THE UNEXPECTED JOYS OF EACH NEW DAY

Sweet "Froggy" hasn't visited my Mystery Sampler recently.  Oops...hush my mouth before he hears and decides to make a sneaky appearance again. Last week, although having a wonderful time, my happy, but weary body usually told me that I had better not take out my needlework, lest my "Froggy" appear and find it necessary to "rip-it, rip-it" some stitches again!

Over the weekend, I made a little more progress.   It has been fun sharing progress with other stitching friends at our Wednesday LNS group, many of whom are also stitching the Mystery Sampler.  After all, isn't that half the fun?

Small things bring great happiness.... When we arrived home for our trip to the shore last weekend, we found that our little Robin family had really grown!  They were so big that they were almost falling out of the nest!

 The next morning I tiptoed out to the deck to have another peek at the nest, and saw only two little robins, and as I walked a bit closer, they both rose up out of the nest and flew down to the ground!  Mother and Father Robin were up in the tree, chirping at their youngsters and at me, and off they all flew.

Alas, the nest is empty and we feel a little sad, but so thankful to have witnessed such a miracle of new life!

Can you see the tiny Monarch butterfly perched on right side of the left Black-Eyed Susan?  Isn't that just amazingly beautiful?  I couldn't believe that it stayed there long enough for me to photograph such a lovely sight!

Our trip to the shore with our friends last week was really special, but our stay was brief, because there were other family members coming to use the cottage later in the week.  We were so happy to be there, even for a few days during the really hot and humid weather.  It was definitely cooler on the coast, with nice sea breezes, especially at night.

As you can see, the air was still rather hazy and the view not great, but the wind was blowing, which felt really nice!

The Judah Baker Windmill, built in 1791 and restored in 1974 and again in 1999, stood on the land from where we took the photos of the bay.   It was so excitng to see this beautiful windmill up close. The last time I saw real windmills, was many years ago, on a trip to the Netherlands before our children were born.

We visited a couple of other wonderful, quaint New England towns.  One of them was Chatam, MA.

The Chatam Village Clock, with the year in which the town was incorporated of 1812.

A beautiful church right on the main street in Chatam.  I just loved the gorgeous arch ways with the beautiful flowering hydrangeas.  Apparently hydrangeas must grow really well in the seaside areas because they were everywhere we looked....

This Stained Glass Window of the church in Chatam, was so beautiful that I just had to photograph it.  Isn't it lovely?  I wish that the colours had shown up better though.

This is a little shop to which we had been directed, when we inquired about whether there were any needlework shops in Chatam.  Although it had lovely handmade hooked rugs and kits with which to make them, there were only about 3-4 cross-stitch designs kitted up.   Aren't the little flowering vines beautifully draped across the top and sides of the windows?  It reminded me of some of the shops I remember seeing a long time ago, on a visit to Great Britain.

These are a variation of the hydrangea, called Lace Hydrangeas.  Aren't they just beautiful?  They were plentiful in all of the villages and towns we visited.  I had never seen this type of hydrangea.  I was tempted to try and take a cutting home to see if we could start a bush in our yard...

In my next posting, I will share some more photos and stories of our little getaway, but for now, must go and start supper, as my dear husband just called and is on his way home from work.  It is getting hotter and more humid outside, and I just needed to turn on the air conditioning.  Tomorrow is supposed to be more humid! Yuck!  I am getting ready for the cooler days of early September!

Blessings to You!

"MYSTERY SAMPLER" FROGGING!

My dear husband and I are about to depart for a few days with some dear friends, for a little getaway.  They have a family member who offered the use of their cottage, on the coast, and we are so excited!  The weather is supposed to be very hot, sunny and with clear skies.  What could be more perfect?  


As I was packing up my stitching bag, I decided to take a few pictures of my "Mystery Sampler" progress, or lack there-of, in some ways.  You see, I made a very unfortunate mistake with my stitching this past week......   Well, read on, and then you'll know the "whole story"....

Meet "Froggy".
He is a treasure, given to me
by my Grandmother.  I was intrigued by him
as a little girl, and recall playing
with him at her house.
So, what does "Froggy" have to do with
my stitching?

Froggy needed to play a little game of
"Rip-It, Rip-It" on my
"Mystery Sampler" border this week!

It seems that I had mistakenly stitched the top LEFT
floral border two threads lower than the design!
Imagine my dismay when I thought that
I was about to take my last stitches and my
border would be complete!

