| You Are Grape |
 You are bold and a true individual. You are very different and very okay with that. People know you as a straight shooter. You're very honest, even when the truth hurts. You are also very grounded and practical. No one is going to sneak anything by you. People enjoy your fresh approach to life. And it's this honesty that makes you a very innovative person. |
And if Angela doesn't do this I am very surprised. *grin*
Cross-posted to Testing, testing..
For some reason my body's temperature control has gone mad. It could be migraine based, but my muscles and joints hurt... I just can't understand where I've got cold from. (I don't even barefoot anymore, and even it's almost 20°C during daytime I dress to way colder weather (I found this nice black cardigan from my wardrobe..).)
And due the aching I have spent most of my time yesterday and today lieing (it's interesting: Semagic's dictionary wanted to correct this as lying, but the dictionary I use offers form lieing which is IMNSHO much more logical - even though I know that lying is commonly used, but nevertheless it refers, in my mind, to act of telling a lie) in bed, with cats, reading and I actually finished other one of those books I bought while ago. I've to say that those 20 cents I put in Morag Joss' Half Broken Things (though I disagree with the category it's placed in Wikipedia - I'd say it's drama) was best investment I've done in years. The book is really good.
When it comes to stitchy part of life
I've managed to stitch a bit now and then when I've felt good enough to sit, and even it's just one area of certain colour it's always a bit closer to finish.
Actually I can sense getting better, as I'm itching to start with my Crazy Cat Lady Exchange piece - even it's not one I meant to do I'm quite pleased with my choice ad I'm quite sure it'll turn out beautifully.
And thanks to pain I was awake last night and made a little deal with Angela, so in nearish future I'll have piece of linen and some DMC's Variations from her - unless USPS' machines still like the taste of stash.
I just hope that is not the reason why my Silkweaver parcel has been on its way for a month.
Today's
When it comes to finished items in my household I keep them visible when ever it's possible (I've to protect them from cats anyway), for example my needlerolls (both of them) are hanging in end of the living room bookshelf.
Migraine, that is. I've reached that phase where I've all sorts of cravings (which means that I'll be heading to grocery soon). Either my body lacks something, I'm lacking decent rest, pain is me getting me depressed or all.
This darned thing also means that no wild night out tomorrow with friends. *sighs* All that noise, smoke, staying up 'til morning and possible alcohol based beverages wouldn't do any good, so I had to cancel it. *sighs again* (Though, actually it's also good thing. I just realised that I am broke. Friggin' "livelihood allowance" was 100 € smaller than it was supposed to be...)
And actually I'd just like to move into a small, warm cave for few days. Or have someone around to take care of me... or both.
But on a cheerier note: as I've been unable to do anything else I've been stitching, and we are having a happy dance in one of these days. Though the project is secret so no pictures, yet.
That new subtitle
"I went out of my mind and threw the key away..."
(bits_2_whole)
I think it suits quite well...
^^!
I've been hunting for suitable layout for my LJ (being way too lazy to do one myself) and I found something quite pretty today... and it's for Smooth Sailing, style which I just love.
It's just a bit bright, even though it reminds me of those few weeks with Bloggish's Masala (that orange, simple one I had in end of July) and Masala wasnt' that bad, Bloggish just lacks all those nice features SS has.
Otherwise... Exchanges!
As it doesn't contain any stitching I signed up to Guess That Theme Secret Pal exchange at EMS BB.
Idea behind this exchange is that sender decides a theme and sends parcel worth of ~$10 to one's secret pal. And when SP receives one's parcel one has to guess the theme sender has got in mind.
Actually I've already decided the theme and packed the envelope even sign-up won't be closed before 5th of September... though I need to recheck it when I get my partners name.
...like life can be b**chy sometimes, and while suffering from worst migraine attack in months (and like that wasn't nasty enough my ovaries decided to swell up yesterday for reason or another, which caused... more pain. Wonderful - not...) I've noticed something quite interesting...
Stitching actually eases the pain. It does reduce the boredom which migraines bring, but it also does help for the pain (if it'd hep with the nausea I'd be one happy camper) itself.
And I'd really like to know why, as you'd think that stitching makes migraines worse with all that meticulous counting and staring at those itsy bitsy holes.
Maybe it is its relaxing effect...
