That House on the Hill

Block #2 of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow totally captured my imagination. The entire time I was stitching it, I conjured up what life might be like inside this mansion. I think many towns have "that house on the hill"--that grand structure that just stands out from other homes. The small village in which I grew up had just such a house...Not brick like this one, but a large white-columned colonial perched at the top of a hill at the end of my street. There were no peacocks strutting around in the front yard, but there were the most handsome horses. The estate was even surrounded by a wrought iron fence much like the one pictured here. As a girl, I would often pause during my walk to school, peer through that fence, and wonder what life was like inside. I would picture beautifully decorated rooms, fashionably dressed women chatting over tea and little cakes, and fresh flowers on every tabletop. I imagined that everything inside that house was perfect and that the people who lived within led perfect lives. It wasn't until I was older that I learned of the family problems and soap-opera like events that the owners faced. Eventually, a fire destroyed much of that outwardly beautiful home...

In the years since, I've learned that it really is the simple things in life that bring me the most pleasure--the sight of a robin's nest filled with tiny, sky blue eggs; the first sentence of a new novel as it begins to capture my imagination; the brilliant colors of floss spread across a lovely cut of linen waiting for my latest stitching to begin. Oh, and I can't forget to mention my daily piece (well, okay, I admit it--pieces)of chocolate! Simple things that don't cost much, but always bring me pleasure. What are the special little things in your life that make you smile?

I feel lucky to have managed to finish this very stitch-intense block in the short month of February. By the time I stitched the final black bars in the fence, I was looking at them as if they were bars in a jail cell! I was just so tired of stitching all of that black and white... For any of you who are planning to stitch this, I just want you to be aware of two problems in the charting that I found. The chart showed the left side of the house stitched one full row above the right side and the right lamp post was charted one stitch above the left. I don't think this was intentional, but I know if I had left it that way, the lack of symmetry would have driven me crazy... So, the left side of the house got a re-roofing job and the two sides are now balanced. The chart also called for backstitching around the windows, but after trying it on one, I decided I liked it better without. This block is one of my favorites in Christmas at HRH, and I'm so pleased with the way it turned out. "Only" ten more blocks to go!

I was touched to read all of your remarks regarding my Fa La La carolers last week--thank you each so very much for taking the time to comment. I truly value your opinions and supportive comments and love discovering that a new reader has popped in to say "hello." Have a lovely week everyone!

Fa La La in February

Hi everyone! Hope you've all had a good week... I was lucky and escaped that horrid flu that my husband ended up coming down with this week (knocking on wood as I write this!). He actually missed a day of work, which is almost unheard of for him. Anyway, I just want to share my February ornament finish with you. I'm not participating in the LHN monthly ornament stitch-along, but I couldn't resist stitching these sweet, little carolers.


For this ornament, I used stormy gray 28 ct. Jobelan and stitched it over one using DMC threads. The main change I made was in the style of lettering, but I also added a couple of musical notes at the top--just trying to add my own personal touch!





To trim it off, I added black velvet ribbon around the edge and tied a bit of gauzy ribbon around the hanger. I was going for a "Victorian" look--not sure I succeeded, but I think it looks very cute...



This week I had the honor of winning Maggee's giveaway. I received three cute charts and a Shepherd's Bush kit called "Wishing Sheep." I just love that fluffy little fellow with the birthday hat perched on his head! Everyone knows I have a special fondness for stitching ornaments, so Maggee can be assured that these charts came to a good home. Thanks so very much Maggee--I know I'll enjoy many relaxing hours stitching them!

Hope your weekend is enjoyable and stitch-filled. Thank you to all who take the time to comment each week--your kind words really warm my heart (and after this month of record-breaking snow and cold, I need all the warming I can get!!)...

January in February!

Greetings from yet another snowy evening here in western Pennsylvania! Is it a coincidence that my finish this week matches the scenery outdoors? If I could just change the name of the sampler to "February" it would be perfect for this record-breaking, snow-filled month! I put the last stitch in the bottom, blue border last night and I'm so pleased with my wintry sampler. I think I'll keep it out all winter...it is too pretty to display only in January...



