May 28, 2012

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.

35 comments:

Linda M said...

Beautiful stitching. Glad to hear the massages are helping.

CJ said...

Meari
So glad to hear your feeling better. Hubby gets a massage every 2 weeks for his back. Your stitching looks great as usual.

Hope to get back to blogging now that school is over and I have a kindle fire so I can keep up while I am watching Tv.

Hope ur Memorial Day was fun.

CJ

Faith... said...

Glad to hear that you are starting to feel better Meari!

Congrats to your neice!

All your stitching looks wonderful. Can you tell me how you finished your L*K?

Debi Murray said...

Love all your finishes especially the LK. Can you tell me how you finished the project? I would love to know. I have this chart to do as well.
Debi M. (ESC)

Carol said...

I'm so happy to hear the massages may be helping, Meari... I know they helped my youngest son a lot!

I make something that looks very similar to that which we call "Busy Day Lasagna"--glad you found a keeper!

Sounds like your niece is following in Aunt Meari's footsteps with those great grades :)

Love your stitching finishes--especially the LK. I just finished up one like that this week, too!

Nancy in IL said...

Meari, I'm trying to slowly get back into the blogging world. And yours is the first I'm reading! Aren't you lucky? LOL!

I'm so relieved to hear that you're slowly getting better, and I hope that trends continues and you're back to normal very soon.

Congrats on your recent finishes. They all look wonderful, but I can see by the comments on your LK that you're going to have your work cut out telling how you finished it. I will be curious to know too. I can't see the pic well enough to know exactly either. There are some little tabs (?) showing at top that make me wonder if this is a type of wallhanging, but I'm on my little netbook that is not the best for viewing pix. As I look at it again, I wonder if those "tabs" I'm seeing are shadows of a chair back that it's leaning against.

Your pride in your niece is so apparent, and your great nephew is such a handsome little fellow. Is that your niece holding him? It doesn't appear to be the same girl, but she's a little beauty.

I look forward to the mailart class on Stitching Sisters!

Now, I have to get busy posting to my own stale blog!

mab3500 said...

Great news all around! So glad to hear everything is working out for you. Beautiful stitches and Love the Lizzie Kate.

Unknown said...

love you forgive quickly finish it is beautiful,congrats on your other finishes they turned out beautiful. congrats on your niece graduation into high school, and your food looks yummy.

Veronica said...

Glad to hear your shoulder is feeling much better. I see you've done a lot of finishing since ^.^ They're all pretty. Trying to figure out how your Lizzie Kate's finishing is done. Is that a card board backing it's glued onto or?

Your great nephew is so cute. Congratulations to your niece :)

Looking at your casserole is making me hungry :P

Hugs,
Veronica.

Daffycat said...

So glad to hear you are feeling better!

Your casserole looks very tasty and clever you to bake it outside. We try not to cook indoors too much during the heat of the summer. I just can't figure out WHY it's so warm so early???

Your finishes are fantastic! I especially like the Pine Mountain pillow ~ very sweet!

Chris said...

So glad to hear that your shoulder is making progress!
That pasta looks amazing.
I love your finishes and the finishing is lovely.

Denise SA said...

So glad your shoulder is better and you can stitch.
What a gorgeous smile on that baby and the afghan is beautiful

Vickie said...

I think both your finishes turned out great! Good job! Your casserole looks a lot like what I call Lazy Lasagna. :) My kids love it for years now.

Anonymous said...

Hi Meari,

Your finishes all look great! What's up next?

Tobie in So. Cal.

Sandie said...

I love the afghan (isn't it good to feel it's finished now?) And the L K finish is too cute.
Glad the massages are working so that you can feel life is returning to somewhat normal.
So what's the recipe for your casserole then?

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that your arm is feeling better. Just don't over do it. Congrats to your niece. Your Italian dish does look really good. Care to share the recipe? Congrats on the finishes. They look great. Love the finishing job with Forgive Quickly. It turned out beautiful.
Betty in AZ (ILCS)

Anonymous said...

Meari so happy to see that you re back to stitching again - love your finishes!

Your casserole looks yummy!

Tara

Pam in IL said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better. Your finishes are great too! What type of finish is the LK and what would you do differently?

Another scrumptious dinner! My girls discovered they could make my Grandma's meatballs and "bake" them on the grill. It's now one of their favorites.

Congrats to your niece on her promotion. That little great-nephew of yours is adorable!

Akila said...

Really glad to hear your shoulders are better. Wow, the casserole looks absolutely yumm
Wow, all three of them are very pretty. Congrats :)
Is the last finish mounted on a board?

Anonymous said...

Meari,

Baby afghan is so cute!! My grandson would love it.

Are you going to share the recipe for the casserole. It look really good. I love anything Italian!

Glad your arm is better. I'm still dealing with my elbow & numb little finger from a car wreck a year ago. I feel for you. My therapist gave up on me. Very frustrating. Good thing the other cars insurance is paying for all.

Diana-Indiana

Kay said...

Good to hear you are feeling a bit better as the days wear on. Your stitching is beautiful!! All of it. You managed to keep busy! The casserole you made looks yummy. Have a good week.

Anonymous said...

Your stitching all looks great, Meari! You are totally not old enough to have a great-nephew!!

Karin in CA

Anonymous said...

Meari,

I think it's great that you're starting to feel better and your finishes look wonderful.

But....if you picture a recipe, you also need to share its ingredients with the rest of us.

Waiting to hear....

Deborah in Central Indiana

Sue said...

Meari, your niece is darling and congrats on her great grades!! Your little nephew is just as cute as he can be!

The baby afghan, the pillow and the LK all turned out beautifully. I cannot stitch for a couple weeks, as the hand was operated on this morning. I can manage to type, though! LOL

Have a great week!
Hugs,
Sue

Anonymous said...

Great finishes Meari!! So glad you're able to stitch again, but probably not as glad as you are!!!! :o) Congrats to your niece! And I'm sure your great-nephew will love the afghan!! :o)

It seems like every time I try to leave a comment on your blog, it doesn't work. The last time I tried was when you had the book, but apparently my post never showed up. sigh. Oh well!

Happy Trails,
Pam K. :o)

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that the massage is hleping you. Love all your finishes. Your great nephew is adorable.

Marl

Katrien said...

Lovely finishes. The cooking looks really yummy.
I'm glad the massage therapist could help

Lyn said...

So glad to hear that your shoulder and arm are doing better. Congrats to your niece! Your finishes look great!

Vicky L said...

Great stitching! I love how you finished the Lizzie Kate. The afghan is so bright and adorable. Your great nephew is a cutie. So glad you are feeling so much better.

Elena said...

Love your stitching!! And love the finish on your LK. Hope, you have another class on this type of finish.

Congrats to your neice!!! And your nephew is adorable.

Happy stitching

Shelleen said...

I love casseroles and yes to hot in the summer to bake. So how long do you grill it? I also use my crockpot a lot in the summer.

htimcj said...

Your stitching is beautiful as usual! I am glad that your shoulder is feeling better. I hope the tingling and numbness go away soo.
Heidi-ILCS

Nancy M said...

That's how I finished my Mill Hill RR, what pointers are you going to share with me.....I might need to know!

Anonymous said...

Meari,

Baby afghan is so cute!! My grandson would love it.

Are you going to share the recipe for the casserole. It look really good. I love anything Italian!

Glad your arm is better. I'm still dealing with my elbow & numb little finger from a car wreck a year ago. I feel for you. My therapist gave up on me. Very frustrating. Good thing the other cars insurance is paying for all.

Diana-Indiana

Shelley said...

Your great nephew is adorable and that blanket is just too cute!

Love all of your finishes :)