Fa la la la la .... or Tralala

 Progress on Sprig of Holly using DMC 22 for the red, changed a few other neutrals also.  The thread on the spool is 167 for a hint of gold without being too bold.

When checking my Christmas folder for charts to take to Pittsburgh, I realized that I have two Tralala patterns for Fraises de Noel.  This isn't close to the generosity shown to me but I would like to offer the chart to you.  Please leave your initials or email in the comments or email me directly ...

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

The charts are not glossy or card stock, so please don't think it is a copy!

I did  not know that Sherry Human had passed away August 28.  Another kind and generous soul gone too soon.  

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New old find

 Just posted on Instagram the sampler tags I made a few years ago and forgot completely about.  So rather than search for that other tree they were originally on, I just added them to the tree that's already up.  Sweet!  I think I need to make more.  

Making some progress on Sprig, decided on DMC 22 for the red.  

Have a good day!

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Past and present

 Me during covid.

Me a month later.

Fat ankles included.

Rachel is taking a nap

 She deserves it after how often I pulled at her.  I have to stitch Pineberry's A Sprig of Holly.  Downloaded and printed, the chart is a delight to see with it's large format and very clear graph/symbols.  Then NFF's Santa Folk will be attempted.  One of my favorite free Christmas charts is from Pineberry, Ho Ho Ho (here).

I scrubbed my new box with Lestoil and then citrus cleaner, layers of dirt and oil removed.

Then Danish oiled and it's wonderful.

Why doesn't Blogger allow photos to be posted laterally?

Petey is still enjoying his heated house.

And this is Nit's favorite napping and viewing spot.

Not sure if I will add lights to the pine four foot tree, I haven't located my short grapevine to add to the group.  I used baskets to hide the bottoms.  

Made a trip to the Italian store for my favorite five pound tub of ricotta for shells and manicotti, they were closed.  I don't know if Carole will be able to be transported in two weeks for a Christmas day visit, day by day is the only hint.  Even if she is able, no ramps and narrow steps with iron railing may prevent it but we're working on it.  And here's another silly idea of mine, I even searched online for it.  With one leg cut so high, I thought there may be a garment (pants) that would have a heavier lining to allow the person to feel more balanced, and even a padded lining to give the pant leg some body.  Silly isn't it?

Errands the next few days, groceries, shopping, many phone calls which no one returns, and enjoying a snowless week.

Have a pleasant day folks, as much as we can with heavy hearts for victims.

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A change

It's coming.  It started today.  I actually felt like focusing
on and completing tasks.  Most weren't fulfilled, but there was a noticeable clarity at times, a cloud lifting, no panic seeping in.  As if a gate was opened and now we could move forward.  So different from the last ten months and I believe I heard it in Carole's voice this morning.  Stronger, determined.   

Tomorrow I will get my Christmas stitchery out of its plastic cave to enjoy.  All the other items, back to the attic.  Inside a few small trees lit, outside is as simple as other years and the way we prefer.  I want to spend the time going out, browsing, touching, imagining.  Between the seclusion and anxiety of 2020 and the distressful circumstance of 2021, I feel like a six year old wanting to go to Disneyland, not for the rides, but for the visual excitement.  Does that make sense?

Monday Monday.  Enjoy it.

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Hoping and praying

 that none of our stitching friends or their extended familie
s have been injured or affected by the tornados.  Our F5 was 1985 and it still comes back to haunt us, a tragedy difficult to forget.  My heart goes out to people in those areas.

I finished the tiny sampler and following reader's instructions, did not have much trouble with the over one except for obscenities.  Almost impossible for me to see on 36 count.  My eye check scheduled for January may be changed to a new doctor.  I might as well just see the surgeon.  The much loved and highly respected local doctor sold his practice to a group that has several other offices.  They fired all his staff, and him.  No thanks.

This is the big Magma and the mini Magma.

And this is the finished mini sampler with of course, a few changes.

The design is from Chessie and Me, Scottish Initial Sampler from long ago.

Carole may be discharged Sunday, not happy about that.  She is in extreme burning pain and the port for the nerve block will be removed at that time.  If it's that bad with it, I can't imagine what she will experience without it.  Still hoping she will be able to sit in a wheelchair in two weeks for a day at home.  Two weeks.  I am so far behind with everything and will try to do some decorating.

This is one of the photos (but not the best) that made me think about grouping/mixing different styles of trees, all white lights, no ornaments necessary.  One grapevine, one pine, one wire would be ideal.  I like it, different.

Have a pleasant Sunday.

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