It's football season!!!

 My favorite time of year!   I didn't get as much crafting done because I've been watching football.  I cannot do many crafts while I'm watching the games but I did start on some knitted dish cloths.  It was a good week as I finally finished cleaning my desk drawers.  I threw out so much that the drawers are pretty empty now....YAY!!!   I also  ordered and got a new  paper shredder that does 8 full sheets at a time and credit cards too.  I am getting rid of all those papers I used to save to burn in the Fall.  No more burning needed and I can get rid of things right away.  It works slick!  Plus, it came in white.  I am so sick of black everything which always shows the dust.

I've started on the bookshelves in the family room and I have a box full of books ready to go to the thrift store.  That will be my project this week along with updating my budget.  The cleaning gal is a big help with cleaning bathrooms and changing sheets and vacuuming...things that are hard on my back.

This week I made progress on Hazel.........mostly working on her BIG tail!

I received the pattern and floss for the annual Halloween  ornaments for the grands....not sure which ones I will choose....I still have to get material, hopefully from my stash.

I went uptown for a few groceries and they had good sized mums for $5.99 so I picked one up for the front door.........I still have a hard time getting decent pictures with my phone but it's better than nothing.

I hope you all had a good week and all the great cool weather my Northern friends are having....this coming week is supposed to be back in the 90's here in AR!  I only see robins here in the Spring and the Fall and this weekend thy were all over my front yard.  They won't stay...they go farther South but it's a good sign! Fall is truly on the horizon!

Happy Trails!!!

It's Fall Y'all!!!

 Okay, so maybe it's not officially Fall and the temps may not reflect it but in my little world....it's Fall!!!

Plus, I'm not the only one.  All the floss tubers on You Tube are showing their plans for Fall stitching and Halloween and beyond.  So, I spent yesterday afternoon digging through my patterns and XS WIPs and I have some plans set in place.  As for what I did this past week it's the same as usual for crafting.  I'm almost done with the foot of my 2nd Christmas sock, I'm on row 8 of 14? of my crochet blanket.  Every evening I attach a square and I also crochet the next square to attach the following night.  I've been XS'ing on Hazel the squirrel and I will keep working on her.  She's such a fun stitch.  Here's an update on her from this past week........    

For my Thanksgiving stitch I'll be working on Thomas who I started last year.......I didn't get very far last year....... 

For my Halloween I'll be stitching this witch which looks to be a quick stitch...we'll see 

For the grands Halloween ornaments I ordered a Prairie Schooler pattern and floss.......I have plenty of fabric........not sure which ones I will choose yet.

and last but not least, I'll be stitching these ornaments for their Christmas.  We'll see how far I get with all these projects! LOL!

 

 This pattern was gifted to me and the witch was a free pattern and the rest I had so all I had to buy was the Halloween chart and floss which was not bad as there were only a few flosses that I needed.

The part I don't like is the kitting up, measuring the fabric, cutting and zigzagging the edges but it has to be done!  

I also need to write down the College and NFL games.  I can only listen to the college games and I only get to watch some NFL games but it's still fun!  I also need to start getting out my Fall decorations.  I love it!  

I felt great this week.  Better than ever.  The only thing wrong now is I perforated my ear drum.  It's probably from blowing my nose which I do a lot in the morning.  It will heal on it's own but you're not supposed to blow your nose.....that's going to be a problem!  Oh well, it could be worse. 

Do you  have plans for Labor Day?  I have my daily chores but I plan on crafting all weekend.  I did not get any more quilt squares cut so I am hoping to get some of that done.  Have a great week!

Happy Trails!!!
   
 

I spoke too soon!

 Remember my last post on August 3rd?  I was feeling great and getting so much accomplished and I had big plans!!!  Well, I got sick for 2 weeks and accomplished nothing.  I had to cancel my hair appointment and the cleaning gal and ended up at the doctor's office.  Not sure if it was diverticulitis....that was 3 years ago and this wasn't as bad and I have no idea what caused it as I am so careful with my diet.  But, he gave me antibiotics and by the next morning the pain had stopped.  I am still taking them, I'm on a liquid diet....I've lost 15 lbs in the last month.  With the pain I had no appetite and was so tired I just wanted to sleep and I did.....a lot! But I am feeling chipper again....PTL and my doctor.  So, hopefully I will get back to it!

