Thank You Hillary!!!!

When I came home from the hospital today to make Ian his soup, this LOVELY package was waiting for me!!!  I was lucky enough to win Hillary's give-a-way.  Can you believe all the goodies she tucked inside???  The hardest part will be deciding which one of these pretties that I'll start stitching first!  Thank you SO
 much Hillary.  This package couldn't have come at a better time for me.  To say it cheered me up is a HUGE understatement.  Thank you so much for sharing the love in your heart - your kindness will always be remembered!!!  May you be blessed as you have blessed others!!

Hugs,
*Sharon

The first 16 years......

Today is our 16th anniversary.  16 years!!   It's not always been perfect but it's always been right.  After I came out of a disastrous first marriage, I was VERY reluctant to be a "Mrs" ever again. My world had been pretty much shattered and I was sure that no one would ever be able to help me put it back together again.  (and I was pretty determined that I was never going to let anyone ever get close enough to even try), but as always, God knew the plan He had for me way before I did.  As corny as it sounds, my hubby is honestly the wind beneath my wings.  He helped me to eventually trust and believe and fly my way back into "myself"....and he loved me all along the journey.
We've had a few bumps and bruises but who hasn't?  We've made it through the best of times and the worst of times and through it all, we've done it together.  There is no one on earth who is more "in my corner" than my Sweetie...he truly is my "forever, for always and no matter what". 

I can't wait to see how much more fun we can get into!!!!!     :)   I love you, "Bear".

*Sharon

One of my most-favorite "foodie" blogs is Jamie Cooks It Up. She has some of the yummiest (and easiest!!!) recipes ever. My family *hearts* her and we don't even know her. :)
Each year around this time, we like to take treats to our favorite library people and to our local firefighters and policemen. It's always fun to find new goodies to try for gift-giving and this year, I went straight to Jamie. Can I just say how happy I am that I did???? Her white chocolate popcorn is so easy and so tasty! I kept making batch after batch as the applause came in. (blush, blush). I say it's always good to have a happy library staff (shh...they have been known to wave the occasional 10 cent late fee for me), as well as happy policemen and firemen. We really do appreciate all the work these folks do for us behind the scenes
So - can I entice you to visit Jamie and make some of this heavenly goodness? This takes about 5 minutes per batch to make - couldn't be any easier! Popcorn and chocolate and m & m's. Need I say more??? :)

Enjoy a treat!
*Sharon









Treats for Everyone!

Friends for All Seasons finish...

This is by Lizzie Kate.  This was a quick, fun stitch.  I love how the birds are included in each season.  This will be a Christmas gift for a dear friend of mine...it now passes on to my  Sweetie for framing.  I can't wait to see what he comes up with!

*Sharon

For Cohen...

Sending love and prayers to Megan and  Brent as they walk where no parent should have to walk.

*Sharon

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...."

With all apologies to Charles Dickens, this quote perfectly sums up the past couple of weeks of my life.  We were blessed to spend a week with one of the dearest people in my life.  (I was forced to promise that I wouldn't tell any embarrasing stories from his childhood on my blog, so I'll avoid that - but suffice to say, this fellow is a real sweetie to me!)
He took vacation time and escaped from the snowy west to come spend time here in sunny Florida.  Thank goodness, the weather cooperated with our plans. The week he was here was just lovely!! :)
Rather than do the crowded, "normal" tourist stuff, we decided to head a bit off the beaten path..  We wound up fishing in the ocean, (all we caught was a "kelp" fish (in otherwords, just a bunch of sea-weed).  We call sea-weed a "kelp fish" 'cause that way, it sounds like you actually caught something (even if you didn't)  :)

One of the stops we made was Gatorland.  My expectations for this place were SO low, but I have to say, we had a really fun time there.  We learned a lot about 'Gators and Crocs and nature in general.
Judging from this sign near the entrance, I was expecting a really "cheesy" day - but it was really a great way to spend a day.....

Here are some other photo's of our adventures with the Gators..............

He's just sleeping...honest! 

We also went to the National Police Hall of Fame and NASA/Kennedy Space Center and the Astronaut Hall of Fame.  We took a couple of "down days" just to relax too.  All in all - just a great week!  I'll post more pics of our various trips/tours later.  I don't want to bore you with ALL my wacky pics on one post!:)

Now for the worst of times part....I MISS HIM!!!!!  I spent all this past week moping and being sad cause I miss all the extra laughter and extra hugs.  I'm feeling better now and getting my groove back - stitching really is good therapy!  (Not to mention my sweet hubby and sweet son who are giving me extra loves!!)

This is a piece that I'm working on for my mom.  This is SOOO not my style - but she asked me to stitch something for her that was small, blue, spring-like and flowery.  I found this design and think it fit her request nicely.  I'll be glad when it's finished and can start on something that's more "me" - but I feel priviledged to

stitch for my Mom.

This is "Blue Posey" from Jeanette Crews "Hydrangeas" book.

Thanks so much for all your visits and kind words...ya'all are just the sweetest bunch of bloggers anywhere!

Wanna come for cheesecake?

Okay, so I am dumping ("personal responsibility") for the moment and I'm laying the blame for my calorie disaster on George Washington!  Years ago, when Ian was younger and just learning about the presidents, I started making cherry pie or cherry cheesecake on President's Day...it  became a yummy tradition.  This year, we voted to go with the cheesecake.  I don't even want to think about the calories involved - but it was so yummy, it was worth the splurge.
There's plenty of slices left - wanna come and share??  :)

*Sharon

How much is that doggy in the basket?

Thought I'd post a pic of Tea-Tsu hanging out in our Christmas "book basket".  She just hopped  right in and called it her own.  Come to think of it,  she calls most everything around here, "her" own!  LOL

Enjoy!

*Sharon

Happy Home Sampler Progress....

This is a progress shot of my "carry-over" project from '09.  I'm going to be working on this AND adding in some new projects for 2010.  I can't wait to see what stitches the new year brings...  :)

*Sharon

Happy "Flu" Year...

Yup, let the coughing and sneezing begin...  :(   

We have a white board on our door that leads from our laundry room into our garage.  Usually, one of us will grab the marker and write family "I love you's", favorite scriptures, holiday messages or quotes on the board.  It's been so fun to try to "sneak" the messages when no one is looking...and even more fun to find messages that someone else has written.  Ian's message today was to erase the "Happy New Year" message and change it to "Happy Flu Year".   I sure do love that not-so-little guy.  He keeps me laughing even when it's the LAST thing I feel like doing.
Ugh - bring on the tea with honey and lemon - I'm off to sneeze and stitch, and sneeze and stitch and...well, you get the idea.

Stay healthy!

*Sharon