Cajun Corner – Vol. 2, No. 13 – APRIL 2, 2010
Bon Jour! Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Don’t forget to visit www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.
Cajun Stitchery’s first anniversary has been wonderful. This week we had several contest entries. All were excellent entries and the decision of who had the best entry is impossible. Therefore, we put all of the names in a hat and drew the winner. The winner is … drum roll, please … Evie Reid. Evie, please contact me and let’s start designing your napkins.
Evie’s entry read:
I have several suggestions that I use and really count on. Here are five I really love:
1) Since I have chickens I cannot put out poison for bugs or ants. Instead I use white paint on trim and white rocks/gravel surrounding the house, trees and flowers. Most bugs avoid these areas because they have no camouflage and they are easily seen by their predators. It is a very easy way to keep pests away from my house. Also, rocks will get dingy and brown after a while so just cover them use lime which is good for the soil and repels slugs and ants. I keep a shallow tray of lime under my pans of cat food so no pests get in the food.
2) For fire ants I simple spread instant grits on the ground at the mound. The ants carry the goodies inside and share with all. When they ingest water or whatever liquid they drink they literally explode which gets rid of the ants without chemicals.
3) Summer is headed this way and along with it comes many activities. As we have two teenagers doing laundry in the house, often one would start a load of laundry and forget it. In this Florida heat, wet clothing can start to sour quickly but I have them add a quarter cup of baking soda to each load which works as a booster to the detergent and prevents the clothes from souring quickly.
4) To prevent soap scum and mildew build up in your tile shower, use car wax. Clean shower thoroughly first then rub a coat of car wax all over the tile. Be sure to not get it on the floor; it will be slippery! This will repel water and prevent mildew.
5) For a natural and inexpensive bathroom disinfecting spray, use white vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Pour in separate, clean spray bottles (which can be purchased at the dollar store). Spray one then the other; wipe clean. It can be used on any surface in your bathroom!
Way to go, Evie!
Cajun Stitchery’s Facebook page has been a lot of fun. At this point we have around 230 fans. That is just wonderful. I can’t wait until Cajun Stitchery becomes as well known as Coca Cola. I believe in thinking positive. Anyway, if you are ever on Facebook, please become a fan of Cajun Stitchery and stop by often. I love to post pictures; although recently I’ve had to fight with the computer to get the pictures on there. Of course, the photos are always on the blog.
One of the cool things about the Cajun Stitchery page on Facebook is that Facebook supplies an area for analyses and tells you how many of your fans are males or females, the age group of the fans, and the location of the fans. We do have some male fans but most are females of all ages. George and I were discussing these statistics and trying to determine what kind of embroidery would a man purchase for himself. About the only thing we could think of, except that maybe men would purchase for women in their lives, was patches, military patches, motorcycle patches, and that sort of thing. So, I gave George a promotion. He is now Director of our Men’s Division at Cajun Stitchery. If you can think of another embroidered item that men would like, please let us know.
We did a really cute tote this week for a lady who wants to give her sister a birthday present. Her sister loves going to the casinos. She chose a very cute design of a cartoonish slot machine. However, the design was about 2” square which was too small. I explained to her that you can decrease the size of a large design but the reverse is not true. However, I had to eat my words because we blew the design up to about 6” square and didn’t lose any detail. Never say never. Please note that enlarging designs does not always work that well.
I simply could not get George out of the lawn and garden this week. The weather has been beautiful. He is so creative and meticulous in the yard. We have several little gardens dispersed everywhere. Little rest areas here and there, each surrounded by a different type of garden. It’s beautiful.
And we are eating out of our garden: asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, chard, carrots, onions, and parsley. One of our garlic plants is getting ready to bloom. The pansies are absolutely gorgeous this year and prolific. One daisy up front, a beautiful red daisy, has bloomed and several other plants are about to bloom. The gladiolas and lily plants have started to grow. Oh, and the blackberry patch that we set aside next door is covered in beautiful white flowers. The wisteria is even in bloom. Everything seems to be popping out of the ground and it is just so delightful.
I made one of those little dog harnesses, like the ones we embroidered a few weeks ago. Talk about simple to make. The one I made had a little twist to the design. Since I wanted to use a decorative cotton fabric, I worried that it wouldn’t be strong enough. I lined it with the same fabric and left off the bias tape. Rather than using a D ring for the leash, I made a belt loop of the same fabric and attached it as we did the D ring. I tried it on my smallest cat and the harness was too small. I’m going to take it to my neighbor with the little dogs and see if they can wear it. If so, I want them to put it through the paces of letting the dog tug on it and washing it, etc., to see how it holds up under normal use. If it holds up well, I’m selling these on Etsy.
If you know me or read Cajun Corner often, then you know that I don’t like to cook. My mother didn’t cook and as a child, I never learned how to cook other than Cajun food. I agree with my mother’s feeling that you go to all of that trouble to cook a beautiful meal, then it’s consumed and there’s nothing to show for it. In the case of sewing, you can have the items for years and years to show. Nevertheless, as an adult woman raising two boys, I did learn to cook. In fact, I began gardening to be assured that my children ate the healthiest food. I canned our vegetables and fruit. I made wine (and that’s a whole story by itself). I made yogurt, cottage cheese and ricotta cheese. Most everything was made from scratch. When the two of them grew up and left home, I told George that’s it. No more cooking for me.
Every now and then I get the urge to cook, as I did at Christmas, but that doesn’t last too long. I get it out of my system and return the kitchen to George. Recently, I’ve been thinking about the homemade yogurt, cottage cheese and ricotta cheese. I think I’m going to have to get this out of my system as well. A simple search on the internet found the recipes. Yogurt is about the next step up from boiling water in difficulty. You simply heat some milk, add a couple of tablespoons of “plain” yogurt, and let it cool. That’s it. However, it is best to have an actual recipe to know how much milk and how warm to heat it.
Always remember that we are just a call or email away at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com or 850-261-2462 and place your order.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Leblanc one day noticed his cat looked a bit ill stricken, so he phoned up the local vet, Thibodeaux. Once Thibodeaux got there he said, well show me da cat. Leblanc hands him the cat, and Dr. Thibodeaux takes a look, he stroked his hands along the right side of the cat, then he stroked his hands along the left side of the cat and finally gives a little touch to the cats head and tail. Well?..Well?....What could it Be? asks Leblanc. Looks like you called me over for nothing, seems da cat just got a hold of some bad catnip or somethin, replied the Dr. Well how much do I owe ya? asked Leblanc. Well I wont charge ya nothin for my services, but it'll be 500 dollars for the Cat-Scan!
ΘΘΘΘΘ
French phrase of the week: Garde voir le beau petit bébé! (Look at the beautiful baby!)
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Thank you to Janet Etheridge for these tidbits:
Fireplace soot on your carpet – sprinkle it with salt – let stand for 10 minutes – vacuum area lightly and soot should lift easily.
Before shoveling the ashes in your fireplace or grill – mist with water – keeps the dust down.
Got lint on a dark fabric? Put a panty hose leg over your hand and wipe the lint right off!
Home-made furniture polish – mix one part vinegar and 3 parts olive oil.
Emergency Carpet cleaner for Mud – sprinkle corn starch on the area and let stand for 15 minutes – then vacuum.
Re-whiten kitchen appliances that have yellowed – mix ½ cup bleach, ¼ cup baking soda and 4 cups of warm water – wipe on – let sit for 15 minutes – rinse – repeat if necessary.
Coat the front of your fridge with car wax to from a clear, odorless, smudge-free glaze – keeps those little fingerprints off!
Please let me know if there is something that you would like to see in the weekly email. You may always call me at (850) 261-2462 or email me at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com.
If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list.
C’est tout, mes amis
Peggy Henshall
Cajun Stitchery
(850) 261-2462
cajunstitchery@yahoo.com
P.S. You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the new catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.
In a quandry about what to give for the bridal shower, anniversary, wedding, birthday, Christmas, or any occasion? Your answer is CAJUN STITCHERY, an embroidery company located in Pensacola, FL. We embroider on ready made items. Our personal service can help you design that perfect, personalized gift. We embroider logos, too.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Here Comes Peter Cottontail
It's Wednesday morning and already the week has been hopping (a little Easter pun). Wow! As of this posting Cajun Stitchery has 225 fans on Facebook. We need to get name recognition and it's looking good.
The weather has been so beautiful that I can't seem to keep George indoors. He has been working on the yard and in the garden. I need to take pictures.
One of the ladies who won our contest wanted a tablecloth to go with the napkins. We ordered and received the tablecloth. The napkins have been stitched out. Oh, how lovely. I'm bringing the tablecloth to her tonight and she will decide where she wants the designs on the tablecloth. She wanted red napkins and tablecloth with a poinsettia and the name "Ballew". On the tablecloth she wants the poinsettia on opposing corners and the name "Ballew" on opposing corners. The only questions are: how big does she want the design and how far from the hem? This will be a beautiful set when finished.
Sometime ago I ran across a place that sold "table in a bag" packages. They included the tablecloth, over cloth, and chair covering. That's a really cool idea but expensive. We get our tablecloths from a factory in California and they seem to have nice napkins, tablecloths and all of the trimmings. We can sell our own "table in a bag" package for around $100.00. Embroidery would be an additional charge, of course. The $100.00 is an approximation since table sizes and number of chairs and settings vary. Our package would include the napkins, tablecloth, over cloth (in satin), and chair covering. We can also offer table runners, chair sashes, and the over cloth in satin, organza or taffeta. We can even get chargers. I've always admired a pretty table. Mine is usually covered in computers and notebooks.
Another contest winner debated on whether she wanted white napkins with a black "Z" or a pretty design that we put together with turtles and a "Z". She finally saw the little turtle napkins that we did for another contestant and she ordered those.
The other contest winner had the red napkins with the conch shell and "Johnson" in script. I believe those photos were posted earlier with the turtle napkins.
Last week we didn't have anyone enter the contest. So far this week we have 3 entries. Come on everyone, join in the fun. There is no cost to you at all. The winner gets a set of 4 napkins with napkin friendly embroidery of their choice. All you have to do to enter is send me an email at peggyhenshall@yahoo.com and tell me a home remedy. The home remedy could relate to health, housekeeping, gardening, whatever. The winner will be announced on Friday. This is our last contest for our anniversary month, so join in the fun.
We had a request for a slot machine design on a tote bag. The customer found the design at Dakota Collectibles and we had the design in stock. The problem was that the original design is about 2" square. A design that small would hardly be noticable on a tote bag. The rule is that you can usually take a large design and reduce the size, but the reverse is not true. However, in this instance we increased the design to about 6" square and it looked fine. Increasing the size of the design naturally increased the stitch count. It went from about 11,000 stitches to 29,000 stitches. Since embroidery is sold by the 1,000 stitches, this is an issue. We then took the design back to the computer program and reduced the density a/k/a stitches. The stitch count reduced to about 16,000. Here are photographs of both. Since this was a sample on density, the thin fabric used caused the registration (line and outlines) to be off considerably. The registration will clean up when stitched on the proper fabric with the proper stabilizer and hooping. That wasn't the issue at the moment. Do you see the difference in the density? The 29,000 stitch design has colors that appear more bold and bright and clearly delineated. The 16,000 looks lighter. It is a cute design.
Easter is coming up Sunday. If you have any last minute baskets to get, please remember the environment and be eco-friendly. Rather than plastic Easter grass, use shredded paper. Avoid using plastic Easter baskets. Be creative. We still have some of the little garden totes, insulated lunch bags, and other totes that would make cute Easter baskets. As corny as it sounds, George and I always color Easter eggs on the Saturday before Easter. We love doing this and letting the child inside go wild:>)
C'est toute, mes amis.
The weather has been so beautiful that I can't seem to keep George indoors. He has been working on the yard and in the garden. I need to take pictures.
One of the ladies who won our contest wanted a tablecloth to go with the napkins. We ordered and received the tablecloth. The napkins have been stitched out. Oh, how lovely. I'm bringing the tablecloth to her tonight and she will decide where she wants the designs on the tablecloth. She wanted red napkins and tablecloth with a poinsettia and the name "Ballew". On the tablecloth she wants the poinsettia on opposing corners and the name "Ballew" on opposing corners. The only questions are: how big does she want the design and how far from the hem? This will be a beautiful set when finished.
Another contest winner debated on whether she wanted white napkins with a black "Z" or a pretty design that we put together with turtles and a "Z". She finally saw the little turtle napkins that we did for another contestant and she ordered those.
We had a request for a slot machine design on a tote bag. The customer found the design at Dakota Collectibles and we had the design in stock. The problem was that the original design is about 2" square. A design that small would hardly be noticable on a tote bag. The rule is that you can usually take a large design and reduce the size, but the reverse is not true. However, in this instance we increased the design to about 6" square and it looked fine. Increasing the size of the design naturally increased the stitch count. It went from about 11,000 stitches to 29,000 stitches. Since embroidery is sold by the 1,000 stitches, this is an issue. We then took the design back to the computer program and reduced the density a/k/a stitches. The stitch count reduced to about 16,000. Here are photographs of both. Since this was a sample on density, the thin fabric used caused the registration (line and outlines) to be off considerably. The registration will clean up when stitched on the proper fabric with the proper stabilizer and hooping. That wasn't the issue at the moment. Do you see the difference in the density? The 29,000 stitch design has colors that appear more bold and bright and clearly delineated. The 16,000 looks lighter. It is a cute design.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Odds and Ends
Since our last Cajun Corner we've had a couple of people submit entries for this week's contest. The winner gets 4 embroidered napkins -- it's free stuff. The winner will be announced this coming Friday. Get your entries in by sending me an email at peggyhenshall@yahoo.com. The contest is to submit home remedies, whether for health, housework, or whatever.
Saturday evening we had a new friend and CPA over for dinner. Boiled shrimp with potatoes, corn on the cob, french bread and wine. She graciously baked and brought a chocolate cake -- yum. We had a lovely evening even if it did include signing our tax returns. We just love Dale. Look her up at Padgett's Business Services in Pensacola.
We took the weekend off. There was no embroidery this weekend. I worked a bit on the blanket and George worked in the yard and garden. It was a quiet, relaxing weekend.
Now we're ready to work. Today we have some napkins and tablecloths to embroider. I can't wait to post those pictures.
This week I want to start working on our Etsy site and get that going better than it has been. We put a couple of items on there during the Mardi Gras season and really haven't done much with it since. I'm thinking about making more of the little dog harnesses and maybe some aprons.
The Cajun Stitchery Facebook page is working well. We have 198 fans at this time. I was really pushing for 200 by the end of the weekend. But we are only 2 shy of the mark and that's not bad. I hope to have a lot more by next weekend.
We are planning a neighborhood gathering tonight by the chiminea. Just a nice fire and a glass of wine. Everyone has to work tomorrow so it won't be a late night thing. We just haven't seen each other in a week. Everyone has been so busy.
Have a wonderful week, mes amis!
This week I want to start working on our Etsy site and get that going better than it has been. We put a couple of items on there during the Mardi Gras season and really haven't done much with it since. I'm thinking about making more of the little dog harnesses and maybe some aprons.
The Cajun Stitchery Facebook page is working well. We have 198 fans at this time. I was really pushing for 200 by the end of the weekend. But we are only 2 shy of the mark and that's not bad. I hope to have a lot more by next weekend.
We are planning a neighborhood gathering tonight by the chiminea. Just a nice fire and a glass of wine. Everyone has to work tomorrow so it won't be a late night thing. We just haven't seen each other in a week. Everyone has been so busy.
Have a wonderful week, mes amis!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Cajun Corner Vol 2 No 12
Cajun Corner – Vol. 2, No. 12 – March 26, 2010
Bon Jour! Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Don’t forget to visit http://www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com/ often.
Cajun Stitchery’s first anniversary has been wonderful and still ongoing. We still are not getting much participation in the contests. No one submitted a response to the contest this week. Come on friends, it’s free stuff. And I love doing this. Only one more week in March and then the contests are over.
This week’s contest: Again, this week Cajun Stitchery would like to know some home remedy ideas. This can be health, cleaning, or household remedies. Doesn’t have to be an essay but you are welcome to do so. Email your response to peggyhenshall@yahoo.com. The winner will be announced next week in Cajun Corner. Prize: 4 embroidered napkins.
Right now I’m anxiously awaiting a response to an email that I sent to a rather exclusive linen company, Ulster Linen Company. They sell wholesale, high quality Irish linen by the yard or item. Their minimum order is rather pricey for me but if I start getting a demand for heirloom type items, I am thinking about biting the bullet and getting something really high quality that you can hand down to your daughters and granddaughters with pride.
Did you know…linen is made from flax. Initially, man wore animal skins as garments. As man created more nomadic type communities driving herds, they began wearing clothing made of wool from their sheep. When man started settling down into communities and cultivating the land, they planted flax and their clothing from the flax plant was linen. Linen was the earliest vegetable matter to be woven. Linen is also mentioned in the Bible many times and represents purity. Linen is such a durable fabric that Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen strips. As the tombs have been discovered, other fabrics disintegrated and turned to dust while the linen fabric remained mostly intact. The British Museum in London has mummy linen 6,000 years old. Linen not only is long lasting but harmful germs leave linen alone, making linen extremely sanitary. Otherwise, the linen in the Egyptian tombs would have turned to dust with the other fabrics. The ancient Phoenicians actually introduced flax cultivation to Ireland. The Board of Trustees of the Linen Manufacturers controlled the Irish linen industry for over 100 years (1711-1823). It is due to its success in control of the industry that Irish linen today is looked upon as the high mark in quality among linen manufacturers in the world.
Last Saturday I created a Facebook page for Cajun Stitchery. Many of our Facebook friends commented on the photographs that we’ve posted. I’m trying to post as many of the photographs as I can. We were surprised that we have 178 fans for the Cajun Stitchery Page and we haven’t even been running a week yet. I’m shooting for name recognition as well as sales for Cajun Stitchery. As always, there is an element of fun, too. If you are on Facebook and have not yet become a fan of Cajun Stitchery, please do so.
This week I tried to update the slideshow on the blog. At first I thought I lost all of the old slideshow. Now I have about half of the photos on there that I wanted but at least there are new photos on the slideshow. Cajun Stitchery Facebook page is now connected to the blog.
The exercise of uploading the photos to the Facebook page and working with the slideshow demonstrated to me how many pictures we’ve taken of projects over the last year. I do not have an exact count, and the count changes all of the time, but it is over 300 pictures. Those photographs have become a portfolio as well as a diary.
The other big accomplishment this week was on bookkeeping day, Tuesday. We had a long list of things to do for taxes and bookkeeping and finished. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders when all of those things were finally done. Don’t you just hate it when you dread doing something and keep putting it off? It is such a feeling of exhilaration when you finally get through it and to the other side.
George is in the garden as I type this. He’s planting onions and carrots today. It really has been a pretty week and wonderful to be in the garden. The whole yard is looking like Spring has sprung.
Always remember that we are just a call or email away at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com or 850-261-2462 and place your order.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
One day Thibodeaux went up to Boudreaux. "You know Boudreaux, I think somethin' wrong wit me."
Boudreaux said, "Mais, Thibodeaux, tell me what's your problem.?"
"Well, Boudreaux," Thibodeaux said. "My whole body is in pain. Everywhere I press on my body it hurts."
"Thibodeaux, I think I know what's wrong with you." Boudreaux replied.
"Tell me Boudreaux, what could it be?"
"Thibodeaux, you need to see the doctor because your finger's broken."
ΘΘΘΘΘ
French phrase of the week: Tu veux aller au bal avec moi à soir? (Do you want to go to the dance with me tonight?)
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Awhile back we met with our local commissioner. During our meeting the conversation went to the environment. He said that the chemicals that we use on our lawn and the chemicals used by professional exterminators are leaching into our ground water and creating a significant problem.
Why do we use chemicals and especially expensive chemicals to do a job that normal, everyday, environmentally friendly products will achieve for a low cost? Here are some tips:
1. Remove bacteria and pesticide residue from produce - Use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, wash produce thoroughly.
2. Clean windows and countertops - Use a 50% water and vinegar mixture to clean windows and countertops.
3. Remove shower and bathtub film - Use vinegar full strength on an old wash rag.
4. Toilet bowl stains - Use white distilled vinegar full strength with a scrubber.
5. Furniture polish - Use a 50% olive oil and vinegar mixture and polish furniture with a soft cloth. Be sure to test furniture in an inconspicuous spot first because vinegar is acidic.
6. Clean microwave - Utilize 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in a bowl. Place in the microwave and cook until boiling. Immediately wipe interior of microwave.
7. Wash no-wax floors - Add 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar to a half-gallon of warm water. Mop or scrub floor.
8. Clean kitchen cutting boards - Use vinegar full strength on cutting boards.
9. Wash grass stains out of fabric - Use a 1/3 cup vinegar and 2/3 cup water mixture. Apply to stain and blot.
10. Remove molds and mildew - Use a 50% water and white vinegar mixture for light mildew stains, and full strength white vinegar to kill heavier mildew and mold growth.
Please let me know if there is something that you would like to see in the weekly email. You may always call me at (850) 261-2462 or email me at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com.
If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list.
C’est tout, mes amis
Peggy Henshall
Cajun Stitchery
(850) 261-2462
cajunstitchery@yahoo.com
P.S. You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the new catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.
Bon Jour! Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Don’t forget to visit http://www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com/ often.
Cajun Stitchery’s first anniversary has been wonderful and still ongoing. We still are not getting much participation in the contests. No one submitted a response to the contest this week. Come on friends, it’s free stuff. And I love doing this. Only one more week in March and then the contests are over.
This week’s contest: Again, this week Cajun Stitchery would like to know some home remedy ideas. This can be health, cleaning, or household remedies. Doesn’t have to be an essay but you are welcome to do so. Email your response to peggyhenshall@yahoo.com. The winner will be announced next week in Cajun Corner. Prize: 4 embroidered napkins.
Right now I’m anxiously awaiting a response to an email that I sent to a rather exclusive linen company, Ulster Linen Company. They sell wholesale, high quality Irish linen by the yard or item. Their minimum order is rather pricey for me but if I start getting a demand for heirloom type items, I am thinking about biting the bullet and getting something really high quality that you can hand down to your daughters and granddaughters with pride.
Did you know…linen is made from flax. Initially, man wore animal skins as garments. As man created more nomadic type communities driving herds, they began wearing clothing made of wool from their sheep. When man started settling down into communities and cultivating the land, they planted flax and their clothing from the flax plant was linen. Linen was the earliest vegetable matter to be woven. Linen is also mentioned in the Bible many times and represents purity. Linen is such a durable fabric that Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen strips. As the tombs have been discovered, other fabrics disintegrated and turned to dust while the linen fabric remained mostly intact. The British Museum in London has mummy linen 6,000 years old. Linen not only is long lasting but harmful germs leave linen alone, making linen extremely sanitary. Otherwise, the linen in the Egyptian tombs would have turned to dust with the other fabrics. The ancient Phoenicians actually introduced flax cultivation to Ireland. The Board of Trustees of the Linen Manufacturers controlled the Irish linen industry for over 100 years (1711-1823). It is due to its success in control of the industry that Irish linen today is looked upon as the high mark in quality among linen manufacturers in the world.
Last Saturday I created a Facebook page for Cajun Stitchery. Many of our Facebook friends commented on the photographs that we’ve posted. I’m trying to post as many of the photographs as I can. We were surprised that we have 178 fans for the Cajun Stitchery Page and we haven’t even been running a week yet. I’m shooting for name recognition as well as sales for Cajun Stitchery. As always, there is an element of fun, too. If you are on Facebook and have not yet become a fan of Cajun Stitchery, please do so.
This week I tried to update the slideshow on the blog. At first I thought I lost all of the old slideshow. Now I have about half of the photos on there that I wanted but at least there are new photos on the slideshow. Cajun Stitchery Facebook page is now connected to the blog.
The exercise of uploading the photos to the Facebook page and working with the slideshow demonstrated to me how many pictures we’ve taken of projects over the last year. I do not have an exact count, and the count changes all of the time, but it is over 300 pictures. Those photographs have become a portfolio as well as a diary.
The other big accomplishment this week was on bookkeeping day, Tuesday. We had a long list of things to do for taxes and bookkeeping and finished. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders when all of those things were finally done. Don’t you just hate it when you dread doing something and keep putting it off? It is such a feeling of exhilaration when you finally get through it and to the other side.
George is in the garden as I type this. He’s planting onions and carrots today. It really has been a pretty week and wonderful to be in the garden. The whole yard is looking like Spring has sprung.
Always remember that we are just a call or email away at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com or 850-261-2462 and place your order.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
One day Thibodeaux went up to Boudreaux. "You know Boudreaux, I think somethin' wrong wit me."
Boudreaux said, "Mais, Thibodeaux, tell me what's your problem.?"
"Well, Boudreaux," Thibodeaux said. "My whole body is in pain. Everywhere I press on my body it hurts."
"Thibodeaux, I think I know what's wrong with you." Boudreaux replied.
"Tell me Boudreaux, what could it be?"
"Thibodeaux, you need to see the doctor because your finger's broken."
ΘΘΘΘΘ
French phrase of the week: Tu veux aller au bal avec moi à soir? (Do you want to go to the dance with me tonight?)
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Awhile back we met with our local commissioner. During our meeting the conversation went to the environment. He said that the chemicals that we use on our lawn and the chemicals used by professional exterminators are leaching into our ground water and creating a significant problem.
Why do we use chemicals and especially expensive chemicals to do a job that normal, everyday, environmentally friendly products will achieve for a low cost? Here are some tips:
1. Remove bacteria and pesticide residue from produce - Use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, wash produce thoroughly.
2. Clean windows and countertops - Use a 50% water and vinegar mixture to clean windows and countertops.
3. Remove shower and bathtub film - Use vinegar full strength on an old wash rag.
4. Toilet bowl stains - Use white distilled vinegar full strength with a scrubber.
5. Furniture polish - Use a 50% olive oil and vinegar mixture and polish furniture with a soft cloth. Be sure to test furniture in an inconspicuous spot first because vinegar is acidic.
