My Month of things I am grateful for.....

In the beginning of November I started seeing people posting on Instagram what they are thankful for.   I started by laying in bed each night as I drifted off to think about what was 'good' in that day.  It didn't take long before my thoughts of gratitude migrated to me thinking about it during the daytime hours.  Often there was more than one thing, and some days were a repeat of previous days.   With all the negativity in the world, it is amazing how many things we take for granted and can be grateful for.

So here goes, my list for November 2020.  

• November 1st -  Listening to a gentle rainfall
• November 2nd - My friends - near and far
• November 3rd - The freedom to cast my vote
• November 4th - Children; they will always be my babies
• November 5th - Retirement - Wahoo!
• November 6th - Walking in the crisp fall air
• November 7th - A mask-wearing stitching day with friends
• November 8th - Unseasonable warm weather in November
• November 9th - The smell of line-dried sheets on the bed
• November 10th - Anticipation of a finish - Coming to America 
• November 11th - Our veterans.  Thank you for your service.
• November 12th - A safe road trip to the grand babies
• November 13th - Grandbabies that I never thought I would have.
• November 14th - My son as an excellent father
• November 15th - My daughter, Amy, born 42 years ago today
• November 16th - Great numbers at my annual physical 
• November 17th - Audiobooks while I drive
• November 18th - Flosstube - except that it makes me want to  go online and buy everything
• November 19th - Amazon, InstaCart and all the online shopping
• November 20th - The ability to disappear into a good book
• November 21st - My treadmill - no excuses to not walk based on weather
• November 22nd - A nice cup of coffee while sitting on the deck and listening to the birds
• November 23rd - A balanced checkbook on the first attempt
• November 24th - Instant Kindle downloads - necessary when you are reading a series
• November 24th - Nature - the miracles of nature
• November 25th - All the things I can do without leaving my house
• November 26th - The smell of turkey throughout the house
• November 27th - Leftovers!
• November 28th - Flannel sheets on the bed
• November 29th - Blog friends
• November 30th - Fall decor down and stowed away, holiday decor up, Christmas shopping done.

I hope you too can stop for a minute and find something good in each day.  And if you stuck with me through all of this here are some words to live by

While every day may not be a good day, there is good in every day.

Thanks for stopping by, stay safe, stay healthy and keep on stitching.

Wordless Wednesday update for Lori

Lori asked a question about my pecan pie and since Lori has no email or contact info available here goes.

The recipe it right off the back of the Karo syrup bottle and the pie crust courtesy of Pillsbury!  In the past I made my own crust but the folks at Pillsbury do a fine job and make it so simple that I’m a convert.

Before it goes in the oven I use my tongs to crimp the edges.  Kind of hard to show here since the crust shrinks when it bakes.

Adding the  half pecan pieces idea arranged  on the top is from my D-in-L.  She is such a good baker and her cakes and pies always look so good.  

Here’s hoping it tastes as good as it.

I’m sure most of you use the same recipe.

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 one and all.  Enjoy the day and good food and let’s be thankful for all we have.

Wordless Wednesday #15

Wordless Wednesday #14

Refreshed and returned

I am resting up from my visit with my son and his family.    Recovering meaning, wow, a Damma can get exhausted when she is in demand all day long....and now I am in need of catching up on emails, blog comments, laundry and pulling down all the jack-o-lanterns and Halloween stitchy stuff.  

Let's see, while there, we played games and read stories, made turkeys by tracing our hands on construction paper, giggled, had delicious meals and watched Frozen 2 a time or two.  It was good to get away and leave my worries behind.   

Daddy was being silly and spiked Will's hair.   

Little Miss is such a happy little baby.   She knows "so big" and can wave bye and clap her hands and......from the way she is traveling around the coffee table, she will be walking in no  time!

Each day we picked a location to hike.   One day was at Raystown Lake in Trough Creek State Park.   Raystown Lake is a 28 mile long lake that was created in 1973 by the Army Corp of Engineers when the river was dammed and the valley was flooded.  There were no crowds and almost no other hikers while we were there making it a safe outing.   The weather was gorgeous and it was wonderful to hear the sounds of nature and nothing else.    

 Of course my son has to go off the path with a toddler in hand and a baby strapped on his chest.

This is Balanced Rock from the parking lot.

This is Balanced Rock from the top.  It was a super easy climb to the top.

Afterwards, we went to the Overlook by the dam on the lake.   I just love how you can see forever.

 We were on a narrow peninsula that offered spectacular views.  Turning around 180 degrees, this was the view behind us. 

Following the path down from the other side of the parking area we found another awesome overlook.

Someone was very tired even though she did none of the walking!

On Sunday we explored Penn Roosevelt State Park and took a more level-ground hike.  

It was so good to visit and make memories.  We have FaceTimed twice each day since I got home because Will misses his 'best friend'.  

So enough of me and my blathering on about my kiddos, I do have a teeny tiny bit of stitching progress to share.   I have been able to stitch most of the lamb since I got home.   I need to get my needle back in gear to finish the stitching and get this assembled and ready to mail to Little Miss.  I set it aside on purpose while I was doing Coming to America but that ship has landed and everyone disembarked. 

Once the stocking is done, I want to concentrate on finishing my Blackwork SAL.  I know both can be completed pretty quickly and perhaps a third or even a forth WIP can be completed as well before the end of the year.   Since we seem to be going back into another period of isolation here's hoping stitchy progress can be made.  

Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy, thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.

Intention

I think I found an answer to my one sidedness albeit no guarantees on how long I will be successful.   I stopped making daily lists and this doesn't work for me.   I need a routine.   I've told this is all part of retirement - setting a routine.  So I’ve got to pivot my focus.   No more just one more thread length, no more just one more chapter, no more just one more episode, no more just one more word game.   No-sir-ree    Come 7 a.m. no matter what I am in the middle of I am putting it aside and I am jumping on the treadmill for a half hour minimum.  Once done, I have been proceeding with my morning routine and by 9 a.m. I have walked, showered, made the bed, had breakfast, cleaned the kitchen and whatever needs to be done and the rest of the day is mine guilt-free!   I know......I know.....I am always gung-ho at the start of anything and quickly my attention drops off.....fingers crossed I can keep to it.

As for Wordless Wednesday, a little explanation.   I take photos of whatever I see that week that catches my interest.   It is especially easy if it is something in nature.  Some weeks it is more of a struggle than others.   On those weeks I branch out on a different path and use theme.  Take November 4th - the theme was things that are circles.   Every week won't be a theme but I can guarantee it will be some weeks.  Since I have a weird way of looking at things my theme may not always be obvious but hopefully it is all relatable.

Yes, ta-da.   I finished Coming to America on time.     I was 98% done on the weekend.  I finished up Tuesday and left my initials for the last day.   

I saw a post by FlameFingers on Instagram and had to copy the way she stitched a ship in the embroidery hoop.   

I also added the finish date when adding my initials.    

I really enjoyed this stitching this piece and especially enjoyed all the FB and Instagram groups that helped created a comradely.    

This is the first piece I used my Rolaframe for.   Thank you Shirley for your generous gift of this scroll frames.   Looking forward to putting another project on them.

Off to up a WIP.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by, stay safe, stay healthy and keep on stitching.