Ralphie will be leaving us soon

This is the square I made this week for WOCS- a child's quilt. I've named him Ralphie-he was a free pattern on DMC-just waiting for the address and then off he goes.

Exchanges

Exchanges I thought I'd show off some of my work and why I've been so slow in posting -first the birthday card I did my daughter Nicki-Nightmare Before Christmas and it was a pistol-came from China and everything was on black.

Next is the bookmark I did for the exchange I love Cross Stitching yahoo group.

And last was the Easter card I did for the swap on swap-bot and it is going to Scotland.

Wow I've been stitching away and I will be posting another charity project in a few days that is almost done.
And Lucky says Hey

WOCS Monochrome Bird

I finished another square for charity thought I'd post before I send it on its merry way.

lemon Drop will be going to Vegas

I wanted to post a picture of my little girl Lemon Drop, she is a Dotee and I made her for a swap she will be on her way to Vegas tomorrow, Have fun little one.

wocs-hen square

Wanted to post the pretty square I did for World of Charity Stitching that I just finished. I thought it cameout cute.

I think it will be used in a senior citizen quilt.
Wow is it windy today and a little cold.

I wanted to try again to put my valentine pictures on,

I made the card to send out, the socks I bought myself because I deserved them and I made gooey butter cupcakes because they are yummy.

These are some of the valentines I swapped for on swap-bot-fun site.

This was the beautiful cross stitch heart I received thru my swap on cross-stitching.com, it's os pretty, he did a great job.
All in all a beautiful pink day.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I wanted to show off my pretties
The socks are from Rocky, I made myself gooey butter cupcakes for myself and this is the card I sent to people.
I guess I'll finish this post tomorrow I can't get the pictures to load.

I may have figured out the meaning of a chapter of blog life

It appears I need to make a separate blog to list my items plus a separate acct to put my pictures in, if I'm right don't respond I will take that as a yes.
Plus I'm totally bummed I did the cutest cross stitch valentine featuring Snoopy for a secret pal exchange and I was going to take a picture and post it on my blog. Guess what I sealed the pkg and forgot to take the picture so I want everyone to make a psychic connection with me and I will send you the picture
But I did remember to take a picture of my Grandson Matthew's card before I sealed it up.

The Cars is from one

of those mini JanLynn kits and I tied it to the card with ribbon so his mom can take it off and hang it if she wishes.

I thought I would tell a story of another of our dogs. 

Chacha and the rooster

I need to explain with a little background, Chacha weighs a whopping 3-4 pounds, she is prissy, bossy and manipulative. She begs at the drop of a hat and has quite a following.

This is the rooster,about 6 pounds of stupidity and mean  with two inch spurs.
So in the morning about a week ago Chacha was begging for her quota of cat food.  My Chihuahuas love cat food and so do the roosters. I had walked off and needless to say Chacha has not returned to the area again. Reminds me of the time my daughters were allegedly spurred and made their dad go out and kill the rooster. Chacha would like to know how come those girls ranked higher in rooster revenge than her.

Trying to figure out how to do a slideshow-1-29-12

I want to create a slideshow of kits I have for trade, I've set up a flickr acct but now I can't seem to figure out how to open the slideshow. Help me!

Day 12 My vegas adventure

Off we went this morning to get my husband's computer fixed, it was bought in vegas thus with the warranty it had to be fixed in vegas. Apparently my husband forgot the Obama was going to be in vegas today. On the radio they said he had stayed in Summerlin and the 215 was blocked.   Not to worry husband says Summerlin is way south near Hoover Dam, not where we are going. We had a coupon that was for a free rooty tooty at IHOP and it was in SUMMERLIN. First off Summerlin isn't close to the Hoover Dam.
After breakfast he tries to get on the 215

and guess what, so he decides to sit behind the cop and he starts saying when is he going to move that car. Fortunately he opened the hiway within a few minutes.
There were cops everywhere very impressive, I'm glad I didn't have to try to get to work thru all that mess.
The very funny thing is that his computer wasn't broken he had turned off the internet one evening while he was dusting and didn't know how to turn it back on. I never seem to have that problem, lucky I guess.
My daughter says my blog is boring, it definitely could have been more exciting and frightening today, I'm glad it was somewhat dull.

 We saw Nicki briefly at work.

Lucky went with us.

So did Chacha.

I won a pizza and I finished a birthday gift

I just found out that I won a pizza from Papa John's 46 second contest- love it.

Also I finished the birthday gift for my mom a needle case-HERALDIC ROSE from Textile Heritage. I've never put one together before and I wasn't completely happy with the way it turned out.
I think the next time I will cut the cardboard inserts smaller and see if the book lays flatter.

I know I will do more I like the concept but I want to try a few techniques and see if I can improve the design.

day 10 finished projects

Posting finished projects. The card I did for my mother's birthday

The second cards one will be for Mother's Day and perhaps I'll give the extra card for charity.

Both of these were kits from British magazines.

day 9- rain and model material

Today its cold and damp, brr a perfect day to look at photos of my favorite model. This guy can wear anything and look great and he is so athletic.

Wow can he pose

And those eyes they're dreamy.

And he wear faux fur cause he cares.

And he serves his country. He makes us all proud.

wolves and the fairy

I thought neither of my daughters has seen the wolf painting their dad bought for the living room. He has decided which one of you will inherit this from him. He wants to cut holes in the eyes and put in lcd lights so you can see their eyes at night-and no I'm not kidding. At this point he has left the painting alone.

Matthew is doing better and that makes me feel better I have gotten farther on his mother's fairy picture-finished the flower and am now working on her hair and dress.

I published some pictures last night of my husband which one do you think is the real husband;\.

I know are they the same, too many similarities. The real husband is very down today as his computer won't let him on the internet, he is just slightly addicted. He has also decided he can no longer walk on the treadmill as it's much too dangerous. He is afraid he will pass out and fall getting caught between the treadmill and the bookcase and be unable to reach the plug and you can't count on me to unplug it as I have been known to have homicidal tendencies. I'd be afraid I would grab a camera and take pictures so all could see the sight. I did suggest he could walk around the block for exercise.
Matthew is better and we are all relieved.

day 7- tired and Matthew

I am worn out today and this is the reason. He has worn his grandmother out with worry. His mother called yesterday and my little guy had a fever of over 104 and just wasn't his usual adorable self. After they spent 6 hours in the Emergency Room he was sent home. I hope today will be better and I mean if your better grandma can get back into the swing of things.

Day 6 Tina and Evil Women

Perhaps its ironic that I would give my review of the book The Most Evil Women on a day when I introduce a very misunderstood friend, Tina, she is a victim not a perpetrator, she is the result of heredity and upbringing. Today her story begins:Tina-first 6 months of life-pt. uno

Her mother's name is Consuelo Pepperina Isabella Chiflada, she is a long haired Chihuahua, who is a model/actress. She never met her father, she was told he was a smooth talking Latino Chihuahua, who worked as an extra on Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Her mother wasn't the smartest model/actress and didn't realize she was pregnant. One afternoon she thought she needed to go outside and she delivered triplets, Anna Maria, Maria Anna (mother had limited imagination) and Cenicienta.  The two older sisters were like their mother, beautiful, long haired Chihuahuas. Unfortunately Cenicienta resembled her father and a long forgotten relative Coco Coyote.

The Anna Marias grew and became as beautiful and smart as their mother. Cenicienta grew and grew and grew.Consuelo needed new brushes to comb all their long hair, but that cost money.Consuelo got a job for Cenicienta as a floor cleaner. She worked for a young family with a very messy baby named Tristan.  Cenicienta was great at her job-her front teeth were positioned so that she could pick up even the smallest piece of cereal. She learned early on to dodge the small boy's tail pulling fingers. She worked a 12 hour shift and then she would return home to take care of her mother and sisters.
In the evenings with her long ft legs she would comb her sisters' hair and with her hind legs she would comb her mother's hair. Often her mother's sister would come by and Cenicienta would brush her Aunt Pipi's hair using her mouth to hold the brush. And with her tail she would stir the stew for dinner- her specialty is Monkey Breath Stew.As Cenicienta would comb their hair, they would watch their favorite tv shows-Desperate Housedogs- about 4 crazy stupid female dogs (fedogs) and their search for love on all the wrong trees. And Housedog MD about a mad dog house dog Irish Setter who has injured his hind leg landing wrong while catching a frisbee, addicted to milkbones and wanders around an animal hospital with his cohorts telling injured cats to go to the light.

