My Little Stitching Room

2011- A year of finishes!

2011-12-25T22:27:00.002-05:00

Cross Stitch Finishes for 2011

Blue Christmas Tree Bulb Ornament -January
Green Christmas Tree Blub Ornament January
Focus - January
Tropical Kitty -February Finish
Cookies Bread Cloth-February
Floss Card Bookmark-March
Creative Mood-Dolly Mama-March
Eat Dessert First - March
Portrait of Cat-April
Hello Kitty - April
Kissy-Cross Bunny SAL - April
Caught up in the Lights-April
Pink Flamingo May Finish
Butterfly- had an untimely death June
Roaster Towel-August Finish
Coffee bread cloth cover-July Finish
G Christmas Finish August
Mom'd Doll- October
Small Snowflake -October
Big Bang- December Finish

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-25T21:55:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Here are some of the last gifts I finished this year!

Pink Flamingo Pillow for Kathy B.

Coffee Time bread cloth for Kathy M.

Cross Stitched Doll for Mom!

Hope Santa Claus was good to everyone!
I have to decide what I will be stitching in 2012. A couple of my stitching buddies would like to do a stitch along. I think this will be fun. Next week we will be welcoming in the new year! I hope 2012 will be much better than 2011 was!

Its only been up 1 hour but.....

2011-12-14T23:14:00.000-05:00

Fluffy couldn't wait to sleep under the tree!
Merry Christmas!

Look What Arrived Today!

2011-12-13T21:49:00.000-05:00

My husband had surgery and his co-workers sent him a fruit basket.
Can't wait to break into it!

Its That Time of Year Again!

2011-12-13T21:46:00.000-05:00

Snoopy on his Dog House

My Front Porch!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Big Bang Theory

2011-12-07T12:44:00.000-05:00

WIP 4

2011-12-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

WIP 3

2011-11-24T13:28:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T13:26:00.000-05:00

I know its been awhile since I posted. I 'd like to share some pictures of the October 29th snow storm that was one of the worst storms I remember. We lost power on Saturday around 5:30p.m. and had it restored on Monday round 5p.m.

Here are some pictures of when the storm started (1p.m. Saturday until I lost power at 5p.m.) I am also including a picture of what we have left of our beautiful maple tree.

1pm just started to snow

2pm snowing

3pm still snowing

4pm still snowing

5pm still snowing

5pm different view of snow

Thanksgiving Day and all that's left of my maple tree.

The storm destroyed it, we had to have to cut down. :o(

WIP OF A SNOWFLAKE

2011-10-27T20:35:00.000-04:00

Finish In Honor the of Freezing rain we had this evening

2011-10-27T20:32:00.000-04:00

Snowflake

WIP 2 Kitchen Potouri II Design by Linda Coleman

2011-10-27T20:31:00.000-04:00

KITCHEN POTPOURI II

DESIGN BY LINDA COLEMAN

So much fun to stitch!

WIP 1

2011-10-16T18:16:00.000-04:00

KITCHEN POTPOURI II
DESIGN BY LINDA COLEMAN

Finish and a Start

2011-10-05T21:36:00.000-04:00

I finished Mom's Christmas present last night and today I started on the Kitchen Potpourri. I think it will stitch up quick. I'm going to enjoy watching it develop. I will share my progress with you soon!
Thanks for stopping in!

I"m so excited!

2011-10-02T14:05:00.000-04:00

I'm almost finished stitching my last Christmas gift and my next design arrived in the mail the other day! I just couldn't wait to share what I'll be stitching next so here is a picture of the leaflet. Its so colorful! I can't wait to start!

Good Bye!

2011-10-01T18:58:00.000-04:00

This evening at 5:35p.m. our 13 year old cat Teddy passed away. He had an uncertain start in life. When he was about a year old he was thrown out of a car window at my husbands place of employment. My husband called me up and said I have a surprise for you bring the cat carry. We had twelve wonderful years with Ted. He loved the outdoors. We was a wonderful hunter. About 2 years ago he went blind, so he became an indoor cat. He adjusted well to his life of darkness. We promised him we would not move the furniture around but he would have to find his way around the dogs and other cats and he did. He loved to sleep in an open window. Every morning before I left for work we would go out on the porch and I would open his favorite window for him and every evening when I returned from work, I would pull in the driveway and find him in "HIS" window. Every night he would sleep on my pillow. It was wonderful in the winter because he kept my head warm. Ted was the type of cat that all you had to do was pet him and he would start purring! Rest in peace, Teddy!

Teddy with his favorite scratching post.

Come and Celebrate with me!

2011-09-01T20:29:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. I know I haven't been posting lately but that's because I have been stitching a Christmas present for my Mom. Now I know that Mom follows this blog (Hi, Mom), so I just couldn't post a picture of my wip! Don't worry it won't be long know until I'm finished and start my next project, which I will be able to post for all to see.

Another year has past so yep you guessed it I'm another year older, it my Birthday! Had beautiful weather today. My hubby sent me flowers that are just gorgeous, see them pictured below. The girls at work got together and bought me a hot fudge chocolate cake and boy was it good. They also gave me the cutest card!

Hubby feeling under the weather today, he came home early from work sick. So tomorrow we will enjoy dinner from Tony and Penny's . Even better we have a gift certificate to take care of this! :o)

Thanks for stopping by and sharing my birthday with me.

Small Finish for me!

