winter-y, pumpkin-y

I’m so happy! Pat who is the shop-owner of the LNS finished knitting my Midsome Mitts and I’m truly appreciative and so pleased by how they turned out. Aren’t they pretty? She did such a fantastic job. She was fast too. Go to Staci’s blog for the free pattern.

I started on Winter Row by Bent Creek. I don’t have a progress pic to share, but I started the first snowman. I’m using different color linen but the same count and I am using the recommended threads though.

This afternoon while the boys were attending school and dh was at work I decided to do some baking. I don’t get to bake very often but I’ve had this recipe for awhile now. I borrowed it from my mother and she borrowed it from her friend Judy. I believe she’s the source of the Pumpkin Coffee Cake. It is really good, however, next time I’m leaving out the chopped nuts. I can do without them. Nonetheless, it is good. I can’t wait until morning time. Coffee brewed, piping hot, and warm up that coffee cake. Yum-yum!

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe

Ingredients:
½ c butter

¾ c sugar

1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs, beaten

2 c flour

1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda

1 c sour cream

1 can pumpkin (16 oz)
1 egg, slightly beaten

1/3 c sugar

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Streusel Topping:
1 c packed brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 c butter

1 c nuts, chopped

Directions:
Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Add 3 beaten eggs, beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and soda. Add to butter mixture, alternating with sour cream. Set aside. Combine pumpkin, 1 beaten egg, sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside. Prepare topping by combining dry ingredients and cutting in the butter. Pour half of the batter into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Spread to cover the pan. Sprinkle half the topping mixture onto batter. Spread pumpkin mixture over the top. Spread remaining batter over pumpkin mixture. Spread the rest of the topping o the top over that. Spread remaining batter over pumpkin mixture. Spread the rest of the topping on top of batter. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

As I type I’m falling asleep. I guess that’s a sign I must retire for the night and call it quits. Talk soon….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

tokyo cuisine

I don’t have any stitching photos to share, but I have been stitching. I finished one Little House Needleworks design and started another, which I will post photos of once I get the chance.

More miso soup, please!

Tonight we had sushi and salmon for dinner with my mom and brother. Me and the boys love sushi and teriyaki salmon. Jose prefers teriyaki chicken though. Cameron really got into his miso soup and he loves that steamed rice. Cameron loves to look around, babble and eat. Jose loves to well, play video games and eat. Jose was very fortunate this time because he never gets to bring his games to the table.

We had a nice dinner. My dh had two large hot Sake so I had to drive us home. Jose made plans to spend the night at Nana's tonight so he left with mom after dinner. Me and the other two boys went by the local park and had a quiet evening at home. I hope to have a more stitchy post in the upcoming days. I hope you've enjoyed your evening as I have enjoyed mine.

Talk soon!

sun, cameron overload, and a good meal

F I N A L L Y!!! The sun is out and no rain. Thank goodness for small miracles! After Cameron finished his snooze and ate his lunch we went to the park before getting Jose from school this afternoon. Cameron had a good time; always does. He gets so excited that he bounces from one place to the next, never deciding on just one thing. He loves it all.

I know…Cameron overload. But you have to remember that I have family checking out my blog and some live really really really far away – other countries to be exact.

We grabbed an ice cream from Sonic and picked up Jose. Don’t worry. Jose got a cold treat too. :o) Afterwards we headed home to prepare dinner. Speaking of…here’s our good meal.

It’s called Taco Bake (from Vonna) and it was D-LISH!!!

Jose is Cameron’s muse. Sometimes that’s a good thing and others not so good. LOL Here’s Cameron taking Jose’s old bike for a spin. He thought he was pretty cool.


I’ll be settling in now. "Dancing’ with the Stars" has started and I want to stitch some more on Movie Night by The Sampler Girl. Whew! Talk about a day. I feel complete and content right now and that's what matters. Talk soon!

the day after

It's Sunday night and I've worked on my designated-day rotation project off and on, along with last minute laundry; and since I cannot show off my Sunday piece because it is a gift for an admiring pair of eyes, I can only give you a ~*hint hint*~ peek.

Waterlilies silk ~ floss used in "secret" project

Piece intentionally blurred

Today was a lazy and quiet day. DH went out to a gun show and was nice enough to go Krogering on his way home (he is a fine fine husband, isn't he?). He picked up quite the young bird for us to eat this chilly and cloudy evening. We had rice and buttered bread with our little chicken.

Before

2 hours later ~ yum yum

The boys have been busy playing independently as well as a team. As most 11 year old boys do, Jose had been in his room most of the day playing video games, with a periodic peek into the rest of the house to see what we were up to. He did manage one chore which was to clean up the dogs' business from the yard and afterwards he fed our beasts (dogs). Here were the boys earlier today playing together.

Cameron really isn't playing...but he thinks he is! LOL

Cameron always has a watchful eye on his big brother. Cameron wants to mimic and copy every single step and move Jose makes. He's watching Jose push the buttons and shift the knobs on the controller. What's funny is that when Jose is at school I have to keep his door closed bc Cameron will surely get into trouble in big brother's room. However, there are times I have to get in there for laundry and pick up and Cameron will immediately grab a remote, turn the TV on, and power on the Xbox 360, Wii, Xbox, Playstation II; you name it Cameron turns it on and starts pushing buttons and shifting knobs...just like big brother! He stands way too close to the TV though.

Monday I have a doctor's appointment with a new neck and spine surgeon. To make a really looooooong story short, I've had chronic back pain for 8 years. I've had all medical makeup work I can possibly have and I've undergone all types of procedures and tests. I've had plenty of diagnosis, but nothing anyone can do about it. I've had to learn pain management and adjust my life accordingly. The only thing my body hasn't gone through with respect to neck and spine is surgery. Lately I have been experiencing the same symptoms as in previous years, but also new ones. Maybe THIS doctor will have the cure once and for all. I'm just hoping that maybe one day in my lifetime there will be something that'll help me.

Tuesday is going to be a much better day - hooray!!! Me and my mother, with Cameron in tow, are going to a quilt store that we've never been to called The Quilter's Attic. I am looking soooo forward to this outing. It's going to be so nice to visit a new store. I've lived here since 1993 and never have I been to this place. Sad, yes, I know ~ you can make fun. I won't hate you! LOL

Here is some tub time with Cameron. He loves loves loves taking baths!

Hey...who's down there?!?!