How to Burn a Pot Roast in an Hour

Step 1:
Brown seasoned roast in dutch oven. Add 2 quartered onions, 1 lb. carrots, 3 halved potatoes, skin on. Mmmmm. Smells so yummy!
Step 2:
Preheat oven to 350. Meanwhile, add 1 cup water to roast, bring to boil then reduce to simmer while oven heats.
Step 3:
To burn, go into your sewing room, and pick up a project, while waiting for roast to come to a boil. Be sure to close the door behind you, (Vital to the success of this recipe!) so that the smell of dinner cooking doesn't soak in to your fabrics. Get lost in your project.

Step 4:
Open the door to your sewing room 1 hr. later, and breath in the smoke that has accumulated in the kitchen from the now charred roast that you didn't turn down to simmer while the oven heated. Turn over the carrots, now a glazed black, the roast, and the potatoes, also the same color. Search for the onions that have now disintegrated into the bottom of your burnt dutch oven. If you have a hungry husband, may I suggest ear plugs at this point.
Step 5:
Throw out dinner, and order a pizza.

Iowa!

I'm going on vacation to Iowa!! My son and his family come here for spring break, and I'm going back with them on March 23 for 2 weeks! While on their break my dil is having a minor surgery, and must stay here til her final dr. appt. My grandaughters have to be back for school, so I'm going to go help while she is here. I can't wait, 2 weeks of alone quality time with my son, Tara and Kyley! I wish Jennie would be there too, but hey, she's going to be able to have more grandbabies for me soon so I'll be just fine with it!! They live an hour outside Des Moines, so it's Amish village and junk shopping for me! Plus, tons of time to spend with my family! Yeah!!

AMERICA! A Song and a Movement for All!

I came across this site and would love to share it with you!
http://www.bornagainamerican.org/
This is such a wonderful organization, and the song is beautiful. It's a recommitment to America, to our values, and our need to hold our government accountable to us. Give this song a listen!!! Outstanding!

The Bathtub Test!!

The Bathtub Test


During a visit to the mental asylum, I asked the Director
"How do You determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalized?".

"Well,' said the Director, 'we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a Teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."

"Oh, I understand," I said. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."

"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"

ARE YOU GOING TO PASS THIS ON, OR DO YOU WANT THE BED NEXT TO MINE ?

My First Blog Award!

This is a blogging award that originated in Portugal and this is what it says about the blogs who are given this award....."This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are extremely charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award."
Thank-you Elaine and Lola for nominating my blog for this award! It will be hard to pick just 8 to pass this on to, as all my favorites are worthy to be named! But here are my picks, along with everyone else!

Cathy-Tolan Treasures What an inspiration! Such talent, and her compassion for others shines bright!

Diane-Pinecones and Roses Diane is one of those people who genuinely cares for others, is very talented, and her blog reflects these things.

Pearl - You've got to love Pearl! Funny, friendly, and talented!!

Sharon-Wildflower House Sharon is so talented,I enjoy seeing what she is working on next. Her blog is very entertaining, and so homey!

Teri-Lavendar Between the Cracks Terri's blog is another one guarenteed to make you smile. What a talented, funny lady!

Marianne-Lil Bits of Me So funny and candid! If Marianne thinks it, she says it!

Lisa-Ivory Blush Roses What a beautiful, creative blog by a very talented lady!

Patricia-Crazy Kwilter I came across her blog at bloggers who embellish, and am fascinated by her work and talent.

So here's to you my lady friends, who enrich my life daily. You are all special to me, and I so enjoy having all of you in my life!!

UFO's

Cathy from Tolens Treasures is trying to finish some projects before St. Patrick's Day, and wanted to know if anyone else had such projects! Have I!!
1, 2, and 3 Complete winners give aways from OWOH
4. Baby quilt before Robyn leaves for Alabama to see her new niece.
5. Wall quilt for my niece Becky.
6. Tooth Fairy boxes
7 and 8. Stuffed bunnies I've been promising my granddaughters for over a year! Shame on me!
9. I bought the fabric for a quilt along, and then didn't! I want to finish it.
10. Felt Advent Calendar. I need to start on that, it takes quite a while to finish, I work on it all year between other projects.
11. I started a felt Christmas wall hanging for Becky last year, and still haven't finished it~

That's what I have right now. I really need to get these things done before I'm tempted to start something else! Which will most likely happen since my car automatically pulls into Hobby Lobby!

Winter Lock Outs

Sharon just posted a very funny story of how she was locked out of the house today. Go read for a good laugh! It also reminded me of a time I was locked out. It was last winter, one of the coldest nights of the year. I let my dogs out for the last time, which was 1 in the morning. To get to their leash, I go out onto the 3 season porch, through the sliding glass doors that connect it to the house. I was in my bare feet and my nightgown. We kept a board in the kitchen to jam the door at night since the lock didn't work at that time. It was leaning against the wall, and when I got out onto the porch, I heard the board drop! 0 degree weather, and I'm trapped on the porch! There was nothing else I could do, so thank God Robyn lives next door. So I did what I had to. I walked the 300+ feet to their door, no coat, no pajama bottoms, no shoes. Ice on the ground, and it was snowing to boot! By this time I got to the house my feet were raw. I opened the door and could barely walk in the house! Robyn and Becky were watching the end of a movie when I wobbled into the living room. Robyn turned and all she could say was What the Hell are you doing!! Is it time for the home!? After all, what would you think if you scantly clad Aunt came busting through your door at 1 in the morning during the middle of winter!? I explained the situation, much to their amusement. Her husband thankfully was able to break in. Where was Ken? He worked midnights! And, he fixed the lock right after the "incident".
So what about any of you? Have you been locked out before? Please share. Why should we be the only ones to bare our grief!!

The Day Came

I remember clearly the day I visited Grandma, and watched as she did her sewing. I loved to go through her sewing box, looking at all the pretty threads, flosses, newspaper patterns and notions. I asked her what the little metal thing was, and she said it was for threading her needles, because when you get older, it's hard to see the tiny little holes to put the thread through. She then showed me how to use it. As I watched her with my perfect 20/20, I thought how I would never be "that old" and never have to use such a thing to thread a needle. When Grandma passed, I was fortunate enough to receive her sewing box, and all the wonderful things it contained, including the needle threader. I'm using it today, and don't know how I would be doing any embroidery or sewing without it! No matter how close or far away I hold the needle, the eye is lost! Thank-you Grandma for the most valuable notion in the box!

No , They're Not Spoiled!

Our animal children are generally well behaved. However, they are table hounds. The cats aren't exempt either. But, Look at Ken! Does he look extremely bothered that a dog is leaning on his arm trying to pull the food to her mouth? Or that the cat claws his hand to get a bite? Yes this is dinner time at our house. Five creatures clamored around just waiting for a morsel to drop. Or in the case here, for the morsel to be placed in their mouths purposely by two overindulging masters!

Elaine's Give Away!

Elaine is also having a great give away! Be sure to stop by her blog also, and enjoy your visit if you haven't been there before!

Give Away from Lola!

Lola, of And Sew On, is giving away 2 of her wonderful pot holders! Stop over for a visit and enter! Enjoy her blog while you're there, a real treat from a very talented lady!

Just Because It's Attatched to Me, Doesn't Mean I'm Attatched to It!

You know, when you reach the menopause part of life, and all the sudden you start to look like the bearded lady! What's with that!? Why all the sudden do you start growing chin and mustache hair? But more importantly, why do some women think because it's there they have to keep it and cherish it as a part of a major passage from fertility to freedom! I for one, don't want to go around looking like I enjoy having 5 o'clock shadow. I want the smooth nice skin I grew up with. My tweezers have become a best friend. We share the bathroom mirror every morning. At first dark, now it's as gray as the hair on my head, which makes it a little harder to spot. For me, waxing is not an option. Nor is shaving. So I'm thinking of the advertisements for Tweezies. It says if you can feel it, Tweezie will get it. And my tweezers can go for more general uses, like pulling out slivers and removing ticks from the dogs. If it works, I know some people who may be getting an early Christmas gift! (Or would that be considered tacky!?)

I Crossed the Finish Line!

And am I pleased! Everything is now in its place, and easy to access. The window in the room overlooks my flower garden, so I wanted the theme of my room to reflect the outdoors. I love the birdhouse border, the blue on the walls is so bright and cheery. Ken bought me the butterfly cornices for the window, which look so pretty next to the hummingbird feeder and the little plants.
Now I have a space that is all mine, to retreat to that is perfect for relaxing with my many hobbies. All that is left to do is get new carpeting. I can't wait til tomorrow to start on my quilt projects! Right now, I'm putting my feet up!

Couldn't Wait!

Well I tried, I thought to myself, can you really feel creative if you don't finish your room? Do you think you can really sit down in here knowing you have things left to do? I answered myself, No. So I said to myself, what do you normally do at night? Well, I stay up till around 2, watch my sit coms to have a good laugh before bed. So, I continued my conversation with myself, why don't you paint your room? I answered myself, (yes I know I need therapy!) Good idea. It's 10:45 p.m., it shouldn't take long, so let's go for it. And I did. 3 hours later, I am done painting. I cleaned up the mess, and will put my border up tomorrow morning, get things organized, and Saturday I will be sewing. I can't wait! But right now I'm exhausted, I'm taking a shower, and going to bed. Good Morning!

Living in the Light I Find

Ladybug, Living in the Light I Find, has a beautiful blog I would like to share with you. I became fascinated with its beauty. Her writing ability, gentleness, empathy and serene thoughts will uplift you, her pictures amaze you, her quilting is awesome, and you will go away feeling so refreshed. I went through all her older posts, it was like reading a really good book. I add her to my other favorites, those of you who offer so much to my life. Hop over and see if you feel the same way!

