Hurricane Helene, Fully Finishes and Cake

Happy Tuesday, Friends.

I’ll briefly give you an overview of our personal situation regarding Hurricane Helene and the impact on our community.

Western North Carolina experienced much more than was expected from the most recent hurricane. What you see on the national news is not an exaggeration. The devastation we see and hear about is unbelievable.

Local Park Bench

There are tennis courts and a walking path here...somewhere

We have firsthand experience with hurricanes from when we lived in south Florida. Even that did not prepare us for what we see today. Homes washed away, lives lost, entire towns wiped out. I can tell you this…I’ve also never seen a community pull together like this one.

One of many vehicles arriving Waynesville with donations

People from many other states have found their way to this area with donations of badly needed items.

My husband and I feel very fortunate that our only inconveniences were that we lost cable/internet, cell service and needed to reschedule our cruise to next year.

We have AT&T cell service, and they installed a temporary cell tower in our town. Then our internet was restored after 5 days. I’M NOT COMPLAINING!

My husband unloading donated items

We took the opportunity to join the efforts of a local church in accepting donations and distributing supplies to those who need them. I’ll spare you the many stories we’ve heard. Just know that our hearts are broken, but our faith in humanity is restored after this experience.

Since we have internet, I am back to work but my husband continues to help at the church. These small communities in western North Carolina are helping each other and will be just fine. It won’t be today, but it will happen.

This week we are focused on Hurricane Milton. Our son is in Palm Harbor, FL and our daughter is in Orlando. Praying for everyone in the path of this storm.

To keep busy, I decided to go through Halloween cross stitched pieces that needed to be fully finished.

I began with Halloween Alphabet. This was the piece I started at the retreat in Montgomery.

The chart is by Primrose Cottage. Stitched on 32 count vintage country mocha, using the called-for DMC floss. I found the frame at Michael's.

The following pieces were stitched in 2021 and placed in the proverbially “under-the-bed-box.” The fabric on all of them is 14-count black aida and I used the called-for over-dyed floss.

Catoween Cal

Catoween Wanda

Pumpkin Pile

I rewarded myself after finishing all those pieces with a new start.

Give Thanks by The Proper Stitcher

I’m stitching this on 40-count linen, Chocolate Milk by Fabrics by Stephanie.

Lastly, my husband continues to tag me in Facebook posts about banana cake. He literally begged for it over the weekend. So, I gave in and made one for the first time on Sunday.

It’s a moist cake topped with whipped cream cheese frosting. I couldn’t imagine it…bananas and cream cheese? But, oh my, it is so good.

You can find the recipe here if you are interested.

Today is food shopping day. We do not meal plan as usual because we will work with whatever is available in the grocery store. Still…I’M NOT COMPLAINING!

I hope things are well with you and I’ll be back soon to share some sewing progress.

Praying for mercy on Florida!