A Very Happy 2012

My posts seem to get further and further apart these days but the past few months have been rather hectic ones but at last after 33 years together me and Tony have the house to ourselves. It does seem quiet with no daughters or grandchildren living here but I'm enjoying the peace while I can.

Tomorrow will be another busy day, New Years Day is my birthday and we have the family round for dinner so it's almost like having another Christmas day with us all here and as Christmas this year has been a really happy time, I'm looking forward to it.

I've been sorting through all my charts and I've picked a few out that I'd really like to stitch in 2012 as well as getting a couple of UFOs finished, this year I didn't have a lot of stitching time so I'm going to make sure that I'm more organised so I have more time for myself.

I hope that 2012 will be a very happy and healthy New Year for everyone.

I'll leave you with a photo of a beautiful Christmas ornament that I received from Chris.

Isn't it gorgeous and such a lovely surprise.

It's been a while

It's been a while since my last blog post and I'd begun to ask myself if I'd ever blog again, but here I am trying to start again and hoping to keep a more positive frame of mind.

June and July were taken up with the garden which I absolutely love, getting out in the fresh air is the best medicine that I could have and although my muscles ached from all the digging and weeding, it has really paid off this year. We've had a bumper crop of vegetables that have been frozen or bottled and will last us well into the new year and the flower borders have been a wonderful sight once they got established after the dry spell that we had. It's such a shame that I'm having to dig some of them out to make way for the Spring bulbs that need planting now but I know come Spring the sight of the daffodils and tulips will brighten any cold day.

My middle daughter Kim announced that she would be moving in with her boyfriend in August and I thought that at last me and Tony would have the house to ourselves but alas that was not meant to be as DD number three, her partner, two children and dog moved back home the week that Kim moved out.

It has been a struggle trying not to interfere when Lily and Callum are crying especially when they've been naughty and want a cuddle so there have been quite a few walks down the garden to get away from it all. I'm sure my three were never as noisy as the two of them are.

The past couple of months haven't been very good health wise either getting one infection or virus after another until at one point I thought that I'd never feel well again but thankfully I am much better and thanking God for every day that He gives me.

A couple of weeks ago we took Callum and Lily to visit Josh and Rebecca and it was a really hot day so they all made the most of it in the paddling pool.

Josh Lily and Callum having fun in the paddling pool, and below taken just a week earlier is Rebecca on a cooler day.

I am trying to get some stitching and knitting in again, though time has been a bit short so no new finishes but I have enjoyed what I've managed to do and now the nights are drawing in I might feel more like sitting in the warmth stitching rather than pulling up weeds.

Well that's about it for now hope it won't be too long before I visit again

Love and hugs

A busy weekend

I thought being retired meant more time to do what I want but I think I got it wrong somewhere. I seem busier than ever with the garden to look after, knitting for the grandchildren and of course, visiting them all. My cross stitching has taken a back seat for the past few weeks mainly due to the fact that I've not been able to get comfy with my hip hurting so much, but I found that if I did my knitting I could do a couple of rows, get up and have a potter round and then get back to it. Now I don't know about anyone else, but when I cross stitch I've got my lamp, magnifier, chart and threads all close at hand and once I settle down to stitch I don't want to move again for a while. Thankfully the hip is on the mend and I'm back to stitching again. I've put a few more stitches into CCN Summer Garden and hope to get a bit more done this week.

I've also put a few more stitches in my Beatrix Potter sampler and I'm doing a SAL with my daughter Rachel. I wish she'd have a blog because she does some lovely stitching and she's much faster than me. Years ago I was bought a Lilliput Lane cottage by the children at the playgroup that I used to run, I got more and more of the cottages bought for birthdays and Christmas and in a mad fit I decided that I wanted to stitch a cottage to go with the ornament. Rachel sewed one for our 25th anniversary but my kits lay in the drawer for some time so when she said that she was going to stitch another I thought I might as well have a go too. I was going to change the fabric to evenweave but then decided to stay with the aida in the kit. It's strange working with aida again after using evenweave for so long but I thought it would match the other that I already have. I shall have to see how I get on with it.

We've had the grandchildren here this weekend so it's been a little chaotic but lovely at the same time, it must have been so quiet before they came along because it's certainly noisy now, lol.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend,

love and hugs,

Time keeps flying by

I honestly don't know where my time goes these days, it's not as though I've been doing a lot, a creaky hip and a stinking cold aren't the best things to have when there are things to be done.

We've had a couple of visits to Chester to see my new granddaughter; she arrived  on the 13th of April and I've been waiting to get a good photo of her to put on the blog but the ones that Sharon took of me and DH were not up to public inspection, lol.

Sharon is supposed to be emailing some through to me but I think she's a bit too busy at the moment to think of getting anywhere near a computer so for now this is the best one that I have of her. She weighed in at 7lb 6oz and they have named her Rebecca Elizabeth.

Josh decided that he wanted to get into the photos too but wouldn't come out of his chair where he'd been eating chocolate buttons. He still doesn't know what to make of Rebecca and is wanting lots of cuddles at the moment, he'll be two on the 22nd of this month and is such a giggler.

Not a lot else has been happening apart from the usual day to day things like cooking, cleaning, washing and more cleaning. I even gave the living room carpet a good clean last week and couldn't believe the dirty water that the cleaner sucked up, still it's lovely and clean now, or I should say it was until Lily spilt her drink and Callum decided to wee all over the place when his nappy was taken off. Ah well, accidents happen and I'd rather have a messy carpet than not have the cuddles and kisses from my grandchildren.

I am still doing a bit of stitching though not as much as I'd like but the garden is in dire need of some TLC and with the old bones giving me pain, I can't bend down to pull out the weeds for long. I went for an xray on Wednesday so I'm hoping that they don't find anything wrong with my hip and it is just old age catching up with me. I have to see the doctor again on Friday so I shall know what it is by then.

Time for bed I think, goodnight all,

Hugs

Still no news

I'm still waiting for news of my latest grandchild's arrival but still nothing to report.

We've had a busy weekend with friends and family popping round which has been lovely and Lily and Callum certainly keep me going but that's probably what I need.

Lily bought me a lovely plant though she says that it's hers really, isn't it pretty...

and I think Stella likes it too....

Sunday was my sister's 65th birthday, she was christened Patricia but she's always been known as Pop as my gran said that she was a little poppet and the name stuck.

This is a photo of me, my dad and Pop, she's the one standing, we are at my grandad's allotment which we had to look at each time we visited. We didn't have a car so we all went on the bus and usually it was a double decker which meant we could sit upstairs looking out of the front window where we could see all around us. After the walk to the allotment we'd go back to grandma's house where she'd have dinner ready, a lovely treat. After dinner we'd sometimes walk home, visiting bluebell wood on the way. In those days you could pick the bluebells and we usually came away with our arms full though by the time we got home they were looking a bit bedraggled but mum always found a pretty vase to put them in. This photo was taken over 50 years ago and I can't believe how quickly the years have flown, so many happy memories.

It's been colder here today so I've spent the day indoors just pottering about, all the plants and seedlings are behaving themselves so no need to go out other than give them a good water later on.

Just a few pots to put away and then I'm through for the day so I might put a few more stitches into something.

Love and hugs,

Keeping busy

Thank you for the lovely comments and emails I received about my last post and I'm happy to say that I've pulled myself together and am feeling much better, it's amazing what a good talking to myself can do.

I've been keeping myself busy in the kitchen, the garden and getting back into stitching even though it's only a few stitches, I've really enjoyed it.

I love baking, it was my job at one time before I retired and I like to bake at least once or twice a week, more if I can. It always gets eaten so no worries about anything going to waste. DH loves coffee and walnut cake so I made him one.

