LoveInterwoven

A Blustery Saturday

2012-01-21T13:27:00.000-08:00

I told myself last night that I could sleep in this morning. Ha that was the first mistake. It never happens for me like that. As soon as I have "permission" I'm suddenly wide awake at the first hint of light. WIDE AWAKE. Stumble out..... make coffee and stand in the bay window, trying to make sense of it all.

I LOVE the rain. Always have, always will.

While checking over my mint, which is doing great by the way. No aphids and lots of tiny new leaves budding out. Did I tell you about my mint. I don't think so. I was looking for spearmint which I found and also picked up some apple mint and chocolate mint. mmmmmmmmmm they smell delightful. I'm keeping them inside for now and will probably send them out as spring arrives........ Anyway while standing there sipping coffee I decided to try a new recipe I found on pinterest. Baked Doughnuts.

I lit a log and whipped up the dough....

Tucked it in and went to do my Bible study. I let it rise for about an hour or so...( until I was done)

Rolled out the dough on lightly floured parchment paper. I don't have a donut cutter.

So I used a glass

And for the hole I used a lid to.... of all things..... fish tank water neutralizer.. hahahhaahahahahah

Worked like a charm. Perfect size. My daughter says it's "redneck" I say it"s inventive. hahaha

I again let them rise for about 1/2 hour and baked them for 8, maybe 9 minutes.

I made up some maple glaze by using about 3 Tablespoons of butter softened and around 1 to 11/2 cups sifted powdered sugar. I mixed it with 1 teaspoon maple extract in the food processor then put it into a bowl and started adding milk 1 teaspoon at a time until it was still rather thick. Frosting consistency. While still hot, I took the doughnuts right off the pan with tongs and dipped them into the frosting. It thins out quite a bit, the butter making it melty.

And just as soon as the first one was on the cooling rack it was snatched up and eaten by my taste tester.... Who gave it so many thumbs up I had to hurry and get the camera so I could take pictures before they disappeared.

Aren't they BEEEEYUUUUTEEEEFULLLLLLL. Some of the holes sorta closed up while baking making it look as though they have bellybuttons.

But this one turned out perfect.. When I turned it over, sure enough, there was MY NAME written right on the bottom.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I definitely recommend this recipe. Baking them makes a big difference in taste as well as the yucky mess of frying them. Plus you can eat 2 or 3 and not feel bloated and grumpy the way doughnuts usually make me feel.
Baked Doughnuts

11/3 cup warm milk
1 TBS yeast
2TBS butter melted
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
5 cups flour
pinch of fresh ground nutmeg
1 tsp. salt

Mix up dough. Let rise til double. Roll out about 1/2 thick and cut into 2 to 3 inch circles. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet and remove center hole. Let rise again until oven heats to 375* Bake for 8 to 10 minutes,j ust until slightly brown on bottom. DO NOT over cook.
Either dip in 1/2 c melted butter and roll into sugar cinnamon mixture or make up some glaze like I did above. This makes about 11/2 to 2 dozen plus the holes.
Eat warm right from oven if you can. SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD
If you have questions just comment and I can write back.
Snugly blessings, Sue

Things that make me smile....

2012-01-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

Carlye sent me a few more pictures of my beloved granddaughter. This is her at 5 months, Bath time. I put this picture as my desktop and it makes me smile, literally, every single time I see it. I think I will have it framed and hang it somewhere that my eye lands on often.

I have been a bit dis com bobble at ted of late. Can't put my finger on anything exactly. But just feeling a bit mentally out of sorts. We are going through changes here with Seth retiring in just a few more shifts and then we'll be fixing up our home of almost 30 years to make the big move to
Georgia. I am excited, happy, apprehensive, and other feelings I can't put words to.

This morning I decided to try a recipe I found on pinterest. Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf. We were NOT disappointed. They are delicious. You can find the recipe by going to my pinterest board and clicking on the recipe board or.... I will just post it here in a few days. It made me feel REALLY good to use my own homemade yogurt and fresh eggs from my hens. The yolks are so yellow they are almost orange and this is exactly the color the muffins came out!!!

As a little girl I always loved to color and draw. As a big girl I paint, dye yarn and fibers , embroider, knit and crochet and sew to get my color fixes.It relaxes me. It sooths my soul. I have been stitching up a storm while waiting for Allison. It's kinda like big girl coloring . hahahah I am going to do a series of little girls. This is the first one.

Took a trip to Koby's this last weekend while Daddy stayed home and watched football. Just us girls. I had so much fun!!! It was cloudy and cool and I loved it. It felt like it would begin raining any minute. I found some of the most amazing books. I took my little cart on wheels to carry them all this time. I used to use it all the time when Allison and I home schooled and we would hit up the curriculum fairs. It makes life and your arms lot better!!! hahahahaha I have made it a goal to pay only a dollar a book and sometimes it works. I got all my books for just $1 each. YES!!!!

One of the books I got is a facsimile of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady 1906. It was printed in 1977, the year I graduated high school. It is beautiful. She began each month with a bit of a lesson in what the month is named for and the days that stand out. She continues on with beautiful watercolor and

hand written desciptions of all sorts of birds, plants, etc.

She includes poetry appropriate for the month and writes a brief statement of the weather and where she walked and things she saw each day. LOVE.....

Another treasure is Garden Flowers. This too was published in the 70"s. 1973 to be exact. It begins with a story called The Hundred Flowers (a Chinese Tale), translated by Grace Jackman. I haven't gotten the opportunity to read it yet but its high on my list.

It is filled with prints of Engravings by several artists. Each picture has a description and where the plant originated from. About a page long.

These are definitely frame worthy.

I am thinking that when I get into and begin decorating my new home I just may do that. They are so pretty. I have a really hard time thinking about tearing a page out of a book but when I looked this book up I found that someone was actually selling each page for $14. hmmmmm got me to thinking is all.

I am forever infatuated with readers. When I was a little girl I was so excited to be able to read. I remember my readers from grade school and if I am ever fortunate enough to actually find one, I'm going to grab it up so fast.....

This one is really cool. It's from Rand McNally and company. Of course. It is printed in 1935.

This little page just touches my heart. It's kinda how I imagine my little hens and I. hahahahahahaha

The illustrations are priceless.

I am smitten.

I finished off my afternoon by giving two of my shamrocks a hair cut. I was very UN pleasantly surprised when, while having my coffee in the in the bay window this morning I found APHIDS inhabiting them. WHAT THE HECK???? How did they get in here.

I checked all the others but these were the only two that had them. Hopefully this takes care of the issue. I'll keep a close eye on them. The other two are looking rather shabby as the cats decided to havew a fight right over the top of them. I'm babying them as well for awhile.

I also decided to transplant and give fresh soil to my poor little African violets. They have been so neglected lately I feel guilty showing you their picture. The poor dears. Hopefully they will get healthy and happy again and give me a few blooms. I moved things around so they are in their favorite spot again.
This ended up being a pretty wordy post for one that has just popped its way into being as I typed. Thank you for stopping by.
Many Blessings, Sue

Around my place this morning

2012-01-11T08:06:00.001-08:00

This is what I was blessed with this morning. While waiting for my first cup of coffee to brew I stood in my bay window and was completely and totally blown away.

I had to grab my camera so I could share this with you. I am reminded why, on mornings like this, The Jerusalem Temple is built with "The Beautiful Gate" or Eastern Gate always facing the East. The LORD just doesn't mess around.

And this is from my couch. AMAZING!!!!

I wanted to show you that, true to my word, I am working on my Jacobean Sampler. I actually worked on this very cow while sitting in my car, at the ranch. Allison was riding and I was just soaking in the peace when all of a sudden a cow started telling me the longest story. She mooed to me the entire time I worked on this. Funny huh!!!!

I'm getting quite a bit done. It is really slow going but oh so enjoyable.

I LOVE hydrangeas. I have wanted to make a wreath like this for a really long time. The other day while strolling and dreaming in Michael's I notice that the hydrangeas, along with alot of other beautiful silk flowers were on sale. 50% off. It didn't take but about one trip through the store to decide...I wasn't passing that up.
I am REALLY happy with the results.

I decided since I have so many beautiful rocks sitting around that I might try my hand at this. Whatdaya think? I like it.

I saw this idea on pinterest and it wouldn't leave me alone. I have a devotional that I thought I could use to bless a few people with. It was fun and gave me time to ponder the scripture.

I have had a bit of a creative bug lately and I am just wise enough to know that when she bites... I better act on it. Seems I can get quite a few things out of my head and into the world if I work quickly and stop thinking. hahaha

I popped these photos in because I was just thinking how cool these old bottles are.
(Well the green ones on top aren't so old, but the little one was given to me by my son in law who knows I love green bottles!!)

I like to think about where they have been and who used them. I like the way the light bounces around them. I like the way they remind me that treasures don't always cost alot of money. All things have value. It even reminds me to slow down and appreciate the beauty around me. It's really amazing the things that can take our breath away.
Blessings, Sue

Tamales

2012-01-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

This was our New Years Day Feast. It was delicious!!!

I have wanted to make Tamales for just about ever. When I was a little girl my family went to Arroyo Grande and helped another family make tamales. when I say another family I mean there were people coming out of the wood work. Men and women and kids everywhere. I remember lot's of laughing, loud music, lots of women with big butts, and yummy smells and happy, happy happy. ( The bug butt thing was probably because I was eye level with that part of the ladies.) There were big silver steaming pots and

tables filled with bowls of spicy yummy meat and corn husks piled to the ceiling. Anyway I had a really good time and have wanted to make them myself but was to intimidated to try....UNTIL NOW........

It was really easy. I soaked the husks for a few hours,while I prepared the meat. I used my pressure cooker so it was a bit faster. And I bought the masa pre made at a local tortilla/ grocery store here. They were making tortillas when I got there so it was warm and fresh.

It isn't hard at all, just time consuming.

Tradition is to put an olive inside each tamale for good luck for the coming year. Allison's teacher told her about putting two in. One for yourself and one for someone you love that's not there to enjoy the tamales. We put in two.

You roll the meat into the masa lined corn husk, fold it over, tie it up and ta dahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Jennifer, Allison and I made about 30 or so. We just kept making them until we ran out of masa.

Aren't they lovely????

Little bundles of mmmmm mmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm You place them open side up in a steamer and then cover with a wet towel and steam away for about 1 and 1/2 hours. We actually did these on New Years Eve and had "street tacos" for dinner that night, using the left over meat. Then on New Years Day we re -heated them and I made chili and we pigged out. I will definitely make them again. It's fun to be with people you love while making them and I can understand more now why my Mexican friends love getting together with their families to make them. Only they usually make a TON of them. Enough for the feast and enough for every family to take some home to freeze.

This may even become something I do every year. Tamale blessings, Sue

Here I am...

2012-01-06T14:15:00.000-08:00

I haven't been hiding.....

Not intentionally, anyway.....

I guess I've just been right here all along. At any rate. I'm ready to write again and boy do I have some stuff to share. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings Sue

In Between

2011-12-28T19:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree 2011

I love the "in between" time. After Christmas day and before New Years Day. It's my time to space out and do just "whatever" While I don't have to be up and dressed to take anyone to school. No more shopping, wrapping, anticipating.

Daddy brought home a giant bag of cuties!!

We had a wonderful Christmas. That being said... "Things" are never quite the way I think they will be. Thomas Kincaid and Norman Rockwell are nice but not really our reality.

Wreath close up. I dissolved the glue gun webs.

Let's face it, It's a major production here. Getting the dinner all prepared and on the table at the same time and warm. In the past when the girls were small I used to get myself so stressed out, I could barely relax and enjoy myself.

Daddy brought me this beautiful bouquet. LOVE the Lilies

This year was different, in that I made myself slow down and enjoy the moments. It worked. ( it also helps that the girls are grown) I wanted to concentrate on what's really important. WE are BLESSED. We have a warm safe home, food to share and people to share it with. We have the love of our family and friends, and most importantly we have our faith.

Christmas Eve 2011

and shock of shocks......My stocking was actually crammed full!!! It's usually the most empty hahahaha I wanted to share some of my favorite, special quiet moments with you.....

Santa found our house again...whew!!

Even the weens got special treats.

mmmmm spinach dip

Before dinner treats

Allison bought Her,Daddy and Jennifer matching Whistle Swolt shirts.

And now I'm slowly starting to put away my Christmas treasures until next year. This is the Angel Carol gave me.

The table piece Allison made has been broken down into several other little arrangements.

The tree will be the last thing down. I'll try to keep it up til new years.... (rolls eyes)

My Americanas are laying up a storm. I couldn't resist showing you my Green Eggs and Ham. hahahahaha
I am praying that you all had a wonderful Christmas. Now let's get on with the New Year...whatdaya say..
Blessings, Sue

Scones

2011-12-21T13:15:00.000-08:00

I have found it!!! I have been looking for a really good pumpkin scone recipe for a long time. I finally found one that was great. With the tweaks I made, it's PERFECT. I like my scones moist, not to sweet, and just spicy enough. These are they!!!

Scones are a small Scottish quick bread, popular world wide. Basically it is just a biscuit, in fact in Canada and the US. it is called biscuit and scone interchangeably. The first mention of the word scone, according to the Oxford English Dictionary is 1513. The word itself may derive for the Middle Dutch- Schoonbrood or fine white bread. It may also be from schoon- pure and clean. Check out wikipedia for more interesting information if you're interested.

Moist Pumpkin Scones

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs white sugar
1 Tbs baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon and nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves and ginger
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)

6 Tbs cold butter, cut into cubes
3 Tbs milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg

I made mine in the food processor. Sift all dry ingredients into food processor. Add cubed butter and mix until it looks like bread crumbs. Add wet ingredients and cranberries and mix into a dough. Pour out onto a lightly floured cutting board and knead a bit to make sure the cranberries are mixed in fairly evenly. Shape into a rectangle approx 12" by 4". Cut into triangles by cutting first into thirds and then cutting each square into triangles. corner to corner make a criss cross. I ended up just cutting mine into smaller rectangles. Bake at 425 degrees for 14 to 16 minutes. Mine took 14 on a parchment line cookie sheet. Make the icing.

Spiced Glaze

1 cup plus 3 Tbs powder sugar
2 Tbs milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
a pinch of ginger, ground cloves, salt

Sift all dry ingredients together and throw away the too big bits that won't sift. Add the milk and whisk.
Put as little or as much as you want on your cooling scones.

Brew yourself a mug of steaming coffee, or tea. Put a log on the fire, grab your book or stitching, put up your feet and enjoy!!!! Next time I'm going to add walnuts. SOooooooooo good. Let me know if you make them and what you think.

Blessings Sue

Traditions

2011-12-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

I can't believe the time is going by so darn fast. I've been spending this year being devoted to a NO STRESS Christmas, and I guess while I wasn't looking IT WORKED. I'm stress free and actually enjoying things this year.

If you have been reading for awhile you already know about Allison's Annual Gingerbread House. If not I will share with you that every year since Allison was around ??? I'm thinking 8 years old, she has been making our Gingerbread House decoration. It has been fun to see the changes throughout the years.

This year we bought a bunch of different decorating candies.

And again I had to tell her over and over and over add nauseum... That she was going to get a stomach ache if she kept eating the royal icing. hahahahah I guess that's my part of the tradition. This year however she took her own zantac and layed down and didn't even tell me. hahahahhahaahahahahah

Loving the icicles.

And the path to the doorway.

Beautiful, isn't it!!!

I made a snowman. bawahhhaahahahahahahh It never made it to the actual lawn on the house. Ugly little bugger huh? hahahahah

This is the sky last night. We have been having off and on rain and the skies have been glorious.

Allison collected a ton of mistletoe at the ranch . We now have it hanging from the doorways. I forgot to photo oops.

And the entire reason for the season. This is the very first Christmas decoration Daddy and I ever bought. So I guess this makes it my oldest decoration. I know its my most beloved. It can't be Christmas until this nativity is set up on center stage.

I remember when we got it. Of course money was all but non existent and we went to Sears looking for just the right one. I am definitely attached to it. I feel great joy every year when I unwrap each piece. I even love wrapping them back up with love for the next year.
Whats your favorite Christmas decoration. I would love to hear.
Stress free blessings, remember.. THE real reason we celebrate this Holy Holiday. Sue

Oh Christmas Tree...

2011-12-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

How lovely are your branches. We got our tree last week. It was an adventure as always.

It wasn't the least bit cold, well maybe a tad chilly. I took my sweater off as soon as we got back to the truck. I had my tank top on underneath.
There were plenty of really nice ones.

And plenty of not so nice ones. I'm rather picky so my tree getter's and turners were kept busy. Of course we got "THE BEST TREE WE'VE EVER HAD". (neither of the above passed the very intense scrutiny)

Jennifer came over

The girls did the preliminary decorating,

I lit a log and put up my feet. Watching is good.

Later when all was calm and all was bright, I finished up at a more leisurely pace. My angel on top

Me and Daddies first ornament.

Hung the stockings... The nativities are up, but I'll show you those pictures later.

Allison brought home the most beautiful live arrangement. She is getting really good at this.

It has red and white carnations. Noble Pine, Princess Pine, Cedar and Juniper, along with pine cones and golden ornaments. The red candle will be lit for our celebration dinner. I love, love, love it!!! Thanks for stopping by. More Christmasy pictures later.

Blessings, Sue

Depression Cake

2011-12-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

A few years ago my mother gave me an amazing gift. It seems that when my Grama passed away, one of her sisters or one of my Aunts wrote down and gave to my mom all of the recipes she had in her kitchen. My mom then hand wrote and compiled them all into a book. One for each of my daughters and one for myself. The other day I received a call from Carlye with the idea of her and I, deciding upon a few of the recipes and cooking, baking them "together". She said " Mom, you could blog about them". So the first recipe I will share is called Depression Cake.

Depression Cake is a type of cake that was made during The Great Depression Era, 1929 to the late 1930's early 1940's. There are quite a few recipes but for the most part, it contains no sugar, no milk, no eggs, no butter. These items being hard to get or way to expensive at the time. I'm sure that each cook made due with the items she had on hand . My Grama lived on a farm.

It is called many other names as well. War Cakes and Boiled Raisin Cake. The Boiled Raisin cake dates back to the American Civil War, but I can imagine it going back even further.

Raisins are boiled to make a syrup base, then added to the dry ingredients.

Which I sifted all together.

I then made a well in the middle and added the raisins, liquid and melted butter.

I mixed it by hand like any other quick bread.

I was really amazed at how it puffed right up and turned out so beautifully brown. It made the entire house smell good.

And its moist and delicious. It reminded me of a gingerbread and so I added a bit of whipped cream to my piece last night. Which I know.... isn't authentic...... since it calls for a powder sugar and water glaze or to be sprinkled with powdered sugar. But... darn it, it's Christmas and I had a bit of whipped cream left in the can and......... neither is the paper plate I'm sure but who's judging....seriously hahahah

So here it is.... My Grama's Depression Cake Recipe

1 cup raisins
2 cups water
2 Tablespoons shortening or lard....yeck I use butter (melted)
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg.

Cook raisins in water in a small saucepan, simmer until 1 cup liquid remains. Set aside to cool. Sift all dry ingredients together into a bowl. Make a small well in the middle and add plumped up raisins. Add liquid and melted butter. Stir until smooth. Bake in a 9 inch square pan for 35 to 40 minutes. Or toothpick comes out clean. At 325.

I used a round cake pan and I melted the butter and added it to the dry instead of creaming the butter and the sugar together like the original recipe called for. After boiling the raisins I scooped them out and had only about 1/2 cup of liquid so I added water to make one cup. I'm not sure if this is because I boiled them to long or that I left them to "cool" for a long time while I went to Michaels and they soaked it all up. heehee either way it worked perfectly.

Try it!!! I reallly like it and will make it again. I bet it would be good for people who have allergies as well, and with a big fat layer of cream cheese frosting!!!!

I'll let you know what and when we decide to make the next recipe in our adventure. Until then
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING, Sue

Fannie Farmer

2011-12-05T13:26:00.001-08:00

My very first cookbook was a scholastic Fannie Farmer Cookbook. It was bought for me by my mom from a catalog I brought home from elementary school. My mom really was an enabler even way back then. She was a nurturer to all my creative outlets. I think I still have it somewhere but for now I want to share with you the copy I was given by my mother in law. It is copyrighted 1965, Eleventh edition. And it is a treasure.

notice all the copyright dates

Fannie Merrit Farmer

Fannie Merrit Farmer was born in 1857. She is responsible for a very important event in cooking history.

While she was in high school, Fannie suffered from a stroke with paralysis and could no longer continue her education. She then worked as a mothers helper and discovered her love of, and skill at cooking. With her parents support she began to study under M.J. Lincoln at the Boston Cooking School. From the book that Mrs Lincoln used to teach her classes, which was written for businesses and professional cooks, Fannie wrote The Boston Cooking-School Cookbook, revising the original and adding her improvements. She made it workable for middle class women and family cooks by including specific accurate measurements and ingredients. Before this cookbook ingredients were estimated and the results would vary greatly. It was published in 1896.

In 1902 she opened a school called Miss Farmers School of Cooking aimed at training housewives. She also lectured on domestic topics and wrote several more cooking related books. Her school continued on until 1944, she herself passing in 1915.

I found inside my copy several added delights. One was a bay leaf left there by Anne, my mother-in-law.

The illustrations are really cool

This is definitely a good thing to have. If and when I make 5 holiday pies at once.

She apparently thought this was too sweet. I think Ill give it a go and see for myself. I have started to like rice pudding of late. More illustrations, simple and to the point.

One of the things Fannie writes in the preface of her original first edition is that she wants to keep her recipes simple, tried and true. She wished that her book would encourage people to give deeper thought and study to what they were eating. In later issues it has been revised by, Wilma Lord Perkins, to include Chocolate Chip Cookies. They were invented in 1924 by Ruth Wakefield for Toll House. Before that they simply broke a bar of chocolate into bits. This didn't work to well since it melted. I would love to find an earlier edition that doesn't have these more "modern" recipes. The search is on.

I also found my wedding gown while nosing around in the shed. This is Jennifer wearing it and holding my wedding picture. Cool huh?

Blessings, Sue

It a Colorful World

2011-12-03T20:09:00.001-08:00

While looking for the Christmas boxes in the shed today,I came upon a box labeled "stitch kits". Of course I had to bring it in. I spent the good part of an hour going through all the treasures I had tucked inside. I became reacquainted with quite a few old friends.During my first pregnancy I found myself with a lot of extra time on my hands and took up my old love of all things needlework.

This is the Jacobean Sampler I started way back when. I have thought about it off and on throughout the years, finding comfort in it. I have a few projects that, honestly, never got finished but were finished as much as they needed to be. I believe that everything is for a reason and sometimes its the process I need at the time more than the finished object.

Anyway........I remember when I had to tuck this away. My life had gotten extremely busy. Big projects were not an option for me at the time. I began sewing clothes for my girls and they were the center of my life. When I pulled this out it felt like an old friend had moved back home. I am going to finish it. I worked on the house tonight. All the above was done 27 years ago. It feels right.

I'm now to the point of stitching in all my ends on my latest project..... I can't really show you.... It is a gift for my granddaughter. I'll show you details later.

Jennifer and Allison were bored, there was paint involved, I think it's rather cute!!

My Americana's have started laying!!!!! This makes me so happy. I love the color of these eggs.

This is actually what we brought in today. I have never had hens that layed in the winter months. My 5 older ladies are taking a break. I'm still waiting for Ophelia (my silkie) to lay. She is my first silkie too. I have had chickens for over 20 years and still am just excited everyday when I get to collect my eggs.

Maybe you thought you were going to get through at least one day here without seeing food. Sorry! heehee I had to show you the chex party mix i made for Seth for Thanksgiving. I was trying to think of the traditions we have had here. And thinking of the new ones we will be starting when we settle in Georgia. One of them is definitely his party mix. I've been making it every single year we have been together.

It was a really good batch. I need to make more.

I have quite the list of projects going on now. I'll take pictures. Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings, Sue

Bread Pudding

2011-12-02T08:36:00.001-08:00

When I was a little girl my Grama ( Dads mom ) used to feed me milk toast. BLECK, GAG, YUCK. I hated it. She would toast a piece of white bread and put oleo (old lady margarine, ha ha) on it. Put it in a bowl and pour hot milk over it. GROSS. It was awful. She did graduate us (me and my siblings and probably my cousins) to cocoa and toast, which was better. You got to dip your toast into the cocoa for however long you wanted, making it less less soggy in my case. The chocolate was even better and the melted oleo gave it a sort of kid like richness.
I have often thought about making Bread Pudding but was afraid that it would remind me of milk toast, until now. Actually it did remind me of milk toast or I wouldn't be mentioning it now, hee hee

Bread Pudding

2 eggs, well beaten
2 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups bread cubed, about 5 or 6 slices
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins

Butter Sauce

1/2 cup sugar ( brown or white)
21/2 Tablespoons flour
2 Tablespoons butter
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Break up bread into pieces and place in a bowl. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins and toss. In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, milk and vanilla. Pour wet mixture over dry mixture and put into a greased 9 inch cake pan. Place that pan into another pan of water and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

For the butter sauce: Melt butter in an iron skillet or other pan, and add flour. Stir constantly for a few minutes ( YES GIRLS, this is a "Basic Roux" hahahahahhaha) Add sugar and stir, slowly add water while stirring and continue to cook on low heat until it thickens. Just before you pour it over the already baked bread pudding, add the vanilla. Serve warm. ( at first I just put butter sauce on individual portions, then gave up a dumped it all on. This was better)

I was surprised. If you have never had bread pudding there is a kinda texture thing to overcome, at least for me. But I can honestly say I liked it. I used in my batch, cinnamon raisin bread and so did not add the extra raisins called for. I used in the butter sauce REAL BUTTER and brown sugar.

My first thoughts were that I can't wait to feed this to my grand daughter. Must be a grama thing. hahahaha
I know the babies in my life will enjoy this. Try it and if you do let me know if you like it. If you make it another way let me know so I can try it your way. I can see why this was a popular breakfast food in the past. I bake alot of bread and with no preservatives the last few slices can seem a bit stale. This is a great way to use that up and get your kids out the door with a full and warm tummy. Most of the recipes I found called for stale or dry bread. Seth said his mom made it with white bread and as a kid he hated it. Must be the texture, like I said it does take some getting used to if your not familiar with it.

Quick picture of my shamrocks, blooming away. I'm telling you these little plants brighten my day many, many times. I am enamoured with them.
Blessings, Sue

Third times a charm!

2011-12-01T12:03:00.001-08:00

The liquid is the whey. The white curd is pulling away from the crock and clumping together.

I hope everyone had a Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday. I know quite a while has gone by and I apologize for you having to stare at the same post for that long but, time gets away from me sometimes. I have been very busy with my Christmas gifts and crossing things off the long list of "things to do". It feels good.

I tried again at my yogurt making. I did research on yogurt makers and thought about asking for one for Christmas but then I decided NO. Not when it seems this easy to make with a crock pot and I'm reading about so many people having success doing it.

My second attempt didn't work as well and I figured out that my thermometer was off. Its all about the temperatures. It wasn't a loss however since I learned that by adding an acid ( I used 1 Tablespoon lemon juice) and cooking again for about 20 minutes the whey will separate from the curd and you will have Ricotta. You can add salt at this point and have a soft spread cheese as well.

Ricotta.

I poured the contents of the crock into a strainer lined with a flour sack dish towel and let the whey drain off for awhile.

Make do lasagne, which tastes just as good, using spaghetti noodles.

I didn't have lasagna noodles so I used thin spaghetti instead and made a yummy dinner.

It was delicious. I doubt I will do this again unless there is a yogurt miss hap. It is time consuming and easier for me to buy it.

Yougurt making in process with new digital thermometer.

I did however, FINALLY Succeed at my yogurt. I found out that by using a digital thermometer it takes all the guess work out of it and makes it easier to succeed. Seth found this one a Target for about $15. I used 1/2 gallon of whole milk and brought the temperature up to 180 degrees. Turned off the crock and cooled it back down to 111 degrees. I then add 1 1/2 Tablespoons of plain yogurt for the live active cultures and wrapped the entire crock in a fleece blanket and popped it into the oven until this morning. The oven was not on, it just keeps the temperature more even while it cools.

And this morning..... YOGURT!!! I love Greek yogurt and think it is way to expensive to buy. To get this yogurt even thicker and more creamy I again lined a strainer with a flour sack dish towel and drained of a bit more of the whey.

I got an entire quart of thick, rich, creamy, Greek style yogurt. I know exactly what it contains. AND it was made for less than 1/2 the cost of store bought. I added some of my homemade blueberry jam. OH MY GOSH !!!!! DELICIOUS.

