It's not midnight

 It's not Sunday.  But sure does feel like it.  I'm tired!  Carole enjoyed the visit but was anxious to return and rest.  Very uncomfortable in that wheelchair for hours, missed the pain pill dose, and exhausted.  The shells were very good, but not like the creamy filling of Polly-O.  It's hard to explain, but anything with the slightest texture feels like sand on my destroyed tongue.  Painful, and more so when trying to remove the tiny particles from crevices and fissures.  Who would think that a soft cheese like ricotta can feel like sand?  I made the almond cake that Vera led us to, it was wonderful and simple.  She's back now and resting, we're meeting her at the surgeon's office Monday to remove stitches (maybe) and check her progress.

I decided to continue on with Rachel and sorry I opened my mouth about the border lining up.  It did, but bottom only.  We know how frustrating it is to count numerous times and not find a solution.  Well, this is not critical, and I can remove outlines and move them, but it bugs me when I don't have an answer.  I already removed the top to bottom outline twice and will now remove for the last time.  My choice is to reduce the floral border width by two and have the flowers touch it as they should, or keep width the correct number of stitches and add two stitches to the motifs (the entire length is not in position).  Clueless as to why when numbers are correct, but it may be simple and I'm just too ishkabobled to see it.

Happy new year everyone.

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Here she comes!

 After an absolutely maddening day of phone calls and checking on incorrect information, contacting various outlets, getting prices, days, times, measuring doors, calling therapists, I booked a five hour window Friday, got a transport chair that will fit through that opening WITH a leg extension, she will be home for a visit.

Making stuffed shells without my favorite Polly-O ricotta, avocado*fresh mozarella*baby tomatoes with honey and balsamic, garlic bread, and cheesecake for dinner.  Busy day today and tomorrow and I am NOT happy with any of the other ricotta.  It is what it is.

Her goal and plan is to return home once her rehab and one prosthetic (for help with transfers) is completed, maybe two months.

I was involved with catching up on flosstube videos and didn't start Mary, decided to check on Rachel who has been quite lonely.  Finished the right border and outline, beneath the house, and it lined up!!  YAY!!  Lots of over one coming but I can handle it.  After what Carole has been through for ten months and my friend going through with a devastating diagnosis, I'm going to complain about over one?  Put those large white cotton full coverage old lady big girl panties on and shut your pie hole!!  Oooh.  Pie.  I have apples.

I love my battery candle, and am thrilled with being able to have that glow very near to stitchery and fabric.  Carole is happy with hers and my friend hasn't received her gift yet.  Maybe next week we will get together.

Ending a rotten year, but we are still here to bitch about it.  Blessed.

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And done

Mary Bell is ringing for me.

Crabasses paint grumpy Santas.

I'm out of sherbert.

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It's what I do

 Changes.  Difficult to do on larger pieces and much easier to do before starting the stitch.  But I made that decision late and the main reason for the changes.... I'm not fond of initials in stitchery, have never added my own.  They occupied the center area which required several moves to fill.  But who the heck is S.C.?  Lori's would be L.B., and it took quite some time for this dipstick to realize they are the chubby guy's in the red suit.  

So here I am, ready to add the star motifs, and I want to remove the ecru and stitch his beard in white so it shows better.

I made a huge purchase blunder several years ago, a pair of  used DR Dimes red crackle bow backs.  I could never afford new, love the style and color, but the paint is coming off very easily.  VERY easily and they are rarely used.  How could I sell them like this?

It's raining slush, very bad road conditions.  

Winter crap.  Or.... winter.  Crap.

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Get it right!

 Sorry.  The chart I am stitching is not Santa Folk, it's Christmas Folk.  But I changed it.  The top zig zig border of bells is higher on the right than the left, one bell is shorter.  I did them all the same and level.  I moved the big center star up and added a second, moved the date, removed S.C., created a second smaller tree, added a zig to the left border edge, shortened the right, moved flakes.  Is that enough?  We'll see how it materializes!!

The only change shown here is the level border and same size bells.

Making plans for Carole's visit to her home, the patio slider opens to 29", front door would be through mud (yes it's raining for days) with a stoop/step entry too small and high. We'll need to remove the slider's handles and try to extend the opening.  Working on it.  

Enjoy your day.

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Good grief

 My head is pounding like the carpenter that installed my fun-house stair rail.

I'm stitching the clappers with the darker thread directly over the gold.  It's perfectly fine.  Better?  I think so.  But I realized it was much darker than the top border's gray.   I used the wrong gray and didn't realize it, but it's perfectly fine too.   

Do you dislike those solitary stitches as much as I do?  This time, I just kept running the thread around to the next single.

The red I chose for Santa is Brick from WDW and it is really dark.  Not a purplish red, just very deep cranberry.  Not my usual Christmas red but I think it looks really good on this Faun linen with the other threads.  Until I decide it doesn't and change it.

Last week of the year.  One more closer to summer.

Have a good one!

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Browsing Day

 Hi folks.  Merry day after Christmas ....  Browsing Day!

It's difficult to be familiar with all the talented designers that are not the names we hear over and over.   My Paypal account is empty and I went back to Etsy to see why (being familiar with spending is difficult too).   The suggestions Etsy offered for future purchases included Santa designs, but one in particular tempted me to investigate the designer.  New to me, Twin Peak Primitives in the Netherlands.  Available as downloads and also on Etsy.  I looked closely and saw what appeared to be over one, but reading description stated the fabric was 16 Aida.  So easily done on any count linen over two.  The various snowman designs are sweet too.  Are you familiar with them?  Here are a few ...

Sweet!  I am taking my time to use the generous gift for stitching items from an anonymous friend.  What I choose will be a special reminder of her kindness and thoughtfulness.  

Mark has the large batch of spaghetti sauce on the stove.  It takes hours so we will freeze in anticipation of Carole's visit and stuffed shell dinner.  His Italian family used pork ribs, not meatballs, and after browning they are cooked in the sauce to flavor.  Our visit with her yesterday was very nice, but I can't stop thinking about my friend and her rare cancer.  An excellent nurse, a mother of five, an old soul who takes great pride and enjoyment in caring for her family and home.  

This is the finish of Sprig, I used the white thread for fewer flakes, and this fabric is the only one I've found that goes well with the 730 and 830 DMC series.  

  I considered finishing Sprig as a small pocket, but it will be added to the pile of final finishing.  

The start is NFF's Santa Folk and will be another finished with that fabric.  The far right bell is deliberately absent because I may shorten the width of the design.  I'm sorry I didn't use a dark gray thread for the clapper.  I may add a single thread over the gold, we'll see how it looks. 

 I plan to find a rheumatologist closer to me, and an orthopedist.  Will also proceed with the hair loss issue which was worsened greatly, my wrinkled macula surgery, my cardio appointment which I had to cancel twice, and try to find a GYN since they have left my area. 

I hope everyone has a relaxing day to read, nap, browse, stitch, reminisce, and give thanks.

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Merry Christmas to all

 and to all a good year.

A sad day for Carole as her newest room neighbor fell early morning and broke her neck.  

A sad day for me as I learned of a former coworker having bile duct cancer that is inoperable and not responding to treatment.  

The older we get, sad news will come more often, but there will also be good news to celebrate, helping us endure the bad.

Chris's girlfriend, her grandbaby, son, and parents became ill suddenly, all tested positive.  He was exposed, and in turn, me.  Yes, they are vaxed, but not the baby.  

Hoping as this year ends, the second lacking adequate virus tests and more important antibody testing, we start 2022 with better control.  Is that even possible?

Bless you all.  Be safe.  

I'm downing a quart of orange sherbert.

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Ham it up

 Lots of cookies on a plate, cookies in a bag, cookies in a box, cookies on a tray.  Fancy, plain, colored, sprinkled, iced, rolled, flat, and shaped.  So I decided to make a tray of the Hawaiian sliders with ham and swiss for Carole's aides.  I've made the philly, Italian, meatball, but think this is the best.  Various recipes for the butter dressing, mine has more Worcestershire and no dijon.  They're ready to coat and put in the oven which I'll do tomorrow and send with Chris.  Fill in workers will be there for Christmas and there should be some left for them also.

I really want to try a pistachio shortbread recipe, not sure I will.  I have to make dinner for Chris, his son, their kids.  He expected to have that here.  Nope.  Making Johnny Marzetti casseroles tomorrow, can be made ahead, and Jess can stick them in the oven with garlic bread if she puts her damn phone down.  We'll have to drive out to see Carole.  Coming home for the day would not have worked.  She is sitting in a wheelchair but extensions are required because of the brace.  She's not ready for an afternoon out yet.  And "the girlfriend" that caused a reaction in the beginning, is covid positive as is her family.  No one is ill thank goodness, but still contagious.

It will be close to 60 degrees Saturday, but we started getting the white crap yesterday and it was really cold.  Odd that no snow settled on the repaired lawn area.

Answers to a few questions...

except for the latest from HL, my sparse trees had been purchased at various shops many years ago.

The battery candles are not the moving wick style which are also nice, all available on Amazon.  You can see a video of the ones I purchased here

and another seller here.  The Eywamage Store on Amazon has a variety of styles and sizes.  The moving wick comes flat and also shaped, a lot of options on Amazon.  I just searched for "Eywamage remote" to order extras so each recipient gets one.  Carole loves hers and the nurse saw it from the hall and came flying in to extinguish!

And now as I am finally seated and ready to finish Sprigs, the age old question of what thread to use when your choices are not showing.  White in the top left, called for in the bottom right.  Neither are noticeable but I think white is the better choice. 

Be well, deep breath, have a cookie.

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Winner

 Hi folks.  When I double checked number of emails and comments, I was off one.  So I had to go back and do it again, a little late!  The winner is JAN, the Jan that left the comment, not the email.  Thanks to all, had more email entries than comments for a total of 51.  Please email your address Jan and I will get this in the mail.

Some people think holiday decorating is a pain in the a**.

Does Dr. Zelenak look like he has a problem?

This was Mark's grandfather's, it's empty, and quite old.

Carol is better, they think the mid-night pain meds without food for several hours was the cause.  I'm taking her one of the candles with remote tomorrow, the extras have been shipped.  I think she will love this soft flickering candle.  I do!  

Have a good one!

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Nutella

Unfortunately, the cookie recipe for it cannot be located so I have a jar just sitting in the cupboard, all alone.  It does not get along with the peanut butter.  Since I am responsible for bringing it here and its loneliness, I have no choice but to console it.  One of the main reasons that the flowers on my leggings are becoming shrubs.

My husband thought it would be a good day for a quick trip to Hobby Lobby since I've mentioned it 1000 times in the last year.  Late to the party for Christmas items but can't pass up a clearance sale either.

And clear it was.

I bought a few Tim Holtz ephemera items at 40% off, and spotted a scrawny tree in one of ravaged aisles.  Mark insisted we get it because he knows me well enough, and said I will regret not doing so.  So glad he picked it while I stood at the checkout.  Ten bucks.  Sweet!!  My choices are to be gifts from nephews so I

 saved them some bucks.

Not much time to work on Sprig, but after being pleased with the spool's satin stitch, I caught the threads on the back somehow and they pulled enough to distort and stretch the linen.  Boogies from then on.  So I steamed the linen where it stretched and backstitched the outline one thread in from the edge.  This sort of supported my railroaded satin and I'm pleased with the result.  Finally.  Time to move on.

We had plans to visit Carole today and she called early, very sick.  Can't even keep her pills down, I told her to ask for Zofran.  May not work if it's a virus but hoping it offers some help.

Drawing tonight.

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And today is ....

Sorry again, and thanks Robin.  My brain has not caught up with the calendar and I changed the 10/21 to 12/21 (date of chart drawing). Sad thing is, it took a while to recognize why the date was wrong!!  

Two things to ask you.

1.  How much should the print design of your leggings distort before you need to go up a size?  Asking for a friend.

2.  Why does Fakebook state that no one can see who viewed their PROFILE when the question asked is can they see who viewed their POST?

Why do I ask?  Because months ago, a local person was asking for help, I visited their page to see the reason.  

I was shocked when I received messages from them through FB.  I did not leave a comment, like, or anything.  So how did they message me?  It seems the FB statement of members not having the ability to see who viewed their profile may be correct, but is intentionally deceiving.  If this is incorrect, explain it to me please.

I ordered battery candles that are very realistic (flickering flame, not moving flame) with a black wick, for a good price compared to shops.  Set of three, two are for gifts, didn't think about the single remote.  It can set the hours of use and time.  To my delight, Amazon also offers additional remotes.

I don't think Carole will be transported to home on Christmas and don't even want to get into the childish reason.  Love her to pieces, could smack the crap out of her at times.  So in addition to making dinner for the rest of us we will drive out there to spend time with her. 

Have a good Monday!

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You need a date

 Sorry.  The drawing for the berries chart will be Tuesday 12/21 at 8 pm.

Sherry that passed away was a blogger (http://bloginsherry.blogspot.com/) titled Inhale Life.  I have not been on Fakebook much in the last months but recently checked stitching posts and saw that she had heart surgery early summer and had passed away a few months after.

Kim showed the wonderful glass strawberry ornaments her husband gifted her, and I wanted to pass on a tip.  My arthritis is so bad in my right hand that I am dropping items often.  The last was a new large jar of mayo that broke when it hit the floor.  Not an easy clean up.  I've mentioned that Playtex Living gloves (I hoarded them years ago) swiped across any fabric/upholstery removes pet hair that you can't even see.  I still had it on and picked up the glass ornament I found on the only shop visit in over a year.  I am leery of  holding delicate or slippery items and the gloves offered a tacky hold that helped.  I may look odd (nothing new here) trimming a tree with yellow latex gloves but I won't be as afraid.  Hmmmm... wait ....

I just put a latex glove on, the boxed ones used in medical offices, worked like a charm!  Even better because of the tight fit.  Of course it doesn't improve my grip, but it does help the hold.

We vistited Volant PA, browsed shops I used to visit and found a few old ornaments, $3!!  There was a good selection of vintage.  It was nice to be inside a shop after so long.

