Bad Blogger

Yes, I'm a terrible blogger. But I have been stitching.

I just finished this small stitch for my good friend, Becca. Her birthday is Thursday. I know she's going to like it. I just have to add the charm and frame it. It's a Lizzie Kate freebie.



This is my current work in progress, that I'm calling Beach Row.



And this is my UFO. I've just joined a group that is going to help me with this project. This is for my son, Noah. When I first started I was so excited and thought I could get it done in no time. Well, I think maybe because it's solid stitching, maybe because it's all gray colors, and maybe because I'm trying to hide it from Noah I've gotten nowhere with it. That's going to change.



And I'm going to try to blog more.

I'm here

I'm sorry to be gone for so long. I had a staph infection. It was the bad kind too. I was even in the hospital for awhile. I'm doing better now, still on medicine and still very tired. I did get a lot of cross stitching done in November! I hope to post pictures soon. I'm not making any goals for December because I'm just not up to doing anything right now. January I will make new goals. I will be back in a day or so with my pictures!

Goals

I've seen this on quite a few blogs and thought it might help me get more stitching done if I actually have some goals in writing. So here are my goals for November:

November Goals:

1. Finish Holly's TN ornament
2. Stitch Noah's TN ornament
3. Stitch Val's TN ornament
4. Stitch along ornament with Quaker Inspired http://quakerinspired.blogspot.com
5. Finish Kay's Pillow
6. Finish Angel Ornament
7. Start planning village layout for this group stitch along http://memyselfandirrs.blogspot.com
8. Stitch Penguin ornament
9. Continue stitching on Noah's wolf
10. Post pictures on the blog!

So that's my list. We'll see how I do.

And I think I will make progress because I just became a part of this group http://letsstitchtoo.blogspot.com and I think having a committment to stitch every Friday evening with my friends as well as the weekly challenges will keep me motivated. I'm pretty excited.

Thirstin' for the Word Thursday

I think this verse is so appropriate for today. It seems like there is so much to be concerned about. What ifs and uncertainties seem to be crowding my mind. One thing I can be sure of.....

"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." Psalm 119:114

update

It's been awhile since I've posted. Let me see if I can give an update and then hopefully get back on track.



Noah is doing well in school. He just gave a report on John Cabot - he did Explorer Jeopardy. I think he really enjoyed the assignment. He is also enjoying reading much more than he has in the past and I'm very excited about that.



We saw the movie, Fireproof. I thought it was a wonderful movie and would certainly recommend it. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing it again!



Yesterday, I had an appointment with a new physician and had several test. It will be three weeks before I have any results, but hopefully the problems will be identified and I will feel better soon.



I haven't done a lot of cross stitching lately. I just haven't felt like it. I did make a bookmark for a special friend, Marilyn, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Marilyn is a survivor as well as a treasured friend. I also made a scissor fob. My husband said it looked like a wonderful new dog toy. I started making a tin finish - I have the pattern finished and was doing the assembly work but was discouraged by remarks from my husband. So it is still sitting on the dinning room table unfinished. No pictures since it's my husband's camera. Sorry.



If you have little ones - or not so little ones - and are looking for an easy treat - try this one. The directions can be found here.

It's easy and delicious. And fun! Noah loved them.

A Meme

Wanna Play? Here are the rules:

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following questions.

They have to be real places, names, things. nothing made up!

You can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.

Tag at least 5 people to play along

1. What is your name? Sherry

2. A 4 Letter Word: Star

3. A Boys Name: Sawyer

4. A Girls Name: Samantha

5. An Occupation: Soldier

6. A Color: Sage Green

7. Something you wear: Skirt

8. A Beverage: Strawberry Shake

9. A Food: Strawberry Shortcake (see a pattern here?)

10. Something found in the bathroom: Soap

11. A place: Seattle, WA

12. A Reason for being late: Sleep late

13. Something you shout: Stop

14. Now tag five others: Trina, Meari, Elise, Nicole, Rachel

Recipe

Apple Pie

4 cups thinly sliced peeled apples
Oatmeal Pecan Crust (below)
3/4 cup sugar
1 TBSP cornstarch
1/4 Tsp salt
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Oatmeal Pecan Topping (below)

Arrange the apple slices in the Oatmeal Pecan Crust. Combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan. Stir in the water and bring to a bowl over medium heat. Stir in the vanilla. Spoon evenly over the apples.

Crumble the reserved Oatmeal Pecan Topping over the apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes, covering with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking time.

Oatmeal Pecan Crust and Topping

2 cups White Lily Flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup (1 and 1/2 sticks) butter, melted

Mix the flour, brown sugar, oats, pecans and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and mix well. Reserve 1 packed cup of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture over the bottom and side of a 9 inch deep dish pie plate.

Family Happenings

Things are going well for Noah at school. He just received his first 6 week report card and he made 3 A's and 2 B's. I'm so proud of him. He is having so much fun this year. This weekend is his school's Fall Festival. I'm taking Thursday off to cook for the Bake Sale!

I'm continuing to have almost constant headaches. So I'm really not getting a lot done other than work and taking care of the family. I have an appointment in 3 weeks to see a new physician and I'm hoping that will bring so relief.

I recently made an apple pie that was very good. I seem to always have trouble with pie crust but this one was not a typical pie crust and it turned out well. I will post the recipe tomorrow since I don't have it with me at the moment.

Me, Myself and I Round Robin

Yes, I too have joined the group found here. Thank you so much Vonna for allowing me to join in the fun! This is the first time I have been part of a round robin. And my first time at trying to arrange a layout like this. I am having nightmares that I begin stitching only to realize my material is too small. That would be just my luck. What's the old expression - measure twice cut once. You can bet I'll be measuring and measuring again and again. My village will be an inspirational village and I can't wait to begin. However, we don't start stitching until December 31 so there is plenty of time for you to join us as well. Come on over and sign up!

