Saturday, August 9, 2008

And They're Off...

The day is fast approaching for both of my sons to head off to college, one will be returning to start his senior year and the other will be starting his freshman year. Have I been dreading this? Yes! Although I am quite happy for both of them I will be deeply saddened to see them leave. As fate would have it, I have finally found a new puppy that I will be bringing home on August 18, just one day before both guys head off to school. As some may know I have been looking for a new puppy for well over a year often frustrated that I could not find one. We often hear that “things happen for a reason” and in this case it is true the timing could not be better. Stay tuned... Cute little Lily, will be featured in an upcoming post!

I received my Fair & Square blocks from AmySC yesterday and am thrilled with the design that she selected. Not too long ago I put a few bird feeders in my backyard and have enjoyed watching, and posting on, the many birds and critters that visit. Take a look, Amy’s design selection is perfect…


Fair & Square round #8
Stitched by: AmySC

Amy also changed the dress color and stitched it in green (my favorite color). She really did make this block perfect in every way. Thank you so much Amy for the beautifully stitched blocks that you sent!!!


Thank you Michele for the Brillante Weblog Award, I am truly honored!!! Again, I must pass this honor on to all those that take the time to maintain a blog and share their talent. There are far too many (as you can see from my ever growing sidebar) inspiring blogs for me to select from so let me pass this on to each of you...Congratulations!


Like so many others I am in awe of Anita’s talent. I was very excited when I learned that she opened an online store and it did not take me long place my order. Her strawberry emery design is wonderful, and the pattern is fantastic; she includes the design, a tutorial for constructing the strawberry emery and a tutorial for making the fancy ribbon bow. Pleased with what I received I jumped at the opportunity to purchase her Patriotic Collection. There is no wait time since she sends the pattern in a PDF file! I did order the Accessory Pack (well worth it, I might add) and she was super fast in send that to me, thanks Anita!



Latest purchase from Designer: Anita's Little Stitches


Like Vonna, I am going to spend less time stitching exchanges and more time stitching from my growing collection of WIP/To Do projects. I am hoping that this will afford me the opportunity to stitch on of Anita’s gorgeous Strawberry Emery designs.


Maybe not the storm of the century but it was a wild ride…We had a strong thunderstorm, with some of that summer ice, pass through which caused us to lose electricity for 17 hours. Thankfully, we have a generator so it did not cut into my stitching time.



August 7, 2008 Hail Storm


Did you know that…

Hail forms when strong currents of rising air, known as updrafts, carry water droplets high enough in a thunderstorm for the water droplets to freeze.

Most hailstones are smaller in diameter than a dime, but stones weighing more than a pound have been recorded.

A strong updraft allows hailstones to grow large enough to reach the ground. In general, the stronger the updraft, the larger the hail.

Once hailstones grow large enough to begin falling despite the updraft that has been holding them up, they hurtle toward the ground as fast as 90 mph.

Small hailstones often melt before reaching the ground, but the larger ones reach the ground and can cause extensive damage to crops and vehicles caught in the storm.

In the USA, hailstorms are most common on the Plains, especially just east of the Rockies. Other parts of the world that have damaging hailstorms include China, Russia, India and northern Italy.

While hailstones are ice, hail is mostly a spring and summer phenomena because the strong thunderstorms needed to produce hail are much more common during warm weather.


I will leave you with another "ugly" picture... This "ugly" critter returned to my backyard feeder with his family! Some have suggested that these are Buzzards, I thought that they were Wild Turkeys but could be wrong ~ I do know that they are ugly.


I hope that you are all enjoying your weekend!

Until next time...

18 comments:

Paula C. said...

What beautiful patterns! I am trying to be good right now, (we'll see how long that lasts, lol)I just received all of the new Prairie Schooler charts, and had recently ordered an alarming amount of Christmas ornament patterns.
That looks like it was some storm! I love a good storm, except when it causes serious damage or harm, of course.

mainely stitching said...

Buzzards? Hmm. I don't think so, but now you've got me in the mood to go look....

I wanted to say that I'm so happy you've found a puppy! The timing could not be better. :D

Katrina said...

Can't wait to see your new furbaby.

I don't blame you for wanting to stitch a bit more on your stash. I feel exactly the same. Heather and I went to Fancimats today and I got the new SB Sail Away :-).

I think they are turkeys!

Jennifer said...

DH thinks they're probably turkeys.

Becky K in OK said...

Your feathered friends look like turkeys to me. Where I housesit in the country a flock comes to visit daily. The male struts his stuff and is fully in male splendor.

Your F&F squares are just great.

I have all of Anita's designs. They are just great, easy to follow instructions too>

Ruth said...

Gobble Gobble! lol Maybe you could fatten them up by fall.

Congrats on the college-bounds in your household.

So, how long before all those patterns are stitched? lol

Anonymous said...

Lovely stash and photos. Like you, I want to concentrate more on my to-do projects. I've been to a lot SAL this year, would be nice to start with each of them.

Jennifer said...

I love your wild turkeys, we have a family of turkeys that visit us throughout the winter season. They may be ugly, but they are interesting to watch.

I have been selfish for some time and stitching only on my own stash, so I finally decided to sign up for Fair and Squares. I loved what AmySC sent you, she was very thoughtful.

Congratulations on getting your new puppy. Please post some photos. We are all suckers for some puppy photos.

Michelle said...

Marie,
I'm sorry to hear your boys are leaving the nest, but so happy to hear about Lily. I can't wait to see her appearance :)

I'm going to show that critter picture to Rob .. gosh, they look like turkeys to me too.

Michelle

Natasha said...

Marie, I was looking on craigslist the other day and I came across someone selling peacocks, they looked sort of like those in your picture.

Natasha

Julie said...

Oh, look at those purty little turkeys! :-) They're Cute Marie, they're cute! LOL
Hey, you I can view your pictures at work. I wonder if I have been all along? There for awhile I wasn't able to. Weird
Amy's F&S blocks are great! Looking forward to seeing how you finish them.
Thanks for the info on hail - you're so smart! LOL I didn't know all that. Glad you weren't completely without power.
Looking forward to meeting your new baby.

Cathy B said...

Yes, my kids are returning to school soon too - but at least I will still see mine everyday! Some day I will be in the same position you are.

Your squares from Amy are wonderful. I really like the ones you stitched for her!

Cutting back seems to be a theme - I'm thinking about doing the same between now and the end of the year...

Lennu said...

Hi Marie! I hope everything goes well and you're not too sad to see your boys leave. I can imagine the situation even though I still have my kids here. They started school on Monday, so the second week will begin tomorrow.

How wonderful that you've found a puppy now! What a perfect timing. I almost jumped with joy when I read this, I know how much you've wanted to find one! Have a happy journey tomorrow, I can't wait to meet Lily :)

Carol said...

Oh Marie... have you seen the beautiful job Karen did on your RR? She put it in the blog today, and I believe it will be at my door quite soon now ;-)

Heather said...

So... are the boys off to college? I hope it is all going well for you, and I hope you got your puppy! I am so glad you found one finally :D :D :D

Heather said...

I selected you for an award on my blog, because I love ya! :D :D

Kathy said...

Can't wait to see your new baby. I am sure you will have fun with a new puppy.

Deb said...

Dear Marie, I'm so sorry you'll be sending the boys off to college...and happy for you, too. It's a bitter-sweet time, for sure. I hope you find new horizons for yourself and many new charts to stitch in your free time.
Love and hugs,
Deb