Just in case you're wondering, and if you missed my previous post, "January Sampler," by Waxing Moon designs, is stitched on 32 ct. sage Jobelan using WDW and DMC floss. I love the names for the blue floss in this one: "Deep Sea", "Father's Day", and "Sky"--so descriptive. I wonder if they pay someone full time to come up with such perfect names? Many of you asked if I was going to be doing each month of this series...I don't think so. I think they have only designed the months from January through June, but this was my favorite. We'll see what the rest of the months look like when they are published. I love fall designs the most, so I'm hoping September, October, and November will inspire me to stitch them. Then I could use one frame and just change the finished pieces out each month. Anyway, it was a very relaxing piece to work on and I hope you like it, too...


So, how was your Valentine's Day? Ours has been quiet since my husband came down with a bad cold and I'm beginning to have that horrid feeling that I'm on the way to catching one myself. He thoughtfully brought home this beautiful bouquet of yellow roses for me on Friday for Valentine's Day--aren't they lovely? After almost 33 years of marriage, he sure knows my favorite color of rose... I just love the breath of spring that they've brought into the house--only 33 more days to go until spring is finally here!




I know that you're probably tired of hearing us easterners go on and on about the snow, but it really is a rarity for us to get this much in one week (30+ inches.) Actually, we were among the lucky ones--we didn't lose our power at all! Many poor families south of us were without power for days and a few still don't have it after an entire week... We lost a 50 year old pine tree which toppled over barely missing our power lines and have sprung a few leaks in the oddest places--this morning I found water in the middle of my laundry room closet! Other than these few, fixable, and minor inconveniences, we have been very, very fortunate. But, enough snow already!! I hate to even say this out loud, but more is forecast for Monday and Tuesday :o(

Thanks for all of your suggestions regarding my overdyed floss storage problems. I think I'll be purchasing some of the floss away bags and metal rings and try that solution.

Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's Day with lots of hugs and treats. You certainly deserve it because you are the sweetest and most thoughtful group of stitchers around! Thanks for all of your kind comments--I can't wait to visit your blogs and see what you've been up to this week...

A Touch of Spring

I don't know about you, but the cold, grey winter days are starting to wear me down! So, I decided that this week I would finish a piece that would cheer me up and make me smile. I couldn't resist this little design from Country Cottage Needleworks, which can be found in the 2007 JCS Christmas Ornament issue. Yes, it was designed as a Christmas ornament, but I changed the word "Peace" to "Welcome" and am very pleased with the result. I love the softness of the DMC colors against the rough texture of the 16 ct. natural Heatherfield.

Now let me tell you, having lived with only males (my husband and our three sons) over the past 33 years, pink is not a color I've seen much of in my house. I am thrilled to see a touch of it in this little stitching--watch out guys there may be more pink to come! I backed the tiny pillow with the green fabric shown in the background and trimmed it with a bright, white cording. It now sits on a wooden shelf next to my kitchen door ready to welcome friends and family...

I worked at the library more days than usual this week, so only made a bit of progress on my January Sampler... The lettering is all done and I think the various shades of blue are so pretty. Although there is a lot of white looming ahead, I am loving stitching the cute, red house and all of the snow-covered trees. Can't wait until I get to the deer and the sled rider...Will I have it finished by next weekend? Stay tuned!

I'm getting more and more overdyed threads in my collection and I'm wondering how you all store yours? I have just been putting them in ziploc bags, but it takes forever to find the color I'm looking for. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

It snowed all night and is still snowing here in western Pennsylvania! I'll have to say that I can't remember having this much snow in many, many years. The views from each window are just spectacular--the way the wind has created peaks and valleys and sculptures of snow in our yard that aren't normally there. All I can say is wow! I was scheduled to work today, but just found out the library is closed...Yippee! I feel like a little girl who just found out she got a "snow day." Hmmm...wonder what I'll do with my unexpected "free" time today? Hope all of you who are snowbound stay safe and warm and enjoy your extra stitching time...

Edited at 1:22 PM--just wanted to add some pictures of our 22" snowfall! It is so beautiful outside, well, until you attempt to shovel! We finally cleared the driveway, but I don't know if my back will ever be the same...





Thank you all so much for your great comments each week--you really make my day!

I've got the "blues"...but my giveaway winners won't!

