Stitching Update and a Toad Lily

Well, the old shoulder is getting better but it still isn't 100%.  I haven't been able to get much stitching done or internet visiting because of it -- which  is making me kind of grumpy.  Right before injuring my shoulder, I started my 2013 Santa.  He's a tall, skinny Santa from Simply Old Fashioned simply called Stitched St. Nick VII.  I decided to make him a brown coat instead of the traditional red.  Searching through my thread stash, I came across a skein of variegated cotton floss called Cosmo Seasons and decided to give it a go.  What lovely thread!  And a delight with which to stitch.  It doesn't twist or knot easily.  The ends don't fray and shred.  I have no idea where I got it from but I love it and want more.

I stitched another one of these Santas a few years ago in the called for red and white:

The other project that's getting some stitching time is a new SAL I joined by designer Kathy Bungard.  It's her Autumn Log Cabin.  I'm almost finished with part 2.  I hope I can keep up with this one.   If my shoulder had blown out before I joined, I probably wouldn't have started it but now that it's begun, I really want to keep going with it.  Her patterns are so pretty.

And lastly, from my garden.  I have a plant called a Toad Lily (can't remember the formal name) that is at least 13 years old.  The plant itself isn't very pretty but the flowers are gorgeous.  And it blooms now -- in October -- when most plants are quieting down for the upcoming winter.

I took these pictures a couple weeks ago when it first began blooming.  You can see the unopened buds along the stem in the first and last pics.  They will open until the whole stem is covered with flowers.  Just lovely and one of my favorite things about October.

Have a treat-filled Halloween!