A Week of Thanksgiving Blessings...

I've been piddling around this past week.  A little of this, a little of that.  Holding onto moments is becoming more and more precious as the years move from a childhood moving at 5 mph to adulthood in my late 40's blurring by at a break neck speed of 95 mph.  My grandparents and in-laws have passed on to meet our Lord.  Each day finds me holding my breath to the uncertainty of life, something I once took for granted.  My folks aren't getting any younger and neither am I.  Fall and winter lend just enough time to slow the pace, to remind one's self all there is to be thankful and grateful for in our lives, holding those ever so close. 

Over the weekend I made a batch of cinnamon salt dough ornaments, this after making a simple batch of plain salt dough ornaments a little over a week ago.  I love working with my mother-in-law's wooden molds.  Later in the week, into next weekend, I'll begin drying orange slices.  I have so many ideas stuffed into this head of mine, screaming to be let out.  All in due time.  Our Christmas tree has been fluffed, yet stands in wait for its trimmings.  

This afternoon I plan on finishing the mending of an old, dear family heirloom doily that my mother sent with me a number of years ago.  She had asked me to "fix" it and, well...it has just been one of those things that I'll-get-around-to-one-of-these-days.  Fear not, no more.  I have nearly finished mending it and hope what I have done hides itself.  I love to sneak things into her Christmas decor (many gifts I have made for her) and see if she spots them...this will be no different this Thanksgiving.  I hope it will be a welcome little something. For our family Thanksgiving, which is growing in numbers over the past few years, I'll be making my mother-in-law's "Corn Casserole" and the very same birthday cake I made for our youngest's 18th birthday this past May.  

Our eldest son was supposed to grace us with his presence on Thanksgiving almost 20 years ago.  We nicknamed him our "Butterball," although he opted to remain snuggled within my womb for nearly another two weeks.  During Thanksgiving we celebrate his birthday as one big family.  This year will be no different.  Grey hair is making itself way too comfortable and I have been tossing around the idea of simply embracing it, rather than conceal it.  Our "Butterball" turns 20 this Saturday and my emotions are already sneaking their way into my consciousness.  I best get to mending...to free up my time for baking and of course some stitching.

A Cozy Space to Stitch

What makes your space a cozy bit of area to stitch?  For years my stitching chair was generally crammed into whatever space I could find in our home.  Yet, that all changed when our eldest son moved out in August.  I admit it was a bit overwhelming at first and felt strange to commandeer the room that he had graced with his presence.  

Now, I can be found snuggled under a soft blanket, hot tea on the side table, and linen, needle, and thread in my hands.  I opted for a soft palette, a very feminine feel.  There is no telly in the room, simply a radio with a record player. Music gently plays in the background...that is all.  Just pure simplicity.  As winter sets in, I will once again hibernate, only to be found here...with a stocking cap on my head (always a stocking cap in the winter) and warm fuzzy slippers on my feet. This is my favorite season...a time of peace and a subtle hush.

Forever and a Day…

It has only taken nearly six years for me to return to writing a blog. A dear, amazing fellow stitcher took the huge step in removing herself from social media a few months ago. I truly have missed her stitching and family updates, not to mention her love of God...until now. I received a lovely card in the mail today. Yes, honest to goodness snail mail. She is sharing her latest updates in her new blog, and this gal is tickled pink.  To be frankly honest, my jumping back into the world of blogs may be a good thing.  I think it'll help me dust off my old writing skills and hold me accountable. I'll be sharing stitching updates, yummy recipes that work for my husband and I, and maybe what books are on my nightstand.

Since my last blog post so much has transpired in my life.  My husband and I are almost empty nesters.  Yes, you read that right.  When I last wrote our eldest son was in 7th grade and our youngest was in 6th grade.  Today, we have a full-time sophomore at our local community college and will be transferring to KU next fall. Our youngest son began his freshmen year of college at KU full-time this fall. We watched our eldest leave the nest in August, moving in with three of his good friends. Meanwhile, our youngest spends a great deal of time at one of the dorms with his friends. They work full-time, one at a fast food restaurant, while the other helps maintain one of our town's golf courses.  To say that my husband and I are utterly proud of both is an understatement.  And that niece I stitched a piece for in one of my previous posts is nearly 25 years old.  That grey etching its way into my hair seems to be moving at warp speed.

Well, I must head to the kitchen to get supper prepared.  With that, I'll share a photo from today. I spent a bit of time out on the patio working on one of my many WIPS while the weather was nice.  Rain and cooler temperatures are moving their way into our forecast.  While out there, I worked on a piece I purchased awhile back.  It is titled "A Sampler For All Seasons" by Tanya Brockmeyer of The Scarlett House.  It is perfectly fitting as the seasons change...