Monday, September 2, 2013

Lovely gift and Maine.....

I thought I'd be starting all the pretty flowers right away after my last post, but I found that with the US Open being on, finishing off the border was the perfect thing to do -- nice and mindless.  So I did that for most of the week and just started on the flowers yesterday.


I love the colors!


The second flower isn't all filled in yet, in case you were wondering.

I received a wonderful prize in the mail from Cucki, of Cucki's Stitching Cove, whose giveaway I won.


I was so excited to open this up!


Look at all the lovely goodies!!  I especially love the hand made items -- so pretty!  And an angel fob!  How did you know I collect angels, Cucki?  :D   Thank you so much, Cucki, for a special prize!

Now in case you were wondering, yes, this past week we went to Maine for vacation again!  Hooray!  We haven't been as a family since 2010.  And the best part was the whole family was there, including my girl.


We don't get to see enough of her, so it was wonderful to have both her and the boy child with us -- it felt like old times!

I will let the pictures do most of the talking.



This is where we spent most of our time at the house we rented.

Our favorite place to eat

Fried whole belly clam roll -- the best!


Never too old for a good toy from our favorite bookstore

The kids on a rope obstacle course

Girl child waaaay up high (she's the one up top there)

The intrepid adventurers




Poor Mia missed us terribly.  When we got home, we were worried about her.  Usually she's right there watching out the window for us and is there at the door to welcome us, but this time she was nowhere to be found.   Turns out she was sleeping on the couch in the living room -- she had given up on us, poor thing.  She was very glad we were home.




Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a great week.  Enjoy the tennis!!  Yay, US Open!


54 comments:

Vickie said...

What a nice, happy post Margaret! I am glad you had such fun. Hope Mia bounces back real quick. She is adorable in that polka dot bag. =)

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Love the matching bag for Mia, poor wee scone being left behind - it's not much fun when they make you feel guilty for going away. She looks none the worse though and I'm glad you had a great family holiday.

Dawn said...

That's a million dollar vacation when you can all be together again!
Love your sampler, those colors are so rich.

Vicki said...

Your piece is coming along great! Sounds like you had a fun family vacation...

Anna van Schurman said...

I had an uncle once who wouldn't eat clam bellies. He was an assh*le so I pretty much have no respect for people who don't eat "whole bellies." I think it's cute you specified. ;) Glad you enjoyed your trip!

Deb said...

Dorothy looks wonderful!! And I have to say that every time you posted those clam rolls on Instagram my mouth watered!! It looks like you had a wonderful time. Maybe one day I'll get there - it reminds me a lot of Long Island when I see your pictures - but I don't remember seeing clam rolls.

Ellen said...

What a great vacation you had in your beloved Maine made even more special by having the whole family together.

Melissa said...

Awww, I love the photo of Mia in the polka dot bag.

Lovely photos of your trip to Maine. Looks like a great trip, especially with the whole family along!

CalamityJr said...

What beautiful colors in your stitching. Your trip looks wonderful; having the family together is the best!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your vacation photos looks fabulous...glad you all enjoyed your time in Maine.
Dorothy looks fabulous... I love those flowers too.
Enjoy your stitching and the USOpen.

Lanie said...

Looks like you had a fabulous vacation, Margaret! At this time of our lives it is always fabulous when the whole family can be together :)
Your stitching of "Dorothy" is beautiful. Enjoy the US Open and we'll look forward to your "finish"!

BrendaS said...

Dorothy is looking fabulous Margaret. You are such an inspiration to me to stitch faster! :)))

Great pics from Maine - glad you were all able to go and that you had a good time!!

cucki said...

Wow you had a lovely vacation and family time is the best.
Glad you liked the goodies..
Your sampler is looking so lovely.
Hugs x

marly said...

Looks like a beautiful place for vacation. Except for those ropes in the air. I love Mia in that bag! And of course, good looking Dorothy.

Mary said...

LOVE the details in Ms Dorothy and all your vacation shots too. The polk dot bag is the perfect hiding spot form Mia - she was well camoflaged!

robindefender said...

Poor kitty! Looks like you had a great vacation. : )

Cari said...

Dorothy is coming right along. I love all of the colors. Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful vacation in Maine. I probably wouldn't leave that porch...unless it was for great seafood. Hugs dear friend and kitty hugs for sweet Mia too !!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Maine looks delightful! I'm glad your daughter was able to go with you!

You are such a prolific stitcher! I am always amazed at what you are able to accomplish.

Krista said...

Awww, poor Mia! It is so hard to leave them for days isn't it? I wish cats could travel. Your progress on Dorothy is gorgeous. And so are all your pics of Maine! Maine is such a beautiful place, I hope to get back there again some day. What a fantastic idea to rent a house! Enjoy the tennis!!

Leneslines said...

It looks like you had a very nice family vacation:) lucky you. I am sure Mia will forgive you all. Gorgeous work, as always!

z3mom said...

I'm going BACK to Maine in 2 weeks! Freeport, Boothbay, Stonington, Bah Hahbah, Freeport again, and home. LOOOVE fried clams! Lobster stew at Jordan Pond House mmmmmm.

I'll be thinking of you Saturday when I'm AT the US Open ;)

Solstitches said...

What a fabulous picture show Margaret. I loved seeing where you spent your family vacation.
Beautiful work on the sampler and lucky you for winning those lovely gifts from Cucki.
I bet Mia is a happy kitty again now :)
Margaret

Linda said...

Great progress Margaret. Looks like you had a great family vacation. Adorable pics of Mia.

Linda

Sweet Sue said...

Sampler coming along beautifully Margaret. Love your family pics, looks like everyone had a well deserved rest, clam roll looks divine:)

Laura said...

Beautiful stitching and glad your family had a nice time!

