My kingdom for my own bed.

Hip hip hooray, it's Damma Day is how I was greeted when I arrived at my son's last week.   We had a great visit just enjoying each other's company   Mr. Wonderful sent me out with a bunch of cooked crabs so we sat and nibbled and talked and we enjoyed our first day there.   The tents were up in the back yard but thankfully, I was given a pass and had a bed inside.  

Willy played his tissue box guitar with Uncle Choo Choo Miki.   AKA Mike who works for Amtrak.   

Needless to say, minimal stitching going on and no purposeful walking happening this past week.   

Here is how far I am or rather how close I am on Ornaments ala Round.  Just this corner to finish.    A half branch, a half gingerbread man and a full branch and that is it.   I plan to concentrate on this and nothing else between now and Labor Day weekend because I want it out of the way for the start of Coming to American on September 6th.   

I was finally able to score one of the kits for the companion project bag for Coming to America from Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle and Thread.   Every time I had looked, it was out of stock.  I remembered after I went to bed on the 29th that the 29th was the day they were to be back in stock so I shot out of bed, scrambled for my credit card in the middle of the night to order it and the others were all sitting with a little late night chatting and looked at me like.....what is she doing?   My daughter got it, she's a crafter; the others did not.  

Progress on Raegan's stocking is minimal as well.  

I did have a new start as you need a small carry along piece.    This is  "ye old crow sampler" by Heart in Hand.  It is charted for all black but I am switching it up with some orange for the pumpkin and green for the vines using whatever I have in stash.  The photo does not represent the fabric well.   It is 32 Carnival/Belfast and much more orange than it appears.  

When I left my son's I brought back an extra package with me......my grandson.   He did great being away from home the first time. We went in the pool, played games, played trains, played Legos, went to the playground, and went to the aquarium.  

Of course a visit to Damma's always includes a trip to the custard stand.

It broke my heart when I told him as we snuggled in bed on his next to last night that his mom and dad were coming to pick him up and he just sobbed and sobbed.......he didn't want to leave his Damma.  All was well by the time they arrived and ready to return home the next day.  He knows he will be coming home again with me soon.   

As for me, last night was the first night in my own bed in a week and boy did that bed feel good.  A quick vacuum of the dog hair and crumbs, picking up random Legos and I am done for the day and looking forward to an evening of stitching......which in all honesty will be the equivalent of me pulling out a project and falling asleep with it on my lap.  

Thanks for stopping by, keep safe and keep on stitching.

And then I slept until 8am

Stitchy wise I completed Sweet William from Summer House Stitche Works before I went to visit my grand babies.   Time to start the next one, I think it is Hollyhocks.

After much discussion and knowing I had not been anywhere and they had not been anywhere except for my son going to work, I headed to State College and boy did I have a nice time.   I got the biggest hug from Willy.   He just wouldn’t let go.  Melted my heart.   He was my shadow the entire four days.  As Heather and I were driving away, I understand he told his mom that she was the meanest mom in the world because she wouldn't let Willy come home with me.

This is kind of how I spent most of my first day there.   If I was anywhere, Willy was right there with me.

We played games, both board and video, did puzzles, read stories, took hikes, laughed and snuggled.  Mario’s Dance Party was a hoot and unfortunately both my daughter and daughter-in-law  thought it appropriate to video Damma dancing.   I’m sure we will have side splitting laughs on holidays when they replay it.  My little, not-so-little, grand daughter...weighing in at 20 lbs., has to be the happiest little baby.  She lights up when you talk to her with a big smile that gets only bigger if her daddy comes into sight.  Good meals, good times, great memories made.  I loved hearing those little bare feet of William's running down the hall in the morning to jump in bed with Damma......which is why I slept in on my first night back home!  

Out for a nature walk on a local trail, we saw some pretty sights.  I think it was Musser's Gap Trail.

A chipmunk, or rather a Chee-Pump, sat on a log with us when Damma needed a break from the incline!

Little boys have boundless energy!

All the pretty flowers gave Damma a lot for playing I-Spy will William as we climbed the trail.

 I have made no progress on Ornaments ala Round.   I am outside from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. putzing, deadheading flowers, reading in the shade on the deck, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner on the deck, swimming (so thankful in this heat that I am a mere dozen steps from the house to the pool!)  Ornaments ala Round  is really not a good one with take outside.   I have done it but I don't do too well.  Too many moving parts between floss and beads and kreinik and patterns and a big old giant q-snap.  And since my usually stitching time on this has been substituted with me being outdoors, I am lagging behind.    I am sure I will be the last of the three of us to get this completed.  Yes, the self imposed deadline of 7/23 has been pushed off to ....maybe 9/23!

And even though I should be starting Hollyhocks as the next in the  series, I started this little patriotic pattern from The Humble Stitcher.   My buddies all ordered and are waiting for United We Stand by Blackbird Designs.   I resisted.   I've already done more than my fair share of supporting the needlework industry these last 4 months.   I saw this completed by Stasi of Bee-Mused and Bee-Stitching and really liked it.   It works well for stitching on the deck and is an instant download from Etsy.  I am not sure how I will finish it.   Toying with using a mattress style finish.

 Stitching this on 32 Ct. Confederate Gray linen with DMC from stash.

Yard work continues in an abbreviated format.   I sit on the ground, tug at a vine, if it offers resistance, I cut it.   I have a million and one little pieces of sticker vine and ivy but I am making progress.  It has been so humid, that I can only manage about an hour and a half before taking a break.  I've managed another 8 by 25 foot section.   Having fun  scouring the internet for shade loving, non-invasive ground cover and plants.   Oh boy!  

I'll let Mr. W. pry out those cinder blocks and bricks.

My vegetable garden is producing.  Also harvested radishes and zucchini and tomatoes already.  No cucumbers yet.

The hydrangea is beautiful and even more in bloom today then when I took this photo last week.

It is about six foot tall and apparently I should be pruning it.   Not now but I am sure an internet search will tell me how and when.

And the last bit of nature on this trip around the yard, I spotted 7 little frogs on my pond this morning.  The largest of the leaves is 4 to 5 inches across so you can see they are little guys.

Thanks for stopping by,  Stay safe and keep on stitching!

Beautiful Weather

We were so fortunate to have had a string of absolutely gorgeous days and these beautiful sunsets each night.   Days with no humidity that actually felt crisp at times when it got breezy if I were in the shade but I loved it.   Great sleeping weather but unfortunately not doing to much to warm up that pool water.  The humidity has started to roll back in this past weekend, the AC is back on and that may be the end to outside crafting all day long.  

Seems I've got my very own reflecting pond right out my door.

Do you know stitching all day can be exhausting?   Lol.    I had to make it a point to move about each hour and to incorporate the stationary bike a couple of times each day.   This sitting still and not doing yard work is for the birds!    I've got to move;  I've got to be outside when it is so nice or even when it is not so nice.   Between stitching and listening to books on tape and reading while pedaling the bike I have got a lot of reading done.   I may reach my 2020 Goodreads Challenge of 24 books by July 1st!

I just finished American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins, 5 stars;
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys,  5++++ stars; and
Then She was Gone by Lisa Jewell, 4.75 stars
Next up, is The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Things in NJ have started to open back up.   It is scary when we hear reports of increased covid cases in states that have already opened.   We will have to take our precautions, not take unnecessary risks and see what happens.  

Hair salons in NJ re-open today and I have an appointment on July 8th.   Good thing because I am about ready to take Mr. W's clippers, put the 1-inch guard, retract the blade and shave away!

Keeping my current ornament supplies at the ready.

I am another couple of ornaments closer to the finish line with Ornaments ala Round.   This is my go to piece with my morning coffee that I work on first thing - even before breakfast.  I would have liked to finish this by June 23rd but that is not going to happen.  Next self-imposed deadline is July 23rd.  (It's  numbers thing - I started on March 23rd).   I am working on No. 24 of 32 motifs.

My latest order with Salty Yarns included some new-to-me beading needles.   Why oh why did I never know about short beading needles?   And for a whopping $4 I should have brought two packs.
Thank you Pat L. for suggesting I use the shorter needles.   They are a dream compared to the bent filament type I was using.

My Thursday stitchers have started meeting again.  We are keeping our distance but it is good to see everyone again.   I put in some more work on both the Terri Bey Lotus Box and Ladies Stitching Journal.  Both are good take-a-long pieces for these get togethers.

I am on hold until the #5 perle cotton arrives - it is in the mail so this won't be sidelined too long.

Nearly finished the first page of the Ladies Garden Journal.  

I am heading west to see my grand babies this week!  Willy can't wait until his best friend (me) is back to see him.  With my son's essential workers job, they had been more concerned with what they may give me versus what I germs I may bring but with their OK, it is now a go!  Starting to pack the car today; hitting the road on Wednesday.

   


I haven't seen this little one since she was 10 days old.  She is 4 1/2 months now.  So  fortunate to FaceTime with them but it is not the same as snuggling those cubby little cheeks.  On the right, I think she is wearing more applesauce than she got inside.  She looks so much like my eldest daughter that we all find it hard to believe my daughter-in-law had anything to so with her creation except for the delivery part.  Of course there with be good times with Willy.  He wants to take his Damma fishing.  Oh boy!  When I get home, maybe there will be stories of the one that got away.

Thanks for stopping by and keep in stitching!

New Beginnings....

On my commute out, I was at a red light with a
horse and buggy.   Not your usually red
light traffic companion.   

I am just back in town from a two week plus visit with my son,  D-in-L and Mr. William.  Since I am trying to keep to my pledge to finish some old old old UFO's,  I took several small projects with me to work on in the evenings once everyone was in bed.   Me, the night owl, was able to get in a good hour each evening while watching Mindhunters on Netflix.

It is hard to remember why these pieces were relegated to the basket o' shame of unfinished objects when so few stitches were needed for completion.

First up, is a Christmas in July Project from EGA.   This was finished in an hour's time. I only needed the beading and the central flower and leaves which were created using Japanese Ribbon embroidery. Certainly not a fair worthy completion but it is finished and moved to the finishing pile to be made into an ornament.

 My next finish took two nights to complete.    This is a needlepoint bat measuring wing tip to wing tip about 5 inches.   He will be finished as a Halloween ornament.....not quite sure how I will accomplish that with the stiff canvas but I will give it a shot.

My next finish is Pioneer School Girl from Betsy Morgan.    All the smalls were done and I just had to complete what will be the outside of the book.

Somewhere along the way I did something that made me off two threads when I got all the way across to the right but was not noticed until the row with the numbers.  As per usual in my side-track Robin manner I had already stitched the dividing bands and bottom and right side border.  I figured out where my mistake is.   I was consistent in making the same error on both top and bottom borders.  I will have to remember to compensate on the finishing to allow for that.....because I don't want to frog over half the border.   Well, I say that now.......but it will probably bug me and I will frog it.   Could be a good thing to do on an upcoming flight to Florida.

I also finished a knitting UFO, a small blanket for Will to snuggle with but I didn't get a photo of it.   He loves to play with his mommy's long hair, so Damma put long lengths of yarn using overhand knots are each corner for him to play with and to give mom's hair a break!

The last project I worked on I did not finish.   This is a Tudor Rose Needlebook with a publishers date of 1996.    I will not take pix of the back and share with you the carrying mess of threads I have from work done way back when I didn't know any better.    I actually had none of the black border done when I picked this up.

This is how far I got.    It is so funny to stitch on Aida again.    No cheaters needed.    Aida or not it is part of my pledge to finish UFO's.  Since this is going fast as well, I plan to keep working on it to get it done.

While in State College anticipating the arrival of the newest little family member, we took a couple of  mountain hikes in the cold air to encourage her along.

 Willy got tired.

Little Raegon arrived on February 10th weighing in at 8 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 and 1/2 inches and was greeted by big brother.  Mom and baby girl are doing great.   Will is smitten for sure.

I was able to help with cooking meals, dishes, laundry and entertaining Will.  I had a great time but Will had a rough week.   Two days after baby sister was born, he swallowed a dime.  Cause for much to worry about but no ER visit.   Then on Friday night, Will burnt his finger tips on some too hot hot fudge for sundaes we were making.   Hand in a cup of cold water for an hour and we couldn't get him any relief, and since they blistered almost immediately it was off to the ER with Damma and dad.   And as you can see by Will's get up you are never quite dressed appropriately when you have to visit the ER.   Fireman boots, Christmas pj's, reindeer hat.......what a fashion argument.   Fortunately the PA said all was well, keep it dry, clean and covered, Children's Tylenol and follow up with the the pediatrician this week

.

Yes, just another chapter in the Thompson Archives.    It was really a great visit but at the same time it sure felt good to sleep in my own bed last night.   I did arrive home to find a delivery from Sassy Jack's with two pieces of 28 count banding.    I am starting the Jeannette Douglas SAL in collaboration with Sassy Jack's and I want to do the Peppermint FB SAL of 52 weeks of Blackwork.   I want to do both on banding.   One started January 1st, and the other February 1st.    I am determined not to start yet another project until I finished the Tudor Rose needlebook!   If the two SAL's are my focus, I am sure I will be able to catch up.    As for the Jeannette Douglas SAL, Sassy Jack's has YouTube class videos I hope to watch tomorrow and make notes so I can jump right in.  I am thinking by week's end I will start.

As for retirement so far, I am loving it.  I have been able to keep up with reading everyone's blogs and able to comment as well.   I haven't had a chance to cross any household tasks I had planned to tackle off my list yet but then again, I guess if I stayed home and managed to string a couple of free days in a row, then I could.   What is it my retired friends say, ..... it will be there tomorrow.   OMGosh....I guess I have settled right in retirement already.

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.