Sunday, February 17, 2013

20 Questions -- (More answers to YOUR questions!)

I am so blessed to have had so many opportunities to chat with you all via email.  Getting to know my blogging friends is something that is very very important to me.  Last years 20 Questions post was a lot of fun and I have continued to receive more of your questions!  In fact -- so many that I have devoted an entire notebook to your responses.  SO -- here we go again.  I will answer your questions - both witty and serious -- and as we go, I will share some of our recent travel photos~~


Riding the train to Baie St. Paul, Canada
(we were the only people on the train that spoke English!)

1. How much yarn do you really have?
More than YOU do -- more than anyone you know most likely! Have you been to your local yarn store?  I probably have more than they do!  The real question IS -- DO I KNOW WHAT I HAVE?  And the answer to that is YES!!  Anyone that has a huge yarn stash will tell you that organized or not, they DO know what yarns they have -- even if they don't know exactly where they are.  Most of my yarns are organized by color -- that works best for me in the projects that I do most often.  Ancient Proverbs say --"the person who dies with the most yarn wins. "  Well my friends - that's gonna be ME!! 




Historic fortifications in Quebec City
2. I wish I could be like you and travel to so many wonderful places -- but I have a terrible fear of flying. How do you conquer that? Oh boy -- if you only knew!  I hate airplanes.  I HATE AIRPLANES!!  I hate to fly -- but I love to GO!!  I get a HUGE knot in my stomach about 2 days before I have to get on an airplane and it does not go away until the plane has landed-- then it GONE!! It's not true that I can't do 2 things at once.  When I am on an airplane, I knit and pray, knit and pray, knit and pray. 




Calgary, Canada

3.  Somehow I have in my mind that you always eat healthy foods.  Do you ever eat anything that is just plain weird? Oh yeah baby --I love canned corn.  Just the regular kind that you buy in the store.  The cheap stuff is just fine.  I eat it right out of the can - cold - with crackers.  I get excited and think about it all day when I have this planned for my supper.  I usually only do this when the Gardener is out of town-- somehow I just don't think he'd get it! 



Montreal, Canada
(We don't know who this little girl is!! )
(We ask her parents to take a photo of us and she cried to be in the picture too!)

4.  I have a chocolate stash in my closet-- do you ever stash food? LOL!!!  I have a chocolate stash too -- but I'm not telling where it is because the Gardener usually reads my posts and he WILL eat ALL of my chocolate.  But -- I'm even more weird than that -I hoard elderberry jelly.  I LOVE elderberry jelly.  You should see my stash! I am afraid that the world might run out of elderberry jelly!  I eat a peanut butter and elderberry jelly sandwich every morning before I go to work.  I am ONE with the elderberry jelly. If you run out - don't ask me to share -- I am truly selfish with my jelly!! OK -- on second thought - I WOULD share - but only after I had done a count of my stash!   


Cartegena, Columbia

5.  Who cooks? You or the Gardener? Well--- most of the time, it isn't me! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful "house husband"!! The Gardener is retired, and he is the best little housewife you ever saw-- he does the shopping, the laundry, cleans most of the house (he won't touch the Sacred Yarn Room!!), and he cooks!  How else would I have time to work full time, maintain this blog, AND make your nests???   Actually we both love to cook - and we do take turns, but then we aren't "cook something fancy every night and eat at the table" kind of people.  We grill out a lot in the summer, and eat lots of veggies and soups in the winter.  He is aways wonderful to ask ahead if we plan to go out or if we are having "comfort food" - because he knows that I need to figure that into my diet plan. 


Nice, France

6.  I love that little tag that you put on your handmade baby items.  What does "gb" stand for? Well, when we started to have grandchildren (the best little things that God ever created!!) I knew right away that I did NOT want to be called Granny or Grandma - or any form of that name.  We already had Meme, Nana, and the other forms of Grandma taken in our family -- so I wanted to be different.  Hence - "gb". It stands for Granny Boster but I just want to be called "gb" - little g, little b.  "gb" Cute huh!  The most precious sound I ever heard was when our little babes finally were able to say "gb".  I cried all the way home when our first grandchild Mason first said it out loud.  It's funny -- you just don't get the grandparent thing - until you ARE grandparents. I would give up everything I own just to be able to enjoy hearing our babes say "gb and Papaw".  





Calgary Tower
Calgary, Canada
(sporting my school Marm look!)
7. Name something you are really afraid of~~
I hate elevators.  I hate elevators.  I hate elevators. In order to get to the top of this tower I had to go to the back of the elevator and bury my head against my husbands chest.  Yes - it really is that bad for me!



Lake Louise, Canada

8.  What are your favorite and least favorite things about blogging? This is a wonderful question - one that I am very happy to have the chance to answer!  Let's start with the negative-- honestly, it is a LOT of work.  For example - to do a post like this, I probably spent at least 8 hours at the computer by the time I edited the photos, loaded in the post, did corrections,... there is no way that I can do this any quicker.  Probably I spend about 2 hours a day - some days more - working on my blog.  Somedays -- I spend LONG days at the computer -- so in essence , it is almost another job of sorts.  Having said that - I do this because I love blogging and I love the opportunities that it brings to me -- like having the chance to get to meet all of you. 

My most favorite thing?  Let me show you~



My beautiful friend Maggie lives in France.  On one of our travels this past summer, my husband and I had the opportunity to stop by Hilton Head Island and meet up with Maggie and her sweet husband Roger who were vacationing there.  This was an opportunity of a lifetime for both Maggie and me.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner -- talked and talked and talked!  On another trip headed south - I also got to meet my friend Silke in Savannah - another wonderful opportunity to visit with a dear friend.  THIS is my most favorite thing about blogging -- getting to know my friends - whether it is by email or on happenstance in person -- it is the most precious and special thing about blogging. 



Quebec City
Quebec, Canada

9. Those beautiful wraps, oh my gosh, and your nests, and your travels ---- How many hours do you pack into a day????  LOL -- well, I do stay up way too late,  especially on work days -- and I really need to stop that!  The gist of the situation is that I really don't ever have times when I am doing NOTHING.  If I am watching TV- I am knitting.  If I am on travels, I am knitting-- sitting by our pool in the summer - knitting.  I am very very disciplined and well organized.  I set deadlines for my projects and I meet them. My calender is full of projects and deadlines.  It's really not an issue for me to get my projects completed - I usually allow myself plenty of time.  You will notice --- that most people wait a year for a nest.  Those who ordered wraps recently -- will wait at least until the end of summer for their completion.  For me it is all about organization -- and I pride myself on being very organized.  BUT --- I do stay up way too late at night sometimes!!



Botanical Garden
Montreal, Canada
(Japanese lantern festival)

 10.  Do you think you will ever get tired of making those beautiful nests?  Please --- not before you get mine made!!! Hmmm-- yes, sort of.  This has been a very busy (actually way too busy) winter for my nesting.  Next winter I am going to keep the list way (WAY!!!) shorter.  I do have a hard time saying NO (because you are all SO nice!) -- but I just don't want to be making this many nests next winter.   I have projects that I want to make for ME!!  I just want to sit and knit -- a dress for me -- a beautiful hat - a scarf-- just sit and knit-- no deadlines.  So -- yes, next winter the lists will be kept shorter for the Woodland nest and Shabby Chic nests. 


 Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré cathedral
Quebec, Canada
11. We love to travel also -- I would love to visit some of the places you have traveled to. You must have packing down to a fine art by now!! Do you have any travel tips to offer in regards to packing?  HaHa!!  My motto is pack early and pack often!  I am not one of these "wait till the last minute" packers like someone I know and live with!  I start early -- maybe 3 weeks before our trip and I keep a list of things that I want to be sure to take.  I wrote a travel feature for Living Better at 50+ magazine and in that feature I outline what I think are the most important tips in regards to packing for travels.  Although this article was written for cruise related travels, the travel tips can be applied to any sort of travel.  You can access my travel features by going to my sidebar and clicking on the icon that says I WRITE -- or you can access it directly HERE. 



Cadillac Mountain
Bar Harbor, Maine
(maybe the coldest that I have ever been in my life!)

12.  I am envious of your weight loss and would love to talk to you sometime about that!  Do you have any "on the go" foods that you rely on to help get you through the tough times? Well I do have a super super secret food -- LOL!  I eat pomegranite jelly beans for breakfast. I eat expresso jelly beans for breakfast.  I eat them together~ 2 expresso and 1 pomegranite - together.  I think it is an obsession. I keep a huge bag of these mixed together in my car and my husbands car.  I allow myself to have about 10 a day -- and -- I DON'T count them into my Weight Watcher points.  Diet rules according to Vicki!! I will grab a few when I am on my way to work - on my way home, running errands -- for me -- it really does help to take the edge off until I can have my lunch or whatever.  I suppose I could just carry around a bag of carrots - but what would be the fun in that! 



Biltmore House
Asheville, TN
(I love the lions!!)

13.  Do you have any new Designer nests in the works?  I am trying to collect them all! So many ideas, so little time!!  You all probably already know that the next Designer nest due out this year is my Breast Cancer Awareness nest.  I am so excited to bring this nest to life -- donating the profits to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  This is a project that has weighed heavy on my heart for a long time, as I have friends who have battled this disease, some are survivors, and one special friend (who is the bravest person that I have ever met), recently lost her battle.
In the works -- yes, of course there are other nests in the works!  You should see my sketch book!! I have waited for over 2 years for the perfect snow - on a day when I was home and had the time to do a photo shoot. That day came a few weeks ago and I spent the ENTIRE day outside taking pictures of beautiful yarns --- in the snow.  You won't see those pictures until NEXT winter --- but like I said earlier -- I have to plan ahead for these projects.  Oh and I almost forgot --- I am planning a beautiful photo shoot later this spring for yet another upcoming nest design.  It's busy, busy, busy here in the Sacred Yarn Room!! 




Montreal, Canada
14.  I read in your blog that you donate the profits from your Designer nests to charity -- how do you choose which charity?  
Oh--- I wish I had a good answer for that question - honestly, I never really gave it any thought-- the opportunities always just seem to  present themselves.  The oil spill on the Gulf coast several years ago just happened to coincide with the timing of my first Designer nest - the Shorebird nest.  It seemed only fitting that the proceeds from that nest should go to help that tragedy.  The profits were donated to a shorebird hospital on the Gulf coast and everyone who purchased one of those nests was more than thrilled to be playing a small part in the treatment and rehabilitation of the wounded shorebirds.  I did not really think about it at the time -- but after it was all over with and the nests were sold -- I thought that surely God must have had a hand in my planning to do that nest at that very moment in time.

When I made my Harvest nests last year, it seemed only fitting that the proceeds would be donated to help those in need when the winter cold arrived - so I donated the charitable profits to a local knitting group that is coordinated by my dear friend Jan.   Actually, I bought bags and bags and bags of yarn and took to the knitting group for them to use in making scarves and hats for those in need of a warm hug. It was such a blessing to be able to help with their precious cause -- I hope to be able to help them again this year.
  
Of course I knew that the profits from my Breast Cancer Awareness nest would go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, -- and I knew that the profits from the Twinkle Twinkle nests would benefit children -- but -- honestly, for those nests that are in the planning stages - I don't have a charity chosen yet .  I think when the time comes --- God will have a plan. 


Reflecting Pond,Biltmore Estates
Asheville, N C.
(one of our favorite places on the estate)
 15.  Does the Gardener have any hobbies besides working in your beautiful yard? Oh yes!!! My husband loves airplanes!  He is a pilot,a certified airplane mechanic and flight instructor.  He owns a vintage plane that he is trying to restore and belongs to a flying club where he owns a plane with the club members.  He is also passionate about model airplanes and twice a week he goes to the "clubhouse" where he hangs out with all of the other guys-- they fly their miniature planes and do what ever old guys do!  Right now at this very moment - there are 2 model airplanes in my living room that he has been building this winter!  In addition to that -- he is just about the best house husband that anyone could ever have!




