Ice and Snow...

The yard and trees look amazing today. We didn't get much snow, just enough to really sparkle on the trees with all of the ice. I'm just glad that I'm lucky enough that I don't have to leave the house on days like this. We're suppose to have freezing temperatures all week, the perfect type of weather to stay inside.

I started listening to my first book (One for the Money by Janet Evanovich)on CD today. I think I'm really going to like it. I was surprised by how much I was able to listen to while I was doing things around the house (putting clothes in the washer/dryer, folding clean laundry, loading/unloading the dishwasher). I felt that I was getting quite a bit accomplished by listening while doing housework.

I haven't had a chance to stitch today, but I'm planning on working on my Country Cottage Needleworks' ornament after dinner. I really need to get moving. I don't have a single finish for 2007 yet. Hopefully, by the end of the week I'll have two though.

Finally, it looks and feels like winter around here. We finally have a little snow on the ground and the temperature is below freezing, so it's going to stick around for a while.

I started two Christmas ornaments this week. I would have one of them done, but I don't have the right type of Kreinik braid. I'm hoping I'll be able to get the correct spool later this week, so I can get it finished up.

I've been reading a lot the last few weeks. There's nothing better than curling up with a cup of tea and a good book on a snowy, winter day. I started A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber today. It's the sequel to The Shop on Blossom Street, which was a wonderful book that I read a couple of years ago.

Maybe, I'll have a finished project to talk about for my next post.

A quiet Saturday at home. Does it get any better than this? We've been gone so much during the last couple weeks, that I forgotton what's it's like to be home for two days in a row. We do have dinner plans, but we shouldn't be gone very long.

I finished the book that I was reading yesterday. I loved it! It was the second book in a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the third and fourth (which were birthday gifts). Last night, I even got in a few stitches on Watermelon (Little House Needleworks). For some reason, it's taking me much longer to stitch this one that it did to stitch Pumpkins last month. Maybe because all I can think about is what I should start next. I have so many "next" projects, that I'm not sure if I'm even going to be able to make up my mind, once I'm to the point of starting something new.

Off to stitch a bit, before it's time to leave for dinner!

Happy New Year!!!!

It's hard to believe that it's 2007 already. The last month has just flown by. I had so much fun getting ready for the holiday season, that it was here before I knew it.

First, let's get the December reporting done.

December Finishes:

Pumpkins - Little House Needleworks

WIP:

Watermelon - Little House Needleworks

Books Read In December:

Mum's the Word by Kate Collins
I Gave You My Heart, But You Sold It Online by Dixie Cash
H.R.H. by Danielle Steel

As you can see, I did a lot more reading than stitching last month. I think I've been bitten by the reading bug again. It seems like I read more in the winter than any other time. The last couple of years, I haven't done much reading but I've continued to buy books by my favorite authors. Last summer, due to the influenece of a dear friend and relative, I started reading again. I can't believe how much I've missed it. I'm about to venture out into audio books this month too. I received a Zen for Christmas, and besides being able to listen to my CDs and I'm able to put audio books on it too. I ordered my first one yesterday, and I'm looking forward to stitching while listening when it arrives.

Unfortunately, I think I've given up on the 25 project challenge. I guess it just didn't work for me. But, I am going to try something different in 2007. I've given myself $75 a month to spend on my stitching hobby. I have so many things that I could work on - I have the chart/fabric/fibers for them, that I really don't need to buy anything. I could easily go a few years just working on the stash that I already have. Since this is my birthday month, I can take advantage of the discount that so many shops offer. I have a couple things that I want to get this month, and I will come in way below the $75 limit. So, I'm hoping that this system works for me.

As far as goals for 2007, I'm not going to set many.

1 - 12 ornaments
2 - Catch up on the Little House Needlework thread packs
3 - Stitch older things from my stash
4 - Read 2 books a month

I'm looking forward to a healthy, happy, productive 2007!!