Oh beans !

So sorry for all my family and friends along the East Coast. I remember well the winter storms! The Brother Alan had to leave work early yesterday due to the train schedules and the off chance that he would have to overnight in Boston. Took him quite a time to get a train and then to get home. Alan would always call Denny and me on his way home whenever the weather was bad, *Hands free calling* and this way we always knew where he was in case of an emergency. Of course he managed to get stuck in front of his house!
Went into the garden this morning to check on things

I found beans! Okay, I know it is only 6 but I will add them to my salad. Plenty more out there but too small to pick. The Alien Vine is still reaching for the back door

It is just about 4 feet from the door and as you can see from the picture, it is spreading across the path of the arbor and along the ground every which way! Four tomatoes are almost ready and then there is this vibrant spot

Wow is my thought. A few other plants look a bit tired but I will leave them for now. the over night lows have been in the high 30s and then the days are in the high 60 to mid 70s, so the poor things are not sure what to do.
I spent hours yesterday trying---unsuccessfully--- to tat with adding beads with a particular method and after a few  &*^$#*  I gave up. I will not get myself in a tizzy over it. Today will be to relax and tat a snowflake and to read the book sis Lynowl sent me.

Don't forget the giveaway in previous post   https://needlespinsanddragonflies.blogspot.com/2018/01/a-special-giveaway.html. Glad you could visit with me today...always a pleasure to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and friendship. 

A special giveaway

Today was start to clean the craft closet day. I came across a special project the I bought back in 1994. I did not buy it to necessarily stitch it, but to support a cause. All proceeds from the sale of the pattern book went to Breast Cancer Research. Select needlework shops sold it and they are numbered and the sales would end on December 1996...one year. The original prices are still on the book and supplies. ($15.00 and $31.50)

It is called Once Upon a Lifetime....The Tree of Life is the poem. It is signed by Lois and numbered, this is 362/1000.
I have all the threads, embellishments and 28 count Cashel linen.
In May of 1993 she was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer. This was her way of doing something to help research.

I would like to give this to someone who will stitch it. It really is a lovely design. So, if you are really interested in stitching this....please send me an email---ghorton1@cox.net  and tell me why you would like it. I will choose a winner on January 21st.
We all know someone who is affected by cancer of one form or another. This would make a nice memorial for a special someone....or even as it is.

The Tree of Life is Hope..

for Hope, like Life flows

from the bubbling brook of

Curiosity into a rippling

cascade of Discovery.

A bug in the house

Hope everyone is beginning the new year healthy..... so far I am. It really is almost impossible when out and about. I went to the market early in the day to avoid lots of people and late in the date to the pharmacy...so far so good. The weather has been above normal here in Arizona...in the low to mid 70s. How about that Super Moon...the Wolf Moon...

I love all phases of the moon but there definitely is something special about full moons. This was no exception.....It was huge and the halo around it, well, I just could not help wanting to pull up a chair and sit with it...I see the moon and the moon sees me!
I did get to tat on New Years Eve day.....

I had limited thread left on the two shuttles so I just tatted until the almost end and finished the icicle with a fringe of beads. Love tatting....find it relaxing. I also was busy on NYE day sewing

No, this is not the project but the inspiration to make the project. I have night lights on in a few areas of the house. Early in the morning on 12/31 as I entered the kitchen I stopped short thinking there was a creepy crawly thing on the floor....after I yelled out I discovered it was the shadow of the spider plant...but I then remembered that I wanted to sew

"Bug" from the Tilda Seasonal book. Isn't she adorable? Just the right ladybug fabric that I have had for ages and some lace wings and she is ready to fly away. Found just the right beads for her antennae  and also a frilly bit of lace for a collar. She is going on a journey ....I will miss her so she will hang out with me for a few more days.
Usually my tree and decorations remain up for the first week of January but this time I needed them to go back to the garage so that is how I spent the day yesterday. Once you move one thing to vacuum you then move this and then that and that snow and glitter! I will be vacuuming for days and it will still be here. Better than shoveling it.
I had plans to make a beef stew yesterday and fresh rolls...plans came apart as I was skyping with sis Lynowl and dictating the recipe to her. I realized I had one key ingredient missing! So I will be off to the market this morning before the crowds and today will be beef stew day. The recipe is at least 30 years old and Dennis used to make it, so I am hoping that mine will be as good as his was.
End of year and time to sort through files and paperwork in time for the accountant. Time also that I sort through patterns and find new homes for many of them. I will be focusing on more tatting for awhile so the cross stitch needs organizing. I will be posting some of them so if looking for something new (or old from my files) stay tuned. Still waiting to hear of a package mailed to Canada on December 8th....I hate customs! Hard to track them down.
Time for me to visit the laundry corner and change the bed and stuff. Glad to visit with you. Thank you for your kind words and friendship.

Going forward one step at a time.

Last day

I feel like I never went to bed. Once again I was awake so early that I finally just got up. I have had first cup of coffee and already had shredded wheat. Laundry is swimming in the machine and the sewing machine is waiting.
The other day when I went to the market to get a few things I spoke to the manager. I wanted to tell him about the chestnuts that I bought and every one was bad. I thought they should know. He insisted that I take a credit. I refused and said that was not what I was looking for or I would have talked to him right after Christmas not a week later. He actually followed me for a few minutes talking and when I got to the register he had the cashier take almost $13.00 off my amount.
I love chocolates as you may know...but I also love fresh popped popcorn. I usually buy the single serve microwave packages but have not enjoyed them. The popcorn does not have a nice crunch and forget the butter used to season it. So, when I saw this

I figured it was worth a try. I love gadgets of all kinds. Well, it makes the same amount as the packaged kind or you can make a large serving. The salt is to your liking and the butter actually tastes like butter. The best part is that it tastes great without any seasoning too and has the fresh crunch. Okay, commercial over.
Befor I go to the laundry corner...

This is waiting for me on the sewing table. You will hopefully get to meet her real soon.
The last day of the year.....sounds sad but for me it also sounds nice. I will spend some time today and tonight remembering all the good things of this 2017 year and then move forward to think about 2018. I am sure there will be some moments tonight that will bring tears to my eyes and I will allow them to fall as they must.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the caring and encouragement you gave to me and I know you will be there when I need it in the coming year. Your friendship is so important.
We cannot change what has happened or caused us pain but we can look ahead to make things better for ourselves and those around us. I wish you all the inner peace of a New Year.