Awesome mail day!

A quick post before bed to show off the goodies I got in the mail today. ♥ First, I won a giveaway over at Willow Tree Stitcher- Jeanne's blog-and received my treasures in the mail today-LHN's pattern "Hot Cocoa" all kitted up, in this lovely Christmas-themed project bag, a beautiful pincushion, and some shortbread fingers, along with a sweet note on a beautiful note card! Thank you so much Jeanne, it was like celebrating  my birthday early!

ARGH.. blogger does not want to do right so just turn your head upside down. LOL Also got these Starbucks K-cup samples I had forgotten I even ordered so it was a nice surprise. They will go well with my shortbread fingers. :)

Thanks everyone for the advice about the barking- I had forgotten we were using a squirt bottle for awhile- we had stopped cause when we weren't around the kids would squirt her anyway cause she tries to catch the water in her mouth if you don't squirt her where she can't reach.  Maybe we will try again but have the bottle in an adult's care at all times. ;) May also try the coffee can idea, it's worth a shot!

Got the kiddos off to the first day of school today- they were dressed and ready before I even got up! Wonder how long that will last..

I also forgot to post this yesterday- it's kind of blurry but it's a funny little tree that was at our park- it looked like someone had cut it down to a stump and the leaves were growing out of the stump so it looked like a little tree. Will try to get a better photo next time we go.

 

Well it's late and it's back to the old routine so I better get to bed.. not much stitching progress today- did a little this morning but then had work, dinner, zumba class at the Y- so I will leave you with this one instead.  Fitting for bedtime don't you think?

 

Almost finished and a lovely giveaway!

First things first - Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a wonderful giveaway with lots of stitchy and beautiful items! Please go check it out, and if you enter, please tell them I sent you!

I had hoped to finish my LHN freebie tonight- but didn't stitch fast enough- and Ginger needed attention off and on- and tomorrow is the first day of school and I have to make sure the kids get there on time(as I post this at almost 11 pm..) so here is where I am. :)

Not much longer now, just some birds and the border. :)  I am getting anxious to get this finished so I can do some fall stitching. :)

 

What is it about summer?  This summer I said I was going to be better about stitching- and i got caught up on the computer and a game on fb and my stitching suffered, maybe not quite as much as last summer but still suffered.  So I am trying to be better about limiting my time on the computer.  I still need to get some sort of timer. :) I am also going to try to be better about blogging and reading blogs- I am starting to try to be better about that too- I enjoy reading them so much I don't know why some nights I just can't remember to take a peek at what people are up to.

 

Weather here for the most part has been a little cooler this month.. I got spoiled yesterday- I took David to the park and I could've actually worn jeans and a jacket..  this morning was pretty mild too but boy did it get hot later.  I had to run some errands and couldn't wait to get home. And here I was hoping for an early fall..

 

I didn't get to post any pictures of Ginger last time cause Blogger was acting up- so here are a couple-

She's still a sweetie but we've been having some problems with her barking lately- barking when we eat and she wants some, barking when we are sitting down and she wants attention(and she gets plenty of that already, mind you), etc.  Any advice for how to stop this? We have gotten one of those remotes that makes the high-pitched noise- it works sometimes, but sometimes not.. we've tried turning away from her for a few seconds, but usually she doesn't stop at all or just starts right back up when we turn to her again.  It's really frustrating!

 

Hope this post hasn't been a downer.. thanks for checking in with me! :) And welcome to my new followers, I notice I have a couple! I'm so happy! :) :)

 

Wordless Wednesday

I know, I know, I haven't been very good about posting lately.. I apologize!   I do have some pics.. I am coming along better on my LHN piece than the Alamo.. I did have to frog a little of the Alamo.  I really should break out my needle parker to do the Alamo, but I need to buy some more needles first. There are a lot of color changes in it.

I want to get my LHN project finished as I have gotten the LK Mystery Sampler and am itching to start on it!  I just don't want to start too many things or I won't get anything done at the rate I stitch these days.  I'm also working on a Christmas ornament as my lunch break project. :)

There was a beautiful sunset tonight- didn't get a good pic of the actual sun but the sky sure was pretty!

Ginger is still as crazy as ever-last night David was (supposed to be)in bed, and Hanna and her friend were in the kitchen getting a snack- so Ginger ws running to the stairs to bark at David and make sure he stayed in bed, and to the kitchen hoping for a handout from the girls. Back and forth across the living room, it sure was funny! Here are a couple recent photos..

