Do You Want Some Cheese With That Wine?

Things have been just not going my way the last few weeks...thus haven't posted.

I'm going to whine a little, maybe I need some cheese to go with that.  

Had the Stitching Bee retreat two weeks ago and had a really great time!

We went to Green Bay the night before to get some extra shopping in.  

But, I'm fat and have bad knees.  

My knee replacement knee always lets me know it is there and doesn't like stairs.

We stayed at a hotel that didn't have an elevator so had to haul my suitcase and gear up stairs to the second floor.  

The stairs weren't that bad, they weren't steep.  

Didn't run into stair issues until the retreat venue.

Our condo was on a floor that when you got to a part in the hall there were 4 very steep stairs we had to go up and down every time we left the room.

The floor the conference room was on had the same thing.  

I wasn't the only one struggling.  

Where is whine is going is, my knee has been messed up every since.  

I doesn't help that there is no way to not be on it.  

After we got home, I came down with a virus.  

I thought that maybe I had the influenza flu...body aches, low grade fever but, not really sick enough.

Started Monday afternoon and by Friday I was starting to feel better.  

Saturday was a whole different ball game.  

Sunday at the walk-in clinic thinking I have pneumonia...tight chest, fever back, fatigued, headache, generally feeling like poop again.    

The NP started my on a Z pac. 

Finally starting to feel better.  

Some of my yarn buys:  

Almost feels like an alpaca mohair.  

Rowan Thick and Thin and some self stripping sock yarn.  

My little spot at the retreat table.  

I was working on WTN&T Schoolhouse Sampler Series

I have put it aside for Christmas projects.  

Back of my car packed ready to head home.  

Arttie and my stuff.

Patty's stuff in the back seat since she got dropped off first.  

Finished a FREEBIE from Plum Street Samplers, last year. 

I changed the colors from DMC to overdyes. 

Did it on some linen Arttie got this summer at a sell out.  

It is not a true even weave, 30 ct going one way and 32 the other.  

I dyed the fabric with some very diluted Tan Rit dye.  

Coffee would have worked too.  

Finished an infinite scarf out of Mini Mochi and Mohair.  

It turned out much better than the picture.  

Too bad Crystal Palace isn't making the Mochi's anymore.  

Finally, working on Merry Christmas from WTN&T.

It is on 28 count over over one.  

Have Santa's suit nearly done.  

We did have a very nice Thanksgiving.  

Katy was able to come home and had friday off as a holiday too.  

We did some small shopping on Friday and big box on Saturday for Christmas decorations

Needs some new lights and picked up some nice pine cone garland.  

Ed had Thanksgiving off too so they got to spend time together.  

He normally works 4 to midnight and sleeps until noon.  

He is going to stay with her next weekend and do some exploring.  

I am feeling better. the knee....well, trying to work on getting that better.  

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving

Have a great week.

Keep on Stitching.  

Monica

Autumn Band Sampler

Went bumming yesterday with Arttie and her step daughter.  

We first went to a craft show and I did some Christmas shopping.  

Next stop was Rainbow Yarn and Gifts.  

Sophie the yarn store dog has her spot....she is the sweetest thing.

Did some Christmas shopping there too.  

Finished the Prairie Schooler Autumn Band Samplers and framed them.  

I have more PS samplers that will fit in these frames so they will be used for other seasons.  

I pop a lot of things in and out of frames especially the seasonal pieces.  

And finally, I got my pumpkins done this week.  

This is before the jute twine was glued on the handles.  

I changed my mind a couple of times with the fabric.  

I am really happy with the ultimate selection.  

Just has been a busy, crafty weekend.  

Hope you had a great weekend. 

Keep on Stitching.....Dinner is ready.

Monica

Thankful Give Away

Check out the wonderful giveaway from Nancy. Here is the link:  Thankfulness at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Keep on Stitching
Monica

Paper Mache Pumpkins

Last week, when I was at the yarn store with Katy, she had on display some fabric covered paper mache pumpkins.  

She had kits for sale, so I bought one. 

They were all the same size.   

The one with the black and tan fabric on it is the one.

I figured I had homespun at home and got some more pumpkins.  

I ordered two on line that were smaller and I found the tall one at Joann's Saturday.  

I got that one too.  

I may do all round ones,  or maybe them all and then decide what I like the best to display.  

Now the trick is....what fabric.

I have letters on each one and sent pictures to Katy to have her help decide.

So far she hasn't been much help other than the gold one with the "D"

I'm thinking I may like this combination.  

There is tan and black in the red plaid. 

Please feel free to chime in with an opinion.

Its getting close to hunting season and Bob and his buddy Gary have been working on fixing up Gary's hunting camp.  

They have put in new cabinets and installed a temporary counter top yesterday.  

I was suppose to do something with Arttie yesterday but, she had to keep an eye on her MIL who just had foot surgery and is not good about following doctor's order

The Stitching Bee was decorating for Christmas and looking for volunteers to help.

I decided, what the heck, I'll go and help and do a little shopping.  

I had taken Tuesday off because we were slow and I don't work on Thursday so for the most part the chores were caught up.  

I hopped in the car and headed south though some dreary weather, including some snow flurries.

Helped put up pictures, saw some of the new Brenda Gervais Christmas patterns so ordered O Tannebaum and Merry Christmas.

It is on her webstore Country Stitches under "New Items" if the link doesn't take you there.  

I really thought I wasn't going to do much Christmas Stitching but, oops....I will.  

Merry Christmas looks alot like a Santa I did of her's last year or the year before.  

Very sweet!

I then went to Joann's and lunch at Panera.  

Both ways I chatted with Katy for a little while so, it was like having company for the trip. 

I am almost done with Thanksgiving

There are leaves at the bottom and then the vine tendrils and I'm done

I think I will be framing next weekend so, stay tuned.  

This afternoon Bob and I went to the movies and saw Geostorm.

I am an absolute sucker for disaster movies involving weather...Twister, The Day After Tomorrow.

I loved it and now it is on my list to purchase when it comes out.  

How can you beat 4 or 5 Tornadoes in Mumbai?!

Hope you had a good weekend.  

I did but, I should have had more chair time.

Busy, busy, busy.  

Two week count town to stitching retreat weekend!

Have a wonderful week

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

A Golden End to the Day

It had been raining all day.  

About 530-545 the sun was starting to peek over the clouds and the house tops.  

I took some pictures or least tried. 

The color was indescribable but, I'll try.

It was a rosy gold.  

It was absolutely gorgeous.  

Our Japanese Maple is really beautiful.  

Its partner dropped all its leaves but, the big one is still a lovely crimson.  

There is a little gold peeking through

The clouds were just as stunning

Just so pretty.

I love fall and all the colors.

I just wished they would stay on the trees longer.  

I left my mums out one night and we had a frost but, they are just fine and so bright

They have really bloomed in the last week with the heat.  

Finally, my third Autumn Band Sampler from Prairie Schooler.  

this one is going very fast. 

there is a fruit/vegetable basket at the top and a leaf garland at the bottom.  

You will just have to wait to see it.  

Katy was home this weekend and we did a little bumming yesterday. 

We had fun at the yarn store, went out to lunch and then stopped to check out what 

Christopher & Banks had on sale.  

My sweaters are looking a little shabby so I found two I liked, that a coupon for $10 off, everything was 40-50% off and I had an old gift card so didn't feel too bad.  

Hope you had a great weekend and are enjoying the fall colors.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Finished the Autumn Band Sampler

I was hoping to post yesterday but, I was having issues with Google Photo and my phone.

Since I downloaded the new Apple IOS 11, it has been working like crap!

I don't like the texting, the return button is too close to the space and what happened to the forward and back arrows?

It is also sucking my battery dry, I have to recharge at least daily. 

I use to charge it every two to three days.  

I think they do this so you need to get a new phone.  

And what's up with that?

An IPhone 7 is still $600......WOW!!!

I digress.

The picture is a little crooked but, its done!

I love this one so much, I decided to start the third one in the series, Thanksgiving Band Sampler.  

I have the frames that I plan on using interchangeably with other Prairie Schooler Samplers.

I really think that Prairie Schooler were some of the best designs.  

It is too bad she isn't designing other than the annual Santa's.  

Hope your week has started well!

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

Why Do Things Have to be So Complicated or Do I Have a Story

Just when you think things are going okay, the gods just kick you in the butt.

I blogged about Katy's move to the big city.

She started her new job on October 2 and things were going just fine.

She got home from work on Wednesday and was home for about a half hour when she heard a commotion coming from the neighbors.

She looked out her back door and saw her car go peeling out of the parking lot.  

HER CAR WAS STOLEN!

She called the police and they started the process but, she had to go to the station.

She called home in tears.  Nothing worse than having your kid call home in tears with the news her car had been stolen.  I called my sister and asked if she could take her to the police station and thankfully she did.  Katy filed a report.  Her car wasn't worth much because it was fifteen years old but, it still worked pretty good and had gotten a clean bill of health from the mechanic before she left.  We only had it insured for liability since it was so old.  

Bob started looking at used cars that night.  I went to stitching what else could I do and it was most therapeutic.  By the time I did get home I was angry with the a--hole who stole it.  I hope for karma!

When I woke up in the morning I told Bob we are thinking about this the wrong way.  Instead of getting her a used car that who knows what is up, we should give her my 2010 Escape and I should get a new car.   I spent all Thursday researching and test driving cars.  The money we would have used for a used car I used on a down payment on a 2016 Equinox that was a fleet car.   I really like the car but, I really didn't want to buy a new car just yet.  Oh well.  

On Friday, Bob got a call from a guy in a lousy neighborhood saying our car was behind his building.

Bob told him to call the police because it was reported stolen.  Who knows what this guy was going to shake us down for.  When Bob asked what kind of shape it was in, the guy said, "Oh its not that bad.  The doors are open and they were smoking pot in it."  When Katy called us at 6:30, after she talked to the police the police had a different story.  The car was totaled.  It had been crashed through two fences and into another car.  Today, I sent a notarized letter signed by both Bob and I and the title to the city tow lot relinquishing it to the city.  I don't want to see it.  It had been my car before the Escape.  

We brought the Escape to her this past weekend along with The Club to further secure her car.  I got one too for when we go to see her.  It isn't a bad neighborhood she is living in.  Apparently, juveniles are stealing cars all over the city and surrounding area.  Even the very best neighborhoods are not immune.  

Then my cable provider has moved Turner Classic Movies to a higher tier.  I am so over cable TV and cellular providers.  They are the new pirates.  I think cable and internet should be considered utilities now.  We live in an area where digital antennas won't work.  You have to have at least a 30 foot antenna and guess what...its against the city ordinance.  We are screwed!

I can live stream TCM from laptop to the TV with a HDMI cord...it burps once and a while but, I can get my old movie fix.  

Why do things have to be so flippin complicated....don't get me started on health insurance!  

Deep cleansing breath

Latest progress on Autumn Sampler.  

I hope I don't forget the leaves in the bottom corner before I frame it.  

I have been know to miss borders.  LOL

I am really hoping for a calm weekend and get my house back in order.  It still looks like a hurricane when through it.  I was going to get things back in order but, had to car shop instead. 

Hope your week is going well.  

Keep on stitching!

Monica