Thursday, November 29, 2012

Heavenly Masterpieces

52 Weeks of Art

This is a favorite of mine.
Illustrations de John Gannam

I just had news of an old friend expecting her 9th child. Congratulations!

I am not jealous about what anyone else has except when it comes to having lots of children; I cannot help being jealous about that. I am thankful for my five wonderful blessings. Children are the greatest treasures, and the only treasures that are eternal. My mother had 15, and she always referred to us as her masterpieces.

I am happy for those who get to continue having children, but at the same time, I feel great sorrow piercing my heart. How I long to be in such a joyous state!

Much as I feel sad that I am not also the recipient of such a glorious gift, I am full of joy for those who are and am thankful that there are mothers who desire large families. Bless you!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

We put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving Day. It was an all-day affair. First, we assembled our new tree (a replacement of our beloved 17-year-old tree, which we bought the year our second son was born). Next, I decorated it with 5 or 6 strands each of white and colored lights.

We watched White Christmas while applying the lights.

Lizzy and I spent the afternoon stringing popcorn, first while watching While You were Sleeping, and finishing while listening to Christmas music.

Bill went out to buy the all-necessary traditional eggnog and can of flavored popcorn for our family evening of decorating the tree.

Happy Holidays!



Saturday, November 24, 2012

Cheese Balls

It's the holiday season!
I got this delicious recipe from a dear friend.
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard or dijon mustard
  • pinch of salt
  • green olives with pimentos, drained and spread on paper towels to dry while you mix dough

Mix all together in kitchenaid using the flatbeater (or you can use your hands). Scoop up a small amount of the dough and flatten in the palm of your hand. Place an olive on top and close your palm to shape dough around it. Roll between your hands to form into a ball. Place on ungreased baking sheet.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake 20-25 minutes until just starting to brown.

 Easy "How-To-Make" Photos

 ~~~♥~~~
http://artschilipepper.blogspot.com/2009/12/grams-cheese-balls.html

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

~My girls~
Vintage Thanksgiving Postcard
Source: flickr.com via Darla on Pinterest

 

Wishing you the happiest Thanksgiving Day!

There is No Place Like Home for the Holidays



My Thanksgiving Day Menu

Thanksgiving Morning:
It is just after 2:00 A.M. – I am having my first cup of coffee and spending a minute to visit you before I start my day. Here is a quick photo I snapped when I got up, to share with you.

I was so excited about today that last night I could hardly fall to sleep. I woke moments before 12:00 A.M. not feeling sleepy at all. I told myself that the next time I woke up I would get up, knowing that by that time I was sure to be waking from a deep sleep, which I did. Nevertheless, promises are promises, and now that I am up, I am delighted to be starting my day.
~ My Thanksgiving Day Menu ~
Turkey
Gravy made with heavy cream ~ (A special treat for the holiday)
Sausage Stuffing ~ (My recipe)
Mashed Potatoes
Elegant Scalloped Corn
Cranberry Sauce ~ (See Jessica’s Post)
Yams
Fresh Homemade Rolls
Fruit Salad
Served with: Sparkling Cider
http://pleasantsimplicityathome.blogspot.com/2011/11/sausagecracker-stuffing.html
~ Desserts ~
Date Nut Bread ~ (My recipe)
Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pies
Pecan Pie
Key Lime Pie
Served with: Coffee and Cream
~~~♥~~~

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

S’uthun Supreme Pecan Pie


On Thanksgiving Eve (which I like to call Thankfuleve as in - Thankfuleve I have a daughter to bake with me.), I always spend the day baking. Today, my daughter and I baked two loaves of date-nut bread, two pumpkin pies, a pecan pie, and an apple pie.

~~~♥~~~

I am trying a new pecan recipe: S’uthun Supreme Pecan Pie
“Ya’ll might have a hard time keeping this pie around. Best to double it!”
3 eggs
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 Tablespoon flour
½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 teaspoon salt
½ cup sugar
1 ½ cups maple syrup
               (I chose this recipe because of the maple syrup.)
1 ½ cups broken pecan pieces
1 cup halved pecans

Beat eggs until light. Blend in the melted butter, flour vanilla, salt, sugar, and maple syrup. Sprinkle the broken pecans over the bottom of the pie shell. Gently pour the mixture in, and then make rings of pecan halves, starting from the middle and working out until the surface is covered/ Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes and then reduce heat to 325 degrees and continue baking for about 40 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Makes one 9” pie

~~~♥~~~
I am also trying a new piecrust: Alan Carter’s Pie Pastry – from Better Homes and Gardens.

Mix:
3 ¾ Cups flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
½ - 1 Tablespoon salt
½ Teaspoon baking powder

Cut in:
1 ¾ Cups unsalted butter, leaving chunks the size of peas

Combine:
2/3 Cups ice-cold water
2 Tablespoons sour cream
1 Teaspoon vinegar

Add liquid all at once to the flour mixture (This step is the reason that I Like this recipe.). Quickly stir to distribute. Do no overmix. The dough should be slightly crumbly. Let rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. The finished dough should break, not stretch. Divide into three portions; shape into disks. Use at once or wrap and refrigerate up to 3 days. Or freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Makes 3 single-crust pastries.
~~~♥~~~

Saturday, November 17, 2012

California Foggy Morning

~~~♥~~~

This Is the Way We Wash Our Clothes

53 Weeks of Art

Week 4


George Dunlop Leslie - This Is the Way We Wash Our Clothes
George Dunlop Leslie - This Is the Way We Wash Our Clothes


While visiting Sandy's blog HOB NOBBERS, I came across her Pinterest link, where I saw her Art board (she has some very interesting boards). I found this precious painting there. Thanks, Sandy!