2011-08-15T20:26:00.000-04:00

A Finish for Me!

2011-08-07T16:25:00.001-04:00

Yep, I finished my rooster towel last night! I'm going to start a new project in just a few minutes but I can't tell you what it is as the person I'm stitching it for follows this blog and she would know what she's getting for Christmas. So no sneek previews! Sorry but thanks for taking a peek at my finish!

Rooster Towel Finish

Boy What a HOT WEEKEND!

2011-08-07T16:22:00.000-04:00

The humidity has really sky rocketed here in Western Massachusetts. I can't believe how thick the air is today, you could cut it with a knife! I can't get anything done because as soon as I start anything I'm drenched with sweat. So I decided to blog. How much could I sweat doing this! Yestereday I started to replace the timbers behind the garage so that I can plant flowers next year. The timbers there are about 10 years old and really rotten. Here is a picture of what I've done so far. I am going to add at least 1 if not 2 more layers of timbers. I'm leaning toward one but time will tell. Hopefully it will cool off and I will be able to finish it next weekend.

Timbers behind garage.

Tuesday Night Car Show Night- Saw 3 Chevy's

2011-08-02T20:50:00.000-04:00

Thought I would have had more pictures because I had to go back out to have my propane tank fill. I figured I see more because it was getting close to show time but I didn't see any. How disappointing is that! But the good news is I was able to bbq chicken and it was GOOD!

I Really Have Been Stitching!

2011-07-31T21:31:00.000-04:00

Here are WIPS of my current project. One is a snowman tissue box cover on plastic canvas and the other is a rooster cup stitched on a towel. Shhhh.. They are Christmas Presents! Don't tell anyone!

Snowman Tissue Box Cover

Rooster Mug on Towel

My Buds have opened!

2011-07-31T21:29:00.002-04:00

No Matter How You Look At Her, She Just Doesn't Fit!

2011-07-31T21:27:00.002-04:00

My Rose Bush is going to flower again!

2011-07-30T20:56:00.002-04:00

Uninvited Guests Found in my Yard!

2011-07-30T20:54:00.000-04:00

Ground Bees opening to their nest

Look one is coming out!

Nest burnt to a crisp!

Did some picking today!

2011-07-30T20:50:00.001-04:00

Cherry Tomatoes

Just Picked Green Beans

Pickling Cucumbers

My Basket of Goodies!

Herbie's Hanging out in the early Evening!

2011-07-30T20:47:00.002-04:00

Wacky Wash Weekend!

2011-07-30T20:45:00.000-04:00

Washed Liberty

Wash Malibu

Wash and Groomed Cady

Washed and Groomed Sparkle! I love this Picture!

Busy, Busy Busy!

2011-07-29T21:13:00.000-04:00

So last night I gave both my dogs a bath. After I came back from shopping today, I brushed them out. Boy I didn't know that two dogs could produce so much fur! I looked over all the charts I purchased today and I'm so excited I can't wait to get stitching. I have to finish my snowman and rooster before I start my new stuff but I can't wait. I love cross stitching! I find it so relaxing. Sometimes its to relaxing as I fall asleep with needle in hand. I'm hoping to work in the yard tomorrow. I know the yard needs mowing and we have a small branch that came down Tuesday that I will need to take care of. I promise myself to not use up all my energy and save time for stitching.

Remember I share a picture of that blue/gray house with you. You know the one that needs to be blessed before anyone moves in. Well someone is moving in. Two trucks showed up. They put an a/c unit in the window and then disappeared. Now they are back, then must be moving some stuff in to the house in the dark. I hope they don't start moving in to early tomorrow because I plan on sleeping in. well got to go and do so stitching. I will post some stitching pictures soon!

Took a vacation day today and went shopping!

2011-07-29T21:05:00.000-04:00

Went to Bush Mountain in Ware Massachuesetts. I couldn't believe all the people!

Look at what I got! I was able to get everything I was looking for except for one item and they are going to order it for me! I got some extra's too!

More Pics.

2011-07-29T20:59:00.000-04:00

Tree in Stop and Shop Parking Lot

Light pole on Mass. Pike leaning on trees.

Missing Sign and its poles!

2011-07-29T20:56:00.002-04:00

No Car Show on Tuesday But....

2011-07-29T20:51:00.000-04:00

We had a very bad storm. I was traveling home and the road I take was washing out in two different places. Luckily I was able to get home safe. But on Wednesday morning I took pictures of some of the damage I came across while going to work.

Tree Down

Branches

Pine Tree on the property of where I work

Clean up at work of Oak Tree limbs.

Pine tree limbs at work

Sign on the Mass. Pike torn away from its poles.

Hi!

2011-07-20T21:10:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! Just want to say thanks again for stopping by my blog whenever your in the area! Well I have a couple of old car pictures taken last night to share with you. I took a peek in my garden and still no green beans but I do have two tiny pickling cucumbers growing! How exciting it that! Boy was it hot today and the heat wave is just starting! I don't mind being at work on hot days like this because my office is air conditioned! I'm currently sitting outside in the dark writing this with my two dogs and two ferral cats. Its really nice out here at the moment!

Things I take for Granted

2011-07-18T19:03:00.000-04:00

Everyday I pass the Chicopee River on the Massachusetts Turnpike but never really take the time to enjoy how beautiful it really is. That's kind of hard when you are traveling a speed of 65 miles per hour but still its there and I take it for granted that it will always be there. But will it?

