Friday, December 30, 2011

Finally

We finally got some snow cover.
Too bad Friendie and Grammie have colds....
or we would be out doing this!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Missing Minnesota Boy

One son didn't get to come home for Christmas.
He moved to CO this past summer.
He is working 3 part time jobs (although teaching snowboarding doesn't really seem like work).

Back in October, when I went to my Quilt Retreat, I stopped at our local quilt shop before leaving town.
I spotted a quilt made up by a local quilter using 2011 Minnesota fabrics.

I decided it would make a great quilt for my Minnesota Boy.
So I made it for him for Christmas.


 I sent it to him and he opened it on Christmas eve.
He was all alone...with the cats...and sounded pretty lonesome.
I am sure he (and the cats) enjoyed wrapping up in his Minkee backed quilt.


Jill Fischer designed this quilt pattern.
She also machine quilted it for me.
She does lovely work.
(When her website is up again, I will share her link)

I made asked her to pose for a photo...
and sign my pattern.  :)


I added a large border so it would fit my 6'2 Minnesota Boy.


And in case you are wondering why I call him my Minnesota Boy....

one summer, while on a road trip with his cousin, he came home with this...
on his thigh!

Yes...it really is that large....
kids now days....
gotta love em!


Monday, December 26, 2011

Meet My Family

My family in 2011.
You never know what a new year will bring!


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
The house is back in order after last evenings festivities....
and now we are heading North to celebrate with our married son and his wife!
Let us all remember the reason for this Christmas season!


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Yarn Along

I am finally able to join with Ginny in the Yarn Along today.
These little gifts are on their way to two little sweeties.
The leg warmers were just a random 30 stitch K2 P2 pattern.
The little booties are a free pattern that I got here.
Both simple....
and simple is good!


I am so enjoying this little book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.
I hope Sarah wont mind me sharing just one page from her book.
December 21
My plan for your life is unfolding before you.  Sometimes the road you are traveling seems blocked, or it opens up so painfully slowly that you must hold yourself back.  Then, when time is right, the way before you suddenly clears--through no effort of your own.  What you have longed for and worked for I present to you freely, as pure gift.  You feel awed by the ease with which I operate in the world, and you glimpse My Power and My Glory.
Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly.  As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles--and you will.  Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly.  Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see My Glory.

Psalm 63:2; 2 Corinthians 5:7; John 11:40


Merry Christmas Friends!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Counting Down The Days

Yes my friends, this is Christmas week!
We have been enjoying some concerts, plays and gatherings of friends and family.
I have been finishing up some gifts.
I haven't made one. single. sweet. ....yet.  Emily and I will do that once her school break begins.

Are you ready?


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Preparations

We are in the middle of Christmas preparations.
I am loving every minute of it.
Even if neither of my boys will be home for Christmas this year.
(boo hoo)


Sunday, December 11, 2011

Mice, Stockings and Mom and Dad

My daughter called with some bad news.
Mice had found their way into her Christmas decorations.
It appears they have been living there for a long time.
Every thing that was fabric was chewed up,
and everything that wasn't fabric had "moisture" damage.

 Dad immediately got on the internet and researched the best way to take care of the rodent issue.
He has been quite successful.

A snowman runner that I had made her the Christmas we weren't together was ruined....
so were their Christmas stockings.

Even though I still have the pattern for that snowman runner....
I made 5 of them....
total burn out!

I knew I could replace their Christmas stockings pretty easily.
So yesterday I came up with these.



They are reversible.
She didn't think she wanted names on them,
but I can still add them if she changes her mind.


Take that you nasty mice!!!!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Second Week

Once I have lit the second candle of our Advent wreath, I know it is time to get the Christmas cards in the mail.

The photo is ready.
The letter is written.
The envelopes are still blank.

Good thing there are two more days before we light the next candle!


I have 3 quilts that need binding.
I just have to make myself work on them.
Tonight a few friends are coming over to work on Christmas projects.
Tonight the binding will be pleasant.  :)



Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Shout Out For Old Gate's Farm!

