Wednesday

Last year, we bought a new Jeep that I absolutely LOVED! I looked for any excuse to jump in and go for a ride! Then about 4 months later, DH pulled the plug on me and traded it for a truck! UGH! I hated it with a passion but I didn't fuss because he had wanted a truck since we first got married and now he had one but my heart still ached for the Jeep. About a month ago, he decided that he wanted to trade for something that got better gas mileage! Ah Ha! Opportunity knocks! I began planting ideas about how great our Jeep had been. Guess what we have sitting in the driveway again? Yep, another Jeep and it is 99% identical to the first one! How cool is that! And I am happy to go riding around again.

I am on the first week of the non smoking aid once again and right on schedule. If it works as it should (and has in the past), Sunday will be my first smoke free day! I am trying to recreate as much as possible so I can have the same (actually even better) results. I really admire those that can just put the cigarettes down, quit cold turkey and never smoke again. We have tried quitting that way without success. It's obvious to us both that our will power is weak and we need help in doing this. Even though this is my third time on the non smoking aid, I refuse to admit failure! This will be my year!

As a present to help give me incentive to quit smoking and keep my hands busy, DH told me to order some stitching fabrics so I will have plenty to work with. I am not only determined to quit smoking but to get that wall of samplers finally in movement!

I have narrowed my list down to these for starting choices (and in no particular order). I will probably just pick and choose as I go. Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe works good too! LOL!

1. Good Things
2. Beyond My Heart
3. Where My Heart Blooms
4. Love Thy Neighbor
5. Home of a Needleworker (too)
6. Awake the Dawning Day

Stitching and Doctors

The new JCS looks like a great edition with all those yummy Halloween stitches! If my subscription doesn't kick in on time for the mailman to bring me this issue, I will definitely have to go by the bookstore to pick it up!

One of my orders arrived yesterday with 3 Christmas charts - Believe by Dames of the Needle, Joy to the World by Shepard's Bush and Wish by Shepard's Bush. I am still waiting on order #2 with several charts I am very anxious to get my hands on!

I have gotten a lot more stitching done on my Christmas piece! I still need to finish up the rest of the green on the ornament, the remaining white and the last of the red. I am hoping to finish it up by the end of the weekend so I can pick up Willow Tree Sampler next week to resume working on but the bursitis in my shoulder has been acting up which makes it hard to stitch for long periods of time. The Christmas piece may not be finished now until the first part of next week! Those aches and pains that accompany getting older can really put a damper on life in general! LOL!

Still pretty dull around here. A doctor appointment for me today which is ok cause it's only lab work for my thyroid level. I am keeping my fingers crossed the results are still at a normal level and medication is still not required. I am only going in for thyroid checks twice a year now instead of every month which is a lot easier on me!

Just the Basics

AGH! The power was out this morning when I got up. Obviously it was going on and off all night then just finally stayed off in the wee morning hours! No coffee!!! And I will NOT drink instant! Besides I would have needed the stove or microwave to heat up the water good and hot for it! It's amazing how dark the house is early in the morning even with the sun being up! I still had to use a flashlight!

Finally about an hour after I had started stirring around and I was outside, I heard the whirring sound of power in the house! YEA! First things first. I fixed a pot of coffee, turned on the computer then after I did the important things I did the other chores! LOL!

I began a new start last night! A pretty and very simple Christmas design that will make a wonderful pillow! At last! My very first "all for me" Christmas stitch! It hasn't gotten far enough along to post a picture of my progress but maybe tomorrow!

The past two posts have been rather long so I will keep this one on the short side! No pictures. No lists! LOL!
Everyone have a GREAT day!

Stitch A Wish

Yesterday I decided to make a list of the charts I would like to do to put on my "dream wall"(which is a little too overwhelming to post here just yet)! Hmmmm. I am either going to have to choose a bigger wall or put some of the pieces in different areas. I think I will choose the latter. I know for sure that it will take quite awhile to achieve this goal but after envisioning it for so many years, I am not about to settle for anything less!

Even though I have been working on Sampler Folk at a steady pace, I am getting the itchies to start one or two new patterns! A part of me is saying "Just wait till you finish this piece" while another part of me is begging for a new start or two! Decisions, decisions!

I have not stitched any Christmas pieces or ornaments for myself so those are on my list of "must do"! I would love to have some holiday pillows to throw on the couch and lots of stitched "homey" ornaments to hang on the tree!

It's time for me to make up my menu and grocery list again! Ugh! I am trying to fix meals that don't require the oven running for long periods of time (which isn't comfortable in this heat).

We finally got a good steady rain last night. I could hear it as I laid in bed and it really soaked the ground good! Just what we were needing!

Dreams and Goals

I am still stitching on Sampler Folk but I want to wait until I have made some extremely noticeable progress before posting a picture of it! I think I will just complete it first then begin finishing up Willow Tree Sampler. The other two charts are such large pieces, they will just have to be slow stitches! VERY slow stitches! LOL!

I first began stitching within several months of getting married which will be 32 years in just several months! Ever since I took that first stitch, it has been my dream to have one entire wall covered in finished needlework samplers! It doesn't look like that dream wall is going to magically appear so I had better get busy and make it happen!


We have tomatoes coming out our ears here! LOL! We usually plant 2 or 3 bushes but my better half decided he would need more in order to make some of his famous fried green tomatoes! Now I am picking as little as 5 a day and as many as 30 a day! I am using them in salads, on sandwiches, as sides on a meal and we are still managing to keep our neighbors well supplied!

It is now beyond the half way mark of 2008 and I really can't think of much I have accomplished! By the end of the year, I would like to
1. Finish at least two WIP
2. Start 2 or 3 more stitches
3. Go to the photo shoot at the Raptor Center
5. Scrapbook several mini albums
6. Visit a really good stitching shop (since we don't have one in our area).

I spent the weekend catching up on some of favorite blogs I enjoy and even found a few new ones to add on my growing list! Otherwise it was a pretty lazy weekend which was fine by me. All the humidity made me appreciate staying indoors with the A/C running.

Everyone have a good day!

Normal Days

Yea!! I finally feel like my life is getting back to normal again! After putting Whiner to rest last September it seemed as though my enthusiasm for life in general just fizzled out then all my doctors decided I needed to have every medical test known to man or so it seemed (although I'm sure this is a BIG exaggeration *wink*) which only seemed to add more stress. Now that all of that is over and I have finally stopped crying everyday from missing Whiner, I feel I am ready to pick myself up, brush myself off and start all over again!

Last night's dinner was really delish (if I say so myself)!! I fixed a Tomato Basil Chicken in the crockpot, Farmer's Market Saute (great way to use summer veggies) and a Seven Layer Salad! This summer time meal is definitely one going in my book of favorite recipes!

Farmer's Market Saute
2 zucchini, sliced
2 yellow squash, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

COOK zucchini and squash in hot oil in large skillet on medium heat 3 min., stirring occasionally. Add garlic; cook an additional 3 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

REMOVE from heat; stir in mozzarella cheese and basil.

SPRINKLE with Parmesan cheese. Totally YUM!!!!

Good News! I am ready to pull out some old projects and/or start some new ones! This would include scrapbooking and cross stitching. Both of which I packed away last year!

Good News! Last night I pulled out all my scrapbooking and cross stitching supplies to sort through! It looks like I am in pretty good shape!

Bad News! It seems as though several cross stitching charts I was working on are missing! Luckily it won't cost much to replace them! And I am sure I need to stock up on some more threads!

** It looks like time for another blog sidebar update! It has been quite awhile! Hopefully I can get that done this week!

Catching up

I feel that I have neglected my poor ol' blog really bad lately! First of all, I want to thank everyone who has stopped by and left notes wishing me well.

My eyes have finally stopped bothering me so much and feeling all dried out. I stopped stitching for awhile to see if that was the culprit and it looks like I was right. Too much close up work. I can't bear the thought of giving up my stitching again so soon after rediscovering it so I will live with the alternative of just cutting back!

