A Fun Fall Exchange

Gentle Friends, I took part in the HOE Autumn Exchange and received from my partner.....

 ... sweet Marie....  a really lovely Needle/Scissor Caddy.....

... the design is from a freebie at My Heartstring......  I will have to keep the piece I stitched and sent a secret a tad longer as it has not arrived to its new home yet.

_____________________

That's wraps up the week sports fans, thanks stopping by do stop again!!  Have a super weekend!

Take care,

edgar

An Exchange Arrives and Commenting on Comments

GR&DF thank you again for the warm words and kind thoughts in the comments. This morning the rains are here - though lite and drizzly - it is wet in the city. Tomorrow and especially Sunday we are to have some true rain. Hopefully the city will get a good wash.

Yesterday I heard from my exchange partner, Berit, that my package had arrived. We had taken part in a small private Autumnal Exchange. Here are a couple of snaps of the piece I made and sent -

I stitched up part of the "November" sampler from Prairie Schooler. In picking the chart to work up for the exchange I knew how much Berit loves Foxes, so I made it a point to have at least one in the design. I used the recommended DMC floss on a piece of over dyed mystery linen. The box started off plain, but I wanted some more colour and so I went to the store and got me some paint - I was totally nervous about how it would look and even bought an extra box in case I screwed this one up. I am very pleased with the results and the paint was a winner.

The inside of the box I lined with a padded piece of Fallish fabric - I included a few extra goodies. I am so happy that Berit likes what I sent - making this another super de duper Exchange!!!

I did get some questions in the comments so I think I should take a moment to answer them - The Halloween RR in yesterdays post was stitched on 36 ct Birds of a Feather "Meadowlark" linen. I am stitching SoHRH on the recommended 36 ct LL "Autumn Gold." When I eventually made up my mind about what linen to stitch Shores on I ordered the "special cut." I was petrified that what would come would be super yellow or some odd weird shade that would make me crazy. What came was a lovely muted piece of linen that I am so happy about getting. So I was sweating it out for nothing. Sue mentioned a RR going "missing" - this happened in my first RR - where 3 pieces went "Missing" - it pissed me off but good. But I couldn't dwell on the negative - and we just restitched our pieces. That stitcher who dropped out with our "missing" linen is still out there and posting elsewhere, but she knows who she is!! AND Karma is a BITCH!!!

Faye mentioned getting back to her SoHRH - I was so like that in trying to plan stitching a block a month. I did that with VoHRH - and that took two years of mostly not stitching to get it finished. So now I just think it takes what it takes to finish something - this is supposed to be my relaxing and fun hobby, so I do not stress on a finish, unless it is for exchanges, which thank goodness have a mail date!! I keep saying to myself - this is "fun" and I am "relaxed."

- and - Peggy Lee made some of the Peanutty Brownies - success!!

The cupcake I chose was a favorite of mine they make - there was only a single one of them and I had already taken it when took the snap - I know not fair, I'll get a snap of one late on -as I am sure we sill be back for another visit. What I like is a kind of spiced cake with pineapple filling and covered in cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with toasted coconut. Probably my next favorite they make, if they are out of my first, would have to be the red velvet cupcakes - so delicious!!

I think that about wraps up the week - hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!! Do stop back next week!!

Take care,
edgar

Tuesday Post

GR&DF Thank you for stopping by yesterday and for all your kind words!! Our week is supposed to warm up today by a few degrees and then cool off with some rain this weekend. It is a bit early for us to start up with the rain, but we certainly need every drop we can get!!

I was meaning to post the recipe for the cookies yesterday, but forgot it at home. I remembered today - the recipe comes from the Better Homes and Gardens web site.

Peanutty Buckeye Bars

1 - 19.5 ounce package brownie mix
2 - eggs
1/3 c oil
1 c chopped peanuts
1- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c peanut butter (I used chunky)

Directions
1. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9x2 pan: set aside. In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, eggs and oil. Beat on medium speed until combined. Stir in peanuts. Remove half of this mix and spread evenly into the greased pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until completely mixed and smooth. Spread this evenly over the top of brownie mixture in the pan. Separate the remaining brownie mixture into pieces, flatten these with your fingers, and place on top of the brownie mixture in pan. (This was the messiest part of the whole bit. Your fingers will get covered in the brownie stuff!!)

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until top is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 32 bars.

4. To store: layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

It is a really easy cookie to make, it is the flattening out of the brownie bits that's kind of messy.

__________

I finished up my Autumnal Exchange and it goes into the mail today - it should arrive domestically in the next couple of days!! I will post a snap when I hear it has arrived. I was really liking it last night and as with some exchanges it is hard to send it off, but I made it to be sent and I hope the recipient likes it as much as I do.
__________

The flicker last night was "Destry Rides Again" - 1939 - starring Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart, Mischa Auer, Brian Donlevy and Una Merkel. This classic western from the Golden Year of films was a total surprise to me. The basic story goes like this.... after the sheriff is killed and the "town drunk" is appointed in his place the lawless town of "Bottleneck" needs a hero. In comes the son of a famous Sheriff - who to every ones surprise doesn't carry a gun to enforce the law. There are a couple of dance hall numbers by Dietrich, who by the way is called "Frenchie." Here is probably the most famous -



I enjoyed the film and even if you don't care for westerns (I certainly do not) you should enjoy this film.

I think that about does it for today. Thanks again for stopping by.
Do come again!!

Take care,
edgar

Stitchin' Stuff and a Recipe

GR&DF thank you for your comments - I do enjoy then so, and they often let me see a different take on something or bring to mind other thoughts. Mary asked about the lamb, and yes, I do enjoy lamb - does that make this Blacksheep a cannibal?? I wonder? Sharon's comment about the acquisition of special things from others. I often think that when I am at an estate sale. It is sad to think that the things one "hoards" through life are thrown to the heap after we are gone. I guess the things are special to us alone and become the debris of our lives. The Heisey cream and sugar had to have been special to the previous owner as they are certainly old pieces, but have so little wear as to be almost new looking. Where there should be little scratches all along the bottoms of both they are clean an smooth and beautiful. They where probably never used and kept to just look at. That is why I use everything I ever buy. There is nothing that I have not used or do not use all the time in my house - and - there is nothing kept for a special occasions. I think every day I wake up is a special occasion so why not use everything, before it gets thrown on the heap or sold at a tag or an estate sale!! Enough of that!!

I took part in a Private Autumnal Exchange and yesterday my exchange piece arrived.
Lisa was my partner. Here is a snap -

How darling is this!! I love squirrels and this is so Autumn to me!! I just love the "nut" shape of the piece! On the back Lisa stitched the date and our initials.

The picture bites, but the piece is soooo cute!! Thank you so much Lisa, this is such a great Fall piece and looks super sitting out in our living room! My exchange piece is about done and will go into the mail on Monday.

On Saturday evening when I met up with Roberta and her son, Jeremy, for dinner - she brought me the most lovely present - I didn't get a good enough snap yesterday to post so I will post a good one today -

She made me this beautiful ort pocket and felt pyn cushion - I am loving it!! It is so handy to have a place to fling those orts - since the floor around my stitchy chair usually has many bits of silk and the who-hounds usually get one or two stuck to them having a place to put them will be nice - we are a colourful little house!

Over the weekend I also got some stitching done on SoHRH - here's a snap...

I have finished up Square #1 and am now onto #2. I think with this HRH that these first two squares will be the quickest of the lot.

I also wanted to post the recipe - It is very easy and I am sure there are many versions out there but I really enjoy this one.... so here goes.....


Pat's Christmas Rum Cake

Preheat oven to 325 - grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 yellow cake mix
1 small package vanilla instant pudding
1/2 c dark rum
1/2 c water
1/2 c salad oil
4 eggs
-
1 hot glaze recipe

Sprinkle nuts into floured and greased pan...

Mix all ingredients together, and beat them for at least 4 mins.

Pour into prepared tube pan and bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 mins or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. After you take the cake out of the oven to cool prepare the hot glaze.

Hot Glaze

1 c white sugar
1/2 c butter
1/4 c dark rum
1/4 c water

Combine all in a small pan, bring to boil and boil for 3 mins - stirring constantly.

While cake is still warm take an ice pick and poke holes all over the cake and then slowly pour the hot glaze all over.

Let the cake cool like in the pan for at least 30 mins - then pop that sucker out -

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and slice the cake.....

Enjoy!!

There you go sports fans. Thank you once again for all your kind comments and thoughts!!
Do stop by again!!

Take care,
edgar