Peasant Woman Threading  A Needle

1861 by Jules Breton

I saw this painting on Pinterest and fell instantly in love.

How many of us grew up watching her movies and singing her precious songs.  I couldn't even begin to count how many times I've sang "On the Good Ship Lollypop".  My  mother was fascinated with her as a little girl and she taught me to love her also.  I remember receiving my Shirley Temple doll when I was about 5 years old.  My mother bought me and my cousin Betty one at the same time and I still have it  today.  It stands in a place of honor in a curio cabinet my father made for me.  I had paper dolls and at the time I was small, there was also a line of clothing with her name on them and I had several of the dresses.  I wonder what ever happened to them.

I am very saddened to learn of Shirley Temple's death and I'm certain the world was a better place with her being a part of it.

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family.  He's a 8 month old chihuahua named Toots.  His names fits him completely.....he loves to toot just like any male does.  Vallie is not quite sure what to make of him yet.  He's very active jumping all around and she's more laid back but I'm sure they'll be best buddies soon.  

Depression....what a terrible thing.  The past several weeks have been horrible.  First off our son in laws father passes away at 58.....then Jenn's dog.  Last week I lost one of my cousins and now our next door neighbor that we've known for about 30 years passes away at the age of 54.  I was talking with a friend today and she's had the same thing in her life.  She swears that depression has become so widespread and that people are giving up.  I don't know if it's true it but depression can be quite debilitating.  

I don't know if there are any crocheters that follow my blog but I have an extra set of Knit Picks crochet hooks for sale.  

$44.99

The sizes included are:  E - G - 7 - H - I - J - K 

I'm selling these for the regular price because they've never been used.  They are in the original case I received them in.   These are wood and have an excellent feel in your hand.  Please email me at grammy5@cfl.rr.com if you're  interested.  

B

Well the holidays are over and all the decorations have been put away for  another year.....now what to get in to?????

I received my catalog from Keepsake Quilting this morning and instantly fell in love with two things.  The first is a fabric collection based on the show Downtown Abbey.  What beautiful colors and designs...

then there was the wool flannel monthly collection by Bertie.  You get a project every month and they all turn out 13 x 17 inches.  How cute would they be to display throughout the year.....

They are surprisingly well priced at $29 each and they have all the supplies but the thread.  But I know me....I'll get the maybe the first and second one done and the other's will just sit there.  Ever have that happen?  I'm sure all of us has.

Oh and I almost forgot.  There's a third project that caught my eye also.  The Bride's Garden Quilt Kit....stunning!

And I did start this last nite.  I fell in love with this cowl design and instantly went searching for the right yarn and found it.  I'm using Korella by Gedifra in an ice blue that is almost a silver blue.

So that's what I've been up to.  Not much but just tinkering around.   My DH brother and his wife are headed our way and it will be nice to see some family from Pa.

Hope your day goes well!

B

Kate is the winner of the prize package that I had for my SAL.  I want to thank all the ladies who participated this year.

B

My wish for everyone is to have a very Happy New Year 2014.

I hope each and every one of you has a very special Holiday Season!

I would like to congratulate all the finishers in the SAL I hosted for 2013.  I will draw the winner's name on December 31st and if you haven't gone to the blog for the SAL, take a break and treat yourself to some beautiful stitching from around the world.  My heartfelt thanks to all the ladies who finished.

Our sweet Vallie all dressed up in her new sweater and hat.  Jenn insisted on buying the hat and I'm surprised she left it on so long.  

You know the story about Jenn, our daughter and her family moving in with us from Colorado.  Well here is something I doubt many of you see.  Her DH Daniel use to work for Coors and you know the displays the beer companies put up  in stores.....well he got ahold of a fake palm tree and kept it .  When they moved down here, they decided it would make the perfect Florida Christmas tree.  Here is a pic of it and it even has a musical pink flamingo on top that sings "Santa Baby" and "It's 5 o'clock somewhere".  It cracks me up!!!

I've not really been in the stitching mood for some time now and I better get over it soon.  I've done some knitting...Christmas present....and 3 new shawls and worked on my SAL.  I'm not interested in any kind of needlework which is very weird because usually I go from one to another but not this time.  Maybe it's the holidays.

B