EAGLES

 Soldier Memorial Finished

Just need to get it framed and 

then ship it to the recipient.

Bald Eagle Watching

Starved Rock Lock & Dam

Saturday, January 26

 

These were the only two we saw.

They sat in this tree for the longest time!

Doesn't it look like that tree is budding out already?

MY MESSY ROOM

I mentioned in an earlier post that I didn't dare show you my messy craft room.  However, on second thought, I've decided to show it.  I guess I'm hoping by being public about my messy room, I'll be more inclined to get it organized.  Maybe not.  We'll just have to wait and see.

No stepping room at all!

The other side of my messy room.  Dottie won't even try to come into this room.

An almost organized corner.

My craft/sewing room is long and narrow and has short side walls.  This room is the attic that was converted to living space when Hubby purchased the house before we were married.  Over the years it has been a bedroom, the playroom for the girls, storage and now it's a combination of storage and my craft/sewing room. 

My biggest obstacle (well, besides the actual items creating an obstacle course in this room) is that I'm not only organizing my stitchy stuff, but also all the other "stuff" stored in this room.  The other issue is that the sides of this room are only 4 feet high, which really limits how things can be arranged.

Stay tuned for future organizing updates!

FROST ON MY WINDOW...

makes me think of my Grandma, though I'm not sure why.  Grandma has been on my mind alot lately.  We shared a special bond.  I was her first grandchild and I happened to be born on her birthday.  She was always the one who supported me in both good and bad times.  Grandma was able to get me to do things I never would have done for anyone else.

She's been gone almost 19 years, but I can still see her working in her garden, hanging clothes on the line or setting the table for the next day's breakfast.  I can still hear her clever remarks, witty insight and gentle scolding when I'd get cookie crumbs on the "davenport".  We always called it a sofa or couch but she insisted it was a "davenport", lol. 

Grandma used her calendar as her daily diary.  How I wish those calendars were still around.  Her simple calendar was the free one from the pharmacy and in each daily box, she'd write things like that day's weather, appointments, who called or came to visit, how many quarts of beans she canned, places she went (including the grocery store) and anything else she wanted to remember.

I don't make new years resolutions, but for 2013, I've decided to write on my calendar what I am thankful for that day.  It's so easy to get caught up in the demands of the daily routine, work, and all that needs to be accomplished.  Maybe by pausing for a moment each day to reflect on what I'm thankful for, I'll keep the positive and truly important things more in focus.

Have a great day!

STITCHY PROGRESS

Despite our beautiful, spring-like weather on Saturday, I did get some afternoon stitching time.  It's amazing how much can get accomplished on a Saturday when one gets up and going early.  Hubby and I had a few things to get done, beginning with taking Dottie to get her nails trimmed.  It was also time to have our wedding bands inspected to keep the warranties valid.  From there, we headed to the DIY home improvement store for a massive beam that Hubby insists he needs he needs for his latest DIY project.

The plan was that we'd get the massive beam and return home so he could work on his project. Hubby didn't expect that the beam had to be special ordered.  I'm thought I'd get to go home and have the afternoon to stitch, but Hubby had other ideas. 

Since the weather was so nice, Hubby decided we'd take a drive up to our camping site.  His excuse was that he needed to get some tools for his project.  Dottie was thrilled to run around the yard at our camper.  We drove around the grounds and found a herd of deer grazing in a prairie and hundreds of geese standing on an iced over lake while ice fishermen were fishing nearby.  There were actually alot of campers camping and enjoying the spring-like weather.  I'm not one that likes camping in the winter, but Hubby was wishing he could do some ice fishing too.

 We did get home by 3 and I was able to get a couple of hours of stitching in before dinner.  I also got several hours of stitching in on Sunday afternoon.

 "Home"

Bride's Tree Ornament #1
Brooke's Books Publishing

Soldier Memorial

I had started on the name and other info for this soldier, but I was unhappy with the way I charted the lettering.  I stitched the first line and felt it was difficult to read, so I completely recharted the lettering. It's not as fancy as I wanted, but I think it's easier to read now.

WHAT'S UP WITH THIS DOG?

Every time I get my camera out, she comes and poses so I can take her picture, or she tries to get in with whatever I'm photographing.  

Dottie has really been a sad girl.  Every night she lays on the trunk by the window next to the front door waiting for the girls to come home.  Only they aren't coming home because one is away at college and the other doesn't live here anymore.  

 

BACKYARD VISITORS

This woodpecker is a frequent visitor to the suet feeder.

 I wonder what they are talking about!

The pretty red bird is a male House Finch.  

From what my Backyard Bird app tells me,

 the House Finch can range in color 

between orange and red .

He was difficult to photograph because he didn't

stay put for very long.

Barely gold Goldfinches.

They lose their vibrant gold color during 

the winter months.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

WIP Wednesday

Ever have your stitching stuff in such a mess you couldn't find anything?

This is just one corner of my table.  I don't dare show you the rest of my room, lol.

I've only just begun the straightening up process and already I have found several forgotten about WIPS:

Friendship

Design by The Trilogy

Stitching over one on 32 ct.

Snow in Love

Design by Little House Needleworks

Stitching over two on 32 ct.

I've Been Working On These WIPS This Week:

Soldier Memorial

Adapted design from various patriotic designs

Stitching over two on 28 ct. white lugana

Bride's Tree Ornament #1 ~ Home

Design by Brooke's Books Publishing

Stitching on recommended 28 ct. linen

Stitching the whole series for a friend

The Granddoggie is growing!

Skye has gained about 4 pounds since 

she came to live with my daughter.

We got to doggie sit with Skye recently. 

She sure has alot of energy and Dottie was none 

to happy about Skye jumping all over her.

And Finally...

Mrs. Redbird came for a visit!

Wishing You Happy Days!

MORE BACKYARD PICS

Shhh, don't tell, but I've been playing with my daughter's camera...

I was so excited to see Mr. Redbird show up on this 
frosty, cold morning!

Don't you just love his head feathers!

I just love how fuzzy Mr. Redbird is!

And I just couldn't resist getting some  

Dottie Dog portraits.

I think a new camera is on my wish list!

Keep looking for the beauty around you!

NO STITCHING TO SHOW...
not because I haven't been stitching, but because what I'm working on just can't be shown yet.

So, instead of stitching, I'll show you some backyard critters.

 Not sure what these little birds are, but we have lots of them.

Can you spot the female Cardinal?  She's hard to spot in the tree. 

(Look just to the right of the middle of the photo)

Mr. Redbird likes to find seeds on the ground.

 Mrs. Redbird also likes to gather seeds from the ground.

Mr. Redbird sat just long enough for me to capture his portrait.

My backyard birds like to hide.  Can you find the Blue Jay?

(look just to the left of the bell)

And yet a different bird on the suet feeder.  

I'm not sure if this is a woodpecker.

Mr. Redbird poses for another photo.

Taco, the squirrel, is always looking for seeds and corn.

(We don't know why my daughter named the squirrel Taco.)

And, finally, another unknown bird.  

I've not seen too many of these.

I hope you can find time to stop and watch the beauty of nature each day!

Have a great week.