Sunday Stitches: A Series (part 1 of X)

I've decided to remember/re-learn a hobby I had as child that my mother taught me...counted cross stitch. Of course, I haven't cross stitched anything in at least ten years, and even then it was very basic, simple pieces on Aida cloth. This time, apparently, I decided to dive in head first and go for the most complicated pattern I could find. This is a piece titled "Everyone Needs Their Own Spot" from the book Cross Stitch for All Seasons by Mary Engelbreit. I am stitching on 32-count linen. I plan to post pictures each Sunday of my weekly progress. Which judging by the slow progress I made this weekend, we might be in for a l-o-o-o-o-n-g series of posts. And, don't worry...the posts are really just motivation for myself, so don't feel obligated to feign any interest.


Week One:

Playing with New Toys

BD and I got a camcorder for Christmas. So not only can I subject you to a million pictures of the dog, but now I can torture you with VIDEO of him as well! MWAH-HA-HA-HA! (evil laughter)

Here's Kip playing with one of his new Christmas toys - he's trying to get a treat that's hidden in the ball. BD is talking on the phone in the background.

He does eventually get the treat out, although I did not get it on video. And that's an Aaron Neville CD in the background, not BD singing. :)

Dogs love Christmas, too!

Santa doesn't forget about the fur-kids! Kip got several new toys this year.


a creepy bunny that quacks like a duck:
and a squeaky Santa rope toy:

Merry Christmas! (so many pictures you'll think you were here!)

We started our Christmas celebration on Sunday with dinner at The Melting Pot. This place is one of our favorites; we highly recommend it. Not only is the food delicious, but it is a dining "experience."

The waiter took our picture when the main course arrived at our table.



And then, the best part - dessert...we chose dark chocolate fondue with flambeed marshmallows!

Goodies to dip in the dessert fondue - strawberries, pineapple, banana, cheesecake, brownie, graham crackers, and MORE.


Christmas Eve day we stayed around the house and in our jammies most of the day. BD cooked up a big pot of red beans and rice for dinner.



And then we opened our presents.


BD added to his DVD collection.




And LA started a new collection of Disney figurines.



The always appreciated People and Sports Illustrated magazine subscriptions!



For Christmas Day, BD fixed a Christmas lunch. I was going to describe it as a "fancy" lunch, but I figured the plastic cup would give away the truth. It was yummy, and the leftovers were even better! We had all our favorites - ham, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, cheese grits and green & white salad.

This afternoon we went to the movies and saw National Treasure: Book of secrets. And now tomorrow it's back to work for us. How did four days go by so quickly??!

We're Having a Carolina Christmas

We have 1/2 season Carolina basketball tickets, and yesterday we saw UCSB try to keep up with the 11-0 Tarheels. Our seats are so high that BD calls us "ceiling fans," but we have a great time!



We were all dressed up in our Christmas Carolina blue finery. Although you can't see it, Kip is wearing his Chrismas collar.



We got there early enough to watch all the pre-game warm ups.







Tip-off and game action:








Psycho-T shooting free throws. He also had an awesome steal and 360 dunk that I didn't get a picture of, but you might've seen it on Sports Center last night.


The hairy back of the man in front of us.

The national championship banners that hang in the Smith Center.

The final score board. Too bad they came all the way from California to lose 105-70!!

A Christmas Nap

"...while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads..."

A Virtual Christmas Card

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! May 2008 bring health and happiness to you and your family!

~LA & BD

Feather Your Nest

Every time we brush Kip out in the yard, we tell him how the birds are going to get the loose fur and build a warm, cozy nest. (Yes, we are actually aware that Kip is a dog and has no idea what we're saying, but that is not the point! Focus, people!) I think he's confused about who's supposed to be building the nest.

Look how even his nose is tucked down in the covers. It's important to note that the bed was made this morning. He uses his nose to shove the covers down into a nest.

Santa Came Early

Thanks to before Christmas sales on electronics, Santa brought us a new DVD player today. We had worn our old one completely out, so now we can watch DVDs without them skipping and us cussing. Santa also brought BD a root canal last week, but I'll spare you pictures of that.

A Christmas Carol Quandary

Since when did "My Favorite Things" become a Christmas song?

What's next..."How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?"...



And now that song is stuck in your head. Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Our outside Christmas lights are up!

On the right-hand side you can see our little Maple tree covered in lights.

Close-up of the front porch.

This picture doesn't do it justice, but here is the wreath on the front door.

Look, I even helped! Who's afraid of a lil' ol' (24') ladder?!

Mr. Christmas Lights in action.

I'm not finished with the inside decorations, but the tree is up.