SUMMERY SATURDAY

You'd never guess we're near the end of January here in Louisiana. A few days ago the temp was in the 20's. Now we having Springy-Summery weather. Still don't see leaves peeking out on trees, but some azaleas are blooming,

Tomorrow is going to be a busier than average Sunday. No naptime for me! Two services in the morning and then back at 4PM for choir practice for a special service at 6PM.  I'll do okay unless I'm not home for Downton Abbey. I'm on the preorder list--the DVD comes out Feb. 7.

My LNS closed in December, so I'm using this time to clean out the stitchy closet and to finish long term projects. The big one for this year is to finish the LHN ornies. I've only bought two stitchy pieces in the last month. One is one I'll never finish-maybe never start- but I wanted it here in case I got all inspired. It's from HAED and is the Sistine Chapel. It's huge, of course, but I so remember sitting in the Chapel, looking around and thinking of all the history there and of Michaelangelo lying on his back, paint falling into his face, completing that masterpiece.

The other is just one of those things I wanted to do. It's "Southern Belle" by Bucilla. Real simple. Along the lines of Paula Vaughan. I think it has something to do with being a true Southern Belle. I'm going to add to it by doing some beading, etc. There is one thing I have to change. The lady sitting on the right: no SB would be caught sitting like that. I'm going to re-chart it so that she's sitting like a lady. Also there aren't many colors called for. I'm thinking I'll change some of them. Okay. I'm a romantic.

Have any of you stitchy buddies ever had a stitchy garage sale? I have SO much stuff here and I'll never use it. I thought of donating it to the women's prison at St. Gabriel.    If any of you have a wish list, point me to it. I'd love to help you out.

So much for this Saturday. Hope you all have great weeks and see you all later!





SHOULD I OR SHOULDN'T I?......

This I have and dearly love: the Kindle.

This I want and am having to restrain myself. I would really enjoy it: the Kindle Fire.

Oh, woe is me!

NOT THAT I DOUBTED IT.......

WE WON.

WE ARE THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

ROLL TIDE!

THE DAY THAT WILL STAND STILL......

It's 25 hours until the Big Game--Destiny in the Dome, Battle of the Bayou--the National Championship will be decided.

Win or lose, Alabama is my team.  But I believe they will win this one!

ROLL TIDE!



HAPPY NEW YEAR, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY THANKSGIVING.....

Did I forget any? I am SO bad. I'm so attached to Facebook that I forget I should stop by here more often.

This is a crazy place. This morning it was 28 degrees. When I left the nail salon at noon it was nearing 70. And it's going to be warmer for a few more days. Then we start again.....That's why everyone stays sick around here.

I have to be glad this year is over. It doesn't top the list of the finest! The worst was in July when David's mother died. She was 98 and would have been 99 in another month. It truly was one of the cases of where it was time. The only enjoyable part was seeing family that we hadn't seen in awhile. We went back to the cemetery to check on things before we came home. Guess Michael got a little tired in the heat!

My favorite LNS has closed. Last Saturday was the last day. I will miss indulging my addiction so often, but I think the worse part is not seeing Diane or any of the other girls so often anymore. Of course, there's enough stuff in my stash to last me several lifetimes. Then again, Houston and New Orleans are nearby, so I'll get a fix every now and then.

I was 65 this year. Where did it go? And I've already had the first visit to the doctor for the year.  I've had back trouble for years and during the Christmas holidays it went south! Sooner or later I will have to have it fixed and I really dread it. Sometimes back surgery makes things worse.

As far as crafty stuff, I will try to get some photos up. I've been knitting a lot and have pretty well focused on two stitchy projects: ByGone Stitches Christmas carol sampler and also Anniversaries of the Heart. My goal this year is to catch up on my LHN's ornies. I have a lot done, but need to catch up as I stitch the ones for this year.

Linzie is still the light of our lives. She is so cute and so smart and doesn't like fireworks. She has us trained beautifully! Giselle and Mia still spend a lot of time with us. And I'm glad to report that I didn't see too many of our resident serpents this year. Not that I looked for them.

Since my back has had me waylaid for a few weeks, I've been obsessing on Cranford.  Don't know how many times I've watched both series. Now if  Downton Abbey will just start..

So that's about life here. Dull, I suppose, but keeps moving along. I'm considering setting up a cooking blog. Well, baking, mainly. I'm still thinking of names and how I will organize it.

We're all anxious around here. Monday night is the BCS Championship game. LSU vs. Alabama. We all know where I stand. We lost to them in November, but I don't think we will this time. ROLL TIDE!

Until then, smooth sailing ahead for all of you.

TUSAL

Here's the last for the year. Almost forgot! It's a little unusual because I've been knitting more than stitching.

TUSAL AND SOME KNITTING....

Here is the latest edition of my TUSAL. There's actually some knitty stuff in this one as well as some of Linzie's hair (I trimmed her tail) and some thread labels.  The goody is the background is a bit of stitching that I finished a couple of weeks ago. It was supposed to be an Altoids tin topper, but I used larger fabby and some trim from my stash and made a label to hang on the candy jar.

Ta Da! My very first pair of knitted socks. The first one nearly put me in the hospital but the second one knitted up quickly and smoothly. It's Patons sock wool, knitted on Size 5 Needles and they fit great ( I have chubby legs, but don't tell anyone.). I'm about to start the second pair as soon as I finish a hat I started a couple of days ago. They are really more colorful than the photo shows.

David Beckham, eat your heart out! This is the slouchy hat I stitched up this week. It doesn't really look like it, but it fits pretty good. I'm working on a beret now. I did this one for the game next weekend, but it looks like the weather is going to be pretty bad, so Michael may inherit this one. It's in crimson and white, of course!

One week from today is the Showdown in Ttown. Bama vs. LSU. We're supposed to be there, but David has been in bed for two days now with a really BAD earache. And we're hearing that the weather is going to be very cold and rainy. That means I probably won't go to the stadium (the game is at 7PM). I would like to go to the Quad that afternoon. But Dave is also saying that we just may stay here in BR. We could sell those tickest for a LOT of money. We'll see. I think Alabama football will win in the end!!

Hope you all are staying warm!