Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Faster I Go, the Behinder I Get...


Sound familiar? At least it feels like it sometimes, doesn't it? It's been almost five months since I last posted and it's been a whirlwind - but a good one. We've been visited by friends and family alike, had a family reunion, gone on two vacations, finished up the inside of the house...well mostly, and are now moving to the outside. Groan.

Stitching has been scarce, but I'm picking it up again now. I do have some long overdue pictures to post.

First up is the finished RR of Alphabet Zoo. There were a few blocks left after I received it back and several sweet stitchers offered to stitch a block themselves. So thanks to the GGSF folks and Evalina, Kathy, Dani, and Beatrice for their lovely contributions. It will hold a place of honor in my home. :)

Next is the Friendship Sampler so far... one more trip to a friend and then I'll finish up the rest - another piece to treasure.

A few small completions - Shepherd's Bush 2011 scissor fob...

And lastly a darling project from Susan Greening Davis...

Family reunion - missing a few special people..my DD and DSIL, sister-in-law and niece. But fun was had by all...

Photo finish...LOL

Mom nestled in her favorite chair...

My youngest DD completed her first triathlon...woohoo!

Our trips have taken us to Florida, San Antonio, and Germany. Spent our anniversary in St. Augustine and Daytona Beach with friends and went to the ANG seminar with Deborah in TX. Met up with some stitching buddies, too!

Deborah, Anne, me, and Gloria...

...with Anne and Shawn...

Wow-what fun! And I didn't even take any classes. But we did go to Stitches from the Heart-one of the nicest LNS' I've ever been to. They have a fantastic shop and were so friendly and helpful, too. Highly recommended to take a trip to this one!

And what to say about Germany, other than it was gorgeous and uphill in both directions (seemed like it, anyway)! We went with friends down the Romantic Road and saw breathtaking landscapes, flowers, mountains, and of course, cathedrals and castles. Stunningly beautiful...

Domspitzen in Cologne - and yes, I climbed all 533 steps in one of the spires. Someone asked if my legs were killing me. Ha - I was too busy trying to breathe...

Burg Eltz - a poster pic - scaffolding was everywhere, but the history here is incredible. It was built in the 12th, 15th, and 16th centuries.

With the gang at Cochem on the Mosel River..

With my sweetie on one of the wall towers at Rothenburg...yep - more stairs...

Neuschwanstein...need I say more? A dream place. While there are only 16 rooms finished out of 66 planned and the tour encompasses eleven, it was still worth it all to come here. The views around are mind-boggling, as is the wood replica of the entire castle atop a royal bed in the bedroom. Unbelievable. Understandably the fairy tale castle.

The picture of the castle was taken from Marienbrucke, a tourist bridge a half mile up and around. Have I mentioned that it seems like everything is uphill? LOL
Hard to see the bridge we stood on, but it's there. :)

Now this is what I call a mountain!

Basilica Birnau - a rest stop we just happened to take, having no clue what awaited us. Constance Lake and Switzerland are on the other side and there's a little farmer's market and gift shop there. Hands down one of the most hauntingly beautiful places I've ever been. Who knew what was on the inside? No photos allowed, but this postcard gives a small indication. It was a rush of the senses, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. We listened spellbound to the gorgeous voice singing- you could feel God's presence there. Truly, it was indescribable. I felt like Michelangelo had painted and sculpted every drop of space. If you're ever in this area, don't miss seeing this place...very unsung.

This brings us to the end of the past few months. Hope to be around more and catch up with all of you. And stitch... Thanks for visiting - please take time to let me know you came by - would love to hear from you all. Take care.

35 comments:

Shari said...

oh my goodness...sure wish I had been in your suitcase!!!!! I have always wanted to go to Germany....I just have been fascinated by it from a young age....thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures...and back to the top of your post...yippee on the animal alphabet...how pretty & I am again enabled, if I can find it....

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Both of your RR's look spectacular! And I love your fob and your SGD finish...LOVELY!
But the breath-taking photos of your family and trip to Germany...AWESOME!
Glad your back...now get to stitching :)

Nancy M said...

Both those RR look familiar...I wonder why?? :-) Very cute Fob,I still use the one you made me everyday! Awesome photos of Germany. I want to go to Europe just to visit the castles they have. Something we can't do here unless you call the Vanderbuilt house one. But it's not hundreds of years old! You had such a great summer with your family and stitching family! I think that would be my favorite chair your mom is sitting in too!

Cross Stitch Crazy Mum said...

A beautiful couple of months youve had, and wonderful projects. Welcome back :)

Vinniey said...

Glad to see you post again. :) Five wonderful months you have had! :) Looks like you had a wonderful trip to Europe. Beautiful happy family and vacation photos! Love the fairy tale castle photo. Thanks for sharing, Carolyn!

I think my legs will keep shaking the whole day after climbed up all 533 steps of stairs. LOL..

Alphabet Zoo is so beautifully stitched in red. Friendship Sampler is such a treasure with all friends' initials on it. Love all those lovely stitched colorful hearts. And I love how you finished off the scissor fob, it's so cute!

Have a nice day to you.

Yvonne..... said...

