Friday, February 25, 2011

COUGHING AND READING AND A LITTLE STITCHING

I've got that terrible respiratory virus again, but thank goodness it's on the way out---again. This time it's taking Levaquin and heavy doses of prednisone, but it seems to be working. I have the cutest little red cheeks from the prednisone. Other than that, the world keeps moving!

I've picked up the old needle some, but mostly sit--or lie--quietly reading. Since the last of the year I've been on a new "binge".  I'm picking up on a couple of new authors and different periods of time. And it helps having the Kindle. Much cheaper, easier to read, always there.

CS Harris (Candace Proctor) is an historian who lives with her family in New Orleans. She has developed a character called Sebastian St. Cyr,Vicount Devlin. She describes him as a combination of Darcy and Bond. The novels are set in Regency England (you know: Jane Austen, Napoleon and Crazy Old George III). Well written, attention holder. Can't wait for the next download. She just writes so intelligently. The first of the series:

You can read a little synopsis at Amazon.

Then comes Mel Starr. These are true Medieval mysteries. Hugh de Singleton is a surgeon-turned-baiff in Bamption, England. An excellent surgeon (in this day and age there was a difference in a surgeon and a doctor), an even better detective. I've read the first in the series and am now beginning the second. Really enjoy them.  I'm actually picking up on some historical facts from these books. There are reoccurring characters-including Bruce, the horse- and are wonderful little books.





























There's another Medieval series by Maureen Ash. But we'll get to them another time.

Friday, February 18, 2011

I WOULD BE BREAD PUDDING......

         Edgar had a post on his blog today asking the question of what dessert would we choose to be. 
Here's mine. I've always been a big cheesecake fan, but if it's sweetness and comfort I want, give me good old Bread Pudding. I love Rum Sauce, but Butter Sauce is just as good. And it has to be very warm. Highway to Heaven!                                    
                                        

                                       

NEW ORLEANS BREAD PUDDING WITH RUM SAUCE
 Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights

PUDDING:

1 loaf French bread, torn into chunks
1 qt. milk
2 c. sugar
2 tbsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 c. peeled apples, diced
1/2 c. raisins
3 tbsp. butter, melted

Soak bread in milk for about 30 minutes. Mix sugar, vanilla, eggs and apples. Combine with bread chunks. Spread melted butter on bottom of 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Add bread mixture. Bake at 350 degrees about 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbly and hot.

SAUCE:

1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
Rum to taste, about 3 tbsp.

Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla. Slowly stir in 1 egg, then add the rum. Heat and stir over low heat about 5 minutes. Serve warm over individual pudding servings. Yield: 8 to 10 servings.

Be sure to use French bread. That makes it New Orleansian (new word). And a dollop of whipped cream or French vanilla ice cream on top isn't too bad, either.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

THE TENNESSEE WALTZ?

I'm dancing my Happy Dance this morning just a little. I had a couple of finishes this weekend.

This biscornu is from the 2010 JSC Christmas Ornament Preview issue. I saw it on Daffycat's blog and asked who stitched it (it was a RAK). Patty did it and graciously told me where to find it. Well, of course I couldn't find the issue right away. It was tucked away with my LNS ornies stash. Now it's finished. I stitched it on lavendar fabby from my stash and used a skein of thread also from my stash. Have no idea where I bought it or when! It's in Mardi Gras colors and is called "Royal Robes" from The Dye Is Cast". I liked the fleur de lis because it reminded me of my adopted state.

It's resting in the Valentine's flowers that John, Laura and the kids sent me. They are still fresh and going strong.


And here are three more 2010 LNH ornaments. I had done the stitching-except for one of them-and just sat down and finished them. One more and 2010 will be finished and I can start on 2011.
 

The weather is much improved, but we can expect a few more cool days. DH got up this morning with the crud. Believe me, there's nothing worse than a sick man. Isn't it amazing how women can be at Death's Door and still keep on keeping on!

Okay. Everybody knows that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Alabama fan: alumna, obsessive. The whole kit and kaboodle. One of the requisites for being a Bama fan is a total dislike of anything Auburn ( and it works the other way, too).  Well, Auburn has this little place in Auburn where they all go to celebrate. It's called Toomer's Corners. It seems that the Barners-as we call them- are claiming that a Bammer (that's us) poisoned their 130 year old trees. Bovine Feces (or the other word). It's also being reported that it's  not true. It's going to be interesting because the rivalry is SO strong. God help the Barners if anything happens on our campus. The line in the sand is drawn!! Over trees, of all things.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110217/NEWS/110219660/1007?Title=Police-investigate-Toomer-8217-s-Corner-tree-poisonings

Thursday, February 10, 2011

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD...

now that I can see it again! The laser surgery was a piece of cake and now I can see SO clearly out of my right eye. Can't wait to get the other one done.

This procedure - YAG- is done on people who develope cloudiness in the eyes after cataract surgery, which I had four year ago. It was gradual and was beginning to be a huge problem.

It took less than 10 minutes. I had been given mulitple numbing and dialating drops, so I felt nothing. He put what he called a "contact lens" over my eye (biggest contact I've ever seen) so I wouldn't blink my eye, rested my head on the machine and ping, ping, ping. The only thing I felt was the vibration from the pings. Not painful. What I saw was a bright red light. No lasting image.

I didn't feel anything for awhile. Then the numbing wore off and, okay, it was a little uncomfortable. Aleve took care of it and this morning, no discomfort. I do have to use prednisone drops for four days.

Today I was driving like nothing had happened. I'm so glad I live in such a modern age!

On the stitchy side, I've finished 3 LHN ornies and now have to put them together. One more and I can start on the 2011 ornies.

My friend Ann told me that there was a companion piece to the Creation in GOS. I found it! I've kitted it up and it's in the bag with the biggie.

