And the Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney With Care

Our stockings are waiting and ready! The kids take such joy each year hanging their stocking over the fireplace. Each stocking is hand-made, except for the third one in: Corey's. I did make him a lovely quilted stocking for his first Christmas, twenty-three years ago, but he's lost it somewhere in his "collectibles". Hopefully it'll be recovered one day. Kyle's stocking was a sewn panel. Nothing hard, mind you, but as a new sewer at the time, I thought it was cute.
As the years have marched on, so have my skills as you will see in the photos. Corey and Kyle's were very simple, Casey's wasn't made by me, Kaleigh's, Cassidy's, Kierra's, and Caressa's were all cross-stitched. Each stocking is very special to me, and it is my hope that one day, when they leave the nest, they will take along their stocking and yearly ornaments with them to adorn their own home. The only thing that worries me is that my husband's and my home and tree will be quite sparse! Ah, well, as long as the kids have theirs is all that really matters...

Casey's stocking was stitched by my sister-in-law. It's made of felt and a bit of stuffing. It's quite cute and surprisingly has held up through the years. It's a little delicate, but we take special care of it.
Kaleigh's stocking is sewn and cross-stitched by me. Simple but cute.

Cassidy's stocking is rather simple. Just a cross-stitch, ready made stocking with a few beads. Cute though, don't you think? I can remember that year, I made each of the kids an ornament the same as the reindeer stocking. It got a little old after the first few...

Here are Kierra and Caressa's stockings. As time has gone on, my skills have grown. Both of these stockings are Shepherd's Bush patterns and charms. I love their patterns and have made many ornaments and wall-hangings from them. They have a distinct style, and they're one of my favorite cross-stitch design teams.

This is one of my favorite stockings.

Close-up of the details - charms buttons, and ribbons...

Another Cupcake Hat

Another cupcake hat done! This one is for my daughter, Kierra. I had a hard time taking it away from her to take this picture. I don't know why it looks a little "off" in the photo, but rest assured it came out straight and "perfect"! For the icing, I used Lion Brand Jiffy Quick and Easy Mohair Look Yarn in Coral Gables. The little flecks of color in the yarn remind me of 'shots' or 'sprinkles' or 'jimmies', depending on whether you're from Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island, respectively. Well, whatever you call them, this hat looks good enough to eat!

WWCS I Received

Here is a shot of the wonderful swap I received from Robyn, of knittincoop.blogspot.com. She put together such a scrumptious package for me! She knew my love for coffee and chocolate, and included both! My package consists of Mill Mountain Rowdy Rudloph Decaf coffee, Arabica Decaf from Asheville Coffee, Gourmet Hot Cocoa, Double Chocolate (mmmm), Coffee Lover's Chocolate milk chocolate drops (mmmm, again!), and two chocolate coated spoons (I can't wait to try that tonight), all to go into an adorable midnight blue mug with a cute snowman on it!
I also got bare Knitpicks yarn with Kool-Aid for a fun dying project to do with my kids, a bottle of Eucalan, a Yankee candle (my very favorite, which I can assure you will be burning tonight while I sip my coffee with chocolate spoon in my new cup) in Holiday Spruce, a delightful bar of soap in Citrus Basil, two adorable snowman/lady ornaments, a couple snowfake ornaments, and a Christmas stamp with green-ink pad, that my kids are just driving me crazy to use.
Robyn put a a lot of thought into my package and I just love it. Thank you, Robyn!









Here is as blurry close-up of the ornaments. Can you see the knitting snow-lady? That's me! And the jolly snowman? That's my hubby, Gary!

WWCS - Packages Sent, Packages Received

A blurry close-up of the stitch markers I sent my pal.

Here is the whole package I sent to my partner, Carrie, from Sadlonelycreator.blogspot.com. I gave her a basket filled with Baronet coffee, a local coffee roaster, two deep green yarns (can't remember the name) from WEBS, with a pattern for a hat to go with it, a sheep key chain, a knitting-themed notepad, a couple coffee mug stitch markers, Santa tin, a home-made zippered pouch with some Eucalan packets, and a hand-knit Christmas stocking ornament. I had great fun putting the swap together.

Healthy Breakfast

Today is the beginning of my Healthy Eating Adventure. I have fallen off the healthy eating wagon and am mad at myself. I began today with a breakfast of one crushed Wheatabix with a drop of milk to soften, flax, yogurt, blueberries and a few almonds. I had a cup of tea and a large glass of water to wash it all down. It was good and filling. Now I'm off to the treadmill for 40 minutes and will do an additional 20 this evening if time permits. I need to remember to behave myself for lunch and afternoon snack... my hardest times of the day.

Need How to Blog Help!

Some of you have left comments for me. What a joy! I would love to respond, especially after viewing your profiles, but I have no idea how to do that. If someone would be so kind as to fill me in, please help me. Leave a comment wherever, and hopefully I'll find it!
For the time being, let me say that what most people ask is how do I find the time to craft and homeschool seven kids. Well, first, two of my kids are in college, so they're done! I can safely say, they were my "test" kids, and I guess I did O.K! So really, I'm actively homeschooling three: a 10th grader, an 8th grader and a 2nd grader. I am not yet homeschooling my four year old and two year old. No, those two just keep me hopping while I'm trying to homeschool the others!
As far as crafting goes... well, I sneak in "mindless" knitting while I sit with my second grader as she does math, phonics and reading. I do the real thinking knitting, like the Icelandic Lace Shawl from 10:00-midnight! That's the only time my house is somewhat quiet and I'm still semi-concious! I sit in bed and knit with my Ott light listening to the sweet sounds of my husband snoring. Well, maybe not sweet, but hey, I'm being kind here. And for sewing, well, that's kind of hit and miss. Should I be folding laundry or cleaning? You betcha! But hey, if everyone wants a happy Mommy, they gotta let me have a little fun dabbling in my own thing! So they let me craft, drink coffee and eat chocolate... not such a bad trade-off, right?

A Cupcake Hat and Tiny Christmas Stocking

Pink seems to be my favorite color lately! I knit the pink and white tiny Christmas stocking for my neighbor who's been fighting breast cancer for the past year. I got the pattern free from www.littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk.

The cupcake was gobs of fun and my 2 year old daughter just loves it. She walked around the whole day wearing it, and in the middle of the night upon waking, made my husband go look for it because it wasn't on her head! Yes, you guessed it, he looked for it, found it, and put it on her head! I have two more in the making as my 4 year old daughter wants one and my friend would like one for her grand-daughter for Christmas. I hope I get them done in time! The cupcake pattern can be found for free at www.Nakedsheep.com.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Happy St. Nicholas Day! Today we celebrate St. Nicholas' birthday with shoes set out at the fireplace last night and filled with goodies this morning. I wanted to take pictures of the hearth, but my children beat me to it! They are filled with glee and anticipation as the Christmas season nears. We have many advent activities to prepare for the Coming, one being our advent wreath. Let the season of advent fill your hearts and soul with love as we await the joy of the coming of our Lord.

Icelandic Lace Shawl

I have a new project on the needle: an Icelandic Lace Shawl. I got the kit from Sarah's Yarns, at http://www.sarahsyarns.com/ for a mere $25.00 and the pattern free online from http://www.knittingdaily.com/. The finished shawl is beautiful. I know I can do the pattern, but the problem here is the time and peace and quiet needed to actually think and knit. I did the cast on last night, 339 stitches in a crochet Chain Cast On: Provisional Cast On. I got the directions for that at http://www.stitchdiva.com/. I just love the internet!

Anyway, I got two rows completed, and had to go to bed :( I hope to do a few more rows today. I think this will be one of the those pieces that will be slow but worth it. I don't know how much time I'll have to work on it as the little ones inturrupt my thinking so I'll need to do that when they're asleep... which is usually when I'm asleep... ;) so we'll see how it goes.

Cupcake Hat

I'm also working on a cupcake hat for my two year old daughter, Caressa. She was born 8 weeks early, and since she was a teeny-tiny baby, I've made her the most adorable hats. I did the same with my other daughters, but not quite as much. I figure I need to get the most mileage out of these cutesy hats as I can, because once they realize what's on their head, they won't wear them anymore!

This one will be a quick knit. I'm using Vanna's Choice yarn, which for an acrylic yarn is pretty nice and just perfect for a child's hat. I got the pattern free here: http://www.nakedsheep.com/.

Finished Christmas Gifts

Here is a table-top quilt I made for my parents for Christmas. It was my own design. It's made from 1930's reproduction fabric, as they were both born in the '30's (plus I just love the fabric, anyway) and the steam coming from the pies is hand embroidered. I will pair the topper with a cute pie plate and a list of 'pies-0f-the-month' that I will bake for them each month throughout the year. I'll have cherry for February, key-lime or mint for March, etc. I'll try to come up with a theme for each month.

Finished Christmas Gifts

This adorable doll was knit by my 13 year old daughter! She made her for her 7 year old sister for Christmas. You see, I had all the kids draw a name and told them they had to make their sibling a gift instead of buy them one. The girls shrieked with excitement, as the boys rolled their eyes! My three boys just want to buy their partner a gift, and I keep explaining to them that it's a gift from the heart kind of thing; but they just don't get it! We'll see what they come up with.

Anyway, I'm just a smidge bit proud of her as she knit the entire gift by herself, with no direction from me. She's definitely my knittin' buddy! You can find the pattern free online by going to http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/patterns/amy.php.

Finished Christmas Gifts

This is a basketweave scarf I knit for my brother. I bought the yarn at Marji's Yarncrafts, a local yarn store a couple years ago at her end of the year sale. You can't see it, but it has very subtle specks of gold in it, and it's very soft. The scarf is folded in half in the picture, so it's fairly long.

Finished Christmas Gifts

Here are a couple dishcloths completed and ready to be put into a basket with friendly, home-made cleaning solutions for my son's girlfriend. These were great to knit while doing school with my kids, as they required very little thinking and I could put down and pick up and know where I was.

Children's Christmas Reads

OOooo... this one is a goody! Stories of the Child Jesus from Many Lands by A. Fowler Lutz, printed by Sophia Institute Press, is a treasure of short stories of the Child Jesus. Each story is full of goodness and strong faith and shows that Jesus is with us always. We have been reading a story a day since Friday after Thanksgiving and each story is a delight. For all ages, this book is rich in vocabulary and wonderful for re-telling. Truly a must read for after Thanksgiving/Advent reading!

Winter Wonderland Question of the Week

What is the ideal setting for enjoying the perfect cup of coffee? Who would be there - or would you be alone? Inside or out? Morning or night? With food or just the steaming cup of joe?

Hmmm.... I guess the ideal setting for me would be sitting around a campfire with my husband and kids. Yes, a cup of hot coffee and a s'more would surely hit the spot, with the people that make me happy and content. Ahhh... just the thought brings me good feelings! But I have to say, I also enjoy an iced Americano sitting at the outside tables with my girlfriends during a warm summer weeknight is also a lot of fun.

Prayer Shawl

My dad's birthday is December 21 and he suffers from COPD. I thought he could use a prayer shawl on the days that he doesn't feel good. It's soft and warm, but more importantly made with a lot of love and prayer knitted into it. I can't even imagine how many Hail Mary's, Our Father's, and Glory Be's are in there! I hope it's a comfort to my dad, and it is my hope that when he wraps himself in it, and will feel all the love that's been poured into it.

Fingerless Mitts

I just finished these fingerless mitts the other night. I made them for my sister-in-law for Christmas using SWS Patons yarn. They're pretty soft and the varigation in the yarn is quite pretty. I hope she likes them. The pattern was free on-line. The only change I made was to knit the cuff an inch longer. Also, the number between the markers I changed from

15 stitches to 7. They worked out just fine. Here is where you can find the pattern:

www.gaea-creations.com.

Bend the Rules Zippered Pouch

A zippered pouch I recently made to hold my knitting tools. I lined it with the same fabric as the brown and pink paisly in the Bend the Rules Clutch. It's a real nice size and a snappy piece to bring out while knitting in public.

Goodies from Etsy

Here are the pics of the stitch marker holder. Sorry, but I'm not too blog savvy yet, and I published the insides before the outsides! Anyway, aren't these just too cute! I love 'em and I know my daughter will too when she gets one for Christmas.

Bend-the-Rules Sewing Clutch

Here is another clutch I made from the Bend-the-Rules Sewing book. Just love that book! On the left, is material that I just fell in love with. It's a pretty pink with brown, and lined on the inside with brown and pink paisley. The button is one I covered from the lining material.

I scooped these babies up from Etsy, created by Mary Blume. They are stitch mark holders. Now I have no excuse to lose my stitch markers. The blue one with the cute teapot button is mine, and the lilac one with the glitter button is for my daughter, Kaleigh.

Coffee Swap Question of the Week: What I'm Thankful For

Oh, could a question get any easier? I'm most thankful for my family. My husband and children are truly gifts from God, and I couldn't be more grateful. My husband is a wonderful man, my best friend, and I'm so happy he's put up with my antics for the past twenty-four years! What a guy! And my kids, well, they're my best friends too, every one of 'em. They've made my life full and more meaningful, and have taught me the real meaning of life. Yup, I'm one blessed gal, and truly a grateful one.

Healthy Breakfast - Oatmeal, Yogurt & Fruit

I thought I would post a few healthy breakfasts along with the recipes. I think it's so important to start the day off with good food to fuel the body for the busy day ahead. This morning's breakfast was delicious and full of nutrients.

Hot Oatmeal with Yogurt & Fruit
2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup oats
2 TBS flax, ground
2 TBS brown sugar
1 cut apple, frozen blueberries, rinsed, or frozen mixed fruit, mixed
1/4 cup plain or vanilla yogurt, per serving

Bring water and salt to boil, and stir in oats. Add brown sugar, flax and fruit. Top each serving with 1/4 cup yogurt.
Serves 4

Coffee Swap Question of the Week

My projects do change a bit when the weather gets colder. I like to knit sweaters, mittens and shawls, but in November and December, the crunch is on to get gifts knit and sewn. So far, I have a shawl and 1-1/2 dishcloths knit, two clutches and one zippered pouch sewn. I have a few more things to go, but I'm on my way... as long as I don't get side-tracked.

Veterens Day

To all who serve or have served, and to their families, a heart-felt thank you. Thank you to my husband Gary, for serving... in part it's helped make you the man you are today, and to my father-in-law that has passed, it made you the man you were...
And yes, to my Uncle Tony, who spent a few years as a prisoner of war in Germany, many years ago... that shaped your life forever as well.... We won't forget... A special prayer for you all today.

A Visit to WEBS

Ah, what a fun day! We went to WEBS, the yarn store. If you ever come to western MA, you just have to go there, if you love yarn. The store is quite big, huge really for a yarn store. They have every kind of "good" yarn available, and so many patterns, samples and all kinds of knitting related items. I bought my Winter Coffee Swap partner her yarn today, and some other goodies, too. It's terribly pretty... I sure hope she likes it.
Kaleigh is knitting Cassidy a doll and doll outfit for Christmas, so she bought some yarn for the dress: a very pretty blue wool. Once she got home, she took out her needles and socks that she's been working on, and got the 'ol knitting needles fired up! Even though she should be working on the doll, she said she's itching to get the socks done after seeing so many pretty sock yarns! After I walk the treadmill tonight, I'm going to work on the fingerless mitts I'm making my sister-in-law for Christmas. I'm using Patons SWS soy wool. It's so pretty. I thought one skein would be enough, but now I'm not so sure. If not, I'll have to go buy more tomorrow. So tonight looks like I'll be watching The Birds and knitting the mitts. All over a nice, hot cup of coffee... and brownies, too. It can't get much better than that now, can it?

Crocheted Winter Hat

O.K., this picture is a little scary, but aside from that just take a peek at the hat. I found this pattern from http://www.jessicasuzanne.com/. It was a free pattern, and the young woman made it up herself. I think she did a wonderful job.

Here is the back of the hat. I'm not sure if I'll wear my hair up or down...

A view of the side. Too bad the pic is blurry. I don't know why that happens.

Weekly Topic Contest

When did you first start drinking coffee? I had to be about three. My mom and dad drank a lot of coffee, so they used to put it in my milk. I always loved it. The aroma of coffee brings me back to my childhood, that warm, comfy, snuggly safe feeling. My mom always smelled like coffee and my kids tell me I smell like coffee too! They love the smell for the same reasons as me. As far as taste goes, the first sip of every cup makes me say, "mmmm...... or ahhhh.....".
Enough said.

Bend the Rules Sewing Clutches

Here are the clutches made by Kaleigh and me from the book Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol. These were fun and easy to make, and used fat quarters from my stash. If you look closely, you can see the matching lining fabric peeking out. Between the fabrics is a piece of soft flannel. This was a great project to learn how to line and face a bag. If you're looking for a wonderful mother-daughter project book, this one fits the bill. It has many fun and cute projects that appeal to both teens and older gals... like me.

A Typical Homeschooling Day for Cassidy

Cassidy was busy at work this morning. This is what a run-of-the-mill morning looks like for second grade at our house. The other kids are busy doing their schoolwork, too. Corey is still sleeping as he has classes later this afternoon, Kyle is at class, (yes, homeschooling does eventually, and sadly, come to an end and they go on to college) Casey and Kaleigh are busy in their room doing their work, Cassidy is with me, and Kierra and Caressa are in a corner of the room playing Wedgits.
It's been a busy day, so far. I just made a batch of cookies and home-made rolls, and will later put together a Chinese casserole and veggie platter with some yummy dip to bring to my friend that's laid up for a couple days. I hung two loads of laundry and have one more to go, but daylight will be ending soon, so I think I'll hang that load downstairs. If I'm too tired, I'll just throw them in the dryer.
I have a cute project my daughter and I did over the weekend, and will post as soon as I have a few minutes to sew a button on...

Children's Crafts

I am a consultant for families that homeschool their children, and are enrolled with a distance learning school. For my Mother of Divine Grace School children, I made each one a bookmark to send them as a little Christmas gift from me. We made twenty for my MODG "kids", and a few extra for my real life kids!
My children had a good time helping with this project. I cut scrapbook paper into 2" x 6" strips, and Cassidy, Kierra and Caressa put stickers on the paper. We laminated the bookmarks, punched a hole in the top and finished them off with a home-made pom-pom. My daughter, Kaleigh, spent the evening last night making the pom-poms while watching the Ghost and Mr. Chicken!
Since this was such an easy and successful project, I'll do the same thing with my daughter's Little Flowers group in December. The topic I'll talk about is knitting, and each girl could make a bookmark and make a pom-pom. Very useful skill later in life, right?

Our treats are ready for the witches and gobblins that will come visiting this evening. My little ones will be dressed as Pooh, a lion, and an 1800's colonial woman. They're terribly excited today!

A tradition that's been carried over since my childhood: kielbasa and potato salad for dinner...

Ever since I was a kid, my mom would make that for supper on Halloween. She said it was quick and easy after she got home from work, and us kids were just itching to get out the door to go trick-or-treating. So when I got married and had my own kids, I carried on the tradition. I'm not a huge fan of the meal myself, but my kids like it and ask for it every year. Even my oldest, who's 23 says, "Mom, don't forget, kielbasa and potato salad..." Yes, I remember....

What's For Dinner?

Menu for Two Weeks Worth of Dinners
Creamy Cauliflower Soup - home-made bread - Three Bean Salad
Calzones w/sausage & ricotta filling - green salad
Bean Burritos - taco chips and salsa
Beef Stew - oatmeal rolls - green salad
Baked Parmesan Chicken - brown rice pilaf - peas
Cinncinatti Chili - fresh veggie platter and dip
Potato & Cheese soup - blueberry muffins - cut tomatoes
Bacon, Cheese, Onion, & Tomatoe broiled sandwiches - veggie platter & dip
Chicken and Green Bean Casserole - green salad
Pizza - fresh veggie platter
Chili Con-carne over brown rice - cucumber/dill, sour cream salad
Escarole Soup - home-made wheat bread
Baked Potato w/Meat, cheese and sauce - green beans
Chicken Stir Fry with brown rice - green salad
Sloppy Joes - corn on the cob - antipasto

Lunches
Left-overs first
Egg Salad
Tuna Salad
Peanut Butter Crackers
Milk w/each lunch, carrot, celery, radishes, and cucumbers and piece of fruit for dessert.

Breakfasts
Oat meal w/apples, necterines, or blueberries in crockpot, with dollop of yogurt on top
Oatmeal/bran cereal
Fruit and yogurt topped with granola
Left over oatmeal & fruit muffins, with a fruit/yogurt smoothie
Scrambled Eggs & Toast
Bisquits and Smoothie
Chocolate Chip Pancakes - Sunday only... Thanks, Gary!

Snacks
Fruit
Popcorn
Oatmeal or choc chip cookies - home-made
Pretzels
Yogurt
Brownies - home-made
Hot Chocolate - home-made

Coffee

What are your favorite kinds of coffee? (Brands, Roasts, anything at all you'd like to share!)

I love Starbucks Decaf or specialty coffees as long as they're decaf.

Do you prefer whole bean or ground coffee?

Either is fine with me!

This time of year, there are often Holiday Blends available, and many flavored coffees - do you drink flavored coffee?

Yes, I like blended coffees, flavored, yes.

Do you enjoy special blends? yes

How do you take your coffee? Cream and Sugar? Straight up? Decaf?

