My Honey's got a Brand New Bag

I had a great thought about how to put together a pilgrim bag and I just had to try it.  I checked my fabric stash and came up with a piece of green canvas that would be just right. I chose a darker green broadcloth for the liner since its my sweetie's favorite color is green.  I hand-stitched it, something I won't do again without a thimble. But I found I love to hand-sew. My sewing machine will be gathering dust in the future.

I know I haven't given an update on the favor I'm making for my sweetie. I haven't made much progress on it but this project has my hands twitching to sew more.  I'll post again about it when its done.

Christmas Sweeties

I've just finished my Christmas baking and candy making. Here are my successes:

Moravian Wafers, these are a staple of my holiday baking. They are a spicy ginger cookie, crisp and yummy. This is about half of the dough. They make alot.

 Homemade marshmallows are nothing like store bought. They are worth the effort. They make about 9 dozen and came out delicious.

Last but not least are the chocolate covered goodies. This year I made chocolate cover pretzels, a long time staple, and chocolate covered saltines.  The last sounded yucky to me but a coworker made some and they are amazing! I think I may have a new staple!!

Well, I'll post again after Christmas. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!

Christmastide

Well its the holidays again. I'm slammed at work and with all the holiday preparations so I thought I'd share a link this week.  Here is a link to an article about Dating Christmas.  I have been subscribed to Medievalists.net on Facebook (www.medievalists.net on the web) for a while and they have great articles to share. Enjoy!

My Favor Progress

Here is an update on the favor I'm making. I just finished the first petal. I like how the chain stitches are coming out.  I apologize for the poor quality but I still can't find the good camera.

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, life always gets away from me. I just got a promotion at work and the winter storm here in the northeast has me out in the yard almost everyday.
I did start a new favor for Valgan.  It's a dogwood on muslin for his belt.  The center is french knots in green.  I started with the outline in back stitch. I hope to use at least one more stitch in the project.

The photo is awful but I can't find the camera so I used my phone. I'll post more updates as it goes along. Having a project has been very relaxing after a busy day.

Back from the Mudane!

This past weekend Valgan & I attended the Orchard War III.  It was a well run and nice event. There were classes and an embroidery challenge for those of us who don't do martial activity. I attended the class on the A&S 50 and I have renewed vigor to complete my challenge.
I wrote up a list of items for my challenge. Here's the list:
Cooking: Try recipes for 5 new sweets, 10 new savories, and 5 new non-alcoholic drinks.
Embroidery:  Learn 10 new stitches or techniques then create 5 finished projects using those stitches/techniques.
Clothing: Make 10 new pieces of garb (these can be for me or anyone else)
Craft/sewing: make 5 new accessories.

I choose the areas for interest, what was completed and what I need.  So far, at my best count, I have completed 9 items. I'll try to blog on each item from now on including its number on the list.

Some new projects for A&S 50 Challenge

I have done a few more projects for the A&S 50 Challenge.  I made a pork roast from a recipe I found online at the Gode Cookery website. It was delicious. My honey has requested it several times since I first made it. He even took a try at it and it came out excellent.  

I am also engrossed in embroidering favors for the Queen of the East Kingdom. I am on the third of the five in the kit.  The design is by a gentle in the Barony Beyond the Mountain, someone local to me whom I have not met yet.  I hope to have them done by Yule in case there is somewhere to drop them off.

At the end of October I drove out to Carolinga (Boston) for a cooking schola. It was great. Well thought out classes and it was well organized.  
I was also helping out in the kitchen for a event here that has been going for more than 20 years, Simplefare.  My honey and I went the night before to precook. We helped pare and cut veg. We moved tables. But when we helped with the onions, my eyes began to weep and my makeup melted into my eyes making it an early evening.  After we went home, my honey had a McRib moment and got us some. Big mistake.  We were both ill the next day. Nothing but broth for us that day.  Well, two other gentles got our feast spots but probably the best for all concerned.
I hope to be going to the BBM and Bergental Yule Celebration the first week in December. I'll let you know how it goes. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!