surprise . . .

Backposted (because how ever many years from now I'd regret not having posted these pictures along with their stories)!

Back in December (way back when), I participated in the Advent blog hop — which is one of my favorites of the year!  Since I do participate, I'm also faithful to visit all the other participants.  Because it's the nice thing to do!  Anyway, one of the participants, Elfin Stitches, featured the most beautiful, hand-beaded ornaments in her post, and she had a give away, and I won one!  They came all the way from Australia, so it took a little time.  But when I got home from retreat, guess what was waiting on me?

It was like Christmas all over again!  I took my time opening it.  It was so worth the wait . . .

Isn't this beautiful?!?  Her bead work is stunning.  I couldn't wait the twelve months to next Christmas to hang it, so it's hanging at my desk where I can enjoy it daily!  

She asked us to specify if we wanted lightly or heavily beaded trees.  I chose heavily.  It's just stunning.

:)

road trippin . . .

Backposted (because how ever many years from now I'd regret not having posted these pictures along with their stories)!

This past weekend was the second annual retreat for our Sassy Sisterhood!  We hit the road on Wednesday morning and shopped and ate along the way . . .

We stayed in the same cabin (that suits us so, so well) as last year, tucked in the Smokey Mountains in Sevierville, TN.  It's really sweet and cozy, and just the right size for three gals stitching away.  (And I just realized I never did a post just on our reteat last year.  This is why I'm going ahead and backposting!  It makes me so sad when I look back on the blog for something and I didn't post about it!)

My intent this year was to finish the teacup stitchery and to finish appliqueing all of the wool blocks from the Hospital Sketches BOM.  I succeeded . . .

Yay!  I love it when a plan comes together!  Finishing my BOM blocks is my goal for January's UFO challenge (in our Stitcher's Etc. group).  I'm glad to have this off my plate!

We also had a group project that we worked on.  Last year it was "Ewenice" (which I did blog about).  This year it was . . .

TAHDAH! Pompom sheep! Aren't they darling?  We used the tempplates from Betz White. Mine is the bottom one.  Lavender.  ♥  She's hanging from my rear view mirror in my car.  She's so CUTE!

We had a light dusting of snow while we were there . . .

Idyllic! We decided that was the perfect day to stay put and have a fire in the fireplace:

And Downton Abbey on the screen. Ha! It was such a sweet, laid back time.  Perfect get-away.  We booked for 2023 before we left!

;)

birthday girl . . .

Backposted (because how ever many years from now I'd regret not having posted these pictures along with their stories)!

My oldest grandgirl turned T E N on the tenth!  Her magic birthday!  It's hard to believe ten years have passed since this sweet day . . .

She's grown into a lovely, sweet young lady, full of accomplishments!

Pawpaw and Neesey took her out for a special birthday dinner ... wherever she wanted to go!  Wanna guess what she chose?  Mellow Mushroom (pizza).  LOL!

We had a lovely celebration!  Her birthday gift was a road trip to Legoland, Atlanta. Something to look forward to for us both!

Happy Birthday, beautiful Eleanor Pearl! ♥

:)

upside down weather . . .

Backposted (because how ever many years from now I'd regret not having posted these pictures along with their stories)!

Less than 48 hours after we had temps in the 80's, we had . . .

S N O W !

And not just a dusting, either.

Todd and I enjoyed a play day in the fluffy stuff.  I even managed to make a snow angel! You'll notice there is no photo showing the making (or the getting up and down) of said snow angel.  <grin>

We weren't the only ones out enjoying the snow.  I saw plenty of critter tracks, including an intersection of deer tracks that went in every direction!  We also spotted this grand creature . . .

I adore the pileated woodpeckers; we've had a pair living here as long as we've been here.  

Todd grabbed this pristine shot down at the upper pond . . .

I think this may be my favorite picture EVER taken at the camp! (At least, one that didn't have any grandchildren in it!)

Speaking of which, the local crew also enjoyed this surprise snowfall . . .

Even baby brother enjoyed his first experience with the white stuff!

Isn't he just a doll baby?!  

We finally came inside and dimmed the lights and enjoyed the lingering spirit of the Christmastide holiday.  All is calm; all is bright.

It was a pretty magical day, all around. 

:)

one day in . . .

I love the new year . . . the roll out of new resolutions, new challenges, a new word, and a fresh opportunity to get it right.  A clean slate, so to speak!  Mind you, I do not do resolutions, but I do enjoy selecting a word to focus on for the coming year. This year my word is . . .

Yup, aware. That works on a lot levels.  Yesterday, it was important for me to be weather aware.

When your temps get up to eighty degrees ahead of a cold front, chances are good severe weather will follow.  It was a balmy, windy, day . . .

The sun kept popping in.  Dang it!  By early evening we were watching this . . .

. . . and heading over to our shelter.  Grateful we've got that space!

No damage in the camp, but our area of the county did take a hit as rotation moved through. When they say tornado season runs from November through April, they're serious about that 'through' part.

I did manage to prep a new little stitchery to work on.  Kathy Schmitz's One Stitch at a Time project was in my inbox first thing yesterday morning, so I printed it out and transferred it over.

I used one of my new frixon pens!  Then I spent a little time out in the screened room doing a little stitching. 

This year I'd like to make it a practice to keep some stitch work with me at all times so I can keep my hands busy if  I find myself waiting in the hospital or in the car or wherever.  :)

I can't get enough of these pom-poms, either.

I am thinking I might like a couple more sizes. Just in case.  LOL!

Linking up with Kathy's Quilts for some slow Sunday stitching.  Happy New Year!!

:)