I really like homemade soap.
I like it a lot.

My supply was getting low.
Very low.

Three nights ago I decided to order some soap.
I follow the Old Gate's Farm blog.
They make and sell soap.
The rustic look sucked me in. :)

It was my very first Esty experience.
Total rookie!
I placed an order.
I wanted two of each soap.
I only ordered one.
I sent an email to Kris.
She set up an Etsy special order listing for me.
Not only did she adjust the shipping, but she must have packaged my order and mailed it at dawn's first light!!!   :)

Three nights ago I ordered soap.
Now that is customer service!!!!



Its not too late to get some stocking stuffers my friends!

Doodle Stitching 17 Cents

On Black Friday I did a little gift exploration on Amazon.com.
I was watching a couple of the Lightning Specials, put them in my Cart, but ended up removing them before the 20 minute purchase time was up.

A few days later I received an email from Amazon.
Because of a glitch in the system, some Black Friday shoppers were unable to purchase the Lightning Specials they had in their Cart.

Because I had moved a couple items into my Cart, the computer must have decided I was entitled to their "Glitch" apology. 

Amazon put $10 in my account!
I had 5 days to use it.
It had to be used on an item that is distributed by Amazon.com.

I knew what I wanted.
It cost $10.17.....
so my part was the 17 cents!

Merry Christmas to me!!!!



Monday, December 5, 2011

Soup's On

I had some ground beef....
and it felt like a soup day.

I dug out a new recipe.
I thought it was tasty...
so I will pass the recipe on to you!



Spicy Potato Soup

1 pound ground beef
4 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 small onion, chopped
3 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
4 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

In a large Dutch oven or soup kettle, brown ground beef; drain.  Add potatoes, onion and tomato sauce.  Stir in water, salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender and the soup has thickened. 
Yield:  6-8 serves (2 quarts).

Sunday, December 4, 2011

In Others' Words

Enthusiasm is easier than obedience.
~Michael Griffith~


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Hot Water Drinks

Today was a good day to mix up our winter supply of hot water drinks.
My husband likes his "Russian" Tea.
The rest of us like Hot Cocoa.
Both are good for warming you up on a chilly day!

Hot Cocoa Mix

2 1/2 cups powdered milk
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons corn starch
1 cup cocoa powder

I fill the cup about a quarter to a third full of dry mix and then add boiling water.
Don't forget to top it off with marshmallows!

Russian Tea

Equal parts Tang  (an instant orange flavored breakfast drink in powdered form)  and lemon flavored ice tea mix
I just guess on the spices....sorry I can't be more specific.
Cinnamon
Allspice
Cloves
  
The gallon container I filled had 2 1/2 teaspoons of the allspice and cloves and 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon.

He uses a cinnamon stick to stir it and that gives the drink even more cinnamon flavor.


Friday, December 2, 2011

Handel Messiah

What makes choir boys so happy?


Listening to Handel's Messiah.....
found today in MINT CONDITION at a brief stop at the thrift store!
I don't want to boast about the cost....
but the loose change in my car's cup holder covered it.

Now I wish I had my music score from days gone by.....
I could sing along!
(When no one is listening)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Coconut Obsession

We woke up to a light dusting of snow.
It made me think of the large bag of fluffy white coconut sitting on my table. 
The coconut that did NOT get used yesterday because the Nutty Apple Muffins did NOT get made during nap time.  :(
Christmas decorating without my 'helper' took priority.

So today I am in the mood for coconut and chocolate!
After totally tearing apart my not so organized recipe cupboard....
I found it!

Quick

Easy

Yummy

No Bake Fudgy Oat Cookies

2 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine oats and coconut - set aside.
In a saucepan, combine milk and butter.  Stir in sugar and cocoa; bring to a boil.  Add oat mixture, stirring constantly; cook for 1 min.  Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
Drop by rounded Tablespoon onto wax paper.
Yield about 3 dozen.


I will continue to be obsessed with that bag of coconut, so I might as well get this over with  ;)