Tickled Thursday

Source: https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/1460258_906292049400249_1721023138_n.jpg

Source: http://themetapicture.com/cats-ten-commandments/

Source: http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxMi1lY2MwZjA4MDE2NjgzMTA2

I hope at least one of these made you smile.
Thanks for reading.
Blessings :-)

Just Books

Eight and a half weeks still to go (but who's counting, right?). I've reached the miserable, uncomfortable, always achy and exhausted stage. And what brain I have has been turned to mush. But on the plus side, The Bean is very healthy and active and I finally gained a couple pounds. The second thing is usually not cause for celebration, but I hadn't gained anything in my second trimester (3 pounds in the first) and the doctor was starting to question whether I was eating enough. I have been, believe me. I feel as though I'm always eating.

Crafts have taken a back burner for a little while. I'm not crocheting or cross stitching much, but I've been getting a lot of reading done.

I always have to read multiple books at once. As long as the storylines are different, I don't get confused.

Here we have a family drama, humor (Dave Barry cracks me up), history, and inspirational fiction.

 Adventure, inspiration, and psychology.

 That's it for now. I hope you're having a wonderful week.
Thanks for reading.
Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

http://letuspin.com/that-inspires-me/

Spring is Here!

Yesterday was the official first day of spring! Hurray!! The temperature here in North Texas has been very comfortable, our yard is full of dandelions, and the two pear (?) trees in our backyard are in bloom. 

 If your thermometer still says it's winter, take heart; spring will find you soon. For now, enjoy this video from the movie Lost in the Woods:

Today's Inspiration

http://www.inspirationalfamousquotes.com/2013/09/no-one-ever-injured-their-eyesight-by.html

A Sweet Surprise

Before we left Florida, my sweet friends threw me a baby shower. We had a wonderful time visiting with friends and family and were gifted with diapers and gift cards (easiest things to pack!). I assumed, not knowing anyone in Texas, that would be the extent of the baby gifts, and I felt blessed to receive them.

But yesterday, to my utter shock and joy, the sweet ladies of our new church surprised us with a second baby shower! They are so excited about our upcoming blessing, and we are so grateful and overwhelmed at their generosity. These are people we've only known a couple of months, not years, and the way they've opened their hearts and welcomed us into their family is truly proof of God's awesome love.

Enjoy the rest of St. Patrick's Day even if you're not the least little bit Irish (I'm a little and Tim's a lot). I'm happily wearing my "lucky" socks that get dragged out once a year.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

http://leadme2thecross1.tumblr.com/

Computer Sort Of Fixed and Camera Found

I'm sort of back online. We had to do all kinds of weird things to the computer and install all kinds of security measures to get rid of the problems it was having. The problems are fixed, but now it takes heaven and earth to do anything on it. Any site that requires a log in (Google, Ravelry, Pinterest, etc.) had to be reset and added to the allowed list. It doesn't keep you logged in so I've had to start a password notebook so I can remember what my log in is every time. And sometimes the computer still thinks these sites are threats and refuses to open them. I guess it's better than not having a computer, but it's still annoying. I'm on the computer a lot less now.

My camera's back from vacation, so I was able to take pictures of my crochet and cross stitch progress. It's been awhile, so there are a lot.

I'm a little over halfway done with attaching the squircles. I'm using the flat braid joining method. The pattern for the square can be found here at Dly's Hooks and Yarns.

I started a ripple blanket for The Bean. The nursery colors are going to be yellow, green and brown. This one just has the browns: Cafe Latte, Buff, and Brown Tones from Red Heart. The pattern can be found here at Attic 24.

I added a few more rows to the Bubbles Blanket. Kindly ignore all the ends I haven't woven in yet :-) The pattern can be found here at Crochet Pattern Central.

I started another baby cocoon with Red Heart Frosty Green and Loops and Threads Impeccable Fresh Lilac Ombre. The pattern can be found here at Dly's Hooks and Yarns.

These are the hats I made for my crochet group to donate to charity. There were actually 6, but one wasn't done when I took the picture. The pattern for the red and white ones can be found here at Suzie's Stuff (the adult size), and the pattern for the all red ones can be found here at Dly's Hooks and Yarns.

 Cats, Cats, Cats: I finished the cross stitches on the middle kitten and did the backstitching on the eyes, nose and mouth. I also started the tan cat underneath him. Total stitches so far: 566.

Cherished Teddies Roly Poly February: I've finished one yellow and one pink stripe on the outfit and started the next yellow stripe. Total stitches so far: 913

Another Day Another Disaster (my unfinished Smalls SAL project from February): I finished the words and did the legs, chest, ears, and part of the face. Total stitches so far: 1900

Sunflower Seeds from "Sunflowers, Sunflowers, Sunflowers", number 3630 from American School of Needlework (my March Smalls SAL): I finished one flower and did some of the leaves for it. Total stitches so far: 310

Cherished Teddies Roly Poly March: I started one of the green stripes on the outfit. Total stitches so far: 56

Chick in Egg from The OmbiBook of Quickies, Book #805 by Jeanette Crews Designs: I've done all the light yellow and half the dark yellow for the chick. I plan to do a lot of tiny designs from this book on small squares of canvas and then stitch them together into a wall hanging. Total stitches so far: 164

That's it for now. I'm off to get ready for my jewelry show tonight, my first one in Texas! I'm really excited to get back to work. Tim's coming with me, not only as my ride but as my helper. With only 12 weeks to go until The Bean's arrival, there's a good chance he'll be doing some of the shows in the next couple months alone. I want the ladies to feel comfortable with him.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration