Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Happy Heart Day♥

2012-02-12T17:30:00.000-08:00

Here's some pictures of the swap package I created for APP's Valentine's Day Swap. The theme was a fabric post card/mugrug. The embellishing part was fun! I used a little of this n' that ~ lil' treasures I had in my sewing box♥

Along with a yummy bar of Lindt Dark Chocolate, I enclosed a package of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee in a matching quilted bag ... because after all ~ "A joyful ♥ is good medicine" !!!


Wishing you a Sweet Valentine's Day!!! and ... as always ~ from Cathy with love♥♥

Oh, the sweet, mindless, bliss..

2012-01-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

of a Pinterest addiction!!!

Endless boards to categorize, organize and rearrange at free will!

Anything from ~

Winter Wonderland


dreamstime.com

Cozy Quilts

nanaCompany

Sweet Treats

Glorious Treats

to Valentine baking and craft ideas, and a million other categories!!! (at least a million ~lol!!)

annie's eats

flicker.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanlovelycrafts/5217481643/in/pool-600549@N25/

I only have 38 boards and 640 pins! lol!! Really it's nothing yet ... so many boards to create, so many pins to grab! And then if that wasn't enough, you get followers and you follow other people so you can ~~steal~~, humm .. I mean "repin" their pins! Oh, my! so many wonderful ideas, recipes, and fun photos.

Are you on Pinterest yet? Come on ~ join the fun!! lol! :)

Update ~ I forgot to add my Pinterest link to this post. It's

http://pinterest.com/cathyjrice/

Stop on by for a visit!!

New Beginnings

2012-01-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

This photo was posted by a dear friend on my Facebook page today with this caption:

~ Before you quit because the road seems too long,

turn around and look how far you've come ~

Much needed advise ... the past few years of my life have been a long hard struggle and as I look back, I am amazed how far down the road I have come!

I'm so grateful for the love and encouragement of friends & family and the unfailing strength and wisdom that comes from God everyday and He leads me one day at a time on this uncharted journey. Even though I never wanted to walk this road, it is one I have been forced to travel down. Divorced, without a "home of my own" and stripped of most of my earthly possessions is not the description I would have ever dreamed to be my position, especially at this age.

But ... God has been so faithful to me!!! Going through the fire of trials is painful beyond words, but seeing and living the amazing miracles of God's love♥ for me has been truly AWESOME! Finding "me" again, little by little ... new adventures, new friends. So I welcome this new year ~ 2012. I'm excited to see how much farther down the road I get this year with God's help!!

And ... as always ~

from Cathy with love♥

♥ Christmas Love ♥

2011-12-25T18:17:00.000-08:00

♥CHRISTMAS LOVE♥

1 Corinthians 13 Applied to Life ~

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show LOVE to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show LOVE to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show LOVE to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

LOVE stops the cooking to hug the child. LOVE sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. LOVE is kind, though harried and tired. LOVE doesn't envy another person's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. LOVE doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way. LOVE doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't. LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of ♥LOVE♥ will endure.
~Author Unknown


From Cathy with ♥LOVE♥ ~ Merry Christmas!

Collecting Greens

2011-12-18T22:05:00.000-08:00

It's "coming on to Christmas" now ... so it was time for a trip to the Five Acres. While Judy and I collected boughs from White Pine, Spruce, Cedar and Juniper...

Charlie and Sam enjoyed running and exploring the woods.

Roger found the perfect Christmas tree for their sunroom.

And I collected enough greens to decorate the front of the farmhouse.

May all the blessings of this wonderful season be yours as we enter the fourth week of Advent. Enjoy all the little moments, make precious memories!!

More Aprons ...

2011-12-13T21:13:00.000-08:00

You know how much I love♥ aprons, so I just had to share with you my latest find ~ a list of 191 FREE apron patterns!! :) Here it is:191 Free Apron Patterns!!Have fun!!♥♥

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Rolls

2011-11-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Rolls
This recipe requires 2 days, please read the entire recipe before you start!!

4 medium sweet potatoes ~ about 1 #
2 eggs, beaten
4 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. sea salt
2 Tbsp. dry yeast ~ I use SAF
2 cups whole wheat flour
about 4 to 6 cups unbleached white flour

Wash, but don't peel the sweet potatoes. Simmer them in large saucepan on the stove for about 30 minutes until fork tender. Remove to cool and reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Skin the potatoes. In a bowl, mash them with the butter, honey and salt.
When cooled completely mix in the eggs.
In saucepan heat the reserved cooking liquid to 105 - 115 degrees. (just warm) Pour into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast into it, stir to dissolve. Add the potato mixture, the 2 cups of whole wheat flour, and enough additional white flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured counter and knead for 10 minutes, adding flour as needed.
Place in a large buttered bowl, turning dough over to butter the top surface well.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, remove the dough and let sit on the counter for about 2-3 hours until it has come to room temperature. Turn out onto a floured counter and knead for 1 minute. Cover with a clean towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
Divide the dough into 24 pieces and shape into roll style of your choice. My family's favorite is twisted knots. Let rise on cookie sheets for about an hour until doubled. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, bake rolls until golden brown about 15-20 minutes.

A Warm Blessing

2011-11-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

The classic Pea Coat. Remember theses? I had one in navy blue way back when I was in my teens, and I loved♥ it!! Well, they are back in style ~ yay!!

Being back in the land of cold winters with lots of snow, I sadly am lacking in warm winter clothes and was without a coat. I've been putting a few dollars away each paycheck, hoping to be able to purchase one of these before the cold weather sets in to stay.
Well, a winter coat is a "need", so I've been asking the Lord to help me find a sale. Once again I have been sooooo overwhelmed with how much God loves me!!! He knows our needs before we ask! A week ago, the neighbor lady brought back unsold items that we had added to her yard sale. I just found out that she also brought a few items of clothing that she thought I could use. And ... you guessed it!!! There was my pea coat, a BEAUTIFUL black wool one, in like new condition and of course it fits perfectly!!!! God never does anything that's not perfect!! lol!!
Philippians 4:19 ~ But my God shall supply ALL your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Oh, my coat money? that bought me a pair of warm boots and a beautiful set of RED♥ gloves and a scarf!! :)
Hugz to all of you! God bless you in this month of Thanksgiving :)♥
Cathy

Garden Tomato Basil Soup

2011-11-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

Garden Tomato Basil Soup

16 cups fresh tomato puree
2 cups chopped celery, including tops
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp. sea salt (opt)

Puree garden tomatoes until you have 16 cups. I used a Squeezo.

Heat the puree in a large stainless steel stockpot over low
while you prepare the other vegetables.

Chop the celery and onion, saute in the olive oil for 5 minutes. Add the grated carrot, basil, parsley and garlic, saute for 5 more minutes.

Transfer the vegetable mixture to the blender and blend on high, adding a cup or so of the tomato puree to mix well.

Pour all the mixture in the blender into the tomato puree in the stockpot and stir well. Add the brown sugar, ground cloves and salt and pepper. Mix well. You can continue to cook soup over low heat on the stove in the stockpot or transfer to a crock-pot and cook on the low setting for 3-5 hours, until it reaches the desired consistency.
Makes about 5 quarts of soup. I froze mine in 1 quart glass jars,
leaving about 2 inches of head space.
ENJOY!!!!! Hugz, CJ♥♥

Good Bye Sweet October

2011-10-31T12:53:00.001-07:00

Autumn, At Last!

2011-10-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE!♥ Autumn!!! Don't you??

I miss all my blog friends, but life is sooo busy for me, no computer time.

Hope all of you are enjoying the beauty and bounty of this AWESOME season!!

Hugz, Cathy♥♥

I Heard You!!!!

2011-07-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

YES!!!! I'm still here and I've heard your requests for me to reopen my blog!
I must admit I'm overwhelmed by all the wonderful, thoughtful and loving emails, notes, letters, posts, texts and yes, packages of love from some of the best friends I've ever had!! Just knowing you are there for me and feeling your prayers as I struggle through this uncharted path one day at a time has been the hope to keep me going. You all are the best!!!!!

I really didn't think my blog was read that much, and with not being able to post like I want to, I thought it best to close it for a while. OK, OK!!! lol!!! :) I heard you!! "Cathy, please let me in your restricted reader list", "CJ, I feel so disconnected from you", "Please open your blog even if you can't post, it helps me to not miss you so much", "Cathy, I miss you and your blog, I'm so sad", "Cathy, please email me, I need a link from your blog", "CathyJean, I miss you! I'm feeling so disconnected from you without your blog" .... and the list goes on!
You are all so amazing and I love♥ you all sooooo much!!!!! I thank God for you every day and pray for you too:)♥

I am leaving my blog open now and will post when I can. I miss all of you so much!!
Hugz, Cathy♥♥

MugRug Love ~ Part Three

2011-03-28T07:10:00.000-07:00

Part three??? Yep! I wasn't expecting this one ...

but ... I was blessed with a very nice surprise from APP!!
One of her "way too cute" lil' bunny mugrugs with all the trimmings!! :)

Thank you, Auntie♥♥ I feel so ♥loved♥ :)

MugRug Love ~ Part Two

2011-03-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the oh, so cute mugrug package I received from my swap partner, Cathy, in the
APP Easter MugRug Swap.

Just look at all the cute details she put into my mugrug!! She sure is one creative gal!!
I ♥LOVE♥ the bunny theme :)

More goodies included a pretty crocheted dishcloth
and ... this cute lil' stuffed bunny that will soon be joining my Easter bunny collection♥

Thanks again, Ms Cathy for being my swap partner!!!
I love♥ everything :)

Banana Bread

2011-03-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

Cathy's Banana Bread

6 medium size very ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup softened unsalted butter

1 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

4 large eggs, beaten

1 - 1/2 cups unbleached white flour

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cloves

1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In electric mixer, cream together butter and sugars, add mashed bananas and beaten eggs, mix well. Add dry ingredients slowly with mixer running on low. Add pecans and blend well. Pour batter into 5 greased mini loaf pans (3x5) and bake on center rack in oven for 35-45 minutes, until golden brown or until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. OPTION: Bake in two greased 9x5 loaf pans for 55-60 minutes.

I've re-post this recipe to share in the ~
GOOSEBERRY PATCH RECIPE ROUND-UP
Click HERE for more yummy recipes!!

MugRug Love

2011-03-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures of the swap package I created for the
APP Easter MugRug Swap.

I am really enjoying these lil' swaps! Having fun picking out goodies to co-ordinate.
Of course, Easter goodies have to include a chocolate bunny, right?!! lol! :)

I just did a mini Disappearing Nine Patch Block,
alternated with a focus block of these cute lil' Easter bunnies for my Mug Rug.

Of course, I had to make a pincushion out of the extra fabric!
Every stitcher can use another pincushion♥!

and ... a few fun lil' quilted bags filled with more goodies,
but can be used for keeping sewing tools later on!! :)

For more MugRug inspiration,
click HERE.

Seed Exchange = New Friend

2011-03-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Last month I joined a Seed Exchange hosted by
Ms Linda from Prairie Flower Farm.
The purpose of the exchange is, of course, to share seeds, but even more, it's to make a new friend :) I was so thrilled to find out that the lady I was to exchange with lived in Tennessee!!
I have family and friends in that beautiful state and it is one of my favorite places to visit♥
My Exchange partner is a card maker and shared some of her lovely creations with me along with a packet of English Daisy seeds ~ which I ♥love!!

Here's the lil' fabric pouch I made to send her along with a set of annual flower seeds♥

The best part? You know, don't you! Making a new friend!!!
Over the days since we exchanged our packages, we have emailed back and forth, getting to know each other better. Amazing all the things we have in common!! or is it?? Humm ... as Ms Linda would say "That was the point of the seed exchange, ya know!!" :)

Thank you, sweet Ms Linda for hosting this Seed Exchange♥♥

Home Is Where The Heart Lives

2011-02-24T06:13:00.000-08:00

Did you read the ♥LOVE♥ between the signs?
Wishing you a wonderful day, my sweet friend♥!!

Some Finished Projects for February

2011-02-23T09:11:00.001-08:00

With less then a week left in February, I realized that I still hadn't posted about a few of the sewing projected I finished up this month.
This is the apron that I made for the
Country Pleasures Valentine Apron Swap

And ... I finished another set of pincushions for a friend ~
of course they are RED♥ polka dots :)

And .. with my sewing machine sewing along so beautifully now after a visit to the sewing machine repair man ...

I was finally able to finish my snowman mugrug for
the APP Christmas MugRug Swap.

Sorry, Sweet Swap Partner, I was soooo very late :(

APP's Birthday Annie

2011-02-20T18:48:00.001-08:00

This is sweet lil' ♥PINK ANNIE♥ I made APP for her birthday.
Click HERE to see more pictures :)

Valentine Needlebooks

2011-02-18T07:28:00.001-08:00

This year I decided to make my ♥Valentines♥ out of fabric ~
just thought you might like to see how they turned out :)

Valentine Treasures

2011-02-16T08:04:00.001-08:00

How was your ♥Valentine's Day? Mine was great!! Some sweet treasured cards, a pot of tulips from my hubby, out to see a movie, then stopped for take-out at our favorite Greek restaurant so we could be home in time to watch "Chuck" lol!!! :)

and ... my Valentine Apron Swap box from Nadine from Apron Valley Road arrived!!! yay!!
This Swap was hosted by Sue from Country Pleasures :)
Isn't that the sweetest apron?? I ♥LOVE♥ the colors :)

with sweet "Nadine Original" ruffle accents at the top and ...

the pocket♥

OH, am I spoiled??? Just look at all the goodies she sent with the apron :)
See that "Nadine Original" ruffle? it's even on the cute tea cozy!!

yumm!! love that assortment of tea♥

even more goodies, including a cute piece of Sunbonnet Sue fabric in ♥RED♥

I see a project coming... don't you?

Thank you, Ms Nadine!!!! You are a sweetie! I feel sooooo spoiled and loved♥

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T05:58:00.001-08:00

♥Valentine Chocolate Chip Cookies♥

original recipe HERE

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/3 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups dried cranberries
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate pieces
1 cup white baking pieces
1 cup flaked sweet coconut

Directions ~

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer 30 seconds. Add sugars, soda and salt. Beat till combined.

Beat in the eggs and vanilla till mixture is smooth. Using the mixer, beat in the flour, then add cranberries, nuts, chocolate, white baking pieces, and coconut. (Dough will be stiff.)

Drop from rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in 325° oven 12 to 14 minutes or till golden. Cool a few minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool.

Makes about 48 cookies♥

♥Our Own Dream Cookies♥
original recipe HERE

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2-1/2 cups regular or quick-cooking rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 cup white baking pieces or peanut butter-flavored pieces
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening and butter with an electric mixer 30 seconds or until softened. Add sugars, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat mixture until combined.

2. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat thoroughly. Beat in flour and cocoa powder at low speed until just combined. By hand, stir in the oats, chocolate pieces, white baking pieces and nuts.

3. Using a 1/4-cup dry measure, drop dough onto a greased cookie sheet. Press dough into a 3-inch circle. Repeat with remaining dough, placing cookies 3 inches apart on cookie sheets.

4. Bake cookies in a 350° oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until just set. Let stand 1 minute on a cookie sheet. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

5. Store cookies in a container in the freezer up to 3 months. Makes about 24 large cookies.

Wishing all of you a very
H♥A♥P♥P♥Y V♥A♥L♥E♥N♥T♥I♥N♥E♥'S D♥A♥Y!!!!!!!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

2011-01-27T06:07:00.000-08:00

Linked to ~
Sweets For A Saturday
go check out the other yummy recipes :)

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Ingredients

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2-1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup raisins
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

In a large bowl, combine both flours, 1-1/4 cups sugar, soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in raisins. Combine cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg with remaining 1/4 cup sugar; set aside.
Spoon half of the batter into two greased 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans. Sprinkle with half of the reserved cinnamon-sugar; repeat layers. Cut through batter with a knife to swirl.
Bake at 350° for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Original recipe from Taste of Home ~ click HERE to see.

Valentine Red♥

2011-01-21T07:00:00.001-08:00

One of the best things about Valentine's Day for me is that it's basically associated with the color ♥RED♥!!! And if you know me, you know that ♥RED♥ is my favorite color! :)
I wanted to share with you a few fun tutorials that I have recently found. The first one is from
Daisy Cottage Quilting. It's a table runner with the prettiest ♥RED♥ hearts pieced into it!
Click HERE to get started. Sharon is going to do another tutorial for making the sashing later, so we better get started!! :) and while you are visiting Sharon, don't miss her store! Lots of wonderful goodies :)

Next is a series of patterns for ♥REDwork♥ embroidered Annie blocks with the instructions to complete the quilt. This is from
The Painted Quilt. You will definitely want to spend some time visiting her blog ~ Kaaren is a very talented artist! All the blocks for this Annie quilt are in links listed on her sidebar. You can get started HERE.
(The last set of blocks for this quilt has been posted) PS ~ don't miss the other wonderful tutorials that Kaaren has to share!! :)

I had been waiting for my "big" sewing machine to be repaired so I can do some applique and quilting, so ... in the meanwhile I've sewn aprons and of course they are ♥RED♥!!!
♥RED♥ with polka dots and hearts♥! and one with rick rack too!

Another one made from ♥RED♥ gingham with eyelet lace and pretty lil' white flower trim!

And ... as always, made with ♥love♥ by Cathy :)

You can see more of my aprons in my shoppe ~
Made With Love By Cathy

APP Sewing Accessories Swap

2011-01-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

New Year, New APP Swap ~

Click HERE to go check out the details :)

Welcome 2011

2011-01-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

A Repost From Pins & Needles

2010-12-24T18:37:00.000-08:00

My Christmas Gift To You
A repost from Pins & Needles

Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the Pins & Needles Land
Each stitcher was working on her last project at hand.
There were knitters, crocheters, apron and Annie sewers and quilters too!
All knew the clock was ticking ...
and they still had plenty to do!

Now those gals from Down Under, Mistea, Jindi, Vanessa and Khris were leading the band,
Ever so mindful that for them Christmas Day would soon be at hand!

When up in the Northland there arose such a clatter,
Every stitcher from Washington to New York sprang up to see what was the matter!
OH. they all cried with relief, it's just Nadine, Kay, Denise, and Sherry,
All working to made their Christmas merry!

But way down in Georgia it was quiet as a mouse,
As Doris sat crocheting in a brightly lit house.
Gizzy was sound asleep, so cozy and warm,
As he dreamed of doggie treats on Christmas Morn.

On the cold Kansas prairie the north wind was blowing,
Maybe by Christmas it would be snowing!
But that didn't damper Auntie's machine, it was whirring!
And what about Miss Pitty? Oh, she wasn't stirring.

Over in the Ozarks, Sue was still apron making,
Of course that is only when she wasn't baking!
And then there was Angie , feverishly working on her Prims,
But meeting her deadline was looking rather "grims".

And back up in Indiana, Brenda still has not gone to bed,
She's staying up drawing Annie patterns that are swirling in her head!

In the states of Texas and Florida, Jennifer and Robin were so relieved to see
That all of their gifts were finished, wrapped and under the tree!

And Cynthia in Virginia is done with her rug,
You know, it's the latest craze, the one to hold her mug!

Across the Big Pond is rughooking Heather,
I wonder if her studio is as quiet as a feather?

So to all of my ♥kindred spirit stitchin' Sisters♥ ~
Are you all crazy, out of your head??
Enough of your stitchin'!!! NOW ~ get off to bed!!!!! LOL!!!! :)

A Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you!!!!!!
Love and Hugz,
CJ♥♥

Sinfully Soft Molasses Cookies

2010-12-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

Sinfully Soft Molasses Cookies
Recipe from Nadine from Apron Valley Road

Wet Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter (real, not margarine)
1/2 cup shortening (I use Crisco Butter Flavored Shortening)
1-1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2eggs
Additional sugar for rolling

Dry Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
2-1/4 teaspoons ginger
2-1/4 teaspoons cloves
1-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream butter, shortening, and sugar til light and fluffy. Add molasses and eggs, mix well.
Sift or stir together flour, salt, soda, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.Gradually add dry ingredients to wet. The secret to good cookies is to NOT OVERMIX after the dry ingredients have been added!
Roll dough into 1-1/2" balls. Roll balls in sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheet 2-1/2" apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes. Do not over-bake if you want them to remain soft! Store in a tightly-closing container to maintain softness. Flavor enhances over time. These cookies actually taste better on the second and third days. Wonderful freezers!

( Cathy's note : The cookies Nadine made and sent me still were soft and tasted wonderful after a week! So ... this is a great recipe for shipping!♥)

My MugRug From APP's Christmas MugRug Swap

2010-12-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

This is my ♥cute♥ lil' Gingerbread Man mugrug that I received from Ms Nadine
in App's Christmas MugRug Swap

It came complete with a lil' spoon for stirring the tea that can be brewed right in that AWESOME tea mug with the matching quilted mug cozy :)
I got the recipe for those yummy Molasses Cookies AND ... a package of them already made up by sweet Ms Nadine♥
Am I spoiled, or what????? Yep!! and ... I'm lovin' it!!
Thanks again, Ms Nadine!! :)

Christmas Apron Swap

2010-12-11T18:57:00.001-08:00

I wanted to share some pictures with you of the pretty RED♥ apron I received from my swap partner, Gail from Faithfulness Farm in the Christmas Apron Swap hosted by Ms Sue from Country Pleasures.

I was soooo excited when I opened the package to see this beautiful RED♥ apron with rickrack! Just look at that cute REDwork panel!!! Isn't that sweet?

The package included 2 kitchen towels with more of Gail's beautiful REDwork stitching♥

and a lil' Christmas book!!
Thank you, Ms Gail!!! I LOVE everything!♥

Countdown to Christmas

2010-12-11T08:40:00.001-08:00

The four months of Cathy's Christmas Countdown are completed,
and I have enjoyed each and every one of your projects, ideas, recipes, and family traditions!
A BIG thank you to all the Countdown Players for playing along with us. I wish I could pick all of you for the drawing winner, but ... you know how that goes! LOL!!
So, the winner of my December drawing is Ms Denise T. who is a MaryJane Farmgirl.
She doesn't have a blog (which is probably why she gets sooo much more crafting done then me!! lol!!! )
Here's the yummy recipe Ms Denise shared with us ~

Here is my favorite recipe that is actually also one of our traditions as we have it every Christmas morning.
MONKEY BREAD
4 tubes Pillsbury pull-apart rolls
2/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks butter
Cut biscuits into fourths. Combine 2/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a bag; add cut up biscuits pieces and shake well. Place 1/2 the cut up biscuits in bundt pan. Cook 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 1/2 sticks butter for 2 minutes and pour 1/2 mix over pieces in pan. Add remaining biscuits and top with rest of liquid mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

CONGRATS Ms Denise!!!!!
and Happy Christmas Crafting to all of you!!!
Hugz, Cathy♥♥

Final Day for December Christmas Countdown

2010-12-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day to join in on the Christmas Countdown for December's drawing.
If you still haven't done that , but want to,
click HERE to see the sign up post and leave your comment there.

This is "Snowman Bob" ~ or just plain Bob, as he prefers to be called. It's pretty clear that he is a "snowman" lol!! even if he is not made of snow!

Bob is created from snippets, bits and pieces of treasures from my sewing room ~ felted wool, beads, vintage buttons, a jingle bell, and a hand felted wool nose and heart♥ He carries a lil' cinnamon stick Christmas tree and shines in the light with glitter snow :)
Even though Bob is only 8 inches tall, he is full to the brim with love♥ and Christmas cheer!!
and ... he is sooooo excited to be the prize for this Christmas Countdown drawing!!!
So ... who's home is Bob going to??
We'll know tomorrow! If you haven't joined in this month, you better hurry up!! :) lol!!!

Cathy's Christmas Countdown ~ December Giveaway

2010-11-30T11:30:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to play the LAST
Christmas Countdown??
If you don't know what this is, click HERE to read.

OK!!! This one is SUPER EASY ~ no reason not to play ...

Just leave a comment here on this post that includes ONE of the following ~

#1. A short description about the Christmas gift(s) you have finished.
#2. A link to a post on your blog about your Christmas gift making.
#3. A favorite family Christmas recipe, or the link to one.
#4. A favorite family Christmas tradition.

See, isn't that easy?? And ... I'm even giving you a lil' extra time ~
The last day to leave your comment is
December 10th!!

Oh, by the way, the December giveaway is a "SURPRISE", not to be revealed until December 1oth :)
So, if you want to play along, you may leave your comment anytime from now until December 10th!♥

♥HAPPY CHRISTMAS CRAFTING♥
Hugz, Cathy♥♥

Links to Countdown Players for December ~
Posting with a link is not required this month to be in the drawing, but if you do post about your Christmas crafting, please let me know so I can link you up ~ we all love♥ to see!!!

Wendy from The Crafter's Apprentice
Claire from Pootle Flumps Sewing Room
Jonni from MaryJane Farmgirl Chatroom
Find the recipe Jessie (from MJF) shared for Buckeye Candy HERE
Sherry from If I Could Set My Soul Free
Gin from Keepsake Moments
Laura from Harvest Lane Cottage and ... I'm Making a List
Ms Muffin from Muffins and More: Strawstar Tutorial

Pumpkin Bread

2010-11-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

If you are like me, you are trying to find ways to stretch the grocery money a lil' bit. Well, I took advantage of the reduced prices of fresh pumpkins recently and bought several to bake up and put into the freezer to use in baking all winter long. Pumpkin is very nutritious, lots of Vitamin A and fiber, but we normally use it in baked goods, like pie, sweet breads and cookies or bars. Yes! these are wonderful!! :) But I wanted another way to enjoy some of this yummy pumpkin without a lot added fat and sugar. Here's my "newly invented recipe" lol!!!
This is NOT a sweet bread, it is a moist yeast bread that is great for sandwiches,
makes yummy toast!♥
Pumpkin Bread

1-1/2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup sunflower or canola oil
2 cups whole wheat flour
4-6 cups unbleached white bread flour
2-1/2 cups drained baked pumpkin, mashed
4 Tablespoons nonfat dry milk
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 Tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons active dry yeast (I use SAF)

The order of the ingredients is for loading a bread machine. If you are kneading by hand, reverse the order and follow the basic bread making instructions that you are comfortable with.
This recipe makes two large loaves or 3 medium ones.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 -30 minutes, or until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when tapped.
The amount of flour used to knead in will be determined by how thick your pumpkin is. If you are using canned pumpkin, you will use less flour.
The bread has a very good taste, similar to potato bread, but you do not taste the pumpkin. It just adds moisture, that beautiful golden color and, of course healthy nutrients!
ENJOY!!! and please let me know how yours turned out :) If you are using fresh pumpkin, click HERE for instructions for baking it and don't forget to roast those pumpkin seeds. Click HERE for how to.

If you need yeast bread making help, this is a good place to start
HERE

If you'd like to see what I do with sweet potatoes, click HERE for my Sweet Potato Rolls recipe. It 's a Thanksgiving tradition in my house! Enjoy! ♥

November Giveaway Winners!

2010-11-08T08:24:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to the winners of the
November Christmas Countdown Giveaway!!!
Giveaway #1 ~ Gin from Keepsake Moments
and ...
Giveaway #2 ~ Wendy from The Crafter's Apprentice

Thanks to both of you ladies for playing this month's Countdown! You have inspired me with your diligence to keeping on tracking with your Christmas gift crafting!!
One more Countdown to go ~ December 1st ♥

Happy Crafting to all of you!!
Hugz,
Cathy♥♥

Cathy's Christmas Countdown ~ November Giveaway

2010-11-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, November!! ... and Hello Christmas Countdown players!
Are you ready to let the posting begin? I am!! Wow! Some of you have already posted and I'm sooo excited to see the awesome progress being made on the gift creating!♥
November is traditionally the month that "unofficially" starts the cooking & baking marathon that lasts until after New Year's Day! You may still be finishing up the harvest, or getting a jump on the preparations for the big Turkey Day feast? Let's face it, we have a lot of kitchen duty ahead of us this month! :) So ... what hard working girl wouldn't want a hard working but oh, so pretty APRON to help her out?

November Giveaway #1 is this bright, cheerful Autumn Apron with
two Gooseberry Patch & Sunmaid Raisins Cook Books ~ yumm!!!

and this month there is more ...
November Giveaway #2

is ... one of my "Handy, Dandy Fabric Shopping Bags" lol!!! :) in a pretty Autumn leaf print with plaid homespun lining ~

complete with 2 pockets and button accents!♥

Now, you remember the rules, right? They are soooo simple!!
If you are new, we welcome you, but please read the rules HERE.
This month everyone who plays gets their name put into the drawing basket once for the Apron/Cookbooks and once for the Shopping Bag, BUT ... if you want more chances, you can grab a Christmas Countdown button on the right sidebar and add it to your blog, that's one MORE chance! and if you include a link about the Christmas Countdown in your post I will give you another chance!!!! Total of THREE chances for EACH giveaway! :) I will be checking your blogs! lol!! :)
If you want to play and don't have a blog or can't post about the gifts you are working on, shhhh!!
(like me ♥), please email me at catherine.j.mcnabb@gmail.com
and I will add your comments and/or pictures to this post and enter you into both drawings!! Hurry! You must post or email me by November 7th to be in this drawing.
Be sure to leave me a comment so I know:)

The list of Players for November is on the right sidebar ~please go and check out the projects they are working on!!! Very inspiring :)

In case you didn't know ~
At the top of my blog are TABS to open pages ~ here is where you will find the list of Gift making ideas, Christmas baking recipes and the general rules for the Christmas Countdown.
I still would love to add your links and recipes to the lists!! Please share! ♥♥
Happy Gift Creating!!!
Hugz,
Cathy♥♥

Some comments from Countdown Players this month ~

I am making embroidered tea towels and a shilly shelly from the MJF Book. I plan to make packages of the tea towels and cookies for some of my nieces. One of my favorite cookie recipes is the one on the back of the toll house cookies bag. I always get requests for that one LOL!
Thanks so much!
Jonnie

Holly Jolly Christmas Quilt

2010-10-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share a peek of the Christmas quilt I'm working on finishing up.

It's last year's Holly Jolly Christmas Quilt Block Swap from APP's blog , well I should say one of the HJ Swaps that she does.
I think there were at least four of them, some traditional, like the one I joined, some bright and bold! They all were so cute!:)

I am having fun♥ working on mine! It's going to be a great to see it hanging on the wall in a few weeks when I start Christmas decorating ~ wow!! Christmas is coming fast!!! soooo ...
here's a reminder that the next Christmas Countdown post is only 10 days away!! How are you doing with your Christmas crafting???
Hurry!!! finish up those October Christmas projects and gifts so you are ready to post about them for the November Drawing!♥♥

Psssst!!! Grab a button on the right sidebar for your blog if you are playing the
Christmas Countdown this month. Let's see if we can encourage some more players for the last two drawings! :)
Happy Christmas Crafting!!!!!! ♥♥

Morning Glories

2010-10-12T05:58:00.000-07:00

Way back in the spring, after we cleaned out the "jungle" at the back fence, I planted some flowers and seeds. I didn't get real into it because I needed to let this first summer here be a practice run for that area, not knowing what shrubs, flowers, etc were planted there and would be popping up.

I planted Morning Glory seeds in a few areas along the fence in hopes that they would cover the (ugly) fence, well ... summer came and it was soooo HOT, too hot to do anymore gardening and yard work then necessary, so ... that border ended up being a discouraging mess of too many plants in too small of an area, all fighting for space.
I had to give up trying to fight with that jungle and am still waiting for cool weather to clean it out and transplant some plants out of there.
I was glad that my zinnias survived because they were so pretty all summer, but I gave up hope for the Morning Glory vines in that tangled jungle ...

but ... last month as I was cleaning up some and pulling weeds away from the fence I realized that the vines were in there!! They just hadn't started blooming yet.

New lesson learned from my beautiful Morning Glories ~
Not only is it important to "bloom where you are planted" but also "rising above your conditions" will allow you to be more of a beautiful blessing then you could have imagined!♥
I have been enjoying their beauty every morning now for a few weeks, and there are more blooms everyday :)
But ... I didn't know until yesterday that I wasn't the only enjoying this lil' bit of beauty. My sweet neighbor lady that lives behind us (on the other side of the fence) stopped by to let me know how much she and the lady next to her have been enjoying the Morning Glories!! ♥ I was sooo happy to hear that!! :)

So ... bloom where you are planted and do the best you can,
because you never know who's life your may be touching. ♥♥

October

2010-10-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

Here we are ~ in October with one week already gone!
Sweet October, the month I dreamed about all the hot summer long is flying by too quickly.
Hoping to enjoy some sweet memories before it's all gone ~ but, our weather is still hot, with the daytime temps climbing up into the high 80's and no rain. If you suffer from allergies, like I do you know what this means.
Even if it's hot, the days are ticking down towards Christmas!! I'm impressed and inspired to do much better this month with my own Christmas gift making by the few, but faithful Christmas Countdown players! You are all awesome!! :) It's going to be exciting to see how much we are going to get done this month.
Now ... for the announcement!!
The winner of the October Drawing is~
Doris from Crocheting in Georgia

Congrats Doris!!!
Thanks for playing this month and encouraging us with your wonderful Christmas giving idea.
Happy October to all of you!!
Happy Crafting :)♥♥

Two More Days ...

2010-10-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

~ Ms Matilda Jane ~
Her hair is as stiff as straw and her brain is stuffed with fluff,
but she's just as sweet as she can be!♥

and ... she is patiently waiting for the October Drawing on the 8th to see who she is going home to!! :) Could be you ... if you are playing the Christmas Countdown.
Click HERE to review the rules ~ two more days left to enter ...

APP's Halloween Tote Swap

2010-09-30T13:09:00.001-07:00

I've been busy, but ... just had to do one swap this Fall. Have to have a lil' fun too, right? :)
The swap I joined up in was
APP's Halloween Tote Bag Swap
and lucky me ... my swap partner was Auntie, herself!!!
Just had to show off the sweet tote bag she made me!!
Oh, yea!! It is soooo "me"!!! Don't you think?

Warm homespun with the cutest acorn and oak leaves applique!!♥

And ... just look at all the other goodies she sent me!!! :)

Thank you, Auntie!!! I ♥LOVE♥ it!! :)

Egg Custard Pie

2010-09-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

Egg Custard Pie

To Make Crust ~
1 cup flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup shortening
2 Tbsp. chilled butter, cut in small pieces
3 Tbsp. ice cold water
In a medium bowl, mix flour and sugar. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the shortening and butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork until mixture clumps and dough is formed. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead 1 minute, just to make sure it is mixed well. Roll out into a round to fit your pie dish. (mine was a 9" ) Crimp the top edges and use a fork to prick the bottom.
Preheat oven to 450 F. while you make the filling.

To Make Filling ~ (for 9" pie)
Beat together 4 large eggs (or 3 jumbo) and 1/2 cup sugar. Add 1 cup milk, 1 cup half & half, and 2 tsp. vanilla extract. Mix well. Set aside.

Put the UNFILLED pie crust into the oven and bake for 10 minutes at 450 F. degrees.
Removed from oven, lowed the temperature of the oven to 325 F. Stir filling once again and pour into the hot crust, top with 1/4 tsp. nutmeg sprinkled evenly over the filling. Carefully transfer the pie into the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the filling is set.
Cool before cutting. ENJOY!!!
As always, refrigerate any leftovers, because of the eggs.

Hello Christmas Countdown Players!!!

2010-09-27T07:35:00.000-07:00

Whee!!! Is September going fast, or what??

I've been hearing from some of the Christmas Countdown Players about their gift projects! I'm sharing some of them here to keep you inspired to keep working on those Christmas gifts!!!
Remember to check my "Cathy's Favorite Christmas Gifts Making Ideas" list on the right sidebar, if you are still searching for ideas.
I'm waiting to add your links to it and enter you into my
October Giveaway!! Did you forget?? lol!!

Leave a comment about your Christmas gift making progress OR share a gift making link or idea with us and I will enter you into the next drawing!!
Check the list of current players at the top of my blog for more inspiration!

Merry Heart is using a little "upcycling" in her cute cupcake pincushions!!
Check it out♥ HERE
She also is crocheting pretty dishclothes from this pattern ~ HERE.

Doris from Crocheting in Georgia shared this wonderful♥ idea she is working on for her mother who lives in Germany ~
This year I decided to send my mother in Germany a bunch of crocheted hats/beanies for her to give to the ladies and nurses in her convalescent home where she lives in Germany. I already told her I will be doing that, so on Christmas, she can play Santa Claus and let the ladies pick the one they want. I'm working on them as we speak. They will be all different colors and designs. I will also include some crocheted flowers and brooches/pins that can be added to embellish these beanies. I will send simple ones, some for men and some fancy ones, so there should be something for everyone.
I'm doing this because beanies don't weigh too much for shipping to Germany, plus it will hopefully give my mother a little extra joy for Christmas since I can't be there to celebrate with her. I hope it will all work out. When I have a batch of them completed, I will send you a photo, OK, Cathy?
(YES!! Doris I would love♥ to post a picture!! Thanks for sharing! Cathy)

Here's what Susan (from MJF forum) is working on ~

I LOVE to make gift baskets. I usually start thinking about what I am going to do on Jan 1 and buy any containers on Christmas clearance.
One summer I found the cutest planters that were shaped like giant coffee mugs. Of course I filled them with gourmet coffees hot chocolates and baked biscotti and other cookies. Last I dipped spoons in melted chocolate and wrapped them in pretty cellophane.
I have also made 15 bean soup mix and packaged it in mason jars then added cornbread mix and some homemade jelly.
I am thinking Pasta theme for this year.
Susan

**Remember to leave your comment before October 7th to be entered in the next drawing!!
Happy Crafting!!!♥♥

Shine On Harvest Moon

2010-09-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

Autumn is finally here!!
Well, officially tomorrow and the Harvest Moon will be full.
This is my favorite season. It is the time when the work of the summer garden is coming to an end and the cooler weather seems to inspire me to finish up the harvesting, canning, preserving, or freezing that still needs to be done with the bounty from God's good earth. I love the feeling I get from seeing my pantry shelves and freezer well stocked.
Autumn always encourages me to slow down and think of all the blessings I have. I am once again challenged to work harder at living simpler, with a grateful heart. Yes, all of us have more then our share of troubles. It's easy to slip into a depressing mood of doom and gloom, especially with the media proclaiming all the woes of our economy every day. But ... each of us also do have many little things to be thankful for everyday!! And focusing on our blessings is "good medicine".
My challenge to you again this Autumn is to join me in a renewed effect to live with a grateful heart by remembering and focusing on the blessings that we have. As the old hymn says ~
Count your blessings, name them one by one ...

Happy Autumn to all of you!!
Hugz,
Cathy♥♥

Are You Enjoying September?

2010-09-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

It feels good to be back in my kitchen, baking again and cooking homemade meals. I even have a new Autumn Apron, gifted to me by a very sweet friend! :)

We have been out on the road traveling, seeing some beautiful country,
visiting family and meeting new friends :)

I even got to meet two of my MaryJane Farmgirl friends in person!!
That was exciting!!♥

I finished up a few Halloween tote bags this month.

Didn't they turn out cute?♥

Even got a few aprons made!! :)
Soooo ... yes!!! September is flying by!!! Now I need to get seriously back on track with the
Christmas Countdown
gift making. Are you still with me??? How is your gift making going?
I started a list of gift making links.
It's on the right sidebar here on my blog ~ check them out!
I'm waiting to add your links to it and enter you into my
September Giveaway Drawing!!
Did you forget?? lol!!
Let me know how your progress is coming along.
Happy Crafting!!!♥♥

Giveaway Winner!

2010-09-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

The winner of the September Giveaway for
Cathy's Christmas Countdown is ~
Sherry from If I Could Free My Soul
Sherry has been very busy this last month and really got a awesome start on her Christmas gift making by sewing up a lot of cute lil' fabric gift bags!! :) She even was frugal and used up fabric from her stash! I love the reusable gift bag idea!
I want to thank everyone who played in this month's Christmas Countdown! You all had some great ideas and some of you are really making great progress on your gifts♥

Since, I think my "rules" were a little too confusing! (sorry about that) this month we are going to do things different.

IF YOU SHARE YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT MAKING IDEAS, TIPS, LINKS, TUTORIALS, ETC. BY SIMPLY WRITING THEM IN THE COMMENT BOX ON THIS POST AND/OR ANY OF THE COMING POSTS UNTIL OCTOBER 7TH YOU WILL BE ENTERED IN THE NEXT DRAWING!! YOU MAY LEAVE AS MANY COMMENTS AS YOU WANT TO SHARE. EACH COMMENT WITH AN IDEA, TIP, LINK, TUTORIAL, ETC. FOR CHRISTMAS GIFT MAKING WILL COUNT AS ONE ENTRY!!!

I will start a list on my sidebar of Christmas gift making links,
so we have an easy place to search for ideas and inspiration! :)
Thanks for playing along!! :)
Happy Crafting♥
Hugz,
Cathy♥♥

Only Two More Days Left!!!!

2010-09-02T06:39:00.001-07:00

DEADLINE FOR THE SEPTEMBER GIVEAWAY IS SEPTEMBER 4TH!!

