NaBloPoMo Day #23

 It dark and gloomy today and colder than it's been so I stayed inside and cleaned a bit....this shelf for one..............and everything on it......it's in my kitchen

There was an Iowa game on at 11:00 with Illinois.  It was their last home game........they won!
So while listening to the game (it wasn't televised here) I cross stitched on my Stars and Stripes Saturday.............until I ran out of the red floss!  This was a kit!  Plus, I had just put an order in this morning for xs supplies and now I need 1 floss?  It's a hand dyed one too....a 'fancy floss'. 

 So then I started on the last 2 solid squares that go with the Cosmos squares and then it will be on to the next flower what ever that is............

Here's your Thanksgiving tidbits for today................I think I shared this one last year but I laughed again this year so maybe you will too.............sick humor, I know................

 

This recipe looked and sounded delicious but I have not tried it so baker beware!

 

This is for sale on Etsy but it doesn't look like it would be hard to make..............I thought it was really cute............a nice banner for your kitchen!

I watched a cute movie on You Tube last night...The Most Wonderful Time of the year?  It was Hallmark and had The Fonz from Happy Days in it. 
That's all for today!  I hope you had a great one!  See you tomorrow....God willing!
Happy Trails!!!

NaBloPoMo Day #22

It was sort of a crafts day today as I needed to "kit up" some projects.   Specifically, cross stitch projects.  I had finished my Witchy Wednesday project and also I did not want to work on my present Fall Friday of the big turkey.  So, I cut fabric and zigzagged the edges and gathered as much floss as I could.  I'll definitely have to order some but at least I got them started..........
Here's the new Witchy Wednesday project...smaller and on bigger fabric!  Yay!

 and then for Fall Friday I am working on these Prairie Schooler Fall ornaments..........
I'm starting with the barn in the middle of the big picture............this pattern was gifted to me and thank you to whoever did....Joanie?  Not sure but I love it!

I'm just getting started on it............

I did laundry today and a bit of cleaning but not much....it's cloudy and rainy on and off.  When I do laundry I love to see rags in the wash as it means I've done some cleaning! LOL!

  I was digging through my rag bin because I do not care for the microfiber cloths I have.  I was looking for my old terry cloth ones...imagine my surprise when I unearthed this relic!

an old cloth diaper left over from when my 40 something children were in diapers!  The stains are furniture stain....probably Old English.....I used that a lot.  Who ever heard of an antique diaper?  They didn't have Pampers back in the day and later when they did I was sure that cloth was better so I just kept using them.  Also, it was cheaper and I already had them.  Wow!  All those years ago....where did the time go?
Here's your Thanksgiving tidbits for today.............

   Here's some cute ideas and more than one!   Again, it's on my Pinterest Thanksgiving board

and finally for the recipe of the day..............I'm not sure who provided this but I love recipes with pictures!

That's all for today folks!  Should I frame that diaper? LOL!
Happy Trails!!!

NaBloPoMo Day #21

Today was 'cookin' day!  It rained in the night and this morning and was cloudy all day but warm....60's again.  I got the crockpot going this morning with what I call Hot Pockers but I think I've seen similar recipes called Calico Beans............this was a favorite with my kids............

I used to have menus already set for each meal and for this one I always made a pear lime jello salad with cream cheese................

and cornbread.............always Jiffy............I think they were always vegetarian weren't they?  LOL!

I'll make the corn muffins right before dinner so they'll be nice and hot
I heard about these new products from my daughter and I was able to get them for the holidays.......
have you tried these yet?  Sprite in Winter Spiced Cranberry flavor and Cinnamon Coca-Cola.....
I'll let you know what I think........and let me know what you think if you've tried them.  I'm not a big pop drinker but once in awhile it's nice especially when I have popcorn............

Here are your Thanksgiving items for today............

This craft would be easy to do if you have the materials...........

and here's a "Good Gravy"!  Again from Susan Branch...........

We're supposed to get more rain tonight and quite a bit...it should be cozy!
Happy Trails!!!

NaBloPoMo Day #20

 Not much to offer you today.   It was grocery list and shopping and it was a big one.  It included Thanksgiving.  I also had to pick up prescriptions and get wood in as rain is coming tonight and tomorrow so they say.  It's not that I am so sweet I would melt it's just easier to do all those things when it isn't raining and then when it rains I can stay inside with firelight and candlelight and cook and clean and craft to my heart's content.  I was so tired when I got home I put the groceries away and took a nap!  Me....a nap!  Evidently the time has come for napping.  But here are a few things for Thanksgiving prep!

  I have always wanted to sew pretty table runners so I had best get going!  Isn't this a pretty one for Fall and Thanksgiving?  Log cabin or court house steps?  I can't tell............

Here's a recipe from Susan Branch for Turkey Meatloaf in case you don't want to do a big turkey.  I remember one year that my in-laws were coming and I made everything but the turkey which they were bringing.  Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how much you like your in-laws), there was a big snowstorm and they couldn't make it.  The kids were wondering how we could have Thanksgiving without a turkey............well...........I defrosted several pounds of hamburger and made a meatloaf shaped like a turkey and put those fancy paper ruffles on the legs so we had turkey for Thanksgiving! LOL!   This recipe might be more in keeping with the turkey theme as it actually contains turkey!

That's all for today.....I'm beat but I'll be back tomorrow to share my little Thanksgiving menu and other foods for the weeks ahead.  What are your plans and foods for Thanksgiving?
Happy Trails!!! 

NaBloPoMo Day #19

Another beautiful day here!  I can't believe my good fortune!  65 F and sunny and blue skies!  I got 3 more screens washed and 3 more windows inside and out!  Fresh curtains put up and more laundry done...........

I cleaned a counter and a shelf in my kitchen..........

Trying to go a little minimalist if I can.........I also went for a walk even though my back was hurting from the scrubbing and ladders and who knows what all that I do during the day! LOL!  I walked down to the lake and it was gorgeous....like diamonds sparkling.  It's still really hard for me to take walks as I miss my girls so much.....there are just a zillion reminders everywhere I turn.  I expect to see them out in the yard when I go outside or when I go to sleep at night and I look where their beds were.  

I did manage to make 2 Blaithin solid squares but still need to weave in ends......

and the other day I managed to sew one 9 patch square for the tiny quilt......

And here's your Thanksgiving tidbits for the day!

 

Here's a free Lizzie Kate cross stitch that you can download from her website if you are so inclined...........

 and how's this for a Thanksgiving recipe?  I might have to try this..it looks mighty tasty!

You can go to my Pinterest Thanksgiving board or just Google these items and you'll find them......
I hope you are having nice weather where you are as Winter is coming even to the Ozarks!
Happy Trails!!!

NaBloPoMo Day #18

 Time to start prepping for Thanksgiving if you celebrate here in the U.S.  Why is it I am always surprised at how it sneaks up on me?  It's always a year from the last one and it happens every year....so why can't I be ready?    

 I should have started this at the beginning of November but again.....it snuck up on me!

 Each day until Thanksgiving I will be blogging with some Thanksgiving tips, recipes, jokes etc.  Here's a cute budget friendly craft........... using supplies from nature............

 and more ideas to stretch that budget!   These all  came from my Pinterest Thanksgiving board so you can go there if you want more.........

As for what I did around the homestead today............I washed screens...........

I also washed my bedroom curtains and windows in and out and put up clean curtains........
The screens I store in the closet of each room if appropriate and then if we have a 'warmup' some days they are handy to grab and put in.  I have Pella windows and though I dislike the handle that is always in the way, I do like the fact that I can wash both sides of the window from inside.
I took another walk today and there are little spots of color here and there........

         But for the most part the pretty part of Fall is over with......and the woods are pretty bland now....

I did find some berries that I picked and brought home....I have no idea what they are do any of you know?  I'll keep them away from the cats just in case.  I hope they stay nice and red like that!

 I used to have bittersweet on the farm and I loved decorating with that every fall.  I have not seen any here and when I looked online they wanted $17 for a small bunch of it.............moss is plentiful down here and all different kinds.  I  keep meaning to make a terrarium and use some of it...I love moss............

That's all for today....I have worked a bit on my Monthly Monday cross stitch which I'll show you tomorrow.
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #20

I got my hands in quite a bit of stuff this past week!  It's been gorgeous here so I am back outside trying to enjoy the fall and get those fall chores done. I was doing some burning yesterday outside so I took my knitting with while keeping an eye on the fire....it's my one sock of West Yorkshire Spinner's yarn and I am on the heel flap............

I'm up to 9 of 14 rows for the Granny Scrap Box quilt............these are all from scraps I have but I did have to order some 'shirtings' as I didn't  have enough light fabrics...........

I worked on my Monthly Monday cross stitch..........mostly the tree on the left........

I finally finished my Button Eyed cat although I skipped a border as I was truly sick of working on this project.  It was 40 count and never again!  No fun for me.  I need to put the button eyes in and do a complete finish on him/her..........if anyone wants the rest of this 40 count linen when I'm done just let me know....I would be happy to get rid of it! LOL!

For the Blaithin CAL I have finished 8 solid squares and 12 flower squares....one is missing in the picture but it is done and all ends are woven in...........

I was going to print off the directions for the next flower but now Outlook isn't working (MS did an update one night and now that I had gotten my email all straightened out I can't get to it!  I'll call my "geeks" Monday.....I did not want to mess with it this weekend........)
I did some work on this xs and I'll be glad to add another color or 2 to it but it is great for watching t.v. because I outlined and now just have to fill it in......... the yellow is some camera light issue I guess?

and last but not least...........I worked on my rag rug.....so much fun but wait until I have to cut more strips and roll into balls............that might take more time and you won't see as much progress as fast....not that I could ever be considered 'fast' at anything! LOL!

 I got a beautiful handmade card in the mail from Connie at Far Side of Fifty (on my side bar).....thank you Connie!  It was a real "picker upper" which I needed.....you are such a kind friend.

Oh, BTW......the dip I made yesterday from Katrina over at Pioneer Woman At Heart (on my sidebar) was delicious!  It's hard to stop  eating it!  Thank you, Katrina....it's a keeper for sure!

That's all for this week..........I'm still working outside today.  I finished burning and washed some containers to bring inside.  Brought paint inside and need to wash some screens and windows....we'll see how far I get.  I'd really like to sew on that little quilt....I'll probably do both!  Plus, The Chicago Bears play tonight starting at 7:30 p.m............that's almost my bedtime!  I did get to watch the Iowa/Minnesota game yesterday and Iowa won at home.  I love it when they play at home because it makes me feel like I am almost home.  I lived out in the country but I worked in Iowa City.  Go Hawks!
Please stop by and visit all the other YOP'ers and their projects
Happy Trails!!!