Lightly raining...

Remember this old photo of my Chicken Scratch embroidery? I need to get back to this project! I love embroidery, and just never seem to do it. Maybe it is because I blog too much, and read too much, in a sitting down position...when I should be out walking and getting fresh air and sunshine. It is funny, down here in south Florida, it is the opposite of cold climates where you stay inside all winter. I suddenly realized it when I found myself making bread in the dead of this stinkin summer heat! You HAVE TO find things to do in the air conditioning!!!!! Ain't it the truth, all of you people who live in scalding hot climates??? Anyway, I hope to get busy on this embroidery again soon!

It is lightly raining outside, as I sit here on the couch on my 10 inch mini laptop looking out to the east, and along the back fence where I see a large croton, and a mixture of my "jungle" plants, including my huge numbers of Gloriosa lilies, which are still not blooming (bummer). I love to see the rain softly falling on all my plants and yard. It is so soothing to ones soul. I like the idea of it possibly (and I mean possibly) cooling down just a tad.

The first day of fall I will have a small party. When I was a teenager, I would open my bedroom windows, have candles burning in all the windowsills for the lovely smell, with music playing, and I would clean, and bring snacks and drink to my room, where I could dream and read. I remember that so well, a memory that returns each summer. So, I plan on candles, windows and doors wide open, music playing, and a clean house with the smells of Lysol wafting through the air.

I can hardly wait!! Only 3 more months to go.

Attempt at a modern Chicken Scratch embroidery...

At the time when I started this, I was thinking I would make a modern pillow, with a non-traditional color of gingham fabric, and do a name in Chicken Scratch. I have stored it away about a year now, and suddenly I have an urge to finish it. If I made it with a name (JUNE, for my mom), would you think it would be best with just a J...or the whole name? Also, should I add some scratch around the edge (for a pillow)...or just trim it out in a modern fabric??? No lace or anything old fashioned for this one...trying to bring it up to the 21st century! What do you all think?

I'm ready to quit country living!!!

This is hard work! I have not sat down all day except to fall flat out asleep on the couch mid-day and nearly miss my kitty's trip to the vet! We got there, and my Baby Cat has all of his up to date requirements. No problems found...just a perfect Baby!
Ever onward...I thought I should do a little handwork during my Country Woman Days! I found an oldtimey peice I had already started a few years ago...it is a techique of embroidery called Chicken Scratch...women used to do it on their aprons, and chances are, you have probably seen this on some at the antique shops or at Ebay or Etsy.com. I think it is quite cute and I make this heart pattern, and incororate it into whatever I am making...a pillow most generally. I worked on this heart a little more today, and in this pic only about half of the little circle parts are done. I made a pillow for my SIL about 5 years ago and it was adorable. I wish I had taken a picture. I am thinking of what shall become of this particular heart...we shall see!

And a close-up! Don't look too close and see my mistakes! LOL

I've done 2 loads of laundry every day! This is dog work!

As a good country wife, I mended a shirt for my hubby. This was a 5 second job, but by the time I pull out my sewing machine, dust it off, plug it in, thread it, and wind a bobbin in the right color, it takes more like 30 minutes! LOL.

Now here is the Apple Dapple Cake I posted the recipe for yesterday! It turned out fairly well...very moist...full of fresh chopped apples...but it calls for WAY TOO MUCH OIL! I recommend replacing half that oil with applesauce, and you will have yourself a delicious, moist, yummy cake! It made a 9 x 13 pan full, so I haved shared it with friends and family! That brown stuff on top that you see, is a caramel topping you make and it really adds a lot to the whole cake!

And here you can see Doozey modelling her new daisy halter! She is a cutie in it!


And look what came in the mail today! My last copy of Cactus and Succulent Journal, and To The Point. Time to renew. I wanted you to see what was on the front cover...a Lophaphora Williamsii, or Peyote Cactus! I just love the way they look...sort of like lumps. They are weird and strange, and I guess that is why I like them...and no, I haven't been smoking anything!!! LOL.

So, now, I am worn out from my County Woman Days and I really want to quit, but I think I will just take it a little easier. But tomorrow I need to wash windows and screens! Hey...I may be saved...I hear it is supposed to be solid thunderstorms the rest of the week! Yee-Haw!!!