Christmas Greetings!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope to be back over at The Vintage Twin blogging again soon.

Apple Crisp Autumn

Yummy recipe posted over at my current blog.

The Vintage Twin

Sharing

I shared my 3 favorite pickle recipes over on my New Blog.

I hope you will stop by!

Move Over

38 Months and 383 Blog Posts

It is time for a change.

I am moving over to a new blog.

I hope you will come along!

Hot - Lot - Not - Pot - Got To Have Iced Coffee Recipe

It has been very hot and humid.

Perfect iced coffee weather!!!

I decided I needed to make up a better flavored iced coffee concoction because I was consuming a lot of calories with each quart pint mug cup.

Besides....I was not sleeping at night.  ;)

First I made up a batch of cold brew coffee.

I used 1 cup of coffee grounds for each quart of cold water.

(I used Half Caff coffee)

I mixed coffee grounds and cold water together and let sit 12-24 hours on my counter.

I strained the coffee through my coffee pot ground container (it has teeny tiny holes) but usually cheese cloth is the choice for straining.

Cold brewed coffee is very concentrated and can last quite a while with refrigeration.

Next I made up a pitcher of flavoring.

I used Walden Farms Calorie Free Caramel Syrup and Chocolate Syrup and Silk PureAlmond Vanilla.

I used 1/2 cup of each syrup for every 2 cups of Almond Milk.

Walden Farms syrups boast "No Calories, Fat, Carbs, Gluten or Sugars of Any Kind!"

The almond milk I used boasts 90 calories per serving.

I could have gone with caffeine free coffee,

but a girl's gotta live a little!!!!

A Whole Fleet

I have to share my most recent discovery with you....

or I would not be a good friend.

Floyd makes wooden toys.

He sells them on etsy and locally.

The first time I purchased one of his toys (a mother duck pull toy with a string of baby ducks), I asked the shop owner if they were made in China...because they were so inexpensive.

I am SO ashamed I asked that question.

I found out not only does Floyd make the toys himself, he mills wood that he cuts from his own property!!

I have my eye on his bigger boats, but for now I picked up a fleet of these little gems.

I thought they would make great little gifts.

Floyd practically gives them away sells them for $5.00.

Yes...for $5.00 you can pick out a red, yellow, blue or natural Rubberband Boat!

I haven't met Floyd (yet),

but It think it is fair to say his toys are

MADE IN THE USA......WITH LOVE.

I also think it is fair to say....

Floyd is the one who is a good friend!

A Very COOL Find

Yesterday I stopped at our local Salvation Army Thrift Store.

I almost missed this....good thing I walked through that aisle twice.  ;)

Thermo-Serv

Made in the USA

Still wrapped in the plastic it came in!!

 I am thrilled it fit perfectly in my kitchen freezer.

Almost as thrilled as only paying $4.80 for something so COOL!

Wood You - Could You?

I have a crock full of wooden utensils.

I use them daily, so I like to keep them handy.

I didn't really need any more,

but I came across a great deal at my favorite store.

Three wooden spoons in each package....still sealed....for 49 cents!

Yep...I took all three packages...woodn't you???

I don't need 9 new wooden spoons!

Could you use a few?

If so, leave a comment and I will share a sealed package of 3 spoons with someone on Monday morning.

****Terry's name was drawn, thanks to all who left a comment.****

Wisconsin Travels

We have been in Wisconsin for a few days.

I grew up in Wisconsin.

My Grandpa use to drive a milk truck for the Nelson Creamery.

The milk he hauled was used to make cheese.

I remember Grandpa coming home with a hunk of cheese wrapped in white paper.

Most of the time we really liked the cheese he brought home.

Our favorite was the cheese curds!

Although you can no longer watch the cheese curds being made, the Nelson Creamery has evolved into a quaint store and eatery.

And when the sun is shining and the temps are in the 90's....

it is a great place to stop for ice cream!

So many things have changed over the years.

Sometimes it is fun to notice something that hasn't.

Almost Real

I have a thing for canvas paintings.

Other people's canvas paintings.

I pick them up here and there.

This one I removed from its wooden frame and then wedged it in one of the windows where I keep my plants.

I love the way it looks when the sun shines behind it.

Almost real.

(The plants at the bottom of the photo are real).  :)

The Old North Church Linen Give-A-Way

To those of you who think I have been doing more thrifting than sewing...

I want you to know...

I did sew a button on a shirt the other day!  :)

It is hard to blog about sewing when you do not want your family to see what you are up to!!!

I am pulling out my Fourth of July decorations today.

I was reminded of them yesterday when I made a quick stop in at my favorite store (you know the one).

I found this patriotic linen still in the packaging!

I thought it would make a sweet give-a-way!!

Hand Printed on Pure American Linen by

Kay Dee Handprints - Hope Valley, Rhode Island

I didn't want to take it out of the package to photograph it, but I believe it says Paul Revere's Ride

I always use linen towels in my kitchen for anything that comes into contact with food...because it doesn't leave any "fuzzies" behind.

I will pull a name out of the basket on Monday morning in hopes of getting it into the mail on Tuesday (my errand running day).

If you would like your name entered, just leave a comment.

If you tell a friend and they leave a comment, have them mention your name and I will stick your name in again.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Brenda's name was drawn this morning.

Thank you each for taking time to comment.

Have a wonderful week!!!

World's Greatest Bath Boats

It was raining outside.

It was hot and stuffy inside.

But the motivating factor ....

his fingernails were filthy!!!

I filled the sink with water and got out a hefty supply of clean towels.

(I wasn't born yesterday)

I knew he would enjoy the boats I found at the Goodwill on Monday.

The boats were one of those grab on your way to the checkout type of purchases.

When I was picking the price stickers off the bottoms, I discovered they are World's Greatest Bath Boats

I docked his boats after an hour.

What awesome toys!!!

They are made by Dana McDill in Princeton, MN.

I anticipate these boats going on many a voyage in Grammie's house.....

but I think we will stick to the bathtub from now on.  ;)

Duluth

We have been having heavy rains and storms this week here in Minnesota.

Today Duluth, MN is having flooding.

The polar bear, Berlin, has escaped from the Duluth Zoo due to flooding!!!!

It would not be a good day to visit.

We spent last weekend in Duluth.

Grandma's Marathon was the featured event.

My husband had his second best marathon finishing time despite the heat, humidity and vomiting the last 7 miles.  Of course he was hoping for his best time ever....but those last 7 miles really did him in.

Afterwards he insisted this was his last full marathon.

I have heard that one before.

He said, "I mean it this time!"

Well, we were barely home and he was talking about the Chicago Marathon in October....how he has already bought his airline ticket....and is sponsoring World Vision....and really should be supporting his friends.

I just gave him a hug and told him I wouldn't hold him to his post race puking declarations.....

to which he replied, "I haven't forgotten the puking".

Then he started talking about if/when they get into the New York Marathon.

Good Grief!!!!

I have not been to Duluth for many years.   I would have enjoyed some site seeing and shopping.

That is not something you ask your companions to do after running 26.2 miles!

After reading about Duluth Pack in a Country Living Magazine a year or so ago, I have been interested in checking them out.  I thought it would make a great Duluth souvenir.

Well...

guess what???

I made a quick stop at our local Goodwill on Monday evening.

Yep...

the exact Duluth Pack purse I was interested in!!!!

For $170 LESS than I would have paid in Duluth!!!

(Every Monday our Goodwill gets a truck in from Duluth with donations)

He Is Bringing The Salad

My husband is a runner.

There is a big run this weekend.

Tonight his group of running buddies are gathering to make one of their pre-marathon meals.

He signed up to bring the lettuce salad.

On Tuesday I drove out to our CSA and picked up our share. 

 It provided two types of lettuce, onions, cucumber and turnips for the salad.

The only thing I had to stop at the fruit stand for was a tomato.

Today, in between rain showers, I wandered out to our garden boxes and cut more fresh lettuce and spinach leaves and I pulled up a few radishes.

Wow there was a lot of mud to wash off of every. single. leaf.

