Memorial Day and Summertime

Memorial Day in my mind begins the patriotic season and summer. I do not minimize what Memorial Day means at all as I will explain later in this post. Living where I live, both the true meaning and the warm weather make this holiday important in remembering and embracing my favorite time of the year.

I have subtly decorated my home, so we will take a tour starting at the front yard and moving in the door no one enters except Gus and me, but we will get to the entry that everyone does enter in before we are done. I love patriotic decor, but I have learned I can't take too much of seasonal decor --period. I get tired of it and for some reason I have never been good at removing the regular decor to replace with seasonal decor. I tend to add in which can make clutter. 

Jeff talked about for 23 years (the number of years we have lived in this house) putting a flag up. With the stone and stucco, he just never wanted to drill through either. America 250 finally got him to bite the bullet.

He also bought the kids one and both have put theirs up too. The family is all in!

Side note to digress on...don't you love digressions?! Jeff and I had an entire conversation last Sunday afternoon while putting around on the boat on which houses looked like coastal Florida (especially northwest Florida, cuz there is a difference). Ours doesn't fit the bill. We love our home...it is strong and has extra precautions built in for hurricane and waterfront living, but Indiana sandstone would not have been our choice nor does look like any kind of Florida. 

Now, we move on with the tour. I found this lovely ribbon on Amazon and added a bow to the light post and to the swans that adorn our front porch. The swans are a nod to my mother in law. 

I added my redbirds with flag wings back to the flowerbed, because Floridians do yard art. Probably too much!

I didn't do much to the foyer ---remember I can't remove standing decor. I added a flag. I also tried out some red books under the candlesticks but decided to keep the blues.

Just inside this foyer door is a favorite spot of mine. I added a ribbon to my bunny. Just a simple touch and I only did ribbon on the bunny and not all the items I do at Christmas. More of a simple approach.

Close up view of the ribbon for which I had more of. I don't remember where I got it and have only enough to do Mr. Bunny. BTW, the print above is one of my favorite things ever. A Panhandle of Florida map. All my favorite places.

I am currently stitching something that I might add to my church pew just across from Mr. Bunny.  We will see. All of these things will get tweaked many times probably.

Moving into the dining room, I added a table runner made by one of Mama's good friends. 

Then we open the double doors in to the family room. 

I added some stitching to the built ins and of course, there are tributes to both our dads which served in the military which are full time patriotism on display.

Left side of the fireplace.

Close ups of the stitched insertions and then a stepping away look.

Oh and I added in a flag too.

 I added a stack of patriotic picture books to the coffee table. A simple but cute way to add seasonal decor.

Moving into the kitchen I added some flags to the island. The kitchen table has some blue checked napkins. I also have some red ones that I can switch out as well.

On one counter, I have added a couple of stitches. This section really is not a cooking counter so I can usually add some decor with no worries.

I actually did remove a picture to put this stitch up.

Right outside my kitchen window I have my geraniums with some flags and down on the boat dock Jeff has a flag there.

Back in the kitchen and down the hallway where EVERYONE actually enters our home is my latest stitch all framed. I know some of you saw it on Instagram. I just love it.

I removed a stitch for the summer that goes here. I may move this stitch to my sampler wall later, but for this summer it will be where it can be seen and enjoyed.

"O Happy Day" by Plum Street Samplers with changes to make it fit my liking.

Then in the guest bathroom right past the sampler, I added a ribbon and the Liberty Bell stitch.

In my sewing room, there are more patriotic things that are on display all the time.

My bunnies in their red, white and blue outfits, my shuttle stitch along with my students saying the pledge of allegiance.

*****

Jeff and I attended a reception at a local elementary school that Jeff was the principal of and then later after  him I did my last 3 years of teaching working on grant that involved the school. It has a high military presence and if you have ever driven from the west to our beaches you probably have driven by it and noticed it because it had all the looks of a military town school with red, white, and blue showing. Mary Esther Elementary Thunderbirds located right on Highway 98 (the Miracle Strip Parkway).

Every teacher came up to Jeff and told him he was their favorite principal and honestly it made my time there immeasurably easier because they loved him so much. The school is closing along with another elementary school. The south end of the county has been in a population decline or families with children decline for a decade. The cost of living is just so high... no more land to build on. To shorten this, there a lot more changes coming. Change is inevitable. The north end is growing like kudzu and they are building a new school there right now.

It was this visit to the school reception that I really thought I am going to FINALLY add a Memorial Day post. I have always steered away from it. When you live in a military community you are very aware of the sacrifices made. There are 7 military installations here in the Panhandle of Florida. 

On the evening of the school event a couple walked in that reminded me of Jeff's first year as a principal there and having the most horrific news to give a teacher. Now, this one involves life, but many I have know made the ultimate sacrifice. 

It was around 2010 and the superintendent called and said she was on her way with military officials and for him to get someone to cover Mrs. D's kindergarten class. Her husband had been blown up and was in horrible condition. That was a hard thing to deliver and watch. Later, we would learn that he had survived but lost both legs. He was there on Tuesday evening for the reception and it sent me on a tailspin of thoughts of how many people I know about in just my small world that have lost their family member.

I really don't feel it exactly appropriate to appoint myself the story teller of all these losses, but I have known personally many -from a child I taught who lost his father in the Khobar Towers back in 1996. The losses in our community for me started way back in 1991 with the first Gulf War. You just don't live here and teach and not see the loss. I have had two from church killed in action. My daughter's wedding photographer was a casualty that came later from the war from some chemical he was exposed. It is just a part of life in a military town. It is deep and personal reminder of what those families go through.

I have many members of my family who have served and fought from both our dads, numerous uncles, cousins, and 2 brother-in-laws. 

I may celebrate the coming of my favorite season - summer - but I know we are blessed to live here.

P.S. I am taking some of my small stitches to the Auburn house for the summer too.

Picture from the reception at MEE the other night. Jeff actually ended up speaking to the crowd. He did well as always. Reminded them of the rich history the school has had to the community.

Welcome Summer

Sunday, May 26, 2024 AD (in the year of our Lord) Memorial Day weekend... 

My most favorite time of the year is here.

Three cheers for SUMMERTIME!!!

This year has been even harder than the last couple, but I am ready for summer and all the hope that it holds. Summer is to me the time you let your hair down and follow the schedules more loosely which is a lot for a planner ---schedule loving lady.

Last week, I didn't know which way was left or right or up or down. Jeff was completely undone with the nail situation. The roofers did an awful job with cleaning up their mess. The roof looks great and I am happy AND I know nails are part of the process, BUT I don't think the number of nails that I have found or the TWO that ended up in Jeff's feet are normal. Yes, you read 2 right! I am pretty sure he was feeling cursed. I think the family is in a state of shock with life these days. It was not what we planned. About 5 weeks ago, our pastor did a 3 part series on Job. Never was a series more appropriate than one on Job. Now, Job had more issues than we have had and I am not making light of that at all, but we have felt the squeeze of life lately. I decided I would listen to it again because I feel like I was a little numb then. I got part one done last night.

Jeff's surgery is tentatively planned for June 14th, so we will move on to happier topics.

I had multiple boys last week hence my craziness. I know that being a grandma is one of the greatest joys of life, but I was tired by Friday afternoon. It was as much as a mental tiredness as anything, because when they left I had a burst of energy and worked for a couple of hours in my sewing room trying to declutter.

Decluttering is the new buzz word for trying to unload our spaces of too much stuff... 

I did clear out a few things and tidied up, but I really need to dig deeper.

Here is my partial picture of what left the room and has already made it to the donation site. The inspiration for showing you what left came from Becki of Field Lilies.

Much much more needs to leave. I really do need to downsize because I feel like the time will come when we downsize the home and I do not want to move as much as my current home holds:)

The sewing room looks much nicer and I wonder (I mean, I really wonder) why I can't keep it neat and tidy all the time.

The shelves are organized and I am still going to go through the bins on the top shelf and make them lighter.

I unloaded a ton of ribbon in the last 2 sorts in there and I still have so much. What was I thinking? I do not allow myself to look at ribbon anymore although I did buy some Christmas ribbon this past December. Remember I changed a lot of it to green around the house. Oh my...it's a problem. No more!!!

I tidied the desk area and really purged a good bit in the cabinets. I had to laugh out loud at Lindsay in there on Friday afternoon. She picked up the boys and I told her I was going to declutter the room. I mentioned I might unload the bunnies on the shelves. I made them many summers ago and they were always in my classroom on top of the old fashioned file cabinets. Anyway, Tucker immediately said, "No, Mimi, I like the bunnies. Don't get rid of them." Lindsay began opening the cabinets and was struck by the number of buttons I had. I told her I planned to go through and just pick some out that I might need for mending. She just shook her head and grabbed one the containers and said, "Mom, you do NOT need to go through these, just grab handfuls and throw them away!" She was alarmed that I would even spend time going through them. She should know better. I did downsize them A LOT, but I went through them. 

Then she saw the amount of pens and pencils I have (all left over from school years) and she was like, "Mom, I have 3 pens at the house and I completely fine." I felt encouraged to bag them up and donate as well. I kept way more than 3 though. I am not going to get rid of them and have to go buy them later. Ha!

I think I need her around to shame me more. She hit me up the number of books downstairs too. I have pulled out some of them to take out on my next visit.

I am also trying to sell one of my sewing machines. I haven't had much luck yet. I really need to join some sewing groups on Facebook Marketplace so maybe it will be seen. I never really loved the new fancy thing and prefer my older one. 

I cleared off my counter somewhat. This is where the laying stuff happens and then it drives me mad. Like right now is the stack of stuff that I have been using for tutoring. I also mentioned getting rid of the clothes basket below. It is from the late 50's... why is it so hard to get rid of old stuff?

I really have made a dent in these cabinets too. They were stuffed to the gills at one point.

Here is one cabinet that I have lightened up some...

Oh the buttons! The original container is gone and the top portion of the other container now holds my buttons and all the specialty items I might use on a cross stitch finish are in the larger container.

Lindsay did come back by yesterday on the boat, but I didn't show her my progress. I would work on the sewing room and then work outside on the many things I need to do there as well. 

She took the boys on a paddleboat ride around the bayou. 

Did I say love summer?

Jeff and I took a boat ride - a slow one with no bouncing today.

Captain Gus led the way.

I didn't capture much in photos today, but here's a southern home on the water. Everything is all green and lush in summer.

A good view of ours with the new roof. 

Here is Gus cooling off upon the return.

Hard to keep him out of the water.

I have much yard work to do and am about to go make us a summer supper. There will be play interspersed with lots of need to do chores this summer.

I do plan to visit the beach as often as I can and continue sitting on the deck each day. I truly hope I can soak up as much goodness as needed to get me through the harder times.

Throw in a good book and a little stitching and count my blessings,

Sandy

A Stitching Post

 We are almost halfway into April and I haven't talked about stitching any, mainly because I don't have tons to share. I have been skipping around which is not my usual but nevertheless what has happened.

I did finish all the pages across the bottom of my heron. It is now time to stitch a bird.

The creator for Crossed Wing Collection does a beautiful job of making things look so lifelike. The lily pads are just beautiful.

I finished my first flower on Thirsty Hart, but didn't take a picture before I put it up. I am going to change up some colors on this pattern for certain. I piddled around with it one evening instead of stitching and didn't make a decision. 

I then pulled out one I have had in the bag for quite a while. I didn't have a small just calling my name so I pulled out Cats on Parade and stitched two nights on it.

This can be stitched in a frame. I covered that picture up. I do want to do a drum with it and of course I chose a different color than the one from the pattern.

I am going to pull out Let Freedom Ring this evening and stitch on it this week or at least until I finish the pages I have started all the way across.

I have been enjoying the outdoors and walking but I have also been going through some stuff in my sewing room, so since that is sewing related I will put it here.

I have already admitted many times that I should be in a HELP group for people who buy fabrics because they are pretty but never uses them. One load has already gone to donation and I have really really been trying to use what I have to do my little pillow backings.