I have started a new cross stitch by Stacy Nash.  She has a whole series called Animal Crackers and they are the cutest.  This is my first one.  I am  using 25 count even weave from Lori Holt and it is a dream to stitch on especially if you do the sewing method without a hoop.  I chose Miss Hazel because I had an Aunt Hazel.  She married my Uncle Buck when he was 60 and he had been a bachelor all his life.  I loved  my Uncle Buck and we used to drive the country roads and go visit my grandparents old house.  We were going to buy it together someday.  He had a gas station and I used to walk down there and get a free pop and hang out with him.  So, when he married Miss Hazel I was not happy about it and I probably wasn't very nice to her.  I was very young though, but I always felt bad about my feelings for her. I hope she made him happy because he was a wonderful man and I adored him.  He had the bluest eyes I've ever seen...it was like they glowed.  He was my Mother's older brother.  Anyway, I hope Aunt Hazel forgives me and likes this little Miss Hazel stitched in her honor.  

I also did some cleaning and clearing of my desk and went through paperwork to get ready to burn (when it cools off outside).  I started (barely) on a new little table topper quilt.  There are 4 or 5 fabrics and it is a kit from Kim Diehl.  The first fabric (black) requires 1 2" X 2" square, and 128 1 1/2 " X 1 1/2 " squares.  I've pressed the fabrics and started cutting.....I have 28 of the 128 squares cut of just the first material!  I can't stand over the cutting board very long as my back gives out so I think I will try cutting some each day to break it up. 

This week will be busy trying to do all those things I didn't do while I was sick.  I am about 1/2 way down the foot of my 2nd Christmas sock, and I'm still crocheting the BIG crocheted blanket.  I hope you are all well and happy and have things to look forward to.  I am reading Joanna Fluke's Hannah Swensen  murder mysteries.  I think I'm on book #8.  I have already met my Good Reads goal of 62 books for 2025.

Happy Trails!!!
     
 

     

 

Lookin' good in the neighborhood!!!

 Hi everyone!  How are you?  Fine I hope.  I am feeling great...the best I've felt in a long time.  I have more energy (they did up my thyroid  medicine which might have something to do with it).  Things are getting done around here finally!  I do have a cleaning gal that really helps me stay on top of things that are hard for me to do such as cleaning tub, toilets, and changing sheets....anything that requires bending over and/or lifting heavy objects. But I'm feeling stronger every day.  PTL!

I've got lots of projects in the works that I want to do or at least plan for.  I'm seriously thinking of getting one of those backup power generators.  If your  power goes out it automatically kicks in.  You don't  have to do anything.  They're expensive but I can't forget the last ice storm we had here and people died.  I don't want to try to mess with a gasoline generator or having to unplug and plug certain things in so I am thinking I might go for it and then no worries, hopefully.  Plus, it is really hard for me to  bring wood in and start the fireplace.  I may change that to propane also. 

 I'm also looking at replacing my front railing with a cable wire railing and I need a new storm door too.  Right now I have an old wobbly rod iron railing....I hate rod iron anything.

and here's the storm door I'm thinking about.....I'd be getting cream or sandstone color.  
 

In addition to all that...I made a hair appointment to get my hair cut and a perm (soft not tight to my head).  I remember when I was hospitalized for diverticulitis, I couldn't fix my hair because I had all this equipment attached to me and since I wear my hair in a bun, I couldn't fix it.  I'm thinking if I ever end up in the hospital, a shorter perm would be easier plus it was hard to put my hair  up when I hurt my back.   We'll see how I like it....it's sort of scary.  I haven't been to a beauty shop in years!  My neighbor goes to the same gal and her hair always looks nice so wish me luck!

Meanwhile, I continue loading the car with more stuff for the thrift store and it's almost ready for another trip.  I cleaned my front door last week, bought filters for furnace and AC which I will  replace this week. I've also finished up some crafting projects..........

a drawstring bag....

I'm going through this book which has 12 projects.....next is pillowcases and with each project you learn a new technique so by the time you finish the book you should have learned a lot about sewing.  

I decided to iron my finished XS projects and hang them from my dad's old pant hangers.....so they won't get buried and I am reminded that I need to get frames for them...

I finished my Sally Spencer sampler.....I love it and I love the colors she chose for it. 

