WIP Updates and Cabbage Salad

It's that time of week again that I'm dutifully doing my blog post.  I find mine aren't as witty as some others that I read, but we all have to be who we are.  And as my son tells me often, I'm old & lame, LOL!

It's been another busy week around here of work, healthy meal planning & preparation, exercising, some more packing of the house, and of course...stitching!!

I've made quite a bit of progress on my latest pattern model "Two Blessings" and was thrilled to actually get a photo that shows the fabric color more realistically.  I've made even more progress since this photo, but haven't taken a new pic yet since this past Monday.

This blog has been a great place for me to put my plans & commitments out there to the world and feel like I'm being held accountable for them (even though I'm not sure anyone else cares).  More progress was made on the "Warholesque Family" last week and I'm already looking forward to spending a few hours with it tonight since it is Saturday and my dedicated day to work on it.

As you can see, I was able to finish the blue border on Zach.  His face still needs filled in, but as I haven't been to the store to get more white floss it will have to wait.  I had someone ask on my Facebook page how I could possibly be out of white floss.  It is a good question.  When this piece was started I was only using DMC "blanc" for my white.  Since then I've decided I like the B5200 Snow white better, as it's a brighter white.  There are plenty of skeins of B5200 in my stash, but no "blanc", which is what I'll need to pick up.  A trip will be made to the store this week not only to get floss for various projects, but also to pick up some fabric I'm going to need for future projects.  I figure I might as well get it now and prep it, which includes washing before use while I'm still living in a house with washer & dryer conveniently located vs. a high-rise apartment building with laundry facilities 4 floors down.

The exercise & weight loss plan is still on track.  The weight isn't coming off as quickly as I'd like, but I'm hoping with nicer weather for more walks and increased water consumption that I'll see more progress.  And yes, exercise is happening.  Here's a pic of my activity for this week.  I'm still hoping it warms up enough to get outside for a 2+ mile walk today.

Healthy meals are becoming a pure joy!!!  Granted, I don't enjoy the time it's taking to track down new recipes, I do like having new things to try and create new menu possibilities.  I'm also finding the longer I go without eating things like Little Debbie snacks, the less I crave them.  Wait.  I should be honest.  My body isn't craving them, but my mind still is.  I'm trying substitute weekend snacking of cookies, chips, etc. to healthy alternatives and doing things like grabbing a spoonful of the current salsa/slaw/salad that is in my fridge.


This week's recipe was a cabbage salad I made.  I originally found this recipe online.  I'm not a big fan of beets so those were a no for me.  I also don't have any pepitas (pumpkin seeds) in the house.  In fact I'm finding with not restocking in advance of my move the end of the month I'm running out of a lot of things! However, I did have that red cabbage in my fridge I picked up at the store and needed to do something with.  I decided to use the vinaigrette portion of the recipe and then do my own modified salad.  This is what I came up with:

I used 1/2 red cabbage, 1/2 red onion, 2 stalks celery and 1/4 bag of matchstick carrots, plus 4 oz. reduced fat feta cheese.  As I previously mentioned, I kept the vinaigrette dressing the same as noted in the recipe.  It was good and a definite will make again!  :)


I think I've probably bored everyone enough for this week.  Be sure to come back next week for pics of more stitching progress and and update on whatever healthy recipe I choose, which I'm clueless about at this time.


Until then....Happy Stitching and be good to yourself!  


P.S.  I also signed up for a stitching retreat in September that will be just about a 1 hour drive from me.  It will be my first ever retreat and I'm totally stoked to be going!