Birthdays and a winner!

This past weekend was restful and fun. I also had an unexpected three day weekend which made it better. I got up at my usual 4:40 am. (Yeah, I know the butt crack of dawn or, like I told my little nephew, at o' dark o'clock. He thought that was hysterical. But then he is only 6 yrs old.) Did all my normal work day things. Played with Rory and let him run a bit. At 6:30 I go to the car to drive to the train and back out of the drive. I drive about 20 feet and think that, gee, the car feels odd. Get out and look. Another flat tire! It seems like I have had more flats in this past year than I have in thirty! By the time I call AAA and they come. Go to the tire store who put on that very tire four months ago and then get a train it would be late afternoon before I got to work. So I just stayed home. Made Rory's day.

Since Saturday was Rory's actual Birthday I gave him one of the two doggie birthday cookies that I had bought him. Sunday would be his birthday party. Two of my nieces and my 6 yr old great nephew came to have cupcakes and ice cream with Rory. Well, really it was Devin who was all excited about coming to Rory's party. Devin and Rory had a blast together. I am still amazed at how wonderful Rory is with Devin. Again, remember, I don't have small children around all the time. So watching Rory run and play with Devin and never jumping up or knocking him down, even by accident, just makes me choke up. You see that is how my old girl, Kara, the first dog of my heart, was with children.

Rory and Devin running races together. Rory kept winning.

Then Devin tried to read Rory a story.

Rory loved his giant birthday cookie. And loved the ice cream more. Now some of you may be wondering about the fabric around his neck. You see show dogs, like Rory, who have long ears need to protect that lovely hair when they eat. Especially since Rory tends to be a bit of a slob. The fabric is called a snood and are easy to make. I decided to make him one just for his birthday. I already have more fabric so I'm sure to be making more. Hmmmmmmm, one for every holiday? Just like his photo collection. What do you think?

Now for a little stitching news. Very little. Even with the nice long weekend I seemed to be so tired and just picking up the needle made me yawn. I did get some more stitched on an upcoming exchange and managed to start the baby sampler my niece picked out for little Alex. No photos yet. Also, back in January it was one of my sister's birthdays. I had stitched her something but it seemed to take forever to finally finish it. Well I did that last week and got it off to her. I think it came out cute. She likes it and has it sitting with the one I made her for Christmas. (I never got a photo of it and she just sent it to me over the weekend. ) That's it for stitching news.

For Christmas: CCNs Home is where your flowers grow.

For my sister's birthday: LK's Sisters Now the moment you have all been waiting for.........................

The winner of my "Thank you" giveaway. A $25 gift certificate to Down Sunshine Lane.

And the winner is............................

Gracie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gracie's blog is called Needles, pins, and dragonflies. Congratulations Gracie. Do let us know what wonderful stash you get with your gc. I only regret that I am not independently wealthy so I could give each and every one of you a gift certificate. While I love doing giveaways I so hate disappointing people.

Speaking of not disappointing..... Don't forget that I am (or Rory is) drawing names for two more giveaways this coming Saturday, March 12th. Winnners will be announced on Monday. See the previous post for details or to enter. Or just click HERE.

I will leave you with a sneak peak of Rory's St. Patrick's Day photos. I am hoping the weather cooperates for this coming weekend so we can go to the local parade. Should be lots of fun.

Until next time.........................

Love and stitches

Kathy

and licks from Rory too.

PS. Just as I was finishing this post up I received a phone call from my dear, dear friend and BFF, Deborah. Many of my readers know Deborah, from both yahoo stitching groups and her blog, and know about her husband's recent ill health. Deborah's beloved Max passed away this morning and is now at peace with the Lord. Deborah is devastated and will need the support of her stitching friends in the coming weeks. If you can find a moment please send a prayer that she can find the strenghth to get through the next few days. For her blog, click here.