Down on the Farm

Family.....Sunday.....

2012-01-29T07:22:00.000-06:00

So I've been searching for a photo to share with you today but I can't find it....I guess I thought I had it on this computer when saving pics from the other one. I thought wrong, apparently. Glad I haven't gotten rid of that old thing yet!

I've been so sporadic in blogging lately, mainly because I can't decide what I want to blog about, that I decided to give myself some guidelines...finally...it took me how long to figure this out. Yeah, I had topics planned for Friday and Saturday but, it was a matter of getting the time at the computer. Generally, if I don't get/take the time early of a morning, I don't get much chance later in the day.

Okay....I found the pic!

So this one was taken a few years ago.

It's my Grandpa & Grandma Summers and my Mama....she was probably 5 or 6? I love this picture.

Grandpa was a construction worker/carpenter/truck driver and knew his way around the kitchen. Grandma was a seamstress and there wasn't anything she couldn't make.

I don't have to wonder why I can and like to do the things I do.....

Enjoy your day!

Favorite Places...Thursday...

2012-01-26T09:26:00.000-06:00

A great mix of old and new as well as some handmades tucked here and there...

Hwy 24 West, Moberly, MO

660.263.8087

Monday - Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Saturday 9am - 5pm

Sunday 10am - 4pm

Getting ready for spring open house.....

March 2nd, 3rd, & 4th

Check us out on Facebook!

What's Cookin' Wednesday...

2012-01-25T16:54:00.000-06:00

It's Double-Cheese Beef Pasta and Cheesecake with a chocolate, caramel and pecan topping.

Yep, it's tonight's supper. The cheesecake is done and the pasta dish is ready to pop in the oven as soon as I know John is headed towards home. Garlic cheese biscuits will be mixed up and ready to go in the oven when the pasta is done because they are best served HOT right out of the oven!

I found this pasta recipe in the Taste of Home Potluck & Parties book...submitted by Marilyn Pearson of MT.

This is my first time making it.....but hey, if it's pasta and there's cheese....it's gotta be a winner!

DOUBLE-CHEESE BEEF PASTA

2-1/2 cups UNcooked medium shell pasta

2 pounds ground beef

2 medium onions, chopped

1 jar (14 ounces) spaghetti sauce

1 can (14-1/2 ounces)stewed tomatoes, undrained & finely chopped

1 jar (4-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups sour cream

1 package (6 ounces) sliced provolone cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile,in a large skillet, cook beef and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.

Add the spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, salt & pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Drain pasta; place half in a greased 3 quart baking dish. Top with half of the beef mixture. Layer with sour cream and provolone cheese. Top with remaining pasta then beef mixture. Sprinkle wiht mozzarella cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

GARLIC CHEESE BISCUITS

2 cups Bisquik

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Combine to make a soft dough (if seems too stiff, you can add a little more milk)

Drop by spoonfuls onto parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minute or until slightly golden brown.

Melt 6 Tablespoons butter, add some garlic powder to taste, toss a little parsley in there for some color...Brush this over the biscuits when they come out of the oven. Enjoy!

CHEESECAKE

For the crust:

1-1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

3 Tablespoons sugar

4 Tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine crumbs sugar & butter. Press into bottom of springform pan. Bake 10 minutes.

While it cools prepare the cheesecake batter.....

2 packages (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup (scant) flour

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Place cream cheese in bowl and whisk til soft and creamy. Add sugar and flour & whisk til well combined. Add sour cream, eggs and vanilla, whisk til smooth.

Pour batter over slightly cooled crust. Bake approximately 45-50 minutes at 325 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool 20 minutes. Run sharp knife around edge. Cool to room temperature then cover with foil. Refrigerate til chilled. Release clamp and remove collar. Top with whatever topping you so desire or leave plain.

***Drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce or both. Sprinkle with pecans. Top with fresh fruit & cool whip.

You can see I chose to melt a little bit of chocolate and caramel to drizzle over the top & gave a generous sprinkle of chopped pecans!

Well, I need to go do some chores before it gets dark.....Enjoy your evening!

Favorite Things Tuesday.....

2012-01-24T13:24:00.000-06:00

My Keurig single serve coffee maker!

Not only do I use it for an afternoon or evening cup of coffee.....if I'm feeing like a cup of tea or cocoa, even though they make cocoa and tea k-cups, I'll just run a cup of water through rather than put a kettle of water on the stove and use my own teabags and cocoa.

Enjoy your day!

What I've Been Working On...

2012-01-18T09:43:00.000-06:00

It took me longer than planned, but I've finally finished Mothie and her cat and they will be making their appearance on Etsy later today. As I look at the photo, I think I want to make a couple slight changes/additions to them before I list them in my shoppe though.

The last time I was at a fabric store, while there were many bolts of fabric calling my name, I decided that I wasn't going to buy anymore until I made a serious dent in the stash I already have. (And with the stash that I have, I think it's going to be a long while before I'm buying anymore fabrics) ..... So, Monday, I took some time to use up several pieces by cutting out three aprons and I hope to start sewing on them today.

There are some generous scrap pieces leftover, perfect for some small quilt projects.

I did finally get the spare room revamped, but I'm still tweaking so no photo's yet!

I don't know how I got everything to fit in there! A large three-door cupboard that stores my fabrics & some supplies, a queen-size bed, a baby bed, small chest of drawers, sewing machine cabinet and work table.

It is a little cramped but I can work in there and that is "sew" much nicer than dragging it all out to the kitchen table.

Time to get busy.....

Enjoy your day!

Tuesday Ramblin' & a recipe to share...

2012-01-10T10:26:00.001-06:00

Things have slowly gotten back to "normal"....Rylee and I are settling back into a routine of our days.

She's getting more and more vocal...as she's sitting in her swing just a talkin' to her babydoll.

She is such a joy and I am SO blessed to get this time with her!

We have been having some amazing weather here with unseasonably warm temps, however, Mr. WeatherMan just said that this could be our last nice day for a few days.....20's & 30's with a chance of flurries on Thursday?

I made a chicken pot pie for supper last night....I haven't made one in years!

I don't remember where I got the recipe and I only followed it to a degree....

Here's my version.....

Chicken Pot Pie

single pastry

4 cups cubed cooked chicken

1 tablespoon butter

1 can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 can sliced or diced potatoes, drained

1 can sliced carrots, drained

2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

1 1/2 cup whipping cream

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 cup chicken broth

1 egg, lightly beaten

Place chicken in a larger casserole dish (I used my 12" pasta dish)

Add potatoes and carrots.

In small skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add the mushrooms and onion and saute' til heated through or lightly browned. Add this to the chicken.

In medium saucepan, whisk together cream, flour, paprika, salt and pepper over low heat; cook until thickened. Whisk in the broth. Pour sauce over the chicken and veggie mixture.

Preheat the oven to 400*.

Prepare the pastry by rolling to fit the top of the casserole. Place on top of pie; trim and seal the edges.

I poked a few slits into the pastry. Brush top with lightly beaten egg.

Bake until filling is bubbly and crust in browned, approximately 30-35 minutes.

Cool slightly. Serve warm.

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

Cook your own chicken or buy already roasted. Use potatoes and carrots or whatever veggies you prefer or none at all. The actual recipe called for mushrooms only.

Use prepared pastry crust or make it homemade.

Make the recipe your own!

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

Well, time to move along....Rylee and I are going to start on one of my favorite Netty LaCroix dolls today....

Mothie & her cat.....and she will be appearing in my Etsy shoppe soon!

Enjoy your day!

The Ups & Downs.....

2012-01-03T10:22:00.000-06:00

...of working at home.

Do you work at/from home?

Would love to hear from you and how you manage your time.

I love being able to stay at home and work from home.

Whether it's housework, alterations work or the fun work as I call it,

I NEVER lack for something to work on.

Most days are productive.

Some days aren't productive at all.

It is easy to have just one of those lazy days.

You know, the ones when if you work outside the home, you'd call in because the motivation just isn't there?

That's one of the down sides to working at home. The up side to that is, I don't have to "call in".

Today I am struggling.

What to do?

I have a small mountain of alterations to do.

I have the usual household things to do.

I have a "spare" room that needs to be revamped. (Yeah, I know, I've whined about that here before)

I have closets that need to be cleaned out.

Chores outside.

So what do I do?

I sit down here with my cup of coffee.

Putting it all off a little while longer.

SO many distractions.

Another down side to working at home.

When I work away from home...I do just that...work.

I'm focused on the task at hand and it gets done.

It's not put off because I've been distracted by any number of other things.

I think it was easier for me to keep up on household things when working outside the home because I knew my time at home was limited.

Now that the holiday hoop-lah is over, we are gradually getting back into a somewhat normal routine.

Two more days of Christmas break before Rylee is back.

Everyone else that lives in this house is at work for the next several hours so it's

time to get busy...I'll start with picking up the house...

what doesn't get done today will be here waiting tomorrow.

Yeah, that's another up and down to working at home.

Thanks for "listening"!

Enjoy your day!

Christmas Clearance Sale...

2011-12-30T17:32:00.000-06:00

As mentioned in my last post, I have a few Christmas items leftover that I'd really rather sell at a discount than finding storage space for nine months. If you are interested in any of these items, just leave a comment or send me an email and I'll get back to you ....Paypal accepted to jehess4@sbcglobal.net ....and sorry, I can ship only within the US at this time.

Candle bundles.... set/5...was $4.95 NOW $3.50 each plus shipping

Red Primitive Gift Box.....was $14.95.....NOW $10.95 plus shipping

This was the year for stockings....

Wool Felt Stockings.... was $19.95.......NOW $14.95 plus shipping

Wool Winter Friends Penny Rug.....was $29.95.....NOW 21.95 plus shipping

And a couple of fall items...

Punchneedle Scarecrow on bucket hanger..... was $24.95 ..... NOW $19.95 plus shipping

Gourd Pillow

Squirrel Pillow

Sugar Corn Pillow

was $11.95 ....... NOW $6.95 each plus shipping

So that's it....again, if you are interested, please leave a comment here or send me an email... jehess4@sbcglobal.net

Enjoy your evening!

2011-12-29T17:56:00.000-06:00

I meant to post before Christmas, but with last minute shopping, errands and baking, I simply didn't get to it, so I do hope that you and yours had a most blessed Christmas.

I was up WAY too early this morning, so I got the laundry underway then decided after everybody was out the door for work, that I would take down the Christmas tree and all the decorations, even though it's earlier than what I normally do it.

It's taken me practically all day, but it is now finished and everything back into it's place....or a new place. I find this is a good time to do any rearranging just to give things a fresh look.

While out running errands yesterday, I stopped at the mercantile to pick up my fall/Christmas leftovers.

I'm really not wanting to store them for this next year so I think I will be listing a Christmas clearance. I hope to get a start on that tomorrow....so check back! Aside from that, I need to catch up with the alterations work and I really want to finish the counted cross stitch I started several weeks ago, that I hoped to get done for a Christmas gift. I guess it will just have to be a birthday gift and remind myself to start on handmade Christmas gifts for 2012 much earlier than I did for 2011.

Enjoy your evening!

I'll be curled up in my little corner of the sofa stitchin'!

Christmas Is Coming!

2011-12-20T13:39:00.000-06:00

And we've been busy, busy!

Besides the fudge and peanut clusters made last week, we've been mixing up cookie dough....

Sugar cookie and chocolate chip, both made with splenda...and molasses cookie dough....

We'll be making these up over the next day or two!

And.....

Peanut Butter Fudge

2/3 cup canned milk (evaporated)

2 cups sugar

1 cup peanut butter (I like chunky)

7 oz. jar marshmallow creme

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cook milk and sugar to soft ball stage...(I actually cook mine to JUST a SMIDGE over)

Remove from heat; add peanut butter and marshmallow creme. Stir in vanilla.

Pour into a 9"x 9" buttered pan. (You see that I've lined my pan with parchment buttering the two sides not covered with the paper...lifts right out of the pan)

Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Enjoy!

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

I finally got to some Christmas shopping over the weekend so it looks like pressie wrapping this afternoon!

Hope you are having a great week!

Enjoy your day!

Monday...

2011-12-12T10:41:00.000-06:00

Where did the weekend go? For that matter, where is the month of December going?!

Christmas is now less than two weeks away?

I'm nowhere near ready.

While I have some handmade gifts well underway, I've not done much in the way of shopping.

No baking or candy making yet.

The trees and most of the decorations are up, however, the lighted garland that should be hanging on the front porch railing is still sitting in its tote in the attic.

I don't know if that will happen or not.
John and I did take a little time on Saturday for a walk through the woods behind the house, checking out a couple of trees that had been taken down in a storm a few months back. I think there's enough in those two trees to get us through a good part of winter.
Then I found a little cedar tree to cut to put in this little old car at our back door.
Now that I have it there, I want to ditch the artificial wreath on the old sled and replace it with some fresh cedar. Hmm, that would require another walk through the woods.

