A little ramblin' today...

Good Morning! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Yep...John made it home Christmas morning so that was gift enough for me but of course my kiddo's thought differently...Ely & Liz got me a set of Paula Deen cookware that I've had my eye on and Briar got me a massage! After opening our gifts, I made a big breakfast which my bil/sil joined us for. Then we pretty much spent a quiet day at home. We went in to my other bil/sil's for a short bit in the evening but we weren't gone long.

In the 22 yrs we've been married, this is the first year there hasn't been a BIG Hess family Christmas.

The pets sure enjoyed Christmas....Lucy got a new "bone"...which wasn't solid like I thought and it's pretty much gone she's chewed on it so much.

Harley...yes, he's become and indoor cat too!... found the wrapping paper more fun to play with than their little toys!

Then Clyde played with the little catnip mouse long enough, he finally called it a day and slept all afternoon in this box w/tissue paper as a cover!
I worked for a little while yesterday & ran a couple errands. Today is a quiet day at home...puttering around. John has to go back out...will make a couple runs then be home New Years Day & planning to take a little time off then. It's like a spring day here rather than winter. It was so warm yesterday, we went to bed with a window open but we were awakened sometime in the wee hours by high winds and rain. This morning there were tornado warnings out for the counties just south & east of us! John & Briar just came back from town and said that our road is flooded in parts. The temp is supposed to drop tonight and calling for snow then back up to the 40's tomorrow. Ugh!! Only in Missouri!

So how was your Christmas? What's going on in your world? Making plans for 2009?

Wishing you & yours....

.....and safe travels. Enjoy this time with family and friends. Take lots of pictures and make note of special moments!
Take a moment to sit down and read Luke 2:1-20 as a reminder of what this season is all about! (Can also be found in Matthew 1:18-25.)We all get caught up in the baking, making & buying that we tend to forget the true meaning of Christmas!
Blessings to you and yours this holiday season!

How was your weekend?

COLD! That's how my weekend was!! Enjoyable but cold!
It's been a chore keeping the fireplace going all weekend...it has been SO cold that even having it going, the heat has been setting at 72* and it has still been kicking on! Usually the fireplace alone has us running around the house in t-shirts! It's THAT cold here! You can't hardly see the fire in this pic but it's goin' pretty good!

John got in Friday evening and while he helped some friends cut wood on Saturday, I made what I thought was my last trip in to Wal Mart....wrong! That evening, John and I went to Home Depot where he got part of my Christmas present...an over the range microwave to replace the one we have that went out probably 4 years ago! Didn't get in a hurry to replace it since I had a little countertop model to use. He knows it's not very personal but he knew how badly I was wanting to replace the old one. My bil came down Sunday to switch them out for us....love all the counter space I have now! It's amazing the difference of one small microwave! We did this Saturday because he left out this morning and won't be back home til sometime Christmas morning.
Worked on a little quilting project this weekend...inspired by a few blogs I've been visiting of late.

I started out with a FQ bundle I picked up on my Illinois trip last month...

...work in progress...actually working on two of them...

...And the finished piece!

I became interested in quilting years ago when my quilt shop owner cousin got me involved the the Y2K quilt charm exchange in 1999. I swapped "squishies" or "charms" with people all over the country and around the world. Those charms still sit in their little squishie packets in my hall closet waiting to be pieced together! I've looked at them many times over the years and I become so overwhelmed that they end up getting put back in the closet. I had also participated in other swaps and have pieced some of the squares together but without a finished product in the end.
Then someone introduced me to the Jennifer Chaiverinni's 'Elm Creek Quilters' book series. That did it! I started piecing quilt blocks...but finished them as small quilts or table mats such as this one shown. And I'm content with the smaller projects as such...maybe one day I will actually do a quilt but not too soon!

After getting my kitchen back in order yesterday, I got started on some goodie making and made up some more once I got back home from a couple appointments and yet another trip to Wal Mart earlier today.

So that's been my world this weekend...I'm gonna go hop in my jammies and curl up by that fire and work on some handstitchin'! What's going on in your world?

New tree ornament...

...or so he thinks! I thought the branches of one of my trees looked a little flat, not to mention the ornaments I find layin' around the packages beneath the tree... then today I hear this "tink-tink-tink". So I go to the living room and what do I see? Yep...you guessed it! One of the newbie kitties up in the tree...and I do mean..up in it! About two-thirds of the way up in it!!

Look at him! Too cute not to take a picture of...but of course I had to give him the what for to stay out of it. Several more attempts were made before finally giving up and curlin' up in a chair and goin' to sleep for the afternoon. Clyde...not me!
I stayed home and worked today...and boy did I work! I moved the computer and sewing machines to the spare room. And you know you can't move things like that without some good cleanin'! Done some outside chores. Then I had put it off long enough...I had to do my homework. Everything is done now and I am SO ready to go to bed but I want to build up that fire just a bit more to keep it goin' thru the night. I checked our gas tank today...they still have not been here to fill and we are down to under 10%! Yikes!! They usually just show up whether we call or not! That's pretty low especially in this cold weather! So a call to the gas company and they will be here tomorrow as well as the TV repairman! The big screen has been out for nearly two weeks now!
Not sure if there will be school....we are getting freezing rain tonight! On top of the snow and sleet from Monday! I'll be working here at home tomorrow...and I hope to get out my embroidery attachement to my sewing machine to figure that out to do a few Christmas projects. If it doesn't happen tomorrow I'll have to figure out something else. Lots of other fun Christmas projects to do too!
Hope you all are having a great week!! Let me hear from you!!

