drips and drabs
No, the title isn’t a typo of ‘dribs and drabs’ – it’s raining (again) and I decided to take liberties with the phrase. This weather is good for cooking, even if it tends to get a bit depressing. Yesterday, I baked a couple loaves of bread to celebrate the kids’ summer holiday, and here’s the chocolate bread that disappeared almost immediately after the photo was snapped. (It was another attempt at using flour other than wheat, and I’m now ready to concede that it’s not as easy as I thought it would be.)
Yesterday I started a new project over one that I am just loving. Here’s a picture I took during a sunny break yesterday (I’ve gotten a bit further with it since then). I’m stitching it with DMC over one on 32 ct mystery linen that looks a lot like Lambswool.
As a matter of fact, I’m loving it so much that I went off and ordered a large piece of evenweave from Silkweaver’s Odds & Ends to finally do SOHRH over-one. I’m taking it easy on myself, as it’s a 20 count evenweave and should not wear my poor old peepers out too much.
I’ve also continued to work on this round of our Quaker RR, with the intention of having one panel done before we go on vacation to Maine. That only leaves the other panel to do after we return, which shouldn’t be too difficult (she said, full of confidence, LOL!).
Our kitty, Spin, seems to have adopted a quieter family one street over and I miss him. I’m not sure which house he’s been going to, but I keep finding him down that street. I carry him home and feed him, but he only picks at his uninspiring dry kibble and leaves after allowing me to pet him a little bit. Though I can’t blame him for seeking out quieter lodgings, I’ve always felt that a home without a cat is just four walls with a lot of windows and doors.
Tomorrow is the first ‘real’ day of the kids’ summer holidays. I’ll need to get busy today printing out the activities we’ll be doing. Gosh, I should’ve checked our supply of printer ink yesterday when the shops were open. I hope to also get the Five Birds chart emailed out and the giveaway prizes posted as well – sorry for the week-long delay, but it really was a crushingly busy week.
Best wishes, all!
13 July, Edited to add: I’ve sent the two CHS freebies (Brite Birds and Five Birds) in a final mass emailing. I won’t be sending them out again, so please don’t ask. The upcoming days and weeks will be spent with the kids rather than behind the computer. 
Thanks for understanding!
That bread looks so good! My DH is experimenting with new grains too and I think he said something about adding gluten to the dough.
Your quaker RR looks great!
kajsa
07.12.09 at 5:08 pm
My mom has a wheat/gluten allergy and I’ve been trying to find alternate recipes for her to use. It has not been as easy as I’d envisioned. LOL!
Barbara
07.12.09 at 5:25 pm
That chocolate bread looks really really good and I’m not even eating now because of this darn kidney infection.
Your over one looks perfect so go for it girl. Have fun with the kids on vacation.
Lots of Love Patti xxx
Patti
07.12.09 at 5:30 pm
Nice bread! And I think you’re crazy to enjoy over one. lol! I like it, but I’ve never been able to do it on a huge project. Your WIP sure is pretty though. I love how over one looks and wish I had more patience for it. Sorry about your cat.
Enjoy your summer holidays!
Margaret
07.12.09 at 5:56 pm
The stitching is beautiful! The bread looks delicious! And, I LOVE your kitty!
Nancy
07.12.09 at 5:58 pm
Hi Barbara, hope your mom is doing much better. That must have been so scary! Lovely bread ~ I just heard a great interview yest. about different gluten free baking options on a radio show here in Philly called A Chef’s Table … you can listen to it here: http://www.whyy.org/91FM/chef/ — it’s in the right hand column, Elizabeth Barbone.
All your stitching is lovely as usual!
And a belated Congrats on 4 wonderful years of Blogging.
Oh and I hope your kitty’s wanderings are temporary and he will come home to stay!
Rachel V
07.12.09 at 6:18 pm
Yummm, chocolate bread! Can you share the recipe?
Jeanne
Jeanne
07.12.09 at 6:19 pm
Gosh, you’ve got a lot of Nicki’s RR done already – it looks great!
Sorry that Spin seems to have moved out – I know I’d be upset if one of ours did something similar.
KarenV
07.12.09 at 6:34 pm
I really love the look of the Quaker RR. It will be beautiful when finished. Could I add my name tothe list for the 5 birds chart please?
judithapoulos@aol.com
Thank You and have a great week.
Judy
Judith Poulos
07.12.09 at 6:45 pm
Oh no, Spin is divorcing you? How sad! Could you bribe him with tuna???
