The little things

 that make me smile.  Well.... close anyway.  

I bought these little tins and the battery tea lights from the dollar store.  That little flame light looks like this ...

So I cut waxed paper and lined the tin with a double layer.  

Now the entire cutout glows.

That's better.

Waxed paper.  Who knew?

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Ann Stone

 is back on the stitching station.

For how long?

Since my flashes are back, aggravating, irritating, and contributing to my crabass mood, your guess is as good as mine.  Will they ever end?

I do plan to pull out the big girls sitting in my basket, kitted and ready, and chose one to alternate with Ann.

Tomorrow is the day that will determine the background issue, and the daunting tasks resulting.

We have been working on the deck during the past three days of beautiful warmth, and now the damp cold has returned.  

Hope all is well with you!!!

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Final

 The last of my hydrangeas in a half gallon jar.

Yep.  They're big.

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AAAAAND.......

 DONE.  

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Coming soon to a finish pile

 All I have left is the lighter floral on three sides.  Oh how I hate borders.  And the kitted samplers waiting in my basket have beauties.  I will return to the two thread 30 count of Ann for a while as I decide which.  Kezia needs new linen, thread color, and attitude adjustment.  Melanie's work on Kezia is stunning but I know I cannot do that border over one as she has masterfully done.  Seeing that may be one of the reasons I am not happy with mine.  We can certainly take inspiration from others, but should not expect the same result, especially when materials (and ability) are different.

One of the employees at Carole's facility gave her this beautiful card (Hallmark).  When opened, this sparkling bouquet appears.  Love it!  And she used post it notes with her personal message over the card's verse allowing Carole to send the card to someone else.

Truus, this is a dutch oven, any large high sided pot with lid.  I have stainless steel pots that came with a set and use them often for soups and roasts, but this cast aluminum was my dad's.  Very heavy and the absolute best material for even heat and perfect browning.  So old the handle broke.  Matching frying pan created the best home fries, fried potato slices with peppers, and caramelized onions for pierogis.  

The Rachel Hyde sampler found in my Magma was to be finished with a few animals in the grass after I added the fence and increased the pasture.  The large charted beast was over one and not working out, hence the change.  Not being able to come up with sheep small enough or any brilliant visions, I set it aside.  I need to think about removing the fence and just completing Rachel with a cow or two.

The sun is out, husband is golfing to pay for the Tabbycat Lallybroch linen that I ordered from Hobby House.  Has anyone seen the Ragamuffin color?   I can't wait to see our favorite enablers huge hauls on floss tube from recent retreats.  

Carole's visit home was uneventful except for all the commotion.  That's part of the background crap and I may explain it one day.  Needless to say, this entire situation is going to be a daily battle and I will not get involved.  I certainly will if problems related to her disability or health arise, but the other I can't deal with.

Have a great weekend stitchin' buds.

Thanks for visiting.

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Is this Thursday?

 Feels like the weekend.  I'm loading boxes of eats to take to Carole's and will be there all day.  Italian beef, home made mac&cheese, pistachio cake and frosting, good cheese, fresh buns. 

I was ridding my charts and found this from Kathy Barrick and thought as I always do .... pear.  With slight modification I think it will be fabulous.

And look what I found folded in a Magma!!  I need to add a few critters to complete this.

Woke to this yesterday and it stayed for most of the day.  Warming a little this weekend which is build-a-deck day here.  I wish they made Advil in gummies.

Italian beef recipe for sandwiches

3# rump or chuck roast (or smaller)

Make a paste to spread on the roast with

1 TBSP black pepper 

1 TBSP salt 

1 TBSP Colman's mustard powder

1 TBSP garlic powder

1 TBSP Worcestershire 

After covering the roast with the paste, put into a crock

pot and add about an inch of water, low for 6 hours or high for less

Slice in sections across the grain, shred the beef and return 

to the juices, blend well, keep on low until served.  Can be made

ahead and reheated covered.  It's a little peppery hot, I use 3/4 of a TBSP.

More water can be added if you want it juicier, but too much will

lessen the flavor.

 

If it's getting too much water from cooking, secure a towel beneath the 

crock's lid the last hour or two.  If you use a dutch oven to roast in oven,

make sure lid is tight and check for water level, it may dry out and need

more. 

Add your favorite cheese to the bun, pepper rings, mustard, or nothing! 

Have a great day folks!!
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