It's the most wonderful time of the year . . .

I finally have my very own copy of the JCS 2010 Christmas Ornament issue!  It was the last one.  I am stitching Nicadeamus (sock monkey on blue fabric ornie on the cover) from Raise the Roof Designs for my DS.  There are also a few more ornies I will be stitching as gifts for teachers, family and friends.

As a little Christmas present "from me, to me", I am stitiching "Gingerbread Trio" from Little House Needleworks.

We are enjoying some wonderful fall weather this week with temps from the mid 70s to the low 80s with overnight temps in the 60s.  We haven't even had any rain in 2 weeks and it does not look like we will get any amount of rain anytime soon.

Hope you are enjoying Fall where you are

Another reason to keep stitching

Thought I would share something I read today . . .

Brain maps show that the nerve ending on figertips connect with more areas of the brain than those anywhere else on the body, so by doing needlework your brain stays sharper longer by helping to increase brain mass and boosting brain circulation.  (Personally, I think it boosts endorphins, too!)  Keep on stitching!!!!

Media Monday #1

Here is a little of what I have been watching and reading this week . . .

(FYI - It occurs to me, that it might seem that I watch a lot of DVDs, but we dropped cable two years ago, so except for about 3 prime time series, we only watch DVDs and I am usually folding laundry, washing dishes or stitching while watching.  I also like to listen to audio books while doing housework, so you might see a lot of those, too.)

Book of Ruth

An account of the story of Ruth and Naomi.  While obviously not a "big budget" film, the simple storyline makes for enjoyable family entertainment.  There were a few production issues that took away from my enjoyment of the film, for example, in the beginning Naomi is a little too well "made-up" and her son, Mahlon, has what I think is an Alabama accent. 

The Secret of Jonathan Sperry

Gavin MacCleod, of Love Boat fame, portrays Jonathan Sperry a kind-hearted grandfatherly-type who establishes a friendship with a neighborhood boy and his friends.  It is a wonderful family film that highlights the friendship and forgiveness.  A great film to share with your tweens.

Amish Grace

In October 2006, a gunman entered an Amish school house and shot 10 young girls, killing five.  Ida Garber (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) is a fictionalized parent of one of the murdered girls.  Keep your tissues handy for this inspirational story of extraordinary forgiveness.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

If your tween liked the Percy Jackson series, they will also like the new Kane Chronicles series.  Carter and Sadie Kane are siblings raised apart who discover they are decendants of the ancient Egyptian pharoahs on both sides of their family.  This time it is the Egyptian gods who are real and like the Olympians of Percy Jackson, some are nicer than others.  Carter and Sadie begin by trying to save their father from the evil Set and end up having to save the world from an even more evil force of chaos.  The book is written using the voices of both Carter and Sadie, switching back and forth for each chapter.  This makes it great entertainment for both boys and girls with the added bonus of learning a little about Egyptian history and myths.  An extra bonus, if your child participates in Accelerated Reader this book is worth 18 points!
Note:  I listened to this on audio book and the two narrarators were excellent representations of the young Carter and Sadie.

Gingerbread Cookie Murder

A short story trilogy featuring Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen (my favorite), Laura Levine's Jain Austen and Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone.  All three are great cozy mystery reads.  The short story format makes it perfect for the holiday season (if you don't mind a little murder during the joyous season).

• "Gingerbread Cookie Murder" (Fluke) Hannah Swensen finds another dead body with her gingerbread cookies scattered at the crime scene.  A very quick read with an easy to solve solution, but very enjoyable with a couple of yummy recipes.
• "The Dangers Of Gingerbread Cookies" (Levine) Jaine Austen is spending Christmas with her parents' at the Florida retirement community they call home.  The community puts on an annual Christmas play, this year's play is The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. When the gingerbread cookie, played by retired playboy Dr. McCray, falls to his death during the play's final act, Jaine must find the killer among the residents of the community.
• "Gingerbread Cookies And Gunshots" (Meier) When Lucy Stone discovers the body of Rick Juergens, whose five-year-old son Nemo disappeared, she senses foul play. Crumbs from a gingerbread cookie Lucy given to Nemo are found in the back seat of Rick's car.  Lucy races against the clock to find a killer before he strikes again.

My Anniversary & Jennifer's Giveaway

Hey!  I just noticed that it is my 1-year blogaversary!  I have "met" so many wonderful stitchers in the last 12 months.  Thank you for all your wonderful comments, inspiring stitching photos, motivation and laughs.

Have you enjoyed the photos and accounts of market?  So many wonderful things and such fun, Jennifer of Confessions of a Serial Starter is having a giveaway of some items she brought back from market mixed with a little of her personal stash.

The weather here is glorious -- highs in the mid to upper 80s with nights in the 60s -- FALL IS HERE!!!!!! (for the next week anyway).  I anticipate spending some time outside:  a family hike at our new nature trail (maybe stashing a geocache while we are there) and sitting on the yard swing with my stitching watching DH fix the stairs and cooking some yummy family meals. 

I'll be back with a stitching update next week, until then hope you have a great weekend!

My last EP post

Since it is the end of Emergency Preparedness month (September), this will be my last EP post.  I hope no one ever needs to use any of these tips, but if you do, I hope they were helpful.

In the case of a hurricane, there is a defined season and we also have several days of advanced warning to be able to plan ahead.  At the beginning of the season, I always make sure I have some extra supplies on hand.  These items become hard to find just before hurricane landfall and are sometimes impossible to find after.

1. Bottled water (I use 5 gallon bottles with a hand pump and individual bottles.)
2. Disposable plates, cups and utensils - if clean water is a problem, you will not be able to wash dishes, if you are busy making repairs, you won't have time.
3. Bleach, paper towels and other cleaning supplies - you do not need a closet full, just make sure you have a full spare bottle -- these items fly off the shelves after the storm has passed
4. Garbage bags - if you can find contractor's bags keep small box handy, these are great for heavy items, like throwing out the entire contents of your refrigerator and freezer, construction trash, wet clothes, wet books, etc. 
5. Rubber boots - you really don't want to walk in that water!
6. Large wash tubs or plastic boxes - makes a great outdoor washing station for salvaged items - use one for a bleach mixture and the other for clean water rinsing (if your items are especially dirty, you may want to incorporate a third tub (clean /disinfect /rinse)

Be careful - More injuries are caused during the clean-up than during a hurricane.  (You would be shocked at the number of chain saw injuries following Katrina).  All those commercials about power line safety - they mean it.  Downed power lines can become live once the power company starts restoring service, that goes for power lines that make contact with the trees in your yard.

And finally - Watch out for "widow makers" - large branches that have been weakened or are dangling after the storm.  A dead branch can hold an amazing amount of water and when it finally gives way - - lets just say I have a pot hole in my driveway.  BTW, your insurance company will NOT pay to have these removed, however they will be happy to pay to remove it from your guest bedroom (in addition to the related repairs) after it falls on your house.

We have been very blessed this hurricane season, I hope Nicole is the final storm of the season.

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?