Laura

Ellen said...

Great progress, I just love your Dorothy!

Wonderful family time, thanks for sharing the photos!

Hugs,

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

your sampler is gorgeous!
And your trip looks not only wonderful, but delicious too! :)

Glenna said...

What a wonderful post. I so envy the vacation in Maine! I also like the bellies, as long as they aren't too gritty. The kids looked like they had a blast!

merumo said...

Nice family vacation! I was so jealous seeing all the pictures you uploaded on Instagram, especially the lobster stuff ( ̄O ̄;)

barbara said...

What wonderful pictures and posting! But really, you MUST contact me next time you make it to Maine because it would be an utter thrill to meet up with you IRL!! And maybe share one of those full belly fried clam rolls ... mmmm.

Catherine said...

What a fun post! Love your stitches ~ those are some fabulous colors! Sweet gifts from Cucki as well. I enjoyed seeing your vacation pics on Instagram and here as well. I haven't been to Maine in many years and you have minded me of many reasons why I hope to go again one day!

Anonymous said...

so in love with the sampler, would like to have the courage to stitch it.
Beautiful photo's!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

oh I love your pictures .... the stitching very beautiful ma sweet friend, bisous bisous et calins for you and Mya ......

Annette-California said...

Beautiful family vacation! Loved all your photos. WOW that is a big accomplishment to have the border finished. Dorothy is looking so Beautiful and incredible colors too.
Mia was probably sad because she didn't get to go with the family - she does look adorable in the polka dot bag:) love Annette

Brigitte said...

Ahhh, a family vacation in Maine, wonderful! And great pictures. I can't even remember when we were having our last family vacation together with all the kids but what I know is that it was always a great time. And today it's one of these extra special moments when all the three of them come together at our house.

samplerlover said...

Hi Margaret, Dorothy is looking really lovely. Looks like you had a wonderful time on your annual holiday. It's always wonderful when our families are able to be together again. BTW spent a few days in Melbourne and stayed not far away from the Rod Laver Arena is. Thought of you everytime I went past it :).

Annie said...

Your sampler is just wonderful with all of those colors.

What a great way to end the summer! Your trip looks like an ad from the Maine chamber of commerce!

Melody said...

I'm glad you and the whole family got to go on a trip. Maine looks wonderful. I know what you mean about being sad to leave the cat(s) at home. I'm sure Mia was happy to have you all home again.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Looks like a lovely vaca for the family!

Vera said...

Hi Margaret -- looks like you all had a great vacation in Maine. So glad everyone could make it. Dorothy is looking beautiful! And cute Mia...love the pics in the bag - lol.

Penny said...

Looks and sounds like a fabulous vacation! Beautiful pictures! And it's always wonderful to have your whole family together. Poor Mia! :) We were away a total of two full days a few weeks ago, and our cats were not quick to forgive us. :)

Melanie said...

ARGHHHHHH. My iPad ate my whole big comment as I was going to hit the post button. Oh well. It was basically love, love, love, and love. Lol

Sherry :o) said...

looks like you had a good vacation - glad you were together as a family! We are going away for a long weekend next week - with the boy too. I can't wait. At 20, not sure how many more there will be.

Hugs,
Sherry ;o)

Veronica said...

Pretty flowers. The colours are so bright. Lovely progress you've made.

Maine sure looks fun, especially the obstacle course.

Poor Mia, left all alone at home :P

Hugs,
Veronica.

Sally said...

What a lovely post Margaret. So glad you all had a great time. Wow that is so HIGH up! I don't think I'd have been able to watch!

Beautiful progress on your stitching.

Karoline said...

Looked like you had a wonderful holiday, glad to hear your DD could come with you.

Dorothy is looking gorgeous, great progress

Kerri said...

What a wonderful end of summer fling! Wish my Dorothy was looking as good as yours. I am stuck on the Bargello. Yuck!

Giovanna said...

Lovely progress on the sampler, and glad you had a nice break in Maine.

Carol said...

Such wonderful photos from Maine, Margaret! We were there only once--on our honeymoon 36 years ago. Sure hope to get back some day... Aww...poor Mia--she really did miss you. She looks so cute in the polka-dot bag!! Glad the whole family was able to go--that gets harder and harder as the kids grow up :)

Lovely stitching as always--enjoy your weekend!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

What a fun getaway! Love your progress on the sampler. It's coming along nicely.

Kathy Ellen said...

How wonderful that you and all of your family were able to enjoy such a special vacation together in Maine. Looking at your son and daughter, bravely walking on those ropes, made me a bit nervous, as I can't even imagine being up so high on ropes!

'Dorothy' is coming along so beautifully....I love watching your progress on her.

Poor little Mia looks like she was so happy to have her family all back home again. I absolutely love the photo of her in the bag, looking up at you......she is so adorable.

Blessings for a lovely weekend, Margaret!

Lois said...

Great pics from your vacation Margaret! Love your progress on Dorothy. And.......tennis.......poor Andy!

Nikki said...

Whereabouts in Maine do you come for vacation? I live in Maine. It looks like you were down on the coast near Boothbay. I was just down that way last weekend, went to the Botanical Gardens. I live just outside of Augusta, Maine and work for the State of Maine. Nicola told me you came to Maine....she and her husband have been here too I guess, on her honeymoon. Love your Dorothy progress...I am stitching her too, but have set it aside for awhile. Take care.

Nikki

Anne said...

Awww! Love those photos of Mia in a bag! So adorable! (Can't believe I missed this post...bad Anne!!) The vacation looks like it was a lot of fun and a great way to kick off the new school year. That fried belly clam roll I'm sure was super tasty!! I didn't know that clams had bellies. I ate some this summer and it seems like the whole part of the clam was a belly!!