Diet Monday ...!

Went to mum's on the weekend and did get lots of handwork done while we caught up on family news. What does this have to do with diet Monday you might ask? Well, unlike me, my mum owns a scale and she regularly uses it.

So, while I was there, I thought I would take a peak at the amount of weight I may have lost since my last visit to the doctors. I mean, my pants are loose and all. So I hopped on, waited for the numbers to digitally appear and had a heart attack! I had gained 8 pounds!

Naturally, I quickly went into major depression mode! How can that be? I stewed over the weight gain! I mean, I haven't been zealous and all but I have been careful.

Finally, I gathered the courage to ask mum if her scale was accurate. What if it was? I knew I was in for some major awakening! Well guess what, it's 10 pounds over! Phew!

So you know what that means? I lost 2 pounds! Hurray! So I celebrated with pizza and beer yesterday while we watched the Super Bowl! LOL

The moral of my story, you might ask? Don't jump on a scale! ;o)

I'm just hanging around...!

The weekend is here and it's a boy's weekend!

Yes, "the Boys" have come up from Pennsylvania to jam the weekend away.

I love the energy of the house when they're here. I don't know, it's just wonderful to see Stephen happy to be with his buddies, doing what they like best, playing music.

The house just comes alive with all the sounds. I love it!

Of course just when I think about writing that blog entry I've been meaning to write, I cannot access the computer to upload my photos! lol Not a big deal, I can write about it another time.

I hope you all have a great weekend! I'm heading off to Montreal to spend some time with my mum!

Until next time!

Baltimore Country Cousins...!

Since the hand embroidery projects I've started are pretty much finished, I'm back to hand applique! I will admit, I did miss it! I truly enjoy doing hand work and it's such a tug-a-war between hand embroidery or hand applique... sigh! We won't even go into hand quilting! lol

I managed to finish 2 (two) blocks from this BOM that I started back in June 2006.

This block is called Bowl of Tulips


Here you have Sunflowers & Sweet Peas



It's a great feeling to have finally completed those 2 (two) blocks. They've been sitting in my hand work basket for quite some time. I will need to prep more blocks as I'm getting to the last one.
I read that many of you have been busy with needle and thread! So many of you are working on those cute BOMS going around Blog Land! Such a generous community Blog Land is!
Thank you for stopping by! Keep well everyone!

Diet Monday...!

As per Sergeant Red Geranium, I must have a post every Monday. Geeezzzzz bossy pants! lol

Last Monday I had a doctor's appointment. A follow up to my last appointment. Guess what, they own a weight scale. I do not! It's really against my religion to have one of those in my house. lol

Back to the doctor's appointment. You know the routine, get on the scale. They say it with such authoritative voice that you automatically jump on. Then, s/he has to wait for everything to settle before they can accurately measure you weight. That gives me enough time to pray to the gods of the scale for mercy. lol Well, this time it was good news.

As you know, I have been doing the 2 (two) weeks detox and I'm really not finding it bad at all. The first few days were painful due to my sugar/bad carb addiction, but once it was out of my system, I didn't crave any junk food! As a matter of fact, I'm not hungry on the South Beach, which makes it so much easier.

Anyway, back to the scale..... I had lost 3 (three) pounds! Hurray for me! Perhaps if I jumped on the scale today, it would be a favourable outcome but...... it's against my religion! lol

I want to share with you a recipe that I enjoy. It's more of a dessert and is quite filling. I don't really know what to call this, but it is South Beach friendly.

I guess I'll call this Chocolate Ricotta treat!


1/2 cup of skim milk Ricotta
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Sugar substitute (I use Splenda)
Almonds sliver

You mix the first 3 (three) ingredients until blended and add the almonds.

It's quite filling! I do like the texture. It sort of reminds me of chocolate cheese cake. :o)

Although I've done my 2 (two) weeks detox, I intend on staying with that program. I may not be as strict but I will keep away from bad carbs and sugars.

Nuts are permited on the South beach program so I carry a bag of raw almonds with me as a quick snack, which came in handy during the first few days of detox. I'm allowed up 15 almonds, which is really plenty. Cashews are really my favourite but I stay away from those! I can't stop at 15! lol

I do hope every one is doing well! Thanks again Sharon for doing this!

Happy Dancing......!!!

Guess what? I've got another finish! Yea......... Meet my first hand embroidered quilt!

This is the pattern Blue Bird by Crab Apple Hill Designs. I started this quilt back in April 2008.

I did some changes to the pattern. You know, rarely do I follow a pattern to the letter.

Instead of white borders with embroidered blue birds, I chose a Mary Engelbreit fabric from her Recipe for Friendship line. I originally had in mind to use fabric from a Susan Branch line, but when I saw this one last Tuesday in Glen Falls, I had to have it. ;o)

As for the machine quilting...

I didn't use a pantho but chose to do an over all pattern of hearts and loops. I didn't want to go over the hand embroidery design.

I don't think you would call this "custom quilting" but it's definitely not a pantho! ;o)

I did learn that it was easy to find myself in a corner, unable to get out. So.... some croaking was done to escape from the trap! lol

I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by! Cheers!