Flour Sack Towels...

WOW! While I love my homespun and terry cloth towels my most favorite kitchen towel is the ol' flour sack towel. And while doing some holiday baking, I found more reasons why this towel will always have a place in my kitchen.
For some time now I've been making my own pie crust. Needing to make a couple of pies for a friend I was thinking back and remembering the difficulty I had rolling and transferring the crust the last time I made pies. Ugh! I thought there had to be something to make it easier and I don't know why it took me so long to think of this.....
I have a couple of flour sack towels that I use specifically for food....to cover dough while rising, cover foods just out of oven, etc...So...I thought "Hmmm.....I wonder....." now need I say more?
That had to be the easiest of crusts to roll and transfer....yes I still used flour on the cloth and rolling pin ( which the rolling pin my son got me a couple Christmases ago is another of my favorite things)
So a couple days after the pies I needed to make sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls....yes the ol' flour sack towel came through again.... Oh the simple things in life that make our day to day tasks easier!

Merry day after Christmas...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas....spent with family and friends and making many happy memories.

And now...the busy-ness of the holiday is over so what to do? Awhile back I decided I wasn't going to buy any fabric or supplies until I use up some of my stash and finish some of the unfinished projects I have here...unless it was for a specific project to use right away. So I pulled out one of my project boxes and found this cross stitch project that was started two...maybe three years ago.... 'December Sheep' by Notforgotten Farm. A little somethin' to add to my sampler wall in my sewing room.

Wishing you all...

....a blessed and very merry Christmas!

Peanut Butter Fudge...

I think this is the best batch of peanut butter fudge I've ever made! Be it the recipe, the candy thermometer, whatever it was, I'm marking the recipe, page and cookbook as a reminder for the next time.
This recipe is actually from the same cookbook as the divinity.....and was submitted by Joy Beard.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

4 cups sugar
1 can evaporated milk (not sweetened)
1 stick margarine (not soft type) (I used butter)
18 ounce jar peanut butter (I had 16 oz)
1 small jar marshmallow cream

Cook first three ingredients 9 minutes or until it coats spoon or makes soft ball. (I used a thermometer and cooked to soft ball temperature then this is when I removed from heat) Add peanut butter and marshmallow cream. Mix well, pour in pan (I buttered the pan) with edges as it's soft at this stage. Surface will appear slightly greasy until it sets. Allow to set 2-3 hours then cut into squares to serve.
Enjoy!

Divinity.....

I finally made it! I don't know if I will ever make it again but I just had to see if I could do it. And I did!
I've always heard that it was a hard one....lots of beating and don't make it on a humid day. Well I found a recipe in my Countryside Favorites cookbook, a book put together by the Countryside Park in Donna, TX where my in-laws spend their winters.
I don't know about the humidity part but if it wasn't for my Kitchenaid mixer, I don't know if my arm would of survived all the beating! Whew! How did they do it back in the day before electric mixers?

Divinity
4 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup water
3 stiffly beaten egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts
Put in good sized pan. (sugar, water and syrup only) Stir until sugar is dissolved over low heat. Cook on medium heat to 255°. Remove from heat. Pour slowly over 3 stiffly beaten egg whites. Beat until firm and loses its gloss. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup nuts. Very good.
This was submitted by Mildred Nelson and Pat Taylor.

I have found over the years that using a candy
thermometer when candy making is key to how well it turns out. I never had much luck when using the old school method of obtaining the soft and hard ball stages.
And did I mention my kitchenaid mixer? Oh my...what would I do without that!

So there ya go.....tune in tomorrow for peanut butter fudge.

Meeting Santa....

It's not the first time for Rylee to meet Santa..she did last year and did fine but she was only 5 months old. Our church children's program was this past Sunday evening and Santa stopped by for a short visit. Rylee wasn't too sure about it at first then came around then back to not so sure...... Thankfully, it didn't get dramatic!

Magic Tree...

This is the 18th year and the first time we've been to see it. Fifty hours, 3.5 miles of lighted wire and more than 50,000 lights.
This is Magic Tree.
It's beautiful isn't it?

Saturday Ramblin'...

I'm sitting here in the middle of my sewing room floor basting some patches onto the back of a well-loved old quilt, a repair for a friend that I have been putting off for whatever reason. It looks to be a dreary day here in my little corner of the world. I'm not complaining...we have had some beautiful days here for it to be December. Speaking of which, where has this month gone and even more-so, where has this whole year gone? I am nowhere near ready for this Christmas. I didn't get the tree up until this past Monday and after having replaced one strand of lights before decorating, now that it is all done, the upper strand has gone out! I still have a Santa tree that needs decorating but again, the strand of lights for that tree has decided to pick this year to go out. I've always had extra strands of varying lengths on hand but wouldn't you know they've all disappeared....into other decorations or in projects for sale. I won't even mention gift shopping....very little has been done with that either.
You will see in the photo below where I've been going through all my favorite cookbooks looking for goodie recipes...there are the usual favorites but I always like to try a few new things each year. As usual, and like everything else, my list goes way beyond what I will have time for. I do hope to get a start on some of it this afternoon though. But if I don't get off this thing and finish basting these patches in place and get moving the day will be gone and I'll be wondering where it went!
Enjoy your day!

Stockings and more stockings...

More old cutter quilt stockings...large ones for the mantle and ornament size...
And more wool felt stockings. As you can see, these were made to order...personalized for new grandbabies of a long time customer.
I love Christmas stockings and they are probably the family favorite of Christmas morning here at our house. No matter how old the "kids" get. They have found some pretty good things in their stockings over the years. Everything from a new toothbrush to dollar scratch offs to $20 gift cards to new little gadgets of some sort.
Sometimes it's as much fun if not more looking for them little things to fill the stockings as it is shopping for an actual gift.
It's been such a busy couple weeks that I've not gotten out one decoration yet. So after church and a couple of errands I'll put on some Christmas music and bring out our tree and hang our stockings.
Enjoy your day!

Ramblin' from the sofa...

Hello All...
Feelin' a little under the weather today. I've had a scratchy throat for several days and that led to laryngitis to planting myself on the sofa this morning with cold medicine, the box of kleenex and the tv remote. Ugh! Who has time to be sick? I know I don't! Too much going on to be sick...not to mention I miss baby girl!
Take it easy today so hopefully I'm better for the weekend....it's 'hanging of the greens' Sunday at church and I don't want to miss it!
I've got a number of projects started in the sewing room that needs to be finished up and sent to the mercantile. Cutter quilt stockings, toddler aprons, gatherings stars and "sew" much more!
I shared a start with you awhile ago that I finally finished (see pic below) and is now available for sale at the mercantile.
So what's goin' on in your world?

Homemade Noodles.....

This is one of the family favorites.....I cook up some chicken, which can be whatever your favorite part of the chicken is.....I usually use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. While the chicken is cooking I mix up the noodles and roll them out. When the chicken is done I remove it from the pan and add more water or additional chicken broth and while it's working its way to a boil I will cut the noodles. I will also add a bit of sage to the broth for a little added flavor.
So here's the recipe for the noodles....I usually have to double it.

Beat 2 eggs in a bowl til foamy. Add 1 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix into a ball. Roll out thin. Cut in strips and add to boiling broth...slowly, so that they don't stick
together and the broth doesn't stop boiling. Cook over medium heat 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cover for 1/2 hour.

I made this up for supper last night along with green beans and Aunt Pearls hot rolls....YUM!

Old Quilts...

