If I had a brain....

Now a sensible person, who is creeping towards the latter part of her 40's, and is sort of living with a pre-menopausal middle-age spread (also know as muffin top, or thunder thighs, or cankles) should realize that Spring is the time for certain activities.  Activities that involve preparing somewhat for the approaching season of lighter, less bulky clothes, bare legs and arms etc.  

A sensible person wouldn't be attending events in late April that are called "Death by Dessert"!   But then again, when have I ever been sensible.   Last night a friend and I went to a Death by Dessert and Auction fundraiser. 

There was a great selection of auction items 

And some other stuff.....

Note the "creepy dolls"....... Our table (and several others) referred to them as Chuckie's Friends.  Like clowns, I firmly believe these dolls have the potential to come to life in the night and kill you in your sleep.  There were lots of funny comments and the Auctioneer almost broke a sweat trying to unload these babies.  It was on the verge of begging!  Finally one lady placed a small "pity bid" just so we could move on.  

And so we didn't lose energy in between bidding, samples of different desserts were served throughout the evening. 

It started with a bowl of a variety of chocolate barks. There was homemade toffee, root beer floats, pumpkin tarts and this.......

Candied Bacon........OMG, I am making an entire pan of this!!  Cholesterol and calories be damned - this is incredible!

So this leads me to a twisted reasoning path.....based on the weather this evening I don't have to worry about summer clothes for awhile yet.  This pic was taken at supper time

It's April 24th and the ground is white!  It's just so wrong.....

Easter recap

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend, filled with family, friends and of course, chocolate.  We spent a relatively quiet weekend but managed a little of all of the above.  It was different but enjoyable.

Last week was difficult for us.  We are working through our "firsts" without Mom.  Her birthday was last week.  It was the day I think I finally cracked and let all the bottled up emotions out.  Actually it took me a few days to really recover.  But I hadn't had a true meltdown since Moms funeral so I was probably a needed crash. 

So I decided to go easy on myself for Easter.  Not a lot of fuss, just a quiet weekend.  I found it quite therapeutic to sit at my frame and just quietly create.  And I managed to finish 2 small rugs.  (Binding and all)

Here is the results - "Early Bird" a Lori Brechlin, Notforgotten Farm design.

And a fun little penny rug.  I really enjoyed hooking this and using some of my stash worms.  

They are both listed in my Etsy store.  See the link on my sidebar - PleasantHillStudios.

Today it's spring cleaning in the closet.  All the winter sweaters and now put away out of sight and all the spring - summer stuff is making its way through the washing machine and back on the shelves or hangers.   My only issue with this time of year is footwear.  I have tons of boots and sandals but not much for this time of year.   I'm trying to resist shoe shopping and hoping the I will wake up and sandal season will be here.  A girl can dream, can't she?

Spring cleaning - hooking style

Well, I'm proud to say that I am being successful in the task of reducing my stash of wool worms.  I managed to completely hook this rug without cutting a single new strand.  I love this pattern.  It's a Lori Brechlin design "Early Bird".  He's so sweet.

And there's such a feeling of satisfaction when you can use wool worms that are just magically multiplying in bags.  

In fact, it felt so great I decided to keep going on the "great stash reducer".  Plus there was still some burlap left on the end of this piece.   I decided to try a little penny rug.  I have never hooked one before.   

This morning.....

And a few hours later.......

The colors in this pic are way off but it's browns and blues.  I used only leftover worms for the circles but I am going to have to cut wool for the background.   And I'm finally going to use my 8.5 cutter blade.  Yes Lauren, finally!!  Lol. 

I wonder if I can finish this tomorrow?  Maybe the Easter Bunny will come and help me?  But I don't want to distract him from the job of leaving chocolate.

Happy Easter everyone 

Keeping busy

So happy the long weekend is here.  I can't wait to have 4 days off to just catch up with things.  I came home today to find this beautiful spring flower arrangement in the middle of a large basket full of fruit and candy.  It finally feels like Spring.  ALL of the snow is now gone too.  Maybe I might even get out in the yard and replace some of the pieces of sod the snow plow ripped up. 

I've also been back to rug hooking on a regular basis.  Since I've been yearning for spring, and I've yet to see a robin in the yard, I wanted to hook one.  This is a Lori Brechlin (Notforgotten Farm) pattern "Early Bird"

It's not too big and it's hooking up quickly.   I've changed the eye since I took this photo.  And the best part is so far I haven't had to cut any wool - just using leftover worms.  I wonder if I will be able to finish it without cutting? 

And here is the finished pillow top from earlier in the week.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.  This weekend I will add the fabric for the back and get it ready to ship to its new home 

Beyond the purple feet

I'm not ready to show you the rest of what's above the purple feet from my last post.  It needs a little more tweaking.  But I am working around it and working a little outside my usual comfort zone.