When we got back, we walked out to the horse pasture to check the horses and the pond....
The whole while being followed by our newest little fur baby, Thumper, who you see here not showing any fear from the horses or mules.

A busy day ahead, stitching on some stockings, a cross stitch sampler and I might even try to sneak in some peanut clusters sometime today, as they can be disguised in containers and put in the freezer.

Out of sight. Out of mind.

Right?

Enjoy your day!

Wednesday Ramblin'...

2011-12-07T09:20:00.000-06:00

Yesterday morning, we woke to our first snowfall for the year. A reported 1.3" for our first snow, obviously a tracking snow, on the 6th of December.

Does this mean we will get only 6 snows for this winter? Hmm...the low number sounds good, but if that holds true, how heavy could those 6 snowfalls be?

Monday night, we finally lit the fireplace.

Salem has already staked claim to the kitchen hearth....he's there in the lower right corner, he just kinda blends in with the dark brick!

Nothin' more cozy than sitting quietly in the living room with the warmth & glow of Christmas tree lights and a crackling fire in the fireplace.

I had to do a little baking yesterday. A friend asked me to make her 4 dozen cookies for her church exchange so I decided to go with these. They're a sand tart cookie aka pecan sandie, but rather than coat with powdered sugar, I dipped the tops in chocolate! They look so yummy that I'm going to make another batch today for our church women's gathering this evening! And.....I thought I'd share the recipe with you today.....

SAND TARTS

1 cup butter

4 heaping tablespoons powered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 3/4 cups flour

1 cup chopped pecans

Mix well. ( I mix in a food processor)

Roll into small balls the size of a walnut. (I use the smallest pampered chef ice cream scoop, level)

Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. (I then flatten with bottom of glass)

Bake at 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes...slightly golden on bottom or around edges.

Roll in powdered sugar with still warm then again when cooled.

Using the pc ice cream scoop, this will make 48 cookies.

If you would like them dipped with chocolate, I just melted 1 pkg of chocolate chips in the microwave, stirred to smooth, tilt the bowl to get the chocolate on the side of bowl to just dip the top of the cookie.

If you'd like, sprinkle with topping of your choice!

Let set in single layer on cookie sheets and set in refrigerator to allow for chocolate to set.

Enjoy!

Quiet Sunday....

2011-12-04T16:40:00.000-06:00

It's a quiet afternoon here in my little corner of the world.

I went to church this morning and the usual stop at the grocery store afterwards.

I overslept this morning and didn't get my required amount of coffee so I'm making up for that now!

I finally got a few minutes to sit down and thumb through this latest issue of

Where Women Create

'Inspiring work spaces of extraordinary women'

And inspiring it is!

To read about and see the work spaces of SO many creative women...

where they've been, where they are now....what inspires them...

With each article come tips of their trade and favorite quotes...

There was one in this latest issue among the pages of

Allison Tyler Jones that really caught my attention and I want to share it with you...

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that

I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used

everything you gave me.'"

--Erma Bombeck

Something to think about.....

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

2011-11-26T14:00:00.000-06:00

I hope you and yours had a most blessed Thanksgiving!

I've been collecting these International Harvester prints for awhile now and finally decided on a project. I'm actually hoping to have two similar finished pieces done for Christmas....( Let's hope that NOW is not the time that he decides to

start reading my blog!)

It took me forever to decide on which four to use for the blocks and keeping the other two for backing.

I've been cutting strips.....

.....and stitching them together.....

.....cutting and stitching some more.

That's all I will show you for now.

Don't look too closely....you will see all of my flaws even in these early stages. I am not a master quilter by any means!

It is a cold, rainy, dreary day here in my little corner of the world. As much as I have the itch to get out of the house, I'm staying in where it's warm and dry and sewing on the fun stuff, even though alterations work awaits.

Coffee break is over so back to the machine.....

Enjoy your day!

2011-11-23T08:21:00.001-06:00

Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

We will be spending Thanksgiving with John's family, as his mom and dad will leave Friday morning for south Texas for the winter.

Lots to do today so I'd better get busy!

Enjoy your day!

The Kitchen Table...

2011-11-18T14:37:00.000-06:00

This is my kitchen table.

Nothin' fancy.

It's not new.

Just an old table made with tongue and groove boards

and the chairs don't match.

But it's my table.

It suits me and it fits the space.

And it doesn't always look like this!

For the past several weeks, it's been covered with sewing machines, fabrics, patterns and an assortment of sewing notions.

Stacks of alterations, finished items....It was completely loaded down.

Yesterday was the day to clear it off.

I wanted the family to actually sit down to the table for a meal instead of serving dinner buffet style and taking off to the living room.

And we did just that....

I need to come up with a plan to rework the spare bedroom/work room to make it more

comfortable to work in OR come up with an inexpensive way

to complete the back porch to make it a more useful space.

My challenge for the week is to keep my table cleared off.

Hmm.....I wonder how many days it will actually last......

Quilts...Old & Tattered...

2011-11-11T07:29:00.000-06:00

As I was working on these little stocking ornaments the other day, I wondered just how many old & tattered quilts have been tossed in the trash because someone thought it was too worn for anymore use.

These were made from the scraps of a quilt that I had already used for a number of projects.

Stockings, angel wings, pockets for cats and stars, pillows... and who knows what else!

So far, all the quilts I've used in my works, I've found in antique shops.

I have a few quilts here that I don't ever see myself using for anything but display.

Several years ago, a friend brought to me three beautiful pieced quilts, all in perfect condition....

to make keepsake bears for her kids.

Taking that first cut into such perfect quilts....ouch!

I don't think old quilts ever get beyond the point of some sort of use.

If not using as a cutter quilt for handmade projects, simply fold it up and set it on a bench or lay across the arm of an old rocking chair.

Use one to cover the bales of hay on your next hayride. As a Christmas tree shirt for your primitive decorated Christmas tree. Use one as a table cover for your next family gathering or in your next craft show display.

An old quilt, no matter how tattered, still has a good number of uses,

so don't toss it out just yet!

Cookies...

2011-11-06T07:20:00.000-06:00

OATMEAL CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1-1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 6-oz pkg Craisins dried cranberries

2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Preheat oven to 375*. Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a seperate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown Cool on wire rack.. Makes approximately 2-1/2 dozen cookies.

ENJOY!

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

This recipe actually came from the back of the Craisins package.

I tried this recipe a couple weeks ago and the cookies were SO good, I decided it was a keeper and I had to make them again just the other day!

Side note: I use parchment lined baking sheets.

Enjoy your day!

Gift~Box How~To...

2011-11-01T08:47:00.001-05:00

A great way to wrap a gift without having to actually wrap it!

Turn ordinary paper mache' boxes into gift boxes with a few simple steps....

No prepping necessary.....and so simple, I didn't even take pics along the way.....

and chances are, you already have everything you need in your craft cupboard.

Paint the box with regular craft paint.....one coat is plenty. And I paint just the outsides and bottom, leaving the insides plain.

Using a finer grit of sandpaper, sand over all and don't worry about sanding off too much paint, as these areas will take in more stain. After sanding, wipe off residue with a soft cloth.

Stain with your choice of stain....I will use either a very strong walnut ink crystal stain or brown shoe polish. Apply the shoe polish on the box as if you were using on a shoe.

Wrap with a strip of ticking or homespun, adding a touch of glue where it overlaps in the back.

Over the fabric, wrap with a strip of stained cheesecloth (you can glue this or not, but cheesecloth will hold to itself)

(on the shorter boxes, I've used just the cheesecloth)

To hold this in place, use a piece of twine, wrapping a number of times around the box. Tie off in the front but don't cut the tails just yet.....tie on a tag and/or a piece of greenery...or whatever you so choose!

As I write this, it just occurred to me that I have some grubbied candy canes that would of made perfect tie-ons! Hmm....

Before filling, I suggest placing a bit of paper shreds in the bottom.

If using for homemade goodies, place them in a plastic or cello-bag before placing them in the box.

And you know, this is something you could do with the kiddo's...while you are working on your boxes, they can work on one for their own little gifties for teacher!

Be creative and have fun with it!

Enjoy your day!

Saturday.....

2011-10-29T09:40:00.000-05:00

Good Saturday Morning!

I hope you had a great week! I can't believe it's been that long since my last post!

I thought I'd share this last minute finish with you....when I saw it in the magazine, I knew that if I didn't get to it this year, I'd forget about it by next year! It will make it's way to the mercantile later today in hopes of someone needing a finish to their fall table or a little giftie for their Thanksgiving dinner hostess.

It's the Oak Leaves & Acorns by Maggie Bonanomi, I mentioned in a previous post, featured in

Primitive Quilts & Projects.

I also finished up...FINALLY...two of the snow angels I've had sitting forever!

This one has been placed in my Etsy Shoppe... Homestead Gatherings .....

...and the other will be taken to the mercantile....the only difference in the two is the trim.

This design is thanks to Sew Unique Creations.

It looks to be a really nice weekend here in our little corner of the world.

After some household chores this morning and a few errands in town this afternoon, I hope to get a little bit of outdoor clean up done.

Tomorrow is the annual Trustee's Cycle Shop Toy Run and we will be riding in that.

And next weekend is the Randolph Mercantile Holiday Open House, so this week, Rylee and I will be busy busy putting together a few more things for that.

She's such a good little helper!

Here's a cute little pic from this last week....

I can't help it...she's so dang cute, I have to share it!

Sitting in papa's chair, waiting for him to get home!

Enjoy your day!

Primitive Quilts & Projects...

2011-10-21T09:11:00.000-05:00

I thought that I was done with fall things, not that I make alot of fall things anyway, but I finally got a copy of the Fall 2011 issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects and I just had to get out my wool stash and start cutting and stitching!

Besides finishing up some aprons, I worked with some wools this week...

This Star Pumpkin Mat was a design in the magazine by Kerry Arthur of Calico Rabbit Designs.

I love it! I had all the wools in my stash as well as the giant rick rack, which I found at Sew Sweet Quilt Shop , in Brunswick, MO.

This one will go to the mercantile but I will most likely be making another to keep!

The other little ditties are wool pinkeeps....filled with ground walnut shells. I used a few templates from other designs in the magazine, as well.

Needing something to hang aprons from, I also made up a couple of make-do peg racks. The slats are from an old chicken carrier from my grandparents farm...one is made using ceramic insulators for the pegs and the other some hooks from my stash. I think both turned out pretty neat and will serve their purpose well.

Rylee is home with mama today since there isn't any school today, so I'm going to finish (hopefully) another wool mat that's featured in this fall issue, Oak Leaves & Acorns by Maggie Bonanomi.

Then on to some other fun projects...

I found this piece of fabric on a recent trip to Sew Sweet Quilt Shop.

The possibilities with panels such as this are endless.....

This one is Maison de Garance by FRENCH GENERAL for moda

While most will be made into pillows, some will be incorporated into aprons, table mat and/or runner.

So that's the plan for my day....and it looks like the sun is going to shine.....

Enjoy your day!

Holiday Open House...

2011-10-16T10:29:00.000-05:00

I was looking at my calendar this morning and it occurred to me that the holiday preview open house is now less than 3 weeks away!

Where in the world has this year gone?

I've not gotten my front porch decorated for fall yet!

New things are arriving daily at Randolph Mercantile!

Mark your calendar....

November 4 - 5 - 6

I'll try to get in there and snap a few more pics in the next few days.

No matter your taste or decorating style, you are sure to find something at the mercantile!

Saturday Ramblin'...

2011-10-15T08:17:00.000-05:00

While the orange cranberry pecan muffins bake, I thought I'd share what I've been working on the past few days.

I found this cute little apron pattern, called the 'Friday Night Apron' on one of my little shopping trips a few weeks ago.

It is by

http://www.vanillahousedesigns.com/

I may add a button or some rick rack, as I feel something is missing, especially the one with dots.

And of course with the supply stash that I have, do you think I would find a button to suit me in my collection?

At least one of them will find its way to my etsy shop and the others will go to the mercantile. Don't you just love that paisley print?

A morning of errands a late afternoon wedding and a hayride later this evening, that I may or may not make it to.

I hope you had a great week and are off to a fun-filled weekend!

Brownies...

2011-10-12T19:54:00.000-05:00

I got a sweet tooth today.

So while fixing on supper, I mixed up a batch of brownies that I hadn't made for awhile.

After woofin' down two of them already, I remembered why!

I found this recipe probably 10 years ago...somewhere on the web...and it's what I want to share with you today.

BROWNIES

Mix the following ingredients together and set aside (or store in an airtight container or bag.)

2 cups sugar

1 cup cocoa

1 cup flour

1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

1 cup miniature chocolate chips

To make brownies: preheat oven to 325*; prepare 9"x 13" pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, cream:

1 cup butter (softened)

4 eggs, beating well after each one

Add the dry ingredients listed above and beat until smooth.

