Merry Christmas!

I have a feeling I better wish you all a Merry Christmas now. It's going to be a busy holiday. I've already attended a Christmas party at my baby sister's home on Saturday night. We are planning on having an early Christmas Eve at DH's baby sister's home on Friday night. There will be lots of coming and going every day this week. DH has a dental appt on Tuesday and DD 2 flies in on Thursday. I'm trying to get some what organized today, because I am at home.

I love how Puss enjoys the tree.  When I first set it up, she wanted to attack it.  After a few hand clapping sessions, she has taken to just laying under it.  Every night about 8:00 she takes her position. She just sits under it and seems to enjoy the lights. 

Peanut had to play with a few of the bottom ornaments the first time she saw the new addition to the living room.  Since then she has pretty much ignored it all together.  I don't think there will be any Christmas tree excitement this year.

You may notice there are no gifts under the tree.  We celebrate the One Gift, Jesus with time together eating, playing games and watching movies.  Our family has two birthdays in December, one in January and one in February.  A few years ago we started doing our gifting at birthdays.   Of course, there are stockings to fill!! 

Merry Christmas to you all!!

Blog Hop Winners

Time to post the winners of the Blog Hop.  It was a successful Hop!  It was also the most comments I've ever had.  I think I got most of you acknowledged and I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs as time permits.  We all have a busy week ahead of us. 

Yes, I did the number generator thingie, but I didn't take time to show you.  Please take my word for it.

The Big Book of Patchwork by Judy Hopkins goes to

 

 Joanie's Quilts said...   Great selection of books! I am a lover of all kinds of quilting books.

 

 

Nature's Table Toppers by Debbie Field goes to

 

Pat said...

What great books! I am new to your blog (just signed on as a follower) and I now live in southern Delaware after having lived my whole life in NJ. I am a retired school teacher and now am active in our church....singing in the folk group and playing in the bell choir.

 

 

Stitch with Love by Mandy Shaw goes to

 

Wendy said...     I love craft books! I'm Wendy, I'm from Nottingham, England and I love to do all kinds of crafts.

 

 

Crochet for the Fun of it! by Frida Ponten goes to

 

Mary said...

I adore new books. Have the big book of Patchwork, love it. You're practically a neighbor, I live in eastern Nebraska. The photo of your pasture looks mighty familiar, except for those plush Llamas of course!

Congratulations to all the winners.  This is my 200th post and because of the Hop I now have 200 followers.  I see another give away in the future to celebrate. 

I'm looking forward to this week.  I have a lot of cleaning and cooking to do yet.  DD #2 will be flying home on Thursday.  Today it was 55 degrees--definitely doesn't happen that often in December in South Dakota.  They are predicting a brown Christmas.   I won't need snow for Christmas--just our family all home to spend time together.

 

 

Give Away Closed

The Blog Hop Give Away is now closed!  Thank you so much everyone who stopped to say hi and leave a comment.  I will post winners as soon as I can.

A Week of Celebrating

I have had 10 days of celebrating my birthday.  Who said getting older isn't fun?  This is a picture of the 35 foot blue spruce that is the Christmas tree at the State Capital in Pierre.   There are over 90 decorated Christmas trees in the building.   What a wonderful way to get instilled with the Christmas spirit by looking at all these fabulous trees.  This picture is taken from the second floor.  All the trees were gorgeous.  It's fun to see all the lights and different ways of decorating.  There is also a beautiful Nativity scene.

I attended the State Oral Interpretation contest in Pierre.  Nephew Kyle and his friend, Dade qualified for the state competition by winning local, district and regional contests.   Kyle performed in original prose and serious drama.  Dade competed in the serious poetry division.   Kyle was awarded a gold medal and superior rating for his presentation of War-A Matter of Life and Death.  He and Dade received excellent rating on their other pieces.  I enjoyed time with my 3 SILs, Sharon, Judy and Leasa and nephew, Carson.   On Friday night we had supper at an Italian restaurant to celebrate my birthday.   DD 1 joined us too.  She gave me a Kindle Fire for my birthday!!!  We stayed overnight, so I had a slumber party for my birthday.   Lots of laughs!!  The competition was all day Saturday.  After the awards ceremony, we toured the tree display at the Capital.

 This beautiful flocked tree was decorated with these cute little owls.

I thought this one decorated with elves was adorable.

Last week-end--another party!!   Members from both families and a few friends gathered  at a local steakhouse to help me celebrate again.  DD 1 made sure I had plenty of candles to blow out.   I wish I was heading some where to wear those flip flops.  lol

This last Wednesday my two good friends, Peggy, Sandi and I spent the day together.  We enjoyed a Mexican lunch, shopping and a trip to see the trees.   DH asked me if I was done celebrating now.   I think the partying is over. 

I am so bless to have a wonderful family and special friends who felt I needed extra celebrations for my 60th year.   Thank you to all my blogging friends, who took the time to post their wishes.  I didn't get you answered, but I really enjoyed hearing from each of you!! 

Thank you all for a memorable bithday.

Blog Hop Party

I joined the Blog Hop Party that Michele is hostessing for the 4th birthday of the Quilting Gallery website.  So far there are 232 bloggers from 20 countries that have joined the fun.   It's such a busy time of year, but bloggers still have time to give away to others.    I think quilt bloggers are the most generous people I know.  Stop over at the Quilting Gallery for the whole list of blogs and give aways.  Take a little time off from your busy day and visit a quilt blog.  You might be one of the lucky winners.

I wish I had time to make something wonderful to give away.  I'm going to be giving away four new books.  I love new books!

The Big Book of Patchwork by Judy Hopkins

Nature's Table Toppers by Debbie Field

Stitch with Love by Mandy Shaw

Crochet for the Fun of it! by Frida Ponten

If you would like to win a new book to inspire your creative spirit, leave a comment on this post.  If you are new to my blog tell me where you are from and a little about yourself.   The give away will close on Saturday night, December 17th.  I'll post winners on Sunday, December 18th.

My Day

It's "my day"!!  I'm taking DH to the dentist to celebrate--at least I'll get lunch out of the deal.  :) 

New Direction

 I took a new direction this last week and crocheted a potholder.   A post by Deanna that was posted by someone (now I can't remember who) stuck with me.  I went looking for my crochet needles and some cotton yarn.  As you can see the variegated blue yarn ran out before I was finished.   Since this one is for me, I think the blue stripe is a fine finish.  Last night I played with my hook and made a couple of little scrubbies for doing dishes.   I haven't crocheted at all this last year and this felt good.  I may have to start an afghan to work on this winter.  There is something so cozy about working on an afghan in the cold evenings.

I completed a hen potholder to go with my rooster.   I hope to get a few more made this week, but it is already Wednesday. 

 My poor iron died over the week-end.  It has been a good one--Black and Decker.   I've had this one for 12 years.  It took me by surprise.  I hadn't noticed any problems with it.  It just didn't get hot on Saturday. 

I picked this one up at Alco on Sunday.  There wasn't much choice.  I'll see how long this one lasts.  I didn't spend much, so we'll see.

The new one has a Teflon coated bottom.  I wonder if the fusible comes off it easier?  Every time I fuse I end up having to clean the bottom of the iron. 

The last few days have been unseasonably warm for November. The snow has disappeared.   December is going to change things--we have a cold front on the way and snow predicted.  Winter is on it's way!

Another Recipe

 Are you resting after your big Thanksgiving day feast?   We had a nice time at SIL eating and visiting.  It was a small group and very relaxing.  She sent home left overs so we enjoyed a turkey sandwich at lunch today.  I thought I would post a recipe that is very yummy and you can use your leftover turkey in it.  It's quick and easy too.  I made it with chicken for the quilt group last time and every one wanted the recipe.

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

1 T butter
1/2 c celery
1/3 c onion
1/3 c carrots
4 c chicken broth
2 c water
2 c boneless chicken or leftover turkey
1 package of quick cooking long grain and wild rice with seasoning package
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
3/4 c flour
1/2 c butter
2 c cream  ( I have used 1/2 and 1/2 or just milk too.  Of course it's really good with cream. lol)

In a large pot over medium heat saute vegetables with a T of butter.  Add broth, water and meat.  Bring to a boil, then stir in rice without the seasoning packet.  Cover and remove from the heat.  In a small bowl combine the seasoning packet and the flour.  In a medium saucepan over medium heat melt butter, stir in flour mixture by tablespoons until a roux is made.  Whisk in cream a little at a time until all is together smoothly.  Cook until thick--5 minutes or so.  Stir cream mixture into broth.  Cook over medium heat until heated through--10 to 15 minutes.

Here is a picture taken at the Casey Tibbs Annual Tribute supper with my cousin, Gary.  He was honored as a Rodeo Cowboy Great.  Gary is a self-made cowboy.  He wanted to rodeo since he was a small boy.  He mostly competed in calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling.  He certainly deserved this honor.

It was amazing to see the collection of  some of his awards all in one place.  He has won Rodeo events in New Zealand and Australia.  His wife, April is from Australia.   I enjoyed the program immensely.  We also walked through the museum too. 

BIL and nephew are coming back to deer hunt this week-end. They are going to help us wean calves on Saturday too. We'll have turkey while they are here, so we'll have our own leftovers to eat.  The calves have done well this summer as you can see they have really grown.

Happy Thanksgiving

Sorry it's not a turkey! It's the first of new potholders I'm making. I felt like I needed a sewing finish to share with you. It is the only sewing I've done. We have had deer hunters, so the sewing room is a bedrooom again. I've been busy cooking and helping DH get ready to wean calves this week-end. We've been fixing fence, putting in new posts and hanging a new gate.

As you can see from the new header and this picture we received snow last week-end. We ended up with about 6  inches. I'm really not ready for the cold or the snow. I need to get new winter boots! Today is a beautiful sunny and almost warm (42 F) day. The snow is melting--yeah!


The haygrinder came this afternoon. DH will be busy with him, so I'm baking the buns I'm taking to my SIL for Thanksgiving. I thought maybe you would like the recipe. It uses the bread machine to mix and knead them.


Bread Machine Buns

1 1/4 c warm milk
2 T margarine
1 egg
1/4 c sugar
3/4 t salt
3 3/4 c bread flour
2 t bread machine yeast

I set my machine on mix and first rise. After 1 hour and 40 minutes the dough has risen to the top of the bucket. I dump the dough out and cut into 12 pieces. Shape into buns or dinner rolls (15 x 10 for buns or a 9 x 13 pan for dinner rolls) They usually take about 30 - 45 minutes for the second rise.
  350 degrees for 12 -14 minutes or nice and brown. I like this recipe, because I can put it all in the bucket and go do other things. I've also used the same dough to make caramel or cinnamon rolls.


We had a new visitor on the deck last night eating the cat food.

It is a spotted skunk.  It didn't take long to clear the cats out.  It never sprayed but acted agressively to the cats and waved it's tail high.   We've had a raccoon and a possum in the last 10 days helping themselves too.   I need to remember to bring the pan in at night.  It's hard to shoot them on the deck and when they take off they usually run under the deck.  I'm hoping without the temptation of food our visitors will stay away.

We have so much to be thankful for here.  We will be headed to DH's youngest sister's home for a huge dinner.  I'm sure their little grandson will be the entertainment for the afternoon.  We haven't seen him for a while.  He turned a year old a couple weeks ago.  DD 1 is working the 10 am to 10:30 pm shift at the Healthcare.  DD 2 will share the holiday with friends in Pensacola.  We will all be together for Christmas.  : )

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you and yours!

