Back to Reality

(A scene from the corner near my shop)
Here it is, the first week of January already almost over, and it doesn't even seem like Christmas was here. Why is it that time flies by so quickly? So many things I wanted to do, yet didn't find the time to fit them in. Christmas cards didn't get sent, favorite cookies didn't get baked and there were some additional decorations I wanted to display. I think this year I will *try* to get more organized. A business blog I follow is encouraging us to take a few hours every week to plan ahead to keep our businesses moving forward. Similar advice that FlyLady gives to those that follow her plan. She recommends setting aside a small amount of time to go over menus, create a shopping list, pay bills, etc. to help us get through the following week. Truthfully, I do not follow this faithfully every week, but of those weeks when I DO plan ahead, my week goes much more smoothly. There is dinner on the table every night which because I cook double, means I have lunches for the next day. When I'm "too busy" to make the time to plan, my meals suffer and the DH and I are eating out or we're eating bacon and eggs for dinner!

So, my goal for the new year is to become better at planning ahead. I discovered a great little purse planner that I hope to make. All this blogging is really bringing out the creative person in me. The planner is something I hope to make and if successful, I will share with all of you.

Now, onto the rest of my story. There is a group of ladies I met through my shop that have quickly become friends. They are all talented in many ways; some you may already know them through their blogs. First I will tell you that a couple weeks before Christmas, Laura surprised me with this.
Laura is an antique shopper and she hit the jackpot with this treasure! Laura happened into my shop one day and proceeded to tell me about her blog which opened up a new family of bloggers to me. Many have become my friends! I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do with this lovely magazine. I hate to seal it up in a shadowbox frame because then you can't see the wealth of goodies found on the pages. I will check with my framer to see what he recommends. Any suggestions from any of you?

Then there's Patti . Patti and Laura met through blogging, from what I remember. Laura introduced Patti to my shop. I discovered that not only can Patti stitch, she also writes poetry! I admire people with a gift for words as many times my words just get jumbled around in my head and don't make it out onto paper quite right. Patti presented me with this as a Christmas gift. Patti beaded the earrings and bracelet herself. That girl is really talented! I love my beaded jewelry set and will definitely not reserve it for the holiday season!

Another new friend is someone many of you might know, Karin . Karin came to Chicago by way of New Jersey but is originally from the Netherlands. Funny, Laura commented on Karin's blog about her LNS and brought her here to the shop. It's amazing how all our lives are intertwined with stitching and blogging and crafting in general. Stitchers are just the greatest people. Karin gave me this lovely gift. The cute little clogs will hang on my Christmas tree and will be a remembrance each year. The cookies, unfortunately, didn't last very long, as I served them to my family after Christmas Eve dinner. Karin explained the proper way to eat the cookies is to place one on top of a hot cup of coffee so that the carmel inside melts into gooey lusciousness. My family gobbled them up and raved about them the whole time!

So, dear readers, thank you for following along. I have so many thoughts racing around in my head and want to share it all with you. Stay tuned for future releases of some of the fun things I did while the family and twins were in town!

Stay warm and keep stitching,
Cathy