Happenings.....

Hello World,

I can't believe its been 14 months since my last post. Many things have happened since that post, some good, some bad.

The good is that Tammy has returned to the states and is now working at Whiteman AFB, MO and after purchasing a new house is settled in at Knob Noster, MO.

The bad is that I've had a heart attack with a double by-pass, a stroke, and am now recovery from rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder.....and yesterday I had an ulcer attack and am now recovering from that also.

I've joined a mystery SAL with Carol from istitch and have the first part and the border stitched and emailed to her so I can receive the second part this Saturday. It is an easy stitch and I am enjoying it very much. Below you can see the first part. Sorry it's fuzzy!

I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon for my shoulder, then a bit of shopping in Joplin.

DH, Wayne, is doing very well. He has started play practice for the Silver Follies that our Senior Citizens have every September. Anyone can join, as long as you are a Senior Citizen. They write their own script, sometimes even their own songs, tell jokes and really have a good time. They present it to the public the middle part of September. Last year Wayne was the curtain puller, no lines, but this year he is actually going to have some lines, so we are working on his script.

I'm still going to TOPS and have maintained my KOPS status through all of the above. Actually, I'm at the very bottom of my goal weight and will either have to change it or eat more food!!

Hope you all have a great day.

Being Sad....

This is going to be a sad post, so if you feel you don't want to read it, that's fine.

On February 1st, our DIL, Tammy, called to say our son, Gordon, was in the hospital in critial condition and in ICU. I started for Germany on February 6th, arriving on February 8th, to find our son in very critical condidtion. However, we were told that he would improve....but, the next day he died! Why? Well, last week we received the death certificate and found out that he passed because of Giant Cell Myocarditis. Please don't tell me, this is the Lord's will, I just do not want to hear that. Not now anyway! I am so angry, I could scream and sometimes I do! There are times I am very unpleasant to be around and there are times that Wayne is very unpleasant to be around. This is the most difficult time in our married life. We lost a baby girl at birth and now to loose our only other child. Can anyone explain why? I don't think so. But, life does go on, no matter how hard.

Tammy, is back in Germany. She has returned to her job and is trying to put her life in some kind of order. She returned because that has been home to them for the past four years and they were going to continue living there, because Gordon had gotten a job with an American Company working in Germany. However, I do look for her to return to the states sometime later this year. They had two cats, Angelica and Sally, but they are living with us until she comes back, so we now have three cats and a dog in the house. Of course, Fred our outside dog is still with us.

I'm sorry to be so depressing, but this is just not a good day.

Blessings,

Barbara

Here they are.....Valentine finishes

Dear Friends,

Oh me, oh my, we have snow, and more snow, and it has snowed all day. It was snowing at 6 a.m. when I got out of bed and it is now 7.30 p.m. and it is still snowing. We have about 7 inches of the white stuff. There was no school, the Senior Center was closed, the library was closed, but we got mail, and I received my order from DSL and the brown truck brought my order from SnT, so my day was wonderful. The temp did not get above 25 all day. Wayne did walk down our lane to the mail box and collected the newspapers late this afternoon. The dogs have been in and out all day, and it has been fun to watch them play in the snow and chase each other. We've also had to fill the bird feeder twice today, and it is a large feeder.

Okay, yesterday I sat in front of that sewing machine, and today I stitched the openings where I stuffed the pillows and here are the finished items.

This first design is by Carol of istitch. It is Carol's Sew in Love.

This design is by Jenny Hoffman of Country Rustic Primitives. It is called Valentine Cupboard Keep.



And this design is by Tanya Anderson, The Sampler Girl. It is Tanya's Primitive Valentine Cupboard Sampler.

You can click on any of the designs for a larger view.

Each of these designs were easy stitching and I enjoyed stitching them and even putting a finish on them. They will certainly add some warm Valentine charm to our home during February.

I hope each of you have a Wonderful weekend, and put many stitches in your fabric.

Until next time,
Blessings,
Barbara

Years Ago and Today...

Dear Friends,

Back in, about 1983, a friend of mine was cross stitching and making wonderful ornaments for her Christmas tree. She taught me the basic steps, stitching on 11 count Aida with DMC threads. When I finally caught on, she took me to Bentonville, Arkansas to a neat cross stitch shop called, Cross Stitch Crazy. I picked out two charts, brought them home, stitched them, and have loved them ever since. I don't remember the designers, but I love sunflowers, so thought you might like to see my beginnings.



