Simple Treasures on Saturday

 

They say tea is a great antioxident, and I can certainly say that the medicinal effects run way deeper than physical. Today, I made me a cup of tea in my china instead of everyday pottery because I had a little celebration of 3 months of marriage to Mr. Darcy!  Of course he is a very special man that has made me feel real love that I had always wanted my whole life. In fact, he is the real thing and I am so blessed to have met him and become his wife.

 

 

 

 

I think true love is an antioxident too. It changes how we sleep, eat, love, and tons of other things in our lives. 

 

 My favorite tea is Earl Grey Twinings. Always has and always will.

It's a very light tea but the flavor is awesome.  It helps my aching joints along with Bayer aspirin and lots of love in our home.

They say many analogies with a cup of tea. I've read that you truly don't know a woman's strength until she is put in hot water!

I see it as we are the tea bag, and when hot water or times come to us, God infuses prescious water with our talents, our strength, our love, our special, unique qualities that enhance our life. We may not see it now but in the big picture, it's a chock full of beautiful.

 

 

 

I've learned to surround my warm tea with the best I can, in an environment conducive to calm.

 

 

Of course, tea is not my only way to cope with anxiety and unsettling times but also learning new things. I'm such a beginner novice at knitting, but this has been a goal to learn for years and years.

There's much to be said for color therapy, fabrics, textures~ touch. Knitting itself has medical benefits and also is a great addition to my coping strategies for stress. I also enjoy making new things for gifties.

 

 

 

 

I have completed several projects and after finishing one dishcloth, I decided to make a go at a larger one for a drying cloth. This is from a yarn shop and is a mottled blue color which will enhance my everyday pottery in the kitchen. This is not 100% cotton but majority is. It's an Italian cotton and my progress is here.

It's knitted with a size 7 Bates needle and the material has a little stretch in it which makes it easier to knit.

I'm almost done with it.

 

 My speed is slower with my right hand injury but the specialist I saw on Thursday said I could use it but if it hurts, stop and ice it. The partial tender rupture is healing well as they did another image while there.The risk for total rupture is within the first 2 weeks and I am past that.  The doctor is very nice and he knows his hand specialty which is good. I wrap my hands while working and doing any needle work and taking antiinflammatory meds. I still don't have all of my grip strength without pain though. Not complaining. I've had worse happen to me in my life and I will get through it. Hopefully when I go back in 6 weeks, he will not have to inject it.

 

 

 

After my visit, I went to Hobby Lobby which is a candy store I seldom go to and got these inexpensive pick-me-up Spring thingies, a needlebox and pretty lime scissors.

 

I'm SO ready for Springtime here in the mountains!

 

 

Abbie says she is too as she cuddles in my chair, in fact, she will cuddle anywhere near me.

 

 

 

Enjoy this weekend!

 

Take a few minutes to enjoy some of the things that make your skirt fly up.

 Life is way too short not to.

 

Remember to thank friends in your life, online or in person, that have been there for you when you needed it.

 

Take 15 minutes at least each day to read scripture to learn more if you are on track in your life, to sooth your soul.

 

Find something that makes your heart skip, and learn it with a passion.

 

Tell your special someone how special they are to you.

 

Ignore the folks that talk about you in a negative way, totally ignore your offer for friendship or completely don't understand because they really don't. If thy did, they wouldn't be acting so rudely. I honestly believe that.

 

Surround yourself with beautiful, caring people. It's not the number, it's the integrity of the ones you have in your life.

 

Stitch more, with yarn or floss or whatever the medium. You can make mistakes, correct them, learn from them, and re-create a better ending if need be. Life is like this but  bit harder.

 

Love you all,

Jennifer

 

 

A Super Sweet December weekend

When I was a wee, little girl, Christmas time was always the best. We struggled like many folks and I remember that all our trees were "real" and several times I went with my dad to go out in the woods somewhere and we would pick out a tree together. If I liked one bigger, he would climb way to the top and cut the top of it off for the tree. As I grew older we bought trees or an artificial one but never would they replace those wispy ones from the woods we put in a bucket inside.

 

This is me. All giddy on Christmas Eve with my brother in matching pjs. I used to think that was so neat. We got one pair like that right before Christmas for a pic under the tree. I was 5 years old here and had made a Santa and proud to put his limp self with cotton balls and all right under the tree for Santa to see when he came to put the presents around!

 

Of course back then, mama put alot of icicles on the tree and as I grew older, she let me put them on there. I think then she would go back and even them out. :o

 

Those were the simple times.

 

 I guess my love for crafting came very early in life even way before this when I got put in the time out chair in kindergarten for playing with my crayons when I was supposed to be listening.

 

This weekend, Mr. Darcy and I went to a lovely, huge Christmas party and danced till we couldn't anymore. We had so much fun. The food was overflowing, the music was good too.

