Thursday, July 30, 2015

Number Nine

We're nine years old today!

Seems like only yesterday I started this here blog! Thank you to everyone who pops in to visit my little world! I plan to keep posting so pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable! There's tea and coke in the fridge and a brand new bag of pretzel crisps ready to be passed around, and God willing and the creek don't rise, plenty more stitching to come!


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Well, I'll Be!

Just when I'm complaining I don't have a green thumb, this happens...
Who would have guessed I could actually grow something this pretty?


Friday, July 24, 2015

Just Peachy

My daughter and I have decided to enter the baking contest at our local Peach Festival next week. We have been busy baking and tasting and perfecting our recipes.

I'm keeping it simple with a Peach Coffee Cake...

Sarah has knocked herself out and came up with these Bourbon Peach Cupcakes for her entry...

Wish us luck!


Thursday, July 23, 2015

A New Summer Start

I guess we knew this would happen! With all those Prairie Schooler charts spread out on the Chicken Ottoman, I couldn't resist starting something new! This is Summer from Prairie Seasons. I'm stitching it on a rather starchy piece of 28-count Lambswool linen but it's coming along nicely despite the stiffness of the fabric.

Jacob from Hawk Run Hollow and Spot the Cat have formed a picket line outside the door to my stitching room. I've been told they have a press conference scheduled for this afternoon and will be voicing their grievances to the public over the lack of progress on their particular projects. I, being of a stubborn nature, refuse to be bullied by a cat and a miller and will continue working on the PS piece for as long as I please!

Stay tuned to your local broadcast!


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Surprise!

My venture into gardening this year has not gone well. I had some lettuce and basil early in the season and a bunch of jalapenos are needing to be picked, but the rest of my plants failed to produce much of anything at all. I promise I watered and fertilized and babied the heck out of them. I just don't seem to have the proverbial green thumb.

So yesterday I'm out on our deck, tending to what's left of the near leafless stems and sticks I refer to as my garden, when I happened to look out at our bluff and see something growing that resembles a squash plant. You see, I've gotten in the habit of tossing my failures over the railing, down to the ground below in the hopes that Mother Nature might take pity and breathe life back into something I've all but killed. Up until now she hasn't.

So I ran down with my camera this morning to get a better look and this is what I found...

I have two rather healthy looking squash plants growing from what was last year's Thanksgiving centerpiece!

Ahem...

It's true... I threw at least a dozen small gourds over the rail. And maybe a peach pit or two. And the strawberries that no one ate.

Now before you start worrying that I've gone completely mental, throwing trash out in the yard, I must explain that the bluff is a very steep hill that leads down to the lake and we let grow wild. I figure anything with seeds has the potential to germinate and produce something the critters might like nibbling on. So you see, it's all for the greater good!

Of course, picture a 54-year-old woman out on a steep hill at the crack of dawn trying to take pictures of plants and you have another kind of crazy altogether!




Monday, July 20, 2015

Taking Inventory

With the news of Prairie Schooler's retirement, I had to pull out all my charts and take a quick inventory. I have a feeling I'm going to hop online and go a little crazy pants with the ole credit card here in the next few minutes!


Thursday, July 16, 2015

Blame it on the Sun

Not much progress to share on Spot the Cat. It was too nice a day to stay inside so out I went to laze around on the chaise and watch the boats go by on the lake. A certain ballsy squirrel came by to do a little harvesting while I was out. It was hard to understand him with his mouth stuffed full of my strawberries but he seemed to be professing his innocence in the whole candle-eating caper. Apparently he's a Vegan. What I need to be looking for is a chipmunk with a pica disorder.

Today is cloudy and the plan is to finish the border on Spot. Mostly so I don't have to count how many stitches long his legs should be and where the tree needs to end. So when I discover a "counting error" we'll all know why!

Have a great day!


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

What's On...

The ottoman?
I've been working on Spot the Cat from La-D-Da this week. It is going super slow but I am determined to stick with it until it's finished! He's sooo cute!

The ironing board?
I started a tiered skirt over the weekend. I've used this pattern before so you would think the second time would be a breeze, but nope! Pattern instructions always seem to be written in a foreign language to me!

The table on our deck?
 I haven't a clue what ate my votives! We have squirrels and chipmunks helping themselves to my strawberries but I didn't think they'd eat wax! One candle is missing entirely! Did they need a little mood lighting for their nest?

The lunch menu?

No surprise here! Orzo salad and andouille!
Deeeee-lish!

This afternoon's agenda?
A bright sunny day calls for some relaxin' on the deck!

The TV?
Phil gave me a set of Bob Ross DVD's for my last birthday! Am I the only one who finds his voice incredibly soothing? I practically slip into a coma! Happy little trees! Happy little clouds!

And speaking of my sweetheart?
He's always on my mind!



Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Much Better!

I de-cluttered and organized...

Dusted and vacuumed...

And now I can have some shame-free stitching time!

Of course, I need to reward myself so first I'll do a little cooking...

Oh yeah! Salad time!



Monday, July 13, 2015

Full Disclosure

In an effort to shame myself into getting my act together and cleaning up what has become one large unorganized disastrous pile of stuff I am posting pictures of what shall become known as The Grand Mess. You may wish to avert your eyes!

This is what greets you when you walk into the Chicken Ottoman Empire...
 
You can see I've set up a slalom course so I can get a little extra exercise on the way to my chair!

It's not much better looking the other way...
 This was after I had picked up my boxes of DMC, 3/4 of which were left open because apparently the lids were too heavy to close.

The loft where I do my sewing and crafting is no better...
I must admit the "get it out and leave it out" rule isn't working!

 So today is to be devoted to doing a bit of "tidying up", shall we say.

Dinner is likely to be late.

Very late.







Friday, July 03, 2015

Fun with Flags

I put this flag banner together yesterday afternoon for our 4th of July celebration! It was super fast and easy and practically no-sew! I used a fusible interfacing to stick the front and back of each flag together and then zig-zagged them onto some red seam binding. It doesn't get any easier!

We are getting ready for weekend guests today! Washers and dryers are going, linens are being changed, menus are being planned, lists are being made! By Monday evening I might collapse but it will be with a smile on my face!

Have a fun and fabulous 4th!


Thursday, July 02, 2015

Woohoo!

Birdhouse Sampler
by Prairie Schooler
stitched on 28-ct. Raw Linen
with DMC

To think I've had this pattern in my stash for nigh on 20 years and just now got around to stitching it! Apparently my tastes haven't changed much over the years because I LOVE how it turned out!


Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Mill Progress

Jacob was off purchasing windows for the mill so I was able to get two trees planted in his absence. He's hoping to have the whole operation up and running by the end of next week but he doesn't realize how many X's need to be crossed before the walls are up, the stream is flowing, and the wheel is turning. Not to mention his contractor's proclivity to run off and work on other projects!

Today is errand running day but I'm hoping to have a little time to stitch this afternoon! I am getting close to finishing Birdhouse Sampler!