YOP Week #13

If you recall last week I was having problems with my sewing machine....well......I fixed that.....I bought a new machine!  Some of you who visit me during the week have seen some of this but for the people who only come to YOP on Sunday I am reiterating it...........I apologize for the repetition if you've seen it before....

So........I sewed!  I got the 'quilting in the ditch' done on the first I Spy quilt and I did it without even using my walking foot....this machine is a dream to sew on!

This is the back............you can see the quilting lines better.........

 I watched several You Tube videos to refresh my memory on how to bind and even one on 'scrappy' binding.....I have red gingham in my head but we'll see.  It won't be a wide binding.  There's also a binding that is completely machine sewn...no hand stitching.  Have any of you ever tried that?
I finished sock #1 of my Paton's Kroy Sock...........I used a rounded toe but after 2 pairs of these with the rounded toe I am going back to the Kitchener toe.  It fits me better.  I am going to write out my own pattern which is a combination of Susan B. Anderson's "How I make My Socks' and Sandra Paul's (Cherry Heart blog...both of these gals are on my sidebar) pattern.  Susan uses DPN's and Sandra has directions for both DPN's and Magic Loop.  I prefer Magic Loop. 

I ordered some Chiagu 32 " cables for sock knitting and I started using them on sock #2 and LOVE!!!  The cable doesn't twist and the points are 'pointier' than my Addi Turbo which I also love but their cable twists.  I haven't gotten very far on the cuff yet.

I thought I'd be done with my cross stitch this week but being out of town and tired meant it didn't see much love until last night....it should be done soon though as I only have the letters 'o,s,t' and the word 'the' left and then my snowflake buttons (still have to order them!), washing and framing and I should have a new Halloween project to decorate with in time for THIS Halloween!  Amazing for me although this project is years old! LOL!  BTW, I really like the new frame but it is hard to get those handles off.  But still much better than the wooden hoop with the metal screw plus it's gentler on your stitches.

 

 A couple more acquisitions besides the sewing machine and the new needles and hoop...........

Whenever I'm at Wally World I check out the yarns and this time they had these 2 new colors which I grabbed.  I'm always doing wash cloths and it's nice to have a variety of colors on hand.  

A new book I've been wanting ever since Joyce of Ruby Moss Cottage talked about it and showed a doily she was crocheting from it..............it has a wonderful array of projects from a variety of designers.  I'll be making everything!  LOL!

I hope you've had a good week and that you are looking forward to Fall (one of my fav seasons...once it cools off down here! LOL!)  Enjoy your 'making' and Happy Trails!!!

Fun Friday and shopping!

I actually did go to Walmart today but I have also gotten an Amazon order in this week too!  I'm starting to order some groceries 'online' and this time I ordered coffee........I have Amazon Prime so it is free shipping and they have a great selection of Keurig K-Cup coffees.........

I got Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice and their Wild Mountain Blueberry both are very good!  I usually get Carribou coffee but Tim Horton's was rated higher so I thought I would try it and it is good but I like my Carribou the best!
I also got a DVD/CD external drive for my pc which I have been wanting.........

a new Bible of the New Living Translation............

some 32 inch cable 2.75 mm Chiagu needles for sock knitting with the cord that doesn't twist!  I'm not finished with sock #1 but I had to cast on sock #2 to see how these needles feel....I've only cast on so I really can't tell yet but I think I am going to like them a lot!  I love my Addi Turbo's but the cord twists and turns.

I also got this book that Joyce of Ruby Moss Cottage mentioned and I love it....so many great projects by a bunch of different designers.....my first project will be the doily that Joyce was making!

As for what I got at Walmart...............I had to upgrade my candle and meltie supply with fall scents...after all, today was the official first day of fall................

Some cotton yarn in colors I don't have.................

the Fall issue of Pioneer Woman............

and I think that about does it for Fun Friday!  I'm going to kick back and veg out!  The groceries are put away, it is hotter than a firecracker in July here so it doesn't feel like Fall but I have power and AC and food and water and I am blessed!  Have a wonderful Friday night!
Happy Trails!!!

Thursday - A dinner that says Fall to me and it's famous!

I fix this meal at the first sign of Fall every year and I think it's wonderful but I'll let you be the judge if you make it.  I used to travel on business several times a year and the company I worked for always put me up in the finest hotels.  One time I was in Chicago and I ate at a restaurant called Ed Debevic's.  It was a popular restaurant with a lot of the Chicago sports stars and I was hoping I might see some of my beloved Chicago Bears....alas, I did not, although their pictures were all over the restaurant.  What I did get was one of their famous recipes......Ed Debevic's Pot Roast.  When I had my farm and the kids were still at home I would fix it when the surrounding farms started harvesting.  The leaves would be changing and falling and the windows would be open and the smell of fall filled the house.  I always fixed a nice Sunday meal and this was a favorite!  So without further ado I give you

Ed Debevic's Pot Roast:
1 3-3 1/2 pound beef chuck arm roast (although I can't seem to find the word 'arm' on them anymore so I just buy a chuck roast. Bone in is the best for flavor but good luck finding that too!)
1/4 cup of flour
2 Tablespoons of oil
1 large Spanish onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
4 large cloves of garlic, sliced
1/2 bunch of celery, thick sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons , dried crushed thyme or 3/4 cup fresh sprigs
4 bay leaves
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
3/4 cup burgundy or dry red wine
2 cups of Aujus prepared from an envelope mix (I could not find it here so I ended up having to use beef broth)
1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and crushed red pepper (cayenne) ( I do not use that much cayenne as it can be really hot!  I think I use about 1/8 teaspoon as I do not like things too spicy but you be the judge)
For the gravy:
1/4 cup of flour
1 1/2 cups of water

Trim the fat off of the meat, season with some salt and pepper, coat with 1/4 cup or more of flour ( I mix the flour and salt and pepper in a pie dish and dredge the meat on both sides).  In a 4-5 quart dutch oven (I use my La Creuset dutch oven) brown the meat on both sides in hot oil.  Remove the meat to a plate and add the onions, garlic, celery, thyme and bay leaves to the drippings in the pan.  Cook and stir 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.  Stir in the tomato paste and wine, simmer and stir uncovered for 5 minutes.  Add the aujus, salt, pepper, and red pepper.  Bring to a boil, add the meat back in, cover and bake at 325 degrees F for 3 1/2 - 4 hours.  Remove the meat from the pan, discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaves.  Mix 1/4 cup of flour with the 1 1/2 cups of water.  Stir into the pan.  Cook until thick and bubbly, cook 1 minute more.  Serve with the meat.

 This meal will fill your entire house with the most luscious smell!  It is best served with mashed potatoes over which you can put some of the gravy.  I don't have the best pictures but trust me....I think this will become a family favorite!  I don't eat a lot of meat any more but I do make allowances for this special meal.  The meat is so tender you can cut it with a fork!

  mashed potatoes for sure.................

Any side will go with this but I happened to have 1 little summer squash left so I baked it in a greased casserole dish and sprinkled it with cheddar cheese.............this is before I baked it.....I think when dinner was ready I was so hungry I just 'had at it' and forgot about taking pictures! LOL!

I hope you enjoy this meal as much as my family and I have for many years!
BTW.....I got a little harvest of beans! LOL!

Also, as an aside, I don't always have milk in my house as I use Almond Milk or Cashew milk now a days but I usually keep some sour cream as it lasts much longer.  So when I make my mashed potatoes I use butter and sour cream when I mash them but you could also add a little water to the sour cream if you needed more liquid.  I also have a Kitchen Aide mixer but I find the old fashioned potato masher works best and I only dirty the pan that the potatoes were cooked in! 

That's all for now!  Bon Appetite!
Happy Trails!!!

Tuesday & Wednesday.........not following my blog schedule I'm afraid..............

I was out of town yesterday so there was no 'Tuesday cleaning and organizing'  and today I am 'catching up on chores' so there will be no 'Wednesday decorating'....all my well intentioned plans! LOL!  I went to Missouri yesterday and bought a new sewing machine!  I am very excited but it is dampened by seeing all that money go out the door! LOL!  I didn't get home  until late afternoon and it was 92 yesterday....ahhh.....when will Fall come with it's cooler temps?  It is supposed to be in the 90's all week!  I shouldn't complain as we don't have hurricanes or earthquakes to deal with.
Here she is.........

but wait there's more................isn't she a beauty?   She's a Janome and a Pediatric Cancer edition which donates $25.00 to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation with each machine sold.  I also get 3 years of free service and I got a 2 hour lesson from a lovely woman who showed me each and every feature and accessory plus she demonstrated every stitch and what they are used for.  It runs so smoothly and doesn't vibrate and I think I am going to love it!

 It has lots more stitches than my Singer had for sure and having been shown how to use them and what they are for will mean I will utilize them.

I also got a few accessories that I will need............I bought a zipper foot as the sewing teacher said that was the only thing she had to complain about the Janome.....the zipper foot that comes with it is strange and she suggested I buy the one that we are all used to so I did.  Along with needles and bobbins since they are for the Janome and my Singer ones wouldn't work.  It also comes with a walking foot for quilting whereas with the Singer I had to buy it extra plus the case was extra where the Janome comes with a hard cover and handle.  I can't wait to get sewing on a reliable machine for a change!

The drive to Missouri is on a very hilly, curvy and narrow road but it was a beautiful day and the leaves are falling and changing color even more the farther North I went.  It was just a gorgeous drive but I was glad I had air conditioning in the car and at home!  I was tuckered when I got home and it was almost supper time so no 'cleaning and organizing' got done but I did manage to set up my new machine and thread a bobbin and the needle.  I was going to sew but I was so tired I didn't think it was a smart idea so I fed all of us, got my pj's on and settled in bed to watch the news, the hurricane and then an episode of Father Brown.
Today, I am playing catch up on chores that didn't get done yesterday.  Hopefully I will be able to stay home for a few days! LOL!  I hope you are having good weather and enjoying your week!
Happy Trails!!!

Monday Book Date and more!!!

I'm still not getting a lot of reading in lately.  I'm sure I will when Fall closes in on us and we have rainy, windy nights here....great cozy reading weather!  For now, I did finish this one which was excellent and I think I gave it 5 *****.........very sad about the brainwashing and abuse of women and children but it was very revealing about what went on in the FLDS community and probably is still going on.  It's hard to believe that it was/is allowed in this supposedly democratic country!  Anyway, I highly recommend it!  There's a 2nd book out by her....I may have to read that one too!

 I'm still reading this one...........very well written but I've just been too tired by the time I 'hit the hay'.....I'm going to have to go to bed earlier so I can read for awhile without dozing off by the 2nd page! LOL!

My new non-fiction is something a bit lighter and so far very well written, enjoyable and entertaining....... it is a book containing 20 essays on knitting by Rachel Herron and I highly recommend this book even though I'm not finished!  Each essay is unique though and if you are a knitter this book was meant for you!  I got it on sale with one of those Kindle deals.
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Amazon states: "In these 20 heartfelt essays, Rachael Herron celebrated romance novelist by day, 911 dispatcher by night, shows how when life unravels there s always a way to knit it back together again, many times into something even better. Honest, funny, and full of warmth, Herron s tales, each inspired by something she knit or something knit for her, will speak to anyone who has ever picked up a pair of needles. From her very first sweater (a hilarious disaster, to say the least) to the yellow afghan that caused a breakup (and, ultimately, a breakthrough), every piece has a moving story behind it. This beautifully crafted and candid collection is perfect for the knitter who loves to read and the reader who loves to knit."
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 I'm still reading this National Geographic from August 1992....the stories and information remain relevant..........

 What's up next?  Well, I have read Margaret Atwood before but never The Handmaid's Tale and now that it won an Emmy I want to read the book!  I may just succumb as I am REALLY wanting to read it and with the Kindle I could be reading it tonight!  But I should check Thrift Books first....they probably have it much cheaper............okay...I just checked and Amazon is $10 while Thrift Books is a little over $7.  Hmmmm.....I'm thinking the Kindle version tonight!?!?

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Amazon states:   "Now a Hulu Original Series 
The Handmaid's Tale is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to, and going beyond, the repressive intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men in its population.The story is told through the eyes of Offred, one of the unfortunate Handmaids under the new social order. In condensed but eloquent prose, by turns cool-eyed, tender, despairing, passionate, and wry, she reveals to us the dark corners behind the establishment’s calm facade, as certain tendencies now in existence are carried to their logical conclusions. The Handmaid's Tale is funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing. It is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and a tour de force. It is Margaret Atwood at her best."
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Doesn't it sound so interesting?   I read Margaret Atwood years ago...like over 20?  Maybe longer than that when she first started writing and I thoroughly enjoyed her but then I went back to school and work and REALLY did not read anything but textbooks and IBM manuals for years! LOL!   I forgot what a great writer she is.....I can't wait to read it and more of her books!
As for t.v. or movies.....no  movies and only 1 or 2 podcasts but I have been watching the Father Brown mystery series on Netflix....so good!     
What have you been reading, listening to and watching this week? 
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #12

I missed last week because of my garage sale and general exhaustion! LOL!  But I'm back and I have a sad tale to tell.............I had originally said that Saturdays were going to be blogging about outdoors but I am revising it so I can totally devote the day to crafts.  So, with that in mind, I set out yesterday morning to 'sew the day away' and I was pretty pumped about it too............until........I started sewing 'in the ditch' with my walking foot on my sewing machine to quilt the I Spy quilt (1 of 3)..............and first I noticed this...........see those stitches?  Some are very tiny and some are very large...............

then when I let my foot off the pedal the machine wouldn't stop!!!  It kept sewing and I had to turn it off to get it to stop...........this is what that looked like.............see those wild very tiny stitches above the green rooster's head?  They are so tiny that I am having a hard time even getting them out with my seam ripper! 

I have had problems with this machine since the day I got it and I am done with it!  I called around and one shop in Mountain Home said they had a Janome that was just used in a class for around $500....they didn't sell used or reconditioned and no trade-ins.  Then I called a shop in West Plains, Missouri which is actually closer and they take trade-ins and have machines starting at $33!  Now, we're talking!  It seems the minute I spend some money on something I need or have wanted then something else breaks!  What's up with that?  I have to have a machine though because almost all my Christmas presents this year are sewing projects for which I have already invested money in the materials!  If you have any suggestions as to what machines are the best at a reasonable price.....please let me know!  The one I have is a Walmart Singer which I should have known but I was new in town and there was no place else to get one at the time.  I just need a reliable machine.  It doesn't have to be fancy but I use it for quilting and sewing clothes and curtains and stuff for the house.  So, tune in next week to see if I have a new/used machine!  Being without a sewing machine would be like being without yarn and crochet hooks and knitting needles!  I know...........a nightmare!
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The first sock of the pair is heading towards the toe..................... 

and I did manage to work on my cross stitch and it is getting to the end.  I looked for snowflake buttons at Hobby Lobby the other day but no luck so I guess I will have to order them online.  I think it mentioned they were from Westrims.  The words...'is on the' don't show  up very well but I guess it will be alright.....I'm not doing it over! LOL!

I have not been watching podcasts for several weeks now except Friday night I did watch the latest one from Joyce at Ruby Moss Cottage....love that gal!  Here's a few websites I discovered and wrote down to share with you all.

 Ruby and Custard  
 This is a crochet site with free patterns, a book she has published on Amazon and patterns you can purchase
Knitography
This site is a combo of photography, geography and knitting....she also has a vlog on You Tube
 Jan Patek Quilts
If you're interested in primitive quilt designs and a very talented lady check this site out!
 Samelia's Mum
This gal is an excellent seamstress with some really cute projects 

Well.............I'm doing laundry, I need to change my sheets and make dinner.....I thought this was supposed to be a day of rest? LOL!
 I hope all is well in your world!
Happy Trails!!!

Fun Friday!!!

Yes, for 2 days now I have driven to Mountain Home...3 hours round trip.  Nothing tires me out like shopping and driving but I have to say it is a beautiful drive....lots of great scenery.  When I was going across the bridge over Norfolk Lake there was a rainbow colored sailboat and of course lots of other boats.  The weather here has been beautiful and the trees are turning color and the leaves are starting to fall so it was gorgeous driving, I must say.
Lowe's was supposed to have the sample roof shingle for me today but when I got there the guy said he hadn't been in yet.  So, he called him and the guy said he couldn't make it today.  Really?  I just drove 1 1/2 hours to pick it up!  So, wanting to turn a negative into a positive I gave my sample shingle to the Lowe's 'pro' with my name and phone number.  I told him when the sample arrives to see if it matches and to call me and if it does (which I feel very positive it will) then I will order it over the phone and he can call me when it comes in and I will come and pick it up.  Problem solved!
So, not wanting to waste a trip to Mountain Home......I drove on over to Hobby Lobby and picked up a few things that I had on my 'never-ending list'..........can you guess what these supplies are for?

Yes....another new project...or 2!  I'm going to be trying my hand at making my own soap and my own lip balms!  After that I will be moving on to body butter and who knows what else?  There's goat milk soap base, lip balm containers, a soap mold, almond oil and shea butter plus some colorant.  Stay tuned!!!
 I also treated myself to a Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte...which means it is officially Fall regardless of the temperature............it was wonderful!

and since I had the last of the soup last night and knew I would not be in the mood to cook when I got home...........I stopped at Buffalo Wild Wings and got one of their pulled barbecue pork and slaw sandwiches with some potato wedges.............yum!  I ate half for lunch and the rest I'll have for supper....although I am still full actually! LOL!

 Yesterday when I went to Lowe's I picked up a few other items that had been on my 'never-ending list'....not very glamorous purchases but much appreciated none the less...........a new toilet seat..............which I have yet to install.........

and a new garbage can that is a 64 gallon 'tough' one.....now I can throw out my other broken ones.........can you believe this thing cost $65 and that was on sale from $75!!!  But the 32 gallon was $50 so it was a no brainer to go with the 64 gallon.....oh well, it's only money but this will probably be the last garbage can I ever have to buy.......

I also picked out a sample of the laminate flooring I would like to get....down the road...............
not too dark and not too light....dark shows the dust and light shows the dog hair! 

That 's all for Fun Friday, although I do have an Amazon order on it's way but I'll save that for next Friday.  Now, I think I'll 'kick back' and try out my new cross stitch/embroidery hoop! Oh, I forgot to show you....here  it is....one of those new fangled ones..........anything's got to be better than my old wooden ones!

 Have a great Friday night............Happy Trails!!!

Wednesday and Thursday combined..........

Wednesday is supposed to be decorating and indeed I did but 'the roof boys' came by and my afternoon went by also!  They needed more shingles so I had to try and match with what they brought from the local lumber yard....well.........that wasn't doing it and I was pretty sure my son said they had gone to Lowe's and found them.  By the time they left my afternoon was gone and I was beat since I get up about 2:30 or 3:00 now a days.  So, needless to say...I did not get my blog post done.  But before they came I had painted the rest of the entryway closet alcove............here it is!

 I still have the floor to do.............gray porch paint on the plywood.............

 I also need to paint the shelf which I sort of forgot...why I don't know as it was right next to it!?!?
 So.........there will be more decorating next week for sure!

 Meanwhile....Thursday is cooking day although actually this cooking took place on Sunday and good thing because I had to go to Mountain Home today to match the roof shingles....they are ordering a sample which will be in tomorrow so I have to go again tomorrow!  If it matches then I will order and have to go back and pick up next week!  Crazy huh?  But this is my life! LOL!
But I do have some 'keeper' recipes for you...........this may not look like much but trust me it was/is delicious!  I went back to All Recipes and I had wanted to either make a tortilla soup or some white chili.........I ended up with this white chili recipe because the tortilla soup was an 8 hour crock pot recipe and it was a little late in the day.  I'll be trying that one later.

  To go with it I spotted a Krusteaz cornbread mix at the store and I grabbed it.  I usually don't 'do' mixes but Krusteaz is very good so I thought I would try it and it did not disappoint!  I  used to use Jiffy but then went to making them from scratch but this was heads above both...more expensive yes, but I'm worth it! LOL!
 This was my 'prep' before making it all..............

  Here's the cornbread muffins when they came out of the oven............and they were very good!  Also, see how you actually get 12 full size muffins!  Amazing!

For breakfast this week I made some blueberry muffins to go with my soy yogurt that I eat.  This was another All Recipes recipe.  Now, granted, neither the soup or the blueberry muffins are exactly 'healthy' recipes but dang they were good!  I need to start looking at the 'healthy' section of All Recipes!  By the way, All Recipes has recipes for diabetics, gluten free, healthy and all kinds of other categories so you can really customize your browsing for recipes.  Here are the blueberry muffins

Okay!  So hopefully now I am caught up with my blog schedule..........tomorrow is fun and shopping and I have a bunch to tell you about there! So exciting!  For me anyway! 
Happy Trails!!!