I am so happy and excited about this new skill I have learned. Some things have seemed out of the question to make myself. I have either thought it to difficult or just never thought of "doing it myself". I'm also glad I stuck to it. I think I may try making some cream cheese next.
Blessings, Sue

Blustery Weekend

2011-11-20T16:10:00.001-08:00

It's been a cold, wet weekend. Perfect for snuggling up and lighting a fire. You know... a chicken and fat noodle soup kind of weekend !!! A get outside chores done fast, light all the candles and cook yummy stuff kind of weekend!!!
I found this fleece blanket a few days ago on clearence for a can't pass it up price. It is a creamy, lucious, burrow into, baby blanket soft fleece, with golden beige autumn leaves. Just my kind of blanket. It just needed a bit of embellishment and it it now PERFECT !!!

Charlie was quite content to keep me company while I finished it up. Notice her new pink and polka dot collar. She is just so cute.

And of course I had to make some chicken and fat noodles. I wait all summer for a weekend just like this so I can spend the day inside making yummy things to feed everyone. It's my hearts content.

If you have been reading long you have seen my process in detail before, but I was having so much fun Seth took pictures for me to share with you today.

Mmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Jennifer and Angel brought the salad and a bottle of wine.

Oh and just for the heck of it, I made a carrot cake. You are NEVER, NEVER, NEVER too old to lick this moms beaters, spatula and bowl. You just can't come to blows over who gets which!!! hahaha

Cream cheese frosting..... DUH...... and lots of it!

This is an old family recipe that I have tweeked through the years. If you like carrot cake.... you will LOVE this one. If you want the recipe let me know and Ill get it to you.

Now it's Sunday and its been another blustery day. I have however spent this one alone. Don't in anyway be sad for me. I had leftovers for lunch, another fire and it's been a very fruitful making Christmas presents day.
I hope your weekend has been a wonderful and filled with love as mine is.
I do want to thank each and every one of you who take the time to stop by my little blog. I enjoy sharing with you and am very grateful for you.
Blessings, Sue
Oh and no I didn't eat the yogurt. It was just a bit creepy that I put in a whole cup of yogurt from a container and only got back a dollop the size of a quarter. Where the heck did it go?? weird...... :)

Adventures in Yogurt Making.

2011-11-17T13:07:00.001-08:00

Ok.. I'll admit it. I like some of the finer things in life. Take yogurt for instance. I like the new Greek yogurts on the market now. Yes they are full of protein and blah blah blah but I like the texture, the thickness. It's like eating a piece of cheesecake to me. Now the particular brand I'm infatuated with right now costs $1.27 for a tiny "serving". Thats just too much for me. Sooooooo I thought I would try my hand at the "EASY" crock-pot method. It was easy. Even with the thermometer. More time consuming than anything.

I started with 1/2 gallon of whole milk. I put it in the crock and brought it to the correct temperature.Then I cooled it down to the correct temperature, using the candy thermometer and added the container of plain yogurt with live active cultures. Wrapped it lovingly in a towel and let it sit for 10 hours. Then because it wasn't the least bit thickened up like yogurt should be I put it in the fridge for ...overnight.

I then strained it through cheese cloth....

This is what I got. Not even the amount of the ''real" yogurt I put in to start with. hahahahahaahahhaahhahah

And a whole bowl of sour milk. I only know of a few recipes that use sour milk and I can't possibly use this much sour milk for anything else. Bummer of a waste, but this will not deter me. I WILL try again hahhaah

I put sprinkles on Emmaline's cupcake hat. Just need to get it in the mail so it will keep her sweet little baby head nice and warm.

This is a picture of my purple shamrocks. I forget their name. They are now blooming and the flowers are a light lavender.

My old faithful keeps giving me tiny little white flowers and lots of big green clovers.

I started another sweet potato. Not really on purpose. I waited to long to eat it and it started to get soft-ish and a few sprouts started popping out so I put her in a pot of water and she has taken right off.

Oh and this is the Iron Cross Shamrock. Notice the leaves are sparse and rather spindly but it continues to bloom these amazingly bright coral flowers.I'm hoping that new leaves will sprout so it will fill out but it seems happy to continue making flowers!!

And I finally got my "three white candles" that I have been obsessing over. hahahahahah I like them.
Gotta go... cleaning my bedroom and I don't want to loose momentum. More later than....
Blessings, Sue

Best gadget ever...

2011-11-10T11:36:00.001-08:00

Or at least until I find the next one. hahahaha I use A LOT of garlic. I like it fresh. I've used pre-minced in the jar for convenience when the girls were little but couldn't get past that sulphur taste and smell. Powder is the next best thing to fresh. Lately it seems like I have been chopping bits of my finger every time I chop garlic. Hmmmmmmm Seth said this won't do and went online to find this little gem.

You still need to peel the garlic, but that's ok. I cut off the root end of each little bulb and smash it with my knife. It pops right off.

Put the peeled bulb into 1/2 of the little doohickey. Put on the lid and give it a couple of twists.

And waaaaaa laaaaaaaa. Perfectly minced garlic.

You can even do more than 1 bulb at a time and for me that's real nice.

I still had to get my fingers in there. I just love the smell! I used this in crock pot pea soup. mmmm mmmm mmmmmmm!!!

I think one of my young ladies may have laid an egg for us. The one on the right is from my Rhode island red. The one on the left is about 2/3 its size. The same size that Bethany, my little Spanish princess lays but hers are white. My hens are doing better with Artemus gone. They are much more calm and relaxed. I have started buying them meal worms to get them to tame up a bit. It doesn't take long for them to come a runnnin' for those!!!

And there is something to be said for persistence, but that's another story. I want to talk a bit about living in the moment. Since my darling daughter pointed out in her last comment, that she has made the same recipe in the humidity and therefore it can't be the surgeon who removed my "swagga"

I decided today to make my Gramas sugar cookies. These babies have never let me down. While in the midst of putting all the ingredients together I was thinking about multi-tasking. While I used to be REALLY good at this, it seems as though I get so many things on my mind lately that I'm not really living in the moment. I'm usually somewhere else in my mind, picking up Allison from school, going to the feed store, did I give the rabbit water?, what will I make for dinner tonight?, I have to wash a load of towels, yet again. You see what I mean. Yesterday I made banana bread and forgot to add the soda. It's good but heavy. hahaha

I have made an entire batch of cookies and not even enjoyed the actual process because of all this. Soooooooo... deep breath....... I've decided I'm going to slow down and enjoy the present. Even though I have probably done this several times already in my life, I'm going to do it again. We all need gentle reminders now and then. To stop and smell the gravy, give it a taste before you put it on the table, just to make sure it's not too salty. Know what I mean?

So take the time today to BE in the present. It's all for a reason. And things seem alot nicer.
Blessings, Sue

P.S. If I were an ant, I would love to walk around in the creases of these cookies!!

Rain it did !!!

2011-11-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

The rain finally came, just a bit after my last post actually. It was a good first winter storm for here. It rained through the night and by the next day it was bright and sunny. Not warm, however, but chilly. We are actually waiting for another one this weekend. Some of the trees are turning and the rain freshened up the air nicely.

I did stay nice and warm and dry inside and true to my word, hahahaha, I baked the yummy soft gingerbread cookies.

Paula Deen has some really nice candles, by the way. I get mine a Wal-mart. They lean towards more expensive for me, but they smell great all the way through and the jars are really cool.

I think I may be on to something. Bear with me for the story and you will see why I am just a bit excited about this recent AHHH HAAA moment.

While my cookie dough seemed right and in fact tasted perfect heehee I decided to sprinkle the sugar on them this time as apposed to rolling them in it like I usually do.

They puffed up great in the oven.....

But when i got them out , they were just to soft to take off the pan. See the folded one in the top left corner. So I scooted the parchment paper off the pan onto the counter for them to cool This worked great. I then transferred them to the cooling rack to let them finish up cooling. You may be thinking "no big deal" they tasted great and they look ok.... but this is NOT the way the recipe is supposed to turn out. I have made these in the past and they come out puffy and thick and chewy in the middle. Ok so my ahhhh haaa moment.
It was raining.... That means humidity..... Same as in Georgia....where every single time I try to bake my cookies, they turn out looking like something the cat dragged in. I have been so discouraged by this. I thought for sure that when the surgeon removed my knee joints he took my baking skills with him. He set them aside and forgot to put them back in when he put in my new knee joints. I was convinced. Try to tell me otherwise and I will argue with you till sundown. But..... I was thinking... Just maybe it has something to do with the humidity... DUHHHHHHHH.... Maybe I need to add a touch more flour..... This I shall try and I will let you know the results.. Wish me luck...

All the while Miss Charlotte ( Charlie) snoozed the afternoon away, on my unmade bed. She loves the new afghan as much as I do !! Notice by her tail is a whiffle golf ball. Seth hits them up on the hill and Charlie goes hunting them. She will carry one around for 1/2 the day after she finds it. Isn't that adorable? hahahaha

I finished up some yarn I have been spinning for quite awhile now. I decided to Navajo ply it so the colors would stay more true. I have about 4 more ounces to do up and then I will be ready to start yet another project I have up my sleeve. (Navajo plying is a three ply yarn, it keeps the colors more seperate by plying sections onto themselves, the end result is a more rounded yarn that I like to use for crochet.)

And my baby Emmaline's hats are are clean and getting their finishing touches. My goal is to send a package by Wednesday. Wish me luck on that one too. I'm so bad at actually mailing the package. I'm not sure why, some weird psychological reason I'm sure... Or given enough time to think about it, I could come up with one. hahahahahahahahahaahaahhaha

Oh yeah I almost forgot... I found this cookbook at the swap meet the other day. It's an older edition but I still love reading it. I haven't found any recipes that jump out at me yet, but I'm sure I will. Are you bored out of your mind yet? hahahah. I will close for now, but I have a new kitchen gadget to share with you that is the coolest thing EVER!!!! See you in a couple of days.
Blessings, Sue
Edited to add: I never use shortening in my baking, it grosses me out. I use real salted BUTTER!!! and if you click on the pictures they will get bigger and you can see the recipe very clearly. :)

Rain Already Willya...

2011-11-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

Waiting for rain in San Diego is like waiting for a pot of water to boil. You know the saying," A watched pot never boils". The weather lady reassured us last night that the " first big winter storm of the season" was on it's way. hahahahahahaahhaahahhahahahahahah. Well it is colder outside, and the sun is hiding behind a rather bleak, dull gray sky. But so far...no drops....

I decided that I would share some pictures of a rainstorm in Georgia with you.

Even though it was a summer storm, and it was really warm,

The thunder and lightening was spectacular.

It actually rained more in a few minutes then I could believe.
Big, Fat, Luscious drops.

Even though, it hasn't begun to come down here.

I'm ready.

I have the candles lit,

The cats are snuggled up on the couch,

The weens and lily are snoozing peacefully,

And I'm baking a batch of chewy gingerbread cookies for the jar.

Come on..... rain will'ya....
Blessings, Sue

Vintage Ads... Funny...

2011-11-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Some of these ads crack me up... Hey, darn straight I'm on the warpath, now pick up your socks and take out the trash and if I find one more Halloween candy wrapper on the floor your never going trick or treating again!!! :)

Some are kinda scary.

And some just TICK ME OFF.....

Some make me shake my head in disbelief...

You've got to be kidding me? Soda? really????

Oh Brother. (rolls eyes and sighs heavily) I find them all interesting and very informative. And very glad I am living in the exact era I'm in.
Hope you enjoyed them. Blessings, Sue

More Treasures

2011-10-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday to you!!! I hope your weekend was great. Mine was quiet and rejuvenating! Just the way I like/needed it.
Is this not THE most beautiful Fall arrangement EVER!!

Allison brought this home on Friday, and yes, she made it!!! This is her project she made in her flower class. I really believe she has a gift.

So, I guess, I'm the one who will be blessed this school year with fresh holiday arrangements. I love it!

We took another trip to the swap meet. and again I came home with many treasures. I was actually not feeling very well, darn Indian summer cold, but I slathered up with sunscreen, grabbed my trusty pink parasol and we headed out. One of the prizes I found was this Knitting Book, 1971, to add to my steadily growing needlework book collection.

I knew there were papers inside when I picked it up but didn't take the time to really check them out til I got home. Imagine my joy when I found this little kit, tucked deep inside these cut outs and patterns.

I have never heard of a felt lapel pin, but that's not really surprising. The more I learn the more I find out I need to learn. So tell me, would you stitch it up?? I believe I may. It's calling to me. hahahah

I thought I would pee my pants when Allison and I found this ad. More so for her reactiion to it than mine. It is sooooooooo 1971. We laughed, and she just said, "no wonder" hahahahahahahahahahahahh
Blessings, Sue

Few words Friday...

2011-10-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

The week got away from me. I'm not sure where exactly it went, but it was busy.

I filled the cookie jar today with our favorite Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies. I added raisins and white chocolate chips. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm They are really good.

I was able to restock a couple of my favorite wines. Bev Mo was having their buy one get one for 5 cents.

I actually dusted the mantle and tried to make it look a bit autumny. hahaha

Re- arranged my large arrangement Seth got me into a couple smaller ones.

Moved the bookshelves from my room into the living room and displayed my acorn collection and my acorn candle holder prize I got in Georgia.

Arranged the pomegranates Allison picked for me on El Monte Road the other day on the way home from the barn.

My beloved peach tree is changing her colors for me!!!

And starting to drop them as well.

WE had to get rid of Artemus. He was the most beautiful rooster ever, but he was starting to grow his fighting talons and keeping the hens to riled up. I just can't trust a hormone filled cockerel after what Gomer did to Allison. ( he would attack her when she was little, when she went to get the eggs)

Uhhhhhhh Yesssss. We found out WHY we were getting no eggs. I thought the ladies were just going through their usual molt and rest time. But NOOOOOOOOOO Allison watched as Charlie ( Miss Charlotte) crept into the laying box and scooted the eggs out to the waiting Lily below. Then jumped down and joined in the feast. BRAT.... NAUGHTY BRAT!!!!

And FINALLY I got a picture of Hamlet. Our little Buff Silky. boy are they hard to photograph. The big hens are hard enough to capture.

but as you can see, this was about the best closeup of Ophelia I could get.I wanted you to see how fluffy they are. Look at their little legs with feathers on them. Hamlet is protective of Ophelia but so far he just guards her from the menace Charlie and the Weens. I am hoping when things settle down, with Artemus gone, he will step up and be the main man for all the girls. If not we will just keep him and Ophelia separate. Maybe we'll let them have babies. I've never done that.

I hope your Halloween weekend is safe and fun filled. Blessings, Sue

From my Point of View

2011-10-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

First off let me say that this may be a bit rambly. Read on if you like or just enjoy the pictures, It's just another perspective to consider, after all.

I had a "rough weekend" Some things didn't go as I had liked. But I believe they all went as God planned. Seth brought me these flowers yesterday when he came home from work. He thought they would make me happy. They did, but not as happy as the thought of him wanting to bring me something so beautiful to cheer me up. :) At any rate the following pictures are from my point of view this morning, along with a little story of what happened to me on my way home from taking Allison to school.

I didn't take my usual route home this morning... I went through a neighborhood to see enjoy the flowers people have in their yards. I was thinking about my day ahead and some projects that I want to finish and some I don't.

As I came around the curve, I saw this tiny woman, dressed in black with a cart beside her full of bags and "stuff" She was on her tippy toes leaning over a garbage can looking for something. Cans?? Breakfast??

My heart hurt.... My stomach felt funny.....

I didn't realize I had noticed so many details. I kept driving. I didn't see her face but I saw the black hat she wore.

Like so many times in the past I started getting angry. About stuff. About how many people are hungry in our very own country and how "so many" people have so damn much....selfish people... I kept driving.

I asked God about this. I have seen this so much... WHY???

I felt/heard a voice inside my head that said..." You did bake 2 loaves of banana bread yesterday"

Hmmmm I did indeed, BUT.... I was on my way home and I had thought about giving that loaf to my friend, Carol and enjoying a big slice in her company and having some tea and catching up..... And what about all the crap I have to do at home and I'm not even "dressed" for the day, I barely even combed my hair. AND to top it off, Allison forgot her stupid foam pumpkins in the back seat and now I'm going to have to drive them all the way back to the school.........

Then my heart hurt and my stomach felt funny. I ran into the house and grabbed the bread. I asked God if this was really what He wanted me to do could He please make me find her again.

I was driving back the way I came and THERE SHE WAS.... Walking on the side of the road. I pulled over and asked her if she liked banana bread. I told her that I had made this loaf and would love it if she would accept it. She smiled and smiled and laughed. I asked her if she liked walnuts because I put a ton in there and I told her how the eggs were from my very own chickens. She laughed some more. She blessed me and told me thank you. She has the most beautiful face and the most beautiful laugh.and a tiny pair of golden hoops in her wrinkled ears. I saw her hands up close and the light in her eyes. I will never forget. Lord, please help me remember the way I felt as I drove off....

And now I am back at home, Seeing the things I took pictures of to share with you, and remembering the details.
Have a blessed day, Sue

On a Lighter Note...

2011-10-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

I wanted to end out this week on a bit brighter note. My last 2 posts seem a bit on the low side. Remember I told you about my book score a few weekends ago and the Kobe Swap meet? I want to share some more with you. I have been looking through the book Etiquette, by Emily Post. It's from 1953.

I suppose I need to know The True Meaning of Etiquette.. Some of this just cracks me up. But really, "Back in the Day"... when the majority of people actually had manners. Things seemed a bit more pleasant. I remember when I was a little girl and my family of in laws and out laws got together. We would all be sitting in the living room or dining room, and if my Mom or Aunt or any adult female came into the room, all the men would stand up until she was seated. And if we kids were in a chair, we would get a touch on the shoulder and a polite" get up and let your grama, aunt, mom..sit there. I hated being sent to the floor but I loved sitting with the adults, listening and learning. hahahah

I remember my mom telling me, that my Grama told her, that she chased my Grampa until she let him catch her.. hahahahahah

Now this one has a bit of a true ring to it!

heheeheheheheeheheheheheheheheeheheheheh

This book was to good to be true. Child Craft was a set of encyclopedia type books. I actually was blessed to have a set when I was growing up. I used to read the craft book until the pages came out. I hopefully still have it, in a box in the shed. This is from years before the set I owned was.

The illustrations are magnificent. I could look at them all day. And I actually read this poem to my girls when they were little. It was a Little Golden Book.

Such sweet little prayers. I remember these as well.

The second one was taught to me in Sunday school a bit differently, or maybe we just said it differently
God is Great,
God is Good,
Let us thank Him for our food.

I wanted to throw this one in because of the happy little children collecting fall leaves.

I'm so happy that I found these books. I just love looking through them and reading and relaxing. I hope you got some pleasure from this as well.
Blessings, Sue

Lachrymatory

2011-10-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

Please don't think me morose. While reading my new historical novel set in the South in during the Civil War I came upon an object mentioned that I had never heard of before. Being the history nerd that I am I couldn't just let it slip by without researching further to find out about more. I found this interesting and I thought you may as well. In the book a little girl refers to her tear bottle, filled with tears she shed when she lost her baby brother. Interesting.

Tear catcher from the Civil War

.Lachrymatory Bottle, tear catcher, tear vial, unguentaria or unguentarium. A small bottle or vial used to catch a mourners tears.

Its hard to tell when exactly they came into being, but one of the earliest references in in The Holy Bible in Psalms 56:8 King James Version. King David prays to God, " Thou tellest my wanderings, put Thou tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?" This predates Christ by over 1000 years.

They were fairly common in Roman times, around the time of Christ, when mourners filled small glass bottles or cups with tears and put them into the burial tombs as a symbol of respect. Sometimes professional mourners, usually women, were paid to cry into vessels during the mourning procession. Those that cried the loudest and made the most tears were paid the most.

In the dry climates of Greece where water was prised above most all else, water from the body was considered a sacrifice, often becoming Holy Water to be sprinkled on doorways to keep out evil and anointing the sick.

Cigar shaped tear vial, Victorian times

During the Victorian period, tears were collected in bottles with special stoppers that would let the tears gradually evaporate. This would then signify the end of the mourning period and the bottle would then be kept as a memento of the person for whom the tears were shed. When given as a gift it meant that the person to whom you were giving it you highly respected and honoured and it brought the giver and give into close relationship as having this great loss in common.

Roman times, hand blown glass bottle for catching tears

During the American Civil War it is said that woman would cry into and save her tears until her husband returned from the battle. This would then show how much he was missed and adored. They were also given to wives and mothers at the time of the death of a husband or child and then either poured out upon the grave or sealed with wax and kept as a remembrance to be passed down.

So historically they have been used during mourning. Contemporary times have romanticized them and they are still used to collect tears of joy and inspiration. I however, have NEVER heard of this at all.

Victorian tear vial with garnets imbeded in the glass

I just love finding out about different customs and the things our ancestors did. I have found that the more I learn the more I need to learn.
Did you know about these? If you want to know more you can Google tear vial and you will find as much as you want to know. That's just what I did.
Blessings, Sue YAY for learning new things!!!

Milestones

2011-10-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

A long and winding road

Milestone-

1. A stone or marker set up on a road or path to indicate the distance from a given point.

2. An important, or significant event.. in your life..career..the history of a nation..a turning point.

A milestone

Milestones on an old Roman road.

I have had, and am coming up upon several milestones in my life. Seth is retiring from his career in the fire service of 30 + years. While this is something we have both looked forward to for quite awhile...Its a biggy friends. We are more in love and better friends than we have ever been, and are looking forward to his being home. We'll have more time to spend together, enjoying the things we haven't always had time for. And I'm praying that he will have time to explore and discover some personal passions of his own.

Just one of the many things we enjoy

My youngest, my baby, my Buggy will be graduating from high school. She is my last one. We have had quite an exciting school career as well. She started out and is ending in the public school system. The years in between she was home schooled and we were blessed to have her going to a Christian /home school for her middle years. May I say that full time homeschooling is the hardest job I have ever had. Full time, around the clock, no real weekends or holidays for us. But I LOVED it and have nothing but fond memories.

We will also be " loading up the trucks and moving to Georgia" We have decided to relocate. Now this being such a short sentence, it sure holds alot of stuff within its Capital W and its final period.

I am a California girl. I was born in Texas, my dad was in the Navy, but moved to California before I was a year old. I have only moved a very few times in my entire life. I have roots here. Deep roots. Seth and I have lived in this same home for 28 years. Yep . that's a longggggg time, friends. but I'm ready for the change. We have been looking at new houses in the area we are going and I'm sure we will be able to find "just the perfect home" Maybe I really have shooter roots in the South.....maybe that's why I have always longed to live somewhere else.... hmmmmmmmm.

Bevery Hillbillies

My new Grand daughter is definitely a pull factor. Though we had already decided on the move before she was here with us. How can I not want to be a part of this amazing little persons life... up close and personal?

MOST ADORABLE BABY EVER

It dawned on me this morning that it really isn't any wonder that my thoughts are so...all over the place... That I am having a REALLY hard time settling into the seasons and enjoying some of the things that used to make me soooo darn happy. I am restless and non-settled. I don't want to decorate for the seasonal changes, and I'm even having a hard time wanting to bake and can and do the homey things I usually love. I'm sure its a kind of detaching thing and I'm sure "they" have some real name for it. ( I usually find that out after the fact).

It is none, the less, discombobulating. I'm working on it though. I know that all these changes are positive. They are still , just that, changes. and I, like my hens like to be settled in and cozy.

Prayers are welcome and so is anything else you would like to say.

Blessings, Sue

Emmaline's sweater

2011-10-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

Every beautiful baby girl needs a beautiful white or ivory sweater. This is my granddaughter, Emmaline, modeling hers at just a few days old. I should say she will be able to wear it as soon as the weather turns chilly since it's.....HUGE.... hahahaha Until you have an actual baby in your arms, it's hard to remember just how tiny they are at first.

I used some silk ribbon to make little flower embellishments. And of course, I added the pearl bead. There is just something about the combination of ivory, pink and pearls. mmmmmmmmmmmmm

I used some basic opal esk buttons and used the seed stitch around the neck, sleeves and button band.

I am happy with the way it turned out and E was so very snugly in it!!

Snugly blessings to you, Sue

Oh Anne...

2011-10-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

This has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I read it when I was quite young and continued to enjoy it when my girls were little. I remember It was on as a TV series and I had some of my porcelain dolls in a show up in Los Angeles. So, Seth taped the entire thing for me on VHS. I watched it with my girls many, many times. When I was in Georgia a few years ago I found a copy in an antique store. The owner new however, what they had and I didn't buy it because it was too much. This copy i found as the swap meet. I payed only a dollar for it and It is worth many times that. It is a 33rd impression, printed in September 1912. I feel blessed to have found it.

First published in 1908 by Lucy Maud Montgomery Anne of Green Gables is set in 1878 on Prince Edward Island. The story is about an orphan girl, with an imagination borne from her loses. It begins when an elderly brother and sister need help around their home and decide to adopt a boy from the orphanage.
They are instead blessed when Anne Shirley is delivered and they decide to "keep" her. She is a strong willed, but very loving little girl and they quickly fall in love with her.

Diana and Anne become "bosom friends" and they have many, many adventures together.

Gilbert Blythe, a boy at school, soon becomes her biggest rival after he calls her "Carrots" for her red hair and she whacks him on the head with her slate.

She sends herself down the river in a boat pretending to be, The Lady of Shallot, and Gilbert rescues her. She still doesn't want to speak to him, but you all know where this relationship goes... he he

You can click the picture to make it larger.

The above is a sampling of Anne's personality. You can't help but fall in love with these characters. This became an entire series. If you get the opportunity to read this you can find a more recent copy on Amazon. You won't be disappointed. If you have already read it, then I hope I was able to bring back a few happy memories for you. I am looking forward to sharing this with my grandaughter and and sisters and cousins that come into my life!!!

I'm just hoping that whoever marked this page got to finish the entire book.
Blessings, Sue

2011-10-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

The shamrock bulbs that I planted are popping up!! They are both different from the ones I already had. This one is called Iron Cross I believe. I managed to throw away the papers containing their names. oops.

If you can Carol, would you be so kind as to leave me a comment and remind me again what they're called. If you look closely, I think there may even be a bloom..... in above picture.

This one has less individuals popping up, but the color is so vibrant. they are actually more purple, but the sun was bright when I took this. I was told that these are a bit temperamental and harder to grow. I didn't mention that to them as I was planting. What's that saying?..Don't tell me what i can't do...

So I wanted these to be a surprise for my Carlye girl, but I can't wait any longer. These bibs are for my Baby Girl, Emmaline.

I found them in a 6 pack at Wal-mart. They are plastic backed and therefore perfect for leaking babies. The colors are great but they were just a bit to plain for my tastes. That and I can pretty much never leave things alone. hahahh

I made this flower out of fabric I used to line a purse I made. It turned out so cute...

And then i found on You Tube how to make these darling little flowers out of one of my favorite embellishments ever...... Ric Rack. The bib itself is almost a neon green, which I usually steer away from, but its really really cute. I,m thinking Etsy??? What about you? Would you buy these?

Last weekend we went to the Koby swap meet. It was MY LUCKY DAY. I came home with some really cool things. Honestly I am only sharing 1/2 today and some items will even get their own post I think. This is the first brown bottle I have in my collection. Its an old PUREX bottle. love it. The canning jar on the left got my interest because of its shape for one....it's oval.

And the details on it were really unfamiliar to me. When I got home I looked it up and it is actually a Golden West Peanut Butter jar. I couldn't find out much information on it as it looks like most of the containers for this product were cans. Not sure how old it is, but its cool none the less.

I really scored in the book department!!!!! I finally found a copy of Emily Post's Etiquette. This is from 1953 and it is so fun to read. I will share more about it later.

I found a McCall's Needlework Treasury from 1964 to add to my needlework books and a few children's books that I will share more on later. The Good Housekeeping book was a gift from Carlye while in Georgia. Its copyrighted in 1959 ( a great year, indeed) and published in 1971.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I found this book at the bottom of the stack. Anne of Green Gables is and has been one of my all time favorites. It is the 33rd impression, from September, 1912. Inscribed inside, and given as a Christmas gift in 1913. I'll show you more of this one later. It is incredible.

And these just looked like good reads and now are on my list....

My Georgia afghan is almost complete. I finally found the shade of cream I wanted to put it together. I have also begun...

MORE SQUARES...... These are in a daisy block pattern. They are also joined as I go instead of saving all the squares and joining them in the end. Notice that there is no border color. Quite cool. I think I am addicted to these right now. I can't get enough of them. I am loving the colors and the calming of the stitching. I'll definitely keep going until the muse runs dry. hahahahahah
It's still HOT here. The heat wave has broken, but I have the air on today. My gingerbread dough is still in the fridge waiting to be turned into autumn leaf cookies. I have a bit of a sore throat and so am crocheting away.
Wishing you many colored blessings, Sue

Funny, How things turn out...