So now I begin my review of The Most Evil Women. The book would have been better if the author had introduced the concept of evil and what he determines an evil deed to be. Several of these women ruled countries almost one thousand years ago and they murdered to stay in power, while others murdered because they were mentally ill whether with sexual deprivation or Munchhausen syndrome or anger or greed. Some of the stories go into too much detail of their crimes, more than I care to know. Would I recommend this book I guess to someone who likes crime stories.

Day5-Tito, news and another UFO

Today I thought I would introduce one of my positive psychic connections.

His name is Miguel Tito Garcia, he prefers to be known as Tito.  Tito was dumped by his previous owner and his ribs feel as though he has seen some bad times, and he has the nerves of a dog who has been through his own hell.  He always is looking behind his back and when he goes outside he watches your feet.
When we got him they told us his name was Mr. Garcia, and he would cry with real tears.  I eventually was able to make a psychic connection with him, and I found out the true story. He told me his real name and that he was born in Juarez, Mexico to a poor peasant chihuahua family. His real father was a traveling salesman from the US who was part dachshund.  Tito dreamed every night about escaping to the  US and reuniting with his father. He sold prechewed bones in the Juarez market and brought all the money home  to his 15 brothers and 12 sisters. At one point his brother Pepe took over the prechewed business and Tito could follow his dream. Tito told everyone goodbye and jumped in the back of a truck bringing watermelons across the border. The roads were bad and the watermelons landed hard on poor Tito cracking his ribs
He eventually was gingerly taken out of the truck  and found himself in Los Angeles. He heard that his father was doing work in the movies. He landed a bit part in Beverly Hills Chihuahua as one of the chihuahua army, 3rd from the left. He became a favorite and the lead taught him to cry on demand, as this would help his career.
Tito met his father on the stage set of Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 and found out that his father had been trying for years to find Tito. Tito's dad loved a good cigar, fast horses and salsa dancing, he had somewhat frightening friends. Apparently that is a Latin dog mob they are called locos lobos. They tried to initiate Tito into their group, Tito saw some horrible things done by this group. Tito being a good dog turned informant to DBI- the Dog Bureau of Investigation. He was put into the witness protection program and relocated to Pahrump where we found him. I swear this is what he told me at least I like this story much more than the one that actually might have occurred.
One of my new year resolutions this year was to limit my exposure to the news. I would watch every morning and 9 times out of 10 something would upset me to the point of tears. There is nothing I can do about it and with life so short I thought I would like to spend my day in happy thoughts.
Another UFO

This one is called Welcome to the Funny Farm I think it fits and hopefully if I dedicate one night a week to it I can get it done soon. Check in next Thursday for my progress.

Egg tuna pie,wt loss snooppy valentine stitchery, Max

Today I thought I'd introduce Max who is half pygmy and half angora goat. He was also a gift from my daughter Cassie in the Summer 2011, and I believe he was born in the Spring 2011. He is neutered (thank goodness) and dehorned though he has some little bumps. He is quite the character he believes that he is a puppy. He always wants to jump up on me and is trying to get petted.  He pushes Martina around and is at least twice as round as she and a few inches taller. He often needs to be brushed as he is always getting hay and other ickies in his hair
One day he pushed Martina off a truck and she just laid there, are neighbor thought Max had killed her, he was very worried, but Max and Martina rough house all the time.

Those are mesquite trees in the back ground that they love to nibble on and they even go after the mistletoe that hangs from the trees.
I've been trying to lose weight for a while but this year I thought I would try to lose 2 lbs a month, since I'm starting now I decided to go with 1 lb. this month. I'm on the treadmill daily for almost 45 minutes a day, 2.1 mph and 3.5 grade. I figured I'd reward myself monthly if I make my goal with some small treat.

I'm doing a Valentine exchange this year through World of Cross Stitching site, I'm doing Snoopy, I hand dyed my aida with koolaid, vinegar and oversprayed with red acyrlic paint.  I still need to add beads to the  valentines and mount it on the card. I want to do one for myself and make it into a needlecase. I was really worried about it, I noticed I had some dirt on the little guy and had to give the guy a bath with mild dish detergent. I was really worried about the fabric afraid my colors would run, but he did just fine and I'm definitely pleased.
I created what I thought was a great recipe last night
Egg-Tuna Pie
4 green onions
4 eggs
1 can tuna-water packed
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp. dry milk
1/4 cup water
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp. white pepper
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup roasted bell peppers
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, except the panko and bell peppers. Mix well-till smooth, Pour into a greased 8x8 casserole dish. top with panko and bell peppers. Bate at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. After you remove from the oven let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Great with a dollop of sour cream on top.

Day 3-suburb of Peking Chicken, Martina and Rose needlecase

I will start with my new recipe I call Suburb of Peking Chicken. I call it this as it started out as Peking Chicken but was changed I think for the better-thus moving it to the suburbs.
2 green onions thinly sliced
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup dry sherry
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp crushed pepper
1 tsp sugar or sugar substitute
1 tsp white pepper
1 1/2 obs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 inch chunks
2 tbsp canola oil

In a medium bowl, combine onion,soy sauce, sherry, cornstarch, ginger,pepper, sugar and pepper, stir until smooth. Add the chicken chunks and toss to completely cover. Cover and refrigerate at least 5 hours if possible.
In a large skillet add the oil and heat over medium heat, remove the chicken from bowl , cook in the skillet, each piece app 10 minutes, until no pink remains.
I serve this with Basmati rice mixed with asparagus.
I came up with this as my husband is a type 2 diabetic with stage 3 renal disease so I absolutely have to watch what he is eating and we both love Chinese food.

Next is my beautiful Martina.  She was a gift from my daughter Cassie this past summer, I believe she was born in the Spring of 2011. She is a pygmy goat and loves to play. She leaps all over the back yard and her favorite food is roses. Don't know what her favorite color is probably red as in roses (just joking). Our neighbor loves to watch her as she puts on quite the leaping and jumping show. She will head butt the chihuahuas or chickens if the bother her.

This is the needlecase project I'm working on for my mother's birthday. All the stitching is done I just need to make it into the case. I never have made a needle case before. This is called Heraldic Rose from Textile Heritage, I bought the kit on ebay along with the bookmark,card and cushion kit I plan on doing each for her as gifts this year. I need to finish the kit this week as her birthday is Feb. 1 and I need to get it in the mail.

UFO and Christmas-Day 2

Before I get started I want to tell you how impressed I am that I have two followers-and only one of you is related to me-just goes to prove something I'm just not sure what.
And  I still haven't put my Christmas stuff away I'm thinking of putting a few valentines on them I could have a valentine tree with father cupid. Actually the trees were created by my mother using fabric yoyos and she made the wonderful Santa, the Starbuck bears are from my starbuck shift manager daughter Nicki and the darling Target dog is from my daughter Cassie.

The next picture is a ufo that was supposed to be done for Christmas for my daughter Cassie, it's hard to tell from the picture but the wings are completed along with one leg. The fairy is one of Tinkerbelle's friends-Believe. I would like to get it done before the end of the month. I think I will post an updated picture of it next Monday and we can see how far I've either gotten or have been side tracked. I am trying to complete a valentine project also that I need to get in the mail by the end of the month, plus a needle case I'm making my mother for her birthday. I know excuses, excuses.

Day 1

How to start? Never done this before. I'm taking a class in my mind and I want to sound more interesting than I am. Perhaps I should tell alittle about myself, my name is Melinda Gore and I'm 57. I am the mother of 5, though only 4 are living. I am married to a retired crane operator and I live near Las Vegas. Wow I got lost for a minute. I hit preview to see how the picture would look and I couldn't find my way back, I didn't realize it opened up a new window. Anyway this is a friend of mine, the one I can tell all those important secrets to, my dog Rocky. He has been with me for over ten years. He is a chihuahua though you would never believe it, weighs in at over 10 lbs. Problem is his bite is worse than his bark and once he had to go to doggy jail. I had just moved here and some man opened our gate and wandered in and Rocky nipped him on the ankle. In Nevada they have zero tolerance and he had to go to jail for 10 days. The experience was over whelming to him as his cell mates were pit bulls. Needless to say we now have pad locks on all our gates, so no more wandering strangers.  I'm already planning my next post and picture.
Postscript-I have actually lost my mind I'm 56 not 57, I know what happened I'm 57 in squirrel years,56 in human years. I definitely was squirrely when I wrote that.