 

So, today I've been getting a little out of the village and decorating a bit. I'll show you some pics later but here are a few sneak peaks. We even got a pic with Santa but I don't have it with me right now.

 

 

 

more of the village when I get finished with it. It honestly takes a good 2-3 hours of set up.

I used a different "snow" this year. I so miss the other kind but couldn't find it in stores so I basically used the poly stuff.

 

 

 

On the baking front, Mr. Darcy likes yellow cake with chocolate frosting so in between decorating,

I made up one. The frosting recipe is from a Better Homes and Garden cookbook.

It's a Chocolate Butter Frosting.

 

simple to make and oh so rich!

 

it made enough for extra cupcakes if you whip it up though....I was licking beaters and bowls until I was about sick.

The one piece was mine till he gets home. Yes, I'm a pig. :P

 

 

Our Hoosier cabinet makes a great place to put sweets for the week.

 

the recipe for the frosting is:

 

Chocolate Butter Frosting

 

takes about 30 minutes to make, 20 if you are quick

 

this yields 4 and 1/2 cups of frosting!!!!!!  They say enough for one layered cake. I say enough for 2.

 

3/4 cup of sweet butter softened

 

2 pounds of powdered sugar (in a 2lb large bag)

 

1/2 -3/4 cup of milk ( I used canned evaporated milk as I was out of regular)

 

2 tablespoons of vanilla

 

3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Hershey's and a bit more to taste)

 

In an extra large mixing bowl beat butter (softened) with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Add the powdered cocoa. Beat in 2/3 cup or so of milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in remaining sugar ( LOTS). Beat in additional milk to reach spreading consistency.

To frost a 13 x 9 inch flat cake, halve the recipe.

 

Then try to refrain from licking all the icing and spread generously on the bottom layer and sides. Then plop out the 2nd from the baking pan and load up the top and ice and lick until your heart's desire. :0

 

 

So what else is on the stitching front???? Well, lots of cleaning and sorting into new cabinets downstairs in my sewing area. (didn't get it today) but in the process I pulled colors for the freebie previous to this post for Mr. Darcy and my first Christmas ornie.

 

I was about to pull the colors and then I found this in the mounds of stash.

 

 

so I decided to use these silks I got a couple of years ago and the ones I selected from the box for the sampler are here. Silks stitch like BUTTAH!

 

 

yep, with some small piece of 32 count antique white linen

 

 

Obviously this was in between the village decor and the chocolate mess I made. :P

 

My other things I gathered are a small wooden hoop I've had from the Scarlet Letter for 5 years or so and these scissors.

They are 7.99 including free shipping from Speed Factory Bike Ebay store. They are antiqued with titanium planting over stainless steel. They are razer sharp and 4 inches. They have several about 7 or 8 other vintage style scissors. Great for gifties for stitchers.

The seller for these on EBAY is:

 

hsuan05

 

 

Along with this small clip on Mighty Bright light and a pair of magnifying glasses and I'm good to go!

 

 

 

Well, best get back to decorating and cleaning up.

 

 Soon bedtime will be here and yes, I'm watching the 2 hour special of the Walton's wedding tonight if I can stay up late. Late to us is 10pm here on Fox Mountain. 

Soon to get out my Christmas cards.....

 

 

oh what a list of things to do in December! 

Till our threads entangle again,

 

Jennifer

Fresh Flowers and Homesteading

Yup, our 1 week anniversary is tomorrow!

 

My honey brought these home for me. Aren't they pretty???  He knows I love pink and that was what he said to me.

we are very happy and blessed.

 

 

this photo shared from The Road to Me. It's a cool place with alot of good encouraging words. Just go to FB and "LIKE" The Road to Me" to receive their messages.

 

hey, if any of you know where I can get a 4 inch size of these Gingher collectibles this year, supposedly only sold at Joanne's Crafts (I think, not sure) besides EBAY, please let me know here....

 

the name of these are   JENNIFER

 

On Ebay I almost stroked at the prices. Good grief!!!!

These are on my Santa list for maybe........but I think they are few and far between and when I have found them on Ebay, I just can't pay that for them.

I don't need the 8 inch ones but would love the 4 in embroidery ones.

 

I hope your Monday hasn't been manic.....mine has been very peaceful as I'm still honey-mooning :P

 

Actually yesterday after church, we got alot done around here, filling up the wood rack on the porch, blowing leaves, and cleaning out a closet or two and a dresser that had my stash in it.........it has a new purpose now and gorgeous where it is.

Tomorrow I hope to get all the piles of linen, frames, and fibers that came out of it....and OH there is alot.......into some special cabinets I had in the basement. I will have my sewing area complete when I get this organized.

A happy dance for sure the day we get all of our stuff in it's proper place.