"Froggy" sitting proudly under
the area that he helped me to
"Rip" out, and re-stitch.

Thank you, dear Froggy!

After the repair work was complete,
I happily started working on
Part II of the lovely alphabet.
I'm not sure what is so peaceful and intriguing
about stitching alphabets, but they are
always a favorite part of most of the needlework
that I choose to stitch.

Must be part of the old fashioned, Victorian
woman
lingering in my soul.

Blessings in Stitches!

THE SWEET MYSTERY OF NEW LIFE!

How incredibly captivating it is to watch the wonder of new life emerging in this beautiful world, created by an amazing and marvelous God!  

We have had an exciting week, as we have witnessed the birth of three little baby robins to Mr. and Mrs. Robin, who built their nest, under the branches of a tree, on the corner of our deck!  This has been a very blessed event, and we have been thrilled to watch life unfolding day by day.

Day One
Two little baby birds broke forth from their shells!
One little baby robin yet to be born!

Day Three
Three little baby Robins in the nest!

Day Four
Three little hungry mouths!

Day Four
Two little birds wait patiently,
But one little bird says, "Mother, I'm still hungry"!

Day Five
Mother Robin Chides Us Loudly,
As we try to peak at her growing family!

Day Six
"Mother, we're hungry!  Where are you?"

Day Six
"We want our Mother! Feed us, please!"

These sweet little creatures have given us such joy,
watching them, in amazement, as they have grown
and changed before our very eyes, day by day.

The words of a beautiful hymn came to mind today,
as I thought about how wonderful are all of God's 
creations.

"All Things Bright and Beautiful"

"All things bright and Beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, 
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings."

(An Anglican hymn, written in 1848,
by Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander, 
Dublin, Ireland.)

May you find joy in the simple and lovely things
that are all part of our beautiful world.
They are not man made, and cannot
be bought with wealth.
They are the greatest of God's treasures,
and He has blessed us with eyes
to see them, ears to hear their amazing sounds,
the sense of touch to feel them,  and
the sense of smell to take in the richness
of so many lovely fragrances.

He has indeed blessed us beyond great measure!

Blessings to you, dear friends!

"The Price of Freedom"
(The Sweetheart Tree)

"Long May Her Banner Wave....

Let Freedom Ring!"


This is one of my favorite patriotic  pieces, because it symbolizes the sentiments, I hold so dear,  giving thanks for our great and free nation of America!  For the many sacrifices, made by those who have gone before us, and for those who continue to fight today, to protect our freedoms, we are eternally grateful.


My prayer for today, as we gather together with family and friends to celebrate our nation's national day of Independence,  is that we always cherish the many freedoms we enjoy in America.  May we strive to give thanks to God for all of His blessings, and may we always seek to uphold the values held so dear by our forefathers....Faith, Hope, Peace, Love, and Charity for all.


                            
            God Bless You Always.
                         
                             &
                       
                        God Bless America!

                                                                 
                                                     Materials Used
                                         32 Count Clay Belfast Linen
                                               (Fabric Size: 9x12")
                                                    DMC Threads
                                           DMC #12 Pearle Cotton
                                        #001P  Balger Silver Cable
                                            Mill Hill Petite Beads


                                                  Specialty Stitches
                       Cross-Stitch, Backstitch, Star Stitch, Tent
                Cross Stitch With Surface Weaving, Scotch Stitch
          

  Yesterday, our son, Kevin, wife, Gwen, and our little grandson, Emery (now 18 months),

arrived for a weekend visit!  

 Emery proudly carrying his own little bag!

Emery enjoys learning to eat his FIRST corn on the cob!


Where ever you are today, I hope that you are enjoying the love of freedom and peace in your lives, the love of family and/or friends, time to treasure your faith in God, with His abundant blessings, hope for the future of our wonderful country, and charity for all people everywhere.


Blessings to You!

Look at the birds...Look at the lilies of the fields...

Imagine how I was taken by surprise the other day, when the man who was repairing our air conditioner, said to me, "Did you know that there is a little bird nest on the corner of your deck under the tree branches?"  So of course I went immediately outside to take a peek.  Lifting up the branches of the tree very carefully, I saw a beautifully crafted little nest....

Then, as my husband held the branches up a little bit higher, I peeked into the nest and this is the glorious sight that met my eyes.....

Aren't they the most beautiful little robin's eggs?  I was so excited!  I've never seen actual little robin's eggs close up!  For the past two days I have been hoping to sneak a peak and see Mother Robin sitting on her nest, but every time I move our sliding door open, ever so quietly, she flies up into the tree.

Finally, I was able to tip toe over to the screen door of the slider, and kneeling down quietly, saw Mother Bird, sitting on her nest!  Isn't she beautiful?

This morning my son, Ryan, stopped by for a visit and I wanted to show him the nest, when Mother Bird was away from the nest, and when we peeked inside the nest, we saw three little eggs! So lovely a sight.

Outside our front door, dances an array of  one of my favorite summer flowers, daisies, which have grown up between two of our bushes and gracefully sway to and fro in the gentle breezes of summer.

Then of course there are the lilies, that adorn one of the trees on the lawn.....

As I began pondering about the beauty and wonder of all of God's marvelous creations, it brought to mind, some very favorite verses, of which I often need to remind myself, about just how loved and blessed we are by our heavenly Father .

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life...whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes.  Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?  

Look at the birds.  They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them.  And you are more valuable to him than they are.  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  Of course not!

Any why worry about your clothes?

Look at the lilies and how they grow.  

They don't work or make their clothing.

Yet Solomon, in all his glory, was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't He more surely care for you, oh ye of so little faith?"

(Matthew 7:25-30)

This piece, stitched in 2001, has very special meaning, because I stitched it as our oldest son, Ryan was hospitalized with a very serious illness.  These verses comforted me as we prayed for God to heal our precious son and make him well again.  Praise God, because today, he is a wonderful, healthy, married young of whom we are very proud and grateful for his life. 

 Our daughter, Carra, says that this piece holds a very special place in her heart, and she has already laid "claim" to it as her favorite stitched heirloom!  For she treasures the meaning behind the verses too.  We know that God is good all of the time, through the peaks and valleys of our lives here on earth.

Blessings to you, my dear friends!

A Little of This and A Little of That...

Believe it or not, I am one of those crazy people that sometimes loves a few rainy days, and we certainly have had our share of them this week.  I guess that when it is too cold and dreary to go out, it feels like it is giving me permission to just relax and sit back and just savor some special time with my stitching without feeling guilty that I am neglecting other things.  Sounds a bit crazy I suppose, but there it is...that is me.    

Some more progress on JB's "Humble Servant Sampler"...

Then, my LNS Wednesday stitching group decided that it would be fun to stitch With Thy Needle & Thread's "Mystery Sampler", and it looked like such fun, that I just had to jump in and get stitching on that too!

Unfortunately, because so many of the girls wanted to stitch it,  there were not enough kits to go all around, so I had to wait for another order to come into the shop,  and hence, got a bit of a late start.  So, I am attempting to catch up!  

My Progress Thus Far!

I know that a lot of stitchers everywhere are stitching this project design, but it just seemed like a fun challenge, and the design is really nice.  Part II of the Mystery Sampler just arrived in the shop and I have it all ready to go, just as soon as I finish the border.  Hope to at least have that all finished by next Wednesday in time for stitching group!  Wish me luck!

This Wednesday, my husband, Bruce took off a day from work and we decided to take a little day trip up to Maine and New Hampshire.  Believe it or not, even though it was gray and cloudy when we left home, the sun actually was out when we arrived in York, ME! 

A beautiful inn above the bay in York, ME.

We had hoped to pop into By The Bay Needleworks for a little visit, but alas, it was closed for the day.

Perhaps another time...

It was just so special to have an entire day to share with my dear husband, who works so hard, six days a week.  It probably sounds a little funny to say, but it was just wonderful to be together, driving and talking, stopping in to visit a few shops along the way and having a lovely meal at Lamie's Old Salt Restaurant in North Hampton, NH, on the way home.  By the time we were driving home, the rain was pouring down.  But all in all, it was a very special time together.

Have a lovely weekend!

With Love & Blessings to You!

Some Exciting Giveaways News!

Just want to tell you all about some really wonderful giveaways so that you too can check them out for an opportunity to enter!

"Jocelyyn's Tea Parties" is celebrating her birthday on June 18th with a very special giveaway!  Isn't that a fun idea for celebrating?

Check out another wonderful drawing at "Shabbylishious" too!  Drawing on June 20th!

Sandi, of  "Wayside Treasures", has TWO fabulous French giveaways!  You must check out her blog for pictures and details.  Drawing will be on June 23rd.

Rebecca, of  "A Gathering Place" is offering another one of her exquisite handmade pillows in her giveaway, which will be drawn on June 25th.

Jody, of  "Home and Heart", has created a very unique and beautiful bracelet for her giveaway, on June 30th.  Check her blog for more details about how to enter.

Have fun entering these great giveaways and good fortune if you are a winner!

My Ramblings, Stitching & Such...

It seems like it has been ages since I've had time to write anything or visit any of my favorite blogs.  Where do all of the days go so quickly, I wonder?

A few days ago, Bruce and I decided to take a day and drive a few hours to visit with my parents, take dinner and spend the day with them.  My sister, Nancy and her youngest son, Brendan, had also dropped by for a visit, and so we had a wonderful time together.

When I arrived, wearing my embroidered denim jumper, my mother quietly went upstairs and changed into her denim jumper which was very similar to mine, and came down laughing.  We just had to have our pictures taken together.  She is 82 years old.  Isn't she just beautiful?  She is just too sweet for words!

Whenever we visit, my father always asks "What kind of  pie are you going to make for me this time?"  You see, he absolutely loves pie, especially fruit pies.  We tease him that his real name is "The Pieman".  So I decided to make a fresh peach pie this time.  Dad even asked me if I used fresh or canned peaches.  He is so funny.

Tuesday, after an early doctor's appt., I went to visit my friend, Ellen, for some lunch and a stroll around her beautiful back yard.  She served a lovely luncheon, in her nice screened in porch.  We had chicken salad with assorted  garden veggies, fresh sourdough bread and homemade gingersnaps, rhubarb cake and chocolate bars for dessert with tea, of course.  I tease Ellen that her lunches are fit for a Queen!

Yesterday was my day to enjoy some stitching with the girls in my LNS stitching group.  We always have a wonderful time, chatting, sewing, browsing around the shop to see what's new, and afterwards, we head across the street to our favorite bagel restaurant for some lunch and more chatter.

Here is some progress on Jennie Bean's Humble Servant Sampler, thus far.  The Weeks' threads in the top portion of this little bush are "Hyacinth", which are so light in color that they are not showing up as nicely in this photo, as on the actual linen.  It's a sweet piece and I am enjoying stitching it.    More to come later....

Here is the framed piece, "To Have A Good Friend", which I finished for my friend, Martha's Birthday.  I will be seeing her this coming weekend, and can't wait to give it to her.  She is such a special and dear friend

        Just A Few of My Favorite Things......

An old photo of my husband's grandparents, my favorite pewter scissors, and a beautiful little pincushion that I found in the Enfield, (NH) Shaker Museum.

    Close-up of the beautiful pewter scissors & crystal "Teapot" scissors fob.

Oh dear, as I sit here in our basement family room, totally absorbed in my posting, I believe that I hear the roar of thunder outside and pouring rain.  The weather forecasts had said that we would have "LATE" afternoon thunderstorms, but it is rather early so the stormy fronts must be moving in much more quickly than anticipated.  And, I had best sign off for now and go take a peek at what is happening outside!  Yikes!

Stay cool and dry inside if the temperatures are soaring where you live, like it has been here.  Time for some stitching indoors, for sure!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

Remembering Our Fallen Heroes...

Do you recall your grandparents reference to "Decoration Day"?   Memorial Day was once known as "Decoration Day", given it's title for the celebration of the fallen heroes of the Civil War.  I often wonder how many of the people in our great nation, who enjoy the long weekend of Memorial Day, stop to pause and reflect on the real sacrifices of the men and women who have given their lives in many wars, fighting for the many freedoms that we enjoy in America.

  With our celebrations let us remember the true reason for our celebrations, at our family picnics and parades all across this great nation.  It is because of the brave heroism of the men and women in our military, who have given their lives, with such great honor and integrity that we might continue to live freely here in America.  True Patriotism begins in the hearts of every man, woman and child in America, and let us hold our heads proudly to say, "God Bless the United States of America".  Long may her great flag wave, as a symbol of our faith, honor, charity, freedom, liberty and justice for all people!

This is one of my favorite BBD pieces called "Summer Jubilee", (sorry about photo quality). This  Patriotic piece, commemorating the celebrations of the sacrifices of our men and and women in arms, with it's lovely American flag waving gently in the breeze among the beautiful blooms of summer.... a true reminder that while summer often begins in our minds with the Memorial Day weekend, it has a much more significant meaning.  Long may our flag wave as a symbol of our freedom in this great nation.  (Sorry that I couldn't capture a better photo:)  It really is a very special piece.

                                            "This Is My Song"
              "This is my song, Oh God of all the nations,
                A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
               This is my home, the country where my heart is;
               Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; 
               But other hearts in other lands are beating,
              With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine."


Text:  Lloyed Stone, 1912-1993; Georgia Harkness, 1891-1974
Music  Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957

God Bless Our Great Nation and God Bless You & Your Family Aways!


Love,

Thank Heavens for Great Blogger Friends!

Hallelujah!  Our wonderful "Follower" Friends  are back up on my blogger page today!

Thank you to so many of my dear followers who posted notes and sent me emails about similar frustrations with the "Follower" button not showing any of our "Followers" for the past two days.  When I realized that I was not alone in this very frustrating dilemma, it made me feel a little better.

I appreciate the suggestions offered from everyone.  I also posted a note on Google's Help Forum and received some suggestions from one blogger, but ultimately even that person suggested that I keep trying to contact Google Administration.  When I tried clicking on "Contact" Google Admin., nothing happened.....equally frustrating, but they probably were being bombarded with  people asking for help for the same problem.

Oh well.  Happy Dance!  It is good to see the smiling faces of many of my dear followers again!

Just have to show you the gorgeous Baltimore Album quilt made by my dear friend, Ellen, who is an exquisite quilter.  You should see her sewing room......full of all kinds of quilts both completed and those that are works in progress too.  She just loves stitching up beautiful designs, many of them baby quilts, or lap quilts too, and keeping them on the shelves in the sewing room.  Then, when she needs a gift for someone, she just picks out the perfect quilt for them!  She is such an inspiration.  We get together for stitching days, and Ellen works on embroidery for some of her quilt blocks, while I cross stitch on my current WIP.  Great Fun!!

Here is our little grandson, Emery, sitting in the box, in which I sent him, and (Daddy Kevin & Mommy Gwen), chocolate chip cookies and another one of Emerys'  favorite "Blankie Bear", which he carries everywhere he goes.  So adorable:)

Emery has such big blue eyes, like little "pools".  Our son, Kevin, had those same beautiful blue eyes and blond hair when he was little.  "Thank heavens for little boys!  Without them what would little girls do?"

Hope that your weekend is filled with something fun, something relaxing, something peaceful, and something special, just for you!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

"Followers" Piracy

This is a very sad day for me.  When I logged into my blog account this morning, I discovered that someone logged into my account and deleted ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS!  I don't know how on earth this happened, so I have contacted Google to report it, and they are investigating for me.

If you have been a follower of my stitching blog, would you be so kind and RE-ADD your name to my "Followers" list?  I am hoping that many of you will re-join my blog because I love hearing from all of you, and your comments are so special and important to me.

Thank you so much!

Just A Few More Stitches....

This has been a bit of a rough week, not feeling really great, a trip to the doctor's and now a series of tests coming up in the next few weeks and some more visits to another two specialists.... Not how I want to be spending my time, but must seek treatment to hopefully resolve some issues so I can feel better and get back to more stitching time with friends!

After a pretty rainy New England spring week, I made some progress on my Victorian Ladies piece for my friend's birthday, which is coming up in about 2 weeks.  Hopefully, it will be finished sometime today, and then I can choose a nice complimentary frame for it.

This was a design from a Gift of Stitching issue, which provided only the printed instructions, without an actually finished piece to view.  The piece looks quite different from the colored, charted instructions.
There were very few backstitching instructions except for the words, stems and parasol handles. So I am having to  decide the other areas that really need some more backstitching, so that the designs will "pop" out,  if you know what I mean.  I hope that it all looks nice when it is finished.  We'll see!

I'm already thinking of my next piece to start stitching....Thinking about Jenny Bean's "Humble Servant Sampler", which has been in my stitching stash for a few months, calling out to me...."Stitch Me Next"!

If you are anything like me, whenever I am working on one project, my thoughts are always wandering off, dreaming about the next wonderful needlework project!  It must be part of the addiction!  LOL

Well, my "Stitching Nest" is calling me for some nice cozy stitching time and of course, a nice cup of tea.....what else?

Wishing all of my dear friends a very happy, hopefully restful weekend,  which, hopefully, will include some special time just for you!

Crossing In Stitches With You!