All I can say is, it's a good thing that blue is my favorite color because I've been stitching with nothing else all week (oh, okay, there is a bit of white, too!). I was really hoping to be finished with Waxing Moon's January Sampler by the end of the month, but as you can see, I'm not even half done. I forgot to order one of the overdyed threads, so I am at a standstill until it arrives. I'm stitching this one with WDW and DMC floss on 32 ct. sage jobelan and just loving it. I love to stitch lettering...am I weird?

Here is what January Sampler will look like when I'm all done. It just reminded me so much of my sons sled riding down the little hill in our backyard when they were younger. The photo at the top of my blog is actually our backyard and there is a hill on the left side where they used to sled-ride. If you look closely at the picture, there is also a pond at the back of our yard where they used to play hockey when it was cold enough to actually freeze over. I love the memories that snow in the winter conjures up...

Well, enough about that--on to my birthday giveaway winners! If you're like me, you've probably scanned past all of the above and already peeked to see if you're a winner. Believe me, I wish I could send you all something--you've been such great friends and supporters of my blog. However, the fact is, there were more than 70 entries, but there are only three prizes so, without further ado, the winners, drawn randomly by my dear husband, are:

Giveaway # 1 winner is: Cole

Giveaway #2 winner is: Jennifer

Giveaway # 3 winner is: Lynda

Please send me your home addresses as soon as possible and I'll get your goodies in the mail next week. Interestingly, two of the winners are from Canada. It must be Canada's year with the Olympics starting in two weeks in their beautiful city of Vancouver! And my third winner, Lynda, who is brand new to my blog, just happens to be a fellow librarian. It was nice to have new readers and a few new followers, too. You may have noticed that I didn't require anyone to become a follower with my giveaway. Is it just me or does that "requirement" bother anyone else? I would rather people decide on their own and not be forced. Anyway, welcome to all of my new visitors and I hope you'll return often! Thanks to everyone for the great reading suggestions. I never get tired of having a wonderful, new book recommended to me.

Until next week... stay warm and I hope your days are filled with lots of uninterrupted stitching time. Thank you again for all of your comments--I appreciate each and every one...

Berries and Birthdays

Good morning everyone! Well, I went back to stitching a smaller piece this week and felt much more "in my comfort zone". This is my ornament for January and I'm trying to finish/finish as I stitch this year so I'll have twelve new ornaments for my tree by Christmas. LHN's "Holly and Berries" is stitched one over one on 28 ct. natural light Jobelan using DMC threads. I trimmed it with this pretty burgundy colored cording and I'm quite happy with how it turned out. What do you think?

Thank you all for your "Happy Birthday" wishes last week. I had a wonderful day and my family presented me with a new computer as my gift. Wow--I had no idea what I had been missing on your blogs...Now that I have a widescreen monitor, I can actually see your entire blog without having to scroll across the screen. And the download speed and brilliant colors--amazing! Oh, and this computer doesn't take 10 whole minutes to shut off like my old one did. My previous computer was at least 10 years old, so this is a huge upgrade. So thanks so much to all my guys...


I also received two more very special birthday gifts! My blogging friend, Cindy surprised me with the cutest little birthday stocking ornament which she stitched on a lovely shade of pinkish-mauve linen. She included my initials, birth date, and the year (well, not the year I was born, thank goodness!). I love the pretty pastel cake all stitched up in pinks and greens. It is just perfect, Cindy, and I'll think of you as I admire it through the years. She also included some soft, pink stitching socks to keep me warm on these cold winter nights. Click on the photo and you'll be able to see all the details a bit clearer...Thank you so much, my friend :)

And just who is my other secret gift certificate giver? Gosh--you are spoiling me whoever you are! I received a wonderful gift from Stitching Bits and Bobs to treat myself to some new stash. Hmmm...you really have me stumped. I am trying to narrow it down, but the only hint given was that it was from a "Stitch Friend." If you would email me, I would love to thank you personally. When I opened my email and found the notice of your thoughtful gift, it really made my day. I'm sending you a huge hug--whoever you are and I'll be sure to post what I end up purchasing with your gift...

