A Few Pictures of My Trip

Things have really been popping since my last post.

My trip to North Carolina was wonderful.   It was really hot tho!
We went to the Mount Ayr but, couldn't take pictures which is usual.  Here is a LINK. I love historic houses.  Where ever I vacation I try to go to one.  The tour was only offered twice a day.  We missed the morning and barely made it to the afternoon.  Almost got stopped by a torrential down pour.

 We stopped at the the Welcome Center which is also a historic house, Dickson House.

 The little side garden was the best feature.  The lady working there was nice but, not exceedingly friendly.  She did recommend an excellent restaurant for lunch.

 The Crape Myrtle was blooming all over the area.  It is like a lilac on steroid.  Just beautiful!

 We then went to the Burwell School for girls.  It was an academic based school for girls.  The docent was excellent.  He was extremely knowledgeable about everything.

 Picture of the outside of the school.  Here is a Burwell School Link.  Elizabeth Keckly, had been a slave there.  When she was freed, she became Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker.

 The back gardens and the privy.  Got to love privies!

 This was Mrs. Burwell's sewing box.  I took several pictures but, really only added the stitchy pics.

 Not a stitchy pic but, my daughter Katy.  We were there to see her you know!

 The dining room

 One of the sampler's.  I wished these pictures had turned out better.  I think my camera lens fogged up.

 One of the bedrooms.  The Bedrooms had the sampler pictures.

 Loved the saying on this little needlework piece.

 Mrs. Burwell's study/office and sewing room.  It overlooked the main street.

 The sampler in the master bedroom.

 I really wished this one had turned out better.

 We had lunch at the Saratoga Grill.  It was on the second floor of a building on mainstreet.  We had a great view of the street.  It started out beautiful but, as lunch went on, it got black.  The wind was wild and it POURED!

Katy at lunch.  She had a burger and my sister and I had the salad plate.  

It was truly what I expected for lunch and was so delicious.  

It was crab salad, chicken salad, fruit salad and a scone.  

I think it was my favorite meal while we were there. 

 We had a really great time!

Thanks for stopping.  Have a wonderful week.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Travel Lightly

I'm getting ready for my trip to North Carolina to see Katy.  I'm meeting my sister from Florida in the airport for our big adventure.  I'm starting to pack.  Fr. Joe, our priest, always has a little saying on the board.  Last nights was "Travel Lightly".  There was a spiritual message but, I took this more as a message from God to me.  You can do it with carry-on's.  That's what I'm going to do.  I should be fine, I'm only going to be gone five days.  I bought a new purse that is quite large to carry on stuff.  My purse is usually small enough to fit in my desk drawer.

Projects are getting ready.  More for the lay-overs than anything.  One project is on 32 count over one.  If that is too small, then I have a second project that is a little easier on the ole' eyes.  Got to remember to bring my boosters.

I finished Salute to Abigail.  I even ironed it before posting the picture.

One is without a flash and the second is with the flash.

The last stitching group was at my house.  I had seen this dessert on FB for Salted Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Cake.  The recipe was HERE.  My pictures don't look as good as on that blog but, it is mine.  

 It is a very putzy recipe and took two days to make.  You could probably get it done in one if you started in the morning.  I did it after work.  Let me tell you, it was worth every tedious minute!!

Finally, our boy Henry Ford turned one this week. 

And as he is today!

Still annoying the heck out of Buster.   

I probably won't post again until after I'm back.  

Have a great week!

Thanks for stopping

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

Got Some Catching Up To Do

I had four days off this holiday weekend and you would think I would have blogged before now.

It started with having a little house guest come on Thursday.  

She is a friend's sweet little girl Shih Tzu.  

Henry Ford and Buster are quite rambunctious and scare the daylights out of her.  

She seems to be getting over it but, the first day it was trying to keep HF from running her over. 

Then is was doing stuff around the house but, didn't get as much done as I thought.

Could it be I am slowing down?  

Then on Saturday afternoon, I decided to take inventory of picture frames.  

I move stuff around, especially seasonal.  

I have ready made frames and some frame parts.

I wanted to get some framing done and had to see if I had frames.

 It was quite a project.  

I have sized everything so I know what I have available.

A few projects I cut the fabric a little short.

It will all work out.

Now I just have to stitch it all up.  

I am glad the 4th is over.  The local fireworks did shake up the dogs.

There were fireworks being set off starting Friday until 330 Saturday morning only to start back up early afternoon for the 4th.  

Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep Friday night.

Another Christmas in July at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Well got more stuff to do before I can stitch tonight.  

Thanks for stopping

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Nearly Have The Border Connected

I have nearly got the border connected.  

Once that's done, I have to put the berries in.  

 I am pleased with how it is turning out.  

 The peonies are winding down.

The dark pink plant bloomed a little later than the light pink.

Going to volunteering on Sunday at a water station at a Triathlon.  

That should be exciting.  

Not a very exciting post.

Just running out of steam tonight.

Have a great weekend!

Ours is going to be really busy.

Keep on Stitching

Monica

I Know I Have the Frame Parts. Now, Just to Find Them

I pressed seven stitched projects today, things I have blogged about.

Two projects will be finished differently.  One as a tin top and the other a bellpull.

I know I have the frame parts for the other five.  

It's just a matter of finding them.

I have one ready for a frame and have the frame for it.  Didn't count that one. 

Boy, I have my work cut out for me!

The latest update on Abigail. 

I have started on the border.  

This was last years Prim Stitcher's club from Dyeing to Stitch.  

I got this years but, not anywhere near the front of the queue yet.

Saw on the Prim Stitcher's Society FB page someone is done.  

I just don't know how someone can stitch so fast!

Beautiful day today!

Started out a little sketchy, cloudy and cool.

This afternoon has been sunny and 75!

Can't beat that!!

Thanks for stopping.

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Next Give Away

Nancy at the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe has another great give-away...check it outSampler Pattern Give away.  I made it easy for you but, I plan on winning something....LOL

Coffee with Nancy

I have decided to participate in the Prim Stitchers (Face Book) SAL May Basket.  Its a freebie from Brenda Gervais at With Thy Needle and Thread.I have it all planned out:  the fabric, the thread, the supplies to finish it but, thought I might like some chenille or pom poms.  I have dyed chenille but, I don't have the right color. 

I checked out the available hand dyed chenille.  I have some hand dyed mini pom-poms from Dames of the Needle but, they weren't the right color.I decided to contact Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Check It Out.  She has been doing some really awesome give-aways.Rather than trying to figure out what may be the right color, I emailed her a list of DMC floss colors that were possible matches to the thread I plan on using and some of my finishing fabric.  She has also been running a special on her Ebay store: buy 5 get #6 free. Initially, she didn't think she had any matches but, when I checked my email this morning she thought she possibly had a match to the gold I was seeking.   

This morning when I jumped on my email, I contacted her about where I could see the color.

I was sitting at the kitchen counter, drinking coffee, watching CBS morning show (I stopped watching the Today Show when everything was all about "whats trending"...what do I care?)

And she emailed me back, I emailed her, she emailed me back...more coffee

Well...it was like having coffee with Nancy and I emailed that to her.She agreed and she also had some cookies.  I told her I hadn't eaten yet but, was going to have a bagel with some of Trader Joe's Sunflower Seed Butter....if you haven't had the chance, the stuff is great!She sent me a pay pal invoice, I payed it and its on its way...can't wait!

Damn USPS though.  I ordered some fabric and thread for my sister's birthday present.  I ordered it 11 days ago from 123 Stitch.  They are usually so fast.  I had an email from them June 8th that the package had been sent with a tracking number.  Apparently, it is hung up in Macon GA....what the heck.  Who knows when it will get here.  

Pictures of my flowers:  My peonies....I love peonies!

 The hanging basket

 Some roses, only a few have opened but,.....

 there are soooo many buds.

 The poppies are starting even though Henry Ford has trampled them down.

 Weigela in the back raised bed.  My ones in the front yard were damaged by the winter and a Prune-Happy Husband

 My old Virginia roses.  These can get spectacular but, again Bob gets crazy with a pruning shears and has them so trimmed back.

Not posting stitchy pics.  May be next time.

Hope your week has been going well.  Thanks for stopping.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica