Fabulous Friday! Computers suck.

I have been writing, saving and thinking up new blog entries.

My computer hates me though. 

It's long overdue for a tune - up.

Fingers crossed that my daughter's super smart boyfriend can attend to this on Sunday.

I'm having trouble loading pictures amongst other aggravating factors.

Tomorrow I am headed to Greensboro where I will scoop up my pal, Becky. 

We're headed to the Queen City - Charlotte, NC.

I've dubbed it the "Becky's Take IKEA Trip."

No boys allowed. 

We plan to shop IKEA and hit a few Thrift Shops in the surrounding area.

 Becky and I always find the best stuff. 

I know you are all jealous of our couture style.

We plan to shop and shop and talk and shop and shop. 

Might eat some foods too.     

Have a super weekend folks!

And if you see us headed your way - 

LOOK OUT!

We are women on a mission!

 See our game faces?

It's on!

  

 

Try It Tuesday - Cake for Your Valentine.

Hey!

Do y'all read Craft Gossip?

Why not?

It's a daily collection of short blogs that encompasses almost every aspect of crafting.

I loves it! 

So many ideas, so little time.

The other day I stumbled across this entry:

 "I Heart My Pound Cake"

Well, I do love my pound cake. 

I think I make a mighty fine one indeed.

But look what Toni Dash of  Boulder Locavore did to her pound cake!

Isn't that pretty?

I just had to make this for BillHubby in honor of Yucky Mushy Stuff Day  

St Valentine's Day.

Neither of us ever make a fuss about this "Hallmark Cards Holiday."

But BillHubby has a sweet tooth.

I used two box cakes mixes.

One Red Velvet and one Devil's Food.

Toni's directions are clear and easy to follow.

I did stray on one aspect. 

I didn't cut the red cake into slices. 

I used my cookie cutter to cut one 

big ol hunk of heart shaped cake.

 It was awkward.

It worked but I think if I decide to bake this again -

and I probably will - I will invest in one of those heart shaped baking tubes.

BillHubby also thinks a cake isn't done until it is frosted.

I used canned Cream Cheese Frosting.

Happy St Valentine's Day!!

Try It Tuesday - Bread Pudding

This is a biscuit. A beautiful biscuit. 

It came from a can that goes pop.

It was delicious.

 These too are biscuits.

They are flat.

I made them. 

They tasted okay.

 I should stop trying to make biscuits. 

I hate to waste these. I could feed them to the squirrels and birds but why should they suffer?

 This is the first cookbook I ever owned. 

It is wonderful. 

I still learn lots from using it.

 As you can see, I have USED it!

 I found a way to use the not so great biscuits - 

Bread Pudding!

Have you ever made or eaten Bread Pudding? 

I had not. 

 I like to assemble and measure all my ingredients before I commence to mixing stuff.

Always use the proper measuring utensils! 

It can make or break a recipe.

 

The silver cup to the right is for dry ingredients. 

The cups with liquid measurement units (like ounces) marked on it and pour spouts are for liquid ingredients.

Be sure to really pack the brown sugar into the measuring cup.

 I whisked the eggs.
Then added the rest of the ingredients per the recipe.

 This is what my 2 cups of cut up bread looked like.

 Poured the mixture in a cake pan.

 Placed the cake pan into my trusty iron skillet. 

(It is the only pan I have that is big enough to hold the cake pan.)

Poured hot water into the skillet.

 Placed it in the oven. 

This is what I ended up with. 

Looks like an apple pie, yes? 

Actually tastes pretty good too. 

It's not too sugary, not too bland. 

You can add all sorts of goodies to it -

Chocolate chips, dried fruit, rum. 

Here's a link to some of the tons of recipes on the interwebs. 

 

Bread Pudding

Preheat your oven to 350

Serves 6-8

 

Ingredients: 

2 slightly beaten eggs

2 1/4 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups 1 inch day old bread cubes

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup raisins 

(which I left out 'cause 

BillHubby doesn't like raisins. 

Really, who doesn't like raisins?)

Directions:

Combine eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.

Stir in the bread cubes.

