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,

remembering.......

Writing out my Christmas cards made me a little sad knowing that some of my friends and loved ones are no longer about this year and I know that many friends in blog land have lost loved ones so I thought I would share this verse that a friend sent me when my Mum passed on. I hope it might give someone a bit of comfort.

My First Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below

with tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular! Please wipe away that tear, for I

am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,

but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas

choir up here. I have no words to tell you the joy their voices

bring, for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your

heart, even though I am so far away, we really aren't apart.

So, be happy for me, loved ones. You know I hold you dear.

Be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home

above. I send you each a memory of my undying love. After

all, "LOVE" is the gift more precious than gold. It was

always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do, for

I can't count the blessings or the love He has for you.

So, have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.

Remember, I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this

year.

Author Unknown

Love and Christmas Blessings,

Another wintery day

I can't believe how the weather has changed since last time I blogged and although I've not been able to get out very far, there's something about the snow and the frost clinging to the branches that makes me glad that winter is here and Christmas is just around the corner.

I've done a lot of my Christmas shopping online this year, I used to love walking in town with such pretty decorations to look at, but lately it's become too much of a hassle to fight my way through the crowds of shoppers all trying to get a bargain, I'd much rather sit in front of the fire with a cup of tea on hand.

I've been busy decorating my living room and thankfully I've managed to finish it and start to put the decorations up. I'm still waiting for Tony to get me the other boxes out of the shed so that I can put a few more decorations on the wall and then it will really begin to start to feel like Christmas.

The Christmas cake is packed away but being fed regularly with brandy and I have to say that it smells yummy. No stitching to show as I have been knitting, a cardigan for me and my first pair of socks which I'll post a picture of later when I find whether they look like socks or something unrecognisable!

I'm looking after Callum, my grandson, today and at the moment he is fast asleep in his swinging chair so I'm having a minute before he wakes for his next feed, he looks so peaceful lying there, you wouldn't believe that ten minutes ago he was screaming the house down......

love and hugs,