Now that I've finished a few projects, I'll be starting some more.  I'm still working on the BIG blanket, and my second Christmas sock.  I'll be starting a new XS project that I've had plus a small quilt by Kim Diehl.  I'll show you next week and hopefully I can get around to everyone to visit this week!

 

(it's supposed to be you're....did these people not pay attention in school?)

Happy Trails!!! 

               

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

 We've been in the 90's all week with "feel like" temps in the 100's.  I go out early and water and then get back inside the AC.  It doesn't go below the 70's at night and it's hard to get cold water out of the tap.

The cleaning gal didn't show up....some excuse.  I had a doctor appointment this week and all is good!

The frame I ordered for Jim's XS came and "the math whiz" didn't calculate correctly and it is too big!  I like the frame so I'm sure I will be able to use it for something else. 

My mail box was starting to lean and my neighbor friend jury rigged it to be secure for awhile but he said the post is rotten and needs to be replaced which he said he will do when the weather cools off.  What an angel he is!

Yesterday it was 6 years since my son, Jim, died.  Time does make it easier but there are some things in life you never get over.  I'm at peace that he is no longer suffering from his addiction.

Here's a picture when he was probably 3?  He was such a happy child and cute as a bug in a rug.  Those are the memories I cling to.  He would have been 44 this year.

I've been reading more Lorna Landvik books and just love them!  I watch my favorite podcasts and then I've been watching Heart Guy on Acorn t.v. but it's about to wrap up so I need to find another series...any suggestions?  I like lighthearted mysteries and/or drama...nothing too violent or graphic although Heart Guy is a gigolo....a heart doctor that drinks and does drugs and lots of women but it's funny and interesting.  It's from Australia.

I hope you are enjoying your summer and that it isn't too hot where you are.

 

Happy Trails!!! 
  

  

Happy Sunday!!!

 I was sick for 3 days and was in bed all day on the 4th.  I'm fine now.  I am calling them "spells"...like they did in the old days.  I'm fit as a fiddle now.  I finished my 9 boxes #1 and now I am working on 9 Boxes #2 which includes: 1) cleaning - my nightstand (done), 2) finances - checking the bank (done), 3) organizing -  floss (in progress), 4) creating - sewing drawstring bag (in progress), 5) gardening - weeding around lilac bush (in progress), 6) maintenance - order filters for furnace and AC, 7) decorating - porch, 8) learning - basket weaving, (I have the kit), 9) clearing - packing boxes and putting in car (in progress)

I've been working on the heel flap of the 2nd Christmas sock........  

I've also been trying to finish up my Sally Spencer XS.......I just have to go  up the right side... 
 

As for the crocheted blanket....I'm showing it folded here because it is getting big....I have done 7 rows of 28 squares each all connected with join as you go technique.  There is a total of 672 squares in the blanket and I have finished 196 so I have 476  left to go.....no rush and I only attach 1 square and then crochet the next one for the following evening.

 I did make a quote for the needle holder I made but I forgot to take a picture.  A finish!  I also ordered a picture frame and supplies for framing Jim's memorial XS.

I am making progress and staying on top of daily chores which  makes me a happy camper.

Happy Trails!!!
 

             

I'm slower than snail doo-doo!!!

 By the time I take all my pills through out the day and use the "loo" 50 times a day (water pills)....I'm lucky to get anything done!  Remember the 9 boxes?  I couldn't do them in 1 week but I am down to 2 remaining!  Then when they are all done I will refill them with 9 more tasks.

I was bent on doing a final finish on a perforated paper cross stitch needle book and I did but there was a little paper that was supposed to go on it which I either lost or never received in the kit.....

Here's mine and I might have to try and replicate the little quote.........some how.....

I also finished another part of the kit but not final finished.....the cross stitching is done but now I need to make it into a drum which I have never done but I hear that Vonna Pffifer has a great tutorial on how to do it so I'll be getting prepped to do that. I still can't seem to take very good photos with my phone....

I ordered some groceries today and they will be delivered tomorrow around 11:00 a.m.  It's stormed here almost every day and I love it especially when it thunders.  I'm sure July will be a hot one!  I have a new cleaning gal coming Thursday so cross your fingers she will be good and reliable!

What are you doing for the 4th of July?  I'm entertaining me, myself, and I!

 

Happy Trails!!!