Oh my goodness...IT'S COLD!!

Just made a trip down to the pond to bust ice for the horses! Bhurrr!!! Grained them while I was out there & done a couple other chores ... now I'm back in and I'm in to stay for the night! Worked & ran a few errands today... not really feelin' up to par today so I done up the MUST-HAVES for today and brought a suit home to work on tomorrow. I hope to be in for the day and I don't know that I plan to do anything other than work on the suit...although there is PLENTY to do around here.

My sister had her surgery yesterday. I've not had a chance to REALLY talk to her but as far as I know now, everything went okay. She'd told them at the hospital she wanted to go home last night but they talked her into staying over...which I was so glad for. My folks talked to her husband earlier and they were home but she was napping so I'm putting off calling til a bit later. Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers.

Our nephew is out of CICU and moved to a regular room now....doing better than he was but still a ways from getting to go home. His regular CF visits are 2 weeks and they are talking longer than that now with this pneumonia. Did I spell that right?

One week til Christmas...are you ready? I not quite there yet....handmades to finish and goodies to make. John won't be home this weekend so I guess I'll stay in where it's warm and dry and be busy!

Well that's all for now. What's going on in your world this week?

Sunday ramblin'...

Nothin' excitin' goin' on here this weekend. I picked John up yesterday mornin'....we hit the Wal-Mart before headin' back home & I bought the needed ingredients for several holiday goodies!
Our oldest youngin' has moved out this weekend...he & his girlfriend. I know.....but there are alot worse things they could be doin' than shackin' up! She's been livin' with us for the past year anyways!
It was so nice today..windy, but nice...I think my Jeep said 64* at one point! The weatherman said that rain would move in around 3:00 this aft...& I'll be darned if he wasn't right on! Not only rain...but temp dropping drastically...it's supposed to be 18* tonight?!! YIKES!!The guys spent most of today cuttin' wood.....we've not been usin' the fireplace the past few days cause the pile had gotten too low so we should be back in business....they got a good amount brought up before the rain started this afternoon!
I'm supposed to take my Mom to an eye appt tomorrow! If it's too bad she'll cancel or John will go along with and drive. We need to go see our nephew who's been put in ICU....Erik, who is a CF patient, was taken to the hospital early early Saturday morning. So...my prayer warriors...add him to your prayer list if you would please!!

I brought home a few things from work...and I've got my goodie ingredients so if it gets too bad, I've got plenty to keep me busy! I've also got that bedroom to fill up! Ely still has a few things in there but there's enough moved out that I've got plenty of space in there to set up a work table or two. Our youngest was wanting to use that room as his extra room for hunting supplies and such, but I've informed him it will be my workroom! I need that bad! That will also make our bedroom larger since I have a sewing cabinet and fabric cupboard back there that can be moved to this room!
Oh...I want to share a link with you...you may have already gotten it thru your own email but I'll post anyways....
www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/
I hope that works! All kinds of Christmas cookie recipes!! Just click on a recipe and there it is!!
Well, I'd better move along for this evening....hope you all have had a nice weekend!!

And the winner is...

Shari!

I will try to contact you thru the comments page so that I get the right persons info!

And...I decided to draw a second name.....and I already have her addy since she's a dear friend!

I will be sending these out by the middle of next week so that you should have them by Christmas!!

Thanks for all the nice comments on my blog! Drop a line anytime...I always enjoy hearing from you!

And to those who have offered up prayers for my sister Marsha....Thank you so much...God Bless You! She will be going in Tuesday at 11:00 for her mastectomy so if you'll make note and send one up at that time it will be much appreciated!

If you are not already a reader of Farmhouse Notforgotten blog, do jump over there and read about the fundraiser she'd like to get started on! www.farmhousenotforgotten.blogspot.com
A "Memories in Cloth" quilt to benefit breast cancer research. Thanks!

A Long Day...

Had a day of work and errands and finally got home around 6! If you've not left a comment for a chance to win a little somethin' somethin'...hurry over to the comment page and leave a little note! I'll post the winner sometime tomorrow!!!

Hope you all are having a GREAT week!! Are you ready for Christmas and have all your pressies bought and wrapped?!! I'm not quite there....but gettin' closer! I do have ideas and if I can find them all and all in my next shopping trip, wouldn't that be GREAT?!!

Y'all have a nice evenin'....talk at ya later!!

Good Morning!...I want to remind you....

