R.I.P. Mouse

We are putting out the traps again....just to make sure he didn't have a buddy.

A Mouse in the House and it's Buster's Fault

I was going to have a really lovely post with all the projects I finished this weekend but, just didn't happen.  Hopefully, in the next few days it will.

Let me tell you a story.  It always starts with a story.  We had unseasonably warm weather this past week.  It was 66 degrees on Thursday.  I was cleaning so I opened the patio door because it was getting warm in the house.  Buster likes to sit in the door and go in and out.

 Fast forward to Thursday night.  I feed Buster can dog food since our big dog had died.  He would only eat canned food after he died but, I always leave some hard food on an old plate.  He has one bowl he likes that doesn't make noise when his dog tags hits it while he's eating, the canned food goes in there.  He's not spoiled is he?  So, Friday morning, I go into the laundry room where he have Buster's food and water.  All the hard food it gone.  I figure he got up in the middle of the night was hungry and ate it.  No big deal, right?

 Friday, I feed him his canned food and put more hard food on the plate.  He always eats his soft food.  I check on the dried food before I go to bed.  There is the pile of food just as I poured it out when I fed him his dinner.  I get up Saturday morning, no hard food.  I am thinking this is pretty weird.  Bob says, "He's getting up and eating."  I asked him, could it be another critter?  He's convinced its Buster.  I'm thinking we need the Trail Cam home to see what's going on, not at the deer feed pile.

Saturday, I go through the same thing again:  feed the dog canned food, leave out hard food.  I check on it before I go to bed.  Same pile of dog food as I had left it at six o'clock.  I shut the bedroom door last night so Buster can't go out.  I figure, if he is hungry he'll bark to get out and eat, or when I get up in the morning the food is there or its not.

Before I do anything else when I got up this morning, I go the the laundry room to check on the food.  OH CRAP!  THE FOOD IS GONE!!  WE HAVE A CRITTER!!!  There is a little mouse turd on the plate.  We stopped and picked up some mouse traps today.  Bob smeared a little peanut butter on the trap and place two in the laundry room...no dog food.

Sorry about the blurry picture of the "TomCat" mouse trap.  It better live up to its name.   I hope we nail the little bugger.  I told Bob he needs to deal with the corpse since he is the hunter.  It all goes back to Buster.  As long as the door was opened, it was his responsibility to protect the domain.

I hope all goes well with everyone on the East Coast and my thoughts and prayers are with you and that you are safe.  Have a great week and expect a stitchy post next time.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

It's Raining, It's Pouring but, finally grass!!

It has been raining like nuts today.  It woke me up at six am with thunder, lightening, pouring rain and nearly ten minutes of hail.  Misty, drizzly all morning.  Then it started storming again about two this afternoon and then the temperature also started to drop.  It was 65 degrees at noon and at six pm, 43 degrees.  It is suppose to be cold now for a while, only in the 40's which actually might be close to normal.  It appears to have finally stopped raining.  (I forgot this part and had to come back and fix it) Since it has been warm and damp the last few days, we finally have grass come up from the front yard repair after the horrible experience with the road construction.  I think I have blogged about how the construction ruined our yard and sprinkle system.

Been way too busy today and really not enough time to stitch.  Is there ever enough time to stitch?
Have been working on Autumn Splendor from With Thy Needle and Thread.  It is a super quick stitch.  I am still trying to decide how to finish it...box top or pin cushion.

 I was playing with the idea of using velcro to stick the mounted piece on the wooden box top. Then I could interchange tops depending on the time of the year.  Lori at Notforgotten Farm did something like it with her latest piece but, used safety pins.  It is the Tinsel Town Christmas Card Keeper.
See it here:   http://farmhousenotforgotten.blogspot.com/2012/10/tinsel-towne-christmas-card-keeper.html   How many boxes do you need around the house?  I am leaning towards trying this.

