where i've been . . .

So, evidently not only did I leave my voice at Grand Oak Retreat, but I brought home a case of walking pneumonia, as well.  Which, in a weird way, makes me feel a little better about my lackluster performance (what I worked on) while I was there.  I was so tired the entire time . . . now I know why!

I also realized I hadn't shared hardly any fun pics from my time with Ellie, the three days prior to retreat! We had such fun together!  She was very intrigued with my bin of *embellishments* . . .

So much so that I had to pull some BIG buttons together for her to play with while I stitched with bitty beads. It was so darling to watch/listen to her play with them.  

She'd pour them on the table and say, "Clean up, clean up!" Scoop them back into her cup and pour them out again.  I got a good sixty minutes of stitching in while she played the button game!

We also made teacup cupcakes!  Oh my gosh, these silicone teacup holders are so precious.  Kim had gotten them for me for my birthday . . .

Ellie enjoyed helping make them, but she *really* enjoyed eating them!  They were a big hit -- I need to get another set of four, I think!

We also spent some time on the playground . . . girlfriend can swing all day!

I loved the way she'd throw her little head back and shout, "Wheeeeeeeeee!!!"

And we watched a movie together . . .

This was during a particularly suspenseful part of the Little Mermaid.  Look how grown up she looks!

I did get a few things put together on retreat, but not nearly as much as I'd wanted or hoped to.  First thing out of the box, I did up the two starstruck blocks for our guild swap . . .

The theme for this month was red and white.  Sweet!

Then I stitched up this little table topper . . .

Recognize the fabrics?  I wanted to get it sandwiched and quilted, too . . . I'll save that for another day.

I did get a Grandmother's Choice block pieced . . .

I like the "T's" in this one!

And I did a lot of handwork, both on my Celtic Garden and on my secret little project (of which I'll share just a tiny corner):

Actually, I spent a LOT of time on the little mug rug project.  Hand work was my favorite!  I've spent a lot of time this week working on my Celtic Garden.  The Colonial knots are finished and I'm almost finished knotting the light green French knots in the center hedges.  Then on to the flower gardens!

And of course, what's a retreat without a tee-shirt?!  

This year's offering -- great colors!

And I enjoyed some spectacular sunrises.  I took one panorama photo.  Simply stunning!

It's not compressed, so when you click on it, it'll be full sized.

We had a total of fifteen women . . . all chit-chatting and oooohing and aaaahing over each other's work.  I love this group of gals . . . 

And of course, the "can't-do-without" gag shot.  Some of us are better at this than others!

I hope to be back in full swing by next week, but I admit, I'm still dragging a bit.  I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired!!  I'm ready to usher in health *and* Spring!!

Happy Friday!!

:)

post nasal holiday . . .

Where I was when we last chatted . . .

Happily crafting away on the Saturday before Christmas, tidying up last minute gifts and making final preparations.

Where I ended up spending the majority of last Saturday evening . . .

Thanks to a lovely case of acute bronchitis that is still kicking my tail.  On the positive side, proof that quilt inspiration can be found *any* where . . .

Even in the tiles of the hospital walkway!

It seems the flu or bronchitis or other nasty viruses have just about taken out our entire family this Christmas. Children, grandchildren and husbands. *sigh* Poor things!  I'm laying low and enjoying my gifts . . .

A good book or movie and a hot pot of tea.  Definitely!  And looking forward to a healthier 2014, for sure!

:)

bits and pieces . . .

I think one of the saddest things I've heard (locally) about the tragedy in Newtown, was a comment made by a young elementary school student to his mom.  As she walked him into school, the boy noted that there was a policeman at the door.  The little guy looked up to his mom and told her he was glad that the policeman was there at his school, and he hoped the policeman stayed all day.  It makes me want to weep.  

On a happier note, June is doing much, much better - and again I thank you for your prayers, wishes, and for asking about her!  She's still got a nasty sounding cough, but the doctor said to expect that. 

As you can see, she's back to her normal, good spirits!  I think she may have even *giggled* at me yesterday!  She's seven weeks old today.  Gracious!

Can I tell you a secret?  I still have not done a lot of decorating in the RV (on the other hand, my Christmas shopping is done).  I've decorated outside, though! Inspired by a picture my sister sent me of the front of her house, I pulled out the deco mesh and got busy . . . 

I've always wanted an outdoor tree!  James brought Sawyer over the other day. Sawyer got out of the car, saw the tree and exclaimed, "Look, a tree! Neesey made it!" I have no idea how he knew that!  

It's *really* pretty at night ... I adore colored lights at night!!

I also 'spruced' up my gum tree wreath ... I added a big, green bow.  It really needed a bow, I think.

Now it looks extra festive (especially with all the red and gold glitter of the burrs)!

And finally I finished up Lesson 3 of my redwork course.  

Whipped and lacing stitches made up the last exercise of that one.  As you can see, if that was a stitch you were going to use, you'd want to mark your cloth a little differently!  I need to get Lesson 4 finished post haste.

More than likely, I'll be back later on today . . . I've got to get some posts in!

:)

why does santa have a garden?

Because he likes to "ho, ho, ho" of course!!  *rimshot*

Santa is a glutton for punishment.  But aren't you enjoying the heck out of my kid's Christmas jokes?!?  Happy to share the love.  :)

Quick Baby June update.  Kim took her in this morning for a re-check.  After a bit of a scare yesterday afternoon, this morning the doctor said her breathing sounded much easier, and he felt like the worst of the RSV was behind her. That's *so* good, because when I held her yesterday afternoon and she'd cough, it about broke my heart.  The doctor did note that on top of everything else, June's picked up an ear infection, so she's being treated for that.  Her daddy is battling the flu-bug, so they're working hard to keep him disinfected, masked and quarantined.  Again, I have to thank you for your sweet prayers and well-wishes.  Y'all are so dear and I appreciate you more than you can know!

