Criss Cross "Cross" Coasters

I traveled 60 miles one way to my Greenbrier County office today. The sun was shinning and most of the snow melted. It was a peaceful drive with my thoughts to myself. Lots of executive decisions made during the drive. I won't bore you with the Home Health business decisions, but I decided I would finish my table runner this evening, even if it isn't perfect, I'll use it in the RV and with all the kids coming and going I won't worry about cool aid spills, then I'll trash it after it has a few stains.

I rushed home this evening after a quick trip to Joann's, I needed to use my 50% off coupon. I quickly cooked a beef roast in the pressure cooker with mushrooms and onions and added sour cream after cooking for a thickening. We ate and I cleaned up the mess and headed upstairs to tackle my table runner, and I literally tackled and attacked the darn thing. After stretching and pulling, pushing, pinning, and cussing, I got the large blocks to fit together decently. Not perfect by any means. It does not lay perfectly flat but maybe my quilting will help that.

The biggest problem with this pattern is my choice of colors and fabric. I should have limited the number of different charm squares and the strips should be all the same fabric. This has been a learning lesson and I'm please with what I've learned. I am definitely going to make this again with different fabrics. I'm not down and out yet.


I made criss cross coasters with the left over small squares. This is a different take on the Criss Cross, I guess you might say they are criss cross "cross" coasters. These did not turn out too bad. I'm going to make them again using only two colors of fabric one color for the cross and another for the blocks.
If any one attempts this before I get around to it, please let me know and send pictures.

TGIF in about 5 minutes. The weekend will fly by. I have my stitching list ready for the weekend. I may stay up all night Friday night and sew......stitch my flannel PJ's. A twist on the old adage...make it today, wear it tonight. I'll make it tonight and wear it in the morning. I love an all nighter......

Book Sense and Quilting

I've been dabbling a little in quilting off and on over the past couple of years. Most of my quilting is tote bags and sweatshirt jackets. When I upgraded my 200 and got the BSR I thought I had the quilting bug, but it really never bit that hard. I've read every blog out there about quilting (OK, not really every blog but lots and lots of quilting blogs), watched PBS, Fons and Porter and America Sews, etc., joined lots of quilting groups, read magazines, bought several books, all about quilting. I've never taken an actual quilting class. So with all this book sense you would think....I can do it, I've got the knowledge......READ ON!

I have four packs of Moda Prairie Paisley charm squares and three Jelly Rolls. I made a tote with about twenty squares, so do the math, I have about 150 charm squares left. I decided I'd give a table runner a try. I starched the charms and jelly rolls, cut them diagonally and cut the strips down to size. Pieced the charms with the strips. Guess what, some of the squares don't match up. The charms are not all the exact same size. Look at the bottom of the picture and notice the two small squares are about 1/2 inch off. They won't match up. Boohoo, I'm aggravated. I need to cut some more charms and piece some more small squares. I need one more large block and then hopefully I can square up my blocks enough to stitch the large blocks together. These colors do not match my house. I started out with plans to make a small lap quilt for my RV. I have the red, and blue theme going on inside the RV. Almost immediately the charms did not cooperate, so I made an executive decision (sure sounds good) to change from a lap quilt to a table runner for the table in the RV. If I can't get the large squares to square up and match up, they will be potholders in a millisecond, I won't even have to think about this one. When I get finish, I either post pictures of a table runner or half dozen pot holders.
I dropped off my textile pictures at Hobby Lobby for framing after work this evening. They will be ready for pick up on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project.
After I finish this table runner or potholders, depending on how it goes, I'm going to start on my flannel PJ bottoms and embroider T-shirt tops to match. I'll need these when we start camping, it'll be cold at night for the first couple of months. Don likes to keep the heat in the RV down low, and I freeze to death. I believe the BIG M is finally over.

Snowy, Cold, Monday

It's snowing and cold outside. I just want to leave work, go home, bake bread to warm up the kitchen, put on my flannels, and curl up with a good book and my fleece blanket.

Pictures

I spent Saturday working on my pictures for my sewing room. I completed two more, re-stitched one, and added new borders to the others. I think they are finally ready to frame. I wanted to embroider two more but I think I already have enough for a wall mural . I have a few other pictures that I plan on adding to the arrangement.

We went out to eat with friends at "Pies and Pints" and then later Saturday night I finished the other set of coasters that were already cut out. These little cross cut coaster are really fun to make. I keep telling myself, "you don't need any more coaster," or I'll make two dozen, just for the "fun of it". I used them with my coffee this morning. Sorry the pictures are really bad, I just can't get used to the new camera, I'm just about ready to go back to using the old Olympus.
We did not go skiing, and I really accomplished at lot around the house this weekend. I can't believe how fast the weekend passed. There won't be many more weekends and we'll be camping, the campground opens in 35 days.

Don is trying to find a good deal on airline tickets, I think we'll go to FL sometime in March. I'd like to visit with my parents and there are some really good deals on property, we need to try and find a good deal, buy something now, and have it for our retirement. That's if we can afford to retire.....our 401K is well, you know, I don't even like to think about it. And I really don't see it getting any better over the next four years! And that's if the government doesn't take it all in taxes.

Lots and Lots of Fun

My order arrived from Nancy's Notions. I wanted the sixth finger stiletto,(not pictured) also bought 3 yards of Birdseye Diaper Cloth, to make lint less dish towels and 3 yards of insul-bright to cover my pressing board, two sweatshirts to embroider, three t-shirts to embroider, a denim shirt to embroider and wear as a jacket, and a sweatshirt make over pattern and a t-shirt makeover pattern.(not pictured) It's amazing how fast I can order new supplies compared to the rate that I finish my new projects.
Tonight after I got home from Greenbrier county, Don and I had dinner out, and then I completed the coasters that I cut out last night. I made the simple cross cut coaster that were so popular a few months ago, I'm always behind. I have 4 more cut out to stitch together tomorrow.

I need to finish my embroidery pictures for the wall in my sewing room. It started out being 5 pictures but I keep finding stuff I want to embroider and frame. I said I wasn't going to show pictures of the designs until I have them framed. At the rate I'm going that will be spring. No, hopefully, they will be completely finished and hanging on the wall by next weekend. I can not deal with unfinished projects, it drives me insane. If I see its hopeless and I've lost my spirit and I'm not going to finish it....in the trash it goes or to someone that wants to finish it. Mostly it's filed in T.



I'll recover the stools in the kitchen this weekend and make new seat pillows for the chairs. This is a must do job rather than let us have fun. We bought new stools for the table and the fabric does not match the kitchen, and the cushions on the chairs need replaced. Hopefully by next week I'll have the other pictures embroidered and every one framed.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend, It was 60 degrees in WV today, a good way to start the weekend. We may go to the ski slopes tomorrow with friends. I may spend my time in the lounge and let Don hit the slopes. I don't know if my ACL (knee) repair will allow me to ski this year. The screws in my knee are aggravating me. I always knew I had a screw loose some place and it finally surfaced LOL.

Home Alone

Don's out of town for the week, he's in PA meeting with the DEP and the attorney's. Wining and dining while I'm here "home alone" working myself to the bare bone. NOT....I'm enjoying my time, still working on my pictures for the wall in my sewing room. I decided to re-stitch the one that the stabilizer shrank when I ironed the attached border.

Not having to cook dinner every night sure does allow more time for play in the evenings. But I stayed up late last night, washed all the clothes, cleaned the kitchen really good, and still had plenty of time to embroider.

