Autumn is here!

The weather is starting to turn a little cooler -- at least at night! And, after all, the calendar says that Autumn is here! So... I did a little bit of adding some color to the outside --

Here is my front porch. I added some fall leaf garland around the door, a fall wreath, and also some leaf garland and touches to the geranium basket and flower box.


Here is my birdhouse stand. I added garland to that too!


And, I've been doing some fall type stitching!

"A Pumpkin Sampler"
Window Garden Designs
Stitched on 28ct. Annabelle Potato w/DMC

This was stitched just for fun... I think I'll finish it into a box type thing... or something else. Any suggestions?

"Pumpkins"
LHN Thread Pack w/Crescent Colors
Stitched on 28ct. Annabelle Potato

I stitched "Pumpkins" as part of the SAL on the LHN/CCN Yahoo group. It stitched up really fast, and was a joy to stitch! I'm thinking of finishing this one into a flat fold stand-up. I also have the "Acorns" pack to stitch up this month, as part of the Thread Pack SAL.

I hope everyone is having a great Autumn! This is one of my favorite times of the year!

I am way behind on reading blogs.... My son says he thinks the power supply is dying in my computer.... :-( Good thing he can fix these types of things!

Happy Stitching! Thanks so much for stopping by, and leaving comments -- it is much appreciated!

Stitching on today: It's a secret!!!
Current Read: "Out of the Mist" by JoAnn Ross

Wedding Pictures...

The Wedding was beautiful! The weather was outstanding... even though it was warm.

Here are me and my husband Chuck....

This is Kristen, my new DIL, and the girls...
from the left: Kristen's sisters Becky, Sherry, Kristen, my DD Becca, and Kristen's friend, Jen.

My daughter Becca walking through the fall leaf covered arch...

My son, Rick and Kristen, taking their vows...

The Wedding Cake -- didn't it turn out great!


The Hallman Family! Chuck, Becca, Kristen, Rick, and Myrna!

So... now we are five. :-)

Getting ready for the rehearsal dinner....

I think my house is about as clean as it can get!

Okay... you have to imagine the food is on there.... and I used my old tupperware 'harvest' colors for the salads.... Everything is prepared -- except me!

We are having Sloppy Joes, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, jello salad, chips, pickles and olives, and some kind of dessert. The blue things are Dove chocolates with fall leaves on the foil, and the other two little bowls are candy corn mix and peanuts. Kristen's mother is supposed to be bringing a dessert. (I might run out and get some cookies from the bakery -- just to have on hand...) I'll try to remember to take a picture when the food is on there!



Hi to everyone out in blogging land... I hope to be able to catch up on reading blogs next week!

Photo Hunt - Plastic

Here's one for you all....


For our 20th Wedding Anniversary, our neighbors gave us this.... I think we have used about half of the box! (And in only six years! -- I think they thought we would invite them over for desserts more often, if I didn't have to wash the forks! LOL)

No Stitching -- but a new dress!!!

No stitching updates, as I have been stitching on an exchange piece.

But, I finally went out to look for a dress to wear to my son's wedding. Yes, it's in less than two weeks -- but, I hate to go clothes shopping. Dragged the husband and daughter with me.... We found one! DH Chuck picked it out, I tried it on... It fit perfect!! Even daughter said it looked good! And now for the best part --I got it at Younkers. (My boss recommended looking there.) It was tagged at $128.00, but, it had a yellow dot -- wasn't sure what that meant. A lady told me that meant it was marked down. Yea!!! So, I took it to the check-out station, and asked the lady there if she thought it would be okay for a Mother of the Groom at an outdoor wedding. She told me it would be perfect! So, then I asked her how much it would be.... She told me with the discounts -- $16.00. Excuse me, did you say $16.00???? Yes -- it's marked down to $79.99, and then another 80% off the marked down price!!! Yeah, I bought it!!! My shoes I got at Walmart for $12.94 -- almost more than the dress!

Here is what the dress looks like:


I'm a happy little stitcher today! Now, I am trying to coordinate all the stuff for the rehearsal dinner... And, hoping my daughter's bridesmaid dress fits! Oh... and I guess I better think about the normal stuff like cleaning and laundry and dinner... LOL

Off to get another cup of coffee!!

Stitching on today: Exchange gifts and whatevers!
Current Read: Debbie Macomber "74 Seaside Avenue"

Egg Roll Recipe

Julie had asked if I would share the recipe for the Egg Rolls.

Here it is:

Egg Rolls

1 lb. ground beef (or shredded chicken, pork or shrimp)
cook before mixing in w/veggie stuff.
1/2 small cabbage -- sliced very thin and chopped small
1 package match stick carrots
2 whole eggs
1 bundle rice noodles (rice sticks - about 7 oz. package)
soak in hot water until soft; drain; cut to about 2-3 inch lengths.
spring roll egg roll wrappers - (I got them in the produce department. 2-3 packages)
salt
pepper
1/2 cup oyster sauce

whip eggs, add oyster sauce, salt and pepper and mix; add cabbage, carrots and rice noodles; add meat. stir all together.

place mixture on wrap - about a large serving spoonful; fold up bottom triangle and tuck edge around filling. fold up each side, like an envelope. roll up to the remaining point. dab inside edge with a little flour/water paste to stick. place sealed point side down until ready to deep fry. Deep fry in canola oil until golden brown. Place on paper towels to drain. (We then put them in the oven to keep them warm until they were all done.)

I made these pretty full and used 2 packages of wrappers. (40!) I had stuff left over, but, only about a small cereal bowl full.


Thanks to all the new people stopping by!!! I love it!! (It makes my rambling worthwhile... LOL)

What's the Buzz Exchange Received!

Andrea received the 'What's The Buzz' Exchange I had sent her.... She said she liked it!!

Just Nan 'Big Bee, Little Bee'
Stitched on 28ct. Creme Linen
w/recommended fibers
Finished as a pinkeep

I also included some 'bee' themed goodies....

That's it for exchanges for a bit... Next up will be my Autumn Seasonal for Amy -- and I did sign up for USEBB Eye of the Needle Exchange.

Thanks for reading, and making comments!!!

A Bit of Accomplishments!

Last night was our league golf banquet. We had a fun time playing golf, and then a little meeting and awards. I received a little birdie pin... I had the most birdies of anyone in the league this year! I also received an award (cash!) for having low net score (28)! All in all, a pretty good year playing golf with the league!

Today I didn't have to work!!! I finished up the JBW French Country Cat --- don't know how I'll finish-finish it yet!

JBW French Country - Cat
28 ct. Cashel - Country Cream
DMC #310

Then, set the oven to clean, and spent the rest of the morning playing in my Craft Room -- putting things away and a little reorganizing! I found a frame that I had gotten for LHN Home of a Needleworker, and got that framed up! It now hangs in the living room. :-)
And, I made a little wall hanging out of CCN Geranium House, and that is hanging on the front door! Today is our 26th Wedding Anniversary. DH Chuck stopped at Stitches 'N Things yesterday, and Deb helped him pick up a few things! In the bag was two packages of Piecemakers needles, some Six Strand Sweets fibers, an emery board that says 'The Cat Hair Is Free', and a sticker for the van's window that says 'I (heart) Cross Stitch'! Deb also put in a beaded thing to wear around your neck and hold a little pair of scissors!

I guess I'll keep him for another year! LOL

Thanks for reading and your comments!

Current Stitch: An Autumn Design

Labor Day Lazy

We have been having a lazy day! I finished stitching CCN Geranium House, and started another project: JBW French Country Cat. And, we have been watching the CSI Marathon on TV.

Chuck made breakfast, we had a frozen pizza for lunch.... and then decided we would try something different! I made egg rolls!!! I made shrimp ones, and beef ones. Chuck says they are very yummy!!! They weren't that hard... I did all the mixing and wrapping, and Chuck did the deep frying!


Thanks for stopping by, reading, and your comments!

Current stitch: JBW French Country Cat
Current read: Nora Roberts: "The Calhouns: Suzanna and Megan"

Photo Hunt - Dirty

This week the theme is dirty! I tried to take a picture of a dirty golf ball -- that's what happens when you hit it in the mud -- but, it didn't turn out. And, then DH Chuck says, "Well, Becca didn't clean the birdbath". Oh My Gawd!!! It was disgusting!!! Here is a picture of one dirty birdbath!

Thanks for reading, and your comments!

Summer Seasonal Stitchers Exchange

I received an email from Amy that she had received the Summer Seasonal Exchange I had sent out! I had been reading her blog, and trying to figure out what she might like...

Here is what I finally decided on -- remember I take horrible pictures! LOL

Just Nan - Small Delights - Seasonal Gems II - "Summer"
Stitched on 28ct. Cream Cashel Linen
Fibers: DMC, Kreinik, & Caron Wildflowers
Embellishments: Beads & Rose Charm
Finished as a pinkeep with a deep mauve fabric on back

And, I also included some extras in the package....


Amy says she likes what I sent.... It was fun putting this package together! I have already started on the Autumn package! I found just the neatest thing!

Thanks for reading, and your comments! I appreciate them so much!

Stitching on today: CCN Geranium House -- still!!!

Kids....

As I don't have any stitching updates... you all get pictures of my kids!!! (And not the fur-kids!)

This is my son, Rick, and his fiance, Kristen. We are very lucky she is joining our family. She is a sweetie!!



And, here is my baby, Becca. She will be a Senior in High School this year. :::Sigh::: They grow up soooo fast!!!



Thanks for reading my posts, and for your comments... They are much appreciated!

Stitching on today: CCN Geranium House

Exchanges!!

I have been sooo lucky! I received my Seasonal Exchange and my What's the Buzz Exchange!!

My Seasonal Exchange came from Carol, and to say I was thrilled was an understatement! I read Carol's blog, and am always in awe of the beautiful stitching she does. And, now, I have my own "carol-stitching"!!! Carol made a mattress cushion for me from a SB design.

Here is the front:



And the back with our names:



And.... the entire package!! Lovely lotion, a car jar, floss, fabric, scissors, notepads, a cat chart... and mice for my kitties!!! I am feeling spoiled! (I am not worthy!)



Here is CeeCee with 'his' mouse! It now is minus a tail....



The mailbox was buzzing when I emptied it yesterday, and found a package from Terry! Inside was a darling biscornu covered with bees! One of the cats thought this was another toy for him! He was set straight right away! This is Mommy's toy!!



Terry also included some goodies: a bee themed piece of finishing fabric, a darling ME trinket box, and the chart "The Busy Bee"! I am feeling soooo lucky!



That's it for exchanges for awhile. I haven't signed up for any because of all that's been going on around here, and feeling so 'unsettled' would be a good word, I guess. There is one that is tempting me on one of the boards -- I'll probably cave and sign up! I would just like to get back in a routine.... maybe when school starts next week!

My sister, Ree, is going to come get me today, and we are going to explore yarn shops around town... or so she says! Should be fun, but, I did tell her I had to be home by 5 to play golf! I should get off of the computer and work on getting my two exchanges packaged up to mail!

Thanks for stopping by, and for leaving comments! They are always appreciated!

Stitching on today: CCN Geranium House & TW Knotwork Bookmark

Picture post :-)

I have a couple pictures I can post!

I finished the LHN Home of a Needleworker!! I really like the way it turned out:



And, I am making progress on CCN Geranium House! I have to finish it this year -- I already put 2007 on it! Here is a WIP picture:



Also, I went stash diving, and came up with some Autumn Stitching Projects! Here is a picture of what I picked out:



There are projects by LHN, Cedar Hill, Chessie & Me, The Trilogy, and JBW Designs.

My son called me from Walmart, and told me they had DMC on sale for 10 cents! I gave him a list for the Autumn projects, and here's what he brought me home:



I also took a new picture of the Redwork tin that Nicki had made me. (I don't know if it's a better picture.) I have the little scissors I found at Hobby Lobby attached to the fob.



That's it! I can't show the other two projects, as they are for exchanges.... Soon....

Thanks for reading, and all your lovely comments. :-)

Stitching on today: Exchanges, and CCN Geranium House.

PhotoHunt - Happy

This week's theme is "Happy". Hmmm.... what better than a picture of a contented, happy cat!



I think I want to be a cat in my next life! (The big guy is my husband, Chuck)

PhotoHunters -- Two

I thought of several different 'two' items... but, finally I chose this:



I save these throughout the year, and use them for my 'stash' money at Camp Stitch-A-Lot in March. It's surprising how they add up in a years time. :-)

It will be interesting to see what everyone picks for 'two'!