.......to post a little comment here between the 1st and 10th for your chance to win a little holiday surprise!!

I'll be working here at home again today! Two days in a row! WOW! That doesn't happen too often! I have a couple little projects I want to finish up & then....my intentions are to bring out my sewing machine & hook up the embroidery attachment to it and figure out that process today! I have a few Christmas gifts I want to use it for so I guess I'm forcing myself to figure it out! I've only had the machine for what? 4 years? 5 years?

I have supper in the crockpot...something a little different that my mil suggested. Potatoes, pork chops and a large can of campbells chicken noodle soup. How's that sound? I'll let you know how it is tomorrow!!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Ramblin's of the weekend...

It's been a few days since I last posted! It's been somewhat busy...I've been online off and on over the weekend but not for a very long length of time. Friday was shopping day with the sistas....I didn't take any pics until we got done shopping... and that wasn't all the bags!
Once back home, I cooked my youngest sons 18th birthday dinner!! Tell me, where did that time go?

I spent Saturday decorating the trees and mantles. This is my little german twig tree that I put my primitive handmade ornaments on. Didn't even use them all this year. I decorated our main tree in a more traditional manner...I still need a few more ornaments and a tree topper for it. Was moving pretty slow....been fighting a bad cold for several days now and ended up losing my voice.

Remember the new kittens I introduced you too a few weeks ago? Well here they are! They are making themselves quite at home! They're supposed to be living outside, but John brought them in Saturday so we let them stay in for awhile & I think they slept most of that time! They are SO sweet! Yeah, there are two in that basket...you can see one tail hanging off one side of the basket then the other tail off the other side!


Yesterday, I played hookie from church...Shh...and my sil, Sheila & I went to Columbia to do a little more shopping. Needless to say, I've got some gift wrapping to do today! I can't believe it's the 8th already! Two weeks + three days...two days if you want to count only til Christmas Eve!

What are your plans for Christmas? Do you do the same thing every year? How long have you had the same traditions? Ours has changed over the years as the family/families have grown and/or changed. We always go to church on Christmas Eve for candlelight service. We have our Christmas morning here with our kids...then usually go to the big Hess Family Christmas. John's folks have been in Texas over the past few years for Christmas so no gathering with his immediate family. We gather with my family in there somewhere....either a day or two before Christmas or on Christmas Eve before or after church service. Since my grandparents passing, Mom's cooked dinner for whoever can make it and doesn't have another gathering to go to.

Ely and Liz will be moving out just before Christmas so things will be changing here again.

Well I supposed I've rambled enough....I really need to get busy and wrap pressies and clean up this house a bit!! Have a GREAT day!!

White Chili...& other ramblin's.....

My German twig tree was delivered last night so I put it together and got it fluffed out...brought in our regular tree. It's a prelit tree...got it put together...all fluffed out...and wouldn't you know it...there are lights out on the top, at the bottom and somewhere near the middle! UGH!!! Have you ever taken off a strand of those lights on a prelit tree?! I took the top one off but I WILL NOT do that with the others that are out! I'll just add lights and load the tree down with ornaments so maybe ya can't tell! I'll get back to it eventually today....tonight. Have a few others things to do yet. Right now, I'm havin' a bowl of white chili! Hadn't ever made it before even though I've had the recipe for years and wanted to try it. SO good!I do believe it's a keeper recipe! Thought I'd share it with ya!


White Chili ..... as I made it.....

5 boneless chicken breasts
celery
carrots
Cook in enough water to cover. When done remove chicken and chop in bite size pieces. Strain broth and reserve.
canned chicken broth or use strained broth from cooked chicken (I used half fresh half canned and only used about 32 oz)
4 cans great northern beans, DO NOT drain
1 TBLSP olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
4 cloves minced garlic, I used fresh
1 - 4 oz. can chopped green chili's
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Grated monterey jack cheese
Saute onions and garlic in olive oil. Add chilies, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper. Saute 2 minutes. Add undrained beans and chicken broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and add chopped chicken. I let simmer til ready to serve!
Add grated cheese if you like! As you can see, I did!! Love cheese!
Season to taste with salt & pepper...tases great to me without the s&p!
Enjoy!
**********************************************
I talked to my sister today...she goes for consultation on the 11th then back on the 16th for a mastectomy. She's been a smoker for years and she did quit a few weeks ago. Before they will do recontructive surgery, she has to be nicotine free 6-8 weeks! Thoughts and prayers are much appreciated!

***********************************************
Well, much to do around here this evening so I'd better get busy! Y'all have a good night!

Whew! What a day!

I worked the clothing store today. By the time I got there the stack of things to do had grown since speaking with them last evening! That's a good thing though! Plans were to get them done today...didn't quite make it before the stack grew even more and before time to pick up my nephew who wanted to stay with me this evening while Mom & Dad went Christmas shopping! Anyways....the stack has grown even more so will be going in tomorrow!

Got a call from sil who'd gotten a call from our mil, who is in Texas I might add, wanting to know how a cousin-in-law is doing after a car crash this morning! WHAT?! We had no idea...but Mom, being 900+ miles away had learned of it already! SO...I'd like to ask you all to lift her up in your prayers this evening....her name is Trish. And continued prayers for my sister Marsha, who had a lumpectomy a few weeks ago, is still talking with doctors, had an MRI last Wednesday, waiting to hear results of that. Much appreciated!

*****************************************************

I finally finished this little punch needle project....I hope it doesn't take me as long to get it framed....of course the ones I have on hand and ready to use are not the right size! Another item to be put on the sistas Friday shoppin' trip!

*****************************************************
We rearranged the living room this evening with the intentions of bringing in the tree...but it's still in the garage...maybe Thursday when I should be home all day! Maybe then, once it's all decorated, I can sit down with a cup of coffee, admire the tree and catch up on the stack of magazines that have just gotten a quick glance, if even that!

*******************************************************
The snow is melting off but they are calling for rain/snow again tomorrow! Ugh!
Hope your week is going well!!! OH! Don't forget to leave a comment between the 1st & 10th for your chance to win a little somethin'!! Refer to December 1st post for details!!

Secret Santa...

This idea came to me while making a post on a forum in reference to the current secret santa swap going on there. Well I didn't participate in the swap but I want to be a "secret santa" to someone. So maybe the Santa won't be a secret but the giftie will be!

So to help me decide who to send to I thought I'd leave that up to you....
All ya have to do is leave a comment to any of my entries between December 1st and December 10th. I will put all names into a basket and draw the winner on the 11th! The more comments (but only one per post) will increase the chances of your name being drawn! The winner will receive a little somethin' somethin' from Cindy's Homespun...to either open when it's received or to put under your tree to unwrap on Christmas morning!!

I look forward to hearing from you!!!

First Snow...

Just thought I'd share what it looks like out my front door this morning!This started last night...on the 29th! My grandma always said the date of your first tracking snow determined the number of snows you'd have in that year! 29? YIKES!!!

Went to church this morning then stayed for hanging of the greens...John even surprised me and went with... this is a little dark...I'm gonna have to bring out my book to see what I can do to help with that!

SO pretty...thought about getting my own decorations out but think I'd better wait another day or two...have other things that need doin' this afternoon so I'd better get busy!
Have a wonderful day...stay warm and dry!!

A quiet Saturday....

I hope you've all had a wonderful week and a blessed Thanksgiving day! As I mentioned before, I cooked here for both sides of the family....we had 35 here...whew! And would you believe we still had leftovers?!! Awhile after dinner, they all went home and I was left with a couple hours to myself before friends Sherrie and Linda got here to pick me up to go to the Midnight Madness Sale at the Village Mall in Lake of the Ozarks! We went last year and decided that we had so much fun and got such great bargains that we'd do it again! And we did!! Great deals...made a good dent in my Christmas shopping and I want you to know I didn't bother tryin' to stash things once I got home, I got them boxed and wrapped and they are sitting in the living room waiting for the tree!
You wouldn't believe the line at the Coach store! We got there at 11:15, some stores opened a bit earlier than midnight...there was a long line already at Coach...no way was I waitin' in line for that...I don't have a coach bag and don't want one that bad! We finally did venture in there before we left...there were a couple bags I liked but not THAT much! Anyways...
John finally made it home late last night...he's been enjoyin' the leftover turkey as turkey salad. He & the boys went out this morning and cut some much needed firewood! That huge stack I showed you some weeks back...GONE! Temps are starting to drop again...trying to rain today &/or turn to snow later tonight!
This is the path right behind our house...it leads back to where they're cutting...of course Lucy had to go with me then three of the cats showed up! They're not about to miss a walk!!
While John & Ely worked on splittin' in one area & loaded one truck...
...Briar loaded this one.
While it's been a quiet day, it's been busy...had a quick run to the grocery store earlier...doin' laundry...bakin' pumpkin pie...chocolate cake. Need the cake for hanging of the greens at church tomorrow. We always serve a light lunch & desserts right after worship service then decorate the church. Maybe one day this week I'll get my tree up and the house decorated!
Hope you are having a great weekend...I have a crock pot full of chili and the last load of laundry I'm doin' in the dryer. I think I'm going to light the fireplace and bring out some stitchin'. I finally got all my colors for my new counted cross stitch patterns!

Have a good night!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.....

Thought I'd pop in to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving....I hope you have a blessed day ... spending time with family and friends ... filling it with wonderful memories!