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Busy Making Christmas Cards

Celebrate the winter holidays and warm the hearts of those you love.

~~~♥~~~

Well, I have not had a chance to blog this week. With Thanksgiving around the corner, next week will even be busier than this week. Just wanted to let you know what I am up to. I am having fun making cards and other stuff.


Saturday, November 10, 2012

"Reading the News"

52 Weeks of Art
Week 3
 
James Tissot ~ 1874
Reading the News - Cross stitch pattern pdf format
Source: Pinterest


I spent Friday evening making cards for my Etsy shop, just made my first sale this weekend!

Today is my son's penultimate game of soccer for the season! It is going to be chilly and perhaps even a bit wet.

It's an early game, so we'll stop at McDonald's for breakfast on the way. After the game, we'll return home and enjoy a cozy afternoon fire.


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Vintage 1940's Car

Hello everyone,

These photos were taken around 1984. Knowing how much I loved old cars, One day my sister came into the house and saying, “Hey, Hope, there is an old car parked in front of our house.”

Grabbing my camera, and a couple siblings and a nephew to serve as models, I rushed out to take a few photos before the car was gone.

Later I found out that the fellow who owned this beauty had parked it there and had gone off with my father.

Our families became friends, and my sisters and I had the pleasure of riding in the awesome car with the mother and girls.

~~~♥~~~


So Many Reasons

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/166492517445277434/


Source: Pinterest

Many of us have abundant reasons to give the Lord thanks. I am thankful for warmth and food; the very basics are true blessings, indeed. I am thankful for the wealth of little blessing I enjoy each day, such as, a variety of breakfast choices, plenty of clean towels and linens, cheerful holiday lights adorning my windows, and pleasant company.

I pray that I am always thankful, even if I have no earthly reason to give thanks.

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.


~~~♥~~~
I saw this catchy little linkup at
life with joys.
I have to admit that the vintage typewriter piqued my interest.

Linking up with:
Thankful Thursdays Button



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Update

You might recall my post Big Holiday Expectations ~ in which I announced my goal of losing 10 pounds in 5 weeks.

Did I accomplish it? No. However, it is not all bad. Last week of October, I stepped on the scale and was 7 pounds down. I gave a bounce, just in case that scale wanted to change its mind. No change. I stepped off and stepped on again. No change. Another few bounces. No change. So, I guess it’s official.

I still have more to lose, but with the holidays and all the yummy temptations before me, my immediate, realistic goal is for a slow and steady decline in weight, but more importantly, a plan of not gaining any weight.

This week, I purchased the above 1950s Butterick Sewing Pattern (8321). I hope to make it during the holidays. I won't look like the slender woman on the pattern, but I think it should look nice. I have not received the pattern yet; I am trusting it was cut neatly, for I an not am expert seamstress.

~~~♥~~~

Cozy Autumn Morning


~ Every Morning is a time for tea. ~
~ A cheerful breakfast in good company ~

Weekday breakfast in our home is a simple affair. When the weather is cool outside, my children prefer to have something from the oven ~ usually muffins. Our simple breakfast include fruit and yogurt...served with tea (and coffee for me).

~~~♥~~~ 

Monday, November 5, 2012

Doughnuts ~ Quick and Easy

A Year with Grandmother ~ 365 Days at Grandmother’s House

Day 35 of 365 
~~~♥~~~ 
quick doughnuts

Do you remember your grandmother making donuts?

Homemade doughnuts have always been a tradition in our family. Only, I have never made them. I have always wanted to, but have been too afraid to try. I keep saving doughnut recipes. These doughnut look like they would be quick and easy. I am going to have to try this idea. Do you have a favorite doughnut recipe?

Video and Recipe Here
~~~♥~~~

Dear Friends, please fill free to share comments of your memories with your grandparents, or your thoughts on being a grandparent.

~~~♥~~~

(An Imaginary Journey Back to Grandmother's House)

Please Note: Many of the photos in my posts I create of my make-believe journey back to my grandmother's house are taken from Pinterest . I search for photos on Pinterest which look and feel like the perfect image of the grandmother's house any child would love and remember.

~~~♥~~~

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Lady With Red Roses

52 Weeks of Art 

Week ~ 2

so many lovely paintings
Source:  Pinterest


There is so much to love about this paining,

the colors,

the impression of quite tranquility,

the soft gentleness of the woman.

I don't know anything about art. All that matters to me is that it is beautiful


Friday, November 2, 2012

A Time of Thanksgiving ~


Sandy @ HOB NOBBERS has a wonderful idea. She calls it ~

Thanksliving.


Sandy writes:
"Thanksliving this month! Instead of thanking God for our many blessings ON ONE DAY this month, let's thank Him EVERY DAY for all those things we receive, including those we often take for granted. Let's make this month a month of  THANKS-LIVING! Of living our lives in a moment to moment awareness of gratitude. It can change your life!
I'm going to post daily through the month of November expressing gratitude to God. Won't you join me?"

 ~~~♥~~~


I certainly look forward to hopping over to see her daily notes of thanksgiving and share my own reasons to be thankful.



Thursday, November 1, 2012

Leaf Garland and Holiday Lights


Every year on November 1st I hang white lights in my front windows in celebration of the Holiday Season. For our family, the holiday season is from the week of Thanksgiving Day, to New Years Day, but we like to start getting in the holiday mood beginning today.

~~~♥~~~