The Groundhog said what?

I read that we have at least 6 more weeks of Winter. I can't believe it because it's been a very WET, mild Winter so far, and I"m not complaining at all. I took a walk early this morning with the Valentine Couple of the Week here who are learning all about "couples issues".

shhhhhh......Thomas thinks he is the father. I can't tell him any different.

And she stands by her man too.

He sits on the porch just watching for any (and there have been many) potential suitors. We have squirrels EVERYWHERE now. He is a man on a mission!

He said, he did it, that's his story and he is sticking to it.

He is very affectionate and she is too.

Too bad Thomas was fixed long ago, as they would have made pretty kitties together.

and although they look out for one another especially at the feeding table,

they are a reminder of what true love is or should be.

Looking in the same direction, honest, and not afraid to show affection for each other.

yep, everything is wet, wet wet. The Sun is out though and I love it.

Everything looked so fresh this morning on my walk.

I just know Spring will be here soon.

And I hope so as I have many plans.

I found one bloomed daffodil and many with bulbs already.

I love daffodils.

so when the ground dries out I can actually get the leaves blown with my new leaf blower but its way too wet right now.

almost there though.

Promises.

Sweet promises and fun times ahead.

Plan on , for the first time since living here, planting some flowers in the back.

It's SO much cleaner now and really looks good. Gotta get everything to dry out though.

I think I have a helper or two this Spring that likes flowers. ;)

And by the time I'm done will be a nice, peaceful creative space for stitching on Spring and Summer evenings, by natural light.

or reading. Speaking of reading, I've been reading this book and it's really good for women.

Flossie Mae said that "right here" is the perfect spot.

a future flower garden.

It's amazing what grace has done for me and for others too.

I have made it a habit, a personal goal, to surround myself with positive things.

It's refreshing.

These rocks are little reminders right now by my fireplace, soon in the Summer to be out in the garden.

I just used an old primitive bowl to hold them in good view for daily reminders of what's important to remember.

I've thought of designing some little tokens like this.

I've got to get my designing hat on soon.

so for those who like little stitch projects, look for this coming soon from Feathers in the Nest.

Because this nest, is full of promise.

just as we all are, if we only look for it.

And given the right conditions of positve surroundings, positive people, and a good attitude,

we will bloom where we are planted.

I'm so thankful this morning after a good walk on a pretty Sunny day to know the promise of Spring to come, and to be able to share this with you, my friend.

I hope your Thursday is full of promise and positive people who inspire you and positive things that touch your creative heart, like mine was this morning.

Love ya,

Jennifer

Sweet Valentine Goodies for the Stash

The rainy days in Georgia are growing loooooooonger. It's a yucky, rainy evening and we've had many of them this Winter!

But all in all the month of January is almost to a close and in such conversation of "winding it up" I wanted to share with you some things I've added to my stash in the past 6 weeks.

If you like this as much as I do, you can get this and the thread winders at your local Hobby Lobby!

Some are included but I get extra to wind some floss.

(It's a good thing I don't live close to one) LOL

I just love the Springy like green color!

I thought it was a total neat way to add to the other many methods I have for organizing fibers.

Of course I couldn't help but get a couple of heart buttons while I was there.

2 hearts are always a cheerful treat.

And some vintage cotton lace ribbon too.

And mail items NOT from Hobby Lobby are:

an 8 in square black prim wood frame

and my most favorite is this new design Coverlet Birds!

I absolutely LOVE coverlets and when I saw this little piece I knew I had to stitch it.

Definitely will pull me out of the creative slump along with other cheerful adventures.

I also got the recommended Needlepoint Silks of which I have never used before but I do LOVE stitching with silk and I'm sure this one will be a treasure. I've heard only good things about this brand.

The fabric I chose was not the recommended fabric but is As Days Gone By ( I think is the name) by ????  I just had a brain blip. I'm having alot of those lately. ;)

Design is by The Scarlett House

I'm just in love with the colors.

I hope I pick up some speed on this one

I just need to pick it up....LOL  This should be a quickie! It's the Sampler Girl's Mr. Darcy sampler.

Wrinkles and all, here it is so far. Yes, I know the hoop makes marks, I just change around and on certain pieces I'll pick it up from time to time. Hopefully the wrinkles will come out. xxxxxx fingers

Here you can see the contrast of the color of linens, As Days Gone By and 32 ct natural Belfast linen.

I love both actually.

Torn between two lovers. :p

and I was in a Hearts Aflame mood, so I got this Kelmscott needleminder to plant my needles on while I'm stitching my Valentiney samplers. ;)

Oh, hmmmm.....yes, it was in the garden.

Yes, Miss Flossie Mae is going to have kittens and what's really funny is that Thomas, bless his heart, thinks he is the father of them but he can't be as he is neutered, but he tried, yes he did at my astonishment.

Honestly, they are a matching couple now and I think they are this year's Valentines couple expecting!

They sit together on the front porch swing every day.

I guess there's something in the air around here.

I think I was a wee bit late on getting Miss Flossie Mae fixed.

Will be interesting what colors her kitties will be.

Hope your weekend is full of fun and adventure. I know mine will be. I'm attending a seminar Saturday out of town to hear a speaker for the book A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. I think it will be AWESOME!  I might even sneak my stitching in there while I listen if my eyes will let me see without the magnifier light. I've really gotten addicted to the magnifier light even with my glasses.

Stay sweet and until we meet,

Jennifer

Sunday cleaning around the homestead

I'm not one to sit still long and we knew the porches needed SOOOO much cleaning so BodyGuard and I took a drive to Big Lots and he repainted a bench that I got at an auction ..........about 6 months ago...hmmm.....yep.....and even though we accepted the fact that the porches can't be painted till September due to the Summer afternoon rains.....we went ahead and cleaned the scruffy floors again. It's an endless task.

And it is HOOOOMID right now in North Georgia!

This bench at auction from the rear seat looked about 5 foot........when I won it for 30.00 and went up to get it, it measured 7 foot!  Oops...... so outside on the front it goes.

Makes a great little spot for Miss Flossie Mae to have a cushion to nap on.

Got the cushion at Big Lots, along with this 9 foot outdoor rug. The first time I had been to a Big Lots in 10 years.

 I forgot how fun it was.

At Lowe's we picked up some shade-loving plants but I think this will have to wait a couple of days. Got too tired.

I love porches.

I always have loved porches.

I grew up in a house without a porch but would go sit for long hours down the road at a neighbor's house and rocked till the sun went down! ;)

So, that was an important thing to me when we picked out this house because we both love porches.

And we got plenty of them too.

Changed some cushions in the front porch swing which is quite nice on Summer evenings.

And even though the porch floors are a bit scruffy, we call it Home.

And yes, Flossie Mae has taken well to the outdoors.

She has brought us her first remnants of a mouse to the porch. If you heard a scream, it was me.

She hasn't got used to the "scream" when I see the "gifts" she leaves. Thomas has long gotten used to it but Flossie goes up a tree.

Hanging on and backing down on her own. She has to learn,

while other creatures that are only inside the homestead, resume napping.......

in her Little Black Dress

She's the sweetest furbaby. By the way, she sends out a Father's Day greeting to her doggie daddy who the breeder said is named "Tuff". Yep, she's Tuff's girl. LOL

And this is Home......

Hope you had a great Sunday!  We plan on relaxing for the rest of the evening and resting my eyes for a new day tomorrow.

Good night John Boy.