Friday, July 31, 2009

and that's the way is it...
Thoughts: A trip to costco for strawberries this week was just another reminder of my age.

My sister and I were feeding the girls (her daughter, my granddaughter) a piece of pizza. Isn't that what you do on your way out of costco, stop and eat?

Sitting on the table next to us was a family. The little girl said, as she was pointing her finger, "Hey Dad, look! There's a grandma!"

I looked around for the grandma too, then realized she was talking about me!

Her father gave me an embarrassed smile and I gave one back. Not that I felt like smiling!

I am ordering a bottle of the miracle face cream I saw on late night T.V.

Maybe 2.

Things: Last summer I bought a food dehydrater.

It has been the greatest thing! I think I have dried every fruit and veggie I could get my hands on.

My food storage is well stocked with these delicious dried foods.

I dry as many strawberries during the season as I can. We eat them so fast.

They are a great everyday snack.

Tomatoes are next on the dehydrater. YUMMY!

Thanks Sheri for teaching me.



Thursday, July 30, 2009

She's calling my name Thoughts: One of my favorite ways to relax and unwind is to spend time in my sewing room.
Last night I took advantage of a couple hours and decided to work on this doll I had been making.
Sometimes I think I am losing my mind, I swear this doll changed positions and was smiling at me, as if to say, MAKE ME A DRESS PLEASE!
I am happy to have her done, I'm sure she is too.

Things: Her little cardigan is made out of fleece, trimmed with pink embroidery thread and a daisy stitched flower on her pocket.


Her dress is made out of a light weight flannel and trimmed in rick-rack.






Wednesday, July 29, 2009

My name is Hannah
Hannah's thoughts and things: I am feeling neglected. I have sat by Joy's sewing machine for about 2 months. She seems to be too busy to care about me.


My hair is done



I have on my favorite pair of shoes




But no clothes!
Seriously, how's a girl suppose to be modest!

Maybe if I stand here and smile, I'll get her attention.
I am feeling neglected.




Sunday, July 26, 2009


Family Renunion


Thoughts and Things: Since we were attending our family reunion, I thought it would we appropriate to use my Aunt Beths picnic basket to pack our lunch.

I loved my Aunt Beth, she was my favorite aunt. She passed away some years ago. Having her picnic basket means alot to me.

One thing my Aunt Beth was famous for were her baked beans, she brought them to almost every gathering and especially to family reunions. She left no recipe. She would probably say that it had a little of this and a little of that. Over the years I have tried to duplicate her beans. With many family members as judges, I am told that I have come close.

Now I have taken over where my Aunt Beth left off, always expected to bring the baked beans.


My favorite way to eat baked beans is with a potato chip.

* * *
Joys version:

3 large cans baked beans, any brand

l can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 green pepper, diced small

1/2 - 1 pound of hamburger, cooked

6 pieces of bacon

(you can used pre-cooked, then you won't smell up your house)
1/2 cup ketchup


1 cup brown sugar

2 tbs. worchestershire sauce

Mix all together and let simmer

You can also put it in the crock pot on low


don't forget the bag of potato chips



Friday, July 24, 2009



Thoughts about delicious things: With the tomatoes beginning to be ripen and the corn almost ready to pick, I am craving one of my favorite snacks.



Tomato and Corn Salsa

1 16 oz. bag frozen corn

3 large tomatoes, diced

1 small red onion, chopped

1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

3 green onions, chopped

1 avocado, diced

juice of 3 limes

1 cup of zesty italian dressing

salt and pepper to taste

Spread corn in single layer on cookie sheet. Allow corn to thaw, then place sheet under broiler and broil kernels until they begin to brown. Cool, and place in mixing bowl with remaining ingredients.

Best is salsa sits a few hours or overnight before serving, if you can resist.

Serve with tortilla chips.

YUM!



Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

One lucky girl
Thoughts: My hubby took me out for a fun day on my birthday, taking me wherever I wanted to go.

I was showered with beautiful gifts, thoughtful notes, kind phone calls, visits, delicious homemade dinner and treats.
( new aprons, tray, bowls, cupcake plates and book, note pad, gloves, baby footprints, dish towels, kitchen timer, shirts...)

The best gift of all, is the love of my family and so many dear friends.

I am one lucky girl.


Things: My hubby said he would buy me anything I wanted.

Why is it that when you have this chance, you suddenly can't think of a thing!

Impulse buy, a snow cone machine for the grandkids.

Ready to set up my summer curb side business.




Sunday, July 19, 2009

Monday,another year older Joy: "Would you look at those two women over there. In 20 years, we're are going to look like that."

Sue: "That's a mirror, Joy."

Thoughts: Birthdays can be a time of reflection... Or not.

Things: Thoughtful and beautifully wrapped gifts are often part of birthdays. I always save the ribbon to use again.

As a birthday treat, I will roll up some of my favorite ribbons (new ones, of course) package them in a cellophane bag ,tied with a cute reusable ribbon, of course.





Saturday, July 18, 2009

First comes love, then comes marriage
Thoughts: Holding little Charlie is like holding a piece of heaven.

Then comes the baby in the baby carriage
Things: I found this toy baby carriage at a second hand store.

I am not sure who will love it more, my grandaughters or me.

I thought it would also be fun to use as the centerpiece for a baby shower, filled with gifts or favors.

just had to have it




Thursday, July 16, 2009

Thoughts: Flowers speak when words cannot


Things: Salt and Pepper Bouquets
One of the nice things about all the blooming flowers outside is to cut them and bring them inside.

By using antique, vintage, or just extra S&P shakers you might have in the kitchen, you can make mini bouquets.

Makes a thoughtful gift. Make sure you give the tops too so they can also be used for their real purpose.




Tuesday, July 14, 2009

sack lunch
Thoughts: Never go to the grocery store hungry. If you do, there are always extra things in your cart that you normally don't buy. I passed the hostess cupcakes and could not resist. It brought back school day memories too. On special occassion, or a field trip I got to take a sack lunch. My mom would take me to the store the night before, to buy what I wanted. A hostess cupcake was always one of those things. I would always eat the frosting first then the cake.
Now, I like to eat them frozen.


Things: My hubby and I went on a little road trip a few summers ago to the Boulder City, Nevada arts festival. The park was full of artists and their wares. I wanted to buy a piece of art to remember our trip. I saw this cupcake painting and loved it. The artist was a woman from California. It hangs in my kitchen, reminding of my school days and sack lunch.







Sunday, July 12, 2009

Love at first sight
Thoughts: After a last few heavenly instructions, little Charlie entered this world and into our family.
Sunday, July 12 at 7:45 a.m. 7 lbs. 10 oz. 22"
My hubby and I have realized 2 things in the past 24 hours...
1. There is room in our hearts to love one more
2. We do not do well without sleep


Things: It is always good to prepared for whatever might be coming your way... (spit-up)
These baby burp clothes are easy to make.
Use one cloth diaper. Cut a piece of flannel to fit the middle padded section. Zig Zag into place. Add rick-rack or ribbon to egde, also zig-zag into place.






Friday, July 10, 2009

Farmer Joy
Thoughts about things: With my 4 tomato, 1 cantalope, 2 green pepper and 1 pumpkin plant, I feel like a genuine farmer. There is someting satisfying about watching them grow. I am just so proud that they haven't died yet, let alone actually produce veggies and fruits!

My grandkids ran inside to tell me that the cherry tomatoes were nice and red and ready to pick. I grabbed my favorite large red bowl, ready to fill it with my first harvest of the summer.

My 1/4 measuring cup would have been the right size

We savored the deliciousness of all 6 cherry tomatoes...mmmmmmm



Thursday, July 9, 2009

Home again, Home again...
Thoughts: It is great to be away for a few days, but always nice to come home. Jackson Hole was beautiful. The poppies were just starting to bloom. A long cold winter makes for a green and lush summer.

Everyone in Jackson wants to be a cowboy, even my hubby. A golfer/cowboy, hummmm.

Things: This little quilt was fun to make. Log cabin home squares and needle turned flowers, leaves and stems.
The pattern was actually bigger, but I made it a little smaller to fit my breakfast nook table.


















A closer look at the fabrics and quilting, the polka-dots are on the back, bound in red.