Getting excited?

After dinner last night we went in to the city and saw the National Christmas Tree. Z was thrilled to see all the electric trains in whistling motion going around and around and around the tracks in the grand display. If you haven't been to Washington, DC in December, the National Christmas Tree is always a highlight. There are smaller trees, one for each state, surrounding the big one and it all makes for a lovely treat on a wintry night. When I was a child, there were reindeer as well for the kids to pet which was very cool but they don't do that anymore. The trains draw attention for all ages.

2 days! That's it - that's what's left of this year 2011. Get excited ... 2012 is almost here!
Don't forget the GIVEAWAY!! 2 winners randomly picked on Jan 1.

GIVEAWAY at The Sampler Girl's Blog!

What a lazy, relaxing, yet productive day! It's cold. The kind of listen-to-the-wind kinda day at times. Now it's dark outside and only past 5pm here in the East. Pizza should be arriving at the door any minute and the hungry boys somewhere in this house will be so so so happy that Mama deemed it Pizza night and it isn't even Friday :)

So back to my day. The boys kept busy and quite content with their Christmas toys which afforded me a good long while to weed through the mess that had piled up in my itty bitty design studio. Happy to report all is done and that makes me giddy! So much so that I thought we'd do a Giveaway. I haven't done one in such a long while so how's about it?

I found I had several copies of Just Cross Stitch Magazine, the issue from Jan/Feb 2009 which included my design, Persuasion Pillow Pattern.

::To enter, simply add your name and email address (don't forget this part!) to the comment field below and you're entered! I'll pick 2 winners randomly on January 1st.


Good luck! Oh yummers - pizza man is here ... just in time! Have a cosy night.

wishing for s n o w

Only a few days left in the year! It's a rainy start to Tuesday here and I'm wishing the raindrops were snowflakes instead. Thinking if I stitched something snow-themed, then snow might come, right? We'll see what happens. Anything's possible ...

*Thank you sweetly for your comments on Miss Maddy in the last post -- she was purrrrfectly content with all the praise for her prettiness. She wears her age of 16 very well.

16 years ago today ... + free pattern

I saw Miss Maddy Cat for the first time. Oh she was so little! I had breakfasted with a dear friend at nearby La Madeleine and then went to an animal shelter because I desperately wanted a kitty of my own. I can still see the memory (you know those kind of memories) - the small set up in the animal shelter, the cages with all the cats so wanting a home. And there was Maddy. This little puff of fur, a maine coon, 6 months old, meowing and reaching to me through the cage. I told the lady helping me that this was the cat I wanted to hold.

She handed Maddy (Amira at the time) to me and led us into a little room where the two of us could get acquainted. I was immediately smitten and knew this kitty was the one. I went back to the animal shelter the next day with my boyfriend (now husband) and we picked Maddy up and the rest .. is history.

I named her, Madeleine, after the restaurant I had been to before seeing her the day after Christmas in 1995. If you follow my blog, then you know that Maddy went completely blind this Fall and is on blood pressure medicine daily. She is doing very well and still the Queen of the house :)


The stitching at the top of this post is in Kitty Kringle's Christmas Booklet. The chart is available here on the blog as a special treat -- Maddy loves treats! Enjoy.

Stitch Count: 35 x 34
Fabric: 32ct Belgian Linen, Natural
X DMC 839
V DMC 580
O DMC 869
| DMC 370

2 days ...

Made a quick, sort of, trip to Trader Joes this morning as did a hundred other shoppers in search of festive foods. Came away with many tasty items including these decadent dark chocolate peanut butter filled cupcakes. Yes, I thought the same thing. WOW. I so hope they turn out as fantastic as they look - oh and here's hoping their container remains unopened until tomorrow night's dessert.

- - -

My 4yr old has glazed eyes by now in anticipation of Christmas morning -- the countdown is winding down. The hourly 'can't I just open 1 present?? please??' from little Zack's darling face as he races around the tree, makes my left eye twitch but it is a warm feeling inside to children experience Christmas with such magic and frantic excitement. There's nothing like childhood - especially at Christmastime. The other afternoon I pulled out some crafts to help ease the late-afternoon wild hour and Z insisted on putting his reindeer on the tree. It's really huge but still sits in the branches!