I like my coffee with cream and sugar, and yes, decaf

dDo you prefer drinking from a nice thick mug, or a matched cup and saucer?

From a nice thick mug

n

Winter and Holidays - PLEASE be descriptive! Your pal will need this information to be sure to put together a package you will enjoy!

What is your favorite part of Winter?

Going for brisk walks, and knitting and watching a movie.

Do you celebrate a holiday in December, and if so, which holiday?

Christmas

If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up a tree?

Oh, yest!

Would you enjoy items related to the holiday, or would you prefer a Winter themed package?

Either is fine.

Do you collect anything?

No

Are there any holiday or winter-themed items (Snowmen, Angels, Snoflakes, Santas, etc) that you collect?

No

Do you wear scarves?

Yes

Mittens?

Yes

Hats?

Yes

What is your favorite holiday or winter treat?

Hot chocolate

Please share a favorite Winter or Holiday memory.

One year, our neighbor dressed up as Santa, and came in the back door, to our kitchen. I really, really thought that was Santa!

Yarn and Crafting Do you Knit or Crochet?

Knit... for about 21 years, when first pregnant with my second child.

For how long?

21 years

ike wooden, metal, or plastic needles\hooks? Circular or straight?

Wooden, circular or straight

What sort of projects do you enjoy making?

mittens, hats, scarves, any type of baby gift

What are your favorite types of yarn to work with?

anything soft!

Do you spin or dye?

No

Do you do other crafts such as scrapbooking or needlepoint or anything else?

Couonted thread embroidery, nearly any kind of needlework, sewing, and crochet

GeneralWhen is your birthday?

04/15

u have any children? (Furry kind count!)

I have seven children, three cats and two dogs, oh, and about 15 or so chickens

What are your favorite colors?

purple, blue, pink

Do you have any allergies?

Nope

My typing isn't really this bad, it's just that for some reason, I can't delete and correct :(

Over the Clothesline

The clothesline is full today! One of my favorite things in life is hanging clothes. I know that sounds odd, but really, I love it. I've been hanging clothes most of my life. When I was young, my mom always let me help her, and throughout my married life, I've always hung our wash.
Some days, I get some help. The above photo is my daughter. I must have been too busy that
day. I've taught all my older children how to do laundry and hang clothes. You might think it's a no-brainer, but really, there is a method I like best. Interested? I thought so :)
Here's my tried and true method: I try to hang the heaviest clothes on the back line, like jeans or sweatshirts first. As I go "in", I hang lighter-weight clothes, to lessen the line from drooping. As I work my way to the other end, I hang heavier clothes again. The next line, I like to hang wash cloths, smaller dish towels, underclothing, socks, etc. That way, the air circulates nicely around the clothes.
On the next line(s) I hang towels. That usually takes up one line in itself. If I have other small items, then I use the next line. The next line usually has shirts, PJ's, etc. in the same method as described above.
On days that I dry sheets and occasionally blankets and quilts, I never fold the sheets and use one line. Instead I use two lines to get enough air circulation. Also, when the weather gets colder, I make sure I take the clothes out of the washer, shake, and lay in the laundry basket, in the reverse order I hang. That way my hands aren't frost-bitten before I'm done. See, I told ya, I've put more thought into hanging clothes than I probably should...but there you have it!

Dish Cloth

A dish cloth I started today. It's a terribly easy pattern I got free off the internet. It's a four row repeat and goes like this: cast on 45 stitches, knit a row, purl the next, knit one purl one for the third row and purl the last row, for fifteen repeats, if I remember correctly. Easy or what? I'm using cheapie Sugar 'N Cream Cotton, but the color is just lovely... like butter...

Foolin' Around

Me, Kaleigh, and Kierra just foolin' around. Gotch ya , Casey!

Fall Kitchen Table

Here are a couple pieces of counted cross-stitch I did. I bring them out each fall to adorn our kitchen table. Between the aroma of the Yankee Candle burning and the apple pie in the oven, our home is just oozing Fall!

Fall Foliage in the Berkshires

What a beautiful day today was! The sky was a brilliant blue, and the sun was shining high in the sky. A typical fall day here in New England. It was the perfect day to go for a Sunday drive, leaf-peeping. This area is a stones throw from where we live. The picture of the cabin appears to be abandoned, but the interesting thing was the giant paper-wasp nest. Do you see it? It was huge!