May is fast approaching

Mulch was done yesterday and I am in great shape yard-wise.   I ordered my veggies from Grow-Joy again this year and I expect them any day.  Once they are in the ground, it will be maintenance only on pulling the stray weeds in all the different flower and vegetable beds and I will be enjoying the view from my deck.   I may, a big MAY, consider clearing more in the back forty and then again, I MAY not.   I transplanted a Holly tree and three Lilac bushes back there and hope (fingers crossed) they make it. All four were volunteers that needed to be removed from where they cropped up so if they don't make the only cost was my labor.

Power washing the house has started......but not completed.   On a different note, we had an issue with our solar panels and needed the services of the Fire Department - nothing serious - crackling wires with smoke which caused black soot on our chimney.   Thank goodness for the kill switch for the panels we have.   It has been a waiting game until the solar company sent out their electrician to re-wire everything.   Fire Department couldn't believe how it was wired and I couldn't believe the Building Inspector PASSED what they had done.   I will say no more on that whole debacle of inspectors!  Enjoying the most recent electric bill - which was only a part month, balance due - none with a $19 credit.  Can't wait until we have a FULL month of generating to see what it says.   Realistically it will take a year to get a good evaluation but so far so good.

Stitching has been meager to say the least.  I seem to be only able to get in one length of thread on two different projects a day.    I know slow and steady wins the race but.....  I am thankful I document it here so I can at least see a photo from a month ago and say, hey, you did make progress.

I did finish L. Genders from Brenda Gervais.   I was about fed up with the over one and I know there are  mistakes but it is staying as it is.  I plan to take this to OCMD next week to hand finish it.

We started up our Thursday sewing group again.  It has been a year since we met regularly.  In honor of it, of course I had to have a new start.   Any excuse in the book works on that front where I am concerned.   I started Winter Rose Manor from Brenda Gervais.   I am using the called for colors on 38 count Grey Heron from Legacy Linen.    This is my new one strand of floss a day on and it is what I am taking to work on on Thursdays.   New to me, I am trying out stitching in hand and because I am left-handed I am starting my stitching in the upper right.

I am all over the place on Land That I Love.    I have made progress but it is so scattered.   A few letters here, some border there and a flag somewhere else.   All stitches count and put me closer to the end.    I plan to take this to Ocean City next week and really concentrate on making progress first on finishing the alphabet and then maybe some more of the border.   We shall see.   As you know I am not very good at making stitching plans (or rather any goals or plans for that matter) and sticking to them.   They seem great and doable when I conjure them up......but..... ultimately something else shiny comes along and I am off in another direction.   If only I could harness myself..... 

I had the pleasure of going to a local tulip festival a couple of weeks ago.   This was almost in my back yard......10 miles from home...... We had timed admission, were masked up and socially distanced - our new way of life.  I do really believe there are tons of things local to each of us that we can enjoy without boarding a plane or traveling in the car for hours.  

There were food trucks and wine tasting and tulips to buy.   This same farm has a strawberry festival in June and will have the bulbs on sale.  I definitely want to go and buy some and maybe some strawberry shortcake while I'm there.   I have already promised Mr. William I will take him as he told me...."You know Damma, strawberries are my favorite".

And here's a milestone, William is five years old today.   I cannot believe it.   I am hosting his birthday party this weekend which will be family only.  I have enjoyed every minute of his little life.  Oh how my life changed when he was born.   Me, who had finally accepted, with much regret, that I would never be a grandparent and now I am his Damma!  And how the heart opens with his unconditional love and that of his little sister too.    Much fun time ahead in the pool this summer I am sure. 