My 12yr old is thrilled to finally be on Winter Break ... until next year -- sounds so far away when you say it that way :) Remember when it was going to turn from 1999 to 2000? All that Y2K stuff and nonsense. How weird it sounded and stranger still to write it out?! Now we're about to call it 2012 ... amazing. But not yet -- see you on Christmas Eve. Until then ... be cosy & merry!

Time well spent ... Reading!

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!

How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! --
When I have a house of my own,
I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.
-Jane Austen

I've read 78 books this year! I read every chance I get. With my Kindle, I can now borrow books from the library too and don't worry, I still read real paper and spine books ... even though my husband likes to refer to my Kindle (which I named Phoebe, remember?), just a screen and not a book-book. Oh I love reading!!

Now the year hasn't ended just yet so I will probably squeeze 1 or 2 more books in to make it 80 but here are the titles of my most favorites from the year, in case you need book recommendations or gift giving ideas. I use the wonderful book site, goodreads.com, to keep a log of my books read and to read; it's a terrific website to review titles and rate books on a scale of 1-5 stars, with 5 being 'you loved it'. Avid reading friends join you if you wish and there grows your nightstand's wanna read pile :)

My Favorite Reads of 2011

Emily and Einstein by Linda Lee Francis
Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer
Love Always by Harriet Evans
How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin
Red Hook Road by Ayelet Waldman
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
A Cup of Friendship by Deborah Rodriquez
She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey through Poems by Caroline Kennedy
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz
10 Mindful Minutes: Giving Our Children the Social and Emotional Skills to Lead Smarter, Healthier, and Happier Lives by Goldie Hawn
Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel

Some wonderful new (or new to us!) Children's Picture Books . . .
If you Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff

The Three Little Fish & The Big Bad Shark by Ken Geist

Good Boy, Fergus! by David Shannon

Piggy Pie Po by Audrey Wood

Doctor Meow's Big Emergency by Sam Lloyd

If you can't think of what to give someone this holiday, give a book ... or a Kindle gift card! The genres are endless and time well spent reading at any age is a good thing. Here's to books!

enlisting the elves

Remember this little guy?

Well, he's been moving about the house more frequently as the countdown to Christmas winds down & apparently last night, he found the hershey kisses near the Scandinavian tabletop tree! Zack was first to tell me that he didn't eat the chocolates and then was surprised that elves eat candy. Why not?!

So I see on my calendar that it's just a few days until Christmas - 3 days until Christmas Eve and as my oldest likes to say, it is already Christmas Eve Eve Eve EVE, Mom!! Yes, the excitement level has peaked and continues to soar here. I've never put presents under the Christmas tree before Christmas Eve only because our Miss Maddy maine coon kitty would rip bows off, tear paper, climb gifts to get at ornaments ... you get the idea. However, now that she went completely blind this Fall, she hasn't noticed the tree! Very, very sad but I'm sure she'll find her way treeside on Christmas Morning. In the meanwhile though, I've been able to put the presents all around beneath the tree and love how it looks. Imagine! However ... Zack constantly asks me if he can open just one present, just one! It is quite tempting for him but so far he hasn't taken any in his room and opened ... 4 days to go, right?!

I've merrily glad to have all my shopping completed. However, that leaves me with more wrapping to finish and I used to love/relish/adore/crave that part ... now, not so much. I get weary and where everything used to have a bow on it ... it's lucky to have tape on all sides now. The kids just rip everything open anyway. Besides, money on bows can be spent on caffeine to keep us awake on the 25th!

Oh I found the cutest little elf tags to print! Click HERE to grab a set.

Nearly 10AM and feels like 2 in the afternoon -- been up with the chickens (if I had chickens) as I hosted a Holiday Brunch @ school this morning. I groan and groan about volunteering and undertaking such a large project but it was a smashing success and very rewarding; the teachers and staff at Ben's middle school were so appreciative and thankfully, starving! I was blessed with an army of parents bringing in all types of breakfast yums. But yes, you can imagine my relief that my volunteer hat is off until next year.