If old quilts could talk...imagine the stories they could tell! I love quilts...old and new...those made and quilted on a machine and those done entirely by hand. No matter how old, torn and tattered they may become there is still plenty of uses for them....
So besides working on the 'Snowman of Love' pennyrug, I played with an old quilt to make stockings....large ones to hang on the mantle and some small ornament size ones....then while going through my stash of supplies I found a chunk of black burlap and a bag of old trim so I done a little experimenting. I must say...that's one idea that turned out as well as it did in my head...so I've also shared that in the pic too!
They are now available for sale at Randolph Mercantile! I hope to find some time this week to cut into the double wedding ring quilt....but tonight? I'm stitching away on the snowman pennyrug....getting close to being done!
Hope you had a nice weekend! Enjoy your week!

What I'm workin' on.....

Thought I'd share a bit of what I'm working on...
'Snowman of Love'
it's not coming along as quickly as I'd like...I guess because I work on it just when I have a few minutes to sit down.
I got this book 'Pennyrugs & Pillow Thangs' 10 years ago when Tara of Sew Unique Creations first published it. It's still a favorite and I use it every year for at least one project if not more and I will continue to use it til either the book wears out or I do!
It's opening weekend of deer season so while John is out working, hunting, or catching a nap I'm planning to get this piece finished up.
What are you working on?

Aunt Pearls Rolls.....

I shared the photos a couple weeks ago on Pinterest without the recipe so finally getting it posted today so I thought I'd share it here as well.
Aunt Pearl was Johns great aunt on his mamas side and this recipe goes back to the depression and probably even before. It's the only recipe to use for dinner or cinnamon rolls! Enjoy!

Just one more...

I have to share just one more photo for colors of fall....this is probably my most favorite spot out our door...mainly because it's my "dream spot". If I were to ever open up another shop this is where it would be. Nestled in the trees down behind our house.
It's a dreary rainy day here in my little corner of the world so Rylee and I are staying in today...working on forgotten projects and new ones so I will have something to offer at the Mercantile holiday open house which is in just a couple of weeks! "Sew" much to do! "Sew" little time! So time for me to get back to being busy!
Enjoy your day!

More colors of fall....

Here are a couple more...another view out our door...taken a week or so apart....look at the change of colors!

Colors of fall...

Just wanted to share this photo I took this morning...just one of the views out my door. After the hot and dry summer I'm surprised at the beautiful colors I'm seeing this fall.
Enjoy your day!

What's for supper?

Plain Chicken: Chicken Ranch Pasta

Got this recipe in an email....served with a side of broccoli...YUM! It's a keeper!

Fall is here...

And what better way to kick off the fall season than with a weinie roast! We took out a couple of old dead pine trees from the yard and decided to just burn them rather than cut for firewood and everybody knows you can't have a tree burnin' without a weinie roast.
Love sitting around a warm fire on a cool night!
Family and good food...nice weekend!
Looking forward to the church weinie roast/hayride hosted by my sister and her family in a couple weeks!
************
Well, since I can't seem to remove the photo I'll go ahead and share a finish with you. Little pillow tucks...stitched on osnaburg with hand-dyed floss. I love how they turned out and these have already sold but I don't know if my old eyes can do up another. We'll see!

Time to get busy with the day. Miss Rylee and I have errands to run and a park to visit (it's going to be a beautiful day)!
Enjoy your day!

Wanna cookie?

A sweet tooth has hit me today so instead of a batch of cookies I went with this giant cookie! No, my sweet tooth wasn't THAT big, but by the time everyone that will come in this house this evening takes a portion it should be gone by bedtime! Well....ok...maybe I will stash a small piece for a coffee break tomorrow! But then it's gone!
I thought I'd share the recipe with you today...
SUPER COOKIE
1/2 cup softened butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1egg
1 1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used miniature)
Cream butter, brown sugar and sugar in mixer bowl until light. Beat in egg. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix well. Stir in vanilla. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread evenly  with dampvhand onto greased pizza pan. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until light brown. Serves 8-10. Enjoy!

Fall has arrived.....

And along with it comes more hot and hearty meals and pumpkin pie! It was a chili and pumpkin pie kinda night last night!  If you want the recipe, I just use the one that's on the can of pumpkin with a slight change...I use Splenda for recipes.  I will also divide the sugar and use part brown. And I do make my own pie crust...using the Crisco recipe.
************
Also sharing a little somehing I worked on last week....
He's headed to the mercantile this morning!
Great open house last weekend! Now to get ready for Holiday open house in November!