This will be a pincushion/pinkeep.  I plan on finishing it like the picture on the pattern.

I worked on more online teleconference today on Dupuytren's Contractures:  Medical and therapy management.  I am nearly done with it and will be able to send the test in and get the CEU's.  Talk about eye strain.

I have been looking at the JCS Christmas Ornament issue.  I never did get to the Halloween ones.  I also would like to do the Prairie Schooler Thanksgiving smalls...like the Pilgrim one for the Thanksgiving exchange.

Thanks for stopping by.  Welcome newcomers.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

I Wish You Could See the Glow

Welcome new members!  Thanks for stopping old friends and those of you who just like to lurk.  

The photos never work out the way you truly see the world.  The Emerald Maple in our front yard has just been spectacular.  When the sunlight hits it, it reflects off of the leaves and into the house and everything just glows.  It is just amazing.  The other day when the sun just kind of peeped out and the rain clouds were in the background...it just can't be described.  I LOVE this time of the year.   The unfortunate thing is it just doesn't last long enough

There is an Oak Tree across the street.  It becomes a beautiful rusty color.  It will hold it leaves until January.

We have a Burning Bush in the front too.  I love these bushes just for the color they become in the fall.

This is how it looks from a different angle.  We still don't have any grass and probably won't until Spring.  The seed better all stick or I'm going to be one unhappy camper.  

I have been working very hard all weekend and have had little time for stitching.  Besides all the chores that need to be done on the weekend because I work, I have also been working on an on-line continuing education called Treatment of Soft Tissue Conditions of the Upper Extremity.  I need to do this to maintain my Certification.  It is as dry as a popcorn fart!!!!  The information has been excellent but, it is a snooze fest.  I did watch four hours today.  Doesn't sound like much but, it sure takes the fun out of the weekend.  I need to get through it all by the end of the month.

In the meantime, I did finish the Grim Gourds.  I need to stitch up the back but, I wanted to show you it in the frame.

I do think it looks awesome.  I did the thread in Weeks Works as opposed to the NPI or DMC.  I may have to paint the frame black.

I did get started on With Thy Needle and Thread - Autumn Splendor.  I want to make the fabric gourd but, got to get some fabric for that.  It was the October Year of the Smalls selection.  I wanted to get it when it came out last year but, never got around to it.  I can't decide yet how to finish it.  I may do a box top or I may just do a pincushion.

Here are some freebies from some of the blogs I peruse:
From Plum Street Samplers:  http://plumstreetsamplers.typepad.com/plum_street_samplers/  and from
Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe:  http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2012/10/thank-you-faithful-followers-heres.html
Finally, Stitchville USA:  http://www.needleartworks.com/stv/nwsltr/sept10/page6.pdf  a Shepherd's Bush
Some very cute designs.
Hope you had a great weekend.  Going to watch Walking Dead and try stitching alittle.
Keep on Stitching!
Monica
P.S.  Check out the Give Away in the upper corner.  Some really GREAT giveaways.  I got floss from VMSS last week.

I'm Ecstatic!

I have been very busy today.  I decided it was time to clean the great room.  I pretty much tore the place apart:  vacuumed furniture, polished all the woodwork and wood furniture and mopped the floors.  Now I just need to get the husband to throw out some of his old magazines and catalogues. 

Buster is exhausted from staying out of the way.  

 Got everything done, on to the next job:  calling the insurance company to make sure the charges have been process under the correct tier.  It has been a heavy medical care year.  While I was on hold a rather large envelop had come in the mail.  It was the floss I won through a drawing on Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  I'm ECSTATIC!  I misunderstood.  I didn't realize it was 10 colors.  They are absolutely gorgeous.  Hard to get a really good picture.  I took one with the flash and one without.

 The colors from left to right:  Best Cranberry, Best Faded Red, Antique Coral Red, Antique Pumpkin L, Orange Maize, Olive Green Medium, Christmas Pine, Blue with Brown, Noname Blue and finally Brown Plum. The colors are so rich and beautiful.   There is a huge amount of each color.

 I was hoping I would be done with the Grim Gourds.  I'm just filling in the color around the border.  I should be done by the weekend.

I think Buster has the right idea.  I may just have to follow suit and take a little siesta myself.
Hope you have had a great day.  Thanks for stopping by.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Second Post: TUSAL

Thought I would post my TUSAL with some past Halloween projects.  

 Please ignore the plug.  I just wanted to show off the Gathering Autumn.  It is tucked in a little space under the kitchen cabinet.

Keep on Stitching
Monica

Halloween Box

I received a wonderful box today from my partner for the Halloween Ornament Exchange.  It was chocked full of goodies.  DMC floss, ribbon, a pattern, buttons, a magnifier and crocheted Halloween butterflies refrigerator magnets.  It was just a happy little surprise.  

 Close up picture of the ornament.  I think this was in the 2012 JCS Halloween Ornament edition.  It was on my list of ones to do.  Now I don't have to do it.

 A really cute refrigerator magnet with beaded embellishment.  What a cute idea.  I may have to do this myself.

I had another surprise last night while reading the blogs I follow.  I WON hand dyed floss from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  I was so excited about that.  I think I'm going to have to order one of her bags.

I mailed off the goodie boxes to my kids.  I really packed those boxes full.  I'm sure the Post Office lost money on these boxes.

Hope you are having a great day.  Thanks for the wonderful comments.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Ornament Exchanges

I had alluded in previous post, I was participating in a Halloween and Thanksgiving Ornament Exchange.  I think I may have posted a pic of my Halloween one but, not the finish.  I did a Prairie Schooler Halloween Jack O'lantern from When Witches Go Riding.    I had picked up the finishing fabric on my Girls Adventure that matched perfectly.  I substituted the threads with Crescent Colors Perfect Piecrust, Black Coffee and Colonial Copper.  

 I had to play around with buttons for placement.  I stuffed it lightly with fiber fill.

 Voila, the finished piece on my china cabinet.  I sent it off with extra goodies.  Both orni's I sent with some hand dyed chenille, ric rac and seam tape.  I had to buy massive amounts with I did the BBD project for my sister's birthday.

 This is the ornament I did for the Thanksgiving Exchange.  It too is a Prairie Schooler Acorns.  I think it is a very sweet Pilgrim couple.  I love the turkey.  I didn't exactly finish it the way explained.  It still looks acorny.  I used DMC thread as the patterns calls for.  I think I will do a bunch of these for myself.  I may just finish them as pincushions though.

 My partner for the Thanksgiving Exchange was really zippy.  I got hers before I sent out the Halloween one.  She did a beautiful job on the one I received.  I love the pattern.  She also sent some great stitchy treats...buttons and some Sullivan floss in beautiful Autumn colors.  I have never seen this floss but, have heard about it.  I was excited to get some to try.  Now I just have to find the right pattern.

 This is such a sweet pattern.

I am headed into the home stretch with the Grim Gourds.  I have to fill in the border with the colors in the pumpkins.  I haven't done much stitching today.  It has been a very rainy weekend.  I should have had time but, we have been busy running errands and cleaning the basement.  We went a bunch of places picking up things to throw in care package for the kids.  I had to stop at the bead store and pick up ends for the Kumihimo bracelets to send to Katy.  She is meeting all kinds of people now and making lots of friends.  She is teaching kids how to make the bracelets. I need to send her some supplies and I picked up some extra looms too.  

 I will get the care packages packed up and sent on Tuesday.  We went to the movies this afternoon, after visiting my mom and saw Argo.  It was a really good movie.  I highly recommend it.  Good thing to do on a rainy, Sunday afternoon.

Finally, it has been so cold and damp since Buster got his haircut, we felt compelled to stop and pick him up a sweater.  It isn't too froufrou so Bob won't make fun of him and he will agree to wear it.  I think he likes it. He isn't scratching at it.

