Brrrr

Its official, I can't wear my shorts and flip flops anymore. We had a white frost this morning, finishing off most of the annuals. I hate pulling them out of the garden when they are still showing some wonderful colour. No excuse but to do it now.
Today we took the canvas roof of our gazebo and also put the sun umbrella away for the winter. Emptied the water butt, and took the temperature controlled vent opener off the roof of the greenhouse. I don't think I can count on warm weather coming any time soon, so will have to put our garden furniture away too.
There is still some tiding up to be done in the flower beds and some bulbs to plant, which I hope to get finished later this week.
I decorated our front deck with some flowers, leaves and pumpkins for Thanksgiving, next week the pumpkins will have a face on them for Halloween, and I will put out our ghost for the trick or treater's.
Sounds as if we are almost ready for old man winter, which I understand could be arriving tomorrow with some (I can hardly say it) wet S s s snow mixed with rain. It is way too early for the "S" word. Where are those gloves and scarves, the winter coat and boots.?

Keep warm
Patricia

Happy Thanksgiving

I had our family Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. Our family keeps on growing and growing. How can two people end up with a family of 17 when we only had three children? Well. I'll tell you.
My DH and myself = two
All three children and spouses = six.
Each couple have two children = six
Three grandchildren have boyfriends and girlfriend = three.
Two + six+six+three = seventeen.

I was amazed how much food that many can consume. My two daughters, daughter in law and a grand daughter contributed to the table and helped prepare. We had a great time.
The menu: Turkey, roast beef, gravy for each, potatoes, turnip casserole, peas, corn, stuffing, two salads, rolls, horse radish, and cranberry sauce. Pumpkin pie, strawberry rhubarb pie, apple crisp and ice cream. Wine, juice, milk, tea and coffee.
Everyone had a full tummy.

Note made to myself to increase the shopping list for Christmas.

There is just enough leftovers for hubby and I for dinner, so no cooking for me today.
I plan on doing a couple of hours sewing this afternoon.

Have a great day.
Patricia

Tuscany Village

Last night I completed the binding and hanging sleeve for the wall hanging that I have been working on. It had a lot of hand piecing and embroidery so I was able to sit on my deck during the summer and work on this project.

I had a lot of fun looking for the fabric for the houses, even though it took quite awhile, another excuse to go to fabric shops.

The next picture is a close up of the church and some of the houses.

The next photo is one of the flowers that are in the corners.

They don't show the quilting very well, but I tried to follow the bricks and textures so as to make they look more realistic.

I can now cross one C-mas gift off the list and start on another.

Hope you enjoy looking, thanks for visiting.

Patricia

Patricia bought more fabric again

Yes I did. The afternoon started out doing some errands, when they were all done I just had to stop at a fabric store to take advantage of a discount coupon in my purse.
Was able to find some backing fabric for the Tuscany wall hanging which is almost finished. Also, some fabric for my eldest daughter's wall hanging C-mas gift.

DH came with me for the ride, don't think he is feeling well at the present time. No energy and is very tired, sleeping way too much during the day. I think he had a little nap while I was in the fabric store, the sun made the car real cosy perfect for 40 winks.

Patricia

Nothing to show today

But I have been looking at every one's blog.

Last week our quilting guild had a sewing day, the first time we had got together since our dinner meeting in June. It was great to see what everyone is working on. Was able to get quite a bit done on the Tuscany wall hanging. The top is almost finished then I can start the quilting. Pictures coming soon.
I have three rough designs completed for the entries that I am submitting to the International Ploughing Match which is being held in our area October 2010. A competition for all of the entries will be held in May 2010, so should start on these soon.
I have put aside the English Cottage quilt for awhile, but should get back to it soon also, it is taking sooo much longer than I had hoped, but life keeps on getting in the way.
My honeysuckle is out in full bloom again and is being visited by some hummingbirds, they are starting to prepare for the long trip south which they will be doing in the near future. The yellow finches have been busy getting the seeds off the flowers that already have bloomed.

Have a wonderful Tuesday. Patricia

Reunion Cake

In 1998 six families (including my youngest daughter, son in law and myself) travelled to China to pick up their daughters. Since then all the families have a yearly reunion for the girls from Guixi . This weekend is my daughters turn to host the 2009 get together. Included in the festivities we have a dinner ending with a cake that all six girls pose with and then cut and serve.


My daughter, "Mum, I would like to have a different cake this year!!".


Me, "What are you thinking for the design?


Daughter, "I really don't know, just something different"


Me, "OK, let me see what I can come up with. Can I use the picture on your wall?" It is a picture of the Great Wall of China.


Now I have no idea how to decorate a cake, so to the library I go. Read, read and read some more. I buy fondant, food colouring, icing tips and bags, etc etc etc.

I have no cake pan big enough , so order an uniced cake from bake shop. Then I start, mix butter cream icing, roll fondant, cut fondant into "wall" shape, paint , add chocolae "rocks," add grass, etc. etc. etc.

I finished the cake tonight at 9:30p.m.

What do you think.?




Thanks for looking. Patricia

Le Tour de France

For the past three weeks I have been watching the Tour de France bicycle race on TV. After a start in Monaco, the riders went through the beautiful countryside of France, also through a section of Spain and Switzerland and when it is observed through the eyes of the camera located in the helicopter it was breath taking. I loved the old castles and houses, and the lovely manicured gardens and then Paris today to end the race. I can understand why Reit loves to vacation there.
Patricia.