Yesterday I let the dogs out when I got home from work....forgot about them. About 2 hours later when I called for them, they would not come. Frightened me into a panic, especially with Don out of town. I called and called for them, rang the door bell...that usually gets them home, they think someone is here other than me, started the car with the remote starter....hoping they would think we were going bye, bye...still no dogs. Finally after about 5 minutes here they came. They did not feel cold and it was about 19 degrees outside.....hummm they were inside some one's house. They go visiting sometimes, the neighbors love them. But I really wish they would not let my dogs inside their house! I have a feeling they are feeding them also, my lab has gain an enormous amount of weight. I've cut her food back to two cups per day for the last 3 months and she has gained more weight. I'm glad the neighbors, really it's more like the neighborhood, like my dogs. I have very well behaved animals. They stay in their yard and I have never tied or leashed them. My lab will heel for miles and miles on a walk, we never leash them, except to go to the vet. The only reason they have started leaving the yard recently is the neighbors to the back of our house are feeding them and letting them in their house. If I see the dogs going over there and call them they come right back. But I have catch them in the act. Who wouldn't go next door for a free hot meal when all you get at home is dry food and reduced fat to boot. I suspect they go to their back door and bark to get in. The couple is elderly and in their 80's. Years ago they would not have let the dogs in the house, I think they are lonely and want company. I've spoke with them about this but apparently it did no good. I guess the responsibility falls on me, as it should, and I will keep a better eye on my dogs.

I'm headed out the door to work, I'm going to finish the other three embroidered pictures this evening after work.....no dinner again tonight...and hopefully get them finished so I can have them framed this weekend. The sun is shinning on the snow, it is a beautiful day.

Snow, Snow, Snow!

Snow, snow, and more snow. It's going to snow all week and we have this much on the ground already. Wishing for Spring and it's only the middle of January. I guess I should not wish time away.

Women and Financial Planning

I received this in an e-mail this morning and thought I would share......

Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business.

When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a wife with which to share his fortune.

One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.Her natural beauty took his breath away.

I may look like just an ordinary man,' he said to her, but in just a few years, my father will die, and I'll inherit $65 million.'

Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later, she became his stepmother.

Women are so much better at financial planning than men.

Vanilla Infusion Kit & Other Sunday Night Ramblings

I've been making my own vanilla with this infusion kit. The bottle comes with the vanilla bean. You add premium vodka and keep it in a dark, dry, cool, environment for three months. After that you can use the vanilla and replenish it with more vodka for up to 7 years. I started the one on the right back in March 08. I started the second one about two weeks ago. It has not matured yet. This is very good vanilla but not quite as good as the Rose and Ivy Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. I think I will add Bourbon to the Infusion Kit for the next batch.
I spent most of the weekend stitching out embroidery designs that I am planning on framing. I finished four of the five. I added borders to three. I still have one more stitch out and borders to add to two more. I want to take them to Hobby Lobby and have them framed for my sewing room. I'm in the process of reorganizing, rearranging, and redecorating my space. I'm going to wait until I have the embroidery designs framed before I post pictures. But I can tell you I spent about 15 hours working on these little pictures. One of the designs was 92 minutes of stitching time and 31 thread changes. All are vintage sewing machines, spinning wheels, and sewing designs, with a Victorian era flare.

I made one BIG mistake...I forgot to steam shrink my cut away stabilizer, after I added the border pressed the miter corners, what a wrinkled mess I had. I tried cutting the stabilizer in every little corner and curve, but it still is not flat. I may have to do this one over.....it's the 92 minute/31 thread change design. I normally use tear away but since these were pictures I wanted permanent stabilizer, but not a wrinkled mess. After that mess, I threw the entire 3 yards of cut away into the washing machine and washed it on gentle with hot water, threw it in the dryer and pressed it. I won't make the same mistake twice.

I'm gradually getting through my list of projects. I'm skipping around and not going in my planned order but it's getting done. I want to work on my market basket but I do not need it until March when we start camping. My grandson is coming in the first weekend in February so I'll start working on the little outfits I have to embellish with embroidery after I cover the new stools we bought for the kitchen.

I know you're saying "enough ramblings"....okay I concede, "Hope everyone has a good Monday." I dread it, wish I could stay home and finish my pictures. I'll work on them tomorrow night after work and dream about them all day.

Panettone Bread Pudding with Amaretto Sauce

I made Panettone Bread Pudding this afternoon. I love this Italian bread that you can only find in the states around Christmas. I usually stock up when it comes into season. I find it at Sam's; this year I bought four loaves. I have a recipe to make the bread from the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day book, I even bought the Panettone paper wraps from King Arthur Flour to bake the bread in, but I didn't get around to it this year. I also make French toast with the Panettone, it is delicious.

Panettone Bread Pudding with Amaretto Sauce

Sauce:
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup half and half
6 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup amaretto liqueur
5 teaspoons cornstarch

Pudding:
1 (2-pound) loaf panettone bread, crusts trimmed, bread cut into 1-inch cubes
8 jumbo eggs
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/4 cups sugar

To make the sauce:
Bring the cream, milk, and sugar to a boil in a heavy small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. In a small bowl, mix the amaretto and cornstarch to blend and then whisk into the cream mixture. Simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Set aside and keep warm. (The amaretto sauce can be made 3 days ahead, cover and refrigerate, re-warm before serving.) Personally, I don't cook this too long after I add the Amaretto, I do not want to cook the alcohol up, I think it reduces the flavor.

To make the bread pudding: Lightly butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish. Arrange the bread cubes in the prepared dish. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, milk, and sugar to blend. Pour the custard over the bread cubes, and press the bread cubes gently to submerge. Let stand for 30 minutes, occasionally pressing the bread cubes into the custard mixture. (Recipe can be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead, cover and refrigerate.)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake until the pudding puffs and is set in the center, about 1 hour. Cool slightly. Spoon the bread pudding into bowls, drizzle with the warm amaretto sauce, and serve.
Paula Deen says on her show, "I wish we had "smell-a-vision" so you could smell this wonderful........" I wish we had "smell-a-blog" so you could smell this wonderful Panettone Bread Pudding or better yet, "taste-a-blog" so I could share a bowl with you.
I have no self control, I had to sample it HOT OUT OF THE OVEN. Don will have to heat his up when he gets home. (if there's any left)

Table Cloth, Napkins, and Coasters

I found this tablecloth and napkins set today and it really reminded me of camping. I need to make this for our RV before the end of March. I have some blue fabric similar to this fabric and the pictures reminded me of my stash. I was planning on making quilted placemats with the fabric but I think I will make a tablecloth and put the rick rack around the edge. I always think of rick rack being so old fashion, something my mother would have added to my dresses or her aprons. But seeing it added to the napkins really adds character.

I like this quilted coaster set. I'll going to use the idea but add rubber sheeting fabric between the batting and the fabric to make the coasters more water proof. I purchased the rubber sheeting fabric last year to make a changing pad for my grandson and did not get around to the project. He's almost old enough to potty train, I don't think he needs the pads now. So I'm re-inventing a use for the rubber sheeting.

My new iron arrived last night. I bought the Digital Conair Iron with the Crafters Choice Auto Shut Off and a light. I'm sure I will love the choice of shutting off the Auto Shut Off, which I hate. As far as the light, I've never had an
iron with a headlight. I don't know if this is advantageous or not. I usually don't have too much trouble seeing when I iron, nor do I have a habit or ironing in the dark. After I test drive it I'll let you know.

TGIF! I have so much to do this weekend. I hope I can stay home the entire weekend. I love weekends when I do not leave the house from the time I get home from work on Friday until I go back on Monday morning. I usually get rested up and accomplish so much. I'd like to embroider my tote this weekend. We'll see.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Friday and looking forward to a good weekend. It will be a cold one in West Vifginia!

It's Possible

My sister-in-law just sent a picture of the tote she embroidered, so it is possible. Now this makes me bound and determined to get mine embroidered.

Snow

This is what we woke up to this morning and the wireless thermometer said the temperature was -7 degrees. I took the picture from our bedroom window. The sun shinning on the snow is absolutely beautiful.

Toting Attitude

I've looked forward all day to working on my Market Tote this evening after work. So far it's not going well. I usually do not have trouble hooping anything, I hoop sweatshirts, can koozies, duffel bags, jeans, etc. For the life of me I cannot get this market tote hooped. I know how to do hoopless embroidery and I plan on using the technique with this tote but I cannot get a hoop to fit and then bring the bottom of the tote up out of the way. There's no way the mega hoop is working, so I settled for the large oval and I will adjust the size of the design or heaven forbid re-hoop.


The way I see it, I have three choices: 1. take the stitches out of the bottom of the tote so it will lay flat 2. buy the pattern and make a tote to fit the frame, I can embroider before I stitch the tote together 3. buy the new Bernina 830 or Happy Voyager so I have a bigger embroidery field. The practical side says "take the darn bottom out of the tote and quit complaining, just do it.

