A beautiful ending

The day is almost over, and I am tired.

I was getting ready to turn on the outside Christmas lights when I looked outside to see this beautiful sunset. It is cold out 28 right now, and its going to get colder before morning..

I found a message in this sight...it tells me that I have had a long day, I made another batch of carmels, and also some carmel corn. Dressed my jam jars with pretty red calico covers. Wrapped some jerky, gathered and folded 2 dryer loads of clothes, it is time for rest. Don't ya think? Now I wonder what I can fix for an easy dinner.....and where is my MaryJane magazine?

A challenge

I came across this quote today by a women I find extremely inspirational.
I don't often express to others my private thoughts about some things that I think about in my quiet time, I think it is because I don't sometimes have the courage to say what is important to me, for fear of being laughed at or perhaps not taken seriously by some, or perhaps even criticized, I do not really know why but today I felt compelled to speak out.
I think it says volumes about women who are returning to their roots, who are ready to take the first steps to living their dreams. I think we all have what it takes, its just a matter of believing it. I challenge all my sisters to stretch their minds and think about this too.
" One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest." ....Maya Angelo

1,2,3...Christmas Lights on ...

Here the house is all lit up.

Red & white lights all around.

No snow yet but it sure will be pretty when we get it. Supposedly next week...Let it snow!

Annie and Betsy

Here are my girls... Annie & Betsy, Chrismas would not be complete without them sitting patiently waiting to have their pictures taken with "the jolly old man himself...that would be Santa.

They always leave him cookies & milk too.

It looks like Christmas.....but no snow yet!

Purchased a few gift tins at Goodwill yesterday for candy and we worked on more Christmas decorating. The front porch and livingroom are done.
Continued working on the outside lights, they are up and working. I will post a picture later. We put them up Saturday, came home from a local play in the evening to find them off. They had burned & melted a socket outlet. We were lucky the house was still standing. We think there was too much pull on the light circut we had them plugged into. Won't do that again. Replaced light bulbs which could become a full time job, with these old strings of lights, but we wont let it be a problem. After this year the artifical tree and strings of lights will be discarded and new stuff purchased next year. You can only use these things so long, they have been packed away & stored, unpacked too many times.

Clay's brother & his wife came down from Camp Sherman for a visit overnight and we managed to complete the project again and the lights look really good & work fine now.

This morning we drove over to the Running Y Resort and had breakfast with them at Gallaghers Cafe. We toured the Resort and drove around the area before coming home. A nice visit & drive.

I will work on my quilt project this afternoon for a while and wrap a few gifts and make some more carmels... I must hide these better....

Crater Lake, Birds, & Barn Photo shoot

We did infact take that drive up to Crater Lake yesterday. It is only 54 miles from our house. It was a beautiful sunny day here, although cold , I think it was 19degrees this morning and so far no snow here and not a lot of snow up there. Well, not as much as there will be in a few more weeks. The Lodge is closed and the restaraunt but the information center and the cafe & gift shop are open year round. The lodge was first opened in 1915 but renovated in the 1990's.

Crater Lake was created after Mt. Mazama errupted in 7,000 years ago. The volcano collapsed to form Crater Lake. If you could gather up the ash from Mt Mazama's catastrophic eruption and spread it evenly across the state of Oregon it would form a layer 8 inches thick.

Buster loved playing in the snow and had to "sniff "every tree and explore a lot of holes. He chased snowballs & provided quite a bit of entertainment for us. I tried several times to get a photo of him but he was on the move to quickly. Here I managed to get a quick shot before he took off after a chipmunk.

I am trying to find some great barns to photo so I can make a gallery of old barns on the family room walls. This one had to be captured.

and leaving the National Park , we got a few shots at a couple Clark Nut Crackers

Our schedule is full....

Clay & I went to the cinema late yesterday afternoon, This was our first trip to the theater here in K-Falls.
We were surprised at how many people were in attendance, big for our small town. The theater is named "Pelican Cinema 10 "
White Pelicans habitate here, and many businesses are using "Pelican" in their trade names.
We saw "Australia" with Nicole Kidman and good looking Hugh Jackman. A very good movie. After filling up on popcorn & soda pop * (you know you gotta have it when you go to the movies ) so we ate a late dinner when were got home. A really good chili verde that Clay made yesterday morning. We have enough to freeze today with the Turkey Noodle soup I made earlier. Stocking the freezer some more.
I have been baking, cooking, drying so much food that I am actually closing the kitchen this weekend. A new restaraunt has openned in town and We are going to check it out tomorrow night. We have tickets to a play by the Linkville Players, a local troupe also tomorrow night.
Clay & I wanted to take a drive up to Crater Lake to checkout the snow too, so we will relax & play for the next couple days.

Back in the kitchen

Here I am again making beef jerky. I seem to be living here a lot of hours. I do plan to mix up some sugar cookie dough today and hopefully get them baked sometime before I go to bed. It is really pretty outside my kitchen window again this morning but the tempature is Cold only 19 degrees.
I am sitting here in my flannel pajamas drinking my last cup of coffee where it is cozy & warm. The aroma of the jerky is really filling up the house. I made a spicy batch and a sweeter one this time. I will get out some more decorations & start bringing a bit of Christmas spirit into the house, I lit some candles last night & with the tree lit it was nice & cozy. We are going away for Christmas so I wont decorate as I usually do. My friend Carol from "Curly Willow Ranch" see her blogsite , she is a follower of mine... gave me some ideas to use some of my rosemary plant. I will give that a try too..and the ginger plant....
Just keeping busy is not a problem for me. By the end of the day I feel I have accomplished a lot and look forward to other projects to do. Never bored for sure..and seems like I always have something fun to do.

Foggy this morning and cold

Brrrr! 28 degrees and really Foggy. No Birdies at the feeder yet...
I am working on my quilt project this morning and make some more French Salad dressing. Maybe get to a fudge recipe....

I moved the sewing machine into the kitchen.
Much more light and close to the carmels. Not really, I hid them and put some in a few gifts to family...(Nancy I don't think I put any in yours.).. but the coffee pot is in here and I can see outside watch the birdies and any wandering deer.
I have candles burning and it really smells nice inhere too.

I have 1/2 of my quilt project finished. It is going to be a tote to carry & store my quilt cutting matt & all of my rulers. I wanted to do a runner, and now that I have made 6 different blocks I can do that. This class was a beginners class and I did learn a few short cuts. I will be machine quilting the tote. Classes are Monday's. We will put it together & finish up the 15th of Dec.
I probably would not have done this project, but I did learn how to cut with a roller cutter and a new block each week. The class was only $35 but the supplies I did not have are adding up..
I need to go to Joann's and use a dicount coupon for some tacky fabric adhesive before I finish.
Perhaps that will be a trip to town today later....

Spirit of giving...

So I am making carmels from the Mary Jane recipe, I hear this really loud twittering & chirping outside my kitchen window, of course I can't see what's going on, I can't leave the candy boiling because its nearly up to temp. Finally get it poured into the pan to cool. I walk over to the window with a spoon full of Hot carmel, blowing on it to cool it enough to taste..( well I had to see if it would make the grade) Of course it is does, it's delicious!
I look outside and there are about 15 birdies: sparrows, house wrens, a starling & a pretty blue scrub jay all battling over the seed feeder. Now I am thinking.. " it is a beautiful day today, can't these birdies find their own food?" That's a silly comment. They have found their own food at my window. No wonder we go through so much bird seed daily. I will take a picture.. and of course they fly away, only to return shortly a few at a time. I tiptoe to the window to get this photo.
They are pretty and I would miss them if they were not here.

The carmels are almost ready to cut and wrap, but I must take a photo of them too. (just in case, They don't make it to the holiday gift packs, I will have documentation of my efforts.) Now where is that recipe for fudge? I figure I will share the seeds & candy in the "spirit of giving". Enjoy your seeds, little birdies..and you know what? This candy is gooood!

Monday, Monday

Well it is Monday.. Just finished laundry, and cleaning the shower stall.
I have turkey bones simmering for soup. We will freeze it. Fish for dinner tonight per request from Clay..he is on the way to the market, and post office. Mailing out Christmas gifts and MJ winners parcels! I have Quilt class at 1:30-4:30 so the day will quickly fly today.
I want to make some more carmels this evening too. I want to take a batch with us to Washington for christmas, and figure if I make something sweet every other day I will be bearing great gifts to drop off as we stop at family and friends along our route.
Ho Ho Ho...
I am taking Clay to a Dinner Theater in Seattle for his birthday, at the mainstage of Triple door. Purchased the tickets last night. My sister and her husband will accompany us. Should be fun.
Clay's birthday is the 17th and the dinner will be the 22nd. He is going to really enjoy this treat.
It will not be a surprise but he is happy about the choice I made.

House is quiet.... and a bit messy

Phew! the feast of Thanksgiving holidays is over....Breakfast dishes are done....but Beds need changing, laundry needs washing, Floors need vacuuming, refrigerator needs reorganized ( there's a lot of room in there right now, with a few partial containers of gravy, potatoes, dressing and a small piece of pumpkin pie,) I haven't found anything "left behind"of any importance yet. "surprise!"I am sure something will show up...

There are two christmas gifts packed & ready to mail out of state, along with the 2 MJ giveaway parcels. Three gifts yet to wrap to hand carry to Washington for christmas there.

I think I will pour myself a nice cup of Hot almond butter rum and enjoy the peace & quiet before I start the cleaning up project.... Oh where is Clay? He's watching football in peace.....
He is resting from doing ALL the dishes.. he has been loading & unloading from the dishwasher, He swears he has seen dishes we had'nt seen since our living in Arizona come out of somewhere.... but I remind him... "honey, they were there all the time we just havent served 10 people all week.. and look at those nice dishpan hands." He was a great support to me for this "Family event," Thank you Honey..This is why I love you..

Thanksgiving Day (partial) My Family Photo

Here we are (except Clay the photographer) My family group picture. We are missing Dennis, Michelle, Kandace & "baby Charlie" they were in Denver. Marks daughter, Taylor is in Yakima with her mother's family.

Top row to bottom step: Jake, Simon, Alex,Nancy, Mark, PJ, Me, Mason and Peyton.

We had a really nice dinner, and took many photos, Pj and her family left today about noon, they drove home to Moxee,Washington. Nancy and her family are still here until tomorrow when they return to Monroe, Washington.

Clay & I took the grand kids Ice skating last night and they really had a great time. I think we made some good memories for the little ones at least.

Mason and Pj out on the ice. Mason says he only fell 11 times. ( more, if I recall..)

Petyon was a natural first time out

I am sure if bruises could tell they fell more ofen than they counted

The oldest Grandsons : Jake getting ready to show us how it's done. Alex on the ice.

I baked Nancy's birthday cake and we had a very quiet and simple dinner of Spaghetti & Meatballs her favorite comfort food.

Here we are making Hot Almond Butter Rum mix.. Yummy , Thanks Nancy

Papa Clay and Peyton with the BB gun. Lesson in gun safety.
Peyton now wants one for christmas!" No Peyton, you will shoot your eye out."

Peyton & Mason adding ornaments to the Christmas tree.

Thanksgiving Surprise Giveaway WINNERS

The winners are:
Denise -levisgrammy and Diana -dkelewae.
I will post your parcels early next week
CONGRATULATIONS!

Oh no! Its Wednesday already!

Wow, I have been so busy with gettting ready for Thanksgiving,
I realized I hadn't posted since Sunday, because my dear friend Stephanie emailed me about no new posts to her disappointment. My goal was to post everyday about whats going on here. I will try to do better.

I have been busy sewing, & baking, & making candy for Christmas. I wrapped presents to put in the mail next week, trying to stay ahead of the game, while cleaning up a lot of small messes as I go. Seems like the kitchen floor is always in need of sweeping & now definately mopping.

Clay & I have made several trips to the store checking our lists and timetables of when to buy what & where. I think we have completed the main shopping, but I know we have forgotten something or will need something before the big event. Fortunately, although we live in the country, we do live only a mile or so from town, and what a surprise to see gasoline at $1.99 a gallon at Fred Meyer with our $.10 a gallon off due to shopping rewards we are happy to pay $1.89. Who would have thought it would be this much under the $4.00 mark a month or so ago?
Nancy #1 daughter just called from Vancouver WA. They left Monroe at 4am and were checking once again on highway directions to get here in the shortest time.
They should be here in another 5 hours. I am getting excited to see them. (and can certainly use her help!)

I made Mary Jane's Recipe for Carmel's last night and this morning I individually wrapped 40 of them. Now to find a safe place to hide them, at least until Thursday. The are too good!

Clay is preparing to brine the turkey and all left to do is run the vacuum over the carpets, I think & make up the extra bed, in the sewing room after I put away my sewing "stuff" temporarily.

Buster is overseeing our activities and the birds at the feeder from his place on the ottoman in front of the window.

I will have another cup of coffee and then make the bed and check on clean towels for the troops.
I think I have laundry calling as well. Until next post.... Enjoy your day.

Is it the begining of next week or the end of the last?

The days are flying by. I don't know where the week has gone..Thanksgiving Day is coming in only 4 days. My family will be here..Well part of them will be here. Son & his wife & "baby Charlie" will not be joining us this year in person but for sure in spirit.
We have ordered the turkey( picking it up tomorrow). Today I made two pumpkin pies, finished another batch of beef jerky and a small batch of peanutbutter fudge, shopped for the makings for the rest of our feast. Now we have a few things to complete here on the farm. We probably won't get the chicken house finished this week but I am crossing my fingers that we do and hoping for no snow just yet.

I have a quilting class tomorrow afternoon to break up my cleaning day. Must vacumn the whole house, clean the bathrooms, and mop the kitchen floor and rearrange my sewing room. It will be a sleeping room for the" little guys." while they are here. Hang fresh towels & check for extra blankets, It's getting cold here at night.

Drag out the Christmas tree & decorations so the families can help put up the tree and hang the outside lights as well the day after Turkey day.
Oh yes, I must bake a white vanilla cake w/ chocolate frosting for my daughters 40th birthday next week. It is her special request and of course she can have it. After all she is my #1 daughter *(a Note to daughter #2...PJ... "Nancy was born first".) My sweet daughters have always had an ongoing debate about "who I like best." You would think they were competative or something wouldn't you? Pj's special day is coming too January 5th. I wonder what her request will be?

So another Sunday comes to the end, and it has been a productive week. I think that means it's the end of the week for me because I am not ready to begin the new one.

Worked some more on the Hen House

It is coming along. Clay & I worked on it some more today for a few hours. We have three of the four walls up and it's looking good.. We called it a day as it's turned cold... like 34 degrees right now. I will post pictures tomorrow or when we finish it. We have some cute ideas for decorating & painting it.

I just made myself some tea to warm me up. We have chicken leftover from last night so I will make some rice & vegetables and call it good for dinner.

I was going to start some holiday baking today, like apple pies but I can't get my butt out of this chair to peel the apples, that may have to wait until tomorrow.

I wanted to make some cookies too but have no energy left right now, maybe a nice warm bath will revive me...and a glass of wine... yeah that's what I need... more posting tomorrow...

Started the HenHouse

We started building the hen house yesterday. The floor is finished and the first wall frame is done. Hope to finish this by next week. *weather permitting and we have no other projects going*
We are planning to get 6 hens (and a rooster maybe.)

We are building it in the back corner of the garden so we can utilize the area and not have too far to carry or push the manure for fertilizing the garden. The henhouse will be 4x8 with 2 or 3 nesting boxes. The fenced area will be about 6x8. We have a gate planned so we can let them free range in the yard too and put them back in the caged area at night.
I want to plant sunflowers in the front and we will have fun decorating the house when its finished with trim that will match our house. This project is going to take time, but I want it finished by Spring. So here is the start, with pictures to follow as we make progress.

MJ Doggie treats & Egg beaters

Today I decided I was going to start some Christmas cookie making, but got side tracked and decided to make doggie treats instead. I used three different size doggie bone cutters. One batch of MJ's peanutbutter doggie treats made 125 cookies. Busters "friends & family doggies" will have a bit of a treat come Christmas morning when they get these.

I also received in the mail yesterday another egg beater to add to my collection. Right now they are hanging over my stove. They range from 1906-1923 in production dates.

Now I suppose I should get productive and do something else on my list of things to do before it is time to make dinner..

A busy day today...

I was busy today, Finally made my apron, I have had an old tablecloth for ages that I got at a thrift store and decided it would be a great apron. I took vintage buttons from my Grandmothers collection to embelish the front. I made my own pattern from another apron. A fun project. I was also busy making applesauce and 6 more loaves of pumpkin bread.