Thread Exchange presents

Oh, what a joy it was to get home tonight from work and discover such wonderful presents that came in the mail.

since I had not had a very great day at work,  there was a bad snow storm so they closed schools and we all rushed around trying to get out of work early and off the roads before dark, and I got stuck in a snow drift a mile from home.  it was really nice to find good things waiting for me.  I had to call "FarmGuy" to come get me unstuck from the snow drift partly because I hadn't put a good shovel in the car and partly because I was stuck enough to need help.  He got stuck again after getting the car out of the drift, so I didn't feel quite so bad, but I was cold and my jeans were frozen from the snow.

and here is what I found in the mail

From Lynn Demsky in Michigan, I received a very nice Tatting Christmas card with very pretty pastel variegated thread labeled Rubi Brilhante Cores Firmes 20. ( I did receive Lynn's thead about a week ago, but wanted to wait to post until all the threads came.)

 

From Roberta Lawson in Australia, I received  2 new threads I had never heard of  Cap putri Duying in Royale Purple and Cap Putri Duying Benang Sulam istmelia in Teal. She also sent a CD of Australia,  I have not yet had a chance to play it, so am looking forward to a few minutes of quiet time. 

Patsy Goodman in southern California, sent 2 threads as well,  Beyaz 1  Altin Basak size 50 in white/silver and Omega size 50 in Green that she bought in Mexico.  She also included a very nice 

letter and Linda Davies Christmas Tree earring pattern.

Sue Anna Scribner from Illinois surprised me with 2 of Marilee Rocklee's HDT  Parchment  Size 20 and Snowflake size 30 and both were wound on what I think are called EZ bobs.  I think I am going to have to take another look at these thread holders.  they look very handy.  She also sent a nice card with pictures of her tatted motifs and 2 snowflake patterns, Jon Yosoff's Double -Decker star and Flurry Snowflake by Jane Eborall

Jane Armstrong from North Carolina, sent a pretty variegated thread in pinks and blues and she included some beads that look just right with the thread.  she also sent a very pretty hand towel with a snowman on it holding a sign stating "Let it Snow",  can I blame her for the snow storm today? Tee Hee,    Jane wrote a note on the outside of the package stating that she had forgotten to include the card, so I don't know what type of thread she sent, so will have to wait to find out.

and last, but most definitely not least, from Lily Morales also out in California,  i received a big bunch of fun. 3 of the EZ Bobs, and they contained the following threads, a Christmas colors variegated Flora in size 50, and red and green Cebelia in size 10.  Along with these threads she sent a pretty Gold Christmas ornament, of the kind you can attach tatting on and a folding scissors with a very nice knotted fob that I am sure she made, as I have checked out her blog where she shows and talks about knots.

I have been doing some tatting, but haven't posted any, so will have to get at that sooner or later.

2010 Thanksgiving family picture

this is my husband and I and our children and grandchildren at this years Thanksgiving. 
We had a lot of good food and a lot of good fun and talk.  I thank God for all of us, we get along, granted there are occasional  times we raise our voices, but no one holds grudges, and we have great sons in law. 

no names to protect the innocent.

exciting!

just had a phone call~~~~~~

in June I will be come a grandmother for the 10th time!!

doing a happy dance tonight

cross bookmark

I made this bookmark for my best friends birthday. I haven't had a chance to talk to her, so hope she liked it.

it is a pattern titled Colossians 2:14 by Rebecca aka tatmom03

if anyone knows how to get a hold of her, I would appreciate it. I was looking for her cross pattern online which is where I found it, so I could point another tatter to the pattern, but can't seem to find it so if anyone knows of the link, that would be great.



thread is lizbeth size 40 color gold. It is very nice to work with.

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving with lots to be thankful for .

we shared a meal with the neighbors yesterday and will have another with our children and grandchildren on sunday.

I need more time, i have too much thyme

no pictures tonight.

yesterday morning it was drizzling, the temp was about 23 and it has been cold enough so the ground was below freezing as well, so the nice drizzle was freezing on everything. I had a good hold on the door knob as I left for church or I would have gone down the front steps on my fanny. As I pulled up to church, I watch a gentleman get out of his pickup, if he hadn't had a good grip on the steering wheel, he would have been on the ground as his feet flew out from under him.

today when my boss got to work, he got out of his car and fell. it is not good here and now today we had snow on top of the ice.

I needed groceries for thanksgiving but wasn't too fond of having to drive 30 miles to the grocery store in the dark after work.

