Stitches, Snow, and Gifts!

Bbbbrrrrrr....it is cold outside!  The snow is on the way!  It will arrive this evening and will be falling here overnight. Tomorrow will be a day for staying in, staying warm and of course stitching!  I hope all of you that have already or are currently facing this storm are doing the same.

I finished the snowman by MollyMade over the weekend and hope to further finish it later today.

My new start is "New England Winter" This is what I was able to accomplish Sunday while the boys were watching football. (I was watching too - just enough to see my Packers beat my Husband's Eagles!)

Besides a trip to the grocery to stock up for the week, yesterday included a trip to the local Amish General store.  I picked up some of these beauties:

I also picked up some pins and buttons to used in finishing.  Can you tell by the colors that I am already looking forward to Spring?

Denise from Riverside Stitching was kind enough to nominate me for the Stylish Blogger Award!  I am  to tell you seven things you might not know about me. 

1.  I love chocolate!

2.  I like sheep.

3.  I collect antique oil lamps.

4.  I enjoy photography.

5.  I was once, if only for a brief second, on 48Hours.

6.  I lived for two weeks with the Cree Indians in the Canadian Arctic.

7.  My graduate studies were in Forensic Osteology (decomposing and skeletal remains).

A pretty random list of things! I am supposed to pass this award on.  However, I enjoy each and every one of the blogs I read, and cannot choose favorites.  If you would like to play along, feel free and consider yourself nominated! 

On Saturday evening, I remembered that I needed to go to my mailbox.  I was positively giddy when I saw this:

My friend Lainey sent me a package all the way from Scotland!  As soon as my boys saw it, they were excited as well.  They are amazed that I have friends from all over!  My little guy asked if he could open it.  Therefore, I didn't get a picture of the wrapped items, as he opened them too fast!  She included some chocolates for the boys and I don't think they even hit the counter before they were inhaled!  Look at the beautiful cards:

A cute snowman pattern (a snowman waiting for snow!) - Lainey loves snowmen!

And my absolute favorite:

Isn't he adorable!  I mentioned that I needed to find a special spot for him and my youngest grabbed him and took off running.  He placed him on the mantle in our living room and there he remains in a place where everyone can see him!  Thank you so much Lainey!!!  You made my day!!!

On a much sadder note, I am sure that everyone knows about the tragedy in Arizona this week.  Well, it hits pretty close to home.  The Green family used to live on the other side of our neighborhood.  Although I did not know them personally, some of my friends and their children did, they were neighbors and friends.  They knew Christina and from what they tell me, she was an amazing young lady.  They are coping with the news of what happened and trying to make sense of it - if that is possible.  Please keep everyone that was affected by this in your thoughts and prayers. 

Thanks for visiting.  I always enjoy reading all your comments!  Stay in, stay warm and stay stitchy!