Another Finish!

I have another finish!!



"Sampling Thanksgiving"
Lizzie Kate (Quick-Its)
over 2 threads on Light Mocha Cashel linen
using recommended DMC threads
with supplied acorn charm

 I am planning on stitching this one again (but probably next year) using the recommended WDW threads.  I do like the design and the colors, but I think the varigated colors of the WDW threads will give it more "pop".  Amazing how flat the DMC begins to look when you have been stitching with hand dyeds (mostly WDW, CC, GAST) for the last year.

DS picked a design for his room and in keeping with his new color scheme, I changed all the colors.  I have to stitch it on the sly so it will be a surprise, so no pictures here until it is done.  He might not read my blog, but he does pay attention to the pictures when he sees me posting.

I have a couple of designs that recommend R&R Reproductions fabrics.  I have never used them and my local LNSs do not carry them.  Since it will represent a significant investment, does anyone have any opinions to share on R&R Reproductions or can suggest another fabric that would be close to 18th Century Brown??

Hoffman Distributing publishes a list of new charts every Friday.  Here are a few newbies that caught my eye.

Need a new ornament or want to stitch a meaningful Christmas gift . . .


"Holiest of Nights"
Homespun Elegance

 
For you fellow Austen-ites, here is a new Austen inspired design . . . 

"Jane Bennet Wedding Sampler"
Kit & Bixby


  
How a about a "too cute" Halloween design . . .

"French Country Scaredy Cats"
JBW Designs

 

So, what do you think?

My needle has been busy . . . (& EP Tip #4)

I am still stitching on "At Home with Jane Austen" and am still "rebuilding" Hartfield. 

"At Home with Jane Austen"

The Sampler Girl

stitched over 2 on French Country linen in Latte 

using 2 strands of the recommended Crescent Colours threads

I am also still working on the Little House Needleworks 2010 Ornament series.  Diane will be doing another series for 2011, can't wait to see the new designs as they are revealed each month.

"Merry Skater"

from the 2010 ornament series

Little House Needleworks

stitched over 2 on 28 count Lugana in Summer Khaki

using recommended threads

I love Fall, but with temperatures still in the 90s it does not feel like Fall is remotely close.  Happily, we did get a little tease for two days this week with overnight lows in the upper 60s and low 70s and highs in the upper 80s and low 90s (yup, we consider that cooler).  The cooler temps inspired me to do a little fall stitching (that and I have no Fall themed finishes), so I found this cute design in my freebie binder.  I think I will finish it as a pillow, maybe with a hanger for a cabinet or door knob.

"Fall Leaves"

Designs by Kathy (a freebie from Wichelt Imports, Inc.)

Stitched over 2 on Wilchet 28 count linen in Lambswool

using Gentle Arts Simply Shaker floss in Autumn Leaves (thanks again Sue - LOVE this color!)

I was looking for another little Fall piece and found a winter design that would adapt easily to a season change.  This is my first time making color changes to a design and I am really happy with it.  You will notice that I left the design name and designer a MYSTERY.  I thought I would be fun to see if anyone can identify the design and designer, post your guesses in the comments.  I will update the post with the design information on Monday.

"Woodland Snofall"
 Little House Needleworks
from JCS 2004 Special Christmas Issue

Stitched over 2 on Wilchet 28 count linen in Lambswool

using recommended threads
with the following changes

Border - Gentle Arts Simply Shaker-Autumn Leaves

Leaves - Weeks Dye Works - Autumn Leaves

Moon - DMC 676

I love the color of both of the Autumn Leaves threads.  WDW is brighter and would also be perfect for a pumpkin (I love pumpkins and cannot believe I have no pumpkin charts!), while the GASS is rich with golds and browns -- these are the perfect threads for Fall stitching.

I am also stitching on my fleur de lis during Saints' games, but I do not have a photo to share.

I also acquired some new stash this week . . .

CHARTS

Little House Needleworks'
"Family Sampler", "Peppermint Twist" and "Under the Tree"

Lizzie Kate's "Sampling Thanksgiving"

THREADS

Weeks Dye Works
Scuppernong, Honeysuckle, Begonia, Americana, Hunter, Emerald, Holly and Garden Trellis
Crescent Coulours
House Wine, Antique Lace and  Pea Pod

I gave my blog a Fall makeover, hope you like it.  I also updated my STASH and WISH pages to include links to pictures of each design on the list.

_________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

Did you know September is Emergency Preparedness Month? 
Guess my tips are timely.

Emergency Preparedness Tip #4: 
Planning ahead for evacuation with children and pets.

Tip #3:  Have a plan

Tip #2:  Update your address book.

Tip #1:  Use your dishwasher for watertight storage.

Children

• 
  
  When staying at a hotel with children during an evacuation, you may not be able to use the pool, in the case of a hurricane, the winds and rain will arrive not long after you do. Power outages can follow, plan ahead and bring their favorite books (or that classic from your childhood you always planned to share), family board games or a new puzzle.
• 
  
  Give each child a bag (backpacks work great) to pack up their "evacuation" items (favorite toys, treasured mementos, etc.) to take with them.
• 
  
  Pack a flashlight or two in case of a power outage (also useful for making shadow puppets). 
• 
  
  Pack their favorite snacks.  Stores in your evacuation destination may run short on supplies like bread, milk, sandwich meats, ice etc as everyone stocks up.  Bring some supplies with you, apples, grapes and carrot sticks can stay chilled in a cooler with some ham or turkey.  PB&J is quick and easy (splurge on the squeeze bottle of jelly).  Even, your hotel may run short of food (especially free continental breakfasts - ours did).  When loading your vehicle, pack the food where it can be reached while driving in case your drive takes longer than expected. 
• 
  
  There is nothing you can do about what might be going on back home, so just be with your family without homework, practices, laundry, etc.  Having a plan (and knowing the plan of your extended family and friends) makes for less stress (we had family "missing" during Katrina).
• 
  
   To inject a little fun and reduce stress, we invoke "hurricane rules".  I make sure I say "hurricane rules" when suggesting or implementing a new "rule" so DS knows this is not only unusual, but temporary.
• 
  
  DS can have Fruit Loops  or another item(s) not on our usual grocery list
• 
  
  we might start a meal with dessert
• 
  
  we might let DS sleep in his clothes or let him watch a movie past his usuall bedtime
• 
  
  make up a new "family game" - we played an alliteration game - sentences could only use words starting with the same letter - (Does Daddy's diminutive dear desire dessert?)
• 
  
  Use whatever works for your family, the evacuation has already turned your kid's world topsy-turvy, might as well have fun with it.  Do keep try to maintain most of your usual household rules and rituals, the stability (predictability) helps keep the kids stress level in check.
• 
  
   You will be tempted to watch the 24-hour coverage on cable channels -- DON'T.  I am not suggesting you do not check periodically, just don't stay glued to the television.  I can tell you from first-hand experience, half of what is reported is just plain wrong.  You would think the out-of-town cable news channels would snag a couple of locals to confirm details about the locale, but they don't.  They hear a piece of "news" and it goes directly to broadcast (accurate or not) or they just keep re-playing the same footage and information over and over.
• 
  
  Talk to your kids about what is happening.  Be age appropriate, let their questions be your guide to how much they want (need) to know.
• 
  
  If your child has a school uniform, pack a uniform (or two) in your luggage (if you have the room bring along their textbooks and notebooks, too)

Pets

• 
  
  Keep a phone list of pet­friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters or kennels that are along your evacuation routes. Sometimes, non-pet hotels will make an exception during an emergency. If you pet is clean, well-behaved and has a kennel, it is easier to convince a reluctant manager to let them stay. Don't forget to show your appreciation by not letting your pet's poop populate park-like places (sorry could not resist a little alliteration) or mark its territory in the hotel (we stayed in a room where cats had obviously "marked"- ughhhhh).
• 
  
  Pack their regular food, favorite toys, etc. the change in location can be stressful for them (and they can usually pick up on your stress, too.)  If you have to evac your pets with a family member or a friend, remember to send a t-shirt or blanket that has your scent, it will comfort them while you are separated.
• 
  
  If you are staying in a private home, check with your hosts before you show up with your pets.  Your hosts may be pet-friendly, but may have some restrictions (no pets on the furniture, etc.), allergies, etc so it is best to discuss all the details in advance. Also, be realistic about your pets behaviors/habits.
• 
  
  If you have a regular evacuation destination, check on local vets and kennels and if you pet has on-going medical needs, keep a copy of their vet records with your evacuation kit.  It saves time and money if you can show them the last test results or medications prescribed by your regular vet (their office will be closed).
• 
  
  If you have a goldfish your child is especially attached to, an cleaned spaghetti sauce jar makes a great evacuation "module".  Remember to take the cap off occasionally to let in fresh air and leave it off when you reach your destination.

Keep praying these storms continue to stay mostly over water.

Stitching At Home with Jane Austen and the Saints

I am still stitching The Sampler Girl's "At Home with Jane Austen"

and I have enjoyed every stitch.

(I have not finished the "n" in Austen.  I ran out of thread and am

waiting for another "spot" of Plum Paisley before I reload my needle.)

Except the stitches I missed!

I finished my first roof row 2 stitches too early.

The entire house is off by 4 threads (2 columns).

I will have to take out the entire house, picture frame and little trees. 

(The key is okay, but I will double check it to be sure.)

Good thing this is such an enjoyable design to stitch.

Are you ready for some football?

Tomorrow night is the first regular season game for the Saints.  The entire downtown

is going to be one big NFL amusement park:

• 
  
  Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift will be performing in Jackson Square,
• 
  
  a 7-float parade will wind its way from the French Quarter to the Dome,
• 
  
  the NFL set up an exhibit on the Mississippi River next to Jax Brewery and
• 
  
  the new Champions Square next to the Dome is hosting a party for fans without tickets. 

The game will effect regular Thursday schedules for everyone:

• New Orleans public schools will be releasing students early (to avoid additional traffic congestion),
• downtown workers (without tickets) will be leaving the office early (same reason),
• I will pull out my fleur de lis UFO from last season to finish stitching during the game(s),
• DH will come home early (everyone else will want to finish up early to watch the game), and
• DS will get to stay up a little past his bedtime to make it to the half-time dessert. Oddly enough he has no tests or quizzes scheduled for Friday.  Coincidence????

We will be enjoying a dinner of red beans and rice, seafood gumbo, and crawfish cornbread before the game

and watch the game with frosty mugs of Barq's root beer with mini beignets at half-time.

Who Dat, Who Dat,

Who Dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?!?!

