A New Season....

I've taken a LONG step back from blogging for a while.  At first, I thought I would take a month off and then post randomly.  However, the break lasted longer than I predicted..  This is my first update/random post in a LONG time.  Turns out, I enjoyed the quick, rapid- fire ability to post updates on Facebook stitching groups.  But lately, I've also learned that I miss writing down some of my, umm, wacky ramblings on my blog.  This blog has, in ways, been a scrapbook/journal of our family.  That's the part that I miss.  So, while I will probably posting "quick" updates on my stitching shenanigans on Facebook, I'm also going to try to keep up the "stories" behind the scenes on my blog.  It'll be a new adventure, let's see how it goes, shall we?

Right now, I have two different pieces in my rotation. (Totally new for me.  I used to usually have one single focus piece, but I have found that rotating is working well for me.  At least for now.) As always, my "rules are ALWAYS subject to change".  Lol.   Two  pieces are pretty stationary, locked into my millenniam frames on my millenniam floor stand.  I want to have one "grab and go" piece, I'm deciding now which piece in my stash will grab that honor.

Here are some photos of where I am now...

This is "Watergarden" - Chatelaine.  I'm loving stitching with the silks!!!  I''ve never stitched with silks before, but oh my word, I love them SO much now!!!  I'm about 80% finished with page one of nine pages.  This will be mylargest finish ever - assuming that I do finish it in my lifetime.  LOL

                                        This what my "finish line" will hopefully look like!

This is my oldest-ever WIP:

I have no idea why I ever stopped working on this piece.  (Although it might have been all the wedding samplers that needed to be stitched with love for family, friends and other loved ones.)
I love this and have put it into a rotation, along with the chatelaine.

                                     This is what "hopefully" this finish line will look like!

And what blog post could possibly be complete without a picture of my sweet little buddy, Jackson.

I can't believe that my little grandson (I call him my "grand buddy") just turned THREE!!!  When did that happen?  I love this little fellow so much!  He is such a joy and blessing to our family!

I hope everyone is doing well - it's good to be back to sharing my thoughts and photos in my little corner of the blogging world.

As Always - Hugs and Grace,
*Sharon

"Hugga"'s Memories

I sure hope you want to see pictures of my little J-Luv, because I've got LOTS of them!
First, let me explain "Hugga".  When Jackson was born and I was officially a "Grandma" - due to blended families, I was one of three of Jackson's grandma's.  So as not to confuse the little tyke, I decided that I wanted him to call me "Gigi".  All was well, until Jackson's recent visit.
We tried and tried to get J-Luv to call me "Gigi".  Nope...didn't happen.  Then, we tried and tried to get him to call me "grandma".  Nope...didn't happen.  J-Luv decided that I was "Hugga".  Every time he wanted to be with me, he would always say "Hugga".  I LOVE giving and receiving hugs, so "Hugga" works well for me.  I'm pretty sure that one day,  he'll call me "Gigi"...but if I always remain his "Hugga", I'll be a happy camper!  On the other hand, Grandpa was immediately "Bampa".  We had a WONDERFUL two weeks being hands-on Hugga and Bampa!

The "King" of the Castle

(Okay, so this is the little guy in front of Cinderella's Castle at Disney, but he was definitely the king of OUR castle!)     :)

My beautiful little beach boy! He LOVED playing in the world's largest sandbox!

He loved trying out new parks!

(and though he didn't say it, I'm pretty sure he enjoyed being "hugga's" little "fashionista"- who says boys don't like to rock plaid?!)  LOL

 Oh, how he loved the parks!  :)

Checking out fishing poles w/ Bampa

Bampa and Hugga "might" have endulged him w/ a little slide of his own.

:)

He was so stinkin' cute w/ Pluto and Minnie.  He LOVED visiting them!

Every cute lil Disney Visitor needs their own "ears"

Mimicking Snow White...I swear, this wasn't staged!  :)

Okay, okay...enough pictures for one blog post.  Don't worry, I have LOTS more that I'll be sharing in the days/weeks/months/years to come.  Suffice it to say that J-luv had Bampa and Hugga wrapped tightly around his heart.  We feel so blessed that we had the time to spoil enjoy him so much.  He won't ever remember our visit together, but we'll NEVER forget it!!!!

Hugs and Grace,

Sharon

Grandma Paws

I am just one big 'ole giddy Grandma this week!!!  The little guy pictured above is coming to spend a week with his "GiGi"!  His mama and daddy (my son) are going on a cruise (to celebrate surviving the little guys' first year) so Grandma and Grandpa and the not-so-little Uncle are going to be watching this cutie while they're away.

I swear, I feel like I have hours and minutes counted until I get "mama paws" on my son and his wife and "grandma paws" on my little J-bug.  It's been a while since we've had a little one around here, so we're hoping we remember the basics.  (we already have the head-over-heels love for Jackson part down pat!)

We have some fun adventures planned for Jackson and have built in lots of time for running and chasing.  I wouldn't mind some cuddle & snuggle time, but I'm not sure this busy little just-turned-one is going to go along with that.  :)

No matter what, I am just so thankful to have this time with all my sweeties.  The fun starts Thursday...I just have to be really patient for a few more days (hours and minutes!)   :)

Hugs and Grace,
Sharon

A new kind of love.....

My heart has been filled to over-flowing with a new kind of love that I NEVER could have imagined!
Here are a couple of hints.....

"Hey Diddle Diddle,
Some new, Someone Little
My heart is over the moon"

"If I would've known how much fun grandchildren were, I would've had them first"

(Okay, that hint should have really given my news away!!)



Introducing....... my precious grandson,

Jackson

22 February 2013

5 lbs

18"

I have respected my older sons' wish for privacy on my blog (mainly because I know too much and would be a source of constant embarrassment - LOL) but with Jackson's arrival, I am allowed to share the love!!

Is there anything on earth sweeter than seeing your child hold HIS child?  This picture just bursts my heart every time I look at it.  ('Course right now, EVERY picture of Jackson just bursts my heart!!!)

Justin and Jane, his lovely wife (of 11 years! - not that I was counting or anxious to be a grandma or anything - ha ha) have blessed our family with Jackson.

We are so grateful to God that Jackson is here -  safe and sound and loved!  

I am going to be a "GiGi".  Because of divorce/blended families/etc...Poor Jackson would have so many different "grandma's", that we each decided to have our own names for "grandma".  We don't want to confuse the poor little guy...he's still. just a rookie.   :)

The only down-side is that Jackson and I live on different coasts...but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to do everything in my power to make sure that the little guy knows how loved he is.  I can spoil him from afar with snuggle visits in between.  Hey, Gigi lives not far from Disney World...Mickey and Minnie will be waiting!  :)    Come visit Gigi, Jackson...we'll share "firsts" of our own! 

We've already decided that we're all going to have to chip in for hair gel expenses for that little guy.  Isn't that one of the most beautiful heads of hair you've ever seen?  Jackson's - not Justin's.  LOL  Although I love every hair on Justin's head too.  :)

We love you, Jackson....forever, for always and no matter what.  Thank you for reminding us that the world is a wonderful place and full of joy.  We can't wait to watch you grow and find that out for yourself.

Be blessed, little one...

Hugs and Grace,

Sharon