Now, most of you know, I am not much for putting a finish on a stitched items. But, I am trying to do better this new year. So, after stitching three Valentine designs, I decided to put a finish on them so I can use them this Valentine month. So here is my work table, messy isn't it!!



I love stitching the design and seeing the design come alive on the fabric, but to sit in front of this machine.............IS NOT FUN FOR ME!! But, today I did sit in front of it.



The stitched items have a back on them, a couple have hangers, they are turned, stuffed, and ready to have the openings stitched, but that will come in the morning, because I was ready to sit down and do some stitching.

SO, you have to tune in tomorrow to see the finished designs.....

Until tomorrow,
Blessings,
Barbara

A strange weather day!

Dear Friends,

Today has been a very strange weather day. We got up to a temp of 30 degrees, okay, so it slowly started to move up.....reached about 35 degrees around 10 a.m. and I looked out the window and low and behold, it looked like a blizzard! I couldn't believe my eyes. This lasted about 10 minutes, then completely stopped, the sun came out and it warmed up to 40 degrees and stayed there. Now at 6:30 p.m. it is 34 degrees. Just think only 147 days until SUMMER begins. I am so looking forward to HOT weather and flowers.




Until next time,
Blessings,
Barbara

Finally.........the temps are above freezing.

Dear Friends,

We are having a beautiful day here in SW Missouri, anyway in my area of SW Missouri. The temp is above 40 degrees, the sun is shining and the snow is melting. Fred has moved back to his back yard, at least for his day time enjoyment, but he will probably have to sleep in at night for a few more days. He and Maggie are in the back yard now running and playing.

Wayne and I are getting back to our normal routine. He went to coffee club this a.m. and has gone to lunch at the Senior Center today, then he is going to get his truck serviced and who knows what else he will find to do, but at least he can get out and about.

As for me, I moved the dust from one side of the roon to the other and ran the vacuum, cleaned the kitched floor, and have things pretty much back to normal. Now I can stitch or read or some of both.

Yesterday I put together some kits I want to stitch this new year. Here is a list what I have kitted up:

1. La-D-Da...Letters & Leaves
2. primitivebettys...Hope
3. With Thy Needle & Thread...Love & Be Loved
4. The Sampler Girl...Primitive Valentine Cupboard Sampler
5. Plum Pudding Needleart...Blessed Be (I've stitched this a couple of times for gifts, so now I want to do one for myself).
6. Little House Needleworks...Season of Hope...March, April, May/June, July, August/September, October, November. I have December, January, February stitched up.
7. Heartstring Primitives...I will stitch you in my Heart (I've also stitched this one for a gift, so will do one for myself now).

I also have some charts ordered that haven't come in yet that I want to stitch this year.

My WIP are shown below:

This is the LHN ornament series for this year. This is the second ornament, Pear Tree. I already have the first ornament, Fa La La stitched. I'm thinking about making a quilted wall hanging with these ornaments.

This is the SAL of LHN, The Library. I don't well with SAL's as I get side-tracked with other items to stitch, so if I keep up that's okay, if I don't, that's okay also. This is a beautiful design and one I am really enjoying working on. Of course, I love all of Diane's designs and have almost all of them in my stash.



This next design is from iStitch, called Sew in Love. You can see other charts from this designer at www.istitchcharts.blogspot.com.

I have deleted this photo, because I made a terrible mistake by showing way to much of the designers chart. Like the designers, who work so hard to give us each of these beautiful designs, I DO NOT LIKE PEOPLE WHO CHEAT AND COPY THE DESIGNS. I feel if people can't purchase the charts, they don't need to stitch! That's my two cents worth. Carol, I do apologize if I caused any problems for you.


I hope each of you are having a GREAT day, and can put lots in stitches in your fabric today.

Until Next Time,
Blessings,
Barbara

Reading....and watching the birds

Dear Friends,

I spent part of today catching up on some reading. Several weeks ago Wayne and I went to Joplin and I love book stores. I stopped in at Books-A-Million and picked up several books, brought them home and laid them aside, then Christmas came along and not much reading got done. So, today, was the perfect day to get them out and catch up. Two of my favorite authors are Laura Childs and Jennifer Chiaverini. I have all of Laura Childs, Tea Shop Mysteries, and have enjoyed reading each of them. I couldn't get into her Scrapbook Mysteries for some reason. She has a new series out, Cackleberry Club Mysteries. The first book in this series is, Eggs in Purgatory, and it is a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed it. So when the second book came out I had to have it, Eggs Benedict Arnold. The other author Jennifer Chiaverini is a quilter and her books take place at a Quilting Manor. I also have all of these books.