2011-10-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

We have been having some of the most beautiful sunrises lately. I was able to snap this shot just before leaving to take bug to school. Moments like these make me remember how amazing God is.

Since getting home from Georgia I have been purging. Getting rid of things that I no longer need or are useful to me. It feels really good. Keeping in mind our big move next summer and thinking about lugging it all with me when I go. I have really only moved a few times in my life and I have been in this home for almost 30 years.

Buff Orpington

The beginning of this last summer, Allison brought home a rescued hen that she saved from drowning. She was fine for quite awhile even though she was blind and a bit "off". We decided to buy some chicks for her so she would have some companions. This worked wonderfully...

Silver Wyndotte

We put them together and they became her "seeing eye" chickens. They lead her to the water and the food and in general looked after her. It was heart touching. Always one or two would be beside her and one would have physical contact at all time.

Artemus- Beautiful Boy

While in Georgia I got the sad news that she passed. Sad but, we feel like we were fortunate to have her for as long as we did.

WHO ME ???

Just the other day I was thinking, yet again, "what the heck have I done" while out in the yard trying my best to herd all the hens and the rooster into the coop with Lily helping. Which is to say that she "herds" them by chasing them and they run like idiots squawking like they are being butchered. It is very loud.... and chaotic... and I ended up, panting, sweating, yelling at Lily to STOP IT. and Frustrated with myself for letting "things" get so out of control........ I swore a bit under my breath that something had to go... The Rooster??? Lily??? I love my hens.But there are just to many of them and not enough of me.

Americauna

The very next day, our neighbor girl, the one I wrote about who walks her hens on a leash, called crying. Something had gotten into her hen house and killed all but one of her hens. She was devastated. We invited her up and let her pick out three hens to take home and be her pets. I offered the rooster but Allison loves him. I'm not fond of roosters in my hen house... they stir things up to much. He is so gorgeous, I must say and I do enjoy hearing him crow.
Things have now settled down a bit for me. I can actually get everybody back in the coop with-out having an anxiety attack or worse... Lily is banned and must watch from the inside, staring pathetically at me, probably thinking how much easier it would be if I would let her help me.
Still waiting for autumn to kick in, My mom used to call this, Indian Summer. I call it yuck. Its supposed to get to 100* today. Come on rain.......
Blessings, Sue

Because I don't want to......

2011-10-11T13:20:00.001-07:00

Blessings, Sue

"Happy Place"

2011-10-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

"Find your happy place, Mom" said my wise daughter yesterday afternoon. You see, I was in the middle of an anxiety attack, there I said it, OK I have them... " I DON"T HAVE A HAPPY PLACE" I replied. "Here come with me" she said, as she took my hand and lead me to my bedroom. Her words were calm and soothing. She spoke great wisdom to me. I found my calm.

Big Sur, California... Highway One on the way to Carmel to see Gramma....sideways. hahah

I have never been fond of the phrase " happy place". I have heard it way to many times and found it to be corny every time. When used in certain contexts it makes me want to scream. But yesterday, in my room, with my youngest baby girl beside me, it became suddenly very clear to me.. I DO HAVE A PLACE I GO IN MY MIND WHEN THINGS ARE TOUGH.

Dancing Trees... Horse ranch were we board Cricket.

Call it that stupid term if you will, I won't, thank you, but it is there for me.. AND it has changed through out the years. Its sometimes changes daily.

Flowers in my hospital room. I had to stay flat on my back for 24 hrs due to spinal thingy and this was the only thing I could see.

Sometimes it changes several times during the day, depending on what is going on. But I realize there are some things that are consistent.

Lindo Lake Park, eating a Blizzard with Seth. My first outing after knee surgery.

God is always there with me.

Wave of the shore in San Diego. Many hours spent walking these beaches.

It is peaceful and quiet.

New, ugly pedicure (what was I thinking?) in the Laguna Mts. Resting with family, listening to the sounds and breathing the fresh air.

The air is fresh, the sunshine soothing and the calm breezes gentle. I can breathe deeply of it.

Random pine needles, again Mt Laguna, San Diego.

There is always birdsong of some kind.

More dancing trees.

But mostly the soft sound of nature. Whatever or wherever it is. Is what I hear.

Carlye and Matt's porch in Georgia.

It isn't a place in particular, and it has many and none of the qualities in the above pictures. It's mine.

Do you have a "place" to go when all seems chaotic and the manageable becomes to much for the moment?
Has it too, changed over the years?
What is it about this place that brings you back time and time again?

Know that you are, Blessed. Sue

Shamrocks

2011-09-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

BEFORE: My dear friend for many, many years and I share a love for plants. We have enjoyed many hours talking and buying and planting out flowers together. I love going to her house and seeing how "everybody" is doing. She gave me some of her shamrocks quite awhile ago, and I have managed to keep them not only alive but flourishing!!! While in Georgia they got a bit less attention than they are used to and looked a lot worsse for wear. Luckily, the have responded again, to my care (hahaha) and are doing great. They are even giving me a coule of blooms.

I decided that I am sick of the terra cotta plastic pot they are in and not wanting to transplant them right now, I decided to paint the pot with some Folk Art shiney acrylic. It worked GREAT!!! I highly recommend it. In fact I have a few other pots I'm going to re-do.

AFTER: See the difference. I love how it turned out. It almost looks like glass. You dont have to prime the pot first as the water can't soak through the plastic. If you paint real terra cotta though you will need to seal it or the paint will bubble up when you water it.

Carol also brought me another shamrock from her yard. this one is one that she got from her Dad who got it from her Grama. I have some bulbs that she brought by yesterday of 2 different types of shamrocks that she bought through the mail. I will be planting those in pots later today. I can't wait to see what the turn out to look like.
Enjoy your weekend. Concentrate on the blessings and appriciate each and every one. xo Sue

Cinnamony Kinda Morning

2011-09-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

I had to get up at 4:30 this morning to drop Allison off at the school for her Senior trip to the Ag college's here in California. I had my 2 cups of coffee before the sun was even up and started working in my sewing room. While Daddy snoozed I decided I wanted something cinnamony. I'm just that kinda girl....

I lit one of my new Bath and Body Works candles, that by the way are amazing... and made up a batch of my sweet bread . I put the raisins in the dough. I have never made "monkey bread" before and now I know the reasons why but I'll tell you about all that later. hee hee

This is the basic set up....

I rolled the dough into little balls and let them sit for a bit... just until they were all rolled.....

Let them take a swim in a big bowl of warm BUTTER... yes... Tooky.... REAL BUTTER...

Then I rolled them around in this beautiful cinnamon/sugar blend. I quickly went from this plate to dumping the whole mess into a plastic bag and shaking them up. It was way to messy and the butter/sugar got to blobby.

I placed them in a bread pan.And poured the rest of both the butter and sugar mixture over the top of the whole thing.

See how they blobbed out of the pan. Kind of a problem. Although they turned out really yummy, there were a few issues that I didn't like and why I'll just go ahead and make regular cinnamon rolls next time.

1. I used way to small of a pan. You really need to use a bundt type pan so they have more space to rise both in the oven and before you actually bake them.
2. I didn't let them rise enough and therefore the middle ones were really doughy and inedible. They really do need to raise before you bake them for a good 1/2 hour at least. The larger pan will also help with this problem.
3. If I am going to go through all the trouble to make the dough and roll into balls and bath in butter and slather in cinnamony/sugar delicious ness I will just go ahead and make regular cinnamon roll shaped rolls. It was alot of effort.

Emmaline's hat is coming along. Want to get it done for the great pumpkin patch photo op. hahahah

The breakfast of ...champions... I mean.... roly poly girls everywhere. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. If you have ever ventured to make these "monkey bread" and have any suggestions please let me know. And if you would like my sweet bread recipe I'll be happy to share... Just let me know in the comments.
Blessings, Sue

Sunday Blessings to All !!!

2011-09-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

I have to admit to having a rough time since being home. I am not happy that my family is still too far apart. I am, however , determined to "Keep Calm and Carry On" Deal?

As you can see my beloved milk bottle made it home safe and sound. True love is packing something into your carry on and guarding it the entire flight home. Even during plane changes. I also got a new table cloth. I love it. And, these are the flowers your Daddy met me at the airport with.Them and an ice cold bottle of blueberry/blackberry water, which was the perfect thing since we had record heat that day in San Diego and I was waiting out in it. Dumb traffic.

I finally made my "server" I found the perfect candle holder and Michaels for .99 cents and you recognize the plate don't you??? I like how it turned out, And the bananas soon became.....

Oh Yeah!!!! Georgia Banana Bread. After Emmaline was born, Carlye and Matt's dear friends brought us FOOD. One of the treats we were delivered was this homemade banana bread. I devoured it. It is THE BEST banana bread I have ever had. i have been trying to find the "perfect" recipe for just about ever now and at last I have it. Amy was kind enough to give me the recipe really fast and I had time to make several loaves while there. mmmmmm mmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I found a spot for my candle holders. At the end of the hall.

And I wanted to share the diaper bag that I made for Carlye. Its made using the same pattern as the one I made for Molly, but each girls is custom.

I made a big pocket on the back and two smaller on the front.You can see how I divided it on the picture above the picture above. hahahaha

Inside pockets and key holder.

And a close up shot so you can see the details of the handles and small zipper pouch that goes with it for "moms" personal stuff. I LOVE the way it turned out. It too, is being well used. Which makes my heart soar.
Sunday blessings to you all. Sue

More than a baby blanket

2011-09-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry it is taking me so long to get back to posting on here. I thought it would be easier to jump "back" into my life here at home. It has been a bit more difficult then I imagined. This is the granny square afghan I made before Emmaline came.

I loved EVERY SINGLE THING about this blanket. I love the colors, and the new way I learned to join the squares. Its called a continueos join and its so fast and fun. I love that no two squares are alike.

But most of all I love that "IT'S" loved.. Yep. being used from the very moment Emmaline came home. It actually hangs over the port a crib that sits in the living room. I have, so far, never enjoyed anything I have made for anyone as much as this afghan.

From the very beginning thoughts of planninfg it, buying the colors and each and every stitch, done with a prayer and LOVE.

Being able to watch as Grandpa and Grandaughter get to know each other...

And Daddy and Daughter fall deeply in love.

Yes.... This is the ultimate of what you hope for your gift, stitched with so much love and thought in it, to be used and loved and even maybe worn out.
More again soon....I promise....... Blessings, Sue

2011-09-10T14:11:00.000-07:00

So two days before I was supposed to fly home I was up in the sewing room, sewing away and Carlye called from downstairs telling me I had to come down. This is what was on the TV. A storm called Lee was coming up and through our very own Coweta county, Georgia. OKAYYYYYYY..... This was my very first tornado warning. I'm not used to getting warnings. Having lived in California my entire life, and having an earthquake every now and then without so much as a peep from anyone. hahahahahahahah. We just sat and watched the rain and readied ourselves to go into the bathroom if we needed too. When I asked my dear son in law what we needed to do he told me that we could do one of two things. Go into the bathroom and get low...or..... sit down, put your head between your legs, and kiss your butt goodbye. HAHAHA NOT!!!

We got though it all just fine. The next morning, while sitting in the airplane in Atlanta, it was hard to figure if it was the raindrops fogging my vision or the many as yet unshed tears for having to leave part of my family yet behind, again.....

Up and Up and Up... right out of that storm and into the clear blue sky. It always amazes me to see that happen.

I got to Phoenix, Arizona.... DRY.... HOT.... and DRYYYYYYYY and HOTTTTTTTT.

And then on in to San Diego without a hitch. I was fortunate to sit beside nice people, and I read my book the entire way!!

I did touch down on a record breaking heat day and had to wait outside for Seth to pick me up.... But that was no ones fault well maybe we could blame it on the pilot in Phoenix who called in sick and we had to wait for a new one to be found.....or we could blame it on all the construction and no parking at Lindbergh Field... But wait I said no hitches didn't I.
At any rate I'm home again and so back on here!!! Thanks for your patience!!!
Blessings, Sue

Greetings, from Georgia

2011-08-17T12:27:00.001-07:00

Well here I am!! Finally feel like a real person again. hahahah I arrived to my find my daughter in full on labor and we spent all the next day walking in circles around the house with the stop watch. they left for the hospital in the evening and I followed soon after. I stayed up the entire night in awe and amazement at what my beautiful daughter and son have given me. It hasn't worn off yet.The amazement part... The jet lag and lack of sleep is what is wearing off. Momma and baby are doing so well. Emmaline gained an entire 7 oz. at her first pediatric appt. two days after being home. Needless to say, shes a good little nurser!!

We have been hanging low and just being ever since. Its good. I get to sleep the entire night and then during the day Carlye trys to sleep. and I GET TO TAKE CARE OF THE BABY!!!

We took a drive the other day, just to stretch our wings a bit and see something else. What a beautiful day it was.

It's GREEN here, Every where I look I feel so content. Yes, it's humid. but you really do get a bit used to that. and I'm using way less lotion. I'm actually convinced I look twenty years younger without all the wrinkles and crinkles I usually have.. (probably my imagination, but what the heck. a girl can dream cant' she?? hahahahaha)

This was taken through he car window so you can see the reflection of my shirt. but I just had to show you the meadow. Yes a meadow..... green with tiny little flowers. Isn't it wonderful. I had no idea where I was until we came to a tiny town. Its hard for me to get my bearings here. Without a mountain here and there to orient me its tough. But I am learning my way around pretty darn good. I know where the Hobby Lobby is and what else do I need? hahahahhahahhaah

More later than, blessings, Sue

I made it !

2011-08-09T11:02:00.001-07:00

I took off from San Diego, California on Tuesday, August 2. and arrived on the same evening in Atlanta, Georgia. My beautiful and very tired but brave daughter and my son in love met me at the airport. I was elated to have made it before my grand daughter made her grand debut... however I have to say my kids looked weary and done. I would like to introduce to you, my beloved grand daughter.....

Emmaline Violet

born on August 3, 2011

she weighed 6 lbs and 8 ounces and measured 19 inches long.

She is the answer to many prayers and she is perfect!!!

I feel as though I am in a time warp. Its been 5 days and yet I can't imagine either, where this time has gone or how I lived without her in my life. I am still at a loss for words describing my feelings, I do know however that I am MADLY AND TRULY IN LOVE.

More again soon, Until then enjoy your many blessings, Sue

LIMBO

2011-07-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

I am in limbo right now. I have so many things to tell you all about but my mind just cannot settle to write. I am very busy gtting ready for my granddaughters arrival and all the things that go along with that. I am working on settling down and will be back on here regularly then. see you soon. xoxoxoxox

Blessings, Sue... Please dont give up on me I will be back soon!!!!

Still here

2011-07-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, sorry about the sporadic posting. My lap top died. Luckily I still have the home computer but even so, I haven't really made the time to get on here. This picture is from July 2007. I found it in the picture file on here. Kinda cool looking back at all the pictures we have on here.

I've been busy getting ready for my trip to Georgia. Got my new glasses today, and I'm hoping to be able to get a new lap top to take with me.

I still have a bit of sewing to do and other things that are secret for now. (sorry took) hee hee.

I'm still taking picture and as soon as I can I will get them on here.

Stay cool, drink lots of water and enjoy your days!!!!

Blessings, Sue P.S. The tea in the picture is Celestial Seasoning True Blueberry. I still drink it almost every day! No caffeine. Sometimes I mix it with green tea or Ceylon black tea for a kick. I highly recommend. YUMMY STUFF

I'm on my way

2011-07-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

"Oh My ears and whiskers, how late it's getting." Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland

No worries... I just bought my plane ticket and we're "locked and loaded". I've got about a million things to do. As usual. I am one excited Grama!!!!!
Must go, my sewing machine has finally stopped smoken' hahahahahahahahhahhahahhhahaha

Blessings, Sue

You found me.... Yayyyy

2011-07-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

We have been very busy with Seth home for a week. What a great time we had. During the actual weather we had here the other evening this is what we were blessed with. A double rainbow. After a huge dinner of bbq we made our way to the backyard to check on the peaches and make sure everyone out there had water.

Our first harvest. An entire bowl full of the juiciest, sweetest peaches I have ever eaten.

As you know if you have been reading long, last year our harvest was a handful. This year I have been watching as our little tree bore up under the weight of peach after peach. I have enjoyed every minute of watching them ripen. Its a miracle to me.

While picking ripe fruit we again checked on our little Gala apple tree and were surprised and elated to find 3 baby apples growing snug down amongst the leaves. There are still a few blossoms as well, so we may get a couple more.

Of course, we had to sample them and a few ended up sliced in my evening wine!!! YUMMMM

This is a sample of the BBQ we had. Along with this steak we had fresh green beans and rice. I'm telling you it wasn't while we were full from this meal that we decided the first bowl of peaches would be made into a pie.

This is my little pie bird. She has been waiting in the cupboard just for this occasion and she did a mighty fine job keeping everything in the pie, even though I filled it way to full with filling. But I quote " You can never have to much filling" guess who........?

Oh My Gosh... Peach pie has always been my favorite, but this was the best durn pie EVER!!!

We had a piece every single night with ice cream and we even had it for breakfast.

Daddy is back at work.... My stomach needs the rest!!!! I'll be sipping ice tea all day today.. I'm still full. hahahahahaahha

This is bowl # 2. I have my jars already and I'll be making jam with these. There is at least one more bowl on the tree which I want to make plain canned peaches. but you can guess what Daddy wants.... ANOTHER PIE.. I'll make sure we have help eating this one. :)

Blessings, Sue

2011-07-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

This is the first year I have gotten plums off this tree. and I was hoping to have enough to make some plum jam, but after eating a few I ended up with only 2 pounds. I needed 4. so I bought 2 more lbs. at the store and jumped in. This being my first plum jam, I had a few new techniques to use. Although I have done this with tomatoes and peaches I had never used this method on plums. Simply dip the plums a few at a time into boiling water, then quickly plunge them into ice water and the skins just slip away!!! Here they are hot tubbin'.

They are like precious little jewels. So sweet and juicy. The colors were gorgeous, like a summer sunrise.

I was searching for a recipe and contemplating several, but most of the ones I found used other fruits and the purist in me couldn't handle that right now. hahahahaha I mean I was already substituting 1/2 with store bought. I have to thank Lisa, for encouraging me to go ahead and make it. She told me she used the recipe right off the sure gel box and I highly recommend it! This is the BEST!!! Pretty darn sweet, cause it uses a heck of a lot of sugar. but it jam for heaven's sake, You only use a teaspoon on your toast, right? :) hee hee.

I got 4 pints and a bit in another jar to put in the fridge to consume IMMEDIATELY!! I love the color so much I'm going to try to duplicate it in some yarn. Wouldn't that be the cutest little Emmaline mittens!!

So encouraged was I, that I whipped up some blueberry jam as well last night. Its just as delicious, though not homegrown. I love anything blueberry. In Georgia they have pick your own blueberry patches open to the public during June. Guess what we will all be doing soon, girls? wink, wink grandbaby in tow!!!!!

Check out this adorable plant I found. I thought it was a lambs ear and was so excited.. but when I read the label its called an African Felt Plant. Even cooler since Iv'e never seen one before.

This is pretty much how I feel right now having walked past.....

THIS....Why yes, yes it is , my candy dish... Is it??? why yes it is.... still COMPLETELY FULL after an entire WEEK. Oh My Gosh....... I have no words... I'm amazed... this just does not happen in this house... Whats the world coming too. hahahahahahahahahahhahaahah

I'm glad I got all the jam made in the last few days. I went out last night and am happy to say...

My little peach tree has out done herself this year. I got a grand total of 6 peaches last year which were hastily consumed... but this year I'm gonna get some jam!!!! YAY!!!!!

Aren't they amazing!

Blessings, Sue

HICCUP

2011-06-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I wrote an entire post on my Blood Orange Marmalade. Before or during the time I pressed the publish button, This great confusing thing called the World Wide Web, hiccuped, and I lost all but the images and the first sentence. Since my postings are written "off the cuff" I'm not going to re-write it. Suffice to say that it was yet another humorously entertaining bit of written word and it basically summed up the fact that instead of my beloved Blood Orange Marmalade that I thought I made I instead came up with the perfect chicken marinade. I also encouraged those of you who have a jar to make this yummy dish.

If you want the details of the recipe I can write it out for you. let me know. Now onto the next thing on my never ending list of "things to do" Beginning with change the towels over to the dryed and sterilize jars . xoxo

Blessings, Sue

2011-06-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

The branches of my blood orange tree were so full of oranges this year. I love looking out my front window and seeing

Not quite empty yet....

2011-06-19T21:07:00.000-07:00

I've got to admit, its been a strange and bumpy ride this last week. but its ok. I'm ok. Time is an interesting thing. While your in the midst of living your life it just seems like things will be the way they are at that moment forever.

I wasn't really paying attention to time as our nest began to fill up.

I was to busy with the everyday stuff. You know the endlessness of diapers needing to be changed and owies needing to be kissed. Then the never stopping taxi service taking this person there and bringing this person here. School plays and homework projects. Halloween costumes and birthday parties. The daily little dramas of life that play out, usually loudly, in a house full of girls.
.

Making sure everyone is full and happy and somewhat content. No time to think about it really, just living it and loving it.

One day you look around and realize your nest is pretty darn small. In fact, what the heck happened to my tiny little baby girls. Oh ya there they are... Those three beautiful young women over there. The graduations begin, and continue. The engagements follow, and not far behind are wedding plans. Pretty soon and before you know it your little babies are all grown up and beginning to have little babies of their own.

I just thought this picture was so cute. I felt like this so darn many times. hahahhahahahah

I can't be sad. There's nothing to be sad about. Seth and I have accomplished the goals we set out before us when we decided to have our family. Our daughters have grown into beautiful, healthy, young women who are Godly, and competent and fully able to continue on with their lives and be successful and prosperous in whatever they do.

I'm looking forward to this next season in my life. We still have Allison home, even though she is gone for the summer. I'm still married to the most amazing man ever, my best friend. I'm going to be a Grama. We are looking forward to retirement and moving to Georgia. Life is good, just not as busy ....that's all.
I'm not watching Paige anymore and so I will have alot more time to do the things I want.

I'm over the shock.

Now to get my craft/sewing room ready!!!!

Blessings, Sue

I wanted to add that I got thes pictures off the internet. I checked for copyrights and saw none.

Thoughts

2011-06-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

The Way of Women

She allows her daughter, sitting beside her, to
take the first stitch. The wise woman does not rush
in to take it apart. She smiles, acknowledges, and
continues to sew her own stitches.

The daughters model the mothers, Act wisely.

The daughters are watching.

The Tao of Women
Pamela K. Metz & Jacqueline L Tobin

Blessings, Sue

Strawberry Applesauce

2011-06-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

Not only has my beautiful Jennifer moved out, and gone to Georgia, but my "adopted" children Molly and Todd and their precious baby girl have gone to South Carolina as well. All on the same day. I refuse to say goodbye. I love them to much. I had the honor of taking care of Paige since she was a tiny little angel baby...... Aneeeeewaaaaaaaaaay. We had a huge taco dinner a few days before everyone left and I cut up a bunch of strawberries for desert. hhahahahahhaha Yeah right. They weren't even touched. I also had these apples sitting here to make a pie for Seth before they left but time has a way of sneaking up on me. I decided to make some applesauce and add the strawberries in for flavor. I wanted to send a jar with them so my granddaughter would get a bit of a tasty of what's in store for her when her Grama gets back there!!!

Ive never made applesauce with anything else added so this was a new one for me. I decided to go ahead and use cinnamon since I put it in all my pies and it tastes great. Good choice, it enhances the flavors perfectly.

Since I had already put sugar on the strawberries I wasn't sure how much more to add. I didn't want it to be to sweet so I just added another cup and the juice of a few lemons, off my tree.

I had to transfer it to a bigger pot by the time I got everything in there. There just wasn't enough room to stir without spilling it everywhere. I cooked it down a bit until the apples were fork tender and then took out about 2 cups and set it aside. I smooshed up the rest with a potato masher. I have put it through the food processor before but I wanted this to be somewhat chunky. Then I added the non mooshed back in.

I got 3 quarts and a pint. Perfect. I sent one back to Georgia along with 2 qts of pickled beets, 4 quarts of dill pickles, 1 pint of bread and butter pickles and a jar of blood orange marmalade. I hope y'all love it.

I have finished off the pint of applesauce already. Chill it first. It did turn out rather sweet but you know, I can't help but rub off on everything I make for you guys!!! I'm just so darn sweet!!!!!!

Blessings, Sue

True confessions and a BBQ

2011-06-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I had been feeling a bit like not doing my blog anymore. I mean I wanted to do it but I would look at the comments and it seemed like no one was reading, or leaving any comments. So i went online and learned from some really great blog ladies that I myself enjoy reading..."How to attract people to your blog" " what to say to get people interested" and " How to get your blog out there". And then I stopped........ And I pondered exactly why I started blogging to begin with. Not to impress a bunch of people, not to teach anybody anything but just to keep in touch with my daughter and the other people I love who take the time to check in once in awhile. Now my second daughter has flown the coop so to speak and I have even more reason to keep this up. Besides its just fun. I love writing and I love being able to show you the things I make. I love looking back on past posts and seeing what we were up to and where we were at. So with that in mind, I venture forward, coffee cup or wine glass and camera in hand. Thanks for coming by. I hope you are blessed!!! Isn't this tea pot the coolest thing ever??? Want to know whats even cooler. I got it a Good Will for $3. It doesn't have a lid, but its genuine Fiesta ware. and I love it!!!!!

This is Charlie. Getting bigger as we speak. She is such a little lover. She loves to sit on me and purr. Oh and I love to have her sit on me and purr!!!! She is quite a rascal as she has begun exploring outside already. Maybe its in her genes from having a barn cat momma and daddy??

So as I mentioned before, Jennifer has "left the building" She is, along with her Daddy driving her car to Georgia right this minute. Along with most of her worldly belongings. So as a matter of course we had a BBQ last night to send them off in style.
Join me in the backyard........ evening approaches... you can feel a slight chill in the air and the smell of BBQ wafts listlessly about the yard.... get the picture??? hahahahha

Remember the amaryllis that I found blooming the other day? Well it has opened up fully now. Someone asked me if its even "supposed" to bloom right now. Funny about supposed to and ought to and even should have. It didn't bloom at Christmas time, that's when we thought it was going to bloom but its blooming now. I guess this is when it was supposed to, after all.

Its beautiful! I couldn't have enjoyed it more in December, to many drugs, hahahahahahah

We have PLUMS !!!! And they are starting to ripen. Can you see them way up there. Plum jam. Yummmmmmm.

Mmmmmmmm these were so good! Daddy knows just how to keep them juicy and moist.

And we had Cheese Dogs.

And nosey little Sarah kept coming over to see what we were up too. I just thought this picture was so darn cute.

And then I noticed the wine glass was empty, the burgers were off the grill, guess that means it was time to eat!!!! We had a nice time. Casual and fun.

Oh ya I forgot to mention the one little mishap that happened earlier in the day. Lest we get all starry eyed and think that we live in a little bubble of really cool photos and cute quips.

We let the chicks out to mosey in the yard. All was well..... Lily was guarding them and they were doing great. The big hens were ignoring them. And then.... One was missing... We found feathers..

That's all...... just feathers. DAMN. It was one of the little Americaunas. The ones that lay blue eggs. We have checked all the dog poo and nobody in the canine family is guilty. We were thinking perhaps an hawk or no, gasp, no, Thomas. At any rate....... My rose colored glasses were shattered for the day!!!

Guess I'll just have to look at the world through this!!!! hahahahhahahaahahhahhhahahahaha

Love and hugs til next time, Blessings, Sue

Mmmmmm Mud Pies

2011-06-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

When my sister and I were little we played for hours in the mud. We made pies, and patties. We make cakes and cupcakes. We added special ingredients and then we baked them in the sun. They were beautiful. They were masterpieces. I don't remember what we did with them, or any of the details really, but I do know that many happy childhood hours were spent elbow deep in yummy gooey mud.

We didn't follow any specific recipe either, but I know they came out absolutely perfect every single time.

While going through some papers I happened upon a special paper. Actually alot of them but this is the one I'm going to share today. It is a recipe, dictated by my youngest daughter Allison and written by my middle, Jennifer. They must have been a bit older. You can tell by the language that they were for sure "past" the age of "actually" partaking in this activity any further. hahaha

Written exactly as seen:

Include a recipe for what??? mud pie?

1. Take a hand sized amount of dirt. Mix with water til pastey. Then place (place is scribbled out) spread on brick wall and wait until water evaporates and mud turns back to origonal state: dirt. Then, embellish with small ugly rocks and chicken feathers. Use sticks as you see fit.

Too funny!!!! I remember my girls playing in the mud for hours as well. I would peek out the den window and watch them. I remember seeing little mud patties all lined up on the brick wall. They were adorable. The patties and the girls. Wow, good memories.

I believe that if you were a child and were anywhere near some dirt and a bit of water, you enjoyed making some too.

What are your fond memories of playing in the mud and making delicious treats? I would love to hear about them.
Blessings, Sue

Sunday morning Stroll

2011-06-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

I have had a terrible cold. In fact this is the first day I have felt like I'm getting better. I decided some sunshine and a walk in the backyard would be nice. Come on with me.... First stop.... the chicken coop. I was so surprised when I peeked inside the nest box for eggs and found.... Sarah..... Hope springs eternal for her. I watched for a minute and she leaned up, touched her beak to an egg ( white so I know it wasn't hers, hers were brown) and settled back down.

I just let her be. Bless her heart. You can tell by her look that she didn't want to be disturbed. haha Broody little hen.

This is what I saw when I looked back. The other ladies were looking in the nest box. Waiting for her to leave. Too funny........

This is the hibiscus. Cool huh. I just snapped this because it intrigues me. If I wasn't sick I may have liked to use it for an inspiration for a writing on here, but... as it is...I'm dragging....

The bougainvillea is blooming. It is the most beautifully vibrant color! I love it.

Back to check for eggs. Ah ha Sarah is gone... and my Buff Orpington is busy now.

These are the babies. They are getting so big...so fast. The white one in the middle top left is the one Allison rescued. She is doing great. The other chicks stay around her and guide her to the food and water. This was a surprise. I threw an old amaryllis bulb out, pot and all, when it didn't bloom inside. I'm sure there is some sort of lesson here. but again...dragging.

Remember Clementine? Shes still here and still spoiled. I planted a lettuce pot just for her. I haven't been spinning much as of late, but shes giving me lots and lots to work with.

Rosemary Clementines, treat.

Cherry tomatoes.

Lemon cucumber experiment.

Sarah is back looking for bugs. And we got one egg from everyone else today.

I love this shot. Look at her little foot. She is so busy. Things to do, no time to waste. I wonder if she thinks, I think she layed an egg for me today? I'll just let her.
Blessings, Sue

Story with a happy ending !

2011-06-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful Mothers Day. My daughters and son in law never fail to make me feel like the best momma in the world. I am blessed with a husband who is thoughtful and considerate of my many emotional needs. ( we tease that I'm not physically high maintenance... just emotionally high maintenance) hahahah I got calls and texts from all my children, not only My three daughters, but my nephews and my other adopted children who call me momma sue. (y'all know who you are) Jennifer came home with these flowers and surprised the heck outta me.
I had been thinking about and wanting a Kindle from Amazon for quite awhile. I went back and forth for a long time trying to decide if I really wanted one and going through all the pros and cons.
I am really a book freak. I always have been. I love them. I love everything about them. I love the look of them, the smell of them, how they feel when I hold them in my hands. I collect books. I collect older books. Books are my security blanket. Take me to a book store and leave me be and I am forever happy. I have always got a stack on my bed stand , along with my Bible and notebook and whatever bible study I'm doing at the time. You get the picture.....
So I hesitated about the whole electronic book thing. It seemed "funny" to me. I found out you can highlight and take notes with it and that pretty much sold me.
Seth bought one for me for Mothers Day and I am smitten. I love it. I have downloaded several different Bible translations as well as my devotional and some of my favorite study books. I have downloaded many historical novels both fiction and non fiction. and yes I even put a few word games on there just for the heck of it, to satisfy the nerd in me. hahahahhahahahahaahahahahah

Fast forward to a week ago.... Paige and I picked Allison up from school and we all
drove out to the horse ranch to meet the farrier. Paige and Allison were content to muck out the stalls and I was happy to sit in the car sipping an ice tea ,watching them, while reading my kindle.
All was blissful peace, as it usually is at the ranch. Paige found something in the stall and decided she needed to show me up close along with a kiss. She puckered up and walked out and around the stall and up to the car, all the while puckered up and holding some treasure in her little hand. I was happily watching her approach the car when I realized she was coming to the passenger side. Ok not a big deal....

I'll just lean over and open the door for her and she can climb on in and I will get my kiss and see what the treasure is and she will get a drink and sit on my lap and "drive" us somewhere. Only this time...... When I opened the door, the wind caught it and it started to slam on her baby hand. I leaned over really fast and caught the door just in time. I also, however, planted some part of my arm on my Kindle. I heard a horrible crack. My stomach sunk.. Then I was elated to realize that Paiges hand was SAFE But my Kindle however, was broken.

It was a weird feeling, being so happy that I stopped the door in time and so sad that I had broken my beloved Kindle.

I cried......... I yelled........ I called Amazon when I got home. I reached their customer service. The lady who helped me was amazing. I told her what happened and asked her how I should send it back and how to pay for it to get either repaired or fixed. Personal negligence is not covered in the warranty. She told me that she was so happy to hear my honesty, and that because I was honest she was going to REPLACE MY KINDLE AT NO COST TO ME...NOT EVEN SHIPPING. I cried again...... I really didn't expect that.. She asked about the babies hands, she was genuinely concerned for Paige and me. I was treated like a human being that really mattered!!

If you look closely you can see the place of impact. Glad you can't hear the pop though...

I have already received my new Kindle and because all my downloads were archived on my Amazon website I didn't loose a single thing. She even told me how to read on my PC until the new Kindle arrived so I didn't miss not one day in my devotions or the novel I was reading at the time. It got here in 2 days!!! and that was over the holiday weekend.

I have called her supervisor. I told him everything. He assured me she will be honored . I'm impressed. Not only with the way I was treated, customer service, like a real person who had a bad day. But by the way Amazon seems to treat their employees. I highly recommend a Kindle. I really like it. I still read my paper books, of course, But when I'm out and about my Kindle is GREAT.... I have several books right there with me .

I bought a protective cover right away.... Its on the way...... I highly recommend one of those too.

Blessings, Sue

Guess what I did today...............

2011-05-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

Now that I have your attention.... hahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahhhahhahaahah I'm getting ready for Jennifer and Seth to drive back to Georgia. I've got quite a list of things to do since I'm going to be taking advantage of the car. It's tough to pack some things for the mail, not impossible, just challenging.

So I spent the morning getting the pickled beets ready! I got 6 quarts. All sealed.

I put some Walla Walla onions in with them this time. I think they should be really good.

Tuesday I made pickles. yes, again... the others are already gone. I want to make sure these have a chance to sit for the intended 4 to 6 weeks. (like that will ever happen).

At first I thought that peeling all this garlic would be a really boring chore and since I couldn't figure out how to get my kindle to read out loud to me the novel I'm currently engrossed in (I have since figured it out..not that difficult..felt kinda dumb hahahha). I really thought I was going to go nuts doing it. but as it turned out... I really enjoyed it. I thought about all kinds of things and before I knew it ...they were peeled. I even looked twice through all the skins to make sure I hadn't missed any, it went that fast. It's amazing how much your mind can help or hinder. There was a lesson here and I hope I can apply it next time as well.

I found these dried chili's at Kaelins in bulk. They are exactly the perfect ones for just the exact amount of zippy spice I love in my dills.

Pickling spice. The ingredients are so darn pretty. And the quality great. I thought you might enjoy looking at them as much as I do. I wish you could smell them as well.

I made sure that Larry wasn't in here and then washed them up real good.....I mean well, Allison. hahahahahahahahahhahahaahahahahahahahahha

Whats that thing called.. The Polar Plunge, i think.. I cut them up and soak them in ice water for about 2 or three hours. This really does help them get crispy. It also freezes the heck out of my hands as I'm packing the jars but I have a system now ... Pack two jars, fill with brine, wipe and put lids on and lower into waiting hot bath. By this time I have all the feeling back in my fingers and its time to... yep.... pack two more jars... hahahahah

Oh but just look at all this Dill- ish-is-nesssssss. Oh my gosh... I love these. Aren't they the prettiest shade of green you have just about ever seen. I got 9 quarts of these babies and 1 quart of carrots. One of the pickles didn't seal.... I put it in the fridge...It's already gone.

These things just don't last around here I tell you.

So Took, some are coming your way.. get ready.

Blessings, Sue

Congratulations Jennifer !!!!

2011-05-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

This is our amazing daughter, Jennifer. She graduated yesterday from San Diego State University, with a Bachelors of Science in Child and Family Development. Isn't she beautiful!!!!! She will be going on to a teaching position in Georgia at a private pre-school. She is going to bless many, many children and their families.

OK so I have a piggy toe thing.... aren't they adorable??!!!

I am so proud I could just about POP!!!!!

The commencement began at 8 am, which is never to early for her sister and Daddy to enjoy some nachos. I was still thinking coffee and a big ol' cinnamon roll. hahahah

This is the best shot I got of all of them together. Jennifer is the one on the left in black. hahahahahah

This is Angel. Jennifer's beloved and fiance. Hes not going to Georgia. sad...boo... hoo... sniff... sniff... He is still working on his degree, and so must stay behind for awhile. We are hoping they decide to settle in Georgia eventually since we are retiring there next year.

Allison looking like she practicing her hula skills.

and it just wouldn't seem like it was us if there was not a bit of this going on. hahahaha I love my girls.

It's tough though. Now I will have two of them in Georgia and it's going to be a bit sad... The nest is getting empty..... but wait.... WHATS THIS?????

A baby bunny???? Allison rescued yet another baby animal. This time an abandoned baby rabbit found at the ranch in Ramona. Its nest was torn apart and he or she was just left there out in the open.

She has had it for 3 days now and it is surviving so far... I'll keep you posted. Isn't it the cutest. Look at its little toes and ears. Wild bunnies, they say, don't have a very high survival rate but in this family with all the love going around... one never knows!!!

Blessings, Sue

Off to the Fair!!!

2011-05-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

This is a very heavy picture post. So you may want to get a cup of something yummy and kick up your feet! Last year I didn't get to go to the fair to watch Allison show her goat Lola. I was actually having my first knee replacement surgery. This time I was there and behind the camera!! So they're off.....I always have some mixed emotions at this time. I try really hard not to get attached. Even though all our goats are bought and used as Therapy goats for children with terminal illnesses, and not going to market, I still don't want to become to attached. Its not really that hard since every year they have to live with my chickens and the ladies are NOT happy. And last year Lola figured out the doggie door and peed on my couch and this year Lima Bean ate my entire rubber tree plant. But all in all goats are really lovable little animals.

Yes, we know this is illegal.... Yes we felt guilty( a tiny bit) but heck, this is Lakeside and its fair time and we were just going to try to talk out way out of it if we got pulled over which we didn't and so alllllll is well.

This is probably the best shot of her dear little face. She really did do well in the ring considering she was such a cry baby when she first got there.

Walking in the ring. Allison is really good with her animals and it shows in the ring.

Standing tall and proud. Allison and Lima Bean are the third goat and last girl in line from the left.

Keeping these poor little animals "stacked" is the job of the day. They have to be standing just so for the judge.

Talking to the judge. He asks LOTS of questions. You really gotta know your goat stuff.

Daddy and Paige, watching the judging. This is serious business!!! hahahahahahahahahaha

Lima was a bit younger than alot of the other competitors and she was shown in the breeding class. She hasn't had the time to fill out. I really wouldn't breed her myself, but she is a pretty little goat.

These two are the GRAND CHAMPIONS of the entire fair. Aren't they awesome!!!!!! Paige fed her raisins to every goat that would eat one and then she gave them a kiss. It was adorable.

This is her sign. Notice what her show name is... hahahahahaah aka Lima Bean.

And the stress is gone.. Done showing and ready to go home. Put on her jacket for the night... Pamela will be picking her up from there so my lettuce and basil are sighing big sighs of relief.

Get some goaty snuzzles and......

A few goaty kisses. She seems to be saying... We did good momma, we did real good. Allison placed second and fourth as far as ribbons go. And to us she is number one, always and forever!!!

Goaty blessings to you.. Thanks for stopping by!!!!!!

Oh Dear..How can something so cute......

2011-05-13T21:33:00.000-07:00

Someone, I'm not sure who, and it really doesn't matter, moved my beloved Antherium from the kitchen table the other day while setting it for dinner. It was placed on the fireplace and forgotten. Someone else, and I am mentioning names now, CHARLIE........ decided to go on an adventure.

I'm not quite sure what wild thing she was chasing.......

Or what wild thing was chasing her........... but she managed to make a mess of things.

I'm hoping things will take root....

Its looking kinda sad.... CHARLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Curios Kitty Blessings, Sue

Success will be MINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE

2011-05-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

Remember when I told you awhile back that I was going through my recipes and writing down the recipes I use most often in a book? Well I came across a recipe that I have had for just about ever. It comes from a Great Aunt's Aunt or somewhere. Its for a "never fail pie crust" and it contains vinegar. Well needless to say I never used it since I figured vinegar and pie crust just didn't sound good together. Fast forward to the fact that I want to make the perfect pie, just because I'm kind of like that...I think it may be a control issue... not really sure!!! I found this really fun little cookbook on Amazon (my favorite place, ever). I sat down and devoured it in one sitting. I learned a lot. I never knew that gluten was not a good thing in pastries. I have been baking bread forever and gluten is always something that I needed to have around. Well turns out that acid ie. vinegar or lemon juice stops the action of gluten, making a lighter and fluffier crust. AAAANNNNNDDDDD it works.

Strait from the persons mouth whom I make the pies for in the first place, Seth. He said this was "The Best Pie You've Ever Made".......... Yayyyyyyy. I used the crust recipe that I learned from a fine lady who was a student of mine. I taught her to knit socks and she taught me how to make a killer apple pie. That's really the way to learn pie baking, at the elbow of a respected woman friend or relative.
I cooked the apples until they were tender on the stove top, with all my usual stuff, you know, butter, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg.

I added lemon juice to the crust. Since I have lemons coming out my ears and really, I still can't get my mind around vinegar in a sweet pie crust. It just sounds funny to me. I made the pie on a day when Seth and I were home alone for the whole night. We went out for a big lunch which worked out well....

We ended up have pie and ice cream for dinner and breakfast the next day. We should have waited a bit longer for it to cool because in the morning the juice had thickened up quite nicely.It was really good. the crust was crispy in all the right spots and fluffy and light in all the rest of the spots. I bought more apples today!

