She's here!!!

Well, we've had all sorts of happenings in the South lately!

First, our weather has been so crazy!  We have actually had sleet and a very few flakes of snow!!!  It was about 18 degrees at one point!  What a shock!  But, it has since melted and we are going to be back in the 70s this week!!!  So strange!!  Ignore the leaves and trash, but this is the sleet on my patio and it stayed there for about 3 or 4 days.  It's almost all melted now, as temperatures are headed toward the 70s!

Also, I won a kit on Facebook!!!  It's from Heart in Hand!  I was looking around on Facebook and just happened upon their page.  They were having a giveaway and I signed in on it.  Well, to my surprise, I got a little post saying I was a winner!  Isn't this cute?  You know I'll make an ornament!  It came complete with thread and linen.  I was so lucky!!  I spy some big fuzzy feet checking out my loot!!

And I saved the best for last!  My new grandbaby was born last week and is so beautiful and perfect!

Zoe and her Nannie!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you'll visit again soon!

Frances

I'm older!! And I'm lucky!!

Well, my 57th birthday is almost over!  And I survived!  haha!  I had a nice day and a lovely lunch with a friend today and another tomorrow!  It really seems like these birthdays are coming faster than they used to!!!

Marly let me know that I was no-reply YET AGAIN!  I haven't checked for a while, so I guess I will have to check more often!  It just flips to no-reply for no particular reason...I've read comments about the same thing happening to others.  What a pain, but I think I have it fixed again now!

I have fun news to share!!!  I won Edgar's Blogaversary Gift Away!  I was so thrilled to win and it came at a time that I desperately needed a "pick me up"!!!  I was thrilled when I stepped on my front porch and there was a box waiting for me!!!  I quickly opened it and couldn't believe my eyes!  Oh wow!!  It was a fabulous box of San Francisco treats!!!!

There was a box of cookies, biscotti, etc from Dianda's!!  I've heard of Dianda's!  Then I opened that box--look at the gorgeous contents!!!  They were so beautiful and tasted even better than they looked!!!  (yes, I used past tense--they're gone and they were good!!!)   My husband did help me eat them, though! hahaha

Then, I found a bag of Ghirardelli chocolates!!  So yummy!!!  A lovely bag of Blue Bottle coffee beans that smelled so fabulous when I picked them up!!!  It's wonderful coffee!!  Also, a package of California poppy seeds--I hope to have my own little sample of beautiful California poppies right here in MS!  Finally, a precious little fuzzy black sheep!!!!  How perfect to receive from Edgar!!!  I feel so lucky  (and a little bit fatter! ha!)

Thank you for stopping by, and please come visit again soon!

Frances

Year in Review!

Dear Stitching Friends,

2014 has been such a lovely year with many new and exciting things!

First, I started my blog this year and it has brought me much pleasure!  I have met many wonderful people through it, and I hope to meet even more in the coming year!  I had wanted a blog for quite a while, and just never made up my mind to do it!  I finally took the plunge this year, and I am so glad I did!

I have won some giveaways!  I have participated in exchanges!  I have received RAKs!
I even had my own giveaways!

 Beautiful giveaway from Annette!

My 1st giveaway win from Jacquie! 

 

Exchange I sent....                                                      Beautiful RAK from Andrea!

THERE ARE OTHERS!  I hate to post just these few photos, because I don't want to leave anything or anyone out!!!!  I have absolutely LOVED everything that I have been privileged to do!  And also the people---such wonderful, wonderful new friends!!!  I'm just not organized with my photos and I'm finding what I can!!!  (I need to work on that!)

Time has been limited at some points, but I manage to keep it going!  I am about to begin my LAST semester on my Masters in Music and I will graduate in May!  I cannot wait to have this behind me!  I was probably CRAZY for attempting this past the age of 50, but the end is in sight and I am thrilled!  I will definitely post photos of me in my cap and gown, marching with a bunch of 20-somethings!!!  I'm so excited!

My music has always been so important to me!
I work as the Parish Music Director/Organist at my church and each year the adult choir presents an Advent Concert on the First Sunday of Advent.  It is a wonderful event and we have done this for 8 years.  Below is a photo--yes, that's me at the piano.  Our robes are about the most unflattering garment made....so ignore how "round" we look!!  (even though I like these and think they look great together!!)

On Christmas Eve, we have 2 Masses and the first has the youth instrumental ensemble that plays, and they always do such a great job!  It's so nice to see young people participate!

I have a beautiful kitty, Dolce, that I got after I lost my precious Violetta.  I also have a lovely family: husband and son & daughter-in-law!

Life is good!

What do I want to do for 2015???    Am I making silly resolutions??

 

Well, I'll probably get out the standard list of resolutions that I make every year, and never keep!! LOL!!
They are the usual:  lose weight, be more kind to everyone, get organized......

However, I really want to do MORE stitching and get all of my stitching supplies, etc, organized! My blog has made me more aware of how "together" other people are!!!  I want to be, also!
I also want to be better about commenting on other blogs!  I faithfully read many of your blogs, but I'm usually racing through and don't take the time to comment!  I know that I should.  I know how much I enjoy comments, and I certainly need to make to effort to share that enjoyment!  That's a new and sincere resolution!
I also want to get my computer in good shape...I couldn't find photos today....I need to delete useless stuff--just that type of thing!  I've let it go and now it is imperative that I jump in and fix it all!

My main interest in cross stitching has been fixing my seasonal and holiday trees!  I will continue to do that, but hope to add a large piece to work on, too.  I have one big UFO that I might drag out and finish, just to prove that I can actually start and finish something, even after all these years!  It must be 25-30 years old!!! LOL!
BUT, I only have one unfinished thing, so I guess that's positive!  HOWEVER, I have at least 9 million charts that I want to stitch!  So, I'd better get going on those, don't you think????

I hope all of you have a wonderful, healthy, prosperous, and joyous 2015~

Thank you for stopping by and please come back soon!
Frances

A lovely package!

Last week, I was the winner of the precious little Uncle Sam chart from California Stitcher--Annette!  I was thrilled to win and looking forward to getting it!  What I didn't realize was, she planned to send a lovely package full of goodies!  It just made my day!!!  YAY!!!

This envelope had all of these "cutely wrapped" little goodies in it!  I couldn't believe it!











Then, I opened everything carefully, and admired the "loot"!!!  I was so lucky!

Look at all these beautiful things!!!  Fabric, ribband, floss, a sweet little flag, and even a little music ornament kit!!  How great is this???? And so patriotic!!!

She even included a wonderful needle book that she made for me!  So special!  And included were lovely pins and needles!  I told Annette that I feel like Christmas came in September!
Thank you so much, Annette--this was a great, great surprise for me, and most appreciated!

I have mailed off my two exchanges and will show you those shortly!  I've never done an exchange--ever--and suddenly I jumped in and did TWO!  I can't wait to show you what I sent and I hope my partners like them!
Then it'll be time to show my Halloween tree!  So, I've got things to "show and tell"!!

Thank you for visiting--please come back soon!
Frances