How many points are in this post??

Thanks for the comments - I'm in good company :)

I low carbed for so many years that going back to WW seems a bit foreign. I really believe in low carbing when it's done correctly - focusing on veg, protein and healthy oils (and then more veg!) but I just couldn't stick with it - and when I eat a slab of cake with my steak and salad that's not going to get me very far now, is it? So - instead of eating myself into the ground, I'm going back to accountability. 3 pounds down, 60 to go. I don't do the 100 cal packs - I'd simply eat the whole box. What I wouldn't give to just be normal around food - why does it have to be my focus? I could certainly live off the land for a while, so to speak.

So - I should have a simple project that's easy to pull out and work instead of grazing the refrigerator. It's so stupid, do I think that somethings going to magically appear in there that wasn't there 1/2 hour ago? I should stitch a little piggy and stick it to the fridge. Forget the fridge, just staple it to my butt.........

Bah Humbug.

I really hate, hate, hate being on a diet. I know the totally over used expression - "but, it's a lifestyle!" said in a chirpy voice.

I want my lifestyle to include Big Macs and big bags of candy.

Blah.

Mel's give away!

Check out Mel's blog and her fantastic give away!

There are some lovely things in there!

So - it's Weight Watchers time again. I've signed back up for the online program - wish me luck..... Now I'm off for a lovely cup of coffee to get me moving.

Dear Stewey......

Since Stella's been getting so much attention I thought it only fair to give Madi an introduction to the blog. Her given name is Madeira and she enjoys long walks and even longer naps. Stewey - Madi hopes that you are feeling better after your visit to the v-e-t, and is glad that it was you and not she that was there.

We love our girl dearly which is the only explanation for why we put up with four months out of every year - a shedding of fur that sorely test the limits of our vacuum.

Stitchy progress on Makhi:

Good night all!

Rustic Retreat start

This is a fun, easy stitch! 28 count natural linen - lovely natural colours, it is a pleasure!

Carolyn asked me a question - Thanks for reading and posting comments - love it! Makhi is from Landmark Charts. I couldn't find a website for them specifically but I did find a link to their tapesta pillow collection which I'm stitching from.

There are 12 designs in this collection and I will be stitching 10 of them. I'll frame them instead of making them into pillows. I posted a photo of one that I've completed here - Kazakh.

Here's what Makhi will look like once finished.

Good Questions!

So I found a new to me blog today - and Melissa had some great questions!

1)Why do you stitch?

It calms me. Stitching makes me feel at peace with myself even when the rest of my life is in chaos.

2) On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being least important and 10 being most important what is your cross stitch passion level?

A 10 for sure - a day without stitching is a miserable one.

3)If your only option for cross stitch supplies and patterns happened to be the major chain craft stores would you just walk away from the little X? Kiss it goodbye?

Well - very doubtful, but it would certainly suck a lot of the pleasure out of it for me, as their selection (at least here in Canada) is awful. Usually there are a few kits, a few magazines, some aida in a plastic bag and a wall of DMC. Depressing.

4)Also are you so passionate about cross stitch that if indeed your only option was the major chain craft stores, would that inspire you to create your own cross stitch pieces because you have to stitch and you've stitched your way through the whole of Dimensions catalog--because you must stitch and the thought of life without a relationship with the little X leaves you feeling empty?

Fortunately my stash to life expectancy ratio is heavily weighted to the former so I think I'll be alright.

5)Finally what do the cross stitch magazines on the market offer you? Do they relate to you as a cross stitcher? Do you look at them and think to yourself, who do they think buys this magazine? I guess what I'm asking, when you see the current cross stitch magazines do they make you feel like they know their readers or do you find it's more of the same? What could they do to be ambassadors for the art of cross stitch other than putting a sampler on the cover with "F-U" on it? What are we missing on a PR level that could change the opinion of cross stitch itself?

The only mag I ever buy is the JCS ornie issue. Mainly because I usually just browse and buy patterns from my LNS so I have never felt the need to buy the mags. So, I can't really offer a valid opinion here.

6) And finally, finally, do you do other crafts and if so what are they and why do they pull you away from cross stitch?

I knit. I really like knitting, but my passion is stitching. I would like to learn to quilt and sew, but something about cross stitch speaks to me on a deeper level (and I mean that) I heart it, and it hearts me right back.

Chirp, chirp.. there are crickets in the corner...

Well - it is official - I am really talking to myself. So - I guess the first person to tell me they want the PA Design gets it.

Here's Makhi - for some reason I'm loving working with the aida though it's been years since I've touched the stuff. It really works well with these designs. I'm almost halfway done!

I have been wanting to stitch this next one for a while. My husband will be away for most of this month and I've been feeling a bit blue about that. As a pick me up, I've got the floss and linen ready to go. I'll be stitching all three designs together within one border which is given as an option within the pattern.

So. My nemesis. This damn red house I have now stitched three times. It will not be done again :shaking my fist in the air: Perhaps I'll even leave it with a crumbling wall as a final "screw you".

So - there you have it. It'll be nice to get back into the stitching groove this month.