Latest Reads and New Stitching Start

Yesterday morning I finished--- like early ---before I even got started on the day the latest book from Jan Karon called To Be Where You Are. I tried to stay up the night before and finish it, but my eyes were so heavy. It is awful to get to less than 20 pages of a book and have to give up. When I was younger I could have stayed up to finish. Not so much these days... my body just says no. Of course, wait until 2:00 AM and I could walk the floors.

I have to tell you just one thing about the book, but first --- you may remember I once said I didn't really like these books.

Mother and I at one time shared books back and forth. If I thought it was good there was a good chance she would love it too...and vice versa.

Mama doesn't read as much as she once did though. 😔

Mother told me about the Jan Karon books many many years ago. I was going through one of those really busy seasons of life where my fun reading was getting shaved real badly. I stuck the books on a bookcase downstairs and said I would read them upon retirement.

Upon retirement, I tried.

I had never met so many characters in one book in my life. I was not overwhelmed. I again lay it aside and then along comes Miss Kelly at the former blog "Talk of the House," who said she actually read the first book twice keeping a list of all the many characters.

SO...I read it again. I made the list and yes, I liked it more, but still I wasn't chomping at the bit to read the next one. I am not sure why I kept going back to them. Mostly I would have moved on...I have tons of reading here that I have purchased over the years and haven't read.

Fast forward with a little time away from work and a little more settled mindset I went back to them and didn't hurry to read them. I slowly fell in love.

I will not say even to this day they are my all time favorites, but they have pulled me in. I love the simplicity of life in Mitford...well, I am not sure anyone has complete simplicity, but I love the way they take life's problems and face them with the Lord and a bit of wisdom of the ages.

What is not to love about Father Tim?

This one was indeed good to me at least anyway. The usual jump around to every character far and wide.

I am sharing a bit of the ending, but trust me it is only one small part.

I was down to the last few pages when Father Tim finally gets a new dog. Dooley gets him a new dog. Guess what the name was?????

GUS

How cool is that? For Father Tim and for me since my little Gus is adorable.

Gus yesterday morning waiting for me to finish the book.

And check out this cover...Isn't it beautiful?

 

And yes, that is a Golden Retriever on the cover who looks just like my Lemony.

This is real life Lemony yesterday morning lying by my bed waiting for me to finish the book.

And then if you take the book jacket off...just look at these scrumptious library binding colors you could use in decorating. Kelly at Talk of the House could have definitely used this in the spring and summer decorating.

If you are still with me, I very rarely tell you that you NEED TO BUY A BOOK, but this devotional is amazing. I strongly recommend it.

SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and I started a new stitch while I wait for my thread to come in the mail. This one is Summer in the monochromatic seasons' series. I love this color. It is called Ocean Tide by Classic Colorworks. Just gorgeous y'all.

I know I have spent a lot of time writing about a book, but I wanted to do just that.

I am taking time off today from chores and others such things to spend some time at the beach with my aunts and uncles. Mom's two sisters and brother and her have rented a beach condo this week. I am going to go out today and just be. Might stitch while I sit with them and I might go out and read a book or just sit with my toes in the sand.

Leaving with you some flowers from my front pots and some sweet Gus photos at 11 months old.

I'm Back

I am back from my almost two week blogging break!

The surgery went well. I am grateful to have it behind me. More about that in a bit.

This is going to be a recap of the last few weeks of April which are long gone I know. I was going through my phone pics and realized I had lots I wanted to record for posterity's sake. I am just going to have to apologize up front for the long post and photo laden post.

I had been taking Mom out to the beach in April for morning beach walks. It seemed to be lifting her spirits. I always take her picture, but one morning a lady offered to take ours together. How sweet of her!

Wishing you all could feel the heavenly feel of the salty air.

Much too warm for jackets now.

The weekend before Hubby and I headed to Tampa for my surgery, we decided to take a quick trip to Auburn to check on the cabin.

The trip consisted of me, Hubby, Mother, and Lindsay. I actually can't even remember where Tyler was that gave Lindsay the opportunity to go with us.

That morning we saw three deer outside the breakfast nook window. Wish you could see them.

They were there...I promise.

Then we went into town and ate at my favorite restaurant again. Acre!!!

Here is our desserts. Never ever pass up on desserts. Y'all that cake was called milk and cookies cake. I mean ---there are no words to describe it.

The lemon tart was delicious too. I was really already too full to eat either dessert, but I did it. Acre is really good.

We then all pitched in and bought "Tucker" (that is his name) his first Auburn outfit. 

Grammie bought the jacket and shoes, Great Grandma bought the beanie, and the new Mommy bought the romper. 

This Grammie will teach him how to say "War Eagle" soon!

Then Jeff and I headed to Tampa for last week. The surgery went well.

Along the way, we stopped and ate the most delicious lunch in Tallahassee. If you are ever in Tallahassee a good place to eat is McCormick's Deli on Capital Circle. Amazing home cooking. The cabbage was to die for.

Then we decided to take back roads rather than the usual interstate travel. The most delightful drive it was through farm land. Wildflowers for as far as the eye can see. I mean really as far as one can see ...field after field and along the road side.

Finally we pulled over and took a picture. It doesn't do the view justice.

We made it to Tampa and located the hospital and then readied myself of the big day.

Everything went wonderful. The Norman Parathyroid Center is amazing. I am on the mend and am already feeling much better. I sincerely hope that this will be the capstone to my journey back to health.

About to go and get cut on..

The view I had outside my room window.

Not bad at all. In fact, Jeff and I enjoyed our little visit to Tampa. I felt good enough that evening to stroll around the Hyde Park area and eat outside at a Bar Taco. Another fine eating establishment. We drove around and looked at beautiful homes right around the bay too.

Next up is me right after the surgery. I only looked this bad for a bit. I actually came to with the worst headache I have had in a good long while. I wanted the ice pack on my head and not my neck😆

I would love to tell you that I have had the most relaxing days since I arrived home, but I have had some of the busiest days ever and I could honestly use some relaxing days. I think I might feel a ton better if I had had them, but life is life.

I am working on my Haiti trip lesson plans. I did take a stitching break --- not because I wanted to --- but between the surgery and the lack of plans for the trip I had to get myself in check.

I have a skeletal outline of my plans and feel better about that. I will now just have to devote a bit of time each week to putting it altogether. I am sure God has great plans for the trip. I go expectantly to see what He is up to.

I was so close to finishing my Home of a Needleworker.

Do you see that bottom right hand border? Yep, Classic Cotton floss ---I ran out of it and no local store to buy it. It is on order and sitting ready to finish as soon as it gets here. I also want to add a little brown to the cardinal's wing. I will share soon I hope:)

I started a Summer piece while I wait.

I have lots more to share, so I will be back soon.

I will leave you with a Gus photo. He brings in stuff to chew on constantly. He thought he had really done well with the big piece he managed to sneak in, but alas he had to give it up. I thought my Hubby captured a cute picture of him.

I will be back soon with more exciting details of my everyday life,

Sandy