it's almost over ...

... my twos. Tomorrow I will be 3. I can't wait.

from the oven

I saw these cookies over at Leslie's Blog and practically ran to the kitchen to see if I had all the ingredients. No powdered sugar to be found but I rolled these pieces of cookie bliss in sugar instead and let me tell you ... if you like chocolate or cookies or baking or cramming yummies in your mouth, then you best check your pantry for ingredients too. Go on ... get going ... you'll be glad you did!

Oh and when I was preparing the cookie dough, Ben walked in the kitchen and was worried I was making quiche as I had mentioned it earlier in the week as a possible dinner item. Poor guy - that was next up to make ... for dinner. Please tell me you have a picky kid where you are too.

I'll sleep pretty well tonight knowing there's a 6" snow blanket outside, leftovers for breakfast and homemade cookies in the house. Oh and it's still snowing. Be cozy!

the white stuff

This morning we woke to snow! It's still snowing and we're to get up to 6 inches. Not much to those who are used to more but this snowlover is happy with it! To have two snowstorms this winter so far has been bliss. Zack and I went out and played in it as long as we could take the cold temps. Poor Ben has a nasty cold and wasn't able to join us. I practically begged Zack to stand still for a picture of the two of us and he was way too busy with snow play but finally agreed because he does love to say 'cheese'.

There are now 401 fans on The Sampler Girl Facebook Page ... wow! If you want to join us, the FB logo is on the sidebar at right. Going to package some orders and then make a cup of tea and watch the snow fall. Such a lovely way to spend a Saturday! Enjoy yours too.

a purchase with a cause

A week or so ago I purchased this little drawstring bag from Craft Hope for Haiti, a shop on etsy.com. It arrived this afternoon ... isn't it sweet? I love it. The shop's logo has been on my blog's sidebar ever since I heard about their worthwhile cause. With hardship and sorrow in so many places around the world, it can be overwhelming and when you want to help, sometimes you have no idea what you can do. This drawstring bag didn't cost that much but it was something to give the cause. Hope you check out their shop!

!! NEW Patterns !!

February's Releases are ready now. All details on these designs can be found on The Sampler Girl website. Enjoy!

Tea with Jane Austen

From Pleasant Hill

a good wednesday

I received such a sweet little belated birthday giftie from Sara in Italy that you have to see it. You have to.

Isn't that precious? She put my initials and birthdate ... wow. Thank you dearly, Sara!!! I've already put my scissors on it as you can see. Sara celebrates her birthday tomorrow so best wishes to you dear friend.

Such a pleasant day spent with girlfriends. Friendship is such a joy, isn't it? I am blessed with such loving and fun friends. After lunching at UNO, it was too late to squeeze in Zack's nap so we went over to Kohls and shopped! I got a new purse, a few clothes, new earrings ... it was a lovely day. Cold too but shopping does warm the heart.

Rachel has a few more days before becoming a mommy ... I'm so excited for her!!

so I was telling Maddy

Miss Maddy is quite the listener and usually will give her feedback on what I have to say unless she becomes bored with me and feels the conversation is really not of any interest anymore. She picks up pretty quickly when there are no new cat toys in my hand ... no shaking of cat treats ... her thoughts move back to as they were before I entered her space.

So yesterday when I had such a trying morning (locking myself out of the car) and wanted to report about it to her later that evening, she was .. of course ... napping. So when this morning's irritation was still fresh on my mind (a speeding ticket), Maddy acted like she was all ears and then when the eyes began to close, I knew she had had enough talk.

Then I think she tried to act like I wasn't there so I gathered our chat was over. She's such a good therapist. Note to self: Buy more cat treats.

ok, just a peek!

Just waiting on the frame ... here's a tiny peek of Tea with Jane Austen, a new pattern to be released end of the week.

I do so like Mr. Knightley ...

... don't you?

Beautiful Part 1 of Emma tonight ... there were some differences in presentation from the novel but overall I really, really enjoyed it. Looking forward to Part II next Sunday night. I need to order my copy. My Jane shelf will be waiting for it!

Oh and there's a new book out called Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart ... think I'll try and find it at the bookstore tomorrow.

getting there ... and pretty finishes

Thank you for the well wishes. I reread my post and it sure did sound bleak; it was a rough time of it but today has been much better. I can see the well road coming and I'm getting there. Here are some pretty finishes done by lovely ladies. All are wonderful!

Stacy in MD stitched Tenderness of Heart freebie

Jennifer in GA stitched Know Your Own Happiness

(from TSG Companion Valentine Booklet)

Paula in LA stitched Be Mine freebie

About an hour until Emma airs on PBS ... are you ready? Can't wait!!!

sick knows no clock

So I woke up this morning with a thick throat, aching ears and headache that screamed all by itself as if I didn't know it hurt enough. The scream got through. So off to the minute clinic because it's Saturday and the DR isn't in and because this mother can't get sick. There's too much to tend to. I hate being sick. I'm not very good at it. Back home with a slight fever and paperwork report telling me what to do next.

I've spent the day, and now night, napping, reading, watching movies and all the while tossing and turning as the hours passed into each other. The laptop needed recharging so it got a rest from me until it was fully up to 100% once again. I'm enjoying my book, The Lace Makers of Glenmara, and opened an amazon order which contained Emily of New Moon and Return to Cranford DVDs. Emily of New Moon is a Canadian series based on the books by L.M Montgomery and advertised like Road to Avonlea (such a great series!) but they aren't. Well, I watched the first episode and it was soooooo sad and a downer, not the type of theme I was looking for.

So I watched something funny ... several episodes from Samantha Who? season one which were great. I love that show and sorry it went off the air. The writing is hilarious. I watched Return to Cranford which was very good but I was worn out when it was over. How long is that thing? I feel like a day passed but sure enough, it didn't. The clock just tocked ever so slowly today. After a short while resting my eyes and napping some more and eating and roaming the house and being told to get back to resting, I watched How about you? It's a sweet little film set in Ireland and based on a story by Maeve Binchey. I love her books.

And now it's pushing 1:30am in the east (how can it be?) and I'm hungry again. It's that time of night when you're sick and awake and can't sleep and want to sleep. I don't think I can make it through another movie tonight. Ugh.

Counted Wishes ... new online show!

Spread the word ... check it out ...

Counted Wishes Cross Stitch Festival

Feb 1-5

blogging

Can't sleep. Think I'm coming down with something. I woke Friday morning with a scratchy throat and it never really went away. Boo hoo! I've been downing orange juice all night and now I'm surrounded by kleenex ... felt like writing so I started a new blog called splashing in puddles, one at a time for other moms like myself.

!! sneak peek !!

How about a sneak peek before I log off work for the week-end? Here's a look at From Pleasant Hill, a new release available later next week! Sweet antique style sampler dated 1783 in olive greens, golden browns, and blue gray. Miss Abbey King hopes you like her worke. Check back next week for the pattern release.

F R I D A Y

Zack's class was cancelled today because the teacher was sick; this was most troubling for Zack who wanted so badly to get to 'school' ever since last Friday's class ended. So on a rainy/sleety kind of morning, we went the library where he got over his disappointment quickly with train books.

Before getting our weekly happy meal fix, we ended up at the grocery store shopping for graham crackers and marshmallows for our smores dessert tonight. Zack was very willing to push his cart around and get the necessary items.

I can't get over how big he is now. Time just moves too fast ... where's the slow down button? I keep looking but can't find it. The sun is trying to peek out now and the rain has stopped. There were a few snowflakes greeting us as we drove home but they're a distant memory now. There's a sleeping cat curled up nearby and the sounds of Bing Crosby coming from the other room. (Zack is very attached to a particular Christmas CD ... still) I have to get some work done so best get to it. Thank you for stopping in with me today.

Happy Friday ~ may you soak it all in and if you have snow, send me some!

simple. good.

I'm forever looking for new ways to make chicken. I've had this recipe from Nigella Lawson in the recipe file for a few months (printout says 9/13/09) ... ok, so not that long but tonight it moved to the front of my folder. It's delicious and oh so easy to make. I served it over salad and we had ciabatta dinner rolls. Anytime I get to bring out the Cuisinart is fun for me ... the Ritz crackers crushed down so perfectly in it.

Ritzy Chicken

Ritz crackers (I used 1 1/2 rolls from the box), crushed to bread crumb consistency

1 cup buttermilk

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken tenders

canola oil

Pour buttermilk in large ziploc bag and toss in your clean, dried off chicken. Keep in the frig for a few hours until ready to cook. Dredge chicken strips in ritz crumbs.

Heat skillet with desired amount of canola oil and fry both sides of chicken strips.

Line a pan with foil and transfer chicken. Bake further in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until done.

morning light

There's something about morning light on flowers ... captures the soul within just so. These were from my brother's girlfriend ... such a pretty smile they convey.

!! thank you !! very much for all the birthday wishes in emails & comments. I enjoyed reading them over my morning cuppa. I hadn't heard 40 was sporty, or lordy, lordy, now she's 40 before - too funny. Great wishes. Thank you again. It was a celebrating kind of week-end that flowed into the birthday-day itself. I am blessed with a loving family and the dearest of friends.

and now she's 40

That's me ... as of 10:37 this morning. Ben (my wise 10yr old) told me last week, when I was fretting over leaving the 30s soon, that I didn't look 40. Good kid. I'm liking this birthday stuff. Now for my day ... my cake ... my new toys ... 40. Wow.

Tenderness of Heart, a free pattern

EMMA begins airing on Sunday, Jan 24th on PBS Masterpiece Theater !!! Check local listings for times in your area. My design, Jane Austen & Me ... the Emma Project was inspired by this exciting event. I've heard from several Janeites across the pond who have already seen this new series and that it is a real treat. We can never get enough Jane, can we girls?

Free Chart ... Tenderness of Heart

Copyright TSG

Stitch Count: 60 X 70

Threads: pick two of your favorite pinks

Verse by Jane Austen.

smell the flowers

The boys and I made flowers this morning. Paper flowers. It's a craft on a Caillou episode. I only had fuzzy pipe cleaners but they worked fine ... really fun craft and they came out really sweet. Zack told me they needed 'mouths' so the happy face stickers worked perfectly :)

Put some sweetness in your day!

beginnings

Soon after Ben returned to school after Christmas break, Zack kept asking me if he could go to Ben's school. I have my blue backpack, Mama...I want to go to school too. Whenever Ben would hear this, he'd quickly counsel his little brother on the reasons he shouldn't be that excited to go to school ... I wish I could stay home, dude. Anyway, Zack knows what he wants and he wants to do everything that Ben does. So I signed him up for 10 week abc/123 craft class and this morning was his first class. He eagerly took his backpack (no need for the thing but please, he had to have it with) and it was adorable seeing him enjoy 'school'. The moms stay too at this age but the kids do all the work. He likes his teacher very much and could hardly wait to tell Ben all about it.

I'm glad it's a long week-end. There's a lot of fun stuff planned. To kick it off, I made a new necklace and began stitching one of Carriage House Samplings designs.

Monique sent me a fantastic little Jane Austen book as an early birthday gift ~ thank you so much!!! She included 40 happy face stickers ... Zack loves stickers so I'll have to hide them.

Pizza night here! Hope your week-end is a good beginning to something sweet.

get crafty

This morning was our monthly craft at the moms group and I love these particular meetings. Today's project was an envelope book and well, it's too cute!!! Have a look see.

I don't know how I'm going to use mine yet so in the meanwhile, I just keep opening it and looking at the dainty envelope pages. Simple pleasures. I had never used bookbinding tape before and really liked it. If you get so inclined to do the craft too, I was told it was a Martha Stewart craft so check her website here.

