Summer's End

I know summer isn't officially over yet but once we reach Labour Day weekend it sure feels like it's over. Our vacation is over and as of Tuesday morning, my DH is back to a full schedule of work and choir rehearsals. 
I'm sitting here feeling sorry for myself because I should be at Kathy's in Trenton this weekend for her annual SAL but instead I'm sitting at home stitching alone. Some costly car and boat repairs over the last few weeks plus vacation expenses have left me broke so travelling right now is out of the question. That goes for spending on some of the new stash from market too. It will just have to wait until a later date. On top of everything else, the change in the weather yesterday brought about an increase in the amount of pain I'm having with my hip and back so that I can hardly walk today. For those of you who don't know, I'm in need of a hip replacement and am scheduled to get on the list next week. My back problems stem from walking incorrectly due to the hip.
So I've propped myself up in my Lazyboy chair with stitching in hand to pass the time, and arthritis strength Tyelenol to ease the pain. Enough of my self pity now and on to some of my recent stitching.

While at the cottage in Muskoka I got started with my Torah Stitch by Stitch. The lakeside is a beautiful setting for stitching this.

The kit I was sent indicated that I'm stitching from Genesis 12: 6-9.  As of yesterday I'm halfway through verse 7.

I'm using an online Hebrew interlinear bible to see what words I'm stitching and to verify that I'm stitching them correctly. I have 9 lines of text so I'm now one third of the way through. When it's complete I have the option of adding a border on three sides so I'm on the hunt for something appropriate.

After finishing off my SubRosa bee freebie, I decided to go with another smaller stitch and save a larger start for when I'd returned home. I picked Blackbird Designs Song of Spring which is a kit which was created for the members of the Ladies Prim Society which I recently joined.

Although this is a spring stitch, the colours tend to fit in better with an autumn stitch. This is a sweet design which will finish up as a small, square pillow after I'm done with it. I still have a long way to go yet.

During out cottage stay I always like to make a stop at the antique shop located at the end of our lane. Last year I found some great buttons and this year I found these.

I figure these lovely wooden spools will make great pincushions. I know that Blackbird Designs has some great patterns that will fit well on these plus there have been some market releases by Lone Elm Lane Designs that will work well too. 

Our cottage visit on Lake Muskoka was fabulous and I'll leave you with a few, some, a whackload of pics from our holiday.

A Fabulous Lakeside View

Morning boat rides to our favourite haunt

Unique watercraft and operators!

Check out the driver on this one!

Visits with friends from near and far. Some even prepared us dinner!

The Bala Waterski Show

Afternoons spent stitching dockside

or watching the scenery from the boat

Wildlife - big and small!

Bell rehearsals on the cottage porch

Note: I have a full video of the final performance and will post it if there is enough interest.

Followed by naps on the porch!

The beauty of the full moon

Pink clouds

Sunsets

And even the rain on our final day

I love the sound of the rain on the cottage roof.

Hope you enjoyed our vacation album!