What ARE your Thanksgiving plans? I'm cooking here this year....for what started to be my side of the family since my in-laws were planning to leave for Texas already.... but that hasn't happened .... Pops kept putting it off because of a building project so now they are not leaving til the day after Thanksgiving. So, since I'm cooking anyways, I'm having dinner for both sides! Not all of Johns family will be here as they have other plans, but there will still be lots of folks here! It's supposed to be around 54*.... nice enough kids...both young and old, can "play" outside....Ely will set up the soccer nets.... and horseshoes...
I spent yesterday pickin' up and cleanin' to make room! I think I might have to work for a little while today, but this afternoon I'll be makin' my desserts & finding as much kitchen counter as possible.....tomorrow the turkey, ham and all the fixin's....everyone coming will bring favorite Thanksgiving dishes from their kitchen as well! John will miss dinner....but will be home for the weekend....I think! Sometimes things have a way of changing at the last minute.
I also cleaned and filled the hot tub yesterday.... it's been "broke down" for several months now .... I SO wish I hadn't put it off for so long...I really coulda used it last night! The guy is supposed to be here Friday to check it out!!
Well, I supposed I've rambled on long enough this morning...I really do need to get busy....Oh...I also wanted to share a pic of that holiday potpourri I told you about in a previous post....see? Not your typical potpourri.....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Oh girls....ya just gotta go visit....

...all the neat places I visited yesterday! My friends Sherrie and Linda met me at my house bright and early yesterday morning and off we went! Lebanon, Illinois was first....a historic little town of about 4000 where the main street is lined with old buildings and a brick road! There are several really neat stores there but my two favorites are 'As the Crow Flies' and 'The Calico Moon'. Both stores are just FULL of wonderful primitives....candles, wreaths, pictures, santas, ornaments...you name it....oh my goodness! Just beautiful!! In addition to all that, The Calico Moon has an upstairs FULL of more treasures AND fabrics, patterns, wools & rug hooking supplies...not that I'm a hooker, but I LOVE the wools!.....We also found a little flea market on our way out of town where we all found some treasures as well! This photo shows the treasure I picked up in Lebanon and Mt. Vernon....the gingerbread men I picked up for my mil's gingerbread tree....the "cookies" smell WONDERFUL!!! The little cello-bag is a holiday potpourri....I need to snap a pic of that and post it...so cute!! Not your typical holiday potpourri!

Then off we went...we decided we'd go on down to West Frankfort to Arnetts Country Store holiday open house then stop in Mt Vernon on the way back and grab a late lunch somewhere inbetween....but on the way, I had a handsome truck driver call me for us to meet him & another driver at a truck stop just off the interstate in Mt. Vernon & he'd buy us lunch! LOL...those of you that know me, know that my husband is an over-the-road driver and we just happened to cross paths yesterday...he runs that neck of the woods on a regular basis! We wrapped up lunch & we said our "love yous & be carefuls" & off we went!

I think we reached Arnetts around 2....If you've never visited Arnetts, you can get a sneak peek on their web site http://www.arnettscountrystore.com/ or www.picturetrail.com/arnettscountrystore . I hope that's right! What an awesome early american primitive store!! I'd been there before about a year and a half ago and have wanted to go back since! FINALLY made the time to go!! These are my treasures from Arnetts...

We got the jeep loaded up...Sherrie bought a small table and a fairly large wall shelf w/pegs....and off we went back to Mt. Vernon to The Olde Homestead.... fyi her web addy is http://www.theoldhomestead.net/ . Another awesome primitive store! She has also been featured in the Primitive Gatherings magazine! I had also visited this store before and I was SO hoping that Sherrie & Linda enjoyed them as much as I did....which they did!

We looked for another store that I had visited once before in Mt. Vernon but she has apparently moved, as the place looked empty.
We made it back to my house around 10:30....we stopped for breakfast in Wentzville at the Waffle House....a fine dining establishment that I enjoy stopping at for breakfast while out and about & a place that neither Sherrie or Linda had the pleasure of! LOL And...on the way home I found out that that handsome truck driver that bought our lunch was going to be going home on a fluke! He made it home before I did!!

I'm already making a list of things that I need to email Arnetts about....Sherrie decided she needs some stockings as Linda & I bought....and I'm wanting more of them too!

It was a GREAT day....I think we done some pretty good shoppin' & covered alot of territory for just a day!!
Nice weather, good friends, awesome shops and a handsome fella to buy lunch...what more could a girl want?!

Today isn't as excitin'...but not as costly...shhh.....LOL....went to church this morning but doin' laundry this afternoon.
So how have you spent your weekend? Do post a comment....I enjoy hearing from you!!

How is your week going?

I hope you are all well....it's been kind of a busy week. We had a beautiful day yesterday...I think it reached the 60* they were calling for so I spent a good part of the day outside cleaning up around the yard.

I'm not going to ramble on this evening...I would like to request your thoughts and prayers for my older sister, Marsha, who had a lumpectomy last week and returned to the doctor today to find out that they missed a small bit and will be going in again this next Wednesday. Stage 1. We will learn more after this next visit whether chemo &/or mastectomy is necessary.

Thank you so much....God Bless.

Girls In My Circle

Found this in my email when I got home this evening...sent by my sister-in-law, Sheila.....I don't know who the author is but I want to share it with you all anyway....maybe you'd like to share it with the girls in your circle!!

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE
When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.
One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'
One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.
But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of your self .
Those are your best friends.
It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
a couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.

So whether they've been your friend for 20 minutes or 20 years,
AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO,
Pass this on to the women that were placed in your life
To make a difference.
Thanks for being in my circle.

A nice weekend....

Good Morning All! I hope you all had a great weekend! My weekend was off to a start on Friday...I decided to play....well, once my work was done. In spite of the cold and rain, I picked up my sil, Sheila, and my niece that we call Miss B and we headed out to the craft show. It had been YEARS since I'd been to the Moberly show. I managed to find a few things.....mostly candles! We grabbed a bite of lunch then puttered around downtown Moberly, checking out a couple stores we'd not been to since they'd opened. I did not know (Sheila did) that there was a "paint your own pottery" place! SO cool....I didn't think it was something I could or would be interested in doing but the more I looked around at what she has available and how simply it could be painted, we decided that we'd book her shop for an evening, invite a few friends & have a girls night out painting pottery! Doesn't that sound like fun?!!!

Well, we ventured on to a little antique mall that Sheila hadn't been to...'The Odd Pear', where I found this necklace...isn't it the neatest thing?!! This is the type of jewelry I'd like to make for myself! We finally had to call it a day......her youngin's were gettin' home from school and I had plans for the evening.......

So....Friday evening went to a work dinner party with my youngest sister Denni. It was held at 'The Pear Tree' in Bevier....small town, nice restraunt that attracts people in droves...must have a reservation at least for the weekend. A very nice evening.....she spent the night rather than driving back to Columbia so on Saturday morning, we went to town.....she liked my necklace so much that even though I told her there wasn't another one, she had to go see for herself! We also hit another antique mall and between the two places, I found these three things.....I won't be keeping them, the jug will be turned into a lamp and the basket and kettle will hold trees and they all will be taken to Randolph Mercantile later this week!

We also went up to see our sister, Marsha, who'd had a lympectomy last Wednesday....so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, if you would!

Denni went home, kids were out doing their own thing, so I spent the afternoon, doing chores and finally curling up in my chair, watchin' movies and working on a punchneedle project. I'd just gotten two new cross-stitch patterns from Notforgotten Farm in my mailbox that day, but didn't have all the recommended thread colors so settled on a punchneedle project. Making progress!!

Besides laundry, that's what I worked on yesterday too once I got back home from church.

I can't remember when I last spent so much time at home as I have over this past week!

It's deer season here...Ely got an 8 pt yesterday morning....I was on my way to church so I couldn't get a pic of it....and they didn't think a thing about taking a pic with the camera phone!

Anyhoo....I guess I've rambled on long enough this morning.....time to get busy!! Have a GREAT day!!

New additions to the family...

As if we don't have enough animals around here....my sil Debbie was waiting for me when I got home with two kittens who needed a new home....they had been passed off to her while at work today. She couldn't take them home as she's already our neighborhood cat lady! LOL...Love ya Deb!! So I took them in...I'm such a sucker!! They are so sweet. Since Lucy gives anything that shows up around here the what-for, we brought them into the house for just a few minutes and let Lucy and Salem get aquainted with them. So, meet Harley and Clyde...

They were just distracted by Lucy.....what do you think was running thru their minds?

Salem, checking out Clyde.....can you tell that Clyde isn't too sure about this? Look at the "POOF" of that tail!! LOL


Now Harley doesn't seem to be as uptight as Clyde.....

And I think Salem is relieved that they've both been put outside now....they'll live outside and learn to be good little mousers!!

**************************************

So what's been going on in your world this week? I've managed to get two days at home but as I mentioned in an earlier post, I spent them altering a couple of bridesmaid dresses.

Tomorrow is the start of the two-day craft show in Moberly. I've not been to one of their craft shows in several years. Since I've got to go have my Jeep serviced tomorrow, I think I'll go pick up Sheila and go see what's new!

*************************************

Something else I've been meaning to mention.... Have you been into a Michaels lately? The store that I shop at is in Columbia and they've recently redone the place. I was overwhelmed! So I've been in there twice now since then and the jewelry making section has so totally impressed me that I bought a book! It is not my intention to make jewelry to sell....possibly an occasional piece, but mostly for myself and for gift-giving. I want to do my homework first. Learn what tools are absolute for a beginner....read about different techniques before I try to master them in one project without any knowledge at all....I don't want to go all gung-ho with buying things just because I "might" use it one day as I've done with fabrics & threads over the years. I just want the general tools, plan a project & get it done. I don't want to end up being just a collector of supplies because I've overwhelmed myself with all the unnecessary things.
This is the booklet I bought, which was highly recommended by the Michaels associate. Wish me luck!!

Thank you...

It's a cold, dreary day here in our parts. I've had a cold for a couple days now and I'm staying in today and working by the fireplace. I'm altering two bridesmaid dresses for a wedding this Saturday, something I should have had done already! I'm just about done with one and the second one awaits but I wanted to take a break from that to come here and say thanks to all our veterans and to those currently serving in our armed forces. So.....