Good thing I wrote down exactly what I did......... Maybe i can make another one just as good....Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Blessings, Sue

Happy Endings

2011-05-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

Remember Charlie? Well she is 8 weeks now. I know, where does the time go. she is ready to begin her shots. She is a dear, sweet little thin, who follows me around all day long. Thomas, our Siamese, thinks he is the Daddy and takes excellent care of her. He is teaching her how to be a "cat". You remember that my daughter, Allison, rescued her from the Ag. dept at her school. With this in mind.....read on. I get a text this morning from Allison telling me that she is having a rotten day. She found a baby chick in the bottom of the water bucket in her Ag class. She said it was limp, with mouth gaping and breathing really bad when she pulled it out. She tried to resuscitate it and told her teachers. They told her to "finish it off" and throw it in the dumpster. GRRRRRRRRRRR.Allison began crying, the other idiot kids began laughing at her and she took the chicken and hid it in the corner of the coop. It was limp and still not breathing well. When I went to pick her up she asked if she could go check on the chicken, fully expecting that someone in the last class had thrown her away already. LO AND BEHOLD...........

She is still alive. And now living in our house. This is a picture of her under the heating lamp, resting. (thats the red color) She is doing much better now. She pooped and according to Allison, this is a good thing. Her eyes are whited over and I believe she may be blind. She was truly near death. If not for the caring and loving heart of Allison, she would be in heaven now. We are calling her..Fortunate... I'll keep you updated on her well being.

We decided, rather quickly, that to keep her company we should buy a few more chicks. One of my hens passed last week and our little brood was down to one really, really old Barred Plymouth and three others that are still laying. We called several feed stores and found just the ones I wanted. Left to right the little yellow ones are Buff Orpingtons and the blacks are Silver Wyndottes.

The one in the far right hand corner is an Ameraucana. She is light brown with a darker brown stripe.

I wanted Araucana's but was told these are Ameraucana. There is a difference I have learned. Though both are blue and green egg layers the ameraucana is not as rare and an easier breeder. She also has head muffs and a beard. were the Araucana has ear tufts. They both have the blue or slate legs. They are just as hardy and sweet and that is what matters to me. My other Araucana's were a favorite of mine and I'm glad to have some again.

I was the little girl who brought home the strays. I know Allison's heart. I have always been fascinated with her hands. When she was a very little girl I would watch her and the way she was with our animals. So gentle even then. Her hands are blessed. She has a gift. Well many really but this one shines. She has a sense about animals. She knows them, and she loves them and for this alot of animals are very, very fortunate indeed. I AM PROUD!!

Blessings, Sue

Surprise!!!!

2011-04-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you can find a pleasant surprise in the least expected place!!! A double yolker!!! Thank you my dear little hen.

It sure made our pumpkin pancakes delightful!!!

Yummmmmmmmm!!!

Wishing you happy surprises today as well!!!
Blessings, Sue

Henry and Pearl

2011-04-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

I am fascinated by these two little zebra finches. It never gets tiring, watching these two. They make the sweetest little sounds and their devotion to each other is truly heartwarming. I'm not an expert and don't claim to be, but I do know enough about my pets to keep them healthy and happy.
That being said, Zebra finches are originally from Australia and live on the seeds from the grasses that grow there. They have no "set" breeding season and will only reproduce when they think the environment is just right for rearing their young. This is why I feel really blessed that they have tried at three clutches and successfully reared three healthy, happy babies. Their first two attempts ended sadly... I think they were to young and inexperienced but the last one gave us alot of joy!!! (If you look closely you can see a baby just about to leave the nest in the above picture. )

This is the happy family. in order...Pearl, Henry and the babies. They first begin by getting the nest ready. This is really fun to watch. Henry is so busy taking bits of fiber and wool yarn and paper up to the nest. Then he eats while Pearl arranges things just so. This continues until they are quite satisfied with the way "things" are. Notice that it is so full with fiber that it is spilling out the little door. When she is sitting and the babies are young she can pull the fiber up and almost completly close the door.

They work together like this for about a week or so, back and forth, back and forth and then one day Pearl goes in and you don't see her so often any more. Henry takes her food and cuttle bone and sings proudly on the perch just outside the nest. She will come out to take a bath with him or just hang out, outside the nest. As soon as she does he pops in and keeps the eggs warm until she is ready to go back in.

The devotion and team work is really impressive. "They" say to not let your pair have to many clutches in a row and I can definitely see why. Pearl continues to lay eggs off and on when the next box is out of the cage so it's not really for her health in that way. I think its because they work so hard to prepare for the babies and then afterwards feeding them for so long.

Henry is the main care giver after awhile. Pearl seems to have less of a hard time telling them ENOUGH. When they begin to feed themselves and are drinking water well I removed them from the cage. Even though poor Henry was getting so thin, he continued to take care of them to the end. He even tried to feed them through the cages when I took them out. They get really greedy and aggressive, the babies do. I learned alot from this experience. It was great fun.

It has been several months, I removed the nest box and made sure they had a rest. We got an egg from time to time. And I just let them eat and sing and bathe to their hearts content. The babies were successfully given new homes and so.... We being again.

Henry and Pearl are busy feathering their nest and singing away. Their little nest is soon to be a very busy place. There is always so much to be learned from this world when we take the time to slow down and watch and listen. Its not always in the big stuff and that's refreshing to me.

Blessings, Sue

PS... Its really hard taking pictures of these little guys. They are fast. I als wanted to say that the babies were two little boys and one little girl. People have actually studied these guys and found that the song that the father bird sings is passed down generation after generation with only a slight varieation due to envirnment. I found this to be true as both the "boys" were singeing their daddie tune before long. COOL huh!!!

When life gives you lemons...

2011-04-24T23:41:00.000-07:00

Make Lemon Curd.....

My lemon tree is covered with lemons right now, and my hens are laying up a storm. I have been wanting to try my hand at making lemon curd, but thought it was way too hard. I love lemon anything and years ago a friend gave me a jar of Lemon Curd for Christmas. Then I came upon a recipe on a blog I really like called Chickens in the Road. She made it look pretty easy and since I have the canning bug right now I decided "what the heck". First I had Allison pick the lemons and bring in the eggs. Washed them up and zested them. I used some of the zest in the recipe and dried the rest to put in other baked things.

I squeezed the juice...

and measured precisely.. (wink wink)

It calls for really good, basic ingredients. And pretty much anything can be made good or even better with butter..I cut this into little bits.

I inherited this double boiler from my mother in law. I love it. Measure the sugar into the top of your boiler and add the lemon juice. If you don't have one you can use a saucepan with a bowl on top.

Separate 4 of the eggs and add them and the other 4 whole eggs to the lemon juice sugar mixture. Do this before it gets hot or you will cook the eggs. Another way is to temper the eggs by taking some of the hot liquid out and adding it to the eggs first then adding the eggs into the liquid. If you don't do this you will cook the eggs. This is not the goal. You will have to start over. Not good. Add your zest.

I broke a yolk. heheheheh

Stir constantly until your mixture starts to thicken, and add the butter. I had already washed the jars in hot soapy water and put the lids into warm water so I was all ready when this got thick enough. I put the jars I will be using into my Hot water bath canner and heat up the water.

Take one jar at a time out of your canner and fill it up. I left about 1/2 inch head space, wipe the jar and put put the lid on finger tight.Place your jar into the water bath as you fill it. I processed mine for 15 minutes after the water came back up to a full rolling boil.

I got a little more than 2 pints from this recipe. After reading a really good article on the acidity in lemons needed for proper canning I decided to keep both jars in the fridge just in case. My lemons are Meyer and they are lower in acidity then a few of the other lemons that are actually better for canning. ask me if I care though, since one jar is gone already.

I baked a yellow, two layer cake for Easter and filled it with this curd. Oh My Gosh. DELICIOUS.
I am planning on making some more of this. It was easy and very good. I may try to find out about raising the acid level a bit so I can give away a few jars.

I also made some Marmalade from my blood oranges. But that another whole story!!! I'll save it for later.

Blessings, Sue

Beloved Friend

2011-04-18T23:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to write about this until now.. Our dear cat, Sassy, is gone. She died about 5 weeks ago after living with us for 16 years. She lived a long and happy life, and I now picture her laying in a window, just for her basking in the sun... in heaven. It took a really long time not to expect to see her lying in her "spots" and I'd even find myself talking to her. but time has passed and I know she is ok and so am I. The saying about God closing a door and opening a window has really rung true in this situation. Right before Sassy died, Allison brought home an abandoned kitten that was found in the Ag. dept at her school.

She was so tiny.. She still had her umbilical cord. We figured she was between one and three days old. We quickly got kitty formula and bottles and set up a box with the heating pad and some stuffed animals.

Allison fed her around the clock, every two hours. The task was given over to me during the school day. Did you know that baby kitties can't go potty on their own and have to be stimulated to do so... Well we do now and so the job was given over sometimes to Lily who thought she was her Mommy. Buster and the other weens thought she was theirs as well and we had to take turns. hahahahaha !!! Thomas, out Siamese, has won out however and is now the BEST daddy you could ever ask for.

We named her Charlie.. and of course she can never take the place of Sassy... She has just filled the BIG whole that Sassy left here. We were concerned for her survival for a long time, but she is a little tuffy and is doing great. She can hold her own with all the mommies/doggies we have around here and that in itself says alot!!!

I wish this was turned the other way around...but isn't she adorable?? She sits with me during the day and follows me everywhere. We had to put a little elastic with a bell on it so she doesn't get into to much mischief. She has yet to find her own spot in the window but it will come. When it does..I'll snap a shot for you.

Blessings, Sue

Mmmmm Strawberry Jam

2011-04-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

The other day while in Kaelins buying my fresh produce, I spotted a display of some of the first strawberries of the season. I got a flashback... A kitchen, a long time ago..... stirring a pot that looked similar to this. Standing with my Grandma Klages, my Dads mom this time, stirring away and being told how HOT it was and to keep the spoon in the pot!! I love a good flashback!!! hahahahaah

So into my cart went a couple of the choicest baskets and home we went. Into the pot and stir, stir , stir....... I love strawberry jam. I love jam period. When we were a young married couple Seth would buy me the little assortment pack of Knotts Berry jams and jellies and that was my treat. I just love a piece of toast in the morning, slathered with jam or jelly along with a good cup of coffee.

Now you must ALWAYS skim the foam off the top of the pot before putting the jam into your jars, just so that the finished product will be crystal clear and beautiful. But you must NEVER, EVER, EVER toss it out. This is what I let everyone taste to see how yummy its going to be and whet our appetites. this is what my dear family goes on and on about how wonderful that we have homemade jam. hahahaha

This time I used some of my regular jelly jars and some really cute short chubby ones I found the other day!! They are the size of a regular quart jar but only about 2 inches high.. Kinda like weener doggy jars. Aren't they adorable???? I'm sending you a jar for your lunches, Carlye!! with love of course.

Sorry for the long space in between posts. I had to remember where I put "it" after I got "it" together this last time.!!!! Blessings, Sue

A Quiet Sunday

2011-02-27T19:51:00.000-08:00

There is an Amish proverb.... A task takes as long as it takes... So it seems does many "things" in our lives. I had a date with an old friend today. I lit some candles and brewed a pot of tea. We sat by the fire and enjoyed the afternoon in quiet fellowship. I am really happy at how long I was able to sit at my wheel. I have missed it!!!!

At times I had to stop and sit on the couch with my legs up. But I continued happily prepping fiber. Enjoying the fire and watching documentaries on TV. It was a great afternoon!!

My dear chickens are so confused. They started laying a few weeks ago and were going full speed ahead and then it got cold again. They have stopped laying for the time being. Darn it!!!
Now "they" say its warming up again... The poor little dears...

I have been working on a few things for my new grand baby. Trying to keep things "non-gender specific" is getting tough. I want to start a quilt but need to wait until I know for sure what colors to use. Here's a little peek for you, Carlye.. I'm using this little heart on all my things, its my iloveyoubaby. hee hee

So much for my downloading picture skills. haha this isn't the order I wanted them in, but oh well.

I dyed this particular fiber quite awhile ago. It's Fine Shetland. It's very soft. A gentle blue, a quiet lilac, and bits of brown.

I didn't name it. I think I was going to keep it. Now I know I am. I want to start making mittens so when I get to Georgia, I can play in the snow... I could also wear them here, if it stays this darn cold much longer.

Its nice to think about what your yarn will look like, and the project it will become.

I have a feeling this one is going to be a really pleasant surprise!!! The colors are coming out a bit unexpected..

Not sure when I'll finish it. Ill show you when I'm done. I am really trying to get the hang of this taking it easy... I usually multi-task EVERYTHING. I mean I used to multi task everything. Now I'm slowing down... I guess I'll be done when I'm done!!!!!
Blessings, Sue

Reading......

2011-02-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

When my girls were small we had an entire library of children's books. Books are our passion. Being able to read is a gift I want each and every child who comes into my life to have. I live to sit and read to a child. To watch their faces as they fall in love with the written word. I have long had an attachment to Little Golden books. Remember this one??? This is always a good one for the tired, harried mommy who feels like she is being pecked to death by her chicks!!! hahahahahhah and My favorite favorite for sure.
These books are sturdy little books with beautiful, colorful illustrations and stories that are easy to improvise for even the youngest listener. And... they are priced right.

We had LOTS of them at hand and anytime was story time. It was always nice to be able to say "yes" when the girls would pick one out at the store and say " pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze"

As the girls grew and they're taste in literature matured we packed away The Little Golden books along with the rest of the storybooks. They are still lovingly tucked, safely away in the shed awaiting my grandchildren. Who are,by the way, on their way.....Well one at least......

Imagine my dismay, when while looking to buy a few of them for Paige, I was told that not only does Wal-Mart not have any in stock... they don't even sell them anymore.... WHAT....YOU'VE GOT TO BE FLIPPING KIDDING!!!! This is enough for me to stop shopping there altogether. Ok untwist knickers...... Maybe Target will have them..... NO.... AGHHHHH Whats this world coming to I ask you. The only books I could find at either place were cheesy little books that made no sense and cost way toooooo much..... Soooooo sad!!!!!and they were tucked way back at the back of the store...... tsk tsk.....(shaking head slowly back and forth)

Remember this helping daddy one... hahahahha cracked me up and you guys used to think it was so funny that the daddy in here smoked a pipe...when yours didn,t. hahahahahha He also cut hedges and some other stuff your daddy didnt do but we'll not go there!!! hahahah crack myself up.

Well not that anything like that has ever stopped me before. It looks like Paige and I are off on an excursion to the Thrift stores.

Jussssssssst as soon as we get over this creeping crud that has overtaken not only both of us but... all of us......

Un sniffuly Blessings to you, Sue
Oh yes these pictures of the little golden books where borrowed from random spots on the internet. I looked for copyright stuff, found none and so I used them.