I hooked more last night and today than I have in a long time. (That's code for I didn't do many chores today) 

Another feature to this piece is the use of some of Deanne's latest discovery - sexy jersey for hooking!

She has it dyed in beautiful colors and it is so soft and stretchy.  You can but it in large pieces or a large bag of smaller ends like this 

When she first showed it to me, I was hesitant - but not anymore.  It is wonderful for hooking.  Here's a close up 

Deanne has a wonderful video on her web page introducing the "sexy jersey".  There is also a great recommendation from Bridget.  Trust me......go and watch this video 

http://hookingrugs.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/outtakes-from-bridget-the-bombshell-and-the-sexy-jersey-story/

And then go order yourself some sexy jersey!

So happy to be footloose

Its here......Spring!  Finally the snow is almost all gone and the temps rose today to almost balmy.  Jackets were shed, shirt sleeves pushed up, and socks thrown aside. 

These ten little guys were screaming for freedom.  As I passed the kitchen closet, I heard a soft noise.  "We miss you".....  I opened the door and found THESE.....

Oh, Flip Flops - I've missed you too :). Happy, happy feet.

And on the topic of feet, here's my latest project.  Doesn't every chicken need purple feet?

Happy weekend!

Melting, mystery, and munching

It's hard to believe we are well into April and I'm still talking about melting snow.  Even after a few days of mild temps and heavy rain I still cannot see my front lawn.  And just forget about the back lawn.  Still heavily blanketed in white.  Not sure if the tulips will eventually bloom or they have just given up!  I expect to see a small white surrender flag poking out of the ground. Lol

Last night I finished my mystery pattern of the month from Deanne Fitzpatricks studio.  Three sheep in a field of poppies.  Loved it.  The colors are off because of the flash but you get the idea 

I finished this one too early. Now I have to wait until the end of the month to find out the next pattern.  And you all know how impatient I am........(sigh).   But in the meantime, I have a chicken plan!  Stay tuned

I have had a few request for the recipe for the monkey bread muffins.  Here is the link 

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/monkey-bread-muffins/

They were easy and delicious.  I didn't make the frosting and they really didn't need it.  The caramel sauce was sweet enough without frosting.  

Not much else blog worthy this early in the work week.  Now to finish the design of the next project.  Tonight visions of sharpie markers will dance in my head 

Sweet weekend

This post could have also been called "large" weekend, in reference to my waist size.  There seemed to be a lot of sweet eating the past few days.  

Saturday morning was the weekly pilgrimage to The Market.   There were a lot of food vendors this week.  I couldn't leave without these 2 beauties - blueberry cream puff and strawberry cream tart.

I wish I could say that was all I bought but I must confess to consuming a few maple butter tarts also.  And this morning I had to try a recipe I saw on Facebook - monkey bread muffins.  Delicious!!

If I'm going to eat like this I should be exercising, right?   Well......does clapping, head bobbing, toe tapping and swaying count?  Last night I went to a show that was a tribute to The Everly Brothers.  Local musicians performed and it was incredible!   Their harmonies were perfect and the crowd was appreciative.

You'd think there was an earthquake because the floor was literally vibrating from all the toe tapping :). There is so much talent in our little community.  My friends decided we could be back-up singers in another life.  

I hooked some more on my sheep.  The sky is about 3/4 hooked and I'm out of wool :(.  I've saved a few strips so I can buy another matching piece tomorrow.  I hate it when that happens.  

Someone asked about the wool I used for the grass.  Here are the two wools

I'm not sure where I got the one on the left but I think the one on the rightis a Heavens to Betsy wool.  Maybe named turkey feathers (?)

I can't believe how fast the weekend passed.  Soon it will be Easter and a long weekend.  Just hang on! 

Hookin' Love

I'm back to rug hooking a bit each night and I'm lovin' it!   Sometimes after you take a little break it's hard to get back into it.   I missed playing with the wool and the feel of it slipping through my fingers.  

And when you find a project you love, it almost hooks itself.  I think we have all started projects and then lost interest and it just seems to go on forever.  But this project is flying along.  

I love this pattern.   I still haven't shown you the whole rug but here is a little more progress.

Another couple of evenings and it will be done!!   What to do next?  I'm on a roll 

No Joke

It's not an April Fools Joke.  It's snowing.  I don't know whether to say it's snowing "again" or it's "still" snowing.   It just keeps coming and coming.  

Many businesses closed "again".  Our office closed after lunch.  An unplanned afternoon off isn't bad, it's just the reason for it that is bad.   

How about some red velvet cookies and special coffee?

A little more hooking too.  And then a nap seemed like a good idea.  I went to sleep dreaming of Spring.  Hellooooo........where are you??

Miss Millie was not so cheery when she woke up from her nap.  Seems her blankie got stuck to her bottom and she was not impressed.  

That crooked little face just stared at me until I removed the pesky blankie.   What a dog!!