Free Cross Stitch Pattern

Orchid

Lately I have been sorting through the Photographer's work and selecting a few that I would like to convert to counted cross stitch patterns to sell on Etsy.

The photo above have been converted and (I think) is ready to be listed.  But I have never created a cross stitch pattern before and I am a little nervous about offering it for sale until I "know" the pattern "works".

If anyone is interested, I am willing to email the pattern (in PDF form) free of charge to three people on a first come, first served basis.  All I ask is that you email me a photo of the completed cross stitch and give me your honest opinion of the pattern.

The pattern is written for use with 18 count Aida cloth and uses 37 different colors of DMC floss. Although, if you use black aida cloth, the pattern uses 36 colors.  Of course, using white aida cloth and leaving the background white is an option as well.  Finished size is approximately 14x14.  Which could then be framed or made into a lovely pillow.

Please leave a comment if you want the pattern and I will be in touch!

The Battle of Scary Creek

Pierce praying a safe event

We took a day trip this past weekend to watch Pierce participate in The Battle of Scary Creek.  The event was a reenactment of a minor Civil War battle fought on July 17, 1861.

The battle occurred when Colonel John W. Lowe and several Union regiments advanced toward the Confederate camp. Captain George S. Patton, the grandfather of George S. Patton of World War II, commanded the Confederate line behind Scary Creek, several miles from the main Confederate camp.  After several Union attempts to charge across the bridge near the mouth of the creek were repulsed, the Federal forces withdrew and the Confederates claimed victory.

Readying the Gun Salute

 

After the Battle

The weather did not cooperate - the temperature hovered at right around 38 degrees and it  snowed!  We stayed for the battle and drove home, me worrying the entire time about Pierce freezing to death overnight.  This reenactment was a "campaigner" event, meaning the men did not sleep in tents but around the campfire.  In 30 degree weather.  Reenactors call it "authenticity".  I call it "madness".  Obviously, I was not cut out for reenacting.

Pierce arrived home Sunday evening - tired, wind burned, hungry and smelling of wood smoke.  And very thankful for a hot shower, a home cooked meal and a soft bed.

High Hopes



courtesy of the Photographer



An Ideal Summer Home

I found this advertisement in the April 1918 volume of Good Housekeeping magazine and immediately fell in love with the house.  Only $1100 - which equals roughly $16,000 today.  Only 12 cents for a complete catalog!

"Two men can erect this house in three days; not even a nail to buy, it can be unassembled and put up again any number of times"

The Fruits of My Labor



The "fruits" of my labor



I spent the entire day yesterday in the kitchen.  Our local high school marching band held a fundraiser and I purchased three flats of whole strawberries. I canned 16 half pints of strawberry jam, canned 8 half pints of strawberry syrup, canned 8 quart jars of concentrate for strawberry lemonade this summer and froze 8 quart baggies of strawberries.

We had strawberry shortcakes for dessert last night and I will be making strawberry muffins for breakfast this morning.  Then I am done with strawberries for a while!

The Spiritual Value of Housekeeping

Photo courtesy of the Photographer

"Everyone enjoys a well managed house, well cooked meals served on time, heating apparatus, lighting fixtures and window shades that work - in short a well padded life that gives the minimum of jolts.  What is not so generally recognized is the spiritual ministry of these conditions. The atmosphere produced, like all other atmospheres, is experienced rather than seen. . .  

Orderly rooms make for orderly thinking and orderly manners.  A well regulated house thus ministers to a fundamental spiritual need.  The house is our families world - where we are most truly at home.  A well administered household frees the spirit of every one in it. . .

And what of the housekeeper herself whose activities bear so intimate a relation to the inner lives of others. Her work is considered narrowing.  However, the housekeepers work presents more than the usual opportunities for self expression.  A painter is able to put upon canvas the thing he sees in his soul and we call it "art".  When a woman is able to achieve in her housekeeping a similar expression of her ideals, why should it be called drudgery?

The housekeepers work is a ministry - and that she knows.  Her deeper comfort is that her work, when rightly done, makes her life richer and she can afford to give herself generously and joyously to her work. For by means of it she adds to the life of those about her and her soul gets its message over into the souls of others."

- Good Housekeeping Magazine, April 1918

Road Trip

Courtesy of the Photographer

Pierce and I are off for a long weekend trip to see my Mother in Law.  As she lives 5 hours away, it is always a treat to spend time with her.  This will be our first visit since my father in law passed away.  Although she has a wonderful support system (her church family, friends, neighbors) I still worry and am glad for the opportunity to see for myself how she is getting on.

Back on Monday!

It's Always Something

Courtesy of the Photographer 

The heating element in my dryer went out on Monday.  Of course, just two weeks after the warranty ran out!  I loaded up all the laundry and took it to my momma's.  We had a nice visit while I used her laundry facilities. 

Her washer and dryer are located in the basement.  Her home was built in the 1930s and the basement is huge!  It has lots of storage, an ironing area, and a  double basin utility sink.  A quadruple clothesline is strung up in the back across the width of the room.  I remember roller skating down there on rainy days when I was small, zig zagging between the clothes hanging on the line.

Which got me to thinking - why can't I hang a clothes line in my basement?  My basement is only one quarter the size of momma's.  But when I went downstairs and actually looked around, there is plenty of room for a line.  

And canned food storage.  But that's another post.

My "to do" list now includes a thorough cleaning of the basement and stringing a clothes line.  Pierce has promised to help in any way needed.  While I'm at it, I'm going to get an outside clothesline as well.  Once done, I plan to use only the clotheslines for one month to determine just how much energy  (and money) we spend by using the dryer.

The Nest

Courtesy of The Photographer

After a day of particularly high winds, I found this nest on the patio.  It is very small in size, less than 3 inches in diameter. I have no idea as to what type of bird would build such a small nest.  Hummingbirds, perhaps? 

If you look closely, you will see that the nest is lined with Bear's fur.  German shepherds shed year round - especially when they "blow out" their winter coat.  The photographer routinely brushes Bear and when he cleans out the grooming brush he tosses the fur into my flowerbeds.  He has always said that the birds use the fur but I never believed it until I saw it for myself.

A Gentle Reminder

Adrift
Courtesy of the Photographer

Go wrap your arms

around your husband/wife/significant other,

your children, your family, your friends

and even your beloved pets.

Hug them.  Kiss them.  Hold them tight. 

Tell them how much you love them.

Because there are people in the world today 

that will never have that chance again.

Say a prayer for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami's. 

And remember how blessed you truly are.

Earl Grey Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Note To Self:  Keep Calm and Eat Cupcakes!

After spring teased us with a perfect few days she decided to truly come in like a lion.  The weather has been cool and rainy and the forecast is calling for snow overnight!  Which has me stressed out - I need to get outside and play in the dirt SOON!  Enough with the cool weather! I am rapidly reaching the end of my patience!

Some women fuss and moan when they get stressed.  I clean and bake.  During the downpour we had yesterday, I scrubbed my house til it begged for mercy.  Today I baked.  I have no idea where I got this recipe from.  I found it a while back, handwritten by me, but placed in with a bunch of recipes torn from magazines.

The aroma that filled the house while these were cooking was utterly divine.  They are so good!  Pierce, who isn't a tea person, liked them enough to eat 3!

Earl Grey Cupcakes

1/2 cup milk, room temperature
4 earl grey teabags
8 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons self rising flour
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350.  Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.  Heat milk in a saucepan until almost boiling.  Remove from heat, add teabags, cover, steep for 30 minutes and discard teabags.  (I used looseleaf Cream Earl Grey tea so I just stirred it in and strained the milk after infusing). 

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar till smooth.  Add almond extract.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.  Sift the two flours together and add one third of flour mixture to mixing bowl followed by one third of the infused milk.  Mix well.  Repeat flour and milk additions until all has been added.

Spoon into cups, filling them about 2/3 full.  Bake for 25 minutes or till tests done.  Cool completely before icing. Makes one dozen.

Buttercream Frosting

8 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/4 cup milk, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
A few drops of food coloring

In mixing bowl, beat milk, butter, vanilla and half the sugar until smooth.  Gradually add the remaining sugar, beating until smooth and creamy.  Add food coloring if desired.