I still have a good bit of fabric and no real plan for some of it. I have whittled it down to one shelf and then my plastic bins with small small pieces that are not in this cabinet.

I then went through all my sewing patterns. I am donating a big box of them.

The top blue bin has apparel patterns and the diaper box has kids or craft patterns. I probably won't be using any of them any time soon, but I decided to hold onto a few for now. I really shouldn't!

The navy bin has an extra iron and some batting and the clear bin has some ribbon from Mother's smocking days. I am going to be on the hunt for someone to give some of that too, maybe.

I also am donating a bunch of old sewing paperback books, Classing Sewing and Sew Beautiful magazines. Some of these were mine and some were Mama's. I have a hard time throwing away any old books, but I stuck these oldies in there. 

Mama and I took a class way back in the day and each made a macrame purse.

I am also going to try and sell her smocking pleater. We discussed it and I am never going to use it. I dreamed of doing it at one point, but my time to do has passed. I have other things I enjoy more. It is funny how our mind and even passions change with time.

She and I talked about it and of course, she doesn't want it back at her house taking up space. We determined that if we didn't get it in the hands of someone who use it that it would end up on a shelf at Goodwill with it time being passed as well. 

I haven't decided where to list it though. I dread listing things. I am a procrastinator and a half on those kinds of things. 

eBay? Facebook Marketplace?

Where have you had success selling?

That is what I have been up to in the crafting world. 

Cleaning so I get my groove back to actually do something,

Sandy

Popping In

It almost seems a bit crazy to post things that are lighthearted and fluff in one sense, but in another it seems the way to stay sane--- is to provide some bit of normalcy. I suppose we will all know when it is time to quit posting everyday life.  I think the sad stories are going to pile up soon.

I am praying for all and found some comfort in this message by Dr. Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas. I will share it with you if you are so inclined to watch.

In the meantime, yesterday was spent rearranging my shelves in the sewing /work room. I took everything off except the notebooks at the bottom and cleaned; then put back in. I pretty much just switched a lot that was on the lower to the top and vice versa. I wanted the things I actually used to be quicker to get to and the more decorative items on the harder to get to shelves. I did stretch my floss boxes out instead of stacked. I used the most narrow shelves to do this. It ended up taking an extra shelf to do this, but will be much more convenient. I stacked some things that I don't get into as often.

I felt so accomplished afterwards.

I did change out my needle storage. It has been a hodgepodge mess for a while. I found an extra fishing tackle box out in the garage. Hubby will never miss it.

I am normally a one stitch at a time girl and I know I said I was going to stitch exclusively on my blue jays, but I made a mistake the other day and just really really wanted to stitch to calm me, so I pulled out one I had started last year. I will just share progress and let you wonder what it will be. It is an oldie but goldie pattern from my stash.

My family has all had to work at some point this week. Paul Allen works in maintenance for the school district so he was actually looking forward to getting a few things done at schools while they were closed for spring break. 

Jeff and Lindsay both work at a higher level and have had to be involved in the planning sessions to get school going online for the district. Lindsay worked only one day.  Jeff worked two other days. Katie is home and the plans that are made will be what she does on Monday. She teaches 4th grade. I think yesterday is the only day I actually had the whole day to myself.

I am grateful they are getting paychecks. No complaining here. 

The one day Lindsay worked, Jeff and I took the dogs and Tucker to the park to let the Gus get some energy out. I thought this picture was cute of Tucker and Paw Paw.

Spring is in full force here and the weather has been absolutely beautiful this week. I think rain may be coming, but for today I plan to work outside most of the day. I have a few windows to wipe down on the back, some pots to clean out for the tomatoes, some general cleaning, and inside of my truck detailing. 

I have been reading Matthew in preparation for Easter. My church's message series was and is going through the book of John. I have no clue whether church will be back in person by Easter, but I am so grateful for the Internet and the ability to watch online. I love Jesus and pray this will turn many back to Him.

Take care everyone,

Sandy

A Weekly Check In

I had planned to try and do a weekly check in post today, but with all that is going on I am struggling to decide what to do.

