Sunday, December 27, 2009

Featherweight Dreams

I am invited to a friend's home out in the country every other week to do some quilting.  I have been just taking hand sewing, knitting or a wool project along to stitch.  She lives on a rough road, so I don't care to take my Pfaff along to bounce the whole way there....it doesn't fit secure enough in my toddler carseat...I checked.  :)
I mentioned to my husband that I might be on the look out for a Singer Featherweight sewing machine.  Well....he told me to find myself one....and he will buy it for me for Christmas....woo hoo!!!  Now my big dilema....finding a nice machine....in a decent price range.
I would like a scroll face machine....just because I think they are charming.  :)
I am watching eBay....but it is so hard when you only have a few photos to make such a big decision.
This little ornament just "had" to come home with me on my long day of Christmas shopping....it was sweet....and cheap.  :)



Saturday, December 26, 2009

Nimble Fingers On The Prairie

Nimble Fingers on the Prairie is a non-profit organization for children that provide those in poverty with new hats, scarves and mittens.
Maybe you would like to make a donation....they have simple patterns on their website.
Even better....maybe you would like to start providing for those in need in your own area.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas

It is a very White Christmas here in Minnesota.
Thankfully we celebrated here at home and didn't have any travel complications to deal with.
Today, as I was up in my sewing room, I was overcome with a rare feeling.....it was something like....freedom.  No project deadlines on the horizon....I can work on anything I feel like working on....I almost squeeled with delight!
Unfortunately, I am too tired from the past two days to attempt anything new.  But....I do have my March 2010 Quick Quilts magazine waiting for me.  :)
The snow keeps coming, but we are safe and warm inside.  Actually, the kids have a bonfire going outside and are roasting marshmallows....so I guess they are keeping warm outside too.
I hope you all have great Christmas memories to remember for years to come.


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Cheater

Oldest Son asked for a really big quilt to take to college.....I guess his Charlie Brown Football quilt has seen better days....
I decided to make 12 1/2 inch squares and frame them with 2 1/2 strips.  The assemble was quick.  I "cheated" buy backing it with a microfleece blanket that I bought at Target.  Then I tied it with floss because there is no way to quilt the stretchy microfleece....and the fuzzies would have done my machine in.


It was a 2 day project....all wrapped and ready for Christmas....and hopefully safe to blog about because I am doubting he reads my blog.  :)
I made it King size for him....it took up the whole living room floor.

I found it rather "boring"....but he likes things plain and simple.  He will know it was made with love....makes it all worth it.  :)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Keeping Warm and Keeping Up

We have had wind-chill advisories for 5 days.  Some of you may not know what a -30 degree wind-chill feels like....it is really cold....take my word for it.  :)
Although my family has to carry on with work and school, I have been blessed to be home...inside...warm....getting lots of projects finished. 
The house is decorated and all the gifts are wrapped (although some haven't been purchased yet).  The Christmas letter is ready to mail -- and I had the picture Emily drew for me made into our Christmas cards for this year (thank you for that suggestion!).




I have been sewing like crazy.....it is amazing how much more a person can get done when they haven't left their house in 5 days!!!  Yes, I am serious....I haven't been outside except to shake some Minkee after I cut it.  It has been wonderful!

While the men-folk went to the Viking football game on Sunday, Emily and I enjoyed a quiet day together.  We listened to our church service on the radio (we didn't want to go out in the bitter cold)....we lit our advent candles...

popped some corn...

gathered some berries (out of the fridge)....

and made a special treat for the outside critters.




The rest of the day was spent knitting by the fire.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Vintage Ornaments

When we were little girls, our mom would take us to the church bazaar every December.  We would get a new ornament for our tree and we would get to go to the fish pond!  I still have a basket of ornaments that are now considered "vintage".  I tuck my basket under the tree every year and my family enjoys making fun of most of those old treasures.....I, on the other hand, have warm memories when I see them.  I have put my favorites on the top. I love the little red sweater .... do you think it was actually knit with toothpicks?
Those little elves just make me smile.




