Is it the end of November already????

I had meant to have a post out here last weekend, but life just got in the way as it sometime it tends to do. I have been stitching like a fiend however, so I have lots of things to share and some info on yet a soon-to-be-started-project (for a good reason, keep reading and you'll see). Thanksgiving was very good this year, very quiet but plentiful food and a chance to reflect on life and realizing that family isn't always the blood ties which bind. I have met so many amazing, quirky (hey I'm quirky, so don't be offended!), kind-hearted, fun-loving people of the course of my life that I can count on when times get tough. I fixed the dinner of a 18 pound turkey full of homemade stuffing, oyster dressing on the side, sweet potato casserole, homemade mashed potatoes with fresh gravy, , glazed carrots, pickled beets, and cranberry sauce. Also I had pumpkin pie (tradition!), brownies and a new item Pineapple Banana Hummingbird Cake which is a recipe I found in the Sunday circular coupon section. It turned out to be a 'keeper' and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all the compliments on it. The only "modification" I did was I made 3 large loaf pans and of course that changed the baking time some. Of course, I am not a "Brand Name Snob" so the brands have been removed to protect the innocent and your pocket......

What You Will Need:
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding Pie Filling
4 Eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 can (20 oz.) Crushed Pineapple juice drained and 1 cup reserved
2 medium,ripe bananas, well mashed (1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped Pecans
For the Icing:
2 oz. Cream Cheese
1 tablespoon of Milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350
Combine cake mix,dry instant pudding,reserved pineapple juice, eggs, oil and cinnamon in a large bowl with mixer 2 minutes or until blended. Add crushed pineapple,bananas, and nuts; mix just until blended. POUR prepared batter into 5 foil mini loaf pans sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. DRIZZLE Cream Cheese glaze over cooled loaves and garnish with additional chopped pecans, if desired.

Musician Front as of 11/30/2012

Onto our stitching news....... The Musician has been coming along swimmingly and is now under 9 thousand stitches to be completed. Especially since I decided that the outside rose border is going to be nixed because it seems to be just a little over the top for my personal taste and so I think that I will have the framer hand-paint a few tasteful roses on the matting when it is framed. Since the 24th of November I have completed 1000+ stitches on this piece! Of course, I have included a picture of the back for those fellow stitchers who put value in neatness. Hopefully my backing is looking organized.


The Muscian Back
Progress as of 30 November 2012

I realized the other day, I hadn't shown a picture of the ornaments I have been working on yet. The first is almost done but I had my needle threaded with a color and only a few stitches on the first ornament in the color and was waiting in the doctor's office when a lady was asking me how you cross stitched. So I decided to show her from the beginning so started the 2nd. Need to take less than an hour to finish up the first one and the 2nd could be completed pretty quickly too. Thinking I might take some time this weekend and do just that.


Prairie Schooler
10-12th Days of Christmas

Prairie Schooler
6-8th Days of Christmas

Also my UFO, Starlight Sampler, had some progress too. I can't help but think about Mom every time I pick up the needle on this piece but it is good memories. Do you have any pieces which causes you to think of someone when you see it? I love that about our hobby..... I'm making it a goal to finish this off before the end of the year and to pick out another UFO from the pile to add to my rotation.

 

 

Speaking of rotation....... I found something that just screamed B-E-C-K-Y when I saw it. Actually, a co-worker, Sara, pointed out the design to me and the epiphany hit me the other day in regards to making it as a graduation present. I'm thinking that I'll add a line saying something like "May all your dreams come true in life" or something to that effect. Any all all ideas in this front is welcome and hopefully I can come up the perfect sentiment to embellish on it. The design is a Joan Elliott freebie of a dragon you can see here called Dragon Dreams. Becky loves dragons so the minute I saw this I knew this would have to be for her and the price is right!. I picked out some 32 count hand-dyed Sand Castle Jobelan fabric for this and have the DMC ready to go. Figuring I can start working on it at the beginning of 2013 and should have plenty of time to finish it in time for June. Here is the colors tossed on the fabric to give you an idea so please send me your ideas for a sentiment or other thoughts.

Well, that is about all for this week. Until next time, keep your stitchin' and knittin' needles going, spend time with friends and family, and most of all, enjoy life!

~ Carol