Monday, July 13, 2020

Cross-Stitch, Making Masks, Sourdough and Flowers

Hello!  How was your weekend?  I spent a fair bit of mine making tiny little x's on fabric.  I blame Vera, my blog friend, for getting me started on this. LOL! I am closing in on finishing the work on this 13 star flag.  


The tools of the trade.  My special sewing scissors and a magnifying glass a friend of mine from years ago brought back for me from her trip to England.  It's sterling silver and I use it all the time.  I think I'm going to pull out my "stars" and do new ones as these are not as nice as I'd like.  Then to embroider "Pins and Needles" on this, sew it to fabric for the needle book cover and sew the "pages" inside.  


I ran out of red floss on my LAST stripe on my flag so I had to go Michaels to go get some more and also got this box of 36 colors.  I wore a mask and used a sterilizer on my hands and credit card when I returned to the car.


To be honest this makes me want to embroider something really colorful.. lol!


I now have all the materials to make some new masks for Dayle and I.  The ones we have are rather tight and mine has too small of elastic ear straps and it will pop off my face at the most inopportune times.  I am also going to replace the elastic on that one.  I will make some for my grandsons for when they return to school, if they want one.


Here is the pattern I found.  Wish me luck.


Mocha says hello.


I've been feeding my sourdough, this is what it looks like when it's very happy.  Foamy.


My sister Denise visited last week and I had prepared a jam jar full of starter for her.  She has really taken to sourdough-ing and has made flapjacks (pancakes) for her husband and herself and she said they were the best pancakes she's ever had.  Then she made a sourdough pizza in a cast iron frying pan, then some crackers and is making a rustic loaf tonight and is going to do a sourdough chocolate cake, too.  YAY!  Her pizza (below) has inspired us to make some for our late lunch today.


I added some King Arthur whole wheat flour to my sourdough starter and it liked it!  :-)  I've decided to name my starter - Jane Dough.  LOL!


Dayle made some zucchini bread when the boys were here and it came out flat, due to him using our new big bread pan, 5x9.  So, this time he doubled the recipe and look at this beauty!!


This is, without a doubt, the tastiest zucchini bread in the universe.  


We HAD to test it, right?


One of the new dahlias I ordered from Brecks finally bloomed and I am royally peeved.  Although it's nice, it is NOT like the one I ordered.  


This is what was shown on the website when I ordered it.  No way it's the same flower.  I will be calling them today to complain.  


I thought I'd share the progress of my 2 flower baskets.



I'm loving my hydrangea in this stage.


The Astilbe is looking good, too. 


I had to show you the new mower that Travis got for Kristi.  She is one happy gardener!!  :-)


I will close with this beautiful photo of the Pacific Ocean that my 11 year old grandson took while on an overnight trip to the beach with their aunt, Kristi's sister and their uncle.  He used his iPhone.  Well done!


I want to thank those of you who have been supportive during a difficult time.  Mean people suck.  Right?  Have a wonderful week!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)  

16 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful shot your grandson took, Teresa! The ocean never ceases to reveal her beauty. I'm sorry about your dahlia, but the one you have is beautiful. I need to go to Michaels, but I'm staying out of stores these days and have been ordering online quite a bit. Your pattern for the mask is very similar to the one my daughter made for us. I hope each day finds you feeling better, my friend. These are the times that try men's souls. Hugs!

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  2. Beautiful progress on your cross-stitch project, Teresa! This morning I started another crocheted double thick potholder. I enjoyed your introduction to Jane Dough and the yummy recipes she helped you and Dayle try πŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒ and I enjoyed seeing your current pretty crop of flowers, but am sorry the Dahlia was not what you ordered. Thanks for sharing your Grand's lovely view of the sea. I hope you and yours have a wonderful week as well! πŸ’žπŸ’πŸ§ΆπŸ€—

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  3. Mean people DO suck and I'm SO sorry that you've had a hard time my dear friend. I have been praying for you and I hope you've felt that love.
    Your needle book is going to be so beautiful and your mask pattern is very similar if not the same one I used to make masks. At least until I ran out of elastic.
    The flowers are all so beautiful and I love Kristi's smile about her new mower. The ocean photo makes me homesick for the smell of salt air.
    Take care my friend. Hi to Dayle from Dennis and me. I'll be over to visit soon for some sourdough goodies or zuchinni bread. :-)
    Blessings and hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. All your photos look fantastic depicting a nice summer life with lots of fun stuff. Glad you are feeling better.

