And here we are... nearing the end of November already! I just wanted to pop in and wish all of my U.S. readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. Are you ready for the big day? I have one more pie to make (I've already made a pecan pie and apple/cranberry pie and will make a crustless pumpkin pie tomorrow). I also made a few kinds of cookies as well as pumpkin cranberry bread and applesauce mini-muffins. That is my favorite thing about the holiday season (besides getting together with my family!)--baking, baking, baking! This is such a busy time of year so I chose to make my final two ornaments quick ..read more

Hello, all! How is November treating you? What is everyone up to this month? We'll be hosting Thanksgiving dinner here on the 28th for a much smaller group than normal ("only" 14), so that is occupying much of my time. I've been busy cleaning, decorating, pulling the menu together, grocery shopping, and doing some baking ahead of time. I'm really trying to scale the dinner back this year for one simple reason--I'm getting old! I'll be 70 (gasp) in January and although my spirit is willing, I just don't have the stamina or energy that I used to have. I really hope everyone understands that thin ..read more

Oh, my... I think this has been the most glorious October ever! Day after day of sunshine, warmth, and blue skies. They are predicting that Halloween will be in the high 70's here--so much nicer than our usual night of trick-or-treating where the children have to wear heavy coats that cover up their costumes due to the frosty temperatures. For my long-time readers, you know Halloween is a bittersweet day for me. In fact, tomorrow marks the ten-year anniversary of my dad's death. So hard to believe that it's been a decade... Losing someone dear to you is especially hard when it occurs on a holi ..read more

How can it be mid-October already? Did you know there are only 71 days left until Christmas? If anyone has a secret as to how to slow time down, I'd love to know it, wouldn't you? How is everyone's month going so far? We've had so many beautiful sunny days--surprisingly warm for October, too. I know that soon be changing, but for now, I'm enjoying every minute of this lovely autumn weather while it lasts. Our garden has been put to bed for the winter and I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving which I'll be hosting this year. It will be a smaller gathering, but there is still so much to do! I've al ..read more

Hello all of my stitching friends! I'm back after 2 1/2 weeks away... pretty much recovered from my jet lag, thankfully. I read that the older you get, the longer it takes to recover from trips across multiple time zones. We arrived home late last Saturday evening and by Friday I was feeling pretty normal again. So, where did we go? Well, I'll fill you in on my little bit of stitching news first and then begin a new travelogue.  Finally, after finishing this wonderful Prairie Schooler fall design called "Autumn Leaves" way back in 2018, I've framed it! I purchased the frame last year from ..read more

Good September morning to you, my friends! I hope the first few days of this new month have been treating you well. I'm sad that summer days are winding down, but hoping for at least a few more weeks of warm, sunny weather ahead. Oh, these nights, though--so very chilly. I think it's time to bring out the flannel sheets for our beds--how about you?  This will be a very quick post (for me, anyway!), as I only have one ornament finish to share with you today. It's been a quiet couple of weeks since my last post so I have little to report. I did finish my ornament for August, though, and it ..read more

Brrr... we are going through a cold spell here in southwestern Pennsylvania and I woke up to a chilly 49° (9.4° C)  morning. It was so cold that, when I woke up, I put on my cozy winter bathrobe and promptly went down and baked a batch of my favorite chocolate chip-peanut butter-oatmeal cookies in an effort to warm up the house! I know I've complained about the heat this summer, but I'm not quite ready for fall. How about you? Are things cooling down in your area? The children in this area resumed school today which, to me, always marks the end of summer. (At least it did when my sons wer ..read more

I really didn't mean to be gone for four weeks! July has been one of the busiest months ever and I'm so ready for a quieter August... Before I show you my stitching or give family updates, I really, really want to thank all of you who commented on my last post. I simply haven't had time to get back to most of you. But, I truly appreciate each and every comment--thank you! I did manage two simple finishes this month, both of which I've already shared on Instagram. First up is the charming Plum Street Samplers design called "Summer in Nantucket." Who has visited Nantucket? Not me, but it's defin ..read more

The second day of the second half of 2024... How did that happen? It seems as if just yesterday I was putting away my Christmas decorations. July, here in the United States, is filled with flags, fireworks, family, fabulous foods, and fun all celebrating the most important thing: freedom! I know my July is going to be very busy with three trips down to the Washington, DC area to help care for my grandson for a few days (first time he'll be away from mommy and daddy overnight--wish me luck!), celebrating three family birthdays, and helping out with my grandson as my oldest son recovers from sur ..read more

Has it really been a month since my last post? I never planned on being away so long, but, you know... life! Thanks to those of you who have checked on me. As I mentioned in previous posts, my month of May was filled with doctors' appointments (mostly good results, although there may be a follow-up appointment or two in my future). Right now I'm dealing with a random attack of hives on my arms and I have no idea of the cause! They're fading and most of the itching is gone, but it was not a fun two weeks...  I did manage to get some small gifts stitched, but that's about all since my last ..read more