Marvelous Monday Update 5/28/12

HEALTH
The massage therapist really worked me over last week.  She was able to give my shoulder and back a deep tissue massage.  I was a bit sore the next day, but I think the massages are helping.  I only felt the pain/muscle spam once in the past week.  I still have the tingling from time to time and my thumb is still partially numb.  Other than that, things are back to normal.  Sincerest thanks to all of you who have left comments for well-being and advice.  I really appreciate it!

COOKING
I'm continually looking at new recipes. If you know me, you'd know that I have three prerequisites:
1)  It has to be easy
2)  It has to be quick
3)  It has to be tasty!

Although, this dish was to be baked in the oven, I decided to try "baking" it on the grill since temps were in the upper 80's and humid.    Who wants to heat up the house with weather like that?  Not moi!

Looks like Lasagna, doesn't it?

Nope.  This was a Quick Fix Casserole, believe it or not.  I've renamed it Italian Casserole.  It was so good, the BF had two big servings and invited himself to take some home for tomorrow's lunch, lol.

PROMOTION

Last week, my niece graduated 8th Grade.  She is officially a high schooler!  She's a smart girl who gets A's and B's for grades... mostly A's.  I am so proud of her!

GIVEAWAY
Barbara over at To Stitch or Not to Stitch is hosting a giveaway to honor the sisterhood of stitchers. She does some beautiful stitching!

Victorian Motto Sampler is hosting another giveaway. Hop on over and see what it's all about.

STITCHY STUFF

Since my shoulder/arm have been feeling better, I did quite a bit of stitching toward the end of last week.  I actually had three.... Yes, THREE finishes!

First up is a baby afghan that I did most of the stitching in 1994.  I decided to personalize it and give it to my great nephew who was born pre-mature last fall and is doing very well now.

Just look at that adorable face!

I started -and- finished an All Tied Up kit by Pine Mountain Designs called Stockings Were Hung.

Lastly, I also finished Forgive Quickly by Lizzie Kate.

Fabric: 32ct Linen

Fibers: DMC, L'atelier Du Pic Vert

Embellishments: 1/2" lace

This is the first time I did this type of finish.  I think it turned out pretty well, considering. I've figured out some things I'll do differently next time.

When Will It End?

I don't know, but it can't be soon enough!  I had my annual exam at the chiro's last week.  The thermo scan of my spine was actually better than it was last year at this time.  What the heck?!?  So, the conclusion is that the problems I'm having is mostly muscular, which means continued appointments with the massage therapist.

I have noticed that any activities that require me to reach out, up, and forward cause my arm to really hurt  (i.e. computer use if the keyboard is higher than lap level, stitching at the lapstand, looking through clothing racks, and driving).  Last night, I was watching TV and I felt and saw the muscle in my upper arm spasming. The BF said he could see it spasming all the way down to my elbow.

GARDENING
The BF and I planted my vegetable garden yesterday.  It was his idea to put the fencing up to keep the critters from eating the seedlings like they did last year.  (In the background you can see my compost bin).  Hopefully, the garden will do better this year than it did last year.

I bought flowers for my planters, but this is as far as I got on putting them in the planters, lol.

(From car trunk to garage floor)

I cannot believe how many blossoms are on my double knockout rose bush this year!

(Just one of the blooms)



STITCHY STUFF
I've really been trying to rest my arm, but it's been hard when I'm surrounded by stitchy goodness, lol.  The only stitching I did all week was finish the Partridge ornament.

Partridge was a Stitch-N-Frame ornament kit from Needlemagic Inc.  I used the threads from the kit and swapped out the fabric for a piece of hand-dyed 22ct aida leftover from a project I did last year.  Here's what the original ornament was supposed to look like:

To this:

Partridge 3387 Stitch-N-Frame Ornament

Designer: Needlemagic Inc

Fabric: 22ct Hand-dyed Hardanger

Embellishments: Pearl beading, ribbon, buttons

TUSAL 5/20/12

I'm late! I'm late... for a very important date! TUSAL date has come and gone. I'm late!

It should come as no surprise that I don't have very many orts for this month's TUSAL since I've been nursing my shoulder and arm.  The few you see above are a result of:

•  Sampler aux Bouquets

•  Partridge

•  Fleurs et Papillons