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

Progress to share

Finally tiny bits of stitching progress to share thanks to a few rainy days.   Today being one of those iffy days.....will it rain, won't it rain.  I think know I need to devote a day to picking up the random things that have landed in different spots all around the house.   Considering I have all my flower and vegetable beds save the last half of one all weeded and manicured, I think I can take a day off from the yard.  The work does continue on my back 40 project.   I just ordered a bunch of perennials from Breck's or Michigan Bulb Company (I can't remember which one....who knows, maybe from both of them......but I now just offer more evidence of me being scatter brained....)  that I want to be ready to plant when they arrive.  A bit of rest today for the moisture deprived hands will be a welcomed treat.

I finished HOD Year of Celebration March on the last day of March but I haven’t kitted up April yet.  I want to look through my fabric stash for perhaps a blue linen.  I am afraid I could lose a whole day if I go into my craft room and start shopping my stuff......better leave that until I get the house tidied up.

On the right, I found the Shamrock pin in my jewelry box from the days of working in an elementary school when I would decorate my blazer to match the holiday.   Geez, now that's a random, crazy, walk down memory lane.  Anyway, I hope to somehow incorporate the tie-tack style pin in my finish. 

I am getting quite a lot done on L. Genders red sampler roll with my one thread at a time approach.  It is amazing how much can be done one length of thread at a time.   The over one, not so much.   Definitely need good magnification and good light for that section.

Thanks to a delivery from Salty Yarns, I have a completely kitted up Winter Rose Manor.   I selected Heron Gray in 38 count from Legacy.   I am thinking my WDW Conch will show up fine for the house. Oh I'd love to start this one but I will exercise the utmost restraint.

I also got the Cozy Winter from Jeannette Douglas Designs.  Just love this piece and it is on the smaller size so it should take long to stitch.......famous last words.

I finished With This Needle, I Thee Thread needle book from HOD.  This should have taken me one week rather than three.  

Finishing calls for the piece to be folder this way.....

I may fold it this way instead.....

Who am I kidding.....this will go into the basket of shame and sit for untold weeks/months until I really do finish it.

I started A Robin's Discovery from Luminous Fiber Arts.   Love the colors and the cheerful springtime pattern.   This is being stitched with the called for colors on 32 count mystery linen from stash.   My Thursday stitching group will start meeting again next week and I just had to start something on the smaller side to have to work on.  I need to work out how to eliminate that bow on that rabbit.  I'm not a fan of it.  

What you are not seeing any progress on is Land That I Love.   I don't believe I have touched it for a month.   Maybe after my vacuuming and picking up and putting things where they belong I can dedicate an hour  this afternoon while I catch up on some floss tube.

My daughter-in-law started her job the 1st of April and I am  babysitting every Monday.  Even though I am wiped out by the time I get home I am loving the memories we are making. Thank goodness for leftovers for dinner and early bedtimes on Monday evenings.   I am so enjoying them living closer but I am still not used to seeing them so often.  

Everyone in the family has either had their vaccine or at least has an appointment for their vaccine.  It’s looking like a return to normal pool parties, family visits and cookouts for us this coming summer.   And even more than that last several years with my son being closer now.

I booked my first retreat in a year.....it will all be with social distancing, small assigned stitching rooms, limited number per table.  A friend asked me to join her and I hesitated half a minute.  We plan to go down early and stay at her place a night or two prior to the event and since she is one of two that has been in my bubble the last year I was on board.    It is just a stitch-in (no classes) but it is Sun Fest weekend and we hope to be able to walk to the inlet and enjoy the festivities and partake in an adult beverage or two!  It will be so nice to be back in OCMD and this Damma needs a vacation after running around chasing grand babies.  Geez, I just hope I don't go overboard with shopping at Salty Yarns.  I already have a Stacy Nash piece in mind to purchase.

That about sums up everything that has been happening with me.   Hopefully once I get the last flower bed finished, mulch in and all my veggies and potted plants in, I will be back to stitching in full swing.....literally swaying my chair on my deck as I look at the fruits of all my springtime labor.  

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

PS That is NOT my back 40 in my header picture above....but how I wish is were.   The photo was taken while on the Wilmington City Garden Tour several years ago.