I also had an urge to make some bread and it felt so good kneading the dough and getting rid of frustration, I must do it more regularly, and it tased really good.

Today has been spent pottering around in the garden, sowing more seeds and potting on some seedlings, it's been lovely to get out in the sunshine and plan what plant is going in which spot, I just hope they all grow. The three apple trees that we planted in March are looking healthy and it's going to be a hard task pulling the young fruit off like we've been advised to, I want baskets full of apples this year!

I decided to do a little project to get me stitching again so I stitched LHN Honesty which was quick and easy and very enjoyable to stitch.

I also managed to put a few more stitches into CCN Summer Garden, I love the colours in this.

We are still waiting patiently for Sharon to give birth, she's due tomorrow but as she was two weeks overdue with Josh, I'll just have to keep on waiting. 

Hope that everyone is having a good weekend,

Love and hugs,

This old blog of mine

Just having a moan to myself so I'll understand if you don't want to read any further.

I nearly deleted this post but it's here as a memo for me.

When I started this blog it was partly on the advice of my doctor; I've suffered from panic attacks and depression since my late twenties and she thought that if I wrote a diary of my day to day life it might help to see what achievements I've made and spur me on to do more. I started with a big notebook and wrote all my thoughts and memories down and then gradually when I got used to the computer I thought that it would be a good idea to write about my life, family and hobbies on here and I'd also be able to make it more real by adding photos. Somehow, along the way, my blog turned into a stitching blog.....not that I mind showing my cross stitch....but it doesn't record the good days and bad days like my notebook did and after reading one of my old books it's made me realise that I seemed better then than I do now.

Winter is always a bad time for me and I can't wait for spring to arrive but this year I can't get out of the rut that I've got stuck in over winter. Curling up in a cosy armchair in front of a roaring fire watching endless programmes on the telly might seem an ideal way to spend a day, but when you do it day after day and can't motivate yourself to do anything, it starts to become a habit that I can't get out of.

I don't know why I get depressed. I have a wonderful family who are my world, my husband never moans when I'm feeling down and always tells me not to worry and do what I can when I feel like it. I do have good days when everything goes well and I am so grateful for these days.

I know that I should thank God for every day that He gives me especially since losing my cousin last month to breast cancer at the age of 44, and I have so many blessings with children and grandchildren so why am I like this!

Perhaps I'll never know but at least I feel better for getting it off my chest.

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully it will be a good one.......

Love and hugs,

Sunshine days

It's been lovely to have a few days of sunshine and to be able to get out into the garden for some much needed fresh air and after such a cold and miserable winter it's been truly appreciated.

Chris has let me know that she has received the PIF that I sent her.

I know that Chris likes her garden so I thought these words taken from a Country Cottage Needleworks chart would be right for her, and thanks to Chris for letting me copy her photo as my camera is on the blink at the moment so other than this I can't show you any more of my stitching.

This is the latest photo of my daughter Rachel and her children Lily and Callum, taken at the nursery that they both attend. Aren't they both cute, well I may be biased but I think they are!

My eldest daughter Sharon is due to have her second baby in just over two weeks so I'm looking forward to welcoming another addition to the family. We went to see them at the weekend and had a lovely time and best of all I got dinner cooked for me.

Well that's about all my news for now, nothing happening apart from gardening, stitching and cooking and cleaning, not a bad way to spend my days now that I'm retired.

love and hugs,

Look what the postie brought me

I had a lovely surprise this morning when the post lady came, instead of all the usual bills and junk mail I received my PIF from Elisa.

It is really pretty and as I love cats it was very appropriate for me and what Elisa didn't know was that I was going to stitch that for myself as I'd just down loaded the pattern. Now I don't have to and it's been made into a beautiful pillow with the most gorgeous backing fabric. Thank you so much Elisa, I shall treasure it.

love and hugs,

Sue xx

Beatrix, an exchange and a new start

Beatrix is coming along nicely though I forgot to post a pic last week when I had done another two motifs, I did another one this week so although I'd like to get it finished soon, I can at least see some progress..