I got back the results on my most recent blood test and it says that my thyroid levels are PERFECT which means I still don't need to start the meds. Normally that would be something to be thrilled about but if I am doing so great, how come I have been feeling so rotten! I literally broke down and cried when I got the news! The doctors all keep telling me "you will feel so much better when you start the medicine" but they won't let me start because of my "perfect" blood tests!

On the brighter side, I did get out today with my camera to enjoy the birds! Winter birdwatching is definitely different from warmer months. More of a challenge but just as much fun.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to those of you who will celebrate! I am slowly preparing by chopping the onions and celery for the dressing, boiling the eggs, making the cornbread and after we get back from dr. appointments today I will start on the desserts.

May you have a lovely holiday with your family and friends in the comfort of a warm home. If you go out shopping the day after, may you find lots of good bargains and be safe in the crowds.

I challenge each of you to list 5 or more things you are grateful for then challenge your family to do the same and read these together sometime during the day tomorrow.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Is It ONLY Wednesday?

I tried working on my finishing skills again yesterday. I even wrote to several people whose work I admire to get some tips from them. They were helpful but I still wasn't happy with the results. I think I am my own worst critic when it comes to crafts and I can find a handful of things that really *urk* me about my work.

I finally decided to pull out my sewing machine and make a mini pillow that could be adjusted into a scissor fob. It worked and today's picture is the result. Of course it would look much better if there was an actual design stitched on the fob but this was practice on a finishing technique. I'm really glad to finally have this resolved because after two days, it was giving me a horrible headache! Later in the evening I decided to try the tutorial method one more time. It worked! Maybe because I was no longer feeling so stressed but whatever the reason, I am glad to have that part behind me!

No stitching the past several nights as I have been going to bed early. I knew it was just a matter of time before I caught Ryan's stomach virus. I started taking extra Vitamin C in preparation and I think it helped because the virus didn't stick around long this time! I did pick out the chart I want to get started on making for the Cross Stitch Lottery! (Did you notice that I am getting my sidebar ready for 2008?)

Trying to get back on my schedule and that means today is recipe day! I found a new recipe for a Thanksgiving dressing that I am anxious to try! It sounds so yummy but I will make my usual dressing also to act as a stand by! So much of my cooking is done by "tasteful thinking" instead of the exact recipe in front of me. For instance "I think this needs 2 cups of this instead of 1" "I think I will substitute this spice instead of using what it calls for"! But I have never had any complaints about the end results! So I'm sure I will be tweaking this recipe also!

DELICIOUS SAUSAGE TURKEY DRESSING

1-2 (8 inch square) pans of your favorite corn bread (can be done ahead)
1 lb. bulk sausage
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery including tops
1 c. chopped apple
1/4 c. butter
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. poultry seasoning or use fresh herbs (thyme, oregano, tarragon)
1/4 to 1 c. chicken broth, depending on how moist you like dressing

Break up sausage and saute gently until brown. Add onion, celery, and apple and saute just until limp. Mix in diced or crumbled corn bread, salt and pepper and spices. Moisten to your liking with chicken broth and the butter which has been melted. Taste and correct seasoning. Stuffs a 20-pound turkey or bake uncovered in 9x13 pan for 30 minutes.

No Pictures Today

I made up my wish list for Santa! So he should have plenty to choose from now for both occasions coming up!

1. Gift Certificate (always well appreciated and used)
2. A new sewing machine. This is only a maybe.
3. I found several stitching books I want.
4. A new programmable coffee maker.
5. Subscription to Coffee of the Month Club at the Flying Bean

Harold surprised me by telling me that we are going to Biltmore Estates to see the Christmas decorations sometime over Thanksgiving week! I have never been there at this time of year and am so excited to see all the holiday splendor!

Started a couple of smalls but I can't show them yet as they for gifts and exchanges! But I spent a good part of yesterday practicing on scissor fob finishes since I have never done these. I used a tutorial at Annette's Acre (http://www.annettesacre.com/lessons/scissorfob.html). *pulling out my hair* It was AWFUL! I tried over and over and even several different ways! I don't know what I am doing wrong but I just can't get it to look right! The corners are so bulky they don't stitch right, and the stitched edgings don't want to meet properly! To put it bluntly, each try was a disaster in it's self! I will glad to hear any hints or tips that could help me out!

