Is it the end of November already????

I had meant to have a post out here last weekend, but life just got in the way as it sometime it tends to do. I have been stitching like a fiend however, so I have lots of things to share and some info on yet a soon-to-be-started-project (for a good reason, keep reading and you'll see). Thanksgiving was very good this year, very quiet but plentiful food and a chance to reflect on life and realizing that family isn't always the blood ties which bind. I have met so many amazing, quirky (hey I'm quirky, so don't be offended!), kind-hearted, fun-loving people of the course of my life that I can count on when times get tough. I fixed the dinner of a 18 pound turkey full of homemade stuffing, oyster dressing on the side, sweet potato casserole, homemade mashed potatoes with fresh gravy, , glazed carrots, pickled beets, and cranberry sauce. Also I had pumpkin pie (tradition!), brownies and a new item Pineapple Banana Hummingbird Cake which is a recipe I found in the Sunday circular coupon section. It turned out to be a 'keeper' and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all the compliments on it. The only "modification" I did was I made 3 large loaf pans and of course that changed the baking time some. Of course, I am not a "Brand Name Snob" so the brands have been removed to protect the innocent and your pocket......

What You Will Need:
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding Pie Filling
4 Eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 can (20 oz.) Crushed Pineapple juice drained and 1 cup reserved
2 medium,ripe bananas, well mashed (1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped Pecans
For the Icing:
2 oz. Cream Cheese
1 tablespoon of Milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350
Combine cake mix,dry instant pudding,reserved pineapple juice, eggs, oil and cinnamon in a large bowl with mixer 2 minutes or until blended. Add crushed pineapple,bananas, and nuts; mix just until blended. POUR prepared batter into 5 foil mini loaf pans sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. DRIZZLE Cream Cheese glaze over cooled loaves and garnish with additional chopped pecans, if desired.

Musician Front as of 11/30/2012

Onto our stitching news....... The Musician has been coming along swimmingly and is now under 9 thousand stitches to be completed. Especially since I decided that the outside rose border is going to be nixed because it seems to be just a little over the top for my personal taste and so I think that I will have the framer hand-paint a few tasteful roses on the matting when it is framed. Since the 24th of November I have completed 1000+ stitches on this piece! Of course, I have included a picture of the back for those fellow stitchers who put value in neatness. Hopefully my backing is looking organized.


The Muscian Back
Progress as of 30 November 2012

I realized the other day, I hadn't shown a picture of the ornaments I have been working on yet. The first is almost done but I had my needle threaded with a color and only a few stitches on the first ornament in the color and was waiting in the doctor's office when a lady was asking me how you cross stitched. So I decided to show her from the beginning so started the 2nd. Need to take less than an hour to finish up the first one and the 2nd could be completed pretty quickly too. Thinking I might take some time this weekend and do just that.


Prairie Schooler
10-12th Days of Christmas

Prairie Schooler
6-8th Days of Christmas

Also my UFO, Starlight Sampler, had some progress too. I can't help but think about Mom every time I pick up the needle on this piece but it is good memories. Do you have any pieces which causes you to think of someone when you see it? I love that about our hobby..... I'm making it a goal to finish this off before the end of the year and to pick out another UFO from the pile to add to my rotation.

 

 

Speaking of rotation....... I found something that just screamed B-E-C-K-Y when I saw it. Actually, a co-worker, Sara, pointed out the design to me and the epiphany hit me the other day in regards to making it as a graduation present. I'm thinking that I'll add a line saying something like "May all your dreams come true in life" or something to that effect. Any all all ideas in this front is welcome and hopefully I can come up the perfect sentiment to embellish on it. The design is a Joan Elliott freebie of a dragon you can see here called Dragon Dreams. Becky loves dragons so the minute I saw this I knew this would have to be for her and the price is right!. I picked out some 32 count hand-dyed Sand Castle Jobelan fabric for this and have the DMC ready to go. Figuring I can start working on it at the beginning of 2013 and should have plenty of time to finish it in time for June. Here is the colors tossed on the fabric to give you an idea so please send me your ideas for a sentiment or other thoughts.

Well, that is about all for this week. Until next time, keep your stitchin' and knittin' needles going, spend time with friends and family, and most of all, enjoy life!

~ Carol

Weekly Update and More Stitchy finishes with a Lovely Surprise too!

I decided this week I'm going to try and keep a weekly update out here in blog-world so here is hopefully the first in many to come. I have been working on stitching some Prairie Schooler Christmas ornaments from the 12 Days of Christmas booklet and almost have the first 2 completed. These are really fun easy stitches and actually fit in my purse for an "on the go" project.

Of course, I still have an amazing amount of UFOs sitting in my stitching corner, but I can report progress on that front as well. Over the summer I found this piece amongst my Mom's stuff and managed to finish it up rather quickly. I think she had packed it away while I was expecting Becky because of course a "new" Mom wouldn't have time for such activities.

Dimensions Kit (I think)
Amish Wash Day

I also did a little work on my Starlight Sampler piece from Little House Needleworks. Working on this piece brings back memories of long nights in the hospital sitting with my Mom. Hopefully I can complete this piece before the end of the year and move on to another piece. Right now I'm trying to dedicate on good night to working on these long neglected pieces.

Starlight Sampler
Stitched on 32 ct Jobelan
DMC Threads

Then of course there are ornaments which I love to do. I have 3 Halloween finishes and 1 Christmas piece to show off; all from Prairie Schooler. Unfortunately due to Hurricane Sandy, I didn't get a chance to finish the Halloween pieces off before the end of October, but next year they will be anxiously awaiting the opportunity to be placed on our Halloween tree. All these finishes are completed on 32 count Lambswool with DMC threads.

Of course, there still is the Musician.... I am planning on picking her up tonight after finishing on this post. Looking forward to working on her with the long, winter nights ahead and with the temps being so cold already this year, it looks like plenty of stitching time is in my future.

Until next time, keep you stitchin' needles and knittin' needles going, spend time with friends and family and above all, enjoy life!

 P.S. On a side note, I must show off the beautiful present I received last week from a friend. Mary is another Scouting Mom who does beading. She surprised me the other day with 5 gorgeous scissor fobs! Aren't they beautiful???

~Carol

Finally getting back around to.......

Updating my blog. I know it has been months since I was taking care of this poor, neglected site but hopefully with things quieting down around here, I can get back into the swing of things. Since my last update on here, I have had another surgery on my ankle, lots more physical therapy and then working on my childhood home.

Here is a picture of the front of the house that was taken in early October while working in the yard. I am so happy with how everything is coming together. The new roof looks amazing and after some TLC, I'm hoping the flower beds look amazing in the spring.

 

Basically I had to dig up the original flower beds around the house and replant them. For the most part, I haven't really had to buy much plants one I finished seperating bulbs and removing all the crab grass which had been taking over. The azeleas needed pruning and fertilizing and should be in pretty good shape come spring. I did plant a few chrysantheums here and there for some autumn color.

Stitching wise, I haven't accomplished much but in the last few weeks I have been able to find the time to enjoy this hobby again. I did learn tatting this summer from a wonderful lady that lives in the area. My great-grandmother tatted and I grew up hearing stories of what did and I always wanted to learn. When I went to the Maryland State Fair this summer, I started talking with a local Lacemaking group that introduced me to Ms. Ruth. She is very accomplished in all types of lace, whereas tatting is not done by many lacemakers. Here is my latest attempt at learning to join but I still have a ways to go on tension and practice in general.

Also here is the Musician. I am hoping this will be done in 2013! Next time, I hope to have some more pictures of things I have worked on but I am needing to get back to some other activities so check back soon and I'll hopefully have some better pictures and additional updates for the crafting stuff and the kids too.

Until next time, keep your stitchin' and knitting needles busy, spend time with friends and family and as always, enjoy life! ~ Carol