Thank you ever so kindly for all the emails and comments about which lotion to use on my hands. My goodness ... ya'll are lotion users big time. I appreciate all the advice and suggestions. I found a forever friend in one of the Gold Bond lotions .. wow. Good stuff.

oh sweet flower

Buy hyacinths to feed the soul. ~Persian poet

It's still cold. Same old story. No wind but still cold. We still have snow on the ground from our December blizzard and spring seems like a faraway place. However, yesterday I was happy as a lark to bring hyacinths home with me from Trader Joes. They were at the door as if greeting the wintery souls as they came inside. The sweet smell draws me in and I eagerly put some bunches in our cart. The sweetness in the air is fancy to the nose and if I could, I'd tie a bunch to my apron and walk around the house with them! They reassure me that spring is coming. While I do love wintertime, I do wish it would snow if it is to stay so cold. Did you hear me, Jack Frost?

My hands have felt the harshness of a dry winter pretty awful. I haven't been able to stitch because of cracked skin and working with paper doesn't really make the situation better. I have lotions up the wazoo but really nothing I try soothes for more than a few minutes. A dear friend surprised me yesterday with a Quick Heating Bath made by Dr Scholls so that has been comfort. It was really bad last week when I had a bandaid on each finger and repeatedly Zack asked me about my boo boos.

Zack is tip toeing around ... not sure what he's up to. Best investigate and then put together some orders before going to lunch with girlfriends. Zack loves that. Well, he loves food. Enjoy your day!

correction!

Correction ... WINDY DAY TEA pattern in TSG COMPANION VALENTINE BOOKLET ... the symbol | is DMC Ecru (in the fence) leaving the symbol B nothing. Sorry for any confusion.

NEW Patterns!

Jane Austen & Me ... (the Emma Project)

The Sampler Girl Companion *Valentine Booklet*

All details are on the website ... enjoy!

all in a good night's sleep

Sometimes you have the weirdest dreams. I like to try and pinpoint where I got the notion of such weirdness and there are times I can't place it but clearly the wolf chasing me dream last night was brought on by yesterday's sighting of two wolf-like dogs sitting in a car waiting for their owner at the grocery store. I was reliving the event at dinner. So, while getting Zack in the car, we heard a barking and when I turned my head to the noise in the car next to ours, my eyes met with two huge dogs heads (not much unlike the three headed dog from a Harry Potter book) pressed up at the glass (thank goodness for car windows). Zack immediately starting smiling at them (which made them bark louder, if that were possible) and telling me how cute the doggies were. I was thinking to myself, what? are you nuts? if the window wasn't there, we'd be eaten alive.

Back to my dream ... I was running away from this big wolf dog when a bat entered the picture and then my cat entered the scene. I remember thinking the beast would eat my cat and then me - who knows about the bat but happily my panic woke me up and I ran to the window and threw open the sash ... when what to my wondering eyes should I see but a whiteness all around. No wolf. No dogs. Only snow....and a two hour school delay!

some days you need cake

It's only how many days into January and I'm already baking a cake. Clearly my tried and true every new years resolution to eat more healthy didn't last long enough but there's still hope for me ... some days you need cake.

The recipe comes from my friend, Melissa P. in WA. I've made it several times over the years and always in a bundt pan but today I tried the two layer style and do prefer the bundt but the tummy didn't really question a difference and enjoyed it just the same. For the two pans, it baked about 40 minutes.

Vanilla Rich Chip Cake (yes, it is rich)

1 package yellow cake mix

1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup water

4 eggs

1 T vanilla extract

1 cup semi sweet mini morsels

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the morsels. Beat on low speed until moistened. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in morsels. Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Frost as desired.

Dinner was good too, since you asked. I fixed Roasted Turkey Breast (no turkey to be found apparently so subbed a whole chicken) with Vegetables. Here's the recipe in case you find turkey. The chicken worked beautifully though. The yummy smell permeated the house all afternoon and the pay off was worth it ... the chicken was soooooo moist and well, it was comfort food at its best. No picture to share of it mainly because by the time it was done, the camera was the last thing in my hand ... the fork won.

2-3 T oil

6-8 lb skinless turkey breast

1 T salt

1/2 t pepper

package baby red potatoes

2 stalks celery, quartered

2 small onions, quartered

2 (.87oz) brown gravy mix

1-oz package onion soup mix

2 1/4 cups water

Heat oil in a roasting pan; add turkey breast and saute on all sides until golden. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add vegetables to pan; set aside.

Combine gravy and soup mixes with water; pour over turkey and vegetables. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 2-3 hours, basting with pan juices after 1 1/2 hours. Cook until meat runs clear when pierced with a fork.

snow day

Well, I wish ... but in the meanwhile here's SNOW DAY finished by Michele W. of WA. The design is included in Gone Sledding Souvenir. Michele ~ great finishing with the snowball-type trim!

new free chart

Be Mine

Copyright 2010 The Sampler Girl

Stitch in colors of your picking ~ enjoy! Send me a picture of your finish and I'll show it off here.

The Emma Project ... materials info

I've been asked for a materials listing to this upcoming Jane Austen-inspired design ... so here you go!

The Emma Project

Stitch Count: 100 wide by 134 high

Fabric Used: 32ct French Vanilla Linen by R&R

Finished Size: 6.25" X 8.4"

Threads: DMC 3777, 3778, 581, 924, 3774, 611, 3011, 433, 3810, 3721, 832, 420, 3768, 3787, 422

Pattern will be released soon ... stay posted!

the emma project ... update

Ok, not really an update ... more of a tease. I know, I know ... but I've spent every chance packaging orders since the sun came up and have stopped for the day to work on The Emma Project!! It's such a pretty piece ~ wait till you see !! If you're a stitching Janeite like myself, I know you'll like it. Details on it coming soon ...

on a cold night

To tell you it's been cold and windy is an understatement. Chances are you have experienced the same bitter cold and raw wind the past few days (or in your lifetime) so you know of the type of cold I speak. Tonight's dinner was just the ticket to a warm and cozy place. If you know me, you know I don't like soup. Nope. No soup for me. I do, however, love chowders ... those thick soups that call out for crackers and crusty bread. This is one of those.

Shrimp Corn Chowder

2 tsp salt

1 bag frozen corn

4 T unsalted butter

1 sweet onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp pepper

4 cups low-sodium chicken stock

4 1/2 cups water

3 potatoes, peeled and diced

1 cup half and half (I used fat free)

8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined and cut in 1-inch pieces

Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add flour, salt, pepper, and cook, stirring. Add chicken stock and water and potatoes. Add corn, half and half, cheddar cheese, and shrimp.

Cook until shrimp are pink and serve!

The tree is down and all the Christmas wrappings and such are put away for another year. There was massive cleaning and new year organizing goings on this weekend which made my heart glad. School starts back up tomorrow which doesn't make my little camper happy but spring vacation isn't too far off. Besides ... we have to get more snow. We just have to and you know what that means ... snow days. So, there's hope.

Shipping begins again tomorrow and I've a slew of orders to send out that have piled up since before Christmas. I had hoped to get a big batch out in the morning but it's been overwhelming sooooo please be patient ~ I'll be at the post probably every day this week so keep an eye on the Order Tracking feature of website to check your order status.

***There have been some patterns added to the EPatterns category. Also - PERSUASION PILLOW PATTERN is now available. This design debuted in the Jan 2009 issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine and can now be released by me. Click HERE for details!

the emma project

Happy New Year.

What better way to begin the New Year than with Jane Austen. On PBS starting January 24th, begins EMMA!!!

I will be having a special EMMA pattern released soon to coincide with this latest version of Jane Austen's novel. Stitch the design while you watch! Stay tuned to the website. Share the graphic above on your blog and spread the word.