6. Clean microwave - Utilize 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in a bowl. Place in the microwave and cook until boiling. Immediately wipe interior of microwave.
7. Wash no-wax floors - Add 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar to a half-gallon of warm water. Mop or scrub floor.
8. Clean kitchen cutting boards - Use vinegar full strength on cutting boards.
9. Wash grass stains out of fabric - Use a 1/3 cup vinegar and 2/3 cup water mixture. Apply to stain and blot.
10. Remove molds and mildew - Use a 50% water and white vinegar mixture for light mildew stains, and full strength white vinegar to kill heavier mildew and mold growth.
Please let me know if there is something that you would like to see in the weekly email. You may always call me at (850) 261-2462 or email me at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com.
If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list.
C’est tout, mes amis
Peggy Henshall
Cajun Stitchery
(850) 261-2462
cajunstitchery@yahoo.com
P.S. You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the new catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Easter, Spring, Graudations and Weddings
I am a bad neighbor. My neighbor went on vacation to Boston and loaned her house out to relatives who were coming into the Pensacola area for their vacation. She asked me to look in on them and make sure they had everything they needed. They came in Sunday night so we didn't want to bother them. I assumed they were tired from traveling. Monday morning the lady called me and we had a friendly chat and they were fine. I have not made it over there to even introduce myself face-to-face. It's been crazy around here. In a good way. I must make sure I go over there today.
Cajun Stitchery's page on Facebook has consumed my time this week. I'm trying to get a lot of our photographs of projects on their for all to see. It's been a kind of blitz of advertisement for us. Good gosh! I've taken a lot of photographs and we've done a lot of projects. One of them George didn't even remember doing.
All of that combined with Spring and a definite urge to be outside. George has worked in the yard all week. It is looking great. Today he's working in the garden. I'm bound and determined to get on the embroidery machine and stitch away all day.
The napkins that we embroidered for the church affair were received with delight. We finished the napkins for our contest winner, Sandi, and she should receive them today. She wanted red napkins and I sent her several sample designs. Finally, she said for me to choose a design and surprise her but she likes her full last name and a conch shell. They turned out nice. Now we wait and see how Sandi likes them.
Several people have dropped by this week. I love company. One of our neighbors is an avid gardener and he and George get together trading plants and seeds. This week he brought over a plant called feverfew. I've heard the name but that's about it. He says that he calls it the "Bayer plant" because it's an herb that is supposed to relieve headaches. The reason he brought it to us is because we are always trying to find something that will grow under our oak trees. Plants do not like those trees. I will say that last year he suggested that we plant the oregano under the big live oak and sure enough the oregano is still alive. I wouldn't exactly say that it is florishing but it is green.
I'm working in the evenings on a throw blanket that I'm making. I'm using test samples from many of last year's projects. Sure hope this turns out nice. It is taking a long time.
Yesterday was Tuesday and Tuesdays at Cajun Stitchery are bookkeeping days. Our new friend and CPA had several projects for me to do and we did them all. It was such a good feeling by the end of the day to have plowed through all of that stuff and have it behind us.
The Junkanoo jackets are gone. Leigh came over Monday after work and we loaded all of them into her car. We had jackets hanging everywhere. Once they were gone, the house looked empty.
We have one more Nereid jacket to do. We had the jacket and last week George was working on it and the hood got caught under the sash of the embroidery machine and pulled the design askew. We tried pulling out all of the stitches but finally realized that even if we got all of the stitches out, it wouldn't look as nice as we would like. So, we ordered a new jacket that should arrive today or tomorrow.
There is one more week in March. So we will have another contest this Friday.
I guess the next thing is Easter, Spring, graduations and weddings. We are heading into the graduation and wedding time of the year. If time permits, I think I'll stitch out several appropriate designs. Remember heirloom for both weddings and graduations.
C'est toute, mes amis.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Who Let The Cats Out?
Another wonderful weekend. Saturday I figured out how to get a Cajun Stitchery page on Facebook. That's when I also figured out how to get Facebook friends on this blog. Pretty cool. Anyway, it was like a media blitz on Facebook with my posts and pictures. I want everyone to see what we do and love to do.
All's well that ends well, and all of the cats were retrieved and back in the house. But, I must say how pleased I am with the dogs. Apparently, while Evie was trying to wake me up, Stinky was working on George. They knew something was wrong. We just didn't close the back door tight and the wind must have blown it open. Last night our dogs got special treats for the heroes that they are.
We found the cute little garden tote bags in a couple of other colors: pink/brown and green/light green. We also found the fanny packs in several colors. The fanny packs, however, are no longer for sale because I wore the one I embroidered for me to Fairhope. It worked fine but by the end of the day the zipper broke and the construction was just not a good quality construction.
C'est toute, mes amis.
Saturday afternoon we attended a birthday party on the beach. One of my friends was telling me about a raffle or event coming up at her church and Cajun Stitchery offered to donate a set of 4 embroidered napkins for the cause. That evening the napkins were embroidered. We used a seahorse motif in beachy colors.
Friday night we had embroidered a set of napkins for a neighbor. He was so funny about the napkins. He and I worked on the computer helping him select the perfect design of his choice and the best colors and in the end he was pleased as punch.
Sunday we went to the Fairhope Arts & Craft Festival and had a wonderful time. Several people from the neighborhood went and we met up with George's sister. We were hungry for lunch but the rest of the group wanted to look at the crafts and not stop to eat. So, George, his sister and I split from the other group and went to eat, then look at crafts, listen to music, and see all of the sights. We even went into the Fairhope Museum and learned the history of Fairhope. All in all it was a wonderful day.
By the time we got home, we sat down to chill out and watch a movie. We fell asleep on the sofas. Evie, our labrador retriever, kept trying to get me up. I kept pushing her away and she would grab my hand and jostle it. Well, there was no waking me up. When I finally did get up, I immediately noticed the back door was open. George was also asleep on the sofa and as I jumped up, I woke him up and told him. It all took a second to happen. We both ran to the back door. All three of our cats were outside. Our cats are all indoor cats. They've had their front claws removed. Tigger and Sylvester were sitting on our deck, close to the back door, looking very bewildered. Tigger, who was a stray kitten and begged to come into our family, wanted no part of outdoor life and ran right back into the house. I guess he was afraid that we would close the door and he wouldn't be able to get back in. Sylvester, our tuxedo cat, has never been outside other than on walks with us while we carry him, also looked as though he didn't know what he was doing there and ran into the house. Then there is Polly, the little manx cat. Polly was on the lawn near the deck, perfectly content to do her own thing. While the other two cats would have long term emotional disorders if left outside without a means of returning to the climate controlled house, Polly, on the other hand, is curious about everything and insists on having everything her own way. The other two will come to their names. Polly knows her name but will come when she darn well feels like it. George went around one side of the deck; I went around the other. George knelt down to call Polly and she bolted. Luckily, she bolted into my arms, but almost through my arms. George said the NFL would be on our doorsteps recruiting me had they seen the tackle I made on that cat. Even at that she nearly slipped through my arms.