Spread mixture into pan.

Bake 40 - 50 minutes.

**Note: Prepare dry mix and place in cello-bag, add a ribbon and instructions for baking. Place this in a large mixing bowl or a cake pan, add a few other kitchen treasures to make a perfect bridal shower gift, housewarming or hostess gift!

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

After spending a few days on housework, alterations and errands, I'm back to some fun work...I bought some fun fabrics on a couple recent shopping trips so I'm working on some more aprons and I'll share them with you soon.

Hope you are have a great week!

My Etsy Shoppe...

2011-10-06T15:02:00.000-05:00

Well, sewing machine being contrary as it was, all of yesterdays sewing plans went by the wayside.

I will drag out an old machine later.

Now, that being said, that doesn't mean it wasn't a productive day.

I never lack for things to do.

I did get a few small items back in my etsy shoppe.

Just click on the link to the right to take you to etsy!

It's been so long since I've listed there and I've found that they've made that web site even more user-friendly.

I LOVE that!

The weather is absolutely beautiful here today....I've actually got the windows open and letting the house breathe!

(Hope I don't regret it later with the allergies!)

Hope you are having a great week!

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

2011-10-05T08:32:00.000-05:00

...at least I hope I'm workin' on. My sewing machine has started acting contrary.

Again.

I guess it's time to break it down, clean it, give it a good oil, new needle

and start over.

It's that or drag an old one out of the supply closet!

Remnants from past projects being made into smaller projects.

Simple little half aprons...for the little helper in your kitchen!

These snow angels have been sitting in the sewing room for hmmm.....

let's just say for awhile.

They will get finished THIS week!

And these are a few things I've been working on over the past couple weeks.

Wools, wool felt and old cutter quilts made into table mats and stockings.

I hope to have these listed in my Etsy shoppe later tonight.

Well, I think little Miss Rylee is needin' some gramma cuddles before her morning nap and before I get started!

Enjoy your day!

Saturday Morning Ramblin'.....

2011-10-01T07:22:00.000-05:00

.....and Pumpkin Muffins.
From my mom's recipe box...although it's actually a bread recipe, I used it for these muffins that

I made yesterday. The pumpkin, the cinnamon, the cloves......Mmm....can you smell them?
I thought I'd share the recipe with you today.....

Pumpkin Muffins

3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 can pumpkin (small can)
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream sugar and oil. Add eggs. Stir in pumpkin.
Sift dry ingredients together and add to pumpkin mixture.
Scoop into lined muffins tins, size of your choice.
Bake at 350 degrees til done....toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
(I use the touch method as if I were baking a cake, but that's just me)
***************
Now, I used 1 1/2 cup Splenda sugar blend and also added raisins and pecans. The amount you use is up to you.
I soften my raisins by putting them in a bowl of water and placing in microwave for a minute or two, and drain water off before adding them to the mix.
If you so desire, you can frost them with cream cheese frosting or a glaze.
You can bake in loaf pans or a bundt pan.
***************
As I'm typing this recipe here, I realize that I left out baking powder when I made these....well.....no biggie, they are still yummy!
***************
It's to be cooler out today and my yard and outdoor projects are calling my name.
But dare I venture out?
My allergies haven't bothered me nearly as much as they normally do this time of year but I've also babied myself and stayed inside much of the time.
It might be a good day to just curl up in my chair with stitching in hand and watch a movie or two.
I think I'll put on a crockpot of chili and a peach cobbler or crisp for tonights supper then see what the day brings.

Enjoy your day!

Recent finds.....

2011-09-21T08:56:00.000-05:00

...and some not so recent, from my supply stash, just waiting for their new "do".

And these are just a few of the things from my stash. I'm almost afraid to dig too deep but if truth be known, I should probably pull everything out and take inventory so I know exactly what I have to work with for this holiday season.

Yesterday, I did pull out my stash of wool felt and cut out stockings.

So last night, I curled up in my chair to watch season premiers on CBS and began stitching on them.

I can't remember the last time I started stitching on holiday things this early!

Hope you are having a great week!

Enjoy your day!

My New "Boss".....

2011-09-13T17:59:00.001-05:00

Here she is at 2 months....Isn't she beautiful?! Mama went back to work on the 1st and rather than putting Rylee in daycare (not that aren't good ones out there), I will be staying home to take care of her.

She's a doll. Our first day was a little rough....the morning was just fine but certain baby issues arise and put that on top of first full day away from mama and that can certainly make a little girl cranky. But we're all good now and have gotten into a routine that I'm sure will change as she gets older.

Right now, she'll take a pretty good nap after breakfast so I can use that time for work....

either on handmades or on alterations.

Liz is working at a school so I have weekends, holidays, snowdays and summer break "off"....not that I think this is a job....I consider it a privilege that I get to do this. And you all know how I've been missing my creative time and this is allowing me to get some of that back.

I think I mentioned awhile ago that we sold the truck and trailer. Well, John did find a job driving a dump truck.

There will still be some working away from home from time to time but it's much different than what it was. We are just SO thankful that he found that job when he did and he really likes it.

So, some major changes over the past couple months and we're adjusting.

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

I can't believe it's already the middle of September!

Time for weiner roasts and hayrides.....

and breakin' out the bluejeans, boots and sweaters.

Time to clear off the hearth and clean out the fireplace.

John and his brother got a start on the firewood cutting the other day but it's gonna take lots more!

Enjoy your evening!

More finishes to share...

2011-09-11T07:33:00.000-05:00

Before I get to the finishes, I'd just like to take a moment to remember all those who were lost

on that dreadful day 10 years ago. To their families and friends, thoughts and prayers are with you.

We will never forget.

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

Penny rugs, dolls and cats.....along with a few other things...

...have made their way to the mercantile.

Some have already found new homes.

My kitchen counter and table are covered with lots more in the works.

I've been working on some pillows and will share a pic of them once I get them finished.

Sew much to do....sew little time!

Enjoy your day!

A Finish to Share...

2011-09-06T06:33:00.000-05:00

I hope you had a fantastic Labor Day weekend!

After months of picking up and putting down, I have finally finished 'YULE Sampler', a design by

The Primitive Needle.

It has taken it's place on my sampler wall and will hang there year round.

Over the weekend, I finally got the chance to start the Samplermakers challenge.

Using at least two of the motifs of several that were charted by member Jennie Lynn, this is what I'm

starting with....

I'm not sure what the finished piece will be yet...I'm just stitching, figuring it out as I go.

Open house is THIS weekend and I've been stitching up a storm...alot of works-in-progress....just awaiting finishing touches which I hope to get done today!

But first, I have some bananas thawing on the counter to be made into muffins so I'd better get started!

Enjoy your day!

This Silly Cat.....

2011-08-30T07:04:00.000-05:00

As I type this he sits on my lap, front paws on the desk and he turns his head up to look at me like..."I do good?"

If I'm working with it, he thinks he must be included.

I stitched up a couple of things over the weekend, so yesterday I sat down to stuff them and look who thought I needed help............

Okay, so maybe not help. I think he may of thought this would be a good place for a catnap?

He soon grew tired of my plucking of stuffing and moved on.

And this is what happened.....

...some time ago when I bought a new apron pattern and needed to cut the pieces apart.

I keep some stitchin' supplies in this box and when I took out the current work-in-progress and left the box open, this is what happened. He can find some of the funniest places to nap.

Cats are funny little creatures, aren't they?

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

I had a fairly productive day yesterday.....lots of works in progress. I even have a doll in the works and I can't remember the last time I made a doll. I finished a small quilt project, penny rug, and the 'yule' sampler that I've been working on for months. I'll post pics soon!

I even worked in some housework and laundry and cooked supper! That's what happens when I get up at 4:30 am!

Time to get busy.....Enjoy your day!

Good Sunday Morning!

2011-08-28T07:31:00.000-05:00

Mmm....the feel of fall is in the air! It's a very pleasant 62 degrees out this morning.

I was really glad to see this weeks HL coupon....another 40% off one regular priced item! I was in there the other day and found that they have the boppie cushions. So, I passed it up, taking the chance they'd have the 40% coupon this week and sure enough! How often does that happen?
Did you know that you can also use the 40% off coupons for magazines at Hobby Lobby? Yep!
In-Store Coupon : Weekly In-Store Specials : Hobby Lobby - Hobby Lobby

So just what are you going to do on this day? I'll be going to church this morning, then have a bridal shower this afternoon.

Enjoy your day!

It's beginning to look alot like fall....

2011-08-26T09:02:00.000-05:00

.....at Randolph Mercantile!

Fall open house preview is fast approaching!

Friday, September 9 ~ 9am - 7 pm

Saturday, September 10 ~ 9am - 5pm

Sunday, September 11 ~ 10am - 4pm

If you are in the area please stop in!

Besides all of your favorite primitive treasures, there are mums, pumpkins, corn shocks, gourds and more!

$30 purchase receives a free gift.

Spend $100 and receive free gift and Randolph Mercantile T-shirt!

I will be busy busy over the next couple of weeks getting lots of handmades ready and I will post as I get things done!

Enjoy your day!

Couponing.....

2011-08-18T07:39:00.000-05:00

Do you shop with coupons?

Do you look for items on the store shelves with instant coupons...

...or rush to the news stands for the Sunday paper for the coupon inserts?

Have you watched the show on extreme couponing?

It all looks and sounds great.

I know it's called "extreme couponing" for a reason but I've got mixed feelings on this.

I don't know, maybe I missed something in some of the programs....

What grocery stores are they shopping?

What coupons are coming in their coupon inserts?

I know, clip your coupon and watch the sale circulars for the coupon items to come on sale.

Some grocery stores will double the coupon.

I've got coupons ranging from cosmetics to frozen foods to cleaning products.

I clip/use coupons.

I buy things on sale.
I also buy store brand items.

I like to keep a stocked pantry....

.....on things that I will actually use.
In a timely manner.

When it's time to go shopping, I make my list. I'll go through my coupons. I'll look at the sale ads.

I'm not finding alot of the sale circulars coinciding with my coupons.

It's great for those who have the time to do this kind of couponing, but what does it really save you?

I've heard it said that this is OCD or on the verge of hoarding.

I have seen on some episodes where some items will be donated to charities and that's awesome.

Since watching this show, I've noticed a change in some of the coupons I've been clipping from the Sunday inserts...

The value isn't enough that when doubled the item would be free, even if it is on sale.

They are valid for a short amount of time. Finding one that might be a year out is rare. I like the companies that will package coupons in/on their product package.

It states on some that you can only redeem a certain number of like coupons at a time.

I really look for stores to change their coupon policies, as well. I believe I read on one store web site that they will not accept computer printed coupons.

I clip alot more coupons that what I actually use but will continue to clip because every little bit helps!

I just don't have what it takes to be a member of the extreme couponing club.

What are your thoughts on coupons and extreme couponing?

Weekly In-Store Specials : Hobby Lobby

2011-08-15T17:31:00.001-05:00

Click on the link below for a 40% off one regular priced item!

In-Store Coupon : Weekly In-Store Specials : Hobby Lobby - Hobby Lobby

Still in Awe...

2011-08-14T06:53:00.000-05:00

Every time I look at her.....I am still in awe.....

She is so beautiful and is such a good baby!

This was taken on the 12th, just one month old...we were waiting to see the doctor.

Before and after the appointment, we done a little girl shopping....

She likes shopping!!!

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

We got a break from the heat....we actually opened the windows last night!

Nice!

Enjoy it now before I have to close up again for hayfever season, which is just about here!

Going to church this morning then going to spend the afternoon with stitching in hand.

Enjoy your day!

Fall is arriving.....

2011-08-09T07:35:00.002-05:00

...at Randolph Mercantile!

Fall Open House Preview

Friday, September 9

Saturday, September 10

Sunday, September 11

New items arriving daily and I will get more preview pics posted soon!

Until then, mark your calendars

so you don't miss out!

Enjoy your day!

Productive Weekend....and some other stuff....

2011-08-08T16:06:00.000-05:00

I think I had a productive weekend.

Before running off to do errands in town, I finished up one of the aprons I've

had cut out for awhile and when I got back, I finished the other two.

I feel like I've done a little bit of everything over the weekend....including, pulling weeds out in the flower boxes!

Aprons fnished, a punch needle item redone and projects planned.....

I even made some progress on the Christmas cross-stitch project I've been working on for months.

I do believe it will be done in time to display this Christmas! (Actually, I think it will hang on my sampler wall

year round.)

I had an unexpected day off today, so I've spent it with more planning and preparing. And rather than overwhelm myself with the selection and preparing ALL of the projects I want to do, I've prepared just a couple. Complete them before moving on to the next one.

It's just one month before the mercantile open house and I want to have plenty of new handmades available!

A new episode of American Pickers on tonight so I will sit and stitch and enjoy the show.