This month's Players ~
Please visit these Ladies to see what Christmas crafting they are up to!

#1. Sue ~ Country Pleasures
#2.Merry Heart ~ Merry Heart Creative Arts Academy
#3. APP ~ Aunt Pitty Pat's
#4. Megan ~ Green, Girly, and Everything In Between
#5. Jenny ~ Aunt Jenny's World

Here's what Jenny had to say ~

I am working on some Christmas gifts already .. mostly knitted stuff ... and gathering ideas and starting my lists now. Our area is big on "neighbor gifts" and we nearly always do our special cheese balls and crackers in decorated bags to take to about 25 families. For friends here in town I tend to do hand knitted dish cloths and homemade soap or jarred mixes from my kitchen. I am doing socks and things for relatives .. and some really cute fish hats for my grandkids ... knit. They are on Knitty.com (called dead fish cap) to wear for fishing ... for "lucky fishing hats". I think they will like that. I am trying to figure out something fun for my daycare kids. There are about 14 of them counting all the part time ones and after school kids. Making a quilt for one sis in law this year as well. A lot more to work on but it is nice to get started, isn't it?

#6. Gin ~ Keepsake Moments
#7. Sherry ~ If I Could Free My Soul
#8.

Click HERE to see the details if you are interested in joining September's Cathy's Christmas Countdown.

If you are working on your Christmas gifts/projects, but don't wish to post specifically about them because the recipients read your blog, you may still play! But, please give me the link to a post that you published about gift making in general or a post you published with a link about my Christmas Countdown, OR send me your contribution and I will add it to this post.
Thanks!
Happy Crafting
Hugz,
Cathy♥♥

Cathy's Christmas Countdown ~ September Giveaway

2010-08-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

YES! I know it's not September 1st, but because of a schedule change I need to move Cathy's Christmas Countdown up a week this month. So you can publish your "Cathy's Christmas Countdown" post anytime from now until September 4th to be in the drawing.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, but are interested, click HERE.

My Christmas project for this month is not a gift, but actually a "Christmas project" that I needed to finish up to add to inventory for a craft show.

I pulled these cute snowman panels out of my Christmas projects box (see, I have one of those too!! lol!! ) and backed them with batting, hand quilted a running stitch around them, added beads, buttons, glittery stars, and jingle bells, along with a sweet lil' sentiment. Then I backed them with red felt and lightly stuffed them with polyfill.
Now they are all ready to become part of a customer's cute Christmas display or cozy lil' Christmas gift! :)

I also have been working on preserving Nature's bounty, part of which will be used in my Christmas giving.
September is the perfect time to take advantage of the harvest and make some jams, jellies, pickles, or preserves to use in your Christmas giving. Always a welcome hostess gift for those holiday parties, dinners, and open houses. Add a cute fabric lid cover and a handmade label! A jar of your homemade canned preserves, jam, jelly or pickles, etc. is also a great addition to a gift basket. Gift baskets can be so much fun to put together! From the container to the contents, you can "theme" them to be custom made for the recipient. Start planing yours by doing a online search for gift basket themes, or go visit your library and check out the Christmas crafts books ~ they abound with ideas!!♥

Another project to begin working on now is harvesting and drying a collection of herbs, wild flowers/grasses, and saving seeds. These can be used in gifts ~ if your herb garden is prolific right now, consider drying some to create your custom tea or seasoning blends. These can be added to gift baskets too :)
Have a friend or family member who is a gardener? Don't forget to save seeds from your favorite plants to add to their Christmas gift. A cute way to do this is to create seed packets from card stock, use your printer or hand embellish (be sure to include the name of the plant and growing instructions), then use this as a gift tag on their Christmas gift!

Don't forget about the "free for the picking" bounty of Nature! First, be sure you are in a area where it is OK for you to pick and then have fun! While you are walking or hiking, enjoying the last golden days of summer, look around you and see what you could use in your Christmas decorating. Favorites of mine are Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot) and native grasses. Cut them with as long of a stem as possible. Lay out on newspaper in your trunk. When you get home, bundle in small groups of 3-4 stems with a twine and hang in a dry dark place for a few weeks. They can be used natural as is or spray painted. I love the look of Queen Anne's Lace flowers with a "little" spritz of gold spray paint, nestled in my evergreen garlands with pine cones, acorns, red berries, and lil' bird's nests!!
I hope you will have fun with some of these ideas as you start planning and working on your own Christmas Countdown!!

♥CATHY'S CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY♥
If you are playing along in this month's Christmas Countdown, you may publish your post anytime from now until Saturday, September 4th. The deadline is September 4th!!
The winner of the Giveaway will be picked on September 5th.

This month's Giveaway is themed for these last golden days of summer.
* Two Gooseberry Patch Booklets that will give you ideas galore for creating gifts from the bountiful garden/herb harvest!
* Six cotton fat quarters all bright and cheery with summer colors! :)
* AND... one of my 3-tier pincushions in Summertime Mint colors!♥

PLEASE read about the rules for playing in Cathy's Christmas Countdown HERE!!

Pickles, Pickles and More Pickles!

2010-08-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

For some odd reason, the cucumber vines that I planted at the back fence are producing like crazy! This is odd because I planted them from old seeds, planted them (I thought) too late, didn't do much soil prep, and barely ever water them, and... we have been in a drought for weeks now with daily temperatures at 100+ . Everything else is dying, or already burnt up and dead :(
Soooo ... I think since these poor lil' vines are trying so hard I must do my part and preserve their fruit, which, of course is cukes! and cukes are for making pickles and relish. Well, at least after you have put them into all the salads and sandwiches you can! lol!! :)

Bread & Butter Pickles
25 to 30 med. sized cukes
5-6 large yellow onions
2 large sweet peppers (try to use red & yellow - it adds a nice color)
2-3 small HOT peppers (totally optional)
1/2 cup pickling salt
5 cups cider vinegar
5 cups sugar
3 Tbsp. mustard seed
2 tsp. tumeric
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground ginger

Wash the cukes and slice thinly using a potato peeler. Put into a large stainless steel or glass bowl and mix in the salt. Add 3 tray of crushed ice cubes; mix well. Chop the onions, sweet peppers and HOT peppers (if using) and mix into the cuke and salt mixture. Cover the bowl with a towel and let sit on counter for 3-4 hours. In a large stock pot, combine vinegar, sugar and spices. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
Drain cucumbers, onions, and peppers, add to the pickling brine and bring to a boil again for 2 minutes.
Ladle into your hot, prepared pint or half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/2" headspace. Wipe rims, put on 2-piece prepared lids. Place on rack in a water bath canner full of boiling water. Process for 5 minutes for pints or half-pints.

If you are not familiar with home canning, please research first so you understand the process before you begin. Here's a link to get you started ~
How To Can

Another Room Finished

2010-08-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Last week I finally finished the painting in our bedroom and put the room back together!
The color is called Soft Sage ~ I like it, enough color without being too dark.

Of course, my teddy bears think this is their room! lol!! :)

Cathy's Christmas Countdown

2010-08-04T08:28:00.001-07:00

I ♥LOVE♥ Christmas!
I ♥LOVE♥ creating, soooo.... it's only natural to ♥LOVE♥ the "art" of handmade giving. How about you? If you are a regular reader of my blog, I think you probably are a "Handmade Gift Artist" too :) If you are, I have an invitation for you ~
Join me in a Christmas Countdown, as we work on our handmade gifts and Christmas projects, we can encourage and inspire each other and share tips, patterns, tutorials, gift giving ideas and Christmas recipes. Interested? This one is E-A-S-Y!!!! NO commitments!, NO have-to deadlines!, NO swapping! Nothing to mail, play when you want to, one month or all four. AND.... there will be Giveaways every month from lil' ole me ♥♥ :)
Humm... still interested? I thought so!
Here The Deal ~
You probably already have started working on your gifts, and if not, this should get you going! We only have 142 days left before Christmas!!! YIKES!

On the first day of the next four months, September, October, November and December, I will publish a "Cathy's Christmas Countdown" post about what Christmas projects or gifts I have been working on and COMPLETED in the month before. (EX: September's post will be about at least ONE Christmas gift or project completed in the month of August.)

If you want to play along that month, you will publish a post on your blog sometime between the 1st and the 7th of that month about your COMPLETED project(s) and then leave a comment on my post, so I can go and read your post and then add your name & link to my post. If you are a participating, your name will go into a drawing for a Giveaway for that month.

PLEASE NOTE: FOR SEPTEMBER I HAD TO CHANGE THE DEADLINE DATE TO SEPTEMBER 4TH.
(sorry, but this is due to a schedule change for me)

The purpose of my Christmas Countdown, is to encourage each other to keep on track so we can avoid that stressful, rushed feeling in December and actually enjoy the holidays, knowing that our gifts are finished and maybe even wrapped or shipped! :)

You need to post about one COMPLETED project or gift to be in the drawing, BUT... you are not limited to that. In fact, I would like you to share with us any ideas, tips, tutorials, Christmas traditions, recipes, etc. that you want to. Are you getting my idea? I hope that on my "Cathy's Christmas Countdown" post every month, I will be able to add a long list of links to your posts filled with all kinds of exciting and inspiring ideas! Sooo... let me know what you think, OK??
Now, get out that box(es) of unfinished projects. You know the one, or two? lol!!

"Where is it? the attic, basement, closet, humm... oh! so that's where that Christmas tablerunner is that I started last year!! and oh, my! I forgot all about these mittens I was going to knit for lil' Joey! lol!! well, looky there, the pattern and the yarn are in here, too!"

See! I knew you had some projects already started, so finish at least one and play along for September's Giveaway!! :) Now, let's have fun! :)

Pssss ... if you don't have a blog, but would like to play along, please e-mail me ~
catherine.j.mcnabb@gmail.com

APP Potholder Swap Part 2

2010-08-03T08:15:00.001-07:00

These are the potholders I made for my swap partner,
Gin from Keepsake Moments.

I used a very interesting tutorial from
Artsy Crafty Babe.
All you need is a cotton woven kitchen towel! and it makes an "easy peasy" potholder is a flash!! I bought a 3 pack of kitchen towels, made 2 into potholders (added a few appliques to coordinate the set) and trimmed the third towel with matching fabric.
hummm ... are you thinking Christmas gifts? :) the link for the tutorial is
HERE.

The Cutest Lil' Sunbonnet Potholder!

