Monday, December 14, 2015

Last Weekend!

Came to post and saw Vonna has 'Day 14' up. Had to pause and read her post. Have you read Vonna? Go here. She is an amazing beautiful woman. Her stitching is beyond my capabilities regardless what those judges say at the fair. And she posts for the 25 Days of Christmas. She shows her baking, stitching, gadgets and gizmos. Wonderful.

Then Coni had posted today too. Have you read the Spinster? Go here. Coni inspired me to blog. Hers was the first blog I ever read. I laughed out loud. Loudly and often. And still do. She's the only person I have ever heard about catching her hair on fire while stitching. Twice. To say her stitching is awesome and that she is amazing too - yep, these two women are who I want to be more like when I grow up.

It is a good day when one of these two post, but to have them both post on the same day. Wonderful! Take the time and go see them. You will not regret the hours you spend on their blogs. Always a good time.

Speaking of a good time. I had family over Saturday evening. What a group. These normally calm, intelligent, caring women become animals when you put cards in their hands. Name calling, yelling, a few cussing, muttering. All in the name of trying to get rid of a pile of 13 cards. Heart palpitations (Courtney), dizziness (Tammy - although, she does have a mild concussion - car wreck a week ago), blood pressures rising (all of us), arthritis complaints (Mom), back pain (me), and pregnancy (Keri). Well, that last one has nothing to do with cards. Yep, my sister is pregnant again. Due in early August. She sprang that one on us at Thanksgiving.

back row - Megan, Courtney, Keri, Tammy, and me
front row - Brittany, Carol-Sue, Mom with Alivia, and Whitney

Down to 11 days and I'm already for Santa. Need to wrap just a couple of presents and then let the jolly man in red come a-calling. Well, the baking is this week. Then he can come round. lol

Time to make dinner. Mulligan stew tonight. Need to get that roast in the pressure cooker. Hmm, just realized I never thawed it. Can you put frozen meat into a pressure cooker? Maybe I should go with something else. Shoot, the chicken is in the freezer too. Better get to the kitchen and figure this out. 

Denise 




Saturday, December 12, 2015

The 12 Days of Christmas

Nancy over at Victorian Motto Sampler has been showing us her 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways. Stop on over and check her blog.

Victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com

Denise

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Still Stitching...

Today has been a quiet day. DH and DS went out for the afternoon and left me to my own thing. So, I started my wrapping. The tree has been up for about a week. If it hadn't been for so many saving toilet paper rolls - my tree wouldn't up yet. You'll see ---






Yep, those are wrapped toilet paper rolls. The garland only took about 4 hours to string. It's surprising how well we all like the tree. We also tried something new for the shelf above the front door. 


That's the sleigh I got a month ago. I made a Santa bag yesterday and it's filled with empty boxes. It's much prettier in person than this picture. 

I had a squirrel pose for me the other day. I looked out the kitchen window and he was looking back at me. Then he got shy and hid behind a branch. 


 
I mentioned a was still stitching - here's where I am now. More pink!


And this is the last pic...several weeks ago.


With less than 3 weeks to go - my calendar is starting to fill. DD is coming over for 2 days to help bake cookies. Day one is the making of the dough and day two is baking. Thank goodness she volunteered to help. There are about 8 or 9 types of cookies this year and most of them are more than a single batch. 

It's time for bed isn't it? Please let it be soon!
Denise 

Friday, November 6, 2015

Look Closely for Progress!

Well, I took pictures of my progress - you just can't see it!

Week of Oct 28th

Week of  Nov 4th
Over on the right side there is some new pale pink on the top picture and just a few more stitches on the bottom picture.

So little stitching time. There are reasons, but I'm afraid they would sound more like excuses. My biggest issue - my daylight lamp is giving me insomnia if I stitch after DH goes to bed. I can be tired and then to go stitch - I'm up until after 2a, Not a good way to go. 

I left you hanging last time as to what I was going to do about the health dept. in my county not allowing scans. Well, the issue has been resolved in my favor and I can use my scanner. The registrar came back from vacation and straightened out the deputy - all is well in my county. You're gonna have to fight you'alls registrar yourselves!! 

Tomorrow is a big night for me. I am giving out membership awards at the banquet. Our genealogy society is having our First Family banquet in the evening and I get to speak in front of nearly 30 people. Not sure if having DH in attendance will help or hinder me. Hope I can pronounce all the names correctly. Maybe I should go practice. :)

Starting my Christmas shopping. DD is about half done and one nephew is done. Everyone else - Not. Even. Started. I did get my sleigh - 

Pottery Barn - red metal sleigh

Put it together all by myself and it now sits proudly on the shelf over the front door. Going to have to find some sleigh bells for it and I already have a tree for in it. Think I will wrap some presents for in it and around it. I've also ebayed a wooden sled and skates for out on the porch. Some red bows and voila! 

The tree this year will be wrapped crackers - 

These are Thanksgiving Crackers from Bas Bleu
Mine will be obviously wrapped in Christmas wrap and then there will be popcorn and cranberry garland. Very simple old fashioned tree. Thought the sleigh/sled/skates would be a new touch. 

Plans are already in the make for my female relatives from my dad's side to come over and play cards and snack on Dec 12th. We've missed a couple of years so this will be a nice time. Already bought the cards!! Thinking I might make some mason jar gifts for the night. Could do cocoa or cookies, thought about small terrariums, maybe some soaps. Thoughts to work on. 

