Over the past couple of days I completed another two little stitcheries for the advents, as you can see...
I blinked and miscounted the number of stitches so I'll be redoing the Mrs. Santa on the right so she's centered. Oops.
This time I'm not giving you any links because I haven't had the time to search for any (I know, be still your beating hearts. Do try to curtail your disappointment). BUT - instead of that how about a few photos from our walk along the river? For those of you who don't know, our apartment building overlooks the local river and there's a nice walkway all the way from here to the downtown core. These things caught my eye...
The Old Mill that burned many years ago and now is a 'Heritage' site (some would say eyesore). I maintain it should be revamped as a restaurant on the lower level, the Art Gallery on the middle level, and artist studios/shops on the upper. Of course the town fathers don't agree with my opinion!
And, finally, some fun mail! 
These will be used in the Advent calendar creation when I get to that point.
Today's quote is from David Russell..."The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn"
How I would love a river to walk by in this dry country I live in. It must be so lovely. About the quote, strangely, I've never had much of that problem.
ReplyDeleteOur river is nice, if you overlook the fact that most of the time it's pretty muddy. It's rather nice that it's mere steps from our door and that there's a nice walking trail (paved) on both sides.
DeleteSecond plant picture definitely photo worthy. You have a great idea for the historic building while keeping its historical features. Spending time well while waiting for your shot.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see that building utilized because there are tie-ups for boats by the locks and it would be a wonderful tourist attraction if they could dock and then have a meal and visit our arts community. There have been different developers over the years that have tried to get something done with it but our illustrious town council nixes everything. They have absolutely no vision into the future.
DeleteWhat a lovely area you have by your home- a pleasant place to walk on a sunny day. I like both your Mrs.Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a lovely area to walk. We're very fortunate here to have a number of really good walking trails - many of them utilizing old railroad lines.
DeleteLooks a lovely walk along the Riverside and I am with you with restoring the old Mill! Hugs Christine xx
ReplyDeleteIt would likely cost a fair bit to revamp it but I think it would serve as a great cultural addition to our town, to say nothing about how nice having a restaurant overlooking the water would be.
DeleteHello Mary Anne, Love to see the irises - ours have just started to show, too - very late this year, but I think a lot of growing things are a bit behind this year. The second plant picture is of polygonatum - Solomon's seal. When we lived in The Netherlands, our house was very close to a large park with lakes and walkways, and Solomon's seal was a very common plant there.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joy, your idea for that building is spot on - perhaps you could come out of retirement and work for your local Planning Department. Get things moving!! Ha !
Are your charm squares batiks?
Val (UK)
Our spring is very late here as well. We had Solomon's Seal in our previous garden so had to take a photo of it. I neglected to get a picture of the chives they have planted along the river - all are in bloom now. Why they would choose chives is beyond me but wish I had the nerve to harvest the flowers to make flavoured vinegar. I suspect that would be frowned upon though. As for working with the local Planning Dept. - hah, that's a joke. They are so set in their ways that no amount of new ideas would ever get past them. The only way you can get voted onto the dept. is if you're willing to toe the line and follow the pack. Don't get me started!!!!
DeleteAh, looking closer - they are mini charm squares, are they?
ReplyDeleteVal (UK)
They're 5" square and no, there's no batiks in them. All are pretty much the same tone of green but different patterns so they'll be perfect for creating the trees I think.
DeleteWhat a lovely old mill - I agree with your ideas, that would be so cool! Love your cross-stitch and what a cute snapping turtle! xx
ReplyDeleteSnapping turtles are okay to observe from the distance but not so nice up close. They pack a dangerous bite!
DeleteWell, of course, I enjoyed that river walk. Before you know it, you'll be marking the days on your calendar! Ha! Your ideas for the mill are great. Some people just have no creativity!
ReplyDeleteYes, some people can't see the potential in things (I could go on and on about other sites in this town that could use attention!). I won't mention the fact that the town fathers have been waffling on allowing a Walmart in for....are you ready?....nearly 20 years. In the meantime we have precious few shops here to buy things like sheets and towels or housewares of any kind. It's not that I'm a huge fan of Walmart per se, but it would be nice to have some choice.
DeleteMost of our turtles are snappers, and it's good to give them plenty of room. They're deadly on the local ducks.
ReplyDeleteI like walking by water, too and have several choices. It's do good to see and hear it in all seasons.
It does seem like a missed opportunity with that old building. But I know about small town politicians!
Yep, the good ol' boys club as we're fond of calling the town council. Can't count how many 'studies' they've done on what to do about this or that - they do love their 'studies' but then, when it comes down to actually implementing anything, they decide that another study is needed.
DeleteYou should be mayor. You have good ideas. The building needs to be saved and used.
ReplyDeleteBeing mayor is a thankless job and I wouldn't want the job for anything. Heaven forbid I might want to actually CHANGE something!!! That building has huge potential and could make our waterfront a place to stop in the summer, both via the water and the roads. If people do dock their boat they have to walk several blocks to even get a cup of coffee or an ice cream cone so most of them don't even bother stopping.
DeleteWho knows what goes on in town planners' minds?? The old mill would be fabulous converted into a place where people could meet and enjoy coffee and a meal. It seems the 'powers that be' are stuck in another age. Such a nice walk you have along the river.
ReplyDeleteYes, we're lucky to have the river run right through the town and even luckier that we are able to live mere steps away from it. The town planners here are definitely lacking in foresight.
DeleteThey are both sweet Mrs. C's! No fudging the off centered one with added fabric on the bottom or something?
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to walk, how nice that you are close enough to do so. Your ideas sounds great for the Old Mill, say it louder!
Unfortunately she wasn't fudge-able so I just re-did her. And yes I constantly tell people what I think should happen to the Old Mill but it's falling on deaf ears.
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