Retirement Bliss

You are gazing upon the image of a blissfully happy lady.  She retired on June 12, 2020.  She has become a gratefully happy and blessed recluse in her home.  She putters about her home engaging in whatever activity suits her at the moment.  These activities could include needlework, something vaguely resembling crochet, swinging in the sunroom watching the birds, squirrels, bunnies and chipmunks visiting the bed and breakfast facility in her back yard, reading, baking, reorganizing her kitchen, cooking, doing laundry, watching Ghosthunters on FYI channel and only on Mondays.  Most days she naps and plays a game or two on the internet and all days she is the person in the song "Who Let the Dogs Out" by Baha Men.  Yes, this blessed retired lady is ME!!!!!

So my Just Nan plan which was to stitch exclusively on Just Nan designs was foiled by the evilest of demons...boredom!  You see where I have stopped.  Yes I will be picking it back up but I would lay odds this beauty will not be completed for Christmas 2020.  The cuff is completed and I had begun the vertical rows.  To this point the lace I stitched in the cuff is my favorite.  The bead drama was well worth the trouble and I love the bead choices I have made.  

This was the culprit that diverted my single minded Nannyness!  It is an old Birds of a Feather design called Pink Hare Sampler.  I just had the chart and no color key.  I tried and successfully chose floss colors that I thought appropriate.  I even had some silk ribbon which was very lovely and fit the bill perfectly.  The button was in my stash and again perfectly matched the look I was going for.  

Do you remember Destiny?  This was a wonderful print which I found and had professionally graphed by someone on Etsy.  I started this about 3 years ago and after about 2000 stitches put it down.  After a blather with my bestie, the wise and lovely, Leslie, I picked it back up.  I am still working on it and have about 4000 stitches in it now. I am currently working on the window in the upper left of the design.  I have quite a ways to go before I bump into Joseph but I am still going strong and slow with it.  I am focusing on laying my floss strand perfectly down for maximum coverage.  This design is an image of love for me.  There are so many elements which speak to me such as his shadow foretelling Jesus's future and Him the spike in his hand which will eventually pierce his hands and feet.  The wood in the corner reminding me of the cross he will die on.  Then looking at His earthly father with the hammer in his hand.  Every time I look at this print I find it speaks to me in a way I haven't experienced or thought of before.  It is a spiritual peace for me. 

I can guarantee this will not be done, not this year or next either.  That is okay with me because I am a retired lady with plenty of time to enjoy what I want or when I want.

 I love poinsettias!  I was checking out the different cross stitch designs up for sale on E-Bay several weeks ago and found this lovely doily kit.  I bought it and was very tickled when it came in the mail.  The doily is soft aida and has a velour type texture and I love the flowers.  I can't tell you how old the kit is but I would say maybe late 1980's. It is a Willmaur Crafts Corporation kit.  The address says Willow Grove, PA.  Don't you love the name of that town "Willow Grove".  It conjures lovely images.  I think I may pick this up around November 1st.  It would be nice to have it finished for Christmas along with a platter with a variety of Christmas cookies I hope to bake.

I cannot promise to blog more often, don't forget, I am a retired lady and I never know what activity will capture my attention at any given moment.  God Bless you and may all your stitching be perfect!