Random 5 Friday

I decided I needed a bit of spring after all the snow and cold we've had this month, hence the new blog header and background paper. It's kind of girly but I'm a girl, so I'm going with it ;)

Mr Smith aka Smitty, at 9 months old

1. Smitty has some strange coloring to go with his gorgeous green tail feathers and looks nothing like he did as a chick except he is still the largest of all 26 chickens we bought last year. His favorite place to be is just beneath the bird feeder. Pretty smart, huh?

2. I saw Daffodils blooming at a neighbor's house this week, and shoots of them at my MIL's. Spring really is coming!

3. Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster is a charming and hilarious book. 

4. My not so annual eye exam was this week and I will be sporting new specs next week. 

5. Warm, cold, warm, cold = sick. Need I say more?

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The Art of Embroidery

In our family, my mother-in-law is known for her expertise in needlework. 

From sewing to quilting to embroidery, her art is superlative. 

 (Clicking on photos will enlarge them so you can see even more detail.)

Here she is adding finishing touches of grass to an embroidered *barn. 

Y'all know I ♥ barns, right? 

And she has incorporated a Cardinal in the design, too. 

Oh, I love birds!

I love how authentic the Pine Tree looks.

When she is finished, there will be four designs and she will quilt them 

together to form the wall hanging. Isn't this awesome?! The first square is finished. 

It's so much more dramatic in person. I can't wait to see all four pieces put together.

 Did you know the earliest surviving embroideries are Scythian and date back to the 5th-3rd centuries BCE? There's a form of embroidery called Blackwork, where they only use black thread to make the designs and twist it in a certain way to give it dimension. I'm not sure what technique my MIL used on the barn but it seems awfully close to Blackwork. 

And look at this finished wall hanging...

Isn't it phenomenal?!

It's an ancient art form of Embroidery called Thread Painting or Needle Painting.

And the detail is absolutely stunning.

Can you tell that my mother-in-law's reputation is well deserved? 

But being the humble woman that she is, she'll be the first to tell you that it is a gift from the Lord. 

: : : : :

When I started writing this post I was only intent on sharing how much I admire and love my MIL's ability with a needle. I was going to attach a Scripture verse here but I have to say that after knowing her for 33 years, she is truly the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. She is an awesomely dedicated wife, mom, MIL, grandmother and great grandmother who aptly fits the description. She has always put the welfare of her family first. Her faith in the Lord and love for hearth and home is what is to be admired. Her handiwork with a needle second. She may or may not read this post but I want to say Thanks, Mom. I love you. 

Have a blessed day in the Lord, my friends!

*The barn pattern is by Beth B Dix/ Primrose Lane, Black Mountain, NC. 

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Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

All the earmarks of a modern day fairy tale are encased in this wonderfully sweet story. I was mesmerized from the first chapter and had trouble taking a break to catch some sleep. It was a page turner for me that I didn't want to end. The writing is superb with a perfect blend of voices that carried me away to a faraway land of beauty and happily ever afters.   

I wasn't required to write a review at all but I couldn't help sharing a little of my enthusiasm about this story. I checked out a copy from my local library so I'm hoping they purchase the rest of the books in the series when they come out. Not one to read too many contemporary books unless they are thrillers, Rachel Hauck has completely changed my mind. I will be waiting in anticipation for her next books.

  Do you have a favorite fairy tale?

Copycat, you say?

Often times I hear several different bird sounds coming from the same location along with lots of rustling and flitting about. The culprit is this well camouflaged Northern Mockingbird. He is quite the twitter and tweeter, having the ability to make as many as 10 to 15 different sounds. While he may not be colorful, he is entertaining to watch. He's also fast and difficult to catch out on the limb. As soon as he spots another bird coming in, he chases them away. Even though he prefers insects, his chunky belly tells me he is getting plenty to eat from the feeder.

What birds have you seen recently?

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Random 5 Friday {Snow}

Happy Valentine's Day!

~

“Anne came dancing home in the purple winter twilight across the snowy places.” 

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

I didn't exactly dance across the snow yesterday but I did get out and take a few pictures early in the morning. That's when it is the quietest. The silence is beautiful, as is the scenery. 

1. With nearly 6 inches on the ground, the chickens didn't want to venture out into the run for pictures so I was destined to only get the beauty of the snow clinging to the chicken wire. 

2. The first decent snowfall in 3 years entices my husband outside to make a snowman. Once my son joined him, it turned into a Snow Ork with a weapon and earbuds. The scarf is one I have had since the early 1970s. Obviously, it only comes out for this purpose.

3. The tree line was so beautiful. They look like they were dipped in ice. It only lasted the day and then the sun came out and in an instant it disappeared from the branches.

4. The cardinal that lives in the fig bush was delighted I filled the feeder for him. He flitted around all day, eating his fill. He makes such a pretty pop of color. 

5. I made sure the hummingbird feeder was empty before the storm hit because I figured it would freeze and crack it. Isn't it lovely, though? So frosty looking. 

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Could I ask a favor? If any of you collect china or tea cups, would you mind popping over to my post Friends and Tea Cups and let me know if you recognize the pattern on the tea cup? My friend gave it to me and we don't know the name of the manufacturer or pattern. If you do recognize it, please leave me a comment on the post and let me know. Thanks!