Thinking of it, what does single person need in addition of four devoted cats (sometimes I have this odd feeling that they love me just because I feed and worship them) and good ONS or two? (In addition to Sew And So I think I've fallen in love with Wyndham Needleworks.)
Stitching, of course, but that's obvious, isn't it?
Plants
I think my other chili has drinking problem. It has absorbed about litre of water today, and it hasn't even been sunny (nor warm) day. Though that silly plant is blooming again so it may explain its thirst... Crazy little thing:
Tea
I've found The Tea! Twinings' Green Earl Grey is something... ah! Usually Earl Greys are a bit stuffy, but this one.. it may actually taste like bergamot as it reminds me of good lemon flavoured tea (not that I had ever drank good lemon flavoured tea), and as bergamot is citrus fruit (according to Wikipedia)...
But I'm off to stitch...
Let me share WIP picture of Panda with you...
When it comes to my love life...
I'll marry Sew And So.
I placed an order in Friday, it was shipped in Friday and in their mail they stated
I think you'll guess where I am heading to...
The envelope was in my mail box today! 
...do I want to learn to knit in English?
And the reason for this question is Snowball's Chance in Hell, which would be great birthday+Yule gift for bits_2_whole - it seems to me that tendency for being more or less goth runs in a family... Though I've heard it more than once that we (b2w and me) are freakingly similar in certain way - though the colours should be changed. (I can't help having the idea of Hello Skull-y: black base and pink furry skulls...)
Though this one is also very tempting...
And those official links...
It's ninth month soon... New Year's eve was in last week, and you're saying it's almost September already?!
For reason or another I had no actual goals for August, at least not that I had blogged about them, so I'm just placing new ones.
Now let me think...
I say ... and you think ... ?
To celebrate the infamous 800th entry snowprincipessa proudly presents... a meme!
Well, I haven't heard anything from ABCST considering my order, so I panicked (I should email them and ask, I know) and put plan B on practise. Now I'll surely have suitable design to stitch for my Crazy Cat Lady exchange recipient no matter what - and I also know how to finish the design which will end up stitched (taking that ABC's parcel will be sent during weekend).
So, in theory I've no worries, but you know how it is... when something goes wrong it goes wrong with style.
Pictorial notes
chanda_m and Jenna, you aren't only ones who wait for the better pictures - I do too! I've been planning to get new, better digital camera for so long, but they happen to cost money... I prefer to spend my euros to stash, as surprising as it is, but as bits_2_whole allows me to pay that camera in parts and it's used which equals cheaper (and I know how to use it)... you got to love nerdy sisters. 
Anyway, the camera is with my father at the moment and I should get it in Sunday or Monday... I can't wait!
But now... off to stitch something I can't share with you guys as it's a gift. I decided I need instant gratification, and it's actually a bit late so... no more excuses needed, Panda will rest (actually I haven't even unpacked it yet..) and I'll get a change to play a bit with over-dyed floss. (Mean thing, aren't I? *grin*)
I noticed something while walking to grocery today (I get most of my ideas when walking. Does wonders to your blood circulation, walking)... When someone says "I don't want to hurt you" they sure will. Only two of many (A. and W. (thank you both)) have never said that and they never hurt me. (Hurt being mistreated, oppressed or something similar. Of course losing them hurt, but it's pain I can accept.)
It's actually quite interesting.
I've been reading Pamela Kellogg's blog since I found it trough Angela's blog, and even I'm not fish person myself I saw something absolutely stunning today... Go and see it yourself. Makes you want to try crazy quilting, doesn't it?
And btw, her 100 Details In 100 Days project ('fillers' for crazy quilting) is still going on, and series in question has some beautiful cross stitch and blackwork designs. For free. O_o
When it comes to blogs...
It seems to me that 800th entry will be written during coming weekend, and not in September. I've been bit chatty lately, haven't I?
Though, I think it has to do with coming autumn, and of course to the fact that there has been few things I've needed to clear up with myself.
