Fat Men Snow Belle SAL -- December 1

 Here he is, my first WIP PIC for my first Blogging SAL Event.  Isn't he just awesome - incredible.  No Beads yet. so the bunny is missing his tail - however, my FAT GUY( Lizzie Kate) is the best.  I started with this one, Snow Friends - and he is finished.  I am not sure where I will go from here.  We will see.

This is my first update of Christmas Is - Waxing Moon Designs.  New Start in November.  And then I have an update on It's Winter,Sue Hillis Designs.

  I have a new start for December, Country Cottage Needleworks Santa's Village which is another SAL for 2013.   

 

My Stitching Goals for the month of December are:

 

1.  Finish Snow Person Number 2 for my FMandSB SAL

2.  Finish Santa's Village Number 1

3.  Finish Christmas Is

4. Finish Winter

 

I believe setting goals is great - way to stay focused and keep your eye on the prize.  This month is a tough one for stitching, with all the holiday going ons, however, when something that is so relaxing and stress relieving as stitching is, this is the time of the year where it is most needed.

 

 

A Little Christmas Decorating.

Here are my Christmas Decorations - lots from my mom, and the ones
 I have gathered over the years.  I am a Snowman, Cardinal, Gingerbread person -
and I am a Dollar Store, Christmas Tree Shop Shopper....



This is my front porch- it's a quick look, where you can really
see the train and the white tree, my moms,
and the Dollar store snowmen and gingerbreads. 
The lights are a little wacked of course - but they work for me. 



This is a close up of the 2012 tree in Clinton Square,
my daughter-in-law, takes her kids every year to this event.
 This is a picture she took on Friday. 

This is my grandkids (2nd son) at the Christmas Tree Lighting
- as you can see, they close the streets off in downtown for the people.
 A lot of the shops are open late. 
This picture shows Malik, who missed Christmas Craft Day. 

I decorated the blog too -- the picture is also another one of my front porch - I am so not Better Homes and Garden, or Country Living but  I am specially blessed to be comfortable in the way I celebrate this season. 

Unexpected Praise And Grandkid Craft Day

Unexepected for sure:  Karen  from  By Grace and By Gumption has awarded me a Leibster Award.

Here are the rules:
You must thank the person who awarded it to you, paste the Liebster Award on your blog, pick 5 blogs with less than 200 followers, and leave them each a comment on their blogs letting them know the good news!  This was not an easy thing for me.  There are so many blogs I read and love. 

Faithfully Stitching    Blue Star Stitcher   The Stitching Life   Country Stitcher   Samplers, Siiks and Linens

Pictures from Craft Day 
We made the Hersey Kisses Tree - this was not an easy task, Hand Wreaths, some Gingerbread Ornaments.   I tried to take pictures, but it got a little crazy so not many, but I did get a couple  of the trees, and the one of the Wreaths.  Those toothpicks for the kisses turned into be very dangerous when sticking into the cones and the kisses.  My two oldest Grandkids were not there, Jada who is 17 and was at the mall(of course and then work) and Malik who is 14 was at his basketball practice. 



Westley and his mom, my daughter in law Sheila.



Westley and Ehren - My oldest son's sons.



Aalyiah (my 2nd Son's youngest (of five) and my 2nd Daughters Baby Jazarah
 



Zay making his tree, he is the Robot builder, Michael's second son.



Aaliyah hiding behind her wreath



Another one of Michael's sons with Gingerbread Ornament



Jazarah and me - She is ready to go for sure



My two youngest daughters (24, 23) their tree with their Sorority Colors MSU, and a wreath I created for them to hang in the dorm room of course for MSU

 No doubts as to why I am so blessed.

Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving was a day filled with blessings from the very start.  First my two youngest daughters were both home last night - cooking and baking like crazy.  We watched Gone with The Wind - I really love Rhett Butler.

This morning my oldest son, daughter in law and two grandsons came down for breakfast and Sheila and the boys made the greatest cookies  I am not sure where she got the idea - I am sorry I can't give the proper shout out.

Then we traveled to Cortland - my 2nd daughters home, this is her daughter's first Thanksgiving, and they have a new home this year.  Her boyfriend is from Jamaica,so he cooked Goat and Red Beans and Rice, along with the turkey - but I just ate jamaican.

Then we went to my 2nd Son's house and we had Turkey, and stuffing, and mac and cheese and on and on and on.  I only ate a little of EVERYTHING.  Sweet Potato Pie for dessert.  So good.

Home now with my dog - very quiet with cup of tea, Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving is on, and I will do a little bit of stitching. The grandkids will all be here tomorrow for craft day - I so need my rest

I am so blessed I have the most amazing diverse family...  A World of Traditions and Culture all in one.

No Work until Tuesday

But so much to do.I am lucky, I am not cooking Thanksgiving dinner and my family is happy about it.  I am really a terrible cook - the only thing I can do correctly is the Turkey - but forget the rest, so my kids are taking over. Well I also make a breakfast in the Crock Pot -and pies - so the kids come over for breakfast and pie - then they all go home - and I travel around to their houses - eating like three times. 

  I do have to make my special Snacks - family recipe passed down from my mom - it is a fun snack mix, I make it, my sister, my brother - and we all use the same recipe, but they all taste different... It has curry and garlic in it - so the smell of them cooking is vivid, and it only comes once a year - you only make them at Thanksgiving - Christmas, it marks the beginning of the season.


 Tomorrow I am off to the craft store - I have to get the materials for Grandkid craft day - even though I do have a bin full of things, but need to pick up a few things.

Instead of shopping on Black Friday - I take all the grandkids for the day, so their parents can shop, and we do Crafts for Christmas.  It is a wonderful tradition we do - the first of the Christmas season.  Some of the kids will then go to the Christmas Tree Lighting in Clinton Square.  Not me.  I will start to decorate for Christmas - I can't wait to put up the Christmas, and take down the Fall.

Lots of pictures coming soon

So blessed the window on the Truck is fixed - the wonderful repair man cleaned the inside of my truck WOW...  So blessed to have so many Christmas Family traditions and the season is starting soon

Bite off more than you can chew

There are so many different SALs and other "Join this Group" starting now.  It is so difficult for me, not to join a million different ones. 

I have 4.  I hope to make a page for each one - I figure if i can keep the blog organized, I will keep my stitching organized.

1 - Snow belles and Fat Men - as one Project - Brought to you by Denise at Riverside Stitching

2 - Santa's Village - Organized by Melissa at St. John's Stitcher via  Facebook Group

3 - Crossstich Crazy 2013 - Facebook Group

4 - Heaven and Earth Designs 2013 Freebie Sal - Theatre of the Absurd


This will be a lot of stitching in 2013, and I know I will not get through the year with out starting other projects - or working on projects started long ago.  I am looking forward to these challenges. 

My first blog post will be December 1 for Snow Belles and Fat Men. 

But I do believe this is enough stitching for me.  I do get a rush out of finishing things- which is equal to the joy of new starts - so as tempting as it is, to only to Extra Large projects, or have 100 new starts - or try to complete every New Monthly Series that comes along, I am telling myself to find that happy medium.

There is another SAL - YOTA, started by Pull the Other Thread, which is more of a motivational SAL, to help us complete those we have started.  Which is another good idea - because it is about finishing some things. 

It is a wonderful world - Cross Stitching.

I am blessed to believe in me and my ability to stitch all these wonderful projects next year and not get over whelmed

Sunday Adventures

Robot Einsteins. 

Today was my grandsons Robot Building Competition.  First Lego League   It was a very long day, but the good news is, his team's robot scored high enough for them to move on to the next competition.  It will be the first Saturday in December. 

Of course I have no pictures of the Robot, but will get some the next competition.

Special Thanks to everyone who wished me well with my truck.  Not fixed yet, will have to call tomorrow.  Have not drove it yet, my daughter has driven me all around, very frustrating.

Was not a weekend for stitching.  Hope to have pictures tomorrow. 