I made a note at the bottom of my recipe to use Lavender frosting for the cupcakes.  I don't have any culinary lavender or voilet food coloring in the house at the moment so I used Buttercream. But I have a feeling the lavender icing would definitely take these cupcakes up another notch!  If you try the recipe with Lavender Icing, please let me know!

Lavender Icing

1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon dried lavender
3 cups confectioners sugar
Violet gel paste food coloring

Bring milk and lavender just to a boil in small saucepan.  Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.  Strain and discard lavender.  Whisk in sugar until smooth.  Strain again.  Add food coloring until desired shade is reached.  Use immediately.

Table Talk Magazine

Breakfast Time
Courtesy of The Photographer

I purchased many (MANY) vintage magazines on ebay as a Christmas gift to myself and have been slowly perusing through them.  Today I was browsing through "Table Talk", which billed itself as "the national food" and "international culinary" magazine.  Appropriately enough, it was the March edition.  From 1918.

March Menus - A Week's Sampling

Saturday Breakfast

Oranges

Bacon and Potato Omelet

Corn Muffins

Coffee

Saturday Luncheon

Banana and Nut Salad

Hot Biscuit

Currant Cake

Tea

Saturday Dinner

Cream of Lettuce Soup

Lamb chops

Stuffed potatoes

Peas

Steamed pudding with vanilla sauce

Coffee

Sunday Breakfast

Baked Apples

Baked Beans

Brown Bread

Fish Balls

Coffee

Sunday Dinner

Chicken Pie

Sweet potato croquettes

Cauliflower

Cheese and red pepper salad

Coffee ice cream with marshmallow sauce

Snow cake

Coffee

Sunday Supper

Spinach omelet

Currant buns

Preserves

Gold cake

Coffee

Monday Breakfast

Stewed apricots

Uncooked cereal

Omelet

Rolls

Coffee

Monday Luncheon

Baked bean soup

Toasted brown bread

Applesauce

Gingerbread

Tea

Monday Dinner

Beef a la mode

Mashed potatoes

Red cabbage

Nut pie

Coffee

Tuesday Breakfast

Bananas

Cereal

Fried fish

Biscuit

Coffee

Tuesday Luncheon

Bread griddle cakes

Tea

Cupcakes

Tuesday Dinner

Shepherds Pie

Green beans

Squash

Fruit jelly

Coffee

Wednesday Breakfast

Grapes

Cereal

Toast

Bacon

Coffee

Wednesday Luncheon

Cream of tomato soup

Muffins

Preserves

Tea

Wednesday Dinner

Boiled mutton with caper sauce

Mashed potatoes

Turnips

Lima beans

Hawaiian salad

Coffee

Thursday Breakfast

Creamed dried beef

Apples

Baked potato

Rolls

Coffee

Thursday Luncheon

Sausages

Muffins

Oranges

Cake

Tea

Thursday Dinner

Onion soup

Scalloped mutton

Potato croquettes

Baked squash

Tossed salad with French dressing

Apple pie

Coffee

Friday Breakfast

Cereal with figs

Buttered toast

Coffee

Friday Luncheon

Rice with cheese

Fruit cake

Cocoa

Friday Dinner

Tomato soup

Hamburger steaks

Carrots and peas in potato cases

Watercress

Baked rice pudding

Coffee

Purple Tulips

One of my favorite flowers

.

We awoke to a thin covering of snow Sunday morning and although it was still with us this morning, it was gone by noon.  The sun was a tease all day long - only peeking his face out occasionally.

I ran a few errands early this morning and picked up a pot of tulips while at the grocery store.  I was home with plenty of time to clean the house, do a couple loads of laundry and a bit of sewing for Pierce before playing with the camera.  I like the "soft focus" on this photo - although truth be told it is out of focus!

I spent part of the afternoon making plans for the garden and determing what seeds still need to be purchased.  Only two weeks until we start seeds!

