Quiet Week

We're enjoying a quiet week...and DS is starting to act bored.

DH and I celebrated our anniversary Monday by going out to eat.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.  Unfortunately, even though we've eaten at this place many times before with no problems, the service that night was TERRIBLE...from waiting way to long for orders to be taken, food delivered (and incorrectly--the ceasar salad had no dressing), and waiting so long for the waitress to take up our check.  DH is very easygoing and never does this....but it was so bad that he left a tiny tip this time.  We're hoping that was just a bad night but we'll think long and hard before going there again.

It's been really hot and humid here in SE TX but I managed to drag myself out every weekday morning for my fitness walks.  That shower afterwards sure feels good after getting all sweaty!

I got to stitch some more this week.  I'm awaiting an order from 123 Stitch including Betsy's House and also the materials needed to stitch an old Carriage House Samplings pattern I borrowed.  In the meantime I stitched part of Prairie Schooler's July for an exchange block.

I also worked a bit on my LK Fat Guys and Snow Belles project, working on the Snow House block.  (I have a theory that if I'm thinking about snow, it may help me think it's not quite so hot.)  The lighting for this picture isn't great but you get the idea.

I also pulled out my wip of One Nation (ByGone Stitches) to work on for a bit.  It had been so long since I worked on this one that I'd forgotten that it's stitched with one strand on 36 count.

Nikki released a design that I model stitched for her, Stars and Stripes.  This was a fun one to stitch and so cute!

You can see it all framed up on her website here:

Country Cottage Needleworks

On the cooking front...I've been seeing banana pudding recipes posted a lot lately on Facebook and it's made me want some.  So, I looked up a recipe online and made some today.  I don't remember the last time I'd had some but I don't remember a meringue on top, but that's what this recipe called for.  It was really good but I think next time I'll just stick to making the pudding and skip the meringue.  (You know, the way we eat things like that as a child is the "right" way.  Besides, it was INSANE to have the oven on when it's this hot.  lol!)

Until next time.....

Happy stitching!

Small beach themed finish

I was in the mood to stitch something "beachy" so, being the serial starter that I am, I put down my wips and stitched this little piece taken from PS July.

I also ordered some stash from 123 Stitch and it's on its way.  I may even start something new when it arrives.  lol!

I've been increasing my walking distances this week toward where I was before I let myself decrease it.  It's really hot and humid now so I really have to push myself to do it.  I feel so much better when I exercise, though, so it's worth it.

Happy stitching!

Actually stitched!

Graduation weekend was a whirlwind!  It was great having all the "kids" under one roof, even if it was for such a short time.  Sunday started what felt like Grand Central Station around here.  T left for orientation, DH left for a business trip, and 2 of our kids flew back to their homes.  I spent a few days in Austin (drove that college student back) while  youngest DS was at his college orientation.  (He's "pumped" after attending this and looking forward to starting in the fall.  His older sibs told him to always take advantage of free food and t-shirts whenever the opportunity arose and he managed to take advantage of both this trip.)

Almost every time I drove somewhere in Austin, I took the "scenic route" (got lost.)  I hate Austin traffic, especially 35!

Gingers has been closed for a while now but I visited a needlepoint shop:

Needleworks

While I don't do needlepoint (other than trying out simple pieces years ago), they have loads of beautiful canvases and models.  Since they also carry some of the same specialty flosses we cross stitchers use, I bought a few while I was there.

I started a new sampler called "True Virtue".  I bought it off ebay;  it is from an unknown magazine but appears to be from one of the JCS publications.  Since I have all the JCS magazines and don't remember seeing it, I'm thinking it may be from one of the SANQ issues that I don't have.

Don't faint but I also worked a bit on my LK "Guys and Gals" snow people sal.  My intention is to put it back in rotation and I'm hoping that stitching on it during the summer might trick me into thinking I'm cool.  Yeah, right!

I also signed up for a block exchange in one of my groups, chose something to stitch, and started it yesterday.  Since it's due soon, I think that will take priority until it's finished but it won't take long.  No picture for this one yet.

So far the "lazy days of summer" haven't happened...I wonder if they ever will be.  The house has been neglected so I decided I should start decluttering/reorganizing.  I also have 4 years of band pictures to look at online and pick out the ones I want to buy.  (Since I worked so much with the kids, I didn't take many pictures.  The band photographer takes better pictures anyway.)  We're also planning a trip "home" to visit our parents/family up there.  I'd love to take a "just because" trip somewhere fun but haven't had time to think about it yet....something relaxing.  We'll see.

Happy stitching!

Graduation

All that anticipation and it's already over!

Our older "kids" spent the weekend here to help us celebrate our "baby's" HS graduation.  Pardon the brag but he graduated 8th our of the 522 students in his class.  He's a hard worker and it shows and we're very proud of him.

Our former band director and friend retired a few years ago and he was recently elected school board president.  What a treat that he was the one who awarded DS his diploma!

Not one to let grass grow under his feet, DS is already at his college orientation.  lol!

My needles have been neglected but I'm looking forward to some quality stitching time and hope to have some progress to post next time.

Happy stitching!

Long Time, No See

It's been so busy around here with DS's approaching HS graduation that I've been neglecting my poor blog.

There's not been to much stitching going on around here either although I did finish another model for LHN  (top secret) and also a little fruit themed exchange block for one of my groups.  This came from the LHN design fruit bowls:

Some of the recent activities were 2 piano recitals (one was DS's senior recital):

His last Band-o-Rama followed by his last drum line performance:

(That's him on timpani.)

(After this night, it started to "hit him" that, despite being so excited to move on to college, that he'll really miss many of his friends as they scatter off in different directions.  His group of percussion was like a little close-knit family.)

His last band banquet:

Senior Honors Night where he was awarded with a couple of scholarships and picked up his honor cords (from the local college for excelling in dual credit courses and his summa cum laude cord from the HS):

Yesterday was graduating seniors' day at our church and he played Claire de Lune (Debussy) during the service.  Many people graciously complimented him afterwards.  The pastor was blown away by the fact that he plays it from memory instead of having the music in front of him.

His graduation is this coming Friday.  Our older "kids" start arriving tomorrow night and it will be nice having everyone together to celebrate.

We are blessed!

Happy stitching!

Rita