All's well that ends well, and all of the cats were retrieved and back in the house. But, I must say how pleased I am with the dogs. Apparently, while Evie was trying to wake me up, Stinky was working on George. They knew something was wrong. We just didn't close the back door tight and the wind must have blown it open. Last night our dogs got special treats for the heroes that they are.
C'est toute, mes amis.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Cajun Corner Vol. 2, No. 10
Cajun Corner – Vol. 2, No. 10 – March 13, 2010
Bon Jour! Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Don’t forget to visit us at www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.
Cajun Stitchery’s first anniversary has been wonderful and still ongoing. We still are not getting as much participation in the contests as anticipated, but we are getting enough for a winner each week. I guess I have a lot to learn about contests.
This week’s contest winner is D.J. Zemenick. D.J. won a set for 4 napkins with the embroidery of her choice. D.J. said: “My pet peeve is finding so much plastic on the beach. Balloons and plastic bags get blown into the Gulf of Mexico and cause harm or even death to our endangered sea turtles when they mistake plastic in the water for a jellyfish (which they eat) and then choke on it or it creates a blockage in their stomach. Since it is so easy for an empty plastic bag to get blown away in our strong island breezes, I'm a strong advocate of using cloth/canvas shopping bags when I shop.” Isn’t that a great response for the contest? Of course, DJ and others have Cajun Stitchery bags and our bags are always available. Visit DJ on her blog at www.barrierislandgirl.blogspot.com. DJ is one heck of a photographer.
This week’s contest: This week Cajun Stitchery would like to know some home remedy ideas. This can be health, cleaning, or household remedies. Doesn’t have to be an essay but you are welcome to do so. Email your response to peggyhenshall@yahoo.com. The winner will be announced next week in Cajun Corner. Prize: 4 embroidered napkins.
Junkanoo jackets are done. Embroidering the names on the jackets was a piece of cake, except… First, we found that several of the jackets had patches glued, and I mean glued solid, onto the area that we were going to embroider the names. That’s when we discovered (thank you Amy) Goof-Off. This stuff is fabulous. So, we got the patches off and embroidered the names. We embroidered what everyone had written on a piece of paper in their pockets, or for those without papers in their pockets we figured out whose jacket it was and embroidered their name. One of the ladies wrote her entire name. We embroidered as she had written, only to find out later that she didn’t want her entire name but only her first name. It took us three days to meticulously take out each and every one of those embroidered stitches. George and I were taking turns. After staring at the tiny stitches for so long you had to get up and focus on other things. All is well that ends well and we got the stitches out, embroidered her first name and it looks great.
The Junkanoos are a group of simply wonderful people. I have shopped with them, ate with them, drank with them, partied with them, and each and every one that I know on the krewe is simply a wonderful human being. You know they captured my heart when they held the Kritter Krawl and make donations to the Humane Society.
I remembered to bring my camera and took pictures of the pillowcases that I embroidered for a friend. She had just washed the pillowcases and they were a bit wrinkled but at least I have the photos for posterity.
My discussion last week about Hope Chests created an email conversation with one of my dear, sweet friends. Kathi has a way with words and so I’m going to let her say it herself: “I've never heard of starting a hope chest for someone else (unless of course you're the mother and can't wait to get this child out of your house!). Back 'in my day' the girls started a hope chest in their teens; in the 'hope' of marrying to, basically, get out of their parents’ homes. There were not a lot of other choices for females then unless you had parents rich enough to send you to college (where they 'hoped' their girls would find an educated husband). My eldest sister was the only one in my family (with a total of 4 girls) to actually have a hope chest. I don't really remember what she put in the chest.”
You know I simply cannot resist a good research project and this was just too tempting. My research showed that a Hope Chest could be started or added to by anyone. The actual "hope chest", the elaborate ones, were passed down from mother to daughter. Whatever the girl received through her life that would be classified as a household item would or could be placed in their hope chest. Frequently, the hope chest was simply a drawer where the girl collected the items. The hope chest is also known as trousseau, dowry, cedar chest, glory box, kast, or schrank chest.
Historically, mothers taught daughters to sew, embroider, knit, crochet, etc., and the daughters would put her items in her hope chest as she made them.
"Back in my day" we had bridal showers, as we have today, where the girl was given items for her home. The "Hope Chest" by Lane Furniture became popular after WWII when the Lane Company completed its government contract building ammunition boxes. Lane Furniture was then created and specialized in Hope Chests a/k/a cedar chests. They pushed a huge, successful, marketing campaign for their Hope Chests. The Lane Furniture Company has since gone out of business.
There seems to be a resurrection of hope a/k/a cedar chests nowadays for men and women. Since the cedar will protect even important documents, they are now used to keep passports, birth certificates, and other documents, as well as the traditional blankets and other household items.
Personally, I think a hope chest is a wonderful thing and would love to see it back in vogue. It's romantic, yet practical. Sadly, I don't believe mothers teach daughters those fine arts of homemaking much anymore. I’m just a romantic at heart.
George finished scrapping the living room ceiling. Now he needs to do his magic and paint the ceiling.
We did an experiment with the gold thread. Sitting side-by-side the spools are the identical colors. However, once we stitched a little design, the difference was apparent. I guess there is just nothing like the shine of that metallic thread. The photographs of the experiment were posted on the blog earlier this week. Take a look and let me know your comments, please.
Tax season is a breeze this year. My new tax/financial guru, Dale Jones, has my stuff all in order. I now have a new reason to get outside, professional help with my taxes: it frees me up to make money and complete our orders. Had I been doing the taxes this week, Cajun Stitchery’s orders would have backed up for sure. I believe my Mama would even be impressed. I still have several lists of things to do that Dale has requested but I’m working on that. At Cajun Stitchery Tuesdays are bookkeeping day. That’s the day that George tiptoes around the house because I’m usually muttering under my breath at QuickBooks or some other computer software.
Cajun Corner is not late this week. I have a luncheon to attend today and I want to make sure this issue is received timely. Yes, it is 2:00 a.m. and I’m typing. I have always been my most creative in the wee hours of the morning. In fact, the same was true for Mama and Nancy.