The prize for my funniest birthday card has to go to my brother. I laughed so hard when I saw this card with the grown woman scraping her dinner plate into the wastebasket and singing, "La la la la...I'm throwing out my veggies and no one can stop me!" And on the inside it says, "See, there are perks to getting older. Happy Birthday." The card is absolutely perfect for me and if you have the time to read the following story, you'll find out why...

For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, you may know that I hate green vegetables--always have, always will. This "quirk" as I like to call it, goes back to my childhood when I just refused to eat anything green. I would hide the vegetables under potato skins or chicken bones, wad them up in my napkin, spread them around the plate to make it look like I'd eaten them. Anything to keep the horrid things from going down my throat. My poor mother was at her wits end as to what to do with me, so she began sending me into the dining room to eat by myself on nights when I wouldn't eat my veggies. I would soon saunter back into the kitchen without a vegetable left on my plate and she was so pleased with herself for coming up with a solution to get me to eat them--or so she thought!

Now, my little brother, figuring that there must be something special in being allowed to eat alone in the dining room, found a way to get himself banished there, also. He soon discovered (and of course tattled to mom), that "Carol isn't eating her vegetables--she's throwing them down a little hole in the dining room floor!" You see, we were having a lot of construction done on our house at the time and there were holes all over the floors for cables and wires and I had discovered one the perfect size for disposing of those dreaded green things! My mother had previously noticed an army of ants marching across the floor and into the hole so she went down to the basement to check it out. She found a pile of moldy food there, but blamed the workmen for leaving pieces of their lunch behind. Her eyes were opened to the truth, though, when little brother ratted me out! Sigh... that was the end of the dining room for me and I went back to gloomily sit and sit and sit at the kitchen table until I had eaten all of my vegetables. And the rest, as they say, is history. To this day, I'll eat salads and peas, but not one single other green vegetable... This little anecdote is part of that special group of old family stories that we all still laugh about and never get tired of telling, so thanks little brother for reminding me of it again--and I forgive you for tattling!

Don't forget, there is still time to enter my giveaway from my birthday posting...I'll be picking the winner next Saturday, so be sure to check back then...

Thank you all for visiting and for taking the time to comment. It sure brightens my day to read your thoughts!

Christmas Bells Are Ringing!

Well, I know it's January, but, for me...it's still all about Christmas! I finished the first block of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow and am in love with the colors. The whole block looks like it is just exploding with the love and hope and joy and happiness and good will to men (and women!) that Christmas is supposed to represent. I love the peacock and his tiny, gold crown, don't you? I'll have to admit that it is taking me a while to get used to stitching on such a huge piece of linen after a whole year of doing nothing but small projects, but I'm slowly getting accustomed to it. I went back and forth on what to stitch it on, but finally decided on 32 ct. Flax Belfast Linen and I'm happy with my choice. I knew I would have to feel this fabric for a l-o-n-g time so I had to go with a fabric that I enjoyed touching! Anyway, one block down, only 11 more to go...

I've said it before, but I'll say it again, stitchers are such a special group of generous and thoughtful people! I received the most amazing birthday gift yesterday from my blogging friend, Myra. It literally brought tears to my eyes to think that someone I have never even met would make this beautiful and perfectly stitched "project pouch" for me. Try clicking on the photo to enlarge it so you can see all the amazing details close up. The colors are just delightful and as you can see, my latest project is waiting patiently in it for me to start on it! She included the sweetest little quilted birthday postcard, too, and the bag zips up with a small, silver flower charm. I will treasure it always, Myra, and think of you each time I use it. Thank you so very much, my friend...

And... I received an extremely sweet gift certificate from eHandcrafts.com from a secret stitching friend last week! Now which one of you generous friends sent this to me? I was awake half the night going back and forth trying to figure out who could have been so very thoughtful. She described me in the email notice as a "special person." Well, I beg to differ--you, kind friend, are the special person and I wish I could thank you in person. Sending you a huge hug and my genuine thanks for brightening my day...Your kindness means so much to me:)

Don't forget to take a peek at my previous post and enter for a chance to win one of my birthday giveaways... The contest will remain open until 5 PM on January 29th... Good luck to all. And thank you for your kind birthday wishes...this has been a hard one for me and it makes it a bit easier knowing I have so many wonderful friends out there.

Hope your week is a special one...

It's My Birthday and I'm Having a Giveaway!

