Visualize

 Hard to do sometimes.

You can't hold up heavy pots, hooks to hold them in position, and a long board, while stretching over a sink and counter.  Laying the project out on a table is a different perspective.

We both thought if the board was longer, the pots would be too far apart and look like something was missing.  Not sure.  I'm transferring this photo to the old Paint program so I can manipulate it to show a longer board.  Hubs said to hang the copper plates on the bare sides.  Again, not sure.  But not what I expected.  Cutting and staining another board is not a major job.

The last week of summer is upon us.

Dammit.

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Death by Chocolate

What a way to go.

Death by Chocolate Zucchini Bread 

Instead of a single loaf I use five mini pans.  

Easy to freeze.  

Less calories when thawed.

335-350 F for about 40 minutes

It's a thick batter.  My change is two whole eggs since large are small these days.  And usually skip the salted top. These pans are sprayed and then wiped of excess, flop out beautifully.  No cocoa dusting.

Next is the lemon.

Trying a new one with cinnamon.

Not sure about that spice with lemon but will test it.

So many versions of this end of summer (NOOOOOOOO!) staple, haven't hit on a basic traditional recipe I like yet.  From plain to pineapple cherries and coconut, tried them all.

Enjoy your day.

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Getting close

But after I destroyed (aged) the new wood, I needed to choose a hook.  

Always a problem.  

I like the black strap.  But the heavy rustic looks good too.  Board will be installed first and then I can see what will be visible over the pots.  Maybe neither!

The house was started with called for, too close in color to the linen and I knew errors would follow.  I changed to 3045, will trim with ?.  

It's a good day to browse for a new chart.  I'm disappointed that many linens are no longer offered in small pieces on 123.  I will not purchase a $35+ piece that may not be what I expect.  More like guaranteed.  PTP is very consistent and the majority of my stash, but having other shades would be nice.

It feels like yesterday that I crabbed about August arriving.  And it's leaving very soon.

Have a good day.

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Counting

I can do that.

But counting linen threads and graphs is a problem

This damn tree gave me fits, even with my Line-a-Timer.  Enlarged the chart, symbols are clear, yet I continually counted incorrectly.  Finally done with the 3012, time for the 936.  Well that didn't work out either.  Did not like those greens together, removed and changed to 3051.  

Considering a deeper shade of red for the house instead of the light gold.

Hubs cut a board similar to the ladder step, less height and thickness.  I prefer the step, but would rather it be eye level somewhere, with hooks or not.  Hate to cover it with pots but may use it anyway.  Either will work.

Toots is snoozing again in the final days of summer.  But I'm not sleeping and my right leg is aching enough to keep me awake.  Who knows why.

Google won't offer help to change their error unless I make my blog available to their search console and other search engines.  Did not want to do that, but did, now waiting for their fix.

Have a good day.

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Too much?

Starting to get rid of excess and choosing wall decor.  I haven't made a nail hole since we painted, walls are bare.  I like it.  

This old wood was a step from a ladder, the rope went through those side holes, it is very heavy.  Why the hell did I only purchase one?   Anyway, hubs would like a little black chandelier in place of the recessed light (adapter kits allow all sorts of things not possible years ago), but that would throw the light upward rather than over the sink.  

I was thinking of having the board installed on the wall above the window ( height fits perfectly), and use large iron hooks to hang these two copper pots. 

The pots would reach over the window trim board but not the glass area.  Hanging from ceiling with black hooks would look odd I think.

I have more that are much too large to hang.  The old dark wood and copper will look good?  Or too heavy?  Maybe make a board with less height, just along the ceiling.  I'll stick two board sizes up with the pots, holes will be covered unless I decide against it. Easy small area to patch, no harm done.  

Be safe folks.

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Google did it

Hi folks.  I checked into the red flag issue on the Free page and the entire account.   It's safe, no threats.  Google had an major issue that flagged hundreds of blogs as malicious that are not.  Seems something as simple as a copyright symbol caused the flag.  I saved, cleaned for no reason, ran scans, will bring them back hopefully in tact.

And this is the new project.

Notice the error?  I knew the border pattern, but was distracted and obviously failed to stitch as charted.  It's fine, will either follow it or correctly stitch the upper part of it.

Enjoy what's left of summer.

Tootsie is.

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Closed

 Hi.  Received email about my Free page being flagged.  I closed all the pages and will check into a fix.  I would hope to save these charts, will update. 

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Next

 Probably.

I thought about Sherry's suggestion of a round frame for the Folk Art finish, found one on Amazon that I like.  The box top is much smaller of course, not sure yet.  But if I stitch again and change the fruit to a rich cranberry, different vase, I could have both.

