Seven Years

 I almost forgot about my blogging anniversary. To be honest, I actually did forget. I woke up early this morning for some reason because since the time changed I have NOT been waking up early. It popped into my head that I hadn't posted my monthly photo of the bayou that I wanted to do this year nor had I given any thought that I had started this blog 7 years ago this month.

Here is my March bayou pictures taken about 7:00 am this morning. As Jeff would say, I have already missed the best part of the day.

Maybe with these photos I will capture different times of the day as well.

Blogging can give one a glimpse into a life such as mine, but there is really so much that one can never know about a person's life. Seven years ago was one of those tough years in life. It was really a roller coaster ride. I had so many blessings that year; one being gaining a great son-in-law and planning a wedding with my daughter. There was also great loss that year with a family member's death and great stress and turmoil with my job. I suppose I had enough good and enough hope to think I could start a blog.

I kept a paper journal of the tough stuff that was going on because it was therapy to write down those hard feelings. I kept a happy face for Lindsay as she was starting out with a great adventure and as a Mama I was so happy for her.

Just thinking back to that year reminds me of the tough stuff, but also that I am so blessed. I really have no clue what I hoped for with a blog. I just knew I enjoyed reading them immensely. At that time, I mostly read teacher blogs. I think most of those have completely died out, but they were helpful and fun. I slowly found others I enjoyed reading that were in the stage of life that I was. I have learned and been so inspired.

I think a part of me had no clue how to be retired. I really didn't have to worry about that, because my time got quickly filled with other things. I am busy and life is not at all like I kinda thought it would be. However, it is so much better. I hope you didn't hear perfect. Nope! I go through stuff just like everyone else, but I am happy where God led the after teaching life.

Now, onto a few other tidbits. 

Holy Week. The week leading up to the celebration of the Resurrection. The foundation for everything I believe. 

I get my second vaccination this coming Monday. I am ready to be with others. I am quite an introvert! I am content at home cleaning, working around the yard, and just general puttering. I have found some positives from the year. I really don't have this huge desire to go out shopping again. I have discovered that other than cross stitch wants and an occasional book I have plenty. I have been simplifying things over this year. All that said, even this introvert misses an occasional human interaction with someone other than my family.

Not a lot:) but some. For one, I have missed my small group. A year ago, I would have been silently complaining about having to have my house clean for my small group to come over on Wednesday nights. Now, I am looking forward to having them over. We have Zoomed for a year now. One of the members really had to be locked down because she had some severe issues a few years ago with her respiratory system. Last week, I made a pound cake for one of the group member's birthday. I cut each couple a piece, then wrapped it up along with my whipped cream and strawberries and Jeff and I quickly delivered it to each home before our Zoom meeting. We ate our cake on our Zoom meeting. Everyone will have had their vaccine next month and we will resume in-person meetings. I am ready.

I will round out this anniversary post and March (how time flies) with a couple of photos. 

I have been outside a ton. I guess I have found that very therapeutic as well. I have been pressure washing.

I had no idea how bad that porch looked until I cleaned it. Jeff borrowed a friend's electric one. It is very easy for me to handle, so he is getting one of those for his birthday. Maybe if I can do this a little more often it won't get so bad. I still need to wash windows, but I will wait for some of the pollen to settle down. Are we really ever finished?

I was out at Lindsay's and she had her new oyster prints up above the cabinet. I love seeing decorating ideas so I will share the quick picture of them. I am not a photographer as you can see the TV in them.

I think they turned out so pretty.

Gus and I have been walking a lot these days. We walked down to some apartments on our road and then decided that since azalea season is almost over that we would help ourselves to a few of this lovely color to bring home.

I also found two perfectly good lamps by the side of the road and brought them home. I don't particularly need them, but I feel certain I can find someone who does.

I cleaned them up and brought them in to do just that.

They swivel out and even had the expensive lightbulbs in them. They work great.

Gus has  has taken a liking to my chair, so the blanket has become a permanent attachment to it.

Looks like he is living the good life...huh? Oh and don't mind the feather duster:)

I will leave you with one last picture. Tucker looks pretty pleased. He got a golf club set like Daddy's if you can call it a set. It has two clubs. The big driver and a putter. The balls are foam. He has enjoyed these immensely. 

I think there is actually one of Daddy's in this bag too, so that expensive one is Daddy's.

Tucker is one of those blessings of retirement. I get to spend lots of time with him and count that as a huge blessing. 

This ended up being a way longer post than I planned. Every now and then I get a notion to write. 

I will be back after Easter. I hope you have a blessed one.

He Is Risen Indeed!

Stitching: In the Hoop

I must title this one "in the hoop" because I have a lot "for me" things in the hoop and no small finishes. I have spent a good bit of time outdoors still, but the weather is springy yet not too warm yet, so outdoor chores and time in the fresh air is calling. I have either walked or worked until I am pretty tired each evening.

I have done no smalls this month even though I have several ornaments and a few other smalls calling my name too, but the little stitching time I have done has been between the larger pieces. I did all the water on the heron. I only have the water lilies to do and then it create the bird time. I actually think that will go faster in places than the lilies have gone. Either way, I have enjoyed stitching it so much.

I did come across an Instagram post of a finished one that is framed beautifully. I follow a hashtag for the pattern company of the heron and all of the birds I did the last two years. This framed beauty popped up and all I could say was, "Wow!" I saved the picture and the company she used to get the mats. She sent off for that and then had it framed locally according to her post. I think I could make it work even though I miscalculated on the sides. I think there would be enough to be covered by a mat and I could stitch some fabric to extend it for the frame. It is all to be seen when it is completed which won't be anytime too soon.

From Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/stitchylinda/

I did work a bit more on Let Freedom Ring. I think I am going to give it a weekend day from this point forward to stitch on it. I will share more when I have something really worth showing.

And then a very odd "for me" occurrence happened. I started a new sampler. What was I thinking? I don't like too many large pieces going at one time. That makes me a little crazy, but I had ordered it and I just couldn't wait to start it. 

When I was at my Aunt Faye's house a couple of weeks ago, I happened to notice a stitch I did for Mother to give her decades ago. I would say I stitched it in the mid 1980s. She still has it hanging in her home.

I have so many stitches I want to do, so there is never a lack of ideas going around in my head, but I don't want to obsess over anything, so slow we will go.

Turtle speed; not hare speed,

Sandy