Excited...

The count down begins: Only 2 more days until we leave to return to the USA. I am so excited as that means only 7 more days until Miss Betsy makes her appearance. Along with her appearance however, comes a required complete re-organization of my projects, UFOs and travel accoutrements. And not to forget the same for my needlework.

Just remembered, need to put a photo of the completed BOM #1 of the Merry Merry Snowmen.

When I went to start the 2nd block, I realized that the thread that I received with the project was far too light for the reindeer. I ordered more but it won't be available until we pick up our stored mail. So now it languishes. Oh well, 1 finish is better than none.

I have made great strides on my knitted silk scarf. A long way to go to finish but because of limitations of available fiber, the length will be dependent on the fiber available, not vice versa. All in all however, it will make a great scarf to complement my denim-colored leather jacket, which is a fair weather, spring and autumn jacket. A perfect time to wear a lightweight scarf.

So let the clock tick down ...

Happy New Year ...

Happy New Year to all my friends out there. May your 2014 be filled with health, happiness and prosperity within whatever life may bring you. This will be a good year and attitude has a lot to do with how it is perceived. For me it is going to be a great year!

I look forward to getting back to the US in a few days where I will be able to once again get at my various endeavors. I have joined the Stashbuster's UFO Challenge again this year and due to timing will probably have to pay a forfeit right away. I am #11 on the list and with all those who state they are close to finishing, it probably won't be many days hence 'til I am crowned queen.  That is the fun of this group.

I also read an inspirational quote a few days back and felt the call. "Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one." by Brad Paisley. Life is what you make of it and only you can make the deciding factors, so I decided to rite on the blank page, each of the 365 pages. Although this literal meanng is far from what he meant, I am choosing to see it that way as I have already decided to make the best of every ebb and flow that comes my way. Not a "NYE resolution" but rather a goal; to record my progress through my 64th year on this earth, as I choose to live it, along with my thoughts and observations.

My journey will be documented on my blog:     http://travelinduo.net/2014/Index.html

Enjoy and have a great one!

Dec 24 ...

Christmas in Valencia, Spain. Traditional American dinner tomorrow with friends here ... yummmmm

Danny & I wish all our family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous, fulfilling 2014.

 Our 2013 yearly letter ...

click here  

Christmas in Valencia, SP

2014 UFO Listings

As we come down to the end of the year, the advent of the new year comes time for reflection and review. And with this comes new lists, lists of UFOs to be precise. So here goes ...

Quilting:
1. Merry Merry Snowmen* - have only 1 block partially done
2. Twin pink/green block
3. Twin black/red/white
4.   Roundtrip, Homeward Bound*
5. Rainbow Jane - have only 1 block done
6. Craftsy BOM - have 6 blocks done
7. Watermelon Picnic Tablecloth
8. Medallion QofV*
9. Bed Throw Christmas
10. Spicy Spiral topper*
11. Princess coloring book
12. Lap Christmas Toys
13. Twin Monkeys Jumping on the Bed – girl - needs to be finished quilting
14.  I Believe in Family wall hanger
15. Quilted photo of grand puppy*
16. Dash cover*
17. flying geese baby quilt*

* = those that have been added for this year. The rest of them are hanger-ons from 2013. With all the traveling I did not accomplish much in the way of finishes but also, I did manage to put more flimsies on the list.

Needlework:
1.   Father Frost
2.   Cleopatra’s Cat - have the second side to finish, the Christmas side. The blue side is done
3.   Golden Crackers
4.   StitchPlay

Of course, there are always those projects that one wants, or feels that they need to start, knowing that there is a whole pile of UFOs waiting in the wings ... 

baseball wall hangers x2
grandkids quilts - queen x3
donation quilts ... and so it goes.

The photos will have to wait until I get back to the US and the storage unit in order to make the lists anywhere near manageable....

Happy Holidays everyone. May the memories made last a lifetime and the smiles be ever there. 

I don't often ...

I don’t often use this blog for agendas but I couldn’t help thinking when I saw this: 

Would there be less smokers in the world today if more countries had this type of ad on their cigarette packs? I can’t help wondering how the government here in Ecuador got Marlboro to put this photo and others on their cigarette packs. Can you translate it?

And that is all I am saying.