Thank you for sharing your trip. I have always wanted to go to Germany and visit the castles. The land and scenery looks absolutley gorgeous. So glad you got to go.

Karen said...

I am so glad the Alphabet Zoo is done!!! That was quite possibly one of the most beautiful reds I have ever stitched with :)

Wonderful trips and get-togethers - I am jealous muchly of your time in Germany (the Motherland for some of us :) ) - the history in some of those places is tangible, isn't it?

Great update, hope you can get back to the stitching!!

Claudette497 said...

The stitching is beautiful! Congratulations on the finishes, and what a beautiful family you have..Germany looked glorious, although I was getting tired just looking at all that hiking, lol.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You have been very busy Thank you for sharing your family and friend time with us Your pictures are awesome.

All of your finishes are gorgeous.

I am so glad your back to posting. Can't wait to see all your latest stitching.

Emily in NC said...

Stitching looks great, but those trip photos, my oh my.

Cindy's Stitching said...

what great pictures. You have been busy. good to see you post. I love the pieces you did work on.

Tracey said...

Beautiful photos and finishes.. and yay! Your RR is almost complete. It has been making the rounds for a while huh?

Debbie Jo said...

Wow!! What an awesome few months you had. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures. Your stitched pieces are beautiful. Now that you have a minute to breath you should be able to get back into stitching again!

Kay said...

Oh my gosh!! I am envious of you and your wonderful travels! Thanks for sharing all the great photos, looks like it was a fun time. Your stitching is beautiful as well!

Unknown said...

Love the stitching and thank you for sharing all your pictures!

Carol said...

It's so nice to see a post from you Carolyn and get all caught up on your very busy past five months!!

Lovely stitching and great photos of Germany. We were there in May and I fell in love with Neuschwanstein, too--we all wondered how on earth they got all the materials up that mountain to build the place!

mdgtjulie said...

Wow, Carolyn, you have been really busy. Love the piccys you posted from your travels. they're all gorgeous places, I'm sure, and you had friends everywhere!! Grats on your finishes too. They're wonderful!!

Anonymous said...

Both of your RR looks great. that looks like a great trip and lovely pictures. Your fob is pretty.

Glad to see everyone having a great time at your family reunion.

Marl

Denise SA said...

You certainly have been busy. Alphabet zoo is wonderful

*-* said...

Your travels look inspiring, with such fabulous architecture & history.
What wonderful memories to keep, from your family re-union, it looked like allot of fun.
The stitching looks beautiful, and accomplishments as well. I do love that wee SB fob, the colour is great.

stitchesnscraps said...

Well no wonder you had no time to stitch!! You were too busy Travelling! Your RR's are both so pretty, and your little fob is beautiful! I love your pictures of Germany! It looks so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing all your adventures!

Melissa

Kathy A. said...

Oh what wonderful travels you have had.
It is so nice to see your pictures and to share your new experiences.
What a surprise it was to see your RR's and realize I had stitched on them both!!! It was wonderful.
Take care and look forward to your next post.

Nima said...

so nice to read your post and so nice of you to share all those lovely pictures...and your RRs look awesome...

Felicity said...

What a post! So much happening. Wonderful.

Chris said...

What a wonderful summer you've had, here there and everywhere!
It all looked spectacular and so does your stitching.
Happy Days Carolyn and I bet you're all ready 'behinder' just as I am with my projects.. more time I scream!
Hugs Chris x

Sharon said...

What a great post, I enjoyed it so much. The pictures of Germany are so beautiful. I absolutely love your RR's, especially that animal alphabet, it is stunning. I love anything red and that is just gorgeous. I am going to have to look for that pattern. Lovely.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog, I am trying hard to keep up, hope you will visit again. xoxoxoxo

Siobhán said...

Wow!! You sure did get a lot of living in those last few months! Everything looks amazing, from the stitching to the pics of Germany. Wow!!!

Hazel said...

Lovely to see you posting! Love your RRs. So beautiful. Great pictures of Germany too. Looks like you had a fab time. Xx

Shelley said...

Beyond jealous that you went to Neushwanstein. It is Paul's dream vacation. Someday we'll go...someday. Enjoyed all of the pics. Love the stitching :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

Yay! Carol I've missed you! Great to see you blogging again. I was more than happy to help with your Alphabet piece if you want a heart stitched on your firendship sampler... willing to help again!

Wow you have been busy your trip to Germany looks fantastic!!! Looks like you've had a great 5 months!

Shelleen said...

You sure have been busy traveling and love those buildings in Germany. wow!

Meari said...

Wow, Germany is really scenic. Thanks for taking me on an armchair vacation. :)

Congrats on your finishes. They look great!

Brigitte said...

What a great post. With such lovely pictures of your stitching, the stitching GTG with your friends, the family reunion, and the trips you took. I'm very pleased to see what wonderful places you visited here in Germany.

Jackie said...

Wow Carolyn. I enjoyed reading your post. Beautiful pics of your reunion, stitching, and Germany. Loved the breathtaking photos of Germany. They are as I remembered them.
TFS.

Hugs,
Jackie

CameoRoze said...

Always good to catch up with you, Carolyn.