Back to hookin' again

I think the second to last rug I made took me forever!  But that one complete I have finished 1 and on the background of another!  Felt good to start hooking again.   I find with sewing so many dolls for the showroom and markets that my own projects get set aside.   I am to tired from working on work that I don't feel like picking up other projects at the end of the day.  One of the reasons my blog posts were so far between, besides the fact I feel that I don't have much to say that would interest people (even though I talk non stop).  But now I bought a lap top and can sit out on my screen porch in the evening and get a break and I enjoy the fresh air,  I hated sitting in the office on the desk top computer and my ipad didn't let me do pictures easily.   SO I hope to keep you in more posts and since I have such a boring life I thought I would bring you ideas etc using pinterest and other pictures.
Anyway back to the rugs -
This is a pumpkin rug I made based off the headstones I saw out in Salem MA.  Thought it would make a great table runner this fall.

After I made this one I was poking around on pinterest and saw a great rug someone was hooking.   I could only see a little of the design but I loved it.   With no luck finding anything about it I drew my version out.   I love the way it is coming together!  The colors are great and will look warm and cozy this winter.   I still have not decided if I will frame it or have it a rug.  I started hooking the background, I am doing it in a charcoal color.

I have to now figure out the next one.  Even though I am running out of space for more rugs - is that possible?  Time to rotate stock I guess.

Food

Lastly on my blog posts for today is food!   You are probably thinking - she hasn't posted in 7 months and now she hits us with 3 posts in a day!
First is Philly cheesesteak nachos.   We had these in PA at chickie's and pete's restaurant.  And they are so good.  I recreated them at home and we enjoy them often!   Here is a pic without the topping I add at the table.

I take the tortilla chips and spread them out on a cookie sheet, sprinkle them with Old Bay Seasoning (this is a must seasoning) warm them in the oven at 225 temp.  Then I take 1/2-3/4 lb of deli roast beef and dice it up and put in a bit of water on the cooktop with diced onion.  Let that get hot then drain any leftover water from cooking.  In a double boiler (I like to use this just for ease in melting the cheese) melt 1/2 -3/4 lb of white American cheese, add a little water so you can pour it over the chips easily - DO NOT ADD TO MUCH WATER - you want the cheese thick but pourable.  Now when all the parts are ready its time to assemble.    Place 1/2 the chips on a chip plate cover with 1/2 the cheese then 1/2 the meat mix.  Repeat.   At the table I have dishes of sour cream,  jalapeno peppers, diced lettuce, and salsa.   I let each person add their toppings as they want.   Enjoy!

Next is a recipe found on Pinterest - gotta love Pinterest.  It is a Blueberry sour cream pie.   Has to be one of the best pies I have had!  And easy! For the recipe-  https://pin.it/pztl5vyem7lcmi

The topping is amazing.   I serve it warmed up with vanilla ice cream.   

If you make either of these you will not be disappointed!

Green thumb

This summer has been hot and humid just the right amount of rain.   I have tomatoes that are pulling down there cages from the weight of the plants - I have to stake the cages up!   I thought I would share the pics from May 15 to June 15.

 These 2 are in May when I cleaned up the gardens from there winter sleep.

 These 2 are from June.  And now they are even twice as full and blooms abounding.  The house looks pink in this picture - I don't know why.  It really is red. lol

Below is a faux bamboo.  I believe it is called Japanese knot weed.  It is huge!  Covering my screen porch giving it a nice little oasis inside.  It regrows each year and in the fall has beautiful white delicate flowers.  But it creeps so don't want to plant it where it can spread - it will take over everything!

 And the bittersweet!  I have plants all along a fence line and they are just hanging with berries.   I usually don't harvest it because it is so pretty on the vine.  But this year I may just for the abundance!  This is one of the runners not even a main part of the plant.   I don't recall ever having so many berries.  Going to be beautiful!

I have gardens all over the yard and they are just beautiful this year!   So nice to have a year like this that things are happy - well except the hanging baskets, those kinda pooped out already in the heat, just couldn't keep enough water in them.  

Been sewing and sewing and sewing.....

Thought I would give you a peek at all that has been made in the sewing room this year.   So many items!   We will start with Spring...

 Then I went to some Americana

Had to add some sweet little nesting birds.

And hey how could you go wrong with cabbage?  These look so great in a basket with some carrots!

Then it was time to get into fall.   It is so strange to be sewing fall stuff when its 90 degrees outside.  It has been a hot humid summer here in central Minnesota.   Have to recall how we complained it was to hot when it is 40 below in 6-7 months.

I hope you enjoyed a peek of what is happening in my sewing room.   All is on my website if you wish to purchase any of them. www.handcraftedbymichelle.com