Merry Christmas!

May you be blessed this Christmas week.

Our family is rejoicing the good news of Isaiah9:6,

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. "

Tuesday Tutorial

Over at Oops I Craft My Pants Off is a tutorial for yes, Modge Podge shoes! What a great idea to customize a pair of plain slippers especially if you are having a difficult time finding the perfect pair for an outfit. These are adult shoes but think of all the fun ideas for little girls!

http://oopsicraftmypants.blogspot.com/2009/09/mod-podge-monday-shoes.html

Anyone there? Recipe Monday

I have been so out of touch the last two months and I feel I have lost all contact with the cyber world. Fall is always a hard time for me physically. I have asthma and allergies and my worst time is when the leaves start falling on the ground. Mold sets in and I start wheezing and coughing and getting congested. And then my immune system lowers and I catch anything that is going around. Right now, I have the old typical cold. But enough about that...I am happy to be back and plan to keep this blog current. :)

We tried a casserole recipe last week that can only be described as solid, comfort food. Which is perfect for cold winter nights. We all enjoyed it with a garden salad. I did try and make it in a lower fat version.

Hamburger Casserole

2 lbs. ground beef (I used very lean)
5 medium potatoes
1 large onion, chopped
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (I used low-fat, low-sodium)
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Peel the potatoes, cut in to small pieces and boil until nearly done. Cook onion and meat until brown. Drain off excess fat. In a 9 x 13" sprayed casserole dish, layer potatoes and then meat. Spread the mushroom soup on top of the meat mixture. Sprinkle cheese on top. I used a tad more cheese and I do not use low-fat cheese. Cook 30 minutes in a 300 degree oven or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.

This is great served with a side of green beans or peas or a garden salad and some crusty bread.

30 Days of Christmas

Over at How does she...there is a running daily post for quick, easy and inexpensive Christmas gifts for neighbors or casual friends. Some would definitely be a great teacher or hostess gift. Go http://www.howdoesshe.com/category/decorate-for-the-seasons/christmas/30-neighbor-christmas-gifts-ideas/to to check them all out.

A Date With Dad

Our daughter, a junior at College of Charleston, was inducted in to Psi Chi. Psi Chi is the National Honor Society of Psychology. It has a pretty strict policy for induction and our daughter made it! Yes, I am proud. The night of the induction she was allowed one guest and she chose her daddy. An excellent choice I might add! We are both so proud of all Hanna's hard work.

Hanna and Stan at Hanna's room before the induction ceremony.

Hanna after the ceremony.

Recipe Monday late

My friend, Tamara, has a wonderful recipe for Cheddar Olive Balls. They are quite delicious and are an easy-to-take dinner party appetizer. I have even thought, if you are not an olive fan, you could substitute a pecan half in place of the olive.

Cheddar Olive Balls

2 cups sharp shredded cheddar
1 stick butter, room temperature
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. paprika
dash cayenne pepper
40 green olives (pimento stuffed)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl, mix cheddar and butter until creamy. Add flour, salt, paprika and cayenne. Blend well. Using heaping teaspoons of dough, surround each olive with a ball of dough. Bake 13-15 minutes or until golden brown. It helps if the olives are dry.

Tutorial Tuesday

It's Pumpkin Carving Time

Sunset has this and other great fall decorating ideas. I love the idea of your house number being carved. If you like this or would like to see other autumn decorations go to http://tinyurl.com/yztfwz7.

Recipe Monday

Sausage Dip

1 package ground sausage (may use regular or spicy)
1 can Ro-Tel
1 8 ounce cream cheese

Brown sausage and break in to small pieces. Drain. Add Ro-Tel and cream cheese. Heat over medium heat, stirring often until cheese is melted. Keep warm on low heat or use Crock pot.
Serve with tortilla or corn chips.

This is my son's all-time favorite dip. Enjoy!

Stan, my hubby, Cody, my son, and I went to visit our daughter, Hanna, in Charleston, SC last weekend. It was a beautiful day. We went to dinner and then over to the Battery waterfront and park. We love this area. It is so beautiful. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

Hanna, Stan, Cody

Can you tell Stan and Cody have the same profile?

Just 23 years older on Stan and less hair! :)

The love of my life.

Even at 22 and 20 years old they can't resist climbing on the rocks!

Sunset on the waterfront. Isn't this just beautiful?

Dinner at Taco Boys! Yummy.

Hanna at home studying, which she does all the time!

I guess that is how she is on the Dean's list! Yeah, proud momma!

Tuesday Tutorials

I cut this fabric all the same width but random lengths and will sew it using a 1/4" seam. The finished size will be 50" length x 9" wide. I got the size from an existing scarf I own. I will line it with lightweight cotton backing. I will post pictures when I get it completed.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/ is having a month of scrap buster projects. There are so many wonderful tutorials including wallets, pin cushions, doll diapers, and my favorite a scarf. Bump over and check out this month's great projects.

Recipe Monday

This is a quick and easy soup recipe that screams cool weather. I served it last night with Mexican Cornbread. Yummy.

Easy Peasy Low-Fat Potato Soup

1 bag Ore-Ida hash brown potatoes (the small cubed ones)
4 cans fat-free, low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

Simmer potatoes and broth for 20 minutes.

Add:

1 package Pioneer fat-free country white gravy
1/2 cup water

In a bowl, blend gravy mix and water together. Add gravy mixture to potatoes. Let simmer 20 minutes.

Variations: Loaded Potato Soup: add green onions, shredded fat-free cheese, bacon or fat-free sour cream.

Menu Planning

I have decided I want to start monthly menu planning and recipe gathering. Do you have a favorite blog that does this already? Or do you do this yourself? If so, please post about it here so that we can all enjoy the information. I am off to look through my many cookbooks! :)

Recipe Tuesday

Chicken Rice Salad

2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
2 large stalks celery, diced
8 oz. drained pineapple tidbits
1/2 cup halved red seedless grapes
1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 tsp. curry powder (optional)

Combine all ingredients. Stir well. Chill. Serve on a lettuce leaf with your favorite cracker or flat bread. I love it with a seeded, flavored crisp flat bread. Serves 4. Sliced tomatoes are delicious on the side.

Scrappy Scarf

Jody over at Java Jem has a terrific tutorial for patchwork scarves. They are so stylish and are a great project to use up some of those small pieces of fabric scraps. I am going to be in the sewing room this week making my daughter one. The only thing I will change is the base fabric to cotton. My daughter lives in Charleston, SC and it rarely would be cool enough for a fleece scarf. Hanna bought a new fall jacket while I was visiting last week and a new colorful scarf is just the accesory she needs. What do you think? Plan on making any?

http://javajem.blogspot.com/2007/12/scrap-scarf-tutorial.html

Recipe Hunt

Can you believe it is October 1st? Our weather here in beautiful South Carolina is in the mid-70's and no clouds, only bright blue skies! This early morning and late evening chilly weather makes me want to drag out the soup pot. What I want from you are your favorite soup, chili, chowder, stew recipes! Have them in a link? Post the link or post your recipe and let's share some great fall food! I look forward to getting all your yummy, delicious recipes. :) Share on!

Another Apple Recipe

This is a different but delicious breakfast casserole. I made it for my husband's office one morning and they loved it.

Famous Brunch Casserole

1 lb. bacon - cut into fourths and fry until crisp. Drain off fat.
1 (20 oz.) can apple pie filling
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (I prefer sharp)
1 1/2 cups Bisquick
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x13" casserole dish. Spread pie filling in bottom of dish. Sprinkle this with the sugar. Spread cheese and bacon over filling. Beat Bisquick, milk and eggs until smooth. Pour over the top. Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted comes out clean, between 30-40 minutes. Serves 8 people.

Another Fall Recipe

I will be leaving early Monday morning for a cruise and will not be back until Saturday night. So, no blogging next week. Instead, I think I will share a few extra fall recipes. This is a delicious cookie recipe that is almost like a mini cake. They are one of my hubby's favorites.

Spiced Apple Drops

1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup finely chopped apple
1 cup chopped walnuts
Apple Frosting

Lightly grease a cookie sheet. (Repeat greasing cookie sheet for each batch.) Set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or till softened.

Add about half of the flour to the butter. Add sugar, brown sugar, egg, half of the juice, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves. Beat till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Then beat or stir in remaining flour and remaining apple juice/cider. Stir in chopped apple and walnuts.

Drop dough from a rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or till edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Remove cookies and cool on a rack. Frost with Apple Frosting. Store iced cookies in refrigerator. Makes about 40.

Apple Frosting

In a medium mixing bowl beat 4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3-4 Tablespoons apple juice to make a frosting of spreading consistency. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Tutorial Tuesday

Moda Bake Shop has a wonderful fabric flower lantern tutorial. Isn't it just gorgeous? I can this hanging over a table, maybe multiples, at a bridal shower or even wedding, or a girl's bedroom. The fabric flowers individually are so versatile to use as a pin for a sweater, the front of a pocket book, etc.

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/09/rose-lantern.html

Recipe Monday

Fall weather is quickly approaching and apple season is upon us. This was one of my dad's favorite cakes. It is moist and delicious and is a great cake to take to a pot-luck.

Fresh Apple Cake

2 whole eggs

1 1/2 cup Wesson Oil

2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cups self-rising flour

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 cups fresh finely chopped apples

1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (I prefer pecans)

Grease and flour tube pan. Set to the side. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine with mixer eggs, oil, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add flour, then vanilla. Add apples and nuts. Mix very well. Bake in tube pan for 1 1/2 hours.

Happy Labor Day!

Stan and I are off to visit in-laws for the weekend and to celebrate my mother-in-law's 70th birthday. We are looking forward to being with family. It is always fun.

To all of you, Happy Labor Day! May you enjoy a day of rest!

Tutorial Tuesday

This weekend, while sunning at the pool and looking at 6-7 magazines, I noticed one item being shown throughout, a ribbon necklace. They were on models and stars, in advertisements and shown in the fashion section as a must have for the fall and winter season. Saucy Sprinkles has a quick, easy and inexpensive tutorial for just such a necklace. I also noticed there were many different styles and colors of the same general idea. So go crazy and make it your personality. Wouldn't this make a fun and creative Christmas or birthday gift?

http://www.saucysprinkles.com/2009/08/fauxthropologie.html

Recipe Monday

I am sorry for the lack of photos over the last week and this one. My son borrowed our camera and took it with him to Charleston to visit his sister. He left it there. I have to get her to ship it but her schedule is so crazy with classes, internship and working that she has not been able to get to the post office. Maybe this week.

This recipe is the very best Sloppy Joe recipe I have ever eaten. I think it is the soup that gives it just a bit of different flavor. I have been making this for about 8 years. Let me know if you try it.

Sloppy Joe

2 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped small
2 1/2 tablespoon, Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use the low-fat, low-sodium)

Fry meat with onion. Drain and add salt and pepper to taste. Add remaining ingredients and simmer. Serve on hamburger buns. Makes 8-10 sandwiches.

This can also be put in a sprayed Crock-pot to simmer for no more than three hours.

I serve with slaw and some type of potato and fruit.

Thankful Thursday

IS IT HOT IN HERE OR AM I HAVING ANOTHER HOT FLASH?

I am thankful today to fine out I am not going crazy but instead am going into menopause! Yes, that is right. The difficulty with sleeping, the morose feelings, hot flashes, the tingling and numbness around my chin and mouth, yep even that, is caused from an estrogen deficiency! Bless my husband and pray for him! He has never, ever been married to a weepy, low-energy, moody woman. This should be fun. I am sure there will be more to follow... In the mean time I plan to make the very best of this new phase in my life. I just saw an advertisement for a menopause medicine and the first line said, "Are your menopausal hot flashes contributing to global warming?" Hysterical!

Fabulous Fabric!

Have you seen this new fabric line? It is Lantern Bloom by Laura Gunn for Michael Miller. I love the design and colors. My daughter's bedroom is done in this exact shade of purple, blue and orange and it is very hard to find fabric that pulls all those colors together. We both fell in love with this fabric and I am ordering some to make pillows for her bed and her chair.

http://www.sewmamasew.com/ has the entire line for sale, along with some other great fabric.

What do you think about this fabric line? Is it too modern or just right? The only design I am not crazy about is the polka dot fabric. The bird cage fabric is my favorite but I like the hanging vines and the mosaic tiles alot.

Tutorial Tuesday

RIBBON KEY FOB

J Caroline Creative has a free and easy tutorial to make these adorable Ribbon Key Fobs. These would make great gifts for teachers, co-workers, or even a new teen driver. I always like to have a few generic gifts on hand during the holidays and this would definitely be a great one to have stocked. It would work as a nice addition to a stocking, as well.

http://tinyurl.com/2d2wvb

Recipe Monday

Our family loves appetizers and we love cheese. When you can put the two of those together, it makes us very happy. The following recipe was given to me by a high school friend (yes, while I was in high school) in 1982. It is a staple at any holiday get-together and is an easy one take to a party.

Cheese and Nut Roll

1- 3 ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1- 8 ounce box Velveeta cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
dash or two of Worcestershire sauce
dash or two (or three if you like spicy) hot Tabasco sauce
1/2 cup chopped pecans
paprika
chili powder

Mix both cheeses, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce. Work it till soft. You may use a mixer on low or it is easiest to use your hands. Form into a ball.

On aluminum foil or wax paper, sprinkle the nuts in a line and shake the paprika and chili powder over the nuts until well covered. Roll the cheese into a log, with the dimensions about the size of a half-dollar coin. Roll the log in the nuts and spices until covered all around. Use the same paper to wrap the cheese log in and refrigerate until firm, at least a few hours but best if left overnight. Serve with an assortment of crackers.

Amy Butler Birdie Sling Bag Completed

I had a very relaxing weekend. Yesterday I slept in, went out to lunch with my son and husband and to run a few errands and back home to piddle about in the house. And yes, I did get some sewing done!


I finished the Birdie Sling bag for my daughter. I really like the combination of the two fabrics and think it will work great for fall. Hanna wanted a bag big enough to put a couple of college textbooks, a notebook and her purse items. This bag is large and roomy with four large pockets. Next time I make this pattern I will add a magnetic snap or a big button for closing the top. It does not call for one but I always like a bag to fasten. Other than that I think this is the easiest Amy Butler pattern I have made. I did change one thing: it called for the outer fabric to have interfacing but I was using a very heavy home dec fabric and chose not to. I used linen for the lining and used an iron-on fleece for the interfacing. It gave the bag plenty of support.

Inside of the bag. I used linen and the handle and band fabric to make the pockets.

Thankful Thursday

Local Produce = Delicious!

I love summer and all the wonderful things it brings, sunshine and warmth, swimming and beach time and fresh local produce. I stopped by my local farm stand and picked a few favorite veggies on Tuesday. We have already grilled some of the corn, squash and zucchini. All of it was delicious. I had a slice of the tomato for lunch today. Wonderful! I am thankful I can go four doors down to purchase all this wonderful produce and so much more at a wonderful price.

Stan and I at a Marriage Retreat in March of this year.

Even more than this bountiful harvest, I am thankful for my marriage. Stan's and my wedding anniversary is today. Twenty-seven years and we have never had a fight! Okay, well that may be stretching it a little but I can say we rarely have a fight! :) Stan is a wonderful husband and father and the best friend I could ever wish for. Our marriage is in the best place it has ever been and I thank God daily for allowing me to be married to this man.

I am also in the sewing room finishing up an Amy Butler Birdie Sling Bag for my daughter. Pictures to come!

Tutorial Tuesday

Eye Spy Bags

Ashley, over at Make It and Love It, has a cute Eye Spy Bag tutorial. Parents are always looking for activities to entertain children during situations where we need them to sit quietly. Eye Spy Bags are a great answer. I have seen these all over Etsy and Artfire. One addition I have liked is an attached tag or an iron-on printed list of all the small pieces in the bag. I have seen the bags in plain squares or circles but also as creative as the above crab and fish. Head over to Make It and Take It for this cute tutorial.

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/02/eye-spy-bags.html

Recipe Monday

As I have mentioned before, not only do I live in a southern state, South Carolina, but I also grew up in the deep south of Mississippi. One of the staples in our home was cornbread. If we had a meal with any vegetable, especially any type of bean or pea, we had cornbread. Naturally, I love cornbread. One of my favorite ways to eat cornbread is in Cornbread Salad. I hope you are intrigued enough to give this recipe a try. I promise, you will not be disappointed. :)

Cornbread Salad

1 package of cornbread mix, make according to package directions and let cool
1 can Pinto Beans, warmed (I like Bush's)
lettuce, I like romaine but you can use iceburg or your choice
1 large tomaoto, chopped into small pieces
1 green bell pepper, chopped into small pieces
1 medium onion, chopped into small pieces or green onions (3-4)
2 cups cheddar cheese
6-8 slices of bacon cooked crisp and crumbles or 1 small package of pre-cooked bacon
Ranch salad dressing, 1 small bottle

In a casserole dish or large bowl, layer in the following order:

Cornbread, crumble in the bottom of the bowl,
Pinto Beans, pour evenly over the cornbread,
Lettuce, tomotoes, bell pepper, onion and salad dressing,
Bacon, and sprinkle the cheese over everything last.

Serve immediately. This is hearty enough for a complete meal but also works as a side to any grilled meat or other veggies. To make this dish vegetarian, just omit the bacon. :)

I have one friend who always request this salad for any dinner we do together. Yes, it is that good and simple.

Thankful Thursday

Two years ago, August 13 2007, my husband and I had a very close friend who was killed in a tragic work accident. Wade was truly part of our family. He and his wife, Connie, are 12 years older than Stan and me. They were that far ahead in the marriage and parenting part of their life. We have turned to them for wise and godly advice on more than one occasion. We still miss Wade, as does his wife, children and grandchildren. In our missing him, we are always thankful for the years of friendship and the influence he had in our families lives.

I took this photo of Wade and Connie at the wedding of one of their sons.

Ikea, OH MY!!!

ROAD TRIP

Today I took a road trip to Charlotte, NC. Charlotte is about an hour and a half up the interstate. It is an easy drive, especially when you share the ride with a wonderful friend and her daughter. :) We first went to Mary Jo's, the most incredible fabric store. Their store statement is, "Mary Jo's Cloth Store is a mecca where you will find mountains of fabric at thimble sized prices". It is 32,000 square feet of fabric and sewing tools and is a seamstress dream come true! There is no way to stop for a quick trip but instead I always plan for a several hours visit. You can visit this link http://maryjos.com/ for a virtual tour.

After our three hour stop at Mary Jo's we drove twenty more miles to visit the Ikea store. I have heard about Ikea from my friend, Maddie, and I have looked online but nothing compares to being there. Oh my, there is just so much and at such wonderful prices and varieties and well, it was just incredible. My friend, Tracy, and I are already planning a second trip next month! I did find some drapes I really love for my son's old room. The room is sitting empty, in need of paint and then it will become a guest room. I think the drapes will give me some wonderful colors to work with for the bed and accents. What do you think? The leaves are a medium slate blue, dark gray, chocolate brown on a creamy background. They are lined with a cream fabric as well. They come in a 97" length, which I can cut off the extra and use it to make throw pillows. I think I will go with a silvery gray or a chocolate brown for the bedding or maybe even combine the two. Any suggestions for wall color? I really want some color and not the ivory cream.

Tutorial Tuesday

Arm Band Pouch

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have started walking for exercise and my husband has started running. He has done several 5K runs and I did a 5K walk in June. I thought what a terrific idea when I saw this great Arm Band Pouch over at Make It and Love It. Whenever I walk I have a cell phone in hand and keys and sometimes a water bottle. It seems I should have just carried my purse with me but with this nifty Arm Band Pouch it will hold the phone, debit card, driver's license, keys, etc. and free your hands.

Follow the link to a wonderful, detailed tutorial with easy to read and see text and photos.

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/07/arm-band-pouch.html

Recipe Monday

Chessy Chewy Cake

Crust:

1 package plain, yellow cake mix

8 tablespoons (1 stick) melted butter

1 large egg

Filling:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted

1 box powdered confectioners' sugar

Place oven rack in the center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Crust directions: in large mixing bowl, pour cake mix, melted butter and egg and blend with an electric mixer on low speed for two minutes. Stop mixer and scrape down the sides fo the bowl with a rubber spatula. The batter should come together in a ball. With your fingertips, pat the batter evenly over the bottom of the pan, smoothing it out with your fingers until the top is smooth. Set the pan aside.

Filling directions: place the softened cream chesse in the same bowl and use the same beaters. No need to clean either first. Blend on low speed until fluffy, about 30 seconds. Stop mixer and add eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Stop mixer and add the sugar. Beat until the sugar is completely incorporated, about 1 minute more. Stop and scrape the sides down. Mix a bit more, if needed. Pour the filling onto the crust and spread with the spatula so that the filling covers the entire surface of the crust. Place in the oven and bake until well brown but the center still jiggles when you shake the pan, 45-47 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on wire rack to cool, at least 39 minutes. Cut in to squares and serve. Store covered with aluminum foil at room temperature up to 4 days or in fridge up to 1 week. May be frozen for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

On Friday I made a Chess Chewy Cake, aka Gooey Butter Cake. I made it to take to my daughter's in Charleston. She lives with five, yes five, men. Last year she lived with eleven women and she declared never, never, never again! Testosterone is much easier to deal with than estrogen starts monthly cycling all at the same time! The crying, the screams, the name-calling, the hurt feelings were just entirely more than she wants to ever deal with again. You see my daughter is in college. Last year she lived on campus but in one of the school's historic houses. It is in an incredible area, beautiful and handy to all her classes and across from the library. She gave all that up, moved to a much less desirable area about 9 blocks away just to NOT live with women!!! Anyone relate? She has one girlfriend who will show up in two weeks and will also be living there. She was one of Hanna's roommates last year and is definitely more like Hanna, calm, easy going and no screaming. Well, all six of these 20-somethings loved this cake and I think you will too. I have been making it since the 80's and it is always a hit. It is very rich and can be cut in small serving pieces and served at showers or luncheons. It is a great afternoon tea dessert and is wonderful with a cup of hot coffee.

I don't have a picture of the cake. I forgot to take my camera and I left the small amount that was left. Instead, I will share a picture of my beautiful daughter instead! This picture was taken while she was on vacation in San Diego. The second photo was taken on the same trip. It is Hanna and her boyfriend, Kevin. He is from San Diego.

My sweet daughter, Hanna. I love her fun spirit.

Hanna and Kevin

San Diego, CA

at the famous San Diego Zoo.

Thankful Thursday

It's another Mug Cozy.

This time I made it in the retro Christmas fabric and included it in my Christmas in July swap package. I want to make one for me personally. I am hoping it does a good job keeping your beverage warm. Between the lining and outer fabric I used an inuslated interfacing called Insul Brite. It is supposed to keep your drink either warm or cold.

I love coffee in the morning, warm with some fat-free half and half, and a touch of sweetner and I love sweet, iced tea. I am trying to cut back on my sugar intake so I am not drinking anywhere near the amount I was but sometimes a southern girl has just got to have some sweet tea!

Are you a coffee or tea drinker? Hot beverage or cold?

Today was a wonderfully, relaxing day. I spent the morning working with business partner, and good friend, designing and making jewelry and we spent the late afternoon hours at her neighborhood pool. We lounged and relaxed and caught up with one another's lives. I am so thankful for our time together today.

Tomorrow evening my husband and I are going to see our daughter in Charleston, SC. Charleston is one of my favorite places. It is a beautiful city, rich in history and traditions but also has a huge art scene. It is also just minutes from mulitiple beaches. Our favorite beach is Isle of Palm and I hope to spend some time there on Saturday or Sunday.

Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you Monday with a new recipe!

Tutorial Tuesday

Drawstring Bag Tutorial

Yarnmonster has a great tutorial for a reversible, drawstring bag. I made one using the Christmas fabric for my Christmas in July swap. The tutorial is easy to follow and a great bag. It can be used for books, toys, makeup, gift-giving, etc. I used a polka-dot, coordinating fabric for the reverse which allows it to be used year-around. I did accent with pink and green rick-rack. I sewed the rick-rack on the panel pieces before sewing the sides together. I used a coordinating ribbon for the drawstring and was very pleased at how it all came together.

*Go here for free tutorial:
http://yarnmonster.blogspot.com/2007/01/drawstring-bag-tutorial.html

Recipe Monday

My friend, Maddie at http://itsthebestofallpossibleworlds.blogspot.com/, makes the best and easiest lemonade. Whenever my family wants some of it, they ask for Maddie's Lemonade and so we have dubbed it that name! It is so refreshing and goes great with any summer time meal.



Maddie's Lemonade

Country Time Pink Lemonade - measure in the cup up to the 2 quart line
Country Time Lemonade (yellow kind) - measure in the cup up to the 2 quart line
2 large naval oranges

In a gallon pitcher, add lemonade mixes. Cut one naval orange in half and squeeze juice over the mix. Add water and stir until mixed well. Slice second orange into thin slices and float on top. I know this sounds so easy and it is but it is also very delicious. The oranges give the lemonade a wonderful flavor. You can half the amounts for a 2 quart but I promise, you will need the gallon. It goes quick!

Thankful Thursday

We are almost finished!

After two weeks of cleaning and painting the house my son is moving into is almost ready for occupancy. The house is a cottage style, built in the 1940's and was needing lots of TLC. The two bedrooms, dining room and living room all have hardwood floors but they were beyond cleaning. There was paint splatter and lots of stains and wear from many years of use. It would require a professional to come in and refinish completely, something the landlady felt was cost-prohibitive and as a renter, my son, is not going to incur the expense. Instead, we settled on a more cost-effective and quicker fix, paint. After painting all the walls over the last week and a half, we taped off the trim, cut in with a brush and rolled the floors with Porch and Floor Paint. They look terrific, so fresh and clean. I finished the touch-ups last night and hubby started laying floor tile in the kitchen and laundry room. That project should be completed tonight and Cody should be able to move in over the next few days.

I am so thankful we are almost done and thankful Cody found a roommate to share the expenses and thankful he is happy with how everything has turned out.

Lots of stains!

Hubby taping and then rolling my son's bedroom. Yes, that is red paint. Red is one of Cody's favorite colors.

Isn't that a huge difference?

More updates to come over the next few posts.

Tutorial Tuesday

Bow/Hair Clip Holder

Today's tutorial is a no-sew project. Do you have a little or even a big girl who has lots of bows and hair clips and you can never seem to keep them organized or find matching ones when you need them? Ashley over at Make It and Love It has an easy and stylish solution. The Bow/Hair Clip Holder can be coordinated with your decorating theme and be a handy fix for all those wandering hair bows/clips. Head over to Make It and Take It for the detailed instructions and leave Ashley a comment letting her know you found her through The Best Laid Plans blog. :)

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/04/bowhair-clip-holder.html

Recipe Monday

Peach Cobbler

One of my husband's favorite desserts is an old-fashioned Peach Cobbler Ala Mode. Our local peaches are just so sweet and juicy this year and are perfect for making a Peach Cobbler.

To make the peach filling, peel and slice 10-12 peaches. Add 1 cup of sugar and stir with a spoon until well mixed, (see picture below). Pour in to a sprayed, 2-quart casserole dish.

For crust, mix 1 cup of self-rising flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup of milk, 1 stick of butter melted and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix with a whisk (see picture below) until all the lumps are smooth. Pour over the peach filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes. My stove takes about 50 minutes. The top will be golden brown and the filling will be very bubbly. Serve warm with a couple of scoops of all-natural, vanilla ice cream. It is so delicious. By last night, the last of the cobbler was eaten. :) And yes, I know. This is not a low-fat dish but sometimes you have to splurge! I made this instead of a birthday cake for my husband.