Cross Stitchin'

Okay, so if you read the post from yesterday you know that I'm somewhat unemployed at the moment. Enter new hobby: cross stitching!

One day when I went down to visit my parents in Hickory while Brad was working, I picked up a stamped cross stitch kit at AC Moore since Michaels here in town doesn't carry them (lame!). Burton showed me a bit of the ropes, lent me a hoop (and needle after I broke mine within the first 10 mintues) and set me loose to complete my first cross stitch work of art! I went with stamped for my first so I wouldn't lose count and get discouraged! :)

Here is a before shot: needle, thread, hoop and alll!

Annnd After! TaaDaaa!
I think it's super cute, and it'll go somewhere in our
kitchen/coffee nook once we get settled out west!

I have found cross stitching to be wildly addicting and easy to catch on to! In this kit I did the satin stitch, cross stitch, backstitch, stem stitch and french knot. For you avid cross stitchers I know this isn't much, but I'm so excited about it!

The next project I plan to conquer is Christmas Stockings!! (Maybe) In time for this year... or next! Below are the ones we picked out! Before you look and think, "Man Alive, she's never cross stitching again after those!"; Burton is going to help me on the first one while we're still in town. They're beautiful though, don't you think?!

Mine (L), Brad's (middle) and (of course) Oscar's!

-D

So We Keep Waiting

(Waiting) Waiting on [our] world to change

Mayer? Anyone?

I'm not writing to profess my love of Mayer's music.. nope. Don't mind some of it, but I'm writing because here we are, 3+ months into Marriage, into life removed of college, and not into active duty. We're just living our lives in Boone and.. waiting.

Have you ever tried to get a job when you know there's a possibility you won't be here in a month? (Employers don't prefer this) After a few interviews, rejections (because of the time we may be here in town) and an offer for 3 hours a week at minimum wage... I've gone to working in the nursery at Church, babysitting and waiting on my paperwork for substitute teaching to be approved. If you ever decide to apply for a position in Watauga County, be ready for a couple mountains of paperwork!

Brad has been truly blessed with odd jobs around Boone so that we have somewhat of an income. He's been pressure washing, staining decks, roofing, building a barn, landscaping and mowing just to name a few! I'm so proud of my hubby and so thankful for the people who have graciously offered small jobs for him! I know it isn't the type of work he truly desires, but it fills the time and gives us a little to live off of.

Ever since we moved back to Boone (since I got done with school in June of this year) we have been living with his Grandmom, Burton, in her basement. It's a nice set up that we've got down here and we have enjoyed being able to spend time with her, along with the rest of his family (and mine in Hickory) whenever we can.

[The picture to the right is of our door to the outside from the basement. Notice Oscar in the window and the nice Appalachian touch!]

A few weeks ago Brad got a call from his Lt Col at State who said we would definitely not be going before October. I guess we're getting closer to a definite date? Before his graduation, Brad was given a tentative date of October 1st... apparently Civil Engineers got the brunt end of things when it came to budget cuts. We could be in waiting up to a year.. but hopefully we'll be shipped out to AZ before Christmastime!


Until then, we'll be enjoying views like this...

JavaJavaJavaJavaJava

This recipe for 'Perfect Iced Coffee' is a MUST! It is of course from The Pioneer Woman and it makes a TON. So, probably for at least the first time I'd half it... especially if it's only going to be you drinking it. Did I mention it makes a TON!? I didn't take any photos of my coffee making, so I'm copying and pasting her recipe here! The link to it is above if you'd rather see her picture step-by-step instructions.

Recipe: Perfect Iced Coffee

Prep Time: 8 Hours  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)
• 8 quarts Cold Water (2 gallons)
• Half-and-half (healthy Splash Per Serving)
• Sweetened Condensed Milk (2-3 Tablespoons Per Serving
• Note: Can Use Skim Milk, 2% Milk, Whole Milk, Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Syrups...adapt To Your Liking!

Preparation Instructions

(Adapted from Imbibe Magazine)

In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature eight hours or overnight.

Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.

Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed.

To make iced coffee, pack a glass full of ice cubes. Fill glass 2/3 full with coffee liquid. Add healthy splash of half-and-half. Add 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (can use plain sugar instead) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust half-and-half and/or sweetened condensed milk as needed.

*************************

**D's NOTE:

• For the coffee, I used Seattle's Best - Level 5
• I used paper towels in the strainer instead of cheesecloth (worked perfect!) and instead of half-and-half/sweetened condensed milk, I used some of the French Vanilla coffee creamer I had in the fridge. (Of course, any creamer you like will work great!)
• Mine ended up tasting like Starbucks.. yum :)

Enjoy!
-D




P.S. Did anyone get the movie reference in my blog post title?! Click here to see if you were right :)

Where's Ann Arbor?

September 1, 2007 : App State vs. Michigan

Love my Mountaineers!

Four years ago today, they took down Michigan in the Big House!

34 - 32!

Enjoy the clip, Wolverines! :)

Get it, Apps!

Oh, sweet Victory.

Defeated Wolverines. I like this one best :)

Virginia Creeper Trail

On Saturday, August 27th (Oscar's Birthday!), Brad and I went with his parents and three other couples to ride the VA Creeper Trail from Whitetop (1) to Damascus (5). It was a grueling 17 mile bike ride.. all downhill. :)

I had never been on the trail before so Brad wanted me to have the experience before we move out west. I truly enjoyed it! We had great weather (though a little chilly at the start) and ice cream along the way. :)