A Little Bit of Fall

Hello, Friends.

We are enjoying some lovely cool temps and it has put me in the mood for a wee bit of fall decorating. Since we are going to be in Florida much of this month, it didn’t seem like I should do too much.

 

I mentioned earlier this week that Mom and I went to a craft show.

This handmade pumpkin stack came home with me. I think it is a nice addition to the front entry. The rafia on top should be replaced by a bow...maybe for next year.

Pay no mind to the poor peace lily. Believe it or not, the thing is on the mend.

There are a few fall pieces here and there on the inside, but the Hoosier cabinet has gotten most of the attention.

It is so much fun to change the decor on the cabin to match the seasons.

The cross stitch piece on top is "Be Thankful" by Country Cottage Needleworks. I don't think I've shared it before. It was stitched on 10 count Aida in the color Burlap.

Various decor items from Michaels and some I've had a while.

Of course, you will always see an item or two from Hobby Lobby

More vintage Pyrex. I have quite a few pieces that came from my husband's family and my grandmother so I'll be swapping those out seasonally...I think.

I've shared about the battery operated candles.  They are hand dipped in real wax and look so nice with the lights turned off.

And I have to show a couple recent photos of our wildlife.

We still get frequent visits from these guys.

 

I wonder how close to November they hang around?

 

Thank you for visiting our little place on the ridge and enjoy your day!

A Finish and Some Frogging

Hello, Friends.

I’m excited to tell you that I kept up with the stitch-along for “A Patriotic Christmas Eve” by Twin Peak Primitives. My friend and I started on the same day last January and we finished on the same day this month.

I stitched mine on 25 count evenweave, Prim by Lori Holt. It measures approximately 16.64” x 10.88” which is HUGE! I have an idea of how I want to fully finish it but need to do some calculating, or as my Papa used to say, some cipherin' 😊

 

I used a mix of floss brands and colors, sort of just picked what I wanted and went with it. 

I also added beads for the Christmas tree ornaments.

I added French knots to Santa’s beard.

I tried adding French knots to Mrs. Claus’s hair, but they do not show very well.

 

I was so happy to have a big finish that I decided to pick up my next big project.  Red Bird Sampler by With Thy Needle and Thread.

I finished the whole right side and started on the grass, only to realize…

I am one row off, but where? I searched and found this…

Everything in this circle is one row too high. (I thought some pretty bad words!)

 

So now I’m frogging (rip it, rip it)!

 

This one is close to being finished, so I will work it in somehow.

Check back tomorrow if you are interested in seeing a little fall decorating. (and I mean a very little amount)

 

Otherwise, I hope you have a great weekend!

A Trip to the Apple Orchard

Happy Hump Day, Friends!

We just returned from Florida where my husband had his pre-op appointments. We are still waiting for the final “OK” before heading back down this weekend. If all goes well, he’ll have his total knee replacement on Monday, October 2^nd.

 

We brought my Mom back to North Carolina to spend the week with us and enjoy some much cooler temps. We attended a craft show and visited the local apple orchard.

 

I hope you enjoy a few photos from the Orchard…

Barber's has been in operation for a long time

The trees were still full of apples

Silly me didn't get photos of the produce side which was full of vegetables, as well as apples.

Attached to the produce stand is a bakery. Everything there is baked in a huge kitchen on the premises.

There was a long line of patrons patiently waiting

In addition to pies, doughnuts, muffins, etc., they offer apple butter

Sauces, dressings, canned vegetables

Of course there is apple cider

And even coffee

So, what did I get?

Honeycrisp Apples

What did I do with them?

Apple Galette

This apple galette is delish. You can find the recipe on Carole's blog which is My Carolina Home. I skip the allspice and it still tastes great and it is so easy to make.

Some people in the house enjoyed theirs with a little ice cream

I hope you visit my blog this Friday as I have a big finish to share.

In the meantime, enjoy your week and maybe an apple or two.

A Finish… or Not

Happy Friday, Friends!

Last month I finished stitching this little piece

The Stitching Bee by Little House Needleworks

 

Then I found a box at the dollar store that reminded me of a honeycomb. And ‘thought’ it would be perfect to use for fully finishing the bee stitch.

As it turns out, the cross stitch is too small for box.

It needs something but I don’t know what.

 

Should I paint the box? I thought leaving it natural sort of worked with the cross stitch fabric?

Add more things around the stitching? Buttons? Pins?

For now, it is going to be parked on a shelf.

Since my last post I finished the secret sewing project (can’t wait to tell you about it…next month) and I finished the August ‘assignment’ on A Patriotic Christmas Eve.

As a reminder, this is a stitch-along with a friend. We divided the chart into sections and stitch one section per month. We should finish this during September.

 

My husband is going to have full knee replacement surgery in early October. We were in Florida last week for the diagnosis. Our preferred surgeon is in Coral Springs. There will be a lot of back and forth between North Carolina and Florida over the next couple of months. I think there will be more cross stitching than sewing happening then.

 

Here are a few charts I have in mind to work on.

Nice to have options, huh?

 

I’m kicking off this Labor Day weekend by virtually sewing with friends tonight. 

I’m joining Cheryll and the gang for Friday Night with Friends.

 

I hope you have a most enjoyable weekend and get into something creative and fun!