Dancing In Brighton!

I am so happy that my dear friends in Brighton said that this was a good weekend for me to come down for a visit! Though getting away to the cottage last weekend was nice, this is even better! I'm surrounded by people I really care about (even Dan, I suppose), wonderful stitchers and I've been able to pick up needle and thread and forget about all the things I've got to do for at least a little while!

Friday I got to leave work and hour early (of course I had to work through my lunch to do this) so that I could hit the road and make it to Brighton at a reasonable time, as it is a 3 hour drive with no problems or long pit stops. I made it to first Kathy's to be greeted with a big hug! Dinner was great, I had take out pizza for the first time in almost 3 months (since starting Weight Watchers)! I couldn't help myself but have 2 1/2 slices! That's what flex points are for right? Kathy and I stitched late into the night, I even shared a little happy dance with her. I finished the stitching on Sally's draw gift! When I get back home I'll take some time to put it together and pop it in the mail.

Today I finally got the snow tires taken off of my car, they've got a great tire shop here in Brighton. Its also a great excuse to come down here. I know I could easily get it done in Ottawa, but Brighton is prettier I so want to retire here... in 23 YEARS! (and that's early retirement by the way) While my car was up on the hoist this gave me the chance to get out for a nice brisk 30 minute walk with my camera. Unfortunately I didn't come across anything inspiring to shoot. Also I had put on my telephoto lens and it wasn't right for shooting in town.

However, once I was back at Kathy's I got to finally witness one of the many swans that are in the area! He was so beautiful and I took so many pictures of him! At one point he came in really close to the shore (Lake Ontario), I started to back away a bit. I didn't need a big honkin' bird deciding that I was a threat. In this case I have to say my telephoto lens was the thing to go with!



During the afternoon Beatrice and Barb came by and joined us for a stitch. I decided to work on my ornament for May as I'm running out of days left in the month. Also I wanted to work on something for ME, even if it was small. For some reason that afternoon the piece was boring me and putting me to sleep! Despite the excellent company. Kathy was getting very frustrated with some gridding she had been working on for HOURS and I finally told her to hand it over. Between the two of us we got it sorted, and it was the break I needed from my ornament.


Late afternoon, it was time to leave Kathy on the shores of Lake Ontario and head a little bit inland to Ann & Dan's. Yet again Dan has fed me well, and cooked an excellent meal! He's been taking a cooking course at a local college and its really paying off (he even fed me something other than chicken for a change.... not that I ever complained because chicken is my favourite). The evening was yet again dedicated to stitching! Just before midnight I managed to happy dance yet again, finishing my ornament (I'll have to get a better picture of this when I'm home I can see my focal length wasn't too great and the letters on top are a little out of focus)!

Partridge in a Pear Tree

c2000 JBW Designs

Stitched on 28ct mystery linen

Using DMC cotton & Kreinik metallics