Embroidery machine

Since my embroidery machine and I have become friends, I have decided to try making some things that I used to make without using the embroidery machine.
The first thing on that list was mending my pants...looks so much better to have something pretty there instead of a regular patch.
The next thing on my list was making postcards.
I learned how to make them several years ago, but never embroidered on them before.
The trick is to find a design that will fit the 4 x 6 inch card.

Spring Forward...................

I love the weekend when daylight savings begins....first I get more daylight in the evenings, and I get more done it seems. Funny how darkness, and not the actual time makes me feel it is later than it actually is.

The other thing I like about daylight savings time is, Sunday morning church service....You can tell the people who forgot to set their clocks, they are arriving as the rest of us are leaving.

I don't mind getting up in the dark, as I do not get up that early, and when I do get up it is already light...But OH how I LOVE having that feeling that the days have gotten longer and I can work so much later than I used to. And the sunlight is out longer, I love the sunlight it is so energizing.

Well here it is the middle of winter and it is 52 degrees outside! If there were leaves on the trees, I would think it was the beginning of spring.
It is supposed to be mild all week...I just hate to think of when spring will actually get here, since it does not look as if winter has....Or wait!, maybe those 2 weeks of cold were winter! and now we are headed into spring!

This is one of my cherished possessions....I wonder what it could tell me if it could talk...I wonder what adventures it has been on.....I wonder if all it's journeys were happy occasions, or were some of them sad?
If it were a gift as opposed to a purchase, and if it was a gift who was the gift from?
All I really know about it was that it belonged to my Mom....
It's last purpose was to store my Mom's yarn in, now that she is gone and the suitcase has come to live with me........I use it to store my rug hooking supplies in..
Whenever I see it I think of her, and wonder what adventures they were on together................

The Evolution of our Christmas Tree

Outside our dining room window is a big tree. this year we put a squirrel feeder there so we have something fun to watch while having morning coffee, There is Mr/Mrs squirrel on top of the feeder eating a piece of corn.

Down on the ground next to the tree is a bunny cleaning up the pieces of corn that the squirrels have dropped. This all takes place about 10 feet from our house. If we talk while having coffee, they hear us and run away.

If you look really close, you can see Mr/Mrs squirrel in the big glass jar having breakfast. Sometimes when the corn is all gone, they will sit in the jar when the sun is out and sun themselves. They are so fun to watch.

Here is a bunny under the feeder on the tree...he seems to be waiting for more corn to fall as the squirrels go in and out of the feeder above him. You can see the corn on the ground in my flowerbed that the squirrels have dropped.

Gee, it seems like just yesterday the trees were in beautiful color, where did the time go. Soon, less than a month away it will be Christmas.
All those shoppers out there, trying to find all the bargains and all the decorations going up, and the menus being planned out.
But even though all those things are happening, all the parties, and time together with friend's and relatives are being planned. How many people are really focused on the real meaning of Christmas. It is not the food, or the decorations, or the shopping for just the right gift or the times spent together, It is the celebration of Jesus Birth!

Do you take time out from your celebrating to sit down and read the story of Jesus birth?
Start a new tradition this year......read the story.
Not sure where it is.........
You will find it in the book of Luke. Luke 2:

Twas the Month before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ' Holiday'.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!

CHRISTMAS 2011

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificatesfrom your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open. How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or movie at your home town theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy, paper delivery person or babysitter a nice BIG tip. Remember our citizens serving in the military. Those families need you.Besides saying "Thank You" there are hundreds of ways to express your graditude and appreciation.You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussiongroups -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other,and isn't that what Christmas is about? If nothing else, print this and post it so others will be inspired.