Checking in

Hello,

 

How are you doing,

 

please can I ask you a favor

 

Thanks

 

Jane

Happiness and Health

wishing everyone a very 

Happy and Healthy 2018

Cheers 

WOW....WHERE DID THAT GO???????

I can't believe how long it has actually been since I have even thought of blogging but here I am for a few words.....lol

One of the most exciting finishes I have is also one of my all time favorite stitches.  That said, I will hang on to this one until death do us part. (no pun intended) well maybe.   

In the past, when someone has made a comment about loving one of my pieces, I have been known to send it home with them...like to Tasmania, England, Portugal, Germany and a many to different locations in the US.  

it will not happen with this one! 

just say'n (although it would be fun to stitch again)

Death by Cross Stitch
by: Long Dog Samplers

Still thinking about a frame and adding a border along the bottom for a bit more weight.

Cheers for now

oh,,,, what a feeling

With Christmas winding down and the weather following suit, we find time to think of all of the wonderful activities we have introduced and each one of our ongoing well-established and cherished adventures. Sharing time with special people makes each and every tradition a wonderful memory we all can enjoy and continue for many years to follow. 

One aspect of this Christmas that is outstanding has been the weather. For those who needed to travel, it was very good timing. For those who love to see snow,,, well, sorry that didn't happen here in Southren Ontario. I will admit that I did miss seeing the "Pretty White S#!+"  Christmas Eve and on through the 27th, but one thing is for sure; I did not miss pulling out the shovels!

In the stitching strategy here @ Henley's Landing,

I was able to finish all but 9 of the 72 Santa heads I've been stitching throughout the entire year.

The remaining 9 simply need the beards stitched and then the finishing, and I am ok with that. The year is not over yet... The fact that I completely finished 63 is a nice feeling and not to mention the fact that said Santa heads will keep me out of having to make ornaments for our Granchill'ns for the next dozen years. 

Each one will receive a new Santa every year and even though a family may have 3 Santas coming in each year they are colour specific to each chill'n and each of them  will have 12 of their very own when they move forward into their own Christmasses in their own time. Gotta love a plan!

I also was busy sliding in 3 wedding samplers, a couple dozen special key fobs and Katies Christmas Stocking helps make the 2015 accomplishments shine in my own mind. 

I will admit that it was so nice to enjoy time away from stitching for a few days but the itch is on the return as I sit here. 

With all of that said, I certainly hope everyone

has enjoyed their season and for the right reasons, as I know we have and when we remember this year we will have many a smiles on our faces.

Cheers to 2015

Health and Happiness to you in 2016

as always

Jane

l Love Sweater Weather

There is just something so very special about this time of year. The Autumnal atmosphere is  my all time favorite ~ what with all of the glorious colours, scenery changes, fragrances wafting throughout, it just gives that cozy comfy feeling like curling up with a warm blanket and hot cup of Cider. yum(and of course, a good stitch or two)

As with the foliage of a beautiful maple, a wind-blown birch or a tall old oak, there comes a time when a leaf or two can break away, this is so with life. On occasion, those leaves may shed earlier than later, albeit, with a lack of nurturing or gust of wind, they are swept away to yet another existence. Oh, it is true, for awhile, that open space was noticed, however; one day that old branch woke up and realized  its own strength and how the if it had only known how sturdy it was without that  leaf comparing the connection of the other leaves to the branch, it may not have hoped for a return visit. 

The seasonal winds are blowing to and fro providing leaves, acorns, and walnuts a happy dance, all I can say is "HEADS" 

Neighbours are gathering piles of leaves for a perfect landing and/or possibly filling bags for the curb, gardens are being winterized and the realization of reality begins to set in. It seems to me this season appears a little sooner than the last and with every day that passes it gives me more chance to realize how very grateful I am for everyone who is in my life, for all of the situations I have found myself in and all of the strength I have gained.

Certain seasons can bring out the best of you and those around you. Not always do those seasons fall at the same time, but just having the awareness that whoever you choose to spend your time with, there will always a common understanding and trust that even when life gets tough, you would be there for each other in a heartbeat regardless of how long it has been. I do swear that the cooler weather brings out the best in people and when honesty and loyalty are a strength, together, it brings out a warmth

within.

 It is certainly very reassuring what you observe with open eyes and what you hear as the wind whistles by when you take a long walk amongst trees in a far off forest. 

There is no better time to pull on a warm sweater and slippers, light a cozy fire and favourite candle to spend time with those who bring out the best of you and allow you the joys of your life.

Maybe this explains why I feel so connected with Autumn. 

Cheers

What ever will be will be...

I truly believe that your own health  is, in fact, in your own hands. It is so difficult to sit by watching and listening to people with their own health issues as they choose to accept a "white-coat remedy". I know it is definitely a personal choice to be healthy and with that said; I also understand that when your health is jeopardized, one tends to accept the scare factor rather than seek the root of the issue and deal with it. 

At what point would you say " I don't want to feel like this" or "I don't want to take these drugs" or "I want to  do whatever it takes to get off these meds and feel alive again"? 

I understand that everyone  has their own destiny. Each person makes a choice reguarding whom and/or what they believe and that they go to the white coat for a reason. What I don't get, is why some sabotage their own health and well-being and make countless reasons/excuses of their choices, rather than giving it their all to make a healthy difference.

and I think to myself: 

I have absolutely nothing to do with the choices and decisions reguarding their own health. It is their destiny, NOT mine. I am only responsible for my own outcome and for that I am very thankful. 

I am delighted that I have finally opened my eyes to all of the directions that I took in the past and that know that they didn't work. I also totally understand that what IS working for me now is because of my personal dedication to my own health and well-being. What others choose to do, has nothing to do with what I do or how I feel OR what I believe and that is so OK with me. However; it does make me wonder where they place their own health on their priority list. 

As I previously mentioned, it is very hard to sit by friends and watch/listen to how and what they feel. I know everyone has their own "oh shit, I better take care of this before it takes care of me" moment and that no two to people are the same. What works for me may not work for anyone else, but it might be worth a try if you want to try anything to feel better. 

Coz, well, ya know,,, ya have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of everyone else.

With all of this said, I am also very grateful that I have wonderful friends who all understand and  respect each others individual perspectives and we all know we are there for each other always in all ways.

Cheers to the moments that make you want to look out for yourself again. 

now,  on the stitchy side of life- 

it's all the way you hold your chart.

as always

Cheers

what a pleasure and a big THANK YOU

Yesterday I had the pleasure of catching up with an old friend. For life's little reasons, it has been some time since we have spoken and if you had been sitting out back with us, you would have thought we spoke just the day before. We shared the happenings of our families, our homes, and all the things in life that make us happy. 

As we chatted, laughed and shared some emotional thoughts, we also knew that for every day that we don't manage to get together, we will have more to speak of when we can. When I think back on all of the times we shared at work and away, it is a comfort to know that we still feel the same towards each other and all of our life changes are for our own well-being and not one  has been to impress others. What a wonderful feeling. 

It is amazing how reuniting with old friends can be uplifting and a lot of fun. Sometimes there are old friends that just never change and other friends do change. Or do they? 

I know of a couple of old friends who have made some pretty impressive changes in their lives and when you can make a difference in your own life then you can make a difference in others. When you sit back and observe, you realize that some changes are in fact welcomed, needed and well deserved. Observations can sometimes be funny too, you just never know what, where and from whom you will learn more about the root of a story.

A heartfelt Thanks to you for sharing your time and wonderful ability to share the warmth.

CHEERS

as always

hmmm. halfway through June!

It has been a while since I've sent an entry to this blog. Wow, time flies. It seems as if every time I sit down to compose a thought or two, millions flood the gate and it becomes a tad mind boggling. So, suffice to say, Yes, I am still busy stitching, Yes, the costuming is completed for the year and Yes, we are totally enjoying the Grand-parenting time of our lives.

There have been a few starts in the stitching end of life here and the majority of the time has been on Santa heads for Christmas ornaments for our little grandchildren.  I am on a mission to stitch 12 for each one which in turn would make a count of 60! I have 3 completely finished and maybe another 18 ready to finish. Two of our grandchildren have recently come into our lives and one more has yet to be allowed to make up her own mind. That may or may not happen but if and when it does the goodies will be ready and waiting.

I have also been a bit busy with many birth and wedding samplers and loving each one of them.  Funny how you can change colour to suit the people you stitch for and give the same piece a totally different look. Does that count as doing the same thing twice? well, kinda, sorta, I guess, but they all look wonderful when finished and I know that each and every one of these is truly appreciated.

A few other things have been going on here @ Henley's Landing and I am loving what is going down...so to speak.....  Any wonder you have been seeing less of me???? lol Well, after many, many, many years of being overweight, I have finally made a choice to change my lifestyle, and can you imagine walking past a window of a store and liking the jacket you see in the reflection and then realizing, holy crap, that's me?...... well it has happened on more than one occassion, and I must admit it is an awesome feeling. some people have funny reactions when they look at you and say Hi, then they realize who you are! Others have walked right past me and turn around to say Hi, and some just say it was the smile or the laugh that made them realize who was standing there chatting it up with them. Some people have mixed reactions and I totally get that, I understand those feelings oh to well and I also understand that those feelings are not because I have done this but more because of what is going on in their own lives. I have done this for my own health and happiness and would not take any of that poundage back. I will admit that it is an awesome feeling being able to go into a store and try on things with the number 1 as the first number on the size tag rather than a 2, or the letter M instead of XXX. For many years I made my own clothes rather than face the embarrassing fact that I could not find things that fit in a style that I liked and now, well, now, that is not an issue. hurrah....

and I think on that note, I will leave you to continue on with your day.

Cheers

 

 

 

 

Can you feel the warmth?

