Good Morning From Soggy Eastern PA!
Yes my friends, we are finally getting rain! It started lightly just around 5 p.m. yesterday and it has not let up yet. I checked the rain gauge quickly and there is over 2" in it!! It is supposed to rain steadily ALL day long.
I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day Weekend. We did not do anything special, but it was nice and laid back...just the way I like it. Finally I started my two new stitching pieces over the weekend. First up is The Praise Sampler by Eileen Bennett. This is the band sampler that incorporates 14 different stitches into it. I love the saying which is: "Praise Loudly Blame Softly." Good words to live by if you ask me. Here's what I accomplished so far:
This is a small sampler (the stitch count is only 57 by 115). I'm stitching it on 30 count linen, but still only using one thread over 2. I'm using the called for DMC threads and the Perle Cotton thread (that was used on the pulled 4 sided stitch at the top).
Here's an overall picture of what it will look like:
The second sampler I started is a large one (stitch count is 460 by 200). It is the Ellen Harrison 1889 Sampler from Needlework Press. I'm stitching it on 36 count linen (again one strand of floss over 2 linen threads). I didn't get that far, but I started on another piece of fabric and decided it was way too large and light colored, so I pulled a darker linen from my stash and started over. Here is what is stitched so farL
Kind of hard to see...you can click to enlarge if you like. Here is what the entire sampler will look like:
So, a lot of stitching ahead of me! I'm enjoying having two different pieces to work on again...keeps me from getting bored.
Along the lines of surprises, I was so excited to find that we have another lemon growing on our little lemon tree! When I was watering house plants on Saturday I discovered it. If I remember correctly, the first one took forever to grow and then it came off the plant prior to being ripe. I put it on the buffet with other fruit and eventually it ripened and I used it in cooking! Here's the new one (kind of like a little bean - lol):
My plans for today include making red beans (an all day affair - I did soak the beans over night), a conference call at 11:30 and possibly grocery shopping (if we care to dodge the raindrops). It's not critical that we shop, but I prefer Tuesdays so that we receive the 5% senior discount (that adds up quickly).
I hope your day finds you easing back gently after a holiday weekend. Have a good one!
Lovely stitching choices, Vera! I like them both very much! (and I am in awe of your awesome eyesight!) Red beans sound delicious... I have been craving fall-ish meals!
ReplyDeleteWhat great samplers you've got going, Vera. I'm really looking forward to watching them come to life! I'm glad you're finally getting some rain. XO
ReplyDeleteYou've got lots of lovely stitching ahead of you, and I'll look forward to seeing them grow over time. Those are cute birds and a very large spotted stag! (I'm so excited about the rain here and glad you're getting it, too!)
ReplyDeleteThat tiny lemon is so hopeful! Happy stitching. I have been sorting my embroidery threads and looking for a good stitching project for the fall.
ReplyDeleteWe've had rain, rain, rain for days and days. It's making me crabby.
ReplyDeleteI love the new stitchery projects you've begun. So much going on in them both. The sentiment about Praise and Blame is a good one. I've been thinking about making a chicken pie for dinner since it's been so damp and inhospitable. A comfort meal sounds nice, like your red beans.
Love those new projects Vera. You do find the best samplers. And how fun to have another baby lemon. All I have bought at the store in weeks is milk and heavy cream. Cleaning out Mom's fridge and freezer gave us quite a few things, although a LOT had to be tossed. She never cleaned the fridge and I found some nasty veggies in the drawer. I would try to sneak into the kitchen and toss some things and she would be unhappy with me so I finally gave up. Saturday was the day I was finally able to give it a good scrub.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Blessings,
Betsy
It’s been HOT, HOT, HOT which is unheard of this time of year. I just hope that means it won’t be COLD, COLD, COLD too early. I’d,I’ve to have some nice cool Fall temperatures. Great new stitching projects.
ReplyDeleteI love that line of little birds! I'm glad to hear you finally got rain. We had it all weekend long (and still more today), so I am done with it.
ReplyDeleteGreat new projects - love the teeny weeny lemon!
ReplyDeleteLove the new stitches!
ReplyDeleteI knew you would find some amazing charts to work. They are both just lovely.
ReplyDeleteBeing a non meat eater I spend a lot of time watching beans cook. The Rancho Gordo method is my favorite because I never remember to soak.
Beautiful stitching ahead for you! I really like the first one. The little lemon is a welcome sight!
ReplyDeleteWe usually shop on Wednesdays but the long weekend messed that up this week. I love your stitching, I'm not sure I would be able to see it to work on though :)
ReplyDeleteWow. That's a gorgeous sampler. And big. BIG. But I'm sure you will enjoy stitching it. We had some rain, very hard was brief, mostly just a light shower. But dark and dreary, perfect excuse for being crabby.
ReplyDeleteYou have two very pretty samplers going. I agree the Blame softly motto is good advice. We could accomplish much more if our society could get past blame (IMO). A senior citizen grocery discount - now that is worth going out for on Tuesday.
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