Well.. maybe not.. blogger is being finicky and won't let me upload any more photos. So I will try to remember to share them next time! 

Some stitching and other stuff..

I have been so bad about stitching this summer.. I keep thinking "I will get off the computer" then I think of just "one more thing" I want to do while I'm online.. which leads to another and another.  I really need to get a timer or set the alarm on my phone or something! I did get a little stitching done tonight- I am working on one of the pieces for my friend.  It is a picture of the Alamo- looks like the Alamo doesn't it? ha ha! Sorry for the dark photo-when I used the flash it was all washed out.

I've worked a little bit on my LHN freebie - I made a lot better progress when I was on vacation! This has kind of turned into my lunchtime project- trouble is sometimes the book I read while I'm eating is so good I don't want to put it down when I'm finished eating and stitch!

I am slowly listing things on ebay again- if you read this in the next day and a half or so you will catch the first three- a couple of Dimensions kits- one with two cardinals and one with a puppy, also the 1995 P. Buckley Moss ornament kit.  My ebay ID is hannasmom1198 if you're interested! I plan on listing more items..so keep an eye out. I will say most of them might be older books/charts, but maybe there will be something there you've been looking for. :)

I just finished a great book called The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen.  It was a touching but also suspenseful story.  Dr. Maura Isles had a cameo in it, from the Rizzoli and Isles series, which are also on my 'to-read' list.  I'm now reading Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult but haven't gotten very far yet.

And lastly of course I have to add a pic of my silly Ginger- she is looking more Corgi-ish all the time, the fur around her neck is starting to fluff out more, etc. 

Waiting patiently for a bit of cheese--

 Silly sleeper...

And that is what I must go do- sleep!  I will try to post more often, or at least weekly, from now on!

ohhhh myyyyy...

Have you given up on me? I am so sorry.. it's been a busy month! I actually got a little vacation this month- I went away with my parents, my brother, one of my nieces, and my son (other family members couldn't make it for various reasons) back to my hometown in Iowa, then to Minnesota to see family I hadn't seen for years!! It was a bittersweet trip.  So much of it was just like old times(with a couple of extra kids) road-tripping with my parents back to where we always used to vacation together. I saw my grandparents on both sides of the family, that I hadn't seen for 5 years, and aunts, uncles, and cousins I hadn't seen for even longer.  We were going to celebrate my grandma's(my dad's mom) 90th birthday.  She had been admitted to the hospital shortly before we left but we were hoping and praying for the best. Unfortunately, she was still in the hospital when we got there.  The party was called off but we all had a reunion of sorts at my cousin's house. It was a lot of fun.  Grandpa stayed with Grandma at the hospital and we went to see her.  She was in good spirits and talked with us all; we gave her hugs and kisses and then left her to rest. Mom, Dad, my brother, the kids and I had to leave the next day so we went to see her and Grandpa one more time and then headed on our way. We drove back to Illinois where my parents and brother both live, dropped my brother off, and went to my parents' house for the night. (My niece stayed too.) David and I flew out the next night and landed in a couple of hours, then went home.  The next night my grandma passed away. It was a hard week. Even though I didn't see her much I felt the loss.  Thankfully she will be in heaven now. :)

On a happier note, I did get some stitching done before my trip and on it as well.  I finished the project I was working on for my friend right before we left for the trip.  Here is a pic-

Only part of this was stitched by me though, my friend Diana had about half-finished it when she asked me to complete it.

And here is a free pattern I finished on the trip as well- I had started it back when the kids were still in school but put it on hold for a while-

It's from the Cross Stitch Card Shop website- the outline of the bow and the dog were supposed to be stitched in a mahogany-brown color and I thought it looked strange so I just did it all in black. The name of the pattern is Snow Day I believe, designer is Lesley Teare. I stitched it on unknown fabric with DMC threads.

Ginger is doing well- she reminds me a bit of a cat lately as she likes to climb up on a chair and look out the window-

Sometimes she's quiet but sometimes she barks at anything that moves. I don't mind her barking so much when she's not barking at me though. :)

Well that's my mini-update- I'm currently working on a LHN freebie- will post a pic of my progress soon. (I really will!)

Oops..

I meant to update last weekend, and again, time got away from me.  Today I had some quality stitching time with the ladies at the Thistle Bee Quilt Shoppe.  Made quite a bit of progress on my friend's project, which was good because I haven't been making time to stitch like I should. Here is my progress- keep in mind this is since my last post, not just today! ;)

I plan to work on it some more tonight, if all goes as planned. I really need to start setting a timer when I get on my computer at night, I sure would get more stitching done!