I have to share a story with you. When Nancy and I were still in school, in the early 1960’s, neither one of us liked to do homework. Mama was always on us to get our homework done but she worked and it was hard to get us to do homework after school because she wasn’t there. We were always doing our homework at the last minute. It’s a miracle that either one of us graduated. Mama realized that all of us were more creative in the wee hours of the morning a/k/a late night. So, she imposed a new rule. We all went to bed at 7:00 p.m. and she woke us up at 3:00 a.m. to do our homework. The new rule lasted maybe three days. We were the grumpiest, most cantankerous three females on earth for those few mornings. The flaw in her plan was that none of us were morning people.
Always remember that we are just a call or email away at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com or 850-261-2462 and place your order.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Thibodeaux came back from a 28 day hitch offshore. He had made him a big check. So Thibodeaux decided to go to Gulotta's in New Iberia and buy himself a brand new pair of patent leather boots. After buying the boots, Thibodeaux decided to go dancing at La Poussierre in Breaux Bridge to break in his new boots. At the dance Thibodeaux asked Marie if she want to waltz. She said, "Mais yea, Thibodeaux." In the middle of dancing, Thibodeaux asked Marie, "You got some blue panties on?" Marie replied, "Yea, how you know dat?" Thibodeaux said, "Because I could see the reflection in my brand new patent leather boots." Thibodeaux then asked Claudette if she wanted to dance. She agreed. In the middle of dancing Thibodeaux asked, "You got some red panties on?" Claudette said, "Yea, how you know dat?" Thibodeaux said, "Because I could see the reflection in my brand new pair of patent leather boots." Thibodeaux then asked Clotile if she wanted to dance. She agreed. In the middle of dancing Thibodeaux asked, "Clotile, you not wearing any panties, huh?" Clotile said, "Mais non, Thibodeaux." Thibodeaux caught his breath and said in relief, "Thank God, I thought I had a crack in my brand new pair of patent leather boots."
ΘΘΘΘΘ
French phrase of the week: Descends de là droite asteur! (Get down from there right now!)
ΘΘΘΘΘ
From: http://www.plantea.com/coffee-bag-container-garden.htm
The next time you order an espresso to go, ask for a burlap coffee bag, to go, too. Lightweight (and free!) coffee bags are a unique way to add gardening space to your yard, and recycle at the same.
You can plant any kind of annual flowers, vegetables and herbs in burlap coffee bags. Strawberries work great, too! Here's how you do it:
1. Set a coffee bag in place, against a tree, under a shrub, or among a clump of perennials.
2. Roll down the top edge until you have the height you want. The rounded collar around the top is gentle on plants that hang over the edge.
3. Fill the bag with pre-dampened, all-purpose potting soil (or fill halfway with compost and/or garden soil and then top off with potting soil). No need to worry about drainage: The burlap bag holds moisture, yet drains well and stays upright.
4. Plant with seedlings, like you would a regular container. For a filled-out effect, experiment with cutting slits on the sides and poking seedlings in the holes.
Burlap coffee bags provide you with instant container gardens that adapt to any garden and landscape situation. Because they sit gently on the earth, you can use burlap containers to fill spaces and shape in, and around, existing beds.
Because they are biodegradable, plan on using your coffee bag(s) for one season. At the end of the season, they are soft and pliable. At that point, just break it apart and distribute the soil around the garden. Bury the burlap bag in the garden or in the compost pile where it will decompose.
Yes, believe it or not, coffee shops are great sources of gardening supplies. Coffee grounds are a wonderful non-toxic, home remedy for keeping slugs and snails at bay (read the whole article) and many coffee shops are more than happy to give you their used grounds!
Please let me know if there is something that you would like to see in the weekly email. You may always call me at (850) 261-2462 or email me at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com.
If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list.
C’est tout, mes amis
Peggy Henshall
Cajun Stitchery
(850) 261-2462
cajunstitchery@yahoo.com
P.S. You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the new catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.
Bon Jour! Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Don’t forget to visit us at www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.
Cajun Stitchery’s first anniversary has been wonderful and still ongoing. We still are not getting as much participation in the contests as anticipated, but we are getting enough for a winner each week. I guess I have a lot to learn about contests.
This week’s contest winner is D.J. Zemenick. D.J. won a set for 4 napkins with the embroidery of her choice. D.J. said: “My pet peeve is finding so much plastic on the beach. Balloons and plastic bags get blown into the Gulf of Mexico and cause harm or even death to our endangered sea turtles when they mistake plastic in the water for a jellyfish (which they eat) and then choke on it or it creates a blockage in their stomach. Since it is so easy for an empty plastic bag to get blown away in our strong island breezes, I'm a strong advocate of using cloth/canvas shopping bags when I shop.” Isn’t that a great response for the contest? Of course, DJ and others have Cajun Stitchery bags and our bags are always available. Visit DJ on her blog at www.barrierislandgirl.blogspot.com. DJ is one heck of a photographer.
This week’s contest: This week Cajun Stitchery would like to know some home remedy ideas. This can be health, cleaning, or household remedies. Doesn’t have to be an essay but you are welcome to do so. Email your response to peggyhenshall@yahoo.com. The winner will be announced next week in Cajun Corner. Prize: 4 embroidered napkins.
Junkanoo jackets are done. Embroidering the names on the jackets was a piece of cake, except… First, we found that several of the jackets had patches glued, and I mean glued solid, onto the area that we were going to embroider the names. That’s when we discovered (thank you Amy) Goof-Off. This stuff is fabulous. So, we got the patches off and embroidered the names. We embroidered what everyone had written on a piece of paper in their pockets, or for those without papers in their pockets we figured out whose jacket it was and embroidered their name. One of the ladies wrote her entire name. We embroidered as she had written, only to find out later that she didn’t want her entire name but only her first name. It took us three days to meticulously take out each and every one of those embroidered stitches. George and I were taking turns. After staring at the tiny stitches for so long you had to get up and focus on other things. All is well that ends well and we got the stitches out, embroidered her first name and it looks great.
The Junkanoos are a group of simply wonderful people. I have shopped with them, ate with them, drank with them, partied with them, and each and every one that I know on the krewe is simply a wonderful human being. You know they captured my heart when they held the Kritter Krawl and make donations to the Humane Society.
I remembered to bring my camera and took pictures of the pillowcases that I embroidered for a friend. She had just washed the pillowcases and they were a bit wrinkled but at least I have the photos for posterity.
My discussion last week about Hope Chests created an email conversation with one of my dear, sweet friends. Kathi has a way with words and so I’m going to let her say it herself: “I've never heard of starting a hope chest for someone else (unless of course you're the mother and can't wait to get this child out of your house!). Back 'in my day' the girls started a hope chest in their teens; in the 'hope' of marrying to, basically, get out of their parents’ homes. There were not a lot of other choices for females then unless you had parents rich enough to send you to college (where they 'hoped' their girls would find an educated husband). My eldest sister was the only one in my family (with a total of 4 girls) to actually have a hope chest. I don't really remember what she put in the chest.”