Just My Luck!

Until I get this thyroid mess straightened out, I am not going to worry about sticking to my rotation so rigidly! LOL! Like you haven't noticed that already! *wink* I will be working on them though! And I will be picking up some smalls to work on that will hopefully give me the kick in the pants I need to work on some of these larger pieces!

I finished up stitching my piece for the Cross Stitch Lottery! As I took my final stitch to bury the thread, I cut myself and before I realized it, a major part of the piece was covered in blood! OH NO! I tried to get it out the best I could but it was still too noticeable. That means I will be starting on another piece sometime soon! Actually, I am glad. I loved the picture of the finished piece on the chart but it just didn't stitch up as pretty as I had thought it would. I have ideas!

I recently found a designer whose work I love but it is near impossible to find! Why? She is retired. Just my luck! I guess by now you know that I am talking about Mary Garry. I cannot find even find any freebies on the web!!

Today's picture is an update of The Hunt Sampler.

Energy and Coffee

It has been 7 months since I had my last cigarette but I still get the cravings for one from time to time. They usually pass very quickly but last just long enough to be extremely annoying! Most of the time I find myself unconsciously reaching for one to light up. Then I realize "oh yeah, I don't smoke anymore". LOL!

I really need to get myself back into a routine and on track with my schedule again! It seems as though my blogging has been sporadic and my stitching has been even more so! Not to mention that I have felt really lazy about getting outside to take my nature photos! I was told that as I began to change from hyper thyroid to hypo thyroid I would feel sluggish and lacking any energy. I must be in the transition because I have felt so blah with absolutely no get up and go! Hopefully this will be the month I am able to start taking the thyroid medicine that will help get me off this horrible roller coaster ride!

While making a quick run to the grocery store yesterday I noticed that the holiday coffees had arrived so I splurged! I bought a pound each of Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Gingerbread and Holiday Peppermint! Yum! I can't wait to fix a pot of each! I enjoy my coffee but I have a true weakness for flavored coffees!

Our mail arrived late yesterday but look what I got! A wonderful Crazy Exchange (http://crazyexchange.blogspot.com/) from Nadia! Everything is so beautiful! Thank you Nadia and now I will find the perfect return exchange to send to you!

The Weekend is Over

Gee, there are just so many charts I am anxious to start! I even tried making my list for 2008 but that was a little too overwhelming! I have decided that I will wait until the New Year to begin any new starts because of all the holiday busyness over the next several months. I would be very happy to finish up at least two of the WIP I am currently stitching before 2008 which means I will need to give extra time to them. And if they are not finished by the New Year they may be extremely close!

It was another slow stitching weekend. Harold and I had some errands to run, watching old movies on TV together, more errands and yesterday we decided that we were tired of take out and bringing dinner home so we went in to a nice restaurant, sat down and ate there!

Harold asked me what I want for my birthday and Christmas (the two are very close). I really couldn't think of a specific item so I told him I would be happy for a GC to help have some future pieces framed or even a GC to a LNS.

Speaking of Christmas, the radio stations here are already playing Christmas music!! We listened to Bing Crosby's White Christmas. Burl Ives, Karen Carpenter and more this weekend on a local station!

*update* I did go out over the weekend and picked up several new sweaters that I couldn't resist! I also decided to invest in some Flossaway bags for my stitching threads! Hopefully these will make it a little easier to keep track of what I have and what I need!

Today's picture is of a sign at a convience store that gave me a giggle. It's like a subtle reminder to "Just Breathe".

My Forest Grows

As I mentioned yesterday, I have been working on AAFG. I will be glad when this piece gets far enough along that it feels like I am actually making some worthwhile progress! It doesn't seem like I worked on Willow Tree much at all the past several weeks. I hope it is not getting ready to become a UFO. I am just too close to finishing it up to let that happen! I may spend some extra time working on it this month.

