CROCK POT BEEF STROGANOFF

I just put this together in the crock pot... I can't wait for dinner time!!

CROCK POT BEEF STROGANOFF
3 lb. beef round steak, 1/2 inch thick
1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 med. onions, thinly sliced and separated into rings
2 (4 oz. each) cans sliced mushrooms, drained or 1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced
1 (10 1/2 oz.) can condensed beef broth
1/4 c. dry white wine (optional)
1 1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. flour

Directions

Trim all excess fat from steak and cut meat into 3 inch strips about 1/2 inch wide. Combine 1/2 cup flour, the salt, pepper and dry mustard; toss with steak strips to coat thoroughly. Place coated steak strips in crock pot; stir in onion rings and mushrooms. Add beef broth and wine; stir well. Cover and cook on low setting for 8-10 hours. Before serving, combine sour cream with 1/4 cup flour; stir into crock pot. Serve stroganoff over rice or noodles.

Leftover Turkey Chili - Southwest Style

I made this chili this past weekend with my leftover Christmas turkey. It came out super yummy.

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 1 Heaping tablespoon minced garlic from a jar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
  
• 1 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 4 cups water
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can Hunts tomato sauce ( think Hunts is the best for making chili!!)
  
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 6 cups shredded cooked turkey
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained ( I used kidney beans, cuz that is all I had)
  
• 1 Can southwestern style corn ( regular corn will do)
• 1 cup salsa (if you have some, I left this out)
  
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I did not have any cilantro, so I left it out.)

• Toppings:
• 6 cups corn tortilla chips
• 3/4 cup chopped green onion (I did not have this either)
  
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese blend ( I used regular cheddar, just as good)
  
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (again, none used)
  
• 1/2 cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced onions and cook until onions begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin and oregano and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
2. Stir in water, tomato sauce, salsa, diced tomatoes, shredded turkey, parsley and bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until bouillon cubes dissolve. Add black beans, corn, sour cream and cilantro. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Serve soup with crushed tortilla chips, chopped green onion, shredded cheese and additional cilantro and sour cream.

Breakin' it down

Total Cost of 12 days of Christmas in 2008

$86,609

Up 10.9 percent from last year's cost of $78,100

The biggest surprise (to me) was that Fiiiiive Golden Rings only costs $350! Where are they shopping at, Walmart? See the whole breakdown at: http://climate.weather.com/articles/slideshows/12xmas2008.html?page=1&scheme=image-horiz-plain.css

Table Cloth Idea

I saw this on a blog today.  I love this idea of stenciling phrases onto the sides of a table cloth.


This was done by a very talented lady named Kimba, and she shows us all how to do it on her blog A Soft Place to Land.

How about some deer

This weekend Ron stopped by and offered us a deer. So on Tuesday evening we all met at Ron's house and processed our deers. It was a icy cold night and working out in the shop with the wood fire made us cozy and warm. Ron provided the big work table, knives and his expert help on cutting up the deer. Jarrod, Tif and Linda helped me toward the end of the evening, cause I was getting really tired. Tif vacuumn sealed all the steaks and roasts for me and the chunks of meat I brought home and canned to have ready to eat meat anytime we get hungry. All in all it was a super experience and I loved the back to nature feeling it gave me, you know like picking veggies out of your garden, or making pj pants nothing better than feeling like I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR!

Tiny Mittens

I saw this pattern online and have been addicted to making these tiny mittens ever since. They are soooo cute in person, I dont think the pictures does them justice. It is funny how something so tiny can change your mood.

Baked Cheese Olives

I found this recipe online, I think I might give it a shot for the Christmas Eve Party that we are attending...

Baked Cheese Olives 
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar,
1 1/4 cups flour,
1 stick margarine or butter (melted),
 about 36 pimiento-stuffed green olives (drain and pat dry with a paper towel; amt. of olives used will vary depending on how much dough you wrap around each). I don't use any cayenne.

Mix the cheese and flour, then mix in the margarine, working the dough with your hands if it seems dry. Mold approx. 1 tsp. dough around each olive;
refrigerate wrapped olives at least 1 hour before baking. (or overnight.)
Bake @ 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden.

I finished the quilt

This is the quilt I have been working on for Rex and Caryl for about eight months. It wasnt that it was that hard I just kept getting a mental block about being in the sewing room. It turned out really pretty which I dont think the picture does it justice. I just put the picture up so you all would believe me when I said I finished the damn thing. So now I have all these lovely ideas for my next big project and would ya know it, I am feeling no interest in going back to the sewing room. If any of you have a cure for such lasy behavior let me know, I could use the proverbial kick in the butt.

My grandchildren

I just have to brag a little, since that is what grandmas do.

Tyler Joe lost his first tooth, Brett won the ugly sweater contest, Libby went to her first dress up dance and looked beautiful, Bella got her picture in the paper with that cheesy put on smile of hers that is adorable, and Grandpa got to spent last evening with Tanner. I don't know if my heart could be any fuller, but I must tell you all that I am VERY proud of all my grandchildren.

My Tree

I will try to get a picture up in a few days. I expected to have one up yesterday but my wonderful, sweet, Einstein decided last night to eat about 15 of my ornaments and it looks a little bare. Candy, I may need help with Mrs. Claus!

P.S. Jo, Loved the song but I couldn't remember my password or e-mail for the blog that day and couldn't post about it.

New knitting bag

If you have talked with me lately you know I made a new knitting bag in the true spirit of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. It makes me feel like a real snoopy little old lady to carry my knitting bag around. You would be surprised how many conversations the knitting and the bag have started for me. The material is the left overs of Crissy and Kathy's pillows on their new couch.

Candy's Tree

I am not quite finished decorating the bottom of the tree, but I jumped the gun to get my picture in the blog. I wanted to connect with my wonderful porch again.

Lets See Those Trees!!!

I know y'all have your trees up now!! Let's see them!!! Here is a picture of ours.

We didn't hang the stockings on the fireplace this year (Billy didn't want to move them every time he lit a fire) so we just hung them in the archway by the fireplace instead.

Where have all the bloggers gone?

Oh you got us ready as baby blogger newbies
Why don't we go sit down in the shade
Take shelter on my front porch
The homemade candy scorching,
Like more than one post a day
I will sew a purse if you pay the internet bills

Chorus:

Where is my candy knox
Where is my crochet fun
Where is my happy stories
Where have all the bloggers gone

Why don't you stay the evening
Kick back and fire up the pc
And Ill fix a little something to eat
Oh I know your back hurts from working at home depot
How do you update the profile my sweet
I will back two quilts if you pay the internet bill

Chorus

I am using my new font tonight
But you don't even notice me
Save our comments (3 times)

We finally sold the hp
When we added my first mac
And you cooked that new recipe
You made friends at the farm
And you joined them at the phone bar
Almost every single day of the week

We can leave the dishes while we all have a beer
Where is my candy knox
Where is my crochet fun
Where is my sappy stories
Where have all the bloggers gone
Where is my Crissy & Kath
Where is our Aunt Tina
Where is my southern Brandi
Where have all the bloggers gone
Tiffany aw, Tiffany yea (3 times)

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
We went to PA to see my family.
Got off work early on Wedneday, got to PA by 9pm.
We had a great time and fit a lot of activities in...
Watching movies and cooking with Mom.
Troy served up triple hard eggnog:')
Over ate!
Took a nap, then took some dinner to Dad in Meadville.
On Friday, we picked up Dad, ate at the Golden Corral, then did some Gambling on Slots at the Presque Isle Downs.
Had a little surprise birthday party for Charlie then went out for karaoke w/Mom and some friends.
On Saturday went thrift shopping and got some good stuff for Jenny's ugly sweater Christmas Party.
Over ate again when Mom and Dick made yummy steak subs.
Brett went sledding twice.
Got a lot of play time in with Lilly!
Over ate some more when Becca made yummy dip!!!
Then took the long scenic route home because the highways were packed.
I uploaded pics to my picasa web album.