Riomaggiore, Italy

16.  I've been visiting your Sacred Yarn Room -- I am in love with your bowls of yarn scraps!  Call me crazy- but I would die to have a bowl like that full of all that luscious scrap yarn.  What do you do with it? Well, its true - I do save all of my yarn scraps -- and those bowls are several years worth of accumulations!  My favorites are the knots and tangles and twisty things.  You know - when you start to knit something and you knit a couple of rows and realize you don't like it, so you pull it out - or you try to--- and it gets all tangled up in big knots~~~ I save that. I get excited about adding that to my collections.  I am so weird like that.  What do I do with it all?  Hmmm -- I like to play with it -- sometimes I make little note cards using the scraps, sometimes I use it to decorate packages, sometimes I use it to make little embellishments for scarves and such, sometimes I just like to run my fingers through it and call it mine~~




Banff, Canada

17.  I read in your last 20 Questions post that you are a "coffee snob".  Me too!  What coffee are you drinking now?  My friends all love the Dunkin Donut brands - but they really don't do it for me.
I am a coffee snob.  The smell of good coffee is a sensual thing for me.  My favorite coffee is Selva Negra -- but only if I can get it directly from the plantation in Nicaragua -- and that usually means that someone has to bring it back for me. Needless to say -- that does not happen very often.  I have also enjoyed Three Generations Coffee from Costa Rica - you can order that online.  But honestly -- as of late -- I am pretty happy with the World Market Breakfast blend --its easy to get and if you order or purchase on Wednesdays -- you get double coffee points and that adds up to free bags --- that makes me happy!  I carry my mug of coffee in to work with me every day -- I need it!  I spilled my coffee walking in to work last week -- I almost cried. 


Bragg Creek, Canada

18.  Vicki- I have a confession.  I have been stalking your pictures - watching to see if you gain your weight back!  How do you keep it off -- what are your secrets?  I struggle so with my weight--  am up and down, and all around -- it is so hard.  It must just be easier for some people like you -- I admire that you are trying so hard to stay fit and healthy.  Any tips at all would be appreciated. This question touched me so much that I just had to include it in this post.  Ugh - my weight, its been the hardest thing that I have ever done.  Sorry - I know that's probably NOT what you want to hear. Watching my weight is something that I have to think about EVERY day of my life.  But -- here's my story.  I lost about 50 pounds almost 10 years ago using the Weight Watcher's Point system -- and honestly, back then it was not that hard.  Then over the next several years, I got lax, did not count points, and of course I gained back almost half of that weight I had lost. Also, I had quit going to Curves so that was also a contributing factor.

Fast forward to now -- almost 10 years later -- and I'm trying to lost the weight again.  It's HARD!  The older we get, I think the harder it is to lose weight.  I am devoted to my exercise regimen at Curves -- I will never quit going.  There are ladies in my Curves group who are 80 years old -- that is going to be me someday.  I will never stop counting points -- that is where I went lax in the past and gained my weight back -- I count points every day of my life.  I have cleaned my closets out and donated every item of clothing that is now too big for me.  I am devoted to making this work for me as I absolutely DO NOT want to have to lose this weight again.  The second time around has been very hard and I do not want to have a third go round.  So there is my story -- sad but true.  

I love my healthy lifestyle.  I have never felt better - I have more energy - I love to exercise and honestly -- I really do eat what I want.  I just work it into my plan for the day.  It's just numbers -- I make them work for me. I don't really consider that I am living my life on a diet - I like to think that I am living a life that allows me to eat what I want. 


St. Joseph's Oratory
Montreal, Canada

19. Vicki, I am a hiking enthusiast and I would like to know what kind of hiking boots that you use?  Do you have a brand that you love? Holy cow -- I have had SO many questions in reference to my hiking boots!!  It must be because they make such a great fashion statement!!! I love my Quest hikers.  I bought them at Dicks Sporting Goods - but they are available lots of places.  I have owned several other brands, but these are my favorites.  They are SO lightweight and they just fit me so well -- my feel don't hurt at all after a long day of hiking.  My legs might hurt -- but not my feet!! 

Mouline Yarn Shop
Montreal, Canada

20.  I have been knitting for just over 3 years and I think I have knitted almost everything that I can that is either a rectangle or square!  I really want to branch out and learn new things -- do you have any advice that you can offer me as for where I should start?  How can I become a confidant knitter like you?
My advice, which I have learned over much trial and error --- is to be brave.  Think outside the box.  Don't be afraid to try new things OR to make mistakes.  You never know where your mistakes will take you - some of my favorite knitting masterpieces started as mistakes!!  Its only knitting - you CAN rip it out - even though you might hate to -- and believe me I've been there many times. 
My biggest fear was to learn to read patterns.  Then I realized that its just a combination of stitches.  If I know the stitches - I can do the pattern.  So my advice for new knitter is to choose one new stitch and master that -- then move on to another.  If you can knit and purl -- then learn to do cables -- then learn to knit in the round -- then try a simple pattern with a few new stitches.  Once you master these skills, you will gain confidence.  Every knitter is different.  We all have things that we love -- and things that we hate to knit.  I will never EVER knit a sock.  I hate socks -- so that will not ever be a project for me -- but there are a million knitters out there who live to knit socks.  To each his own.  Me -- I want to knit myself a cocktail dress -- that is next on my list.  That is the reason why next year's nesting list is going to be shorter!!!

Venice, Italy
waiting on the water taxi 
(with my 2 Bags Full)

This winter has been so very hectic and busy for me.  In addition to my nesting, we have been blessed with the birth of a new precious grand baby and then of course -- the Grow Your Blog party was a wonderful success -- but it was all consuming for me!  I have been burning the candle at both ends and am feeling the pressure of it all. I have completed all of the Woodland nests --- yea - (picture me jumping up and down here!) and will be moving on to the Shabby Chic nests next. Right now -- I am recovering from a bad bout of pnemonia and it has totally kicked my butt. I think I am feeling the pressure of a way too busy last few months - and I desperately need a little break. 
  
I'm going to take a little blogging break and will be back with all of you come early-mid April.  I truly need this time to rest and finish these all important projects.  I know you understand and support me in this -- but please don't forget about me while I am gone!  I will be back in April with a post dedicated to Gratitude -- my gratitude for all of the love and support that you give to me - every day.  I love you all.  Watch for my Vera Grateful Spring Giveaway post when I come back -- I will have some beautiful gifts to share with you all - my way of saying thank you for all the love that you send my way.
I'm always available by email if you need to contact me - so please feel free to email me if you need anything at all.  I'm not gone -- I'm just taking a little much needed rest! 
xoxoxoxo,
Vicki 

39 comments:

  1. Vicki,

    What a wonderful post! Thank you! I love that you set deadlines for yourself and meet them. I need to do that. I do for some of my projects, but not all, and that does really make a difference. Thank you for that little tip.

    I see that you are a Vera Bradley girl. Me too! I have three daughters and two of them are Vera girls also. Between the three of us we could open our own shop.

    I will miss your blog, but it is very important that you take care of your health. I will pray for you. I will be here waiting when you post again.

    You are an inspiration to me.

    Love,
    Terry

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  2. I"m going to miss you my dear friend.. But enjoy your break..

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  3. Dear Vicki, I love this post, especially so many gorgeous of my home, Canada. It would appear that you haven't visited the East Coast yet, so maybe one day we'll have to give you a tour...we'll drive the Cabot Trail, go hiking in my beloved Fundy National Park, visit the flower pot rocks, Green Gables, and show you the hidden treasures that only locals know (such as the most beautiful waterfalls, and a secret shifting sandbar full of seals we can canoe out to). Oh yes, and of course we'll visit the dreamiest yarn store I've found near my hometown <3

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  4. Just loved reading this post dear Vicki... and you most certainly deserve a little rest now!... it was fun learning that the gardener is a pilot, both full scale and model planes... so is my Jack!...he used to fly the police helicopter before he retired from SLCPD, and now he and his buddies all belong to a modelers club... Jack teaches anyone who needs help how to fly the RC planes and helicopters and builds all of his own, and many for his friends... there is usually a plane sitting somewhere in my kitchen or living room at any given time!... I call his workshop "Hangar 126"... he and the gardener would get along great!... also loved seeing all of your travel photos, and we have talked before... I HATE elevators too!... I will walk 20 flights of stairs before I get in an elevator!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  5. Vicki, it is so very lovely to get to know you better. Ahhh, a fellow list maker, a planner. Love that! Oh, Lordy, I am so sorry to hear about the pneumonia. As an asthmatic, it is one of those things I've sadly got quite a lot of experience with. Kicks your butt big time. Take care and I'll see you on this blog in April.

    BTW, the photo journey of you and your travels is delightful. Give me a shout if you ever pass NC way.

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  6. Hello Vicki, I enjoyed viewing all your lovely travel photos..and it was lovely getting to know you better too. Enjoy your blogging break.. Hugs Judy

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  7. Whew! This must have taken some serious time to answer all those questions AND add all the wonderful pictures. I'm and NOT nor ever will be a traveler.. that is by plane anyway. My husband and I travel the Northwest by RV and that's about as far as we'll go.. although we DO plan at sometime to go up into Canada.

    Lists are good! Deadlines..with all you do, I imagine they are a necessary evil!!! It sounds like you and your husband have home life pretty well figured out...my guy is also retired.. but he DOES NOT do the laundry... MY orders!!
    Ha...He does do all the grocery shopping, (that became a necessity in the time before during and after knee surgeries).. and he just kept it up. Fine for me..I'm an impulse buyer.. cookies, candy, etc. Weight has been an issue for me...years of hypothyroid (un- diagnosed unfortunately, then just to keep me on my toes.. it went extremely hyper with Grave's... then my thyroid was "nuked" and although my doctor at the time said no big deal...when you go hypo again you'll just take a little pill and all will we well...NOT. I've had to just accept this weight issue and "get over it"! (Well, most of the time I do) Glad you were successful and have been keeping it off. Ironically, when I was in the midst of Grave's disease,before it was diagnosed... I had lost a LOT of weight.. thought it was my new diet... and I was exercising 5-6 times a week.. and I felt really good...best shape physically in years.. until the body crashed from all the excess thyroid.

    Take care of yourself Vicki.. I think you deserve some time off. I'll miss your posts, but I'll be glad to see you back in April. Till then.. Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Easter (is that before April 1?).. April Fool's Day. Best wishes to your "pilot" too.


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  8. Dear Vicki

    How lovely of you to tell us more about yourself. I'm just in awe of how you fit everything in!

    I already knew you would be an organised person but I'm still amazed at all the things you manage to pack into your already busy life.

    Good to hear you're having a break - I hope you and the Gardener are on a cruise to some lovely destination by now!!

    I'll look forward to catching up with you again in April.
    Vicki thank you for everything you do for everyone including the blogging community - you're such a darling!

    hugs and love
    Shane ♥

    PS - I'm hoping that one day you might decide to make the shorebird nests again - I would love to buy one of those from you! xox

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  9. LOVED this post, Vicki! You are such an amazing and inspiring lady!! Enjoy your much deserved break!! We will still be right here. xoxo ~ tanna
    ps one more question, where do you find all those great capri length jeans? ;) love 'em!

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  10. My dear Vicki,
    What a long and wonderful post, no wonder it takes dayes to finish such a post, with your answers, which are not just one-lines ,but really sweet and honest answers.
    I so hope dear friend, that the rest from your blog life, will give you back full recovery from the pneumonia,you have to take care, and NOT overdo -with all the projects you take on your shoulders.
    I wish you a piecefull time, with husbond and family, and all the best.
    See you soon again my dear.
    Hugs and love,Dorthe

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  11. Great post, Vicki, loved reading it but am anxious about your pneumonia. boost that immune system, rest, drink plenty of water and let yourself heal. You won't be forgotten!

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  12. Hi Vicki, I had to come by tonight and I am truly glad that I did. I loved your post and the pictures made me feel that I was traveling with you. I don't know if we will ever travel again with hubby still in the nursing home after a week in the hospital again. I hope you get to feeling better. I have pneumonia and it is not fun. I know your little ones are growing fast and I enjoyed the previous post. I think of you every time I have my apron out. Enjoy your much needed rest. Many Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend.

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  13. What a lovely post - thank you for taking so much time to share your "self" with all your blog-readers and friends. I hope you enjoy your time off and take very good care of yourself. You don't sound like a person who does a lot of resting!

    I love your travel pictures...in fact, it was the travel component that led me to your blog initially, quite some time ago. You and your husband really know how to value your time together.
    (Oh, and the picture with the little stranger make me laugh!)

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  14. My sweet friend,
    ... take all the time you need... we will all think of you... and of course come back and enjoy what you left us!
    Hope everybody is well and you can finish all your projects. I will be busy looking around all the wonderful blogs you connected us to. There have been some very nice people around my blog to "visit" me. Such fun... htanks again for giving us this wonderful idea!
    Hugs & kisses
    Myriam

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  15. HOLY MOLY - you have pnuemonia, and have never let on! I hope you feel better, SOON...LOVE this post - missed the previous one, but am heading there now. And coming from someone that is married to an elevator man, they are much safer than escalators...make SURE you keep those grandbaby's feet (and your own) away from the sides of the escalators. They grab on and just keep rolling whatever they have caught, inwards. Make them stand in the middle! XOXO Tanya

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  16. Thank You Vicki Dear! I so enjoy your taking the time to answer 20 questions and share so much with us. Mr. Gardner is wonderful and the two of you are such a great couple. Love seeing your travel photos and I get a thrill when I see the ones I too have been fortunate enough to visit. Your knitting is truly a gift. I have two of your nests and feel very grateful for the love and time you put into them. The charity and generosity is beyond words. May you rest and recharge and renew your energy. WW really is a life style that allows us freedom to eat smartly. Bless you dear lady...

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  17. Hi Vicki! In a new reader and a new follower to your blog.I loved this post. Thanks for helping to get to know you better.. I look forward to more of your postings :)
    Robyn

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  18. You know we love these posts....getting to know the real you! I can relate to so many things in this post...I guess the weight loss topic the most. I too went to WW and Curves, lost the weight...quit counting points and the Curves workout....only to gain the weight back. You are so right it is too difficult to do repeatedly...You have now been my incentive to get back to business. Warmer weather is just around the corner along with cute clothes. The knitted cocktail dress will be cute. I had a friend that was a master knitter...she had 2 knitted cocktail dresses...we had the most fun wearing them!
    I hope you are feeling better and I am happy to hear you are taking a break...YOU DESERVE IT!
    xo,
    Deb

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  19. A wonderful blog ! I am so glad I found you! Elizabeth

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  20. Hi Vicky, hope you have recovered from your pneumonia. Loved the pics from the 20 Questions and of course getting to know you better.
    Enjoy your hard earned rest.

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  21. I read you visited my area sometimes ago (Montreal and Quebec and Baie St-Paul) You makes me smile when you wrote that you were only two english people in the train to Baie St-Paul. You probably had the same feeling I get when I travel in USA. Sometimes, we are only two french people in the activity group. Hope you enjoyed your travel. Have a nice week!

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  22. Loved the questions and the answers...especially about the flying! I hate flying but I will do it if I have too. I'm flying out to see Grandkiddos at Easter and I'm already nervous! So glad I'm not the only one! Your are a busy gal and I can understand why a break is needed...so enjoy and I'll see you in blog land in April!

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  23. Fun reading the answers to your questions, and love your travel shots! Looks like you and i have been to many of the same places. traveling is my most favorite activity! Going going on that weight loss! Can't wait to get the two lovely wraps for my daughter and I ( waiting anxiously for summer to come. Jeanne

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  24. oh and interesting to hear that your husband is a pilot. So much fun traveling to places that would be hard to reach otherwise. We also have a plane, a twin commanche and have had so many fun travels with it! Sorry to hear you are taking a break but will look forward to seeing you back when your break is over! jeanne

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  25. Ah, elderberry jelly. The. best. I have a hard time finding it and sometimes when I do it's too sweet. I like a little tartness.

    I was ever-so-excited to plan a yarn stop into my vacation this week. I was so disappointed. Not one piece of special yarn. Why people settle for "nice" when there's such beauty to be had I don't know.

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  26. Judging by the beautiful smile it appears you enjoyed your visit to my country Canada.
    Come back soon...
    Susan

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  27. Hello Vicki! This was enlightening to spend this time with you today and learn a little more about you. Loved the photos too.
    I hope your break is full of rewarding moments for you and the gardener. All the best and take care.
    Jim

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  28. Oh wow! What a wonderful blog! Now following. This blog is awesome! Please feel welcome to visit and follow my Blogger blogs :)

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  29. Vicki, you are such an inspiration! will miss hearing from you but totally understand. Enjoy your season of rest.