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  5. Your flowers are beautiful! And you are right, Brecks did not send you the correct flower! Dayle's zucchini bread looks delicious!

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  6. So many things to like about this post, flowers, sourdough starter, Kristi's mower, masks, cross stitch and sunsets. Many video instructions on YT for mask making. Be well and safe♥♥♥

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  7. Oh that is the best Kristi smile!!!! That flower is NOTHING like the one they promised. Hey! Let them know it. I found a huge caterpillar today. I think he could be a luna moth caterpillar. Since Willard, my mouse died of the lawn mower head injuries, I am keeping this caterpillar and hoping to see it cocoon and emerge. It's silly, but so am I. I must name the thing. Comet. It is now Comet. Fireman and I are headed out to look for the comet now

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  8. Hello Teresa. Beautiful photos,that is a super tractor, yummy bread and pizza,beautiful flowers,gorgeous sunset - how I long to see the sea ( where we live is about as far away from the sea as anywhere in the UK can be , we have a couple of masks that look exactly like your pattern. Sorry to read that people are being mean - no need for that. Take care and stay safe. Hugs Anne x

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  9. Looking good in your corner. I can almost smell that zucchini bread. How strange that we both ordered dahlias and we got different ones. Very frustrating. Enjoy your cross stitching. B x

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  10. The mask pattern is the same as the one I am using and it works well. Love the new mower, great gift and very generous. Your baskets are looking glorious. I too am sorry to read about mean people there is no need for it. Take care sweet friend.

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  11. That box of floss makes me happy. It would have had to come home with me too. I sure miss wandering through Micheal's or Joann's. I'm just not brave enough to chance it yet. Our numbers here are starting to go up again thanks to the opening of indoor dining, bars, gyms, etc.
    I love that red mower. Ours is too big for me. I used to have a small one like that to do Dad's yard and I miss it. Araignee

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  12. Gorgeous post! Just back from a computer/blog break and catching up....So pleased to see you have caught the cross stitch bug...it brings hours of relaxing pleasure! Love your flag! The zucchini bread looks so yummy....I've never made it but now I want to try and we have grown some zucchini this season so I will! So sorry someone was mean.....be happy dear Teresa. Sending hugs XXX

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  13. I love the flowers and Kristi's beautiful face so happy with her new mower. Your new floss is bright and beautiful, something we all need a bit of in our lives. Stay safe Teresa and know I am here if you need anything.

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  14. No time for mean people and yes they suck πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ Just happy faces is what we want. Loved your post again Teresa a highlight in my day πŸ˜€πŸ˜€πŸ  Great sunset shot πŸ’™πŸ’™

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  15. Great cross-stitch project. It looks very neat. I wonder perhaps I should also add some embroidery cotton to my giveaway goodies, just in case you win :-). Mean people are the limit...so sorry to hear that someone has been mean to you! I enjoyed the fabulous photos of your flowers; quite breathtaking. The Dahlia is spectacular too although I understand how you feel if it isn't what you expected. That zucchini bread looks delicious. keep well Amanda x

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  16. I like your flag! I need to get two of my cross stitch finished. Quit doing one now I need to figure out what pattern it was since I have two. Weird but better than leaving them undone. Nice flowers you have. Nice of your grandson to share coast sunset photo. It wasn't that bright when I was there sunset time in June in Lincoln City. Take care my friend. ×-----'-}

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