Happy New Year's Eve!

The new year is drawing close.  Are you  ready to celebrate?

2015 is a fresh new start.

 

Enjoy but be careful!

I did a quick update for my 2014 Turtle Trot.  Now thinking about my 2015 Turtle Trot.  It definitely is a "slow" list.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Ours is busy and noisy - 4 kids under the age of 4! Then add in 7 adults trying to have conversations, along with one dog and cat, both scared of all the noise and running (by the 4 little ones).

Enjoy the photos for now and be back in a couple of days.



Santa was definitely here!

 These trees are gorgeous and not ours.  However we did hang our stockings off the mantle.

Not us this year!  We had rain instead.

This was us in a way.  The two youngest liked to pull the bottom ornaments off the tree.  I put the unbreakable ones at the lower branches.  The 18-month old kept calling them "balls".

Merry Christmas!

Here's a couple of favorite Christmas stitching pieces.  Enjoy.

Prep time

This past week has been super busy with two Christmas parties and a whirlwind of shopping.  And the tree went up and the house was decorated.  Some of the last minute grocery shopping (lettuce, fresh veggies, etc) is getting done tomorrow.  Unexpectedly we are going to a funeral on Monday.  Then on Tuesday the out-of-town kids, and grandkids arrive.  And the in-town grandkids will be over later in the day.  The quiet will disappear quickly!

I'll try to get some photos tomorrow as I do last-minute cleaning as well.  Cat hair needs to cleaned/swept/vacuumed up daily, even though my little guy is a short-hair.

Bill of Rights Day

Bill of Rights Day

When : Always December 15

Today is Bill of Rights Day. To Americans, the Bill of Rights are key amendments to the U.S. Constitution, that protect our individual rights.

On March 4, 1789, the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified by the (former)13 colonies, and went into effect. States and individuals were concerned that the Constitution did not properly cover and protect a number of rights of individuals. The Constitution was signed by the original 13 states with the requirement, or understanding, that a Bill of Rights would be created, amending the new U.S. Constitution. On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution. 10 of these amendments were added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights includes these Amendments: Amendment 1- Freedom of speech, press and religion Amendment 2 - The right to bear arms Amendment 3- Protection of homeowners from quartering troops, except during war. Amendment 4 - Rights and protections against unreasonable search and seizure Amendment 5 - Rights of due process of law, protection against double jeopardy, self incrimination Amendment 6 - Rights of a speedy trial by jury of peers and rights of accused Amendment 7 - Rights to trial by jury in civil cases Amendment 8 - Protection from cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail Amendment 9 - Protection of rights not specified in the Bill of Rights Amendment 10 - States rights, power of the states Of the 12 original amendments, which ones were not approved? The original Amendments # 1 and #2 did not pass These dealt with the number of representative to congress, and compensation to representatives. Had they passed, there would be over 6,000 congressmen today!!! On Bill of Rights Day, we hope you celebrate you American Citizenship, and spend a few minutes reflecting upon the freedoms that you enjoy. These freedoms do not exist in many countries of the world.

Spend a day not thinking about Christmas but about having the ability to enjoy CHristmas or whatever holiday you want.

Stitching

Since last time, I mentioned St. Basil, I figured it was time to show some progress.

As I said, I started it during EGA seminar but didn't get very far.  I thought I had a photo of that early progress but it's not on my camera.  This photo was was earlier this week.  There are some gaps - one area needs a new thread.  The original thread isn't made anymore and I do not care for the substitute.  So I need to find my own substitute.

LATE TUSAL

I finally found my TUSAL photos.  I guess better late than never.

 I was using two containers for awhile.  The one nearest in the photo is strictly the orts from St. Basil.  Yes, I started Carole Lake's huge St. Basil.  I actually had some free evenings at EGA seminar, so I starting stitching, just a few months after the online class (from Shining Needle) actually started.  

The other ort container was from various other projects, i.e. new designs, a rework of an older one, etc.

This is the actual orts, just a fuzzy.  The other photo I took was even worse.  I guess it was not meant to be.

This past week-end I got to indulge in a luxury (in my opinion).  I belong to an on-line group called Hoosier Stitchers (covers the whole state of Indiana) and have for many years now.  We try to have monthly get-togethers thru the year.  This year I have not made very many due to far too many scheduling conflicts.

But this past week-end I made it to the last one in 2014.   I had a great time!!!!  I got to see stitchers that I haven't seen in years and some that I had not seen in several months.  I traded cat stories, got updates on health issues, got to hear about new jobs and just stitch the day away.  I also got a great cupcake from the little cafe next door, thanks to the shop owners (Liz and Diana).   Yes, the shop owners are also part of the stitching group as well.  So we had the pleasure of getting to stitch in the shop for the day.  I just wish the shop (Fancy Works) was closer to me, then again, that might be saving me some money.

It was one of the best days that I've had in awhile (vacation aside).

Visiting Quail Run

I am so thrilled!!!!!!    See below.

My post got noticed!  It gave me goosebumps!

Visiting Quail Run

If you have ever wondered what Quail Run is like inside, this is the blog posting for you-- 
http://needleworkerssamplings.blogspot.com/2014/11/more-catch-up.html

Click on the photos to see larger versions so you can admire all the wonderful models arranged in the shop.  If you fall in love, here's the Quail Run website.
http://www.quailrunneedlework.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

Microblog Monday

Today will be short and sweet.

