I found a lot of Brown in my home too!

I thought I would look around and see how many Brown items that I could find and here are a few……………….

 

This was fun but then I got carried away!  Can’t wait to see what the next color will be!

See you again soon.

Linda

The Sun is Shinning

And, it looks to be a pretty day again!  The snow is melting from the yard and the temps are to be in the 40’s and perhaps higher this coming week! 

This does make me happy.

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First, I want to say Welcome to several new followers to my blog. I am so glad you took the time to visit me.

I really do have some fun things for show and tell that I want to blog about this week.

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I have several ideas running through my head

(At the oddest hours of the day, I might add) of things I wish to share with you.

It’s just a matter of putting fingers to the key board and hopefully I will get it together this week.

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What a pleasant surprise I had yesterday when arriving at North Shore Primitives in Washington Court House, OH.

I saw Lisa of Prims from Above unloading her car of her handmade signs.

I just knew it was Lisa and her Mom.  They are just as I had assumed, very sweet and friendly.

No wonder Lisa raves about this shop, it is wonderful!  I haven’t been there since Vickie took over as owner and oh, my, do I love it there.

I did as much spending as I could very quickly but I need to return  soon.

The selection of wovens was the most I have seen. Here are some that I bought…….

The selection of greenery was unbelievable.  I picked this bundle of boxwood up but as soon as I left the parking lot I knew that I needed MORE!

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Lisa and I talked about how fun it would be to meet up with some other bloggers who would be interested.  We will have to all think about this for possibly this Summer or Fall.

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I have some little pots to plant with some rye grass seeds and some Spring decorating to do so I will close for now but will see you soon.

Linda

 

Let’s see if I remember how to do this………

Gee..I have been gone a long time.  About the time of my last post I was starting to feel like a cold was coming on…………….well it came alright!  I can’t even remember when I last had a head cold but this was a doozy.  I can almost pinpoint where I caught it too.  Either at the one trip I had made to the grocery store that week or at a funeral we attended.

No matter what a cold takes about 1 week to 10 days to run it’s course…….then no matter how conscientious I was about disinfecting everything in sight my DH now has it too.

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I have just had a time getting back into a routine for some reason.  I have worked on some cross stitch projects, sewed together some quilt patches and done some organizing but I must confess nothing is completely finished!

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I have been visiting lots of blogs and have enjoyed reading about everyone’s projects and weather stories too.

I see that I have several new followers on my blog and I welcome you. I apologize for not being very active in my posting lately.  I’ll have to remedy that.  I do love seeing your names and pictures and love to read your comments.

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Well, like many of you, we have had more than our fair share of snow this February.  We got another 8+ inches yesterday and it is still snowing this morning.

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Yesterday, as a little diversion we drove over to a nature center at a park near us to view the wildlife out the windows.  They fill the feeders right when they open at noon and the birds come in huge flocks as well as the deer.

The bright light is the reflection of my flash.

I have never seen so many Cardinals as I did yesterday.

No bench sitting on this day.

I am about ready to put this little cutie away for the year!

So far this past week I have made a berry cobbler, chocolate chip cookies and now today I am going to make some banana bread.

There is just something about baking that goes with snowy days!

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I have been taking some photos of a few of my collections and I will post again soon with some pictures to show you.

Until then…………stay warm and safe!

Linda

The Postman Came…

Or in my case today, it was the Postmistress.

My box arrived from Barbara at

Quaint and Plain today.

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Every little package was wrapped so sweetly.

I was just savoring each little item that I opened slowly,

But then, each one was better than the last and I couldn’t wait, I had to tear into all of them!

 

Just look at my treasures…….

the cutest little crow clay dish,

 

Little homespun hearts

A sweet little bird make do on a wooden spool

  

Little bundles of fabric….old quilt swatches, homespun in the best old shades of blue and brown, and the softest bundle of wool.

Plus, two little blackened beeswax  hearts

Thank you so much Barbara.

What a perfectly prim surprise that made my heart flutter.

Hugs across the miles,

Linda

Well..... Color Me Happy!

I just saw on Barbara's Blog.........Quaint and Plain, that I won the drawing she was having on her Picture Trail comment section. Barbara tells me that a special little something from her will be taking the journey from her home to mine very soon.
I will be sure and share the details with all of you when it arrives.
Thanks again Barbara!