Below is a photo of these two books I have started. I started one this morning, then picked up the other this afternoon.



While I was reading this afternoon, Annabelle, joined me in the Gathering Room to watch the birds at the feeders. Of course, Maggie Mae was sleeping on the couch and Fred was in the utility room, both very warm and cozy.




We are suppose to have snow tonight, with the temps at single digit tomorrow and Friday. I am not a Winter person, did you ever guess? So Wayne and I are staying close to home and close to the fire in our wood-burning stove. I hope everyone stays warm.

Until next time,
Blessings,
Barbara

Believe it or not........I put a finish on a something!

Dear Friends,

I stitched up the freebie Valentine design from Betty of primitivebettys, AND, I put a finish on it. Thought you might like to see....




We are still having VERY COLD weather here in SW Missouri. The temps haven't been above 25 degress since Saturday afternoon when they starting dropping. Tonight it is suppose to be down to 4 tonight, with a high of a BIG 20 tomorrow. Saturday, while I was at Wal-mart I decided I needed a warmer pair of gloves. I have Raynaud's
disease and arthritis in my hands. Wayne suggested I purchase a pair of hunter's gloves and we found the perfect pair. I love them, they aren't fancy or very dressy, but when your fingers turn white you want something warm. They are gloves, but then they are mittens. So have a look at what I bought.



Today I have been stitching on Little House Needleworks ornament, Pear Tree. This is Diane's second ornament in the series. I wasn't sure I wanted to stitch this, but I am actually enjoying this stitch.

I spent some time today looking through charts and pulling threads for some designs I want to stitch this new year. I'll share a list with you in a few days.

Take care and stay warm.

Blessings,
Barbara

Snow, Snow, go away.......

Dear Friends,

We got up to snow again this morning. I'm ready for Winter to be over, and we're just getting started. The temps are very low, so its not melting. We're suppose to have more of this stuff Wednesday and Thursday, so we don't know if we will be able to get to Whiteman AFB for Gordon's retirement or not. I DO NOT LIKE WINTER!!!

I've taken the Christmas decorations down and put them away, but I did leave my Christmas Village up, and thought you might like to see it.





This next photo is what the snow looked like from my front porch this morning. Terrible stuff!!




We feed the birds all year round, but in the Winter it is a twice a day thing. This was taken through the windows in our Gathering Room, so not a really good photo. The cardinals are always thick on the feeders. Yesterday we had a lot of finches here to eat.




I've been stitching on and off today. Working on the freebie from primitivebetty, it is a Valentine design. I'm ready to get on with January and move into February. And the way I figure, it's only 170 days until the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER. Oh, that sounds heavenly.

Blessings,
Batbara

The Life of a Cat and a Dog....

Dear Friends,

We have a dog and a cat that live in the house with us. Maggie Mae is my dog. She is part long-haired dashshund and beagle. She lets Wayne live with us. She weighs 24 pounds and is my baby.






This is Annabelle, a calico Manx. Now Annabelle sleeps 23 hours a day, moving from one room to another. She thinks she is the ruler of this house, BUT, I have news for her! I was here first. When Maggie first came to live with us, 3 years ago, Annabelle went to the utility room and did not come out for 3 months. Now they play together, whenever Annabelle is awake. Of course, she lets me live here with her and Wayne!

Oh, the life of animals! But, for us, life wouldn't be the same without them.

Blessings,
Barbara

Happy New Year....some stitching to share.

Hello Dear Friends,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and your 1st day of the New Year has gone well.

I've spent the past few weeks doing some stitching and thought I would share with you what I've stitched up and what I'm working on now.

The first photo is from Little House Needleworks, The Library. This design will probably take me some time, as it is larger than I normally do, but I do love it and I am enjoying working on it.




This next chart is also from Little House Needleworks. It is the first design in Diane's Christmas Ornament designs. This is Fa La La, and was a joy to stitch. I also have received the next ornament, Pear Tree. I haven't decided if I am going to make them into ornaments, or make a quilted wall hanging.

These next two charts are from the 2009 Just CrossStitch magazine. The top design is from Tanya Anderson, The Sampler Girl, Early American Motif Ornament. I stitched this chart with the Presencia Threads. The second is Diane Williams, Little House Needleworks, Winter Sampler. Both of these were quick stitches and turned out really well.

This next design is from Stone & Thread, called Bittersweet and Crows. I actually started this design some time day, and ran across it in my UFO's and decided to finish stitching it up. It turned out well. It is stitched with Valdani Threads, which were a pleasure to work with. I'm not sure how I will finish this.

These next two photo's are a Christmas gift I received from our son, Gordon and DIL, Tammy. It is a tote bag made from a uniform shirt that Gordon actually wore when he was deployed to Kuwait. This is a gift that is very memorable to me, as I am very proud of Gordon and his years he has spent in the US Air Force. He will be retiring this Wednesday, January 6, after 24 1/2 years of service for his country.

I have several other designs stitched up, but I'm a real proscratinator when it comes to putting a finish on items. Finishing is not what I call fun, however, I do enjoy using finished items to decorate my home. I actually have a large basket of stitched up designs, all needing a finish of some type......Someday!

You can click on any of the photo's to view them larger.

Blessings,

Barbara

Sharing some stitching....

Okay, I want to share some stitching with you that I've been doing this past couple of months.

This first design is from Tanya, The Sampler Girl, and I love it, especially since my birthday is on Halloween, October 31. Tanya is a very talented young lady and I love most everything she designs. The following is the front and back of the pillow I made.




The next two photo's are a freebie (and the back) that came from mausimons. It is such a cute fun design, and I couldn't resist stitching it.

Some of the designs below are ones that I stitched several years ago and had laid aside. I am a procrastinator when it comes to finishing items.

This design is one that I had stitched a couple of years ago, but had not put a finish to it. I have always loved this design (sorry I can't remember who designed it, and I can't find the chart). If anyone knows who the designer is, please leave a message for me. The buttons really add a lot to the design and make it really stand out.

This is the back of the above pillow.

This next hanging pillow is from Brittercup Designs and really points out what Autumn is all about.

Below is the backing on the above photo.

This design is from San-Man Originals, and I believe it was a freebie. It is one of the "letter" charts they do. Following it is the backing on the hanging pillow.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at what I've been stitching on. Remember, you can click on each photo is see a larger view of it.

Thank you for stopping by....please let me a message if you want.

Blessings,

Barbara

Mail Call....and a Cake

I ordered several patterns from Amy at Down Sunshine Lane and they came last week. I love new stash! What I received is Pumpkins 4 Sale by Little House Needlewooks...My Lady's Quaker and Gentleman Quaker by Jardin Prive'...Autumn Days by Val's Stuff...Cottage Pinkeep Sampler by Midsummer Night Designs...Peacock Pin Pillow by Beehive Needleworks. I probably won't get the Autumn designs done this year as I am starting to wound down by Fall stitching, and moving on the Winter and Christmas items.



Even though Fall does not come until September 22, according to the calender, Mother Nature has decided that it needs to come now. The days are getting shorter and the temps are cooler during the day and almost cold at night. You need a light jacket during the mornings, but can shed it during the afternoon, and we are getting our share of rain. Even though the trees have not started to turn, there are leaves falling to the ground, so should not be long before we have beautiful trees. Wayne and I will make a trip to the apple farm before the end of the month to purchase apples to eat, bake with, and share with others. Since the weather is cooler, it makes me think of pumpkin, so yesterday I baked a Pumpkin raisin snack cake and will share the recipe with you.


Pumpkin raisin snack cake.....

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
15-oz can pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Thoroughly blend the sugars, pumpkin, butter, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl with a whisk or electric mixer. Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture. Add raisins and nuts. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan or 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes for jelly roll pan, 35 to 40 minutes for baking dish, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting. I use store bought Cream Cheese Frosing, or you can use the recipe below.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 T milk and vanilla until smooth. Add additional milk if needed to make a frosting consistency.

TIP: Coat the raisins with flour before adding to the mixture to keep them from floating to the bottom of the cake.

Fall is my very favorite season of the whole year. I love the colors of Fall and the cool nip in the air. Do you have a favorite season? Make the most of it by baking, stitching, and decorating your homes.

Blessings,
Barbara

A day at Silver Dollar City....

Wayne and I went down to Silver Dollar City at Branson yesterday. We always enjoy going when the Southern Gospel Picnic is going on. The picnic only runs for 12 days and SDC brings in some great Gospel groups to entertain the crowds. We saw and listened to four different groups yesterday. We also enjoyed our fill of picnic food...Southern fried Chicken, apple butter glazed chicken, orange-glazed chicken, pulled pork, creamy coleslaw, cheesy scalloped pototes, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked beans, potato salad, zucchini and tomatoes, mac and cheese, assorted salads and vegetables, and hot dinner rolls. Afterward, we enjoyed a hot funnel cake with powdered sugar and hot cider. Very yummy food and way too much to eat.


I always manage to do a little shopping while there and purchased the cutest mending basket, which is pictured below.






