ANOTHER FAVORITE

Hello to everyone !!

Today I want to share with all of you another favorite picture of mine.


If I had to give this picture a title, not sure what it would be.
Hardtimes
Dirt Poor
The kids
The 1920's
What's so funny ?
Her hat
Just a few thoughts that come to mind.

Believe it or not...
I actually know each of these kids in this picture. There are two still living today.
The child in the middle, who looks like a boy is in her 90's in a nursing home. The baby is 84 yrs. old and he is my father-in-law.

I suppose you might be wondering why I like this picture. I think it says a lot. They all were so poor but so close as a family. I look at their shoes and socks, I believe they were called leggings back then. Their shoes seems so dusty looking and they all have dresses on, even the baby has a dress. There are chickens behind them pecking around for a bite to eat, looks pretty dry to me.
What I really love about this picture is the last child with her hat. I wish I knew what was so funny to her.

When I married my husband I got to know each of these children and I have to say each of them were special in their own way. I have to go back to the girl with the hat, Geneva was her name. I felt I knew her a little more because her son has always been like a brother to my husband. Geneva was an elementary school teacher until she retired.

To this day we all love hearing many stories about each of these children. The girls as they were adults had a singing group. It is funny to hear how they would argue among each other when one was out of tune.

There was another child born being a boy. He is still living. So in this family there are three children living.

I can only imagine what this picture would be like in color.

I hope you all have enjoyed this picture.

My next posting will be about Cross Stitching. What I am stitching and pictures.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN...
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

MY MOTHER

Today I want to share the last "March Birthday".

As in my previous posting about "March Birthdays" I shared about my family having many birthdays in the month of March. Today, is my Mother's Birthday ! If my Mother were alive she would be 81 yrs. old.

My Mother never wanted to celebrate her "Birthday" as she always said...just another day. I remember her 60th Birthday, my Dad surprised her with a Birthday party. Needless to say my Mother wasn't very happy at first but as the evening went on she settled into the thinking...okay, it is my Birthday ! For years to come we always heard...I don't know why your Dad had to do that. My Mother never wanted to be recognized or much less be the focus of attention.

This leads me on to "pictures" ! Never did she want her picture to be taken. When she seen the camera coming she would exit the room or turn her head. Don't ask me why. So, to have pictures of my Mother is quite out of the ordinary. As the years went on we all did get pictures of her. However, as a young girl the family of sisters did have pictures. So today I am sharing with all of you my favorite picture of my Mother as a young girl.
I have always loved this picture of my Mother because of her big eyes and how defined her lips are with lipstick. My Mother's hair was Auburn and the sweater was yellow. I think she was beautiful in this picture.

So once again...the last "March Birthday".
Blessings to my Mother and Happy 81st Birthday !!

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

March is a busy month full of " March Birthdays ".
I have always loved the month of March for many reasons. The first reason being "spring" is on the way. However, an Indiana March can change very fast. Here in Indiana we have had a very nice March with a few days into the 60 degrees. Today is another warm day with beautiful sunshine. When I speak of Indiana weather...the forecast for Sunday evening is snow. There is one thing about a spring snow...it normally has no accumulation and leaves the same day. I must say we have flowers blooming and the grass is turning green. So once again spring is on the way. Speaking of spring...March 20th is the first day of spring.

March 20th has always been a special day for me. This is my "Birthday" ! I always remember as a child how I couldn't wait for my "birthday". On my mother's side of the family I was the only granddaughter. I don't know who enjoyed my birthday more, myself or my Grandpa Thomas. Grandpa always made my birthday a very special day. I remember the year he got me a pogo stick...poor Grandma, I jumped all through her house. I am sure she was happy to see me go home. Jumping all the way out the door on that pogo stick. My love for my birthday wasn't so much about turning another year older but receiving greeting cards. I think to this day it is why I love sending greetings cards. Age has never bothered me because afterall, what can you do about it. Last week while in the hair salon I was ask how old I would be on my birthday. When I answered the room went silent and all eyes were on me. At that moment I truly felt my age. Ha !

I am not the only person having a birthday in March...the month starts out with my father-in-law being March 9th. My Aunt Anita on March 10th along with several cousins following. Then here I come along on the 20th. My son Craig will be 34 yrs.old on the 29th. My mother's birthday is the 30th.

I also have to mention one last birthday. I have a wonderful neighbor lady who is young at heart. She drives, lives alone, does her own shopping & loves wishing all she knows " Happy Birthday". Her birthday is on the 24th of March. She shares her birthday with her daughter on the same day. Wishing my neighbor lady Aletha Phillippi a very happy 92nd. Birthday !!! Would you believe I just had delivered a bouquet of flowers from her ? That is Aletha !!!

March Birthdays ! Here is to you...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL !!!!

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

LIZZIE WAS A SWEETHEART

LIZZIE

Who was ole Lizzie ?

Lizzie was well known in my hometown. She was a woman of her time. Lizzie always wore a dress, nylon stockings and some days an apron. On a very hot Indiana day Lizzie would roll her nylon stockings down to her ankles, becoming anklets. She wasn't into Keds tennis shoes that were popular in those days, she had hard leather shoes. Walking many miles a day with her little red wagon and those hard leather shoes.