Speaking of "pickers"....Have you seen the new show 'Picker Sisters'. They are interior designers who travel around pickin' though sheds, barns and fields....finding old and unique items and giving them a new purpose.

I love it! It inspires me to get back at it!

Well, it's hand-breaded tenderloins for supper tonight so I'd better get off this machine and get the things done up I need to before it's time to start on that.

Enjoy your day!

Friday Ramblin'.....

2011-08-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

August 5th?

Really?

*Sigh*

So much to do.

So little time.

I had a little shop some years back.

I closed it for a number of reasons.

I've really been missing it lately.

I'm still selling my wares through a local shop.

It's the being at home or in the shop.

The cutting, stitching and stuffing.

The drilling, nailing and wiring.

The painting and staining.

The rooting around in old barns and sheds.

Finding that something old to repurpose.

I can't say that I don't do any of that anymore,

I just don't get to do it everyday anymore.

Today is a day off.

I'm going to have one more cup of coffee then run my errands which should

take no more than an hour and a half. Then the rest of the weekend will be spent

doing some of the things I've been missing.

I still plan to start listing in my etsy shoppe again because I'm missing that, too!

I'll be back in a day or two so you can see how I'm progressing!

Enjoy your day!

Good Sunday Morning...

2011-07-24T08:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm still here! We've just been enjoying this sweet baby girl in just about every spare moment!

She and Papa are having a serious conversation...something about a pony, camping and afternoon naps!

Just 11 days old and this Gramma thing is already SO awesome! People keep telling me... "it gets better!"....

And I can only imagine!

In my mind, we are already taking walks through the woods, baking cookies, stitching on doll blankies and shopping!

She's such a sweet baby!

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

So what else has been going on?

Well, before all the baby excitement, I had a couple days that I got to do some sewing.

I really had the intention of opening up my etsy shoppe again but that's not going to happen just yet.

I will be taking these cute little numbers out to the mercantile later today......

If you are interested in purchasing, just drop me an email and if still available, I'd gladly pop it in the mailbox for you!

The black/white and the pink/black aprons are $29.95 each and the multi-color dot apron is $19.95. Price does NOT include shipping. Payal preferred.

jehess4@sbcglobal.net

All three aprons are fully lined.

I have several more in the works with different fabrics and apron design....

and I will soon have child size aprons available.

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

It's been hot as blue blazes here in our corner of the world...the ac runs non-stop from noon til late at night! Fans are running inside and out. Drinking lots of water!

For all the rains and flooding we had earlier, we are now begging for a good rain!

Hope you are staying cool!

Enjoy your day!

I'd like to Introduce You to....

2011-07-13T20:20:00.000-05:00

Rylee Brooke Hess

Rylee arrived at 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12.....her expected arrival date!

She weighed 6 lb. 15 oz. and was 20 inches long.

She is the most beautiful baby girl I've ever seen!!!

My heart is so full it's about to burst!

The miracle of birth never ceases to amaze me!

I got to be in the delivery room to see this most precious gift being born and that will be something I will be forever grateful!

I am so proud of Ely and Liz...I know you will be awesome parents!

Welcome to the world Rylee!

I love you!

Thursday Ramblin'.....

2011-07-07T10:08:00.000-05:00

And ramblin' it will be. I'm still having computer issues and not sure what I'm going to do yet. Repair mine, buy a new one, transfer all my things to this one.....I don't know but it's a terrible inconvenience...especially now. Not only was I wanting to get back to regular blogging, I'm wanting to get back to listing on Etsy, among other things, where we've had to make other arrangements for communication. You never realize just how much you use some things until you don't have them.

We will be going through some changes over the coming weeks. We finally made the decision to sell the truck and trailer and all that was done yesterday. My husband is back home and we feel like a load has been lifted off our shoulders. Send some good thoughts and a lil' prayer our way that it doesn't take long to find a job.

Well, today is a day off for me so I'm going to do some fun work!

Enjoy your day!

And the Winners are.....

2011-07-01T08:50:00.000-05:00

RITA!!!

Email me your addy girlie and I will send this little somethin' out to ya!

And............a runner's up giftie to.....

MARGARET W.!!!

As a new follower, email me your addy and I will send you a little somethin', somethin', too!!!

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

I'm on a temporary,( at least I hope a temporary computer) I think with all the storms going on around here, something got the modem in my computer. New modem or upgrade to a brand new computer? Oh what to do. Still on dial up until they run dsl or wireless out this far. (Not interested in satellite internet).

Hope you are having a fantastic summer....it's hot as blue blazes here!

Well, I know this is short, but I must go get ready for my eye appointment....I get to have them poked and dilated and blinded!Won't even attempt to put on eye make-up today! UGH! It's a bright sunny day today and that really hurts my eyes, so good thing John is home today to drive me!

Enjoy your day!

2011-06-29T15:24:00.001-05:00

Happy Wednesday...computer troubles so extending give-away until Friday! Hope to be back in shape by then! Thanks!

200th Post, Gooey Butter Cake &.......

2011-06-25T14:21:00.000-05:00

.....A GIVE-AWAY!!!!!

So in honor of my 200th post....I thought I'd share with you this recipe for Gooey-Butter Cake. It's a recipe from our family cookbook I blogged about awhile back.

Gooey Butter Cake
1 stick BUTTER, room temp.
1 box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1 (8 oz pkg) cream cheese
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 pound box powdered sugar

Combine butter and cake mix and blend like pie dough. Add 2 eggs and mix well. Spread into a greased 9" x 13" pan. Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar. Lightly beat the remaining 2 eggs and add them to the cheese mixture along with the vanilla. Pour over the dough in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 35 min.

***Cindy note: Cream the cream cheese in the mixer, scraping sides of bowl and getting it really creamy before adding the sugar....continue to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl and the beater as you go and after adding the eggs....making it a very smooth batter. I really think this makes a difference of how it turns out! Once it's out of the oven, I sprinkle with a little additional powdered sugar. Enjoy!***

So now you are probably wondering about the give-away part, eh?

Well, in order to be entered into the give-away all you need to do is leave a comment to this post (or those that may follow) telling us what your favorite cake is and/or become a follower. I don't think of 'gooey butter cake' as my favorite but if I'm going to choose cake over pie, it has to be a gooey cake, if ya know what I mean!

The prize? Hmm....I'll keep that part secret! Mainly because I'm still gathering items for it! Since this 200th post is about baking, I will tell you that the prize will be kitchen related...just a simple little somethin', somethin'!

Leave your comment and/or become a follower between this post and Wednesday, June 29th and I will announce the winner on Thursday, June 30th!

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!

Thursday Ramblin'.....

2011-06-23T07:36:00.000-05:00

I know, it's been awhile since my last post!

Funny thing is, while at work, I think of so many things I could be blogging about, then when I sit down to blog, I draw a total blank! I know that it's easier if I blog on a daily basis and that is something I'm going to work on. It may not be every day, but at least every other day.

I will blog something!

So reader beware! lol

We've gotten a little break from the heat. I turned off the air and opened some windows. Enjoy that cool, summer breeze while it lasts, before it settles and the temps hit the 90's again next week.

Today is my "Friday" so tomorrow I will get to spend the day at home. Spend the morning doing a few household chores then catch up on some creative time and enjoy the weekend!

That's the plan anyways.

Enjoy your day!

Visiting the Amish...

2011-06-09T08:32:00.000-05:00

We had a free afternoon this past Monday so we made a trip over to the local Amish.

I decided to take my camera and take a few pics. I don't usually get pics of the Amish themselves unless their heads are turned or it's from a fairly good distance.

There was lots of field work going on....

And apparently some yard work....

how would you like this as your riding mower?

When you really stop to think about it, the "simple" life of the Amish really isn't so simple.

I should of taken a pic or two of their gardens, which are already coming up SO beautifully.

Besides visiting Lydia and purchasing a new woven rug from her, we found a new little variety store, as they call it, where I found not only a small table to use as a night stand, I found this little school bench.

I guess it depends on who you are and what you like on what sort of value you would put on this, but I paid a whole $8 for this little bench! I love it and I almost passed on it when it finally dawned on me that I had just the place for it!

It was an enjoyable afternoon and will be making another trip back over soon!

Time to go to work.....

Enjoy your day!

Memorial Day Ramblin's.....

2011-05-30T15:05:00.000-05:00

First of all I'd like to give a big THANK YOU to all of our service men and women...and to their families... who have given so much of themselves to protect and defend our country and freedom.

God Bless You.

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

I think I read somewhere not too long ago that this is the year of the cicada. Growing up, I'd always heard them called locusts.

I wasn't really hearing them until today even though I'd already noticed them on the trees.

It's like they appear out of nowhere! You would think with so many you'd see them coming in in droves.

This is one of our back yard trees....Can you see them? It's covered with so many that it's creepy! Not only is the tree covered but there are a good many on the ground beneathe.

It's a relaxing day here at the Hess Farm....well, in this little corner of the Hess Farm it is. We'll throw some burgers on the grill afterwhile and toss a simple salad and call that supper. I might even whip up a cake for dessert!

Hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend, spending time with family and friends or just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather!

Catching Up.....

2011-05-27T19:38:00.000-05:00

Where do I even begin? It's been two weeks since my last post. I can barely remember what went on yesterday, let alone the past two weeks! Actually, last weekend is still very fresh in my mind....I spent it attending two baby showers for my daughter-in-law, Liz, who is expecting in July.

Also this last weekend, my nephew graduated from high school!

Way to go Andrew....we are SO proud of you!!

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

Mother Nature has been horrible to us this past week! Rain, rain and more rain. Tornado watches and warnings. The town of Joplin was hit hard with a tornado, as I'm sure you've heard on the news this past week, taking out a third of the town. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole community.

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

I've been fighting a blasted cold all week and other than still not being able to breathe, I am feeling better!

I hope you've had a nice week and have plans for a fabulous weekend!

Saturday Ramblin'.....

2011-05-14T11:07:00.000-05:00

Even though the temps have hit 90 degrees over this past week, it's just been beautiful! I've enjoyed what time I've had at home with windows open and fans going. Yes, warm enough to turn on the air but I just hate turning it on so early in the season after being cooped up all winter, I love having the house open to let out all that winter stuffiness!

Today, however, is another story. Rain moved into the area a couple days ago and along with it came much cooler temps. I'm back to my flannel jammies and warm socks!

I want to share a recipe with you this morning....

ZUCCHINI MUFFINS

2 cups grated zucchini*

3 cups flour

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

3 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1-1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup raisins**

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together.

Pour into muffin cups and bake til done!

This recipe makes 12 large muffins. (Yes, you only see 11 in the photo...but someone had to flavor sample before snapping the pic!)

*I use what I have peeled, grated, frozen then thawed.

**I soften raisins by covering them with water in a microwave safe bowl....microwave on high for 1 minute and let set while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

They are great the way they are or you can drizzle with glaze.

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

I'm not sure what the rest of my day will be. Yesterday, I started working on the backporch, which has become the catch-all site of many things and I really need to finish that. I've had people tell me they can't stand to be at home because they get bored. Haha....there's never time to get bored here as there is always something to do! So if not the backporch, it will keep til tomorrow while I work on something else today.

Enjoy your weekend!

Wednesday Ramblin'...

2011-05-04T08:52:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I know....I've been quiet lately. I've not been overwhelmingly busy, just busy.

The photo above shows a few of the fun fabrics I've been working with over the past couple weeks. I've even gotten out the ol' paint brushes. Just a few things for our grandbaby! I just knew this would be the longest pregnancy in history but that due date of July 12th is FAST approaching!

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

We've managed to sneak in a couple of short rides so far this spring. They've been nice, but we are ready for a RIDE. Jump on and ride, with no worry of rain or cooling temps or racing the clock because there's this or that to do.

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

Well, time to get busy with my day.

Enjoy your day!

Easter Blessings to You.....

2011-04-22T19:44:00.000-05:00

Tuesday Ramblin'.....

2011-04-19T07:20:00.001-05:00

Besides the usual day to day things, and after finishing up the 'pay it forward' gifties I pulled out my collection of sampler charts and decided on this one!

Yes, you are seeing that correctly. A Christmas chart.

Yule Sampler by The Primitive Needle.

While it will most likely hang on my sampler wall throughout the year, I wanted to make sure I would have it completely done, framing included by this Christmas.

I've also been working on the quilt you see beneathe the sampler. Started by my mother-in-law several years ago, she passed it along to me. Since then, it's been folded and stored in my closet for quilt awhile, not sure I would ever get it finished. Since putting a bed in this "spare" room, needing a cover for it, I decided to finally bring out this quilt top for finishing. It just needs to be a little bit bigger, so I'm adding a couple of border strips.

You know what a magazine nut I am, and I recently found this one on the stand. It's to bring me a little inspiration to design and make a small quilt for my grandbaby who is expected to arrive in July.

Then I found this one.....

Just for fun, I picked up this one.....

Cupcakes

Maybe some fun gooey cupcakes for the summer family picnics or bake sales instead of the usual cakes or cookies?

Both are awesome magazines and will probably never see that give-away or recycle pile!

Well, time to get busy.....

Enjoy your day!

Enjoy your day...

2011-04-14T08:32:00.000-05:00

Spring...

2011-04-05T07:19:00.000-05:00

Ahh....gotta love spring weather! We had a beautiful day here Sunday! It was 80 degrees. I got home from church and opened up all the windows, turned on the fans letting all the winter stuffiness out! After working for an hour or so out in the back yard, I decided it was too windy to try and tackle the flower beds. I enjoyed the afternoon doing a few chores inside and sitting near the open window with stitching in hand. All was well. And then.....

The weather warnings began.

I'm still not sure if they called it a tornado or just straight line winds.

Whatever it was, it sure done some damage.

There was little damage here at our house...however, the trailer not quarter mile south of us, it wasn't totally taken out but was hit hard enough to knock it out of sorts. It's beyond repair and will need to be hauled out. It belonged to John's cousin, but he had just moved out of it last fall.

John's aunt and uncle who live not quarter mile to the north of us, lost a shed, that also serves as a garage. And the cousin that lives just across the road, lost the roof to his house and also lost parts of his barn.

A beautiful new home. Built not five years ago because they lost their last home to a tornado that hit 5 years ago.

If ya don't mind, could ya send a little one up for them!

They were on their way home when this happened and apparently had vehicle problems.

I don't know how it missed us. We do have a barn that sets southwest of the house and I'm sure blocked alot of that wind, but there wasn't even any damage to the backside of it.

I thank God for that and that no one was hurt in all this.

I hope the sun is shining in your little corner of the world today.

Enjoy your day!

Grandpa's Chili.....

2011-04-02T06:53:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a day off and I spent it at home doing little odds and ends around the house so a perfect time to put a pot of chili in the crock pot and just let it simmer all afternoon. I've always used my Grandpa's recipe as a guide with my own substitutions and I usually let it simmer in the crockpot all day on low or afternoon on high. I thought I'd share his recipe with you today.....

Grandpa's Summers Chili

2 lbs browned ground chuck

3 cans chili beans

2 medium onions, chopped

1 1/2 cups water

3 cans tomato sauce

1 envelope chili seasoning

salt to taste
Cook slow 1 hour. Supposed to be thick but you can add water so it won't stick or for desired consistency.

2 - 12 oz cans of tomato juice may be substituted for the water and sauce.

(I use 1 can tomato sauce & 1 can diced tomatoes in place of the 3 cans of sauce)

Added a small pan of cornbread and a blackberry pie & ice cream for dessert... Yum-meee! There's even a little bit leftover for lunch today!

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

I think spring is finally here! According to google weather it's to be 66 today and 80 tomorrow. Hmm...maybe some yard and flower box clean-up?

I hope the sun is shining today in your little corner of the world....

Enjoy your weekend!

A look back...

2011-03-28T20:07:00.000-05:00

While out visiting with my folks last week, Mom brought out a bag of quilt squares and pieces. They had belonged to and I'm assuming, started by a fellow church member who passed away several years ago. As you can see, Mom never got around to doing anything with them so she passed them on to me. Maybe one day I'll get them finished into a wall hanging. Sixteen smaller blocks make up the larger block and there are already seven of them put together. There just happens to be sixteen smaller blocks ready to sew together into the larger block and while there are still pieces that can be sewn into blocks, I think I will finish large block #8 and make them into a simple wall hanging. Each block is hand sewn. Totally! Will I have the patience to finish this quilt with hand sewing only? Can I do this quilt justice with my own handsewing?

Also in the bag were these applique' floral blocks. There are four completed and a few that are partially stitched and the rest are just basted. These were started back in the day before stitch witchery, jiffy fuse or the decorative zig zag stitch on the sewing machine. A very narrow blanket stitch is used for the applique'. Sixteen blocks in all. The applique' may get finished by hand, but the blocks will most likely get put together on the sewing machine.

I just thought I'd share these with you...I hope you've found them as interesting as I have.

Are you a Collector?

2011-03-23T07:49:00.001-05:00

I've got a few collections going on......I think I've shared some of my cookbook collection with you before...I continue to add to it.....some I refer to quite often, others, not so much. Sometimes I like to just thumb through them for the extra reading there is in some of them.

This is my tobacco stick ladder (made it myself) that hangs on my kitchen wall filled with all sorts of gadgets, old and new, and a few other little treasures mixed in here and there. I've often thought about taking it all down so it isn't so cluttered there but I just can't bring myself to do it just yet.

And a couple parts of my bobbin and spool collection (yes, there's more).

And I've got a little bit of a stoneware collection.....crocks, jugs, bowls. Old and new. Scattered thoughout the house, a lamp, a magazine keeper, sewing or kitchen utensils, but most sitting on the mantles. And you can see above there, I like baskets, too.

I think my collections say a little bit about me. It tells a little bit about who I am and what I do.

What do you collect and what do your collections say about you?

Well, time to get busy.....Enjoy your day!

Spring-Cleaning...the pantry...

2011-03-20T08:22:00.000-05:00

I just love it when a job that's been needing done for some time finally gets done!

It was a cool, breezy & damp day yesterday so I wasn't inclined to work in the flower boxes.

This pantry has needed to be cleaned out for some time and every day off I'd tell myself "I really need to clean the pantry" and yesterday was the day that I finally got the job done! It took only ALL afternoon but it's done! Spice jars and other containers filled, old product thown out, shelves wiped down and reorganized. More things got added to the "sort later" boxes.

There's a whole other side to the pantry....it keeps small appliances and containers that aren't used very often. I really like my pantry....it's actually one of my favorite things about this house.

I try to keep it well-stocked and noticed yesterday that while my baking supplies were VERY well-stocked, my canned and boxed food items were NOT.

I also discovered that no matter the size of spice jar set I have, there are never enough jars.

Once that task was complete, I thought about grocery shopping but it was so nasty out I decided to stay home where it was warm and dry!

Even though I was the only one home for supper, I decided to finally try a recipe that I found on The Pioneer Woman's blog....

Mini-Meatball Sandwiches

I'm looking forward to the leftovers! Thanks Pioneer Woman!

I finally got to settle down in my chair and put in a few stitches. I'm working on a few 'pay it forward' goodies.

Time to get ready for church, then over to my sisters....going do a little cleaning for her since she's got a foot in a cast....then I'm going to find something fun to do!

Enjoy your day!

Spring .....

2011-03-19T09:01:00.000-05:00

Only in Missouri will you have the kind of weather we've had over this past week.....

We started out with snow on Monday and ended with rain & hail yesterday with some mid 70 degree temps inbetween! Spring begins tomorrow and I am SO ready!

Of course it's not this far along yet, but it has been showing itself for awhile now....as well as the yarrow and tulips...that's what I've noticed out front. I'm hoping for another nice warm day to get out there and start cleaning out the beds.

And as much as I'd like to, I don't think I will be putting out a garden as I did last year. For all the time, money and energy I put into it, the results weren't very rewarding. So maybe a few tomato plants planted in a spot right outside the back door and a few potted herbs, and a few more trips to the Amish community and the Farmer's Market.

Spring....besides the plans of gardening also comes spring cleaning.....and I've sure been in the spring cleaning mode of late. As you see on all those reorganization programs on television, I've got boxes full of things that will later be sorted into the donate / sell / toss boxes. Everything from clothing to coffee mugs.

The toss box is self explanatory....The donated boxes will go to The Salvation Army and the selling boxes will go to a garage sale or on Facebook. Just this past week, a friend introduced me to two selling groups on facebook..... Primitive Crafting Buy & Sell it Here and Homestead Thrift Store.
Well, I'm not sure what the day has in store for me yet....as there are so many things that I want to do.....from baking to cleaning to stitching. I guess if I would just get busy, I could get a bit of everything done, right?

Enjoy your day!

Pay it Forward.....

2011-03-12T10:03:00.000-06:00

I first learned of this "pay it forward" on Facebook.....and then it started showing up on some of my favorite blogs. When I read about it at Betty's , I decided that I want to pay it forward even further and hope that you will too!

So here's how it goes.....

THE FIRST FIVE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT
ON THIS BLOG POST WILL RECEIVE

A HANDMADE GIFT FROM ME.

IN RETURN, YOU MUST FIRST WRITE A BLOG

POST ON YOUR BLOG EXPLAINING

PAY IT FORWARD 2011.

THEN, SEND OUT A HANDMADE GIFT TO THE FIRST

FIVE VISITORS WHO LEAVE A COMMENT

ON YOUR POST. TAKE YOUR TIME....

THIS SHOULD BE A FUN, JOYFUL EXPERIENCE.

NO PRESSURE...JUST ENJOY THE

PROCESS OF MAKING AND GIVING AS I

INTEND TO DO.

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

I think the explanation says it all....no pressure!

Enjoy the time of creating and giving!

Please include an email addy in your comment so that I can contact you for shipping info.

Enjoy your day!

A productive day...

2011-03-11T09:53:00.000-06:00

After a busy week last week, on top of this crazy winter weather, we are finally back to "normal"....or at least as normal as normal can be around here.

A successful open house at the mercantile last weekend....I always love helping out during those times!

A short work week this week and I actually got to stay home all day yesterday and work in this room. We don't have overnight guests very often but when we do, it would be nice to have a bed for them to sleep in rather than the sofa. So I've been sorting, organizing, pitching, rearranging, to make room for a queen size bed. I also need to make room for a crib for when our granddaughter arrives! I've been clearing out fabrics, supplies, trinkets, magazines. Finding things that belong to others. I've really got to do some downsizing as this will be the sewing/computer/guest/baby room. Unless the computer gets moved back to the kitchen? Hmm...

I've really been missing my creative time and I've been trying to sneak in a little bit of that over the past couple weeks. Here are a couple of aprons that will be going to the mercantile this afternoon.....

More are in the works and will be available very soon!

It looks to be a nice sun-shiny day here today! I'll work a bit longer here at home then run my errands this afternoon.....give it time to warm up a little bit!

Enjoy your day!

Chase away the winter blues...

2011-02-27T14:37:00.000-06:00

By stopping in at the Randolph Mercantile's 2011 Spring Open House.

Fri. March 4, 9am - 7pm
Sat. March 5, 9 am - 5 pm
Sun. March 6, 10 am - 4 pm

New spring & Easter items arriving daily along with your favorite everyday treasures and primitive handmades!
As always, FREE gift with qualifying purchase!
(Please remember, we do not punch cards during open house events)
************************
I'm trying to get a few things done to take in....I will also have a few copies of our family cookbook available.
Hope to see you then!

Enjoy your day!

They're Here...

2011-02-20T09:17:00.001-06:00

The Prewitt Family Cookbook

Filled with delicious recipes like baked potato soup, old settlers baked beans (which is about the only way I would ever eat a lima bean), Fay's hash browns, shrimp gumbo, chicken pot pie, chicken chimichangas, pumpkin sheet cake, chocolate chip cheesecake, applesause drop cookies, and SO many more! Even Grandma's angel food cake recipe.

Mmm....I remember Grandma making that angel food cake with a peanut butter frosting! She raised chickens and I remember a time when they were laying something fierce and had SO many eggs!

Did you know it takes 12 large egg whites for each cake?

And if you don't have cake flour to use, that you can sift regular all-purpose flour several times (can't remember how many exactly) to get the same effect as cake flour?

Ask me how I know this! LOL

Also filled with pages of the usual helpful hints and tips....from using herbs and spices to how to fold a napkin.

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

Dedicated to four wonderful people....

Grandpa...Jack Prewitt

June 04, 1925 - October 14, 2003

Grandma...Wilma (Lusby) Prewitt

July 20, 1931 - July 07, 2004

Aunt Marilyn (Prewitt) Beale

September 10. 1961 - April 25, 2009

Uncle Roscoe Garrett

May 18, 1957 - June 29, 1999

All taken way too soon, but I know they all are in a much better place!

The proceeds of this book will be going to help care for the little country cemetary where our loved ones are

buried.

If you would like a copy .... $15.00 ppd.... I do accept paypal to: jehess4@sbcglobal.net

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

Enjoy your day!

Boy or Girl?

2011-02-10T17:31:00.000-06:00

The photo below would be that of my grandbaby....expected arrival date of July 12th....

Yeah, I know, I posted about this before....but today was the day of finding out the answer to that all important question.....

Boy or girl?

Well.....the doctor is 95% sure that it's a GIRL!

18 weeks & 2 days.... 7" long and 11 ounces.

She was very active today during the whole ultrasound and not very cooperative when it came to certain things.....even though they are 95% sure, they will do another ultrasound next month.

95% is good enough for me to start planning!

Awesome!

What is it about...