Here's the Story, Maureen Mccormick

I'm almost done reading this one. I happen to really like auto-biographies. It is always interesting to learn about someone in first person.

The Road, Cormac McCarthy

I read The Road last week on my new Kindle from Amazon. I'm totally hooked on the new gadget! The book was ok. It was interesting, it made smile, it made me cry, but when it ended it left me wondering what was next.

Pan Handle Buddy

I just ran across a crochet pattern for these the other day.

Frilly Pan Handle Buddy

Copright 2001 Melissa R. Green

Size G hook
WW cotton yarn in 2 colors

Make 2
Row 1- Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each rem ch.Ch 1, turn
Row 2- 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1 turn.
Row 3- 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn
Row 4- Sc in each sc across, ch 1 turn
Row 5-18- Rep row 4. Do not ch 1 at end of row 18. Finish off.

Joining rnds
Rnd 1-Holding two pieces together matching endings of both pieces.(work
through both thickness's) Join color B with Sl st in sm sp as where you
ended off on row 18, sc evenly around to oppisite corner, ch 1, turn.
Rnd 2- Sc in 1st sc, (ch 2, sc in next sc) rep around to oppisite corner.
Finish off weave in ends.

Use this to place over the handle's of your pan.

**** Do not leave on pan while sitting over the flame on the stove top****

Skillet Handle Covers

check out the little skillet handle covers:
http://allbuttonedup.typepad.com/all_buttoned_up/2008/11/the-gift-of-safety-first.html
Does anyone have a pattern for these????

Jo: I'm an Innovator/Achiever.

Your primary VALS type is Innovator, and your secondary type is Achiever.

Although, I don't agree with the descriptions all that much....

I guess I'm a Maker/Experiencer

I took your VALS Test and here is my results.

Your primary VALS type is Maker, and your secondary type is Experiencer.The primary VALS type represents your dominant approach to life. The secondary classification represents a particular emphasis you give to your dominant approach.

VALS Survey

Your primary VALS type is Believer, and your secondary type is Achiever.The primary VALS type represents your dominant approach to life. The secondary classification represents a particular emphasis you give to your dominant approach.

my Vals survey

Achiever/ThinkerYour primary VALS type is Achiever, and your secondary type is Thinker.The primary VALS type represents your dominant approach to life. The secondary classification represents a particular emphasis you give to your dominant approach. This is my results after taking the survey.

VALS Survey

I had to take this survey for school. This survey is actually a marketing tool that businesses use to develop marketing strategies. I thought it was really neat personality type profile, so I figured I would share it with everyone and we could post our results. My VALS results: primary type Achiever, secondary type Maker. Overall I think it pegged me pretty good.

http://www.sric-bi.com/VALS/presurvey.shtml

Why people are jealous of me?

This is actually kind of a twisted way to think but hell my husband and my dad both tell me I am conceited so this should be a breeze!

1. I have carpet...I know you are thinking, Why in the hell would someone be jealous because you have carpet. My answer, for the last two years, I didn't and I was jealous of anyone who did, so ha!

2. I can kill a deer, skin and clean a deer, and have in the skillet in 2 hours or less. Needless to say the economy doesn't scare me too much cause I know I will still eat.

3. I have a husband that will give me anything I want, even if I am a brat!

4. My first house on my own, was brand new, and has a huge kitchen.

5. I have a beautiful piece of land to build my next house on.

Venting anger...followup

Wanna hear something funny? Somebody else had some similar thoughts, only better. December 10th is "Day without a gay." "On December 10, 2008 the gay community will take a historic stance against hatred by donating love to a variety of different causes." Protestors are asking people to call in gay and donate the day to volunteer efforts! http://daywithoutagay.org/

Jealousy

Okay, since I started this I should probably participate! It is kinda hard to toot your own horn, but I was thinking of this jealousy idea as a flipped over way of viewing Thanksgiving. It's easy to remember to be thankful for your friends, family, and health...but what else is there? The things you have that other people wish they had!