Good Morning Heartache

 So 20 vehicles on my street got messed up last night, just so happens the police think mine was first and then they went up the street.  They only broke one window in my truck, we found a tire iron near by, or some kind of iron tool



I have no gps or sound equipment - nothing like that, they did not steal anything. Just smashed the window. About three in the morning I guess, police were here, all up and down the street. Called the insurance company waiting for repair. My daughter came over and helped with the glass cleanup. This is just so sad. Random Act of Violence... Some very angry people. I am very blessed I have Glass Coverage on my Truck. I am very blessed they did not key my car, drop a huge rock on my hood, smash all the windows, my car is really in much better shape then the others. I just do not understand,

This is the drivers side, all the glass on the inside, what a mess.




Glass outside of truck on road








 

Late Night Quick Post

So I am in this challenge to post every day in November - and the day is most over, and I have nothing to say - and not enough time.

So Hope all is well and will post more tomorrow.

Frog Scissor Hunting

Two thrift store visits, no luck.  Hope to go to this antique place on Saturday.  Can't believe I am so in need of finding one.  Tried to look through a couple of boxes from my mom's, but no luck there either.

Thanks to my friend Dani I have lots of good scissor advice.

http://www.mikeusa.com/Gingher-list.aspx I've picked up scissors here and there there are plenty of fancy handled cheapies out there nowadays. This shop has a great variety of scissors I've never ordered from them but heard good things http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/scissors.html

And from Minnie Scissors and Frogs The Great Scissors Scamper
And from Meari Scissors and Frogs

I just have to be careful not to start to gather up scissors the way I have floss, fabric and charts.

Lights on Lake - A Holiday Event

Santa

Big Event in Syracuse - Lights on the Lake. This is a great holiday event. The lights go all up and down the lake, there are about 4 miles of them. The first two nights, are walk through - tonight was bring your dog night. Of course we had to have a family event - here are some of the pictures I took

 

If you look very hard, you can see one of my grandsons
 

Of course theres the gingerbread house and people

One of the several walk throughs, you can see how far down the lights go.

My favorite with two of my grandsons.  Peace on Earth, please

This tree is at the entrance
 

 

I am so blessed to have my grandchildren near by, and I can share these wonderful Holiday events.

Frog

 

I have been cross stitching since 1988.  That is quite a long time.

It was just in 2009, I learned a new meaning.

 

From About.com

Definition: Frog or Frogging is a slang term used by stitchers to refer to removing stitches when you make a mistake. When you take a stitch out you have to rip it, rip it. Get it? 

 

Now in 2012 I have learned another

And not only I have learned about scissor frogs - I have learned there are so many wonderul different types of scissors.... WHERE HAVE I BEEN? So many of the blogs I read, you ladies have the greatest scissor frogs, and the greatest scissors....

 

My mom had one of these, but I know she did not put scissors in it, I am sure she used it for flowers.  I believe it is in one of the boxes of things I took from her house, stored in my basement, or if my sister has it?

 

I think I must have one of these, and I must have at least one pair of scissors that defines my personality.

 

Please share if you would, your favorite scissors, where you find them, and where you got your frog.

 

Is there any other ways Frog is used in cross stitching?

 

I am blessed to have learned all about frogs.

 

Back to work

Thanks to all the well wishes I received, hopes for a speedy recovery, and great ideas on hats.  I am going to the Mall on Friday night, I am thinking I will do a little hat shopping.

Spent too much time going through my stash while I was in bed. Figured I needed a new start, from my old stash.   This popped out at me, with a Santa and a Snow Guy and Gingerbread, thinking I could manage this along with my other projects.  Gathering threads and fabric tonight.    I am blessed to have so MUCH STASH, I will never run out of charts, or fabric most likely or threads.  I will be cross stitching for ever.

Because of the Brave

Land of the Free, because of the brave.

Veterans Day. 