I ordered two charts. I may never get to them, but they were so perfect. They are by Joan Elliot and are the Musician and the Reader, my two favorite pasttimes.  Here they are:



I've added some pages to the top of the blog. You might check them out from time to time. I have a couple more topics, but just have to buckle down and do it.

Have a great day and happy stitching!

Monday, February 7, 2011

TAP, TAP, TAP, TWIRL.......


This is my Happy Dance for the weekend. It's the Amitie Biscornu from the newest GOS.  I did it on some mottled green fabby and Waterlilies thread from my stash. I finished it last night during the Super Bowl---after an unexpected stop during the National Anthem.  How bad was that?????


I did a little framing last week. I have no idea when I stitched this but I found the little frame at Goodwill and finished this little goody. The colors are really pretty and the birds look really great. It's on 14 ct. Aida and I'm sure they are DMC threads.



This is one of my newest finishes. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" is my favorite hymn.  When I saw this I just had to stitch it. It's on 40 ct. Lakeside Linen with the threads called for. It really is pretty good, if I say so. Not sure where I'm going to hang it. The frame is new, purchased from Hobby Lobby.


Couldn't let this post go by without some shots of my Sweet Baby. This was made this morning while I was snapping the biscornu. Linzie looked like a queen on her throne. Of course she does. She owns this castle!















This was made last Thursday during all the bad weather. The pillow is on the sofa-for my cat naps. She crawled under it during all the rain. What a cutie.

Well, that's all on the home front. I'm going Wednesday morning to have a laser procedure on my right eye. I had cataract surgery four years ago. The doc said then that this could happen but was simple to cure. It's called "after cataracts".  It's a little film that collects on the eye. He's going to use the laser to punch a hole through the film so that my vision clears. No anesthesia. No funny juice. No pain. Takes a few minutes. He's going to do the other eye in six months or so. Can't wait. I've only decimated two mailboxes and pretty well wear my glasses when I need to see at a distance.

I've worn glasses since I was eight. Completely incapacitated without them. I had lens implants when he did the surgery and it's been such freedom. I only use readers when I do my stitching. I can actually pick up a newspaper and read it without glasses. Now I do need something for distance, but that will become-permanently- a thing of the past when this is done. Whooot!

Friday, February 4, 2011

TUSAL, FINISH, PROGRESS


Here's this month's collection of orts for the TUSAL. It looks like alot, but the container is small and there are quite a few thread wrappers. Not to forget that I've been inside for many days--the flu and now this dreadful weather.


 A finish--sort of. This is so funny! And believe it or not, I used the wrong threads. I made a trip to my LNS to purchase them, brought them home and put them in the bag with the chart. Somehow I ended up using thread for one of the Salem Sister's charts. Still looks good! Now what to do with it. Knob knocker, pinkeep, cube, frame......

The Creation. Lovin' it! I'm using some Weeks fabby and I  am crazy about it. So easy to stitch on and the color is wonderful. I'm missing one color-3742-and probably have some in a box somewhere. I'll look around today and if I don't find it I'll try to make a run tomorrow. Besides, I think the newest LHN ornie will be ready. What's a few more projects!!



The Family Sampler. Moving right along. John is wearting his LSU colors and Michael sports a red A on his shirt. Linzie is there along with Marley and Annabell. I'm alternating threads on the house, trying to make it look like bricks.





So here we are. Freezing cold, but supposed to be in the 60's by the weekend. Then another cold spell. I hope it's a little warmer tomorrow. I need to purchase a thread for the Creation and just generally get out of the house. Hope all my buddies in Alabama are surviving okay. We need to make a trip up to check on family but don't want to run into any more bad weather!

A belated Happy Birthday to Donna. Not everyday a girl turns 50. Unfortunately, I don't remember being 50. My Minister of Music turns 45 this week. It occurred to me that I'm old enough to be his mother......

Thursday, February 3, 2011

ADDENDUM

To those who have asked:

Yes, I've started the Creation. Couldn't help it. Believe me when I tell you that the photo does it no justice.  The colors are very rich and the fabric I chose is perfect.  I will post a photo when it gets warm enough to go outside, get in my car and buy some more batteries for my camera!!

It is beautiful.

AND I worked on my favorite blogs list. Added some, took away some.

OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS....

frightful, so I'm going to stitch and work on my blog. It's needed it for a long time, so today is the day.

It's freezing cold outside, and very dreary. No Sunrise Assisted Living today-the ladies from Prairieville can't travel to Baton Rouge: ice on the roads. I'm hoping no orchestra rehearsal tonight. As bad as it is today, it's going to be worse tonight and tomorrow.

So I'm going to be a good girl and do something useful-to me, anyway!! Hopefully Linzie won't want to go out too often.

Here's hoping everyone is keeping warm and safe.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

EVERYTHING HAS COME TO A SCREECHING HALT.....

I stopped by my LNS this morning to pick up some things I had ordered. Well, Diane was helping a customer, so I started walking around and checking things out. Should have stayed in one place.

That's when I saw it. I've been eyeing this chart for awhile, but never did anything because I have the stash-from-hell and if I lived to be 150, I'd never get everything stitched. But there it was. In a stack of newly arrived charts.

Of course, no one had ordered it. Diane bought it for the shop. So naturally, since it was at hand, I had to have it. I came home with the chart and fabby (WDW 30 ct. Cappucino). Since I've been home, I've pulled the threads (DMC). Can I tell you that the whole project is scrummy?!! The colors are wonderful.

So now everything is on hold. I just have to put my fingers to this project. I'm still excited about The Family Sampler, but this one is calling. Maybe I'll put everything away for awhile except these two.

It's "Creation" by Tempting Tangles Designs. Deborah A. Dick is the designer. I sure hope she does more scripture projects. Here it is: