Milestones & Comfort Zones

2015 is a milestone year for me. 

I'll be celebrating a milestone birthday, a milestone wedding anniversary and a milestone work anniversary all later this year.

It's given me cause to think... I don't want to reinvent myself, but I do want to expand my horizons, move beyond my comfort zone and try new things...

A few weeks ago, my husband and I tried cross country skiing. I had done it once in high school on a flat field and enjoyed it. This time we tried a beautiful trail (although more challenging trail), but it wasn't for me. I fell. Alot. And I managed to hurt my tailbone so that now three weeks later I'm still very uncomfortable and not able to go back to my normal work out routine. 

Time to expand my horizons in an area I am more comfortable in... stitching :)

  

Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm offers "Freehand" Cross Stitch Patterns here.

They have intrigued me, but they were way outside my comfort zone. 

When I decided to stitch the little red sampler in the hoop above, I decided to try something different. 

I am stitching it on Osnaberg fabric - a slightly uneven weave that is softer than linen. as I stitch, I am not focusing on counting the threads exactly but letting my needle end up where it may. I am not ripping out any stitches. 

As I stitch I am envisioning those sampler makers from years ago... young girls that "made do" with the fabrics and threads that they had on hand. Stitching by candlelight, making inevitable mistakes. Since I stitch mainly on moving buses and trains, I can relate :)

It's been fun trying something just a little bit different.

I'm also working on another project that is a lot different from my usual work, but am not quite ready to share that yet...

We enjoyed the Super Bowl on Sunday with a little party of five.

My oldest son's girlfriend made these awesome football strawberries for the occasion.

They tasted just as good as they looked!

We also had a blizzard here in Chicago on Sunday.

We ended up with 19 1/2 inches of snow.

We ended up with a *Snow Day* on Monday.

But all is back to normal now.

"But I will sing of your might;

    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.

For you have been a fortress for me

    and a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my strength, I will sing praises to you,

    for you, O God, are my fortress,

    the God who shows me steadfast love."

~Psalm 59:16-17

Blessings, Patti