Old Folk Issues, Me These Days, Happy Hand Stitching

The male and female Red Cardinals have been visiting the big feeders late afternoon just at almost dusk. Maybe they load up on a little nutrition to get them through the cold night. It's hard to get a photo of them together and this was taken from a great distance. I wonder if they are the same pair I see all the time as it's believed Red Cardinals mate for life. 

You've probably figured out by now that my favourite stitching is hand stitching. With that in mind, I've started another EPP project, this one stars. I've wanted to stitch stars again for a while and I like that scraps can be put to use too. And I'd kept all the cardboard triangles I'd used in Panama Pyramids and just have to trim them down as I want these stars to finish at a smaller size. This is another project that perfectly suits the monthly colour changes at RSC though January's colour, pink, is scarce in my stash. I can trim the triangles in front of the tv while taking a break from Redwork Noel which is almost done. 

I also got out my winter embroidery project, Snow Days, from Crabapple Hill Studio. 

 I have five of the winter scenes finished. 

The very big light box inherited from first wife had to be used to trace two more of the larger patterns. I use a micro pen for this so the line can be easily hidden with two strands of embroidery floss. I'm using a dark brown, DMC 498, and very easy enjoyable running stitches with a few French knots and back stitches thrown in.

Now for a hair update...white hair issues are definitely an old folks problem so skip this part if you aren't interested. 

I don't know what it is about hair salons that make me want to stay out of them. I've never had a bad experience or anyone be mean to me or anything really that would account for why I don't enjoy the experience.  It takes a lot to get me in one but I finally did recently. I was pleased with the professional trim, mostly on the sides, not an overall cut. The stylist listened to me about keeping hair on the top of my head that I can fluff up a bit...I look awful with flat hair. (If I thought it would suit me, I'd be happy to have one of those buzz cuts all over. ) Here is my post salon bathroom portrait where the lighting has erased all my wrinkles and turned back time. A miracle! And back to a time when Cat eye reading glasses were in style too. I think this length of hair suits me the best these days so if only I could keep it exactly like this. 

Wow, my cozy sweater stripes are really not slimming. 

  

She said I shouldn't be afraid of using more product on my hair, to experiment and find out which may cause yellowing. I guess a lot of folks complain to her about their white hair and it's different for different folks. I did buy a product from her; she looked for the volumizing mousse but they were all out so I'll check that out online. I'll share what I bought next time- a leave on conditioner, which was $30- a splurge for me. I hope she got a commission because she was so patient with me even if she did say I shouldn't cut my own hair ever again. 😊

We enjoyed this series very much, The Essex Serpent. It's billed as a moody romance which it is. It stars Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes, both actors we enjoy. Claire, who we enjoyed in Homeland, does harrowing facial expressions so well. 

Well, I've rambled on long enough. Time for a bit of lunch. I made this for myself yesterday. Sourdough bread with peanut butter and banana. And those are Mini Medjouls there...dates with a little cacao and coconut. We both like dates.  Is that something you would like? Which reminds me, thank you for all the comments on the food I share. I love reading them.

Take care of yourself out there. The times, they are a changin' and not for the better or at least that's what many of us old folks think. But then when did old folks ever think changes were for the better? 

Linking up with Cynthia's Quilting is More Fun Than Housework party and Kathy's Quilts too.