Sunday, February 23, 2020

Progress

I have spent a wonderfully relaxing winter break off from my high school position. I got some great bargains shopping on President's day. I needed to toss some clothes that have holes and replace them. Unfortunately, my wonderful savings flew out the window when I hit a pothole on the way home from the mall and ruined a tire. The cost of a new tire was way more than my clothing savings.

I have been reading a book I found at the library that I am totally enjoying, The Forgotten Seamstress, by Liz Trenow. The reading is easy and the story line is fascinating. 

I made some progress on Jingle. I finished the bird and started on the holly below its feet. 

I had to frog the smallest holly immediately to the right of the bird's tail, because I realized it was a half stitch down. Thankfully it wasn't too difficult to remedy. I am enjoying working on this piece finally. I think it is because the motifs are a little closer together and easy to move from one to another.

I have also made a small dent in Three Boats. 

I was dismayed to realize that I would be starting with black to stitch the palm trees, but better to get that out of the way at the beginning and look forward to all of the gorgeous colors that await me. I have already stitched almost 200 stitches, but on 18 count the area is quite small.

My scarf is growing. It is currently around 50 inches long. 

I can stop whenever I want. I had thought I would just work until I finished the skein of yarn, but there is a lot left and I don't think I need a scarf that long. 

I made New England Cranberry Muffins from a new to me recipe that I have had hanging around for many, many years. 

They are quite tasty. I share the muffins I make with my mom and my MIL so that I don't eat them all myself. Hubby isn't big on muffins in general. I usually try one and put the rest in the freezer to bring to work for lunch with a yogurt every so often.

Yesterday, I made some more individual chicken pot pies for Hubby and I to eat after we teach at the local university. I get home earlier than he does, so I just unwrap the frozen pies and pop them in the oven. They are ready to eat when Hubby gets home. I also cooked a pot roast and divided it up into single serve dinners for my mom. I put them in her freezer and all she has to do is make a vegetable to go with them and maybe some noodles. 

It is back to work tomorrow, so I wanted to be sure everyone had enough nutritious food for the nights when I don't want to cook from scratch.

I am joining Kathy for some Slow Sunday Stitching. Pop on over to her site to see what other bloggers are stitching. I am hoping to add some stitches to Jingle today.

Thanks for stopping by!

17 comments:

  1. So sorry to read about your tire. Sounds like you have been busy cooking/baking meals in advance such a good idea. Love the scarf.

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    1. Thank you so much. The tire was a bummer, but the rest of my week off has been very relaxing.

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  2. Cathie, your hand work looks amazing... I miss being able to cross stitch on linen and such! So I love visiting you :)
    Sorry your tire blew out in a pot hole.. that is no fun! But I am glad you have fun new clothes to replace those needing replaced.
    I hope your return back to work goes well.. I love retirement too much to ever return to work! lol I like to work from home here and there to support my habits! lol
    I love your cranberry muffins... yummmm! Kathi

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  3. I really like your "Jingle" piece and that full coverage one will be so pretty

    If you want advice on scarf length, I like about 64 inches. That's long enough to wrap around your neck, not just drape across the back. But I like mine long; honestly I do more cowls and circle scarves these days. Good luck with it, it looks warm and is a great color.

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  4. that must have been some pot hole! sorry about that. Your frozen dinners sound like such a great idea and making individual dinners for your mom to heat too is such a good idea. love all the projects you are working on

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  5. So sorry about your tire. I hit a pothole one time and ruined my tire too. Your scarf and stitcheries are lovely!

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  6. I'm glad you've had a nice week off from school but how annoying about the tire! Good you got to work on both your cross stitches. I'm not a fan either of working with black thread but get that over with and the fun colours can start. 18 count is small and must be hard on the eyes too! Your scarf is going to be lovely.

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  7. Such a disappointment on pothole tire damage. At least you had some savings to cover it. Michigan has horrible potholes so I have empathy. Wise woman to prepare some meals ahead of time for too-tired to cook days. I may check out your current book. Best wishes as you return to work.

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  8. I'm going to try to get that book to read from our library... thanks for the recommendation.
    So glad to see you are starting a new stitchery... that will be a challenge for sure!
    Enjoy your slow stitching today!

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  9. One saves a little money and more often than not it seems to go on those unexpected things in life....like cars. Don't you hate that. Your Jingle cross stitch is looking pretty. Love the wording and sweet birdie. The scarf has such a pretty pattern; lovely shade of yarn, too. Your kitchen always seems to a hive activity. Those muffins sound delicious.

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  10. I'm impressed with your menu planning!! I was sewing dark brown needles on a dark brown sweater with black sewing thread -- OH BOY-- was that hard to see!! Can't imagine cross stitching with dark colors!!

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  11. Thanks for the tip on the read! My library lends on Kindle and they had it available to borrow! Your scarf is coming along super nicely; you'll have a lovely set, won't you? Jingle is progressing along very nicely! :)

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  12. Sorry abut the tire, how frustrating. This time of year there are so many potholes you just can't miss them all. They really are hard on the car. Your stitching is coming a long, and I LOVE the scarf, such a pretty color.

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    1. The tire is fixed now and I am really concentrating on avoiding all potholes now. So glad you like the scarf.

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  13. Well, that seems to be remarkable progress, Cathie. I loved the scarf’s color, and the crochet work is splendid. The mouthwatering cranberry muffins are too tempting. Hope to see your work of jingle to be finished soon. Happy stitching Cathie!!

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    1. Thank you. The scarf is almost finished. Jingle will take a little more time. Those muffins were very tasty. Thanks for visiting.

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  14. Cathie, your jingle looks amazing and I loved the color of your scarf. Glad you spend your weekend well. I will be joining back my music classes after a long while, I believe music is the best way to relax and I take my lessons from a music Institute in Coimbatore .

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