I had lunch with the ladies SS class after church today -- and from there I had to stop at the grocery store.  Needless to say, when I got home, it was time for coffee with Todd (which is a favorite) and I never did pull out any hand stitch work.  So, in lieu of actual work, I thought I'd share a blog with you . . . 

Q is for Quilter.  Are you familiar with it?  She (Martha) shares all kinds of vintage patterns -- little girl's dresses, quilts, and transfers.  Her blog is a wonderful, wonderful resource for stitchers and quilters, alike.  Right now she's doing a series of posts called Countdown to Christmas.  Such fun!

And if you're looking for something "Christmassy" still to stitch on, check out THIS post, which has a sampling of vintage Christmas stitcheries including this darling mailbox:

Or THIS post, which has a different sampling of Christmas stitcheries, including this sweet stocking:

Aren't they fun?  I particularly like the funky lines on the stocking.  Between the two posts, she's got over 15 different transfers.  If you're looking for a BIG Christmas project (like one you start now and *maybe* finish in time for next Christmas), check out her Santa's Follow-the-Colors embroidered quilt top, shown in its entirety HERE and shown with the individual blocks for transfer blocks HERE.  But really her whole blog is a treasure trove, so check it out.  And be sure to check out Kathy's Quilts: Slow Stitching Sunday and see who's working on what!

I stumbled across this sweet little image on Pinterest the other day . . .

Isn't it darling?  As Sawyer and I rode through the camp yesterday (which is fodder for another post, to be sure), I made a mental note of all the 'natural' components I had on hand to make one up for myself..  I think, perhaps, it will be on my to-do list.  The to-do list I make up *after* Christmas.  I still have presents to finish up to get in the MAIL!  Aye-yi-yi!  Someone (namely me) needs to get BUSY!  Please tell me I'm not alone ... someone else out there still has something they're busting to finish in time, right?!? 

:)

what's an ig?

An Eskimo's home without a "loo"!  Baa-dum-bump.

June update -- her oxygen levels finally got to where they needed to be by doctor rounds yesterday evening and she'd had two good nursing sessions by then, too.  What she was still having trouble doing was sleeping in the hospital (who doesn't?!), so when the doctor gave them the option to go home, they decided to go ahead and go.  A lot of times with RSV, especially with infants under two months, exhaustion becomes as big a problem as anything.  Kim and James felt that she'd get the sleep she needed in her own home/bed.  She had a good night's sleep last night and so did Kim.   They'll have to keep a close eye on June for the next two weeks or so.  Again, thank you *so* much for your thoughts, prayers and well-wishes!

I wanted to share a couple of wins . . .

Farmhouse Retreat by Renee Nanneman, from Jane's Quilting, and Thimbleberries' Woodland Stars, from Cindy over at Hooked On Quilting!  Both have some really cute things inside them, but this one inside Farmhouse Retreat really caught my eye:

Isn't that darling?!

When Todd and I were out and about the other day, I convinced him--since we were so close and all--to stop by my favorite Fayetteville LQS.  While I was there I picked up one of these . . .

I've held out for so long, but there it was and there I was and next thing I knew, it was mine!  Yes, other *fabric-y* things were mine, too, but I'm saving that!  *wink*

When I mentioned the addition of the Dark Chocolate Raspberry M&M's to the giveaway the other day, one of my friends mentioned that she gets Cordial Cherry M&M's.  WHAT?!?  

Sure enough!  All the cherry cordial goodness without the wet, sticky centers.  LOL!  

Speaking of the giveaway, today is the LAST DAY to sign up!  I'll leave it open until midnight -- and I'll announce a winner tomorrow, sometime.  Haven't signed up yet?  Head over HERE!

In light of yesterday's tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, I was *so* especially grateful to have Ellie and Sawyer around to hug and love on.  Ellie gave me a first hand demonstration of her new phone abilities . . .

Although when I said, "Hello!", she still put the empty hand to her ear!  So precious.

Neesey?  What is that thing?

Are you taking my picture *again*??!

Sawyer's headed out this way to spend some fun time at the camp with us today.  We're going to take the golf cart out and go down and feed the fish at the pond.  Tonight, Todd and I have his Station's Christmas party ... another busy day!

:)

my littlest love . . .

Sweet little June . . .

James called late yesterday afternoon to say they were taking her in for an unplanned visit to the pediatrician.

From there the doctor admitted her to the hospital for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a highly contagious (and very common) virus.  

Most children get it before they're two ... and in most children and adults it presents as a common cold and no one ever knows the difference.

But in babies (particularly six months and younger) it can be very dangerous. Hence the hospital stay.

My poor, sweet little six-week-old baby girl was put on oxygen and IV fluids.  The doctors feel like it was caught in time and they'll have her fixed up in no time.

That doesn't necessarily make it easier on her sweet mommy and daddy.  Or her Neesey.

As of this morning, Kim reports it was a rough night but it's gotten better. June is sleeping now and her breathing is less laborious, but her oxygen levels are still low.

I guess it was no accident that I gleaned this phrase during a trip to my LQS (more on *that* later) yesterday morning . . .

If I'm worrying, I'm not taking time to pray;

if I'm praying, I don't have time for worry!

Needless to say, I've been doing a lot of praying.  If you're inclined, I'd sure appreciate your prayers and happy thoughts for June, too!

:)