Thanks for stopping and I do love the comments you all send my way.  Hope you have had a great weekend!
Keep on stitching
Monica

We Gotta Gourd Thing Going On

I was going to call this Pumpkin Muffins and Other Stitchy Stuff but, like this title better.  

Where we are trying to grow grass and it hasn't gotten much above 50 this week.  The sun seems like its trying to come out.  There was some snow around the edges of things this morning.  Buster finds it much too cold but, grandma did take him for a walk this morning.  I turned up the heat so he has stopped shaking.  He is having a hard time getting use to the cooler temps and the shorter hair.  The next hair cut won't be as drastic for winter but, who would have thought that it would be this cold?!

This past Tuesday was rainy and chilly.  I found a package of potato soup mix and made that for dinner.  I had a craving for pumpkin muffins.  No pumpkin in the cupboard or sugar so ran to the local market for supplies and came home and made Pumpkin Bread and Muffins.  I use the same recipe from my favorite cookbook.  This thing is beat up.  I write all over the recipes and the pages are falling out.  I have the most eclectic assortment of bookmarks in it...post-its, things the kids have made, and  holy cards from funerals (that is really weird).  It is really a time capsule of the years.  This edition was published in 1990.  I should get a new one but, it wouldn't be the same.  How could I part with this one?  This is definately go-to cook book I have lots of other ones but, this is my favorite.  Which kid will want it when I'm dead?  Gee, the dust cover still looks pretty good!

I use the Pumpkin Bread recipe.  The original calls for 1 cup of pumpkin.  As everyone knows there is more than one cup of pumpkin in a can.  What do you do with the leftovers? ...freeze them and wait for it to end up in the back of the freezer forgotten,  It doesn't last long in the fridge and there is never enough left to make something.  I have adjusted the recipe to use the whole can.  Here it is...just for you

Pumpkin Bread

• 1can of pumpkin (1 3/4c)                                       3/8 c. water
• 2 1/4 c. flour                                                          1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 1/2 c. sugar                                                         1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda                                             1/2 tsp allspice or I just use 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin
• 3/4 c. oil                                                                      spice
• 3 eggs                                                                    3/4 tsp salt\
• However many craisins and raisins you like.  I go by how it looks

Grease 8 1/2 x 4 loaf pan and 9 muffin cups (give or take) and preheat oven to 350 F

Sift together the flour, salt, sugar and baking soda.  Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, water and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but don't mix too thoroughly.  You can add a 3/4 c. nuts (I don't use nuts, I use the fruit instead)  Pour into a well greased/buttered pan-s.  Bake the muffins 20-25 minutes and the bread 50-60 minutes.  Check with a tooth pick.  

Now for the remaining gourds:  An update on the Grim Gourds.  When I looked at the picture after taking it and seeing on the computer, it really made me smile.  These guys are hilarious!  Sorry it wrinkly but, I don't press it until I'm done.  

 I just have to finish the alphabet, the other lettering and the border.  I should be able to finish within a week...hopefully.

 I talked to Katy last night and she sounded the most relaxed I have heard in since she started school.  It is such a better situation.  I am so happy.  Nothing worse than have a miserable kid six hours away.

Got the cleaning done, have a little ironing to do.  Then the afternoon should be mine to stitch and watch old movies on TCM.  I painted some boxes two weeks ago for the Christmas project but, they didn't turn out the way I wanted them too.  I ordered some wooden boxes from S&S crafts, much cheaper than ordering from JoAnn's online.  I need to paint them and then Briwax.  Suppose to be a rainy weekend so it will be a good project for the weekend.

Thanks for stopping and a big WELCOME to the new members.  I love the comments for you all!  You guys are great!
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Home Again, Home Again Jiggety Jig

I just want to thank you all for the supportive comments.  It really means a lot to have such support.