I wonder what was going through my head when this photograph was taken more than fifty years ago? Knowing me, I'm sure I was being quite bashful around the photographer. I love the tiny red bows in my hair and the cute little pinafore dress that my dear mother so carefully chose for me. My bangs don't even look too crooked (which was unusual back in those days!).

We had a contest at work a few years ago where we each brought in a baby photo of ourselves and everyone tried to match the baby with the now-grown co-worker. For some reason, everyone--and I mean everyone, matched me up with no problem! I suppose that is a compliment...Now that I look at this photo, there are many similarities to my now middle-aged face: I have grown bangs again (although now they're there to hide the wrinkles), my teeth are nice and white (well, thanks to those handy whitening strips), and I'm still petite (due to all those miles I log on my treadmill each day). Hey, I am talking myself into feeling pretty good about this birthday after all! And it is a big one--half way between 50 and 60 which will now get me the senior citizen discount in a few restaurants. I just can't believe I am this old, but as my dear husband always says: "It's better than the alternative!"

So, in honor of my birthday and my one-year blogoversary, I've decided to offer a little giveaway--or, more accurately, three little giveaways. I'm always sad when there is only one winner for a huge amount of cross-stitching stash, so I've broken this up to result in three winners...You all know that last year I was stitching nothing but ornaments, so what better things to offer in my giveaway than ornament related goodies:

In GIVEAWAY #1 is Prairie Schooler's Book No. 110: "Santa & Friends" plus all the DMC floss needed to stitch each ornament.

In GIVEAWAY #2 is Plum Pudding Needleart's "Candy Cane Wishes" plus all the DMC floss needed to stitch each ornament.

In GIVEAWAY #3 is a stitched-by-me ornament from Prairie Schooler's "Santas & Snowmen" chart featuring this snowman with his little rabbit buddy.

To enter, simply leave a comment, on this post only, with the numbers of the giveaways you would like to win. Please include your email address if I can't reach you through your blog. And to make it more interesting for the librarian side of me, please let me know the name of the favorite book that you've read or listened to over the past year. Haven't read or listened to a book? Hmmm--get yourself to your nearest library soon :) No, seriously, I know how busy life can get, so how about the name of your favorite book from childhood? For me, the choice is easy... I just finished listening to "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett--probably the best audio book I have ever heard...really incredible. It is about life in Jackson, Mississippi in the early sixties as the Civil Rights movement was just getting underway. The book deals with a young white journalist, Miss Skeeter, and her journey to write a book about the experiences of the black maids ("the help") in the town. I laughed, I cried, I didn't want the book to end...

The deadline for the drawing will be Friday, January 29th at 5 PM Eastern Standard Time and I'll announce the winners on Saturday, January 30th. Good luck to all!

And thank you again, for all of your amazing comments on my last post--they mean so much to me!

52 in 52: 2009 in Review

First of all--Happy New Year! Second of all--wow!Thank you all so very much for your many compliments on my completed "ornament a week" challenge! I was overwhelmed by your wonderful comments. I don't know about you, but I love it when readers take the time to comment--it is amazing how a simple kind sentence or two can brighten someone's day, isn't it? I love waking up in the morning and finding evidence of a new visitor in the comments section of my latest blog posting. It just starts my day off right. So, thank you all!!

As I promised last week I am posting a photo of all 52 ornaments from last year. Well, almost all... I made two of them into cards and mailed them to loved ones and sent off the bookmark to a book-loving friend. So, here are the remaining 49 in order! I wish the photo was better, but with my camera it is difficult to get a clear photo from so far away. I'd love to know which one is your favorite piece... Mine is the little bird standing on his egg--he never ceases to make me smile. I "finish/finished" only about half of them so I have plenty to catch up on this year! Sometimes work just gets in the way of my stitching and finishing time :)



I've had a few requests to see the ornaments on our Christmas tree so I decided to snap a quick picture before we take it down tomorrow. You'll also notice a few ornaments from past years--one of my favorites is the little elf with his tangled string of lights. Like many of you, I have tended to give away a lot of the ornaments I made, but these are just for me to commemorate my "Ornament a Week" year.

