State of the Empire

When I last posted I had promised to share another new start with you. Unfortunately I woke up with a massive migraine the next morning and spent the day in bed. The next two days were spent rushing around getting ready for our annual trip to Texas. We left early early Friday morning for the Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Buses, and Boats Week Long Tour of Texas. We had a great trip and returned home late Sunday evening. There's no rest for the weary, however, as we're leaving Saturday for a week in Florida. We couldn't have picked a better time because the weather in Michigan is... how should I put it... rather unpleasant!

Anyhoosie, I wanted to get a quick post in before we left and update everyone on what's been happening in the Chicken Ottoman Empire.

The second new start I wanted to share with you is Autumn Leaves by Prairie Schooler.

 

I am stitching it on 32-ct. Dirty linen with Crescent Colors instead of DMC. I love the colors and I'm hoping to get a little bit more done on it before I put away my fall projects for the year.

Next is my progress on Spot the Cat from La-D-Da.

 Spot has grown a tail and acquired few more spots. This is my downstairs project and I will probably keep working on it until it's finished since it's not quite definitively fall-ish. Not to mention I really like it and would love to get it done soon!

I haven't completely abandoned Block 12!

It's mostly the black filling in I have left to do, though, and every time I think about working on it I end up grabbing another project. I will take this one down to Florida in January when we go to spend the winter there. That way I know I'll get it done!

Did I mention the weather here? Did I say it was unpleasant? I was a actually surprised when we came back from Texas to find all the vibrant rusts and golds of autumn had faded to the washed out browns and greys of winter. There was snow on the ground and it hasn't stopped falling since we got back. It's all a bit bleak but Phil ran out to the store for a loaf of bread so I could have one of my favorite comfort foods... peanut butter toast. It just makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. I returned the favor by making him an extra large pot of chicken and dumplings. Just the thing to have in front of the fire when he gets home from work!

I was glad I had the foresight to move my herbs inside before we went away.

I have thyme, rosemary, and sage growing upstairs in the loft where they can get some sunlight in case it happens to shine. I don't ever use them in my cooking but I do like having some green things around and every once in a while I will break a bit off and rub it in my hands to release the fresh aromas. I reckon it will be a nice pick-me-up this winter!

That's all I have for now. I will have my laptop with me on this trip to Florida so I will be able to keep up with everyone!