Monthly Archives: December 2014

2014
12/21

Category:
Life

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I must apologize for no post yesterday. We visited a friend who works with the Giving Tree and Rotary Club here. She’s a lovely, giving person. She told us that the Rotary club yesterday morning had 2000 children approved by CPS who were at the party from our city. She was doing a giving tree in a small nearby town today where there would be 1000 children from 2 trailer parks, all approved by CPS as needing help. I found this so depressing. And I guess thinking of this huge need, I totally forgot that I was writing a blog.

This morning, we decided, we really needed at the least a pumpkin pie and some gluten-free bread. So after breakfast, Bill and I got to work making these foods. The bread turned out the best yet.

Then I made a new recipe for a Christmas breakfast cake. Neither the pie or the cake were as sweet as I really like them, but then I am trying to re-educate my palate. For whipped cream, I’ve been putting cashews and water in a high-speed blender.

We went to the store for a brief tour, or rather to take Keri and get a couple of items. Washing clothes and preparing and eating supper seemed to consume most of the rest of this good day.

Tonight I’m thinking of you and hoping that you had a great day without a lot of hassle, and that you have peace as you go through this week.

2014
12/19

Category:
farming
Garden
Life

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Remember the baby ducks, Huey, Dewey and Louie?

We put them in the pasture last Sunday, thinking they would team up with the other ducks. So I introduced them to the dogs, telling the dogs, “these are mama’s and I want you to take care of them” . That could have gone a lot better if the ducks hadn’t decided to make a run for it as soon as the introduction was completed. Running is fun and a game which Lacey still enjoys. Even that might have ended quickly except the alpacas got in on the chasing game (have you ever seen anything so funny as an alpaca chasing a young duck) and suddenly the ducks were under cover in the bushes and I had no idea where they were. Obviously they were scared and weren’t coming out just because I called. I gave up, came back into the house and soon, there was one little duck at the back door. I let him in, caught him and then took him out to the greenhouse I also caught a bantam and put her out there with it so it wasn’t too lonely. Since we had not seen any sign of them since the initial release, we sadly thought the coyotes would find them before we did.

Imagine our delighted surprise when the night before last, one of the wandering ducks showed up here near the front door He allowed us to catch him and we put him with the other duck. They are so happy to be back together.

This morning, the third duck was sighted, but ran before we could get it Hopefully, soon it will hear the other two ducks and come up here. What amazed me was that even though they were way down in the pasture, they knew the house was home and came here.

This morning we planted tulips and hyacinths – some in the 3 planters on the back deck and some in pots. I’m hoping this will work, but I haven’t tried it before. When the plants in the pots peek out, I plan to bring them in the house to enjoy. (I still have 100 daffodil bulbs to get in the ground during the next lull in the rain.)

The afternoon was spent shopping and fixing my quilting machine which somehow managed to get thread wrapped around an important wheel. Yes, Liz, you warned me. Thank you.

We ended our day with a light, delicious supper of strawberries and cashew cream, which was very satisfying..

2014
12/18

Category:
Life
Sewing

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Here are photos of the 3 finished doll sets.

Since that was done, I tackled all the paperwork on my nightstand and dresser.

2014
12/17

Category:
Sewing

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Yesterday, while one of us was sewing, the other was minding the embroidery machine, so we also embroidered a little design on these bags that I purchased on sale at Michael’s. They were just inexpensive small shopping type bags, but without them, the girls probably would have no place to keep their doll clothes. So it seemed like a usable gift. Each bag has different colors on the front just as the clothes are all different colors or have different colored ribbons. Have you ever notice how slight differences can make a big difference?

Today I finished up the outfits with another two tops (just alike) and panties for the two girls that didn’t arrive with any.

The dolls for this Christmas are now finished and should go to the woman in charge of collections tomorrow.

2014
12/16

Category:
Life
Sewing

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Mary came over today and we literally spent the 8 hours making 3 pair of these cute little Native American boots. The doll is slipped into them by opening the back Velcro. I’m really pleased to have these pretty little boots to go with the dresses for the Christmas giving tree. Of course, some of that time was spent figuring out instructions.

2014
12/15

Category:
quilt labeling
Sewing

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I am so pleased with the way this little dress turned out. It may be my “go-to” dress for these dolls. I can see many different dresses in different fabrics and even adding sleeves.

Bill’s new project for the day was making the “Anderson’s split pea” soup recipe. He is learning where items are kept and being an engineer means he follows the recipe exactly. lol

2014
12/14

Category:
Life

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My DH has decided that he should learn to cook – probably so he will get more meals on time. That’s fine with me, but I certainly can laugh at what he chooses to cook. Today he found, in the back of one of the kitchen drawers, a bean salsa soup package that must have been purchased at least 5 years ago. Apparently I didn’t see this when I was cleaning cupboards. So that’s what he is working on today. (It turned out to be very good.)

Since beans take a while to cook, I decided to put some potatoes, parsnips, carrots, onions and broccoli stems in the new one pot. It took about 15 minutes for them to get up to pressures, but only 10 to cook. Do you remember how the vegetables tasted when cooked with pot roast? The vegetables were so soft and flavors infused. That is the way they turned out, and they taste wonderful. Perfect meal with a tossed salad.

And even more wonderful is the fact that I made enough for 2 more meals this week.

2014
12/13

Category:
Life
quilts

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Christmas music & block

We attended a beautiful Christmas music concert at church this morning. There was a good variety of ages as well as songs, reminding us what we are celebrating with Christmas.

After lunch we sat inside and enjoyed the sun. It is so warm coming through the windows and reminds us summer can’t be far away. However, with dark coming about 4.15, we know it will still be awhile. It’s only time to plan for summer.

I did get the last block of this BOM finished tonight and then looked at the instructions again. There are NO instructions for putting it together. I’m on my own for that. Usually the person who supplies the blocks has an ending in mind. With this one, she chose a different artist each month to design a block using the same colors throughout. Since I didn’t see this coming, I may make the easy way out and just assemble it with the remaining fabric. I’ll give it some thought

2014
12/12

Category:
Life
quilts

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A Christmas quilt

Tomorrow is the last day this year that our church has meals and gifts of clothing for street people. I quilted this little quilt as my gift along with the two cowls I made earlier. Below is a photo taken outside, which is more true to color.

2014
12/11

Category:
Life
Sewing

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2 little dresses

I am quite happy with the way these turned out. They are alike except for the color of ribbon. So they can easily be told apart. I’m guessing that the gifts will be opened at the party for these children. I still have the boots to make. I found the photo for the first dress made in October. So now each of the gift dolls will have one of these dresses.

And what I did with the rest of my day, was the same things we all do: cook and clean. It’s suppose to quit raining and get up to 50 degrees tomorrow, so I’m hoping to get back to some of the outside work that hasn’t been caught up – or does it ever. And there are bulbs to get in the ground because I couldn’t pass up a daffodil/tulip sale.

Monthly Archives: December 2014

Oops and a baking day

This morning, we decided, we really needed at the least a pumpkin pie and some gluten-free bread. So after breakfast, Bill and I got to work making these foods. The bread turned out the best yet.

Then I made a new recipe for a Christmas breakfast cake. Neither the pie or the cake were as sweet as I really like them, but then I am trying to re-educate my palate. For whipped cream, I’ve been putting cashews and water in a high-speed blender.

We went to the store for a brief tour, or rather to take Keri and get a couple of items. Washing clothes and preparing and eating supper seemed to consume most of the rest of this good day.

Tonight I’m thinking of you and hoping that you had a great day without a lot of hassle, and that you have peace as you go through this week.

Ducks and a promise of Spring

Remember the baby ducks, Huey, Dewey and Louie?

Imagine our delighted surprise when the night before last, one of the wandering ducks showed up here near the front door He allowed us to catch him and we put him with the other duck. They are so happy to be back together.

This morning, the third duck was sighted, but ran before we could get it Hopefully, soon it will hear the other two ducks and come up here. What amazed me was that even though they were way down in the pasture, they knew the house was home and came here.

The afternoon was spent shopping and fixing my quilting machine which somehow managed to get thread wrapped around an important wheel. Yes, Liz, you warned me. Thank you.

We ended our day with a light, delicious supper of strawberries and cashew cream, which was very satisfying..

Doll sets finished

Here are photos of the 3 finished doll sets.

Since that was done, I tackled all the paperwork on my nightstand and dresser.

Bags, tops and panties

Today I finished up the outfits with another two tops (just alike) and panties for the two girls that didn’t arrive with any.

The dolls for this Christmas are now finished and should go to the woman in charge of collections tomorrow.

Native American boots

New little dress

I am so pleased with the way this little dress turned out. It may be my “go-to” dress for these dolls. I can see many different dresses in different fabrics and even adding sleeves.

Bill’s new project for the day was making the “Anderson’s split pea” soup recipe. He is learning where items are kept and being an engineer means he follows the recipe exactly. lol

Learning to cook

And even more wonderful is the fact that I made enough for 2 more meals this week.

Christmas music & block

A Christmas quilt

Tomorrow is the last day this year that our church has meals and gifts of clothing for street people. I quilted this little quilt as my gift along with the two cowls I made earlier. Below is a photo taken outside, which is more true to color.

2 little dresses

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