Friday, another great day!

I had no internet connection this morning and discovered I wouldn't have one until about 1:30 so.....I decided it was a good time to install my new modem which I did and now all is up and running fine.  I made some dough for apricot foldover cookies that I'll be making tomorrow and Ive been busy, cleaning out, packing a bit and contacting people in my home town to recommend a realtor there.  I plan on moving in September and I'm making a timeline of what I need to do before then.
I received a "care" package the other day from my son and his girlfriend and my grandson Uriah.
No reason whatsoever so it was really a wonderful surprise!  This is what they sent me..........

  a very nice "hoodie" that I won't be wearing for awhile as it's been in the 90's here all week!  But I will definitely be needing it when I go up North!

Some tasty treats.........

and a darling antique jelly jar and needle threader.......they know how I love the "old" stuff!
Thank you so much Uriah, Amanda and Ben!  You are too thoughtful!  

 I'm still reading a few of the same books but a new one too and a new magazine.  I'll have reviews of the finished ones on Monday.......
Gladys Taber's The Stillmeadow Road - so heartwarming and peaceful

I'm learning a lot from this book............

I finished Debbie Macomber's The Shop on Blossom Street so I started reading this one again........
The library doesn't have the 2nd book in the Blossom Street series so I'll have to order it.

And I got another ROL magazine in the mail so I'll be reading that...........

My hydrangeas are really doing great this year with all the rain we've had.  They don't call them hydrangea's for nothing!  That's just 2 stems...they're huge!

 As for crochet.....a few more granny squares added to the stack........

 I got to the first stripe on my Hudson Bay socks..............

 and I'm almost to the middle of Uriah's quilt in hand tyeing........it is hard on my hands though so I can only do about 2 rows at a time.  I think I'm getting some calluses so that should help.  This is the back of the quilt as I had it all folded up.

And last but not least....my little Mr. Peeps ...............

She's got a fat little tummy now and runs around all over the place and then "crashes"......like I'm about to do! LOL!

She's so cute I can hardly stand it!

Happy Trails!

Home Sweet Home?

Could this be my next home?  I have realized that I have got to move now if I am ever going to "live my dream" back in my hometown before I get too old to accomplish it.  I have certain requirements that I listed for my next and probably last home and although all of them don't have to be met some are pretty important.
My list is as follows (in no particular order):

Two story
Great views
Central air

Hardwood floors

Attached garage

Fireplaces

Claw foot tub

Old with original fixtures not modernized

Fruit trees

Room for girls and garden

Clothes poles for hanging clothes outside

Basement

 
I have found several houses but this one meets most of my requirements. It does not have a claw foot tub or a clothes pole nor is it 2 story.  It does not have a fireplace or a wood burner.  But it is in my price range.    It's not on a busy road and I can get a wood burner installed as I did in my last farmhouse.  The decorating is not good but I can paint and take care of that.  It has fruit trees, a garden space and all original woodwork and hardwood floors.  It has great views of the hills and countryside and there are not many rural properties that are within my price range.  I'm thinking this may be "the one"!

I want a house I can pay cash for without needing to sell this one as I don't want to wait any longer and I have tried to sell this one several times with no luck.  Things don't move very fast down here.
Oh, it also has a huge pole building with electric which I am thinking would be great as I could move stuff there while I paint and decorate each room.  Meanwhile "back at the ranch" I am furiously going through things and made great progress yesterday.  I am off to recycling, library and pharmacy today and then "back at it". 
    It is not on my time table though...there's a higher power that will make it happen if it is meant to be and either way I will enjoy each day!  But I do feel I have to do my part.  It's wonderful to dream and it's even more wonderful when those dreams come true!
Happy Trails! 

YOP Week #49

I am so bad this time of year to be getting anything done fiber-wise so please excuse the lack of YOP progress. It will probably be this way for awhile as I have presents to make, company coming in July and August and a new baby (for you bloggers that only visit on Sundays)...........I introduce you to Mr.  Peeps who is actually a girl but I didn't know that when my daughter started calling him Mr. Peeps.
She's too cute for words and you can check back on this week's posts if you want to know how she "showed up" on my doorstep!  She is quarantined for another week on my porch until she gets her shots.  The vet figured she was 4 weeks old last week when I took her.  Babies are time consuming!  But so fun.

 My Canadiana yarn showed up from Fishknits Yarns and I could not help myself but cast on and that's about all I've had time for....maybe tonight I can get some cuff work done.  I can't wait to get to a stripe!  I am so bad because I have the second Kristin Nicholas sock to knit.

I've been so tuckered at night I just mindlessly crochet granny squares but at least I managed to weave in the ends.........

Here are the latest colors and you can see the "granny" part...........

I hate to admit it but this quilt for my grandson is still hanging around! I am going to finish for when he comes in July.  I have wasted so much time on it.  First I tried to machine quilt it and I'm not sure if it was the machine or the operator but I took it out and then I tried hand quilting but I'm not very good, didn't have the right needles and it was taking forever!  So, my seam ripper has been working over-time.  I have decided to hand-tie it.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it! LOL!  The kid will be graduating from high school before he gets it!

 For me this should be YOP Year of Shame not Projects! LOL!  I looked at my lists (on the right hand side of my blog) and it has been a pitiful year of little progress.  I went rogue!  I haven't even finished projects from the 2 years previous!  Shame on me but I must admit I am far better in the skills department.  I will try and do better and reference my projects as to what YOP year and whether they are even on the list.....the 2 above aren't.  Although, I think I might have referenced an ongoing sock knitting from now until forever.

I hope you are all doing great on your YOP's and maybe someone could mentor me in 

"stick-to-it-iveness"? 

Happy Trails!

Miscellaneous Saturday

This is my new bird feeder all filled with sunflower seed........

it lasted less than a week before the deer destroyed it...no more bird feeders for me I guess.  I thought it was a raccoon or squirrel that kept messing with it but then I caught them in the act and they literally broke it right off the pole.  Who knew deer had such discriminating taste? 

 I got my first letter from a grand child!  Sam (my namesake) wrote me the nicest letter with a drawing of he and his brother playing. I wrote him back...I think we're pen pals now.  I even got stickers on the envelope too!

 Well, I finally got my fabric chosen, washed and ironed to make a knot bag.  I'm not slow or anything.

 Big sis and little sis............oh, I think the glass door needs a little Windex!

 "Rise and shine!"...said no miniature dachsund ever.........

 "rustic" homemade pizza using leftovers in the frig...provolone, some pizza sauce, pepperoni, broccoli, bacon and mozarella..........yum!

 Hen and chicks in bloom....I've never seen this before............

My nail color this week.....teal blue

I've been having fresh strawberries on my cereal all week but they're done now........so sweet compared to the ones in the store.

That's the "miscellany" for this week.  Hopefully, I will have something to post tomorrow for YOP (Year of Projects)
Happy Trails!
P.S.  American Pharoah is running in The Preakness this afternoon.  It will be televised.  He has won the first 2 "jewels" of the Triple Crown.  If he wins, it will be the first time in 37 years there has been a Triple Crown winner!    

Fiber goodness and so much more!

What a week this is turning into....running around and paying a high price for it too! LOL!  After the dryer breaking and paying $70.00 to leave it that way, my car battery went out.  So, I got it replaced and also had my blower taken apart because it's been making a loud sound and it was a "critter" nest inside that was causing it.  I keep my car in an attached garage and I have Terminix.  What's up with that?  Also, Terminix raised my monthly bill $3.00 to pay for the high cost of gas when it was high.  Gas prices are way down now and I'm waiting for my bill to go back down too but so far nada.  Then it was off to the vet yesterday for Nitty's allergy shot and a "baby" exam for Mr. Peeps.  I'll fill you in later in this post about that.  Plus, earlier this month my modem went "belly up".    On top of that the doctor's office called and they want me in for a "wellness visit".  I need no blood work but she said it's free! I have to drive 1 1/2 hours one way and I have no immune system so is it really smart for me to sit in a waiting room full of sick people?  My time and my gas is not free!  It's the insurance company.  I told the gal I was fine and if I wasn't they'd be the first to know! LOL!
Today, at least I finally got to stay home and I got the lawn mowed and some laundry done and other necessary chores.  On the good side, I got some treasures in the mail this week.  This is where the "fiber goodness" comes in.....these are mostly supplies to make some of the darling items in the Nana & Co. book I showed you....I can't wait!  These are cotton tapes that you cut apart and use individually to sew to items.....embellishment.........

 They also included a little tag that I could wrap my tapes around........ and yes, it is a "Happy Time"!

 Some darling fabric....or so I think anyway...........

I ordered this fabric before Mr. Peeps arrived on the scene...striking resemblance don't you think?

Here's another fabric that will be used to "fussy cut"..............

I also received my "Canadiana" sock yarn from Fishknits.....it works up like a Hudson Bay blanket stripe....love and can't wait to knit them up...........

and finally some linen and interfacing (no picture of interfacing....you know what that looks like)....

That's all for the "fiber goodness" but before I sign off here is an update on Mr. Peeps and his visit to the doctor.  A few very bad photos taken through the "nursery" window are included.
Well, Mr. Peeps is in reality, Miss Peeps, she weighs only 14 ounces (less than a pound...I told you she was tiny!) and she is in good health; no ear mites, she got wormed and the vet said she looks really good considering.  She is to stay away from the other "girls" for 2 weeks when she can get her shots as the vet thinks she's about 4 weeks old and they get their shots at 6 weeks.  She can't get spayed until around 6 months.
  I have drapes that I can open and close with a French door leading to the porch that is almost all glass so it's like she's in a nursery and the other family members come and "visit" her through the glass.  Nitty is the most enamored, Annie could care less although it might be her eyesight too.  Grace is watchful but curious and Mr. Peeps is all over that glass wanting to play with them.  She's pretty playful now and hops and jumps like a baby goat! LOL!  Here she is at the "nursery" window....

 and here she is sleeping with her "litter mate", a beanie baby Rottweiler.............

Oh, she took right to the litter box too....I was amazed after her being outside.....we don't have any "dummies" at this house unless maybe the mistress?
Happy Trails!

Mr. Peeps!

 Yes, he/she has a name.........my daughter calls daily and asks how Mr. Peeps is doing so there you go....Mr. Peeps

Mr.  Peeps and I have formed a bond of trust now and so much so that over the course of the last week he or she (we still don't know) has come out of hiding when I brought the food and then allowed me to pet him and then to  pick him up with no hissing or scratching at all.  I was amazed.  Although my daughter has referred to me as the "animal whisperer" from time to time. LOL!
I worry about Mr. Peeps being outside because we have so many "critters" here that could do him harm so yesterday when he let me pick him up I brought him in the house and put him on the porch.  He didn't object at all, in fact he seemed overjoyed and looked at me as if to say "what took you so long?".  I set up a litter box, food, water and made him a little bed out of a big pot saucer and a hand towel and put in a beanie baby Rottweiller for a litter mate.  He was jumping and hopping with joy and even did a little stalking...........

The porch has a glass french door so the other family members can view him and welcome him just like a nursery but we are keeping them separated for now.  I don't want my girls to catch anything from him.  I called the vet and they said 6 weeks old before shots but since I don't know how old he/she is they said to bring him in and they would check him out.  And maybe they can figure out if it's a girl or a boy.  One thing I do know is he's a survivor and God knew just where to send him! LOL!
He/she will have a good home here and I think we have definitely "bonded".

Happy Trails!

Recipe Roundup!

I just had to share this with you as it was so easy and so good!  I cut the recipe in half but still used a 1/2 pound of bacon.  I'm bad that way and I love bacon.  Bacon is the reason I will never be able to be a vegetarian.  There, I've said it.  I used to just "doctor up" canned baked beans and had no real recipe but if you knew me you would say, "Sam, use a recipe", as they never turned out the same twice.  So, I searched for the "best baked bean recipe" and I swear I found it!  I got it from www.food.com and it had 5 stars from 68 people!

Total Time

1hr 10mins

Prep 10 mins

Cook 1 hr

The perfect addition to picnics and barbecues! Simple and delicious. Sure to become one of your favorites. My mother makes this for every family get together. Ham could be added, or more ketchup if desired, but try it this way first - you'll love it!

Skip to Next Recipe

Ingredients Nutrition

Servings 10 Units US

• 2 (28 ounce) cansbush's baked beans
• ²⁄₃ cup brown sugar
• ¹⁄₃ cup ketchup
• ¹⁄₈ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• ¹⁄₂ lb bacon

Directions

1. Cut bacon into bite size pieces.
2. Cook bacon in microwave, checking after each minute, or cook in a skillet, draining fat.
3. Don't let it get crisp.
4. Meanwhile, mix the remaining ingredients in a 3 quart casserole dish.
5. Add bacon and mix a little.
6. Bake uncovered for one hour at 350*.
7. It's best if they set out to cool for one hour before you serve them.

Enjoy and Happy Trails!

#3 Finish!

***UPDATE ON KITTEN*** She was out there "crying" this morning when I got up and as soon as I got dressed I went out and gave her fresh food and water.  Later she was crying again so I went out and sure enough she had eaten it all!  I gave her more and was so happy she made it through the night and was eating.  I just take it a day at a time. 

My 3rd finish this week is this but I forgot to take a "before" picture.  This was an old hand mirror that belonged to my Mother and it is heavy but the gold plating had seen better days and whatever was on the back of it had come off.  I remember her using this mirror when I was a little girl.  I decided to "refurbish" it........I spray painted it pink.............

and then used some paper I printed off from the internet to put on the back with Mod Podge. 

I used some crocheted trim to put a bow around it as I didn't have any pink ribbon.  What do you think?  I may look at ribbon when I go to Wal-Mart next time but for now this will do.  I hated to throw it out but it looked so awful before...now I can still have something of my Mother's without it being an eyesore! LOL!  What do you think?

 A few more granny squares before I close!

Happy Trails!

We have a guest!

Isn't he/she cute?  I'm the only one in this neighborhood that opens the windows and I'm so glad because no one else would have heard this little one crying/mewing so plaintively.  It's very tiny and has the bluest eyes!  It came yesterday after the big storm we had and I'm sure something terrible happened to Mom and the rest of the brood because he/she just cries and cries.  I put out water and dry food but then went and bought some canned as I don't think it was ready for the dry stuff.  It ate the canned though...whew!  It is so tiny I'm sure it was still drinking mom's milk.  I can't believe how much time it takes to care for an infant!  So far the dogs are leaving it alone although I think they know it's there....I watch them.
Did I tell you my drier broke? They came and it was going to cost $400.00 to fix it so instead I told them to forget it but I still had to pay $70.00 for the service call.  Everyone has to travel here from far away especially anyone that knows how to fix an HE front loading dryer.  I rue the day I bought them and they will stay with the house when I leave! LOL!  Don't worry, I'll tell them the drier doesn't work and will probably pay to have it fixed then but I want my trusty old Maytags back!  It's all computerized and thus pricey when they break!  So, I've been hanging clothes in the basement and will continue to.  It makes for more ironing as the clothes are like cardboard but I just remind myself of the $400.00 I saved and I feel better! LOL!
I've mowed, paid bills, done laundry and cooked up some good meals and I made a new goal for myself; to try and finish something each day.  So far so good except for yesterday with the cat dilemma.  I finished this book the first day....good writing, I guess, and it was based on a relative of the author but OMG was it depressing and just when you thought it couldn't get any worse....it did.  I was telling my daughter about it and she said she saw the movie.  Movie?  They made a movie out of that sorry tale?  I love history but I think the author is seriously depressed himself.

The next day I finished another book.........this is the same author that wrote the audio book I loved, The Hurricane Sisters.  This book was very enjoyable but I missed the Carolina accent that I had with the audio book.  I will be reading more of this author for sure.  I love how she describes the natural environment there and this time there were even some southern recipes! Yum!
Both of these books I got at the library.

I started reading The Shop on Blossom Street and I remember having read it before but I will keep reading it as I want a "refresher" and then I will read the rest of the series which is about a knitting store and the lives of its' patrons.

I am absolutely loving this audio book by Jeanette Walls....Half Broke Horses about her grandmother's life.  Fascinating and what a character she was!  Strong, brave and fearless just the kind of women I admire.

I couldn't help but delve into the Gladys Taber books that Sue dropped off.  This is the one I read last at night because it is so soothing to read of the life and times they have on their farm.  It is 2 single Moms raising their children and cocker spaniels...what a delight!  (Long ago too....these are old books).

I'm still reading the premier issue of Organic Life by The Rodale Institute.  I love just about anything they publish.  They always give you a lot for your money too and I learn so much from them.

  When I took my books back to the library yesterday I also returned the newest Jan Karon book and the The Friday Night Knitting Club book #2 and took out the first book again as I read it years ago and also I decided to reread the entire Mitford series by Jan Karon to refresh my memory (I have all of them in my own library) as it's been years for those books too.  I swear I've forgotten more than I ever knew and I could probably just recycle my top 10 favorite books and be a happy camper reader! LOL!
I also saw this one and couldn't resist as I have several auto-immune diseases; mainly Rheumatoid Arthritis and Grave's Disease...real messed up endocrine system which they tell me was caused from stress which I used to have a @#&* load of! LOL!  Anyway, I don't dwell on it but it is part of the reason I don't go "full speed ahead" anymore.  I haven't read up on it in years as I did at first and I was determined to not take too many meds except when necessary and also to take charge of my own health which has turned out to be pretty darn successful.  But I can always learn more and one can never be too healthy especially if there are more natural methods to attain that health.  
This doctor also has the same diseases I have to the letter and the fact that she believes in as natural approach as possible and she's also a physician convinced me to pick it up.  I started reading it last night and so far so good.

Tomorrow I will have a 3rd "finish" as I have already written the post for it and it's not a book! LOL!  I hope you are enjoying good weather and I hope you enjoyed your Holiday weekend.  We had every kind of warning imaginable over the weekend but we lucked out and I pray for so many that weren't as fortunate.
Happy Trails!