Better late than never...

That's about how I feel about IL's quilt right now. I have the first 1 1/2 rows HAND QUILTED and only have about eleventy billion left to do. And I really don't want to work on it one bit today. Oh well. At least we went ahead and sent the rest of the stuff.

Presents were received and loved...except Dear Brother & GF. No word on if the Pottery Barn gc made it there or not.

Ho Hum, Christmas is over and thankfully so. It has been a bittersweet Christmas this year. I reallllllllyyy missed our families, but was unabashedly spoiled rotten by DH. At the top of my Christmas heap o' gifts there was this *cue the angels singing "Ahhhhhhhh...."*

Yeah, that's it...my very own Kitchen Aid Professional 600 watt, 6 quart, beheamouth of a thing that I lovingly named "Pearl". Broke the old girl in by mixing up some bread dough. Enough for one loaf. I think that I heard her snicker at me. You just wait, little Pearl...you'll get yours!

And then, I also received a great present from Dad & J:
(anyone want to find a better picture? I don't know how to get rid of the "Free Shipping" promo)

Yeppers, it is a Roomba Red. A Robotic Vaccume. And it works strangely wonderful.Welcome to the future, Mrs. H! Now, clean your floor!

And MIL suprised me with this beauty, which is just about killing me to not start RIGHTTHISVERYSECOND!!!

DH & I spent yesterday together. We went to the office and helped out for a minute, then breakfast at Shirley's Coffee Shop and then up to GAIN to help out for a while. The rest of the day was spent watching Fraggle Rock Season one, disc one. And eating shrimp.

Our little world is changing. Saipan will be home this spring. Many other things that are fresh and new planned for this year. Can't spill the beans yet, but it should be fun!

Peace.

(d2)

So many things to do!

Can you believe that the end of the year is so quickly approaching? I feel like I have so many things to do, and so little time. It doesn't help that I have to get the Christmas packages all sorted out (nevermind bought, made or whatever) and sent ahead of time due to mailing time.

No clue what we are doing for Dad & J.

Here is a little somethin' I finished up for Mom. I am slightly disappointed because it looks like a potholder. I should have finished it in the heart shape like DH suggested (post ipso facto). Oh well. I hope she likes it.



I have asked Dad & J for "ATS" along with the GAST and linen... *gasp*. I know it is a long shot, but she keeps pestering me what "What do you want for Christmas?????". My mind draws a blank when I hear that question. I have very few wants (mostly because they are $$$)

ATS w/ fibers & linen
Fraggle Rock Season 1 DVD
Coal Miner's Daughter DVD
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory DVD
I-Pod (In my dreams according to DH)
Mirabilia Christmas Elf Fairy Limited Edition Kit, yeah it is pricey

I think that is it.

I want to know if we are moving to Saipan next year.

Gardening:
Have you ever seen a purple green bean? I really have to take a picture of it and post it, it is so cool!

Cooking:
I made an apple pie yesterday from scratch, pie crust was my first time making my own. I baked it way too long...turned out to be applesauce pie... :( boooooo....that made me mad. I have never had an apple pie fail like that. But, then again, I have always bought the ready made crust. Next time I will trust my instincts and not rely on a dumb cookbook if I am not going to follow ALL of the directions. The crust turned out great. I had envisioned a perfect steaming "Mile High Pie" ala Martha, but nope, not in my life. Kinda comical. DH is such a great sport.

We canned 3 quarts of spicy carrots yesterday. I am really digging this canning business. I just wish that we had the correct set up. You know, a regualar canning bath, jar lifter (instead of cooking tongs and a towel and a prayer that the jar won't slip from the tongs and splash into the boiling water before I can get the towel around it), etc. So far we have done a quart of hot green beans and the afore mentioned carrots. I really want to make the canned "Apple pie in a jar" that I have read about.

We just need to move to a farm where I can be a proper country girl and have a huge walk in pantry.

And my own craft room that I don't have to share with the guest bed.

Thailand in 3 days!

Peace.

A fresh start

So, I just deleted all of my old posts. They were too personal. I have wanted to start commenting on other's blogs and not have them think I was a troll or something if I didn't put my blog address.

This blog will focus mostly on what my main objectives were from the start: Cross Stitch, cooking, gardening, pets, quilting, etc.

STITCHING:

This is the ornament that I did for the STO ornament exchange. It is by La D Da and is from the JCS 2005 Ornament issue. Suprising to me, I only need the 1997 & 1998 issues to complete my collection! Unfortunately those are the most $$ and rarest. Someday.

I have about 95% done on Mom's breast cancer one by JABC. I need to wash, iron, attach buttons and then figure out if I want to finish it into a door hanger or a small bag. Maybe I will post a picture to the STO group with my ideas and see what they think.

I have decided that I am going to start a rotation. Need it to keep everything moving. I think that I have 2 major WIP's that really are being neglected. So maybe that will help. I have talked to AuntCarol about her rotation and she has given me many pointers. I truly love the power of the internet for the ability to make friends and form bonds with complete strangers.

Quilting:
I really need to get cracking on Mom's quilt and finishing it up. Mostly just need to find undyed muslin for the backing and the batting. Here's hoping that it won't cost me an arm and a leg. Really really have to start IL's quilt also if I want to be done in time to ship it to them for Christmas. Where does the time go?

Gardening:
Our garden is coming along well, have you ever seen a purple green bean? It isn't green, but purple. I need to take a picture of it this week. Tomatoes are getting tall. The squash is flowering but at the same time looking like it wants to kick the bucket any time. Not holding my breath on that one.

I need to decide what I am going to work on next and mapping out a rotation schedule. Going to take something with me to stitch when we go tomorrow night for DH's poker game. I guess that the host's wife also stitches! WOO HOO! Finally! I miss KT and our stitch 'n bitch sessions.

Peace.