Tony called me to take a look at this little guy on the back yard railing. He'd been watching him for some time and he hadn't moved.
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| Sorry the reflection of the front door glass is weirdly caught in this photo. |
He thought he might have died as he was so still. We kept watching and breathed a sigh of relief to see it lift its head and glance about but stay where it was. Then we wondered if it was sick or something. But it eventually stood up, stretched out each of its tiny back legs and took off running. It was sunbathing! It too recognized how rare these warming beams have been. A relief!
The front yard is looking springish but the roof snow is hanging on. Out my kitchen window.
The pond is overflowing its bank, a regular spring occurrence. These geese are in an area that is normally grassland. Taken from a great distance so as not to disturb them.
Inside my stitching hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. I worked on the England in Quakers project...I began another little motif but the result was this. I didn't like it so frogging had to happen.
And then I tried the little sheep design. I had to use this grey thread as the called for white was too white for my fabric. But I'm noticing a difference in weight between the colours...very slight of course, but enough to make the stitches look too crowded on this thread count fabric like this grey is looking. I'm debating more frogging...actually the more I look at this the more I'm sure I'll be removing these too. I'll use a couple of French knots for the eyes and he will be cute eventually.
I've stitched three EPP stars/hexagons in reds, this month's RSC colour -my only photo cut off part of one which I didn't notice till now. Luckily I have lots of red fabrics on hand.
We finished this series... I cried at the ending. Any of you watch it?
The spring sunshine is illuminating in more ways than one. Like making visible this very intriguing spiderweb that just seemed to materialize in a back bedroom, a room I'm seldom in. It had a rounded funnel shape which made me wonder if its maker was a more unusual spider. I left it there which I know would drive some people crazy but you all know how I love all the critters. I'm going to check back and see if I can get a glimpse of the spinner.
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| What kind of housekeeper am I! |
We recognize we need to downsize. This won't be easy as Tony has a thing about needing land mostly as space from neighbours. It's hard to find the combination of smaller house and big property. Since I have lived in so many places and in many types of housing, I really don't care what it needs to be except less chores on the land and in the house. I would be very happy in a condo, for instance, but that would be Tony's nightmare, LOL. When I was very young I used to worry about the eventual having to leave a house you'd lived in for decades...I was thinking about my older grandmother, the fisherman's wife, who had to do just that or maybe a farmer's wife who would find it so unbearable and poignant to leave their home after a lifetime living in the very same spot. Well, that turned out to be another of those totally senseless worries that occupied space in this strange head of mine.
28 comments :
....that's the story of, that's the glory of, love!
That’s the story of
That’s the glory of love
Thank you for that lovely earworm!
You are living with a very creative spider!
Your red stars are a great addition to your collection.
Frogging cross stitch is not fun.
I love seeing the critters in our yard. We woke up to snow on the ground this morning. I would be quite happy to see the end of it for this year! I am ready for spring.
Downsizing is a challenge but better to be in control of where and when rather than being forced into it.
Gail at the cozy quilter
Like you, I secretly let the cobwebs stay in place in odd corners. I used to tear them down in fear of a spider crawling across my legs in the middle of the night (that has never happened), but now I want to save all critters. Hubs is horrified that I feel that way and wants to spray the dickens out of everything, but I put my foot down. I have a special container with a stiff piece of junk mail that I coax bugs into to take outside.
We want to move out of this little town that has terrible roads and a horrible water system and a series of bad mayors. I want to move to a place with a little bit of land, but that is not smart with my husband's heart condition. We really need a place where we would have little upkeep.
I understand how Tony feels, and I understand how you feel (the curse of being a Gemini), or as they say "I feel ya". Good luck in finding just the right place.
The Glory of Love is one of my faves!
[Hahaha--now that song is running through my head:))) ] Yes, we've thought a lot about downsizing, too...but with what is going on in our world here, we will be staying put for as long as we can.
Love your EPP stars--I had decided last week to venture into making some as a carry-along hand project for upcoming deck sitting days...it's usually too hot out there to be quilting any big pieces...and i have a whole lot of solids that i need to use up--so maybe, print/solid every other look--we shall see how it goes...
Good luck on your house hunting...hugs, Julierose
downsizing is something so many people need to do if they want to stay in their home as they age and not have to go to a home. I watched that show I thought it dragged out horribly the second season and I didn't like the ending.
Our previous house was a bungalow on a large town lot which we purchased in order to have a 'granny suite' in the basement for my Dad. We never dreamed he would make it for 12 years living with us. The house had a large garage which would have held 4 cars (only two doors though) and the men turned the back corner into their workshop. My Dad took over the large veggie garden at the back and DH made numerous flower gardens around the property. It was lovely...until Dad passed away and we realized that the property was just too much for DH to care for ( I couldn't help him because at the time I suffered terribly from allergies to all things green). Then the decision had to be made...do we sell and move into a smaller house/property or do we move into an apartment. The apartment won and for the most part we haven't regretted it. We do miss having a garage though.
I've seen squirrels napping like that. They used to nap on our birdfeeder.
Your star hexagons look great in red. Frogging is never fun. I've found that not all fabric is created the same. For instance, a Picture This Plus linen in a certain count is tighter than some other dyers fabric in the same count. I guess it depends on their process. I haven't watched 1923 but heard it was very good.
I am a spider rescuer also and any other little critters scooching along in the house. Love your stars and feel your pain over ripping out tiny cross stitches. However, we need to like our projects so it is usually well worth it! Every so often we also have squirrels sun-bathing on our deck rails. They looks so snuggly warm, don't they? So cute!