Still at home with Jane Austen

I am still stitching away on "At Home with Jane Austen" by The Sampler Girl.  It is a pleasure to stitch.

I was stitching on it during cross-country practice

and I miscounted by one thread, so I had to do some frogging.

Well, we are all breathing a sigh of relief that Earl will not impact the Gulf Coast and praying that it stays as far away as possible from the East Coast.  The Atlantic is pretty active and it looks like potential storms are just lining up across the tip of Africa.

Emergency Preparedness Tip #3:  Have an emergency plan in place and make sure your entire family knows the plan.

Having evacuated by car a few times, I can tell you that preparation makes all the difference. Think of your morning commute, leaving 10 minutes early can make a 30 minute difference in your arrival time; did you travel by car with the kids this summer ("Are we there yet?", "He keeps touching me!", "I'm bored."), any annoyance you may have felt will be magnified 200% when you are in an emergency instead of vacation.

An emergency, such as a hurricane, gives you advance notice and you have a few days to make a plan.  However, in the event of a tornado, forest fire, chemical spill (highway, railway or plant), earthquake or terrorist attack, you will have no time to plan.  Your family may be scattered across town at work and school.  If you do not have a plan, you may not only waste precious time, you may be putting yourselves in greater danger.

Plan what you will do if you are separated during an emergency.

• Choose two places to meet:
• Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire, earthquake or tornado
• Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
• Choose an out­ of­ area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing and programmed into their cell phones.  Make sure your emergency contact person knows your emergency plan.

Plan what to do if you have to evacuate

• Where will you go and how will you get there - Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. Be aware of any evacuation plans enforced by your local government (if I wait for the mandatory evacuation to be issued, I have to take an alternate route).  You may choose to go to a hotel/motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to an evacuation shelter if necessary.  You may need to make your hotel reservation days in advance to be able to stay in the location you prefer.
• If you can, leave early.  This is especially important if you live near a large city or if there are few travel routes from your location.  Traffic will be very heavy.  Would you rather leave work a half day early and arrive at your destination within 2 or 3 hours or spend 12 hours in bumper to bumper traffic going 5 - 10 miles per hour? 
• Drive your planned evacuation route, if it is unfamiliar to you, and plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable.  Do this in advance and keep a copy of the map in every family car.
• Keep your tank full, in case of an emergency there will not be time to stop for gas.  Keep all your other fluids (oil, radiator, etc.) topped up, as well.
• Keep your car in working order, you do not want to break down during an evacuation - tow trucks may be unavailable or may take hours to reach you. 
• Keep an "emergency kit" in your car:
• clean water for overheated radiators (do not put cold water into an overheated radiator - you will have a bigger problem)
• a quart of oil (more if you tend to have oil leaks)
• tape to repair broken hoses
• jumper cables
• a good jack
• an inflated spare (have you ever tried to change you tire and found a flat spare?)
• if you can change your "bicycle" spare to a full size spare, I highly recommend it
• Fix-a-Flat
• camera - in case of an accident, you can take photos of the scene and damage, exchange information and move on, do not hold up traffic, local law enforcement will have better things to do than respond to a "fender bender" and it could take an hour or more before they can get to you
• snacks and water for the passengers
• books and quiet toys for children
• be prepared to turn off DVD players, a/c, CD, etc. if they are causing your car to overheat or draining your battery - driving 5 - 10 miles an hour for hours on end is hard on a car's engine
• blankets
• rain gear (stash a few rain ponchos from the Dollar Tree in the glove box)
• if you have kids, make an emergency "potty" plan - if you have boys, an empty, large mouth jar with a tight fitting lid will do, if not, consider a potty chair or a camping toilet or a "pot" -- believe me, you will not want to pull over and they will have to go eventually
• poster/cardboard and a thick marker - in case you have to abandon your car leave your name & number on the dash or if you have to make a sign (Need gas/jumper cables/ etc.) to solicit help from fellow drivers
• Think of your last car trip vacation - what items were the most helpful or what do you wish you had thought to bring?

NEXT TIME:  Planning ahead for kids and pets during an evacuation.

A Little Bit of Everything

(Please excuse the bad lighting, we are having another afternoon

thunderstorm and there is not much natural light at the moment.)

Guess where I am going tomorrow?

Michael's has this great coupon and

I happen to have 3 finishes in need of framing!

70% off!!  Woo Hoo!

I am still making progress on The Sampler Girl's "At Home with Jane Austen"

I also have a new start to share, I am stitching on this during cross country practice.  I hope to be finished by next week (if we are not rained out)

. 

"The Merry Skater" from the 2010 Ornament Collection
Little House Needleworks
stitching over 2 on 28 count Lugana in Summer Khaki
using 2 threads of the recommended DMC threads

The national press has descended on the Crescent City to cover the five-year anniversary of Katrina, it is Hurricane Week on the Weather Channel and I am not liking the looks of this . . .

Danielle (not a problem for us), Earl, the future Fiona and that cloudy area near the coast of Africa is a fourth system (a potential Gaston) they are watching.  So much for a quiet season.

All this reminds me, that awhile back, I said I would share my hurricane/emergency prep tips with you.  Well, I started writing and was overwhelmed by the amount of information.  So I decided to use a tip of the day method for passing on information.  I am going to start with the obscure and weird, because the basics (keep your tank full of gas, keep cash on hand, etc.) are easy to find on either of the following website links.

National Hurricane Center - Hurricane Preparedness

American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness

American Red Cross Fast Facts - tip sheets for specific types of emergencies

TIP # 1 - If you have items you cannot take with you (especially fragile items) consider placing them in the dishwasher - it keeps water in, so it will also keep water out.  This is also good to remember in a case of flash flooding when you do not have the time or ability to pack things up to take with you.

TIP # 2 - Use your address book (or snag an extra notebook from your kid's school supplies) and write down all the contact information for your important contacts, for example

• bank, mortgage company, insurance company, utilities, etc (including account numbers)
• employer (especially important if you are not paid by direct deposit or you work in a job that will be in high demand following the emergency),
• doctors, pharmacy (include a list of all your Rx medications and doses)
• local police/sheriff and fire stations,
• grocery (you can call before returning home to see if they are open/stocked),
• schools,
• church,
• family and neighbors

Inquire about emergency contact information.  National utilities, pharmacies, etc will still be reachable through an 800 number, but locals will also be evacuated, have lost electricity or telephone service, be severely damaged, etc.

Cell numbers may be inaccessible due to down towers or heavier than normal usage.  During Katrina, voice calls were rare, it could take an hour of redialing before your call would go through.  The addition of so many extra cell users (evacuees) overloaded the local cell systems.  If you do not know how, learn to use the text messaging on your phone, it takes up less bandwidth.  Teach your parents and other older relatives how to use the text messaging on their phone.  Also, remember you can call your cellular company to change your plan to include/increase your minutes or texting limits so you are not surprised by your bill the next month.

Emergency Contact Card from the American Red Cross

No Sweat

Woo Hoo!!!!
A thunderstorm rolled in and began raining
2 minutes into cross-country practice.

DS wasn't too disappointed since he has two tests tomorrow

and no practice meant extra study time (and no stitching time for me.)

Even Bourbon Street empties for a thunderstorm.

We are almost to the height of hurricane season (September 10th).  The anniversaries of many of our major hurricanes (Camille, Betsy, Katrina, etc.) will be during the next 4 - 6 weeks. I will be saying extra prayers that the experts are wrong and this will be yet another quiet season.

DID YOU KNOW . . . today is the feast day of St. Rose of Lima, patron saint of needleworkers.  She sold her needlework (lace and embroidery) to support her family and the sick and hungry she took into her home.

 “Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”

St. Rose of Lima

To celebrate, I will be putting a few more stitches in "At Home with Jane Austen" and choosing a design to stitch for an upcoming charity auction. 

I am not sure of the SOP for donating a stitched item for auction.  I may have to give the chart away with the stitched piece.  I guess I can contact the designer and ask.

There's No Place Like Home

I have another finish!

"Winter Sheep" (2010 Ornament series)

Little House Needleworks

stitched over 2 on French Country Linen in Cafe Mocha

using 2 threads of the recommended DMC threads

And I have been anxious to make a new start, so I spent a little time last night on this.

"At Home with Jane Austen"

The Sampler Girl

stitched over 2 on French Country linen in Latte

using 2 strands of the recommended Crescent Colours threads

It is not my usual color palette, but I love these bright happy colors!  It has been a fun and easy stitch so far.

Not looking forward to this afternoon.  The expected heat index for today is between 110 and 115 and today is the first day of cross-country practice for DS.  We are under heat advisories from 9am - 10pm all week.  I will be wishing I could stay home.  I try to find a shady spot (there are not many) where I can stitch and watch practice.  It is amazing to see how far these kids can run, especially in this heat.  Last year, DS came in from the first practice plopped down on his bed (despite my urging to shower first - ewww!) and fell asleep for 3 hours.  (He has a big test tomorrow, so I hope he doesn't take another long nap.)

Ten minutes into practice, I will be wishing I had stayed home.  And when I get home, I will probably head straight for the shower.  Fortunately, I will have the red beans in the crock pot so I will only have to make rice and turn on the oven (ughhh!) to bake the corn bread and then pop the sausage under the broiler. 

Maybe I should change this design to "There's nothing like staying home in the a/c."  Do you think  Tanya would mind?

Hoping it is cooler where you are!

New Stash and My 100th Post

Doing school shoe shopping (oh joy) put me near my LNSs.  I picked up a little something in each, just doing my bit to support the local economy ; )

From Acadian Corner - threads and fabric (28 count Country French Linen in Latte) for The Sampler Girl's "At Home with Jane Austen"

From Accents, Inc - a new chart - "French Country Fleur-de-Lis" by JBW Designs - I have some definite ideas for this little beauty.

BTW, the models for this chart were stitched by the customers of Accent's, Inc.

In between stops, we stopped for lunch at Byblos (Lebanese) - budget busting, but yummy.  I will have to dedicate a weekend to making homemade kibby and meat/spinach pies to stock the freezer! (I will be sure to put it on my cooking blog, they are really delicious.)

Did some in-the-car stitching on "Season of Love" since DH had the day off and did the driving.  Lots of bumpy roads in these parts, so not alot of progress, but at least I did not stick my finger with the needle.

Stitching this is giving me a craving for some ginger-y baked goods, maybe the rain from Bonnie will cool the temperatures enough to do some baking this weekend, but first, we will be battening down the hatches and trying to cut the grass before the winds and rain begin.  Hoping Bonnie keeps moving quickly so she does not have time to strengthen over the warm Gulf waters or dump too much rain in one place.

This was my 100th post, so check back tomorrow for my giveaway.

DVD: Sense and Sensibility (1981 / 1985)

Enjoyed this version of the Jane Austen classic.  It is very slow moving and detailed; without the modern slant of the 1995 screenplay staring Emma Thompson.  Margaret Dashwood, the youngest sister, is non-existent in this version, but it allows more focus on Elenor and Marianne and their relationships.

This movie is a wonderful stitching companion, though I do wish it included more scenes with the characters doing needlework.

Books: 2010 Reads (Before Blog)

Most recent reads at the top . . .

1. Storm Warning (39 Clues) - Park
2. Prisoner's Base (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
3. 62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer - Sarafan
4. Stitch-opedia: The Only Embroidery Reference You'll Ever Need - Kendrick
5. The Double Comfort Safari Club - McCall Smith
6. Disney in Shadow - Pearson
7. A River in the Sky - Peters
8. Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane - Collins
9. The Sword Thief (39 Clues) - Lerangis
10. The Second Confession (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
11. Family Feasts for $75 a Week - Ostyn
12. Miss Julia Renews Her Vows - Ross
13. Death of a Doxy (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
14. In the Best Families (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
15. Swapping Stories: Folktales from Louisiana
16. Complete Guide to Embroidery Stitches - Campbell
17. The God of the Hive (A Mary Russell Novel) - King
18. The Mapping of Love and Death (A Maisie Dobbs Novel) - Winspear
19. The Mother Hunt (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
20. Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things - Smith
21. Sprinkle With Murder - McKinlay
22. The Viper's Nest (39 Clues) - Lerangis
23. Glazed Murder - Beck
24. The Emperor's Code (39 Clues) - Korman
25. The Independence of Miss Mary Bennett - McCullough
26. Mother's Best:  Comfort Food That Takes You Home Again - Schroeder
27. Kneadlessly Simple:  Fabulous, Fuss-Free, No-Knead Breads - Baggett
28. Clouds of Witness - Sayers
29. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation - Willig
30. The Intrigue at Highbury or, Emma's Match - Bebris
31. Starter Vegetable Gardens:  24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens - Pleasant
32. Sew Deadly - Casey
33. Cat Among the Pigeons (A Hercule Poirot Mystery) - Christie
34. The Last Illusion - Bowen
35. The Louisiana Seafood Bible: Crawfish - Horst
36. Death of a Valentine - Beaton
37. Holly Clegg's Trim and Terrific Gulf Coast Favorites - Clegg
38. The View from Saturday - Konigsburg
39. The Cross Gardener - Wright
40. Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart - Pattillo
41. Clara's Kitchen:  Wisdom, Memories & Recipes from the Great Depression - Cannucciari
42. Apple Turnover Murder - Fluke
43. Glorious Grits - Americas Favorite Comfort Food - McIntosh
44. Jane Austen Ruined My Life - Pattillo
45. Krewe:  The Early New Orleans Carnival:  Comus to Zulu - Laborde
46. 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the South - Reed
47. Love Soup - 160 All-New Vegetarian Recipes - Thomas
48. Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook - Hensperger
49. Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Cookbook - Macomber
50. The New Greek Cuisine - Botsacos
51. Simple Chinese Cooking - Kwong
52. A Right to Die (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
53. The Father Hunt (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
54. Gambit (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
55. Crocodile Tears - Horowitz
56. Louisiana: Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places - Martin
57. Mardi Gras in New Orleans: An Illustrated History - Hardy
58. Cherries in Winter: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times - Colon
59. Sweet Gratitude:  Bake a Thank-You for the Really Important People in Your Life - Sutton
60. Facebook for Dummies - Abram
61. Make it Fast, Cook it Slow - O'Dea

Books: 2009 Reads

1. And Be a Villain (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
2. The Golden Spiders (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
3. The Christmas Cookie Club - Pearllman
4. The Pioneer Woman Cooks:  Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl - Drummond
5. Please Pass the Guilt (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
6. The League of Frightened Men (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
7. Fer-de-Lance (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
8. One Wintry Night - Graham
9. The Mysterious Benedict Cociety and the Prisoner's Dilemma - Stewart
10. The Chocolate Cupid Killings (A Chocoholic Mystery) - Carl
11. The Book of Air and Shadows - Gruber
12. Ringing in Murder - Kingsbury
13. Emeril 20-40-60: Fresh Food Fast - Lagasse
14. Under a Cajun Moon - Clark
15. Decked with Folly - Kingsbury
16. The Perfect Christmas - Macomber
17. Confections of a Closet Master Baker - Bullock-Prado
18. Mistletoe Murder - Meier
19. The Kind Diet - Siverstone
20. Crescent City Farmers Market Cookbook - Tooker
21. Pemberley Manor - Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Continued - Nelson
22. Cooking the Lebanese Way - Amari
23. The Deen Bros Take It Easy - Deen
24. Too Many Cooks (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
25. In Too Deep (39 Clues series) - Watson
26. The Silent Speaker (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
27. Might As Well Be Dead (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
28. The Final Deduction (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
29. Sacred: New Orleans Funerary Grounds - Huston
30. Cooking the Mexican Way - Coronado
31. Playing With Paper: Innovative Ideas for Using Patterned Paper in Your Scrapbooks - Wigginton
32. Complete Guide to Embroidery Stitches - Campbell
33. Too Many Women (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
34. Reindeer Crunch and Other Christmas Recipes - Johnson
35. Feast: Food That Celebrates Life - Lawson
36. A Taste of Fame - Shepherd
37. The Christmas Sweater - Beck
38. Trouble's Brewing - Shepherd
39. Takes the Cake - Shepherd
40. Kill Me Tender: A Murder Mystery Featuring the Singin Sleuth Elvis Presley - Klein
41. Cooking Dinner: Simple Italian Family Recipes Everyone Can Make - Pruett
42. Cajun and Creole Cooking with Miss Edie and the Colonel - Hand
43. Sheer Folly (A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery) - Dun
44. Abita Beer, Cooking Louisiana True
45. Plum Pudding Murder - Fluke
46. A Slice of Murder - Cavender
47. Eco-Craft: Recycle-Recraft-Restyle - Wasinger
48. Pie: 300 tried-and-true recipes for delicious homemade pie - Haedrich
49. Money for Nothing - Westlake
50. The House That Cleans Itself - Clark
51. Cream Puff Murder - Fluke
52. The Facttracker - Eaton
53. The Rubber Band (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
54. The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections - Soule
55. The Happy Camper: An Essential Guide to Life Outdoors - Callan
56. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Lewis
57. The Horse and His Boy - Lewis
58. Baking Cakes in Kigali - Parkin
59. LebanEase Cuisine: The Ease in Modern Lebanese Cooking - Khatib
60. Swan for the Money - Andrews
61. The Devil's Novice - Peters
62. A Bride in the Bargain - Gist
63. Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage - Gelles
64. Because of Winn Dixie - DiCamillo
65. Lebanese Mountain Cookery - Hamady
66. Oobleck, Slime and Dancing Spaghetti: 20 Terrific At-Home Science Experiments - Williams
67. The Rule of Benedict - Benedict, Saint, Abbot of Monte Cassino
68. Soup, A Way of Life - Kafka
69. Death of a Witch - Beaton
70. New Orleans Classic Gumbos and Soups - Wohl
71. Cookies to Die For! - Shaffer
72. 'Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy, and Other Misheard Lyrics - Edwards
73. Martha Stewart's Cupcakes - Stewart
74. Guide to the National Parks of the United States
75. What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read with Your Child and All the Best Times to Read Them - Allyn
76. Gregor the Overlander - Collins
77. Artemis Fowl: The Artic Incident - Colfer
78. Adventure According to Humphrey - Birney
79. In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead -
80. Bringing Tuscany Home - Mayes
81. Robin Rescues Dinner - Miller
82. Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook
83. The Healthy Dog Cookbook - Anne
84. Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum series) - Evanovich
85. Royal Flush - Bowen
86. Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station - Gilman
87. Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day - Hertzberg
88. The People in Pineapple Place - Lindbergh
89. King of Shadows - Cooper
90. Trouble According to Humphrey - Birney
91. The Sword Thief (39 Clues series) Lerangis
92. Cooking Up a Storm: Recipes Lost and Found from The Times-Picayune of New Orleans
93. Wormy Apple Croissants and Other Halloween Recipies - Larrew
94. Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites - De Laurentiis
95. Down Home with the Neeley's: A Southern Family Cookbook - Neely
96. Semi Homade Grilling 2 - Lee
97. The Hand in Glove (A Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Stout
98. The Tale of Despereaux - DiCamillo
99. The Language of Bees (A Mary Russell Novel) - King
100. The Hunt for Dark Infinity - Dashner
101. Miss Julia Delivers the Goods - Ross
102. Fatally Flaky - Davidson
103. Can't Never Tell: A Southern Fried Mystery) - Pickens
104. Eggs in Purgatory - Childs
105. Trumpet of the Swan - White
106. Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts
107. Harumi's Japanese Cooking - Kurihara
108. The Eye of the Forest - Kerr
109. In a Gilded Cage - Bowen
110. The Glitch in Sleep - Hulme
111. Dog On It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery - Quinn
112. Best Friends and Drama Queens - Cabot
113. Delirious New Orleans: Manifesto for an Extraordinary American City - Verderber
114. If You Are Reading This, It is Too Late - Bosch
115. The Bread Machine Cookbook - German
116. Manna from Hades - Dunn
117. One False Note (39 Clues) - Korman
118. Bean There, Done That - Balzo
119. H.I.V.E.: Higher-Institute-of-Villainous Education - Walden
120. Moonlight and the Magic Flute (Magic Treehouse series) - Osborne
121. The Mournful Teddy - Lamb
122. New Orleans Goes to the Movies:  Film Sites in the French Quarter and Beyond - Leonhard
123. Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones - Sanderson
124. The Survivors Club:  The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Live - Sherwood
125. Simply Delicioso: A Collection of Everyday Recipies with a Latin Twist - Hoffman
126. Amy Butler's In Stitches:  More than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects - Butler
127. Into the Dark (Echo Falls Mystery) - Abrahams
128. Plum Spooky - Evanovich
129. Cream Puff Murder - Fluke
130. The Complete Idiots Guide to Geocaching - Peters
131. Among the Mad - Winspear
132. The wisdom of Father Dowling - McInerny
133. Cat Playing Cupid - Murphy
134. The Fire Kimono - Rowland
135. Cooking Light Weeknight
136. Jamie at Home:  Cook Your Way to the Good Life - Jamie Oliver
137. The Maze of Bones (39 Clues Series) - Rick Riordan
138. New Orleans Classic Seafood:  Recipes from Favorite Restarants - Kit Wohl
139. Let Them Eat Cake - Sandra Byrd

