EmnEllie Cross Stitch Blog

Happy Tuesday! How was your week? Can you believe that it’s almost September? The end of Summer is right around the corner. The temperatures at the Castle, however, will stay pretty warm for a while, and we generally won’t start getting Fall weather until mid-November. But there is a subtle difference in the morning air, and I’d say that the day time temperatures are five degrees lower than a month ago. Not much, but it’s something! One of the ways that I’ve been beating the heat is by drinking smoothies. It’s also a great way to get calcium, since I’ve never been one to drink a glass of milk. So far, these are my favorites (not arranged in order of tastiness!): Banana Mango Banana Guava Peanut Butter and Banana Can you tell that I love bananas? It’s overpowering, for sure, but it’s a great flavor in those smoothie combos. Once in a while, I’ll add some chocolate to the Peanut Butter and Banana smoothie. It’s delicious! If you want to know how to make a Peanut Butter and Banana smoothi...

While I was stitching the other day, I listened to a podcast about the very interesting history of Champagne. The podcaster covered some of the story of the region, as well as the famous drink that bears it’s name.  I learned so much from this episode; for example that Dom Perignon was a real person.  First Chef Boyardee,  now Dom Perignon. I find myself squinting at other brand names and brand mascots wondering, “Were they a real person too?” ... Click here to continue reading...

Happy Tuesday! Although it’s a bit late, happy World Cross Stitch Day! Mind you, I didn’t know that World Cross Stitch Day even existed, but now that I do, I’m prepared for next year. Maybe I’ll make a chart in commemoration of the day… maybe. But that’s all the way in the future, and a whole year from now. Stay tuned! Click here to continue reading

Happy Monday! Ever since I was a very little girl, I’ve had a fascination with Ancient Egypt. I think I had an interest in it because my elder sister adored hieroglyphics (we used to write each other letters in hieroglyphics. Yes, we are nerds) but I think The Mummy with Brendan Fraser really fanned the flames of my love of Egypt. My Mother tells me that I watched that movie so much, I wore out the VHS tape! In my opinion, it’s the only movie, none of the sequels exist (and the world is a better place that way). Longtime readers will know that I love a good murder mystery; and what better mix could there be but Egypt and murder, with a famous Belgian detective?... To continue reading this post, click here

  How was your weekend? Mine was filled with cross stitch and sheet pan pizza. (Not at the same time though!)  Have you ever made pizza at home before? My Mother has used the same pizza dough recipe for about forty years, and every time it turns out deliciously amazing. A few years back, my Mother and I went shopping at a thrift store and found one of the most amazing finds ever… a pizza stone! It was there on a shelf, and didn’t cost an arm and a leg! And it’s true, the pizza stone really does make a nice, crispy pizza crust. Click here to keep reading this post.