I know I need to post a picture of my "red project". I'll have to ask my husband if he will assist me since he has the camera. That's why I don't have a lot of pictures. Maybe I can get one of my own. That would be nice.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of Ike. Please be safe.

Thirstin' for the Word Thursday

I've been doing a study about having a spontaneous lifestyle of prayer. These two scriptures are very familiar but I'm struggling to not just see the words or read the words but to LIVE the words.

James 5:16 "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made to God."

Anyone that knows me knows I worry, a lot. In fact, it has earned me the nickname of "worry wart" or just "wart" from my husband. "Be anxious for nothing" that's a tall order for me! I would say impossible except with the help of the Lord. I look forward to finishing the study and seeing the growth.

Book Recommendation

Noah and I have been reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. What fun! Of course, I read it when I was young. But to read it again with him has been so much fun. When Tom fed the medicine to the cat...you should have heard Noah laugh!!!! What, you don't remember that? Maybe you should reread Tom Sawyer!

Recipe

Blue Ribbon Almond Roca Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 package toffee bits
1 cup coarsely ground almonds
4 ounces milk chocolate
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend sugars together on medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste. Add eggs and vanilla and mix at medium speed until light and fluffy. At low speed, slowly add the flour mixture and then the toffee bits. Mix until just blended; do not over-mix.
Place ground nuts in a small bowl. Using hands, roll balls of dough into 1 to 1 1/2-inch balls, then roll in the ground nuts. Place on cookie sheets several inches apart. Bake approximately 22 minutes and then transfer cookies to a cooling rack.

Melt the chocolate with the vegetable oil in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled cookies. Place cookies on a cookie sheet and place in freezer or refrigerator until chocolate is firmly set.

Family Happenings

Noah and Tom went fishing. They didn't catch anything, but they had a great time. It was on a friend's farm. Noah got chased by a goat and he thought that was exciting!

We've already had open house at Noah's school. We were able to see some of Noah's work and talk with his teacher. The first PTA meeting was that night as well. The first parent/teacher conference is tomorrow. Noah's teacher has been teaching for 16 years. There are only 23 students in his class this year. She is new to our school but she says things have been great.

New Project

I'm almost done with my "Red Project". I'm hoping to finish it this weekend since it's a long weekend. Of course, I will post a picture. But I have found my next project. SSSSHHHH! It's a secret from Noah. He has recently started to love wolves and I found this on clearance at Hobby Lobby. Do you think I can do it by Christmas? And keep it a secret?

Book Recommendation

I read this book for the first time when I was in high school. If you have somehow missed it, I highly recommend it to you. In fact, when I was searching for the cover to post I noticed that the new edition has information from the author that tells what was going on in her life and how this book came about. Although I still have my old copy from we won't say how many years ago, I may just have to purchase a new copy! This really is a must read.

Saucer-Size Oatmeal Cookies

This is the cookie recipe I used last year for our Fall Festival and I have been asked to make them again this year. I love these cookies. I found the recipe in a book called Perfect Recipes for Having People Over by Pam Anderson.

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3 cups old fashioned oatmeal
2 large eggs
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
14 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
2 TBSB vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chocolate chips or 6 oz bittersweet chocolate, cut into small chunks

Adjust oven racks to highest and lower middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and oatmeal in a medium bowl. Beat eggs, salt and vanilla in a small bowl. Mix butter, oil, and sugars in a large bowl. Stir egg mixture into sugar mixture until smooth. Stir in flour mixture, then stir in cranberries and chocolate.

Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup or a 3 TBSP spring action ice cream scoop, scoop 6 dough balls on each of the cookie sheets. Bake until golden brown, 16 - 18 minutes, switching positions of sheets and turning them around after 12 minutes. Use a metal spatula to transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough.

Cooks Note: When I first made these all I had at home was white chocolate chips so I used those instead. I LOVED it and that's what I always use.

Family Happenings

Things are beginning to settle down here.

Noah is having a great school year. He likes his teacher. A few of his friends are in his class but not his best friend. And that's probably a good thing! He has already brought home awesome test scores. They are doing their first fund raiser. And planning the Fall Festival. I've been asked to bring the same cookies I brought last year. I loved them. I'll post the recipe this week. So check back. I'll probably also make some chocolate cheesecakes for the festival. And it hasn't even been a month yet. It's off to a fast and furious start.

Work has been crazy crazy. It always is this time of the year. From July 4th until Labor Day we work long hours and are just ready to drop dead. I'm so glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel for this year! Maybe now I'll be able to post more.

Sunrise Breakfast Casserole

Sunrise Breakfast Casserole

2 packages of sausage
9 eggs
3 cups milk
1 1/2 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp salt
1 package hash browns, thawed
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Crumble and cook sausage and drain.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, mustard and salt. Add the hash browns, cheese and sausage and mix well. Pour into greased 13 X 9 casserole baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Family Happenings

We went on a short vacation to Nashville. It was wonderful! Noah had so much fun swimming, goofing off and exploring. He also loved the water park. Fun stuff. Wednesday he has a short orientation for school and then believe it or not, Friday is his first full day back at school for the year. Fourth grade here we come!!!!

The one sad event, the husband of one of my best friends died Friday. The funeral was yesterday. Please say a prayer for Becca and the children, Jessica and Drake.

Book Recommendation

If you love to bake, I would recommend Desserts By the Yard by Sherry Yard. The recipes range from easy to challenging and the pictures are amazing!