More Progress Has Been Made...

First Upper Monarch Wing Completed

I managed quite a bit of needle dancing over the holiday weekend. We had one rainy day that was made for stitching, and I finished this wing part that day. I'm so pleased to see it done and now waiting for the other parts to come alive.

Beginning Work On First Lower Wing

In fact, I even got a healthy start on the first lower wing! This all happened before Monday when I spend all day in the kitchen. (I baked four loaves of bread, and a half dozen hamburger buns.)

I also mixed, froze, and vacuum-sealed thirty four fresh rhubarb scones for sharing and later consumption. Lastly, I made rhubarb custard pie in a long baking dish which finished baking at midnight! I went to bed shortly after that, but not before Handsome tried it and gave it his seal of approval. (He did stay up later than I did.)

I worked my shift yesterday, and I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I changed clothes when I got home, and took a two hour nap. 

Today is going to be a "take it easy" day. I'm going to play it by ear. See you tomorrow!

 

Rhubarb Season!...

Yesterday was just what the doctor ordered. In addition to spending quality time with Handsome and the critters and a little "solar therapy", I took advantage of the rhubarb growing in the yard next to the Compass Barn. I brought in enough stems for eight cups of cut rhubarb to make tarts and pies.

I was experimenting with butter in my pie crust for the first batch, creating a lovely, chewy crust for the rhubarb custard tarts, and a mini pie (for Andy who was helping Handsome today). Then I made a shortening crust for the deep dish rhubarb custard pie I made for us.

There were enough tarts that Handsome and I were able to taste them, while still having enough left to gift to my friend, Ann who helped me in the kitchen at work on Tuesday, as well as some for my boss, who can use a little TLC these days. She also loves my homemade Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie clone mix, so I made a batch of cookies for her, too.

I didn't stitch much on the bluebirds, so I'll save that update for another day after I've completed at least one wing. Then you'll have a real sense of how it's going to look. I actually can't wait to start on the fence rail as I have some really fun stitching planned for that! 

I work today and then I'm off until 3 tomorrow. After that, I'll have the entire weekend to relax, stitch, and spend more time with my guy. I'm looking forward to that. See you tomorrow.

A Perfect Day...

Tag On The Way To His Dental Appointment

Tuesday began early for Tag and me. He had a dental appointment to have his teeth cleaned, along with vaccines that were due, and clipping his toenails. He had to be at the vet's between 6 and 7 am, which means I had to get up early to take him.

Once we got there, he started charming the ladies who work there, and they sent me on my way until they would call. I was to expect a call after he came out of the anesthetic. I drove back home to busy myself until someone called.

Tuesday's Canning Project

I prepped fresh rhubarb last night so that I could jar it up today. (Fresh rhubarb mixed with sugar, and then let it sit overnight to draw out the juice.) When I got back home, I took it out of the refrigerator and popped it on the stove to bring up to a boil. I'd already prepared the jars, and when all was said and done, ended up with three quarts and one half pint. I can use this for any number of things this winter, and it saves me precious freezer space by canning it.

I took the leftover juice, strained it, brought it back up to a boil, and bottled it as a rhubarb simple syrup. (I'll be making more of this, too!) I can imagine adding this to a tonic water this winter for a sweet taste of summer!

My Stitching Progress

I received the call from the vet's office, telling me Tag did great and there were no problems. (whew)  I could pick up my boy around 1:30, so I went to the studio to stitch for a while and worked on my little weekly freebie blocks.

I completed one, and made real progress on a second before i was time for me to get Tag and bring him back home.

He was raring to go home with me, so I paid his "spa tab" and we left. He was a little out of it, so I kenneled him and went back to my needlework for a bit. I heard Handsome start to mow our lawn (which usually takes one person at least a couple of hours). There was a chance of rain in the forecast, so I went outside and got out our small riding lawnmower to help. We had the job done in no time, and we managed to avoid the rain, which fell to the south of us.

Our Evening Rainbow

 

We let the dogs out to run, and as we turned to go back into the house, we were treated to a beautiful rainbow. What a perfect way to end our perfectly wonderful day.