I think I mentioned Sneak Peeq in one of my last posts, and the bracelet you could get for free- I got mine yesterday and I really like it-

They aren't selling these currently as their deals only last for a limited time, but they have tons of other really fun and unique, and useful! items.

We had lots of rain this past week, and some neat storm clouds-

And here's a pretty little cup I found at a friend's yard sale.. she is so sweet, she was nearing the end of her sale, and let me have a bunch of things and wouldn't take any money for them.  This was one of the things. :)

Sorry for the dark photo!I think it is inspired by something at the Biltmore mansion- there was something about Biltmore on the bottom of the mug.


Here is a picture I took of Ginger the other day- I have some really tall Cosmos in the concrete garden and they were bending over far enough that she could reach them- and it was such a sweet picture-

No flowers were eaten in the making of this picture. hee hee..

Well that's enough of my randomness for now-hope everyone has (or had , if you are reading this after the fact) a great Memorial Day weekend! :)

I haven't forgotten..

Sorry it's been a long time! I'm not even going to give you my excuses.. you don't want to hear them anyway! :) Stitching-wise, I have mostly been plugging away on the project for my friend.. I did finally take a picture of my progress, now that I hopefully won't have to do anymore frogging. :) I'm currently working on the right side of the window frame.

In the wooded area behind my house, we have been having all kinds of flowers growing.. some come for a few weeks, then different ones come out- first we had these- I'm not sure what they are-

 

Now we have lots and lots of honeysuckle, and it smells so nice!

 

Not sure what these are but they are pretty!

                                                    And some wild berries growing too!

My garden has been growing a little bit- not as much as I'd like- I do need to go buy some more plants- but here's a few-

Baby's breath, sorry the pic is not so good-

 

Some sage.

And mums, believe it or not!
Touched this picture up with Instagram- I love that app!

I also came across a really fun site for unique items at great prices- I think this site will come in handy with gift giving! It's called Sneak Peeq and when you sign up(it's free!) you get a $10 credit! I got one of these bracelets(don't know which one yet) free!! You can too if you hurry and sign up, and click the "Style" link, then "bohemian fantasy." Click above to sign up or here. UPDATE:  I believe you must share site (on facebook? can't remember for sure) with at least three friends to unlock additional discounts that will make the bracelet free. :)

 Ginger is growing like a weed- and is silly as ever!

Well, I think that's sufficiently caught you up! I will try not to take so long in the future! :)

I've been awarded, and would like to pass it on :)

Sue from Berkshire Cottage has so graciously awarded me a Liebster Blog award! This award is geared toward blogs with 200 or less followers.  Liebster in German means favorite. :) When accepting the award, there are a few things that must be done.

1. Choose five up-and-coming blogs(with less than 200 followers) to pass the award on to. Here are my five-

Joyce's Love of Life Joyce updates weekly and does beautiful work, always has several things going at once!

Reading and Stitching Vickie does wonderful stitching, interesting book reviews, and chats about life in general!

 The Happy Stitcher  Deb has beautiful stitching and talks a little about life too. :)

 Boo's Mummy Jo's a stitcher from "across the pond" with lovely stitching and fun life updates! I personally love the insight of what life is like in the U.K!

 Diamondc Gorgeous finishes and a little of life in general!


2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

3.Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites. Leave comments on their blogs so they know about the award.

4. Share 5 random facts about yourself that people don't know about you.

This is the tough part for me- I am an open book! lol

1. I was not a "dog person" until I saw, then got, a Corgi. Although now I joke that I am not a dog person, I am a Corgi person! ;)

2. I am a "pastor's kid."

3. I like the smell of diesel exhaust cause it reminds me of my visits to England in the fall and winter. ( I know, weird association- and please don't take offense my UK friends! It is not meant to be an insult! :) )

4. When I was in Junior High I had a crush on the boy band Menudo and bought their albums even though I didn't know a lick of Spanish.

5. I am named after two students my mom taught when she was a teacher.

Phew that was hard! ;)

Not much to show stitching-wise.. I am re-stitching some of the areas I pulled out on my friend's project, and working on a birthday card so I can't post that either.. but hopefully will have something  to show soon! In the meantime here is some local nature-

A giveaway!