Stir in brown sugar and raisins.

Pour mixture into an 8 inch round cake pan.

Place cake pan in a larger shallow pan on the oven rack.

Pour hot water into the larger pan - 1 inch deep

Bake for 45 minutes. 

Check for doneness by inserting a knife halfway between the center and the edge. 

If it comes out clean your pudding is done. 

If not, let it bake a couple more minutes at a time until it is done.

Yum!

June is bustin out alllllll ohohoh-ver!

It's June!

Time for Grads, Dads and Brides!

At least that what the folks in the advertising world have reminded us for years!
For BillHubby and me it's a month of birthdays and short road trips.

First, Bill's birthday. This year very low key.  No 12 layer cake like 2 years ago but I did cook.  I know, don't y'all faint!  I filled Crescents rolls (from a can) with shredded cheese for breakfast and  baked a regular ol' box yellow cake with cream cheese icing.  Bill put together a big crock pot full of roast beast and veggie goodness for supper.  We relaxed all day.

The Birthday Boys!!!
 
A few days later it was off to Wilmington, NC for StepSonWill's 30th Birthday Party.  In a park. With 90 degrees as the cool temp of the day. BUT we had a blast with all the kids and got to spend time snatching our Grand Daughter away from the other Grand Parents, who live in Wilmington.

Cutie Pie Aubree on Grammy's lap. I'm Grammy! Bill is Grumps - hee hee
He took this pic and cut me out - hmmph!

(WARNING - Next picture is not safe for work or sensitive types  - bad words.)

What is with this phenomenon called "Cornhole."  It's really just Toss Across for grown-ups, right?

Last weekend we headed over to Statesville, NC for my Great Aunt Iona's 99th Birthday party!  She is the last of my [Grand]Mama's siblings.  Still living in her own home (with some help.)  Still sharp as a tack and funny as can be. I firmly believe my wicked sense of humor comes from the long line of long living Walker-Campbell women! 
Mama lived to be 104!

I've been sewing some and participated in Val of YarniGras! Hot Mama Pin-Up apron Swap.
Not gonna post what I made til I know my swap partner has it in hand but lookie what Becca sent me!!!!

Thank you so much Becca!!!

 Yeah, I really shoulda ironed it first. (I discovered a "new" tool in Photoshop - "decorate.")

Aren't the gals pretty and my apron is fab.  Becca used a sturdy stripey plaid fabric as an under apron and for the ties and waistband.  It's so pretty I'll probably use it as one of my hostess aprons.  Thank you Val for co-ordinating the swap.

One last note - have you been thinking about jazzing up your home decor?  Maybe some  wall sconces, curtains, art? Check back with me in a day or two cause CSN Stores is once again allowing me to review a product and give one lucky winner a gift certificate to use in any of their 200+ online stores!!!!!!! Click their name and check 'em out while I get my product review in order.  CSN Stores has to be the most comprehensive website in the whole World Wide Web!  They have furniture, Home Decor, Housewares, Home Improvement, Outdoor, Baby & Kids, Shoes, Bags & Luggage, Health & Fitness, Pet, Office and School categories with lots and lots and lots of shops in each group!!!!

Where Have I been?

I can not believe I haven't blogged since way before Hallowe'en!   Yet, I can believe it.

I have been lurking around the interwebs, reading your blogs, commenting and doing all sorts of "stuff."

Quick recap of the last month (with a little sad stuff -sorry.)

Bill and I went to the Annual Cul-De-Sac Hallowe'en Party in the neighborhood where I raised the kids.  

We were Zombies complete with ragged cloths.  Sometimes sacrifices must be made in the name of Hallowe'en costumes ;)  Remind me to tell you about our Zombie obsession sometime.

The Party is always fun.  We gather for a pot-luck set up in the cul-de-sac.  We put a table up with bowls and bowls of our combined candies.  We eat, watch the parade of kids and parents and just have fun! 

I contributed a Brain Cake this year that was featured on this blog by Rosie after I asked her about making fondant.