It's that time of year ...

Fall open house at Randolph Mercantile

! I've been sewing, stitching and punching like a mad woman! "Sew" much yet to do! I stopped in yesterday and the store is about to burst at the seams the way it's filling up with the fall treasures! If you find yourself in our little corner of the world stop in and see us! All the details are listed below!

I'm Back...

Not that I've been anywhere....I've been right here. I just haven't been blogging. So here I am...going to try and get back at it. It will be slow going and I know I won't get something posted everyday but hopefully a couple times a week.
So here's a little bit of what I've been working on the past few weeks.

What I'm Working On...

Yep, I'm still working on down-sizing my supply stash and unfinished projects.

Here's what I'm working on this week.....

My first and most likely only rug hooking project...this I started years ago.  It was featured in a magazine and I thought it looked a simple enough design to start with.  And it is....but I just can't seem to find a good flow, so maybe I'll just stick to punching, stitching and sewing.  Oh, I will finish this so I can say that I have tried it, as I did with candle and

soap making.   Maybe one day in the far future, I will try my hand at any one or all three again, but for now, I think they are better left for others.

The chunk of burlap and wool pieces I showed the other day are becoming a table runner. 

And another piece started a few years ago then tucked away into a basket is this stitchery piece.

I've made a wee bit of progress on this.

To think of the number of stitcheries I used to crank out in a weeks time and now I have to force myself to work on them.

So that's what I'm working on this week, besides keeping up with the usual chores and watching after  lil' Miss Rylee....here's a snap of her modeling the latest fashion available for wee ones at Randolph Mercantile....

Cute little onsie with matching tutu and sockies. 

There are more items available for the wee ones, just click on the Randolph Mercantile FB link to the right to

check it all out!

Enjoy your day!



Finishes...

It's a beautiful day here today!  The sun is shining bright, it's warm and there's a gentle breeze.

Rylee and I will be getting to take our walk today.

Here are a few finishes of the week....

Remember the egg crate I showed you earlier....well here it is...

This end can be displayed through winter, spring and summer...

(punchneedle design by Buttermilk Basin)

...while this end can be displayed in the fall.

(Notforgotten Farm)

Wouldn't this crate look awesome filled with real bittersweet in the fall?!

Fresh Eggs...a counted cross stitch design featured in Mar/Apr 2012 Create & Decorate (Terry Loewen)

It was featured a little differently, I chose to frame it instead.

Stitched with hand-dyed threads...on 32 ct linen that I stained with walnut ink crystals.

And I got those tobacco sticks finished that I'd started last week and needed screws for.

Alot more has been started or in the works.  Still trying to use up a good portion of my supply stash and work up some of  those unfinished projects.

I will be taking all of these to Randolph Mercantile tomorrow where they will be available for sale.

Hope the sun is shining where you are!

Enjoy your day!

Some days I just...

...can't help myself. 

Too much stuff that NEEDS doing and too much stuff I WANT to do.

After storming through the night, we got a dark, rainy and dreary morning here in my little corner of the world.

It looks to of cleared off for now, but it won't last....

More to come later in the day, according to our weather man.

So,  what to do?

It doesn't look like Rylee and I will get our walk today, so I guess we'll just have to stay inside....

a little work, a little play.....

Right now, she's napping so I'd better type fast.

I've had two pair of pants to hem all week. 

They are now in progress....since I had to wait for pics to load.

Also pulled out these two piece and have wools cut and pinned to the back....

will stitch those on later, and hopefully get them tacked to that cool wooden egg crate I showed you the other day.

As I was pulling wools, I found these two pieces of burlap....

Hmm....maybe a couple of table runners with some wool applique'?

A good way to use up some of my wool remnants....and the burlap I've had in my fabric cupboard for probably a couple of years.

What's keeping you busy today?