I also managed to take a few photo's of the decorations around the city.........

If you ever get a chance to visit Silver Dollar City in the Ozarks of Missouri, you won't be sorry.

Blessings,
Barbara

A Special Day...

Today, August 27th is a very special day for Wayne and I, forty-two years ago, around 5p.m., Gordon Wayne came into this world. He was born in Joplin and weighed in at 4 pounds 15 ounces, and dropped to 4 pounds. He had to spent a few extra days in the hospital after I came home. Looking at the photo below, you would never know he was that small. Gordon joined the US Air Force in October 1985, he was 18 years old, and will be retiring from the AF next year. Wayne and I are very proud of what Gordon has accomplished with his life in the military. He has traveled the world, received his Bacholar's Degree and his Master's Degree, been in unsafe places, and is now stationed in Germany. His wife, Tammy is there with him and is a very special DIL to us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GORDON and may you have many more.

Love you both,
MOM

I'm back....again

Hello Dear Friends,



Well, I'm back, after several months of health issues and whatever, but we won't go into all that. But after having surgery, I must say I am doing better.



The weather here has turned Fall like, cooler evernings and early mornings, with the temps rising greatly in the afternoons. I love Fall with all its many colors, sunflowers, pumpkins, and black cats! We have the windows open with the cool breezes blowing through. The mornings are wonderful, as I can sit on my pation with my morning coffee, listen to the birds sing and watch our two dogs play in the yard.



I've been stitching Fall/Halloween designs from LHN, The Samper Girl, primitivebettys, Stacy Nash, Brittercup Designs, and Jenny Hoffman. Stacy Nash has a new Halloween booklet out full of Halloween pinkeeps, which I will be ordering today. I love the primitive look, they are fun, easy designs to stitch. I don't have any photo's to show today, but will have in a day or so, as I need to take the time to put finishes on what I have stitched.



Yesterday, I purchased the new Debbie Macomber Cedar Cove book #9, 92 Pacific Boulevard. I've read this entire series and have really enjoyed it. I also purchased her new Cedar Cove Cookbook. I do read cookbooks from cover to cover. I don't always make many dishes in them, but they make great reading for me.



Wayne and our are planning a few days trips for this Fall. One is to the Wilder Festival at Mansfield, MO. This is where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived and penned her Little House books. I loved those books and still read them from time to time. Of course, we will also venture down to Branson and Silver Dollar City a few times this Fall.



Until next time, Blessings to All,

Barbara

Happy St. Pat's Day!

May you blessings

outnumber The Shamrocks

that grow. And may

trouble avoid you wherever

you go.

~Irish Blessing

The Merry Month of March.......

I can't believe March is already here....but March brings many things for us. The first day of Spring, my hubbies birthday, my mom's birthday, our grandson's birthday, my step-dad's birthday, and the birthday of two nephews, phew, a full month of birthdays. March also brings the start of planting season for some flowers and vegetables. And, we have St. Pat's day in March and the wearing of the green!


Frist I have a photo of my DH, who will celebrate 70 years young this year (don't tell him I told). Wayne and I met at Crowder College here in Neosho, taking speech class. We were married in May of 1965. The photo shows him with our two dogs, Fred and Maggie Mae. This photo was taken last summer (and I think I posted it last summer also).




Now..for some stitching.

The is a design by Heidi at www.needlenecessities.blogspot.com. This is the design she shared for the month of February. I love the way this turned out. For the handle I simply cut strips of the backing fabric and braided them. Each of these designs will be hung on my Christmas tree this year. I am very anxious to see the next one, which she will post on March 15. These are quick easy designs to stitch up and I do stitch them up quickly, but my problem is getting things finished. As you can probably guess I would rather stitch than finish!

The first photo is the front and the next photo is the back of this very cute design.





You can click on any of the photo's to enlarge them.

I hope each of you have a Merry Month of March also.

Blessings,
Barbara

An unusual tree...........

On the west end of our house we have (had) a rain tree. The winters the last couple of years have taken a tole on the tree. When it bloomed in the spring and summer it was beautiful. However, this past fall we had to have the tree cut back, so we don't know what will happen with the tree when spring arrives and blooming season starts. We are hoping it will come back.

In the meanwhile, we were at Silver Dollar City, in Branson during the Christmas season and they had an unusual tree, so we kind of copied their idea.

This tree is called, "An Ozark Hillbilly Wind Chime Tree". We have just hung old items on the tree. As you probably suspect, we get lots of comments about our "unusual" tree!




Click on the picture to see a close up.

Blessings,
Barbara