Babara is having a wonderful giveaway at her blog- click here to check it out! To Stitch or Not To Stitch

Will post again later.. :)

If you have been thinking about signing up for swagbucks-

Now is the time! Not only will you get 30 swagbucks just for signing up, but use the code MARCHSWAG and get an additional 70 swagbucks!! The code is good for one use until April 2nd at 11:59PST.  If you want to check it out, click here.  It is free to sign up, free to win swagbucks, and free to turn in swagbucks for free stuff! I personally get their Amazon gift cards- and gotten so many things free from Amazon! It's great for getting gifts for people and there are many ways to earn! If you have any questions feel free to post a comment on the post, just make sure you have an email address where I can answer you. :)  Thanks for letting me take a break from the usual stuff to tell you about this great opportunity. :)

OH- and right now they are running  "March Swagness" (like March Madness?) but it has nothing to do with basketball.  Simply earn the daily goal posted on your swagbucks home page and get bonus swagbucks! At the end of the promotion, if you have reached your goal every day, they will double your bonus bucks! I think it's fun trying to reach my goal and it has helped me earn more than usual. 
OK, infomercial is over. ;)

Beach Cottage is finished!

Yippee! I finished it last night- it took me so much longer than it should have, but I do like the way it turned out.

Please excuse the less-than-stellar photo and the wrinkles! I would really like to frame this one in a rustic white frame.. we'll see what I can find!

We had a good weekend- I tried to get a little housework done Saturday while Rob was at work, then took David to the library and the park.

We are really blessed to have such a lovely park, with a mini-train for the kids to ride and lots of blooming shrubs and trees! Not many were in bloom yet though.

Then later David and I met Rob for lunch(Hanna was at a friend's) and did some running around. First stop was to the pet store to see Ginger's grandma(the lady who owns Ginger's mama and who sold Ginger to us).  Ginger was so excited to see her and always loves the attention she gets from the staff and customers at the pet store. :)  We ran a couple of errands and I stayed with her in the car, then we went to see my friend Diana, who had seen her pictures online but never met her before. :) It was quite a day for Ginjy and wore her out! Here is a pic from the car- it was a bit hot on Saturday.

LOL! Her tongue is almost as big as she is.

Sunday was a nice day too-unfortunately David was not feeling so great- had an on-again off-again temperature, scratchy throat, stuffy nose.. :(.  So he stayed home with Rob and Hanna and I went to church and Sunday School/Bible Class, then came home.  I ate some lunch and took a nap, got up and watched a movie, did some stitching, etc.  I won't bore you! I have been starting to train Ginger to come when called, now that the weather is nice.  We have to do it on a long leash cause we don't have a fenced in yard.. she's catching on quick (partly cause she likes the treats.) Tonight I made a little video cause I think she's cute when she runs.  Well, I think she's cute all the time. lol

And here's a couple pics of some flowers growing wild in our yard-

I am a little sad we didn't have snow this winter, but I do love spring flowers!

Busy, busy...

Thought I would post quick before bed- things have been pretty busy here lately.  It seems our weeknights are all full of places to be and the weekends are playing catch-up on housework and other things I've been meaning to do.  I have been squeezing in a little stitching time here and there. I've been working on my friends projects most nights, when I have the itch to stitch.. some nights I just sit and watch TV cause I'm pooped! And been working on Beach Cottage some mornings between Hanna and David going to school.. there is a 40 minute in-between time.  I will post progress pics on my friends project soon- right now it doesn't look much different cause I am filling in where I had to frog before- except I do have the window frame at least one row around on the sides that hadn't been started yet.  Here is my progress on Beach Cottage- just the top of the tree and a little backstitching to go- hooray!

I have been a bad girl in the stash-buying department lately- I said I would try not to buy any for a while and just stitch what I already had, since I had so much- but I got an itch to try to find some OOP Blackbird Designs patterns- so I hit ebay and then found others I liked/wanted too.. also caught a good sale at an ONS here and there- so here is what I have acquired. I was super excited to get "Flea Market Souvenir"- I have been looking for it for a while and found a needlework shop in MI that had it- I think it may have been her last one because when I went back to see if she still had it posted after I ordred(so I could tell others that wanted it), it was no longer listed.

Unfortunately I found an LNS that had gone out of business in my search- Needle Delights-she had some clearance posted on her site(www.needledelights.com) and I came across it in my search. It's where I got BBD's "Trifle from a Friend." It makes me sad so see so many LNS's going out of business.

I took Ginger for a walk today and we saw some signs of spring already-

These little violets(at least I think that's what they are) are growing randomly in my lawn!

And Ginger was so tired from our walk, she eventually fell asleep, while playing no less. I thought it was so funny and cute. :)

Night night!