November 25th, and the count down is on............................

Here we are, it's the 25th and December really is coming!!!

Two more ornaments are stitched and now comes the finishing, I always find this part a challenge.  Crochet projects are completed as well.  And knitting, not so much finished, ....yet.  Pictures are coming, really.

Once again this year, the plan is to keep Christmas simple, just more time spent together, heart felt gifts ...without stress for anyone.  DH and I will be the Santa's helpers with shopping lists for other family members not able to go shopping themselves. 

Of course we will decorate, inside and out, not over the top but something everyone can enjoy.   No inflatable's this year.  We tried a very tall penquin, really cute....Quincy was not shaken with this thing on his turf and let it be known and the blower motor died on the second try so back to the store it went. 

Looking out the window, a beautiful blue sky and the sun is coming up,  yeah!  After the past few days of wind and rain, this is a bonus.

till next time......Happy Weekend  Everyone...

change meetings......

Sometimes, when you least expect it, you meet a kindred spirit. 

Today, while attending an a medical appointment with my Dad, a lady stopped to look at my current Christmas stitching project.  We just started talking, first about stitching, hoops versus Q-snap then about her being new to the area, my making suggestions for her to find her way around. 

The conversation flowed easily.  She recognized that my Dad is strong willed.  I smiled.  She said that I help and that it might not always be easy.  She said even at difficult moments, I should not forget to tell him "I love you".    And she is right. Sometimes moments become situations and we loose sight of what is really important.

Jean has a brain aneurysm.  She sold up her home in Alberta, packed up her motorhome, including the cat and is now in BC, only having arrived a few days ago.  As yet she doesn't have a permanent residence. She has a map book, now noted with mobile parks to review, a notebook for all the things to do, a new year calender book for the future.   In her bag she also had a large skein of yarn.  Although there was no mention of her project, to me,  busy hands equal a happy heart and she's going to do fine.   She will be back to the facility for another appointment and I wished her well.

It was a pleasure meeting her.  I hope I brightened her day as much as she did mine.

till next time ..................

..turning back the clock..........

to November 6th, 1989, a spring morning in Papatoetoe, getting ready for our wedding day.  It wasn't possible to take my family, so Vanessa and I flew to Auckland. We left on a rainy fall Friday, arrived to sunshine on a Sunday morning and then it was Monday.  And I was nervous.  I had made my dress as well as my daughter's.  Our wedding party  was a small family group.  We headed to the notary office upstairs at the Post Office.  I wish we had asked for a copy of the ceremony words.  After the I do's, we headed to  a park for pictures.  Laurie did the photography.  Setting the timer and running like blazes back to the bridge....after a few times of that he was sure getting run off his feet! We went for a lovely buffet lunch then back home to wedding cake, wine and toasts.  Vanessa stayed with new grandparents.  Laurie and I headed downtown Auckland onward to Devonport.  It was an afternoon train into the city and I recall we shared in with many uniformed school children...........  One stop downtown at the main Post office to phone home and include my parents on the days activities.  (No worries as some six months later we had a Reaffirmation Cermony in Canada for my family and friends).  The Devonport Hotel was lovely. The rest of that week was a family vacation for Laurie, Vanessa and I. 

Now it's 22 years later, just where did the time go?

till next time .........................

change the calender...it's November!

Wow, October flew by.  The leaves on the trees still have lots of color, mind you a couple more windy days/nights and that will all change.

Halloween night was windy, dry and cold.  Living in a gated complex we no longer have little ones coming to the door trick or treating.   I miss that part.

Fireworks started last weekend , in celebration of Diwali.  The nearby temple parking lot was the setting for a huge night display of fireworks.  We enjoyed them from the warmth of our livingroom.  As part of this celebration of light, many homes have their outdoor Christmas lights glowing.  It makes my drive to work quite festive.   And yes, there were Halloween fireworks as well and they continued long into the night. Quincy has not been a fan of any of this and heads for his blanket and burrows under.

Today is a special day, my daughter's birthday.  We're proud of all she has become, a wife, mom and career woman.