At the moment I feel fabulous, though a bit tired, and my sleeping rhythm has normalized from from 3am to noon to from midnight(ish) to 8-9am (Actually I seem to be in such a good shape that my heart keeps its mouth shut even if I drink coffee a bit more than I should (as I can't find completely decaffeinated in reasonable price I use brand which has about half of the caffeine compared to normal coffee). I am not complaining.) and that means I can't be very messed up as insomnia and/or other problems with sleeping are the first things which refer to problems with my psyche (though I wouldn't call heartaches and scarred soul problem of a psyche in that sense, but my aspect of psyche may be a bit different..).
When it comes to autumn...
It smells like autumn outside, evenings are getting chilly (it's still over 20ºC in daytime) and I drink tea in the evenings. All these factors equal autumn.
I don't drink tea during summer, see. Or I do, but it's rare occasion if I do.
Anyway, I've noticed that I apparently may become tea enthusiast as I dug my teapot out from the wilderness of cupboards and I use it for braising my tea. Something I've never done before as I've always thought it's too troublesome to clean...
And I'm planning to make a tea cozy for myself (and one for my mother, but that has nothing to do with autumn. She'd use one), and that's an idea which came completely out of the blue.
Now I just need few good brands of tea so I can enjoy coming darkness in an orthodox way (which is: candles, good tea, good music, sleeping cats).
This week's
Other things
I think this one sums up first three days of this week:
And while we're in topic... bits_2_whole sold her digital camera to me, which means that picture quality in this blog will reach new level.
Heard in train, child and his mother talking, topic yours truly:
Otherwise I have had relatively nice day, though my account balance disliked my minor shopping spree - but I got black curtains for living room! They'll look good with those red ones I've in (t)here. And new lamp shade for bedroom, though it might look good with my living room curtains which would mean that I need to purchase lamp for living room and just decide to use the shade in (t)here... anyway, thingies I needed, and I actually got them quite cheap (and I got some magazine boxes, for my stitchy mags, too).
And... I got my flosses from Wyndham Needleworks! Happity!
I've lost my faith in Love Almighty.
It's not about losing my faith towards the feeling or it's greatness. I've lost my faith towards its sovereignty. It just doesn't conquer all.
And that has lead me to think how people get together, what makes them want to be together, what draws them to be together? Lust, loneliness or maybe luck?
If love is game based on luck my life will be full of heartbreaks, unless I get really good good luck charm from somewhere. I've always been unlucky in games and draws, and misguided by the thought of lucky in draws, unlucky in love.
If love is not a game or based on luck what's the secret? What's the mix of success?
Story behind Jasmine
If you've remember one design in my wishlist_additions and add Jasmine to that you may deduce that I'm victim of undying love for 1920's style... I've just always loved the style of that period (and actually it's odd in some sense as my other secret whim is... days of corsets. Maybe it's all about being contradictory. I really don't know)...
Btw
Panda's deadline isn't actually deadline. My mother said that if I can't make it before my brother's birthday she'll give it to him as Yule gift.
Which is good, though I try to finish it before his birthday.
And btw, my inner stitcher has been pampered by my mother's and aunt's praise. It's difficult to be this talented (*giggles*). ^^
Ok, what you should think of comment like this? Made by a person without a name, someone who doesn't know anything about me, and apparently doesn't even realize that I'm not native English speaker so I love definitions and ask stupid questions considering words... If I had been any more tired than I am or had a bad day it'd have been deleted, but as I'm not quite sure what was the intention behind that... *sigh*
Sometimes I do remember why I dislike human kind.
This wonderful silence in my head. This lightness of my heart.
They both will soon fade away, but I cherish this moment, I cherish the thought that life can be simple.
Before I came, before I left home, I gave a little push to something which may lead to something good, but which may also fade away as fast as morning mist. But it's not up to me at this moment what will happen next. (Fact is that it bothers me, but I know that I've done the best I can at this point.)
I thought few things during the weekend and I think I'm entering in new phase of my life. Had some realisations about me and life, and now I feel much more peaceful and complete.
I'm not going to settle for just anything, I'm worth much more than just 'good enough'. I've tasted life as I've wanted it to be, and I want to taste it again - for the rest of my life.
Even poison can taste good when you're thirsty, and it may help for a while... but I don't want to poison myself, not when I know there's fountain of clear water somewhere. I just need to find it.
You learn to appreciate something when you don't have it, and I'm going to remember my lesson even it means being thirsty now - I'm a believer, I'll find my pond.
Sweet dreams.
