Spring Stitching and April TUSAL

It is beginning to look a lot like Spring around here.  I have been working on booties for all the new babies that are due this month and the next. The little ducks will go to Sevrine's Kindergarten class.  You can't look at the brite little ducks and not think that it is almost Easter.

With April's new moon, it is time to post my progress on the TUSAL.  I have made progress on the "Come Unto Christ" and a finish to the "Irish Blessing" have added a little color to the jar.  I should get a lot of time to stitch in the next few weeks sense I am taking a much needed break to visit my DH. (the Bunny pair are Lizzie Kate's and were  done last year)

An Irish Blessing and Family Recipe

I finished this piece this week for Saint Patricks day.  The pattern can be found on the Leisure Arts blog. I can always use a blessing and shamrocks for luck. It was done with the required DMC threads and Linen.

I am not a big fan of corn beef.  My mother in law fixed this casserole for St. Patricks day and I liked the combination of flavors. (Bacon makes a lot of things taste better) The left overs are even better.

Corn Beef Noodle Casserole

1 tin of corn beef
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1/2 lb. bacon, cut into pieces
2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 med. onion, chopped
16 oz. bag of egg noodles.
1 cup cheddar cheese
Cook egg noodles and set aside. (I used about 4 cups cooked)

Fry bacon until crisp-tender. Remove from pan. Drain all but 2 Tbsp. fat. Add chopped vegetables. Cook until tender.  In a casserole dish, combine corn beef, cream of mushroom soup, bacon, and vegetables. Add egg noodles. Top with cheddar cheese.  Bake for 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

February Stitching and March TUSAL

It's that time again to post progress for the Month.  The TUSAL is slowly filling with this month's orts.  I"ve added to the browns and golds from "O Jerusalem" with reds and greens from this months stitching. I worked up hearts and gave them away before I got a picture.  The Sampler is a freebie I had on file from the Leisure Arts page and I have wanted to add to my Saint Patrick's day decorations. I am also working on a "Come Unto Christ" for a gift to a family member and need to have it done by the end of the month. 

I got invited to a surprise baby shower earlier in the month and put these together for the new mother.  I need to get more done sense there are a few more babies due in April. 

This month's book club book, "Girl in Blue Dress", by Gaynor Arnold, is a story based loosely on the wife of Charles Dickens. So far it has been a great story. The events of his life are true and it is interesting to see how this influenced his writing. Now I am eager to read and re-read some of his books.  I do feel a bit sad for his wife and how she was treated through the years.

A Little Celebration

I had a Birthday this week.  I had a full day with my DUP Convention (Daughter's of the Utah Pioneers), my stitch group, a trip to Mesa and dinner with Colleen and Sevrine.  I had so many comments on Facebook that kept my phone pinging all day.  I sure appreciate all the goodies and flowers that I found on my doorstep when I got home.

I got a Kindle for my Birthday.  This has been on my wish list for a while.  Kristen has been raving about her's and answered many questions I had about the e-reader.  I immediately made a cover for it.  I liked how it turned out and made a matching bag to put my knitting in for when I am on the go. 

February'sTUSAL

It is time to post my progress for February's TUSAL.  The details are on Daffycat's blog.  I have been working on "O Jerusalem" and it is a slow process.  I have a couple of small hearts I am doing and will post them when they are finished.  The snow people is a pre-blog piece.  I have the companion to it in my WIP's.

 Today Sevrine came home with her Groundhog. This is a so cute.  It will grow hair like a Chia Pet.

Lose Ends and TLSAL

I haven't been very good at blogging.  I have had a few things I wanted to blog about so this is the posting of a few things that I wanted to start the year off with. 
Usually the time between Christmas and New Years I try and put together a jig saw puzzle.  This habit started when I was a little girl.  I would set up my little table in our bedroom and spend the break putting together a puzzle.  The puzzle this year took a little longer but it eventually got done. 

Before putting the Christmas decorations away, I took a pattern from a set of towels I got to make a set of towels for my daughter in law.  Her kitchen is decorated in Coca Cola memorabilia and these will fit perfectly with her decore.

For the last few years I have picked a word that defines where I am and what I want to focus my attention on.  I got this idea from the novel by Debbie Macomber called Thursdays At Eight.  This years word is; per·se·vere   /ˌpɜrsəˈvɪər/ Show Spelled
1. to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

I like to think that I can maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, steadfast and immovable.  We will see what this year brings.

As for stitching, I have the goal to finish this piece.  It has been a WIP for several years and I am determined to finish it this year.  I love this picture by Greg Olsen.  It is entitled, "O Jerusalem".  Wish me luck!

With my goal of finishing my WIP's, I joined Daffycat's TLSAL. As I post my progress I will be eligible for some fantastic prizes.  Who doesn't like that for an insentive to stitch.

Coconut Crisp Cookies

If you like coconut you need to try this recipe.  It is my all time favorite and I had a craving for these sense I have been fighting a cold.

Coconut Crisp Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. nutmeg

¾ tsp. salt
2 cups coconut
Cream butter with sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Add flour, baking powder, soda, salt and nutmeg. Stir in oats and coconut. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degree oven until golden (12-15 minutes).