I heard on the radio today that this is the 34th anniversary of John Lennon's death.   Where has the time gone?    My husband commented he remembered where he was upon hearing the news.  I have to admit I don't remember.  Then again it was a really busy, crazy time in my life (less so in hubby's).

Pearl Harbor

December 7 of each year is  National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day. It is a tradition to fly the Flag of the United States at half-staff until sunset in honor of dead patriots.

On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941 America's naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by aircraft and submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy, killing 2,403 American military personnel and civilians and injuring 1,178 others. The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four more. It also damaged or sank three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer. Aircraft losses were 188 destroyed and 159 damaged.  The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. 



That is the USS Arizona sitting below the water.  It is a graveyard/cemetery for the majority of those killed at Pearl Harbor.   Above ship is the memorial for those lost.

microblogging.

microblogging.

As in creating a post that is between 1 word to 8 sentences long.

Nothing huge.  No massive time commitment.  Just taking a passing thought, writing it up in a paragraph, and posting it in your own space. 

Anything.  Don’t stress this.  Just write.

book update

I haven't done a book update for awhile so I figured it was time.

In November I read 6 books for a total of 2,853 pages this month.  Two of those books were chunksters (meaning they were each over 450 pages)

So now I am up to 76 books for the year - a bit behind last year (83 books) but ahead in pages (1653 for last year).

I admit that being sick and not feeling good enough to do anything probably boosted the page count for this month.  Hopefully not for next month - too much to do!

This is what we discovered Thanksgiving morning.  Since it never got above freezing on Thanksgiving, this small amount of snow was still here on Friday morning.  It's now mostly gone.  I just hate to think of how much more may be coming this winter.

I did not venture out on Black Friday.  Just not my thing, besides I have even finished my lists yet.  Thank heavens no one is wanting some wildly popular item and if they are - they didn't remember to tell me.
Heck, I made one daughter ecstatic because I bought her a plain white gravy boat and took it over for Thanksgiving.

Now it's back to the end of the month paperwork for my various volunteer groups.

recovery

Who knew back in June that we would need a vacation so baaad by the time it finally rolled around.  Yes, way back in June we scheduled a vacation to St. Thomas with my brother-in-law and his wife for this November.  We were so happy to miss the arctic breeze and accompanying snow.

Our view from the balcony.   All the "villas" faced the ocean, the backs faced another building or greenery.

The ferry we took into town (in place of a cab).  Same price as the cabs as well.





Watching the cruise ships leave in the evenings.

The view from the lobby.

.
I was standing at poolside to take this photo.


It was a great get-a-way!

Pins and Needles Day

Pins and Needles Day

The real purpose of Pins and Needles Day is to commemorate the opening of the pro-Labor play Pins and Needles on Broadway on this day in 1937. Over decades of time, people lost track of the original meaning of this day. Today, most people look upon Pins and Needles Day, as a nervous and anxious day. Its a day of eager anticipation, as we await an event or for something to happen. One could argue that kids are on pins and needles from now until Christmas, as they nervously wonder if they have been good enough to receive a visit from Santa in a few weeks. Of all the special days on the calendar, this is a nerve racking day. You are on pins and needles until that special future event successfully unfolds. And, if it doesn't.......... well we will just think positively. We hope you have a happy, and calm, and relaxing Pins and Needles Day!

My first thought was needles to stitch with and straight pins for marking your count!  For all the stitchers out there, this should be our day !

This year it also happens to fall on Thanksgiving, so Happy Turkey Day too!

More catch-up

While at EGA National Seminar, I got an opportunity to visit Quail Run Needlework.   Wish I had something that great near me.

I think I counted at least 3 walls of thread, not counting the DMC floss that was in drawers.

 This was part of a trunk show display.  Some great finishing ideas.

Uncle Sam was also part of the trunk show but he just had to come home with me.  I need to gather ideas before I start working on him so it will be winter at the earliest.  Besides it's not like I don't have anything else to do.

At the rate things have gone this Fall, I wonder what winter will bring me.  I came home from the ANG National Seminar and my grandson gave me his cold - that lasted 3 weeks.   A week later I thought I had a stomach virus - turned out to be the flu.  Three days after the EGA seminar, I started getting sick again and this time went to the doctor's.  Good thing - it turned out to be strep throat.  So hopefully everything else will by pass me this winter

I did get to miss the first snow of the season- more on that tomorrow.

Waaaay Behind

Yes, I am late in posting several things.

First I'll head back to the EGA National Seminar and direct you to another blog that had lots more photos than me and and was actually timely. Mostly Needlepoint is the blog by Vicky De Angelis.  A great read!  Start with the end date (for the seminar portion) of October 22 post and then go backwards for some great commentary and photos.

Starting off, this was the courtyard that my room overlooked.  Never very crowded and very peaceful.

 I went past this courtyard, another similar courtyard and a straightaway, past a pool, then a corner, then over a very small street/pathway before I came to this:

If I went past (to the right of the fountain) this small area and beautiful fountain, I went into the building and the first door was the shop - a very dangerous place for my pocketbook!  Going thru the archway (on the left side of the fountain), and heading to the right, you go down a hallway towards the lobby of the convention area.  Going to the left, headed towards my classroom.  I had one of the six classrooms created by splitting up

of the banquet hall.
Here is one half  of my classroom (during break time).  I had some very dedicated stitchers!

And here is some of their color choices.  Color choices are always advocated in my classroom!

You can tell that a couple of them really liked their bling!

And here's the model

More tomorrow!