Stitching Post

 Valerie's name stitch is framed. I think it turned out well. I was torn between 2 gold frame choices. One was ornate and then the one I chose was a plainer choice. As I stood there debating them, I realized the ornate one was more like Lindsay and the plainer one more like Katie. I guess only time will tell if I made the right decision for Valerie.

I am pleased with it.

I will get a picture of it when she hangs it up. I just picked it up last night just before they closed.

I decided to pull pictures from all the others to share in this one post for comparison. I don't have a favorite. I like them all. They were all done with lots of love and hopes that they would be good all the way through high school in their bedrooms.

Tucker was first.

He loves the water and all things fishing, but he loves baseball and golf too.

Below is it in his big boy bedroom a few years back. I did have both his and Palmer's matted. Their rooms are larger and seemed to call for it.

Then came Palmer. I loved his little palm tree.

Here it is in his current bedroom minus the front railing on the baby bed. He is about to get a new bed. 

Then along came Miles. It was me branching out more with my own patterns. I think it all fits him so well.

I didn't have his matted because Katie painted his wall a dark green and the room is smaller so I felt just the frame worked. I searched high and low for the picture of it in his room. Couldn't find it.

Now for other stitching ---

I started some sandpipers before Valerie's name. I pulled it back out when I delivered Valerie's stitch to the frame shop. I have finished said sandpipers.

Yes, you read that right. It was such easy stitching to do after months of doing things that had to be drawn or created in my mind. Stitching by a pattern was just pure pleasure. I didn't take a picture though. I had finished it when they called to tell me the name was done. I just ironed it and took it. I couldn't believe I hadn't taken a picture.

Oh well, we will wait to see it after it is framed.

Now speaking of framing. I think I am not going to frame many more. Something is just going to have to be dynamic to cause it. I have no more wall space. I am sure something will eventually call my name and that will mean I will have to swap things out. 

For my current thoughts, I am trying to find a Christmas ornament for Valerie. I won't veer too far from what I have done for the other 3, but the "one" hasn't hit me yet. I do want to get better at stitching ornaments too.

I did start a dolphin like this whale I did. I have wanted another one. It is on the same linen and I have enough of the trim too. This dolphin will take a while to stitch. So many color changes and there are a lot of x's in that small space.

I hope to get in my sewing room this weekend and go through my patterns and plan out some new things. The planning will start soon.

Whether I frame or not, I will stitch. It is soothing and rewarding. It is truly a hobby I have done since 1980 and never have tired of it. I told Lindsay I might just have a drawer full of stitches one day and I am ok with that.

That is all I have stitchy friends.

Be back soon with more goings on around here.

Sandy

Easter Blessings

 I felt like I needed to add one addendum to my last post on puttering in my yard. I showed you a photo a couple of posts back of these 2 geraniums....

The one of the right was bought first and I planted in the correct sized pot. The location should bring lots of geranium blooms until the intense heat of summer comes and then it will bounce back in November and December. However, it seems I do the same thing each year ---I think, "Oh no, you look so sad and alone. No worries, I will buy you a friend." Then I purchase another one and for some reason put it in a lower pot in which case it kinda falls over and is unhappy for a few weeks until I change the pot to the taller one. I have made this mistake the last couple of years for certain. I am going to try and remember that they seem to like the deeper pot next year. We will see!

Of course, I once put tons together ---

I have since simplified much and one is the geraniums. The 2 are plenty to enjoy.

One more thing I forgot to mention in my puttering in my flowers was that I have deemed the snow to have been a good thing for the azaleas this year. All of the locals agreed with me that this year was a BANNER YEAR for them all over town. I even had the owner of the jewelry store comment on them as well. It wasn't just me!

*****

Now on to Easter blessings. I really tried with all my heart to set my mind on not letting the message of Easter pass me by or Easter Sunday show up and I haven't given my heart and mind proper time to consider the holiness of the day.

For Christians, it is our holiest day - the day we remember He arose!

The tomb is empty and He is living.

I took a very long walk on the beach this past Wednesday. It wasn't planned. I had started the week quite busy and knew that Thursday and Friday were Mama days with appointments, so about noon I thought why should I not go to the place that feeds my soul. 

I drove myself out to the beach with no chair and decided to just walk. I took a very long walk. Easily got in my 10,000 steps for the day. 

It was the most gorgeous day. Look at that blue sky and those emerald waters. 

It truly gave me time to prepare my heart.

I didn't expect to have my full family with me this year as Tyler's parents were coming down Thursday for the weekend. I am happy they were able to visit and see both boys play baseball, going boating and even stayed for church this morning. They hit the road so I ended up getting all the family together. 

Lindsay let me know quick enough that I got eggs filled with candy and quarters for a hunt. Jeff cooked most of the dinner so this little mama's heart was so full.

With the past couple of years, it seems as if one thing or another has tried to beat me down, but I DO KNOW the Lord has me and He is in control even if I don't like the way it feels sometimes. Rain grows us just like the flowers. 

Jeff too is doing much better after the cancer scare. It has made us so appreciative of the days. WE know there could be more tough ahead but we will be grateful for every single blessing that comes our way.

He texted the next three pics this morning to our family. I think it truly true.

*I have decided to continue blogging and make it a priority, not for any other reason other than for posterity's sake. A journal of the good for my children.

So you get to follow along and see our family's text.

What a blessing Jeff is our family's life! A leader in every way. Life has dealt him some hard blows, but Jesus lives within our hearts so we will be ok.

Here are a few scenes from today and yes, it will be a bit of picture overload. I hope my children one day will love the journal I am committed to keeping for them.

I had the pleasure of having Palmer today at church. As a family we generally attend our first service, but Lindsay's group attended the second service which is my serving service time.  Paul Allen's family attended the normal time and Jeff, Mom and I attended Saturday evening at 6:00. Mother really wanted to try and go so we figured the evening service would be the least crowded.

Saturday was indeed less crowded, and we were able to get her on the golf cart and right at the side door. The guy that drove us up before was waiting on us when we came out. Bless him! She seemed tired last night, but I was glad she wanted to go. Based on what I am seeing these days I honestly think that will be her last church service. She is getting too feeble to make it all the way in and it is a lot for her. She is good for a long time yet, but things such as that take a lot out of her. 

 ***

Tucker and Palmer had the cool factor with the Easter bunny.

I almost forgot to order Valerie one. These are Amish baskets that I have ordered for all. I managed to get her one here in time which the truth is I could have waited. Cute, pink and girlie after 3 boys.

Miles and Valerie this morning. Valerie has on one of Lindsay's smocked dresses made by Mama. I think it made her happy.

Lindsay's family with an added Miles who loves his aunt and uncle.

Katie's birthday is this week, so I made her favorite dessert, strawberry pretzel salad

She got a special present this year. One of the perks of giving jewelry as special gifts has been being able to pass down jewelry from grandparents to our children. We had Lindsay a necklace made with things from Jeff's mom for Christmas a couple of years ago. This time we took a stone and some diamonds from her rings again and then used some wedding bands to make the rings for her necklace. We only had to buy the August birthstone. This has Miles and Valerie's birthstones.

I think she was pleased and a little stunned, but we consider Katie and Tyler to be our children as well.

Paul Allen and his family.

The 3 Musketeers

On the hunt.

A little fishing.

And a girl in the mix.

We set the timer for the Easter photograph.

 Seriously, I am so blessed. Both of kiddos have prioritized church for their little ones. Jeff is here with me. Mom has lived a long life. 4 little grands to love on.

Grateful beyond words. 

These are probably not the most interesting posts for blogging where they are all family, but I am planning to keep that part in for my family. I will continue to add other things too as I have time and the thoughts. 

Blog friends have been an unexpected blessing that I didn't fully understand when I launched this thing, but I am grateful for you too. 

Happy Easter,

Sandy