New territory for sure.

I have decided to do a lighthearted update with lots of pictures, but I can assure you I am on alert as we all are over the happenings around the world. I do not make light of them.

I have a weakened immune system so I am pretty much on lockdown per instructions of my family. I need something happy to look at in between the sad.
Lots of prayers needed for this thing to calm down medically and for our country. I can only imagine if it goes on long what it could do for the economy which affects us all.

ALL that said, let's move on to some lighter notes and a story.

I finished Redbird. I can't wait for Bluebird to come out to add it to this one. The called for color was Lancaster Red by Weeks. I had some in my stash and thought I had plenty. I ran out towards the end. The substitute was DMC 221. I decided to keep on stitching. I may be a tad bit lighter but it worked enough to keep on trucking.

I hope to fully finish into a pillow for this one much like the pattern cover model.

I am now trying to stitch quickly on the Easter hoopla by With Thy Needle and Thread and then it is back to the blue jays exclusively until they are finished. I think you will be surprised when I share that again.

Around the house I have added more spring. I added my bunnies to the side table in the dining room. Mother gave these to me in the 90s when craft fairs were everywhere. The kids always loved them. I am going to share my story with you about my impulse purchase in brief here. As I share the story I will break it up with pictures from the week. How does that sound?

When I first started this blog I saw some McCarty bunnies on another blog. Her style was similar to mine (miss her blog terribly) and I thought I just had to have some. I ordered one off of Ebay. I could never find another one the same size to match and it really needed a pair because I like symmetry. I had envisioned one of each side of the sidebar.

A closer view of these little cuties... and that cup has some cute little eggs and a story too. I am full of stories.

Fast forward a year and I ordered another one of those McCarty bunnies and when it arrived I was simply not impressed.  This one didn't stand up but was huddled over and time had me not liking it at all.
A combination of factors. I had ordered both impulsively to begin with would be one. Another is I like things in the house decor that kind of have a story to them. *When you are my age there is not a lot of space anymore so things must have a story or some sentimentality to be worthy of the space they take up.

Along came another cute little McCarty bunny and this time it looked like a match that I had looked for with the first one. I quickly ordered it and it was quite pricey. It arrived and was half the size of the first bunny. Mind you when I looked back it was clearly stated. See the quick decision made. Now I had three odd bunnies who didn't really go together. No story except I was uneasy about the whole dog gone thing. For some odd reason it really was like a bur in my saddle.

Really ridiculous in light of real world problems. Anywho...I sat on it a few days and then began to think there were probably some little ladies in Mississippi who were wanting these to go with their McCarty pottery. I didn't love them. Mississippi is where the McCarty pottery started and it is a big deal over there.
I listed all three separately on Ebay. My goal was to get out of all three what I had paid for the final one. I had three boxes sitting in the recycling bin that all three would fit in, some packing peanuts and bubble wrap in a closet so I wouldn't need to buy that. Like I said I didn't want to gouge anyone as I felt I had been sucked into...just break even.

They all three sold almost instantly. I broke even and I feel so much better.
A win... a silly frivolous win in light of things but a win.

My sewing room. The Easter basket is mine from when I was a little girl and Lindsay used it. It was well made.

Also a lesson in thinking a bit more before I buy. I think we all make mistakes every now and then and we live and learn even in a more mature age.

Now, that I bored you with all that...I do hope you enjoyed some pictures along the way with the story.

I will share a few of Tucker and Lemony. It might seem like Gus is always in the spotlight but that is because he loves being on camera. Lemony ---not so much. I baby her and she got to go on a walk with us without Gus. She needs no leash. She would never dream of being disobedient.

Notice the leaves...I have shared before that the live oaks drop leaves in the spring. It will be an all mass of them soon.

Tucker has been sick. He is on the mend, but you can see how weak his eyes were the other day.

Now, for my finale. My pots along the wall are just showing off with spring like temperatures. 

I do hope all is well in your neck of the woods. I hope my post served as a bright and happy diversion. I am well aware of the seriousness of things and it is meant to be a momentary distraction.
Sandy