May is Here

 I can't believe it is almost May! And I haven't posted in almost a month! Where did the time go?

 

The first of the week was reserved for several dr. appointments and grocery shopping. Then I was house bound for the remainder of the week. We found a contractor to put in a walk way from the driveway around the back of house to the deck. Since my last fall, I stay away from the front steps and only use the back but it gets so muddy when it rains so this walk way will solve a lot of issues for us. Now I will have a nice dry path to the easy steps!

 

I went to the dr. about my shoulder. I have a dislocated shoulder.. I have consulted several other doctors because of other health issues that could affect this and they have all given me the green light as long as it is a minor surgery. 

 

I ordered some more threads. I needed the threads for Stacy Nash Rose Garden Sampler and others I never have enough of. I also ordered a few stitching aids, Seven Red Alphabets by Needlework Press plus several other charts and their threads. Some fabric from My Vintage Needlearts arrived. I am always thrilled to see a package from here.

 

While getting the last of my organizing taken care of, I came across an older chart that I wanted to do it but always opted to work on something else. Since it is a small design, I decided to add it into my WIP stack. Be who you are by Lizzie Kate. I am using the called for threads and stitching on 18 count Aida in Rustico.

 

Now I have a confession to make. People change. Well, so do stitchers. I can remember when I first began stitching, I would not dream of starting a new piece until I had finished the current one. Now I have piles of WIPs. When I first began stitching, I went totally by the pattern. No changes in colors or anything else. Now I like make the stitch my own. Also, when I first started, I liked the simple smaller stitches. Now I tend to go from medium size to BAP!

 

Part 2 of my confession. Whenever I stitch, my mind wanders to other pieces I want to work on. I am going to take the rest of this year (and probably into next year) to just work on ALL of these designs that keep creeping into my thoughts! Some will be new starts and some will be WIPs. I will probably only work on each one 2-3 days a month but I am in no hurry right now to finish up or frame anything. I just want to enjoy them all!

 

I have never participated in a StitchMaynia and really don't think I could handle the big numbers that people take on for this but I do have my own smaller list to concentrate on. I am not going to name any of the designs I have put aside for this because I may choose to do less (or maybe more). I will post pictures as I work on them though.

 

Brenda and Laura (Brenda and the Serial Starter on Flosstube) are going to have a BBD SAL beginning the first weekend in May. You can find it over at IG under #bbdweekendsal. I will be joining the fun and working on A Sisters Love from the Autumn Winds book by BBD.

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

What A Week!

 August is a rough month for me. My moma died on August 12 and my dad passed away 40 years later on August 13. I usually hope that these two days will pass without my realizing it. I think of them every day anyway. These days just make the sadness more intense.

The last Sunday in July is always Decoration up in the mountains (where my moma's family is from). All of the cemeteries are decorated with flowers galore! It is a beautiful sight. I have only been up there several times to see it in person but I have heard about it and have seen yearly pictures all my life. This was my Grandma's headstone this year.

I will have another update on Bee Skep soon. I have been working on it some. It is almost like my mojo just flew out the window!  I decided to stop working on the house for a bit so that hopefully it will renew my mojo when I come back to it! I want to at least be near a finish on it before I post another update. Soon, I promise.

I have been making all kinds of stitching plans in my Needlework Press calender/planner book  along with playing in my stash! I will wait a while to share so that I don't jinx any of these good plans!

The microwave arrived. The first of the new appliances. The new range was delayed but will arrive soon. I really do like it and am looking forward to getting every thing else in place to complete the picture!

We measured the counter top area in the kitchen and placed the order for the new counter tops. I think they will help make the kitchen a little brighter and bigger. Especially after we paint. The Grumpy Ol Gazer opted to put them in with some help from our son instead of hiring someone to do it. The installation cost more than the counter tops! He has put in counter tops before and they were wonderful. They will be delivered later this month.

I have two more infusions this month and I will be finished until 2021. I hope the mask thing is over by then! It was really hard to wear that mask through the entire infusion. Other people that come in for an infusion may stay 30 minutes to an hour. I am there for 4-5 hours depending on how long it takes for them to hook me up and get my meds together.

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well!

And the summer goes on.......

I made a big mistake this year and waited too long to go buy my chocolate mints and other herbs. By the time I went, the ones I wanted were totally sold out. So I promised myself to go much earlier next Spring.

Another thing I fussed at myself about was my yearly pots of petunias I put out on the deck each Spring. I love the yellow petunias (I put out at least 2 pots of these) and I always put out a pot of red ones in memory of my moma. I got lazy this year and decided I just didn't feel like watering them every morning and pinching them back each day! Bad decision. I have really missed them and next Spring, the deck will once again be graced by these gorgeous blooms!

I may just go one step further and put out some potted tomato plants again! I used to put out at least 3 each year (2 better boys and 1 heirloom)  and we always had some delicious tomatoes for sandwiches and salads! Not to mention fried green tomatoes!  I always put a few marigolds in with the tomato plant and that keeps away any bugs that may want to nibble on my fruits without pesticides!

The threads arrived for Mary Ann Hutton and the order from my LNS with Vintage Animals and threads also arrived. They are tucked safely in my project basket (which is flowing over) awaiting their turn with the needle! My project basket is a nice big basket by Everlove Creations over at Etsy! Lots of room for plenty of future projects.

I have another update on The Bee Skep by BBD. I am almost finished with page one! Once I can finish up this house, I am pretty sure it will sail along smoothly. I am staying away from designs with houses like this for a while! LOL

The Grumpy Ol Gazer has been on oxygen since he came home from the hospital. It is not the first time but I have my doubts about him getting off of it this time. So does he. It is so hard to haul around a tank when we go out. They can be loud, hard to handle and you usually have a time limit. We discussed those portable concentrators that you carry like a shoulder bag. We liked what we heard and he now has one. So far he been very happy with it and it is so much easier when we want to go out for the day or just a quick trip to the store!

Right now we are in the talking/planning stage but hopefully this Fall, we will begin on some home improvements! We have our list and have picked out certain items we want! Now to start looking up contractors! I can't wait to share them with you!

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well!

After the 4th

I am slowly getting more done on my current stitch! The Bee Skep by BBD (in the Agnes Platt Strawberry Sampler book). The bees in this chart were not Aida friendly so I will use some bees from a different design. I am using 18 count Aida in Caramel Creme by My Vintage Needlearts over at Etsy and most of the colors are from the called for list. A few changes here and there out of necessity.

For such a small piece, it is really taking me a long time to stitch it. What with the Grumpy Ol Gazer being in the hospital. Then getting him back home and settled in with home health care. A few personal issues that caught me off guard and that house! Beautiful but very painstakingly tedious! Plus I have had a few ehhhhhh days. You know, the ones where you feel ok but just don't feel like tackling any projects. I am hoping I can finish it up before my infusions begin.

I found this old WIP one day while sorting through some drawers. I can't even remember the year I started it. It had to be after 2005. I did start it with the intention of dedicating it to my FIL who had recently passed in 2005. There isn't much left to do on it so I may just take this in as my infusion project if I can gather everything I will need to work on it.  I have most of the threads except for remainder of the border so I may leave that off. I will see how it works out. If I should happen to finish this up before my infusions are over, I will probably take in Never Enough Thyme by the Goode Huswife to finish. As a matter of fact, I am thinking that I may just take my WIPs for my infusion projects for a while!

A few trips to the grocery store. I found some clementines! Be still my heart! They are very seasonal and not available year round so when I find them, I am in heaven! A few trips to the doctor and pharmacy. Pretty ordinary for us. Once in a while we may venture out to get some ice cream at the drive thru and eat it in the parking lot. A haircut every other month. Once or twice a year we may venture out to our favorite steak house for an eat in meal and go to the home center to pick up plants or other needed items that can not be ordered.

A lot of people are working on Jolly July aka Christmas in July stitches this month. I usually do at least one Christmas stitch a year but I did not get any holiday pieces done last year. This year, I only have one I want to do so I have pulled it, ordered the threads and I plan to work on it. It may not get finished for several months but I will have a good start! Her name is Mary Ann Hutton and she is by The Scarlett Letter. I doubt I start her this month but she on my Top 20 list.

