Unbelievable...2 finishes??

I think it's kind of New Year's resolution...take more time for stitching and hopefully reading too. Still low season here for work so have more free time till probably April unless weather starts to warm up in March then we will be out working at the terrace. Here's a design i pin off through Pinterest last week of December but just now i can' t find who the designer is. I finish it off into a Mattress Pincushion....since it's my first finish for this year, it will be added to my personal collection.... ....same as with this Christmas ornament. As i've already stitched this one before but sent it out as gift. It is from JCS 2007! I think this issue of 2007 is one of my favorite so far! Looking back at the designs, i had made a few already but mostly sent out either for exchanges or for gifts so i will pick more from here for my own collections or for gifts too. This lovely view greeted me this morning when i came out at the dyke for a walk. It was chilly as it was a bit windy but just like stitching and reading i do want to get back to walking if not jogging. I opted out for a walk as i had a heavy Zumba lesson last night so my legs aren't into jogging. Do really need exercise after all the lovely, tasty foods we had during the holidays. Hope everyone having a good start of the week. Many many Thanks to all who had stopped by and leave me a comment.Really, really appreciate them all.

New Year's Dive!!!

Crazy folks we are...in cold cold weather, sea water temperature is about 6 degrees celcius and windforce 6Bf! Kind of tradition now if we are spending New Year here in Holland...though i wasn't really positive to join as it has been very windy which makes it so cold at the beach and our daughter just got home after the party she've attended at 7am but she still does wants to join so...so just kept my mind go blank and ran to the sea! Happy New Year and wish you all a great start for 2015!!

Happy 45th birthday to me!!!

...got spoiled with gorgeous bouquet of flowers and others gifts from hubby & kids! Didn't plan anything that day other than to go out for dinner as it is usually a busy day for everyone if we will celebrate it that day. Since Chris also's birthday in December we had decided to celebrate it together for family and friends and had it yesterday. Here's a couple of pics of what i had prepared. Pity i wasn't able to take pics of the main dishes for dinner, was then too busy so the pics below were the small bites, warm and cold that was serve after coffee in the afternoon. Preparations had taken a lot of time and hard work but it's worth it! Kind of fun too trying to choose which dishes that fits together. Nearly a couple of weeks ago, the owner of the cafe-restaurant where i work celebrated her 60th birthday and i had offered to make some small savory snacks for the drinks. No stitching was done at all this month...but have a couple more days to go... Wish you all a Happy weekend!!

Our Christmas Tree

Finally put up our x'mas tree today, did wanted it earlier but been crazy busy while i am off work for the whole month of December but since hubby came home last week we've been catching up on scheduled appointments mainly for our son, Chris. At school and dentist appointments as it have to be at the mainland. Manage to pick up half of the boxes from where we stored them and still piled up here and not yet unpacked. We are off again for a couple of days tomorrow so it will have to wait end of this week... Probably our last lunch get-together as we are all busy this coming weeks. Kind of happy organizing for lunch/dinner here at home as i am into trying new recipes. Yeah, instead of picking up stitching i am browsing through different sites for new recipes to try. Although no builders to spoil i still make cake/tarts for us. Since i don't want to eat much, just a taste...i'll bring some portions to friends to try. Hope everyone's having a good weekend!

Autumn exchange @ HOE!

Here's what i sent to my partner Brendon all the way to Australia. It's a freebie design just can't remember from who... Love the piece i received from Becky, Thank you so much, Becky!! Days go by so fast...First day of December, birthday of our son...his father and sister aren't home and one of his wish to go out to dinner at the only 'Wok restaurant' here on the island so i asked him to take a few of his friends so we went this evening. Such fun with these young guys! I was glad i can join them, thought they'd prefer to go without parent. Last saturday been off with friends to the city with the train. It should be around 3 hours travel to there but due to some storing with train connections, we had miss a couple so it took us an hour extra. It was quite an experience, was first for me to go that far with the train. Ussually we took the car if we go out of the island. Still preparing and trying some new recipes, not for the builders anymore but just for us here or friends who stop by for coffee or lunch. I do need to gather a list of recipes that i'd like to prepare again when needed. Most were found through the net so sometimes i cannot remember anymore the link where i've found the recipe. Thanks to all who stop by and took the time to leave me a comment. Really appreciate it. Happy week to all!!

The Sampler Girl ornament!

Found this one stitched i think the beginning of this year so made it into an ornament. At first didn't know where i got the design but through searching at google had found out from JCS magazine 2012. Thus, went in search of the magazine and honestly quite lots of designs i've started or wanted to stitch from the magazine compare to the one this year. Do hope my mojo contineous.... Well, here are a few pictures of what i've made...baking/cooking! Not much lately as works nearly done except painting and the one who is assigned for it only comes during evenings. Probably a couple more evenings and he is done so we can start bringing up things upstairs. Hubby, hopefully will be home in two weeks then we can get everything or most of the things back for each room. Hope everyone's having a good start of the week.

Prairie Schooler ornament

This is from the latest issue of JCS 2014...i think the only design i like on this magazine. Kind of disappointed with this issue...i wonder what the others think about it. My thumb is fine now, only an ugly scar left but i am sure will disappear though will take a long time. The renovation is nearly to its end. Right now, one busy working on placing the heating for each room. Next week will be further with painting the walls, baseboards en doors. Then will be time for sorting out things to take back... Weather still good here compare to previous years which was usually strong winds and rainy but these past weeks still good weather for outdoors like biking or just for a walk. So quite some tourist coming over thus work still goes on which is good. Thanks all for the well wishes and for stopping by. Hope everyone's having a good week.