My dad was a WWII Vet.  He graduated high school in 1941,enlisted.  Couldn't go in the Navy, he was color blind, joined the Air Force.  My dad never talked about the war.  He talked about being an American, and how proud he was to be a Vet and how important his country was.

4th of July was the 2nd most important holiday in our family, only Christmas was more important.  We grew up waving flags, Pledging Allegiance, and singing the Star Spangle Banner.

I am blessed to have been taught the importance of the Armed Forces, Pride in my Country, created with the ideals of equality and freedom for all.. REGARDLESS.

I am blessed and Thankful.

Reading and Stitching

What else to do when you are feeling under the weather.  Read a little, Stitch a little, Read a little.

I am currently reading two books - Games of Thrones, and Shadow of Night.

It is very easy for me to lose myself in any book, and buy in to whatever the Author is writing about.  I can believe in Witches, and Dragons, Aliens, and Time Travel.    I believe Scarlett gets Rhett back, the Wicked Witch was really not so wicked, Jack Ryan can always save America, there really is A Time to Kill.   This is a true blessing, because I believe every once in awhile it is a great thing to drift over to another world.


My mom was a book lover, we had a library in our home.  Shelves and Shelves of books, and when she was upset with our behavior we would have to dust those books.....A Saturday of dusting books, now why couldn't I get sent to my room like all the other kids????

My mom was also a crafter, and it was a struggle to teach me - as she is a righty and me a lefty and I do many things upside down, but she shared that love of crafting with me, to knit, crochet, and embroider. 

I am blessed to have been raised by a woman who made sure I became an independent thinking, free of prejudices, reading, crafting, sports loving lady. 

Sick Day

So I got the flu, I did not have the flu shot, and wouldn't you know it, I got the flu.  Did not go to work today, instead went to the Doctors.  1 hour and half at the doctors office, which I guess is not that bad, then another hour of course to pick up the prescriptions, I have something in the lungs, so there is antibiotics and an inhaler.  And the doctor told me to make sure I wear a hat.  No doctor has ever said that before, so I did think that was a little interesting. 

 

Stitching Update

Winter - Sue Hillis, update.  Sorry the picture is so dark.  Also worked on my Snow Friends (SAL) but I will not be showing those pictures until December 1

 Mail Received

Final Thread for my Witches Pantry, Cyndi, Beach Cottage Stitchers, when I ordered my Witch's Pantry, she was short one thread, so sent it off to me and received yesterday.  Do you know what was very nice - the hand written note, from the owner, wishing me luck on my stitching, and making sure we were all okay here because of Sandy... Some special Customer Service for sure.

My order from 123Stitch also arrived.  I can't say I have any one favorite Needlework Store.  I do try to buy local, but sometimes the online deals are hard to pass up.  I needed one more Fat Guy for my Collage, and because I never can order just one, I also purchased this great One Color Design.  Reminds me of my daughter, she is a Teddy Bear Lover. 

And this is Cleveland, my wonderful cat.  He is keeping me company while I am sick.  Most of the time Dakota is with us.


Time for me to take my meds and I am very tired.  Enjoy

The Tree has arrived

I forgot on yesterday's blog to share a blessing,  I can't imagine how I could have overlooked that, as I made such a big deal about it in the first place....

SO  my Wednesday blessing was to have met and found new and fascinating friends that stitch through SALS.  and Blogging. Now just how could I forget to mention that.

Earlier this week the annual raising of the Christmas Tree in our city happened.  It will not be lit to the day after Thanksgiving, but every year it is a big thing when the tree arrives. 

 

Clinton Square dead center right where the reflections in the water start is where the tree goes, in the winter this area where the water is becomes an outdoor skating rink, which is wonderful for lunchtime entertainment. 

My building Chase Tower, One Lincoln Center faces out on the same street as the Christmas Tree.  If you look at the top of the building it has very tiny little windows - this is where I am - we are on a floor you can't get to from the main elevators (there is a "secret elevator that goes to my floor), and it is an 18 story building  - but it has no 13th floor.  So it is sort of wacked... I work in the Tech Dept of the Law Firm.  ANYWAY I actually ride main elevators to the 18th floor (which is really floor17) and then take the stairway up a level.

My blessing for the day - is my City.  I love Syracuse New York.  We moved here when I was 13, and I have never felt any desire to leave. 

2013 The Year of the SALS

Another one for me.... Thanks to Melissa. St. John's Stitcher, I have joined yet another SAL for 2013.

Country Cottage Needleworks, Santa's Village series.
I had already signed up for Beach Cottages Stitchers, Autoship for this series, so it just seemed the thing to do.

 Never fear, I have calculated the approximate stitches for each design, divided by 52, to get the number of x's I must cross each week, to see if I will have enough time to complete all these SALs, and finish all the WIPS I wanted to finish in 2012, and all the other new starts I have planned on for 2013.

Well not exactly. 
But Snow People and Christmas are two of my favorite things to stitch, and The Crazy Crosssitch 2013 Challenge(15 starts in 15 days, see special blog page for my list of projects) will keep me on track.

I enjoy the journey more than the destination.  I would rather drive than fly, because there are so many things to see along the way. 

That's it.  That's the absolute last 2013 Challenge for me... Well for right this moment.

America

This is not to support a certain political party, or what you believe in.  I am just posting my Blessing for the Day - and I am blessed to live in a Country where I can vote.  Where I can help select the people who will make those decisions.

Women fought really hard to get the right to vote, and I am blessed they did.  They knew they had a right to be heard.  I am not posting to tell you who I think you should vote for.  I am posting because I feel so blessed that I live in a country where I have the right to vote.

Snow this Morning



All the Major Cities in New York

Well I really wouldn't say it snowed, If I don't  have to brush off the truck, it is not a true snowstorm.  I am from the Snow Capitol of New York.  I have Lake Ontario to the North, and am right up against Lake Onondaga.  For some reason, the weather guys say that's we get an awful lot of snow here.  We are very sad when we lose the Golden Snowball Award.  Last year we had no snow at all, but the whole country was way down...

We were still in the top 10, however very disappointed Rochester had more.

Now that Halloween has past, I do am loving the snow, and will be okay with it, until May.  When it snows in May, by then, we are ready for it to be over.  And since we are talking about Weather, I have to say I am so very blessed that Sandy did not damage us, it is very rare we get any kind of major storm here.  Watched a little of the weather channel this weekend, and the destruction that happens by ones of those storms, is just terrible. Thoughts and Prayers for Strength.

 

 

Day Light Savings Time

Last night was Fall Back - so I picked up an extra hour of sleep last night, which since I am a little under the weather, I won't complain.  But just what is this daylight savings time .  I understand the reasons behind this, but to me - I do not like it.  I like the sun in the morning, for the most part I am an Early to Rise person. 

My Wonderful Friend, Dakota.  A Blessing for sure

So first up for today - to run around the house and set all the clocks, and can't forget the clock in the truck.  It is so late in the year, it won't make much difference in the mornings - but for at least a week, Dakota (my dog) and me will get to run/walk every morning and it won't be so dark.  So just where do I walk? Here are a few pictures.

Highest part of the walk - looking out over the East End of the City

About three blocks away - we have a ton of deer in the neighborhood, October is a great month for deer sighting - both in early morning and evening. No pictures though - they are so peaceful looking I am sure I could snag one, I just never have a picture taking device when I see them.

This is one of the most beautiful things in my neighborhood - the park - I live in the city, and I am amazed at our beautiful parks.  This is about a mile from my house.

Dakota - Looking for squirrels of course.  She is a great hunter dog. Rescued from a local shelter almost 5 years ago

Another small waterfall - this is in the park.  This is the park the kids take their prom pictures in and there is always a wedding there. 

These are just a few pictures, taken in a different season, but it still shows you the neighborhood.  Just a side note - I do not live in THE NEIGHBORHOOD, I live in "Lower Strathmore", love my house, love my neighborhood, but just saying....  That is my blessing of the day - My Dog, my neighborhood, me being able to walk my dog without fear.