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.

And then I slept until 8am

Stitchy wise I completed Sweet William from Summer House Stitche Works before I went to visit my grand babies.   Time to start the next one, I think it is Hollyhocks.

After much discussion and knowing I had not been anywhere and they had not been anywhere except for my son going to work, I headed to State College and boy did I have a nice time.   I got the biggest hug from Willy.   He just wouldn’t let go.  Melted my heart.   He was my shadow the entire four days.  As Heather and I were driving away, I understand he told his mom that she was the meanest mom in the world because she wouldn't let Willy come home with me.

This is kind of how I spent most of my first day there.   If I was anywhere, Willy was right there with me.

We played games, both board and video, did puzzles, read stories, took hikes, laughed and snuggled.  Mario’s Dance Party was a hoot and unfortunately both my daughter and daughter-in-law  thought it appropriate to video Damma dancing.   I’m sure we will have side splitting laughs on holidays when they replay it.  My little, not-so-little, grand daughter...weighing in at 20 lbs., has to be the happiest little baby.  She lights up when you talk to her with a big smile that gets only bigger if her daddy comes into sight.  Good meals, good times, great memories made.  I loved hearing those little bare feet of William's running down the hall in the morning to jump in bed with Damma......which is why I slept in on my first night back home!  

Out for a nature walk on a local trail, we saw some pretty sights.  I think it was Musser's Gap Trail.

A chipmunk, or rather a Chee-Pump, sat on a log with us when Damma needed a break from the incline!

Little boys have boundless energy!

All the pretty flowers gave Damma a lot for playing I-Spy will William as we climbed the trail.

 I have made no progress on Ornaments ala Round.   I am outside from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. putzing, deadheading flowers, reading in the shade on the deck, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner on the deck, swimming (so thankful in this heat that I am a mere dozen steps from the house to the pool!)  Ornaments ala Round  is really not a good one with take outside.   I have done it but I don't do too well.  Too many moving parts between floss and beads and kreinik and patterns and a big old giant q-snap.  And since my usually stitching time on this has been substituted with me being outdoors, I am lagging behind.    I am sure I will be the last of the three of us to get this completed.  Yes, the self imposed deadline of 7/23 has been pushed off to ....maybe 9/23!

And even though I should be starting Hollyhocks as the next in the  series, I started this little patriotic pattern from The Humble Stitcher.   My buddies all ordered and are waiting for United We Stand by Blackbird Designs.   I resisted.   I've already done more than my fair share of supporting the needlework industry these last 4 months.   I saw this completed by Stasi of Bee-Mused and Bee-Stitching and really liked it.   It works well for stitching on the deck and is an instant download from Etsy.  I am not sure how I will finish it.   Toying with using a mattress style finish.

 Stitching this on 32 Ct. Confederate Gray linen with DMC from stash.

Yard work continues in an abbreviated format.   I sit on the ground, tug at a vine, if it offers resistance, I cut it.   I have a million and one little pieces of sticker vine and ivy but I am making progress.  It has been so humid, that I can only manage about an hour and a half before taking a break.  I've managed another 8 by 25 foot section.   Having fun  scouring the internet for shade loving, non-invasive ground cover and plants.   Oh boy!  

I'll let Mr. W. pry out those cinder blocks and bricks.

My vegetable garden is producing.  Also harvested radishes and zucchini and tomatoes already.  No cucumbers yet.

The hydrangea is beautiful and even more in bloom today then when I took this photo last week.

It is about six foot tall and apparently I should be pruning it.   Not now but I am sure an internet search will tell me how and when.

And the last bit of nature on this trip around the yard, I spotted 7 little frogs on my pond this morning.  The largest of the leaves is 4 to 5 inches across so you can see they are little guys.

Thanks for stopping by,  Stay safe and keep on stitching!

New Beginnings....

On my commute out, I was at a red light with a
horse and buggy.   Not your usually red
light traffic companion.   

I am just back in town from a two week plus visit with my son,  D-in-L and Mr. William.  Since I am trying to keep to my pledge to finish some old old old UFO's,  I took several small projects with me to work on in the evenings once everyone was in bed.   Me, the night owl, was able to get in a good hour each evening while watching Mindhunters on Netflix.

