The Long Project/Missouri-Made Mondays

I've survived Craft Show Season 2016. And now is time for the Long Projects.

By request, I have official approval for this color combination.

Calling it The Green Palette.

Ignore that bit of purple over on the left. It's just hangin out.

And this sampling is called a Star Stitch. I began this project with the variegated yarn called 

Aspen Print. In a future post I'll try for a better picture to show the blues, greens, and browns in the yarn. 

From Missouri, wishing you a wonderful Monday!

Missouri Wine Country/Missouri-Made Mondays

Did you know that Missouri has a history of wine-making that dates back to the 1850's? In fact until Prohibition, it had developed a sophisticated image during those years. Prohibition ended it for a time but it was reborn in the 1960's and is increasingly winning national acclaim.

I present for the Missouri-Made Mondays, a little Grape/Wine theme Microwave Baked Potato Bag.

And now some images of the winery at Rocheport, Missouri.

The Vineyards

Overlooking the Mighty Mo.

I need to revisit on a clear, sunny day. Taste-testing is in my near future.

From Missouri, wishing you a wonderful Monday!!

Rice Is Nice/Friday Flavor

In the cookbook corner of my kitchen counter is this little helper.

Turning to the Rice Pilaf recipe, I see a variation that could prove pretty useful in using up that garlic.

Why I bought so much is beyond me.

But it is that time of year to make the kitchen smell good.

There are also a good bunch of these to use up.

Does anyone else have trouble with green onions staying good very long?

Sticking to my guns, I did NOT stir the rice once the liquid was added.

I used chicken broth instead of water by the way.

Much better, trust me.

After 'the stir'.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Warmin' the Walls/Missouri-Made Mondays

My seemingly endless pile of scrap fabric was dented a little this weekend.
The frugal penny pincher in me saved these batting pieces, and tacked them together.....

Pardon the strings attached, but you won't see them inside a quilt.

And I may or may not have ever mentioned one of the greatest inventions ever in a sewing machine......

The Walking Foot. I will explain more later on this add-on that didn't come with my machine.

There are still things that are best done by hand.......

Like basting together the layers. I love it best when I have a small enough quilt that I can do this on the table rather than on my knees. Too many knee surgeries make for much tenderness when you have to crawl around to baste. Just sayin'.

Maybe my quilter friends out there will give a miraculous suggestion on saving the knees??

Masking tape helps guide my stitches when I don't feel like drawing lines with quilter pencils. And I can reuse the tape a few times when transferring it to the rest of the quilt. 

Binding tomorrow evening while waiting on the election results.

Please remember to Vote! 

In the words of Missouri's own Mark Twain:

"Politicians and diapers must be changed often,

and for the same reason."

Last Minute Fixins/Tasty Thursday

Seems as if our local Walmart redeemed itself..... somewhat.

Looky what I found on the shelf.

So to add to my salad enjoyment,

I fried up the bacon,

And added in some hardcooked eggs, BBQ chicken and

topped it off with some grated cheese.

So ends this rendition of a salad on yet another Tasty Thursday.

 

And just because every so often you need something random:

 

I don't know about you but.....

 



Life is Too Short

Feelings that can come to pass when you have been singled out by your family.

1. Despair: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
   Philippians 4:8
2. Anger: "Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools."
   Ecclesiastes 7:9
3. Depression: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
   Isaiah 41:10
4. Grief: "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."
   1 Peter 5:7

 Yesterday at a local craft show while attending my booth there came along a lady who was reminiscing of yesteryear as she tasted the goodies from the booth next to ours. She described in great detail the recipes of her grandmother who was an immigrant of Austria and how it was rumored she was held for some time by the Royalty there for her great talent of baking and finally allowed to come to America. Great stuff. A story to be very proud of.

I said as much and said I hoped she had those wonderful recipes. The next thing I know she's telling me she is estranged from her sisters who have the book of recipes her grandmother had written them all down in and who won't allow her even copies of the recipes. Or copies of family photos. They won't even speak.

She was in tears slowly telling me more and more about wrongs of her siblings towards her and she was unaware of why they treated her this way. She talked about her brother near death but recovered and hearing about it from a family friend.

She offered her help in a family member's time of need and was firmly refused; given excuses that seemed sensible at the time, but revealed later by another friend as just another part of her alienation.

The story went on and on for about 45 minutes.
Ron, sitting there, was totally convinced we knew each other. I never learned her name.

We've all been in situations where someone is mad at us. My theory after losing my father at a young age:

Life Is Too Short

 





I'm not here to preach about wrongs and rights. Only about feelings.
During this upcoming holiday season, if you can lend an ear to someone, do it.

We all have struggles.

We all have been wronged.

We all feel pain.

And we all have the ability to lend some human spirit of caring to someone.

Pass It On.

Chocolate

Above you will see me beginning the unloading of Salt and Pepper Shakers. I have a post about my cabinet on this link. But that's not really what I'm talking about this time. Although the unpacking of the cabinet is tedious and time-consuming.

I'm on the 2nd shelf as of this writing and the excuse to write this post was much more enticing than finishing another shelf.

Mainly because Kirsten walked in with a plate of these cupcakes. I'm definitely taking a break now from the salt and pepper project.

Thanks Kirsten for the diversion.

I needed that!

 

Reconsidering

Upon careful reflections, I have decided to use this blog again. I hope Blogger won't disappoint me but I'm hoping to give it a whirl. Now what will I talk about??????

Making up for lots of lost time.

You're welcome :)

 

November Highlites

November has flown!!

I finally convinced my youngest daughter that posing for our Etsy store was not too painless :)

I think she is perfect for the job! & guess what???!! All those cowls she modeled sold!

Thanksgiving we gathered with many of other locals downtown. I couldn't resist taking the photo above as it made me think of the French Quarter in New Orleans.

My sister snapped this photo of her daughter (my niece) singing at the beginning of the lighting ceremony. We also had fireworks!!

My nephew turned 21 this year!!! On the day after Thanksgiving to be exact.

We celebrated at a local Chinese restaurant with him, his mother & girlfriend(who had a birthday on Thanksgiving) the following day.

My sister, Mother & myself

My daughters

Papa Ron had a birthday too. We won't tell his age for now :)