2009 DVDs

Midsomer Murders - Set 13
Make Mine Music
The Wedding Night
Uncle Nino
The Most Wonderful Time of Year
How to Steal a Million
The Lost and Found Family
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
One Christmas
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Easy Living
Campion - Season 2
Monsters vs. Aliens
Veggie Tales - Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving
NCIS - Season 6
Into the Storm
Inspector Lewis - Series 1
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Murder by Death
Children of the New Forest
Coral Island
Wallander
Land of the Lost - Season 3 (the old Saturday morning kids show)
Da Vinci's Inquest - Season 2
Great American Senic Railroads - Great Mississippi and Shendandoah
Eleventh Hour
Land of the Lost - Season 1 (the old Saturday morning kids show)
A Touch of Frost - Season 14
Every Picture Tells a Story
The Mikado
Meet Me in St. Louis
Lost in the Woods (the movie)
The Canterville Ghost
A Child's Christmas in Wales
Da Vinci's Inquest (Canada) - Season 3
Kingdom - Series 2
Duplicity
Chariots of Fire
Flywheel
Cats
Penelope
Godspell
Labou
Wycliffe - Series 1
Blue Murder - Season 4
Blue Murder - Season 3
American Roadtrip - Mount Rushmore
NCIS - Season 5
Becket
Legend of the Louisiana Honey Island Swamp Monster
Sunshine Cleaning
A Touch of Frost - Season 1
The Adams Chronicles
Blue Murder - Season 1
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries - Season 6
NCIS - Season 4
Blue Murder - Season 2
Expelled - No Intelligence Allowed
Miss Marple - The Body in the Library
Miss Marple - A Pocketful of Rye
A Certian Justice (Inspector Dalgliesh)
Abbot and Costello - One Night in the Tropics & Buck Privates
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Confessions of a Shopaholic
New in Town
Coraline
The Lady Eve
Murdoch Mysteries - Season 1
She Stoops to Conquer
The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies
George Gently - Series 1
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman - All 4 Feature-Length Dramas)
P.S. I Love You
Pie in the Sky - Season 1
Train Master
NCIS - Season 2
Father Brown - Season 2
Father Brown - Season 1
Sunday in the Park with George
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Inspector Morse - Masonic Mysteries
Drive Thru History - Columbus, the Pilgrims, and early Boston
Bertie and Elizabeth:  The Story of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth
Drive Thru History - Patriots, Penn, and the Freedom Trail
Flash of Genius
Monsignor Renard
On an Island with You
Campion - Season 1
A Touch of Frost - Season 6
The Dick Van Dyke Show - Season 1
A Woman Called Golda
Inspector Morse - Sins of the Fathers
The Pink Panther 2 (Steve Martin)
The Lost Prince
NCIS - Season 1
Nights in Rodanthe
Veggie Tales - Abe and the Amazing Promise
Lovejoy - Season 4
Lovejoy - Season 3
Frost/Nixon
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear
Bride Wars
Lost in Austen
The Reluctant Dragon
In the Electric Mist
Last Chance Harvey
The Way Back Home
Lovejoy - Season 5
The Black Hole
Emma
A Little Night Music
Lord Peter Wimsey - The Nine Tailors
The House of Elliott - Season 1
Emma
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Company: A Musical Comedy
Inspector Morse - Promised Land
City of Ember
Inspector Morse - Fat Chance
Everything is Illuminated
The Murdoch Mysteries Movie Collection
Murder Most English
Pollyanna
A Certain Justice (Inspector Dalgliesh)
Rosmary and Thyme - Season 2
Sharpe's Enemy (Sharpe's Rifles series)
Inkheart
The Pink Panther (Steve Martin)
The Visitor
Bill Nye the Science Guy - Wind
Northanger Abbey
The Secret Life of Bees
The Maigret Collection
Persuasion
Annie Get Your Gun
Cats
1776
Mickey and the Beanstalk
The Great Debaters
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Bicycle Safety
The Avenger's - Season 67 - Set 4
The Avenger's - Season 67 - Set 3
The Avenger's - Season 67 - Set 2
Come September
Carmen
Burn After Reading
The Avengers - Season '63 - Set 2
Millions
Bedtime Stories
Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection
We Live to Eat: New Orleans's Love Affair with Food
A Touch of Frost - Season 2
Freedom Writers
The Tale of Despereaux
Foyle's War - Season 5
The Mikado
Fireproof
Midsomer Murders - Set 11
The Last Detective - Series 4
The Last Detective - Series 3
Sharpe's Honour (Sharpe's Rifles series)
The Last Detective - Series 2
Safety Smart Science - Fire (Bill Nye the Science Guy)
Quantum of Solace (007 series)
The Last Detective - Series 1
Mickey
Midsomer Murders - Set 12
Deja Vu
Slumdog Millionaire
Extras - Season 1
North by Northwest
Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection
A Fish Called Wanda
Miss Marple: A Caribbean Mystery
Miss Marple: They Do It With Mirrors
Ninotchka (Garbo)
Desk Set (Hepburn and Tracey)
All Passion Spent
Rumpole of the Bailey - Pilot Episode
Rumpole of the Bailey - Season 7
Appaloosa
Alice Adams - Love this Kathrine Hepburn classic
The Adam Chronicles
Lovejoy - Season 2
Inspector Morse: Infernal Serpent
Get Smart: The Movie
Keeping Mum
The Thin Blue Line: The Complete Line-Up
Jericho - The Killing of Johnny Swan
Bramwell - Season 2Jane Eyre (2003 Hurt/Paquin)
Only Fools and Horses - The Complete Series 1 - 3
A Touch of Frost - Season 7 and 8
Murder City
Chancer - Series 1
Olly Olly Oxen Free - Starring Kathrine Hepburn - cute family friendly adventure
The Murder Room (Inspector Dalgliesh)
Rough Diamond - Starring David Jason

A Finish, A WIP and a Plan

Here is my first Jane Austen finish,

"At Pemberley"

The Sampler Girl

Stitched on 28 count Cashel linen in Light Mocha

over 2 using the recommended threads

I ordered fabric from The Sampler Girl to complete the finish and frame.  I found two thrift store frames, I might use to frame this piece. 

This one was $2.50

This one was $1

The frames are pretty distressed, so I might paint it a dark chocolate brown.  What do you think?  I am open to ideas.  Since it is so humid here, I think I will do the frame without the glass.

I finished this one just in time, The Sampler Girl is releasing "At Delaford" on Friday.  You can also sign up for her "At Delaford" giveaway.

I am in the home stretch of Lizzie Kate's "Dogs Leave Paw Prints".  I am using the recommended colors, but I might change the Liberty thread (the heart and the words "on your").  It is a very bright cherry red that almost glows on the fabric.  I will stitch it and if I still do not like it, I will frog it out and make a replacement.

Remember this one?  Lizzie Kate's "Sons are a Special Joy".  I have decided to use a standard 8x10 frame with the addition of some coordinating fabric.  The distressed blue frame was a 50% off sale item.  This will be my first self framing project.

I will begin stitching three of the LHN 2010 Christmas ornaments when I have finished these WIPs (unless I win the "At Delaford" pattern).  Maybe stitching Christmas designs will help me to "think cool".

I have been looking for the Just Cross-Stitch Christmas Preview issue and cannot find it -- is it out at the newstands yet?  Looking forward to stitching the LHN & CCN gingerbread ornaments (among others).

Today started very dreary, but the clouds and overnight rain kept it cooler today (we have been having heat indexes over 100 - ugh).  We went into the city to run some errands, visit the cemeteries for Father's Day and have a little birthday fun for DS.

For his birthday, DS adopted Cinnamon, who will join Brownie and Honey (seeing a pattern?) in his animal menagerie.  Build-A-Bear sent DS a birthday card for a free bear (up to $12).  I could not let him come home naked, so since he was free, I bought him a t-shirt.

DS had an electrifying birthday party.  After going to Toy Story 3, the weather turned stormy and we had to replace the outdoor water slide with an indoor Wii tournament.  About an hour into the party, lightning struck two trees next to the house.  One tree exploded sending huge splinter all over the yard.  Both trees show tracks where the lightning raced around the tree ripping open the bark as it headed toward the ground.

One more thrift store find, this cross-stitch book for 50 cents.  It will make some nice holiday smalls.

Don't know why Blogger thinks these photos are landscape, but here they are.

Hope your are having a super Summer!

Summer Stitching

Looks like the long, hot summer has started.  Our temps are nearing (and sometimes breaking) 100 and the heat index has been as high as 115 since the humidity has stayed in the 90s.  I hope you are having more enjoyable weather where you are.

I am behind on my blog hopping, but have seen some beautiful stitching and wonderful giveaways.  I have left a few comments, but hope to catch up my viewing and commenting soon.

We are in birthday mode here as DS will be having a Toy Story 3 party.  Dollar Tree had lots of Toy Story themed merchandise and I found some reusable shopping bags with the little green alien on clearance at the Disney Store so the goodie bags & prizes are done.

As promised, here is my long overdue stitching update . . .

Lizzie Kate's "Dogs Leave Paw Prints"

Stitched using the recommended threads and fabric.

(I have stitched and frogged the blue on the dog house TWICE due to miscounting the over 2, but it is a beautiful bright blue so I guess it wasn't too bad spending the extra time working with that color.)

The Sampler Girl "I'd Rather be at Pemberly"

Stitched using the recommended threads on 28 count Cashel linen in Light Mocha

(This is really wonderful to stich. I was worried about the large blank spaces, since I often miscount, but it has been great.  The recommended fabric was 32 count, but that was too small for me, so I will have a larger finish, but I am loving it.  This will be my first Jane Austen finish.)

Little House Needleworks "Home of a Needleworker, Too"

Stitched using the recommended threads and fabric

(I was hoping to be further along on this one.  I used this as a take-along project during one of DS's after-school activities.  I will take it back up as an at-home project since it is too hot to stitch away.)

Funny for the Day

In Louisiana,  we take our golf course water hazards seriously . . .

Yep, that is a gator taking a leisurely swim at the golf course,
now that is a serious water "hazard"!

Stay cool and keep stitching!