The Matterhorn

Courtesy of the Photographer

The Photographer and I honeymooned in Switzerland.   Two weeks divided between Lucerne, Interlaken and Zermatt.  It was a wonderful trip and we hope to return for a summer long vacation once the Photographer retires.  Although the name escapes me at the moment, our hotel in Zermatt was more like a quaint chalet rather than a big chain hotel (which we both abhor).  We specifically requested a scenic view and were given the loft. This was the scene we awakened to each morning.  Utterly breathtaking. 

Missing Him

Donald Ray - My beloved Daddy

Today is my daddy's birthday.  He would have been 80 years old.  He passed away December 21, 2007 with his family by his side.  Adoring him until the very end.  Adoring him still. 

I am the youngest of 5 children.   The baby (there are 11 years between me and my next oldest sister). The princess.  The ultimate daddy's girl.  My dad was (and is) the wisest, wittiest, most compassionate, hard working and loving man I have ever known.

He entered the hospital for complications from asbestosis on December 12th.  When he realized that he would not be coming home for Christmas, he instructed my momma to buy his 4 daughters heart lockets as his last Christmas gift to us.  She gave us our lockets on Christmas Eve along with a message from Dad: "You are my heart".  I wear my necklace every day.  (My brother received a watch - and the message that Dad would love him until the end of time).

 
That is the essence of my dad.  The man whose family was the most important thing in the world for him. The man who could make everything better just by entering the room.  I told him once when I was in junior high school and had been through a particularly difficult day that no matter what went wrong - as soon as I entered through our back door I knew everything would be all right.  I told him I believed that our house was "magic".  He just smiled and wrapped me in a hug.  

And I truly did believe it - until the first time I entered the house after he was gone.  The house wasn't magic - Daddy's love was.  I hope everyone, at some point in their lives, gets to experience the unconditional love, the "knowing" that you are the most important person in the world to someone that I grew up with.

Most days now I speak of him with laughter.  Other days I can barely utter his name without dissolving into a puddle of tears.  It is very difficult for me to understand how the world - my world - can continue to exist without him in it. 

Well meaning friends told me that it would get easier with time.  It hasn't.  A very close friend lost her father over 10 years ago and I asked her - how much longer?  When will it get easier?  She tenderly replied that it never get easier - but you learn to live with it.  I am very slowly learning to live with it.

Adventures in Country Living

Warning:  If you are squeamish about

creepy crawlie things - please skip this post!

Surprise Visitor

March seems to have come in like a lamb in these parts.  I am so thankful.  The past few winters have come very close to pushing me over the edge.  In fact, the weather today was so nice that I opened all the windows to thoroughly air the house while I went about my usual housekeeping routine.  Please note that we do not have screens on our windows.

I was upstairs vacuuming when I heard Bear barking.  I called down and told him to hush, it was just the Hoover making all the noise.  He uncharacteristically ignored me and it took a few seconds longer for me to realiz that I was hearing his "danger" bark.  I don't know about other dogs, but Bear has several different, distinctive "barks" and "growls".  And being his "momma" I realized when he was a puppy that if I paid attention, I could tell what different vocalizations meant.  Now, we can communicate as long as I am within hearing distance.

Heart pounding, I shut off the sweeper and raced downstairs.  I reached the bottom of the stairs and Bear jumped in front of me - blocking my path while he continued to bark.  I stroked his head and told him what a good boy he is as I looked around to see what the "danger" was. 

Several minutes passed while I stood on the bottom stair, listening to Bear growl and trying to ascertain what the problem was.  I didn't smell a gas leak, the house wasn't on fire, Bear would most certainly have cornered an intruder - I was at a loss.  But I trust my dog and didn't move. 

Suddenly, Bear leaned into me - trying to push me back up the stairs.  And that's when I saw it.  Slowly slithering towards me without a care in the world.  Bear's fur stood straight up on his neck.  He let out a most ferocious growl and then attacked.  I seized the opportunity to run into the family room and grab a fireplace end iron.

Bear and I swiftly disposed of the intruder - who apparently came in through one of the windows I had opened earlier.  Once it was dead, I used the fireplace shovel to carry it outside.  I left it on the patio for the Photographer to properly dispose of when he came home.  I thought it was a copperhead.  Pierce says he believes it is a juvenile rat snake - who apparently look like copperheads when young as a form of defense against predators.

