A Hodgepodge Post

I will start with a stitch for stitching friends dropping by. After finishing the blue jays and before starting the next one, I decided a small was in order.

I found a freebie here...http://www.brookesbooks.com/CrossStitchFreebies.html
It is quite small and would be very cute done on 40 count for a corner of a decorative pillow with just a wee bit of stitching on it, but I was looking for a filler in a basket or so I thought...

This is done on 28 count laguna with DMC colors that were called for in the pattern.

Here she is finished up in a small pillow. I went pulling out all my summery smalls to see what I had and if a bowl was in order or just scattered around the house.

I keep all my smalls of all seasons except Christmas in Lindsay's dresser. It is quite fun to pull open the drawers and see all the work from my hands. I think most of these will come out over the course of the summer and be scattered about over the house. I don't really have a look for a bowl yet or at least I don't think.

We will see.

I am planning to stitch a somewhat smaller patriotic stitch that has been sitting in the wings for far too long. I think it is time to get her done.

Lady Liberty in progress.

My current thought is she will be done in a flat fold. I am trying to get the skirt done first as I think the remainder of the stitching will go fast once that is done. 

Then I have a summer piece started that I need to finish and then back to the birds. 

Sunday was the first time I have had all my chickadees under my roof at the same time. That was the very best present ever. 

We celebrated Mother's 85th birthday which happened in March as all the Big C thing got started. 

She would most likely be upset if she knew I was posting it for two reasons ---she is convinced all forms of social posting is a bad idea and second she is ready for a haircut!!!

A Dorothy Hamill cut is what she sports.

Lindsay made her an adorable sign to take her picture with.

Y'all pictures of Mom are all I took. I was just so happy to have the family together. WE were under the 10 rule!

We made good food and desserts and I got my grocery store roses which I have told the kids is all I ever want.

I made Arlene's pimento cheese and some bacon jam and even some homemade bread. I was on a roll. Recipes that I used are linked with the names of the item.

I also made two pies.

I know it was Mother's Day but I told them I wanted to. They did the rest.

An update on Lindsay's friends and the fire. I am completely amazed at the goodness that has taken place. Lindsay and her friends raised $6,000 to help them get a rental and some new furniture and so forth. The insurance company has come out and said they will rebuild. Now, I don't know how quickly all that will take place, but the money raised will help them get set up while they wait. Continue to pray for them. I know the young man is taking it pretty hard. Lindsay said a piece of ash landed in the seat next to L as she drove away so she was frightened and knew it would not be there. T didn't have that plus his grandmother died and he had a funeral to go to, so a lot to swallow at one time.

It just reminds me how grateful we need to be for every good thing we have. Life is short and not always easy.

A quick pic to leave you with. This is just too cute not to share.

Tucker trying on PaPa's shoes. The background is good too. Shells on the floor, a dog bone, a toy turned upside down, the mop because that is his favorite toy, and a frozen lasagna dish in the living room that none other than Gus got off the counter and brought into the living room. Real life!!!

Take care,

Sandy