Happy New Year !

Here is some type of old calendar sheet that was available online...of a 1910 calendar.  One hundred years ago.  It's hard to even imagine those times.  Some things better than those of today; some things not so good.

Today is a day to be thinking about what we didn't quite accomplish in 2009, or in the first decade of the 21st century.  It is also a time to think about what we might strive to accomplish or change in the upcoming year.

One of the things I would like to do is to finish more stitching projects, and keep a photographic record of my work.  An excellent example is on the Miss Jane blog listed at the bottom of mine.  This gal does lots of beautiful stitching and takes excellent photos of same.  Check out her work for 2009.  Makes you want to produce a collage for 2010, doesn't it?

Whatever your ambitions and dreams, stay focused and don't give up hope.  Have a wonderful New Year's weekend, and I wish you the best of health, happiness, and prosperity for 2010. 

A Late Christmas Gift for All

Here is a really poor photo of Rose's Christmas cardinal - Tis the Season - from BBD Joyeux Noel book.  The piece is much prettier in person than it appears here.  And my focus was terrible.

Rose stitched this piece on 40 count copper Lakeside Linen that she dipped in cherry and strawberry (I think) Kool Aid.  Everyone who sees this piece just goes crazy over it!  Another beautiful finish.  Great work, Rose.

P.S. I hope I get a finish on here soon!

Merry Christmas

Rose's Merry Christmas in Progress

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Last night was our December BBD meeting.  Lenore, Carol, Rose, and I splurged and went out for a nice dinner at Longhorn and then came back to my house for stitching, sharing, cookie eating, and just good fun.  We sat in the TV room with the tree lit and it really felt like the Christmas season.  Sorry that once again, I didn't have the house warm enough for my guests.  I'm so used to trying to keep the gas bill down that I am used to chilly!

I worked a little on my Sarah Tobias needle roll, which I hadn't looked at in a couple of months.  Carol went back to her autumn piece, which is coming along nicely.  Basically she has the bricks on the house, the big moon, a few more stars, and the words to complete.  Lenore started work on the piece on red fabric...the design that she borrowed from Rose a month or so ago.  I should have written down the name if it.  Will get more information next time.  Rose continued work on her Merry Christmas sampler from the Joyeux Noel book.  As you can see, she has eliminated the snowflake top border and is using the holly on both the top and bottom.  I, for one, think this makes for a much classier look.  If I do this piece, I, too, will do the double holly border.  What does everyone think?

It was a fun night.  Leaves you in a nice Christmas spirit to gear up for the week to come.  Stay in the spirit, everyone. 

P.S.  Yea...up to six followers...thanks, Rose! 8-)

Change of Seasons

I have been so busy that I have neglected this blog terribly.  So much to do.  Take down all the beautiful autumn things that I so love.  Replace them with Christmas decorations that are here and there...some easily accessible to me and some tucked away in places that I need assistance reaching.  I know all of you are going through the same things.  It's fun, but a little overwhelming at times.

I haven't worked on anything BBD in a while.  Too many other things to do.  I am furously stitching on a couple of Christmas gifts, which has taken up much of my time over the past three or four days.  Today is being spent mostly on decorating. 

I am loving the nice sunshine we have here today.  What a December blessing.  We still have only had one little snow...a day after Thanksgiving surprise that was gone the next day.

I hope all of you are having fun with all the activities of the season.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving 2009.

OOPS

Well, I see that I have published the photo of the recipe card too large and some of the wording was cut off.  Here is a smaller version of the recipe.  If there is a way to edit a post after finalizing it, I haven't figured that out yet!

Rose shared her recipe for Cranberry Relish with me...and I am sharing it with you.  She gave me some grief for never having gone past opening a can of Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, and slicing it on a plate.  Well, this will be the year that we try an updated cranberry side dish on Thanksgiving!

I am slightly embarrassed (but only slightly) to say that I have ordered a pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinner this year.  Early on it was just too confusing about how many were actually going to show up for dinner, so I just opted for the easy way out.  I plan to supplement the dinner with some home made trimmings, however.  One of which will be this relish.  I have also printed out a couple of recipes for stuffing cooked inside a hollowed out pumpkin.  I might give this a try.  It looks really festive.

Does anyone have any fun and maybe a little unusual side dish recipes they would like to share?