 

Well, off to bed. I've been getting good sleep this week, that's one thing for sure to be thankful for.

I'm also thankful for all the comments and good prayers sent our way. We really appreciate them.

 

Jennifer

New Start of Love One Another--Blackbird Designs

New start of a Blackbird Design sampler out of their For My Friend book that I got while at In Stitches back in March in Alexandria, VA. The fabric 30 count Sheep Straw and the entire sampler is in 6 skeins of Gentle Art Mulberry.

I really like the dark red for this piece and will be happy to get to the motifs. There are instructions for learning new stitches besides the cross stitch and I'm so ready to get to the part.

This is a great book by Blackbird Designs as there are other goodies tucked in for small projects as well.

Next~~~~~ one thing that came in the mail. I looked on Ebay and saw that a dealer was going out of business and selling stash so I got this for a third of the cost and brand new. It is a BAP but I was attracted to the cute litte fox in it.

This is a 19th century reproduction piece. Mansion House at Fox Hollow.

Of late, I have an attraction to anything fox!

Mansion House at Fox Hollow

designer Country Stitches--With Thy Needle and Thread

I also caved and got this pair of scissors for my stash. I've been doing quite well with not getting as much stash this year due to financial restraints but this little pair looks lovely.

Anybody interested in maybe adding a pair to their stash? Is so let me know and I might be putting a pair for a giveaway.

This pair is from The Scarlett Letter website.

I get alot of comments through the past few years how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful area.

I can only agree that as any season here, the mountains are beautful and I truly am blessed.

My Kindle is loaded up with a few more Jane Austen books. I have a great love for Pixel of Ink on FB where daily freebies are posted and most of the time to load onto the Kindle (Gracie).

Another FB Kindle site for freebies is Inspired Reads.

Just a couple of funny ones from the local area. :)

Stay in Stitches!

Jennifer

Home Tweet Home~~the Birds are singin'

I love going to a big city once a year but always glad to be home by the 5th day at least!  It's such a great contrast to the balance of the world, fast and slow. Moderate and stagnant. Green and cement. ;)

I had some really great meals while I was there and just had a very good time this year on a business trip for Women's Health.

I went a day early this year to explore some favorite spots in Washington, DC and Alexandria. I think I rode about every public transit you could find, just getting lost in a good way actually, being spontaneous with the time I had which was limited.  My third visit ever to In Stitches was ever so exciting as usual!! Patricia was very nice and helpful and I wanted to bring everything home, but this is what I DID get for my stash!!

They have a great blog, by the way, and if you look on my side bar you'll see it.

She showed me many of the latest Nashville recent designs and just was very pleasant to me. The models are intriguing in there!

My camera is hanging on a limb hinge that is loose so here goes with the pics.

Actually this first one is Coverlet Birds progress that I took with me. The Scarlett House is the designer. This is the first time using Needlepoint Silks and I love it. Although they are not varigated in color, I think it was a great designer choice for the replication of a coverlet pattern. Why do I love birds so much????   I don't know but it seems to be a theme of things I got and working on right now.

I did some frogging on the plane today. Finally got the head count straightened out.

I hope to frame this piece in a black frame as on the cover. I think this looks best!

I am stitching using 32 ct Earthen Belfast linen 2 over 2. I almost used 1 over 1 but, I think with in keeping with the coverlet texture, the 2 over 2 is better. NPI silks as called for in the design.

now, for other items from In Stitches shop in Alexandria.

My Dear Friend book by Blackbird Designs

The sampler on the right "Love One Another"........ I had the threads pulled and have the linen at home.

I love this and will definitely be stitched and in the homestead this year.

Gentle Art's Mulberry is what is called for, a monochromatic, beautiful deep red.

A sewing pouch, rather large, but I love the colors and the sampler fabric.

The pockets are very unique. This is by Shepherd's Bush.

Strong snaps to close

This is probably my most favorite find. This is the last one they had in the store.

These threads are for one project in the BBD book. It's a small finish and the new color Polliwog is very neat in contrast to the other two colors for it.

Little House Needleworks Christmas Ornament that I saw in January and knew, just knew this would be one to stitch for Christmas 2012 because this Christmas will definitely be a pleasant contrast to the last one I hope. I feel so blessed and ever since this one came out, I loved it.

This one by Charland Designs. It's a new one and I plan to stitch it in a different color, Chester Blue silk instead.

More luscious colors!

And a finger nail file too because I broke a nail running from place to place getting there. Honestly. LOL

A large piece of Lakeside linen for this project:

I only got 1 of the 3 parts but the linen for all 3. I think I have enough to do for awhile. :)

And some Kelmscott Daisy scissors for the Spring and Summer stitching.

I hope your weekend went well and you got an Irish kiss on Saturday!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Monday tomorrow!!!

Till later,

Jennifer