Lizzie worked each day around town pulling her little red wagon looking for food. Many grocery stores knew Lizzie and would give her handouts. Her day started early until late in the day. She was a hard worker and was ahead of times for women working outside of the home. It never mattered what the weather was, hot, cold, rain or snow, everyone seen her all around town.

On this Valentine's Day...
I look back at my memories of Lizzie and realize she was the "towns sweetheart".
Most town folks knew Lizzie had her own "sweetheart" and his name was Pete.
It was commonplace to see Lizzie and Pete walking to town. As they both worked for their finds each day. Lizzie with her red wagon and Pete with his big cart. One day as Lizzie was headed to town she posed for her picture. I was just a young child learning a camera and ask to take her picture, she was so thrilled.

Lizzie and Pete both have passed away but there isn't one person from my hometown that doesn't have a Lizzie & Pete story. When Lizzie's name is mentioned...it brings a smile.

After all these years I truly feel ole Lizzie was a real "sweetheart" !!

I hope everyone has enjoyed this Valentine's Day !

Until We Meet Again...
HAPPY STITCHING
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

SNOW SNOW AND MORE SNOW

Snow storm is on it's way !!
This only makes our second snow storm within 4 days. Last Friday we received over 5 inches of snow. Starting tonight through all day Tuesday we are to receive an additional 5-7 inches of snow. Then on Wednesday the wind is to whip the snow around and make matters worse.

There are many of us who love snow storms, especially those who don't have to get out in the storm. Myself, I love being home looking out and watching the falling snow. I also love being home and thinking of what I can cook, I find on these cold snowy days it is comforting to be home with a hot home cooked meal. Comfort food !

I myself don't get out to build a snowman but I thought I would share with all of you the life of a snowman.

LIFE AS A SNOWMAN
Its okay if you're a little bottom heavy.
It takes a few extra rolls to make a good midsection.
Hold your ground, even when the heat is on.
There is nothing better than a foul weather friend.
Wearing white is always in style.
Winter is the best of four seasons.
The key to life is to be jolly, happy soul.
We're all made up mostly water.
You know you've made it when they write a song about you.
Accessorize ! Accessorize ! Accessorize !!
Don't get too much sun.
It's embarassing when you can't look down and see your feet.
Its fun to hang out in the front yard.
There's no stopping you when you are on a roll.

As the snow falls and the winds blow I hope to be cross stitching on my latest pattern. I am stitching BLACKBIRD DESIGNS from Joyeux Noel book pattern " MERRY CHRISTMAS". I am stitching a little slow but I will get there finishing this pattern to move on and put Christmas behind me until our next Christmas season.

Until We Meet Again...
HAPPY STITCHING !
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

SANTA CLAUS IN GILDED CART

HO HO HO !!
The ole CROSS STITCH WOMAN is soooooo slow !!
But what do you know ...
Santa Claus has arrived !!

Yes, Santa Claus in his gilded cart is here, finished & framed.
I finished backstitching Santa about ten days ago and was trying to figure which frame was right for him. I had a red frame but I kept thinking the antique looking frame went better with the color of cloth. I don't know the name of the cloth, only that it is 14ct and I liked the antique look.

Santa Claus In Gilded Cart is from The Schiffer Collection by designer Donna Gallagher. The title is " FATHER CHRISTMAS III ". I bought this pattern booklet on Ebay and it is a retired booklet.

I have a love for folkart, antique and old world Santa's. I feel this pattern fit into the antique look of Santa's. I must say, I enjoyed stitching this pattern but the backstitching seemed endless. The copyright was 1990 and I can sure say today's patterns are much easier to follow. Overall, I am happy I stitched ole Santa Claus in gilded cart as he makes a nice addition to my Christmas collection.

I am ready to move on to a newer project and thinking of doing one last Christmas pattern by BLACKBIRD DESIGNS. "MERRY CHRISTMAS" from the JOYEUX NOEL Booklet. I will be making a change on my cross stitch of this pattern. I will replace the snowflakes with the holly/berries. I feel this will give a little more color to pattern.

Until We Meet Again.
HAPPY CROSS STITCHING !!!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

SNOW AND STITCHING

We still have snow and cold weather. We are to have a warm up this week, in the 30's but still flurries. It has been so cold out that you just want to stay home.

It has been nice to stay home and do my backstitching in the evenings. I am hoping to be finished soon. I never realized how much backstitching this pattern has. It now has me looking at other patterns and thinking to myself... how much backstitching does this pattern might have. Ha! Looking each pattern over very closely.

I really want to finish this pattern of Santa and his gilded cart so I can move on to a few ornaments. When spring arrives, so does my seasonal spirit getting with the new season. I normally don't want to be cross stitching Christmas when it is Easter.
That is just me and that seasonal spirit again.

Have any of you noticed BLACKBIRD DESIGNS has announced the next and last two stocking booklets. Those being November and December. Very pretty !! The gals are asking for suggestions for upcoming patterns. Boy did I have a few suggestions. I suggested quick ornaments such as vintage Santas, snowmen and Christmas trees.
I also suggested witches as I am a witch collector. I know they have done two Halloween booklets but there is always room for more. I would love to see finishing instructions.
I don't know about anyone else but I love to see tutorials on finishing, they can be so educational. Any tutorial dealing with cross stitch I welcome.

Better get back to my backstitching !

Until we meet again...
Happy Cross Stitching !
CROSS STITCH WOMAN