Hello - I guess I should be reintroduced?

Man, it has been a very, very long time since my last post. I am so sorry. I bet you thought I fell off the face of the earth...

It has been so, so busy here since back in September. The boys...their hockey...the business...running two stores...keeping the household somewhat organized...keeping up with my exercising...traveling...holidays...Ugh!

So what has gone on here? Well...the hockey travel schedule allowed me to visit my family in Minnesota twice - once back in September and the second time in December.

From Left to Right: sister Jamie, my mother, me and sister Debbie

From Left to Right: me, sister Jamie, my mother, sister Debbie and my father.

With all the driving I do to & from the hockey rink during the hockey season, my 2010 Honda turned over 60,000 miles...

My older son, who was growing out his "hockey hair" since March 2012, decided to get rid of it in December...

Our December holidays were somewhat quiet; that is between working at the store and prepping for a couple of hockey trips. We did manage to add a little decor to the house to make sure we got into the holiday mood...

I found this great little tabletop live tree. It was the perfect size to show off all my ornaments I received over the last several years from all my Xstitching friends. It was perfect!

Our "winter" in Northern California isn't what most people associate with the season of "winter". We get rains which change our "brown" summer landscape into lush "green" winter landscape.

And within time, all the crabapple and cherry trees dress up in the flowery costumes of spring.

During the last couple of months, we have had the pleasure of entertaining some family members as they visited us from out of state. Last month, my in-laws came in town from Kansas and a few weeks ago my sister. This gave us opportunities to take some day trips. With my in-laws, we drove down to Monterey where we enjoyed the famous aquarium as well as a wonderful lunch on the pier. With my sister, we drove over to Half Moon Bay around the time of low tide, which gave a great opportunity to walk out on the rocky shore of the ocean and check the tide pools for sea life.

Here are my sons walking on the rocky ocean bottom at low tide and checking out the tide pools.

Here is a lone star fish, hanging out on the side of the rock waiting for the tide to come back. We saw loads of star fish as well as some sea anemone and purple pin cushions. There were also some sea lions sunning themselves on the rocks.

Aside from all those activities, my DH and I do still have to check into our business and make sure that the stores are functioning properly.

Here is a Delicious Party with chocolate dipped strawberries....one of many of the wonderful, fruit arrangements that are popular at our stores.

And yes, aside from hockey, business, and play I have some stitching stores to share with you. If you remember, last fall I finished My Family Sampler.

Well, one of my goals for 2013 was to get it framed. A month ago, I sent it off to Rensel studio in Utah, where Jill has determined the mat, frame and extra details to finish off this project. After sending me photos of the ideas, I chose the one I fell in love with and she has ordered all the materials. As soon as I receive the frame piece back home I will definitely share with you a photo. I can't wait for that moment. You should take a look at her blog, the work she does is amazing and really makes the projects we spend our time on...a lasting treasure!

My last post, back in September 2012, I shared with you an update of the Lizzie Kate Mystery Series which I was working on. Sadly, not much more progress has been made on it since then. I felt that once Halloween had come and gone, I just didn't have the mojo to keep stitching it. So, it has been retired right now to the "do be done at a later date" project bag.

Well, as mentioned earlier, the stitching bug has bit me and I am working on a few new project. Since this post has gotten a little long, I will save the Show and Tell for another day. 

Thank you for those who haven't lost faith in me. I miss you all and will spend some time catching up with your activities. 

Take care, and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa