Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Outdoor Wednesday...in my back yard...

I spent the morning gardening today...I worked in the front yard for the most part...I came to the back to feed the birds and decided to take a few pictures ...I can't believe it's almost December and our birch trees are finally showing their Autumn colors...these are the two in the back...I can see them from all the windows in the back of my house...I love them!
 Here's some on the side of the house....
 Oh I bounced back to the back again...putting pictures on here is not my specialty...but I try!
 Here is a close up of an new plant I got a few weeks ago...it is an ornamental pepper plant...
 The peppers are supposed to stay purple...as are the leaves...pretty I think!
 Here's a close up of some mums in a pot I moved out to the sunny area...
 I think stock flowers are so pretty too...I love the bright colors...
 A minature rose bud...yes...I am still getting roses...
 These annuals are coming back...for some reason I am brain dead...I can't think of the name...it is on the tip of my tongue...it starts with an L...anyway...they die back in the summer...start coming back when the weather cools down and soon there will be blue everywhere...because they spread like crazy!!
 Bamboo berries...they add tons of color to the yard and look great in Christmas garlands and wreaths...
 Tangerines will soon be ripe...I can't wait!!
 Here's part of the yard...I'm under the apple tree...
 It's a little bare right now...but it's almost December and I have been ignoring it because of all my sewing...
This is the walk way out to the front yard...more birch trees...I look out on these guys from my kitchen window...I always leave the blinds open so I can see them. So that's what the yard is looking like now...there are leaves everywhere...and it is supposed to get really windy in the next couple days...record winds I heard...80 mph gusts...it happens this time of year...I don't like it...but that's our weather pattern...you never know when the winds will go crazy from about October to March...I spent all morning raking leaves in the front from last week's wind...and alot of them weren't from any tree in my yard! Oh well...raking is good exercise...that's what I tell myself anyway! 
Until next time...enjoy the day!!!

Monday, November 28, 2011

I'm back...

 Sorry about the disappearing act...it's been crazy around here!!
 We've been cooking...

 And spending time with family...



And lots and lots of sewing...there's just not enough hours in the day to get everything done!! But as soon as this craft show is over...I'll be able to spend some much needed time decorating, finishing up my Christmas items, gardening, cookie making...and maybe I might throw in a nap or 6...but until then...my sewing machine awaits!!
Enjoy the day!!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Cooking and sewing...it's what I do...

 This time of year I use my crock pot a lot more..and my favorite thing to make in it is soup! Yesterday I made some vegetable beef soup...we had a little piece of London Broil left from Sunday night's dinner...what to do with...of course soup is the first thing that came to our minds...I don't really use a recipe...I'm not that disciplined...I just sort of wing it...to start... I cut up some celery...
 Onions...this time I used white ones...sometimes yellow or red...depends on what's in my onion basket...
 Always lots of garlic...I love garlic!
 And for me...this is key...beans...and lots of them! This is the 15 bean mix you can find in the grocery store near the rice...it's a staple here...it comes with a flavoring packet...I toss that and keep these guys in a jar on the counter...ready whenever I need them...
 It's starting to take shape...I put in a few bay leaves...some fresh picked rosemary...I always leave it on the sticks...twigs...whatever you call it...rosemary can be strong and this way you get a hint...but chopping it can overwhelm it...for me anyway...add some other herbs...whatever you like...I stick with oregano, thyme, sage...those ones...whatever is on hand...a little salt and pepper...
 A can of diced tomatoes...these work for me...you can use fresh...but this time of year the ones in the garden are just about gone and we save them to eat fresh...
 I let it cook almost all day...then a couple hours before dinner...turn up to high and add some yummy fresh veggies...whatever you have...I used carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, cabbage, green beans and corn...
 Mine always comes out more like a stew...really thick...add some water if you like...I like it thick...one bowl of this and a biscuit...you are full!
 I have been sewing a lot these days...for clients and inventory for my Etsy shop and craft fair...I thought I'd show a few bags I've finished...this is one for a client...it's a diaper bag. I loved this fabric and the client wanted something very feminine...I think this will work...
 The toile fabric is canvas...such a pretty pink...very light...don't think my pictures show it very well...I'm working on that...taking better pictures, that is! I love ruffles...but I'm not that fond of making them...
 Here's one I added to my Etsy shop...this was fun...I thought this fabric was so happy...and the ceramic button is from my hoard of buttons...did I say I hoard...yeah...I have to admit it I do hoard certain things...buttons are one..this one is from the 1980's...
 I just added some wool flowers to the pocket to tie everything together...
 This is a small bag...it has a long strap to go across the chest...I had these vintage buttons I wanted to use...they are small...but they work perfect on these bird houses...
This one is going to the craft show with me...I have a couple more orders for diaper bags...more boys...I've been making lots of boy diaper bags lately...they're all fun...so I better get back to work...I also have more bags to add to my inventory...drop by my Etsy shop and check it out...
Until next time ...have a great day!!!

Monday, November 14, 2011

My Thanksgiving list...

 Since November is Thanksgiving month...and the month is just about halfway over...I thought I'd write down thirty things I'm thankful for...one for each day of the month...I know a lot of people are doing this...but maybe you might get to know me a bit better if you see my list...I picked random pictures that I took the other day in my yard...I don't know what made me choose these pictures...I just like them I guess...
My list is not in a particular order... just the way I thought of things...so maybe it is after all...
1. God..He is my reason for living...He has given me everything...and for that I am eternally grateful
2. Don...just the best part of my life...what can I say without sounding corny... truly my better half!
3. My sons...Joseph and Stephen...how do I speak of my sweet sons without tears falling from my eyes...they are my everything...my other better half!
4. Anna and Selin...these girls are the daughters I was waiting for...they are pure love to me...joys to be around
5.Lola...she is such a sweet dog...always happy to see me...always eager to please
6. My extended family...there are many here...sorry to lump you all together...you are all so different and all so dear to me!
7. Home...it is my refuge...I know that's a common term...but it is the only thing I can think of...I have lived in this tiny house for half of my life...I realized that the other day...I love my home...every part of it!
8. My neighbors...they are a wonderful group of people that make me feel welcome and safe...being a part of this neighborhood is a great feeling
9. My sight...any of you that know me very well know my fear of losing my sight...I am thankful every day to see...I am grateful for the invention of prism lenses so I don't have to see double any more...thankful for lighter lenses so I don't have huge marks from the nose piece any more...and I don't even mind remembering how it felt to be called 4 eyes anymore...just grateful to see!
10. The local library...where else can you go for so much adventure, romance, cooking and crafting tips...
 11. Gardening...oh how can I say thanks for all the time I spend outside playing in the dirt...I love every minute of it!!
12. My sewing machine...it lets me be a creative person
13. My camera...oh how I love to take pictures...I'm not that great...but every once in a while...I get that shot I have been trying for...and it's pure joy!
14.The local mountains...I have looked to these mountains just about my whole life...they are home to me.
15. Birds...they bring a smile to my face everyday as I watch them romp and play and feed in my yard
16. My morning walks...peaceful...thought filled...and sometimes downright interesting...
17. magnifier...it sits on my chest as I stitch...it helps me make all those tiny stitches
18. music...I love just about any kind...not blues and jazz though...too sad...country is my favorite...I love to listen and sometimes when no one is around...or even if they are...break into dance...I'm not very good...but it feels wonderful!
19. cloth napkins...sure beats paper...they feel good and so much better for the earth and our pocket books!
20. farmer's markets...I have discovered so many new foods here...expanded my horizon...and oh the freshness of them all!
21. freedom...to say and think as I please...I am so lucky!!
22. USA...this probably should have been sooner...I guess I think smaller...but when I think of freedom I think larger...I was so lucky to be born here...
23. The Chew...I know...a TV show...but I was quite addicted to a silly soap opera...for years...then came The Chew...what an up beat happy show...I tape this one every day now!
24. floss on a roll...now I can stitch my wool and redwork without having to separate those strands...makes my life so much easier!
 25. Rain...we live in such a dry area...water is highly valued here...
26.fresh picked vegetables...oh how I love picking a pepper or tomato off the plant and using it right away...
27. our Birch trees...what a difference these trees have made in our yard...shade and beauty all in a few trees
28. learning...I love learning new things...keeps my brain going
29. my memory...I'm so grateful to be able to pull up a memory so quickly and find joy in the moment
30. You...my bloggy friends....you bring me so many things I would have never experienced if I had not started this blog...I have met and felt kindness from so many different parts of the world...you let me know how much the same we are....no matter where we're from and how we grew up...you gladly share your tips and recipes and crafting ideas with others...and you are so creative!!Thanks so much!!