It really was a whirlwind weekend.  We did it though, we got her moved.  I think we made three trips with the Escape from one dorm to the other.  It would have really been difficult without a vehicle.  It was like the weight of the world was lifted off her shoulders.  I think she is going to be very happy in her new room and roommate.  Just looking around at the other girl's stuff, I think they should both get along well.  We hit the road at about 6:30 am and got back at 8 pm.  We both were pretty pooped but, glad we were able to do it.  

I left the husband in the town he's been working the last 6 weeks.  He has been the project engineer on a WDOT project.  It was crazy for him to come home for 18 hours.  The dilemma is he is either going to have to go to the laundromat and do it or have the attendant tomorrow do it.  It isn't like he hasn't done his laundry before, he's just spoiled and doesn't realize it.  

When I was home for a little while, Ed called.  He had been doing a good deed and was using his car to jump start a car belonging to friend of his roommate.  The didn't exactly get the cables on the right way on the other car.  "The cable kind of started on fire and we had to call the fire department.  Everything is okay.  My car works and nobody was hurt.  And the other car started."  I guess there are two singed spots.  I don't plan on getting it fixed.  

On the trip home, I pass this little shoppe in a small town that I have always wanted to stop at.  It has all kinds of stuff.  Antiques, newer stuff, hand made or not.  I picked up a few things.  I have been looking for stars to put on the shed along with the sun I picked up on my girls weekend a while ago.  This one is probably 10-12 inches across.  

 I thought this trencher might be fun on the table with a jar candle and pine cones in it.

 She gave me this star for free since she thought it looked pretty beat up.  I figure I could steel wool it and spray paint it.  It is smaller than the top one, maybe 6-8 inches across.  She also gave me a picture frame for free...don't know why but, I was grateful nonetheless.

Haven't had much time to stitch this weekend.  I did do a little knitting in the car.  I did make a little progress on the Grim Gourds.  If I can stay awake after dinner, I hope I can do some stitching.  I think I really need a quiet night.  

Thanks again for the very wonderful comments.  Welcome new members.  I'm glad you have joined.  Hopefully this will be a much more peaceful week:  the lawn is done, the dog has calmed down, the kid is moved and nobody is hurt.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

It Has Been a Week! I'm Exhausted

 It has been a week!  This may get long so, if you aren't into prose than scroll down to the pictures.
Katy has been living in an on-campus apartment.  She had one American sophomore roommate and two 23 y/o grad students from Taiwan.  Katy is a sophomore.  Well, the situation has been less than ideal.  Her American roommate moved out two weeks ago because she couldn't stand it.  I think that Katy was hoping it would get better after they all talked with the resident director and re-wrote the roommate contract to be more specific.  These two Taiwan roommates are party girls.  They are taking one on-campus class and on-line classes from their university in Taiwan.  They drink, they go to bars, they pick up men.  They come home at 1 am and bang into Katy's door.  They talk in Chinese rather than talk to Katy.  We tried as parents to talk to the RD and the Dean of Housing but, until Katy said, "Get me outta here!"  they weren't going to do anything.  Did I tell you they are pigs to boot...leaving food to rot on the counters, not cleaning up their plates and they weren't shutting the shower curtain so the bathroom would have a half inch of water on the floor.  There was hair all over the kitchen.  She called home in near hysterics on Sunday, lonesome, depressed and ready to come home.  I calmed her down and told her to talk to the RA.  She had an appointment on Monday with a Campus Counsellor who after hearing only the part she of who she was living with and nothing about what has been going on, she called the Housing office and got her out of the apartment and moving into a (really good) conventional dorm.  Because of this she has been struggling with Calculus, so I advised her just hire a private tutor.  She has money for that from her grandmother. She is devastated about moving out because she really wanted to be in this apartment style dorm but, knows she can't stay in this situation.  She feels the school is giving these girls preferential treatment because they are internationals.  I don't disagree with her but, there is probably some liability on the University's part.  Still doesn't make it right.  I sure hope some of my tuition or tax dollars don't go towards subsidizing this!

