Monday, February 25, 2013

Spring Training & Gratitude

Some of you may remember that last year we traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC with our sons' travel teams for a long weekend of spring training.  This year, we decided to head down a day early and have a family day before the workouts began.
Friday was an absolutely beautiful day.  We hit the beach for most of the afternoon, walked some shops, and ended the night with friends at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville ~ yummy!!
This reminded me of a cathedral.  A nice place to sit and reflect.
All my boys on the beach.  Notice the teenager pose - head down texting his teammates.
Treasures found along the way...
Last year, my little guy wanted to ride the sky wheel, but we never made it.  It was his goal to ride, so ride we did!
My boy's with their buddies..if you read the newsletters from the Strawberry Sampler, you have heard of Beth's nephews and their love of baseball...the two redheads are the nephews!
So, on to spring training....not so sure it is supposed to look like this....especially in Myrtle Beach!
It all started as a cold rain Saturday afternoon...
This was Sunday morning...yep, snow...
I love the sign with the snow and ice...not sure this was the experience we drove all that way for!
After the snow and ice melted from the fields, it was time to get back to business.  Despite the cold and bitter wind, the games went on.
Maybe next year they should travel all the way to Florida!
We had a great time, but were happy to get home and see this face..
 
 
I have some thanks to give.  First off, I won Terri's Valentine's Giveaway over at Dixiesamplar.  Thank you so much Terri ~ I was surprised at all the goodies!
Terri sure knows how to spoil a person!!
This is the sweetest little pillow.
I love how she personalized the back.
Thanks again, Terri!
 
 Vickie,from a Stitcher's Story, had a draw for this magazine and just look at those beautiful pins she sent as a surprise.  Thank you so much Vickie.  I am looking for just the right pincushion to stitch up for these pins! 
 
Then, Peggy Lee surprised me with this beautiful heart box that she painted.  I love it!!  There were some chocolates and a skein of DMC in a lovely pink color inside.  So sorry to report that the chocolates didn't make it...they had to be taken care of before the boys got home from school!
Thanks Peggy Lee for the wonderful surprise!
 
I have managed a few stitches on the Pomegranate Study.  This is such a fun piece ~ hopefully it won't take me too much longer.
 
Thanks for sticking it out through another marathon post!  I really must try and post more often.  Thanks again to all of you who have made my February a little less dreary with your generosity!
 
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

27 comments:

Vickie said...

Oh, Pomegranate Study is lovely.
haha that face! Panzer in the backyard is just awesome, the expression is great!

Jane said...

Sunshine, rain and snow ~ WOW! I thought it was extreme enough here in England but that's really weird ~ I'm guessing the sunshine was the most favoured!
Teenagers and texting ~ one doesn't come without the other anymore does it! Drives me mad!
Lovely gifts and lovely stitching, the colours of Pomegranate Study are so pretty.
Have a good week x

cucki said...

Aww super sweet post...
Lovely gift and cute stitching xx

Parsley said...

I'm lovin the family outing pics. Makes me long for the beach.

Great goodies you got. So fun!

Peggy Lee said...

So glad you went a day early. Too bad about the cold weather though.
Ah yes, a face only a mother could love. Well I'll have to admit, he is kinda cute. ♥
Great stitching so far. I really like that design.

Christine said...

Looks like you all had a wonderful time in spite of the weather!
You have won amazing new goodies, lucky you!
Enjoy your stitching!
Christine

Linda said...

Great pics Catherine. Looks like a lot of fun despite the weather. Love all the gifts received. Great stitching on Pomegranate Study.

Linda

Robin said...

Beautiful pix. I seemed to have missed your last couple of posted so I enjoyed catching up. Ball season is upon you again! And Panzer, so cute!

Carol said...

Catherine, your photos are all so artistic--you really have a talent for getting a creative shot; even when it comes to Panzer himself :) Glad you all enjoyed your trip to MB in spite of the cold. It's always so nice to get away as a family...

And what a grand bunch of goodies to return home to! Having won one of Terri's giveaways myself, I know how very generous she is :)

Hope you get some more time this week to work on that pretty Pomegranate Study!!

Margaret said...

Definitely worth going a day early for that nice time at the beach. Snow at Myrtle Beach? Wow! Looks like the training went well though. Bet Panzer was happy to have you all home! Nice prizes and gifts!

Melissa said...

Lovely photos. I especially love that first one.

Great progress on the Pomegranate sampler! Lucky you to receive all the wonderful goodies!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congratulations on your wins!

I love the pictures of the boys lined up on the beach! It sounds like you had some interesting weather.

Pomegranate Study looks wonderful! Very pretty border!

carol fun said...

Wonderful goodies - such pretty gifties! Pomegranate Study is a beauty -can't wait to see it develop. As for the weather in NC - wow, that was disappointing. Glad the boys still got to play ball - here's hoping Spring is right around the corner for all of us.

Julie said...

You've taken such stunning pictures, the 'teenager texting' did make me smile, you see that pose so often these days - in my day you were told to 'stand up straight, shoulders back' lol.

Good luck to the boys this season.

Krista said...

Your new stitch is so pretty. It looks like you will have a finish quite soon! Lovely photos of the family fun. The ferris wheel reminds me of days gone by. :)

P.J. said...

Love your pier picture! What a great eye. Even has a cross at the end of the flying butresses. I do miss the sport adventures with our daughter. Enjoy all those moments. Can't wait to see more on your Pom Study. Isnt that Peggy Lee sweet. :-)

blue star stitcher said...

Your photos are wonderful, especially the one under the pier. I don't think I would have been brave enough to ride the sky wheel, I am terrified of heights and it looks huge!

butterfly said...

Great post, love all the photo's .
Great stitching, and lovely gifts, hugs.

Natasha said...

Great pictures!! Yes, it sure was strange to hear about Myrtle Beach getting snow, crazy weather LOL

When we lived in California we took a trip to MB for a week and did you know that combing the beach for sharks teeth is a hobby amongst retied people?? We went toward the end of January, so there was hardly anyone there but I noticed these people with shovels and strainers and just had to ask what they were up too, they were hunting for shark teeth. I found four and one REALLY large one. It was a truly relaxing time :)

Pat said...

Wonderful gifts. Love your new project. Good family time, no matter the weather. I hope your team wins this year!!

valerie said...

Congratulations on your goodies! Panzer is so cute...his face is so expressive! Looks like you all had a fun time in Myrtle Beach and even better spent with friends. You took wonderful photos!

Teresa said...

Looks like a wonderful trip to the beach.
Wonderful gifts you received and your stitching is looking lovely.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Emma/Itzy said...

A lovely post with great photos :)

Melanie said...

Love your photos!! You always take the best pics. It looks like a great little trip. I don't know about that ferris wheel though. It's making my knees weak just looking at it. lol

Myra said...

LOL You came all the way to the land of no snow and got snow! Too funny. Lovely gifts from lovely friends - lucky you!

Siobhán said...

Great photos, Catherine! Your trip sounds like a lot of fun, even with the snow. I can't believe how big Abby's boys are! Wow. Looks like you got lucky with the giveaways and treat from Peggy Lee. Your Pomegranate Study is beautiful!

Kathy Ellen said...

It looks as though you had a wonderful trip to Myrtle Beach. Your little one must have loved his ride on the Skym Wheel! Can't believe the snow atop the palm trees!

Congratulations on your sweet surprizes from Terri's Giveaway and the wonderful magazine and pretty pins from Vickie.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings!