Catching Up

I came across this cartoon and it’s amazing how true it is. We’re known for having a lot of rain, hey we live in a rainforest!  But we do have four seasons and we do get snow in the Winter also.

 My friend Anna Bates from Woolie Mammoth Blog. Got me hooked back into doing cross stitch after 20+ years or so.  This was a little chart I found called the Sleeping Bee. It was meant to have Z..z...z above the head but I chose to design a crescent moon and star.  This is my signature when I sign things I make.

 Trying to do this post from my iPad and for some reason it wants to turn some of my portrait pictures.  I’m going to try and rotate them. I had to use my desktop to fix these.

 But this was some of the snow we had in mid January which made cross stitching something to keep me busy.

 Another piece I got done.  When I calculated the fabric I needed I forgot to add the measurement to the bottom.  Oh well I’m not ripping it out I figure a way to finish it. Ye Old Crow Sampler by Heart in Hand.  I redesigned the bottom so I could get my SHH along with a moon and star into the design area.

 Signs of an early Spring perhaps.

 Witch Hazel sharing its winter beauty,

 I have to admit I’ve neglected my piece from my Sue Spargo workshop.

 Winter flowering Verbena is always so pretty and smells wonderful.

 The mountains looking lovely with the fresh snow.

 More snow pictures it lasted for about 3 days,

 The next day.

 These variegated crocuses are some of my favourite spring blooms.

Love this flower bed each spring it gives a lovely show.

 More winter flowering verbena.

 Something I wish didn’t happen.  My favourite restaurant has had to close because of the Covid-19 virus.  I went the day before to get some take out and became their last customer.  I’m missing their friendly faces and great food.  A few of the business closed down their seating and made things just for take out but sadly and for the health of all they’ve all closed.  The florist is still working reduced days and arranges safe distancing by delivering to the delivery dock and they walk away so you can pick up your order.  The City Avenue Market is doing a great job of keeping the shelves stocked and marking off safe distancing when in line up.  People are being courteous and maintaining distancing.

 More solid crocuses.

 Another finish Antique Bee Sampler by Elizabeth’s Needlework Designs. If you look closely you’ll see 03 2020 to the left of the centre motif at the bottom and SHHenschel to the right.

 Rhododendrons have been blooming since October.

 Cherry blossoms beginning to bloom.

 Social distancing and enjoying some banjo playing by a new resident on the quay.  He’s my friend’s new neighbour.

 Cherry blossoms in full bloom now.

 Magnolias.

 Beautiful heavy headed hyacinths bowled over by the weight.
                                     
A closer look.

 Blossoms growing out of the trunk, another sideways picture.  Boy I hope I can rotate these.

 Ducks in the pond. Generations have been nesting by the pool since at lease 2000.

 Love this piece full photo.

 Spring coming into full bloom.

 Daffodils and ornamental grasses.

 Beautiful magnolia blossoms.

 Always love this view.

 I’ve also been working on one of two BOM designed by Sarah Fielke.  This is A Little Wilderness. I’m using Grunge Hits the Spot backing fabrics.

 White magnolia in bloom.

 Today’s look at the courtyard cherry trees.

I have been working on Something's Fishy,  That octopus has about a zillion bullion knots around hime.

 I misplaced my shell base wool and of course I found it after I added the new pieces.

 This is a new cross stitch I'm working on I started adding the words and realize my two motifs framing didn't match up correctly so I had to do some reverse stitching.

I also am working on this guy.  He's a bit farther along but I ran out of the black that is used extensively.  Happily my floss order showed up yesterday and will be working on him again soon.

He has rather zombie looking eyes.  Can you see where I ran out, up halfway through that top left hand area. 

My new roommate.  His name is Wolk which means Cloud in Dutch.  After picking him up I took him for a drive.  He’s rather quiet but I think we’ll get along very nicely.

Stay healthy, social distance, remember to wash your hands and this to shall past soon.

Happy Valentine's Day and Snow Days on the New Westminster Quay.

This quilt top was the result of a heart swap I did with my Mary Lou Weidman yahoo group several years ago.  I went overboard making hearts and it has ended up a small twin size.  I have it prepped for quilting but haven't tackled it yet.

 Sunday morning a day late the snow started to fall with very fine flakes.  I went out and at times it was coming horizontally towards me hurting exposed flesh.  I saw at least 3 joggers along the walkways.

 This is facing east at the bend of the river.

 Looking west you can see the difference of the blowing wind.

 The witch hazel was starting to be covered.

 The yellow witch hazel is a bit more protected.

 Back looking from my condo.

 About an hour later.

 I went out around 10 pm and the road was covered and several cars.

 Lobby view.

 Outside about 10.

 About 4-5 inches in the protected area of our front driveway.

 Next day on Monday I went out for another walk.

 Lots on the witch hazel.

 This poor daffodil is up to it's neck.

 The Native Paddle wheeler at the dock.

 Spotted a Robin a humming bird buzzed in and out before I could snap the picture.

 Some more birds joining the robin, chickadees or sparrow, hard to see their marking and another robin.

 Startled by an eagle flying overhead.

 A few poking thru but the rest were basically buried.

 Love the blue in the sky and the green of the leaves on the palm.

 Lobby view lots of snow on the ice.

 Viewed from my condo.

 Looking across the river, you can hardly see the sidewalks in our courtyard but a few people have walked one of the paths.

 Wednesday Rita and I went for lunch at Angelina's, this tree looked amazing.

 More ice and snow on the river.

 A pigeon swooped by.

 Looking west along the river, the plowing stopped here so walking was a bit dicey.

 Rita's flowerbeds are covered.

 Snow starting to melt on the yellow witch hazel.

 Same with the orange.

 Rita and her two dogs walking, Cupcake looking back and Buddy moving forward.

 The mountains peeking out behind some low clouds.

 Even more snow melted in the half hour.

 Lovely colours.

 Snow on the winter flowering Viburnum.

 Love this picture.

 View from the walkway.

 Crow hanging out.

 More higher in the tree.

 Playing peek a boo.

 Day moon out.  When I enlarge this picture it's hard to see.

 Don't know if you can see the moon here.

 Lobby view things are melting.

 This car hasn't moved since the snow started or the ones behind.

 This morning it's about -3C with a high of 3C later with possibly some snow and rain.  More snow may arrive or maybe rain.

 Ice is melting in the ponds.

 You can see the top of the table.

 Working on my block 3 of Fresh Cut.  Stitched wool pieces on last night and then removed them along with the green crescent shape to the left as I misplaced and forgot to sew some of the cotton pieces.  Back to the drawing board later today.

Short attempt at showing the ice flowing down the river.  Hard to see the screen in the bright sunlight.  A helicopter flew over head but you'll get the idea.