Making my list

and I am not checking twice, in fact I am just making adding as I go. You probably do not know what the heck I am babbling about do you. It is the New Year list to stitch by...or not. We shall see. I am great at making lists. I usually follow them, except in the grocery store, craft store any store for that matter. This year is going to be different in the stitching department. I have this list. I cannot start a new project unless I finish or complete a project.  Looks good on paper........ and I did participate in the 2011 challenge and finished all in good time too.  By my calculations, I have 2 UFO's, 5 WIP's, 13 new starts and 4 goals  of what I would like to try in addition to this list. I will limit try to limit new project purchases to 5 and only purchase for kitting what I have. I was thinking of not posting  pictures of on going progress..... just the start and finish. I think I want to do some individual exchanges instead of the group exchanges .... well, except for the SSCS 2014...I love that one. If anyone is interested during the year let me know. This morning I played with the ruffler attachment for my sewing machine....don't have anything that needs a ruffle, but at least I know how to use it. Gee, I sound very much in charge and organized. I have a few days off from work so I plan on stitching and starting to pack up the Christmas decorations little by little. The living room tree will be the last to take apart and that will be after New Years day along with the outside stuff. I just brewed a fresh cup of coffee so off I must go. I am so glad we had time to chat today. I leave you with a picture from Christmas Eve .... we sat yunder these trees drinking our Starbuck's coffee, Mr H and me~~~

Have a great day....

SSCS Exchange gift

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day. Mr H and I certainly had a nice relaxing time and an unexpected  Christmas Eve evening... but more about that later. What I want to share is my exchange gift from Julie from Simple Stitches.

And it's purples and lavenders and pretty. First there is the table topper.... hand embroidered tea cup  and several different lavender prints and polka dot backing fabric. Look at the detail. Then there is a delightful mug and inside she tucked a pincushion and a flower pin. Thank you again Julie for being my partner and to Chooky for organizing this amazing exchange.
I have today and tomorrow for work and then off for a few days. I never got to make my lasagna because Mr H and I decided to take a ride early Christmas Eve night and well, by the time we got home...it was too late. Christmas day was so relaxing. Mr H made a magnificently delicious roast and fixings. We watched a movie and just relaxed. I received some lovely gifts once again this year. Welcome to a few new friends....hope that you visit often. I wish everyone would be sure to include an email or blog info so that I could send a note personally. Time to get ready for work....have a wonderful day.

Are you ready.....

Mr H and I did a few last minute things yesterday....and then there were a few that did not get done. Oh well, the important ones were accomplished. I will be at work today from 11 to 3 PM...then home to make the lasagna...yes, I make the lasagna. He will make the shrimp for me and lobster for him. There are a few kitchen things that I do! He will be fixing a roast for Wednesday. 
I picked up one of my WIPs yesterday and think it will soon be finished. Went to Best Buy and one of the Geeks got my tablet in order. It only had to have the Kindle app uninstalled and then reinstalled....5 minutes and I am reading again.

Just look at this face!~ My dear friend Lu and hubby Stan have sent me an Ana Lee ornament for the 9 years that we have been here in Arizona. I love them all. This fella stands 6 inches tall. I have a special tree that they all occupy. I will group them together after the holidays and take a picture. The faces always bring a smile to mine. Of course then it brings me to think about these dear friends that I left behind...she and I sat side by side working for a long time. Friends....
Time to move on and get a fw things done before going out into the hectic world of Jo Ann's today. Take care in your travels today and behave so Santa will stop by your house. Do you follow him via Google? Have a wonderful day.

Busy Monday morning

Don't you hate it when these electronic things have a problem? Last week or so my tablet did an "update". No problem, so I thought. Last evening I wanted to read but Kindle would not open any books!  I guess a visit to Best Buy and the Geeks is in order today. I am seriously challenged with computers and things. I think it is that I don't want to make it worse so I do not try too much to fix it on my own. Laundry #2 is almost finished...I read the newspaper and I think I will venture into the sewing room to work on my list. I managed to get my room organized... a bit... last evening before Mr H and I watched Nightmare Before Christmas.... love that movie.... so today I think a list making is in order. Everything seems to have been haphazard with my projects. Oh I did accomplish lots over the last year, but there are a few starts that are still starts and few need to be completed things hanging around. Then there are a couple of UFO that are really ancient... problem is that I want to do too many things. Therefore, a list should might keep me organized.
So many wonderful friendships have started right here with my blog. I could list many names, but for now I will tell you about one ...Shirlee of The Easily Influenced Stitcher who is largely responsible for my learning to tat. She reads my blog so she knew I was not having the best of luck learning to tat. I got an email back in April with the name, address and phone number of someone less than a mile from my house. So, all the way from Kentucky I learn about a lady right in my own back yard. I sent Shirlee a tatted ornament as a thank you and Shirlee sent me...

threads and a new shuttle... she is such an encouraging friend. It was not a planned exchanged, just something two friends wanted to do.....just realized the tea pot lid is crooked... but the thread looks great. I find it wonderful that we encourage one another to do this or that. We encourage one anther to try and then we are right there with the kind words of praise. Friend know no distance or language. Hugs are felt and tears are shared as well as smiles and belly laughs. Fred Rogers said------
"The gifts we treasure most over the years are often small and simple. In easy times and in tough times, what seems to matter most is the way we show those nearest us that we've been listening to their needs, to their joys and to their challenges." In the blogging world, many of us are not so near, but rather far away.... but we certainly prove that time and distance do not matter in friendship.  Christmas Day is almost here. A new year will begin and so continues our friendships. I am so grateful to count you all as my friends. Have  a wonderful day my friends.

Soup's On

Well not exactly, but it was yesterday. The management team at our Jo Ann's set out a feast of soups for the staff...all day. There was Jarlsberg Broccoli, White Chilli, Chicken Corn Chowder, Smoked Pulled Pork and BBQ sauce on the side, Elk & Beef Chilli, Vegetarian Vegetable  and Chicken Noodle Soup. There were rolls, and cookies, and Tortilla chips.  I was encouraged to try the Elk Chilli by MOD Jan who made it...,and I survived! It was all so good. The  day itself was pretty good....
I finally have no ornaments to stitch, no Christmas presents to take care of and the headache from yesterday is long gone. I think I will spend some time in the sewing room putting away supplies and start my list of to Do for the upcoming year. I have some UFO's that really need attention and a few kits I put together that never got touched. There are too many things I want to do. Just maybe if I tried...key word is try to plan a few like I did when I did the 2011 challenge, just maybe I will accomplish what I have instead of buying some new charts. Sounds good... not sure if it will work, because there are a few that I did not get this year that I really want. Got to start somewhere.
Here is one of the ornaments that I received from my friend Joan back in RI...

It is inlaid of 3 different woods....a beautiful cardinal. I miss seeing them here. They are up in the High Country...up the North end of Arizona I am told. I may have to keep this out all year.....
Well, my hunger is starting after telling you about the soups...best get some breakfast before I crumble. Than you for the kind words...thank your for you friendship...have a wonderful day.