Why Rush?

Always a sad time when I must bid adieu to my Las Vegas son, Bill, and today was the day.  

Here he is with his brother last evening.  

J shaved his facial and head hair before chemo treatments started.  It had begun to grow back and yesterday it started to fall out in clumps.  His girlfriend says reality hit him hard.  His second round of treatments begins on Monday.  It just breaks my heart what he is going through . . . and there is absolutely nothing I can do.  It can be really tough to be a mom 😖.

So . . . when I moved to my home 25 years ago at the end of this December, there were the old fashioned roll up window shades, sheers and antique satin drapes on all the windows.  I removed the sheers and curtains and left the roll up shades.  It has been like that for the last 25 years!!!  

Why rush in to window treatments😁?  I was going to make valances.  Didn't happen.  Then I thought I could con a friend in to making something.  Didn't know what I wanted.  Finally stumbled on these prairie curtains on Amazon (where else?) and decided to order one pair to see if I liked them.  I am happy with them 😉.  I needed seven pairs for the downstairs and the little landing leading to the second floor.  Now I am trying to order antique white ones for the upstairs in the same style but getting them in a timely manner is an issue.  Definitely changes the look.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Now the mad rush to Christmas.  Less than a month away.  ARGH!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

News ~

 

Not good news, but it could always be worse 😢.  About two months ago, my younger, local son J (Jason) went to the ER for what he believed was kidney stone pain.  He left a few days later with a testicular cancer diagnosis that had spread to a lymph node.  He has had surgery to remove a testicle from which he had a tough time recovering.  He had his first round of chemo this past week.  He will have five  days of chemo then two weeks off.  This will be repeated for three more rounds.  I think I was in denial until I dropped him off for chemo the other day . . . and it hit me like a ton of bricks and I just lost it.

Please keep him in your prayers.  A mama bear does not want her cub in pain.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

This 'n That ~

I do have a rug finish to share.  I finished hooking it many months ago but wanted to tweak the eyes a bit and it took this long . . . sigh.  You know me and faces and eyes.  We don't play nice together.  Anywho . . . the eyes are better than they were . . . but definitely primitive!!!  This is a pattern by Caroline Twigg of Eagles' Nest Woolens, started in a class with Caroline in October 2022.  Titled Fierce Lion, I affectionately have called him Fierce Lion with the Batman Mouth 😁  I am happy to finally have him hooked and bound.

After 33 years of being together, my brother and his significant other are finally getting married this Saturday.  Lyn and I go waaaay back.  We lived together long before they got together.  I love her dearly and the other day she told me she was happy because she always wanted an older sister.  Smart a**.  (I am a grand total of 4 months older . . . lol!)

My Las Vegas son is flying home for the wedding.  Just a quick trip, arriving Friday before the crack of dawn and leaving Sunday evening.  It will be so good to see him.  Thankfully he won't mind the chaos of my house.  He is a carpenter working in homes so understands that it always has to get worse before it gets better.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Brother Update and a Request ~

Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers for my brother Bill.  He had a heart catheterization done and one stent put in.  I can't believe they released him from the hospital the following day.  He is doing great I am happy to report!!!  The lung issue once again is said to be pneumonia but his lungs are more clear and he is on antibiotics to rid him of that.  Darn guy really gave me a scare.

My request . . . 

I cannot believe I did not know an Ohio friend had a blog!!!  How did Saundra know and not me?  She hasn't posted much over the years but has become more active.  She is a fast hooker and an amazing quilter.  Please stop by and welcome Sue.  Blogging is such a dying social media form so I'd appreciate you paying her a visit and encouraging her on. Vernon Junction can be found on my sidebar.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren 

Fluffle ~

Did you know that a group of bunnies is called a fluffle?  Or a colony, nest, herd or warren?  

I had seen bunnies on Facebook that were bought at Dollar Tree.  Of course I had to hunt some down.  This is what they start out looking like.

After a coffee bath and some embellishments . . . and they now all have bows.

I actually made a few more but didn't take any more pics.  I kept one and gave all the others away.

There is very little quality control in these bunnies. Initially I didn't pay that much attention when buying them, but discovered several had glue slopped on their faces and of course the coffee does not stain the glue.  I was able to pick the glue off with moderate success.  The last fluffle I purchased (3 for me and 3 for a friend . . . they were hard to find), I carefully looked at each face.  A couple had glue near the nose and a couple were missing the nose.  I bought the 6 best ones of the 9 they had.  After getting home, I discovered one had no arms 😁😂😁

Please keep my brother in your prayers.  He and his DSO arrived home Monday afternoon from 2+ months in Florida.  That night he ended up at the ER.  The initial diagnosis was double pneumonia, then the next day sent home with "pneumonia like symptoms".  Just a couple hours later while his DSO was out picking up scripts, he called 911 because he was having trouble breathing.  It had to be bad for him to call for help.  Next told he probably had a mild heart attack.  He has been transferred to a different hospital.  Now not sure if he had a heart attack.  Lung issue may be bronchitis.  ARGH!!!  Hopefully will have a heart cath later today for some answers on the heart and someone can diagnose the lung issues.  This growing old is NOT FOR SISSIES!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Antique Sterling Silver ~

When I got married  in 1976, my mom asked me if I'd like to have sterling silver flatware.  My sister had sterling flatware that my mom would add pieces to on a regular basis.  It really was kind of ironic since my mom didn't even have matching flatware.  My answer was an emphatic "NO!".  A number of years later, probably in the late 80's, I decided that I indeed would like it, but my choice was to purchase mismatched pieces at antique shows and shops.  Most of my pieces are antique.  I'm sure some are just vintage.  My favorite pieces are ones with initials, names and/or dates.  

The pieces are so ornate.

The backs are as pretty as the fronts.

Though one of the plainer forks, this one is special.  It says Anna and is dated March 17, 1901.  My favorite aunt's name was Anne and she was born March 19, 1901.  So close.

Teaspoons are just as pretty.

Dated '07 on the front.

And Xmas on the back.

Though only silverplate, I had to buy this spoon.  My father, brother and son are all William.

A few more random pictures from around the house.

No matter the light, any pictures I take of these two blow mold Santas turn out pinkish.

This hard plastic Santa light is only 7" tall.

Thanks so much for stopping by
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Last of the November Updates ~

 

I have found little time for creative endeavors, but have gotten a bit done.  With Thanksgiving and my son being home, it really cut in to my "me time".  Living alone, I should have lots of me time, but it doesn't seem to work that way.  Life can get in the way.

Here is the start of my Christmas decorating.  I wish it could all be this simple and understated 😉

I did finish Santa and Rudy 1892.  I'm so happy how this turned out and I think the X binding technique is just the perfect finish.

Stitching on 40 count linen is going slowly, but I am determined to finish it because I want to gift it before Christmas.  The sampler is just 3 3/4" wide.  She is about half done.

My tree.  What can I say?  A scrappy little piece hooked entirely with worms so far . . . and not green.  This was not on my list!  The height of the triangle is 15 1/4".  

So here are what my October and November project lists look like.

October

HOOKING

Santa & Rudy ~ pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

APPLIQUE

Rebekah Smith turkey ~ pattern to freezer paper - pieces to wool - stitch  (maybe next year)

Stack 'O Jacks ~ pattern to freezer paper - pieces to wool - stitch

CROSS STITCH

Bethia Fenshaw 1861 ~ stitch - attach to spool  

WIPs to finish

Hooked Santa ~ finish hooking - bind - label

November

HOOKING

Skinny turkey (old freebie by Robin Leuschen) ~ pattern to linen - hook - bind - label  (maybe next year)

Seasonal mat for wood box ~ design - hook - bind - label

Christmas themed mat for a stool topper ~ design - hook - bind - label

APPLIQUE

Rebekah L. Smith pumpkins ~ stitch ~ 5 done and gifted

CROSS STITCH

Little patriotic Santa ~ cross stitch - finish as ornament (?)

Christmas Folk ~ cross stitch - finish

As you can see, many things did not get finished ~ or even worked on.  Oh well, there is always tomorrow.  I will not have a December list.  I put enough pressure on myself trying to get my house decorated from top to bottom.  Hopefully I will find some time to finish my WIPs 😁

Thanksgiving was extra special having my Las Vegas son home.  I had to have him at the airport at 5am (and I did not go back to bed!!!  I am beginning to fade!!!) today and thankfully his flight was on schedule and he was home by 7:30am Pacific time.  I think they are a right handsome group.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

~ SURPRISE ~

My brother's twice delayed surprise 70th birthday party finally happened :)  I think his DSO could not have handled one more cancellation.  Here he is arriving at the party.  It was assumed he would recognize some of the cars upon his arrival, so we were all standing on the second floor balcony yelling "SURPRISE" . . . and I do think he was genuinely surprised.

A fun idea for a do-it yourself card.

Finally ~ something hooked to share with you.  I originally hooked the mouth but was not liking it.

At hooking the other day, I finally finished his face.  A couple people said he looked good without a mouth.

Friend Linda had suggested buttons in lieu of a hooked mouth.  I like it and now need to stitch them on.  The pattern is Chilly and can be found here.

Here is the background wool.  I have very little left but wish I had more.  I really like how it hooked up.  The rug is ready for binding . . . next on my list . . . and we all know how much we love binding (other than you, Robin!).

This about sums up how I feel.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

New Lexicons ~

Social Distancing

Flattening the Curve

Shelter in Place

I must say, these are terms I have not heard before.  Perhaps they have been around, but unfamiliar to me.  Never in my wildest dream did I ever imagine something like this could happen.  I am not worried about becoming ill.  The only underlying issue I have is being elderly . . . lol.  

{{Personally I don't think 68 is elderly :) }}

I am terrified what it is doing to our country and economy.  Both my sons' girlfriends are now unemployed.  Thankfully both boys still have jobs.  In Ohio, dine in restaurants and bars have been closed for about 10 days.  Beginning today, we are to shelter in place.  Yes, we can still go to the grocery store, gas station, work (if you still have a job), etc.  Don't get me wrong, even though I don't fear becoming ill, I am being cautious.  Even before this pandemic, I was staying pretty close to home.  I know some of you will find this hard to believe, but I really am a homebody . . . unless it's hooking related.  Sadly my rug camp, retreat, hook ins, guilds, etc. have all been cancelled for the coming months.  

I did have our March birthday get together on Sunday.  Here are the three birthday boys social distancing for the group photo :)  On the left is younger son J (39 . . . how did that happen?), grandson Jake (15 . . . how is that possible?) and my brother Bill (70 . . . WTH?).  No pic of me!

Such a handsome young man.

If we don't laugh, we'll cry.  I still haven't figured the toilet paper issue and it seems no one else has . . . other than if we are quarantined for a long period of time and not allowed out of the house.  (Personally I am more concerned about food!)  If people would just stop hoarding :(  There are so many funny memes out there.  I bet when it is finally over, there will be books published with them.  Of course, since I wanted to post a few, this was the only one I could come up with.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  
Be smart.  Be safe.  Be healthy.
Pug hugs (from 6' away) :)
Lauren

Foster Fail ~

For those not in the know, a "foster fail" is what happens when a dog or cat who was only supposed to be a temporary foster is so lovable that his/her human just can't say goodbye, and he/she winds up becoming part of the family.  So basically, it's the best kind of fail :)

I have been fostering for well over ten years.  I have come close to adopting before, but never made the commitment.  I knew if I did not adopt Molly, I would regret it, so she is officially a member of my family.  

She is my shadow.  Here she is while I am typing this post.  I will never again go to the bathroom alone :)

Molly and Ernestine.  Molly looks like a little peanut compared to Ernestine.

Here they suspect food may be close by.

Molly with younger son J. He calls her little puppy (but that is also what he calls Ernestine).  He has the beginnings of his "winter face". 

Older son Bill with niece's dog Izzy.  They look pretty comfy, though Bill claims he was just resting his eyes.  

Grandson Jake with his Uncle Bill.  Jake is now officially taller than his dad.

I survived Thanksgiving.  Thankfully my niece's hubby is a great help in the kitchen so he was in charge of the turkey and gravy.  We had enough food to feed an army.  I do not eat sweet potatoes, but Marly shared a sweet potato casserole recipe with me which tasted more like a dessert.  I must say it was pretty good.  You can find the recipe here.  Thanks for sharing, Marly.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren