Fall Fun and Frustration!

Well, I started stitching this adorable little Fall sampler stitchery. It is by Heart In Hand, and is called "Autumn Medley".
I was so excited, and all was going fine..so it seemed!
It is such a simple design, but I kept making mistakes. I am blaming it on my new progressive contact lenses!!
The eye doctor kept telling me that I needed glasses for up close, when I kept telling him that I didn't need them at all. (not in denial, I only have vision problems for distance)..I can see very well up close.
He prescribed these new contacts for me. Supposedly for distance and near vision.
They seem fine, UNTIL I have to stitch on 28 count or higher.

Anyways...I kept making mistakes on this adorable little sampler. I counted and re-counted..and the mistakes kept coming along.
I stuck with it..until I didn't center the word Autumn correctly.
I then went to frog stitches using my little embroidery scissors.
Well, that did it! I cut through the fabric in several places.
I worked so hard today for so many hours, and then all my work is ruined :(

Now, I tried to re-stitch over the holes..and I cannot.
I don't know what to do..looks like this piece is ready for the trash. I feel so bad about it. I so wanted to stitch this and frame it for our home.
I don't even think I want to start all over again.

On top of it all..I didn't center it on the fabric correctly, so the piece is stitched too close to the bottom of the fabric.
I should have stopped a long time ago I guess :(

Oh well, time to pull out a new project I guess.
The excitement for this one is gone out the window!

I did have a nice day yesterday. I took my daughter to a pumpkin patch and we found a really nice plump pumpkin to display in our home!
I took some really nice photos while we were there.

Wishing you a Sunday filled with blessings!
Raggedystitches,
Louise

Good Morning!

It is a beautiful day here in Florida!
I was hoping to attract birds to our back patio by putting out some seed..and....
it worked!
I have already seen Tufted Titmice, Cardinals, and Doves.
They all seem thrilled that there is food waiting for them every morning.
I hope to pick up a bird feeder soon to put on a shepards hook. For now, I am putting out a container of water and throwing seed all around.
They don't seem to be complaining! :)

 I am going to pick up some black oil sunflower seeds for my wild feathered friends. black oil sunflower seeds have a soft outer shell which makes them easier for the birds to crack open, and are a high source of protein . With these seeds you can attract many different breeds of birds. These types of seed are a favorite among smaller birds.These seeds also have a high concentrated of oil which is important to the birds during the winter time.

 I even had a squirrel visit me this morning. I made sure I put out some yummy treats for him also (nuts!).
 I truly enjoy watching all the wildlife in my backyard. I would like to get some better pictures..but for now, I have to take them from the back window..This is the only way that I will not scare them away!
Last evening I decided I was going to take down the lace curtains by the front door. There is three small windows beside our front door, and the previous owners had a very thick lace for each window as a curtain. I wasn't fond of the look, so I decided to pick up some pretty green and tan check homespun fabric and sewed my own curtains.  This is more to my decorating taste! I love anything country :)
I did not put a lining in the curtains, I wanted a little bit of light to come through if any. I think they look much better than the lace that was there before.

I have more curtains to sew for our new house, and I will tackle one at a time. I still am very much in love with the colors green and red for my house. (sounds very Christmas like) :) I love gingham and anything primitive of the sort!
My husband and I found a new antique shop that we visited recently.
Oh my! It is wonderful. The way it is decorated is gorgeous. Next time I stop in there I will bring my camera along with me and share photos with you. The shop is located in Northern Florida and is called Enchanted Antiques. I have never seen a shop more beautifully decorated in my life!

I noticed this cute pumpkin on the way into the shop, and I could not leave without him! He looks so adorable among my Fall decor.
Soon I will be baking more, I just hope I don't eat as much as I bake! ;)

My husband is working on building a craft/sewing room for me. I cannot wait for it to be finished.
I look forward to setting it up and getting all my things in order. It will be nice to have my own little haven again for all my stitching, sewing and creativity.
I haven't had my own little space for many years now. It will be so enjoyable when it finally comes to be. :)

Raggedystitches,

New Look

I thought I would change the look of my blog a bit..I know I had the picture up top of my Raggedy Ann ornaments there forever! I needed something fresh and new.
I guess I just got tired of looking at them.
Anyways, thought a picture of one of my favorite stitcheries would look best :)
I am hoping to get out today to pick out a pumpkin with our daughter.
The weather is absolutely perfect outside!
Wishing you all a weekend full of blessings :)

Pumpkin Freebie Finish

This is a little Pumpkin freebie that I just finished up tonight.
This is a design by The Stitcherhood
Love her cute freebies!
I stitched this one up with DMC #920

I was hoping to stitch this into a little pillow, but I am still buried in boxes from moving and I cannot find my Fall fabric that would go with this design. Hopefully one day soon!

Have a great weekend!

Birdies

Our dear birds Andy and Misty enjoyed their free time today. I took a bunch of pictures and was able to get some really good snapshots of them. They are so cute! I noticed that Misty was having a bit of trouble..upon investigating further I could tell her toe nails needed clipping. After having birds for so many years, I am very good at clipping them myself. I carefully held Misty in a small towel and she was so sweet and well behaved while I took care of that for her.
She was so happy when I was done to get back to business getting into things again!
They really get along well. I am so glad we brought little Misty the parakeet into our home. She is a wonderful addition to our family!
Here is a snapshot I took today of the two of them.
Love our babies!
Raggedystitches,
Louise

Beautiful Saturday Morning!

My husband and I got up early this morning...
we purchased a couple of trees to plant in our front yard.
While out there another neighbor came over to say Hello!

The next door neighbor started chatting with me...
he has many beautiful fancy fruit trees in his yard.
He asked me if I had ever had a persimmon before. (I had not)..he went and gathered up a bunch and gave them to us!

Then, as we were busy in the yard...
we heard something overhead...
Our neighbor BOB! Everyone knows Bob, he is so funny and always makes you smile. His sister lives around the block and was our daughter's kindergarten teacher.
(Love her too!)

You see, Bob has some sort of flying recreation vehicle..I am not sure what it is..maybe one of you can help me with this one! :)
It looks like a go-kart...but it has a bright colorful parachute on top..it has a motor and he flies in the air with it!
He usually rides it every Saturday morning from what I am told.
So neat to see him up in the air like that!
This was the view above our house this morning..lots of excitement here!
Moving away then moving back has us appreciate our old neighborhood even more!
We are blessed...
:)
Raggedystitches,
Louise
ps...I LOVE Persimmons! yum!

Raggedy Ann Stitching Tool Pouch

I met up with my stitching friends Avona and Bev today. I had such a wonderful time. It is always so good to be with dear friends. I gave Bev a piece of fabric that was gifted to me a while back. It is the most adorable Raggedy Ann and Andy piece of fabric. She said she would make a stiching tool pouch for me out of mesh. She is so good at making those beautiful bags! She presented my bag to me today. It is just PERFECT!

Beautiful and made to order just for me.

Did I tell you that I have the best and kindest, dearest, most giving friends in the whole wide world?

Well, I do!

Thank you Bev, from the bottom of my heart, I will treasure your gift of kindness always,

Raggedystitches,

Louise

Yummie Casserole!

 The weather is starting to get cooler, and I was thinking a nice baked casserole was in order!
 I had purchased two cooked chickens from the grocer a day ago, and we had not eaten much of it. I thought I could put the rest of the chicken to good use. I cut up the rest of the chicken and started my hunt for a good recipe.
I found one that I thought I would like. The only ingredient I did not have was the cream of chicken soup..so I ran up to the store for that.
I wasn't quite sure how this recipe would turn out. It seemed like quite a bit of work, and boy, what a mess I made in the kitchen. But from my past experiences, whenever I have made a mess in the past, the food is usually very good!
I thought perhaps I would make some nice cornbread too. I just love cornbread. Mmmm!
I couldn't wait for dinner to be ready :)
My husband passed by the meal before I popped it in the oven...he made one comment, it was so funny, I am STILL laughing over it.. his comment was "what is that thing" LOL!
He is such a funny man! I love him!
I am still laughing over thinking of just the way he said it. I was so hoping this meal would come out good, or should I say "this thing" would come out good. :)
Indeed it did!
This was one of the most DELICIOUS casseroles I have ever had ! It was so good! I am so glad I made this meal..even my husband thought it was good, and he usually doesn't care for chicken too much :)
The cornbread went so well with it also.
Sooo...I thought I would share the recipe I found on the internet with you. It really came out delicious, and being that I tried it, and it worked out so well, I just have to pass it along!
Hope you will try it too, it is really worth it..and makes so much!
I am hoping I can possibly freeze some of it? Not sure, but I might try, there is so much leftover.
Enjoy!

Recipe Taken from AllRecipes.com
Chicken Kathleen

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) package yellow rice, cooked
• 2 skinless boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
• 1 (10 ounce) package chopped frozen broccoli, thawed
• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 (8 ounce) package Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups dried bread crumbs, seasoned

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Spread rice evenly over the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle cubed chicken evenly over rice, then sprinkle the broccoli over the chicken. Mix soup and milk together, and pour mixture evenly over chicken/broccoli mixture. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the soup.
3. Melt butter or margarine in a small saucepan or skillet over low heat; add bread crumbs and mix completely together. Spoon mixture evenly over cheese layer in baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.
4. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 1 hour.

Finished Fall Stitchery

I finished my little pumpkin design :)
This is a Harvest Cross Stitch Design I found at the Better Homes and Gardens Website. It is titled, "Count Your Pumpkins"
I have admired this design for some time now..and glad I finally stitched it up!

I am thinking about what to stitch next..I am excited with this time of year..my favorite! Just love pumpkin designs. I have another freebie that I am considering doing..I just might start that today...

I will be visiting the doctor today with my daughter. She hasn't been feeling well for a couple of days now. Possibly double ear infections , as both ears are hurting her..along with her throat. This always seems to happen when she goes back to school!
Everyone passes those germs around..so many students.
She is staying home today, I will take her to the doctor, give her soup and give her extra special attention!

Our new house is looking so pretty. I planted pansies out front, in colors of burgundy and yellow. We put out black mulch..never knew they had the color black! Wasn't sure how it would look..it is fantastic! Goes so perfect with the black shutters and black door. We also added new gold house numbers.

I went for a very long bike ride in my neighborhood last night. The weather was absolutely outstanding! I LOVE this neighborhood we are living in now. Everyone is so friendly, and even if you don't know someone, they always say hello. Much different from the neighborhood we left behind in NC. I am glad we came back home.
We missed it here so much.

I have decided to try to start eating healthier as of today...
I thought if I posted it here, it might stick!! (lol)
I need to exercise and start feeling better.
I am getting older and I need to fight it!!
One thing perhaps I shall ban from looking at is potato chips..what do you think? ;)
That is my one weakness..I believe.. I could live on them..truly I could. :)


**** The Raggedy & Friends BOM Block #3 is up at the painted quilt blog!***
Just click on the icon on my right side bar for Kaaren's blog and directions on how to get her latest block design. SOOOO CUTE! :) Thank you Kaaren!


I wish you all a day filled with many beautiful blessings..
and may all you do be done with love, for LOVE is the greatest gift!