Gifted Gorgeousness

*sigh* my planned day off yesterday turned into about two hours.  Because of the uncertainty of another shutdown, we were scrambling to finish a couple of big projects before the end of the day yesterday.  Fortunately, it turned out to not be necessary and we're done worrying about funding until September 30th.  And those two projects are done and dusted, but WHEW! it was some work.  I was able to get out and get my out-of-the-house errands done during the two hours, so that I don't have to worry about going out in the lovely wintery-mix that's been going on all day.  Right now it's sleeting, a few minutes ago it was snowing and I can see blue sky off in the distance.

While doing everything else today, I'm also participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count.  Easy and fun, you don't have to just sit and stare at birds, if you see one while you're out and about you can log it.  Mom had four roughed grouse make an appearance for the count - I don't have anything as neat as that, but the regular ol' "background" birds need counting too.  If you're interested, the count runs through tomorrow, click on the link and register.

Yaaaaa, I've made a SAL check-in!  Yesterday was the official check-in day for .  Jo at Serendipitous Stitching hosts the SAL as a way for us to thank all the people that have given us stitching gifts (what better way to say "thank you" than to use them) or to show things we're stitching for gifts or anything else we can fit into the general theme of the SAL.  I have one stitching project and one yarn project.  The stitching project is Nephew Jack's birth sampler.  It's a Dimensions kit called the Savannah Birth Record.  I did switch out the fabric for a piece of 28-count Cashel from my stash but otherwise it's as kitted.  Right now it's here:

My non-stitching piece is a crocheted hat for DSon.  I've been working on it off and on and am about ready to start the ribbing.

It's a horrible picture, but it looks like a hat.  The bobby pin hanging down there in the center is my fancy stitch marker/holder (not as fancy as a lot I've seen but much cheaper and I don't worry if I lose one).

No other stitching to show.  I'm still doing lots of card planning - I may take tomorrow morning and do some test cards so I can get rid of the scribbley drawings - and I bought some paint so I can give the dot mandalas a try.  I've also jumped on the 2016 bandwagon and have pulled the yarns together to do a crocheted temperature throw.  If nothing else I'll get lots of practice changing yarn colors.

And last, but definitely not least, a Jack photo:

He is, so far, a very happy, contented baby.  I just wish folks thought my chunky thighs were as cute as his.