Stitch Therapy

I have marked in my calendar/organizer to make time to stitch in 2020. Giving back to myself time for handwork. I've done well with running, walking, hiking, yoga, massage, and travel over the past several years... hence so busy that I didnt have much time or the energy to do the other things that bring me joy and peace.

Proud to say I've completed the baby gift, stilling at the frame shop

 and a fun submissive one for my daughter... 

now working on a small I started a few years ago.

                      Love bears all things.

This sentiment has more meaning now as the years have gone by. 

Still plan on keeping with the outdoor activities 

just making time for my needle and hook.       ♡♡♡♡♡

Fixing to go on a good walk temps in the 40s today! Got blackeyed peas on the stove, cooking a batch for Basil bird. :)

Then I'll settle in for some Sunday stitching.

Thank you for the lovely comments in the past few posts. ♡♡♡

Wrapping up with The Barn, next door and the amazing sky from the other day.

I do love my Maine Winters!

Vacation, hooking, cats

Happy New Year!!

Every where we went during vacation it was the greeting and wish shared by everyone! I usually wish it to anyone the whole month of January! 

It spreads joy!

Island escape...A wonderful vacation spent with special friends who moved to their Caribbean paradise. It felt like a second honeymoon, such a relaxing, rejuvenating time together.

View from their balcony. 

A sail on The Fury

Our hot men!

Noted as The Hundred Steps... takes 184 to get to the top.

We nailed it!!

Plank love.

After an exhilarating hilly walk/jog after supper.

Sunset Silhouette 

Sunset from their balcony. 

We walked, swam, snorkeled, sailed, cooked, ate, drank, sunned, safaried, kayaked, played games; all around fabulous time with our friends and time to ourselves. ♡♡

Started one of our winter activities... but puzzles with a cat, now two is it's own adventure. 

  Some three-day weekend handwork time. Made challenging by Chewie's need to be in my frame on my lap... every time!

Then this one is a copy cat when I put my frame on the floor. Hahaha. Oh little Miss Ripley is a sweet little clown. Gaining the nickname Porkchop as she is a solid little thing. All muscle in a small package. 

Blue progress ♡

Got a nice two mile winter walk in this morning. Good for the mind, body and soul.

Who can cut wool with these two curious critters... this is a wonderful picture that captures Chewie's acclimation to sharing her realm with Ripley.  Yes, she still hisses on occasion but again no fights.

I captured this moment during my morning coffee and got teary eyed... 

This is a major moment for 

Princess Poo-Poo (Chewie) ♡♡

Thinking of the man we honor on this day -MLK Jr-, deep reflections of love not hate, giving of ourselves to help others... wishing you all a day of peace, joy and reflections.

X♡X♡X♡X

P.S. Using my Samsung phone for blog, the transfer of pictures was ever so slow and painful to the Chromebook.  May try again when I have more patience... :/

Merry Christmas - New Chromebook

Merry Christmas to all, great and small! I am excited and hopeful to be blogging more frequently! I have been wanting a new device to blog vs using my phone, hence the less frequent posts. During the Hubby's Corporate Christmas party he won a door prize - a new Chromebook. We will see how this goes. Taking some getting used to, but typing is much faster than the phone. :-)


It has been an emotional adjustment without our sweet Libby for all of us, including Chewie. We've kept busy with hiking, 5K events and a trip to Providence for Halloween.

Upon our return from our trip to Rhode Island and New Hampshire; picking up debris in the yard after the big Halloween storm and looking for one of my garden flags the Hubby spied something in the bushes next to the house. He came into the house and said, "I know I am going to regret this but...grab some cat food and come here."

Hunkered down, next to the house was a little brownish kitten; I didn't see it at first, blending into the dusky shadows. Then it scurried across the yard. It came back when I called to it, a bit apprehensive and then it started weaving in and out of my legs. It was a little scrawny Tortoiseshell, covered in ticks.  A Money Cat found us; when we were still aching from the loss of Libby. It definitely has added good spirit to the house!!

Fast forward... she was a 4-month old full of worms from eating in the wild, cleared all other health tests and was spayed in mid December. Meet Ripley, the newest Laney-mal at A Stone's Throw.

Princess Chewie is still adjusting to a kitkat in her realm, but no serious skirmishes, just hisses when Ripley moves too fast in her direction. Ripley wants to play, play, play with her so bad. Chewie continues to be present when Ripley is around and shows interest. They may not ever be snugglely together but I think they will be good to each other. Good thing Ripley is so stinking cute!!

And Basil bird set the Alpha with Ripley soon after her clearance to roam when we were home. He rules the roost!

I was reignited to stitch with a baby gift for a co-worker. A very non-traditional baby gift. She was born in November and I just got it to the framers this past weekend. Took me longer than expected, being over-one and lots of other things and stress going on! Her mother and I hiked Mt. Katahdin together along with a few other hikes, her father is from Millenocket; to keep her inspired to always explore... Adventure Awaits!

And I did pull some loops on my Libby Rug during December's gathering with the Winterport Hookers. My goal is to finish her in January. So grateful I finished the image of her before she passed, only need to finish the sky. And then binding. She will always have a special place in my heart and my breath still catches and tears well up for both Hubby and I. She was such a good hound.

Wishing everyone bright spirits and happiness into the new year.

Lady Liberty Bell- Libby 2004 - 2019

Our Lady Liberty Bell; Libby, Sweat Pea, Pretty Puppy (P-P), Queen B, Boo Boo Bear left us on August 13th.  Basil the bird may rule the roost, but you ruled our hearts. I am grateful that she had a fun filled hound weekend with my husband, as I was out of town; a ride to the dump, keeping watch in the yard while he mowed, full of spunk & spirit and a ride in the Jeep (against Mom's orders) for a Sunday Sundae. She usually only got two licks from mine but that Sunday she got the Doggy Dish with a treat on top. ♡

Was always on the watch...

Rubber nose

Where ever I was she was... loved my office mate when I worked from home or hung out in my stitching room.

Gonna miss my hound kisses. 

She loved me and I loved her. 

♡♡♡

Downward dog... the best post run stretching partner

We loved our walks in the orchard, so much to smell.

A girl and her hound. Oh how you have a hold on my heart.

These two... waiting for me as I got ready for work.

Liberty Bell at the Wreaths Across America convoy event.

Such a beautiful hound inside and out. Everyone who met her fell in love. She was truly the Queen at doggy day care. Eight years... she loved going. So much so she pouted if we skipped her day and fussed at us if we took too long chatting during drop off. They loved her and she loved them. ♡♡♡

Those ears...

Sleeping in the cat bed; silly hound

When the humans weren't looking she would love the cat... Chewie loved her Libby

Sharing the sun patch, cat and hound

Someone left teeph marks in my icecream...  just a lick not a bite! I haven't been able to go for Sunday Sundaes since you've gone.

My favorite accidental photo!! The perfect Basset Silhouette. 

A special co-worker honored her with this sweet tribute. She truly has left paw prints on our hearts. 

💗🐾🐾💗

Chewie giving a final head rub to bid farewell to her Libby.

You may have filled a hole in my heart when our Ichi Ban passed away, but nothing can fill your space in my heart. We were so lucky to have you in our lives. 

Eskimo Proverb - 

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the live of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

☆☆☆

A message shared by my dearest friend. 

I miss you terribly Liberty Bell and my heart is tormented by not being there during your last moments.  But I know you know I loved you without a doubt. 

Thank you for 15 wonderful hound years filled with hound happiness, wiggly tails, flying ears and a melodious bark... I can still hear that joyful sound.

You are missed.

Love P.J., Derek, Sydney, Basil and Chewie.