May 26, 2010

one flag and some insomnia

Here's my latest finish....One Flag

one flag

design by Hands to Work

one flag

stitched on 29 count Cottonfields Glenshee with DMC thread.

A very enjoyable stitch! Plans are to have it made into a pillow. It will look good beside this one, don't you think? And this one too, once they're both made into pillows that is ;-)

one flag

(I am changing how I post pictures, because blogger was driving me crazy since I changed it over to the "easier" version...anyway, you can still enlarge the pictures by clicking on them, it will take you to my Flickr page, and all the sizes are available for download there).

Lately I've had terrible bouts of insomnia. I'm a night owl anyway, but the past few weeks have been really worse, maybe it's just hormones, who knows. Anyway, I've been productive at least, as evidenced by these yummy garlic and onion croutons



homemade croutons

I am probably the last person to catch on to the fact that homemade croutons are better and cheaper than store bought, but there it is. My oldest daughter calls these "crack-tons", so reckon that means they're pretty good. I just saved leftover buns, bread, misc. whatevers that were perfectly fine but going stale, kept collecting them in the freezer until there was enough (a lot). Cut it all up into cubes, sprinkled heavily with garlic and onion powders, then olive oil and baked them in a slow (250 or 275 degree) oven until they were crispy. Took about an hour I guess, stirring them every 20 minutes or so.

Then, I made these out of a free baguette that I'd gotten from Central Market:

baguette toasts

Just sliced the baguette up, brushed with some extra virgin olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and baked them in the same oven until they were crispy. YUM-E! Also, the next evening, I made these:

more early morning baking

Baker's Potatoes (second recipe on that page) in front, and a tomato pie in the back. We've eaten off of it all for two days :-) The potatoes are very good, however, if you bake them as directed, the tops don't get as tender as the bottoms. Next time, I'll either turn them as they cook, or put them in a deeper dish and cover them in the broth. Otherwise, very good. The tomato pie? Well, let's just say I have cash offers to make these for my hubby's coworkers, that's how tasty it is :-) (it's best when it's served cold)

Next bout of insomnia, I'm making DOGGIE BISCUITS!! Pugs will probably be all over that one ;-)

51 comments:

barbara said...

There's something really satisfying about cooking, isn't there? ;) I hope your insomnia will be short-lived, though. Love your patriotic stitching!!

mainely stitching said...

argh, I hate that. I have two accounts and I keep forgetting to switch over to the 'real' one. Anyway, I made the above comment.

Real Live Woman said...

I bought the "One Flag" pattern at a Super Bowl sale this year for $1, but haven't stitched it yet. Yours looks great! (from a fellow Ah-ndrea, not Ann-drea)

Margaret said...

Love it! Those three will look great together!! I hate insomnia, but it sure looks like you benefited from yours. Yum!

Anna van Schurman said...

Mmm have to try to tomato pie. I made a slew of dog biscuits--beef and, separately, pb-- for Christmas and I didn't have one complaint! ;)

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on your finish Andrea... One Flag is sweet and it's going to look lovely made up into a pillow.
Oh my... all that food looks very yummy.

Melissa said...

I love your finish - what a cute design!

I have had insomnia due to hormonal changes too. But lately it's due to too much thinking about work as well. Blech! ;-)

The food looks yummy though!

Hazel said...

mmmmmmmmmmmm....... great stitching too. xx

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh wowzers...beautiful stitching and gorgeous food pictures. I guess I'm headed to teh kitchen now...cause my tummy is growling!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

You are one productive insomniac! When I get insomnia, I just lay in bed fretting about how I can't sleep or wander around the house thinking "I should be doing this..... or that...." but nothing gets done!

Love your stitchy finish, Andrea!

Faye said...

Andrea, I really am in LOVE with all 3 of the patriotic pieces you showed and referred to~~~~ I am in the progess of fabricating some of my patriotic smalls and these would be awesome compliments to them~~ Now, I must go search....stash enhancement~~lol

Have a good one, Faye

Katrina said...

Wow, at least if you aren't sleeping you are productive. I tend to get up and stitch when I can't sleep :-).

Love the patriotic pieces, they will make cute pillows.

Deb said...

I love your finish and it's definitely going to look great with those other two pillows.

I hear you on the insomnia - I was up until 2:30 last night - would try to stitch, think I was tired, but no. Tried to read, but that made my skin itch. I probably should have gone to sew, but would have hated to see how badly I would have done when I got up this morning!

Michelle said...

P.S. - I wanted to tell you I got fed up with loading my photos via blogger too - so I've changed how I upload mine. So much better!

Melanie said...

Ok, I was hungry BEFORE I read this post and now I'm STARVING. Guess I need to get off the 'puter and go find something to eat. lol

Anonymous said...

Love the patriotic finish! I have a soft spot for patriotic art. :)

I have to say that crack-tons is an accurate description! Before I even read that I was thinking that I could eat that entire panfull! ha!

Nancy said...

Always a beautiful finish! I love the bird on this one!

Lois said...

What a lovely finish! Those pictures are making me hungry! You may have been having insomnia but you certainly have been productive.

Loraine said...

So cute! Who is this by? I haven't seen it before. Love the finish!
Yummy recipe's too? Wow, a great post!

Raven/Missy said...

One Flag looks wonderful! I think it will look great next to the other pillow.

Ohh cooking is a good way to deal with insomnia. I usually read blogs and try to catch up since I am usually behind. I will have to give cooking/baking a try next time I am awake.

Alice said...

I LOVE your One Flag!!! Perfect stitches too. I have never seen that design before but find it so pretty. Its going to look great with the other two stitched pillows. They are really pretty too. Those croutons and baguette looks so good. Don't know why I never thought of doing that with baguette! Those Baker's potatoes and tomato pie has me drooling! You cook up the most delicious meals. I am so tired of my own cooking so this really inspires me. Yum!
Alice
xxx

Siobhán said...

Fantastic job on your One Flag, Andrea! I've had that chart for awhile but haven't stitched it yet... I definitely need to get to it! The baking is making me SO hungry!! Yumm. I hope the insomnia clears up soon.

Stitch By Stitch said...

I love your One Flag! I haven't seen that chart before. Love, love love it! I just went through the insomnia thing for about a week. The last two days I have not awaken before 8:30 am! In my world that just doesn't happen. Hopefully yours will pass soo too.

Brigitte said...

A great finish, congratulations!
And wow, those food pictures make me really hungry. I think I have to have my breakfast now ... lol.

MyLifesAStitch said...

Great finish!! I've never seen that one, and its a cutie for sure! That tomato pie looks delicious... now I'm hungry. :) I hope your insomnia relents soon. It's great to get some more productive time, but boy oh boy it makes it tough to function the next day doesn't it? Have a great week, Andrea... and hopefully a restful one!

basketsnprims said...

Just found your blog thru Terri's and thanks for the chart. Love the waxers & wondering where I can get some. I always make my own croutons with lots of yummy spices added along with olive oil and butter. thanks ~
love your flag, too.
Pam

Sandra said...

Found you thru Terri's blog...crotuons look delish. Oh and thanks for being a part of the give-away over at Terri's. Now I am off to read more of your recipes...

Ama

Loraine said...

Such a great present you sent to Terri! She is a sweetie, and so are you!
Love all the wonderful finds you included, especially the sheep and the wax. So neat!
Thanks for the chart giveaway. I bet you will be bombarded with e-mails really soon!
Have a great day.

Natasha said...

Crack0tons look quite tasty. I tend to clean when I cant sleep, we should trade house for a few nights I would love to have a tomato pie LOL

One Flag turned out great. Terri wanted me to say a BIG THANK YOU for the lovely chart you sent to her, she is offering it up for a giveaway since she already had one in her stash. I really like Heartstring Primitives designs.

Take Care and Cook On :)

Faye said...

Everytime I visit your blog, those sweet pugs are staring at me grinning~~~ Too cute~~ And, I saw where you hooked up Terri with a give away....VERY NICE!~ I would love to have a chance at the Beth Twist pattern she has duplicates of so, "Thanks" for sending it to her~~~ I would love to stitch that one up for sure~~~ Take care, Faye

Ellen said...

Love your patriotic pieces! I came here thro' Terri's blog. Want to say a big thank you for the chance of owning one of Beth's designs. Terri is offering the chart as giveaway as she already had that one in her stash.

Hugs,

Cari said...

Andrea - your One Flag finish is FAB girl!! I love it!! The gift(s) you sent our sweet Terri are wonderful too. I love the sheepie and the waxers...ADORABLE. I hope I win the chart...love the designs. Thanks so much for sharing!! Happy Stitching....

lynda said...

I really like this design...and yes, it does look great with those others!
I wish I was as productive as you when I can't sleep...usually I just eat!
Thanks for enabling Terri in he giveaway!

Catherine said...

Love your One Flag finish! I also saw the wonderful goodies you sent to Terri! I adore Sheep and the one you found for her is way to cute! Thanks for sending her a chart she already has - I don't have any of Beth's designs (although I have some on my wish list!).

Susan said...

A big THANK YOU for the design you sent Terri. I won it hopefully!

I love your stitching! And just because you are awake do you have to make us all hungery with your cooking? It makes me want to cook and there is only me here -that would be mega leftovers!
Thanks again and
Happy Stitching and Cooking!

Stitching Cat said...

One Flag is gorgeous and I love America too. Off to see if I can find these charts! I love Patriotic designs and always seem to want more of them when the Summer holidays are around. Found your blog through Terri's and have become a follower. Off to read some more.

Unknown said...

Andrea, you are too funny! Those pups of yours will do all they can to keep you awak just to get some doggie biscuits, lol. Your potatos and tomato pie look very yummy. Homemade croutons are the best! My friends and I get together for lunch and the hostess provides the lettuce and the rest of us all bring toppings for the salad - my contribution is always homemade croutons. I get a loaf of sour dough bread from Kroger and use the whole loaf - so good!

Fabulous finish! I really like this piece - haven't seen it before now.

Enjoy your week.

(I'm off to enter Terri's drawing!)

Myra said...

Great finish Andrea! Terri sent me over this way to thank you for the wonderful gift you sent her. That was so nice of you. Oh my, I can hardly stand to look at those pictures of the precious pugs while I type this. I just want to hug and squeeze them!

Anonymous said...

Love your waxers! Thank you for the opportunity to be in the drawing.

Theresa - tbernad@comcast.net

Vinniey said...

Hi Andrea, I'm so glad to discover your beautiful blog from Terri. Your stitching is marvelous! I will visit your blog again. :)

Carol said...

What a darling finish--perfect for Memorial Day!

"Crack-tons"--love it :) I've never made homemade croutons, but I better not start. I am addicted to bread of any kind already!!

Patty C. said...

Nice stitching
By the way - I entered a giveaway on another blog (Chocolates for breakfast, Stitching for Lunch)that apparently you instigated by being so generous
Thank You :)

BeckySC said...

Oh, I just love your finish of One Flag. I recently purchased it and can't wait to stitch it :) LOVELY finish!

Cathy Lloyd said...

Hi Andrea! It was so fun to peek at your lovely blog. Love your flag and also the BBD Remember Me! The gifts you sent Terri are just fabulous! Thanks for letting me peek!

Sherry :o) said...

Isn't Terri fun! I wanted to thank you for making her giveaway possible - I just recently, through blogging, found Heartstring Primitives. Terri gave my blog a good word when I started it in March...we belong to a sampler guild, along with Deb too...they are fun!

Posting pics is very hard to do in blogger, I think...it takes me forever.

Anonymous said...

Hi Andrea,
I've been following your blog for a long time now. I was just on Chocolates For Breakfast (Terri) and she is sharing a chart that you gifted to her. She asked that we leave a comment here to THANK YOU for the chart, so I wanted to add this to my comment so I can be eligible for the drawing.

I just love your One Flag picture. OF course, I am in awe of all your completed works. And I truly enjoy reading your blog daily -- even if you don't post daily, I re-read what I've already read! I always feel happy when I'm done reading your blog and feel the need to stitch.

I do not have a blog, so I hope it's okay to leavea comment here.

Thank you again for sharing the chart with Terri. But I would also like to take a minute to THANK YOU for sharing your stitching and sharing your time with us.

Sorry to hear that you have insomnia -- me too! I never thought of sitting down and stitching ... good food for thought and I'm going to try it next time I'm up at un-godly hours.

Bobbie :)

Mylene said...

Look at those foods...Yummmmmy!

Your patriotic piece finished looks great!!

Alice said...

Dear Andrea, I am just coming over from Terri's blog where Terri shared all the goodies she received from you. Your kindness have made yet another person happy. Bless you! I know how happy your parcel made me. Terri offers one of your charts in a draw and not knowing the chart, the temptation was more than I could resist so I entered the draw. Thanks to you "somebody" is going to be spoiled and I thank you for that. You are the sweetest Deep Fried Cupcake on the net.
Big {{{Hug}}} and I hope you are over that nasty bug that got into your throat.
Alice
xxx

Hillery said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I was just going through yours and drooling over all your lovely samplers. They are fabulous.
Have a great day.

Dee L said...

I just pulled the One Flag chart out to kit it up, so I'm excited to see how great it can look. Glad to hear you enjoyed stitching it. Your other finishes will look fantastic with it.

Rachel S-H said...

Those croutons look yummy! Your finish is gorgeous!