April 2019

Annabelle received her birthday quilt from Grandma last month.

This was a quick little quilt to throw together for her big girl bed.  Click to enlarge photo.

The backing was made from a pretty sheet found at a local thrift store for $1.

Annabelle's favorite part was the label with the cupcake on it.

It's hard to believe that this birthday girl is now 4 years old.  She is such a delight and definitely has her Mama's sense of humor.  She loves to make people laugh.

Another local thrift store has been selling books for .10 cents for the past few weeks.  I am a sucker for a cookbook, and am happy that I bought this one.  It is full of good sounding recipes that are easy to make.... no fancy ingredients required.

I made these muffins today and added the notes after I made them.  They were very easy, not too sweet, and I like that it made a smaller batch than some recipes.  This recipe will be a keeper.  Stayed tuned... I may make  something different soon.

**I'm busy working on the quilt for the next birthday girl for next month!!**

Testing 1 2 3

Hello out there!  I'm trying a different way of blogging today.  I hope it works, because I miss posting.  I still read blogs most everyday and I love seeing what everyone is up to this summer.

Just a funny Annabelle picture

Since my last post on trying to make lists and get more done, I have to say life has been going better.  I'm not where I want to be, but I have managed to get a few more things checked off my list.  Since I gave up ebaying, I no longer feel the urgency to check the thrift stores several times a week.

I'm trying to keep my 'leaving the house" days to a minimum.  My goal is to only leave two times a week on a normal week.   I feel much more relaxed and can get so much more done on days that I can stay home all day.

I made zucchini muffins this morning using this recipe:  (I hope you can enlarge it if interested)

It's one I found on Pinterest and this is my second time making them.   A nice old timey recipe that is very good.

I made six jumbo muffins and two miniature bundt cakes.  I only have two of the bundt cake pans, but hope to get a few more soon.  These make nice little gifts, especially for single people or couples.

Notice this dish towel.  It's one I embroidered for my grandmother several years ago.  After she died, it was returned to me.... unused.... even though I had told her to please use it.

Once it was returned to me, I thought how silly for us to make pretty things, but never use them.  I have put the towel to good use and think of her when I pull this one from the drawer.  That's another thing I want to do for myself; embroider more pretty dish towels.  I will enjoy them and I know my grandchildren will like them when they visit.

Avery, Chandler, Annabelle, Brinley Kate

Speaking of grandchildren, here they are in a picture we took at Chandler's preschool graduation in May. (He's the cute guy in the necktie)  Annabelle (in green dress) was here visiting with her mom from TN, so it was a rare occasion to get a photo of all my grand's in one photo.

It's been a great summer so far!  I hope yours is going well too.

First vegetables!

Okay, it's a stretch to say I have enough for a pan full of squash. Truthfully, I could have let them grow another day or two. But I couldn't resist picking these this morning. This will be just enough for two people. I'll be cooking for my daughter and myself tonight, so we will get to enjoy the first squash from the garden.

I always cook my squash the same way: use bacon grease in bottom of cast iron pan, slice squash and onion into pan, cover with a little water, cover with a lid and cook until soft (mushy and torn apart). Add water as needed but let the liquid cook out, browning some of the squash on the bottom of the pan. Of course, there is plenty of salt and pepper too.

When I was living in the mountains, one lady cooked hers the same way, but added cornmeal into her dish. The cornmeal cooked up all brown and crunchy with the squash. I tried it once, but mine didn't cook up like hers.

How do you cook your squash?