I have been moving these small prints of Carole's every time I dust, do not want them.  She never framed or displayed, all from 1977.  Don Davey's San Francisco, the other set is Jane Hill.  I guess ebay.  Not worth much at all, but the last several times I took donations to my local place, it was horrible. 

I bought another pinch pot, love the wood from Tuckahoe.  So cute!

My biggest to my smallest.

Have a good day.

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2026 Finish #20

Shakespeare's Peddler Folk Art Basket

46 count dyed by me with dmc

A few changes to fruit and basket, finished 3"x3" approximate

Considered a small square soft finish with corner tassels, and thought another Shaker box top would be nice.  Either way, it's darling.  Will decide when the mood hits.

 Be safe.

Behave.

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Fruity

The fruits are done, added color to a few more.  Not changing the basket because I removed the stems, had enough.  The 934 with 3371 stems did not show at all so I stitched again with the 612.

It seems this higher 46 count doesn't distinguish subtle changes as on a 40 or 36.  The tiny stitches can't show as well unless consecutive or grouped.

Doctor said it's ok to take Jardiance when on a pump. Not the info I found, but he chose to follow the cardio's order.

And so it goes.  Why do I waste my time?

The grandson's GF is not leaving, and there are close to twenty unaltered females now.  Considering donating to agencies elsewhere since I haven't even received acknowledgment of the problem in any form of response.

Have a good one.

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Doesn't make sense

But that's me and my stitch quirks.

The first is symmetry and moving elements in attempts to center.

The next is color.  Good grief, color.

More so in linen, but contrast within is important too.

This has mostly 610 and 612 in basket and fruit.  I switched to a very pale apricot and green for a little change from all beige, but the vase is looking too undefined in its pattern.  If I change the 612 to 613, that will make a huge difference.  But should I bother?  The chevron would stay as is, just the fill would change.

I most times put the work on a wall or cabinet and stand away since that proximity would be how it's seen when finished.  Silly, I know.

But these quirks are mild to my others!!

I am glad I questioned nephew's result of his cardio appointment.  I asked to see his blood work requisition.  And there it was.  Despite seeing the pump on his chest, discussing his issue with adhesive holding the pump on when sweating, and his record showing type 1, this doctor's diagnosis on all his paperwork is .... type 2 diabetes, start on jardiance.  I will be visiting their office tomorrow morning.  Nephew went to my cardio, trusts doctors, and being worried about his heart reports so far, would have taken the drug.  I hope he has learned that yes, in fact, his aunt does know everything and to never fully trust health info when it could kill you!

Week one.  Over and out.

I will be bitching for the rest of the month.

Bandit doesn't seem to care.

***********

The pattern of errors

What the chart is ....

What mine is .....

And that's perfectly fine.  The first error was placement of color in the middle chevron.  The second was trying to center it.  The third was another attempt at symmetry, but during that, the wonk appeared.  To be fair, that top area was a real wonk to begin with.  So with a zig to my zag, it became another chevron, and thank goodness it's done. Very difficult to prevent errors in stitch placement on this 46, close in color to the floss.  The fruit/berries may need a color change because of this.

My nephew (and his son) are both under cardiologist care now, heart issues.  From stress?  None are minor.  But I'm shocked that he ordered jardiance for him when he is type 1 with a pump!  Is it safe because his pancreas is dead so that part of the drug won't affect him?  Regardless, I told him to check with his diabetes doc.  There are other drugs for heart failure.

The kids are growing up.

Enjoy your second week of AUGHust.

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2026 Finish #19

WTNT Peppermint Pals

40 count Winter Brew, DMC 

*****************

OK Gail

You got me!  I guess Work In Possession is a WIP.  As long as it is with my stitching supplies and bags, it counts.  

Tempted though to cut off Jane and keep the rest of the glorious original Tobias.  Ordering now it is green, and I haven't seen anything close to that first offering.  One of my absolute favorites that is no longer.

Original Affogato and Antique Lace are the others, but all are 36.  I don't like the coverage, and doubt if I will ever work on a large sampler again.  But I love them along with several others that I have kitted.

I changed the bottom of Rachel Hyde and have not found a creature I like to complete it.  

If you've not purchased an air fryer because of the basket material or the mess stuck to its inside, look at this.  Cuisinart Clear View glass basket.  Non-toxic, easy clean.  Ninja makes one with a 4 quart and 6 cup glass basket, but you have to lift off the heater/fan motor to get to the basket for turning.  Setting it on a safe surface or being very careful not to get burned was a concern (don't trust my arthritic hands), so I went with Cuisinart which slides out.  More features and controls with this one also.  One thing I do not like is the basket has a gap between the top section, Ninja sets onto the basket. Either are excellent options, finally!

