Lebold Mansion Abilene, KS

Approaching the iron gate . . .

 

The mansion rises from the prairie, intimidating, foreboding; holding untold secrets . . .

Passing through the gates, steps hesitant as I approach the front door . . .

The Lebold Mansion; Abilene KS 1856 built on the site of the first dwelling in Abilene KS there is a plaque out front with additional information about the site and I found it to be very interesting; including the fact that the first white child of the area was birthed here; it's worth the drive to Abilene to check this and other historical sites out. The day I took this photo the wind was blowing 40 mph, early spring, and it was kinda creepy standing out front. I wondered what secrets the walls could tell . . .fascinating.

 

Embroidery

This was a free pattern on Elefantz blog.  

It's the "year of the stitch" and the stitch featured here was the back stitch.  

Check out Elefantz blog here: Elefantz

Signs, signs, everywhere a sign

What's a "HOIDAY" shop?

I think they meant "holiday" shop.

A Quote . . .as seen in the lobby at work

Sometimes when I close my eyes . . .

I can't see!

Embroidery

This was a bonus pattern from Just Cross Stitch magazine; March 2013.

I really liked it up against the pink stripe fabric, 

but that doesn't show up here very well.

It's Spring . . .

 This is one of my favorite "signs" of Spring:

Spring waits . . .

Historischer Friedhof, Weimar, a photo by Hellebardius on Flickr.

behind the green door
Spring, at the top of the hill
waits and hopes and plans

© Lydia Lowe 03/01/14

Embroidery

This is a Lucky Jackson pattern.  

Check out her website to find out more about her 365 day project.  

Lucky Jackson

A Monthly Series . . .

I was inspired by my cube mate at work who has this:

sitting on her desk.  She changes it out monthly.  I'm a big fan of words, so of course, this appeals to me.

I decided to do a monthly series of my own after seeing that my favorite cross-stitch magazine was publishing a monthly series of designs.

The supplies above are for the December design.

I completed January:

and I framed it.  I think it would look much better in a frame that hugs the edge of the design, but this makes it much easier to frame each design without a lot of extra work.

I completed February:

Then I completed March:

I decided that I'm going to trim these designs down after they are all completed and put them together in a quilt.  

Of course, then next year I'll need a new year long project to frame for my desk.  LOL

A Quote . . .seen in the lobby at work

Their is one basic difference between genius and stupidity . . .

genius has its limits!

Friday Trivia

It was my turn to prepare Friday Trivia.

I chose: songs of the morning, sunshine and days of the week.

I supplied the name of the song and a photo off the internet of the group

who sang the song.

Little did anyone know, I also provided the answers, because if you moved the cursor over the photo of the group, it would link to their wiki page and give you their name.

Immediately, someone figured it out and notified me, and then they dropped out of the competition.

Shortly thereafter, another person figured it out and sent me all the correct answers, except for the bonus answer which didn't link to anything at all.

Most everyone just gave up.

I announced the winner at 4 p.m. and told them about the hidden answers, there was some laughter . . .

It's A Beautiful Morning,

was sung by which group?

Beautiful Day,

was sung by which group?

 

Tuesday Afternoon,

was sung by which group?

Saturday in the Park,

was sung by which group?

I'm Walking on Sunshine, 

was sung by which group?

These are some of the songs and groups that I had on the original trivia contest list.

Can you name the groups, without looking them out on the internet?

Good Luck!

I Won!

Every Friday at work, we do a trivia contest.  Once in a great while I participate.  I hadn't planned on participating this week; but when I opened up the attachment and saw the photo's they just called to me and I couldn't stop looking at them, so I decided to participate.  The bonus question is where you actually win the contest. This trivia contest had a bit of a twist to the bonus question.  The name of the trivia contest was:

How Well Do You Know The United States

5 extra bonus points if you can guess where this is taken

This is not in the United States, this is a mountain range in Canada near Vancouver

 And, I won!!!  Who'd have thought it. 

I don't know what I won because it wasn't told to us up front (usually it is a pop or snack of some kind) but it was just nice to win.  Of course, there's a catch to all this.  Now I have to come up with the next trivia contest and prize.

The Bridge of Disappointment

The Bridge of Disappointment, a photo by Danny Chapman on Flickr.

winter curls it's icy hand
around my upper arm
and won't let go;

sleet slices through the cold air
blowing, drifting snow, ice
as I wait here;

across the bridge, sunshine waits
beckoning me with warmth
blue skies, flowers;

I want to cross over there
itching to feel new grass
on my bare feet;

arms outstretched under the sun
birdsong sweet to my ears
buzz of insects;

but for now . . .

winter curls it's icy hand
around my upper arm
and won't let go;

© Lydia Lowe 03/01/14