My list of TOP 20 to stitch in 2020 just may roll over into next year. I doubt seriously I will be able to finish them all this year but they are among my favorites and definitely a priority! I really wonder where I will put them all!

I wear my mask like a good girl when we go out in public but I prefer to go out early in the day before the heat gets too bad. Otherwise, I do have difficulty breathing good with the mask on. I haven't said anything about the events here in the US with the monuments being destroyed and so much more. Destroying these statues will not change history or make it go away. History is there for a reason. To help us learn and grow stronger. It is not be ignored. Enough said. This is a happy blog and this is how it will stay!

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well.

A New Start

Our stay at home order for the state has been extended but all is good. My grocery bill is definitely higher! Part of my higher grocery bill could be my fault because I tend to get a little more of certain items because I don't know if they will be in stock next time or not but I never buy beyond my limited amount. And we definitely eat plenty of snack foods during this! I only go out to pick up groceries and prescriptions or if I run out of ice cream!! Ice cream is an essential, isn't it?!!

We have had several rainy days in a row this past week which is fine by me because the grocery pickup is done and nothing else to go out for. Rainy days are good for two things. Stitching and naps! And I take advantage of both!

I mentioned that I had several designs to choose from for my next stitch. The top three are Sampler Hill by Brenda Gervais, Wonderfully Made by Erica Michaels and All Joys are Thine by BBD. There is a problem with having a big stash. You tend to forget what you actually have. I did that with Sampler Hill and ordered it again. I don't mind having extra threads. Those can and will always be used but now I have an extra chart too! Oh well.

UPDATE -- I decided on my next new start and here is a picture Sampler Hill in progress. So far, it is an enjoyable stitch and I really do love the design! I am using the called for colors (although I am debating on changing several) and I am using 18count Aida in Carmel Creme by My Vintage Needlearts.

I ordered my very first Hands Across the Sea pattern in PDF file form. It is Mary Eliza McMillan 1869. I just LOVE the simplicity of it and the happy colors! I also like the bottom dedication to COVID-19. We need a new printer because our current one is broken but I as soon as we get one, I will print out the file and start stitching. No hurry right now though since I am working on Sampler Hill!!

These are not all my fabrics. I have a drawer filled with others from various places. These are just Aida fabrics from My Vintage Needlearts over at Etsy. Can you tell that I love her stuff!! I just placed another order too for some of my favorites!

While rummaging through my stash one day I noticed that several items were missing! An OOP Adam and Eve and some threads for another sampler. I am pretty sure I had ordered the threads but I could be wrong. I have several other places to look and if I don't find them there, then I will freak out!!! UPDATE -- I found the A&E chart (thank goodness!!)  but not the threads for the other sampler. I guess I will have to order them.

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well!

The Finish Line

I wake up in the mornings to the sound of birds singing outside my window and I think "what a weird dream I had" only to realize seconds later that it was not a dream! All of the stuff is real and still going on! I probably have that dream at least once a week.

It's finished!! A big happy dance is in order! I have been stitching away in between wiping down counters,door knobs, phones and more. I have made some more progress on Willing Hands by BBD. I had to entertain some frogs (don't they know about social distancing? LOL) and I took a day off from stitching because my eyes were beginning to cross! I made another little boo boo but after examining it, I decided to leave it. I have read that some people purposely put a mistake in their hand crafts (woodworking, quilting, ect) to help keep them humble and remind them that they are not perfect. I'll go with that! LOL. The picture just does not do justice to these vibrant colors!

I am going to put the BBD Sewing Club book aside for a while but I am not finished it by any means! This book has so many wonderful designs!

I never thought I would get excited about toilet paper or other everyday items but when I am able to find them my heart beats a little faster as I walk (not run) very quickly to claim my limited amount! LOL. If I ever see those shelves fully stocked again I may pass out from shock! LOL

What is the first thing you are going to do when life goes back to whatever our new normal will be? I am going to get my hair trimmed (I feel like the shaggy dog) and then we are going to the steak house for a nice sit down dinner! At least those are the plans in my mind! LOL

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well!

What Day Is It?

Looks like I am late again with my blog post! But in my defense, who can keep up with the day of week anymore? All days are pretty much the same for a while, anyway!

We are still here and taking it one day at a time just like everyone else. The Grumpy Ol Gazer will pitch in and help me clean or cook every now and then but other than that, I stitch and he does whatever strikes his mood. Working on the car, taking a nap or something else. The boys are trying to keep busy too. The oldest has been taking care of the yard, cleaning out the back building and stuff like that. The youngest has been helping with laundry and taking trash out. Of course he is bummed out that his birthday falls during the stay at home order.

We have been doing the majority of our grocery shopping online and then go by for pick up. We don't even have to get out of the car. Once in a while I go to another store for a quick trip to look for things store #1 might have been out of (while wearing my mask). What am I having a hard time finding? The stores have toilet paper but it gets bought out as soon as they stock it so it was a matter of hitting the right time! I finally did! It varies from time to time and store to store. Sometimes it is eggs or meat or paper products.

I have made some good progress on my stitch. Is the design more obvious now? It is Willing Hands from the new Sewing Club book by Blackbird Designs. I am loving it so far. I just finished the first page.If you have this book then you know that the design is divided onto two pages. I have had a really hard time putting this one down! I was so excited to start on it that I did not even look through my fabrics for the perfect match. I just grabbed a piece of Platinum 18 count Aida that was in the basket beside my chair and started!! I am using the called for colors. I plan to have it framed.

I have new charts. Old charts. Free charts. WIPs. I am determined to get as many stitched as possible during this stay at home order so that when things go back to somewhat  normal, I can take a pile of finished pieces to my LNS for framing! My reward for making it through all this without going bonkers and her reward for staying patient and believing in her customers!

Until next time may you have simple days,an uncluttered heart and stay well.

Trying to Catch Up

I was able to get in some stitching this week but not as much as I would have liked because of doctor appointments and other errands. Virtuous Woman is coming along though no matter how slow.

My infusions are in full swing. I am at a new infusion center so it will take me a while to learn the layout of the place. I thought about a special start for this but I already have several things going so I decided to just take Virtuous Woman in and work on her during the infusion hours afterall, she is the same inspirational theme stitch that I like to work on during infusions.

I even made a start on Quaker Bluebirds. I think I will re-name it Quaker Redbirds hence the color change. I am using 18 count Aida Irish Cream by My Vintage Needlearts over at Etsy. The threads are Gentle Art Sampler in Mulberry. It's a small start but it gives you an idea of how the thread color will look on the fabric.

I also pulled out Pomegranate Santa by Plum Street Samplers over the weekend and started on it. I am using the called for threads and I am using Evergreen by Fiberlicious fabrics. Maybe I should get the nasties more often! After I feel better, I seem to get a good bit done! LOL

I fought the urge but I just could not contain myself! I ordered another BBD design with threads. Oh Joyous Day is just too drool worthy to pass up! Like Little Birds by BBD, it is out of stock at the moment but they will send it as soon as more arrive. I am fine with that!

Who doesn't love a pan of steaming hot cornbread? While it is still good and hot, I like to slice a piece, slather it with butter and drizzle some honey over it. After it cools off, I have my beloved glass of cornbread with cold milk! Something I have enjoyed since I was a child. It makes a great side or an even better snack!

Ingredients

• 2 cups self rising cornmeal mix not just plain cornmeal
• 2 eggs or 1 extra large egg
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil for the skillet if using cast iron
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk or regular milk Start with 1 cup of liquid if you are using regular milk and add the rest as necessary

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• If you are using cast iron, place the 1/4 cup oil in the bottom of a 9″ skillet and place over high heat on your stovetop while you make the batter.
• Pour the cornmeal into a bowl and add the oil, egg, and buttermilk.
• Mix until combined and drop a small amount into your skillet.
• If it sizzles immediately, go ahead and pour in your batter to within 1 inch of the top. If you want a thinner cornbread, just don’t pour in as much.
• Transfer the skillet from the stove top to the hot oven.
• Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden and set.

Notes

If you are not using cast iron, grease your pan with nonstick cooking spray and do not preheat the pan. Bake as directed.

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.