Some bits and pieces before stitching...

I have been working my hiney off, because it's just that time of year. Everything is going well, but you should see my desk at work. I'm practically going to need a shovel to get through the avalanche of orders and paperwork.

Here's what my week has looked like. Wish I had more pictures to share, but this is going to have to do...

Monday was my 42nd birthday. I had a great day with Steve, Harrison and Graham, which included lunch at Tabella (chicken parmesan and chocolate mousse/brownie/home-made whipped cream for dessert), a little shopping at the kitchen supply and book stores, opening gifts, answering the phone, and stitching on the Hannah Pepper Sampler.

I went through my stash and picked out half a dozen or so that I liked at that moment, and had Steve pick. He chose this one (and one other.) I agreed with him on Miss Pepper's Sampler, because it has a nice verse about making the most of your time...living each day to the fullest and what-not. I am working with the silks I've got at home to make mine look as much like the original (to the left) as I can. It's gorgeous, and I'll soon post WIP pics. Fine Lines magazine, of course, is no longer around, but sometimes you can find these back issues on eBay (which is where I got mine.) It's a three-part sampler.

I also have been instrumental in finding homes for four cats already this week -- Joplin, Cleo, Bobby and Scraps. It's a long boring story, but I will tell you that I am really proud about Scraps in particular. He was in the temp. room, and was about to be put down, but I found a volunteer who was able to take Scraps and give him his antibiotics for a week and a half. I took him to PetSmart today, and WHILE I WAS STILL THERE, a young couple came in, and after looking at a few of the other cats, decided on Scraps. He is gentle and sweet, and as soon as I put Scraps down by their feet, Scraps butted his head on the nice man's foot, then rolled over on his back to show them his belly. They fell in love with him, and he's going to a very good home with one other cat they already have (Miss Kitty) and a designated cat ROOM to play in with lots of toys. I am so happy for Scraps, and very proud to have helped in some way to find a great life.

and...i bought a stupid ole sampler today. (Shrug...grin.) Yes, again. This was one I looked at earlier in the week, and then Diane at Little House told me to go look at it, because she thought it looked like me (something I'd like), and then a blog follower called to have me go look at it. So, I bought it. There! Are you all happy? It's actually quite lovely. I don't know much about it, but didn't pay very much for it. It was stitched by Maria White at age SEVEN in 1846. Besides the verse, which is lovely...well...here:

While my Redeemers near

My Shepherd and my guide

I bid farewell to anxious fear

My wants are all supply'd

To ever fragrant meads

Where rich abundance grows

His gracious hand indulgent leads

And guards my sweet repose

...I was struck by how small it is compared to how much is on there. It's only 13 inches wide. The linen has got to be very fine. Yes, there's some staining. And a few holes. And while it's a little matchy-matchy for me (I like things that are a little more lop-sided, generally), I do love the sentiment. And the colors are lovely. And it's got birds. And there must be about a hundred and fifty strawberries in that border. It's lovely. Not sure what I'll do with it or when, but add it to the flock. It's got good company.

And did I mention she was SEVEN? Good golly. I'm off to climb into sweatpants and stitch a while. Ahhhhh....