Just Thinking

Last night as I lay in bed I wondered if "it" was wearing out--you know that gene that women have that allows them to be flexible and multi-task. My birthday in December will be a "big" milestone number and that is what causes all these wonderings. I think back to when I worked full time managing a busy post office with 530 PO boxes, 2 clerks and 4 mail routes, had two teen age girls in every school activity available and commuted 60 miles daily from the ranch we own and operate. How did I do all that? I know sometimes I didn't do it all well, but I did it all. One morning this week with laundry started, bread dough rising, beets cooking on the stove while I was mixing up ginger snap cookies, DH yelled in "I need you to help me!!" My "snap to--drop everything" feature kind of did a stall. It was the kind of noise our old freezer made when it was deciding to kick in or not. I did kick in tho--shutting off the burner under the beets, check the clock, put on shoes and jacket--gloves? check--off I go.

I did make it back in time to save the bread dough. I finished mixing up the cookies. I baked half of the dough and put the rest in the refrigerator to bake later.

After dinner it was back to working on the beets. Aren't they pretty?

DH likes pickled beets. I ended up with 14 pints and 1 quart of pickles. There were enough left for buttered beets for supper. Thank you, sis!

We are working cattle today. The calves are getting shots and wormed preparing them for weaning in 10 days. The cows will be wormed. Michelle and Seth came home to help. Neighbor Andrew and BIL Ron complete the crew.

Tonight we are attending a supper at the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center in Ft. Pierre. My cousin Gary is one of the honorees. He is a roper and will be honored as "Rodeo Cowboy Great".

Another busy week has passed by and each day I think of things to tell you and seems to be no time to post. I did get the borders sewn on June Bug, but nothing else in the sewing department. Our moderate weather is holding and no snowflakes yet.

Thank You!!

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Blog Tour

It's that time again!! The 100 Blocks Blog Tour started today. If you are interested in winning a copy or just checking out some of the new blocks that are in the magazine go HERE.

I won a copy during the last blog tour. I hope I do again. It's so much fun to see the new blocks and check out the blog of each designer. There are more prizes too.

Fall Finish

I finally had time yesterday afternoon to sew down the binding on my Autumn Runner. It finishes at 22" x 44".

I decided to use a feather stitch on the flying geese, instead of free motion quilting over them.

I free motion quilted vines and leaves around the pumpkins and the ear of corn.

I used black thread and cross hatched the ends on the black lines. It really doesn't show up right now, but it will after I wash it. I always struggle with deciding how to quilt my finished top. I like the stripped binding. It looks nice on top of the entertainment center.

The combining is completed for another season. DH has bales to haul and then we will be bringing the cattle home to be worked.

The baby calves have spent the summer eating and growing up. It will be weaning time very soon. We have had cool days this week. It's been good weather for getting things done before "the snow flies".

My older sister was home for a few days to visit her sons. Last night we met at my baby sister's home for chili and chatting. We don't see each other often, but when we do it's such a special feeling to spend sister time. Little sis had extra beets and sent a big sack home with me. I'll be able to make DH's favorite pickled beets. I'm out of canning lids, so I'll need to make the weekly trip to town and pick some up--more sugar too.

I'm planning to get back to work on the June Bug quilt. I have borders to sew on and then I'll need to decide how to quilt it.

Happy Halloween!

I made a couple quick and easy Halloween placemats for us last week. I quilted my Autumn runner too, but I need to sew the binding down on the back. It has to be "a finish" to get posted.

It was a busy week last week. DH was driving truck for the neighbors and then they came to combine our corn.

DH took his lunch Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I cleaned and sewed on Monday. Tuesday I drove to Highmore and had lunch with friends. I spent the afternoon visiting with other friends in town, checking out the new Thrift store and having coffee with a past co-worker. It was fun to catch up with everyone. Wednesday I drove to Faulkton to attend the Oral Interpretation contest at the high school. Nephew Kyle qualified for the District contest in 2 categories. The presentations were all excellent. Of course I had to stop at the Quilter's Corner to see what was new too. Our quilting group met Wednesday night in Highmore. We are making pillow cases for the Highmore Healthcare Center as a community project. We worked together--cutting, ironing and sewing. At the end of the night we had completed 31 cases. We will work on them next meeting too.

Thursday it was time to stay home and prepare for week-end hunting visitors. I baked pumpkin bread, buns and apple bars while washing bedding. DH had one brother, 3 sisters and two nephews spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday with us. His youngest sister and her two sons visited on Saturday. The combining crew needed lunches too. It was a fun and busy week-end. It was time for naps after everyone left Sunday afternoon.

Today I'm putting the house back in order and the wash machine will be running again. There is more corn to combine this week and lunches to pack.

Have a lovely week!

Wordless Wednesday

Crusher Cleaning Up

The car crusher was in the neighborhood a couple weeks ago. DH decided to let them clean up the cars, old machinery and iron at the "home place". The home place is where DH grew up. Unfortunately, we couldn't afford to keep it up and it has slowly declined. I thought I would share some of the pictures I took.

It was kind of sad to see some of these oldies go, but things look much nicer cleaned up. I doubt the cash will be a lot either, but we've done our part to recycle.

Busy Week-end

This week-end is opening season for pheasant hunting season. It has been for years.. Forty years ago my DH gave up shooting pheasants to marry me. His friends weren't real happy, but they did show up in their tuxedos when it was time for the ceremony. At my tender age I didn't realize that having an anniversary on "pheasant" week-end probably wasn't the best idea for expecting a romantic week-end every year.

How very young we were! Forty years sounds like a long time ago, but doesn't seem that long.

Saturday was a gorgeous day for hunting. DD 2 and a friend were home for the week-end. Seth shot and ate pheasant for the very first time. DD 2 bought her first license this year too. It was fun to just have a small group this year. I went along instead of spending time in the kitchen.

Today DH and I spent a quiet day at home for our anniversary. We baked an apple pie together this morning. DH ran the peeler, corer and slicer for me. Team work makes a good marriage.

A "Little" Surprise

We aren't very good llama ranchers. We haven't checked on the llamas for quite sometime. They have their own pasture with water and we don't have to worry about them getting out. They are pretty much on their own during the summer. DH came in the house today and said "Bring the camera". Isn't she cute?

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

We are home from our Florida trip to visit DD 2. We had a wonderful week of family time. DD 1 was able to go with us too. I'm having daughter withdrawls this week.

We enjoyed some crab at Joe's Crab Shack in Destin. The girls did some shopping. DH and I checked out the Bass Pro Shop. We had never been to one before. DH bought a new cap.

We met some of Jen's friends on the Boardwalk in Pensacola. Florida's humidity does nothing for my hair. lol We slept in, ate too much and just enjoyed being together.

We ended up driving home from Minneapolis, because of cancelled Delta flights. We stayed over one night in Minneapolis, but decided if we wanted to get home renting a car was the best way to do it. It seems as tho you can't fly Delta without cancellations or delays. Their computers were down in Atlanta. We waited two and a half hours for a plane in Memphis to fly to Pensacola on the way down. DH thinks we should drive when we go again.

Well, back to reality. DH is stacking bales today. The corn is ready to combine. Puss and Peanut are very happy to have us home again. DH can't sit down without Puss taking her place in his lap. I'm working on the laundry and getting ready for pheasant hunters coming for the week-end.
I hope to catch up with all of you soon.

More Sharing

Two quilters at the retreat worked on this Christmas quilt. It was so cute. The pattern is free from Moda here.

Lesley is starting a new Christmas stitch along starting tomorrow--Friday, 9/23.

I love redwork. I'm going to go here and download the patterns each Friday. There are seven designs to stitch.

I wanted to show you this wall hanging that was a round robin. I've never participated in a round robin and I'm not sure I'm creative enough to do one. I also get nervous making something for some one else, so I'm not sure I would be comfortable doing this. I just loved this wall hanging tho. The quilter is adding beading and embellishments to it yet. You can see she hasn't bound it yet. I love the pink flower, the squares and the circles in the border. One of the benefits of going to a retreat is seeing things that inspire you to think differently than your same old way.

DH is still silaging down at the cousins. Michelle came home for a couple days and we hung out. In my next post I'll show you what else has been going on around here.