I'm also including some close-ups of some of the ornament finishes that I got done this week (yes, I was very busy finishing!). You can see them in this slide show of all of my 2009 cross stitch finishes that I put together. Hope you enjoy it!

Many of you asked what my stitching plans are for 2010... Well, to tell you the truth, I plan to stitch just for the pure joy of stitching. The only two concrete goals I have are to stitch a block a month of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow and to stitch an ornament a month. I truly love creating ornaments and just can't give them up for all larger pieces. My confidence in my ornament finishing has really grown with each month and I plan to finish as I stitch this year...

I am going to take a bit of a blogging break for a couple weeks and catch up with things around the house--I plan on putting away all of the Christmas stuff and maybe cleaning out a closet or two (or three or four). I should begin removing the wallpaper from my middle son's room, too, but we'll see... maybe that can wait another year (I mean does anyone like removing wallpaper--YUK!!). Anyway, watch for my next post in two weeks 'cause, guess what--I'll be posting a giveaway in honor of my January 16th birthday AND my first blogoversary. It is so strange to think that a year ago, when I began my blog, I didn't know any of you! And now, just look at what a difference a year in the blogging world can make. Thanks for a great year everybody--you've really made me smile :)

Week Fifty-Two: Prairie Schooler's "Season's Greetings"

My dream to stitch an ornament a week for the entire 2009 year began almost 52 weeks ago on a cold and sleepless January night. I find that my most creative thoughts often come to me on such nights. Could I really do it? Could I actually be focused enough and patient enough to make it through every single week of the year? Would my aging eyes hold up? Well, I'm so pleased (and maybe "just a bit" proud) to be able to say that I MADE IT!!! And I honestly couldn't have done it without you--my readers, commenters, followers...my friends. I never would have dreamed that this year could have brought so many new friends into my life who share my passion for cross-stitching and encourage, inspire, and make me smile the way you all do!

My fifty-second (and final!) ornament of the year is "Season's Greetings" from the Prairie Schooler's Christmas Samplers II chart. I wanted the ornament to be small enough to fit on the Christmas tree so I stitched it "one-over-one" on 28 ct. summer khaki lugana using DMC threads. I think my favorite thing that I've tried for the first time this year has been the "over one" stitching--I am truly hooked! I also added a gold cord trim and hanger and a gauzy golden ribbon to jazz it up a bit. I'll have to admit that as I put in the last stitch I felt a bit sad--my year is over and I've had such fun...


So, how was your holiday? Christmas Day with young adults is much different than Christmas Day with young children, but it is still special. I actually welcome the peacefulness of the holiday now that my sons are older. We all slept in, ate a very late (after noon!) breakfast including our once-a-year cinnamon rolls whose recipe can be found right here. (We add cream cheese to the frosting to make them even more sinful!) We finally got around to exchanging presents in mid-afternoon. The whole day just had a tranquility to it that I don't remember having when there were little boys in the house tearing open their presents, shrieking with delight, and playing all sorts of noisy video games all day! We played board games and watched movies and just enjoyed each others' company... We are rarely all together at the same time any more, so I savored each minute.

I received a delightful surprise in the mail this past week from Cindy over at Cindy's Stitching. She sent me a lovely stitched Christmas card and the sweetest little Mill Hill bead kit called "Snow Sled." Cindy has been such a loyal supporter of my blog this year and she knew how much I loved to create ornaments so I know she chose this gift especially with me in mind. Thank you so much, Cindy; I love it and can't wait to stitch it and see it hanging on my tree next Christmas! I made her a larger version of my miniature gingerbread boy ornament from last week which you can see pictured on her blog--so glad she likes it!

Well, the next time I post, it will be 2010! So many of you have asked for a photo of all 52 ornaments together so I will gather them up from their various storage places and have a picture for you next week. And for those of you who have watched my journey week by week, I just want to thank you so, so much for your support and comments...As I said before, I couldn't have made it this far without you!

May 2010 bring you much joy... HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Week Fifty-One: Gingerbread Joy

This morning I awoke to the sound of the snowplow rumbling down our street and I instantly knew what that meant...we are going to have a white Christmas! This is the first snowfall of any significance here in western Pennsylvania this winter and I'm so glad our house and yard will be blanketed in white for Christmas week. Of course, I don't have to go out today, so I would probably feel differently if I had shopping to do and errands to run!

