Velvet top

While throwing things in my sewing room, I came upon a protected pile of really nice small stitcheries looking for a permanent display.  One was EF 1837 with a lot of pinks.  Many beautifully finished drums with velvet tops have been gracing posts on IG with velvet tops so I may give it a go.  I found three velvets in pinks, of the three, the middle is least liked.  Showing both sides.

I had my xray today but the new doctor thinks it is interstitial lung disease from Sjogrens and a CT scan will be ordered for confirmation.  I am still hoping they are wrong but it doesn't seem so.  My doctor of twenty years will no longer see me since I visited another doctor.  I was thinking of a change but did not know that one visit to see if we connect would be reason for my original doctor to throw me off a cliff.  "Once you leave the practice, we unfortunately will not take you back".  EVER.  I guess one visit means I left without even telling them.  

So I'm going to be in a rotten funk this weekend.  ...............  What day is this?  Oh wait, January is still displayed.  February 2 is not on a weekend.  Doesn't matter, funk knows no days.

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Another pause

 I've been struggling, managing, but today there is no drop or gel that is allowing my eyes the slightest relief.  Almost completed the tree, I chose DMC 22 for the berries/apples, but the rest will have to wait.  Of course the errors I chose not to correct have trickled down, but wonky branches and long legged figures hide them well.  

I appreciate all the suggestions and information you've been offering for Budman.  The other vet is just so swamped with patients and does surgeries two days a week.  They may allow a visit on one of those days, and are trying to squeeze him in.  He is still losing, sometimes succeeding in eating soft pate food, and believing he remains ruler of the brat pack.  The vet warned us of the pain and suffering that could come quickly with a failing heart.  I certainly do not want this, and Bud deserves to leave in peace.  Several times we witnessed him going in tight circles, seeming as if he is confused which the vet said may be small strokes.  Another one today, so we need to have a realistic conversation with both vets.

I hope you had a nice end to January. 

 Seeing any winter month leave is a cause for celebration.

Thanks for visiting.

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Crab(gr)ass. Boom.

Done!  Time to move back into the body and finish this gal.

Because of my thread tension missteps, this section would have been obviously skewed if I didn't use the two direction method.   Just look at how nicely this lays without pressing or manipulating.

And I've showed the back before, but you can see how the stitches make a grid that really stabilizes the linen. 

 I explained the situation and was scheduled for a filling, but that didn't happen at my dental visit, over a $100 for him to look at it.  He told me to make an appointment and gave me the estimate of $364.  I'm not in pain until brushing or sweets hit it.  Is the pain worth a second bath of fritters?  You bet your sweet apple it is.  Mom's recipe is very simple. A few drops of milk can be added if batter is too thick.

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp oil

3/4 cup flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp baking powder

Slice cored apples into rings or wedges, dip in batter, fry in a little oil (not too hot)

Dust with powdered sugar.

Devour.

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A catty kind of day

For reasons too numerous to mention.

Bud is still thin and not eating enough, but he is trying his best and at times will get a half can of Fancy Feast down without bolting.  Where's the pate?  Everyone in the cat food aisle is complaining about the scarcity and wondering if the newer "stuffed" food at the higher price is replacing the old favorites.  I found a vet that is willing to work with us and will be seeing her soon.  Bud really enjoys lap time now.  Nit and Missy still enjoy drawing my blood.

And the outside rival really enjoys his heated house.  Can't get him out, but when he does vacate, Nit enters and refuses to leave.  He has been threatening Petey for several days, and doesn't remember that he got his clock cleaned and lost part of his ear last time.  That's why we call him the Nit!!

Dental visit tomorrow, haven't found a new office yet so this one tooth will probably be my stimulus check.  We lost another two local businesses, and residents are questioning why our school is getting another almost 4 million in covid relief. 

I am WAY off this week, thought it was Saturday.  But honestly, does it matter?  Apple fritters will be hitting the pan soon, I don't give a damn what day it is.

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And crab(gr)ass it is

 Much easier and less tedious when the rows are short.  The first half stitching horizontally seemed never ending but completing the stitch in vertical rows is a cinch.  Turning the linen upside down every other row is the only annoyance, and very tolerable even for a crab.  

And once again I am so pleased I discovered this fill method.  Look how even this block is!  Before, my rows were obvious and distorted the linen.  You're probably tired of hearing about that but it makes me happy every time I see the greatly improved result.  

Happy Monday!!

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The grass is always greener

 But what type of grass?  

Tedious and repetitive.

So I'm wondering if thin and delicate blades of fine fescue are acceptable, or if the second half of the cross is necessary, changing delicate to a fat blade crab(gr)ass. 

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