.  Note that I started this blog yesterday afternoon at one, and it is now nine on Monday morning.  How quickly things change.  Though it's breezy this morning, the sun is shining brightly and the sky is a beautiful blue.  Birds are busy feeding.

     So keep those fingers busy and come back soon.  Love you all, and remember to "feel the colors"!

 

Staying Busy

Today was a busy day indeed and a beautiful sunny one as well.  The senior center had a couple of programs for us "care givers" and it was quite overwhelming  to say the least.  Up until today, I felt that we had taken care of all paperwork as far as power of attorney, etc., goes.  With Bill's dementia setting in though, I need to do so much of it all over again! Oh goodness! This will be time consuming as well as probably upsetting for me.  It does need to be done though, and it will all better for the both of us.

This year, the Camelia outback is just loaded with flowers.  They range from a pretty pink to white with yellow centers.  Noticed tiny little bees in some of them this afternoon.   

Started another throw for a church pew over the weekend, and this time, I'm using YarnBee's sugarwheel for it.  I love the way it changes the different colors.  Less cutting and weaving in.  I have a hard time changing to a different pattern, as the shell stitch works up so quickly.  This particular color palette has so many greens in it, and green is indeed my favorite! Looking at how much is done with one skein leads me to believe that I'll need to pick up another on top of the three that I have.

 

I did cave........but it was the first time in a very long time! I purchased the PDF for Hare and the Basket sampler.  I want to fill one wall in our guest room with samplers, and I like what this one says.  Colors are pretty as well.  So this may be the piece I start after my current cross stitch is completed.

If any of you have a "cross stitch" wall, and would like to share it here, please email me a picture of it.  My email is MissLindaLee@ecc.rr.com   I would love to post any of your pictures here for you.

I'll let you all go for this evening.  Have a blessed night and know that I love you all.  Thanks for being so loyal and sticking with me, even though I lag behind so often.  

Last of all, don forget to "feel the colors".

Another Throw Done

     Yes.  I finished another throw for a pew at church. Used yarn I already had, so it isn't as colorful as some of the others, but will keep any chill off.  This is draped over a recliner in the living room, so it looks smaller than what it actually is.  Hard to tell by the picture, but there are actually four different colors in it.

  

     I mentioned "Gray" yesterday also, and didn't post a picture.  So as you can see below, there isn't much left to do at all.  Once done, it will be made into a pillow for a gift.  Just the lower right hand corner to go.

          So by tomorrow afternoon, my knitting and sewing basket should be empty and ready for a couple of brand new pieces.  For sure there will be another throw and I'll have to decide what cross stitch it next.

          Will let you go on this windy fall day.  You take care.  Love you and remember to "feel the colors".

     

Here It Is Fall Once Again!

      Fall is such a wonderful part of the year down here in southern North Carolina.  The air starts to get cooler, and though he chill seems too soon to some, to others it's a blessing.  A blessing for me actually, as I'm finding that as I get older, the summer heat and high humidity is hard for me.  We "Bill and I" haven't done any gardening in a couple of years now.  Though we love working with the soil and all, we have to face the real facts! We do miss it though.

     I think when the beautiful fall colors begin in the mountains of NC as well as in my home state of New Hampshire, stitchers can actually "feel them", and wind up making beautiful needlework pieces as shown here

Maybe there are knitters and crocheters that love making beautiful blankets using fall colors, such as these.  

Away the spring and summer clothes go for next year, and out come the long sleeved sweaters and warm jeans.  Sweatshirts and scarves and all.  Fall is here! Enjoy it! The smell of burning leaves and fire places.  Warm apple cider and pumpkin bread! It's here! Enjoy every minute of it!

I am nearly done on a long stitched on, "Grey" and can't say that I'll miss this piece when it's gone.  It's a gift and I'm glad that I could stitch it, but it isn't something I would normally pick to do.  So to continue my creativity, I have been crocheting afghans for the pews at our church, and knitting hats for my grands for Christmas gifts.  Here's one of the afghans.

Over the last several months, I have also been a "care manager", and as time goes by I will slowly become a care giver, for my sweet husband, Bill.  He was diagnosed with dementia, and as the days, weeks and months go by, I see the changes the take care place with this affliction.  He is one of the smartest people I have ever met, and it saddens me to know what will eventually be.  He and I have always been a team though, and we're in this together.  Here we are pictured at one of our favorite places to eat.  Oh! If you think of it, please pray for Bill, and that this disease will be kind to him.

I pray that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! For the first time in a few years, the family will be here at our house for the day.  Our family in NH though, will be here close to a week for a wonderful visit! We're very excited about all of us being together at once!

Well I have certainly enjoyed being here and catching up! I've missed you all! So until next time, be well and remember to "feel the colors".