Garden Update!

2011-07-18T18:58:00.001-04:00

Well its like this. Its finally growing! My butternut squash has one flower on it but my summer squash has a baby yellow squash on it, my green beans are flowering while my cherry tomato's are turning red! I see some fine veggies in my near future!

Summer Squash, just a baby but wait!

Cherry Tomatos, now red!

Grean Bean Plants, they have \plenty of flowers!

I can taste the fresh veggies now! I can't wait!

The Freshly Picked 1st Tomato!

2011-07-18T18:53:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't just love the first tomato that comes out of the garden! I picked my 1st one on Sunday. Its big red and juicey. And that freshly home grown tomato smell when you first slice into it and all the juice come rushing out. Oh yum!

Still on the plant. It's the one on the left.

Now on the plate. Look at it! Yum!

It was very tastey on our turkey sandwiches on fresh rye bread from the bakery! Am I making you hungry for a tomato. I hope so!

I Love This Little House

2011-07-13T18:58:00.000-04:00

Isn't this the cutest little house! I've always had a soft spot in my heart for it. A few years back there was a little old man that lived all by himself in this house. At the time the house was painted red. He really loved this house. He was always working outside either in the yard or on his house. Then he passed away and I always hoped that someone would buy it and love it as much as he did. Well someone has and I think the little old man would be happy with the new owner. This house doesn't have much land and behind it there is a river and an old factory. I have always been afraid that the land would give way and the house would end up in the river. This house is still standing proud and I hope it will for years to come.

Thanksk for peeking at the little house in Thorndike, Massachusetts!

Who Doesn't Love Old Cars!

2011-07-13T18:50:00.000-04:00

Isn't it amazing what you see on your way home from work! I love seeing old cars.

Here's a good use for a muffler!

2011-07-11T20:17:00.000-04:00

This is in front of a repair shop in Ludlow Ma.

Old Mills

2011-07-11T20:15:00.000-04:00

Here's a picture of the mills in Ludlow Massachusetts. Remember old clock towers like this?

Update on Veggies!

2011-07-11T20:11:00.001-04:00

Well my garden is starting to do things! I'm so excited!

1St Tomato turning red

1st flower on summer squash

1st cherry tomato turning red

I love this sign!

2011-07-07T20:47:00.000-04:00

Maybe if there were a few more "Cute" Don't litter signs, people wouldn't litter!

Had a visitor at work today!

2011-07-07T20:43:00.001-04:00

Remember I was talking about all the visitors that I recieve outside my glass wall at work. Well today I had a squirrel visit. He was so busy for about 45 minutes and then he disappeared. He would come right up to the window. He/She didn't even mind me taking its picture.

He/She Came right up to the window.

Here's my husband co-pilot

2011-07-06T19:06:00.000-04:00

He found this little guy sitting near his windshield wiper one day and then forgot he was there. He has no idea where it came from. Two days later after driving all over the place this little guy was still on his car. So he decided he deserved a safe place in side the car.

Its not car show night but...

2011-07-06T19:01:00.000-04:00

I saw this oldie parked at a restaurant on the way home from work today.

Little Visitor

2011-07-06T18:59:00.000-04:00

At the office my desk faces a glass wall. I have all kinds of little visitors through out the day. From Robins, chipmunks, groundhogs and Killdeer. Here's the little fellow that was visiting this morning.

Tuesday Car Show Night

2011-07-05T21:57:00.000-04:00

I was able to get two pictures on the way home tonight to share with you. I love the red car!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T13:16:00.001-04:00

A few streets a way, this elderly couple always decorate their house for the holidays! This time I just had to share their yard with you! Doesn't it just scream Independance day! I love the giant bear!

Happy 4th!

Lets talk Cross Stitch for a Minute

2011-07-04T01:48:00.000-04:00

Ok, back in December I purchase this cute little kit that I thought would make a wonderful gift for a co-worker of mine. Well to say the list it was a challenge. I would work on it and then put it aside and then work on it again. Well over the last 3 weeks I really made some head way but I broke one of my BIGGEST rules! When will I learned.

I usually mark my charts with a color pencil. This way I know what I've stitched. Well this time I was using a yellow highlighter. Last night I took the fabric out to work on it and OMG! The cover came off the highligher and the marker bled all over the fabric! It's ruined. Even stitching over the area's won't work. I'm so mad at myself! I should know better.

Well today I'm feeling better as I went through my stash and found something else to stitch for this person. Now if you make rules for yourself you should stick to them. MY #1 Cross Stitch Rule is NO HIGHLIGHTERS EVER! NO EXCEPTS! Color pencils only!

No I hope I have learned my lesson this time!

Happy Stitching to all!

L@@K!

2011-07-04T01:40:00.000-04:00

Doesn't this house look like its going to fall forward on to the road?

You never know where Herbie is going to turn up!

2011-07-04T01:34:00.000-04:00

Herbie is asleep on my gardening wagon, on top of my knee pad. I just never know where I'm going to find him!

Herbie the Gardener!

Flowers are looking good this year!

2011-07-04T01:31:00.000-04:00

Bee Balm

Telephone Pole Garden

Every neighborhood has one, does yours?

2011-07-04T01:28:00.000-04:00

When I was a kid, I grew up in a small town. On our street there was a house that eveyone said was haunted. Well now that I'm all grown up, I've moved out of that small town and into another. Now the house across the street is EVIL! We have lived in our house for 13 years and in that time this house has been for sale 3 times and each time the people living there got a divorce! This house needs to be blessed or something before anyone moves in again.