2010-07-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

I was in APP's Too Hot To Handle Potholder Swap this past month and received this cute lil' crocheted sunbonnet potholder from my swap partner,
Gin from Keepsake Moments
I just ♥LOVE♥ it!! Since I have no talent for crocheting or knitting myself, I am always thrilled to receive a handmade item from someone who has the talent! and Gin's crocheting is beautiful!!
Thank you again, Ms Gin!! :)

Blueberry Peach Cobbler

2010-07-28T11:22:00.001-07:00

Blueberry Peach Cobbler

For Cobbler Topping ~
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup milk (I use buttermilk)
1/2 cup chopped pecan or walnuts
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves and grated nutmeg
2 Tablespoons melted butter
For Filling ~
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 Tablespoon grated lemon peel (optional)
2/3 cup brown sugar
4 cups peeled sliced peaches
2 cups blueberries
Topping of your choice ~ yogurt, whipped cream, or ice cream

To make Filling ~
In a large saucepan, stir together the 2/3 cup brown sugar, cornstarch, and lemon peel. Add peaches (NOT blueberries) and 1/2 cup water, cook until bubbly stirring well over medium heat. Transfer into a large baking dish. I used a 10" x10" x3" dish.

Sprinkle the 2 cups of blueberries evenly over the top.
To make the Cobbler Biscuits ~
In a medium bowl stir together both flours, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it is crumbly. Make a well in the center and add the milk all at once. With a fork stir just until dough clings together. On a lightly floured counter, knead dough gently for about 10 strokes. Roll out into a 12" x 8" rectangle.

Combine the nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, mix. Brush dough with the melted butter, sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over it. Roll out jelly roll style, starting from one of the long edges. Press to seal. With a sharp knife, cut into 1-inch slices and lay each on top of the fruit mixture, evenly spacing the biscuits.

.Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes,
until the biscuits are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

Serve warm with your choice of topping.
ENJOY!!♥

I Won!

2010-07-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

How exciting to win a giveaway!! and even more exciting to get to pick the prize you want!♥
I was one of the lucky winners of the
888 Crazy 8 Giveaway from Sew Prim Khris
and I picked this cute Sling Bag pattern as my prize. Ah! another fun sewing project to look forward to.
Thank you so much, Ms Khris!!! You are a sweetie♥
Khris also authors another blog called
Freebies For Crafters
which is a goldmine of collected creative tutorials and patterns that are FREE!♥
Check it out!!

Summertime

2010-07-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

~ Spiced Peach Freezer Jam ~

Simply add 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg and 1/4 tsp. cloves to your freezer peach jam recipe. You just want a hint of spice :)

Nothing beats fresh sweet corn straight from the farm!

A bushel processed and in the freezer!
This is going to taste great when the snow is flying!! lol!

I'm trying not to dwell on the HOT weather ~ whee!
So... what's been keeping you busy?♥

The Fresh Taste of Summer

2010-07-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

♥"Taste of Summer" Tomato Salad♥

2 large garden ripe tomatoes, sliced thin
8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/2 medium onion, sliced thin, separate the rings ( I usually use red onions, but I was out)
1/2 cup basil leaves, chop or leave whole ( I used sweet basil & purple ruffles basil)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup Feta cheese
6 Tablespoons virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar ( or you could use balsamic)
freshly cracked black pepper to taste

On a rimmed serving platter, arrange the tomato slices in a overlapping circle. Then insert the cheese slices and the onion rings in between the tomato slices. Arrange the basil over and in between all the layers. Sprinkle the parsley and Feta cheese evenly over the top.
Whisk the olive oil and vinegar together and drizzle evenly over the salad. Top with freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy!! :)

It's best to prepare the salad first and allow it to set at room temperature for 30-45 minutes for the flavors to blend. I usually make this when we are grilling out. Just seems to go very well with grilled burgers or chicken, even steak!! lol!! yum:)

As always, refrigerate any leftovers.

Finished Projects

2010-07-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

~ Sunflower Tote Bag ~

... with a checked lining and plenty of pockets!

~ Large Herbal Themed Tote Bag with reinforced bottom ~

... and plenty of pockets and shoulder straps♥

~ Quilted Sewing Mat ~

... once again with plenty of pockets! lol!! :)
pssss... tutorial is coming for my sewing mat :)

Summer Blooms

2010-07-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

I joined a photo group on Facebook called Sure Shots, that was created by my sweet friend,
Sue from Country Pleasures.
I am very much just an amateur at picture taking, but I wanted to learn a little more about how to use my camera. The pictures I am sharing with you are some of my practice shots from this past month's challenge and were all taken in my own lil' backyard.
I'm excited about what I've learned so far!
What do ya think? :)

Lil' Ole Wooden Box

2010-06-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

One more kitchen wall finished!
and here is what I did with my cherished ole wooden box that I've had for a long time :)

~ Birdseye 1963 ~

I LOVE my new ♥RED♥ checked curtains on the windows.
I purposely made the valances shorter to allow more light in.

One More Wall Finished

2010-06-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

One wall in the dining area is done! I decided it was time for a change for my shelves, so my BIG quilt rack/shelf was the first to get a makeover.

This is what it looked like before. I really like the new look, sooo ... all the pine furniture is trembling with fear at the sight of the can of BLACK paint!! :)

Hope summer it treating you well so far ~ we are HOT , too hot, too soon.
So I'm getting indoor projects done :)

Hey! There's A Fireplace On That Wall!

2010-06-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Just so you don't think I'm being lazy in this heat, (man, is it HOT!), I wanted to show you that I found the fireplace!!! hehe! ~ it was hiding in all that dark, ugly paneling.

Painting it was not really fun... but the results are so much better. I'm liking the color a lot now; it's called Warm Caramel ~ humm... yummy! When I started, I wasn't sure, but it really has warmed up the room without making it too dark :)

I found the perfect wall for my old antique window ~ I always have fun decorating it for each season. Now I have a shelf at the bottom for more "stuff"!! :)

and... here is where I am when I'm visiting your blog or FB page! lol!! ♥

Pins & Needles

2010-06-15T07:05:00.001-07:00

Sadly I must report that our beloved Pins & Needles group on ning is closing at the end of June due to ning charging a monthly fee for the site.
Brenda, APP and I have opened a new site on Blogger so we can keep the group together and the Famous Saturday Nite Chat will continue on the new site.
If you are a member of the ning Pins or want to join in on the new group, e-mail APP or me for an invite. You can check out the new site at:
Pins and Needles

Free Stitchin' Patterns

2010-06-10T07:22:00.001-07:00

I want to share with you an amazingly talented artist,
Sue Allemand, so is as amazingly generous!

These are some of the yummy stitchery patterns she shares on her blog,
Free Stitchin' Patterns.

I hope you will go take a peek at her lovely artwork.
I'm sure you will be inspired to start stitchin' too :)

Ah, yes!! Lots of snowmen♥ patterns. I know I 'm going to be busy stitchin' for a long time!
Thank you, Ms Sue for sharing your wonderful talents with us!! :)

Party Time At The Farm

2010-06-02T11:22:00.001-07:00

Ms Linda, from Prairie Flower Farm is having a Blog Party celebrating her one year anniversary.
Don't miss out! Click HERE to head right over ~ lots of fun as always.
By the way, the new summer stitchery block is out, you won't want to miss that either, plus a few more goodies I saw on Linda's sidebar :)

Congratulations, sweet Ms Linda on one year!!! and many more to come. I really enjoy visiting your blog♥

Stitching

2010-05-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

This is the first block from Prairie Flower Farm's "Winter All Year Long".
It's called Spring Thyme. Block 2 will be available for free download in June. Click HERE for details.

Summer has settled in here, with those hot temperatures! I'm definitely not a hot weather lover. I wilt when the temperature goes above 80 degrees!! So outside chores in the yard and garden get done very early. As the temperatures rise into those dreaded triple digits shopping and errands will also get done as early as possible.

In this hot climate, I've learned to switch around some of my favorite hobbies. Hand stitching used to be a favorite for winter time when I was "house bound" in the north, but here when the hot summer sun beats down rising the temperatures well into the 90's and above , it's best to stay inside with the AC running!

So I have been working on a few stitchery and punchneedle projects in the early afternoons before I start dinner. Funny thing a lot of them are snowmen! :) haha!! Guess I need to start some summer themed ones...

I hope all of you here in the States have a wonderful and safe
Memorial Day weekend!
ENJOY!♥

The Farmer's Market Is Back!

2010-05-17T10:19:00.001-07:00

This was such a cheerful sight on a dreary rainy day! :)

Heirloom tomato plants ~ I need to get some of those next week!

So many beautiful plants. Of course, I want to buy one of everything...

but... I was satisfied enough to get 2 quarts of local homegrown strawberries and go home to make my first batch of jam for the season♥

Pesto Making Time

2010-05-11T13:39:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again. I hope your garden is growing well and that you remembered to plant plenty of herbs, especially basil and parsley for pesto making!
I'm reposting my Pesto Recipe for the Mountain Rose Herb Recipe Contest.
ENJOY!!!

Pesto is a staple in my kitchen! I make several batches of it in the summer while my basil and parsley plants are producing bountifully and freeze it in tablespoon size portions to use all year round.

Basil & Parsley Pesto

80 fresh basil leaves

1 cup fresh parsley, taken off stems

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 Tablespoons Kosher salt

5 Tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts or pecans)

5 Tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

5 Tablespoons freshly grated Romano cheese

3/4 cup olive oil

Wash basil and parsley, let dry thoroughly. Put both into the food processor with a pinch of salt and the garlic, blend. Add nuts and cheese, 1Tablespoon of the salt, blend again. While machine is running, slowly pour in the olive oil until pesto has a creamy texture. Taste pesto and add more salt if desired and blend again.

Use right away or refrigerate in a tightly capped glass jar for up to 2 weeks or freeze.

The best way to freeze for ease of use:

Use an old ice cube tray (fill each cube half full) or a baking sheet, drop tablespoon size portions on sheet. Freeze until solid, wrap each portion in small squares of wax paper and put into freezer Ziploc bags, date bag.

To use: let desired number of cubes defrost in a bowl, this only takes a few minutes.

I make several batches of this pesto all summer and it keeps well frozen all year.

Some recipes recommend leaving out the cheese or nuts if you freeze it and adding them before use. I have found this unnecessary, and it would be inconvenient. Also, traditionally pesto has pine nuts in it. I have made it that way and with walnuts or pecans, I can't tell enough of a difference between the three to justify the high cost of pine nuts.

OK, so what can I do with Pesto??

1. Mix into hot cooked pasta.

2. Mix with a can of tomato sauce to make your own pizza sauce (add a little tomato paste if you want it thicker).

3. Add to French/Italian bread dough in place of the olive oil.

4. Mix with 3-4 Tablespoons of tomato sauce, spread on unbaked focaccia and top with fresh Roma tomato slices & Mozzarella cheese, bake.

5. Add to your vinegar & oil dressing recipe in place of the seasonings, shake well and dress pasta salads, tomato & cucumber salads, even German potato salad for a totally different taste!

6. It can also be added to mayo dressings the same way; potato salads, pasta salads, lettuce salads, etc.

7. Mix with 3-4 Tablespoons of butter and spread on toasted french bread slices, top with Bruschetta, broil for about 2 minutes.

8. Mix with mayo, spread on bread and build a summer delight sandwich - your favorite lunch meats, pepper jack cheese and don't forget tomato slices and dark green leaf lettuce!

9. It's great stirred into hot tomato soup, top with croutons and shredded cheese.

10. Your idea is next!!! Tell me your favorite way to use Pesto.

My Lil' Potted Herb Garden

2010-05-04T10:07:00.001-07:00

What's a girl to do when she can't go digging up garden space? (another injury ~ grrrrr!)

Plant a "potted" herb garden, of course!

Mint, sage, lavender and basil & parsley for Pesto!♥

Hope you are having a wonderful week. We are having lots of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. I'm trying to enjoy this as long as it lasts ~ hot weather will be coming soon.

Tuesday's Supper ~ Homemade Pizza

2010-04-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Homemade pizza is a favorite around here! So I'd like to start my contributions to
Tuesday's Supper with my recipe for Homemade Pizza.
If you'd like to join in, just click HERE for more information. Tuesday's Supper is hosted by
Our Bluebell Country

~ Cathy's Homemade Pizza ~
Start by making your favorite pizza dough recipe or use mine ~

Ingredients are given in order to be used in a bread machine, if you are making the dough manually use in reverse order, adding the water last.

1-1/4 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
3 cups unbleached bread flour
1 cup whole wheat bread flour
1-1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1-1/2 teaspoons dry active yeast (I use SAF)
Put ingredients into bread pan for bread machine and use dough setting, OR prepare dough manually, cover and let rise 1 hour.
Makes 2 -12" pizza crusts

In the meanwhile prepare your toppings. I used sweet Italian sausage, so I browned that first in a large pan, drained it and then added the veggies. Cook them about 10 minutes until they are slightly cooked, but still crisp. Today I used red and yellow bell peppers, mushrooms and an onion. Be creative with your toppings! That's the fun of homemade pizza! :)

Here's my recipe for Pizza Sauce ~which contains the "secret ingredient" in my pizzas! :)
1 - 15oz. can tomato sauce
2-3 Tablespoons tomato paste
3 Tablespoons Homemade Pesto for recipe click HERE
2 Tablespoons minced garlic
1 Tablespoon Mrs Dash Extra Spicy
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
Mix together well and let sit for at least 15-20 minutes for flavors to blend.
Makes enough for 2 - 12" pizzas.
After you have rolled out the dough and shaped onto the pans, evenly spread the pizza sauce on top. You can then sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce (optional).

Top the sauce with your meat and cooked veggies (drained), add any uncooked topping onto this. I added pepperoni ~ My DH is a meat-lover's pizza kinda guy :)

Then comes your shredded cheese ~ I used a combo of cheddar and white jack.
About 4 cups total will top 2 - 12" pizzas.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.
Enjoy!! and don't worry about leftovers, if you have any :) because it's are wonderful reheated in the microwave. The crust gets soft and chewy. I actually make this pizza with leftovers in mind because it's great for my DH to take for lunch the next day ~ and everyone in the break room wants what he has for lunch! humm...

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

A beautiful *RED* Cardinal woke me up again this morning.
He sings "Good Morning"! in the tree outside my window.♥

The steady soaking rain we had has turned the trees and grass so green!
And the Iris is now blooming! :)

... and the Snowball Bush :) Don't we live on a wonderful planet? I like the idea of Earth Day, but truly believe that earth day is everyday! Our Creator, God, gave us this awesome place to enjoy our lives in. We need to teach our children and grandchildren how to be good stewards of this incredible gift by our everyday living examples.

There are so many great blogs and websites out there supporting this way of life! I am encouraged to see that, as they can be a source of inspiration!

The one blog I will share with you today is Down To Earth.
To me, Rhonda Jean is the Queen of Green♥ and she is soooo down to earth!
Her blog is an endless source of inspiration on homemaking, gardening, recycling, cooking, green cleaning, and so much more!!
If you haven't visited Down To Earth, click HERE.

Little Quilts?

2010-04-14T09:45:00.001-07:00

OK! Since I've had a few comments and questions here, in emails and on my Facebook Page about my "little quilts", it's time for me to fess up!!! lol!
I ♥LOVE♥ reusing old things, so what is actually on my washer and dryer are old quilted pillow shams that I got at a garage sale years ago. The matching quilt I use in the summer outside on the porch. Since they are "cheap" quilted items (not antiques) I don't have to worry about ruining them.

... and they do a great job of covering the top of the appliances! I also like to use some baskets to help contain all the laundry items. I forgot to load this picture in the last post to show you that I found a great place for my aprons!! ~ A girl just can't work without her apron :)

Here's what I did when the washer & dryer were side by side before we moved.
This is another old "garage sale quilt" :)

It's Beginning To Look A Bit Like Home

2010-04-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

A CLEAN kitchen window to watch the birds in the back yard from! :)

This has been a long project to get to this point, a lot of large trash bags of brush and leaves have been hauled away, and ... why, yes!! there is a fence back here! lol!!

Still have a lot of work ~ look, the Iris is going to bloom soon :)

The BIG event this week ~ sweet Nancy Ann arrived safe and sound from
Oh, Sew Dollin'.

She been been busy getting to know everyone ...

and making friends :)

Unpacking my pottery collections, baskets and quilts felt like Christmas because they've been in storage for so long! :) Now, to find a place for everything... but painting needs to be done first. I dislike the task of painting, but LOVE♥ the results. It truly can make a house into a ♥home♥!

And last, but oh so important ~ I am sooo thankful for my washer and dryer being hooked up and working!!! My dear hubby had a terrible time getting the dryer hooked up, old house laundry room set up and new dryer ~ not a good combination! :( But he wouldn't give up, bless his heart♥!!
We don't realize how much these appliances mean to us until we are without them, do we ?!
Lord ~ thank you for my washer and dryer!!! and for a determined husband♥ :)

Guess Who's Coming To Live With Me?

2010-04-08T13:37:00.001-07:00

Nancy Ann!!! That's right ~ sweet lil' Nancy Ann is on her way to my house. I'm so excited and so are all of her new friends here! They can't wait to meet her too:) lol!!!

This sweet lil' Annie was the prize for a giveaway hosted by Ms De from Oh, Sew Dollin' and guess who won ~ lil' ole me!!! Wow! I couldn't believe it. I am a big fan of Ms De and own several of her Annie patterns, click HERE to see them. They are sooo cute!!
I ♥LOVE how easy her patterns are to follow. The Oh Sew Dollin' website also have tutorials to help you make your dolls.
I am sooo thrilled to be blessed in owning one of Ms De's original Annies!!
Thank you so much, De!!!! and yes, the light is on for Nancy Ann :)

April Showers...

2010-04-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hope things are blooming in your lil' corner too!! :)

A Blessed Easter To You

2010-04-03T19:30:00.001-07:00

Easter Baking

2010-03-31T17:17:00.000-07:00

This is a repeat post of mine from last Easter. I thought I'd post it again for you to enjoy. I'm ready to get back to baking and these are 2 yummy recipes to start with :)

Hot Cross Buns

2 pkgs yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup butter

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup honey 1 tsp. sea salt

2 eggs

1 cup raisins

1 cup whole wheat flour

3 -1/2 cups white flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Sprinkle yeast in warm water. Stir. Melt butter, add evaporated milk, honey and salt. Stir. Beat eggs (set aside 2 Tbsp. for brushing buns) add to liquid mixture. Stir into the yeast mixture and add raisins. In large mixing bowl, stir together flours, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add liquid mixture slowly, beating well to make a stiff dough. Turn out dough onto floured surface and knead 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl covered with clean dish towel and let rise in warm place for 45 -60 minutes until doubled. Punch down, divide in half. Cut each half into 16 pieces and shape into buns. Place in 9"x9" greased pans. Cover and let rise 45 minutes. Brush tops with saved egg. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Remove from pans, cool. Drizzle Lemon Icing from the tip of a teaspoon over buns to make crosses.

Lemon Icing ~

Blend 1 cup powdered sugar with 4 tsp. milk, 1/4 tsp. vanilla and 1/4 tsp. lemon extract until smooth.

4/07/09 UPDATE: Toni from Amazing Grace just made my Hot Cross Buns recipe

and posted a yummy picture!! :)

Easter Egg Ring

1/2 cup milk

2 Tbsp. butter

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp. sea salt

1 pkg. yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 egg, beaten

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 cups unbleached bread flour

1/2 tsp. anise extract

6 uncooked colored eggs ~ I color these at the same time as I color my hard boiled eggs. Be extra gentle and be sure to keep them separated from your colored cooked eggs :)

Scald milk and butter, stir in honey and salt; cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in water, Stir in milk mixture and egg. Beat in the 1 cup of whole wheat flour and anise extract. Mix in enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth, 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl covered with a clean dish towel. Let rise in warm place until doubled - about 1 hour. Punch down dough. Divide into sixths. Roll each into a rope 12" long. Braid 3 ropes together on one side of a greased large cookie sheet; braid remaining rope on the other side pinching the ends of the two together to form a tight seal. Gentling form braids into an oval ring. Place each colored uncooked egg large end up in the braid, evenly spacing them around the ring. Cover, let rise until doubled about 40 minutes. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Brush top with butter.

This is a traditional Easter Morning breakfast in my home ~ Enjoy! :)

OH MY!!!!

2010-03-26T06:08:00.000-07:00

I won THIS giveaway at Small Town Living!!!! I'm still in shock! (opps ~ I guess I need to add that the giveaway was eight fat quarters of this lovely fabric from Jennifer's line.)
LOVE the colors and prints of this AWESOME fabric designed by
Jennifer Paganelli from Sis Boom Fabrics.