We are going to help her move this weekend. It will be a whirlwind trip because it is Octoberfest and no hotel rooms available.  I do keep reassuring her this is going to be much better for her; a healthier and friendlier environment.  She met her new roommate last night, the suitemates and many of the kids on the floor.  It is the talk of the campus.  I think her father may still call the President of the University.

Prior to all this on Sunday, as I last posted, Ed made a surprise visit home.  Good thing he did because he was having a little issue with a cyst at the top of his gluteal crease.  Sent him to the after hours clinic, they opened it and drained it, packed it, prescribed two antibiotics and pain pills.   Just got him all set up with medication, cookies and on his way back to school before the anesthetic wore off when all the stuff with Katy started.

Then, a while back I posted about the retaining wall fiasco.  Because that project took too long and we couldn't use our sprinkler system, our south side and front lawns were destroyed.  I have work guys in and out of the house the last four days, redoing the sprinkler system because construction ripped out and ruined the south side of the system, bent lines broke stuff.  Then, because they built the wall in the wrong place...three feet of our property the heads are spraying too far so we needed four or five new heads.  They are almost ready to hydroseed and then it should be done.  Hope the weather doesn't turn too cold.

Now for the cross stitch stuff.  I am making progress on the PSS Grim Gourds.  I hope I don't run out of Onyx.  I'll have to order more or I may substitute around the border.  Haven't decided yet

 I should have enough for the alphabet.  I did some color changes so I could use overdyes instead of DMC that the pattern called for.

 I did get a sock going.  I figure I can work on this on the four hour one way ride on Saturday or the four hours back.  

 I just love this color.  It is much more vibrant in person.  Someday, I may ask for a better camera.

 I did a pile of running around today, cleaning, laundry and took the mighty Buster to the groomers.  He looks very handsome.  He has had a rough week with all the commotion.

A while ago I made reference to a "crazy pumpkin" button.  Here it is.  I love this guy!  It is a Shepherd's Bush bell pull.  I didn't get the button back, I just bought the buttons.  

Good news this week came when I found out I got a spot at the Stitching Bee Stitching retreat in beautiful Door County Wisconsin.  I think I have earned it after the week I have had.

Welcome new members.  I'm so glad you joined...hope you don't unjoin after all of this.  Glad you all have checked in.  Hope you are having a good week.  I know things always work out.
Keep on Stitching...fewer side effects than medication.
Monica

STNA: It is So Much a Favorite

What are your must-have stitching tools and aides? Other than your trusty scissors, of course. Is there a problem you have had when stitching that you created your own solution for, or have you purchased a tool that helped?

I was waiting for this question.  I have two favorite tools.  The first is the light by my chair.  It is like an Ott Light but, something else.  It is just as strong and it was fraction of the cost.  I have to have it to be able to stitch on linen.

The other is my Dololly. It's like a needle threader on one end and a hook on the other end.  My hook is a little crooked from getting closed in the case.  

 That really comes in handy when you have stitched that thread to the point of no return and need to work it under the threads and there is no way the needle will work.  The other time is when you have to rip out a bunch but can't get the right end and so you just snip and pull.  It works great to get the little ends worked under.  

This is the second one I have gotten.  The first one ended up in my ORT jar.  Unknown to me,  my son had dusted the table and put it in the ORT jar.  I had a bunch of DMC labels in there and threw the whole kittenkaboodle away.  So I threw it out.  When I looked for it, it was some time later and long gone.  I tore the house apart looking for it.  I asked Ed if he had seen it.  He told me he had put it in the jar.  Ugh!  It was so important to me, I had to find another one.  

As usual, I won't get the link to work the right way but, rest assured, I did try.
Check out the other blogs Here at Stitching the Night Away