It is hard to remember why these pieces were relegated to the basket o' shame of unfinished objects when so few stitches were needed for completion.

First up, is a Christmas in July Project from EGA.   This was finished in an hour's time. I only needed the beading and the central flower and leaves which were created using Japanese Ribbon embroidery. Certainly not a fair worthy completion but it is finished and moved to the finishing pile to be made into an ornament.

 My next finish took two nights to complete.    This is a needlepoint bat measuring wing tip to wing tip about 5 inches.   He will be finished as a Halloween ornament.....not quite sure how I will accomplish that with the stiff canvas but I will give it a shot.

My next finish is Pioneer School Girl from Betsy Morgan.    All the smalls were done and I just had to complete what will be the outside of the book.

Somewhere along the way I did something that made me off two threads when I got all the way across to the right but was not noticed until the row with the numbers.  As per usual in my side-track Robin manner I had already stitched the dividing bands and bottom and right side border.  I figured out where my mistake is.   I was consistent in making the same error on both top and bottom borders.  I will have to remember to compensate on the finishing to allow for that.....because I don't want to frog over half the border.   Well, I say that now.......but it will probably bug me and I will frog it.   Could be a good thing to do on an upcoming flight to Florida.

I also finished a knitting UFO, a small blanket for Will to snuggle with but I didn't get a photo of it.   He loves to play with his mommy's long hair, so Damma put long lengths of yarn using overhand knots are each corner for him to play with and to give mom's hair a break!

The last project I worked on I did not finish.   This is a Tudor Rose Needlebook with a publishers date of 1996.    I will not take pix of the back and share with you the carrying mess of threads I have from work done way back when I didn't know any better.    I actually had none of the black border done when I picked this up.

This is how far I got.    It is so funny to stitch on Aida again.    No cheaters needed.    Aida or not it is part of my pledge to finish UFO's.  Since this is going fast as well, I plan to keep working on it to get it done.

While in State College anticipating the arrival of the newest little family member, we took a couple of  mountain hikes in the cold air to encourage her along.

 Willy got tired.

Little Raegon arrived on February 10th weighing in at 8 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 and 1/2 inches and was greeted by big brother.  Mom and baby girl are doing great.   Will is smitten for sure.

I was able to help with cooking meals, dishes, laundry and entertaining Will.  I had a great time but Will had a rough week.   Two days after baby sister was born, he swallowed a dime.  Cause for much to worry about but no ER visit.   Then on Friday night, Will burnt his finger tips on some too hot hot fudge for sundaes we were making.   Hand in a cup of cold water for an hour and we couldn't get him any relief, and since they blistered almost immediately it was off to the ER with Damma and dad.   And as you can see by Will's get up you are never quite dressed appropriately when you have to visit the ER.   Fireman boots, Christmas pj's, reindeer hat.......what a fashion argument.   Fortunately the PA said all was well, keep it dry, clean and covered, Children's Tylenol and follow up with the the pediatrician this week

.

Yes, just another chapter in the Thompson Archives.    It was really a great visit but at the same time it sure felt good to sleep in my own bed last night.   I did arrive home to find a delivery from Sassy Jack's with two pieces of 28 count banding.    I am starting the Jeannette Douglas SAL in collaboration with Sassy Jack's and I want to do the Peppermint FB SAL of 52 weeks of Blackwork.   I want to do both on banding.   One started January 1st, and the other February 1st.    I am determined not to start yet another project until I finished the Tudor Rose needlebook!   If the two SAL's are my focus, I am sure I will be able to catch up.    As for the Jeannette Douglas SAL, Sassy Jack's has YouTube class videos I hope to watch tomorrow and make notes so I can jump right in.  I am thinking by week's end I will start.

As for retirement so far, I am loving it.  I have been able to keep up with reading everyone's blogs and able to comment as well.   I haven't had a chance to cross any household tasks I had planned to tackle off my list yet but then again, I guess if I stayed home and managed to string a couple of free days in a row, then I could.   What is it my retired friends say, ..... it will be there tomorrow.   OMGosh....I guess I have settled right in retirement already.

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.