1. I can read reeeeaalllly fast. Not only do I read fast, I have a high comprehension rate to go with it. College students with tons of crappy homework are very jealous of this.

2. I have a decent job. Although the hours and physical demands are crap, for the first time in my life I can afford my bills with a little left over for fun.

3. Oodles of unique life experience. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I should write a book about my life I would be rich enough not to have to write the book! Alright, maybe I would just have enough to buy a new computer to write it on.

4. The ability to "just do it" without fear. Drive to New York City at 1 in the morning with only $13 in my pocket? Let's go!

I am creative, artistic, and I look younger than my age...who wouldn't be jealous of me!

I Covet

Yes, I am like the rest of the world, I covet other peoples relationships, stuff, abilities, and even the root of all evil, money. To ask me what other people would be jealous of is like asking me if I voted for myself if I was running for office. It is very hard to toot your own horn most of the time. But since it is for the blog I will give it a shot.

1. I am a part of this wonderful blog with talented smart, funny women
2. I can sew, knit, crochet, spin, weave, tat and pick my nose at the same time.
3. .I have a wonderful husband who spoils me rotten, but I only get to see him on the weekends.
4. I get to stay home and play and not put up with bs from a job.
5 . I got my hossie dog who loves me.
6. We live in a our dream home on forty acres.
7. I HAVE A KAROAKE MACHINE AND I KNOW HOW TO USE IT!

I guess this isnt hard after all once I got going it reminds me again how many blessings i really do have.

NINE WORDS WOMEN USE

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement Often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . That will bring on a 'whatever'.

(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Gather and Jealous

Wow! I haven't been on here for a few days and look at all the stuff I missed!!

I will have to say that the word GATHER makes me think along the same lines as Jo. I think of Christmas or Thanksgiving when all of the family "gathers" together.

As far as 3 things to be JEALOUS of me for...... I can think of quite a few:

1. I have a great marriage and a very handsome husband. (a lot of our single friends comment on how they wish they could find someone to look at them and treat them the way that me and Billy do).

2. I am fortunate enough to get to stay home and be a house wife.

3. I get to go to Italy!! Not just for a week or two on vacation, but for 3 years and get to experience the way that the Italians really live in their normal day to day lives.

4 - 1,000,001. There are way to many more to put in here!!! like my beautiful, wonderful children. My Loving family, etc........

I'll take a stab at you challenge

To start off I guess I would say other people are jelous because I am single and own my own house have a decent paying job and I bought a new car this year. What people don't realize is being single is ok. People look at it as you can do what you want when you want. That is true and I do like that, on the other hand I sometimes miss having a partner in life. I won't laberate on that subject (Boring) My job is good but there are down falls that people don't see. My car is wonderful but there is that large payment every month to. Since you brought this up I have been really thinking about jelousy. I can look at someone and think damn I wish I looked liked her, or I wish that I had that house or that relationship but then I have to step back and say but then that would not be me. I have to say that I am jelous of each and everyone of you, no how about envious, you all are so talented in your own ways. I hope this is what you wanted me to write.

My turn to challenge!

This one's a thinker...I don't even have the answers yet, but here's what I'd like to know: What makes other people jealous of you? What do you have, do, know, etc. that other folks look at and said "Man, I wish I..."

The first example is this blog! Everyone I talk to says, "That's so cool! I wish I could get my family to communicate like that. It must be really nice to stay in touch." This one's a double whammy 'cuz people are jealous of me for having this, and I'm jealous of Jo for thinking of it first!

Don't be shy, everything is fair game. I happen to know for a fact that people are jealous of Crissy's fingernails! She's the only person I've ever met who could break every nail today loading a fridge and grow a new perfect set in a week. I challenge everyone to look at their lives from an outsider's perspective and come up with at least 3 things.

Okay, I have a confession to make. I fully expected to get on this morning and nobody would have responded to my gather challenge. You all fooled me again. I guess that what this porch is all about is to gather our friends and family together to listen and appreciate each other.

What would we be in our lives if we didnt have each other. Sometimes it is easy to isolate and not think about anyone else but ourselves, but humans are set apart to group together and keep a history of our sameness and at the same time our differences. I am thankful for ability to communicate on our blog. It feels like we are all sitting around together with beer or iced tea talking this out.

I love you all

Gather

Tif don't feel weird I thought of gathering chicken eggs. My next thought was a group of friends at a party.

Kathy you definitely have every right to vent. After reading that I was pissed. I totally agree with you.

Gather

For some reason, gather reminded me of gathering chickens. Why chickens I have no idea? Crazy day, I guess.

Also wanted to thank everyone for the great idea with my product. Also wanted to let you know: guitar hero guitars already have a stand. I think they were $15.11 on buy.com, liquid bath brush already has a patent out of Alton, IL, a pill box with alarm already has a patent. Thanks again for all the great ideas! I will be working tonight on my proposal. I am sure I will be sick of the invention in the 6 weeks I have to market it!

Venting anger

Maybe this isn't the best forum for this, but I'm angry and I want to vent. I doubt if many of you have been following the same news events I have, so here's a brief. In last weeks election voters in California took away the right for same-sex couples to marry. Here's the part that really gets me...since when are civil rights up to a majority vote? In 1948 do you think that the right for whites and blacks to marry would have passed if put to vote?

Other states voted to eliminate the ability of unmarried couples to adopt or participate in foster care programs. Who does this hurt? If you interviewed children in group homes or orphanages do you think they would say that they would rather stay where they are instead of being in a loving home? I think that Rosie's kids are probably doing ok. I imagine Brad and Angie's kids don't want for much.

We are the DINKs...double income, no kids. In these economic times, this is one group left with money. Crissy suggests that we homos should do what the Mexican immigrants did...pick a day as a group not to buy anything. If one refuses to recognize us as a population with civil rights, then we should not contribute to the population as a whole to show the impact of our existence.

I'm sure that there were plenty of people who felt justified in denying rights to blacks because for some reason or another they were genetically inferior. Intellectually inferior. Did we persist in this line of thinking, or did the country elect a black president? We can't just pick and choose what is a "right" and who gets it. I'm not fighting the church here. They can retain whatever belief systems they want to. It's called separation of church and state. When are we going to see evidence of this basic concept that we built our country on?

Sorry guys, but I'm pissed.

Gather response

I'm probably gonna steal mom's response to this, but my first thought was sewing fabric. I have a memory snippit of mom at the sewing machine and me standing beside her while she tells me that you have to GATHER the fabric in one hand and use the other to guide it through. The word I associate with gather is REASON. Whether you are gathering people or objects there is always a purpose.

Gather

my mind went straight to the idea people.. TO GATHER, and be together:')
My favorite thing is to gather with friends and family!

Stollen idea

Okay, so I am totally stealing this idea from a blog I read this morning, but it was too good to pass up. They were talking about a wordplay game and the word the had to use was gather. Which she said made her think of a little girl in a field picking flowers to make a bouquet. Now my challenge is to make you all think a minute and tell us what the word gather makes you think of personally. I will be checking back to see if I had any takers on the what it means to you.

Happy Monday with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Upside Down Pineapple Cake

So, I played hookie from work today:')  Hey, I'm entitled... I got my homework done.  I did ALL the laundry, took a little nap, then got busy cooking.

I have been thinking about making a creamy tomato sauce for quite some time.  The recipe I found called for heavy whipping cream, which I never have.  Candy suggested just starting w/ the rue based white sauce, so I did.  I added a can of tomato sauce, then some basil and garlic salt!!  YUMMY.   I have to say that it turned out really good.   I then added the leftover salmon to it.  Then I regretted it.  The sauce was still good, but you could only taste the salmon and not how yummy the sauce was all by itself. 

Then I was watching the cooking channel and decided to make a Upside Down Pineapple Cake.  My Mom made them all the time when I was a kid but I don't think I ever made one myself.  So, it is done and is cooling on the counter.  I'll probably serve it here in a minute.

Sorry, no pics today... I guess you will just have to use your imagination:')

Betz White's Kleenex Box

Candy, did you see Betz Whites Kleenex box???

Santa Mittens

Ok, I couldn't help but add 1 more pair of mittens. I think these turned out really cute. I did this using the tunisian crochet too.

How is your porch

Hi everybody, Yesterday was a beautiful day almost hot here, Tif and I took our used books and traded them in at the Book Bug, a used book store. We each got more books and still had a credit of over 20 dollars to spend the next time we went. We had traded the books back and forth before we took them to the store, but I mean really there is only so much room for books you know you will never read again and this way someone you dont even know gets a chance to read the things you find interesting. One of the books I bought is an oldie,but goodie from Garrison Keiler called Lake Wobegone Days. The book is a series of short stories and was made into a radio series back in the eighties. Not that most of you remember the eighties, but at that time we didnt have tv so the saturday night radio program was a big deal to me. I havent started reading them yet, but I am really looking forward to the stories.

Pumpkin Crunch

This is my favorite pumpkin recipe, and Everyone else at my house too!!

1 can pumpkin pie filling (I like to make my own)
1 box white or yellow cake mix
2 cups butter, melted
chopped pecans or walnuts

1. Pour the pie filling in a casserole dish.
2. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top.
3. Pour melted butter over the top of the dry cake mix.
4. sprinkle with chopped nuts, gently pat them down into the cake mix.
5. Bake at 350* until done.

Tunisian Crochet

I figured out how to make my crochet look like knit using Tunisian Crochet (AKA: Afghan Stitch). This is the mittens and ear warmer that I made for my sisters new baby. Libby showed me how to make the ribbon rose on the ear warmer. She comes in pretty handy some times!!

Pecans

Anyone who has talked to me in the last 2 weeks has heard all about my pecan picking adventures so I thought you all might like to see the pictures of what I was doing. The first pictures shows what the pecans looked like when I got them. Then I put them in the freezer and cracked them with a pair of pliers. I dont know if you can see the crochet hook in the upper right hand corner that I used to pick the pecan out of the shell. And the finished product was 3 quart bags of pecans. I would say they were hard earned. I think it is something in the blood to do this kind of thing, because I can remember staying at my grandma hall's house in the country and watching her pick out hickory nuts in the evenings and my mom does the same thing now in the winter if she can find someone to crack the nuts for her. You know it is just one of those family traditions.

The Curry bunch on Halloween

Jerron, Wyatt, and Chloe came to trick or treat last night. Jerron was a wrestler, WyWy was Batman and Clobug was a kitty. I wish I had Chloe's outfit to sleep in it looked all the comfy.

Pumpkins!!

I cook this pumpkin nearly two weekends ago, sorry about the posting delay:')

Here is one of the pumpkins that I grew in the garden this year.

This is one is really lopsided!
cooked it up in the microwave, roasted the seeds, YUMMY!!!

And made 6 cups of puree from this one pumpkin.

I used two cups of puree mixed into a boxed cake mix and made mini muffins.

I put some chocolate chips on a few of them.

I have about 10 more, I'm not sure if I'll cook with them or not.

I'd like to try pumpkin soup.

Does any one have any good recipes.

Glittens

Palm of hand with flap closed

back of hand with flap open

back of hand with flap closed

Palm of hand with flap open

Hey check this out!!! I have a new discovery, GLITTENS!!! it's a mix between a glove and a mitten. I made this pair for Tyler (my 1st pair ever), So in case you're wondering why they're so small, it's because that is my big hand in Tyler's little glove. I thought that was just the coolest thing ever! hooded, fingerless gloves. That way you can flip up the flap and have your fingers to use real quick, then flip the little flap back down and keep your fingers warm again. If you Google in glittens it will come up with quite a few patterns for these magnificent gloves, but unfortunately they are mostly knit patterns and I can't knit to save my life.

Baby Abby

Here is the latest addition to the Hamner family. Abbigale Hamner. You cant see, but she has curly brown hair and a dipple in her left cheek. To see more pictures go to www.knoxie.shutterfly.com and click on the Hamner link.

More before and after pics.

Here are a couple more before and after pics. This is looking into the kitchen from the living room. I'll try and get some more posted as we get the rooms done.

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Before

After

HELLO EVERYONE!!!

OK, OK!!!! I get the hint KATHY AND CANDY!!! I am taking a break from working this morning to take some pictures of what we have been so busy working on. But I can't spend too much time on the computer because I have a lot more work to do. Here are some before and after pictures of our living room. The before pictures were from before we bought the house. We aren't completely done with everything yet, so excuse the un-finished part. Billy is still doing the finishing touches on the hardwood and I need to paint the trim work on the stairs, but...... It's getting there.

I will post some pictures of the rest of the house as we get them done.


PS. In case you haven't already heard, we are fixing the house up to sell because we are moving to Naples, Italy!!!

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The Living Room

(you can see in the back ground that we have put in a formal dining room since we moved in)

Before

After

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The Hall Way

( Yes the carpet used to be RED !!, in case you can't tell by the picture.)

Before

After

Kudos to all of us

It's funny, just yesterday I was thinking "I know Brandi has been doing a lot recently, but she NEVER seems to share..." Thanks mom for the encouragement and for posting Brandi's new project. Hint, hint. The photo album and matching beer coozies are too cute!!! Mom, you are just so poetic sometimes. I read and reread your post about waiting for daylight thinking "Yeah, that's exactly how I feel sometimes!"

On a random side note, there is a price war in progress on paint right now. In my neck of the woods a gallon of Behr Flat Enamel (my personal fave...flat to forgive bad walls, but you can scrub it with Ajax and a ScotchBrite pad without burnishing it...shameless plug for product here) is going for $16.96 a gallon. That's down $5 per gallon!

Brandi's wedding project

Christopher and Brandi's friend Gary is getting married in Maine this weekend and Chris is the best man. He is flying up for the wedding tonight. Brandi made this wedding album and matching beer holders for Chris to take with him. I think it turned out beautiful. The satin and lace is the front and the harley is the back of the album.

I am in awe

I am having trouble shutting my mouth. I cant believe you took that black hole closet and turned it into a dream pantry. Remember I had that cabinet to cram full before you did and it is still beyond my wildest imagination how cool it turned out. All I have to say is awesome, awesome, awesome, f......... awesome.

Before...

I hesitate to show the skeletons in my closet, but here is the "before" picture of Project #2...the pantry. This cabinet was out by the utility room and it was supposed to have brooms, mops, and cleaning supplies in it. Yeah right. It was a great place to hide crap and shut the door. I would post Project #3, the bathroom refresh, but we haven't put in the transitions strips yet, or caulked around the toilet. To say that we have been motivated and busy would be an understatement! Note...this is not typical behavior!

...after

And here is the completed pantry project!

Projects, projects

Ya'll might've noticed that I have writing much recently, but I have been visiting regularly. I've had that "gotta get things done" feeling...complete half finished projects and add some organization before I'm stuck in the house for months during the winter. Here is Project #1, a useless antique kitchen table turned into a coffee table. I was going to throw it away, but Crissy said "honey, can't you do something with that?" She isn't much help with my packrat problem, but this time it worked out. I removed the warped leaves, cut the legs down, stained and finished it. Can I just say that I LOVE BRUSHABLE LAQUER! It dried quickly and leveled into a great finish. Don't use it inside! I had every door and window open with all of the fans running and I still got a migraine cuz it made the house smell like a Vietnemese nail salon. I also put together the coasters out of natural stone tile and some cork for backing.