Wednesday, March 31, 2010

A Fruitful Finish


Block # 3 of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow is done! As most of you know, I'm trying to stitch one block each month, but I really struggled to finish this one by the end of March. I've been having trouble getting motivated to stitch lately--could it be "spring fever?" Anyone else feeling that way? When I finally thought I was all done, I took one last look at the picture on the front of the chart and realized I had stitched the colored block holding the letter "T" in the entirely wrong color! What? How on earth did I manage that (probably stitching too late at night!)... So, out came the scissors as I tore that whole part out and re-stitched it. Finally...I think (I truly hope) it's finished. Those are some crazy looking pears, aren't they? I am not a pear eater; in fact I love pears just about as much as I love green vegetables :) There is something strange in their texture that I just don't enjoy. Am I just weird or are there any other pear-haters out there?

Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow: Blocks 1-3

Our visit to the zoo on Saturday was such fun! I don't think I had been there since my sons were all little boys (and they are now in their twenties). Let me tell you, zoos have come a long, long way since then... It is so nice to see more of the animals released from their cages and able to walk around in grassy fields. I took a lot of photos and wanted to share some of my favorites. All photos are clickable so you can get a bigger picture...

Don't you love that baby elephant?



When kangaroos are born, they are the size of a bumblebee!



A comical ostrich watches a Springbok in the background.



The king of the jungle lazing in the spring sunshine.



The giraffes in the background paced back
and forth keeping a wary eye on the lioness!

By far, the most popular exhibit at the zoo was the penguins. The little kids were just delighted with them and it was hard to get close enough to the display area to manage even a brief glimpse of the delightful little black and white creatures. My favorite "exhibit," though was watching my son at his volunteer post as he taught children all about polar bears. I don't know who was having a better time--him or the kids!

Thanks so much for visiting and for taking the time to leave such wonderful, uplifting comments--I honestly treasure each one! And if anyone is still interested in signing up for my PIF, please see my previous post...

I hope things are "greening up" in your neck of the woods--it is supposed to be a lovely sunny and warm weekend here. Wishing you all a blessed Easter with your families...

40 comments:

BeckySC said...

Carol, block 3 looks great! Congratulations on getting it stitched :)

Unknown said...

It does look lovely...I did not like stitching all those apples but I am happy they are done. I am not starting the next bock until after my dd graduates...then I will start back on block6...I do want it done for Christmas.
Good luck. Dianntha

Catherine said...

Oh Carol! Your blocks look lovely!

I haven't stitched much in the last week - baseball is up and running and with three playing this year it will be a crazy spring!

Loved the pictures from the zoo!

Carolyn NC said...

CAHRH looks wonderful and I love your zoo pictures!

Nic said...

Your block looks great!

Rowyn said...

CAHRH is looking gorgeous. I wish I had the stickability to work on a large project and finish it.

In the past I didn't like pears, but I will eat them now. I especially like the tinned variety with hot custard over the top :-)

I enjoyed looking at your animal photos. I always feel child-like excitement when I head to zoos and wildlife parks :-) I do love the little baby elephant in your photo, too cute!!

Lesleyanne said...

Congrats on finishing block 3 it looks lovely. No I don't like pears either. Lovely zoo photos glad you had a good time.

Cath said...

Lovely stitching.
I don't like pears either , they seem a bit gritty to me lol.

Lois said...

Carol, block 3 looks gorgeous! Congrats on finishing another one and keeping to your schedule of doing them. I don't know whether I've got 'spring fever' or not but, like you, I seem to be doing everything but stitching at the moment! Enjoyed seeing the zoo pics. I love the penquins too and meerkats are another of my favourites.

As for pears, I don't mind them but I have certain likes/dislikes with them. I prefer the ones that are firmer when you bite into them. Don't like the ones where the flesh is soft and mushy.

Have a lovely Easter.

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

#3 is wonderful, and Thanks for sharing the zoo with us. There sure is a calming effect which takes over when we see photos of such.
Be always in stitches.

Shari said...

the block looks great!! Congrats on finishing a day early!!! I LOVE the zoo pictures! That is one of our favorite things to do when we are out of town...find a zoo!!!
With babysitting so much, I haven't had time to get outside too much, so my stitching hasn't suffered too much yet!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Your blocks are so pretty! :)
And I must say that I don't particularly care for pears either. I don't like the mealiness or texture either.
We are lucky to live very close to a wonderful zoo (Indianapolis Zoo) and my kids love to go there!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congrats on the 3rd block! It looks wonderful! I've finally picked my stitching back up after being sick; I really missed it.

I'm not a pear eater either. They always seem a bit mushy to me.

Love a good zoo! I think I saw somewhere that we might have penguins here at our zoo for a while. I need to check that out.

Blu said...

Block 3 looks great.
As for pears, I'm ambivalent to them. Now pineapples I can eat until my mouth prunes, and bananas are on my "not-in-my-life" list!
Lovely pictures of the zoo. I don't think I've ever seen a penguin or an ostrich.

Sharlotte said...

These look just great Carol!! So sad that Kathy is going out of business with her cross stitch designs ins't it? I love the animals. I don't know why , but ostriches just kill me, they are so funny!

Angela said...

Block 3 looks great! I have to say I am the opposite as I love pears :) But then again I don't think there is a fruit/vegetable that I don't like! LOL. Your Zoo trip looks like fun will have to take my kids there this Spring/Summer as it's been about 5 years since our last visit! Have a great Easter Weekend.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on finishing block 3 - it is just beautiful! I just love the colors in this piece.

It must be that time of year, as we visited the zoo last weekend as well. We stopped by the zoo in D.C. - I think the Panda's were my favorite.

Margaret said...

Your Christmas HRH is gorgeous! I actually love pears -- sorry! lol! What fun to see your zoo pics! I was lucky enough to see a kangaroo with her joey in her pocket once -- so cool! How neat that your son volunteers at the zoo! Is he hoping for a career as a zoologist? Fantastic! Thanks for all the great pics! Have a great Easter!

Meari said...

Congrats on getting your square finished, even if you did have to frog a little.

I love all types of fruits and veggies, so no pear hater here :)

Zoos are great, aren't they?

Cindy's Stitching said...

Block three came out great. We all have had to pull out mistakes and start over. I do believe it is because we stitch at night. The pictures of the zoo are great. I love the Zoo. I used to go to the Bronz zoo every year with the kids. Maybe I will go this year. I haven't been there in a few years. About pears, I like them, but I also like greens :) Happy Easter Carol.

BrendaS said...

Block #3 looks beautiful. I love the colors.

Your zoo pictures are great!

Lainey said...

Congrats on finishing your third block Carol it looks lovely.
Great zoo pictures!

Martine said...

Carol ! You make me laugh with your stories of green vegetables and pears !!!
I have to admit that I do not like too much too... Nevertheless, I cook a delicious cake with them !
Congrats for the 3rd block !!! It is georgeous !!!
Thank you for the pictures of the zoo. They are great !!! and you are so lucky to have this wonderful place near to you...
Have a great Easter week-end, Carol !!! Do not eat too much chocolates !!!
Hugs.

Myra said...

Congratulations on your block finish Carol! I am not especially fond of pears either. I prefer canned ones to fresh ones. LOL Thank you for sharing the pics of your zoo trip.

Edit said...

Carol, your 3rd block looks great, and so nice to see them together!

I haven't stitched for quite some time, not that I don't want to but somehow... Well, I do not know. Maybe it is in the air :)

The zoo photos look great, too and also it must have been great to see your son teaching the children :)

Here the sun is shining, but it is cold and windy. Hope it will be a nice weather through the weekend, Easter is an important holiday here in Spain, with processions in all cities.

Have a lovely Easter,
Edit

mainely stitching said...

Your Hawk Run Hollow is off to a fabulous start!!

Kim said...

I love your finished block, Carol! I just love the HRH pieces! Beautiful!

Brigitte said...

Your CAHRH is coming along great. The HRH pieces are so great as after each block you get that feeling of having finished something.
Your visit at the zoo seems to have been a great day out. Very nice pictures.

Shirley said...

The block looks fabulous Carol. I have not fancied cross-stitching for a few days either so I had a break and crocheted a tea cozy instead.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Carol, congratulations on finishing block 3 it looks fantastic! I love the pineapple!

Just like you I don't like pears and it is a texture thing for me too. Its like eating sand in my opinion! But I love pineapple!

I've visited two zoos in the last 5 years, San Diego and Jacksonville and they've both been fantastic and the aninmals have so much freedom.

Its a great place to play with the camera too!

Mylene said...

Congrats on finishing another beautiful block.

It sounds like you ahd a wonderful time at the zoo and great pictures, thanks for sharing all the zoo pictures.

A happy Easter weekend to all.

Julie said...

Block 3 of Christmas@HRH is looking wonderful, this really is a lovely project to watch grow.

Thanks for sharing your pics of the zoo visit, the animals all look very well cared for. Your son must have a wonderful time. How nice for you to see him 'in action'

Sally said...

Your block three looks wonderful. I am enjoying watching this one grow.

Your zoo pics are brilliant!

Siobhán said...

Carol, congrats on finishing block 3! It looks great. Love the zoo pics!

Shari said...

Carol, I am at the triplets house. I have to use web mail here, so I don't have your email address to answer you. Sorry. have a great week. If you email, I will get it!

Michelle said...

Great job on the blocks ~ I like that, one a month. That sounds manageable!

Thanks for sharing your trip to the zoo!

Michelle said...

Congratulations on finishing Block 3. All the blocks are beautiful.

Thank you for the zoo pics.

Kellie said...

Hi Carol,
I feel like I haven't "visited" with you in so long. I am starting with your most recent post and then playing catch up today. :) Congrats on your Block 3 finish. It looks fabulous. I do not like pears or green vegetables either. The grainy texture of pears turns me off to them. Food texture is a big thing for me, not so much taste.

Have you started Block 4 yet? I have started it but I have not made it very far. Too many snowflakes! I need to get busy though and try to get it finished before April's end.

I love the zoo photos. I think it is neat that your son is volunteering there. That sounds like so much fun. :)

Pumpkin said...

I can't believe you are keeping up with one block a month! WTG! It's turning out to be such a pretty piece. I wasn't too fond of it when I first saw it. I hope you don't change my mind too much because I bought Autumn in HRH ;o) Are you using silks or DMC or did I already ask you this?

Great pictures! I love going to zoos but it's nice to see that they animals have space to live in, at least a lot more than they used to.

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

Great progress on Christmas @ HRH - when I started Shores, I originally set myself a goal of one block a month - it didn't work out, and almost 2 years later, I'm still working on it LOL