2011-02-02T13:08:00.000-06:00

...being snowed in that makes a person want to bake? I've been trying to do some other things but I've just felt the need to bake! Banana nut muffins are in the oven right now. Monday it was toffee crunch. Yesterday, was Pistachio Cake... a recipe I found at http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ .

By mistake, I bought the smaller box of pudding when it calls for the 4 oz size, but I didn't let that stop me from making it....still tasted so yummy. The pioneer woman suggested topping with a chocolate ganache so of course I just had to do that......

Mmm...Mmm...a keeper recipe for sure. And so simple.

Thanks pioneer woman.

So snowed in another day. Still not sure about tomorrow. Snow plows have finally been down our road but that doesn't mean it's clear as I'm sure it's still doing some drifting not to mention the ice that's beneath all this snow.

Well, on to do something productive....

Enjoy your day!

Blizzard Warning.....

2011-02-01T08:48:00.000-06:00

.....and I think this is the first time ever. We had two jobs to do yesterday, but due to the freezing rain, we called it a day after the first job. For the past several days, all the talk has been about the expected 12"-20"+ of snow. So no work today.... it's snowing just south of us already and will soon be here so it's out to do chores before it hits!
Okay.....so I made it back in....and just in time. It just started snowing right before I came back inside. The snow is really fine yet it is heavy. It wasn't 10 minutes and already a thin layer on surfaces. They were right on....our weather man said it would start between 7:00 & 9:00 am and it was 8:00. Drats! Does that mean he's right about the whole 12"-20"?

So what's a girl to do on a snow day? Yesterday, I had a sweet tooth, so I made this.....

From the Paula Deen cookbook....Kelley's Toffee Bar Cookies, made with saltines, of all things! YUM!

Then, I got out that pile of scraps and remnants and started a couple of quilt blocks to be finished into simple little table top mats.

So I'm sitting there sewing and pressing away when a picture text comes across my phone and I get a phone call from our oldest son, Ely. He was runnin' up the highway, not too fast, freezing rain, when he gets hit from behind by a car that lost it on the ice. He was driving Liz's small car and even though it's totaled, we are SO thankful that no one was hurt.

I think I'm going to get a fire going in that big ol' fireplace today. Other than that, the possibilities of what a day at home can bring are endless.....curling up with a good book or movie, more baking or sewing, or cleaning house. I've been weeding through things and trying to declutter, so there's always that. I'm afraid I'm in for a couple days so plenty of time to get lots done!

If you are in this blizzard/winter storm area, stay warm and be safe!

Enjoy your day!

Foggy morning.....

2011-01-29T09:05:00.000-06:00

This is what it looked like out my door yesterday morning when I went out to do chores!

Can't see the road or the neighbors place across the road...

I couldn't even tell which horse this was coming across the pasture......

....even in this foggy photo, I can't tell which one this is (and I don't remember)!

It looks much better out there this morning! The sun is shining, the sky is clear.....however, according to google, it's to be 41 and partly cloudy today, 31 and mostly cloudy tomorrow and 32 with ice/snow on Monday.

I really hope they're wrong about Monday!

Well, off to do something productive.......

...I hope.

Enjoy your day!

Is it almost over?.....

2011-01-24T08:27:00.000-06:00

Good morning world....I hope you all had a nice week/weekend. I've really had better....I've lost count of the number of snows we've gotten this past week. I don't want to rush time, as it goes quickly enough, but I am SO ready for warmer temperatures! Actually, I'd be satisfied if we just didn't get anymore snow!

I was scheduled to have a Pampered Chef gathering yesterday afternoon & was really looking forward to it, but decided to cancel just hours before due to the snow. While main roads and city streets may be clear, our road can be horrible.

If you've ever been to a PC gathering, you know that the consultant usually demonstrates her products by preparing a dish or two for the guests. Well, since I cancelled and I had all the ingredients, I made the dish that Naomi was going to demonstrate.....

Mexican Chicken Lasagna.....

It's a layering of corn totillas that have been dipped in enchilada sauce, shredded cooked chicken, cream cheese & monterey jack cheese, chopped onion & more sauce & more monterey jack cheese. I didn't have the pan she would of used but I think it cooked up just fine in this one! It's a pampered chef as well. And rather than cook in the microwave, I baked in the oven! YUM! Leftovers for supper tonight!

Well I'd better get going with my day....hoping the snow plow has made a swoop or two up & down our road and hoping we don't get any more snow!

Enjoy your day!

Weekend Ramblin'...

2011-01-17T08:38:00.000-06:00

Hello world! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

I'm not one for making new year resolutions because they don't usually get resolved! I did tell myself that I want to get back to cooking more often than what it seems I have been over this past year. So, Friday night, I broke out my new Pioneer Woman cookbook and fixed us up some chicken fried steak for supper! Complete with mashed potatoes and gravy. Apple pie for dessert! I'm not one for following a recipe on such dishes but I'm tellin' you, the difference it can make....just the addition of a couple ingredients? YUM! So thank you Pioneer Woman! I look forward to cooking more of your recipes!

If you are on Facebook, you may have seen the status updates "for my creative friends" handmade challenge.

So, besides the cooking and usual household chores that need to be done on days off, I took a little time to dig through my fabric stash and also took out my crochet hooks, to start planning and creating my handmades. Every once in a great while, I will get out the crochet hooks....it's a break from my usual handworks and keeps me in practice, even though my projects are small and simple. Some of the fabrics you see are remnants from past projects, some are just small cuts, but they will become small quilted pieces of some form.

While sorting through my stash of supplies, I realized that it has been a long while since I've had a give-away here at the farm, so be on the lookout!

Time to get busy....Enjoy your day!

Decorating...

2011-01-09T07:12:00.000-06:00

Two days ago I started taking down the Christmas decorations. It has been slow going but I hope to have it finished by tonight.

But this is it for me...Christmas is really the only holiday that I do a great deal of decorating for where I will take down my everyday things and pack them away to make room for holiday things. All other holidays or seasons, I might add a little somethin' somethin' to my everyday decor or change out a wreath but not to the extent of Christmas.

I made a stop out to Randolph Mercantile yesterday to snap a few pics for facebook and thought I'd share a few here!

Getting ready for Valentine's Day.....

Spring.....

and Easter.....

Memorial Day, July 4th.....

Now that I think about it.....we are well into January now and the mercantile spring open house is just right around the corner and will be here before we know it....but I'll post more on that another time.

Enjoy your day!

Happy New Year.....

2011-01-05T07:56:00.000-06:00

Well, we are five days in to this new year of 2011....How's it going for you so far?

I just wanted to share with you a couple of new cookbooks....my son got me this new Paula Deen cookbook as part of my Christmas and I received a gift card from a friend so I used it to get The Pioneer Woman Cookbook (Ree Drummond)! I can sit down and read on both like a regular book....however, I think I gain weight each time I read over a recipe! OMGosh! Can't wait to have some family home to try out some of these wonderful sounding dishes from both books!

Time to get busy...Enjoy your day!

Christmas Ramblin'.....

2010-12-27T09:47:00.000-06:00

You know that saying "be careful what you wish for..." Well, for those that wished for snow on Christmas, they got their wish! This is the wooded area behind our house and while it does look pretty here....it wasn't so pretty out on the roads! I heard that it caused some churches to cancel Christmas Eve services. Lots of cars slippin' and slidin' off the roads and highways!

I hope you all had a great Christmas weekend.....blessed with lots of family & friends! Ours sure was!

John was home....Ely, Liz & Briar....all home! Ely & Briar both had to work for awhile on Christmas Eve so John, Liz & myself went to church for candlelight service then on out to my moms for our little gathering there.

Me & my siblings....yep, I'm one of seven, right smack dab in the middle!

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

Ely & Liz had spent the night with us so we had our own family Christmas on Christmas morning.

Later in the day, we had some friends and family over and even though we all ate way too much, there are still a ton of leftovers in the frig!

Santa was WAY too good to me again this year.....a scarf, a set of embroidered flour sack towels (which are THE best towels), lotions, candles, a digital picture frame, Paula Deen cookbook and rolling pin, a large griddle and a NOOK!

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

Now, here it is Monday....back to the regular routine of the work week! However, our client cancelled on us today so I actually have the day off, so I will venture into town here in a little bit to run a few errands.

Enjoy your day!

Let the countdown begin...

2010-12-17T09:23:00.000-06:00

We are getting down to the wire, aren't we? Just one more week! Unless you can take a day off of work or a night owl, this is the last weekend to make the final preparations for Christmas! I'm just about done with the gift shopping and all that I do have is wrapped and under the tree! I've made a few goodies but not really knocking myself out this year. Tonight I will decide just what I will make for the Christmas Eve and Day gatherings and get my shopping list all made out. We will be keeping it simple again this year....with candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve followed with my families gathering at my folks then our own little family gathering Christmas Day.

Yesterday, we had a bout with freezing rain! Schools all around were closed....cars slippin' and slidin' all over! I'm so glad I got to stay home! I think we are in much better shape today...looks like the sun is going to shine! I have to wear my seamstress hat today then finish my gift shopping...but first, chores!

Enjoy your day!

FUDGE.....

2010-12-12T10:00:00.000-06:00

Baby, it's cold outside! Yesterday, I spent the day at home, my sister and friend were over and we made some Christmas goodies! Thought I'd share the recipe I use for fudge...since coming across this one, I don't use any other, not because I couldn't make it, I could...it's just that this one is SO good and SO easy!

FUDGE

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup milk-chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

3/4 cup chopped pecans

Place chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in microwave safe bowl....microwave 1 minute on high. Stir well then place back in microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well. Add vanilla and chopped pecans, stir til well blended.

Line the bottom of 8"x 8" pan with parchment paper but butter the sides. Pour mixture into pan and spread evenly. Chill until nice and firm. Remove from pan (you may need to loosen sides with knife). Cut into chunks and wrap in cello paper.

Giftie idea: Instead of using a pan, butter the sides of holiday cookie cutters, place upside down on wax paper lined cookie sheet and fill cutters with fudge. Chill til firm. Wrap in a cello-bag.

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

Well, it looks as if the sun is going to shine today! Still cold but alot nicer than gloomy rain or winter mix!

Winter chores have begun...oh the fun of life on the farm!

Missing church this morning....my whole week will be off now! Better get off this ol' machine and get myself busy. Maybe I'll make up some more goodies today!

Enjoy your day!

Oh the Christmas rush.....

2010-12-05T08:42:00.003-06:00

Well it's been over a week since Thanksgiving and my last post....and it's been a very busy week! The day after Thanksgiving, we went with friends to St.Louis to watch our Westran Hornet boys basketball team compete in the state championship game. They lost the game in overtime by one. They've had an incredible year.....until this game, they were undefeated! Way to go guys! We are so proud!

Saturday, John and I spent the day together.....and it was SO nice! He needed boots so off we went to Kleinschmidts Western Store in Higginsville. Since we went the back way, so to speak, we went through Brunswick, where I finally got the chance to stop at the still somewhat new quilt shop, Sew Sweet Quilt Shop http://www.sewsweetquiltshop.com/

Awesome little shop...so much fabric, patterns and notions, scrapbooking supplies

and what most caught my eye was the cupboard full of WOOL fq's!
Well, on to Kleinschmidts for boots!

Then, since we were so close, we went on up to the plaza in Kansas City and had dinner at Buca di Beppo...an awesome little Italian restraunt! As we were leaving, the lights on the plaza were on....I love looking at Christmas lights!

Sunday to Wednesday was spent cleaning and decorating!

I thought I'd share a couple pics of my trees.... the living room tree...

This is my Santa tree in the kitchen....

Friday, I got to spend the entire day at home...even though I spent the day doing laundry, it really wasn't so bad since I had a cozy fire going, the lights of the tree, Christmas movies & I got to do some fun work...a stocking order, that's the snowmen in the pic below!

Yesterday, I braved the crowds and traffic to go Christmas shopping. I got lots but still not done! I did find the premier issue of Where Women Cook...created by Jo Packham. Can't wait to sit down and actually read it! Then awaiting in my mailbox when I got home was the latest Create & Decorate! I'm gonna have to find some sit-down time!

I hope I haven't bored you with all the details of my past week!

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

Today is our youngest son's 20th birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAR! WE LOVE YOU!

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

Enjoy your day!

Happy Thanksgiving...

2010-11-24T08:13:00.000-06:00

I am so blessed! I just cannot put into words how thankful I am for the many blessings I've been given.

A wonderful husband, two great sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and a grandbaby on the way!

Lots of family and friends....And SO much more...how can I list them all?!

I am SO thankful!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving....

Exciting News!...

2010-11-22T18:22:00.000-06:00

Yep...that's right! Ely and Liz are expecting their first baby July 12th...John and I are gonna be GRANDparents! We are SO excited! Liz was by last night so I just had to scan one of the sonogram pics to show you!

Can you see him....or her?

Isn't medical technology amazing?!