We downsized hugely, from 3 acres, and a large home, to just over 800 m square, and an older home that is still ample. I would think carefully, and maybe see if some help outside and inside would be an option.Someone to mow the lawn, clean the windows outside specially, empty the gutters or spouting, vacuum, wash the car?Do any ladder work or really hard stuff !!! Get your groceries ordered online, and just pick up? Do they have that where you live, being in a familiar township for us was a huge bonus, tradespeople we knew, ditto hairdresser, pharmacy and garage/workshop for car maintenance.But I will admit it look me a long time to adjust to close neighbours and street traffic noise. We now have help in the garden and in or home, and although I wish I could do it all, having that is truly wonderful.
The red squirrel was soaking up the sun. Our squirrels are the gray variety. Ours are a bit skittish. Oh the finale of 1923 was a tear jerker! There were tears here also. I’m getting rid of stuff, but we will stay in our small cozy house. It’s not too much for us yet. We have to hire some jobs out, but able to do that…so we will stay here til that changes.
I watched that series awhile ago. Did you know they are going to do a 1944 one next. I am looking forward to that one. Living in a condo would be Harvey's nightmare as well. The one good thing is that if we moved to the city where my specialist is we could at least share our youngest sons garden space and plant or look after his yard. Me, well I would need a space for my craft supplies and condo apartments that have 3 bedrooms are few and far between.
God bless.
God bless.
One snoozy rodent! More little stars. We just finished 1923, too. I'm bummed out they killed off who they did. That's quite the web! Good luck with the downsizing.
Spring is in the air, and that little guy appreciates the warm from the sun. Spiders are useful inside; they eat other insects like flies, mosquitos etc. We have huntsman spiders that comes inside sometimes, I usually leave them alone (which the cat does not do!). Sorry about the frogging, it happens... Love your EPP stars, so pretty. Downsizing, I do understand you both, especially Tony. Wishing you good luck on house hunting and hope you'll find the perfect place for both of you.
We've seen the squirrels doing the same thing in our yard when they want to cool off, all stretched out! Frogging cross-stitch projects is the most challenging of all unstitching I think - never fun. We haven't watched 1923, but may have to try it based on your recommendation. We did like the previous one - 18something? We have never moved, still live in the same house we bought as newlyweds, although we have added on some rooms and done lots of work on it over the years. But there is still the need for downsizing in terms of all the stuff that has accumulated. I sure understand the feeling of not wanting to move, but knowing there needs to be a change!
Oh ! I love that sweetest little cross stitch sheep ! 🐑🩷
It must be quite difficult to rip out your cross stitching, I imagine. Dont think I'd fancy a big spider lurking about. Mind you, I've noticed a couple of spider web strands in a corner of the ceiling, I'll have to find a broom or something to get them down.
So glad you are starting to get some warmth and spring! I hope you can find the perfect compromise that will suit you and Tony! Have a great day!
Best wishes finding a new place to live.
Beautiful photos and wonderful stitching. Warm greetings from Montreal.
Yes……that’s the story of, that’s the glory of love!!!!! We did watch 1923 and it was a very good series. We had to join Paramount Plus to do so, but it has been worth it. The last scene was beautiful! When she was freezing in that car I wondered how the author was going to get her out of that pickle!!!!! I hated losing her …..she was such a grand character. We need to go back and watch 1889….is it that or 1883? My son sent us a family tree because I could not connect these people to the Yellowstone family. We are also watching Landman by the same fellow. We await its next season.
Love the photo you caught of the squirrel sunbathing! Your sheep is super cute! I'm sure you'll settle on what you want to do about it, either way. Your EPP stars are adorable, also, Jocelyn! That's a neat RSC project! I definitely recognize that song. And as for the farmer's wife who would find it unbearable to move, my grandma was a farmer's wife and she couldn't wait until they retired and moved to town!
my hubby is the same - great projects and pictures
That squirrel was enjoying a snooze in the sun! Love it. I think I need to watch Beaches now.. with that song reference. I should be downsizing now, as we are still waiting on an offer for the house for the new road going in through our property. It is quite overwhelming to deal with. Love your pretty red stars. Some EPP is next on the hand work list once I get my hexagons done. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Lovely little red EPP blocks. I enjoy doing the EPP, as it's relaxing to do that hand stitching on small pieces. I dread the day that we make the decision to downsize but know it's coming quicker than we would like. We've lived in this house for 19 years now, and it's a big house do you know that "stuff" just expands to fill the space. LOL
Cute little guy sunbathing on your railing! You live in a beautiful and serene area, moving may not be easy. I'm used to move and I found it a good opportunity to get rid of a lot of unnecessary stuff ;)
The little sheep looks pretty, good luck with unstitching someparts. Lovely red stars!
Thank you for sharing, and linking up!
I am like you, Jocelyn. I still enjoy using paper to make lists and such rather than use apps. Papers, journals and magazine accumulate next to my stitchy chair too. Love the pretty stars you are piecing . Have a great week.
A sunbathing squirrel. . .I have not seen that and we have a lot of squirrels! One squirrel likes to tease our dog. Downsizing at your own pace is best. Your Tony and my Bob are cut from the same cloth. When he can no longer take care of the outside, he says he will move to a place where there is no outside chores. I'll believe that when I see it! Frogging is not fun; but, necessary to keep enjoying the piece you are stitching!
I'm the one in our house that doesn't want to downsize and have to be nearer neighbors and noise. We do have wonderful neighbors now but can't see their house from ours due to the terrain. In winter we can see the house below us but in summer its all hidden. And, we are just about 1.5 miles from good medical care. Feels and looks like we're in the country but very convenient to everything. We've had the discussion but for the foreseeable future, we'll stay where we are and hope to get reliable, competent help with the maintenance chores. Our house is an all wood cabin, too.
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