January is a very long month…..

But it will soon be half over. I can’t believe that we are into the 2nd full week of January already. 

The deep freeze is holding on to us in Ohio, that’s for sure.

 

 

I have been inspired by many of the projects that some of you bloggers have begun. 

I, however, am still in the planning stages!  It’s too cold to work on any woodworking things in the garage.  Maybe I should just go and use the treadmill that’s in the garage………no…….

maybe later!

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I am going to give myself till the end of the week to come back here with something exciting to tell you or show you or else.  I don’t know why but I seem to get into a January slump that puts me into low gear.  Thank goodness there are some really good bloggers out there to share their talents and energy with the likes of me. 

It’s supposed to warm up to almost 40 degrees this week, maybe that will help.  I will return, hopefully by the end of the week with some noteworthy news to tell you!  In the mean time I will continue to keep reading what all of you have been doing lately.

Now I think I will go fix a cup of tea and read some more blogs!

Until next time…..Linda

Make new friends……..

But keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold.

Remember that saying?

That’s what blogging is all about.

You just keep making new friends to add to your list of old friends.

 

I just wanted to post a teeny, tiny little bit tonight to say a heartfelt Happy New Year to all of you. 

I wasn’t going to make any resolutions but I think I will just say I am going to try and blog more often and learn some more about Live Writer!  And I want to learn to take better pictures!

I will probably be asleep long before the ball in NYC falls but rest assured it will fall without me watching it.

   

See you in 2010!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

I just have to share this email I received with you.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...Mom Style

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode

Only one creature was stirring & she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,

while visions of X-Box & Barbie flipped through their heads.

Yes, and dad was snoring in front of the TV,

with a half constructed bicycle propped on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,

which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,

She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.

He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,

"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, I'm glad you're awake."

"your gift was especially difficult to make."

"Than ks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."

"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"

"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."

Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,

Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.

You'll relax, take it easy, watch TV and rest.

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"

"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.

"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."

The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."

"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the child and hummed her a tune,

as she bundled the small one in a blanket cocoon.

"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."

The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.

That's my child's LOVE she is going to steal."

Smiling wisely, Santa said: "To me it is clear,

Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.

"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.

Sometimes I forget, it won't be very long,

before they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.

Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side, Santa said: "Goodnight.

Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you'll be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about..

Especially at times when the Holiday season shouts,

and all we do is clean, bake, and procure.

You get the picture -- I'm sure.

So stop for a moment and hug that little one so dear,

whether he/she is 2 or 22, or even older this year.

For they are the gift that God gave us from Heaven above,

and what a special gift to be treasured, with endless LOVE!

May The Real Meaning Of Christmas Be With You All Year.

The Winter Season Arrives Tomorrow………

or so the calendar says!  But we all know Winter arrived already.

Especially everyone from the Carolinas

to New England with that blast of snow this past Friday and Saturday.

We actually didn’t get that much snow in my part of Ohio……that’s what usually happens, it blows right over us.

We did have a nice white covering though and are supposed to have more by Christmas.  I hope we do.

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My little fat birds are enjoying my home made suet and I just finished making another batch.  The resident Woodpeckers really enjoy the suet.

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I have changed everything on my mantle about 3 times so far.  Still may make a few changes tomorrow. 

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I have done a lot of baking this past week and am now getting some tins and bags of goodies to give to some neighbors and friends.

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Today I also made up some Christmas Coffee Cakes.  One for us to have on Christmas morning and one to give away.  They are so easy to make and are delicious.  Here is the recipe…….

Sour Cream Christmas Coffee Cake

Topping:

Mix together and set aside

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 TBSP cinnamon

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Add in order and mix together:

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 TBSP vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

8 oz sour cream

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Put 1/2 of the batter in a pan

cover with 1/2 the topping.

Put in the rest of the batter and

then the rest of the topping.

This will make one 13x9 inch pan or can be put into 2 smaller pans.

I used 2 round  tin pans, covered with foil and then put into a freezer bag to bake later.

When ready to bake, uncover and bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes.

Just include a card with baking instructions if giving away.

