Wednesday, March 4, 2015

A Little Rain, Stitching, Sewing, And Eating

After being away from home for a couple weeks, its been hard to get back into any sort of routine.
Although, I do find being retired means there isn't much of a routine, which is weird to get used to.

We had a huge thunderstorm with hail and really dark clouds yesterday.
I love how fresh and red things get around here when the rain comes!



I'm so slow at cross stitching, but I started this piece using a method I saw on a DMC video HERE.
It's a half cross stitch so it takes half the time...my kind of stitching!
It doesn't have quite the beauty of a full cross stitch, but I wanted to try it. I like it so far, especially 
because this is kind of a big project (for me) and I'm not sure I'd finish it if it was a full cross stitch.


I've also been doing some embroidery and applique using the Have A Latte fabric by Clothworks.


There's also this ruffle just waiting to be added to a project. I do love ruffles!


I made a salad (with a few changes from the original recipe) that even got the approval of the hubby. 
It was so yummy!
(The original version is HERE at Creme de la Crumb.)


Salad Ingredients:
 12 ounces bowtie pasta, cooked
6 cups spinach leaves, washed
1 cup Craisins
1 cup pine nuts, chopped cashews, or sliced almonds
2 4-ounce cans mandarin oranges, drained

Dressing:
1 cup teriyaki sauce (I used Yoshida, but you can use your favorite brand)
1 cup rice vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup vegetable or canola oil

Mix the dressing ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve the salad.
Cook the pasta and cool. Add to the rest of salad ingredients.
Toss them all together with a little or a lot of the dressing and serve.

I had the hubby barbecue some chicken that I'd marinated in terikyaki sauce to go with this.
It was delicious!


15 comments:

  1. I see you Have a Latte fabrics hiding out under there!

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  2. Love the look of the rain washed rock and landscape. If you don't mind me asking what state do you live in? It's very pretty.

    Robin in Washington State (AZ for a few more weeks)
    assweetaspeaches hotmai

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  3. This salad is so yummy! You will want to make a large bowl....people will want seconds. I promise.

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  4. Interesting. I did not know there was such a thing as half cross stitch. I will check into it just out of curiosity since I am not a cross stitcher. Congratulations on the newest Monkey Boy. He sure is a cutie!

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  5. Sounds like a yummy salad and I love those ruffles.

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  6. I'm looking forward to seeing what you are doing with the Latte fabrics. Your ruffles look so pretty too. I hope you are not putting them on the newest monkey boy.

    Yummy looking salad. Thanks for the recipe.

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  7. I always look forward to what you do with fabric. The salad looks super delish. I might have to give it a try.

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  8. This salad is so yummy! Your stitchings are adorable dear Carol!

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  9. It usually takes me time to 'reboot' my sewing mojo when I've been away! Your cross stitch is looking great...remember, slow and steady wins the race. Thanks for the recipe for that delicious looking salad.

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  10. Half cross stitch is not something I have seen, interesting concept...pretty pics of the rain...you live in a beautiful place :) The salad looks good but I'll have to wait until hubs gets over his current low/no carbs diet phase.

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  11. Oh I love the red in your pictures. I just love that part of the country. The salad looks yummy.

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  12. lots of rain perfect for stitching...looking good there...I think you are doing very well

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  13. You make retirement look good. :)

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  14. Good luck on your cross stitching. I seem to be all thumbs doing it. I started one 27 years ago and it's still in the hoop with about 95% of it to complete. LOL I didn't get very far.
    I have 2 years and 10 months before I see retirement. Can't wait for no routine and sleeping past 5:30am.
    That salad looks delish.

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  15. Carol, I tried your salad recipe last night. I am so glad I did. Hubby loved it too, so now I have another great addition to our meal plan. I did the chicken in teriyaki too, and cut it up and tossed it right in. It was wonderful. Thanks again for the recipe.

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