Merry Christmas!

Christmas Scarves

Queen Anne's Lace Scarf

Spring Flowers Scarf

Goals and Motivation

I've been thinking about this today. I saw it on Facebook, posted by The Gracious Pantry. Earlier this year my hubby and I each lost close to 35 pounds. We did it by eating healthy foods, exercising and tracking both on My Fitness Pal.

In July we achieved a long-time goal of buying a mountain lot for a weekend retreat. Our focus turned from our health and weight loss goals to working on our lot. The purpose of the lot was for fun and leisure, but first we had to develop the lot to make it inhabitable. Our idea was to park our RV there for the summer, but we had to do things like remove weeds and overgrowth, dig a firepit, line the drive and walkways with rocks, lay gravel to keep the weeds down, and various other fun things.  I will post more about our awesome summer another time.

Even though we were doing all of that work, we've both gained back about 10 of those pounds we worked so hard to lose.  Right now I'm feeling like it's a struggle, but earlier in the year when I was doing it, it seemed so easy.  I know it's a mindset - so I've decided it's time to get my mind set again!

Sunburst Covered Stone

I'm still covering stones and enjoying it.  I used this pattern for inspiration.

Mountain Hummingbirds

This was taken on Saturday on our mountain lot.  I think these poor little creatures are destined for a journey south very soon.

My First Covered Stone

I've been inspired for ages by the likes of Resurrection Fern and more recently by Barbara from Made in K-town and the beautiful covered stones they make, which are pure art.  The stones have no real function, other than to look beautiful, and I find that inspiring.

I finally put aside my usual projects with deadlines and made a covered stone entirely for the joy involved and for no other reason.  It's my first one and so I will keep it for me.  I've already started work on another one that I will give away.

I've been experimenting with free actions from the Pioneer Woman.  This is boost and quick edge burn.  Almost all of the photos on this blog are SOOC (straight out of the camera), but I'm afraid I might be becoming somewhat addicted to these actions in Photoshop.

Another Little Star in progress

I love these colors together!

Squares, squares and more squares!

A Mid-West Sunset

On our way home somewhere in the middle of Kansas.

On the road again!

On our way to visit our new little grandson who is already four months old!

Finally finished!

The CD case is for size perspective.

My Little Star

I have about 16 more rounds until I'm done. It's for a very special birthday girl, who is definitely a star herself!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Wonders of Spring

I'm so happy to see my friends, the Hummingbird family, back again.

Baby Crochet

I had so much fun making these cute baby things for my new grandson. I normally make blankets and other things that take forever, so these were a refreshing change.

Rain and Serendipity in Washington DC

This is one of my favorite shots from our trip to DC last week.

Spring in Utah

I've been making baby things...

Snowflakes and Words

I don't have a blogroll, but I do have my favorites and I am slightly addicted to reading blogs. I recently found a blog that I love; it's called Snowcatcher.

About 15 years ago, I crocheted snowflakes as ornaments for my Christmas tree. My mom, having stiffened many a doily, helped me stiffen them. I hung them on the tree with red ribbon and they have decorated my Christmas tree every year since. They are definitely some of my most favorite ornaments.

There are beautiful, free patterns at Snowcatcher. I intend to make some this year. Having been inspired by this photo from Snowcatcher, I am thinking of something a little more creative than just ornaments on the tree.

Snowcatcher also led me to Wordle, where I created this from all of the words on this blog:

Have an awesome Friday!

Heaven Rains Down