What a beautiful summer day

Some pictures of our back yard.  It is such a treat sitting on our back porch and looking out into the yard.  We have lots of birds and chipmunks.  Well we could do without the chipmunks ad they destroy so much.  Yesterday afternoon I sat outside and read a book for a couple of hours.  So relaxing and the weather was perfect.

This rose has been in this little garden for years.
This is the 1st time it has ever gotten this tall and
had this many blossoms

Another picture of the rose.

This is the view of our patio looking towards the house.
We got a new patio set this year to replace
the old beat up picnic table we have had forever.

A picture of our patio looking from the house.

Bob Retired

My DH, Bob, Retired on May 30 after working for 32 years for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  On June 14th we had a little retirement part for him with some longtime friends.  Just want to share a couple of pictures.  Unfortunately there are really no pictures of the retiree.

Don (with his Back towards us) Iris, Mary, Donna Gerry & Linda

Don and Gerry

Gerry, Donna, Mary, Gerry, Don and Linda

The Cake

Bob, in the burgundy shirt with his pack towards us, me, Don, Linda, Donna, Mary and Gerry

Our dinner consisted of the following appetizers
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad Profiteroles
Baked Brie in Pastry with Toasted Almonds and Apricots
Small Shrimp Cocktail in Shot Glasses

Dinner
Beef Wellingtons with Sauce
Asparagus Vinaigrette
Bliss Mashed Potatoes
Salad of Mixed Greens with a Gorgonzola Vinaigrette and Gorgonzola Cheese and Almonds
Home Bread with Butter

Dessert
French Opera Cake (Seven Layer Almond Chocolate Mocha Cake).

We had the dinner catered and it was delicious.  We picked it up on Friday and just warmed every thing on Saturday. 

It was a wonderful day with good friends and good food

A stitching Update

I have some pictures to share.  One is an update on Bridge in Monet's Garden and the others are pictures of some Finished Christmas ornaments.  I sent these ornaments to the Carolina Stitcher (Faye Riggsbee) for finishing.  She has done an awesome job.  She now has 2 more to finish for me and then I will send her the last 2. 



Bridge in Monet's Garden
Page 28 completed
Started: 5/16/2014
Completed: 06/03/2014

 I have 7 more pages to complete to have Bridge in Monet's Garden completely stitched.  At the rate I have been stitching I think it will take me another 10 1/2 months to complete the last 7 pages.  So by this time next year it will be at the framers and soon thereafter hanging in my office at home.

Let It Snow - Pl, Pudding NeedleArt

2013 Snowman Ornament - Homespun Elegance

Faye finished these ornaments so beautifully.  I love getting the package from her to see how she has worked her wonder with each ornament.  I can't wait to see how she finishes the Eiffel Tower ornament for Bob. 

Another ornament finished

This is a freebie I got off the Internet so I stitched it for my DH.  It is going to be a surprise for him when we decorate our tree this Christmas.  I had to have it finished by May 30th as that is when he retired from work.  I usually stitch on ornaments in the afternoon so it has been easy to keep it as a surprise so far.

Project:  Eiffel Tower Ornament
Fabric: 16Ct Lambswool Aida
Floss: DMC
Started:  end of April
Completed:  05-30-2014
For Bob for this Christmas

This is Bob on his last day of work.  His c0-workers
decorated his desk and had a breakfast to celebrate
his retirement.

Kitchen Remodel

We have spent the last month, well since Mother's Day, having our kitchen remodeled.  Actually we have replaced the back splash and the counter tops.  The cabinets are in great shape and they go with the rest of the house so we decided not to have them replaced.  The original counter tops and back splash are original to the house which was built in the 1960s.  We bought the house in 1985 and I have hated the counter tops and back splash from the very beginning.  As Bob said this morning "what the heck took us so long""  Here are a few before and after pictures.