THANK YOU for all you have given and sacrificed to help make and keep our country free and giving us the freedoms that we have.

GOD BLESS YOU!

Another VERY busy day!

Another very busy day at the open house! It's always interesting to see what people buy and to hear how they are going to use it!

Those attending today shopped to the sounds of ragtime musician, Bob Ault.

(sorry, don't know why this pic came out so dark..hmm...)

Getting me in that holiday spirit!!

I hope to catch a nice day sometime in this next week and get out my Christmas greens for my front porch! I'm usually out there in the wind, rain, sleet, snow.....putting it up! I want to try to avoid that this year!

Hope you are having a great weekend!!

It's Friday already...

Where did this week go? It's Friday night...John's working...kids are out. Ely did light the fireplace before he left, so Salem has taken his spot on the hearth and Lucy is camped out at the front window since she went crazy after hearing a doorbell ring on tv!

I stopped in to the mercantile today to drop off a couple of my little decorated trees and maybe take a few photos. It was SO busy I ended up staying and working most of the day! Working these open house events is always so much fun for me.....even though it makes me miss having my own store! I thought I'd share a few pics I took today...entice you a little bit with all the Christmas & holiday decor!!

***********************************************

So there are just a few....I'll post more later! So big plans for your weekend? Whatever you're doing...have fun!!

A couple more pics....

Just wanted to share a couple more pics of the mercantile.....these were taken during the fall open house!

Vintage linens, crocks, pictures, dolls.......

Old cupboards, wood totes and shutters, wreaths, garlands....

And SO much more! Each year I ask myself how it can get any better but it does! I stopped in yesterday and they are busy busy getting things ready for this weekend!

***********************************

I hope you're having a great week! I'm still trying to adjust to the time change!

Open House Weekend...

I pulled out some Christmas things leftover from last year to get ready for this weekend and suddenly thought I'd not posted about this here yet. I can't believe it's that time already! The rest of the year will fly!!

I'll be working there all day Saturday...then on Sunday afternoon! Stop in and say HI if you're in the area!! You won't want to miss it!

**********************************

Don't miss the
RANDOLPH MERCANTILE
Holiday Open House.....

Friday, November 7th...10 am - 8 pm
Saturday, November 8th...9 am - 5 pm
Sunday, November 9th...10 am - 4 pm

Come in for a sip of hot apple cider while you browse all that Randolph Mercantile has to offer this holiday season!
This year, we welcome two special guests...
on Friday, Santa will be here from 4:00-7:00.
Then on Saturday, shop to the sounds of ragtime musician,
Bob Ault of Blackwater.

Free gift with any purchase.
$30 purchase receive an extra free gift.
Spend $100 and receive both free gifts AND
a Randolph Mercantile sweatshirt!

****************************

Well, it's starting to get late so I'd better get busy!! Much to do today!!

Time Change...

Did you remember to set your clocks back Saturday night when you went to bed? Yep, I did...and my body is protesting this morning...cause at 5:00 a.m. it was telling me that it was time to get up! So I'm up...coffee on...and thought I'd just check in here before it starts to get busy around here.

It was quite a weekend. Saturday night, I ended up going over to Illinois and picking up John so he could be home for the gathering yesterday. I'll be taking him back over today. It's just cheaper to drive over in a vehicle than him bobtail the truck home. I swapped vehicles w/Pops so we could haul back some 50 gal plastic barrels...something everyone around this farm is wanting! 50 gal barrels and 5 gal buckets are always in demand on a farm! Anyways, I'm hoping for some treasure seeking time on the way home this afternoon if it's not too late.

The gathering was so nice yesterday. Not only did we get to see our friends from Goose Bay, but we also got to see John's sister and her girls, that we've not seen for several years.

***********************************

I had to cut it short this morning and didn't get to publish my post so here I am...making myself stay up so that I might sleep til the alarm sounds in the morning! I took John back to IL....and checked out a couple antique malls on the way back...didn't buy anything....just browsed. Didn't buy anything until I hit the Ben Franklin in Monroe City where I picked up some scrapbook papers to add to my scrapbooking supply collection and some fabric for a new little project that I hope to show you very soon! I also came home with a flat tire...ugh....so guess what I'm doing tomorrow afternoon? Yep...new tires for the Jeep. We'd been talkin' about it for a few months anyway just hadn't done it yet...somethin' about turnin' loose of $600! Know what I mean? Need them but not so bad you have to do it right now kind of thing. Well...now I do. Anyways...a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do if she wants to keep makin' fun little road trips every now and again, right?!

********************************************

I want to remind you to go vote tomorrow!! There are still a few that I'm undecided on and probably will be until I step into the voting booth.

Well, I'm REALLY gettin' droopy eyed here....my body is tellin' me it's past 10 now....you know, I used to not go to bed til 1,2 even 3:00 in the morning then get up at 7 and go all day....I hardly ever stay up late anymore....I've gone from being a night owl to an early bird.

Okay....hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow.....don't forget to go vote McCain/Palin!!

Saturday Ramblings...