[Sad stuff warning] My Mom's best friend, "Butch" died on Hallowe'en so I was off to the foothills for her visitation and funeral.  Butch and Mom had been best pals since they met in 1956. Her daughter Jackie, my brother and I were always thick as thieves.

While it was sad, it was wonderful to re-connect with Jackie, her husband and daughter and all the cousins.  There were people that I hadn't seen in 20 or 30 years.  That part was great.  Now we are facebook friends so keeping in touch will be easier.  Jackie's daughter is expecting me to spill the beans on some of the nonsense we got in to as kids ;)

I have been babysitting the most adorable 2 year old a couple of days a week.  Her mom is an excellent book keeper and needs a few days out of her home office to visit clients.  More on Sophia (with pics) another day.

My son and Grandson dropped by for a couple of days too.  I love having 4 year old Harrison Ford here.

Ain't he a cutie?

He even smiles on cue!  (Sorry bad pic cause Grandma was laughin')

In my grief stage I have turned to hand stitching.  There is something very comforting about the rhythm and quiet of sewing by hand.   Got a couple of little coaster sets done for my etsy shop.

Also "built" a light box so I could take better pics.  Bill sort of snickered at it but I didn't see him - the professional photographer/videographer - "build" me one!  hmmph!

I fell very behind in my "have to do" sewing.  Lucky for me I have very patient customers.  They are friends too and I am trying to catch up.

The Annie and Apron swaps put together by the wonderful Marcel of Aunt Pitty Pat's were fun.  (Again, I was the slowest/latest one in exchanging stuff!) 


Here's the Annie I sent to Australia!

 Before or really "in the middle."

 
Here's the Annie that came from Australia! (Along with many other goodies!) Isn't she darling!?!

[Sad stuff again]  Bill's job quest has been trying his patience.  Being laid off after 15 years is enough of an ego blow but add to that the tight job market with his highly specialized skills and he is frustrated. 

Petey is no worse than he was when we saw the Vet.  Sleeps more than he used to but he has always been cat-like ;)

Speaking of cats.  I have lured in adopted a feral cat.  She is now trusting enough to come when called - as much as any cat will.  She sleeps inside at night, lets me pick her up now (after a finger chomping that was totally my impatient self's fault,) knows how to use and does use the litter box and rubs up on Petey then runs when he realizes she is there and gives a "barffk!"

I call her Kitteh Kitteh but she needs a real name.

Thank you for for checking in with me here and by e-mail and by phone.  Friends are the best remedy for what ails me and I appreciate each and every one of you!

Now I gotta go do something or another!

Vintage thingies Thursday - more violets!

Gads! where does time go!?!

Been busy busy so I'll be quick here.

More violets -  

Hanging in the bathroom.  No clue what pattern or company.  Just bought 'em cause I like 'em.

I cross-stitched this back in 1980. Finally put the pillow together with some vintage damask like cotton about 10 years ago.
















This last violet isn't vintage  - yet!
It's a tattoo on my Katharine's foot.  In honor of my fav flower!  That's love!










Quick peek at what I've been doing this week -

Pulled out my Trusty Sunbeam ($10 at a yardsale!!) and GrandMa Porter's cake pan

and baked a Molasses cake!

And I've been playing with fabric and applique

 

Do you see a turkey?

2 or 5 acorns? Which do you like better?

Now scoot over to Suzanne's ColoradoLady blog and see all the Vintage Thingys!

Rainy days and Mondays...........

It's Monday! It's raining! It's all okay though.

We had a wonderful gathering of family and friends yesterday. Way too much food and all of it was fantastic! I made my (infamous) veggie chili in the crock pot. It cooked on low for 12 hours. The flavors really blend when ya do that.

Hubby made a new dip. He found the recipe in the local paper. It's called "Chicken Crack." Silly name but it was addictive. We all ate it up!

The embroidered towels were a big hit! Did not get the St. Pat's tablecloth finished in time for the party but will finish later today. First I gotta sew some patches on a ladies Karate jacket. And shorten her sleeves.

Rainy Mondays are perfect for staying inside and catching up on the sewing and old movies! Or Law and Order re-runs. Talk about addictive!