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.

Waiting on day light

When you have dial up internet the best time to blog or anything for that matter is early in the morning or late at night. So I sometimes feel like I am waiting on day light. Fall is a glorious time of year it just seems to be the time when the sun seems to leak away somewhere and we have to grab the day as fast as we can. Dont let this fall go by without grabbing every second you can.

2.5 miles

I just walked 2.5 miles on my treadmill while watching Oprah!!!
New rule, No treadmill, No Oprah.
I need ya'll to hold me to that one:')

Re: Walnuts

Jo,
I think the reason you wait until they outside is not green is so the fruit can dry out some. I have picked many while the husk was green and never had any problems. You still have to make sure they are dry enough which sometimes takes a long time.

Sorry everyone I haven't had much time to blog. Work's crazy (both jobs) school's worse and then the house. My husband is now calling himself the house bitch! Life's crazy.

Tina next time you come down stop by the house and I will show you around. Hopefully my house bitch has it clean!

The Burgoo

Well the infamous Burgoo has taken place last weekend. For more pictures go to www.knoxie.shutterfly.com . I thought I had the hard job of cutting up mountains of veggies and cooking all the meat. Wow was I wrong. From 10:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon someone had to stir the soup with the great big thing that looks like a boat oar or the soup would have burned on the bottom of the kettle. We had a great day for being outside and the soup turned out excellant as well. I think that is what fall is all about anyway. The last pretty days enjoyed, food being stored for winter and good company.

Black Walnuts

I colleced some black walnuts from the yard.
I'm going to give them to a guy at work, so his wife can cook w/ them.
I've never collected them before, so I had no idea what to look for.
We have several trees so we have thousands of these.
I looked online after picking these up, and found out that you should collect them while the hust is still green. Well, I did not do that... Oh well.
Maybe I'll try to harvest some next year.

Life in the UK

Mom and Dick went to England to visit my sister and her family.
Check out Shelby's blog to see all the pics. I can't wait to plan my trip next year!

How to Make a Moisturizing Lotion with Only 3 Ingredients

I found this recipe on Wabi Sabi Baby Blog and I really want to try to make my own moisturizer and other products. It looks so simple.
I'm such a cheapo, so I never order the fancy ingredients to try this out.
Has anyone tried making lotion before? Is it worth buying ingredients?

Pumpkins

I pulled out 11 pumpkins from the garden this year.
Only a couple have perfect shape and skin, but I love them all just the same. I'm actually very pleased with this crop.

I think these are the kind that you should be able to cook with, but I don't have a clue on that.
So, if you all know what to do with them, how to prepare them, recipes or any tips, let me know.

German Mashed Potatoes

This is pretty much the same recipe that I followed, for Knoxtoberfest on Saturday. Although I forgot to get apples.  I'd like to do this again, w/the apples.

I cooked up enough bacon and onions in advance for both the potatoes and the green beans, so that made it easier on Saturday.

I bet a bit of horseradish would kick it up a notch!!!
I did not "top" w/ the onions and bacon, I mixed 'em in, but topped sounds good too.

German Mashed Potatoes

Tangy potatoes, we served with Bratwurst.

SERVINGS: 7
Prep: 20 min. Cook: 20 min.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds red potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 large tart apples, peeled and chopped
• 4 bacon strips, diced
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add apples; cook 10 minutes longer or until potatoes and apples are tender.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. In the drippings, saute onions until lightly browned.
Drain potatoes and apples. Add sugar, vinegar and salt; mash slightly. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with onions and bacon.

Chief Knox

Brandi sent me this picture of Christopher and Tyler. The Chief is on funeral duty this month and has to dress up a lot, but it is nice to see him looking handsome dont you think.

End of Season, Fried Green Tomatoes and Peppers

I went to the garden and pulled out all the green tomatoes that were left on the vine.
I brought them in, sliced them up, shook some salt and peper all over them.
I then did the milk, flour, egg, corn meal batter method and fried 'em up.
YUMMY!
I dipped them into a little ranch dressing.

As for the rest of the peppers, I picked them all, cleaned them up, used some in some chile and froze the rest.

Marco Island

Did I tell ya'll that I'm going w/ a bunch of girls to the Marriot Marco Island Resort and Spa in Marco Island, Florida in November?

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Twitter, my new favorite online gadget

I signed up for Twitter cuz my sister and jeremy were using it.
Kind of nifty little thing, to share what you are up to...
I'm jpk0123, if you are interested.

