Sharing a Finish :-)

I forgot to post a picture of this completed project after my hubby finished framing it.I just love the little "additions" he chose to put on the frame to compliment the stitched piece. This was a gift for a friend - I think I might have to put this design (All Hearts Warm by Lizzie Kate) back into my rotation pile and stitch another one for us to display in our home!

Thanks for looking!

*Sharon

Another Happy Anniversary with my Honey!!!!

My Sweetie and I just celebrated 13 years together yesterday!!! We had a WONDERFUL day - the church service was one of the best I've ever heard - it really made me WANT to be a nicer person - even on my bad days. Then Ian's best friends' mom took Ian for the day so that we could have plenty of alone time! (wink, wink, nudge nudge!!!) :)
We then went out for a WONDERFUL dinner and spent the majority of the time talking about us and some of the wonderful times we've had together (we didn't talk about Ian "too" much - ha ha!) Afterwards, we spent some time Christmas and window-shopping. Last night we snuggled and watched a movie - then thanked God for a wonderful day. How I pray we'll have many more years to just love on each other!!!
(and that I'll remember this loving day the next time we start to head to the "war path") :)

Have a lovely Monday -

*Sharon

Jury Duty

I haven't been around much due to having jury duty. I know, this is a VERY important part of our justice system - but it was a real pain from the point of view that I wasn't able to accomplish ANY stitching!!! I expected to not be able to take my needlework scissors - but I wasn't even allowed to take in a needle!!! (and my favorite needle to use is "My Favorite Needle - Petite"!!! :(
I heard a joke a long time ago that said that a needleworkers idea of hell was to be stuck in a needlework shop where everything was free for the taking - but there were no needles in hell - now, I see just how cruel that really would be!!!!!!!
There was so much "hurry up and wait" time involved - I probably could've finished ALL my Christmas gifts and then some - - - but NO such "luck". Without going into much detail - the case involved a violent, repeat sexual offender...the stuff that nightmares are made of. I am SO glad to have this experience behind me. I don't think my home and family has ever felt so wonderful and safe!!! I am SO looking forward to lighting some wonderful smelling candles, baking some homemade goodies and stitching!! I really think I need a bit of time to "de-compress". My hubby really stepped up to the plate and took over Ian's homeschool (I had left detailed lesson plans) - and I'm so glad that Ian's "school" didn't suffer because Mom wasn't home to carry on! DH did breathe a HUGE sigh of relief when I came home and my service was finished though! (As did Ian!) They're great as Dad and Son - but both prefer Mom to handle things on the homeschool front.
On a brighter note - - - - we just had a new IKEA store open in Orlando! Woot! I just love IKEA and have really missed not having one nearby. Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels this way...hundreds of people waited in line for a few days for the "grand opening". Don't get me wrong - I LOVE IKEA, but not enough to battle the crowds and traffic that are sure to be there for the next few days. I think I'll just "cool my jets" a bit and head over to Orlando in a couple of weeks when the "hubub" dies down just a bit.
Well, that's it from my little corner of the world - - - so now, I'm off to take up my NEEDLE(!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and stitch happily away. Join me, won't you???????

Have a jury-duty free Wednesday,

*Sharon

Does this look like a viking house to you???

We're still struggling with Ian's breathing difficulties - although he's MUCH better than he was. I can't believe how much we took for granted in the days before his latest round of asthma troubles. At least we've found a wonderful Dr. that is really working with us - and it is helping. I can hardly wait for a truly cough-free day!!!
So - homeschooling continues - we're now in the time period of the vikings. So...of course, you can't study the vikings without making an "authentic" viking-style house, right? I ask you - does this look like a true viking dwelling or what?? ha ha ha!!! It even comes complete with a grass-clipping roof!!! lololol
Can you just imagine how bad we're going to massacre a mid-evial castle when we get to that time period??? :) We're having fun on our time-travel through history though - and I hope he has good memories of time spent together - if not necessarily our "end" products!!!

On the stitching front - I FINISHED my "All Hearts Warm" piece - it turned out really cute in my not-so-humble opinion, but it just may wind up being a gift for someone so I've decided not to post a pic of the finished "product". After all the stress that's been happening lately (In addition to Ian's health troubles, one of my best friends had a heart attack, it just ain't been a good month, I tell ya!) I've also found myself President of our HOA - and quite frankly, that's been a REAL pain in the you-know-what. To cope with said stress, I decided to treat myself to some mini stash-enhancement. I bought Country Cottage Needleworks "My Beloved" and "A Place We Call Home" complete with fabrics and all the lovely specialty threads needed to complete the designs. I'm determined to carve out some time tonight to start the "Beloved" piece tonight. I need cross stitch and chocolate - and lots of both! Don't you think our country would be in better shape if everyone in government were required to stitch?? lololol
Thanks again for all the prayers and good thoughts that were sent for Ian. I'd really appreciate you still remembering him as you pray.

Wishing you a marvelous Monday,

*Sharon

A Beautiful Day in Our "Backyard"!

The weather has just been glorious this week!! Perfect "spend the day on the beach" kind of weather! I just couldn't resist snapping a picture of my not-so-little guy enjoying time in our "backyard". We have had some strong rip currents to beware of - (Ian got caught in a rip current last summer and managed to "rescue" himself by following what he'd been told over and over and over - "If you get caught in a rip - swim parallel to shore"!!!!!!!!!!!! Dad and I and a lifeguard were all on our way out to help him break the "pull" - but he free'd himself and made me feel a lot better to know that he had actually paid attention to what he'd been told so many times!) We also had a couple of shark sightings - "Jaws" never came too close to shore though - guess there just weren't enough yummy tourists to lure him beach-side!

Ian is still doing great with his tennis!!! Undefeated, so far!! We have a tennis break this week - tournament-wise, not practice-wise - - - so it will be nice to have a bit more free time. Next week, it's back to the courts full-force!

I haven't had much time for stitching this week. Some relationship matters have had to take precedence. Hopefully, this week will provide some nice "respite" time.

Enjoy being where you are!!

*Sharon