Home Again, Home Again........

Greetings from a chilly, dreary Richmond, VA!!! After a week in warm, sunny Florida, we came home to freezing temps and ice...but we made it home and were happy about that. It didn't freeze on the streets but made for some lovely tree imagery.

 Our Disney trip was magical!!! For those who don't know, my daughter adopted two children from Sierra Leone Africa who arrived, after almost 4 years of red tape, in December 2017. It has been a very difficult year of adjustments for everyone including my two biological grandchildren. My daughter applied to an organization called Adventure is Out There and was one of three families selected for a weeks all expense paid trip to Disney. The group aims to help with the family bonding of first time adoptees and what better setting than the "happiest place  on earth"!!! Everyone enjoyed riding the rides, watching shows, swimming and just chillin' together. There were many shared experiences which will create positive memories for these newly formed families. Rich and I were able to tag along and witness the new growth and were very grateful. I can't say enough positive things about AIOT and their team..they are the most kind and caring people and we were blessed to cross their paths. Here are some highlight photos:

We all got matching tee shirts the first day

On the Toy Story Ride (photo by AIOT)

Lunch at the Prime Time 50's Cafe

 

Our Jedi in training..great way to end the trip

There are so many wonderful photos, but I don't want to bore you and I don't want to share the other families photos without their permission. But, if you are interested in learning more about this organization you can visit their FB page Adventure is Out There (non profit).

My daughter and I did sneak away on our "off" day to Universal and Harry Potter World. This was on my bucket list and I figured this my be my best opportunity. OMG, I loved it, it was so realistic that you felt you were in the books. If you are a HP fan, this is a MUST!!! Here are a few shots:

Entrance to Hogsmeade

Hogwarts Express

Goblins hard at work at Gringotts

Dragon on top of Gringotts Bank--he would "blow" every 10 minutes

Now on to some stitching....Before I left I got a little more done on my Merry Christmas by Blackbird. I love the soft colors on this.

While on the plane I started a set of four snowman on black perforated paper. Robin in VA had sent these to me last year as a new project for traveling. It worked great and I managed to get one completed and a second started. The chart is Snow Pennies by Thistles; I plan to do all four and they may be the grands ornaments for next year. I'll have to figure out a cute way to finish them. Thanks Robin!!!

Then on my arrival home, I had this new Plum Street Samplers kit waiting for me. This was a shop exclusive for Down Sunshine Lane but I was able to get one on FB. Here is the chart......

and here is what I've done so far.....

 I swapped out the 36 ct. WDW Dolphin for a bluer 36 ct. mystery fabric. I thought the colors just didn't show up on the darker fabric but am pleased with the lighter one.

I will be traveling again...leaving Thursday for OCMD. I'll be helping to cut fabric all weekend for the approximate 175 ladies who attend the Mid-Atlanic EGA Camp Wannastitch and stop by Salty Yarns for some stash enhancement. It's always a lot of fun to see what everyone is working on and "chat" with fellow stitchers. If you are attending, be sure to say "hi"!

I'm going to close now and get some packing done; it takes forever to decide what needlework to take....and I always take way more than is needed. But who knows...they are calling for a winter storm again this weekend....maybe I'll get stuck there!!! What better place!!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi