Stuffed, just me

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I know I am truly thankful it is over and that all the pumpkin pie, cakes and fudge are finally gone. My goodness did we ever stop eating? I don't think so. With a huge dinner of ham and all the usual trimmings, we still had room to stuff our faces with pie and sweets. You see I have this thing about making sure your man, or guests, come hungry and leave stuffed, or happy or both. Which ever they prefer. Just so long as they don't leave me with leftovers.

We had our kids here for a few days from California. We have 6 to 10 inches of snow, so staying inside was'nt a bad idea although we did manage to go to town and find a few good deals in the stores on Black Friday. Saturday my daughter in law and I went to the movies and saw 'Burlesque'. What a great show that was. Loved all the beautiful costumes, and the music to say the least, was awesome. Cher can still belt it out there. You could definetly get goose bumps on your arms from the way C. Agulara could sing too. Driving home afterwards was a slow go with ice all over the roads, but back home to a nice warm house was a good ending to another day.
 

Before



As you can see I picked up my center island all finished from my daughter's house just before Thanksgiving. I promised you pics so here they are.

It looks more orange than it is, I think that is do to the lighting. It is more a rusty, burnt color. I sure do love having a lot more counter space as much as the cubboard space below.

We put an old piece of metal that was given to me free, over the top of it. It has it's own patina of rust, so my daughter wiped it down, attached it to the top of the unit and clear coated over it several times. The handles were covered with several layers of paint. She took off what she could but decided it looked cool with some of it still on them, so she left the rest for character.



After

To completely finish this unit I am going to have another cutting board made for the one slot that is empty and a couple of boards cut for shelving inside the two larger cubboards to finish them up.  I am so grateful that my son in law and daughter took a lot of their time to finish this piece for me before the Holiday. It really came in so handy for all the exta dishes of desserts and it's great to put a hot pie right on top of it without a worry of burning it.

Well, I have other things I need to complete today. One is getting ol' Hank out and clearing the driveway once again so that the UPS guy can deliver all the goodies I have been ordering on line. Oops, better now say that too loud.

Happy Monday Y'all

Chillovers and Birthday Celebrations

I was finally able to make and try the chillover powder I purchased from MaryJanes Farm kitchen store. Chillover powder is a gelling powder like gelatin but better. It is made with a sea vegetable powder rather than leftover cow parts like Jello gelatin is made from.

I made the one that MaryJane shows in her Ideabook-Cookbook-Lifebook she called the 'Goodness Gracious' which has the chillover powder, cooked chicken, carrots, shallots, parsley, green peas, bell pepper, celery, and cooked eggs among other stuff in it. It turned out great. I used my vintage mold that I purchased awhile back and look how pretty it looked.





Goodness Gracious



I say looked because there were 14 of us gals at the Chick luncheon who tried it. We had other desserts on the table as well as a yummy soup, which Cheryl, our Hen Honcho made for us.

The 'Layered Suprise' chillover was made with the chillover powder, sugar, egg yolks, milk, vanilla, heavy cream, a banana and chocolate wafers. It was very light but yummy as well. This is only two ways of using Chillover and I hope to make other things in the future from it.



Layered Suprise (right)

Along with our luncheon we had celebrated four birthdays so you can only imagine the fun we had watching each one open their gifts and trying to see what the other one got. Let me tell you, when you get that many women in a room and with celebrations going on, it is sometimes hard to hear let alone keep up on everything going on at once. No matter, we always enjoy being together and having loads of fun.



My Pink Saturday

I woke to this beautiful gift from God. What a way to start the day. The skies were lit up a brilliant pink. Not a forest fire, just plain beauty at its best.

I'm not a photographer, but I could'nt resist. The sky looks like pink cotton candy. This puts a smile on my face and gets me going. How about you?

Looking at this made me remember the beautiful quilts I saw on display at our local museum yesterday. Some of the same pink skies. Several ladies, whom I'd love to meet, did each quilt by looking at a photograph of scenery out around Klamath Falls. They did magnificant work, true artists, and I would love to learn how to do what they have created.

Every panel stands out with such detail, with real rock and twig in some. My pics don't do them justice, but hopefully you can get the idea. Very dimensional in every detail. Spectacular!



Upper Klamath Lake





Mt. Shasta





Spring River Aspens



Have a beautiful day.

A Quick Hello

Just a quick HELLO to everyone. I am still keeping myself fairly busy doing sewing and crochet. Seems I can start one project, think of another, and before I finish one I'm working on the other. Anyway its fun. This morning I finished two hats while doing some crochet in between.

Our weather has definetly turned to winter here which keeps me inside way more than out. Had almost two inches of snow this morning when we woke. It is staying pretty cold so I am keeping the old wood stove working and hauling in wood each time I do step outside. I pop in here on my blog every other day just to see what some of you have been doing, then I'm back getting things put up around here. We got the boat stored for the winter and have been stocking up on firewood. I still need to pick up my yard ornaments that won't make it through the winter. That is the hardest part having to put it all away only to bring it all back out after winter again. I need to only have yard art that can withstand the cold around here.


Hope everyone is getting ready for Thanksgiving. I have family coming in from California and we will be having dinner here at home. It's always nice to cook for more than just the two of us. The Charming Chicks are planning on feeding two needy families this year so that is another thing we are all getting ready for. I just have not seen the turkeys on sale yet. I know we will put together a nice dinner for each of them.

Well I really need to get back to busy. It helps my days feel a little more fulfilled. Everyone have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Halloween Everyone

We don't get trick or treaters out here where we live so I don't get to see all the cute kiddies in costume. But hope everyone will be safe and have fun.

I have been keeping myself very busy doing tons of sewing projects and crochet projects. We have three birthdays next month with our Chick group and with Christmas just a couple months away, I decided this would be a nice way of giving gifts. I can't show them to you because some family and friends that I have made these for read my blog. Just know that my hands are needing a rest for a few days. It seems when I get on a roll it is hard to stop. I so enjoy making things for others.

I did stop by one of our local antique stores last week, At Home on Hope Street, while I was in town. I purchased a cubboard that was once used as a ice box also. I plan to use it as a new center island in my kitchen. It is not real pretty with the crackle brown to me so my daughter and I will be painting it and putting an old piece of rusty metal on top. Here is what it looks like now.

We looked all over town for metal, stainless steel was too expensive for my pocket and copper could'nt be found. We finally found a shop where the guy gave me a piece of metal after he cut it to the dimensions I needed.

We plan to leave the look of the rust for character but we will cover it with polyurethane. I plan to paint it a rusty, pumpkin color. I can't wait to show you when we get it done. Just waiting for a bit warmer day to get started.

This piece was actually purchased by the owner, Betty, up in Washington at the Farm Chicks antique show they had up there a few months back. She said it was definetly a show I needed to go to. There were about 10,000 ladies, she said, in cowboy boots with skirts, aprons on many of the gals, and hats of all kinds. She said it was beautifully displayed in each booth and there were lots of antiques for everyone. I am hoping to plan next years show into my agenda of trips for next Summer. 2011 show is June 4-5, so I hope I'll get to see it.

Well guess I'll go and take a nice warm bubble bath and relax for the rest of the evening. I am kinda glad I don't have to pass out candy until 10 pm anymore. I can just go and watch a movie or read a good book until I fall asleep, which does'nt take much any more.

Nite.

Rainy Days are for Shopping

I was not able to do the yard sale because we are getting some well needed rain. So what is a gal to do? Go shopping! I was wanting to take some pictures while I was driving into town of some clouds going out across the mountains. I pulled off to the side of the road and found I had not put my camera back into my purse. I usually carry it everywhere I go, so I will have to snap some next trip into town. It was so pretty to see the beginning of Fall with all the colorful leaves on the trees, sprinkling of the rain, and the river running smoothly. There was even a light dusting of snow on one far off mountain I could see. So as you can see, I must not forget my camera again.

Even though I was'nt able to make any money from a yard sale, I found a way to spend some. Went into a few thrift stores and found some goodies I could use in a few projects. Bought some nice material to make some gifts for birthdays coming up, and bought some much needed sewing pins and needles. All my pins starting bending and tops breaking off. This time I bought brass ones, maybe they will hold up a little longer.

After spending the day with my daughter, shopping till we dropped, I came home and finished a crochet yarn rug I had been working on for a week. I would start the darn thing and have it half way finished and would tear it all back out because it would curl up. This is my first try at anything like this. I am not sure that I am reading crochet patterns correctly so will need to find some one to teach me. I would begin the rug and after five times starting, I decided not to use the pattern any more and do what MJ says she does. Add an extra stitch around the corners when it starts to curl.

This worked as far as not curling but as you can see it still is not uniform but I'm happy with it any way. I would like to try a cloth one next and with practice hope to make them a bit more uniform. I decided against fringe because to me, yarn fringe gets all crummy looking.

Right now I am ready to go and look through all the patterns I picked up today, McCalls, for 99 cents at JoAnns Fabric store. I got a really cute chicken and rooster material that is going to make a nice looking vintage apron. At least that is what I am hoping for. Some of my patterns are for craft projects. We'll just have to wait and see what comes out of them.

But, with the rain outside and a nice warm toasty fire inside, it is time for this old gal to kick back and relax. Hope everyone else has had a wonderful day. Thanks again for stopping in.

Catching Up

I have been away for a bit from here. Busy getting the yard ready for Winter and making a few crafts when I can. I hauled three loads of mulch and spread over my perrenial beds yesterday. I'm working on a new craft for me which is a crochet rug. Now if I could just figure out why it always wants to curl up. May have to skip the pattern and try something different. I have also been making Christmas tags for a trade on the MaryJanes Farm Forum in Swaps. I'm still doing swapping of monthly postcards, which is always fun to come up with an idea for the next month.

Yesterday I made my sister's recipe for Banana Nut Bread. She uses sour cream in her recipe and it is really good. With the weather turning off cooler it is always nice to have something baking in the oven. This is when I use the crock pot a lot more too.

I went to our Charming Chick meeting Sunday where we also celebrated two of the girls birthdays. Our group is growing even more. We had another gal join us which now brings our group to a total of 14. We have such a nice, diverse group of gals and boy do we know how to have fun together. Susan made a Potatoe cream soup which was to die for. Wish she could remember what all she put in it. Everyone was wanting the recipe.

Today I think I will deep soak some more of my trees and do a bit more pruning. Once I get everything ready and put up for Winter, than I can stay busy indoors with all the bunches of material and books I have.

This Saturday I am having a huge yard sale on a corner lot in town with several other people. Hope I can get everything sold out of our trailer so I can use it for hauling home the cow manure I have been wanting to get from Patty. My flower beds are craving it. What ever does'nt sell is going to Hospice or Goodwill. Then I hope to not have another yard sale for a couple more years. I enjoy going to them, but hate having them because of all the work of putting things out to display nicely and then having to put it all away if it does'nt sell.

Well I must go and have my other cup of tea and get my day going. I'm still sitting here in pj's. Am I bad or what?

One Last Trip

Just got back from our mini trip to Winchester Bay. The weather was'nt too bad, some wind but at least it was'nt cold. My daughter-in-law and I went shopping in Florence old town. We left the men in camp to watch all the dogs. Florence has some really cute and quaint shops. I especially like that most things were affordable and there was lots of really unusual art.

We decided we were to be girly and buy things in pink instead of the usual dark black or gray.

We bought these sweatshirts at a trailer set up on the beach. The lady just started this business, GotThrottleNow.com,  and she prints and designs her own things. They say "scream n sand" on them. We had many compliments from men and woman alike while we walked around the shops.

We also purchased pink earrings, a pink leather purse and silky pink scarfs. You know, I even found two cute pink leashes for my dogs to match their pink outfits.

Pearl had to show off her dress while riding around on the quad with me. It says 'born to bark'. She loves to ride. Onyx (left) had to stay in camp after we played around on the beach, because she snorted so much sand her allergies went bonkers. That's their buddy Kora, in the background. Her and Pearl are only a month apart in age, so they played great together.

After spending three days here it was time to head back home. With Fall in the air there were lots of pretty colors from the leaves all along the roadway.  It is a really pretty drive along the Umpqua River to the beach.

I guess I am starting to feel like its time to settle in around the fire, drink hot cocoa and find another good book to read. I have been going and going this year and I am now ready to sit down and do some sewing and maybe do some baking.

But for now I must go and see what some of you have been up to and what you have put out in decorations for this Fall season. It's time I start making it look like Fall around here since I'm pretty sure our Summer is over for now.

Happy Fall Everyone

Trying to create again

I've been quite busy trying to get my creative juices flowing. I'm looking through all my craft papers I've downloaded from the internet, all my craft books, any where I can find something that catches my eye that I might want to try and make. I love to try something new and always enjoy making some of my old things as well. My daughter and I plan to make a few crafts for our local town of Bonanza at an Arts and Craft fair that is held the last Thursday of July every year. Something I have never done, but thought it would be nice to have another booth out there as they did not have many and a lot of them were jewlery. Besides earning some extra money to buy more supplies can always keep me busy.

I finished the other two Dream Spinners Bittersweet Bears for my neice and her daughter. I hope they like them.

Then my daughter was wanting a cat door stop that I had made back in my twenties, so I made the pattern from scratch and this is what it looks like.

I wish I could find some of my old patterns. Back in those days I always made my own because I never had the money to go out and buy one and did'nt even know that some of what I made up was actually out in a pattern.  This has a brick in the bottom to keep it weighted. That's what makes it a door stop.

