Monday, December 20, 2010

Hand Dyes and Dark Days

Look at these lovely hand dyes!

My friend Jan dyed them herself. And then she gave them to me! A little Merry Christmas love.
Thanks Jan!!


On a completely different note, it is dark around here. We are having ourselves a big storm. Originally, the prediction was for 6-10" of rain, but this morning the updated prediction is for 7-14". That is a lot of rain!! As of last night, we had gotten just over 6" here at our house.

This is what my home looks like these days.
Good and dark. and I took this picture at 11:00 in the morning!

Good thing I have those fabulous hand dyes to brighten things up!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Aprons

Last night my little friendship circle, Piecemakers, held our annual Christmas Party.
We had such a lovely time! Friends, food and fellowship. What more could a girl want? Oh yeah, presents!! Don't you just love girlfriend gift exchanges? They are always so much fun!

My dear friend Barb drew my name and made me this beautiful reversible apron:


I have made this particular apron myself, and it is not an easy pattern. So, I appreciate it all the more!! Thanks Barb, I love it.

Oh, and let's not forget about the lovely little pie dish that came along with the apron. I'll be baking something in that tonight!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Smelly Update

It wasn't in the garage. It wasn't under the house. And it wasn't in the yard.

It turns out it only left a special little calling card. Right outside of our living room, next to the vent that services the blower to our fireplace insert. Which, coincidentally is not too far away from where the cat food bowl resides. Humm....

Things are smelling better, so feel free to stop by for that visit you may nave postponed last week!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Skunks are Bad

Last night, shortly after we went to bed, I heard noises. So, I got up to look out the bedroom window. I did not see anything moving around, but I did see that there was light coming out of the living room window. Now, I was the last person to go to bed and I had turned those lights off on my way!!
"Honey, wake up! I think someone's in the house."
"What?"
"I think someone's in the house. The light is on in the living room."
"Wait here."
I did not wait. I followed him down the hall. A good 10 paces behind.
Nothing. We checked every room and closet.
"Honey, I turned this light off myself and I heard noises. That's why I got up."
"I'll check the garage."
This time I waited.
Nothing.
"No one is here."
"Honey, I am telling you I heard noises and I know I turned this light off!"
"So someone broke in and turned on the light?" Now, my guy said this in complete earnest. And he had this look on his face that he gets when he is serious and trying to work something out. And it is always hilarious. ALWAYS.
So, I laughed. Because he is so funny. But I did not want to laugh, because I was a little freaked out.
And with that he said, "I am going to bed."
"Oh great. There is no way I am going to sleep anytime soon. And you are just gonna go to bed?"
"Good night."
That was at 10:00.
I sewed until 1:30.
Tried to go to sleep until 2:30.
Got back up and pulled out fabric for a project that has been on my mind. And then played spider solitaire until 4:22. At which time I was finally tired enough to go to sleep.

Don't worry, I am getting to the skunk.

Three and a half, very short, hours later I woke up to the smell of a skunk. But, I thought I must be hallucinating. Lack of sleep and all.

I had gone directly outside to get a couple of things done, and had promptly forgot about the skunk, because it did not stink outside. About a half an hour later I walked back into the house and was greeted by that awful smell. And it got worse as I made my way down the hall.

And that is when I realized that there must be a skunk in the garage. That's what was making all those noises last night. And it was probably still in there. Just waiting.

I called my guy. No answer.

So, I moved on to Plan B. I called Grandpa George.

"George, there is something wrong and I need your help."
"What?"
"I think there's a skunk locked in the garage!"
"Well. I see." (Now let me just point out that this comment was filled with the unmistakable sound of gleeful mischief! As a matter of fact, if you were to look up the word "mischief" in the dictionary, you would find a full page, color photo of Grandpa George. No words. Just the picture).
"I'm serious George. What are we going to do about this?"
"By 'we', do you mean you and your husband?"
"No, George I mean you and me! And mostly I mean you. I am doing my part by calling for help."
"I see. Now what you need to do is go down and open the garage door."
"No way, George!! Not me! It is probably curled up on the other side of the door just waiting for me...And, it's probably rabid."
"Oh yeah. It could be." More gleeful mischief here. "Just use the clicker to open the door."
"I don't have one."
"You don't have one?"
"Nope. Do you have one?"
"No. I have asked for one many times, but no one has bothered to get me one...yet."
"Do you think that your garage door clicker would work on our door?"
"I don't have a garage."
"Oh yeah."
"So it looks like you are going to have to go down there and open the door."
"Gee, thanks for the help George."
"I'll stay on the line while you open the door." (I am pretty sure he just wanted to know what it sounded like when someone got attacked by a skunk).

So, I crept down the stairs and cracked the door. No scurrying. No smell.
So I opened the door wide enough to get my hand through to flip on the light. No sounds. No smells.
So, I opened the door all the way. Nothing.
So, I dashed down the stairs and pushed the button to open the big door...And nearly killed myself trying to get back up the stairs before anything came to get me.
Nothing.

So, now I think that the skunk must be under the house. And I am waiting until my guy gets home to take care of it!!

In the meantime, I have every door and window open and all of the ceiling fans on high. Thank goodness it is supposed to be in the mid to upper 60's today.

And, if you were thinking of stopping by to visit me today....I wouldn't.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Pumpkin Rolls!

Yesterday was our 2nd annual pumpkin roll making day.

Only half of the group showed up this year. Me and Theresa!

But, we had a lot of fun. And made a lot of rolls.
All for gifts, of course.

Except for maybe one. Just this one. We will give ALL the rest away. To our friends. For sure.

You can trust us :)

Friday, December 3, 2010

Sledding

We three sleds of wintertime are
Decorated, we travel no more...
Just kidding.

How is the holiday decorating going at your house?

Here are three of my favorites:



Sunday, November 28, 2010

Rana's World Famous, Thanksgiving Weekend, Turkey Potpie Recipe

I hope that each of you had a very blessed holiday!

I sure did. Friends and family from afar, good food, endless fellowship, holiday music, decorating for Christmas, and pie. Let's not forget the pie. Can I just tell you that my bff made us a pecan pie that was SO VERY yummy. And she drove it over, hot from the oven. Just because. She is THE BEST bff ever!

So, did you notice the little recipe swap/hop icon that recently appeared on my sidebar? Well, it is time for the swapping and hopping and cooking to begin!

My recipe is adapted from one given to me by a lady I met several years ago at a quilting retreat. We were all making story quilts and her's was about the time she had spent studying at the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris France. (WOW!) And as we sewed, she shared some fabulous recipes with us. All from memory, mind you, because that is one of the requirements of the school. You have to KNOW how to make the dishes. Apparently recipe cards are just for us whimpy, novice cooks!!

Now, you may think that you don't really like butternut squash or that you have never bought a fennel bulb in your life. Believe me, I understand. My guy hates squash and I had never bought fennel either, but this recipe is absolutely worth it. And my guy can eat the entire pie all by himself, squash and all!

Rana's World Famous, Thanksgiving Weekend, Turkey Potpie.

4 cups of leftover turkey
3 med potatoes
7 med carrots
1 med butternut squash
1 fennel bulb-sliced
2 med yellow onions-sliced
2 sticks of butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 bag frozen peas with pearl onions
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 recipe of Martha Stewart's Pate Brisee (freeze the other half to use later)

1. Make the pie dough (Pate brisee) and put into fridge to chill.
2. Chop turkey into bite sized pieces. Set aside.
3. Peel and chop potatoes, carrots and squash.
Place in a dutch oven, cover with water and bring to a boil.
Boil hard for 10 minutes.
Drain veggies and set aside.
4. Using the same pot, melt butter.
Add onions and fennel and saute till soft.
5. Stir in flour.
6. Add chicken broth and stir well.
7. Continue to stir while adding the cream.
8. Gently fold in the cooked veggies, turkey and peas/onions.
9. You can add up to 1 more cup of cream if needed.
10. Turn off heat.
11. Roll out pie dough and place it on top of the hot filling.
12. Place in oven, uncovered, and bake 1 hr at 350.
13. Get some spoons and enjoy the best potpie you will ever eat!!


Mine bubbled over the crust, but not to worry. It will still be de-lish!