I found a dressing recipe in one of my Better Homes and Gardens magazine. (I think that is where I cut it out of anyway).

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Whisk together 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon each Dijon mustard and honey, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Wouldn't you know I was out of red wine vinegar...good thing we have a little health food grocer just up the road.  

Well, it took a while to prepare, 

but my husband's salad ended up looking quite delicious.

I wonder what motivated those runners to invite their wives along tonight.  :)

African Baskets

I have a thing for baskets.

I especially like my grass baskets from Ghana.

I have many baskets.

They all have a use.

Three of them stay in my car for grocery shopping.

They are awesome for hauling heavy or potentially dirty stuff because they are super strong and are easily cleaned with water.

The carry-out guys appreciate them because they hold a LOT of groceries and make their job easier.

Only one problem...

3 baskets don't hold all my groceries!

So I placed an order here for 3 more last week.

They come squished.

I wet them down and formed their shape...

now I am all set to stock up on groceries this week!!!

Let The Greens Begin!

A basket a week....

for the whole summer!!!

Support your local CSA.

Mine is Bluebird Gardens!

Nesting

While cutting down some weeds two days ago I came across this.

Last evening I wanted to show it to Friendie, and we discovered two tiny little blue eggs!

Unfortunately this nest is right outside our front door...

in a little hedge row...

where our dog likes to lay.

This morning I glanced over as I walked by and couldn't believe what I saw!

Four eggs in that teeny tiny nest...

and one of them doesn't belong!

And just now I went outside to shoo the dog away...

so I could take this picture!

She obviously isn't going to let a big ole dog keep her from her babies!

(The same big ole dog that sniffed out a dead bird under the window at our neighbor's house this morning...drug it into our yard....and then rolled in it)

Stitch Simple and Swedish Forest

One of the benefits of reading other blogs is finding out about fun give-a-way opportunities and sales.

Now I did not get my name drawn in a give-a-way, but I did find out about an amazing sale...

which happens to be over now...

so I will not boast about how much money I saved. 

I will show you the fun fabrics though! 

I am going to keep my eye on Stitch Simple...

because you never know when another stash busting sale may happen!

(and she sent me a generous discount coupon to use on my next order)  :)

I stumbled upon some really fun organic cotton fabrics.

Anika by Monaluna.

I ordered these fun prints,

but was unable to get my hands on the Swedish Forest print...

which I really, really wanted.

Boo hoo.

If you know of anyone with some in their stash....

you know who to contact!  ;)

I ordered extra of this print.

I find it charming.

Although I doubt my friend, Gretchen, would agree....

she is currently restocking her chicken supply.

It seems I can't share what I am sewing these days.

Gifts you know.  ;)

What would you sew with the Fox In The Hen House fabric?

Some Peas and Some Thank You

Our calendar is full.

We are busy.

I am making lots of food.

Life is GOOD!

I want to thank Kathy for calling me and encouraging me in our Vegan adventure.

She gave me some great tips, including a great blog to check out!

I have been gratefully finding recipes from Mama Pea....

and enjoying a good chuckle along the way.

Tonight I need to take food to a Girl's Track Banquet...

why not a very large batch of Teriyaki Chickpea Stirfry!

Stop over and visit Sarah...

even if you aren't looking for a recipe,

you are sure to leave with a smile on your face.

Fruits and Veggies

I sent Sister out the door with one of these this morning.

 I enjoyed one myself!

Then I had my morning coffee....

because I hate to mess with my morning routine.  :)

I thought I would make a healthy snack,

 so I mixed up a batch of salsa.

It needs some adjustments...

because it is so spicy I could only eat one bite!

Just trying to find new ways to enjoy our Fruits and Veggies!

Sweet Sewing

The 'Birthday Girl' liked her gifts.

If she didn't like this one,

I would have kept it for myself!

A super sweet sewing chair!

I found it NEW at my favorite store...

yes...

Goodwill!

They have some sweet sewing furniture on the Arrow Cabinets website.

If you are wondering how much I paid for this chair,

I will just tell you it was $200 less than what they sell for.  :)

Now that is sweet!