Recipes

I have been out of touch due to some computer trouble. I am still in Vermont and had to get my DH to overnight another laptop up here from CT. Needless to say this laptop does not have my pics on it so I have nothing to show you. I have decided to post a few recipes as they do not require photographs.


First let me thank Brenda, Donna, Jen, and Pokua for participating in the PIF (pay it forward). I really do look forward to stitching something wonderful for each of you! I have started on the first but am also quite busy with upcoming exchanges so it may be a while. I have one more slot for a PIF participant, if you are interested just send me an email.

Now for those recipes...

For those that enjoy a good cookie here is a recipe for:

Snickerdoodles

1/2 C butter or margerine
1/2 C Butter flavored crisco shortening
1 1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 C flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp cinnamon

Preheat oven 400. Mix butter, shortening, 1 1/2 c sugar, and eggs thoroughly. Measure flour by sifting method. Blend flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture. Shape dough into 1" balls. Roll in mixture of 3 tbsp sugar and cinnamon. Place 2" apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. These cookies puff and then flatten out.

Yield: 6 dozen

For those that enjoy the "other white meat" here is a recipe for:

Pork Tenderloin

1 T Olive Oil
1 Clove garlic,minced
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix all ingredients and coat pork - roast 375 for 35 minutes (use a meat thermometer ~ internal temp should read 160). Broil on top rack 5 minutes to brown, let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

For an easy and tasty breakfast dish:

Omelet for two

1/4 pound good thick-cut bacon
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup medium-diced Yukon Gold potato
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 T minced jalapeno pepper
5 extra-large eggs
2 T milk or cream
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly groud pepper
1/4 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts
4 oz extra sharp ceddar, diced, plus grated for garnish

Preheat 350. Cut bacon crosswide in 1" pieces. Cook bacon in 8" ovenproof saute pan over medium-low heat 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Drain the bacon on paper towels and discard fat from pan. Add butter to pan, then add yellow onion and potato. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the onion starts to brown and the potato is tender but firm. Add the jalapeno pepper and cook for 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together with a fork. Stir in the scallions and diced cheese. When the potato is cooked, add the bacon to the pan and pour over the egg mixture. Place the pan in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the omelet puffs and the eggs are almost cooked in the center. Sprinkle with a handful of grated cheese and bake another minute. Serve hot directly from the pan.

Until next time...

Join me in the PIF Exchange

I recently took Julie up on a PIF Exchange and am inviting you to join me. Here is how it works:

I will send a handmade gift (I am very crafty ;-}) to the first 5 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I have no idea what that gift will be and only promise that you will receive it within the next 365 days (certainly sooner than later). The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog (or - in your life - if you happen to be blog-less). I hope you will join me in this exchange. All I need is 5 interested stitchers!

Dollmaking

Woodland Fairy

Speaking of crafty this is a good time to show a few pictures of another craft I like to do: Dollmaking. I have made five of these Woodland FairyDolls. One of them (not this one) I entered into a doll exhibit/contest at a local Quilt Show and she was awarded a second place ribbon. I had never entered a doll into a show so I was very excited to see the ribbon placed next to her. I will post pictures of her soon.

I also entered a very tiny doll into this contest and she was awarded a third place ribbon. Stop back as I will be posting pictures of her as well.

I anxiously await 5 Stitchers to join me in the PIF Exchange so that I can start crafting something special for you!

Until next time...

Fair and Square Exchange Blocks

I joined a great exchange called Fair and Square. With each rotation we are partnered with a different person and we exchange 3" designs stitched on a 7 x 7 piece of 32 ct linen. In addition we send a "signature" square. What each person does with these squares is up to them. Some may make a "Friendship Quilt" while others may use the blocks and make individual treasures: Pinkeeps, Tin Toppers, Pin Cushions, etc. I know of one participant who is going to showcase her squares by constructing a Friendship Book, much like the Sampler Book designed by Erica Michaels.

Rotation #1 is now coming to a close and it will not be long before we begin the 2nd Rotation. You are not required to commit to each and every rotation but I am almost certain that I will. I have signed on for Rotation #2 and am anxious to learn who my next partner will be.

Fair and Square Exchange

Rotation #1

Stitched by: Vonna

I was so excited to be partnered with Vonna for Rotation 1 (she and Annemarie were instrumental in getting this exciting exchange up and running). As many know she is a very kind, helpful, and thoughtful individual who, through blogging, has become a person that I can call friend! I only wish that she lived closer so that I could meet her in person. Well, we exchanged Friendship Blocks and I must say that I absolutely adore the square that Vonna stitched. I love the fact that the design includes the word "Friendship" ~ when I think of Vonna I really do think of friendship. Thank you so very much Vonna for the wonderful block.

I forgot to take a picture of the block that I sent to Vonna but she has it on her blog. I used a section from Victoria's Quaker by A Mon Ami Pierre.

You may want to check out Fair and Square Friendship Exchange to see more of what we are doing.

Sale, Sale, Sale: I happened onto Elegant Stitch Too where there are 4 pages of patterns on sale for 50% off.

I hope that the week ahead is filled with hours of peaceful stitching.

Until next time...

USEBB: 4th Of July Exchange

USEBB: 4TH OF JULY EXCHANGE

Ewe& Eye& Friends Liberty House

From: Katrina

I was so excited when I opened a package from Katrina that contained the 4th of July Exchange that she stitched for me. Truly my eyes lit up when I saw this wonderful pincushion. Katrina's stitching is absolutely beautiful! The design that she selected is perfect, my first thought was "this is so me" ~ GREAT job Katrina!
In addition Katrina spoiled me with all of the wonderful treasures pictured plus some of my favorite candy: Jelly Belly's that I ate before taking this picture!
Many thanks Katrina for making this such a wonderful exchange!

I was very excited to be stitching for Heather for the 4th Of July Exchange. Heather sent me a wonderful wall hanging for a Valentine's exchange and I was glad to be able to stitch something special for her. I used a design from Birds Of A Feather and finished it as a Tin Topper. I filled the tin and included an Americana Pin that I stitched.

Birds Of A Feather: Liberty

32 Ct Linen over 1

Stitched for:Heather

The Goode Huswife: America

40 Ct linen over 2

Poison Ivy Update: I am absolutely bewildered over the fact that it has been one month and I still have a touch of poison ivy. Fortunately I feel comfortable that I finally am on the road to recovery. NEVER would I have guessed that my day of yard work would result in such a horrendous case of Poison Ivy. After my ER visit I ended up going to a dermatologist where I was seen by all three doctors at once~I guess they do not often see such a nasty case of PI.

A huge thank you to all those that expressed concern over my situation and for those that offered suggestions on how deal with Poison Ivy. I really appreciated your comments!

I have not done any stitching in over a week. My friends from Texas were visiting and we kept quite busy touring around Vermont. We even spent one day in Canada enjoying the landscape and finding great treasures! Sadly my friends left today but I have plans to visit them in early November during International Quilt Festival in Houston. I will find time tonight to continue my exchange stitching.

I appreciate you stopping by and enjoy your comments!

Until next time...

Rainbow Exchange Received

I participated in the Rainbow Exchange on the Cross Stitch Crazy board and received, from Amber, a package filled with fantastic and much needed items...naturally in an array of colors!


She spoiled me, and I can not thank her enough. The selection of specialty floss is just perfect ~ as are the array of Mill Hill Beads and needles! I know already that I will be using the Ice Crystal Lugana for a holiday project, it's so pretty. The floss holder and needle threader will certainly come in handy (gone are the days when I could thread the needle in one shot). I travel 4 hours to VT almost every weekend, having the Extend-A-Lamp will be perfect for those trips when I am not the driver! In addition Amber sent a decorative wall plaque, coaster and "rainbow" floral headband! What a wonderful surprise, and so very thoughtful of you!

Thank you again for making this such an enjoyable exchange!

Poison Ivy Update

Thanks for your concern over my dreadful Poison Ivy. I though I would update you on the my situation:
I arrived in Vermont last Friday for the summer and on Saturday AM found myself in the Emergency room. Great way to start the summer! I woke with a swolen face and one eye that was almost closed (very attractive!). Well, after 1.5 hours (that was with no wait time in the ER), and an IV with 3 meds I was sent on my way with more medicine! I seem to be recovering however I do still have the nasty stuff and can not wait to be free of it!!!
Until next time....

Until next time....

Exchange Received From Helen

FGBB: SCISSOR FOB EXCHANGE

RECEIVED FROM: HELEN

I received the most wonderful exchange from Helen. She stitched this Scissor FOB on 40 count over one!!! It is truly amazing and her stitching is just beautiful. I am a fan of the smaller counts but am not too sure if I have ever stitched 40ct over one! I just finished a 32 count over one that drove me a bit crazy so I appreciate the time and effort she spent on this.

The design is from a French Designer: Corbeille by Alphabets. It reminds me of a Prairie Schooler design...and I do love PS. I am thrilled that Helen personalized the back ~ I have decided to do my best to add personalization to my exchanges. Although the one I just completed was finished prior to my making this statement ;-}.

I also received some very unique scissors that Helen picked up in Whitby, a seaside town in Yorkshire. This makes them even more special to me! She also included a delicious chocolate bar, decorative tissues, a small memo pad, and a very pretty doily from The Bowes Museum in County Durham.

Helen I want you to know the I will forever TREASURE this little FOB, and adore all of the wonderful gifts that you sent my way. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I Will Never Garden Again

This past Friday I decided to clean up the landscaped area of my backyard. I should point out that I am an indoor person and never attempt to do yard work...I kicked off the shoes and stepped in to start pulling, clipping, and piling up anything that I thought may be a weed. Two hours later I had 4 piles of debris for my DH to discard. I retreated to my favorite place...inside the house. Saturday AM my DH woke with traces of poison ivy on both wrists. Unlike me, he was wearing gloves. I woke and was just fine, that is until late Saturday evening when both arms were covered!! By Monday it had spread to my face sending me right to my doctor. She referred to it as "severe" poison ivy ~ can't say I am surprised as I was basically "playing" in the mess for 2 hours. Fortunately the medication is working and I am slowly recovering. Sadly the oils from my hand spread the poison ivy somewhere in my house, most likely the door handles, and now both of my sons are on medication for a mild case of this nasty ailment!

I have refrained from stitching as I really do not feel much like doing that. I would imagine that in the next few days my desire will return and I will continue to stitch on my many exchange projects.

I will be heading to my Vermont house on Friday where I will spend the summer. I will Blog via the wireless laptop, but it is dreadfully slow so my entries may be minimal.

As always, I am glad that you stop by and love that you comment!

Until next time...

SAMPLERS: Rhode Island Sampler

Did you know:

American samplers were made starting in the early 1700’s and that long, narrow samplers are usually older than square ones?

I enjoy all types of samplers but am partial to American Samplers from the mid to late-eighteenth century. Many of these were stitched by young girls as part of their formal education. As a teaching tool the younger children would stitch Marking Samplers which included the alphabet and a variety of motifs. Alphabets helped them learn letters and numbers while the motifs served to perfect their embroidery skills. As a girl got older she moved on to more decorative Pictorial Samplers, the type that I tend to favor. These designs are less simplified and more realistic. They typically included floral borders, houses, landscapes, alphabets and verses, people and animals. These samplers were not only beautiful but also revealed information about the stitcher to prospective suitors. The fact that a completed sampler hung in the home was an indication of the family’s wealth and social standing. Not everyone could afford to send their daughter to school. In addition the verse stitched within the sampler often expressed the girl’s values.

"2002 Rhode Island Sampler"

When I saw the "2002 Rhode Island Sampler" design, in my Fall 2002 Sampler & Antique Needlework magazine, I knew that I would someday stitch it. Earlier this year I began stitching this sampler and I am getting close to the finish line.

Rhode Island Samplers are American samplers that were stitched during 1780-1790 by students of the Providence School of Mary Balch. The school, located in Providence, RI, was opened by Mary’s mother Sarah. In later years the operation of the school became the responsibility of Mary.

These samplers are typically characterized by an archway, spiral columns, trumpeting angels, a floral border growing from a double handled vase, a shepherd and shepherdess, and town buildings. Students of the Providence School were the first in the country to add town buildings to their samplers. Stitched primarily in cross stitch the samplers did often include the following specialty stitches: rococo, rice, diagonal cross, split, oriental and diagonal darning.

For a wonderful selection of samplers you can visit The Scarlet Letter.

I must end now so that I can get some stitching done...not on this WIP as I need to work on a few upcoming exchanges.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend. It is a bit dreary here with the rain ~ A perfect day for stitching!

Until next time...