Renewed and Refreshed...

Hi Folks!

I've returned from the North Country...after a much needed time of unplugging and relaxing.  Sometimes the world gets a little too hectic for me, and I long for the slow paced uncluttered, unfettered life of "Home".  I grew up in a little town in Northern New York, home to 5,000 people (well 4,999 since I left home...LOL) where the nearest movie theater and mall  is a 30 minute drive, where the highlight of the week in the summertime is the farmer's market in the village park, where the county fair is held, and where my Mom doesn't have internet so I have to go to the local McDonalds if I want to access it.  (I lovingly call it the "black hole"...though I think that ticks my Mom off).  In all honestly, I love to visit when I want to escape the fast paced life of Maryland.  And no matter where I live...that will always be my ultimate "home".

I chose to go on the spur of the moment, without the guys.  I like to make one last trip "north" before the snow flies.  There are mountains between here and there, so once it snows in the higher elevations it makes the 8 hour drive a bit tricky.  I was hoping to catch the fall foliage at it's peak, but I guess I was a week or two early.  I did get to drive up into the Adirondack Park and get some pictures my last full day there.  It's my favorite time of year, where caramel apples, apple cider and hot chocolate are the treats of the season...and the forests are bedecked in their finest.  I truly love the area, but dislike the huge amounts of snow they get each year.  I doubt I will ever live up there permanently again, but it's wonderful to visit!!  I enjoyed my visit so much I stayed four days longer than planned!  LOL

I was able to reconnect with a few people I haven't seen in a long time.  One lady (who I didn't get a picture of but just recently connected with on Facebook I hadn't seen in 35 years!!) met me one day for coffee.  

My best friend from grade school, who I've known since we were 7 years old, and I had dinner twice (she survived my cooking one night when I made pasties for her and my Mom) and spent a day at a "Fiddler's Fling".  As my Mom said, we giggled together just like we did in high school.  It was such a treat to see her, and spend time with her.  Thanks, Donna, for spending so much time with me during this visit.  We HAVE to do that again soon!!  When I visit with my guys they are always too busy to share me with anyone...so we took full advantage.  Here we are together...and a few pictures of the "Fling" we attended.  I was truly impressed with this band, as they played and sang, called square dances and entertained us.  

I HAD to take pictures of this guy...only in the North Country would you find someone like this character.  He confused the set of square dancers he was dancing with, but was clearly having the best time, dancing with any lady who would say yes!  

I also connected with a former college floor mate of mine and her husband when we had lunch with them at the Depot Cafe.  I think my college days were the best of my life, and hanging with my friends from that time bring back such fond memories.  Not only was the conversation fun, but so was the atmosphere of this little cafe.  And the food was phenomenal!! Thanks Teresa and Guy for the wonderful lunch and conversation!

As I said before I made a flying trip to the Adirondacks to take a few leaf pictures.  We stopped in Wanakena, where my Great Aunt used to live.  It was always a magical place for me, deep in the woods along the shore of Cranberry Lake.  This little cabin along the shoreline would be a dream property of mine!  I would love to live right there!!  There is a Ranger School there, and just celebrated 100 years last year.  

I only wish I had taken a few videos of these rivers we crossed.  I love the sound of the rushing water, and the feel of the crisp clean air.  Just thinking about it is making me "homesick".  I truly love the beauty of the "Forever Wild Adirondack Park."

Now you're probably wondering if I got any stitching done?  The answer to that is YES!!  I started and finished stitching three giveaways for Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I am hoping to finish them into scissor fobs this coming week and they will be up early next month for you to sign up for the drawing.  I can't decide just how to finish them yet but I've still got a week.

I finished a little bit of the birds, I thought I had a frame for them, but it appears they won't quite fit.  I'll have t think of something else to do with these little guys.  This was stitched on 40 count over one.

I started and finished this little kit for a necklace.  I'm not quite sure how it's supposed to go together as there are no directions.  I'll have to figure that out one of these days, but here's what I have so far.  This was stitched on 40 count over two.

I also started this Cmon Monde pattern called Frimas.  You can find a picture of the finished project here.  I've been stitching it on 32 count over one.  I think the color is pewter, but don't quote me on that...LOL.  I'm half done, and hope to finish in the next few days.  I wanted a smaller projects to work on while at Mom's, as there isn't a lot of room to work on the larger projects.  I nearly finished everything I took...for once I didn't over pack cross stitch projects!!  LOL!!

Last, is a picture of the baby afghan I've been working on.  I have never quite seen an edging like this one.  It's been slow going because I've never done a finish like this and have had to really concentrate on it.  I hope it looks ok as it is a gift for someone.  I see some "blocking" in my future as it doesn't seem to want to lay flat.  Hopefully I will finish it sometime this week!

Ooops, I nearly forgot to let you know about the free SAL on Plum Street Samplers blog.  I'm hoping to get my supplies together and stitch this along with the others.  Here is the information!  Have fun!  I love Paulette's Designs!

Hopefully next week I'll be back working on those crazies from last year.  This year is winding down and I still haven't finished too many that I started a year ago January.  I truly need to get my buns in gear.  I hope I haven't bored you with too many details of my trip...but I must say, for a spur of the moment trip from the hip, I had a wonderful time and truly hated to leave.  See you again soon with my giveaways!!  Keep watching!