I want to share the "treat" that I got last night from my trick-or-treater football player nephew, Evan. He had his mama draw the face on and he colored it all in! Isn't that just the sweetest thing?!

*******************************************************
I slept in this morning til almost 8:00 and that is SO not like me. Maybe that's why I woke with such a terrible headache so popped tylenol right off. So after coffee and my internet time, I put the leash on Lucy and we went for a walk. I started walking again just this last Thursday then missed it yesterday by the time I got home from work and with Halloween so I got back after it this morning. The first of October I joined my sil's team in the 'Shape Up Missouri' campaign. We track our weight and minutes of physical activity over several weeks and I've not been doing too good in either department. I've not really gained or lost, just always fluxuating a couple pounds so I decided it's time to take things seriously. With all this candy in the house it's a true test of willpower! Not that I'm leaving it alone, I'm just trying to keep it within limits! Try to eat regular meals and cut out all the junk!

*******************************************************

So as if Halloween candy isn't enough of a test, we are having a little gathering at Mom & Pops tomorrow so I've been working in my kitchen today. Chocolate cheesecake seems to be a favorite from my kitchen so that's one thing I've made as well as a cheeseball, a couple dips....will probably toss some cocktail sausages in a crockpot in the morning with my very detailed sauce mix....bottled bbq sauce and grape jelly! (I won't even mention the blackberry cobbler Mom will be making) So while working, I was thinking about my favorite things that I like to use in my kitchen & thought I'd share them with you....as you can see I'm a big fan of Pampered Chef and after taking this photo I realize that I left out my deep dish baker and pizza stone!


My absolute favorite is the kitchenaid mixer that my dear sweet hubby got me for my birthday several years ago! I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything!

Well here's the cheesecake fresh from the oven! I think I'll drizzle it with caramel then spinkle with a handful of chopped pecans!
*******************************************************

The weather is beautiful so I think I'm going to go outside in a bit, once I get the dishwasher emptied and loaded again! I'm sure there are things out there that need my attention!
So what are you doing with your Saturday....your weekend? I hope you're having a GREAT one!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

We won't have many trick-or-treaters, but we'll have a few. The treat bags are all fixed up and the camera is ready to get their pics for scrapbooking!

Happy Halloween!

He's waited all summer long....

.....for the fireplace to be lit! We had some really cool temps over this past week so when I finally finished cleaning things up in and around it, we lit a fire Monday night and boy did Salem like that! He pretty much camps out on the hearth once we get a fire going! He's sitting there now as I type and we let it die out yesterday since it warmed a bit and he's looking in there like "where'd it go?"!
Notice the doors? How clear they are? We've lived here for nearlyl five years and I've tried and tried to clean them with no luck at all. Ely was visiting with an aunt last week and they got on the subject of fireplaces....well...long story short...she suggested going to Dollar General and buying their store brand of scrubbing bubbles....spray the doors then wipe off. Clean as a whistle! She wasn't kiddin'! Even tho' I let it sit for a bit, I could tell that it started to work instant! Now why doesn't it seem to work that fast when using it in the bath tub? Hmm.....
John's been home all week but going back out today...he will miss all the little trick or treaters tomorrow night...not that we have a great many come all the way down here, but we get a few...mostly nieces, nephews & cousins!
The friends from Goose Bay will be at his folks late Saturday or early Sunday, so we're having a little gathering Sunday afternoon. They'll be here a few days then head on out to make their way to Texas for the winter, as will Mom & Pops...they will follow a day or two after.
Hope you all are having a GREAT week!!

A good weekend...

Well here it is! The stew I mentioned in my previous post! While the stew simmered away, I made up some homemade rolls...it had been forever since I've made them....I eat too many when I do so I don't make them very often! And to top them off, I had just bought a jar of fresh local honey! Mmm...Mmm...YUMM-MEEE!!Thanks Lori, for that wonderful stew recipe! I will be putting it in my files as a keeper!
Not only did I get that made as planned, the fireplace pit got cleaned out as well! We didn't completely empty it out but it will be good for a couple years anyways. Briar is SO glad that job is done since he's the one who gets the job of climbing in to scoop the ashes into buckets! And surprisingly enough, there wasn't that much of a mess made in the process! I still need to do a little clean-up inside and the grate needs to be set back in, but we should be good to go when the temps really decide to drop!


That was Saturday!






**************************************


On Sunday, John and I took part in the annual Trustee's Cycle Shop Toy Run to benefit the Salvation Army and Community Care & Share..can't remember how many years they've been doing this now...but I know it's over 20! Riders bring in canned goods and toys. This year, there were 248 bikes...TWO HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT PLUS passengers! This was our 4th year to ride in this one and each year, the number has increased! More bikes and riders means more for the kids and for those in need!
It's almost time to put the bike away for the winter....one more benefit ride that we will participate in, and that's only if the loads fall to where John can come home at least for the day. Saturday, November 1st is the Shiloh Childrens Home benefit ride.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are off to a GREAT week!