It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I was working on my little Christmas stitchery quilt tonight. Luke wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home from church with him. This evening I was finished with my "work", so I relaxed a little working on this. I have it all quilted, and the binding is sewn on by machine. Perhaps during violin lessons tomorrow I'll get to quilt the rest of the center cream fabric. This has been a neat project. The center fabric is called Sandcastle. It is a fairly thick fabric and has a crosshatch design on it.

I am a particular quilter. I had all the hand quilting finished, but didn't like the way it poofed out in the center where it wasn't quilted at all. Notice in the picture above how nice and flat the top unpinned area in the cream is, and how poofy it is below? Trust me--it's noticeable in person.

I debated about whether to do some machine quilting there, but then I couldn't decide what color thread to use. Then I had an inspiration (picture a light bulb here!). I am doing a tiny hand stitch from the back to tack down the fabric at the intersection of each crosshatch design. The stitches are invisible from the front, but it is "quilted" at even intervals. Here is the back, which is not quite so RED in person!

I had a moment of Christmas quilt panic. I have enjoyed seeing this quilt in the kitchen. But I started wondering, "What quilt is hung there at Christmas?" None of the family could remember. So I got out my roll of Christmas quilts, and there is was...Evergreen Pines. My picture link would not load. Perhaps I'll get a picture later. How could I have forgotten that quilt? Quite easily, I'm afraid.

Good night!

~Joan

Lasagna Alert

There is no accounting for taste. We like the above Stouffer's Lasana. In searching for a picture, I came across home "taste tests" that had some fairly unappetizing things to say about it.

Food Lion is having 50% off on Stouffer's entrees (21 oz. size) and several other brands (I think Lean Cuisine, but don't know for sure). I got 8 of these lasagnas today. They are <$2 each and serve 3 each. Great for a quick meal or sending lunch for 2 to work. The sale price goes through Sunday.

We usually get the "party size" (always a party around here with the 10 of us, I guess), but these will take less time to bake and cost less than buying a big one anyway.

We've become more flexible since I've started Grocery Gaming.

~Joan

Triples Have Arrived Again

As if the normal savings around here haven't been enough, Harris Teeter has had their triple coupons this past Thursday through and including tomorrow!! I wasn't going to ask anyone to go with me (the store opens at 7 AM), but the night before, my oldest 3 girls asked if they could go with me. How sweet is that?

When we arrived at the store, coupons in hand, there were only 3 or 4 other vehicles in the parking lot! What in the world? Did I only dream triples were coming? Were we at the wrong store? No to both. We were in and out in about 15 minutes, getting everything on our lists for pennies. Whoo-hoo!!

Emily and I went again today. Again, every item was in stock. This was just too good to be true.

Beware...never, Never, NEVER buy anything that is not nearly free at Harris Teeter! Their regular prices are over the top.

Here are a few items we stocked up on for free or nearly free...

Quaker Oats, old fashioned and quick
Colgate toothpaste
French's fried onions
Martha White muffin mixes
Nestle Quik pre-mixed chocolate milks
Bumble Bee tuna pouches
Taco shells
Taco seasonings
Suave deoderants, shampoo, and conditioner
Lysol wipes
Many more!

~Joan

Strippy, Scrappy, and RED All Over

Here is a quilt top I just listed on eBay. It is the one I tried to get 3 of my children to piece a few weeks ago, but couldn't get any takers. Many thanks to one of the employees at an anonymous grocery store who donated a wide roll of their cash register tape for me to foundation piece the strips onto. I know that saved a lot of aggravation (for me).

This is like a walk down Thimbleberries memory lane. I only used up about 1/2 of my 1-1/2" wide strips box making this. I guess I need to make another one to use up the rest. This was fast and fun to make.

~Joan

Identify Mystery Flower?

I planted a bulb/root/rhizome/something for this plant in the early spring. I've been babying it all summer. It has climbed up the side of our stoop railing. I jokingly call it the Jack in the Flowerstalk. My problem? It's been so long since I planted it that I can't remember what the name of it is. It was a new-to-me plant. The bloom is about 4" across. Isn't it lovely?

~*~*~ Late breaking news...the word is in. The above bloom is a dahlia. Thanks to an anonymous commentor. ~*~*~

I am finishing and listing a scrappy strips quilt today. I have it all pieced, I just need to finish pressing it. I would say "ironing", but my DH would never believe that I was looking forward to ironing anything, so pressing it is.

~Joan

Define "Huge"

I know that in clarifying I'll only make things worse, but for the life of me, I can't help trying.

I've had several replies to my last post in which I described myself as "huge". I remember years ago when a friend was complaining to me that none of her clothes fit...she was in her own words, "Huge!" What she meant was that after the birth of her 5th child, she could no longer immediately wear her pre-pregnancy clothing, and that troubled her. She was not longer a size 6, but now was a "huge" 8. Wow, did I feel bad for her...NOT! I didn't even know clothes came in size 8, let alone 6!!

So when I said *I* was "huge", I did not mean to offend anyone of any size. I just know that I have let my weight and therefore my health get out of hand (and definitely out of size 8!!). I want to lose weight to improve my health and increase my energy level. I did not intend to imply that others should do this or I am down on myself or being negative.

Only those who have been overweight and managed to lose and maintain a lower weight know how truly difficult that can be. I know it's very hard for me and I want to quit trying every day. It's only by God's grace that I don't. I want to be healthier.

Clear as mud, right?

~Joan

Two Month Curves Report

Blog posts w/o pictures are not well-read!

One thing I've had to combat since I got somewhat serious about becoming more fit and less fat is comparing myself to others. I have a problem with this on every level of life, but this is just one example.

I did not go to Curves all last week because I was so ill and couldn't imagine jogging and using the machines w/o keeling over in exhaustion. So this week has, in a sense, seemed like starting all over again.

I got weighed and measured yesterday. I didn't want to because of missing all last week's workouts, but I had to nonetheless. I was pleasantly surprised. Now that you're dying to know, I'll make you wait a little longer. Keep in mind (especially if you've never seen me or it's been a long time) that I am huge. There, I said it. I have a long way to go. Secondly, any praise goes to God, without Whom none of this "accomplishment" would be possible.

Yesterday's report...since 7/15/08 (2 months) I've lost a total of 9-1/2 pounds and 16-1/2 inches. I am so pleased. The measurements are a total of chest, waist, abdomen (4" below waist) and hip measurements.

Off for a celery stick,

~Joan, who is just kidding about the celery stick