I had a bad day at work, didn't get a break all day, cooked homemade spaghetti for dinner (I still need eggs or chickens in the backyard before I can make the quiche), set up Don's new computer, and now I want to sew, not rip seams out. So much for the attitude. I'll just read my e-mail, I'm about 85 messages behind, drink a glass of wine, and I'll feel better, and then go to bed early. Why make sewing a chore, when it stresses me, it's time to quit. Tomorrow is another day!

Here is what the frame to the Market Tote looks like.

Chickens in the Back Yard

I stopped by the store on the way home from work, picked up heavy cream and crab meat to make a crab meat quiche. The store was packed, it started snowing and everyone in town thinks they need to run to the store when it starts snowing. Thank goodness for my food stash, but I really wanted to make the quiche for dinner and I needed cream and crab meat, that's all. I hurried home, booted up the computer to get the recipe, first ingredient; eggs, three of them, I have two in the refrigerator. I need some "chickens in the back yard". My niece has chickens in her back yard, she said she always has plenty of eggs, too many eggs, she needs to sell eggs. She's a city girl from Chicago and now, at the age of 25, she has chickens in her back yard in Tennessee. I need one more egg. I'm not going back out to the store. Once I'm home from work, I'm home to stay. I could call Don, he can bring eggs home, but it will be too late to bake quiche when he gets home. I like dinner on the table when he walks in the door. We'll just eat the left over turkey casserole we had last night, it was good. I really wanted to save it for my lunch tomorrow but we'll eat it tonight.

If anyone is interested, here's the recipe for my crab meat quiche. I already have the crust made and ready to roll out. Let me know if it's good....

Crab Meat Quiche
3 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 c. heavy cream
3/4 c. milk
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1/3 lb. crabmeat,
3 tbsp. celery, chopped fine
3 tbsp. scallions, chopped fine
4 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped fine
3 tbsp. white wine
Pastry for one 9 inch pie
Pick over the crabmeat to remove bits of the shells and cartilage. Combine the crabmeat, celery, onion, parsley, and wine; refrigerate one hour. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a 9 inch quiche pan (or pie plate) with pastry and prick the pastry; bake for 5 minutes.
Spread the crabmeat mixture in the prebaked pastry shell. Combine the eggs, milk, cream, nutmeg, and salt and pepper; mix until blended. Pour over the crabmeat mixture. Bake for 10 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for about 20 minutes longer or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and top is nicely browned.

Scarves, Scarves, and More Scarves

I guess I was jealous of the dogs new scarves so I stitched a couple for me last night. I found fabric in my fabric closet that I purchased last year for scarves. A little piece of fabric will make a nice scarf for half the cost of buying ready made. I used this #64 foot, the rolled hem foot, to hem the scarf. It was really easy. I wear scarves to work over a sweater frequently in winter months. Same sweater with lots of different scarves creates lots of different outfits for very little cost. (sorry the pictures are still bad, the learning curve thing!) I started to serge the edges with the rolled hemmer on the serger, I'm sure it would be faster but, this little #64 foot did a fantastic job with my 200/730. I was playing with some decorative stitches on the machine and came up with this scarf for Valentines day. I used a scrap piece of fabric, not cost for this one other than thread. I'm having a problem with blogger enlarging my photos when you click on them. I'm working on getting it fixed. Last night I got instructions on how to re-link my photos but it did not work. I'll see again today is someone on the blogger list can help.

Monday, It's Almost Over

Collapsible Market Tote

Have you seen the Collapsible European Market Tote? My sister-in-law bought me one and I plan on embroidering WV on the side. (it's blue) I want to get a couple more and embroider initials on the side for gifts. The baskets collapse for easy storage and are perfect for transporting my groceries to the RV every weekend, lunch on the boat, tailgating, grocery shopping, going to the pool or beach, the uses are endless. I need to work on my design in the Artista software before I embroider it. Probably do a test stitch out first. I do not want to mess up my tote. The canvas comes off of the metal frame and therefore it is easy to embellish with embroidery. I also found this pattern to make your own collapsible market tote. I think I'll start with emblishing a ready made tote and if it goes well then maybe I'll order the pattern and make one.

Lazy Day

I spent most of yesterday being lazy. It was very cold outside and rainy. Don spent the day at his shop cleaning things up, with him out of the house, I just rested. I did quickly stitch up the dog collars and scarves. Now that Monday is here.....I wish I was more productive yesterday. I'll do better this week. I need to learn how to use the camera and all the photo software in my computer. That is another New Year's resolution. The flash is showing in this picture. The software would probably fix it but it would take me an entire day to figure it out. I'll work on that one evening while I'm being lazy. I have Corel Paint Shop Pro 2X, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter Essentials 4, Olympus Master 2, and various other free photo and painting programs. So it appears I have the tools. I just need the knowledge. I also need to read the manual that came with my new camera, that would probably help.

I'll take a picture of the dogs this evening when I get home from work, sporting their new wardrobe.

Wrong Bathroom Phobia?

Do you have a fear of walking into the wrong bathroom? Often I've read the words on the door twice just to make double sure it's the women's room. We ate at Red Lobster tonight (not my favorite restaurant), we had a gift card. After shopping for several hours we both needed a break. After being seated and ordering Don excused himself to the men's room. He returned shortly laughing hysterically! He could hardly control his laughter to tell me the story....... He entered the men's room, one gentleman was using the only urinal, another washing up at the only sink, both stalls were occupied. Don leaned up against the wall and waited his turn. The stall door opened and OUT WALKED A WOMAN! Looking at Don she said, "are you in the right.......(now looking at the man using the urinal) Oh my, I'm in the wrong place," and the red faced lady walked out the door. All three gentlemen started laughing, loud, they are sure the lady (probably about 60ish) heard them. The man at the urinal said, surely when she entered the restroom she noticed the urinal.....that should have been a dead give away.....maybe she didn't.
About 5 minutes later we noticed the "wrong restroom lady" leaving the restaurant, Don said he should have waved but he controlled himself. Why embarrass someone again who was already terribly embarrassed.

After we finished eating I went to the restroom, carefully reading the words on the door. The TP roll was empty in my stall and when I washed up there were no paper towels to dry my hands nor a hand dryer. Another lady also shared my same predicament. As we walked out of the restroom we were both shaking our hands. I sat and down and explained to Don the situation in the woman's room and shaking dry, everything, and he politely said, "you should have used the men's room, that's what they do at Red Lobster, how long has it been since you ate here?" Red Lobster is not my favorite restaurant and that did not change tonight. We arrive home too late for any other activities (cooking, sewing, etc) so I'll have a lot of catching up to do tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

I'm still not over my "wrong restroom phobia," it's probably worse after tonight. I'm traumatized, just knowing it can and does happen, HELP ME........I'll have to read the door three times now and ask directions....

Busy Saturday

I ready wanted to sew, cook, set up Don's computer and finish organizing my sewing room today. Like always, all good plans change around here. Don wants to go to Charleston to exchange some Christmas presents before everything is picked over. It's not a bad idea. I need to exchange an outfit and my Bernina Dealer is having their semi-annual teachers open house. The new winter class schedule is out and the shop has an open house where you can see the projects, meet the instructors, and sign up for classes. I think I'll take one class some time in February. After we start camping I don't have time. I'll probably run by the Bernina Shop and take a quick look.

I started cleaning out my sewing room closet last night. I worked until 2 AM. It's probably about half finished. Refolding all the fabric is a real pain. I want to re-arrange the furniture also, now is the time to move the computer cabinet before I get Don's new desk top set up. I use my laptop with a docking station on my sewing table, that's not too bad to move, but it won't be moving anyway.

I'll sew my dog scarves tonight. I found some silk (real silk) in the closet. I'll make a couple of scarves for me when I do the dog scarves. It will be a scarfing night.

Maxine

The Tote is Finished....

Finally! I thought I would never finish this project. Working only a little every night, it took four nights, unbelievable. I've had too many interruptions this week.