    Hugs,
    Terri

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  30. OMG Vicki!!!!Wonderful, wonderful post! I love read about your travel as well love your sweet smile...
    Take care my friend!
    Hugs,
    Mila :)

    P.S. Often my DH and I we are only two Italian people within a thousand miles ;)

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  31. Wonderful post, love hearing more about you:))) you are one amazing woman. And the photos are gorgeous, as always.

    Blessings for the week ahead.

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  32. Hi Vicki,
    What a lovely post and a beautiful way to get to know you and your beloved Gardener better. I loved seeing all of your stunning travel photos.
    Wishing you a restful and fruitful blog break and I look forward to your return in April.
    Blessings,
    Erin

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  33. what a lovely post! You are such an inspiring person! Good for you to know what you need and want to accomplish and what it takes to do it and then go for it! Will look forward to your return! Marlynne

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  34. Siempre he pensado que en una de las cosas en que mejor se gasta el dinero es en viajar. Me encanta. Lamentablemente nací en un país latinoamericano que si bien no está mal económicamente, tampoco permite ese tipo de viajes largos y seguidos.
    Yo le digo a mi marido que nos compramos una Camper y nos vayamos a donde se nos antoje, jejeje. Pero claro, hay responsabilidades, prioridades, etc.
    Me alegro mucho Vicki de que lo puedas hacer, son experiencias inolvidables
    ¿Cuándo vienes a Chile? es precioso, sobre todo el sur, y no es que yo lo diga, lo dicen los turistas.
    Tu blog es realmente precioso. Yo estoy haciendo cosas, por fin se me fue la modorra. Bueno, mi falta de cosas hechas en realidad se debe a unos problemas de salud, que es una larga historia, pero cuando puedo, aprovecho de hacer cosas.
    Cosas sencillas, nunca las maravillas que haces tú. De hecho, yo no tejo, ni a aguja ni a ganchillo. He hecho otras manualidades, sobretodo bordar punto cruz, años de años, pero cuando mi salud falló ya no pude hacerlo. He hecho decoupage, intenté patchwork, he hecho Tac's que nunca supe para qué sirven, scrpabook, ahora estoy asumiendo un nuevo emprendimiento de varias cosas Vintage, algo que me gusta mucho.
    Y mi otra gran pasión es escribir. Si visitan mi blog, cada tanto hay un poema, un cuento o alguna reflexión o algo que salió de mi loca cabeza, jajaja.
    Quedan todas invitadas y por supuesto, todos los comentarios me hacen muy, pero muy feliz.
    Cariños a todas, me encanta tener tantos blogs a mano para ir a visitar y ver las maravillas que hacen, que dicen o que muestran.
    Un beso grande desde Chile
    Maru

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  35. Vicki,
    What a great post. I love your blog so much. I like to read it after the kids & husband are off for the day. I get my coffee and prepare to spend about half and hour reading your story & devouring each photo. I loved hearing that your a fearful flyer, yeah I'm not alone! (I may have asked that question:) I didn't realize you struggle with weight issues either. Your so tiny I'd never guess. You must be winning that battle.
    Thanks for the many hours of inspiration!
    Lisa

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  36. I so enjoyed this post Vickie and I must say you really do need a break. sounds like you are burning the candle at both ends.

    Please slow down and take it easier. We want you around for a long time.

    Hugs

    FredaB

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  37. Lovely post, I love things like this that make me feel as if i know the blogger better!

    B x

    I'd love it if you took a look at my blog and entered my giveaway!: RebeccaRuby - A lifestyle blog

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  38. Very interesting post and fun to get to know you a bit better. I bet this post took a long time to put together. If you ever get too tired of making those beautiful nests...you could create a tutorial on how to make them. That would be great. ;-)

    Sorry to hear you've been sick. I hope you're feeling better. Take care!

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  39. Hi Vicki~~~
    LOVED 20 questions!
    xo marsha

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