I don't put wrapped gifts under our tree.  I put little treasures from the years under it...all have a special little memory.  This is one of my favorites.....the two pair of booties next to each other.  The pink booties belonged to our grand-daughter who is now in Heaven and the little blue booties were Friendies.  I hope to have a whole line-up of booties under the tree someday.  :)


I am busy sewing quilts....but I can't show them.  Two done....two more to go.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The New "Old" Pot To The Rescue


It is winter here....and it is cold...really cold.  Our wind-chill is predicted to reach -20 to -40 degrees by morning.  Minnesota winter.
I am so thankful I had purchased this old Corelle Electric Coffee Pot (still new in the box) at my local Goodwill many months ago.  It was under $5, so I bought it just in case I ever needed it.  I was even more thankful it made a great cup of coffee when I really "needed" it.



How could I eat this white chocolate cranberry scone with out a good cup of coffee?

We all have our "needs". 
:)

Friday, December 4, 2009

Staying Focused on the Fabric Mission

Yesterday a friend and I took a road trip.  Our mission....fabric.  While she was looking at all the bright, fun fabrics that her young daughter would enjoy......I "had" to shop for this......



20 days till Christmas and someone I love wants a giant quilt for his college apartment....I guess his Charlie Brown Football quilt just doesn't do the job any longer.  :)


Sunday, November 29, 2009

Lefse...Yah....Ya Betcha!

 What do you do when you have some potatoes that need to be used?

How about boiling up 5 or 10 pounds....peel them and rice them....

 
add some melted butter, cream sugar and salt....refridgerate at least 10-12 hours....add some flour.....

 
roll it nice and thin....

and cook it on a very hot griddle....

we eat it rolled with butter and sugar....
it doesn't last long.  :)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Winner

Thank you for all of your comments and greetings.  Judy S had her name drawn by my oldest son (when he finally woke up).
Send me an email, Judy, with your mailing address and I will get to the post office early next week.

Friendie is going to be puzzled when he comes and his "bumpkins" are gone.  The tree is cut and in the stand....maybe it will get some lights yet today, but there will be no more fall decorations after today.  Oldest son thinks I should wait until December...who cares what he thinks.  :)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Being Thankful & Give-A-Way Reminder


My Mother-in-law stopped by this morning....for my turkey.  She has offered to host the Thanksgiving dinner at her house this year.....and since she has 2 ovens, she thought she might as well cook the bird.  Wow....here I thought I would have to get up around 4:30 to get that 22 pound fella in the oven.
Now that my oven will be available.....I just might have to make a few more pies!



We have so much to be thankful for.....and in our home we give our thanks to God, Who supplies all that we need....
May you have "Thanksgiving" in your heart all year round.


Don't forget to leave a comment on the post for my little give-a-way.  :)


Monday, November 23, 2009

Baking Blunders

Second Son came home from college for the weekend because he had a big Genetics' paper to work on...he also had 6 loads of laundry.  :)
Second Son has a band.  He writes music.  They perform.  They use to practice in my laundry room....but now they shake someone else's walls and damage someone else's hearing.  :)  He was on his way to practice on Friday night and he happened to mention that he can never buy white chocolate cookies without nuts.  Now this Mommy loves her little boys....and loves them even more when she knows one won't be with her for Thanksgiving.....so....at 10:30 at night I decided to make my little boy some white chocolate cookies without nuts.
First problem....no recipe...hey, not a problem....there was one on the chip bag.  Second problem....tiny print....hey, not a problem....I am sure it says 2 1/2 cups of flour.
Well...when the cookies looked the same coming out of the oven as they did going in....I knew there was a problem.  Yep...I should have just stayed in bed....or at least put on my glasses.....



They were not what either of us expected.....


But Second Son still ate the little lumps while he worked on his paper on Saturday afternoon....he has a good heart.  :) 


Friends....my kitchen woes didn't end there.

Being inspired by a cookbook I picked up at the Goodwill last week, I offered to bring some pies to a gathering on Sunday evening.

I got everything ready....

Little did I know when I snapped this photo that it would be the last time for my beloved Fire King Jadite Batter Bowl....


It happend so fast....


Stupid new pastry cutter.


Thursday, November 19, 2009

Giving Thanks Give-Away


I want to have a Thanksgiving Give-Away because I am thankful for all of the Blog Friends I am making!
Because I enjoy keeping up with all you Quilters and Prim Friends, I thought this sweet little pewter coaster in the Ohio Star pattern would appeal to both groups.....and if you don't fit into either category, I hope you will just find it fun.
Comments left on this post between now and Thanksgiving dinner (at my house) will be entered for the drawing.  If you are a Follower, I will enter your name twice.    I will post the winner on Black Friday (ugh...I hate that term).
Thank you for stopping by!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Christmas Art


My youngest daughter drew this for me....she did such a great job....and now I have a new piece of Christmas art to display!

Monday, November 16, 2009

What Can You Buy With A Buck....

Well...if you happen to shop at the Goodwill on a good day....
I was looking for an album to try out my new Crosley player, and this Beethoven double album was in mint condition...for only .49





This old ABC of Cookies book was .25

This sweet little Danish pewter candle holder was .25.....and it was the perfect companion for my other two.....

Isn't it great when a dollar can buy so much fun!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Looking For A "Tried And True"....



Recipe....I found plenty on the internet, but I want one someone has tried...and like!
If you have a good one, please let me know.






Saturday, November 14, 2009

While I Wait....



...for the pears to ripen...




Friday, November 13, 2009

Completed


Rainy Day Plans


It is a dark, rainy day.  My Friendie and his dog are here with me today.  Our plans are to read a stack of books together and work on a project (well....I will work on it and he will "help").
It is one of those days I am hoping I don't even have to leave my house....just a great day to be snuggled up inside doing something enjoyable.

I have a pot of beans soaking.....will try out a soup recipe later...but for now....a ball of yarn and 4 needles are waiting for me!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Home



May this house be known as Home



May it hold the charm of Laughter, yet be a place for peaceful thought.


May it be your family’s Haven whenever love or trust is sought.


May it be a source of Memories, or moments spent in loving care. May this house be known as Home, and may God’s presence fill the air.

Julie O’Brien

Friday, November 6, 2009

Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop

For those of you who like to get into the action of Blog Hops....here is one for you!  It is getting started by one of our local designers, so how could I not let you know about it!
Kari has all the information on her blog.


Bathroom Cartoons

I had my bathroom remodeled a few months back.  The walls were all re-textured and I finally have the painting completed (thanks to my mother-in-law who hung out at my house while I was in Mexico).  I wanted to add some interest to the decor.....so I dug out some old photos of the kids and used a computer program I have to turn them into cartoons....I chuckle every time I see them.  :)



Monday, November 2, 2009

68 hours

I had 68 hours for myself this past week.  Now I don't know about you, but there is a lot of activity in my home.  So to have that much time for myself...I needed to pack up a few things.....

and travel a short distance......to spend some time at my annual Quilt Retreat at Inspiration Point Bible Camp in Clitherall, MN.



It was the perfect long weekend for some uninterrupted sewing (well.....the incredible meals and the comfortable lodging did take me away from my machine for a short amount of time).
It rained and it snowed....perfect sewing weather.



My first priority was to finish up my log cabin pumpkin project.....

It was my only "finished" project from the retreat, but I have 3 other quilts ready for backings and quilting.....I will post those when they are done.
We just had Daylight Savings for our area.  I thought I would use my extra hour to sew...but my internal clock told me it was time for bed....and I must say, that extra hour of sleep was wonderful....and fully needed for returning home and catching up on being away....for 68 hours.