My ornament for the week is from Plum Pudding Needleart's "Candy Cane Wishes" chart. It may be miniature, but this turned out to be one of my favorite finishes of the year. The little gingerbread boy is stitched "one over one" on 28 ct. Country French Cafe Mocha Linen (I love the name of that linen and I don't even drink coffee!). I used the suggested DMC threads and backed it with the burgundy checked fabric shown behind the finished ornament. Gingerbread boys (and girls) have always made me smile--there is just something impish and endearing about them (kind of like my three sons when they were little boys!).







Do you have one special food that just says "Christmas" to you? For me, it has to be my grandmother's caramels. I whipped up a batch on Thursday evening and most of them have already disappeared--they've either been sent off for gifts or eaten by my youngest son. I had to hide the last dozen or two to be savored on Christmas day! My dear grandmother would make countless batches each year--mailing many off to friends whose Christmases wouldn't be Christmas without the gooey treats that they had come to expect from her each December. Each Christmas morning, the four of us kids would shout with delight when we spied the plain white box in which she had carefully wrapped dozens of caramels in wax paper~ each like a little present. They were, far and away, everyone's favorite gift year after year.

Gram passed away 26 years ago and that was the last time I tasted her caramels. I've made them many, many times since, but although they are good, they don't quite taste the same as hers. Making caramels is a true labor of love--you have to stand at the stove and stir the mixture over low heat for almost two hours! If you try to rush them you get caramels that are so hard they'll pull out a filling or so soft you have to eat them with a spoon. This year's batch turned out perfectly--it was almost as if Gram was right there, whispering in my ear to just be patient and keep stirring until they were just right...

I wish you all a blessed Christmas with your family and friends...

Week Fifty: Let It Snow!

Hello everyone! Have you ever stitched a piece that you just know, every time you look at it, will forever remind you of a certain place or event? Well, for me, Country Cottage Needleworks' "Let It Snow" will always remind me of the emergency room. Yes, I spent many of the six hours in the ER on Sunday evening working on this little scene. My husband was being treated for what, at the time, we thought was the flu, but turned out to be a severe case of food poisoning. He missed three days of work, lost who knows how much weight, and is just beginning to regain his appetite and feel normal again. It was very scary and frustrating because we still aren't exactly sure where or what he ate that made him ill.

The one good thing about having that extended stitching time in the ER is that I actually had time to finish the ornament and hang it on my Christmas tree! This was my first attempt at doing a beaded edge and I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out, but, oh, did it take me a very l-o-n-g time! I think I should have practiced on a smaller ornament first. I decided to leave off the words "Let It Snow" that were originally charted (in the JCS 2008 Ornament Issue) because it was just becoming too big to use as an ornament on my tree. I used 32 ct. natural light linen and DMC threads with a touch of Kreinik silver blending filament for the tinier snowflakes. I also changed the blue of the birds, the border, and the snowman's scarf to match the color of the Mill Hill beads that I sewed around the border.


It was such fun coming home and discovering little packages waiting for me in my mailbox this week. I won one of the cute reindeer ornaments that Kim at Stitchful Thinking offered in her recent giveaway. Isn't he darling? It is backed in the cutest red and white polka-dot fabric. Thanks so much, Kim--he is feeling very much at home on our Christmas tree this year! And for anyone else who would like to stitch this handsome reindeer, you can find the free pattern right here...


I also received a non-stitchy gift from Shari at Shari's Sharings. I just "met" Shari through blogging this year and we have become fast friends...She has triplet grandsons and I have triplet great-nieces so we love trading stories about the kids and life in general. Check out her blog and you'll find some recent photos of her little cutie-pies... Shari makes her own chocolates each year and sent me a sampler of her goodies all wrapped up in a cheery snowman towel. Click on the photo and you'll see some of her delicious chocolate turtles trying to escape from their container...I've eaten most of their friends so they know the fate that awaits them! Thank you so much Shari for your treats and your friendship!


I was also lucky enough to meet up with Lee, the Lake Stitcher for a fun-filled day last week. You can read about it on her blog and also check out the Prairie Schooler Santa that I made for her. I had stitched him last year, but just finished him last week...that just shows you how slow I am at finishing some of my pieces. I'm sure he's relieved to be set free from that dark storage drawer that has been his home for the past year! Lee, knowing how much I love LHN pieces, passed on to me a sweet chart called "Winter Sampler" that I know I'll enjoy stitching in the future. Thank you so much, Lee--can't wait until our next get-together!

It is such a busy time of year for all of us, but after the events of this week, I'm trying to step back a bit from the holiday madness. I'm consciously trying to make more time to reflect upon and give thanks for the simple things in life -- for the things we often take for granted such as our health and time spent with our families...

Thank you all for taking time out of your busy holiday schedules to stop in and say hello! I really look forward to reading your comments each week...

Week Forty-Nine: Prairie Schooler December Santa

Well, December is here -- the final month of my "Ornament a Week" challenge! I can't believe that I only have three more ornaments to stitch and post for the year. I wish I could say I had only three more ornaments to "finish/finish" for the year. I am so far behind (hanging my head in shame) and I just hope that I can catch up with my finishing at some point... As you can see, this week I stitched another Prairie Schooler monthly piece from the Summer & Winter chart (Book No. 91). As with the other pieces I've stitched in this series, I used 32 ct. flax Belfast linen and DMC threads.

So, how is everyone's Christmas decorating coming along? We hope to get our tree up and decorated today along with putting up the garland and ribbons on the porch and the candles in the windows. I wish we had a bit of snow to go along with our decorating frenzy--it always puts me more in the Christmas spirit. Of course, when the snow does come along, I start complaining about how difficult the driving is or how cold it is or something or other. But, I do love a white Christmas, don't you?

Can you remember where you were 24 years ago? I certainly can -- I was in the hospital having just given birth to my second son on December 4th, 1985. From day one he was such a kind, caring, and peaceful child...and he continues to show the same traits as a young man. We'll be celebrating his birthday with his favorite "Chocolate Eclair Dessert." It is something I make only once a year--just for his birthday--so it is pretty special. Just like he is! So, to my dear middle son, I wish you a very "Happy Birthday" and a year filled with love, laughter, and all the good things life has to offer...

Have a joyful week everyone and thank you again for stopping by and taking the time to say "hello." I appreciate each and every comment so much!

Week Forty-Eight: Santa Mitten

This chubby little Santa looks like I felt after our Thanksgiving feast--overstuffed! This weeks piece is from the Cricket Collection's "Woolen Mittens" chart and is the second mitten I've stitched this year. Of course, are either of them finished yet? Nope. This week was just too busy with all my baking, eating, traveling, eating, shopping, eating--oh, did I mention eating? Anyway, Santa is feeling quite at home on his 28 ct. black Monaco fabric. I used DMC threads, two tiny black buttons for his eyes, a silver jingle bell on the tip of his hat, and a cherry red button I found in my button jar for his bulging nose.

Last week I promised you some photos of my baking so here are the goodies all laid out on my kitchen table ready for their trip to Ohio on Thanksgiving Day. The pies from back to front are: Chocolate Pecan, Cherry, Pumpkin, and Pecan. What is your favorite? I tend to choose the cherry, just because I think it is "a lot" healthier than the others (wishful thinking, I'm sure). The pecan seems to be the first to disappear every year, though. Also pictured is my cookie tray filled with ten yummy varieties. Just click on the photo for a bigger picture...

In the back row are Chocolate Raspberry Brownies, Christmas Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies, and Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter. The middle row has Molasses Krinkles, Snickerdoodles, and Frosted Buttermilk Cookies. And the bottom row features M&M Cookies, Date Balls, and Reese's Cup Cookies. Yes, I love to bake! I'm always amazed at how appreciative my relatives are for these simple contributions to our family get-togethers because, for me, baking is relaxing and a labor of love, not a chore at all. Anyway, by the time we left Ohio Friday night, there were only about 9 cookies and a few pieces of pie remaining--amazing!

Thanks so much for visiting my little corner of the world today. If any of you would like a recipe just email me and I'll gladly share it with you. For those of you who still have to make the return trip back to your hometown after a Thanksgiving away, I wish you "safe home"--a lovely Irish thought Siobhan wished for me in her comments on my blog last week...