I've also been able to relax for a day and finally read the book I borrowed from my daughter called "The Memory Keeper's Daughter", by Kim Edwards. It was really good and sad at the same time. I know first hand what it is like to raise a challenged child. My youngest challenges me every year with heartache and worry. I will never stop helping him with whatever I can, but it seems to be getting harder as we get older.

Amoungst other things I have been loading the motorhome with necessary clothes and food for a four day trip to Winchester Bay with my step son and his wife. It is suppose to be in the low 60's there this week. It's mid 80's here, go figure. Where was that all summer?

Our men want to ride their new quads and us girls will walk the beach, shop the local craft and antique shops and have plenty to gab about. I hope this will be a few days of peace of mind. I think just listening to the ocean all day can definetly change one's mood. I'm too afraid to try and fish as with my luck I'd probably catch a big one and it'd pull me right in that big scary ocean. I don't mind looking at it, but don't want to go out on it.  I think I'll enjoy walking in the sand looking for seashells this trip.

Hope everyone else is getting ready for fall. I can't wait to get home, settle in and start decorating for fall around here. This has been a roller coaster year for me and  some down home time is just what I'll be looking for next.

Miss them already

I've been home for a few days now and trying to get back into my routine which usually does'nt take too long. Not only did I have a great time in Idaho with my mother and my son and siblings, I got to bring home some nice treasures.

My mother was going through her cubboards and gave me a juicer, her mother's old rolling pin, and a cookbook from our Aunt Gladys that she had written herself. Most of the recipes are Swedish recipes that my mom cooked us many a time.

We went shopping one day at some thrift and antique stores where I found an old lunch pail just like the one I carried in grade school. Funny how we remember certain things.

I just had to buy it. I bet some of you carried one just like this.

Inside the lid is text on Safety First in and around the school yard. I actually remember this too.

I also found an old branding iron with my hubby's initials, a milkglass shaker for my daughter, and a couple of ladybug pins to add to my collection on my car's dash mat. I'd say a pretty good haul for one day.

My son stayed with me at my mom's and we had a really good visit. I don't think he missed his daily group of friends so long as mom was there. I only get to see him two or three times a year, depending on our winters. He looked really good and is doing very well.

I also did a perm on my mom's hair which is what my sister, Eileen would have done, along with a cut and style. I highlighted my younger sister's hair and sheared my brother's.  So everyone was lookin' good but they'll have to find another hairdresser in the future (they're gonna want to). I'm too old to take beauty school, plus the fact that I hate to do hair.

After another wonderful busy day and my car now packed for my trip back home, we were blessed with this beautiful sunset.

Not a bad way to say good bye to Idaho and my family.  I miss them already.

I know this was hard for everyone without Eileen there with us, but I hope we can continue to get together as often as possible and remember all the good times we have shared and make many more memories for those we will leave behind.

Get Your Giggle On

I thought I had better share some of the special moments of the Luau party my daughter and I threw before I left for Idaho. I must admit I think we all enjoyed ourselves tremendously.






We began by adorning our guests with a colorful lei, some were handmade and some purchased,  and each gal was given a pair of flip flops they could decorate with some flowers and jewels we set out in a basket with some hot glue guns for the ready.

Look how nice Cheryl's shoes turned out.

We had also arranged another table we set up with tubs of fabric dye and some cotton cloths for each of the girls who wanted to try their hand at tye dyeing. I think they turned out pretty fantastic, don't you?

These gals have a real talent for this. Mine, not so much.

Everyone brought a Hawaiian dish for dinner. We had Kalua pork, BBQ Hawaiian chicken, Coconut Shrimp, Hawaiian corn chowder, Tropical Spinach salad, green salad, fruit salad, a variety of breads, homemade chips with homemade salsa, a wonderful Hawaiian fruit bar and a yummy Buttermilk cake, Pinapple Coconut Banana Upside Down cake, and plenty of fresh fruit. You can see that when us farmgirls get together it is a feast that no doubt will leave you full but always going back for more. Just look at how pretty the table looked.

We filled our plates and chatted over the wonderful tastes of the variety of dishes we each had made. There was plenty of MaryGail's delicious Victorian tea (which was really good even with liquor), wine coolers and hard liquor set up at our Tiki Bar and placed around and about in ice chests and a wheel barrel. 

Tiki bar

We did'nt want anyone to get thirsty.

 You can't have a party without prizes so during dinner Faith and I chose our Best Dressed Hawaiian style, who was April in an original Hawaiian luau dress. Does'nt she look great?

We of course had to have some fun so we had a Hoola Hoop contest where for Best Hoola Hooper, Jen (far right) won for keeping it up the longest.



