I've gotten the next two pages of the Dance of the Graces done. But now, alas, I'm going to have to put this aside for the time being. I've got some Christmas gifts that are calling for my attention.

I've got two breadclothes, some pillow cases and towels that need to be stitched up. First up is this breadcloth. It's a Rico design. It's supposed to be a table cloth done on 11 count....but I'm doing it on 25 Count Laguna. I will be doing a second one with the same design, but in reverse. The color I'm using is DMC 503. So far, I'm liking how it's turning out.

Tiny Treasures 2 Pumpkin Exhange

I just received my lovely pumpkin exhange from Bonnie at Tiny Treasures 2. She made an ornament using a Lizzie Kate pattern on 32 ct fabric. She matched the fabric to the pattern beautifully! I love the button embellishments! Thank you Bonnie!

Since my last update, I've worked some more on my Dance of the Graces and have completed page 12. I'm really getting excited about the picture now! The next two pages will probably go on fairly fast as they are primarily background and the border...As will the top two rows.




We celebrated DD's 23rd birthday over the weekend (although officially her birthday isn't until tomorrow). She wanted to go to an Italian Restraunt (Maggiano's) for her birthday dinner. So we decided to make a Luncheon out of it. Good thing we did too....Ended up being a three-course dinner that took 3 hours! There was sooooooo much food left that we brought home enough for three full meals for us for later this week! But I have to hand it to her....she KNOWS how to pick her restraunts! The food was FANTASTIC! Not diet friendly by ANY means...but GOOD!



I also had made her an Irish Bread Pudding (at her request) for her "birthday" cake. .... Now I had NEVER made this before, but after scouring the internet finally settled on "Gilliand's Irish Bread Pudding" Recipe. DD loved the pudding. Said it was "almost" as good as what you can get at Les Dune Verna (which is an Irish Restraunt in Glendale, AZ).





My TTE2 partner has received her exchange. I made her a needlebook stitching the pattern over one using a pattern called "Alphabet Pumpkin" by Judy Whitman of JBW Designs. After I was finished with the needlebook and was ready to put it in the mail, I found out that my partner didn't want an item that was Halloween or Fallish in design and was also desiring something for her kitchen. Not wanting to disappoint, I redid the exchange (using the same pattern) but changing the colors to a varigated purple (her favorite color) and doing it larger as a trivett. I sent both off to Jill and received a response that the loved both items and that the needlebook would have been fine all by itself.



Today, I'm making pumpkin puree in preparation for Thanksgiving. Every year I make my Pumpkin pie completely from scratch. Heaven forbid if I should use a canned pumpkin for my Pumpkin Pie! DD can tell...and she will have a coniption! LOL Believe me, I've tried to be lazy upon occasion and used canned and she can tell...how? I don't know...but she can! So.....as soon as the pumpkins hit the store, I buy them, and start puree'ing....




If I have time, I'll also be making Apple Chips later today. Yum!!

Wow...it's been a month since my last post. And a very busy month at that!

During that time, we have put solar panels on our house. We've been told to expect our electric bill to be cut in half. We will see the 1st bill with the solar reflected next month. Time will tell if we made the right choice in putting the panels on the house.

We were also affected by Hurricane Hermine...mostly wind and rain here. Thank god the solar panel installation was complete before the storm hit (all that was needed was for the city to hook us up to the grid). We got about a week to dry out....and now we are dealing with the effects of Hurricane Karl - again mostly rain. So much for solar panels, when all it does is rain! LOL

I am also involved with our HOA (Welcome Committee). Once a month a group of us get together and make our rounds to all the new families in the neighborhood welcoming them with a small package of home baked goods and local information. I spent an entire afternoon making about 23 dozen cookies (Golden Raisin).

During that time, I've also spent working on my Dance of the Graces. I can't believe it took me the entire month to get page 11 done. But done it is.... This is really starting to shape up. I'm at the point now, where I don't want to put it down.

I've also been working on my Pumpkin exchange for TTE2. I've just about got that finished and ready for the mail. I won't post the picture of that goodie until I've received confirmation that my partner has received it in the mail.

WIP update

I've been busy working on my Dance of the Graces and have just finished page 10. I must say the piece is coming along just beautifully! The picture doesn't really pick it up well, but the moon in the background (just coming into the picture) is done in balger and just sparkles! I really think that will be the highlight of the picture when it is finished!




I just signed up for an exchange on TTE2 for the pumpkin exchange...It is the first exchange in a long time and I am looking forward to participating. I have a couple of ideas and not sure which I will go with just yet. Time will tell.

Tried a new recipe the other day from food network by Ellie Kreiger. It was absolutely wonderful and totally satisfying! And best of all it is very heathly for you too!

Grilled Portobello Benedict

My husband, actually has asked me to make this one again!

WOW!!! It's been quite a long time since I last posted and a lot has happened.

I started having severe migraines about the time of my last post that were causing siezures. These got to the point where I was not able to cross stitch, drive or just plain function normally on a day to day basis. Since then, I have been put on anti seizure meds that have controlled (but not eliminated the migraines).

I have also (as of May 28th) retired from my job (after 20 years) as a Sr. Collection Officer at a local credit union. There are days when I do miss my job, but I do NOT miss the stress that went with it. This stress was a major contributor to the migraines. Since retiring I have only had two migraines and both of those have been very mild. YAY!

I am back to cross -stitching! I did sooooo miss doing this.... I working on a HEAD peice called Dance of the Graces which is an adaptation from a piece of art by Selene Fenech. It is a HUGE piece. I started the piece 2 years ago...but had not touched in it over a year due to the seizure situation. Since picking it up again, I have made good progress. Attached is a picture of what I've gotten done so far....

Here's what the finished piece should look like when it's finished.

Now that I've gotten my migraine issues under control, I'm looking forward to rejoining my cross-stitch groups and joining in on some of the exchanges that are being offered. I have missed participating in these as well.