Thursday, May 20, 2010

Five is Finished!





Hello everyone! I am finally getting around to posting again--I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since my last post. The good news is that I've finished Block Five of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow a full 10 days ahead of my self-imposed end-of-the-month deadline. This was, by far, the simplest block of all twelve and it all came together very easily. I did change the candle lengths to make them all equal. Once again that lack of symmetry would have bothered me. Are any of you like that? I really like things well-balanced, even, and equal...

And here is Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow so far... You can click on the photo for a larger look. Don't know why the borders look so wavy; I promise you they really are straight!! Hope you're not getting tired of seeing it so much. It's hard to believe that after next month I'll be half way through--where on earth is this year going?

My youngest son just returned home from an eight day trip to Costa Rica with his university's Jazz Combo. They performed a variety of concerts in the San Jose area and then went to a remote music school for a few days to perform and work with some of the students. If you have any interest in jazz or just enjoy music, you may want to take a look at this video from his trip. He plays the trombone--way in the back right corner of the group and is the last musician as they "parade" through the audience in Costa Rica's spectacular National Theater. The lead trumpeter is the Jazz Combo director. Keep an eye on the lady in red in the audience--isn't she great! I would love to be able to be that free and just let loose and enjoy myself the way she does... I doubt if he'll ever perform in such a beautiful theater again--what a venue! I still remember when he began those first trombone lessons as a ten-year-old--how far he has come :)



I was wondering how my Mother's Day would be celebrated since my husband wasn't home to "organize the troops" as he usually is (he was on a two day, 200-mile bike ride in Ohio.) I had to work on Mother's Day Sunday and was delighted when I got home and found all three of my sons waiting for me with dinner on the stove and flowers, chocolate, and a gift certificate to my favorite online stitching store in hand! My oldest son prepared cashew chicken, the middle made the rice, and the youngest surprised me with these cupcakes he made that spelled out "Happy Mother's Day." (Funfetti flavored!) How sweet was that? I feel so lucky to have such amazing young men to call my sons--I love you guys so, so much and feel so proud to be your mom...

I've been working on my Christmas ornament for May and hope to have that finished to show you soon... Hope your weekend is relaxing and stitch-filled. And, as always, I truly appreciate your comments and emails. I love hearing from each and every one of you...

37 comments:

BrendaS said...

Carol --
I love your progress on CaHRH. Everytime I see it I want to go home and start mine.

Your boys sure made you feel special on Mother's Day. Time goes by so fast and sometimes it's hard to believe that they are young adults and not little children anymore.

Have a great weekend!

Barb said...

Thanks for the video! That's so fun! I could never be like the lady in red either (well, maybe if I was drunk I could). I always envied my friends that could let loose like that.

Both of my kids played the trombone but neither of them continued on with it past junior high. DD also played the cello and I was so sad when she gave it up. Maybe I should have made her stick with it!

As always, your stitching is fab. I was thinking of doing those in separate blocks and finishing them as ornaments.

Rachel S-H said...

your Christmas progress is AMAZING.

Gillie said...

Thank you so much for your video, Carol, what fun! Glad you had such a nice Mother's Day (well, after work, at least!).

KarenV said...

Love your progress on CaHRH, that is one of my favourite blocks :) Your sons did you proud on Mother's Day - the cupcakes are so precious!

valerie said...

Wonderful progress on CaHRH! It's looking great...almost halfway there.

How sweet of your boys to treat you to a nice Mother's Day dinner complete with treats! Yum...cupcakes!

Nancy said...

Congratulations on finishing Block #5 Carol! It's gorgeous just like all of your stitching!

Your son's Jazz Combo is fantastic! Thanks for sharing the video - I really enjoyed listening to it. Yes, the lady in red does look like she is having a wonderful time. Wouldn't she be fun to go places with?

Lesleyanne said...

Congratulation on finishing block 5. I love your progress. Your sons did you proud on Mother's Day.

Catherine said...

CaHRH looks great!! I tend to like making things even myself - very rarely do I fight that urge!

A trip of a lifetime for your son! I've watched that video more than once - the lady in red cracks me up everytime!

The Queen Bee said...

The video was really good. Nice to know all those lessons paid off.
Hawk Run looks great. I've been hesitant to start one of those. Someday.
Also, your Mother's Day sounded perfect. If we'd only known days like this were coming when they were little and fighting over toys! It certainly would have made some of those days go much faster.

Pam

Shari said...

your piece is looking better & better all the time. I love it so much! Great job! I agree, where is the year going?!??!
What an awesome Mother's Day you had. Good job mom on raising those boys right!!!!
The video is a neat addition! Congrats to your son!

Unknown said...

Love the video! Thanks for sharing - what a great opportunity for your son. And, he did a great job on those cupcakes. I just love that they each chipped in to make your Mom's day dinner - what great sons!

Love your C@HRH - and I love to see your updates as you progress with each block. The colors in this piece are so beautiful.


I need to get to work on my May ornament tonite!

Edit said...

Carol, your Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow is so beautiful. I like very much to see how it develops.

