Having Faith...

Wood Shed Queen Anne's Lace

I took a walk around our yard yesterday. Once I was up behind the wood shed, I saw all the huge patches of Queen Anne's Lace. I thought the shed made an interesting backdrop of my favorite wildflowers.

I'm missing Tag so much this week. Maybe seeing Grace sparked it. Maybe it's just that I miss having him underfoot as a work in the kitchen; as we eat dinner; chasing him in the yard; or just having him to cuddle. I needed the walk to clear my head, or to walk barefoot in the grass to ground myself again. I'll still miss him, but being in nature helps to push it down again for a little while.

Handsome is doing so much better, and I have the girls (canine and feline) to help me snap out of it. I have so much for which to be grateful. Today will be better. I just know it. Rather, I have faith that it will be. 

Tiny Ideas...

 

One of my co-workers had a sad event in their life Wednesday afternoon, so I was called in last minute to cover hours for the gal who works the register so she could work in the kitchen for my co-worker. She and her family were outside when her husband was leaving in their truck. She told the dog to stay on the porch, but as is usually the case, the dog didn't listen. Her husband accidentally ran over the dog and killed it. My co-worker is understandably devastated and will not be to work for a while.

So, I got up a 4:30 yesterday morning, and was at work by 5:30 to work the opening shift. The sun was coming up, and there was a thick haze in the lowland areas on my drive. It was actually quite beautiful. In some areas the chickory is already blooming along the shoulders of the road, so the Queen Anne's Lace won't be far behind. 

The little time I did have to stitch, I pulled a few tiny frames and experimented with what I might like to put into them. Of course, my favorite wildflower - the Queen Anne's Lace - was my first choice.

I work late afternoon again today, so I'm planning to stitch a bit more during the day today. I've got something special I'm going to be working on over the weekend, so I'll let you know about that tomorrow.

I hope you all had a restful holiday, celebrating with friends and family. Handsome and I got the grill out for the first time this year and enjoyed burgers together - grilled - as they always should be. It was perfect.

I'm going to have my morning cuppa and pull out my needlework supplies. Today, I shall simply follow my muse. How about you?

Back To This Strawberry...

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Sachet - Queen Anne's Lace Detail

I completed my project from yesterday, but I can't show it in full yet. It's part of Primitive Gatherings' latest Wool Box (11), and we agree not to show projects publicly until we know that everyone has received their box. I can share it in about a week, so be sure to check future posts so you don't miss it. (It's very cool!)

After finishing that project, I decided to go back and complete the Queen Anne's Lace Strawberry Sachet I began before my latest surgery.

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Sachet - QAL Flourish Detail

One of the things I know I'm going to need to do is attach a backing to my linen before stuffing it, so the organic wool doesn't show through.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Needlework for the Strawberry Sachet - Queen Anne's Lace on Linen

 

My embroidery is complete now. I'll be putting it all together today, and then finishing it with the leaves and stem. I can't wait to see this one done, and find out what you think about it. Come back tomorrow to see it all done.

 

Queen Anne's Lace In The Snow...

My Latest Embroidery

The snow started Saturday, causing us to cancel a trip to Milwaukee to see a much-anticipated symphony concert. We were quite disappointed, but felt it was better to be safe than sorry after seeing the latest weather forecast. In the end, we made the right decision.

Sleet, ice and snow caused dangerous road conditions, and they continued through Sunday night. Handsome cleared some of the mess on our driveway with our utility tractor and a bucket attachment, but there was obviously too much snow (with more falling) for our tractor to get ahead of it. I tried shoveling near the doors, and the ice, mixed with snow, was a booger to clear. We weren't regretting our move north, but didn't see any reason to fight with Mother Nature, so we headed inside to wait out the storm.

I decided to start another strawberry. This one is going to be a Birthday gift for someone special. I decided Queen Anne's Lace, forget-me-nots and ribbon flourishes were in order, so I'll work to finish this one today.

When I showed it to Handsome, he remarked that he was impressed that I was doing such fine work in white-on-(nearly)white. I smiled knowing that, after all these years together, I still do things that impress him. (He manages to do the same for me, by the way.)
 

Andy, Clearing Our Driveway

 

Andy made the rounds yesterday. He went into town to clear his daughter's yard, and then headed up the west shore of the lake to clear his mom's yard, too. When he got home, he hooked up his snow blower attachment and brought down his trusty tractor.

 

He told us that the ice underneath made plowing with his truck impossible, so this was the way to go. He used to drive this tractor on his dad's farm when he was a kid. It still serves him (and us!) well, making quick work of the mess that was our driveway. He finished his day outdoors, but clearing his drive as he headed back up the hill to his and Shelly's home. 

When I posted pictures and a "thank you" on Facebook, our humble friend replied, "It's what neighbors do." If anyone wonders why we love the Midwest, our farmhouse, and even being back in the snow belt...this is one of the reasons. We love the way people live, work and play here. It makes the snow (which was more than anything we had all winter!) worth it. Oh, and if anyone thinks that farmer boys aren't tough, let me introduce you to Andy some time.

Autumn Dress...

Brynwood Needleworks - Queen Anne's Late

  Queen Anne now wears her pretty, Autumn dress. All too soon, she'll slumber under a blanket of white; Resting, until she returns to dance again in her Summer finery.

Let Summer Begin...

 

Memorial Weekend has always marked the 

un-official beginning of Summer for midwesterners.

There are flowers that always come to mind...

Geraniums

Chickory

and

Queen Anne's Lace  

Enjoy your holiday weekend and take time to remember

those brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedoms.

Don't forget to take time to smell the flowers, too!

Sunday Scripture...

"To every thing there is a season, and 

a time to every purpose under the heaven"

-Ecclesiastes 3:1