Daffycat
07.12.09 at 6:58 pm
Barbara,
I’m sorry to read that Spin has found another family on top of yours. It’s a little disappointing but cats are so independent. It’s better than disappearing once and for all, I guess…
The problem is: will this family deal with the health problems, vaccines, etc? Quite a problem…
The kids are off school too and I’m glad about it…
Soon off to Maine?
Hugs.
Lili
Lili
07.12.09 at 8:05 pm
We’ll continue to keep up with all his shots and everything. I’ll also keep walking over there and lugging him home now & then. Not much else I can do.
Barbara
07.12.09 at 11:25 pm
Barbara, That chocolate bread looks to die for, yummy in my tummy, lol
The 1/1 looks great. And your doing SoHRH 1/1 too?! We are here to cheer you on girl. I guess 20 ct isn’t too bad, lol
Al least you know where you can find Spin.
Happy Summer Holidays!
Could you possibly send me the Five Birds freebie?
If your not too busy.
Ranae
07.12.09 at 9:15 pm
I am sad about your cat, I will tell you that I had a serious discussion with her picture, so maybe she will act better now, grin. I told her dry cat food is better for her looks, and they don’t love her near as much as you do, hope she behaves better now, grin.
Barbara
07.13.09 at 2:12 am
Chocolate + Bread = 2 of my favourite things. Add Coffee and I would be putty in your hands!
Good luck on the 1/1 for such a large piece of work. I’m sure it will be beautiful!
Have fun with the kiddies.
Melissa
07.13.09 at 4:38 am
Barbara,
Somehow I missed the post about the Brite Birds sampler!
I would love to have a copy if it is still available.
Also, did you find out about the Five Birds sampler?
I hope we can get a copy of that one, also.
Now, if you could just send me a slice of bread…
Denise
07.13.09 at 5:10 am
Love the look of the chocolate bread; I can imagine the kids grabbed it out of your hands…
Good luck with the kids at home and all your plans on reading and writing. The sun is shining as I’m writing this, get your fingers crossed for more of this weather!
anneke
07.13.09 at 1:07 pm
Thou the loaf didn’t turned out as you had hoped, I am sure it tasted yummy. Lovely work in progress.
Enjoy your time with the kids.
Lillie
07.13.09 at 1:08 pm
Thank you for the freebie info! Enjoy your time with your kids!
Sherry
07.13.09 at 4:21 pm
The bread looks wonderful!! To bad there is not any left! LOL Your stitching is looking fantastic!! I am so sorry that Spin has been hanging out else where. Maybe it is just a phase that he is going through. Is he fixed? If not, there could be a female in heat where he is hanging out? Just a thought!
CindyMae
07.13.09 at 11:22 pm
Thanks for the thought, CindyMae. But all our pets are either from the animal shelter or were otherwise unwanted, and we’ve had them all fixed as soon as they come of age. I’m pretty sure that Spin has abandoned us for a quiter setting – we aren’t called Chateau Chaos for nothing. :0
Barbara
07.14.09 at 9:58 am
I’m so sorry that Spin went-a-huntin’ and found another home. Me thinks someone was feeding him tasty treats! Hmmmm Not fair!
Going to Maine!! How I wish I could get up there to see you and the children. Not this year, though. Money is tight. I hope someday we can get together.
I didn’t know you and the others were stitching on the Quaker Friendship Sampler! I’m in a group working on it, too. Would be nice to continue on as you all have. Have a wonderful time at “home.” Love and hugs, Deb
Deb/LavenderRose
07.14.09 at 10:40 am
Hello; You look so busy over here!
Heavens I must be behind the times.
Lola is such a pretty dog! I haven’t taken much notice before.
You are such a great mom during the school holidays, you make me feel inadequate! Well, I can make up with my grandchildren, humm?
Coral
07.14.09 at 12:30 pm
Just wanted to say thanks for stopping by my blog. Sorry it has taken me so long to get by – things are a little crazy here at the moment!
That bread looks yummy!!!
Enjoy the time with your kiddos – if flies by all to quickly.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Hugs,
Tina
TinaTx
07.14.09 at 3:19 pm
Ah, poor Spin. He’s missing out on a great home. At least you know sort of where he is and he didn’t just vanish. Our neighbor’s cat, Twinsy, has “lived” at our house for almost two years! Growing up the neighbor cat, Felix, lived for a while at every house on the block. One day he came home with a note pinned to his collar:” We are moving tomorrow. If this cat belongs to you please keep him inside or we will take him with us to our new home.”
Jennifer
07.14.09 at 4:38 pm
SOHRH over one? You’re amazing!
Kim B.
07.22.09 at 5:29 pm