And your Mother's day sounds like a very special one, spent together with all your sons. Thank you for the video, it is really great!

Julie said...

A great video, how wonderfully they play, i did enjoy it, thanks for sharing it.

Your boys are good, the cakes look delicious.

C@HRH is looking gorgeous!

Margaret said...

Your Christmas HRH looks fantastic! And your Mother's Day -- wow, I'm impressed by your sons! They must be wonderful young men. That's so cool about your youngest and the jazz band. My son is hoping to be in his high school's ensemble next year.

Mylene said...

Another beautiful block finish, Carol. Congrats!

So glad that your Mothers Day is a special one. I don't know but can't view the video right now-hope to be able to see it next time.

Sweet Sue said...

Hi Carol, coming along beautifully! And, may I say your blog is looking sooooo much nicer since my huge/wide flat screen monitor came today ~ can even see the oh so pretty edges now, lol:)

xoxo

Theresa said...

Wow~~ Great progress on your CaHRH!!! It is gorgeous!!!

Sounds like you had a wonderful mother's day celebration!!! Your sons did great!!!!

Jules said...

What a great video! That lady is just awesome!! You can tell she has the jazz spirit in her soul. Great job to the ensemble!

Myra said...

What a wonderful Mother's Day Carol. CaHRH is looking great! I am all about symmetry too, can't stand things going all wonky on me. So, do you think you will be ready to stitch "Shores" with me next year? :o)

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Wonderful video! Congrats to your son - what a thrill.

I'm glad your M's day was special - what a treat!

C@HRH is gorgeous - great job!

Deb said...

I love your progress on CaHRH. Isn't it fun to finish up a bloc? It does look wonderful. And what a wonderful video. What a wonderful opportunity for him.

And what a wonderful Mother's Day you had! I can't even imagine my son doing something like that!

Rowyn said...

That is lovely that your sons made a fuss of you on Mother's Day!

CAHRH is looking gorgeous!

I found when I tried my hand at scrapbooking I liked the simple, straight, streamlined look - not really what scrapbooking is about! lol It doesn't bother me too much with my stitching, but I did alter one design (La D Da's You Are My Sunshine) because the border was too busy for my liking.

I am tossing up whether to get CAHRH and SHRH before they go OOP. I like them, but can't see me ever stitching them in their entirety (I've become the lazy stitcher). There are some pretty stunning blocks in them though. Decisions, decisions.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lois said...

Carol, well done on completing another block! It's looking wonderful! I'm right there with you on the whole things needing to have a symmetry. I'd be doing the same.

I really enjoyed watching the video, glad your son has such a good time. It was fun to see them play. Yes, that lady in red looked to be having a good time!

What a lovely Mother's Day you had!

Sally said...

You are making great progress on CaHRH. I do like this piece and love watching your progress.

What a fantastic Mother's Day you had!

Daffycat said...

Wow, your CaHRH looks absolutely fantastic, Carol! Well done. I can't wait to see more.

Cindy's Stitching said...

Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow is coming along great. Large pieces are always a challenge arent they? Your sons did a wonderful job on mother's Day, you can't ask for more then that. It's great to know that they didn't forget. The year is flying so fast. I was wondering where you were for a week. I love your posts.

Hazel said...

Your CaHRH is looking amazing. This one is on my "to buy" list before they all disappear. x

Pumpkin said...

AMAZING! Just amazing Carol! I can't believe you're almost half done too. I was thinking where has the month of May gone????

What a sweet thing for your boys to do! You definitely do have a wonderful family :o)

Can't wait to see your ornie.

Siobhán said...

Those are some wonderful young men that you raised there, Carol, doing that for their mother! I'm glad you had a good Mother's Day.

I enjoyed the video--I would love to be like that woman in the red, too! LOL

Your progress on CaHRH is AMAZING!! Good for you for keeping up with it. I never tire of seeing WIP pics of it, so keep at it! :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow, you're really trucking along with Christmas at HRH! Its looking great. Sometimes lack of symmetry bothers me but I'll leave it just to force myself to be out of my comfort zone.

Wow your boys really pulled it together for Mother's Day you're one lucky Mom!

Carolyn NC said...

Fifth block looks great!

Michelle said...

Great progress on CaHRH - it is going to be a stunning piece! I also have a huge problem with the symmetry thing - sometimes I even annoy myself :)

Glad to hear you had a good Mother's day.

Vinniey said...

Congrats on your 5th block finished. Great progress! Thanks for sharing this wonderful video, you're right, the lady in red looks so enjoying and having a fun time. What a sweet and lovely mother's day you had. Your boys are lovely. :)

Meari said...

Congrats on finishing your newest block. It looks really nice.

Really sweet of your boys to do all that on Mothers Day!

Angela said...

Love your Xmas at Hawk run WIP, it's really stitching up quickly!

Viooltje (Violet) said...

Comming late has it's dissadvantedges (no idea how to spell that and to lazy to look it up) *Ü*
I can't think of adding anything that isn't already said...
... I agree with All the nice comments above, and I just want to add a

♥♥♥(((BIG HUGG)))♥♥♥

:o)