I have been enjoying reading everyone’s blogs about all of their decorating and holiday festivities.

Sometimes I forget to blog myself or to leave comments but I just want you to know I can’t wait to see whose name pops up with a new post!

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I hope you all have a wonderful, productive, and healthy week.  See you again soon!

Linda

For Your Feathered Friends

Do you like to keep your bird feeders full and your birds healthy and happy at your house?

I just love seeing all of the birds that come to visit…………The Cardinals, Blue Jays, Chickadees, and yes, even the Sparrows.

 

I decided to search for a suet recipe and here’s what I found.

For this recipe you will need:

saucepan

solid shortening

peanut butter

corn meal

quick oats seeds or nuts

raisins or other dried fruits

bread crumbs if desired

Place 1 cup of solid shortening and 1 cup of creamy peanut butter in a saucepan over very low heat. Stir until melted.

To the melted shortening mixture, add 3 cups plain cornmeal. Mix thoroughly.

Stir in any combination of the following: quick oats, raisins, chopped apple, bird seed, bread crumbs, or dried berries. Stir until combined.

Pour into a plastic container lined with aluminum foil. Place in the refrigerator cool.

Once the suet is cooled and solid, slice into squares and place into your suet cage.

Store any remaining squares in the refrigerator. Enjoy watching your feathered friends!

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I’m still trying to finish up my Christmas Decorating.  It would go a lot faster for me if I would quit rearranging everything!

I hope to be back later in the weekend with some more photos.

 

Feeling a little stressed?

                                                                  

Just think how this guy must feel!

 

I can’t believe that we are almost to the end of November already.

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For being only 3 days from Thanksgiving, I am surprisingly calm.

Could that be because I am not hosting our meal for 24 people but instead will be going to our daughter’s?  Now we will all be bringing loads of foodstuff to this get together but there is a lot more pressure on the host and hostess of these large events.

Ah, the advantage of getting older…… your kids grow up and take turns having family dinners at their homes!  The host daughter this year is a 4th grade teacher and poor thing has teacher/parent conferences tonight and tomorrow night.  But she is confident that she will pull it all together since she has Wednesday off!  I have no doubts, she is really pretty organized.

Gee, now that I think about it………

I think it is my turn next year.  Oh, well, I’ll worry about that later.  For now I will stay nice and calm!

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I have been meaning to post this recipe ……………..it is so good.

It’s one of our staples that my oldest daughter makes every Thanksgiving.

Oh, and even all of the kids love this one.

Sweet Potato Puffs

2   40oz cans of sweet potatoes that have been drained.

3 egg yokes

1 1/2 teas. salt

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 cups crushed corn flakes 

1/2 cup of melted butter

another 1/2 cup of melted butter set aside

1 bag of regular marshmallows

Foil muffin paper cups.

Mix together, sweet potatoes, egg yokes, 1/2 cup butter, salt and brown sugar.

Mix remaining melted butter with crushed cornflakes.

Now, mold the potato mixture around a marshmallow and then roll in the crumb mixture and place into the muffin foils.

Then use your thumb and make an indent into each puff.

This should make about 30 of these.

Put foils into a plastic container and freeze before baking.  These can be assembled up to a week before needed.

When ready to bake

Preheat oven to 350*

Place frozen puffs in their foils into muffin tins. Do not thaw before baking.

Bake for about 30 minutes

These are so good,  I think you will like them.  I always thought that crushed pecans would be so good added to the crumbs but my son-in-law is deathly allergic to nuts so we avoid those.

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I also just wanted to say that I have been enjoying so many blogs this season with all of your finds, re-dos, recipes and creations.

I, like so many of you plan to “Bring on Christmas” at the end of the week.

May you all have a wonderful

“Thankful”  Thanksgiving!

See you again soon!

Linda

 

Some Wednesday Finishes

I finally have a few items finished that I have been working on.  With this colder weather I am thinking about putting out some winter time decorations already.  It seems like I just got my fall stuff out. I friend is taking some hand mades to a show to add to her booth.  Now I know why I don’t do shows anymore.  It’s a lot of work and I sure do make a mess.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been going through some recipes…………I am in the mood to do some baking.  I’ll try to post one on Friday.  Hope you are all having a good first week of November.