Some had to try different tactics.

Best neck hoop?



Best beer in hand hoop?



Do you think we are having fun yet? We figured we better liven things up a bit more so we decided to play this game I saw on the internet a few years back and always wanted to get some gals together and play it. It did'nt hurt that some of us had a few drinks in us but you'd still get a kick out of it sober.

Let me show you how it goes. You begin by picking a partner.......

 
and get ready at the start (above) and begin walking to meet up with your partner (below).  You cannot use your hands unless of course, the t.p. roll falls on the ground.



Ooops!

Or this.............



I think I peed a little





To the finish line

This was so silly we laughed and giggled so hard the neighbors had to wonder what the heck we were doing over here. My hubby snuck out on the front porch when he heard all the laughing and said he heard a couple of the gals say they had'nt had anything between their legs in years. He only wished he had a video, but he was exhempt from the party.

The winners of this event  (below) went out to Patty (front left) and Robin (front right) for actually finishing to the end.



After an evening of so much fun we wound down to  some great stories, the sound of the Hawaiian music in the background, and off to the various campers for  a good night's sleep.

The following morning I was preparing breakfast of bacon, eggs, coffee, orange juice and fresh fruit placed about on the table for everyone to enjoy. 

With the smell of bacon in the air, the girls began to meander out of their warm beds to a brisk morning decked out in sweats and coats. I love the taste of bacon that's cooked outdoors, don't you?

Margie (left center) telling stories



We sat and chatted for a few hours and then everyone helped with the clean up before heading back home. 

These are some awesome farmgirls that I truly enjoy being in their company. 



Front left to right: Jen, April, MaryGail, Robin, myself, Faith, Cheryl, and Patty



Thanks for just being you.



Planning and Packing

Besides getting ready for my big Luau party this Saturday, I am trying to get ready for a week trip in Idaho.  I had forgotton how much one needs to do to get ready for a party let alone what you need to pack when you go anywhere on vacation.  My car is loaded and the majority of it is for the dog. When I go anywhere with Onyx, she has to have her crate for traveling and sleeping in. I need her play pen to keep her from running off, and of course all her blankets, toys, food dishes, treats, her clothes, and leash. Now to find room for my one suitcase and pillow and come Monday morning we will hit the road early.


Meanwhile, I finally finished making the teddy bear I will be giving to my Mother, which I made from a couple of my sister's shirts. I hope she can think of it with fond memories of her child. It turned out cute, don't you think?
I got the idea to make one from a woman who made teddy bears from her husband's shirts, after he passed, to give to all their children. She was kind enough to mail me the pattern so that I could do this for my mom. I hope to make a couple more for my sister's daughter and granddaughter soon.
I plan to be pretty busy with crafts this winter and with the looks of things, it could be a long winter.

It is trying to rain again today so I think it is time to put together the pear tart I have been thinking about making and my pears have just ripened enough.

Have a wonderful day.

Just another day in the kitchen

I could'nt let summer get away without making some jams so I started with Peach jam from a box of seconds I brought home from Grants Pass.

That turned out okay so when I was at the grocery store the following day and saw these nice bags of plums I thought, why not. So I bought them, brought them home and whipped up a batch of Plum jam.

We do love our jams around here. I buy a jar everywhere I see them in gift shops when we travel. I just love to try different ones, don't you?

Well I still had half a box of peaches left over and was looking through my canning book trying to decide what to do with them when I came upon the recipe for Peach Salsa.

Peach Salsa

So I began making my salsa by peeling the peaches, dicing the onions, red pepper, cilantro and then, when I got to the four, HUGE, Jalapenos, I did'nt think to put on a pair of gloves. Well from 1:30 in the afternoon until 8:30 that evening, guess what? Yep, my hands were on FIRE. Funny now, haha, but trying to do all I could to stop the burn, not so. I went out and watered the yard, along with my hands, for about an hour. I soaked them in milk, I rubbed burn cream on them, I sat with ice cubes and a towel on them, I washed and washed and washed to no relief. The burning stopped when it wanted to. While all this was going on, I am also trying to help my husband get things set up for my party next weekend. This was not an easy task to do when your hands are on fire as if they are in an actual fire. The sun made them hotter, the wind made them hotter, touching them made them hotter. You get the idea everything made them hotter. I have never had a burning over my whole hands before. Yes, I have done this before.

When I finally called it a day and went to bed, my thumb tips were the only things still burning. Had to keep them outside the covers.

They say old dogs can learn new tricks. Well, where's my trainer?

 

And to think I only got four pints out of all that.

Just another day in my kitchen.