This weekend we change the clocks back,  and I'm so ready for my hour back.   Longer evenings is leading to more sttitching being done, well, alright, at least the opportunity to stitch but it doesn't always happen.

There is still one large pumpkin sitting in the corner of the family room....and since there is no sign of it turning into a shiny carriage (a girl can dream) ...  I guess it's time to slice, bake and freeze it for later use. 

till next time,  happy stitching to all

tusal time

definitely fall....more stitching to do and there is still room in the jar!

October ramblings

It has been a very grey and wet day, all day, till 3:30 pm...and now it's bright but windy, even a hint of sun... and all this will be shortlived as sunset hits around 6:30 pm :(, ....definitely fall.  We've still a few weeks to go till the clocks go back to standard time and I'm really ready for my hour back!

Two stitching projects are nearing completion.  Unfortunately there will be a wait to show you the results as one is destined for overseas as part of an exchange.  The other one, is for our ILCS autumn competition.  I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has stitched.  A third project is a Christmas ornament, the stitching is almost done and then I'll post a  picture.

Last night I tried some hand sewing.  My goodness, it has been a long time, definitely not the same appeal as stitching, knitting or crocheting! I realised very quickly it was time to dust off the cobwebs of my old Singer machine.   Well I did dust it off, outside and inside and  have come to realize that it truly has had it's day.  So I've treated myself to a new machine.  This time a Brother machine.  Nothing too fancy, nor expensive mind you.  Hopefully this will see me through many projects for years to come.   What was I thinking????  Time will tell if this was a good move on my part.

About two years ago I took a wool hand dying course.  It's always been on the back burner to try dying yarn again and maybe some fabric.  Recently I read on Erin's blog, dutchgirldiary.blogspot.com of some of the types of hand dying that she's done.  The colors are beautiful! Yesterday's grocery shopping trip included a package of the Neon food coloring.  So now it's time to review my notes from class, along with some tips/ideas that I've downloaded get the yarn ready and *c*r*e*a*t*e!

I've been following the travels of Kate and her family on foxslane.blogspot.com .  Her family caravan journal is awesome, so are the photos.  And reading her happiness recipe gives reason to pause, reflect and take stock.

We've recently celebrated Thanksgiving.  Truly, we have so much to be thankful for.  Family- older generations, younger and grandsons.  The time shared is priceless.   And friends near and far, letting them know that they're important too. 

For anyone who enjoys cooking, check out Mennonitegirlscancook.ca.  One of their recent recipes was for bread and butter pickles.  This recipe can be made all year long.  And the results are great.  Crunchy pickles, so good.  This recipe is a keeper.

And with fall, comes colds and flu, parents are just getting over a bug, DH, well it's his turn now.  And with any luck I will miss out on this entirely!  Really missed seeing our grandsons today but not worth passing along any bugs to them. Maybe over the weekend we will manage a visit.

So a weekend is near, hope everyone has a good one.   I've lots of blogs to catch up on, stitching to complete and then there is the new machine to try.....fingers crossed for success!

till next time ..................

end of September update

Finally, some finishes to show.  I'm please with the Greek Islands. A lot of back stitching but the end result was worth it.

And Housework, it was quick and fun to stitch!


To the last days of summer,  with two little boys ...................

Seems to be nothing better on a hot day than playing in water, adding dirt and tasting.  Yum.

Yesterday was  a miserable wet and windy day, definitely a stay at home, stitch and make soup day.  Today, a new one, blue sky, white clouds and some sun coming...it is fall for sure.   And the countdown is on for Christmas, especially for home made gifts to get done!

Till next time ....................

September Tusal

still growing...not yet overflowing...

it feels like fall

The early mornings are dark now as the sun is much later popping up.  And today, it's overcast for the first time in a while and there is definitely a feel of fall. 

Fall is my favorite time of year.  The trees are changing color.  Fall bulbs are ready to plant.  It's time to think about baking cookies, making soup and other comfort foods.

And prepare fall projects, of course cross stitching but it's time to get out the knitting needles and crochet hooks. 

And time for a new look on this blog......
till next time,

a little late on the tusal

this jar is definitely looking like fall, including the small leaf