You know I simply cannot resist a good research project and this was just too tempting. My research showed that a Hope Chest could be started or added to by anyone. The actual "hope chest", the elaborate ones, were passed down from mother to daughter. Whatever the girl received through her life that would be classified as a household item would or could be placed in their hope chest. Frequently, the hope chest was simply a drawer where the girl collected the items. The hope chest is also known as trousseau, dowry, cedar chest, glory box, kast, or schrank chest.
Historically, mothers taught daughters to sew, embroider, knit, crochet, etc., and the daughters would put her items in her hope chest as she made them.
"Back in my day" we had bridal showers, as we have today, where the girl was given items for her home. The "Hope Chest" by Lane Furniture became popular after WWII when the Lane Company completed its government contract building ammunition boxes. Lane Furniture was then created and specialized in Hope Chests a/k/a cedar chests. They pushed a huge, successful, marketing campaign for their Hope Chests. The Lane Furniture Company has since gone out of business.
There seems to be a resurrection of hope a/k/a cedar chests nowadays for men and women. Since the cedar will protect even important documents, they are now used to keep passports, birth certificates, and other documents, as well as the traditional blankets and other household items.
Personally, I think a hope chest is a wonderful thing and would love to see it back in vogue. It's romantic, yet practical. Sadly, I don't believe mothers teach daughters those fine arts of homemaking much anymore. I’m just a romantic at heart.
George finished scrapping the living room ceiling. Now he needs to do his magic and paint the ceiling.
We did an experiment with the gold thread. Sitting side-by-side the spools are the identical colors. However, once we stitched a little design, the difference was apparent. I guess there is just nothing like the shine of that metallic thread. The photographs of the experiment were posted on the blog earlier this week. Take a look and let me know your comments, please.
Tax season is a breeze this year. My new tax/financial guru, Dale Jones, has my stuff all in order. I now have a new reason to get outside, professional help with my taxes: it frees me up to make money and complete our orders. Had I been doing the taxes this week, Cajun Stitchery’s orders would have backed up for sure. I believe my Mama would even be impressed. I still have several lists of things to do that Dale has requested but I’m working on that. At Cajun Stitchery Tuesdays are bookkeeping day. That’s the day that George tiptoes around the house because I’m usually muttering under my breath at QuickBooks or some other computer software.
Cajun Corner is not late this week. I have a luncheon to attend today and I want to make sure this issue is received timely. Yes, it is 2:00 a.m. and I’m typing. I have always been my most creative in the wee hours of the morning. In fact, the same was true for Mama and Nancy.
I have to share a story with you. When Nancy and I were still in school, in the early 1960’s, neither one of us liked to do homework. Mama was always on us to get our homework done but she worked and it was hard to get us to do homework after school because she wasn’t there. We were always doing our homework at the last minute. It’s a miracle that either one of us graduated. Mama realized that all of us were more creative in the wee hours of the morning a/k/a late night. So, she imposed a new rule. We all went to bed at 7:00 p.m. and she woke us up at 3:00 a.m. to do our homework. The new rule lasted maybe three days. We were the grumpiest, most cantankerous three females on earth for those few mornings. The flaw in her plan was that none of us were morning people.
Always remember that we are just a call or email away at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com or 850-261-2462 and place your order.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Thibodeaux came back from a 28 day hitch offshore. He had made him a big check. So Thibodeaux decided to go to Gulotta's in New Iberia and buy himself a brand new pair of patent leather boots. After buying the boots, Thibodeaux decided to go dancing at La Poussierre in Breaux Bridge to break in his new boots. At the dance Thibodeaux asked Marie if she want to waltz. She said, "Mais yea, Thibodeaux." In the middle of dancing, Thibodeaux asked Marie, "You got some blue panties on?" Marie replied, "Yea, how you know dat?" Thibodeaux said, "Because I could see the reflection in my brand new patent leather boots." Thibodeaux then asked Claudette if she wanted to dance. She agreed. In the middle of dancing Thibodeaux asked, "You got some red panties on?" Claudette said, "Yea, how you know dat?" Thibodeaux said, "Because I could see the reflection in my brand new pair of patent leather boots." Thibodeaux then asked Clotile if she wanted to dance. She agreed. In the middle of dancing Thibodeaux asked, "Clotile, you not wearing any panties, huh?" Clotile said, "Mais non, Thibodeaux." Thibodeaux caught his breath and said in relief, "Thank God, I thought I had a crack in my brand new pair of patent leather boots."
ΘΘΘΘΘ
French phrase of the week: Descends de là droite asteur! (Get down from there right now!)
ΘΘΘΘΘ
From: http://www.plantea.com/coffee-bag-container-garden.htm
The next time you order an espresso to go, ask for a burlap coffee bag, to go, too. Lightweight (and free!) coffee bags are a unique way to add gardening space to your yard, and recycle at the same.
You can plant any kind of annual flowers, vegetables and herbs in burlap coffee bags. Strawberries work great, too! Here's how you do it:
1. Set a coffee bag in place, against a tree, under a shrub, or among a clump of perennials.
2. Roll down the top edge until you have the height you want. The rounded collar around the top is gentle on plants that hang over the edge.
3. Fill the bag with pre-dampened, all-purpose potting soil (or fill halfway with compost and/or garden soil and then top off with potting soil). No need to worry about drainage: The burlap bag holds moisture, yet drains well and stays upright.
4. Plant with seedlings, like you would a regular container. For a filled-out effect, experiment with cutting slits on the sides and poking seedlings in the holes.
Burlap coffee bags provide you with instant container gardens that adapt to any garden and landscape situation. Because they sit gently on the earth, you can use burlap containers to fill spaces and shape in, and around, existing beds.
Because they are biodegradable, plan on using your coffee bag(s) for one season. At the end of the season, they are soft and pliable. At that point, just break it apart and distribute the soil around the garden. Bury the burlap bag in the garden or in the compost pile where it will decompose.
Yes, believe it or not, coffee shops are great sources of gardening supplies. Coffee grounds are a wonderful non-toxic, home remedy for keeping slugs and snails at bay (read the whole article) and many coffee shops are more than happy to give you their used grounds!
Please let me know if there is something that you would like to see in the weekly email. You may always call me at (850) 261-2462 or email me at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com.
If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list.
C’est tout, mes amis
Peggy Henshall
Cajun Stitchery
(850) 261-2462
cajunstitchery@yahoo.com
P.S. You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the new catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.
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