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!!!