Not even a full two months along and can already SEE a BABY....and HEAR the HEARTBEAT! Both very clear!

That is my grandchild!

And while this year has flown by, I know these next 8 months are going to be THE longest!

Potlucks & Parties, Cheesecakes & More...

2010-11-18T17:29:00.000-06:00

I'm really likin' these new cookbook magazines from Taste of Home! Like I really need anymore cookbooks, but I couldn't resist! Just look at that cheesecake!

Just thought I'd share!

A Productive Thursday...

2010-11-12T07:51:00.000-06:00

I had a day off yesterday....a much needed one I might add...and I thought I'd work around the house for a bit then run some errands in town. Halfway through the day, it felt so good to be working on what I was working on that I talked myself out of going to town. I finally finished up a few little projects....

I finished the stitching up on this schoolgirl sampler pocket (a Primitive Betty design) weeks ago and finally sewed it into the little pocket....it will be going to the mercantile later today.

I've had things sitting around in this work room just waiting to be made into lamps and plain shades to be covered and I managed to get a few put together...they will be going to the mercantile as well as a few other little things.

I'm so glad that's how I spent my yesterday as duty calls for today....Mr. Bill called with a stack of pants needing hemmed so will spend part of my day at Duval & Reid then run the errands that I'd put off.

I plan to be back at it when I get home this evening....I have a few works in progress that I hope to get finished up....they've been works in progress for quite some time and I'm determined to get them finished and to the mercantile within the next week!

Enjoy your day!

What a weekend....

2010-11-09T07:14:00.002-06:00

Good Tuesday morning to you! Hope you had a nice weekend! I spent Friday and Saturday working the Randolph Mercantile holiday preview open house! The store was packed! With holiday goodies and people!

If you need some inspiration or motivation....or both, to get into the holiday mood, this is the place to be! Over the next few weeks, I will be sneaking in a day or two each week to begin the decorating at my house. I know it's early....I usually don't start it until after Thanksgiving but circumstances being what they are this year, I will need to start early to get it done in time to host our church womens Christmas party on December 1st! (and we all know that will be here before we know it!)

While blog-hopping the other day (sorry I don't remember which blog), I came across a recipe for pumpkin muffins...so I made some up and took them with me to the mercantile the other morning. Not only simple, but SO good!

Pumpkin Muffins

All you need is: 1 box spice cake mix and 1 can pumpkin. Mix these together until thoroughly combined....DO NOT add anything else.....dry mix only and pumpkin....that's it. Spoon into muffin pans....I used the large muffin tins....bake at 350 until done. I don't even remember the time but if you use the regular size, bake according to the time on the cake mix box. You can frost with cream cheese frosting or not....good both ways! Enjoy!

Well, off to get ready for my work day! Enjoy your day!

Tuesday Ramblin'...

2010-11-02T07:17:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a ~fun & SpOokY~Halloween~weekend!

Our Halloween was spent on the motorcycle for the annual

Trustee's Cycle Shop Toy Run.

What an awesome ride! Over 300 motorcycles....

Canned food items and new toys were also collected to benefit those less fortunate during this holiday season.

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

On Saturday, I popped out by Randolph Mercantile and snapped a few pics....here's a little something to entice you for the upcoming.....

HOLIDAY PREVIEW OPEN HOUSE

November 5 - 6 - 7

A little sampling of Black Crow Candles...

Snowmen of all shapes and sizes....

Gingerbread galore....and SO much more!

Hope to see you there.....have a wonderful day!

Meet Sally.....

2010-10-14T18:08:00.000-05:00

She's a rescue from my mother/father-in-laws garage. She just showed up there! And since we brought her home, another one has shown up in their garage but no one has been able to get hold of it. We're guessin' that someone just dumped them off at the railroad tracks.

It took a couple of days but she has finally warmed up to us. She stays outside with Belle....it took a little while for Belle to warm up to her but they're okay now! And I hope that Belle teaches her her mousin' skills!

She's still not too sure about Lucy! I can't believe she actually let Lucy get that close to her without havin' a hissin' fit!

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

So how goes it in your world? Been a busy week for me but caught a little break this afternoon! I'm gradually getting some work caught up and hope to move on to some fun work in my "free" time here pretty soon! Mercantile open house is just a few weeks away and all I have to take in are a few leftovers from last year! Yikes!

Hope you all are enjoying these beautiful fall days......We really need to go cut some wood and get this fireplace ready! Anyone wanna come join the party?

Have a GREAT Friday!

Good Morning.....

2010-10-08T09:19:00.000-05:00

WOW! Where does the time go? Seems like I ask myself that question every other day! October 8th already....we will turn around and it will be Halloween....Thanksgiving.....CHRISTMAS! Adults told me when I was younger not to rush time because it would pass by quickly enough the older one gets! They weren't kidding!

So where have I been? to of not of posted in so long. LIFE! It happens. I've been working more outside the home and once I get home I'm still busy getting things caught up around the house or too tired to do much of anything. I've had an overload of sewing come in and been trying to get that caught up. We did manage to take our little mini-vacation to Fayetteville, AR for the Bikes Blues & BBQ rally last weekend! I'll post more on that another day.

Finally made progress with the bathroom.....still working on a couple things and it will get there eventually, but this is what it looks like for now....

You see I have not added the H-D border (still undecided about that) and I've not gone over-the-top with the H-D things....I wanted to keep it simple with just a few accents. They're not in this photo, but there are pictures hanging of us on the three Harley's we've had over the past several years.

I spray painted the hinges on the cabinet and closet doors and changed all door pulls and doorknobs. Lighting changed out, cupboard painted, carpet ripped out and replaced with tile. I painted the baseboard heater black (still there because we still use it when we are burning the fireplace).

Maybe this weekend I'll get around to painting that last piece of baseboard trim to be put on and get the chain I want to use for the curtain tie-backs.

Well I'd better get on with my day....I'm lookin' at a day at the sewing machine, finishing a flowergirl dress and altering the mother-of-the-bride dress for a wedding next weekend!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Where have I been?

2010-09-04T08:57:00.000-05:00

Hello All! Yeah, I'm still here.....I've not fallen off the face of the earth. I have tried to do a little keeping up through Facebook over the past few weeks. Since my last post, besides working, I've spent most of my days at the hospital with John's mom. She had a regular doctors appointment on the 19th which led them to admit her for some tests. A CT scan of her stomach came back with a tumor the size of a basketball and not for certain where it was coming from. She was then transferred to another hospital where they decided it was coming from an ovary and finally in for surgery on the 23rd. She got to come home on the 28th and starting to recover but it's still a long road ahead. For as upsetting as what this has all been, I'm also thankful that they finally found out what has been making her sick all this time. Prior to this, she had been in the hospital twice since the first of April. Oh, the best part? As with all tumors, they must be sent off for biopsy and this one came back NO cancer. Thank God! And many thanks to those who follow my FB and were prayer warriors for her! Never underestimate the power of prayer!

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

The bathroom has been on hold waiting for the finishing touches...curtains, which I need to drop the hem in, pictures on the wall, still undecided if that H-D border is even going to go up now. My sewing room looks like a disaster struck. Until I go pick up John later today, I think I actually get to spend the day at home and I think I will spend it on cleaning and doing a little catching up around the house.

We had a beautiful day here yesterday. I turned off the a/c and opened up the windows. It got so cool in the evening though, that I had to close them all before going to bed. One more cup of coffee then I think I'll open those windows again, turn on some good music and get busy cleaning!

Hope you all have a GREAT Labor Day weekend!!

Weekend Ramblin'...

2010-08-17T07:15:00.000-05:00

Hello world! Hope you all had a great weekend! Mine started bright and early last Thursday. My sisters, Denni & Marsha, & I, took a little road trip to the little town of Forsyth, MO to visit our great-aunt Ruby. We surprised her for her 95th birthday! And she sure was surprised! It was so good to see her and spend time with her. 95! WOW! I love hearing the stories.....And can you even imagine all the changes she has seen and been a part of in that time?

We also got to spend some time with cousins, Sarah, Jimmy & Rachel

and when visiting, you are usually challenged to a game of dominoes....which she usually wins!

Before taking her over to Branson for a little shopping, we stopped at
Forsyth Flower Cottage & Tea Room for lunch! Cute little shop and the food was excellent!

And of course you can't be in Forsyth on a Friday night and not jog on over to Taneyville for catfish Friday at their little restraunt! Oh my! I don't usually order fish out but this is one place I just gotta! YUM!

Saturday, Jimmy and Jane (cousin & his wife) came over for a little visiting before Marsha, Denni & I went over to The Landing in Branson for a little shopping. A little more visiting when we got back, then Denni & I gathered our things and headed for home. Marsha is staying for a few more days.

I'd actually intended on driving through to get home around dark or just after...HA! We found a couple of antique malls that were still open so of course we had to stop! I managed to find a few treasures! Most will be repurposed, though, and taken to the Mercantile. I will post pics as I work on them.

I hope to plan another trip down soon or at least stop by on our way to or from Fayetteville in a few weeks.

Have a great day!!!

Progress...

2010-08-11T07:22:00.001-05:00

As my friend, Katt, pointed out in a comment on my previous post, it's been awhile since I posted! I don't know where the past two and a half weeks have gone! Time flies when you're having.....fun? Seriously?

As you can see, my bathroom redo is coming along. Sllooowwwwyyyy. I have a little touch up painting on the walls to do (hopefully before I head out the door this morning). We still have the floor to put down and replace the baseboard trim...my wonderful brother-in-law, Michael, will be helping me with that (ok, he will probably end up doing that while I'm gone this weekend) So when I get home, I can put on the finishing touches and we will have our bathroom back in total working order!!!

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

We finally started getting some tomatoes from the garden and a couple of cucumbers. I'm anxiously awaiting the canteloupe and watermelon! After this years success, or lack of, I don't think I will be putting in a garden next year. Just not a good gardening year for me... either too much rain or too little time. I don't garden to can or freeze or for "dirt therapy" to relieve stress, I just want some fresh veggies. For no more than what I actually use these days, I can get that at the farmer's market and I'll continue my therapy with needle & thread!

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

I hope you all are having a great week and have a wonderful weekend. I'm going with two of my sisters to see our great-aunt Ruby who will be turning 95 tomorrow!

Friday Ramblin'.....

2010-07-23T06:07:00.000-05:00

I was up waayyy too early this morning! 3:15 I'm wide awake! And I knew it wasn't one of those times that if I just lay there and close my eyes, I will just drift off back to sleep. So, I got up. Having my coffee and computer time.

After several attempts at taking some photos of things to put in my etsy shoppe, I decided to say forget it....I'm just going to take it to the mercantile. I just couldn't seem to get good clear photos. I think I may close my etsy shop for awhile if not for good. It's been sitting empty for awhile now and I just don't have time for everything. Every once in awhile ya just gotta stand back and look at the whole picture and ya realize somethings gotta give.

The bathroom redo is coming along slow but sure....I was really hoping to get it done this week since I had the time off, but there are little things that come up that delays the process by adding a little more work. Ya know what I mean? Once I got the walls stripped, I looked at the ceiling and realized it just couldn't be repaired so I may as well scrape that down and redo it as well. Do that before I start painting the walls, right? Then we notice the commode is really tilting to one side. Weak spot in the floor. So now looking at that minor repair and hoping that the commode won't need to be replaced as well.

Here are a couple of before photos.....

Wallpaper down, ceiling stripped, towel rings/bars off and holes filled....I changed out the light switches and power outlets yesterday. The lighting fixtures will be taken out and updated...This vanity will be staying for now....it will just get a little facelift.

So that's my work in progress....It's never taken me so long to redo just one room...two or three days, tops!

Today I'll be on the hunt for an inexpensive yet attractive lighting bar....one that will mount on the ceiling in the existing box. Wish me luck!!

I hope you've had a great week.....and have a fantastic weekend!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-07-20T11:37:00.001-05:00

Yep....the big 45! I'm spending it at home....I have to say I was beginning to wonder just how good a day it could be when I woke to no power. I woke at 6:30 and the little light in my bathroom flickered and the storm had begun outside and I no sooner got out of bed to go turn the coffee pot on when the power went out so back to bed I went! I'm really not one to do that but if ya can't have coffee first thing in the morning, what's a girl to do? .So 2 hours later, still no power! For cryin' outloud!! I threw on some clothes, and was going to run over to the convenience store that is 6 miles away to grab a cup of coffee and lo and behold the power came back on! All is well in my world again!!

Last Wednesday our a/c went on the fritz. Then our garbage disposal started leaking and had to be taken out, which didn't bother me none. A couple of truck issues on top of that but nothing too serious this time. I got the wallpaper stripped in the bathroom and walls sanded. There was a gathering of winter Texans here at the farm over the weekend ..... what a wonderful group of people! Took a group over to visit the Amish on Saturday morning....always nice visiting over there! So back at it this week....had two cleaning cancellations this week so I have the rest of the week to finish that bathroom! Today, it's scraping the ceiling! How's that for celebrating a birthday?!! LOL Works for me....I've been wanting to do this for a long time!