This week's questions come from Jan
Countdown has begun, again.
When it comes to customer service...
ABC Stitch Therapy has new fan. Me.
Ok, I'll say that in the end of next week (as I still remember how long it took from previous order to reach shipped status), but... I sent an email enquiry yesterday considering certain design I need for Crazy Cat Lady Exchange (at The Robin's Nest) - as I didn't got a reply from first place from where I asked about it - and they answered in three hours! And they placed an order to get it in their stock, so I'll make an order when I come back from my mother's cottage (note to self: ask for her Visa number (I don't have time to load my prepaid)).
Notice that it was Sunday anyway (and we have quite some hours between)...
SAT
Due lack of sleep (I need my eight hours per night, period) I was generally
Anyway, from this
to this
And as I'm going to my mother's cottage for three days I think I get some serious stitching done over there.
See you in Wednesday!
I say ... and you think ... ?
I know we had a good day yesterday, that I drank green tea in the evening and we also know there's one Stitch-A-Thon goal to fulfill, but none of these is an excuse to wake up after less than six hours of sleep.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Yours truly,
me.
No-strings-attached is also a commitment. You're committed to the fact that you are not committed. It's a relationship even those aren't usually referred as such and usually preferred by individuals who don't want to commit and who avoid relationships...
Answers.com defines a relationship like this:
Humans should learn to be more definitive if you ask from me.
My goal is to finish second quarter (and possibly begin with third).
And... I was a bad, bad person today: I started stitching second part of Silhouettes, in my case Jaffa Orange. I even have some progress in it, but as I stitch them on black Jobelan (IMNSHO Jobelan is not best choice when you need black fabric as its grain is not clear enough) and therefore I need to have enough (too many) breaks to prevent migraines there's nothing much to show, so no pictures at the moment.
But I do love the effect of orange and yellow on black.
I noticed this link in Google ads when checking my mail last night: Fabric Tales. Online store for Japanese fabrics. Pretties! ^^
Partial re-run
"...No matter the outcome, having felt love you will never feel the same. It may scar your heart and soul and leave you only memories of yesterday or it may cause every day of your life to feel like there is no need for tomorrow. But love is worth it. It is worth the risk. For all in life, it is the on risk worth taking."
No particular reason, I just stumbled upon that entry few days back and that part of it has been on my mind since.
I've had this feeling quite some time already. In some days I forget it, some days I can't forget it even I'd like to... Feeling of certainty over something I dread. And something I can't understand...
Coming winter will be hard one.
And the reason why I don't understand it is: I am not depressed. I don't have any signs of being depressed (excluding those ADHD specific similarities). I just know even I have no base what-so-ever for that feeling. And it's kind of scary.
But fear not. I'll go trough it my head up high even I may stumble quite badly on my way.
I'm quite sure I get something good out of it in the end.
The Register proudly presents:
London hits all-time August high.
Oh, how happy I am that I don't live in London...
The Art of Sleeping
That can't be comfortable sleeping position, can it?
Stitching wise
I've been working on Panda first time in days, and will continue with it for the rest of this week as I'll participate Stitch-A-Thon at The Robin's Nest (This also means that there'll be update of it in Saturday morning (and in Sunday or Monday, of course)). I think I'll set my goal to second finished quarter, but I've to see how much I get it done before SAT begins.
I was uploading pictures to Flickr in the evening (for some reason I wanted to have a photostream for my Yahoo 360) and this caught my eye. It's very soothing for reason or another. (From Wát Pho.)
I'm really waiting for the money from the insurance, as I've noticed that I really need decent digital camera. Just yesterday I was cursing the fact I don't have one... but I haven't heard nothing from them yet. *sighs*
Today's
So, really very, very basic solution, but my fabric stash is not very advanced - yet.
And when that day comes when my lovely fabric stash reaches it's teens, and is too big to be stored in a little box, I've already one chest of drawers waiting for them - after I move my paints and colours from it's drawers. Actually cross stitching has already conquered one drawer. Can you guess what part of this addiction it is..?
Oh, yes... my WIPs and UFOs!
And when that day comes when my lovely fabric stash reaches it's teens and is too big to be stored in a little box I've already one chest of drawers waiting for them - after I move my paints and colours from it's drawers.
2. I store left over pieces of fabric in same plastic bags where they are sold to me, and therefore I've information of the count and colour in top of every bag. Sometimes, when I feel industrious I may even add the size of the piece to the bag, just to ease the browsing. And as they all reside in same box (though aida and evenweaves have own boxes nowadays) there's obviously no size based discrimination either.
At least according to sudden image I got in my head while sweeping the floors. Combination of jasmine incense, jazz and the light made me believe, for a moment, that it's autumn and it's grey and rainy outside - which is quite far from truth, sun is shining brightly (even at the moment).
And I have to admit that I begun to wait those dark, grey, rainy, cold days when best thing to do is stay inside and stitch. Autumn, can't you come already?!
It's called Exchange-A-Holism
And I so swore I will reduce the amount of exchanges... Just signed in to Ornament Exchange at LBBB. Send out day is 1st of November so I have enough time after other exchange deadlines (and as I have almost decided what I'll stitch..).
And it reminded me of the fact that I could stitch ornaments for my parents in this year too - well, at least to my mother.
Linky
I've had air pressure and sleep deprivation induced migraine today, and even I have done nothing to prove my existence (blogging doesn't count) my brains have processed information and experiences.
While I was putting my make-up on before going to grocery I glanced at the mirror and realised something... every time something hurts me I get more beautiful, in my own eyes if not anyone else's (though it seems to me that it works for general public too). It seems to me that I'll begin to bloom after my thirtieth birthday, and I'll age beautifully (good genes, thanks mom).
And what made me realise all that was that when I looked at myself I found myself beautiful even with those huge bags I've under my eyes at the moment. I looked older than I am, older than I look when I'm well rested, and still I liked what I saw.
Previous Eureka! came to me in Bangkok, during phase it maybe "shouldn't" have. Few days after that day I stood in front of bedroom mirror while adding moisturizer on my skin, saw myself from the mirror and saw myself in completely new light.
I've liked my body for years, but at that moment I realised that I really love every inch of it, every gram of it. And that I really have good body, no matter what general aspect of beauty is.
Though I still have to admit that there are few who have helped me to see myself as I am, as I see myself now, and I'm thankful for them. It has not been easy and it's not easy to be BBW in this world, or at least in Western world. (Fact: I never felt big in Bangkok even according to stereotypes I should have... I fit in.)
They call it...
FWB (Friend(s) With Benefits).
I admit it (again), I am not ready to have a relationship. I'm an emotional wreck (as there really is something broken in me, I need to find out what, when it broke and how to fix it) and I need to give time for myself. I need to find a focus for my life. I need to give some time for my soul to heal.
But, I am also a physical being with needs and that is when FWB marches in. Most who know me would never believe that I'd get into FWB, but it has happened before, and apparently it happens when there's (hidden) need for it and suitable (read: tempting) counterpart.
Joys of adulthood: as long as it's legal it's really up to you what you do with your life. And it seems to me that I've decided to sit on two chairs at the same time even it is something I don't usually do.
Honestly speaking, I like the idea, now. What I think about it tomorrow is different story, but... regret is not my thing.
Btw
It has been week of surprises, and they keep on coming: Wolfie IMed me today. (Though he still has connection problems so it was just a little while.) It made me smile as I realised I fell for him for all the right reasons. And the thought itself healed something in me.
After drooling after Ami's latest finish I've been thinking of something, which I've, admittedly, thought before, but now the thought came back... How about stitching Ezmeralda's House over one?
The idea is really inviting, but my practical side has its opinions on stitching my first over one on 40 count (I've never stitched on 40 count, not even over two). And I'd like to have visible texts, as there are some nice little details which give depth to whole design, and according to the advice in leaflet they won't be visible - or they'll be, but unreadable (I can imagine how teeny it'd be).
Though, my mom has birthday and I could experiment with her birthday card...
Rain
Finally we had some decent rain! According to wild rumours there hasn't been decent rain in here since June (apparently not after I took the jet plane), and you can believe it, trees are drying out...
And I noticed something interesting yesterday: day time has gotten two hours shorter since I came back, which was about a month ago. 120 minutes in 30 days... do I see autumn coming? 
But anyway, I'd have used decent thunderstorm, my head doesn't like current conditions that much.
Exchanges
Previously mentioned Crazy Cat Lady Exchange is officially in progress. I got my partner's info today and I think I'll have to do some browsing in net to get some ideas. I think I may justify some shopping in next week, in case I find something nice from somewhere. *grin*
Actually I already have something in my mind (I already sent an enquiry about it to one store...) - of course I won't tell what, but let me tell you that it'd be just perfect one... 
And like that wasn't enough... I signed in to Scissor Fob Exchange (both exchanges are arranged at The Robin's Nest). My excuse was "I need a fob for my scissors, and it's quick one as it's so small..." Anyone heard that before?
Witches, warlocks, etc.
OthersShe made some additions, and even Finland is represented. ^^ Cuties, aren't they?
Day late, but still...
Last entry was for venting purposes, but fact is that I've my doubts considering my suitability to any social communication, even less to dating and that sort.
I realised why I love blogging. I really need to get emotions out of me, just for my sake. I tend to pile everything in me when I get upset, and it'd cause problems with my physical being during time.
Though they seem to cause problems nevertheless, my back and joints ached last night like hell. And now I have a headache because I stayed up early (5 am), though it was worth it. Stash drooling with co-stitcher is always good way to spend time - and add few things to your wants.
So, cross stitching is also a life saver, if you're not mood for stitching stash shopping (even window one) works always when you are upset.
Talking of shopping... after getting my ePassporte Visa I realised that I can get eBay account now, and registered. It's my luck that the card is prepaid, I'd be in big troubles otherwise.
Btw, I think it was Marlene Dietrich (I may be wrong though) who said: Man is interested of a woman who's interested of him, but sometimes it feels that it also works other way round (and every way in between. And sometimes it doesn't. Life's fantastic. 
The official quote
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction of being loved for yourself, or, more correctly, being loved in spite of yourself."
I'd like to know why I end up hurting everyone I care for, or at least end up feeling like doing so... At least I seem to be exceptional in screwing things up.
That's all that matters, right? Being good in something? No matter what it is?
Maybe I really should consider that monastery anyway... It's just getting too hard to even try. I'm getting too afraid to try. *sigh*
Maybe I'm just a half-broken thing, and I should live with it.
I really don't know.
And time for our regularly scheduled lunacy...
Well, I drank that d**ned wine which caused me hangover last time (not this time though, for some odd reason). I drank it just because, even it wasn't expensive, I paid it... and as I don't cook for myself very often (and last time I cooked to someone else I cut to my nail with a knife and now my once beautiful thumbnail is an ugly stump 
Anyway, it made me think. N. said that the wine is "too" sweet, and in my opinion it wasn't and this lead me to think of hormones... Estrogen affects in many ways and one of its effects is better sense of taste - which explains the difference between N.'s and my opinion about the wine.
But... Last time I drank that same wine it tasted much sweeter. It can be explained with vintage etc., but still it made me ponder could it just be about my hormone levels? As it has been about two years (bit less) since I drank that particular wine, and last time it tasted much sweeter... Just thinking aloud, nothing else.
And then, as I can't sleep very well when I've alcohol in my blood stream I was unable to reach mr. Sandman, and returned to living room... to window shop *grin* and got surprised by, yes you guess who, Sol once again. I don't know what I should think of this sudden interest towards contacting me... but then, I think it was me who's always said how she believes in friendship after a relationship... Me and my big mouth.
But it makes you think of all sorts of things. Not that anyway, no worries - "luckily" I've other things to worry about, no need for any more issues.
One of my favourite peeves...
Is that group of people who excuse their usage of slang and dreadful language (ya all know wad i mean) with "I'm not native English speaker". Well hello, I'm not either. When in school my English grades were always D or D+ tops, and English is not official language in here... still, I use it daily: I date in English, I get involved with English, I blog in English, I communicate with friends and most of the world with English so I get all the practise I need.
It's all about just having some stamina, it's all about the will to improve. I'm not saying I'm perfect and I admit I've had my Chatnglish phase back in dark past, but we can learn from our mistakes, can't we?
And still, I know there are people who think I'm elitistic b*stard because I let them know from the start that bad language hurts my eyes. But I can't help it, languages shouldn't be mutilated like they do - though I love to play with words, but there is slight difference between playing with and, excuse my French, tentacle raping languages.
When it comes to tentacles...
Talking of tentacle raping, world has come to its end: Unka Ghastly doesn't draw anymore - for non-defined period of time, at least.
It was fun as long as it lasted, all the best for Unka G. *sighs*
I kind of lost myself in Sew and So's site while drinking my morning coffee... anyone remembers what I said about getting addicted to dragons?
And with new tag (snowprincipessa 
Others...
Fairies! (Thanks to surname... *muttering*)
Do we see certain attraction towards more complicated designs (excluding Dragon Dreams (
And in other news
I'll be offline from 21st to 23rd of August as I'm taking the cats with me and going to my mom's cottage. (HP will follow me, so there'll be entries after I come back.)
Main reason is to show her how to assemble her loom - and check if she actually has other loom in one of her storage rooms (I saw parts of certain type of loom when we were checking the places after she bought the house (2004).) - and possibly we can even have the change to prepare them to be used (though that depends on can we have a loom from somewhere, or at least suitable yarn as she has 'looming device' (My professional vocabulary sucks) IIRC). As said, it's handy to have a weaver in a family (but not cheap, as she's paying the gas and keeps me fed).
And talking of cats, could somebody tell me how it's possible to sleep in position like this?
When you wake up Where There's Gold echoing in your head and your throat sore, for unknown reason, and when you could kill for cup of coffee - if you were awake enough - it's good time to spend few moments with...
Btw, there's celebration coming, my little blog will reach it's 800th entry in September.
I've to admit that I haven't been in mood for stitching because in the end I got bit... not annoyed, but frustrated over the fact that N. had to cancel our meeting yesterday because he had to go to U.K. (work is work, and you got to do what you got to do).
It's actually quite interesting, as the reason is very, very carnal, not one of my usual reasons...
Anyway, I was checking have I missed any comments since I came online and after reading the comments for latest WIP picture of Panda I got this sudden "I want to stitch 'til my needle smokes!" attack.
Thank you all. I needed that kick. Now I'm happy little critter.
Panda, here I come!
I almost forgot! How senile of me...
During my offline time I received a parcel from Natty who was my Recipe Exchange sender, and lookie what she sent!
And as you are curious to know the recipe anyway, here it comes:
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
½ t. nutmeg
½ t. cinnamon
Mix. Stir in 6 c. sliced apples. Turn into 9'' pie shell. Dot with 2 t. butter. Sprinkle with 1 t. grated lemon peel. Cover with top crust. Bake at 425 (editor's note:F) for 40- 50 min.
When it comes to doing my share I made two mug cozies for CatherineMichèle, but as I was already freaking out with sending after deadline I forgot to take picture of them! (But they looked good noticing that design for the cozies was all mine and it was first time I ever made such things.)
And I sent her a recipe for:
Makes: 16 buns
Time: about 90 minutes
Source: Based on recipe in The Professional Pastry Chef: Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry, 4th Edition (note: recipe doubles well)
Melt butter in the microwave. Set aside to cool. Weigh and measure out all ingredients and arrange near your workspace.Warm milk in a 2 cup measuring cup for about 1 minute in the microwave.Check the temperature with a thermometer and confirm that it is about40C/105F. Crumble yeast into the warm milk and stir until it has fully dissolved. Stir in the sugar, salt, cardamom, eggs and a few tablespoons of flour. Stir until the mixture is smooth and the flour completely incorporated. Set aside for a couple minutes until it begins to bubble.
Pour the yeast mixture into a larger, room temperature, bowl and begin adding flour a few tablespoons at a time. Stir with a whisk or dough whisk until it begins to thicken.From this point on, knead the dough with your hands. Continue adding flour a few tablespoons at a time until the dough is soft but still slightly sticky. You may have a bit of flour remaining, but resist the temptation to add it all if the dough has the right feel.The amount of flour you need to use to reach the point of soft, yet slightly sticky, dough will vary depending on the type of flour, the age and moisture content of the flour and the humidity in the air.