I leave you with another free pattern -- be sure to enlist an elf to help and make your holiday less stressful as much as possible. Oh, and snatch a hershey kiss whenever you can --- just make sure you throw away the wrapper --- you can see our little elf forgot.

Elf, a free chart
Copyright 2010 The Sampler Girl
(click chart to enlarge)

Stitch Count 31W x 70H
COLOR CODE
X DMC 502
/ DMC 355
| DMC 434
U DMC 822
O DMC 3820
V DMC 3856
BKST eyes and mouth DMC 3864
To add a jingle to your elf, sew a jingle bell to each of her shoes.

It's a Wonderful Life ~ 3 day SALE!

Oh I love this movie!!! I guess you knew that by now as I have designed four patterns inspired by it. The latest, George Lassos the Moon, is just as fun to stitch as the other three!

'It's a Wonderful Life' came out in 1946 soooo for 3 days only, all my Wonderful Life themed patterns are 19.46% off. Offer ends December 23rd. Enjoy!

It's a Wonderful Life Pillow Pattern
Bedford Falls Ornament
Every time a Bell Rings
George Lassos the Moon

the power of T E A + free pattern!

"I was very tired, but slept to a miracle and am lovely today."

-Jane Austen

When was the last time you had a good night's sleep? I mean, a really good night's sleep. The kind where you wake up and feel completely rested and not hurried by any means to blur about the room but rather step lightly into the morning light and be truly with it & excited to begin the day?! This world is so busy - always in motion - never asleep - everything is always on - there's always something to watch on television - something to read - something to do - something to play - some place to be!

With two boys, 4 and 12, there isn't much quiet in my house as you can imagine. Even when my littlest guy has quiet time in his room, there's still noise. Oh the noise, noise, noise! However, as loud it can get, I am forever appreciative to have the blessing of hearing. It is sweet though on those rare occasions when the house is quiet and I can hear the wind blow wildly, the cat purr, and the silence of spirit.

This time of year is hectic. Busy, busy, BUSY with everything you can think of and more. Children are anxious to open presents, big or small. It's tricky to get a really good night's sleep on any given day but during the holidays, I find you either collapse in a heap and power nap or count your to-do list instead of sheep. I used to be a terrific sleeper until child number 1 came along. I remember quite vividly one night soon after Ben was born when I got up with him and honestly don't recall how one foot moved infront of the other to get to the crib. I had never experienced such exhaustion! Since then, I don't sleep as soundly but find that when I have a cup of tea before bed, usually chamomile, then I sleep more comfortably, even if it's not for long. The sleep is better - make sense?

I've been trying to wean myself off a lot of diet coke (i heart diet coke!!!) and successfully have limited my intake by replacing it with water and iced green tea. I find decaf green tea to be a restorative and energy booster for me. Tea is a wonderful medicinal for all and the varieties available are astounding. Tea helps me sleep better, more restful and works wonders for the stress level. Hot or cold, tea is my comfort drink of choice.

So next time you can't sleep, put the kettle on and make a cup of tea! Here's a little free pattern for all tea lovers to enjoy! Pick colors of your choice and feel free to email me your finished creation at samplergirl@cox.net and I'll show it off here or on Facebook.

Drink up!

Tea Time
Copyright 2011 The Sampler Girl
Free Pattern - not for resale.

(click chart to enlarge)

The Sampler Girl Blog ... goes KINDLE!!

Exciting news! The Sampler Girl's Blog is now available on Kindle.
CLICK HERE for all details!!

Happy Birthday, Jane! New Pattern: Cake for Jane Austen

Happy 236th Birthday, Jane Austen!

For all stitching Janeites, this NEW pattern might delight you as it does me. I've pretty giddy about it!! Five designs included in chart; each has been stitched on 28ct antique white linen and then coffee dyed for a soft aged effect ~ then 'framed' in simple wooden hoops, adorned with Regency style ribbon at the tops and ready to fancy any Austen day . . . with birthday cake!

Cake for Jane Austen
Copyright 2011
The Sampler Girl
Click HERE for pattern information.