Ramblings....

I was having a 'poor me' day. DH is away, the kids were demanding... and the new kitten, Willow, was staked out in my stitching chair! (Too cute to move!) She is not our cat, but, belongs to son and his fiance. We just 'cat-sit'.



I think I've killed one of the plants we received, my house looks like a disaster, and I have no motivation to straighten!

I went looking for something to read... I have lots of books, but, they are mostly crime stories, or the like, and I wanted something more 'light'. I found one by Nora Roberts -- but, wouldn't you know it? It's book two! I wonder where book one is?

So, I decided what better time to start on the 'thank you's'. I managed to get quite a few done before the mail was delivered. To my surprise... there was a package... from Nicki? (Nicki had been the moderator in the Redwork exchange, and my package had gone missing.... I finally received it last week, but, Nicki -- in her kind heartedness, also stitched me something!) I was thrilled!!!! This was just the thing to pick up my day! Check this out -- A Redwork tin -- all my own!!! And it even has an 'M' on it!! (I'll try to take a better picture)



And, then I open it up -- inside is such a fantastic finish, and a precious fob!! (the back of the fob has an 'M' too!)
Edit: I found the perfect little scissors that fit inside the tin!



As soon as I'm done posting, I'll be running upstairs for the perfect little pair of scissors for it! Nicki -- Thank you so much!!! I do truly adore it!

And, now a question.... I would like to plant a Forsythia in memory of my Mother-In-Law, as she always had these in bloom in the spring. Does anyone know when they should be planted? In the spring? If anyone has the 'green thumb' and can let me know, it would be appreciated.

Today is my golf league, so that will be nice to get back out and play. The weather is near perfect, and it should be fun.

I'm dividing my stitching time between two exchanges, and CCN Geranium House. Can't take pictures of the exchanges, but, here is a progress on Geranium House... yes, I changed the color of the house! :-)



I'm hoping to make this into a banner for the front door... I think it would look good there!



Off to stitch a little....

Thanks for reading, and all your comments! They are much appreciated!

Stitching on today: Shhhh -- exchanges!

PhotoHunters - In a Row

I went looking for a picture, and found a rare one of my three black cats on the back of the sofa -- in a row!!!



Hope you enjoy my entry this week!

For the Birds Exchange....

I was very fortunate to have Nancy have my name for the exchange on the USEBB in "For the Birds"! Nancy stitched the most adorable cushion! I already have it hanging by my sewing machine. It is a Loggerhead Shrike, and it has beads all around it and for a hanger! The back has our initials and the year.





Nancy also spoiled me with lots of goodies: fabric, floss, ribbons, notes and sugar-free mints! The perfect feel good package! (in my favorite of colors -- blue!) I love it!!



And, Katrina posted that she had received the package I had sent out for this exchange. I stitched Waxing Moon seasonal bird freebies into a little bellpull. It was stitched over one, on a 25ct. I think it turned out pretty cute! I also added some goodies to her package. I was a little late in mailing it out, so hopefully I will be forgiven. :-)





Edit: here is the link for the freebie designs: Waxing Moon Designs

On life... Chuck (DH) starts his 'new' job at the company next week. Hopefully less stress... but, he will be traveling some. We are trying to get back in a routine. School will be starting soon, and Becca will be a Senior! (Yikes! How did that happen?) I'm trying to stitch some everyday, and if not, at least set aside some time to read.

I hope you are all doing well out there in blogger land! I've heard from a long missed stitcher friend, and hopefully we can get back in touch.

Thanks for reading and your comments... they are appreciated!

Currently Stitching: LHN Geranium House
Currently Reading: "A Good Yarn" Debbie Macomber -- just finished!

Thank you...

Thank you all so much for your comforting thoughts and prayers during
the past week and a half. I always knew my Mother-In-Law was
something special, but the outpouring of concern, support and
attention from the Lansing community has been overwhelming. During
this stressful time, support from friends has helped to overcome the
continuing nightmare. We are in hopes that her tireless efforts to
better her neighborhood will continue in her memory.

Thank you again...

Myrna & Chuck Hallman, and family.