Stormy weather....

Good morning folks!
Wow those storms were scary!! We had the TV on all day - watching them move toward us. We got lucky though and they split - going to the North and South of us - just barely!! We had one small section go right over so we did get some high wind and rain but no tornadoes.  I feel awful for the towns that got hit! So scary!! I can say - again - that with the troubles we had with this house to start I am glad to say that in a storm - this place is sturdy!! The wind doesn't whistle at the windows or doors! You can hardly hear the storm raging outside!
This weekend we unpacked a bunch of stuff - place is starting to look like a home. Scott touched up my ceiling smudges - looks fabulous!! Whole upstairs painting is done!! He also edged the entry - in a few days it can be taped and I can finish that paint job!! I can't wait for him to hang some pictures!! So exciting to see it finally coming together. Today I am cleaning and then I am taking the afternoon off - and stitching!! Scott will be home later because he has a big meeting - owners coming in from Canada and US GM coming up from North Carolina for a staff meeting - and dinner.
Speaking of dinner - the other night I made Thai Chicken Coconut Soup - a recipe I got from Sunset magazine. It is wonderful!! I did have some trouble though - this town is not a culinary hot spot so I could not get actual lemongrass stalks or chili paste. I used ....

instead of chili paste - added by the person eating it so it wouldn't be too spicy

this was the only way I could buy the lemongrass

delicious!!

I buy the ginger in the tube and keep it in the freezer - only needs to set out on counter for a few minutes to be able to use it and it lasts until you've used the last bit! Recipe calls for you to put chunks of each in so I used about a tablespoon of the lemongrass and a little less of the ginger. I added jasmine rice - since I was using it as a meal. Usually I  pay close attention to a recipe's fat content - I must have lost my mind - I used the regular canned coconut milk. It was delicious but much more fat than it needed to be - light coconut milk would have been fine. I also used chicken thighs - also more fat than breasts - so I could have done better on the fat content. I regret nothing!!  Maybe next week we will have it again with it lightened up - and I will see if it is still delicious. As for cooking with fish sauce - yes it stinks and yes it is very fishy but it is NOT either of those things when added to a recipe. I was wary of it when I first had to use it, but I gave it a try and I don't have an issue with it !!
I joined a blog called "Little House Needleworks Showcase and Stitch Along Place"  wow that's a mouthful! This weekend they had a WIP stitch weekend and then people are to post what they accomplished.

Of course I didn't get to work on it much with all the housework we did but there it is. That scalloped border makes me crazy. I ran out of 3777 Walmart does have some DMC but not that number - I looked at two stores!! Luckily we went to Hobby Lobby  - then it dawned on me.... I live at least 30 - 40 minutes from a craft store - WHAT!!!!???? House goes on the market tomorrow - HA!! 
I had to run into Martinsville last week to file that tax thing I blogged about.... this little town sure is cute!!

library

post office - still has the old boxes!

decorated for Christmas!

Well, I guess I better get to cleaning so I can listen to a book and stitch - and drink tea!! Oh that sounds lovely!! Hope you all have a crazy-weather-free day!!