So add a little Jane Austen in your life and perhaps you'll find a Col. Brandon or Mr. Darcy to keep you company. Jane Austen lives on!

Calling all Jane Austen fans!!

***A special pattern to celebrate Jane Austen's 236th birthday will be released on December 16th. Stay tuned. You won't want to miss it!!!

busy as an elf

This is an extra busy time of year for my printer! With new pattern release inventories, website orders, distributor orders, and Jane Austen Centre orders -- it's no wonder my precious printer went kaput the other night! Thankfully, my Mom has the same printer so she let me borrow hers while I'm in this crunch time. Such a frantic month of year as it is -- not a time for the printer to decide to take a holiday, not yet!

- - -

Check back on the December 16th for a special design
to celebrate Jane Austen's 236th birthday.
See you then, dear Blogger friend.

football & food

Now that baseball is over, football watching has been in full swing here. The guys watch and the littlest guy wants to be a part of it all ... even when they head outside to toss the football around. Zack has gotten quite good at the hike part. My brother in law from New England visited recently and brought the boys really cool new Red Sox caps ... Z loves the flames on his!

- - -

I fixed this comfort food dish on Thursday evening and we devoured it so quickly, I didn't get a picture of it! Trust me, it was delicious and a perfect meal for this time of year - made great leftovers too. I adapted the recipe from Cooking on Clover Lane blog.

Chicken Noodle Casserole

1 package chicken tenders

1 bag 12 oz egg noodles

6 oz frozen corn

6 oz frozen chopped broccoli

1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 can of condensed cream of chicken soup

1 cup fat free sour cream

1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

1 roll of Ritz crackers

1/4 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Poach chicken in a large pot of simmering water.

Cook until done (about 15 minutes).

Remove chicken but keep water!

Bring chicken cooking water to a boil and cook pasta in it.

Cook pasta till al dente....don't over cook.

Drain.

Cut chicken into small pieces and mix with noodles.

In a separate bowl, mix together mushroom soup, chicken soup, frozen vegetables, sour cream and parmesan.

Season with salt and pepper.

Gently fold together cream soup mixture with the chicken and noodles.

Place in a 9 X 13” sprayed baking dish.

Melt 1/4 cup butter and then stir crumbled crackers into butter.

Sprinkle on top of casserole.

Bake for 30 minutes.

- - -

Till next time!

New Patterns!!

Two NEW patterns are now available ~ they finish up my designing year 2011 rather joyfully, I think ~ hope you enjoy them! The first is lovey-dovey, simple and sweet and the second is the fourth design of mine inspired by my favorite holiday classic, It's A Wonderful Life.

Love you, Dear
copyright 2011
Click HERE for pattern info.


- - -

George Lassos the Moon
copyright 2011
Click HERE for pattern info.

May your December be moving slowly along as hoped, allowing you to enjoy and embrace every magical moment. Happy week-end!

random thoughts

::Annual Norwegian bazaar with my Mom on Saturday = fun times! She spoiled me with some darling new Christmas items including a new doll. The Oslo one is very special and reminds me of the fun we had there together many years ago.

::The boys each have a simple Advent calendar this year -- no candy, just a countdown to the big day. The first thing Zack does in the morning is put that candy cane in its number place!

::To distract both boys from my fragile Nativity scene, there's the Playmobile set which seems to loose animals and itty bitty hair parts every year but alas, we still have the main characters so that's a good thing. I snapped a picture while they were all in place -- they move around the table a lot this month.


::Found $9 in my pocket = a happy surprise.

::Making a list and checking it many, many times. So glad there are iPhone apps for everything including list making.

::Evening with Santa @ the preschool tonight -- maybe if I'm lucky there will be some spiked punch. Yea - well, a Mom can dream.

::Two more designs coming out before this year ends ... stay tuned!

December Greetings!

Welcome, December ~ don't be in a hurry to leave. I want every day to linger and not whiz by. May your month sweetly slow down the pace even though holiday happenings busy it up ~ enjoy every moment.


Look at this beautiful pillow made by Robin H. - the design is the recent freebie, C'est Noel. Such a festive finish and perfect to show on this first day of December!