I am linking up with Cindy at Live a Colorful Life for Really Random Thursday. Hop on over there to check out more random posts. (Cindy's random posts are always awesome!)
Last night, we got to go see Mannheim Steamroller! I have wanted to see them perform for YEARS! It was such a treat. I have many favorites....of course this is one of them. My others are O Holy Night, Silent Night, Halleluja, and my most favorite: The Little Drummer Boy. Loved it.
We were very sad when our very good friends let us know that their wonderful dog, Skardu, died this week. He was 16 years old. He is one of the best dogs, ever. Our friends race sled dogs....big time. Skardu was one of their lead dogs. He had retired about 5 years ago to be a house dog. We loved him.
Skardu and Sweet Pea have been friends--best friends--for a LONG time. When Sweet Pea was very small, and we were all camping together, we found the two of them walking (Sweet Pea was toddling) along together in the early morning around the campsite, just having a conversation. In this photo, Sweet Pea is about 2.5 years old...again, just having a conversation with Skardu. This was from when we lived in Idaho. Oh, will we miss Skardu. I had a good cry over that one.
This past week, we rented Flowers of War. Wow. Have you seen it? Powerful movie. Very sad and troubling. Get your tissues out. But, Christian Bale....hubba hubba. ;-)
This week, I went to get my oil changed in my car. Sweet Pea found a little cross-stitch project a friend of ours had given her. She decided she wanted to learn to cross-stitch while we waited for the oil change.
Here is how far she is. So far, it's all outline stitch. In the empty squares, she'll cross-stitch some little houses. She's doing great! And this is TINY! Imagine how she'd do if I got her some big Aida cloth!
When we moved into this house, we took all the doors off to paint them. After we painted them, Papa Pea hung them back up. But they didn't close right, because the paint in the areas where we put the hinges on was too thick and hung them up. So, for the past couple of years, our doors haven't shut all the way, and we hadn't put new doorknobs on yet...so they just had holes where the doorknobs went. Over Thanksgiving, Papa Pea fixed all the doors,and put these new handles on the door. So much nicer than the 1980s brass, cheap handles that were on them. I love our new doorknobs.
Sweet Pea was a big helper. (Pay no attention to the mess over Papa Pea's shoulder! Egad!) At least this taught Sweet Pea to be thankful for small things! She is so thankful for a bedroom door that closes and has a doorknob! I told her, "See, your friends have had those things, and they don't even know to be appreciative of them. YOU, on the other hand, know what to appreciate in life!" Haha. She has walked around all week, telling me how happy she is to have a door that closes and latches--and how grateful she is for it.
These two friendly visitors have been coming to visit us almost every day lately. Almost every night when I come home from work, they are hanging out in our front yard. One day last weekend, we saw them just hanging out in our back yard in the middle of the day.
Here's something that just makes your day....I received an e-mail from Ginny, who said she used my "How to Make a Quilt Label" tutorial to make a quilt label, and it turned out perfect. Ginny said she's only been quilting for a few months. I was super impressed with her work! She agreed to let me share it with you. Let's hear a "Woop Woop!" for Ginny! Way to go! And thanks for making my day with your note!
This little princess turns 8 years old tomorrow. I can hardly believe it. She is the light of my life. She got a new dress from someone special for her birthday, and she wore it to the Mannheim Steamroller concert last night. I thought she looked gorgeous in it.
Well, those are my random thoughts for today. Tomorrow will be busy, what with the birthday and all, so I probably won't be back until next week. Sorry some of these photos are grainy. A lot of them were taken with my cell phone!
How about a random act of kindess today??? Have you found an opportunity yet? Did you hear this story about random acts of kindess? Pretty cool.
Have a wonderful day and a wonderful weekend!
Until next time,
What a great way to celebrate a birthday, even if a little in advance, than to attend a Manheim Steamroller concert in a beautiful dress! Happy Birthday to the littlest Pea in your Pod!
Posted by: jenclair | November 29, 2012 at 04:32 PM
Happy happy Birthday, Sweet Pea!!!! Beautiful outfit, and I'm sure you had a wonderful time at the concert! Hope your day tomorrow is the best birthday yet! (And glad you got an early b'day present with the door! :) )
Posted by: Deb | November 29, 2012 at 05:10 PM
p.s. ~ glad that Sweet Pea is learning x-stitch. I'm a x-stitcher from waaaay back...always a fun hobby.
Posted by: Deb | November 29, 2012 at 05:11 PM
Oh my gosh your little girl is so beautiful! Such a pretty face. I'm glad she enjoys needlework and handwork - it's so relaxing to me, so I'm glad she enjoys it too. Happy Birthday Sweetie! Sorry to hear about such a nice dog. Some are harder to let go than others, and this one sounds very special.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | November 29, 2012 at 05:41 PM
Happy Birthday Sweet Pea! I can't get over how grown up you are getting. Hope you have a wonderful day beautiful girl!
Posted by: carolld | November 29, 2012 at 05:53 PM
I have always wanted to see Mannheim Steamroller live. Sounds like a fabulous night, especially to get all dressed up. Fun to see Sweet Pea doing a cross-stitch. I remember doing that when I was her age, and I love it. Love seeing those deer in your backyard too. They are beautiful creatures to watch.
Posted by: terriaw | November 29, 2012 at 08:22 PM
Sweet Pea's stitches are looking great!
Posted by: Allison | November 29, 2012 at 09:08 PM
Great post! Your darling little girl is well on her way to being as talented as her mamma!
Posted by: Carla | November 29, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Your little girl is just beautiful Stephanie! I hope she has a wonderful eighth birthday. We saw Mannheim years ago and really enjoyed it too.
Have to tell you my nephew and his wife just had twins and named them Elsa and Ian!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | November 29, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Happy Birthday, Little Miss Pea!
Posted by: Pomegranate Quilts | November 30, 2012 at 12:49 AM
Happy Birthday to Sweet Pea! She's just adorable! What a perfect age too -- I'll bet you're having the time of your life. Sorry to hear about the dog -- it's always sad when our faithful family members are gone. I want your deer -- send them south. And hubba hubba??? My oh my ... what's this blog coming too LOL!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | November 30, 2012 at 07:25 AM
Happy birthday to Sweet Pea! Love Mannheim Steamroller! Gonna have to check out that movie! We have door knobs like that in our home, except in brushed nickle. So sad about the dog, sounds like he was well loved! Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | November 30, 2012 at 08:23 AM
I hope Sweet Pea's birthday was as lovely as she is. Really--she is gorgeous! And such a little stitcher she is! I have to check out your label tutorial. I would love to hear MS in person someday.
Posted by: liveacolorfullife | December 04, 2012 at 01:57 AM