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.