Annette's Acre

Thank you for the well wishes

I’m  still coughing, but overall feeling significantly better.  Amazing what good drugs can do.

I did finish a couple books this week and managed a small bit of stitching:

This is He’s a Flake by Little House Needlworks with recommended fabric/fibers/beads.  I did leave off the random snowflakes.  I prefer a simpler look.

I’m making slow progress on the latest Mirabilia RR piece, but after frogging more than once this week, have put it aside for simpler fare until I get past the drugs. 

My TUSAL offering for the month – this is as of 3/15:

Obviously stitching has not been a priority for the last weeks.

On Friday, I developed a little cough.

On Saturday, a little more. Figured it was allergy related.

On Sunday, it got worse. Attributed that to the dust out at the Arizona Renaissance Festival and a lot of laughing.

On Monday, the fever started.

On Tuesday, it got worse.

Today, I went to the doctor.

The good news: I didn’t wait any longer to visit the doctor.

The bad news: I’ve once again come down with pneumonia.

The last time: In 2004 I was out of work for weeks and it took me about three months to fully recover from a very serious case.

This time: Caught it early. Have good drugs and I’m cautiously optimistic it will only keep me out for this week.

Cautiously optimistic.

A few things of interest from the weekend…

I read this:

Other than a trip to the grocery store and dinner out for my stepfather’s birthday, that essentially was *all* that I did on Saturday.

The Black Jewels series is one of my all-time favorites and a world I could happily live in!  I enjoyed this installment in the series better than the last – a whole lot more happened and we got more detail around the politics and workings of the world.  Now for the interminable wait for the next volume  Which will be a series of short stories next March…

I finished this on Sunday:

This is a Baktus scarf in Interlacements yarn. The yarn was nice and springy and the resulting scarf loosened up nicely when washed.  I didn’t actually block it… the weight of the yarn will keep it loose.  It will meet its new owner on Thursday (I’ll be giving a repeat performance on the presentation I gave back in January in Vegas.  Locally, this time).  No, it’s not going in the mail and I’m pretty darn confident she doesn’t read this blog LOL.

My bookshelves continue to groan as I got some interesting items in the mail:

Spellwright by Blake Charlton – how could I resist something with my *name*  (Wright) in the title?

Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter by A. E. Moorat

Hmmm….need to read faster, stitch faster and knit faster to get thru all the stash…  any hints?

Joe:  Hello Stitch Fans!  It’s great to be back here at The Acre!

Fred: Yes, Joe, our little trip to Vancouver was fun, but it’s sure nice to be home.

J: Hey, Fred, did you manage to see any of our coverage of the Zamboni Races on TV?  The network gave me a schedule, but my DVR recorded some crazy infomercial, instead.

F: We didn’t make the network schedule, Joe.

J: Oh.

F: But we know we’ll make The Acre schedule!  Let’s get to today’s events!

J: Sure thing. Fred.  We’ll start with the Market Report!  Looks like She made a few purchases at the LNS Market Day last weekend.  I see Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow with a nice piece of 30-ct fabric, but it looks too small?

F: She’ll be doing it over-1, Joe.

J:  Wow.  That’s pretty ambitious.

F: Yes, but She can handle it.  A good light and magnifier, you know.

J: I have confidence!  I also see Lizzie*Kate’s Artfully Aging with a nice piece of Maritime White fabric and the new Jenny Bean sampler.  And I’m sure it’s no surprise to the fans to see those scissors!

F: Oh no, I think we could have easily predicted that one!  Don’t forget the French Country Homes and the last Loose Feathers.  All in all, a great selection.

J: Next on the program is the February Goal Review. 

F: I’m afraid we don’t have the positive results we saw for January’s.  This was a challenging month. 

J: Let’s review one by one…

• Complete all stitching/beading “below the fold” on Summer Queen

Sadly, this one didn’t get addressed at all.  But let’s not dwell….

F: The next one isn’t much better, Joe.

• Complete LUV Letters by Primrose Needleworks

We did see a little progress, but didn’t make it to the finish line.

J: Next up:

• Start/Finish next LHN Ornament:  He’s a Flake

F:  Ouch.  She “Flaked” a bit on this one.

J: You could say that, yes.

F: All is not lost, we hit the last one!

• Start knit scarf for SL

J: Oh yes.  The photography can use some help, but that’s a huge start!

F: Should we mention that finishing the scarf was her goal for the Knitting Olympics?

J: No, let’s celebrate the monthly goal success and let the medal chance go without comment.

F: Sure thing….  all in all, not a stellar performance, but given the work hours and the *great* progress on the scarf, I’m willing to give her a passing mark for the month.

J:  Me, too, Fred.  Me, too!  Let’s move on to March’s Goals.

March Goals:

• Finish Baktus scarf for S
• Finish He’s a Flake ornament
• Start/Finish Jenn’s Mirabilia RR
• Make some progress on Summer Queen

F: I think that’s a good set.  Not too easy, but not too demanding.  There are several books on the shelf that will be demanding attention, after all.

J: And of course, we have a birthday at the end of the month.  Our intrepid reporter in the field! The big 2-0!

See you next month, Fans!