I'll also be getting some things listed in my etsy shoppe later today and getting some things together to take to the mercantile....multi-tasking! As late as I slept today, I should be able to work a long while this evening!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!!

Today's the day...

2010-07-13T08:38:00.000-05:00

...that I begin, again, to redo our main bath. For more than a couple years now, I've been wanting to redo our main bath. I even started to strip the wallpaper. The border came down easy enough. Then I started on the wallpaper. Hmm....over the shower was as far as I got for whatever reason. It's been so long ago now who can remember! That wallpaper has been my holdup....to strip wallpaper takes a great amount of time and patience even when using a good remover solution. Two things that I don't have alot of for things as such! You would think that I would of found time over the past two years to get this done. Instead, I used the time I had for such projects to redo this spare room, which is my sewing/computer room and the laundry room.

I did remember to snap a before pic...but I will save that to post once the project is complete!

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

I hope you are having a great summer! I can't believe it's already mid-July!! It's been three weeks since my last post....seems I'm going backwards instead of forwards when it comes to my blogging. Not that I haven't had the time or anything that was blog-worthy, it's just taking the time. I've hung up my waitress apron since my sister is back to work. Besides the cleaning service, I'm still hemmin' pants at the clothing store. I had a little bit of creative time to put together a few things that I will soon be listing in my Etsy Shoppe and some things will go to Randolph Mercantile. Took a little road trip over to IL this past weekend to meet John. I visited the Beardstown Antique Mall where I found a few bargains. I even found some Peaches & Creme yarn on mark-down at the Beardstown Wal-Mart, in case I get hit with that crochet bug! Then we found a new place over in Jacksonville called The Peddler's, where I found a couple more things. Of course all these will be repurposed and up for sale soon! (Hopefully soon!) My Etsy shoppe has been sitting empty for weeks now!

Well, that wallpaper isn't going to strip itself, so I better get myself off this thing and movin'!

Have a GREAT day!!

The road to Grandma's house...

2010-06-23T18:53:00.000-05:00

We had a little family gathering the other day out at my sister's place. She lives just up the road from where our grandparents lived. We were reminiscing of the many walks we used to take on that road....so off we went.....just as kids, other than NOT going barefoot, although we were all wearing flip-flops, not minding the heat, we took off down the road that leads to Grandma's house. Remembering the old rickety wooden bridge that is no longer there, the old sandstone that we used to sit on and carve our names into....it's still there but lost in the brush that has grown up over it through the years. The wild cherry tree, which still stands but the two trees on either side of the driveway, where we all spent many hours playing beneathe as kids, gone from either being cut down or taken out by a storm. And the house....what was once known, and will always be remembered as the PINK house...is now white and black shutters have been added along with a few other changes. Other family members may live in that house now, but it will always be Grandma and Grandpa's. The road is just a half mile, up hill both ways, I might add and we sure got a work out but we also made another memory on that road!

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

It's been hotter than blue blazes out lately! I'm not complaining though....I'll take it over snow and ice anyday! It is so hot that even our outside cat didn't greet me as I went out the front door yesterday....she planted heself amongst the yarrow....

...all stretched out, just nappin' in the afternoon shade.

After a hot sunny day today, the past hour or so has looked like it could come a downpour at anytime. Ahh....here comes the rumble of thunder. With all the rain we have been getting, I'm afraid that come mid-July we will be begging for rain! Let's hope I'm wrong.

The garden is coming along nicely, thanks to all the rain....I did finally get out there to use the hoe and do some weeding....and boy have I felt it today!

I hope you all are having a great week! Try to stay cool and drink plenty of fluids!

Friday Ramblin'.....

2010-06-11T08:13:00.000-05:00

Since it's been two weeks since my last post, I thought I'd pop in and at least let you know I'm still here. Just working alot....at home and away from home. I hope to get back to blogging regularly here pretty soon.

I do want to tell you about a couple of new forums.....If you like to cross stitch or like samplers, you might want to check out Samplermakers....the link is over on the sidebar....just click on it and it will take you right there!

The other is Farmhouse Kitchen....a forum I created on delphi for those of us who do enjoy spending time in the kitchen...sharing our recipes, tips and techniques and more.... just click on the link below...

http://forums.delphiforums.com/farmhouse3

If you are not already a member of delphi forums, then you will have to go thru a quick registration. It's simple and it's free unless you want to upgrade to a paid membership.

Time for me to get off this thing and get busy!!! Hope y'all have a great day and awesome weekend!!!

Garden Thyme...

2010-05-28T08:12:00.000-05:00

Good Morning All! It has been a beautiful week here in my little corner of the world. Busy...but beautiful! Hot....but I'll take it! After all the snow, ice, cold and rain....I'm SO ready for sunshine and heat!
I've finally gotten my lavender planted...it's a wonder I didn't lose them since they'd been sitting outside in their little greenhouse pots waiting to be planted! I transplanted the two plants I already had and let's hope I didn't move them at the wrong time. I've already snipped some of the blooms to dry....as well as some of my yarrow...and from the looks of it this morning, I need to snip it again!

And this lambs ear will be ready to cut soon!

This plant came from a start I received 10 years ago in a friendship garden swap from a lady out in New Hampshire. I planted her start in the flower garden at my old house and as it grew, and did it grow!...I took a start and brought it to my MIL for her flower bed, at the house I live now! That little start went wild! It has taken like six years to get it under control....and I still have to weed a little bit of it out at the beginning of the year....I don't know how it spreads so!

And I have finally gotten some gardening done! It is definitely a make-do garden....Seems when my oldest son moved out, so did the majority of my gardening tools. So rather than run around to beg and borrow, I made do with what I could find to put plants in. The tomatoes won't grow fast enough for John! I have a nice little assortment of veggies with some watermelon and canteloupe as well as some herbs!

There are few more things I need/want to put in.....hopefully I can squeeze that in sometime today!

I will be taking off a couple days....a little R&R...then I'll get back to work in the sewing room.....

....to finish up this order of quilt blocks! It's nice to sit down at the sewing machine to work on something other than alterations!

I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.

Many THANKS to our service men and women and to their families

who sacrifice SO much!

GOD BLESS YOU!!!

May Ramblin'....

2010-05-21T17:13:00.000-05:00

Where in the world has the month of May gone to? It's two-thirds of the way passed and what have I been doing that I've not been here? Work. Work. And let's see......Oh! Work! I know I make it sound like I've been working 24/7....not the case, just feels like it! Seems there's always something.....

Just want to share a few found treasures with you today. The first picture are treasures found in an old shed from my folks place. I don't think they even had a clue that this stuff was in there! Things left there from the old man who lived there before them. They are wanting to tear it down this year so while I was out there several weeks ago...shoot, I think it was Easter....I went thru the old shed and found these things. I packed them around in the bed of my truck for weeks! When I finally caught a nice day and got them out and cleaned them up. There are a few other things that I forgot about to make the picture! oops! Oh well....

They will all be put to use....somewhere, somehow.

This next photo is from my little overnighter to Springfield, IL last weekend.

The old picnic basket is my new needleworks basket. The fabric will be used for some cross stitching. The jug will most likely become a lamp. Now to find the time!

It's been gloomy here for several days now, but we are supposed to be getting some sunshine and much warmer temps. According to google, it's to reach 90 on Sunday? I'll take it!!!

I hope the sun is shining where you are! I'm going to work up a few alteration pieces then settle in with some cross stitch and hopefully find a good movie!!

Have a GREAT weekend!!

Finished!

2010-05-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

Lancaster County is finally finished! I bought this frame from the clearance rack at Hobby Lobby....it was one of those friends and family frames and I really thought that's what I was going to use it for....until I finished and stained this piece and realized they would go so well together! And now I don't have to decide which friends and family photos to use in the frame! And it's already hanging on my wall....I was going to call it my sampler wall but since I have other stitched pieces hanging there as well, I suppose it's more of a handworks wall.

It looks to be a beautiful day out today! As much as I need to work outside weeding yet again, I must work at the sewing machine today. I might get flowers and garden planted sometime! It's pretty much been a muddy mess since we got the garden spot tilled two weeks ago.

Time to get busy....hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Tuesday Ramblin'...

2010-04-27T09:39:00.000-05:00

Last time I posted, I think I was going to work in the sewing room all day and do laundry. Haha...well...I went for my walk and when I got back, it was SO beautiful out and I looked at the flower beds....and that's all it took. That walk led to 2-1/2 hours of weeding and sweeping and planning. Sometimes our days just don't go according to plan....BUT, at least I did have a productive day and I did end up inside doing something later...just didn't get as much done inside. The garden spot has been tilled. I've made a list of spaces that need filled and a list of what we want to plant in the garden, so when I finally make it to the nurseries I will know what I'm after and not be overwhelmed with all the flowers and plants that I forget what I'm actually going for! I was hoping to do that last Friday but the weather wasn't too cooperative so it's been put on hold. I want one more till on the garden and with all the rain, it looks like I'll need to weed again before setting out any plants! UGH! (I did cave Saturday and bought 3 lavendar plants)

Had a family gathering on Saturday. My cousin and her three youngin's were in from Kentucky. We've all sent her our favorite recipes and she's putting together a family cookbook. It will be in memory of our Grandma & Grandpa Prewitt, our Uncle Roscoe, who we lost to a car accident 11 years ago and her Mom, my Aunt Marilyn, who we lost just one year ago to heart attack. She's coming right along in the planning and it should be ready by late July! Besides covering her expenses, the proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the old country church cemetary where our family is buried.

We took this gathering time to take pictures....

Larry, Randy,Rhonda, Bill, Audrey, Dennis & Diana (my mom & dad) David, D-anna, Frank and Norma.

21 of the 27 grandchildren of Jack & Wilma Prewitt

And here we have 32 of the 50 great grandchildren and included in this photo

is 1 great great grandchild.

What a bunch! Never a dull or quiet moment!

Well I best get on with my day if I'm going to get anything done!

I hope there is sunshine in your world today....Have a GREAT day!!

Good Morning....

2010-04-20T09:10:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is enjoying spring...now that it is finally here to stay! There is much to do here....been cleaning out flower boxes and need to move a few things and decide where I'm going to put the pussywillows I brought home from Illinois! I just set them in some water to let them take root, the little fuzzies are falling off and they are leafing out nicely! Now to find a spot for them! The small garden spot still needs to be tilled....hope to have that done in the next day or two!

My great niece, Ava, had her 1st birthday party this past Saturday evening...SO sweet! I can't believe how fast this past year has gone by....Isn't she a doll!!! Look at that cupcake!!!!

Now look at it!!! LOL She kept digging in there....like there was hidden treasure inside!

This is my nephew, Andrew....he participated in Special Olympics in Kirksville on Saturday...he brought home 3 medals....hope I get this right....running, long jump and shotput!

WAY TO GO ANDREW!!!

Between sewing and cleaning, I'm not getting much of the fun work done! I did manage to sneak in some cross stitch time over these past few evenings. Seems like I've been working on this sampler forever...it's slowly but surely getting done...maybe I'll challenge myself to finish it up this week so I can get it hung on my sampler wall and move on to another project!

Sew much to do....sew little thyme!

Working at home today....while the washing machine does it thang, I will be sitting at the sewing machine! But I think I might just sneak in a little walk...something I really need to start doing everyday!!! I finally took a walk thru the woods the other evening....oh check out this tree...always found it fascinating the way it grew....

That's a sheet of tin hanging on the back there...where the kids tried putting some sort of stand on it back in the day and that's all that's left!

I love a walk thru the woods....always so peaceful and no matter how busy I am, I don't ever rush a walk thru the woods.

Well, on with my day if I'm going to get anything done!

Hope you all have an awesome day...take a walk and enjoy the sounds and wonders of nature!

A Beautiful Wedding Weekend!

2010-04-12T08:57:00.000-05:00

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Ely Hess

April 10, 2010

Jessica (maid of honor), Liz, Ely & Briar (best man)

Our Family

The ceremony was held Saturday, April 10th, 2010 at the Huntsville Christian Church with a dance reception following at the Best Western Inn in Moberly!

Here are a few pics from the reception.....

First dance.

Father/Daughter dance

Mother/Son dance...yes, I was cryin'!

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

Congratulations Ely & Liz.....we love you!! God bless you!!

Easter Blessings to You and Yours....

2010-04-03T10:32:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to pop in and wish you all Easter blessings!

I'll go to church on Sunday then out to a family gathering at my folks!

It rained all yesterday afternoon and evening and I thought was to be cloudy and/or raining today but I woke to sunshine this morning!!!

Working at home today on a sewing job so I better get busy!

It's going to be a busy week...work and getting ready for the wedding!!!

Hope you all have an AWESOME Easter weekend spent with family and friends!