Friday Finish

 Hello friends!

I have two finishes to show you today.

When I first showed you all my blessings sampler,

this is where I was.

The pattern was a freebie from La D Da

 called Letters & Leaves.

Here is my finish.

I chose this striped fabric for my back.

Sewed this into my first sampler pillow.

If you notice the letter "W" is missing.

It was not on the pattern.

I was debating whether to add it in or not,

but chose to leave it off. 

For now it will reside here.

Need to stitch more now.

I would like to make lots more to go 

into a bowl.

As always it is rag stuffed.

 

www.samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com

 

Marly from Sampler and Santas

 places her pillows on shelves.

I do not have wall space for that

 which is a great idea, so a bowl it is for me. 

My second finish was my Blessing Sampler

from last year.

I only finished stitching it and tucked it away.

This was Robert Burns Sampler, Auld Lang Syne

by The Sampler Girl.

I backed this wee pillow with a piece

of red fabric from stash which I coffee stained.

Now I have 2 sampler pillows to display.

WOOHOO!

In other news,

our main road sucked Monday morning.

We had Dr. appts. to get to.

Plus our snowblower would not work.

Bob shoveled before we left.

I had errands to do for my mom.

Needed to get minutes on her phone.

Also needed to purchase a few more things

for her studio.

Right after I got home,

my sister texted me saying she already

got a few things.

Am ticked at her because she knew I was

getting these items,

We went over the list last Saturday...

and it was agreed I would get everything....

but thats my sister the controlling one. UGH

My stores are not just around the corner,

like hers are. 

Will be glad when my mom is moved in.

My stress level will go down.

Even the doctor said he could hear 

my heart murmur more pronounced this time.

I told him it was the cold weather... but it is stress.

Bob and I decided to go to dinner 

afterwards that day.

There was a little boy who told the waitress

it was his birthday and he was 7.

He and his parents and sister were sitting 

in the booth behind us.

I asked Bob for a couple of dollars.

When we were leaving I stopped at 

their booth and said, "I heard it was somebody's

birthday today. He smiled and said it was him.

I handed him a dollar and said Happy Birthday

to him. I then handed another dollar bill

to his smaller sister and told her I was giving

her this just because.

Their mom said how sweet and told them

to thank me.

I just smiled and we walked away.

I love seeing kiddos smile.

It makes my day!

Bad news now.

My SIL passed away early this morning.

Her heart gave out.

My brother could use some prayers.

This new year has not been good for my family.

 Blessings To All!

Janice

Monday Mish Mash

 

Hello my friends.

Since Winter is in full swing

now here in Michigan,

today I decided to show

some previous pics of Winter.

Our keeping room electric heater

keeps us warm at night.

I don't remember when I hooked 

this snow fella.

His nose is aged orange fabric

just fold up and stitched down a bit.

His scarf is also some fabric that

I wrapped around from back to front,

then tied a lil bow.

Added three rusty bells.

One year I made paper Winter ornaments.

I love keeping out candles and greens

out for my Winter displays.

Warm mittens my aunt knitted for me.

I could wear these, but I choose

to use them in my displays each year.

In other news,

Bob and I decided to go to the grocery store

the night before the cold temps hit.

Our cashier was checking us out.

She made a comment

"I don't think I can do this anymore."

Then she fell to the floor and hit someone

else's cart in the head.

She had passed out.

It was horrible. 

They called for an ambulance right away.

We waited for another cashier to come

finish checking us out.

Was told that she was diabetic and pregnant.

By the time we were leaving the parking lot,

the ambulance was coming in.

I sure hope she is alright. 

Saturday morning our actual temp was -18.

It was even so cold that our snow dog

Tundra even whimpered when he went outside.

These past few day have been putting him

on leash to just do his business and then

get him inside.

It is too brutal out there for man and beast.

Also on Saturday us kids went to mom's house.

We took everything she will need for her studio.

She came with us and we let her pick out

 small end and side tables, lamps and such.

Once we were finished, we all went to lunch

 at her fav restaurant in town.

Today I have the day off, so I will purchase things

she still needs.

Her newly purchased furniture and tv

arrives on Wednesday.

My sister and brother are 

going there to set her room all up.

My sister leaves for North Carolina Friday,

so Thursday night mom will stay with us.

I will work from home Friday and afterwards,

my brother and I will take her to dinner...

then take her to her new studio where

she will stay from now on.

Yesterday it snowed from the time I woke up,

until I went to bed.

Bob did not open the store.

Instead he stayed home with me.

He put a fire in our fireplace...

we watched a few old monster movies...

then we watched the football games.

I sure hope everyone is safe with all of the 

bad weather across the country.

Monday Mish Mash Blessings To All!

Janice

January CupbordScape

 

Hello my friends.

This is my first cupboardScape

of the new year.

This is a real simple one...

will explain along the way why

I did this.

Hope you enjoy my story.

This Winter display reminded  me

of an actual event that I did.

Growing up my family spent

Christmas week at my maternal grandparents.

Then we spent the next week at my Paternal ones.

Both had dairy farms.

One year as a teen, I decided that

I wanted to give a gift to the barn animals

on my maternal grandparents farm.

Got out my red/ white sled and headed

on out to the back of their property.

They owned 80 acres, and the back

is where all of the woods and pine trees were.

Lots of birch trees and sugar maples too.

Took me an axe and cut down a wee

pine tree.

Went back to the barn.

Filled a wood bucket up with water,

and stuck that lil tree in the bucket.

I figured the cows and horses

needed their own Christmas tree,

although I did not decorate it.

They had a tree nonetheless.

After we left, I never knew

 what happened to that tree.

Either my grandpa or uncle

surely must have gotten rid of it.

I never asked.

They never asked me.

Am sure though the one who found it

knew I had done it.

It was a great memory I will never forget.

My display has a sled, a small tree 

in an old worn bucket and lots of greens.

Also added in a Winter scene and of  course

my favorite bunny.

Back then I loved looking for bunny tracks

in the snow...even today I still do.

In other news,

on Monday my brother and I looked at

 two studio apartments for mom.

The  one faced the parking lot,

the other faced the woods.

This one had its very own little patio,

We knew my mom would like this one.

Their pamphlet read:

we are professional caregivers who are here

for someone who needs care,

so that all of the sons, daughters, 

and family members are able to love

their family members once again.

The good news is my mom and my sister

liked the studio too when they saw it.

We plan on having my mom moved in

by month end.

With her house...we do not plan on doing

anything until Spring.

Hoping once mom is moved in

that the texts and phone calls from my sister stop.

She constantly calls and texts both my brother and I.

My SIL was moved to a therapy facility.

She remains the same..so prayers for her

would be appreciated.

Yesterday we saw our first bald eagle sightings for the year.

The ice came down fast and furious Sunday.

The river ice always brings the eagles in...

and we love seeing them.

Again I was long winded. LOL

January Blessings To All!

Janice

Sunday Start

 Hello my dear friends.

Today I have a few new starts to show.

First up is Winter Quaker

by Primrose Cottage.

The called for color was 

Colour & Cotton Battleship

Of course not using the called for floss.

I wanted to use three different ones from

my stash.

Waste not. Want not.

Stitching on 32Ct White Lugana.

Next is Margaret Beattie by

Hands Across The Sea Samplers.

This is my first pattern by Nicola,

and it is a pleasure reading the symbols.

All in color and easy to read.

 I chose this one because of the bunnies.

YAY

The colors are not primitive,

however I thought this would look good

to put out for Valentine's Day...

if I can get it finished.

Both of these patterns I started in December.

Therefore hoping they will get finished soon.

Winter Quaker I stitch on at lunch.

Margaret Beattie most nights after dinner.

Last year I had finished this lil Liberty.

I would like to finish all three of these this year.

This is my start on Justice.

Am using Weeks Dye Works floss for these.

Americana Blue for the blue.

Liberty for the red.

Stitching these on 36 count 

White Edinburg linen.

Alternating Margaret Beattie and Patriotic

this month now.

My plan this year for America's

Semi-quincentennial (250) celebration,

is to stitch something Patriotic 

each month until July 4th.

Decided to finish these patterns...

and then make them into pillows.

 

Finally my Blessing Sampler.

They say if you start a Sampler on January 1st,

it is said to be good luck.

Well I started this freebie from La D Da

called Letters and Leaves.

I do not want to infringe on the designer

as there was no photo of the finished piece,

just the pattern.

However from my start you get 

the gist of it.

Am using DMC floss in the color 115.

It is a variegated one.

In other news,

in my last post I did not mention that

my SIL was rushed to the hospital 

on News Years Eve.

I had so much to say that I felt 

I was long winded as it is.

Well anyway, she was getting delirious

and thrashing about on their couch, 

so my brother rushed her to the hospital.

Found out because she is so frail,

she has many cervical fractures in her neck.

They cannot operate until they figure out

why she is delirious.

She is still in the hospital.

 Her blood platelets are only at 33...

which is extremely low.

Her hemoglobin is 8.4.

Because she also needs dialysis

they  have also been doing that for her

right in the hospital.

My brother is a total wreck.

Hoping she gets better.

Tomorrow my brother and I are going

to visit an assisted living place.

We contacted A Place For Mom and they

are helping us find a place for our mom.

The week I took my mom back to my sister's,

I had contacted my mom's doctor.

I talked with the doctor's nurse and told her

all of the issues I had with my mom,

because all signs are pointing to

an early stage of dementia...which my sister

is refusing to believe.

Well the doctor called my sister instead

of me and told my sister that she does think

my mom may be in the early stages.