They are both in shock that I managed to not have a heart attack in the process of killing the snake.  I am terrified of them!  I realize they play a vital role in the ecosystem and am fine with them as long as they stay out back and out of sight.  But they are not allowed in my house!  If one of the boys had been home, my visitor would have been gently relocated - but they weren't here and there is no way I am going to pick up a live snake!  It may as well have been an anaconda as far as I am concerned.

The windows are now shut tight again and I am seriously debating whether to purchase screens.  Bear, of course, is my hero yet again.  He received a huge soup bone along with cuddles and high praise for his actions.  I truly don't know what I would do without him.

Granny's Quilt

Circa 1975 Quilt

My great grandma made this quilt for me when I was 7 years old.  It is hand pieced, hand quilted and knotted.  She kept a quilting frame set up in the corner of her family room  and she made a quilt for one family member as a Christmas gift each year. 

She "quilted her way down the list" making one first for her oldest child, then the 2nd, then the third and so on.  For her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren until everyone received their gift.  I am the baby of the family and she was nearly 90 years old when it was my year to get a quilt.

She kept her fabric stash in one of the upstairs guest rooms and I remember being in awe of so many beautiful fabrics in one place.  She let me choose the material for my quilt - helping with color choices as necessary.  I would play with fabric scraps under the quilting frame while she sewed.  We sang songs and discussed such important things as what we intended to wear to church on Sunday, whether we wanted to watch The Guiding Light (how I miss that soap opera) and what our favorite ice cream flavors were. 

I received my quilt for Christmas in 1975 and she passed away peacefully the following April.  It is beginning to wear and fray now but no matter - it is one of my most prized possessions.  I keep it in the family room, draped over the sofa.  Its beauty brightens up the room while it patiently waits for me.  Beckoning me with its softness and warmth on cool evenings.  Evoking precious memories of my beloved Granny daily. 

In Training

Saucony Trail Running Shoes

 Looking back, I realize that I was set up, tricked if you will.  Pierce came to me a few weeks ago concerned that his "freshman 15" didn't actually catch up with him until he was a sophomore.  His pants were starting to become uncomfortably tight around the waist.

We discussed his eating and exercise habits and I recommended that he think about participating in sports again.  Throughout his school years, he was active in sports and band.  Due to all the activity, he could eat as much as he wanted without gaining an ounce.  Now, however, he has elected to not participate in college sports and most of his time is spent studying.  While he continues to eat as much as he wants.  

His diet wasn't really an issue.  He has always been a healthy eater, feasting happily on salads, fruits and vegetables. (At the age of 7, he announced that broccoli and spinach were his two favorite foods!). His issue was definitely lack of exercise.  I offered to foot the bill for a gym membership and a session with a personal trainer to get him started.  I told him I would help him in any way I could.  

We returned to the subject last week when he informed me that he was going to start running.  That he intended to participate in a local 5K this upcoming autumn.  The rest of the conversation went something like this:

Pierce: I'll need a pair of running shoes

Me: OK

Pierce: And maybe a couple pair of shorts

Me: OK

Pierce: And a watch for distance and speed

Me:  (with a little exasperation) OK Pierce.  I will do anything to help you. 

Pierce:  Great.  Thanks Momma.  You're the best. Then calling out to the Photographer. "Hey Dad.  Mom's gonna start running with me. Wanna join us?"

Me:  Excuse me? I'm going to do what?

Pierce: (with that big grin I can't resist): Oh, come on Momma.  It'll be fun.  You'll get into better shape and we can spend some quality time together. Us against the elements.  Feet pounding the pavement.  Feeling that rush, the wind in our face . . . yada, yada, yada. You did say you would do anything to help me.

I sometimes wish I wasn't such a pushover when it comes to my child.  But he does have a few points: better fitness and quality time together.  So, starting today, we are in training for a 5K!  We plan to train on the trails in the back fields - a loop around the back 60 acres roughly equals 1.5 miles.

The 20 year old is excited.  The Photographer has announced that, in the spirit of family cooperation and participation, he will pace us with his 4-wheeler! I only hope I survive!