Just Because I Thought It Was Cool

We had a little snow.  

As it melts off the roof it drips on the Burning Bush and created some very cool icicles.

I figured this would make a good background on my FB header.  

 Where's Rudolph is coming along nicely.  

Quite the jolly elf.  

Thanksgiving weren't well and everyone was able to be there.  

While the kids were home, we put the tree up.  

Katy won't be home until just before Christmas which is cutting it pretty close.  

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Where's Rudolph

Started working on Where's Rudolph from With Thy Needle and Thread.

It is down on 28 count over one.  

Teenie tiny stitches but, starting to look like something. 

 Not the world's greatest picture but, I finished off Give Thanks.

The pop pom is the one called for by the pattern.

Its a dark purple

I went to see Ed yesterday.  He doesn't have too much longer before he graduates.  He is living in an on-campus apartment which means he has to vacate very soon.  He is also getting a little worried about the future.  I went to help him with his resume and suggest letters.  We looked some jobs on line.  I also brought back some of his stuff.   We loaded up:  a bike, 2 skate boards, a snow board, two guitars, a guitar stand.  I also shopped and had a 72 pack of TP from Target and a 25# bag of rice and a few small bags.  Then once closer to home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up the food for Thanksgiving and the kids coming home....so add another 5 very fully packed bags and a turkey.

Hope you have had a good weekend.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

The Butter Cutter

As always its been busy.  Mom is at a skilled nursing facility for therapy.  She is doing well and is scheduled for discharge on December 4th.  Had the care plan meeting today.  They did put her on the memory care unit which is the nice way of saying she's on lock down.  I did tell them I wanted her eating in the main dining room, participating in activities and continuing in therapy.  I don't think she needs to be there but, they are concerned and need to keep her safe.  She should be fine back at the assisted living.  We did see the pulmonologist today and she is scheduled for some tests.  She may need to be on oxygen at least at night, if she will do it.  That is always a big word "IF".

I and two of the stitchy girls went on the retreat in Door County again this year.  It was my fourth year and it is just a whole lotta fun.  We went to an amazing yarn store in Sturgeon Bay called the Spin.  We figure we could do the whole trip:  cross stitch, quilting store, yarn store and lunch in a day and be home for dinner.

 A skein of really amazing self striping sock yarn and then some yarn for a shawl.  I want to try  making one.  I did buy two other skeins for Katy as Christmas presents but, can't show it.

Stopped in a kitchen gadget store and got this.  I call it a butter cutter.  It has a big fancy name:  Casabella butter keep and blah, blah blah.  Basically, its a silicone butter dish with a plastic lid with a blade to cut the butter.  There are markings for teaspoon and tablespoon.  No more partially used stick of butter wrapped in the paper in my fridge anymore.  I think this is the greatest gadget in a long time.

 Finally, I finished Threadwork Primitives Give Thanks at the retreat.  I thought maybe I would have it finished as a pinkeep but, it has been busy around here.  Mom stuff all day with doctors appt and meetings about plans at the SNF and the AL.

Started working on some Santa's.  I was able to score one of the limited editions of With Thy Needle and Thread Reindeer Games.  Pictures sometime in the future.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for stopping.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

There Have Been Trials and Tribulations

There have been trials and tribulations to say the least.  

Right after the post of October 18th, my mom started having stomach problems.  

We thought it was a stomach virus and thought for a day or two it was getting better, then it wasn't.  

I took her to the emergency department and they thought it was pneumonia and a UTI.  

Started treating her for that in the hospital and she was getting better, wacky from steroids, but, better.

Then the stomach thing resurrected and she was really sick but, refused to have an endoscopy to see what was going on.

Two days later, she finally agreed to it and was diagnosed with gastric paresis and treated with medication.  She has been getting better but, not good enough to go back to her assisted living and had to  go to a nursing home for rehab.  

My oldest sister was planning on coming home but, decided to do it sooner because we honestly thought this was the end. 

She is doing better, walking better and doing her daily cares, still wacky...mentally

While my sister was here, we did do some funeral planning as maudlin as it sounds.

After all that, we decided we needed something life affirming so we went to the Alpaca Farm/Yarn Store.

There are some very new babies, which are a concern but, they are soo adorable!

 Autumn and her momma...three days old and so sweet and a beautiful color.

 I do love the black alpaca's

 Artie who is about three weeks old and very energetic...not here. 

I love the color and markings on this face. 

Picked up this book and it has some wonderful patterns.  

Some alpaca sock yarn that was especially beautiful and needed to come home with me.  

Lastly, I finished Hocus Pocus.  Don't know when I will get around framing it.  I do love this pattern.
Onward to some Thanksgiving patterns.  I don't know that I have room for anymore but, I have one to do.

Friday, we leave for the Stitching Retreat.  I am really looking forward to this and have one of my other sisters coming for the weekend so I can go without guilt.

Hope things have been going well in your neck of the woods.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Give Away

Another Fantastic Give Away.  I think if I don't win this I may have to order the set for myself as a Christmas present.
Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Give Away

I have been having a little issue posting.  I will have to post later this afternoon.