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-04T01:24:00.000-04:00

Good Morning! Just wanted to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July! Hope you have a nice three day weekend! Today, we are going over a friends for a cookout, the invitation said come for food, drinks, swimming and horse shoes! Hope the rain holds off long enough for us to have some fun! Its suppose to be very HOT and HUMID today! At the moment its 1:30 a.m. and dark its warm but not bad with the ceiling fans going!

Traffic Jam and Blue Lights on the Way Home From Work!

2011-06-30T21:32:00.000-04:00

Opps his fence fell of his trailer. No one is hurt. Well maybe this guys pride!

Here's Teddy

2011-06-29T20:09:00.000-04:00

This is my blind indoor cat Teddy. He is about 13 years old and just loves to sit in this window all day! When I got home from work, here he was!

So I Decided

2011-06-29T20:07:00.000-04:00

So I decided that I take the things I see everyday for granted. So I'm taking pictures to share with you. On my way to work each day I drive by a business that has this really cool little car in front of it. Here it is!
The owner of this must really take pride in his business to display something this cool!

Bee Balm Blooming Bright Pink!

2011-06-29T20:02:00.000-04:00

Took this shot early this morning!

Stagging Area near Spec Pond in Wilbraham

2011-06-29T19:59:00.000-04:00

I was able to get a shot of the pile of wood chips and a closer picture of the tree stumps with roots from the tornado on June 1st.

Piles of wood chips. This is a real deep hole, we are only seeing the top!

Closer view of tree stumps and roots

Bee Balm

2011-06-29T07:37:00.002-04:00

Look at my Bee Balm today. I bet tomorrow it will be really pretty!

Now Here's something you don't see every day!

2011-06-29T07:36:00.000-04:00

Its an old neon package store sign. Isn't it cool!

Palmer Package Store, located in the middle of Palmer Massachusetts

Bee Balm

2011-06-28T21:30:00.002-04:00

L@@K! My Bee Balm is starting to flower. I'd like to thank Sara for the plant!

Visit with the Parents

2011-06-28T21:26:00.001-04:00

On Sunday I stopped by my parents house for a visit. On the way home I saw some cows grazing in a field. That is not something that you see everyday around here so I thought I share this picture with you. I love how the clouds in the sky look.

Isn't this an awesome sight!

Tuesday

2011-06-28T21:22:00.000-04:00

Woke up Skank when I drove in the Driveway

He doesn't look to happy that he lost some beauty sleep!

Stumps and roots of trees uprooted by tornado June 1 2011

Well tonight is old car night as I told you last week but I got out of work late so I missed all the cars! When I got home I think I woke up Skank. He was asleep on the sidewalk. Remember back on June 1st, Western Massachusetts experience a Tornado, well here is a picture of the staging area in Wilbraham, next to Spec Pond, where Monson and Springfield are bringing all the trees that came down. They have trucks running in and out of here all day long. They have a HUGE wood chipper! You should see the pile of wood chips, but I couldn't take a picture of them as all these tree stumps with roots are now blocking the view.

Tuesday night is car show night in one of the local towns.

2011-06-21T21:19:00.000-04:00

The road I take home from work is always loaded with antique cars going to the show. I'm going one way and they are going the other. I was lucky enough to get a picture of this one! Isn't it cool.

Boston Bruins~ Stanley Cup Champions!

2011-06-21T21:15:00.000-04:00

Here's my shirt and hat!

Just the shirt!

Just the Hat!

FINALLY! What a game. We are so happy that they won after all these years! My husband is a HUGE Bruins fan! He had tears in his eyes for the last 3 minutes of the game! We watch the parade in Boston on the TV. The Bruins were ridding in duck boats and passing the 35lb. Stanley cup back and forth! They even let some of the fans touch the cup! How cool is that. My hubby went to the store to buy himself a shirt or hat and came back with a championship shirt and hat for me! See!

2011-06-21T21:07:00.000-04:00

I thought the sky above my house was most interesting so I decided to take a picture of it.

Here's Skank and he's talking to me.

Aren't these the bluest Pansies ever!

Do you remember Shut Down Week?

2011-06-21T21:01:00.000-04:00

Well if you do, then you remember that I wasn't feeling good, well guess what, I'm still sick. I went to the Doctor on Monday and she didn't know what to think so she is treating my symptoms. I have a cough that won't stop, so we have prescription cough syrup, you know the kind that you have to have valid I.D. for the pharmacy to give you. Then she gave me an antibotic and an inhaler. Well been on this stuff for a little over 24 hours still feel bad, but I know it takes time. Hopefully I'll be much better by this coming weekend. Last weekend I felt so bad that I sat on the couch all weekend like a potato, I couldn't even find the energy to cross stitch. I have gathered a few pictures to share with you. Here they are:

Here is a silly Robin that just loves the roof of my house. From all the singing, I think there is a nest close by.

Quote for Today!

2011-06-14T07:35:00.001-04:00

Cats like doors left open, in case they change their minds.
~Rosmeary Nisbet

Here's Herbie the feral cat!

2011-06-12T22:35:00.003-04:00

King of the Mulch Pile

Wonderful Sunday!

2011-06-12T22:28:00.001-04:00

It was cloudy all day but at least it didn't rain! Today my goddaugher made her confirmation. We are so proud of her. She has her drivers license and the cutest little blue truck. I'm sharing pictures with you below.

Meagan and her truck!

Godparents: Mike and Deb with Meagan

Meagan and her parents: David and Angela and her little blue truck.

Meagan and her little brother Austin and her little blue truck.

Meagan sitting with her older sister Alicia (the one wearing the cowboy hat)

We had a good visit but we always do when we visit them! The kids are ready for summer but unfortuantely Meagan has to go to school until June 29th, to make up for all the snowdays!

Time to share more garden pictures with you.

2011-06-10T21:12:00.000-04:00

YAAAAA! It's Friday and my work week is over! Unfortunately, its going to rain this weekend so maybe I'll find time to cross stitch! Before it got dark I went outside and took pictures of my gardens. I have a bean plant that has sprouted! My pepper plant has new leaves, my cherry tomato has flowers and my lilies seem to be very happy. Hope you enjoy the pictures of my garden. Feel free to leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

Aren't they beautiful!

My first bean plant!

L@@K at the flowers on my Cherry Tomato Plant!

My Bell Pepper Plant has new leafs!

Had to get a shot of these before they are all gone by.

One of my favorite flowerbeds around our Maple Tree.
Don't look to close it needs weeding! :o)

Roses, Roses, Roses!

June 9th Storm Another View of the Mean Cloud!

2011-06-10T11:04:00.001-04:00

Cloud from Yesterdays Thunderstorm

2011-06-10T11:00:00.003-04:00

One More Day of Work Before the Weekend Begins!

2011-06-09T22:31:00.002-04:00

I think I'll think of it as 8 hours to go. That sounds like less time then one day! Yep, I live for the weekend!

Tomato Plant with two small green tomato's!

Summer Squash!

Pickling Cucumbers!

I'm so excited! I took a walk over to my garden and guess what I found?? My tomato plant now has two tomato's, my summer squash is breaking through the soil and my pickling cucumber have popped up too! It was hot and humid yesterday and it rained most of the day today, I guess that's what did it! I love watching my garden develop and I really love eating all the fresh veggies!

About 4:30p.m. the sky turned really dark, you would have thought it was midnight. We had one mean thunderstorm! It poured so hard that I didn't leave work until the storm was almost past. I wish I had brought my camera with me today, the clouds would have made so really cool pictures to share with you. The bad part was that I was following it toward my house! My pour dogs and cats were very upset by the time I got home. Cady was pacing and Sprakle was hidding in the bathroom. Fluffy and Boomer were going nuts in the bedroom. Everyone calmed down about 30 minutes after I got home. Now everyone is asleep must be from the stress of the storm. Well its time to go watch Hogan's Hero's! Do you remember this show. We own the complete DVD set. I hope to find time to cross stitching this weekend. I want to work on Just Nan's Flakes! I'm so made at myself, I left my stitching at work today, so no stitching tonight!

Quote for Today!

2011-06-08T11:26:00.000-04:00

No Amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch.
~Leo Dworken

1st Day Back to work, how sad!

2011-06-06T21:58:00.001-04:00

My alarm went off at 5:50a.m, I hit the snooze button twice, I just couldn't believe it was Monday! So, I through my feet on the floor to start my day. I dressed for work and woke up my dogs, I don't think they liked the fact it was so early either. Took them out for their morning walk. The sun was shining and it was the perfect temperature for a walk. When we returned it was feeding time for them. After they were all set, I went and put on my make up and did my hair. Now it was time to pack our lunches. Thanks goodness for coffee makers with a timer. My coffee and travel mug were waiting for me. I grilled up a muffin, grabbed my lunch and coffee and off to work. When I pulled in the parking lot reality set it. It really was Monday after all. I have to say that today went smoother than I thought it would. All my customers were very pleasant to talk to. It was good to hold needle and floss in my hands again and to get some cross stitch done at lunch today! So the day flew by because I had so much work that piled up, it was 4:30p.m. before I knew it. Time to jump in the car and fly home. I had put a turkey breast in the crock pot this morning before I left so dinner was easy! All I have to say is one day down and 4 more to go!

One day down and 4 to go before the weekend!
Yes, I live for my weekends!

Fluffy was waiting in the window for me when I arrived home.
I guess she missed me.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring. My car went to the garage to have my brakes checked, so I will be driving the pick up truck. I love driving the truck. It's a standard transmission, so when I get behind the wheel I feel like a kid again! My first car was a 1974 AMC Javelin, it was also a standard, oh back to the good old days!

Shut Down Day 9 the FINAL Day!

2011-06-05T20:55:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful day today was. The temps. were in the 70's with a nice breeze. I started my day by making omlets for breakfast, while trying not to think about going back to work tomorrow! After breakfast it was time to start out in the yard. I finished weeding and mulching from the bleeding heart (where I left off yesterday) to the end of the garden. Then I moved on to the side of the garage. This area had already been weeded so I just had to add mulch. Then we have a small fence with a small bush that needed trimming and weeding and mulch. Then off to the flowerbed between the house and the sidewalk. The weeds there weren't bad at all so that area went quickly. Then off to the front of the house, this section had been weeded a couple of weeks ago, only a few weeds to pull and the mulch, mulch mulch. Then it was time to go to the front/side of the house where the Mountain Laurel is located. This was a grab grass MESS! After pulling all the crab grass, I thought it best to dig out the flag stones and add new soil underneath them to raise them up and add the mulch. By this time it was 5:45p.m. time to cleaning things up and make bbq chicken on the grill with backed potatoes and fresh greens beans!

Well I've just finished showering and have to go pick out something to wear to work tomorrow. I really don't mind going back except for the fact that I work in my companies Customer Service Department and I am the only Representative they employee, so it should be a lot of fun (ya, right) to get caught up with customer inquiries. I'm sure I will run into many angry people, but with my many years of experience I'm sure I can handle them all!

On the bright side of returning to work, I will be able to start cross stitching again. I really only was able to cross stitch a couple of nights between being sick and tired, I couldn't bring myself to stitch. So I will have 2 breaks and lunch to do some stitching. I'm looking forward to that anyway. I have to say that I'm really going to miss my yard and dogs tomorrow when I'm stuck indoors behind a computer screen and telephone! :o( Kind of funny, I'm the type of person that HATES to talk on the phone but my job requires it. Makes you think.....

Below are pictures of my progress in the yard today. Wish me luck tomorrow! I hope I can sleep. Last night I woke myself up coughing at 2 a.m. Please, Please, let me sleep through to my alarm clock at 6a.m. Please!

Left off at the Bleeding Heart Bush Yesterday so that is where I started today!

Another view from the opposite end.

Side of Garage

Small fence near driveway/sidewalk

Flowerbed next to sidewalk/House

Flowerbed front of house

Mountain Laurel Flowerbed with raised Flag stones

Front of house showing flower beds and flower boxes

Shut Down Day 8

2011-06-04T22:34:00.002-04:00

Had a hard night last night. Woke up around 1a.m. and coughed and coughed and coughed! The more I couched the more my head hurt. My husband was very concerned, he got out of bed with me, to keep me company,which was nice. I eventually was able to fall asleep again. Got up this morning and headed out to the store for some Day Quil and Night Quil. Hopefully these will help. I also started rubbing my chest with Vicks. I wish I had thought of this sooner. Once I got back from the store, I laid down for about 1/2 an hour. Then I decided to go out and plant my flower boxes. I have 3 in the front of the house and 2 on our shed. I have posted pictures below.

Then I went and laid down for another 1/2 an hour. When I got up I decided it was time to weed, mulch and plant the flower/vegetable bed in front of our very long stockade fence. I weeded the flowers and the tomato and pepper plants that I had already planted. Then I planted the following seeds, green bean, summer squash, scallions, leaf lettuce and pickling cucumbers. Then I added mulch on top. I was able to mulch up to the bleading heart but then my headache came back and I knew it was time to stop and go take a nice hot shower and put vicks on my chest again.

Tomorrow is my last day before I return to work. It sure has been nice to have a week off, even if I don't get paid for it. I only wish I hadn't been sick the entire week.

Window Boxes in front of house

Shed with Window Boxes

Flower/Veg. bed Scallion seeds are planted in this area.

From Right to left, Tomato, Pepper and Cherry Tomato Plants

Green Beans are planted here. To the right I planted leaf lettuce.

From left to right: Summer Squash and Pickling Cucumbers. I added tomato cages over them so I can trane them to climb

From Left to right: Tomato Plant, Butternut Squash and Miniture Rose Bush.
Here is where I had to stop. I will continue to weed and mulch this area tomorrow.Currently we are watching the Boston Bruins and Vancouver play offs the score is 2 - 2. Wonder who will win tonight! Being from New England I am routing for the Bruins!

Day 7 Shut Down

2011-06-03T21:17:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful day. The sun was shining bright and we had a nice breeze, the temp. was around 70 degrees! Well I started today by enjoying a nice breakfast my hubby prepared. Then where to start today. I decided it was time to frame my husbands favorite picture of Jerry Garcia and then on to repairs, I broke my favorite summer necklace so time to restring the beads. I used black cording and added cream colored seed beads between the wooden beads. Then I laid down for a little rest, remember I'm still sick, my voice comes and goes and so does my headache! Got up about 45 minutes later and decided to work outside. See my pictures below.

Jerry Garcia

Re-strung necklace

This is how it looks from the street

This is the side I weeded and added mulch to today. If you notice the mulch I added today is darker than the mulch I added yesterday but tomorrow, they will both look the same.

I added my wagon and put a potted plant inside.

Another View

Well good bye for now. Please return tomorrow to see how I spent my day! It's been a wonderful week except for the fact that I've been sick during my time off from work and the tornado. I'm sure once Monday morning rolls in, I'll be as healthy as a horse!

Day 6 Shut Down

2011-06-02T20:43:00.000-04:00

Today was a beautiful day! The sun was shining and we had a nice breeze the temps. were in the low 70's! I had a relapse today, so I didn't get anything done. I did go to the store for couch syrup and couch drops. I have a headache that's bigger than my head and my cough just won't stop. I hope I will be able to sleep tonight! Keep your fingers crossed that I will feel better tomorrow and have energy to work in the yard. I checked in my garden and I have a tomato growing! I'm so excited!

1st Tomato on my plant!

Tornado info. in my area.

2011-06-02T20:34:00.001-04:00

Well I'm sandwich between two towns that the tornado touched down in. I'm between Wilbraham Mass. and Monson Mass. Wilbraham has major power outages and some damage. Monson has severe damage and power outages. Our local shopping center is the staging area for National Grid and many tree companies. Our surrounding communities are really pulling together to help each other!