I'll start on the dog scarves tomorrow night. I'm going to use this brown and blue cotton fabric and they will be reversible. Paws on one side and circles on the other. I'll probably do a decorative stitch that will show on the paw print side just to add some interest to the scarves.

It snowed about three inches last night and the ice under the snow made driving dangerous this morning. Route 19 was closed from about 6AM until 9AM, some kind of traffic accident. The DOT closed the road after the accident so they could clear the accident and salt the roads. Route 19 is a major four lane highway and my route to work. I waited until the road opened before I left for work. Days like this make me want to quit my job and stay home, hibernate like a bear. The weather report says no more snow until Saturday night, but very very cold. Yuck....I hate cold weather.

We have lot to do this weekend. I bought Don a new desktop computer for Christmas and we have yet to set it up. I guess we need to set it up this weekend. He is using a laptop for everything without a docking station and that can be a real pain. He's looking forward to the huge monitor, new programs etc. I had the computer customized and ordered everything wireless. I hate all the wires that it takes to connect the computer. Our internet connection, printer, fax, and scanner are wireless so why not have everything wireless. The only two connections will be the power cord and the monitor cord.....wonderful. No rats nest (wires) underneath the desk.

Flooding in West Virginia

The rain continues for the 6th straight day. Our creeks and rivers are leaving their banks and as I'm typing it still continues to pour the rainy snowy mess outside. I traveled to my Greenbrier County office today, it is about 60 miles northeast from my home. It poured the rain non stop all the way. The fog was so thick you could not see more than 50 yards in front of your vehicle. I was using my defensive driving skills today. Watch out for the other guy because he may not see me and hopefully I see him first. I stopped along the way and shot a picture of the New River. This river is normally very shallow in this part of the state. You can wade across the the river and fish in the summer. The water is so high today that white water rapids were roaring. I mark a red arrow on the picture where normally a little tiny stream of water trickles into the River, today the little stream was a huge creek with rapids rolling down the hill.
I think these trees forgot to lose their brown leaves in the fall. They are hanging onto them in January. It is strange to see leaves on any trees this time of year. We've had several wind storms lately and all the leaves should fall during a wind storm. Oh, I should never question an act of God. The pictures are not good because of the dense fog, but you can see what a terrible day we experienced. If the snow we're having tonight keeps falling then the rivers will stop over flowing, temporary, until the snow starts to melt. We will see what tomorrow brings, we really need sunshine to brighten our spirits. I can certainly see why so many West Virginians become depressed in the winter (after the holidays). The weather alone is depressing and makes it hard for our elderly population to get outside and enjoy fresh air.

I found these cute little reproduction 1930's tin boxes at Joann's Fabric today when I stopped in to pick up the Pellon Fusible Fleece. They came with 4 spool of Gutermann's Thread. I put my red straight pins in one. The antiquity of the tins goes with the machine.
I did not get my tote bag finished tonight, although I junked up my sewing room working on it. I used the Bernina 200/730 with the BSR for quilting the lining, the walking foot for quilting the front of the tote, the Singer for piecing the inside pockets and outside envelope pocket. I'm pleased with the results so far, but not pleased with the amount of time it's taking me to finish. I seriously doubt if I finish it tomorrow night. I'll be working late and by the time I cook dinner and wash clothes, my stitching time is limited. The pocket is only pinned to the front section of the tote but all the quilting is finished except for the handles that are not even cut out.

I have the fabric out and ready to make my dog's scarves, as soon as the tote is finished. They're tired of being naked. The neighbors are asking about their scarves, they usually have a different scarf every month.

I have Baby Lima beans soaking tonight. We'll have beans cooked in the pressure cooker tomorrow evening. I have beef brisket to cook one night this week but I marinate it over night first, so it will have to wait until the Thursday. I'm tore between smoking it or slow baking in the oven. I want to make the Pioneer Woman's Brisket Recipe so I'll probably opt for the oven. If you don't like Beef Brisket ( I don't) you'll love it prepared the Pioneer way.

I just looked at the clock and it's Wednesday already, so HAPPY HUMP DAY, especially to all those who work a 40 hour week outside their homes. We're half way up the hump and ready to come down the back side so we can play on the weekend. Enjoy your Wednesday.