Order #1 arrived yesterday! I got my confirmation on order #2 and as I suspected there are some items are on back order but I should be receiving the ones below by the first part of next week.
A Birder's Welcome - Crossed Winged
Glad Tidings - Blackbird Designs

Happy Hearts Sampler - Birds of a Feather

My Betrothed Sampler - same
Sally Spencer Sampler - same

Liberty - same

I will have to wait on "12 Days Of Christmas" and "American Star".

I really need to go through my stash and refresh my memory of what I have and what I most work on. Do I see another "list" in the making? *wink wink*

Goals and Lists

I already received a confirmation for one of my orders and I was surprised that everything was in stock! Usually several items are out of stock and/or have been discontinued. It has already been dropped into the mail so I should have it within several days! Order #1 will include --
Drawn Thread - Sampler Game Board
Little House Needleworks - Snowflakes
Little House Needleworks - Winter Whites
Blackbird Designs - Awake The Dawning Day
Blackbird Designs - Beneath The Sunlit Sky

Order #2 is still out for the count (so to speak) and I have asked they let me know if any of the items are not currently available. Until I hear from them I don't want to jinx my order by saying what is supposed to be in it so I will wait for the order confirmation on it before saying!

I saw a wonderful coffee questionnaire on another blog and thought I would do it also since I am such a coffee fanatic!

1. Whole bean or ground? I usually buy ground since I haven't bought my own coffee grinder yet!

2. Fully-loaded or decaf? No decaf is allowed in this house! LOL

3. Regular or flavored? Both! I love to try out different and new flavors! But I need that regular for a good kick in the pants!

4. How do you drink your coffee? Usually with non dairy creamer only. At restaurants , I use both sugar and creamer.

5. Favorite coffee ever? I love Pumpkin Spice and Italian Roast by Starbucks!

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? It depends on the brand. I do love Starbucks, Millhouse and Flying Bean but they are a little expensive to get all the time.

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Biscotti, pecan twirls, or any type of pastry

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? I am happy with almost anything coffee related. If I have my coffee, I am happy! The mug is almost as important as the coffee that is in it!

I checked my October goals and did fairly good. Better than I thought I would. Time for November's goals. With the busyness of the next several months, I am going to be rather easy on myself.

OCTOBER GOALS
1. Continue working AAFG - YES
2. Complete Willow Tree Sampler
3. Two New Starts - YES
4. Work on 30 day journal at Peek - YES
5. Catch up on housework (YUK) - SORT OF YES
6. Start working on Cross Stitch Lottery piece - YES
7. Start posting on group blogs (I have been lax in this area) - YES
8. Start on some smalls - YES
9. Recipe swap at Peek
10. Crazy Exchange - YES
11. Get a rotation schedule started - YES

NOVEMBER GOALS
1. Work on HOHRH
2. Work on AAFG
3. Work on Willow Tree Sampler
4. Work on Sampler Folk
5. Work on Hunt Sampler
6. At least 1 new start
7. At least one exchange
8. Fix up Christmas exchanges
9. Work on finishing off Cross Stitch Lottery piece
10. Peek recipe swap

I worked on AAFG yesterday but haven't taken a picture of my progress yet. So for today I will share an updated photo of Sampler Folk that is moving right along!

Gobble Gobble

We finally got rain! Several days worth so far! Nothing very hard but it has been steady. Everyone around here is grateful for anything at this point but in all honesty we can use a lot more!

Since the past several days have been rainy and chilly, it has been perfect weather to stay indoors and do some extra stitching! I decided to pull out HOHRH and do some more on it. I took this picture before I was finished working on it for the night.

Earlier today I got my hair trimmed up which always makes me feel better! Then, on to do part of my grocery shopping. After I made out the menu for our Thanksgiving dinner, I started picking up some of the items needed for it. There is now a lovely turkey sitting in our freezer for the big day!

