Framing Success

A few years ago I got the idea into my head that I could frame my own cross-stitch pieces. It costs so much to frame the large pictures that they end up sitting unframed for years. So, I gathered some information and Peter bought me the tools I needed to frame my own pieces for Christmas. I have finally put those tools to use and here is the result so far. I still need to put some finish on the frame, buy the glass, and actually fasten everything into the frame, but I am very impressed with how it's turning out:

More relaxation ...

What an awesome summer we've been having! The past two summers we've spent lots of time working on the house. Perhaps we should still be doing that, but we've been spending almost every weekend at friends' and families' cottages. The weather has been so wonderful this summer. This past weekend we were at a friend's cottage for Saturday and Sunday with our worship team friends. Nathan did really well while we were away. He slept through with our 11 o'clock feed until after 7 in the morning. I really hope this routine sticks for a while.

On Saturday we played in the water and went both tubing and skiing. So much fun! My poor muscles aren't used to being used this much. It's very good for me, though. Today our worship team played at the church near the lake we were at. The pastor there was my pastor growing up, so it was neat to see him again. We headed back to the cottage for the afternoon, did some more swimming and chatting, then headed home after supper. My washer and dryer are humming away (I can't wait for a clothesline!) getting cleaned up from the weekend.

This week looks pretty busy for us. Peter has a couple of meetings at the church and our anniversary is coming up so we'll be celebrating that.

Village Skaters is coming along nicely. I see no reason why it won't be completed and on my wall for this winter season. I already have two projects finished that need to be framed, so this will make it three unless I hurry up and start framing!

Well, I should stop typing and start stitching, since it seems like the little man is going to stay asleep.

What to do ...

Wow ... I can't believe it. For the first time since Nathan's been born, he's still napping and I have nothing pressing to get done! He's been really tired today (probably because we were doing errands yesterday) and so far today I've .... cleaned the bathroom, done 3 loads of laundry, swept the entire house top to bottom, changed the sheets on our bed, emptied all the trash cans, cleaned out the litter box, and baked some incredibly yummy muffins .... ooo .... I'll type out the recipe in case anyone wants to make them. They are so delicious it's not even funny. Here it is ...

Raspberry Sour Cream Muffins with Streusel Topping

Topping:
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 Tbsp butter, melted

Muffins:
2 eggs, room temperature (mine weren't room temperature - they were out of the fridge for about an hour)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp almond extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup sour cream, room temperature (same as above ;) )
3 oz cream cheese, cut into 16 pieces
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, divided

To Make the topping:
Combine pecans, brown sugar, flour, and butter with a fork until crumbly. Set aside.

To make muffins:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease or line 16 muffin cups.

Beat eggs; gradually add sugar. While mixer is running, pour in oil and almond extract. Mix until smooth.

In separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Beat until smooth.

Pat each cream cheese piece into a disk the size of a quarter.

Put one heaping tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup. Using half the raspberries, put a few in each tin on top of the batter. Then place a piece of cream cheese in each tin. Divide the remaining batter among the muffin cups. On top of that, divide the remaining raspberries among the muffin cups. Sprinkle the streusel topping on top.

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes in tins, then remove to cooling racks. Best served warm .... yummm!!!

These muffins are so light and the sweetness of the streusel topping against the tartness of the berries is very good. Mom made them about a month ago when I was home and I just had to get the recipe.

Hope everyone enjoys!

There ... that took up some of my time ;)

Ahhh .... vacation

Peter was on vacation last week and we headed off to my grandparent's cottage for some much-needed R&R. It was the first 'real' vacation Peter has had in a long time because of the house-building project.

We headed to the lake on Tuesday morning (with Nathan of course). The weather was absolutely beautiful. The water in the lake was 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which is really warm. So, we decided Nathan should have his first real swim. We dipped him in the weekend before, but this time he stayed in for much longer. Here are Nathan and Peter enjoying the water:


Nathan also had the customary bath in the sink at the cottage ... I think there are pictures of each of my siblings in this position ;)



Nathan just woke up ... gotta run!