Annette's Acre

I was off work for the last week and evidently took a blogging break, too!

My week’s accomplishments:

Really enjoyed Twilight on Friday night

I read four books in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series.  Addictive series, I must admit.

I made three bottlecap pincushions (Wed) (one is off for an exchange, so here are the other two):

I stitched and finished a Turkey Ornament (Waxing Moon Designs “Happy Turkey Day” in DMC on Willow Green Cashel) for the Seasonal Ornament Blog (yes, it’s actually a pinkeep.  I have a basket with several and I wanted him to hang out there all year)

Made Thanksgiving dinner for my family – only the four of us this year (turkey breast in the slow cooker -came out very good!). Kylie had pie duty.  She made one pumpkin and one pecan.  Both very tasty.

Celebrated my 11th wedding anniversary with my dearest husband on Friday.  I am a lucky woman.

Watched a couple movies:  Hancock (liked it) and The Lake House (can’t believe I missed this one until now!  I adore Keanu Reeves…)

Completed kids’ Christmas shopping.  Waiting on spouse to decide if he wants XM or Sirius portable radio so I can finish his.  Have at least a list of items for the extended family…..

Completed the “take home workbook” from my certification class last week.   Haven’t received the results yet.

Went out on “Black Friday” but found very little traffic!  DH and I failed to score the Blu-Ray player we were hoping to get (out already at first place), but he did get the same player for just a tiny bit more at another store that afternoon (and without any crowd).

Took kids to see Bolt on Friday.  Good kid movie.

Ordered (and received) fabric that I hoped would work for Bluebeard’s Princess.  Splash Cashel from Picture this Plus.  Ummm….no.  It’s just way too bright for me (very turquoise-y).  If anyone is interested in taking if off my hands, please let me know.  $25 (what I paid and I’ll cover shipping).   I also got a cut of Babbling Brook Jobelan, but that’s not giving me the warm fuzzies either.  I’ll do a bit more stash searching on my holiday break (starts Dec 10!) to see if I have anything that may work.

Claire tagged me for a meme…

Here are the tag rules:
Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Here are my six random things:

1 – I’m terribly addicted to a game on Facebook called PackRat.  You just wouldn’t think collecting “cards” would be so much fun.  Thankfully, I am not alone in this pursuit. 

2 – I hate horror movies.  Mike (DH) will rent a bunch and he and Kylie will happily watch them while Zach and I find other amusement.

3 – I enjoy cooking/baking but don’t feel like I have a lot of time to do either.  I tend to make more “involved” recipes on Sunday and keep it as simple as possible during the week.  Even then, Kylie cooks more than I do during the work week.

4 – Meatloaf and green beans are the yuckiest things ever.  Blech.  Brussel sprouts, beets and squash are yummy.

5 – I read voraciously.  Fantasy and mystery are the preferred genres, but am enjoying more romance lately.  They usually have a touch of fantasy or mystery woven in (Nora Roberts, for example).

6 – When I’m driving, I usually listen to the “80′s on 8″ channel on XM.

I stopped at Ulta on my way home tonight (training is done…thank heaven) as I was in the mood for some new nail polish after seeing Missy Ann’s recent manicure.  I have my biweekly nail appointment (fill and pedi this time) tomorrow.

As you might guess, I’m partial to red polish:

(Click to big-ify for a better look at the colors)

These are all OPI (Buy 2 get 1 free!).  Left to right:

• Don’t Toy With Me
• Little Red Wagon
• Ruby for Rudolph
• Chick Flick Cherry
• An Affair in Red Square
• Bastille My Heart

Now I just have to decide before my appointment tomorrow at 10.

No Friday night Stitchathon for me tonight.  Kylie and I are going to see a movie.

If you’ve noticed my GoodReads box on the left, I’ve been making my way thru the Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.   I blame this on my Kindle.  It’s incredibly easy to “click” up the next installment and have it delivered instantly rather than find time to either make my way to the bookstore (and hope the next book is in stock) or wait on a delivery (and in the meantime get absorbed in something else).  I did take enough of a break for Swallowing Darkness (latest Laurell K Hamilton – good, but it’s time to get this woman an editor to tighten up the story. Yikes.  Nice ending, though).

Next week I’m on vacation!!!  I will be all alone at home Monday – Wednesday.  I foresee a pantry and bedroom de-clutter and some serious stitching time while continuing Battlestar Galactica.  I’m halfway thru Season 2 and Season 3 was delivered this week.

This week I’m in class for TOGAF Certification.  The instructor likes to play a clip between sessions as things are a bit….ummm….. dry.  Here are a couple of the good ones

• First IT Professional
• The Front Fell Off

Here is my “before” pic for tonight’s stitchathon:

The layout should give you a hint as to its final finishing destination, but otherwise this is an “Acre Original”   I’ve been mulling over possibilities since September and now it’s time to get them on paper…err…fabric.  This is Natural Cashel and Jo’s Emerald silk.  I’ll fill in a few more blocks tonight while watching BSG 2.0.

Today, I found these on Etsy:

Firefly-inspired stitch markers.  What a *great* idea!!!  The shop had Twilight ones as well, but I didn’t want to get too greedy.  Besides, I actually have letter beads and head pins….I could make ‘em myself!

The Winter Neighborhood RR is complete!

Next up is a new start!  No details yet as it’s kind of a “stealth” project.

Built a house, a fence and a couple trees.  Not bad.

More today while I watch football – go Titans!

Here’s where I’m starting:

I’ve got the top band started and plan to add the houses, trees and rabbits to the square.

Otherwise it’s been a quiet, but stressful week.   (I am “management level” and am not in the 7,000.  However, my group did have an open position to help alleviate my *extremely* full plate – that has been cancelled.)

~~PSA~~

Tuesday is Election Day in the US.  If you are registered to vote, please do.  If nothing else it gives you the right to complain about the result.  I’ve avoided a political post here on the blog (though I’ve written a few and deleted ‘em) but my leanings are pretty evident in posts here and comments on friends’ blogs.

I will not tell you who *I* think you should vote for.  All I ask is that you make an informed vote   Do the research and make your own decision based on what is important to *you*.

/~~PSA~~

Now, the finish.  Pine Mountain’s Ghouls, Ghosts & Witches

Finished on Saturday, November 1.  Only one day late…..

Next, the latest pic of Mirabilia’s Autumn Queen after Friday night’s Let’s Stitch Stitchathon (and a few hours on Sunday to finish off a Wisper section):

This week the mailman was good to me.  A random selection of fabric from JanesFabrics (eBay):

I can totally see the houses on the back of an LHN house as a pinkeep.  Totally.  I selected the “random” purchase to get colors that I wouldn’t normally choose for myself (success!).

And the beginning of Sea to Shining Sea (the background is the fabric):

It is taking *every* ounce of self control not to rip this open and get started.  I have got to finish the current Winter Neighborhood RR, though.  I’m going to be on vacation Thanksgiving week so I might just have to relax under that lovely little palm tree