Maybe Jo-Ann's will give me some hints - heading there in a while. Fun fur is on sale and I want new stockings in white. The ad is already in the car waiting for me. 

Time for lunch and a nap. This cool rain has me in a sleepy mood today. 

Until next time - stay happy, calm and stitching!
Denise 

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Bluebird Update


As of yesterday - this is where I stood on my bluebirds. The colors in this piece are somewhat jarring to me. I like them all individually, but I'm still not sure how I feel with them all in one piece. 

Progress after 4 weeks
Just read Edgar's blog post a few minutes ago - he mentioned feeling 'peckish.' And that completely describes my mood today. What has me in a bother?

Well, this - A line item in HB 64 recently signed by Governor Kasich reads: “Sec. 3705.231. A local registrar shall allow an individual to photograph or otherwise copy a birth or death record.”
If an individual has a camera or iPhone with which to take a picture, he or she should be able to get a non-certified copy of an Ohio Birth or Death Certificate from a city or county health department free of charge after October 1, 2015. Hand held scanners and wands may be used at the discretion of the local registrar.
 I went to my local Vital Statistics office to get a free (non-certified) copy of my grandfathers birth record. Had all the information needed to get said copy. She provided the copy and proceeded to ask me, "Is that a scanner?" to which I said yes. She took the copy of that birth record from me and picked up her copy of Section 3705.231. It stated the record could be copied by, "a smart phone or camera." There was no mention of scanner on her copy. Then she states, "you can print a copy off a scanner." I told her, "I can print a copy from a photo - what's the difference?" 
To say I was miffed is an understatement. What does 'otherwise copy" mean if not scanning the page?? And the paper she waved in front of me didn't state the whole section to begin with. I came home and found the correct full section. I called the office wanting to know if Tuscarawas County has decided to not allow scanners. When they called back I was told, "The registrar is on vacation and no determination would be made until after her vacation was over - October 26th." Grr.
So, I called a genealogy society asking where they got their information. Of course, the woman I wanted to speak to wasn't there. But, I was told contact the Attorney General of Ohio. I did. For what good that did me. The office is "unable to translate legislation" and would not tell me what "otherwise copy" meant. But, they have just returned my call and the sweet woman I spoke to was unsure why I was told that at my local office. She gave me a phone number to call the state level of Vital Statistics. 
Yeah, yeah, I know take my camera back and get the copies. Yep, I could do that. But, when taking a photo of a paper like that it is best to use a copy stand. (yep, I have one) What galls me most - what is the difference between a jpeg taken with a camera vs a jpeg with a scanner??? 
Gonna make this next phone call - wish me luck! At this point I just want an explanation as to what 'otherwise copy means' and why is there a difference between a camera and a scanner?? 
Off to rattle a few more branches....
Denise 




Thursday, October 8, 2015

Another Week -- More Stitches

This is going to be a speed post. Must leave the house in minutes.


Where I stand after 3 weeks
Maggee asked what issue of JCS had this pattern. Here's the cover. I believe it was May or June of 2014. It has a display until date of June 30, 2014 in the corner.


I tried to get a picture of the finished piece and blogger insists it must rotate the picture. Sorry.


Well, it is time to go. Until next week!
Denise

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Stitching Mojo has returned and so have I

Good Afternoon everyone!

It's been a long time. As the title says... I am stitching again. After almost a year off - the thread is in the needle and the needle is stitching away.

I fell in love with Marie Barber's Redbirds a few years ago and I whizzed through the stitch. She released Bluebirds last year in JCS magazine. I have emailed her and there is a 3rd pattern that JCS has yet to publish called Chick-A-Dee (I think). Hope it is released soon.

Here is what I have been doing the last two weeks ~


After one week...

and


after two weeks.

The flower is now almost complete and then it's on to all the leaves around the birds. This piece is not quiet as large as Redbird's. But, it should be as stunning as Redbird's.

Still volunteering at the genealogy society. My obituary index is complete for 49 years. Just waiting for 2015 to finish to complete this book and then on to editing and publication. We just applied for a grant - cross your fingers for us. We are looking into two more grants next week. Hoping we can obtain a new microfilm reader, computer, and archival items.

The family is doing well. DH is still a crane operator and should be taking a vacation soon. DD is completing her Radiology degree in May. And DS will be getting his Bachelor's in December. He plans to go on for his Master's and PhD. My concern is where he plans to go to get the Master's...he is a International Relations student concentrating in Middle Eastern studies. Not thrilled with his plans at all.

Still not a grandma...not even in the plans yet. :(  So, I am still spoiling my sister's kids. Telling you what though...I'm going to have a to adopt a grandkid here soon. I got me some major spoiling skills going to waste. Just saying.

Hope this finds you all well. Planning to check in a bit more frequently again.
Denise


Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Spring...in 2 Days!

Bored this evening...thought I would stop by and update the blog.

Nothing much happening except my son will be home Saturday afternoon and I couldn't be happier. He's been interning in DC for the last few months and spring break is here. Although, he's going to have a rough few minutes coming off the plane...the girlfriend, sister, and I are all meeting him. Who to hug first...

Stitching wise - I'm still struggling. Mary Jane's birthday is coming in about 3 weeks. Her stitch is 1/3 of the way done. I better get busy.

Spring is upon us here in Ohio. The river is in the yard, the driveway is muddy, and my hubby is working longer hours. Hence, the boredom.

Hope you are having a wonderful week -
Talk soon - Denise