That's it!

Have a good day.

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Just can't wait

I chose 46 count because I want as small as possible.  Several changes to colors.  Couldn't wait to start.  Still monogamous!  But I found several large samplers that were started, set aside.  If I have no desire to complete them, are they still WIPs?

But still planning to complete the Pal, not much left to do.

 

A question regarding linen.  Mentioned in a comment about direction, but I'm clueless.  Should selvage edge be top or side?  If my piece is a small cut without selvage, how do I know?  Does it matter?

It's August.  Dammit.

Enjoy your day.

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Sad news

 I know our Carol from Saltbox Stitcher likes fill in, I don't.  But I did at one time.  I think patience (the lack of) has pulled me away from larger projects, and probably why fill in makes me fidgety.    Take your time but hurry up.

He's done, debating on the vine to finish or start the basket design.

I do eyes, buttons, anything like that over the fill in stitches.  Don't need to count incorrectly (inevitable), and I think overstitches are more distinct.  

I'm sure you've all heard by now of Misi Axel, 1890 Gable House Goodes, sudden passing.  What a shock, and such a shame.

Hope your August goes extremely slow.  OK?

*************

The snowman cometh

 Finally done with the first leg of him.  I can't tell you how many errors I made, so grateful that these weren't full crosses.  You would think aligning the stitch over the row beneath is foolproof.  Well, this fool is proof it ain't.  The row would end one linen thread off, not a big deal if it's within a row, but not the outline.  A miss in several rows and his head would be misshapen.  Over and moving on now, edges are correct.  Or close.  The floss being so close in color to the linen was probably the cause.

Remember when my plan was to add stones to this area with a barnstone edge?  Too much work, stopped half way.  I angled a bench and added the tubs to hide the furnace pipes and spigot, a potted hosta, a rocker.  Much better, not an unattractive area now.

I would love to put my huge cast iron sink with backsplash here, but we can't move it.  Found in the woods, years younger ago, it is in need of a good cleaning.  Rusted and perfect for me!  Maybe Scott can bring his son and build a stand for it on casters.  Hmmm.  Photo looks odd because it's leaning on a tree.

Tending to flowers this afternoon, still being careful after my third knee injection.  Stopped Crestor (rosuvastatin) again, back on Pravastatin.  Not as good, but without the side effects.  Stopped before and started back on a lower dose.  I am so stiff it is difficult to rise!  If this resolves in a few weeks, I'll know for sure the cause.  

Enjoy your day!

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Moving on ... 2026 Finish #18

 Thanks for your comments and thoughts.  Feeling a little better, she did get a car and out of sister's.  But still there.  Another month is ending (AUGH!!) and as with every month for the last twelve, she was told to be gone by the end.  That's Friday.  But she won't go, just as she hasn't the other eleven months.  I'm not sure if she knows the PA laws (prior post) and that's why she doesn't go, or if she is just that arrogant and knows the kids are on her side.  No, she is not taking her cats to her dad's tiny run down rental.  There are more kittens on the way, and I am so disgusted with the agencies here.  Nephew wants his son to stay in the house.  The latest insulin delivery method and sensors are amazing, his son is connected through his phone to monitor his dad's info and current glucose levels.  When nephew is exhausted from working too much, his sleep is deep, and the alarms sounding on his unit do not wake him.  His son, if not near enough, will call us or EMT to get to him quickly.  His drops are sudden and rapid, the pump stops the insulin drip at a set glucose reading, but levels continue to drop. We are more comfortable having his son there too.  

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Did I show my finish of Merry Old Soul?

DMC and overdyed red from Needle Necessities on 40 count Winter Brew.  I didn't do as may flakes as charted and changed one to another pattern because of an error.  Also added a gold stitch to the berries.

I've had vertigo off and on for over two weeks so stitching hasn't been daily.  Peppermint Pals pants were done 2.5 times because my errors weren't caught until the second color was added to the plaid.  Most were in the middle!  So at least half had to be frogged and redone several times.  Even had to change his shoes.  At least those corrections made the third color error free.

I'm anxious to start that little Folk Art Basket from Kitten Stitcher.  When I get really tired of the second leg of all the off white in this guy, I may set him aside and start it.

Where has summer run off to?  Good grief it will be August in two days!

Damn.  I'm not even tired of zucchini yet.

Hope your week is going well.

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