Two!

Somebody had a birthday this weekend and turned 2 years old!

That would be our little Knox. He's brought so much joy to the family with his big grin and big hugs. We had a family celebration for him on Sunday afternoon. Since she just had a birthday a few weeks ago, Ilse had to help Knox open his gifts; and all the kids seemed to enjoy Knox's new toys. 

This morning we woke up to a reminder that winter isn't quite finished with us yet - one inch of ice and snow. By noon it was pretty much gone so I shouldn't complain - but I do. :)

I've not done any stitching lately, so no update in that department. But I have been on the phone a lot the last couple of work days, trying to get some information from my Dad's old employer about a snag in his medical coverage. I never could get any one in any department to answer a phone call, but someone finally did respond to an inquiry I left in the box on their Contact page on the website. She gave me the info I needed to talk to the right people at the company that manages retirees' benefits, and now that problem has been solved. Man alive, it's always something! At least Dad's health is stable right now.

And I've received a notice that I'm on jury duty the last two weeks of March. I've lost track of the number of times I've been called on for that task. Well, at least it's just a 2-week stint.

I'll leave you with this image. This is breakfast for one of my twins. That is peanut butter on all those pancakes. His twin eats the same size serving. Keeping their tanks full is a full-time job! Lol!

The Right Tool

Many of us have a collection of embroidery scissors which work perfectly well for cutting thread and floss. But most of those scissors aren't thin and sharp enough for the fine cutting required for hardanger.

As I was beginning to cut this section on A Legacy of Love, I had a moment of laziness, not wanting to get up for my good hardanger scissors. Of course my pretty Gingher Alicia is sharp enough but not thin. The other pair on my table had the opposite problem. So off I went for my Dovo.

What a lovely pair of scissors! They have a thin, fine blade that easily gets between linen threads, and sharp to the very tip. These scissors are made for hardanger. In no time, and without struggle, I was finished cutting.

They cost more but are SO worth it.

Farewell to January

It's the calm after the storm, the least busy month of the year, and for that, it's my favorite.

Looking around the house, I don't think I got too much accomplished - although we are in the midst of a deep-clean of the computer nook, and that's pretty big.

I hosted Bunco at my house, which is both stressful and fun. Stressful because I had no idea what to buy for prizes - after playing for 18 years, it's difficult! Eventually I found some cool candle lanterns of various sizes at Pier 1. It's always fun to have the girls over to fill the house with conversation, laughter. And I always purge the kitchen/living area of extraneous things from Christmas and general living. I love the emptiness after all the fullness.

Even though my Dad no longer lives with us, he still requires quite a bit of my time taking care of some of his needs. Keeping up with his prescriptions is almost a full-time gig! In January we had a reline done on his lower dentures for a better fit, doctor appointment (never ending), and general errands for essentials.

Of course, we had the big snow event which gave me a chance to pull my stitching projects out of hiding. I finished a panel of VS Happy Hearts, and have now gone on to Connie's Legacy of Love, which I am going to finish in February - I promise, Connie!

I've had this beautiful design to stitch for Connie for an unthinkably long period of time. So sorry, my friend! But I am now ready to start stitching some eyelets, then getting the hardanger portions cut and woven - and finished!!

February's calendar page is starting to fill up with an indoor track meet for the boys (not going, but DH is), Sadie Hawkins dance, possible college campus visit, increasing track practices, doctor appointments, and general life busyness.

I'll miss you January!

Steamed

It's the little things that make life nicer. Like an iron that makes steam.

I have an iron that used to make steam, but with several people using the iron, it was occasionally dropped until it leaked. Still, it got plenty hot and did a good job as long as there was no water in the reservoir. So I got by and the spray bottle of water was my friend.

While shopping at Costco this week, I saw this great iron. Look at the narrow, pointy end. And it's blue. I took it home.

It makes great steam, and that pointy end is awesome for getting between buttons and into other small places. I iron quite a bit, so this iron makes my life just a little bit nicer.

And like my sewing scissors, the kids can't even look Mom's iron. The old one is for them. :)

Happy Hearts

So happy to actually finish the first panel of the Victoria Sampler Happy Hearts Sweet Bag project.

Now I'll be setting this one aside to work on another one of the WIPS in my project bag.

Kyle and Kirsten will be home from school early this morning as they have only one final today. I should come up with a good chore list for them. :)