My Son Xeru

"Wook, Mama! I Selled my NAME!"

And while I'm in here blogging, let me show you a THING OF BEAUTY...

After suffering with my leaky old coffee maker with a no-longer-functioning burner for far too long, we are now the proud owners of a Technivorm Moccamaster!

A Partrige, A Pare, and a Turteldove

A quick finish... all ready for its moment in the spotlight.


Because its so small, I hadn't planned on printing the chart in my regular format for sale as a pattern. I was actually considering setting it aside for use in a Christmas booklet for 2009.

BUT... since a few of you have already asked for it, I will gladly make it available as an e-pattern. In a Word document or .jpg, whichever you prefer, and it can be yours for $5.

Send me an email or leave a comment with your contact information if you are interested!


And I just have to share a little Something Silly with you... A few months ago, at my local thrift store, I found this:

I had NO CLUE what I was going to do with it, but I simply couldn't leave it there. Then, one day, while browsing etsy, I stumbled across these:

And I instantly knew exactly what that bird cage would be used for. So I set out and found a few more pieces for my little puzzle, and WALLA... "The Gathering"...




Yes, I know, it is a complete departure from my usual style, but it sure was fun!

Where I Found Him

All hunkered down, watching Word World; I thought he was being awfully quiet!

I Probably Shouldn't Share This Photo...

but it has been a constant source of giggling for me (and my little sis, Joann) for the last two months. All I have to do is THINK about that night and the giggles come bubbling forth.

Please, my dear friends, never let yourself become too old to have a little frolicksome fun.

Stitching Again

I'm working on a little Christmas pinkeep and thought I'd let you take a peek:

What I Keep Thinking About

An hour or two with no sound entering my ears but Rostropovich's cello.

A glass of Merlot.

And these:

My Little Republicans

It really wasn't premeditated.

I've been waiting for that first truly cold, damp day for my Baby Girl to wear her little hat, the one with the circus elephants and Elvish point, you know, the one that her Auntie wore when she was a baby. Its really adorable. And also happens to be red, white and blue with Elephants. Hm. And we were heading to town to vote. Double Hm.

Being a bit of a Conservative in a state that never fails to show up blue on the US map come election day sometimes makes it seem pointless to vote at all. But I am so proud of my free right to vote my opinion and conscience that it really doesn't matter as much to me what the outcome is, so long as I have made my voice heard. That is the beauty of the America that I love. So many different opinions, and we get to have a vote.

And I love the state of Oregon, despite... and probably also because of... its more liberal bent. We are Pioneers, after all. Mavericks, even!

So, as I laughingly realized that the hat wasn't about the circus, but rather a cute little Republican pixie hat, I decided that I might as well make the most of our little outing, and Jack got to drop our ballots in the box!


We simply couldn't leave the Library without stopping by the children's section! His book choice resulted in a few rousing rounds of Winnie the Pooh's theme song as we went about our errands.

The adorable Girl, the wet pavement, the Autumn leaf, the beaming sunshine, I couldn't resist taking this celebratory photo. Voting makes me feel festive!

Refortifying with snacktime at the grocery store... She gets her old stand-by Cheerios,

And the Firechief gets a corndog!

All tuckered out...

So now we are home, and the wait begins. Who will be the new leader of our country, we don't know. But, we are satisfied. We voted, and hopefully you did too, and whichever way the vote goes, we as Americans got to choose. This wasn't a hostile takeover or a military coup. It was Democracy at work. God bless the USA!

Now, let's see, what shall I make for dinner?

For the Birds

Instead of rushing to dismantle our vegetable garden this year, we chose to leave it in place for the benefit of the birds. Most days, all it takes is the opening of the door, and there is a rustling of wings and various chirping voices as they feast on overripe corn and sunflower seeds.

Despite the mouldering leaves and long-wilted plants, I find the garden still a thing of beauty.

And this is why we chose the Northern Red Oak to be our Anniversary Tree- Even in stormy weather it glows with Autumn color!

My American Eagle

For those of you not familiar with etsy, this won't make a whole lot of sense, but I have to share anyway. This morning, I got a note in my inbox stating that my American Eagle 1776 pattern had been chosen to be part of a Treasury! You can see it here.

If you are in the mood for browsing through an amazing sampler collection, check out the Sampler Farm. A few of my designs are featured in the "Samplers and Such" album.

And speaking of my American Eagle, here it is, as finished by Connie Schwarz:

A Heartfelt Gift

I am so thankful for all of the new friends and customers that I have gained over the course of the past year. As a gesture of my thanks for all of your encouraging words and kind purchases, I have designed a free cross-stitch chart. Tell all of your friends, this one is on me!

This is how I visualize the color scheme...

using DMC 225, 300, 420, 680, 839, 841, 3052, and Ecru. You, of course, may stitch it up using whatever colors you wish! Please give credit to me as the designer if you share photos online.

Happy stitching, and pretty please share photos of your finishes with me!