My Valentine exchange arrived with Carol this week and I hope she enjoyed receiving it as much as I did stitching it for her.

The pattern is from a Shepherds Bush leaflet, Valentine Folio. Stitched on 28 count antique white jubilee with DMC threads.

My new start is a Country Cottage Needleworks Summer Garden I can't wait to get stuck into it but every time I've sat down to stitch this week someone has either phoned or popped round so not many stitches have been put in. It has been nice catching up with friends and family, nothing like a good gossip or a moan to make you feel better.

As Chris was the only one to enter my PIF, I shall stitch something for her and do a couple of RAKs during the year, the problem is, who do I stitch for, there are so many nice people out in blogland.

Not  a lot been happening in this part of the world though my middle daughter, the only one left at home, has informed me that she will probably be moving in with her boyfriend in July so I might get to have my craft room yet, wouldn't that be nice. I'm not sure how I feel about being an "empty nester" yet but she will be 30 this year so I guess it's about time that she put some love into a home that they can share.

It is freezing tonight so I'm going to make myself a nice hot drink and snuggle down in bed with my book,

Love and hugs,

Sue xx

My Valentine Exchange, Beatrix and a PIF

This is my Valentine exchange piece that Elisa stitched for me on the Exchange Heaven blog. It is really lovely and my poor camera can not truly do it justice. Thank you Elisa, it was really nice to receive it.

And here is my progress with Beatrix, just one motif done but as I have all year to finish it, I'm quite pleased with how it's coming along.

And finally as I said in my last post, I was fortunate enough to be one of Elisa's winners in her PIF so I would like to offer it on my blog if anyone is interested. If there are no takers then I will do a RAK during the next twelve months to people who I think deserve one.

Edited to add that the draw for my PIF will be 23rd January, my daughters birthday.

Everything is getting back to normal; Tony is back at work, the house is getting some order back to it after Christmas and New Year so I'm looking forward to getting plenty of stitching time in before the garden takes up my time, which won't be any time soon judging by the weather we keep getting........

Love and hugs,

A New Year, a birthday and stitchy updates

I know that I'm a few days late but I'd like to wish everyone one out in blogland a very healthy and happy New Year and may all your hopes and dreams come true.

New Years day is also my birthday so a double celebration in our house although after a hectic Christmas with all the children and grandchildren, it was nice to have a quiet birthday this year spent sewing and knitting while hubby decided to put in a new loft ladder and add to the insulation in the roof. I received some lovely sheepskin slippers, another Lilliput Lane house and some M&S vouchers from my daughters so I feel truly blessed.

Last year as you've probably noticed, my stitching bug kept going on holiday but hopefully, he'll stay with me this year as I have quite a few projects that I'd like to do.

I've joined in with Chris's Quaker SAL and have decided to try and finish off my Beatrix Potter which I started stitching in 2009. This is as far as I got with it.

I've also joined in the Valentine Exchange on Exchange Heaven blog which is coming along nicely.

And, as for those socks that I have been knitting, well, I finally managed to finish one of them after struggling with four needles.

Whilst Tony was emptying the attic, he found my knitting machine that had been up there for a while as I ran out of space to use it; I've persuaded him to bring it downstairs for me so that I can have a play around with it. Goodness knows what state it is in, probably covered in rust knowing my luck, but I'm dying to have another go on it even if I just do a scarf.

I was lucky enough to be chosen for one of Elisa's PIFs before Christmas so on my next blog post I will offer the same to anyone out there who wants to join in. I've also got another project that I want to start, a Country Cottage Needleworks chart that I bought last year but as the batteries in my camera need charging at the moment, I'll put a pic up next time.

It is so cold this evening and we had snow again today so I'm having a lazy night sitting by the fire with the TV and my stitching and trying hard not to finish off that box of chocolates that keeps calling........

love and hugs,