If you haven't visited the Small Town Living blog yet, please do! It's a warm and inviting blog with loads of wonderful information on everything from cooking and gardening to DIY projects and small business features!

Faithfulness Farm Giveaway

2010-03-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Gail from Faithfulness Farm
is celebrating her 100th Post with a sweet giveaway!
Hop on over, because you won't want to miss out on this one :)
Enter by April 2nd.

Counting Down The Days

2010-03-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Five more days... and then I can start creating a home :)

Hope Spring is starting to pop up in your corner of the world!
Have a wonderful weekend :)

Sweet Gift From Linda

2010-03-16T11:17:00.001-07:00

Picture is borrowed from Peace Creek Collections Store

More exciting mail!!! When the box says it's from Peace Creek Collections, I know it's going to be wonderful :) and this one was a surprise. It was the sweet lil' gift I won from Linda's last Giveaway. Well, let me tell you, I was surprised and thrilled!!!
I've had my eye on this cute lil' Winter Thyme In A Jar Kit from her shop - Peace Creek Collections - for sometime now!

I had to open it to show you how complete the kit is ~ even includes a lil' punch needle snowman head :) This kit is going into my Christmas projects box so I will have something new to work on next fall.
Thank you sooo much sweet Linda!!!

Spring Fever

2010-03-16T10:18:00.001-07:00

So many gray days along with the nasty cold I had that has now turned into a sinus infection, is making me very impatient for getting moved and being able to dig up garden spaces!
How about you? Are you getting the itch to be out in the garden?
Yesterday, I started a few seeds to give them a head start.
This was very easy ~
I used a few of my saved plastic salad mix containers, added Jiffy pellets (12 pellets fit perfect in this size), add warm water to expend the pellets.

These Zinnia seeds are gifted to me by my sweet MJFarmgirl friend,
Ms Sue from Country Pleasures.

Plant the seeds and tape the seed package to the lid. Easy! huh? They will sit in my laundry room where it's warm. The lid can be removed when there is too much moisture.
Now I have a "lil' spring wish" to help keep me going!

Giveaway Happiness

2010-03-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

I have been excitedly waiting for a package from Australia ever since I was told that I was a winner in a blog giveaway from Mistea Crafts! Today when it came I was thrilled to find this sweet lil' RED gift all wrapped up with a RED ribbon with white polka dots! Oh, my!! you know how I LOVE RED, or maybe I haven't mentioned that?? :)

I just loved the postage sticker ~ air mail ~ sure glad it didn't come by boat! I could have never waited that long :) haha!!

OK!! Here's the goodies :) I just LOVE the sweet lil' Angel Annie, don't you? Handmade with love by Mistea. Her stitching is sooo beautiful! Angel Annie even has a crocheted red collar with a hanging loop at the back:)
Read more about Mistea's Angel Annies HERE and HERE.
My package included a fat quarter of a bright summery print with all the trimming ~ vintage lace, rickrack, and buttons!:) Thank you so very much, Ms Mistea!!! I feel so special :)

and... if that wasn't enough excitement ~ Sweet Linda from Prairie Flower Farm e-mailed me to say that I won 2nd place in her Book Bag Giveaway. Didn't win the book bag, but everything from Linda is wonderful!!! I know because we've done some "bartering"!! :) Her work is so very beautiful. Thank you, Linda!! You are so thoughtful!

Happy Spring!

2010-03-08T09:06:00.000-08:00

Please excuse my absence from my blog as I am very busy with the necessary chores to make a good thing happen ~ buying a home! :)

...with lots of garden spaces!!! :)

... and a sewing room, all my own!! :)

whee! this sure is hard work and I still haven't packed yet :(
Can't wait to get back to enjoying the things I LOVE♥ ~ sewing, gardening and cooking.
Hope happy things are headed your way too for Spring!!

Visitors

2010-02-20T08:36:00.001-08:00

We have had these beautiful visitors on and off for the last several weeks. I think this is a temporary stop for them as they are waiting for spring to come so they can fly north.
I know how they feel ~ I think we all are ready for Spring! :)
This is the first time they decided to settle in closer up by the pine trees behind the house.
When one decides it's time to move to the ponds for the night, they all get up and swaddle along behind ~ just like "follow the leader"!!! Too cute :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-12T09:51:00.000-08:00

Wishing all of my sweet Blogland friends, old and new, a Very Happy Valentine Weekend ♥
Enjoy this special season of ♥ Love ♥
Make happy memories with your Loved Ones ♥

~ An updated picture of my ♥ Valentine ♥ Swag.
Thank you to all my sweet farmgirl friends for these beautiful lil' treasures, they are all keepers!~

And now abideth faith, hope, charity♥, these three;
but the greatest of these is charity♥.
~ I Corinthians 13:13

Valentine Traditions

2010-02-08T09:50:00.000-08:00

I love traditions, the little rituals and customs that we either acquire from our families and heritage or create anew to pass on to our own children. I love how the keeping of some traditions marks the seasons of life.

♥ This Sugar Cookie recipe is one of mine. ♥
It is from Country Living Magazine ~ 1988. Recipe & Artwork by Susan Branch.

♥ Sugar~Cookie Hearts ♥

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
pink or red colored sugar

Heat oven to 325 degrees. In medium-sized bowl, with electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, & salt until fluffy. Beat in flour. Refrigerate dough, tightly wrapped, at least 1 hour.

Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with heart-shaped cookie cutters. Place cookies, 1/2 inch apart, on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar. Bake cookies 12 - 15 minutes or until edges just start to brown. Makes 3 dozen 2-1/2 inch hearts. ♥

How about you? What Valentine's Day traditions does your family keep?

And The Winners Are -

2010-02-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

The winners of my 200th Post Giveaway are ~
Katy from Country Blossom for the apron and...

Sherry from Country Wings In Phoenix
for the Second Chance prize ~ the pinkeep.
Congrats to both ladies!!!
Thanks to everyone who came over to play in my giveaway game :) I've enjoyed reading your blogs and making a few new friends along the way.

Handmade Valentines

2010-02-04T11:00:00.001-08:00

I just had to show you a picture of the sweet handmade Valentines that I am receiving from the
Old Fashion Valentine Swap hosted by Sue from Country Pleasures.

This is so much fun! and there are still more to come!! Getting a sweet lil' handmade treasure in the mail sure does perk up a gloomy wintery day :)

HJ Quilt Block Swap

2010-02-03T10:16:00.000-08:00

My lil' Angels for the Holly Jolly Christmas Quilt Block Swap are on their way to the swap hostess. I'm anxiously waiting for the return package! You can see pictures of some of the other blocks HERE. This is going to be a fun quilt to put together! :)

Tomorrow is the LAST day to sign up for My 200th Post Giveaway!! There are over 100 comments ~ who would have thought?
But I still don't want anyone to be left out, so click HERE if you want to sign up.

200th Post Giveaway Pictures

2010-01-31T10:23:00.001-08:00

There are 4 more days left to sign up for my Apron Giveaway, so I thought I'd show you the apron I created for this giveaway. Black and RED, plenty of rick rack and polka dots!! The apron is actually two layers with the cute "apron printed" fabric on top.
If you still haven't signed up, you can do so HERE.
But hurry, the sign up ends Feb. 4th.

And as always, all my giveaway prizes are
"made with love by Cathy" !!! :)

Now for the Second Chance Giveaway prize ~ I decided to make one of my Pinkeeps. I wish I could have got better pictures (I gave up after about 10 times) The colors are really very vivid shades of RED, which is striking against the black batik fabric!

Each one of my Pinkeeps is lovingly handmade by me one at a time. They are firmly filled with ground walnut shells (a clean commerical product) and polyfill to keep your pins and needles in place. The weight of the shells helps to keep the pinkeep where you put it! The 3-tier pinkeep averages 14 oz. in weight.

To sign up for this giveaway and to read the rules, click HERE.
Both Giveaways end Feb. 4th and the drawing is Feb. 5th.

Winter Wonderland

2010-01-30T15:37:00.001-08:00

From freezing rain to ice to sleet and then 8 inches of snow.

"Old Man Winter" is really showing us who is boss! :)

We are so thankful for a warm home, electricity, water and food.

Please pray for those who are still without power from this storm.
Some towns also lost power for their water supplies . The temperatures are still so cold.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Happy Heart Day♥

Oh, the sweet, mindless, bliss..

New Beginnings

♥ Christmas Love ♥

♥CHRISTMAS LOVE♥

1 Corinthians 13 Applied to Life ~

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show LOVE to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show LOVE to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show LOVE to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of ♥LOVE♥ will endure. ~Author Unknown

Collecting Greens

More Aprons ...

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Rolls

A Warm Blessing

Garden Tomato Basil Soup

Good Bye Sweet October

Autumn, At Last!

I Heard You!!!!

MugRug Love ~ Part Three

MugRug Love ~ Part Two

Banana Bread

MugRug Love

Seed Exchange = New Friend

Home Is Where The Heart Lives

Some Finished Projects for February

APP's Birthday Annie

Valentine Needlebooks

Valentine Treasures

Happy Valentine's Day

Directions

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Ingredients

Directions

Valentine Red♥

APP Sewing Accessories Swap

Welcome 2011

A Repost From Pins & Needles

Sinfully Soft Molasses Cookies

My MugRug From APP's Christmas MugRug Swap

Christmas Apron Swap

Countdown to Christmas

Final Day for December Christmas Countdown

Cathy's Christmas Countdown ~ December Giveaway

Pumpkin Bread

November Giveaway Winners!

Cathy's Christmas Countdown ~ November Giveaway

Holly Jolly Christmas Quilt

Morning Glories

October

Two More Days ...

APP's Halloween Tote Swap

Egg Custard Pie

Hello Christmas Countdown Players!!!

Shine On Harvest Moon

Are You Enjoying September?

Giveaway Winner!

Only Two More Days Left!!!!

Cathy's Christmas Countdown ~ September Giveaway

Pickles, Pickles and More Pickles!

Another Room Finished

Cathy's Christmas Countdown

APP Potholder Swap Part 2

The Cutest Lil' Sunbonnet Potholder!

Blueberry Peach Cobbler

I Won!

Summertime

The Fresh Taste of Summer

Finished Projects

Summer Blooms

Lil' Ole Wooden Box

One More Wall Finished

Hey! There's A Fireplace On That Wall!

Pins & Needles

Free Stitchin' Patterns

Party Time At The Farm

Stitching

The Farmer's Market Is Back!

Pesto Making Time

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of ♥LOVE♥ will endure.
~Author Unknown