Sorry, I have been otherwised occupied

Hey all!!
I'm sooo sorry that I have not been blogging lately, I really do have so much to share. Things are just super busy around here. Charlie got home from Iraq safe and sound almost two weeks ago. So, I've had some time to relax. I need to get back in the groove....

Been Knittin

I am making projects out of my new Mason Dixon knitting book. In the bathroom I made a cotton towel and washcloth and in the kitchen is a handtowel. It was simple patterns and pretty fun to work on in the evenings watching tv.

Come sit on the porch with me

Dont forget to bring your iced tea

Bring your troubles and your joy

Tell your stories and bring a toy

We will rock and we will swing

Maybe even we will sing

I cant wait to have you here

My darlings you are always near.

Pickin Pears

Sunday I went over to Tif and Jarrod's farm and picked pears and a few apples to make apple butter. The farm was beautiful. Big fruit trees dripping down pears that even the deer could reach. The pasture as you go in to their property was mowed and it was like opening the door to another world. Have you ever pictured yourself in a covered wagon or on horseback just taking a right in the curve and finding a little piece of paradise. That was what it was like picking pears.

Waiting for Brown Dog

I know this isnt a very good picture, but it just struck me what good friends my dog Hoss and the neighbor dog, Katie Bell(brown dog) really are. No matter what the weather Hoss sits out on the back porch and waits on his friend to come down the hill to play with him. They both wait at the back door to get their treat and then off they go on some great adventure. Routine sometimes can be the death of humans, I say take a page out of the dog world and remember the comforts we enjoy

It's about time

I am so glad that I have had something to read here. I was about to go crazy with wonder. Candy the photos are perfect, wish I could have been there. Kathy and Crissy I am glad you girls had a good time, I did not get to site see in New Orleans when I went we just went to the bars... I said the next time I go it will be with a bunch of girls.. Lyle is not the site seeing kinda guy. Don't get me wrong I like to party to but would have liked to have seen more. Jo I know that Charlie is home but girl you need to get back blogging....Tif and Brandy you to. Can't wait to see your house Tiffany. My mom is planning on coming with me down there and she would like to see Ron's house I think it would reminder her of my grandpas land. I better get back to work. Girls have a great weekend.

Fall makes me sleepy

Yes I will admit with the cooler weather here, I have been sleeping in until 7 or 7:3o every morning. What a lazy bum, but ohhhhh that bed feels good. This morning I got up early enough to do some blog lurking and found a cool site http://lafujimama.blogspot.com/ she had made me hungry so I will probably be cooking this morning. Last night I made brownies and date nut pudding for the weekend yumm. You might like to check out www.smittenkitchen for her beef, barley, and leek soup which also looked wonderful. Hope you all have a good Friday, I know I will cause my honey comes home tonight.

we're off to see the wizard

Here is Kathy and Crissy getting ready to take off for their adventure. Can you believe there was no wicked witch, but gas shortages, bank failures, and hand grenades standing in these little Dorothy's path. As you saw earlier in the week the two heroines prevailed and had a lovely trip no matter the obstacles.

We

We

Karoake night at the Knox's

Good morning. I thought you all might be interested in the kick off for Kathy and Crissy's vacation to New Orleans. We ate and went to visit Tiffany so the girls could get ideas for their work in progress house from Tif. When we got home Miss Crissy talked us in to doing a bit of karoake. She sings Redneck Women better than Gretchen Wilson, no lie. We are branching out and putting old cd's on that we the words to and just belting the song out, lots of fun.

And we're...Back!

We're back home now, safe and sound, and we didn't have any of the problems we were worried about. No hurricanes, and only one gas station with no gas. Actually, everything went so smoothly that I kept waiting for the shoe to drop. Instead, I fell asleep with the shoes on...damn those Hand Grenades! We took our time, took our naps, and were'nt taken for a ride. Crissy and I agreed not to put any pressure on our time, so we ate...napped...ate...drank...you know the routine. We only did the French Quarter this time (it was her first trip to NO), cuz there will be plenty of other trips to do other things. On the way home we resolved to take more day trips. Vacation doesn't come often enough, and for our sanity we need to get away more often. We didn't take a whole lot of pictures, and it will probably be a few days before we get the rest of them up. Thanks mom for the vacation kick off and the wind down...it was perfect. I'd like to start planning for my next time off...if somebody who shall remain nameless (JOLENE) will ever pick a date.