Delightfully Busy...

Brynwood Needleworks - Top For BW Acorn Pincushion

 

It's so lovely that, while I'm getting ready for the show this next weekend, I'm also receiving orders in my shop. It gives me a nice break from one project to work on another.

 

All the wool applique' embroidery is complete for this next pincushion, so I'll do the assembly this morning. I'll be able to ship it out to its new home today, or in tomorrow's post.

 

You know what I'm working on today. I also worked on a bit of my display components for the show, and I'm looking forward to sharing the final booth setup with you in a mere week. eek!

 

I'd love to sit with my morning coffee and chat a bit more with you, but you know I have a million little things drawing me away. Tag will be back tomorrow, and you'll see me again on Wednesday with all the latest news. See you then!

 

Sweet Treats - We Have A Winner...

Homemade Caramels - LOTS of Them!

Handsome and I taste-tested these delicious caramels (made by our younger daughter-in-law) recently, and she shared the recipe with me. So, I decided to make a batch on Saturday.

Ingredients For Homemade Caramels

I pulled out the ingredients (I had enough for four - eventual - batches), grabbed the recipe and got to mixing. I read the recipe out loud to Handsome before I started - reading 238º as the top temperature for the mix, and somewhere in the process, told myself 258º.

He called it "cognitive dissonance". I really saw 258º when I looked back at the recipe. So my first batch was a hot, hard mess. It made a delightful "thud" when it had cooled off enough so I could throw it in the garbage.

Cooling Caramel

I sat down, had a cup of tea and regrouped. Then, I started my second batch, repeating 238º to myself the whole time. I wasn't making that mistake again! The batch was beautiful when I poured it onto the cookie sheet.

Cutting and Wrapping Caramels

I started cutting the caramels with a kitchen scissors, but (thankfully) decided to try a pizza cutter. It cut like a dream and made quick work of the task of making bite-sized pieces. I wrapped them in parchment paper I'd cut into squares.

My British Tins For Storage

I grabbed two of my favorite British tins, which were quickly filled with tasty caramels. I've already shared some of them (the recipe makes quite a large batch), and will have more for sweet snacks here at the farmhouse, too.

Caramel Recipe From Meaningful Eats

 

This is the recipe our daughter-in-law shared with me. I looked it up and found it on Meaningful Eats blog (HERE).

What I learned from making (both) batches: 1) Start cutting caramels when they're still warmer than you think they should be. Makes it easier toward the end. 2) Use a pizza cutter. I started with a kitchen scissors, but the pizza cutter was SO much easier! 3) Don't be a perfectionist when you cut them. It will make you nuts. 4) Have your beautiful granddaughters (or your kiddos) around to help wrap them. 5) I need a digital candy thermometer for accuracy. 

 

I do know that I'll be making more of these in the future...after I get that digital thermometer. yummm

 

 

 

Time to name the winners of my Ninth Blog Anniversary Giveaway!   I drew three numbers (via Random Number Generator) initially  and the winner EVERY time was   LESLEY UK!!! (24, 2 and 15) You were meant to win, kiddo!   I decided to give away two more gifts, so I drew another number My second winner is  (11)
DANICE G!   The last number (and winner) is (7)   LINNY!    CONGRATULATIONS! Thanks again to everyone who entered.  Let me know which pincushion design you'd like. I'll make them this week.

Home...

Front Porch Bench

You may remember the sweet, hickory bench that Craig (Shelly's brother) gave us this summer. (I wrote about it HERE.) He made it just for us (for the farmhouse). I haven't stained or sealed it (yet). I'm still contemplating whether or not to leave it au natural.

I switched out the "Welcome" sign and moved it to the front entry, and then placed a few of my favorite things on it. The basil was a gift from our neighbor, Mary Jane, which I replanted into my rustic pot; Mom's ceramic squirrel and acorn; an enamel pan filled with tea towels ( the one in front  was embroidered by my blog friend, Shirley Kulak); and the iron and glass insulator were from Shelly. The floral arrangement hung on our "friends and family" door until I put up the one for fall.

Porch Alcove Wall

The bench, along with one of my grandfather's crocks and a rustic truck (from Andy), which I filled with hen and chicks (succulents) are well-suited to this spot. You may notice something else in this photograph, too, though. 

Family Plaque

Our Florida realtor, Mary Westbrook (with Coldwell Banker) became a good friend in the process of selling our southern home. Right after I arrived in Wisconsin in April, a package arrived for the farmhouse.

She purchased a Welcome plaque with our family name and wedding date on it. She wanted us to have something to put our name on the farmhouse, and what she chose was just perfect. We "installed" it on the alcove wall of the porch so it can be seen from our front yard.

We knew that Hickory Hill Farm would be our last home, and our grandchildren love this place as much as we do. This home will remain for them and their grandchildren long after we're gone, but until then, we'll be able to enjoy it together for a long, long time.

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I stitched a Brynwood Acorn Woolen Pincushion that was ordered through my website. I love making these, and they're limited edition (because the vintage charms I've had for about thirty years are no longer available). I also get to "needle dance" these flourishes as the spirit moves me, which makes each pincushion special. No two are exactly alike because I embellish each them with unique stitchery.  

This one is already in the post to its new home, but I'd love to make more of them. Perhaps one just for you?

I'm going to the farmer's market with Shelly today. I see canning tomatoes in my immediate future. I'm planning salsa and sauce, and perhaps some stewed tomatoes, as well. Don't worry, though. There's always time for more stitching.