Even though there are only 4 of us to actually cook Thanksgiving dinner for, I always make extra and it never goes to waste! With everyone coming into the kitchen through out the day and nibbling on food as I fix it and then the raid on leftovers, it gets cleaned out very quickly! I start making the desserts early in the week and everyone gets their favorite. This is our 2007 Thanksgiving menu as it stands for now.

Roasted Herb Turkey
Cornbread Dressing
Sausage and Apple Dressing
Cajun Yams
Mashed Potatoes (ds likes to have these)
Green Bean Cassarole
Deviled Eggs
Corn on the Cob
Rolls
German Chocolate Cake
Pumpkin Pie
Carrot Cake
Monkey Bread

P.S. I do NOT cook like this on Christmas! LOL!

Historical Stitches

How do you hang your cross stitch pieces? In groups or just scatter them about? I had a dream last night about a wall in our living covered with lovely pieces of stitching! This was definitely a special wall and held many reproduction pieces. What a lovely wall it was! And one that I am now itching to work on and make it a reality! Another project for 2008! LOL!

I love historical needlecraft arts. Whether if be reproduction cross stitch samplers or historical quilts. I love to study the work and read about the people who made the item. What was their motivation? How long did it take for them to complete it? I want to hear (or read) the stories that make these item personal.

To my readers, both new and old, thank you for stopping by! My blog is the backdoor of my soul. And to quote an old saying "backdoor guests are best"!

Stop and Start

I NEED A SEWING ROOM! I want a sewing room! I deserve a sewing room! Plain and Simple! I have waited patiently for my boys to grow up so that when one (or both) left home I could claim the empty bedroom! The years have marched on as I have watched them turn into grown ups and they are still living here and are showing no signs of any desire for independence! LOL! Woe is me! So I continue to set my machine as needed on the kitchen table and then put it away again!

I took a break over the weekend and the first part of the week. No stitching at all over the weekend. We did go to a quilt show. What fun and such beautiful works of art! I also managed to get by our local fabric store and start stocking up on some wonderful fat quarters!

My most recent stitching has been Sampler Folk. I left off in an odd place on this one and had been waiting anxiously to pick it back up! I am also thinking it is time for another new start. There are two pieces still waiting their turns. Who knows -- maybe they both will be started by the end of the month!

That Darn Bug!

Quilts. I love them. I collect them. I make them. But I put my needle down about 5 years ago thinking that I had taken my last stitch as a quilter! GASP! Upon cleaning out some seldom used closets, I ran across 5 quilt tops yet to be finished off and was bitten by the "bug" once more! Fabric, batting, cuddling up in a quilt on a cold night, fat quarters....... and I began to drool! LOL! So many quilts I still want to make!

Then my little voice of reason chimes in to remind me of all the cross stitch projects currently in progress. No problem-o. I need to restock my fabric stash and get some other needed supplies. There is time for both!

Since I only hand quilt, it takes quite a while for me to complete a quilt so I prefer to make the tops and then send it off to be quilted. The ladies do a fantastic job, the price is reasonable and I have more time to create!

To Be or Not To Be

Aida vs. Linen. Let me first say that I have linen in my stash and I can cross stitch on it. I just PREFER to use my 18ct. Aida. I feel more comfortable and confident when using it and my stitches seem to flow when I do a project using this. Some people prefer the look and feel of the linen which is fine but for me, why spoil a good thing. I buy special types of Aida with a softer feel (more like fabric) that are a joy to work with. I do my cross stitch to relax and the fabric I use has a lot to do with that!

So many of you have asked what count and type of fabrics I am using on different pieces. I hope this means you think they look good *wink* so I will share that info with you now.

AAFG - 18 ct. Aida
Hunt Sampler 14 ct. Aida
Sampler Folk - 16 ct. Aida
Willow Tree Sampler - 14 ct. Aida
HOHRH - 18 ct. Aida

still left to started and fabrics I will be using

Maria P. Oliver - 18 ct. Aida
Victoria's Quaker - 18 ct. Aida

Our boring town has no cross stitch or quilt shops but there are plenty in the surrounding areas so Harold has promised when I have my appointment with the thyroid doctor next month in a near by city, we will make a special trip to several of their needlework shops! FUN!