Husband is golfing this afternoon, I plan to dust and sweep, browse bargains online.  I ordered a few extra of my favorite throw in case I need an extra gift.  From JCP (North Pole Trading ) they are so warm, so comfy, big enough to need the massive gift bag.   Carole asked for knee length loose shorts for therapy, hope they fit.

Have a great Sunday, be safe.

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Fa la la la la .... or Tralala

 Progress on Sprig of Holly using DMC 22 for the red, changed a few other neutrals also.  The thread on the spool is 167 for a hint of gold without being too bold.

When checking my Christmas folder for charts to take to Pittsburgh, I realized that I have two Tralala patterns for Fraises de Noel.  This isn't close to the generosity shown to me but I would like to offer the chart to you.  Please leave your initials or email in the comments or email me directly ...

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

The charts are not glossy or card stock, so please don't think it is a copy!

I did  not know that Sherry Human had passed away August 28.  Another kind and generous soul gone too soon.  

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New old find

 Just posted on Instagram the sampler tags I made a few years ago and forgot completely about.  So rather than search for that other tree they were originally on, I just added them to the tree that's already up.  Sweet!  I think I need to make more.  

Making some progress on Sprig, decided on DMC 22 for the red.  

Have a good day!

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Past and present

 Me during covid.

Me a month later.

Fat ankles included.

Rachel is taking a nap

 She deserves it after how often I pulled at her.  I have to stitch Pineberry's A Sprig of Holly.  Downloaded and printed, the chart is a delight to see with it's large format and very clear graph/symbols.  Then NFF's Santa Folk will be attempted.  One of my favorite free Christmas charts is from Pineberry, Ho Ho Ho (here).

I scrubbed my new box with Lestoil and then citrus cleaner, layers of dirt and oil removed.

Then Danish oiled and it's wonderful.

Why doesn't Blogger allow photos to be posted laterally?

Petey is still enjoying his heated house.

And this is Nit's favorite napping and viewing spot.

Not sure if I will add lights to the pine four foot tree, I haven't located my short grapevine to add to the group.  I used baskets to hide the bottoms.  

Made a trip to the Italian store for my favorite five pound tub of ricotta for shells and manicotti, they were closed.  I don't know if Carole will be able to be transported in two weeks for a Christmas day visit, day by day is the only hint.  Even if she is able, no ramps and narrow steps with iron railing may prevent it but we're working on it.  And here's another silly idea of mine, I even searched online for it.  With one leg cut so high, I thought there may be a garment (pants) that would have a heavier lining to allow the person to feel more balanced, and even a padded lining to give the pant leg some body.  Silly isn't it?

Errands the next few days, groceries, shopping, many phone calls which no one returns, and enjoying a snowless week.

Have a pleasant day folks, as much as we can with heavy hearts for victims.

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A change

It's coming.  It started today.  I actually felt like focusing
on and completing tasks.  Most weren't fulfilled, but there was a noticeable clarity at times, a cloud lifting, no panic seeping in.  As if a gate was opened and now we could move forward.  So different from the last ten months and I believe I heard it in Carole's voice this morning.  Stronger, determined.   

Tomorrow I will get my Christmas stitchery out of its plastic cave to enjoy.  All the other items, back to the attic.  Inside a few small trees lit, outside is as simple as other years and the way we prefer.  I want to spend the time going out, browsing, touching, imagining.  Between the seclusion and anxiety of 2020 and the distressful circumstance of 2021, I feel like a six year old wanting to go to Disneyland, not for the rides, but for the visual excitement.  Does that make sense?

Monday Monday.  Enjoy it.

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Hoping and praying

 that none of our stitching friends or their extended familie
s have been injured or affected by the tornados.  Our F5 was 1985 and it still comes back to haunt us, a tragedy difficult to forget.  My heart goes out to people in those areas.

I finished the tiny sampler and following reader's instructions, did not have much trouble with the over one except for obscenities.  Almost impossible for me to see on 36 count.  My eye check scheduled for January may be changed to a new doctor.  I might as well just see the surgeon.  The much loved and highly respected local doctor sold his practice to a group that has several other offices.  They fired all his staff, and him.  No thanks.

This is the big Magma and the mini Magma.

And this is the finished mini sampler with of course, a few changes.

The design is from Chessie and Me, Scottish Initial Sampler from long ago.

Carole may be discharged Sunday, not happy about that.  She is in extreme burning pain and the port for the nerve block will be removed at that time.  If it's that bad with it, I can't imagine what she will experience without it.  Still hoping she will be able to sit in a wheelchair in two weeks for a day at home.  Two weeks.  I am so far behind with everything and will try to do some decorating.

This is one of the photos (but not the best) that made me think about grouping/mixing different styles of trees, all white lights, no ornaments necessary.  One grapevine, one pine, one wire would be ideal.  I like it, different.

Have a pleasant Sunday.

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