Loss

 We had to put our beloved dog of 13 years to sleep this last weekend.  He has had cancer for a year and it was critical.  We have been sharing him with my daughter over the last 6 months so she could get some time with him.   We were all with him at the end holding his paw.

Our Puppy.

~tears~

Sandy vs The Flu

Hurricane Sandy ended up being a non-event around here.  For that we are very grateful!  Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone in NYC and New Jersey.  Our relations are still getting the power back on and as far as I know none of their houses were flooded.  One friends house did get inundated by water and he has a long clean up ahead of him.  I love NYC, it is one of my most favorite places on earth, I hope they recover soon.  And being familiar with a New Yorkers attitude they will and they will be darn proud of it too. :-)

 Storm Flu however found its way into our house.  So far, only I have been the grumpy recipient of her delights. Boy has been working day and night at his job so I haven't seen much of him.  He did take the weekend off finally and did a great job of getting more paint on the house.  If I felt better I would go out and take pictures. Until then here is this.

From Piccsy.com

From Icanhascheezburger.com

Dying from Cute

The storm hasn't got here yet so I still have power.  I wanted to get on here real quick and show you something so cute you will not believe it exists in real life.

I went to my oldest daughters house and got to hold this.

Hello there.

Cute overload.

Bunny's first bath.

Meet Tribble, a Jersey Wooly bunny rabbit.  Megan happened upon a farm sale while coming out to our house one Saturday.  She showed up with Tribble and it was love at first sight for everyone!  I do believe she is the perfect "Dying from Cute" pet ever because she loves to be held.  How fantastic is that?   

On the home front we are ready for the hurricane or whatever it ends up being once it gets here.  The weather channel can't decide but it remains consistent in the high winds department.  I started charting a cross stitch Halloween Needle Roll last night and my computer malfunctioned and lost it!  Thank goodness I had just printed it off. Whew!  Now to stick it all back in and hope it stays this time.  Sneak peeks to come shortly!

Two New Punchneedle Patterns!

I am delighted to present two of my latest designs!  The first is a quick Halloween pin that is sure to delight. I love wearing this guy during the fall. The back is finished with a scrap of black wool.  Quick &  Easy!

Skull Head Pin
He wants to come Trick or Treating with you!

The second one is a cute snowman standing on a wee hill on a snowy winters night.  I finally tried my hand at reverse appliqué and loved it! A great way to finish off punchneedle projects.

Wintery Snowman
Punch him up by a fire on a cold winters night!

Pattern are $8.00 + travel fare.  Email me at: Deathbythread@yahoo.com to order.

Notforgotten Farm Day w/ Stacy Nash Primitives

Lori from Notforgotten Farm hosted Stacy Nash last weekend to teach a finishing class!  I got to go and man was it fun!  We had a cute little box, tiny bag and a scrumptious velvet strawberry pinkeep to finish off.   One of Stacy's specialties is hand finishing her projects.  To see the party in action check out Lori's blog Notforgottenfarm.  I was so busy I didn't take pictures during the event, I took them after.

Stacy and her mom are wonderful and if you ever get a chance to go to one of her classes, do it!  I learned a ton of new techniques!  

Lori's shop is a wonder to behold.  She is fortunate that a whole pack of us hasn't taken up permanent residence there.

So  primitively perfect! 

Every corner was stuffed with goodies!

There is wool in them thar cabinets!

There are no words.

Can I buy all the things?

I'll be back there soon!

Gimme Some Sugar

I have a favorite cookbook.  Throughout my childhood it sat on the shelf, calling out to be taken down and used to make wonderful dishes.  The Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook circa 1950's is a kicking tome.  It uses words like fat, butter and monosodium glutamate with impunity.  

Only cookbook you will ever need.  I swear.

Just owning this book will make you awesome!

The cookie section was my favorite, the sugar cookie in particular. I have tried many other recipes and this is hands down the best one.  I vividly remember my father's reaction when I started baking these cookies like a possessed person my senior year in high school.  He quietly pulled my mother aside and asked, "What is wrong with her, she has never acted domesticated before."  Mother, wise as she was, had figured it all out. "She is dating someone," mother confided.  Yes, it was true!  I had heard many times that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach and I knew these sugar cookies would get me there.

Cookies Galore await you in section 9.

I usually use a hand mixer to whip these up.  There are those, so I've heard, who use a KitchenAid Mixer or even make them by hand!  Never fear, any method you use will be fine.  

Read it and weep with joy.

I like my cookies rather large so double the recipe if you have a big swanky party to feed.

Some of you may be asking yourself, "Where do I find such a wonderful cookbook?" Antique stores or used book stores are your best bet.  Happy Hunting and Bon Appétit!