I was able to get to the grocery store this afternoon. DH had to go to town for parts so picked me up at work.

I am making the stuffing and a dessert for Thanksgiving dinner at the neighbors.

I have a realllly good stuffing recipe handed down in the family. it is so good that sons-in-law have requested my stuffing. (I will put in the recipe below)

anyway, while at the store gathering ingredients, I stopped at the spice isle and decided that since I didn't know how much thyme I had in the cupboard, I would get some.

when I got home after work - stayed until 7:15 to make up for taking off the time in the middle of the day. I discovered that I had 1+ little jars of thyme. soooo I have too much thyme, but not enough time to get everything done.

Dressing/Stuffing
5 quarts of dry bread cubes (one 1.5 lb loaf of bread will make about 3 quarts of dry cubes
1 1/2 Cups melted butter
4 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3 tsp seasoning salt (our family has always used Beaumonde, I think it is sold by Spice Islands)
1/4 tsp thyme (can use a bit more)
1 clove garlic finely chopped
grind all giblets (raw~can leave these out)
grind or shred 4 large carrots, 4 large celery ribs, 1 large onion
4 1/2 Cups of water or if not using giblets, chicken broth use more or less depending on how moist you want it.

place dry bread in large pan. sprinkle spices onto cubes and pour melted butter over all, mix well. Add ground meat and vegetables, mix well. pour over liquid and mix, but be careful not to stir the bread into mush.
bake in the over for 20 -30 per quart until interior temperature is 180 degrees. can be cooked in a crock pot for 1 hour on high then 4-6 hours on low, be sure to check temp in center is 180 degrees.

you might be interested in the dessert I am making.
it is an old recipe for

Tomato Chocolate Cake
butter & flour 2 9" cake pans

1 pound of tomatoes, peel and seed, puree and measure 1 1/4C

4 oz of sweet baking chocolate
1 Cup brown sugar
1/4 Cup milk
3 egg yolks divided
cook chocolate, br sugar, milk and 1 egg yolk in double boiler stirring occasionally over hot water until smooth and slightly thick.

2 Cups cake flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
8 tablespoons butter softened
1 Cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 egg whites
sift flour with baking soda and salt
cream butter & sugar until light.
add remaining 2 yolks beating each time until fluffy.
add tomato puree, vanilla and chocolate mixture beating thoroughly.
Stir in flour.
Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry, fold into cake batter and pour into pans.
bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes until almost done, do not over bake!
cool on wire rack, remove from pans and frost with tomato frosting

Tomato Frosting
1 medium tomato peeled and seeded, puree and measure 4 1/2 tablespoons puree

1/2 Cup butter softened
4 egg yolks - extra large
1 tablespoon cognac or brandy
3/4 Cup powdered sugar

beat butter until smooth, add egg yolks beating after each.
add tomato puree and liquid, then add powdered sugar.

frost bottom layer, then add top and frost top and sides.
keep cool, do not refrigerate

I ran across a different version of Tomato Frosting with cream cheese on the Internet last week which I think I may use instead of the one above calling for liquor since this will be served to children as well as adults.

I have a few other interested recipes as well,

chocolate potato cake
chocolate sauerkraut cake - you would never know - most people think it is coconut
and a World War II eggless, milkless butterless cake

if anyone is interested in the above recipes, let me know and I will post them.

my new shuttles

I wanted to show you my newest shuttles. These hand made shuttles are by "I'm in the garage" who is married to Sally from Tat's Heaven

I was able to buy the one on the left, made from Walnut back in September and the one on the right last week made out of Iroko wood.

I had to look up what Iroko wood is on the internet, I had never heard of it. It is also know as African Teak.

The shuttles are smooth and easy to use. I like them very much.

I was able to find extra bobbins at Handy Hands to fit the walnut one, and since the Iroko one also has the purple bobbins, I am assuming the bobbins from Handy Hands will fit as well. I was hoping to find more purple bobbins, but had to settle for black.

I like them as much as (and maybe a bit more) then the Silent Tatter shuttles that you can buy from Roseground.

I am tatting, but nothing to show, many fits and starts as I figure out the right stitch count to use as an ornament drape for presents. too many life interruptions, if I didn't have to go to work, or do the housekeeping, or help dh with what he needs here on the farm.

have a good night, see you tomorrow.

uploaded another pattern

in response to a request, I have uploaded to my pattern blog (or see link in the side bar) my Rosary Pattern.

if you have any questions, please ask.