So that's my list...there are so many things I am grateful for...until next time...
Enjoy the day!!!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

A little gardening...a lot of sewing...

 This week I have been sewing and gardening...gardening and sewing...it's been pretty nice...a bit on the windy side yesterday...but not too bad...cool...I sew all morning long and then when I need a break to stretch out...I go out and garden for a couple hours...it works for me!
 November gardening is mostly about trimming...and hard cutting some of the perennials...especially the Autumn Sage that get very large and need a rest this time of year....I am surprised at what is looking good in the  garden...some that are supposed to be resting are still flowering...
 Take this Black Eyed Susan...I have them all over the back...all from one original plant I bought years ago...and this one stubborn plant keeps on flowering...even though there's very few leaves still growing...
 This should be flowering in the Spring...I got it in the 50% off section at Lowes a few months back...looking a bit sad...but it should be resting as well...silly plant!
 I have a lot of azaleas that are in full bloom too...but they do that ...once in Spring and again in Fall...but the flowers are smaller in the Fall...pretty though! 
Here's some flower inspired sewing I finished...I thought this Waverly canvas was pretty...but I always seem to want to tweak it a bit...so I added flowers all around in wool...I like the way it turned out...Fun!!
Today I'm off to find some matching fabric to a children's toile I bought at a store near my house that only sells canvas and upholstery fabrics...I bought this sweet canvas in the hopes of making a baby girl diaper bag...and what to my surprise...I got a call from a client that I have made several bags for...she needs a diaper bag for a shower gift...for a girl!! She wants pink and brown...oh that's the fabric I bought...now to find lining and accent fabric...sometimes that's the hardest part... the shopping...leaving...driving...hoping you will find it at the first store you go to...mind you...I have very few quilt shops in my area...and none of them that close except one...and it's very small...and as much as I like ordering fabric on-line...I can't try and match something that way...I have tried...not a good experience...you get so excited that you found something...it arrives...not what you want...unless you know the fabric line...you get the picture...so off I go this morning...wish me luck!! There's sewing to be done...and more gardening!! And the rain is coming...well not today...but it's on it's way...boy did I get off track...until next time...
Enjoy the day!!!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The baby squash were delicious...

 Yesterday I showed you the yummy baby squash I got at the farmer's market...today I'll show how I used them...first I browned a couple small chicken breasts...I just seasoned them with salt and pepper...I cook them with just Pam ...we are trying to watch the calories a bit here...
 In a large pan I heat up olive oil...the good stuff...Don and I joined an olive oil club and it is really worth it...next add garlic...yum...I love garlic! By the way...it was hard to take pictures while I was cooking this...it cooks really fast...by the time you put the spaghetti in the water and it's just about done...this cooks up...less than 6 minutes...total time...
 I added some yummy yellow peppers...these are called sweet banana peppers...I grow them in my yard...and I picked them just before I started everything...nice and fresh!
 All I did was wash and cut the stems off the squash...aren't they cute!
 Of course pasta isn't complete without tomatoes...I put them in right at the end...to just sort of warm up...
 I did get a short right after I added a little liquid...you can use wine...pasta water or broth...it's really up to you...just before the pasta is done...I like mine al dente...chewy...add the drained pasta to the pan...mix a little...
And here we are...a fast, easy meal...I just added a piece of bread...you have to have bread with pasta...I think that's a rule...anyway..this was a pretty light meal and Don said and I agree that it didn't really need the chicken...I was just thinking maybe we could use a bit of protein...the baby squash were so delicious and I can't say enough about garlic and olive oil and tomatoes...a staple in this house!
Until next time...make cooking simple and fun...you'll enjoy it so much more!!
Enjoy the day!!!