Number 13: Paddle a Canoe

Back in July while visiting family for our annual mountain cabin trip I had a chance to paddle a canoe.  It's funny because when I put this on my list I envisioned that I'd be first paddling at the Washington Arboretum.  We've gone to the same cabin every summer for the last five or six years but this is the first year they had the canoe.  It was definitely a hit with my family.  Yes the pond was small but it's perfect for my little nephews have a solo ride.  And perfect for me to try out paddling!  My brother-in-law was kind of enough to help take me out.  He had three rules for riding in the canoe.  I can't remember for the first two now but the last one was:  Don't Panic!  You know how to swim so if you fall in just swim to the side.  "Don't Panic!" is a good life rule!

My nephew Tanner and Daisy watching me paddle the canoe.

I'm in the process of reworking my 30 things list.  There were a few I didn't get to during the course of the year and a few I'd like to add.  I'll be sure to share soon! 

Oh Daisy!

Poor Daisy has had a rough couple of weeks first with really bad diarrhea and then she had to have a little surgery to remove her lady parts.  But she is hanging in there with the sweetest spirit.  Oh how much I love this little Cavalier!

 

Embroidery Companion Sew Along: Gingham

Gingham, don't you just love it?  It's classic, homely, and easy on the pocketbook.  As I was skimming through Embroidery Companion I noticed how many projects use this wonderful fabric.  From the beginning I knew I wanted to make the "Harvest Apron" for September.  But if that's not your cup of tea maybe one of the other gingham projects will be. 

The "Chicken Scratch Shelf Edging" would be a great way to brighten up a shelf in the kitchen or perhaps the fireplace mantle which is where I hope to put one.  Or you could adapt it to use on an apron.  If you're still trying to hold on to summer the "Farmstand Baby Bibs" would be a fun choice.  No babies around?  The pattern could easily become framed wall art for the kitchen or fun dish towels.  The "Plum Tree Tablecloth" is another gingham project in the book that could be quick way to freshen up the dining room for fall.  

Which ever gingham project you choose just be sure to have fun with it!

Here are a couple links to get you excited about gingham:

• Chicken Scratch
• Oh these aprons!
• gingham, gingham, everywhere
• Buy it by the bolt

Here's to happy September stitches!

Any Way the Cookie Crumbles

Gluten Free Masa Cookies
adapted from Good to The Grain

1 cup corn flour
1 cup Gluten free all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 ounces (1 stick) cold unsalted butter
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heave cream
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 375.  Line two baking sheets with parchment. Sift dry ingredients into standing mixer.  Add butter cut into ~1/4 inch pieces and mix with paddle attachment on low for 1-2 minutes.  Increase speed to medium and mix for another 4-5 minutes or until butter is as course as cornmeal.  Add heavy cream and eggs and mix until combined.  Scoop dough about 1 tablespoon and place on baking sheets.  Flatten each ball with the palm of your hand.  Bake for 15-20 minutes rotating baking sheets half way through.

Tuesday Treasures (on Wednesday): Little finds

Tuesday slipped away from me real fast so now here are my little finds from the weekend's antique shopping.  Aren't they cute?  Antique shopping can become overwhelming for me sometimes.  There are just too many pretty things out there and I don't have the space to bring them all home.  For now I've decided that have ground rules with the sort of things that come home with me. 

• Blue and White:  I'm in the process of decorating my home in these base colors.
• Flowers:  Mostly roses and either on china or botanical prints.
• Handwork: embroidery or lace work that is either functional or that I could use to turn into a quilt like this one here.
• Something functional for my home.  For example Patrick and I have been scouting for a old fashioned milk shake machine.  We did happen to find a nice one on Saturday but the price tag was a little steep.

I'm sure there will be things I find to break these little rules but it's a good start.

Antique Shopping

Saturday was spent with my cutie in Snohomish.  We went to pick up some of that excellent fireweed honey and stopped for a short browse through the antique shops.  This lovely didn't make it home with but a few other goodies did.  I'll try and share tomorrow with a Tuesday Treasure!

Little Random Thought:  When faced with any sort of an incline hill while walking I often feel dread, like I'm never going to make it up that hill.  More and more on my walks I've been pushing my self to see those hills as a challenge and not a threat.  One thing that's helped is to focus on pushing down through my feet.  On my walk with Daisy today I had this thought or as my mom would say "a reflection from the path"...

Pushing down into the hills flattens them out.

Maybe that could apply to other areas of life, eh?  Hope you had a lovely weekend and enjoy the week ahead! 

August Break: At the Stormwater Pond

A stormwater pond might not sound that glamorous but it's amazing what hidden little treasures can be found!

August Break - Crochet

A beautiful few moments spent outside on a blanket with a bit of yarn and an adorable Cavalier.  I have to tell you though that this pure bliss moment was interrupted by an annoying squirrel who squawked at me and Daisy from our giant maple tree for a good ten minutes straight.  It sounded like he was trying to impersonate a crow only to come out sounding like a sick bird. 

Strawberry Fields

Hi all~  I realize that I've been a terrible host of the Embroidery Companion Sew Along the last couple months.  Will you please forgive me?  Summers seem to do this to me.  Don't get me wrong though crafting has happened here just not much of the embroidery kind.

When last we met on the blog the Hipstamatic Hair Wear was the project and that was in June!  I left a little blurb on the flickr group last month announcing the July project as the Strawberry Tablecloth.  As you can see I got only so far as purchasing the materials.  Let's keep August simple as kids start back to school and the last summer vacations are enjoyed.  It's catch up month here on the Embroidery Companion Sew Along.  Have a crack at the Strawberry Tablecloth or perhaps like me you have a couple loose ends to finish up on other sew along projects of the past months.  

Would you ladies care if this sew along spilled over into 2012?  There are just so many wonderful projects in this book and it's hard to fit them all into 12 months.  Looking ahead there are some samplers in the book that may take a little longer than a month to complete.  I was thinking of doing a pick and choose on the samplers.  I can't tell you how excited I am about the folk sampler.  Of the projects left in the book which are you looking forward to doing most?

Until next time.... Happy Stitching!