Intermission

Take a moment to honor our veterans.

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Pumpkin man pause

 I am having a difficult time on the 40 count Murky.  I have and am able to complete projects on this count, but this is very "thick" and the holes are tough to see.  I use the sewing method when I can, but can't because of the errors.  One after another!  And this would take forever to stitch.

I wanted a small pillow but decided to try other options.  One of those is very appealing to me and yet, wasn't even thought of until now.  A larger standing finish like Paisley and Whittaker.  I would use a low count linen, easy to see, and create an 8" tall finish to set anywhere.  My stash is limited and the only Murky is 36 and 40.  I checked my lower counts and I do have unbleached in 28 and 30 requiring a dye job, and I found 28 count Dolphin which matches the dark shade in Murky. 

The light spot is a bleach test and after going through shades of pink before stopping at beige, I am wondering if this would be easier.  No bird brain, it would not.  When trying to mottle with the bleach, there is no way to get a soft transition to the dark shade.  The called for color doesn't seem to be available and I wouldn't want a larger piece than needed in 28.  That's where 123stitch tops other online shops.  Offering small pieces for one project is appreciated.

 I checked online, found Lugana in 28 count (no) and another similar color fat quarter for way too much $$.  I may get out the dye since I have plenty of 28, so until that is settled, another project needs to be chosen.  But which?

Enjoy the weekend.

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Thank you Amanda

 for directing me to https://string-or-nothing.com/ and her post about wax.

I bought several Thread Heaven before they were gone and have used that at times.  I love the shapes and colors of some fancy waxers, never used since I prefer to display.  I like the bar that she showed because with my arthritis, it appears easier to hold while drawing a thread across.  A flosstuber mentioned sliding floss across a damp sponge which works well for her.

The sausage, spinach, tortellini soup was excellent.  I mixed water/cornstarch (ran out of instant potato) and added to thicken but not much.  Enough for another meal and the extra will be heading to Carole's, but that depends on the time frame.  The longer it is in my fridge, the smaller it gets.

What's next?

Completely out of character for my projects.....

GHOSTS and GOBLINS by The Scarlett House

Planning to stitch only the pumpkin man on 40 count Murky (which is quite thick and stiff!).  I have no darker gray linen, very few 40 pieces, and don't want to play around with dye.  

Halloween is gone, and now I choose to stitch this.  And the giant bag of Reese cups larger than my wastecan is gone also.  Not one kid knocked on my door.  I finished that bag in record time.  Good thing I don't like the taste of alcohol beverages because I have no control.

Hypnosis ×3 is how I quit smoking packs a day 25 years ago.  No control, not even to just cut back.  Thank God it worked.

Enjoy your day .... the weeks are passing quickly.

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A little mail

 I haven't been purchasing linen for a while now, decided to get two small 40 count pieces since my stash is mostly 36.  Today, I received them.  One was Paperbark since I really like the small piece of 36 I have.  As always, not as ecpected.  

Beautiful very light neutral, not pinkish, not greenish, and not like my other piece.  And I don't see any mottling at all.  None.  Do you know what this means?  

I now have a very light neutral in 40 if I need it!  And a good excuse to browse online for a different piece!

Have you seen prices for hand dyed in recent days?  Yikes.

Be safe!

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Boom

 

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Food

 Food note.

I edited the scalloped potato mention after some had read it.  Yes, I get packaged ham slices, usually unprocessed, or any deli ham can be purchased in a chunk and diced/cubed.  I add to that recipe and increase the sauce by 1/2.

I'm surprised about the banana bread flavor just by switching nuts, and next time with use the pecans again but add vanilla to see the difference.

Today is another favorite in the crock pot which I've posted before.

  1# browned, drained, and crumbled Italian sausage

1 10 ounce bag of fresh spinach, torn (or not)

1 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes (with seasoning or not)

2 14 oz cans ( or close) chicken broth of choice

1 8 oz block of cream cheese cut up

Italian seasoning can be added if canned tomatoes are plain

Add above to crock, stir, low setting for 4-5 hours

Add a 19 oz bag of frozen cheese tortellini to pot, stir, and add 15 to 30 minutes until pasta is tender.  Done.

This is soup, I add instant potato flakes to thicken for some fusspots that prefer more creamy broth.

I usually lay a towel under the lid halfway through any crock recipe to prevent the condensation from watering down the meal.  Not always necessary.

Ready to go!

I also tried a beef roast recipe from a friend.  Mine result in a tough dry meal 98% of the time so went along with her guarantee of a fabulous roast.

She uses sirloin tip, chuck, london, top round, bottom round, just about any thicker roast.

You can rub it with a little olive oil, but not necessary at all.

Heat the oven to 225 F.  Put the roast into a heavy dutch oven (roaster with lid), sprinkle Lipton onion soup mix over, put the lid on.  That's it. No liquid.  After 3 hours, (more or less depending on roast size) you have au jus that is strong enough for a super gravy.  She doesn't make gravy at all, but I added a can of cream of mushroom to the juice and it was fabulous.  Can add more water if too strong.  But the meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender.  Bingo.

My dad's cast aluminum dutch oven, I have the skillet to match.  Best best best for anything and so easy to clean.  So old the lid's handle broke, but no flea markets around to search for a replacement.

Finishing window washing today with my favorite squeegee.

Another injection to my knee Friday will require rest after.  Stitching time!

Happy meals!

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The Cosmo test

 Hi folks.

I found the Cosmo floss with an old DMC wool skein. And here's the result of comparing to the dmc black.

The feel is nicer, the black is sharper.  Not a noticeable difference in the completed stitching on two letters, but the Cosmo seems smoother with less fuzz.

The fraying is minimal with Cosmo, compare the tails of the two.  My dmc has been separating/fraying quite often.

Overall, it seems smoother, more consistent, stronger.  Cosmo is made in Japan, 100% cotton, by Lecien Corporation.  I have all dmc colors and won't be replacing them, but may order certain colors for specific projects.  Not a big difference really, but I will continue testing this black skein (next project has a black hat) since this one was quite limited.

The fill in will be a chore for me.  But will complete Hannah today.

Have a good day.  Be safe.

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