Knead in the butter(it is important that the butter does not come in contact with the yeast before the yeast has had a chance to start expanding.) until itis fully incorporated. Again, resist the urge to add more flour in lieu of kneading the dough until the butter has been absorbed. Sprinkle a wee bit of flour over the dough if it is a bit too soft and tacky once the butter has soaked in, but be conservative. You want a soft,slightly sticky dough. Knead dough for a couple of minutes and place into a bowl that has been lightly greased with vegetable oil or butter, cover with a towel or plastic wrap and set in a warm spot for about 20 minutes to rest(Don't leave it for an hour thinking more is better since you don't want to over-proof the dough as this will make it tough). While the dough is resting,clean and prepare your workspace and baking sheets.
Turn the dough out of the bowl onto a silpat mat, counter top or other smooth surface. Do not flour your workspace or the dough. Knead dough lightly and divide dough into two parts. Roll each half into an 8-inch rope and cut into 8 1-inch pieces. Take each piece, place it on your workspace cupped in the palm of your hand and, with a reasonable amount of pressure, press down while moving your hand in a circular motion until the dough has formed a smooth, tight round ball. [see also diagram]If your dough isn't a little sticky or you are having trouble forming a smooth ball, rub your workspace with a wet (but not dripping) towel and try again. Arrange balls on baking sheet lined with baking paper leaving an inch or so between them.Lightly brush with egg wash (you can sprinkle the tops with pearl sugar or slivered almonds at this point, but personally I think that they don't complement the soft texture of the bun). Cover with a clean linen dishtowel or plastic wrap and leave in a warm place to rise for about30 minutes or so.
Heat oven to 200C/390F. Bake buns for 10-12 minutes until they are a light golden brown. Place on cooling rack and allow to cool.
Grate almond paste into bowl. Beat until smooth. Add pastry cream and beat until smooth, thick and creamy.
Pastry Cream Makes: about 600g
Time: about 20 minutes
Source: The Professional Pastry Chef: Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry, 4th Edition (note: recipe doubles and halves well)
In a bowl, whisk the cornstarch, sugar and salt together. Gradually whisk in the eggs and mix until smooth.
Place milk in a saucepan or double-boiler. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
Slowly pour about 1/3 of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking rapidly. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the remaining milk.
Place saucepan on a medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Let it bubble for a few seconds and remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and butter until completely incorporated.
Pour pastry cream into a bowl and allow to cool a bit.When cool, use for filling or cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the cream to avoid condensation and to keep it fresh. It will keep refrigerated for up to four days.
Traditional Almond Filling:Grate almond paste into bowl. Beat until smooth. Blend in milk. Add pulla and beat until smooth.
Whipped Cream:Pour cream and sugar into a completely dry, cold bowl and whip to stiff peaks. Place cream in a pastry bag fitted with a #7/14-mm star tip.
Assembling:
Talking of parcels, I'm really missing that other one from Silkweaver. *sighs*
Can't sleep, for a certain reason, so I decided to flood my little blog a little bit more...
When I was coming home from grocery yesterday I realised something rather interesting: I feel much more comfortable when I use English in communicating with people. And it applies even with the communication in here.
And this realisation came from little conversation I had with someone when I guided her to correct bus stop.
Now, the question is: How the heck it's more natural for me to communicate with English, which is nowhere close to my native language?
I've never been exposed to English that much so it can't explain it, our parents are purely monolingual, I'm not good with languages (if you ask from me, that is)... what explains it? Though I should also ask what explains that at least two out of three of us ('us' referring to siblings) speak English (more or less) fluently without excessive studying? Genes? Sticky brains which catch everything they can? (Not that far fetched actually.) Pure luck?
And talking of oddities... since I came back from Thailand I've had this odd feeling of not belonging here. It's nothing new, but it has never been this permanent.
This is where I've born, this is my home, but I'm not sure do I belong here.
Maybe I won't feel home before I have a need and reason to stay, no matter where it is. Maybe I'll never feel like home in anywhere as I'm an outsider by birth? (And to prove that I'm related to my sister and that we either have something wrong in our genes or upbringing: bits_2_whole proudly presents Clarity. (Second paragraph applies to this issue, but in general I'd have written all that.))
So many questions, not enough answers.
You could say I'm not in the mood of doing anything (and that I'm slowly browsing trough blogs)... This one comes from lyssophietje.
Stole from hyper_kiwi.
"I take off my hat and burst with pride
When I recall the things they tried
Their classic bits made such history
The nuts on my family tree"
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