Shocked!?!

So, were you shocked to finally see a post!  It's been way to long ~ the hardest part will be figuring out where to start.  The boys and their schedules, mainly the baseball one, have been keeping us running. 

The school team for my oldest, finished with a 9 win, 2 loss record ~ and he's already looking forward to next year!  He has some more tournaments ahead with his travel team.  The most recent being this past weekend, where they placed second.  That's my little guy down front ~ when not playing for his own teams, he likes to be the batman for his brother's teams.  Yes, batman, not batboy, that's what the older boys call him!  My older guy is back row, third from the right. 

My middle guy is enjoying his little league team and has finished his spring season with his travel team.  The first tournament took place at the end of March in Ocean City, MD and wowzers, was it cold and windy!

This year was the first year for the little guy to be on a travel team.  During their first tournament, they had the lead in every game, but lost.  On to the second tournament....their confidence was boosted when one of the dads generously purchased custom helmets for each of the boys.

They won their first game, lost the second...then on day two.  They had to replay the team that beat them on day one...tables turned and we won!  On to the championship game against the undefeated team.  I'll let the pictures explain what happened!

Stealing home to tie the game....

A few plays later... 

Champions...

The parents couldn't have been more proud of these boys.  Taking the championship in their second outing together is a huge accomplishment!

 

Outside of baseball, we had another birthday or two...

the little guy's

mine....

and finally my dad's...

Celebrated Easter... 

and spring...

 

There have been school field trips, concerts, art shows, etc.  And more to come as the year winds down....

Middle guy's school band performing the Star Bangled Banner for the BlueRocks game...

Spring band concert...

My husband and I took a few days by ourselves to get away in celebration of our upcoming 20th anniversary.  We had a lovely time in Williamsburg, VA.  Strange, as it was our first time ever going away by ourselves since we've had the boys, but a lot of fun!!

We took a behind the scenes archeology tour and attended the Cry Witch performance, a recreation of an actual witch trial that took place in Williamsburg.  Amazing performance!  I highly recommend it if you are ever in Williamsburg.

 

Panzer has been with us almost a year and has filled our home with his heart.

Playing with his friends...

Hanging with his boy...

Posing with some of his pics from Instagram that appeared in Life and Dog magazine... 

Sadly, his best friend, Joker, will be moving in a couple of weeks.  They have grown up together and will miss each other a lot.

 

Phew.....are you still with me!?!  So, I guess you can imagine with all of this going on that not a lot of stitching has been going on at all.  By the time we get home at night, I am so tired I just crash.  I do have to give some over due thanks to some of you that have brightened my days with your surprises and generosity.

Dawn, from In Stitches, sent me this most adorable scissors fob.  She apologized for not having a Panzer colored dog ~ no worries, I had Panzer colored scissors to attach it to! 

Grace, from Needles Pins and Dragonflies, sent me the chart from Lizzie Kate ~ Dog Lessons for People along with the floss and needles to stitch it with ~ the saying on this is so true!  Sorry, I thought I had a picture, but can't find it.

Valerie, from Fog City Dweller, sent me some goodies from a giveaway that she had a while back.

Love all these goodies!

Such a cute floss tag!

And look at this one ~ love!!

Pretty pins...

Myra, from Gr8dame's Place, surprised me with this adorable piece...

The chocolate didn't last long...

And look how she decorated the envelope..

her signature cardinal!

From across the pond, this package arrived from Lainey, at Lainey's Stitching Hoose.  As you can tell, I opened the package at the ball fields...

A cute button box...

Cute fabric...

And filled with adorable buttons...

Another package from across the pond came from June of Butterfly Wings.

Love this!!

Sweet cards!

And this wonderful pin pillow...love!!

Isn't this tiny key adorable!?!

And finally, from Catherine at I Love to Stitch, a surprise package!  A great piece of fabric, such a pretty shade of pale pink, floss, some trim, a magnetic button and a flashlight!  You may be wondering, "Why a flashlight?"  Well, move on to the next picture!

This is no ordinary flashlight!  In the middle of the light, there is a hidden magnetic wand.  What better way to find a dropped needle!!  Very clever, I love it!

 

I can't believe how blessed I have been with all of these gifts over the last couple of months.  Thank you to each and every one of you.  Everything is wonderful and will be treasured!

 

Since it has been so long since I have posted, I have missed a tusal or two.  There haven't been any real additions to the jar, but there is a new jar.  I found these great solar lids for mason jars and was able to get my hands on some of the Ball 100th anniversary jars.  The jar in the pic is not the blue one, but that has since been changed.  Combine the two and wah-la!

And before I go, I want to show you the frog my mom found for me this year.  I have never seen one that is part of a dish.  That's right....one piece, attached...

The design on the side alternates between the flowers and the geometric design...

Thanks, Mom ~ I love it!!!

 

And if you made it all the way through my whirlwind catch-up post, you deserve a medal!  Or some chocolate and wine if you prefer!

I'll try to be back sooner than later!!  If not....

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh~



Celebrations...

The last few weeks have seen a few reasons to celebrate in our household.  

Let's start with the Oscar party that my neighbor held.  Just a few of us ladies, some cheese, crackers, strawberries, wine, and the ballots.  Let's just say that when I left at 10:00, I had only picked two or three winners...I was way behind.  

A few ladies had chosen 6 or 7 correct winners already.  So, imagine my surprise, when my neighbor let me know that I had, in the end, chosen the most correct winners!!  This is what was delivered to my door.

Whoo~hoo!

Now, the candy did not last long ~ the boys quickly got into that (yep, we'll just blame the boys for how fast the candy was eaten).  But, I told them to back off ~ the $25 gift card for the movies ~ that is a date night for mom and dad!!

 

Secondly, I would like to say congratulations to my oldest for making the 7th grade baseball team!!

Let the fun begin...between their travel teams, little league starting back up, and now the school team, I am juggling practice and game schedules for three boys and six teams.  I know, call me crazy....but, we are down one team from last year, so this should be easy...oh wait, my oldest will be playing on two travel teams, so we are still at 7...so much for being easy!

 

And finally, Panzer turned one year old this past Friday!!

Yes, he steals tissues straight from the box!

Here he is with all of his buddies...

Joker, the boxer, is a month older than Panzer.  They have grown up together and are quite the buds.

He still has such a puppy face...

All that play leads to one tired pup...

And one of my recent favorites...in the past, when my husband took his yearly business trip, the boys would want to take turns sleeping on daddy's side of the bed and snuggle with me...it's not so much about me anymore...

 

I am late with this months tusal...there is a lot of fuzz, as the frogs have been sticking around..

Here is what I am working on now....a belated gift for my mom's birthday.  She received some other stitching stash goodies, but I didn't get this done yet...

 

A big thank you to Jeanne from Hamilton House.  She was giving away these goodies and I was the lucky recipient.

Thank you so much, Jeanne!  Fabric and fibers are always welcome ~ and the booklets are great to look through while drinking my cup of tea!  If you haven't been by Jeanne's blog ~ pop on over and visit.

 

This week, brought a surprise all the way from Holland!  Heidi from Stitched Memories in Time, had asked me a while back if I owned a teapot.  I thought she meant a real china teapot, and that I do not have ~ but I do drink tea!  I didn't think anything else about it, until I opened the package and found these..

Six teacup coasters!  They are perfect ~ and look how they match my mug!

I guess if I ever get a real teapot, I will have to place an order for the teapot cosy that she was originally going to make!  Heidi is making it a goal to send rak's out each month this year ~ she is going to be creating many smiles!  Thank you so much, Heidi!  I love them and am grateful for your friendship.  Like Jeanne, if you haven't been to visit Heidi, please do drop over.  You will see some wonderful goodies!

 

Hopefully our weather will break soon.  We have had so many grey, dreary days.  I am ready for some warmer, sunnier spring weather.

Thanks for stopping by ~ I hope you all find time this week to enjoy the things that bring a smile to your face..

And in the spirit of Heidi's gift, I will leave you with this...

“A Proper Tea is much nicer than a Very Nearly Tea, which is one you forget about afterwards.”
― A.A. Milne

 

Exchange Reveal

I participated in another exchange, hosted by Lainey, over at Stitched With Love Exchanges.

The theme this time around was, "Cosy Winter Stitches".  

I received these great goodies from Renee over at Fit to Stitch.

And just look at this cute winter pillow!!  Seems this winter, all I can do is dream about building a snowman.  We have had mostly dark, grey, rainy days.  I say, if it is not going to snow, then winter, get out of the way....I am ready for spring!

Thanks so much,  Renee!! 

 

Here are the goodies I sent to Melissa over at My So-Called Crazy Life.

I hope she enjoyed her goodies!

This was my first time attempting the beaded edge.  Although time consuming, I loved it ~ especially the final look.

 

I have been able to do a little stitching and will be back soon to share.  I say a little, as it seems the frogs are still hanging around ~ two stitches forward and ten back....

“So he started to climb out of the hole. He pulled with his front paws, and pushed with his back paws, and in a little while his nose was in the open again ... and then his ears ... and then his front paws ... and then his shoulders ... and then-'Oh, help!' said Pooh, 'I'd better go back,' 'Oh bother!' said Pooh, 'I shall have to go on.' 'I can't do either!' said Pooh, 'Oh help and bother!”
― A.A. Milne