Now my sister is finally seeing what I have

been telling her for months.

For reasons I am not going to go into...

I am not going to continue watching

my mom when I retire...

which is what they were hoping.

I made it crystal clear to my siblings,

My brother trusts my judgement.

He knows mom has spent more time with 

Bob and I then with him and my sister.

We also contacted Patriot's Angels.

 Since my dad was a war veteran in the

Korean War, my mom is able 

to get monthly assistance from this program

for the rest of her life.

This money will also help pay for her

assisted living care.

We would like to have her Social Security deposit

plus this extra monthly funds pay for her stay.

This way her care would be better than

going on Medicaid.

Both of these wonderful agencies are

so very helpful to us and we so appreciate it.

This is a difficult situation...

and my sister is not happy with me,

but I also need to think about Bob and I...

and our own health issues we have going on.

My mom does know we are looking for 

a place for her to stay and she is fine with it.

Well my 2026 is not starting off

as I would like...but am hopeful it will get better.

Looks like I got long winded again. LOL

Sunday Blessings To All!

Janice

  

Whippy Wednesday

 Happy New Year my friends!

Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays.

My first post of 2026 is going to be what 

I have been stitching on in November  & December.

A recap though before I get started.

In 2025 I started with 15 WIP's (works in progress)

I started 28 new patterns.

I finished 26 cross stitch items.

Leaving me with 17 WIP's now starting in 2026.

My goal is to try and get my WIP's 

from 2025 finished this year...

but who knows if I will succeed...

there are so many wonderful patterns

out there that I want to start on. 

Now let's get started with this first WIP.

Joyeux Noel.

This is what I first showed you.

This where I am at.

Almost to the finish line with this piece.

I would like to frame this once complete.

Next up.

I started Sarah Casey Unwin

back in February 2025.

Yes almost a year stitching on this piece.

This is where I left off the last time 

After 2 months more of stitching,

I am almost to the finish line.

Once I have this puppy completed,

will send it off to get framed.

Then I need to pick out a new pattern

for my Saturday stitch.

Last but not least.

Feniscowles Hall.

I started this piece in July 2025.

This is my latest tribute stitch

for my paternal grandparents

and their parents.

Here is where I am at after 2 months.

This one is a faster stitch believe it or not. 

Once I stitched the first color of the grass,

it is smooth sailing 

on the second fill in color.

Am not happy though with this side of the grass.

The darker green I chose for this piece...

well even though I bought the floss all at

the same time...one of them was more variegated.

UGH

Not sure if you can really tell unless

I had not said anything.

It bothers me a bit...

but when I saw the change,

was not about to frog it all out.

Plus not even sure if I would

get the same variegations if I purchased

more anyway...so it stays like it is.

In other news,

when the kiddos came over for Christmas;

right after we ate,

Mikayla wanted to know

 if I had hid the elves.

Yep. Sure did I told her.

Then her & Michael went to look  for them.

She was first to find them.

With one semester of college in the books,

she made straight A's.

Am so proud of her. 

She came home and went to work.

Before stating college, she worked at a chicken place.

The owner told her she could 

work anytime she comes back home.

She has been working as many double shifts

as she can now.

She is a hard worker.

Am not sure if I told you that Michael

 is back to work now too.

He hates his new manager and everyone

except for him have already quit.

He is also looking for another job.

Also learned a new word.

Couch Rot.

Its what we use to call a couch potato.

Guess each generation has their own words.

I took my mom back to my sister's 

the night of January 4th.

While she was with us,

I was as patient as I could be with her.

When I asked her if she did her

exercises at my sister's and she told me no...

that was when I flat out asked her

if we were wasting our time.

She did not answer me.

However she did do them while she was here

with us...only because I supervised.

She still does not like using her right arm.

There were times I felt like her mom.

One time she wanted a Christmas cookie.

I noticed she started eating it with her left hand.

When I told her to us her right hand,

she shoved the rest of it in her mouth 

with her left hand and just looked at me.

That was one of many instances of her

childlike attitude.

It is so sad seeing her like this.

She use to be a strong woman.

When I had finished unpacking my car 

she started crying when I went back into 

my sister's house.

My sister was not yet home and my niece was there.

Catlin looked at me concerned.

I asked my mom why she was crying.

She would not respond.

I told my mom everything would be alright.

Gave her a hug.

Told her I loved her. 

I myself do not think

everything will be alright though. 

My mom will never be the same.

She will never go back to living on her own.

Just so sad.

The countdown begins even more now

with only 30 days to my sabbatical.

Then after 6 weeks, I go back to work one week...

which I already know that I will do nothing...

because my portfolio will be transferred by then.

So just going in for that last week to comply

 with the bank's requirement of coming

back after a sabbatical. 

Looking forward to a new year of blogging, 

so hope you come along with me on my continued

blog journey.

Happy New Years To All Blessings To All!

Janice