A LITTLE BITTY OLD FINISH

I got to messing around in my stitchy closet last night and came across this little goody. I started it a couple of years ago, made a colossal mistake and then put it away. I was looking for something else and found it. I frogged out the mistake(s) and finished stitching it. This morning I put it together. First time I've ever used those little plastic stuffing beads. I think it turned out right nicely, if I say so myself. It's Indigo Rose's A Bee Charmer.

I'm getting ready to do a major overhaul in the old stitchy closet. Too much stuff, not enough storage space. I have charts out the wazoo- some never used. Think I'm going to maybe sell them. We'll see. I'll let you all know, as well as making a list.

My nose is stingy today and a little stuffy. Guess the weather change is hitting. John has the flu and Michael had to have an elbow injected. We're all falling apart around here! So far David has stayed in good health.

Don't forget about the time change this Saturday night. Never have figured out the reason for it. Time is time!

ADDENDUM!!

I've had so many nice comments about the photo on the header of my blog. It is a close up of "Miss Hathaway's Garden" by Marty Bell. It took several years to complete: talk about confetti!!!! And it's how I learned -the hard way- about gridding. It's my pride and joy. I'm glad you all like it.

I've managed to do a little reading. I re-read the Harry Potter series and, on a trip to Books A Million, found this little gem. It's titled A Rose for the Crown. It's by Anne Easter Smith. I'm a big history buff, especially British history. It's the story of Richard III ( you know: the guy who supposedly did away with his nephews so he could become king- the princes in the tower)  and the mistress who gave him his illegitimate children. It's well written, well researched. It gives another view of the famous -infamous?- bad guy. My jury is till out on that matter and, in this case, don't take Shakespeare's word for it! I need more info, but it seems that he may not be as bad as he's portrayed. There was even more info at the end of the book in the author's notes. We'll see....

I'm going to make another trip this Friday to purchase this one. It's the story of Margaret, Richard's sister.
Hopefully it will read as easily as the last one.

Also,the glass balls that I use for my TUSal were purchased at Hobby Lobby. They are actually Christmas ornaments. I just turned them upside down in the bowl so the hanger wouldn't be seen. I think they're also at Michael's. There are 3 sizes and I used the medium ornaments.

In the meantime, my grandkids (and my son and daughter-in-law!) are coming Friday. They are on the way to Tuscaloosa to see David's mother (97 and still going strong). So......I guess you all may be subjected to some of Mimi's photos next week. They are SO cute.

Until then, stay safe!

This weekend we went to Houston to visit John and his family. I do like Houston, especially HEB ! But I think I've said that before. I came home with some wonderful hand-milled lavender soap and some Mexican spices to use when (!) I cook.

On Saturday, we traveled south to John's company's fishing and hunting camp. The house was a little bit of a shock on the outside but was really nice on the inside. I guess it has something to do with the way men live when they're on the hunt! Everyone fished but me, of course. My skin burns so quickly so I stayed inside-where it was cool- and read a little and worked on LNS's Home of a Needleworker.

The kids are growing so fast. And John actually has gray hair in his beard. He'll be 40 next year. Michael is graying, also. I don't really think I will as long as there's hair dye!

Anyway, here are some snaps from the weekend.

The camp
David, John, Bradley and Ann

Michael, The Big Fisherman!

Bradley's SMALL catch

Michael and my fourth grandchild, Annabell

Bradley and Grace

Ann

The four kids at play

It was a great way to spend a weekend. Hummmm........I wonder how I can get David to move????

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN

Being the proud mother that I am, I claim author's privilege today to wish my oldest son John a very Happy 39th Birthday. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and sometimes it was a long time ago that he was a little blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy, driving me crazy, then making me so proud as he proved to be far more of a musician that I could ever hope to be. And when I was just getting used to that fact, he made me even more proud to be the grandmother to Bradley, Grace and Ann. With Laura's help, of course.

Where the time went I'm not quite sure. One realizes time has REALLY flown when she sees that her little children are turning gray. And on the verge of turning 40.

I can honestly say that John, and his brother Michael, are the best of the best things that have ever happened to me. David's included, or course! I could not be more proud of them and love them more.

So to John (and Laura, too, because she had a birthday last month): I love you dearly and the best part of my being old is watching you grow up to be the man you are. And thanking you for the three little ones.

Happy Birthday!

John, Laura and the Kids


The two generations: John, Michael and Bradley

John and Laura

VALENTINE'S DAY--EARLY

These beautiful flowers came this morning. DH sent them, of course! He has such good taste. And Mary Margaret at Marino's knows that I have a thing for pretty containers. This one is definitely a keeper. We're supposed to go to a Senior Adult Valentine Banquet tonight-when did I get to be a Senior Adult?????? Tomorrow is a wedding at Most Blessed Sacrament. Good day for a wedding. I don't know either party but they are clients of David's. Besides, Catholic weddings and receptions are ever so much more fun than Baptist ones. Can't believe I said that!

On the stitching front, I have the starting heart in place for the Friendship Sampler Round Robin. It will go to the next person-which happens to be Ann- and eventually will go to Canada and the Netherlands. I'm going to do it in the original colors because they're the colors in my house. I had originally planned to do a companion piece to match with names of my "ancestors" on it. Now I'm thinking I will use the fabby for Papillon Creations Ring O' Roses, and stitch it up as the stitching necessity. I pulled the colors in DMC but am now considering the GAST colors, which will be more muted. It is really a pretty piece.

All for now. It's been a ho-hum day-other than the flowers- and I could be persuaded to stay at home tonight.

SUGAR BOWL WASN'T REAL SWEET!

The Super Dome: Grand as ever

Deanne's: Dauphine and Iberville Streets
Great seafood

Michael at Deanne's
waiting for everyone to finish

Canal Street

Great place to shop?


Arthur and David

Alabama's Million Dollar Band

National Anthem

Well, January 2nd was to be our big day. Unfortunately Utah came to play and we just showed up for fun. They beat us soundly. But we had fun anyway. Nobody ever expected us to finish this season like we did so this was lagniappe (Louisiana term for "something extra").

We had a special guest: Arthur Lamm, a proven LSU fan went with us. Dinner was wonderful. We went to Deanne's, which is a seafood restaurant in the Quarter. If you're ever there and need a good place to eat this is it. And they serve in quantities.

After a quick cab ride we went on to the Super Dome for the game. Utah scored 3 TD's in the first quarter so that kinda set the tone. We'll just do better next year.

I've done a little stitching. Some Beatrix Potter and I also kitted up the Cricket Collection's Dicken's Ornaments. The new Loose Feathers is a box and I do love doing them so I've started that. Shouldn't take too long for the stitching.