Shut Down Day 5 Tornao and Severe Thunderstoms in the area!

2011-06-01T17:53:00.001-04:00

Here is a news link on the Tornado that touched down in Springfield Mass.

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/Tornado-touches-down-in-downtown-Spfld

Its hard to believe how beautiful the day was, it was hot and humid with lots and lots of sunshine. I have a sunburn to prove it.

The while balls are hale the size of Ice Cubes

Hale in the grass

Hale falling in the street

A piece of hale that fell on my deck

Heavy rain From my front porch

Hale in the Grass

View of a tree 1 street away, the gray is actually how it looked

Heavy Rain from my porch

Mean Sky

Mean looking clouds

Shut Down Day 5 Continued

2011-06-01T16:28:00.000-04:00

Hi it me again. With the thunderstorm and possible tornado moving in, I thought this would be a good time to stop working outside. I was able to spread the mulch near the shed and in this tiny flowerbed. Cross those area's off my list. Well have to go the lights are flickering!

Flowerbed

Area Near Shed

Storm Sky

Day 5 Shut Down

2011-06-01T13:54:00.001-04:00

Me Ready to take a break

Hi Thought I stop and take a break and share my day with you so far. We are working against time today. We have some bad thunderstorms moving in to the area this afternoon. Its hot and humid again today, so I decided it was time to put away the wheel barrel and bring out the big toys! Still not use to backing up the tractor with the trailer but I'm starting to get the hang of it. Cady decided she should supervise me today, so below is a picture of her doing it under a shady tree. Well back to it before it rains!

Here's Cady, My Helper??

<><>

Time to put away the wheel Barrel

Opps! I forgot to share this with you.

2011-05-31T19:14:00.000-04:00

Isn't it cute! As a lover of cats, I just had to have it. Someone I work with was cleaning out and brought this in for our company "FREE" box.

Day 4 Shut Down

2011-05-31T19:07:00.000-04:00

Sorry I didn't return last night but my Internet was down most of the afternoon and all night but we are up and running again. I woke up around 8a.m. feeling better than yesterday. So I dressed and took the doggies for a walk. Then I through in a load of laundry and decided to wash the floors in the downstairs. From here it was time to go outside. I decided to cut the grass today. When I was finished, I wasn't feeling that great so I took an early shower hoping that would do the trick, it didn't. I had an errand to do, when I got back, I changed into my yard cloths but just didn't have the energy to do any work, so here I am blogging.

Back Yard

Side/Front yard with House

Side of Driveway Near Shed

Sparkle enjoying the freshly cut grass!

I also finished stitching a Christmas present last night! Can't share a picture until after Christmas because she follows my blog! Now what tot stitch tonight. I hope I have the energy to stitch and no headache would be nice! Don't forget to watch the Boston Bruins Hockey game tomorrow night starting at 8p.m.!
GO BRUINS!

Day 3 Shut Down Week.

2011-05-30T14:14:00.000-04:00

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Before I went to sleep last night I was able to do some cross stitch. All I have left to do is the backstitching and add some blending filaments! Well the dogs let me sleep today. I didn't wake up untill 11a.m. and guess what, I'm sick! It never fails, whenever there is a shut down or I take a vacation I get sick. I guess my dogs did me a favor by letting me get some extra sleep this morning! So I got up and fed the dogs and cats and walked the dogs, made a lite breakfast, threw in a load of laundry and decided it was time to get out the rest of my summer clothes. Looks like today will be a good day to do laundry since its so HOT and HUMID! The noon weather said that the humidity will leave tonight and tomorrow will be 85 - 90 degress but dry. I can handle dry. Hope I'm feeling better tomorrow so that I can continue on my mulch/weeding projects. Well I guess I'll go pay some bills and hopefully have the energy to mow part of the lawn or maybe I'll just go take a nap. Have a good Memorial Day!

Hope to stop back in later and share the rest of my day with you.

Day 2 of Shut Down Week

2011-05-29T21:03:00.000-04:00

Well the dogs woke me at 7:30a.m. I guess they felt I slept long enough. I got up and took them out. Decided to do a load of laundry, once that was going, I fed the dogs and cats. Then I decided to sit and stitch for a while well a while turned into 2 hours before I knew it, it was 10 a.m. better get breakfast going. Woke up Mike and we had scrambled eggs and toast. Then out to the yard. Worked on what use to be a round flower bed but now it ahs a weird shape. You see this flower bed had a telephone pole in it when we first moved in but March of 2010, we were notified that they would be replacing the pole. Well two months went by and no new pole. So we called and were told they had up to a year after our notification to change the pole. So we decided it best not to plant here. Well I also decided not to weed it at all last year, I was protesting! Well March 2011 came and went still no pole. Well about 6 weeks ago we say our road marked by Dig Safe, so we knew it would be happening soon and it did. But they didn't take the original pole but they added a second one. Go figure, now we have two pole in our front yard. So part of yesterday and told I spent weeding, then planting, then adding mulch and here is the finish product.

Telephone Pole garden

Flower Barrel

1st Rose of the Season

Green Bell Pepper Plant

Cherry Tomato Plant

Butternut Squash Plant

Big Boy Tomato Plant

So from here I moved on to the area near our shed. We have a maple tree here and nothing grows but weeds. So today I started pulling up the weeds getting it read for mulch. Next to this area I have a flowerbed that also needs to TLC I plan on working it tomorrow if the weather permits.

Below is the area that I will be working on tomorrow, weather permitting. You see my shed and next to it is an area where nothing but weeds grow. So I'm in the process of weeding it and then will add mulch and then I will move on to the flowerbed next to it. This one just needs weeding a mulch and water added to the bird bath.

Area between shed and flowerbed

Area near the shed

FLUFFY

2011-05-28T19:01:00.000-04:00

This is Fluffy and she loves to have her pictue taken. She says it all about her big tale.

Boomer

2011-05-28T18:53:00.001-04:00

Here's Boomer stiking a pose on our guest bed, in my
sewing room. He usually doesn't stand still to have his
picture taken.

Here are pictures of the great deals I got last week!

2011-05-28T18:06:00.000-04:00

Treasures from Bush Mountain Stitchery and Framing in Ware, Mass.

Life's Memories and More Treasures

2011-05-28T18:02:00.000-04:00

Hi, I know its been a couple of weeks since I posted. I've been so busy. But that will change this week as the company I work for is shut down for the week. As you can see from this picture I'm very happy about this. I've made a huge list of things to get done that I just haven't been able to complete. Let me start by telling you what I did last Saturday.

I went to Life's Memories and More. They were having a craft supply tag sale. I got some great bargins on cross stitch supplies. I got 3 bread cloths for $1.00 each, some pretty plumb color Aida for $1.00, an exacto knife with extra blades for $1.00 and a huge spool of the cutiest Easter ribbon for .50 cents. Then off I went to Bush Mountain Stitchery and Faming. They were having a sidewalk sale! I got some wonderful deals! I got 3 small and 1 medium tuck pillows, a tye died piece of Aida, a bright blue Aida and several charts. My favorite is by Just Nan called Flakes. They had a model of it stitched and framed in the store and I just had to have it. I can't wait to start stitching it but I have to finish my current project first.

So today being the first day of my vacation, the sun was shining and there was a nice breeze. We had mulch delivered from my flower beds and gardens. I worked on weeding the last two beds, but I was only able to finish 1-1/2 of them today. I plan on finishing them tomorrow and then start spreading the mulch. I was able to clean my upstairs, change the bed and find time to post to my blog. So my first day of vacation was wonderful. I hope tomorrow is just as good! Got to go now, its time to bbq the chicken. Yum!

Busy Saturday

2011-05-14T20:49:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,

What a busy Saturday I had. Was up and out in the yard by 9:30a.m. Started by digging up trees and bushes that didn't make the winter. Then I gassed up the lawn mower and tractor. By that time my husband was calling me in for breakfast. Boy was I ready to eat. I was in the house about an hour, eating, doing laundry and then went back out and mowed the lawn. When that was finish it was time to start on the flower beds. I started with the bed on the side of my garage. This one is one of my favorites! Mike bought me a Garden Claw with a really long handle. I've wanted one for ever! Today was the first time I used it and I absolutely LOVE it! It made pulling weeds so EASY! Don't know how I ever got along with out it! I added pansy's to my garage flower bed and transplanted a miniture bleeding heart from another flower bed. Then I moved on to the pansy flower bed and weeded it. Then off to the white fence flower bed that was nothing but grass. One one of my plants made it through the winter but the grab grass was very happy here. I weeded and added flowers and the Bee Balm my friend Sara gave me. Then I moved on to the front yard flower bed. More azelea's here, so I weeded and added flowers. By this time it was 6:30p.m. My back is killing me and my knees are aching terribly. Well no rest, time to make supper. I threw two steaks on the grill with baked potatoes, cleaned some fresh green beans and sautted up some onions for the steak. Boy was it good. Then off to shower and then on to the Internet to share my day with all of you. Below I have taken pictures of my flower beds that are complete so far. I still have 4 more flower beds and 5 flower boxes to do. Not to mention the Vegetable garden. I will plant that Memorial Day week as the company I work for will be on shut down. Yep a forced vacation without pay. That's ok, I have so much to do, I could use the time off. Well my head can't wait to hit my pillow. Good night all!

Today's Project Side of Garage

Front Yard Garden

Very Happy Azelea

Pansy's around Lamp Post

Pansy Garden

Bee Balm has a new home!

Can't wait for my head to hit the pillows, Boomers tired too!

Quote for Today!

2011-05-11T07:45:00.002-04:00

After scolding one's cat, one looks into its face and is sized by the ugly suspicion that it understood every word. And has filed it for reference.
~ Charlotte Gray ~

Weekend Update!

2011-05-09T21:40:00.000-04:00

Had such a busy weekend. Saturday, mowed the lawn, its look so good. Then spread the fertilizer. Sure was pooped after that. Did tons of laundry. I think the diry cloths fairy visited my house last week. Dug out my summer clothes and freshened them up by adding them to the laudry mess! Sunday, I managed to find the energy to wash all the carpets in my house. Boy is my back killing me! But the carpets look good and the house smells so clean! Made a chocolate cake and added stawberry filling to it and topped it with whip topping. Sorry forgot to take a picture of it to share with you but boy was it good. Yum, Yum!

Apple Tree in full bloom!

2011-05-09T21:33:00.000-04:00

Dollhouse Update!

2011-05-09T21:32:00.000-04:00

Coming along slow but sure.