Wacky Weather.....

Last week was certainly a strange week for weather. It started out on Monday with our usual high of 110 and by Friday it was only 98. I know that is still hot for most people but for here at the end of July it was very pleasant. Wednesday most of the valley saw some rain (not here) but we did get a beautiful light show from Mother Nature on Thursday evening. Of course I had to go out to watch and feel the rain. I just LOVE thunderstorms.

Date Night again.....

Friday DH Tracy had a appointment with the heart doctor to get the results of his stress test. He must have studied hard (LOL) because he passed with flying colors. His BP is still at the bottom of the normal range, his blood sugar is OK and the blockage they found last year is no worse and no reason to worry about it. Of course with the good new we had to go out to celebrate.

Started our celebration with a early dinner at Applebee's (I was starving and couldn't wait to eat). After a yummy meal we headed for the strip to do some shopping. A couple of weeks ago we were watching a cooking show on PBS where they were using a stovetop smoker to cook some trout. We both love smoked salmon and other smoked meats so off we went to search for the cooker they used on the show. I had done some research on the web and knew that there was one cooking shop on the strip that carried them. We were both very excited to find just what we were looking for. More about it later.

Next of course we had to go to our favorite hang out....Fremont St. The pictures below show one of the displays they had to honor the landing on the moon.

This replica of the Space Module was used in the movie Apollo 13 with Tom Hanks.

This is a real space suit worn by the astronauts in the space program. Because of the rain off and on all day the rest of the display was covered so the electronics wouldn't get shorted out.

We had to have our Frappicino at Starbucks and do some people watching before doing some shopping for gifts I wanted for a RAK, birthdays and just for fun.

Cooking....

As I mentioned above we got a Camerons Stovetop Smoker. With Tracy's health problems I have tried to prepare healthy meals. This is one method I think will really help add some variety to our diet. With the smoker you don't have to add any oil or fat to cook and the flavors are just out of this world. So far we have done Salmon, Pork Chops and tonight was Shrimp. All of them turned out wonderful and so much better than frying in fat. I can't wait to do some chicken and turkey. You can even do vegetable and stem in it also. If you would like to check it out they do have a website www.cameronsproducts.com . It wasn't cheap but I think it is well worth the money spent.

Some Stitching....

I normally don't buy magazines except for the JCS Special issues for Christmas and Halloween. I look at them and think I may do some of the projects but probably not. This issue of Stoney Creek was a must have. I found at least 7 or 8 projects that I know I will do ASAP so I purchased it and recommend it to anyone who likes to stitch Christmas projects. In fact I have already stitched one of the ornaments.......

"Give" ornament from Stoney Creek

stitched on 32 count Opalescent Linen with

GAST "Cranberry"

This is one of four designs and is shown with 3 charms on it. I like the simple look without the charms but will wait til the other 3 are stitched before deciding about them

I'm still stitching away on Tracy's stocking and with a week left in July just may get the stitching done.

Close up of bottom of center and heel section

Top, Center and Heel done (sorry about the wrinkles LOL)

I'm starting on the toe section tonight then will do the name tag. I can hardly wait to get this finished so I can start on my stocking. It will also be a Just Nan design.

I also had another finish but can't share that with you yet. When we had our bookmark exchange in the ILCS Yahoo Group Kelly wasn't able to take part and she really missed doing it so I agreed to do a exchange just between the two of us. I really don't need another bookmark so she is stitching on I will send on to my DD Manda. I finished Kelly's bookmark and it is now in the mail to her. As soon as she receives it I'll post a picture of what I did just for her.

Guess you are probably bored to tears now with all my rambling so I'll get back to my stitching now.

Until Next Time....Have a great week with LOTS of stitching time.