Well let me just say how honoured I am 

to have such wonderful friends. 

I know I have not done them justice 

for what we have collectively accomplished 

for our little Sunshine. 

So with that said I will link you over to 

MORE THAN JUST CROSS STITCHIN' 

to see more pictures 

of a wonderfully warm family heirloom  

which we will cuddle with 

for a very long time.

as always.

I am Thankful for an ability to recognize a great talent.

wow did you see this?

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe 

has a beautiful display of colours in an awesome giveaway

We should all be Thankful for this giveaway.

Cheers to a wonderful eye to colour!

lost in a week

 

Our Back Yard Bash was a big success and Mother Nature was certainly at her best providing yet another wonderful day for the event. Here's hoping she received her invitation for July 11, 2015 and can attend with her shining sun. We laid kinda low on the following day, knowing that we had the full week to do some things that needed to be done around the Landing.

We headed up the 400 to visit with Jan and Fred and although Leroy is very used to the  “A of O” traffic, he sure didn’t want to get tied up in the crap on holidays, but hey he’s good and tucked his patience in his back pocket prior to leaving town.  I SURE AS HELL WOULD NOT WANT TO HAVE TO DRIVE IN THAT EVERY DAY.  At the end of the drive up he did get to go off across to the lake and not only did he get soaking wet with the rain, he did catch a couple of fish all while Jan and I pulled a few stitches through our fabric.  After a nice peaceful talk around the dinner table we headed back home and didn’t make bad timing,,, well until we hit the construction season around Cootes Paradise , and from there it was smooth sailing.

Another day/evening we headed out to meet up with someone from the past whom has never had a chance to get to know us as we are and for that we are glad to have had this opportunity. A new door in life has been unlocked and opened with an energetic group of friends sharing a refreshing and long overdue outlook. As we embark on what could be an interesting adventure, not only will we share time, we will learn and grow from this friendship.

Then there was the ride to Dover… Arbor Hot Dogs…… I THINK NOT!!! We did the walk around, hit a few stores, sat on bench outside a store eating/sipping our salad/smoothie and enjoyed the sunny afternoon followed by a jaunt up town to see a tiny bit of the ELVIS show. Maybe not a bad thing we only saw a bit of it. We then took a trip over the bridge to deliver something and had a nice visit with a couple of pretty incredible kids.

(if you head to Dover, don’t forget to go to Picard’s for some treats. We picked up some unblanched almonds and peanuts and they have the most incredible Habanero flavored peanuts…holy frick’en hot; but damn good)

While doing what we do on a Saturday afternoon a familiar car pulls up into the Landing and all be damned,,,, did they think we changed the date of the Bash…almost the right time but a week late I’d say.  We spent the rest of the afternoon with my cousin and his wife and got caught up with the happenings of their families and ours. 

So to say we had a busy week:  no not really but we did have fun, we did learn a few things and did we laugh….. yep we sure did.

First thing this morning….  Well ok maybe not first thing,,, 7 :40 am the phone rings with Leroy’s itinerary for tomorrow….  Jackass, I thnk we should change our phone number…..  just say’n…. Cheers to a week with 4 wheels not 18.

DID I MENTION I DID NOT GO TO STITCHING WEDNESDAY NIGHT?

AND NEXT WEEK MAYBE NOT EITHER, coz well you know,,,,

it’s a certain day that only comes once a year and all…

I know, I know,,, priorities…

Surprise!

I know, I know

I am still here and still stitching

and receiving emails regarding my tardiness towards my blog.

 

No excuses are believable

and I really have none anyway.

Well other than that

little darling Grand-daughter of ours. 

 

I have to wonder where the last 9 months has gone

 not to mention the last 25 years. 

In understanding the process of life,

somewhat, sorta,

it is easy to say the older we get

the more we have to compare our time with

so it tends to go quicker. 

 

On the stitching side of things,

a wonderful group Stitching Sisters

and including The 4 from Forest,  

spent a few hours together last May

and silly me spit out a request,

to which they all jumped on 

faster than I really thought about

what was coming out of my mouth....

Damn filter must have been plugged.

Anyway without hesitation,

these wonderful women each stitched

 a special little tribute for our little Princess

and those who follow.

 

Stitching on this was a tad time consuming

but the finishing was quick and easy.

I might just add that this treasure was completely

finished by the time we left to go to our beloved

Brentwood on the Beach this May.

Back where it all began,

and let me tell you what a relief it was

to have it totally finished!

 

And without further adieu. 

 

 
 

shy of the shadow, here it is

and what a wonderful family heirloom!

 

I thank each and every person who contributed

to this amazing blanket and appreciate every bit of your determination and dedication.

 

Here is our little Princess.

 

As time goes on,

be assured that she will be stitching up

her own little storm

and never have to go to the stores

to begin her own stash room...

(gotta love beneficiaries)

 

Well, I think that is enough for now

so I will wish you the best of best

and the safest way home.

 

Cheers

man how did we get past all of this?

 

O CANADA