Craft Nook

Finally, I have just finished stripping the old wall paper. What a chore! I was going to paint right away, but with projects pending, I am going to wait till the weather gets a little warmer so I can open the windows. Right now, I'll get my newly organized things back into the room so I can start my sewing projects for my OWOH winners! I'm so anxious to start! I can live with white walls for a while longer, at least they are stripped and clean!

OWOH Winners!

Using the Random Number Generator, here are the winning entries! 77, Ottilias Veranda from Sweden, 9, Alpaca, Chook, Garden... of Australia and 40, Ladybug of The Light I Find. Congratulations ladies! Thanks to all who entered, what a fun, interesting event! I have viewed so many amazing blogs. So many interesting and fascinating people. I'm still visiting, even though the event is now over. Thank-you Lisa, this has been a terrific ride!!
Laurie

Missing Dad

Four years ago, we watched as my fathers health slowly deteriorated, and eventually passed from this life, to join his family and his God. This time of year is always difficult, as the smells of winter fading, bring to mind this sadness we as a family experienced. Being together Sunday, was a bitter-sweet time for all of us. So many reminders of Dad surrounded us, the bottle of wine, pictures, his bee bee gun, and all brought such happy memories, but at the same time sadness as we prepare to sell the family home that has been a part of our lives for 52 years. The swing out back that faces where well tended gardens once grew, and on any quiet evening you would find Mom and Dad together there discussing the events of the day, and watching the fruits of his labor grow.The green house that he built to grow his own flower and vegetable plants, fruit trees he grew over the years, always wondering if he'd be fortunate enough to see bear fruit, and the garage still full of his things that will soon be passed down to the next generations to enjoy. It's so hard to move on. It's hard to watch Mom as she goes through the motions in silent tears, unable to comfort herself when she lays down next to the pillow where dad used to be. To see her stand in the door as we leave, and closing that door to return to her chair alone. My heart is breaking. For Mom, for Dad, for my brother and sisters. For times gone by that can be brought back only through our memories. For Dads' calming voice, his sense of humor, and his faith that brought him and his family through so many difficult times. For the love that passed through our home, and nurtured us all. It will be so missed. So please, if you think of us, say a prayer. That we can move on with joy, full of so many memories, and heal the pain in our hearts.
Blessings,
Laurie

What Really Happened on the Hudson

Fruit of the Vine

Some years ago, my father and uncle used to make balloon wine. No not made from balloons, a balloon was put over the bottle top, and as the wine fermented, the balloon inflated. When it was full, the wine was done. They could make wine from everything. Any fruit, dandelions, whatever they could think of to try. Well, what a treat today. My brother is visiting from up north, and was looking for finds in the basement. He came across this bottle of wine under the stairs. It has to be older than 35 years, as that is about the last time dad made any wine. Jay cracked it open, and what a treat! It tasted like sherry, but not as dry, and had a very nice aftertaste. So here's to you Dad, no wine was served before its time!

One World One Heart

Entries are now closed for OWOH. Thank-you to all who participated, and entered for my give away. CLICK HERE to enter the OWOH give away! Thank-you Lisa for hosting such a fantastic event! I will be taking entries til 11:00p.m., February 11th, and announce the winner the morning of the 12th, at 11:00 a.m.! Good luck to all of you who have entered so far in all the wonderful give aways!

The winner will recieve a custom wall quilt, approx: 26"x26". I will create it in colors of your choosing, with pictures you would like added. I will ask that pictures be sent in high resolution by e-mail, or send the pictures to me, to be returned with the finished wall quilt.

By clicking on the pictures you will see details. I will also add any embellishments that you would like to send, such as buttons, lace, appliques, etc. that would make your quilt special.

Because I went over 150 entries, I have added another give away!

As a second place, I have added an approx. 16"x 16" single square hanging, which can have 1-4 pictures displayed! Good luck!

It's Around the Corner, I Know!

It was time to put the snowmen away for the season. In anticipation of Spring, my little ladies to came back out to play. This little girl I bought at an outlet center. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her, and knew she had to come home with me.
I don't know how old this little girl is, I know she is older than me, so at least 55. She sat on a shelf in the family home, and I always loved her. So when Mom was going to toss her because she had fallen and chipped her hat, and a piece of her leg broke off (on the far hip) I couldn't let her go. The piece from her leg fell inside her, and I've never been able to get it out. But she is precious to me, and will be here as long as I am!

New Curtains

Usually, the last thing you want a husband to do is pick out curtains to surprise their wives with. He's done it before. For the living room, he brought home a pair of on sale curtains, dry clean only, in a color, well, he's color blind, 'nough said. (In Ken's defense, he has bought really awesome personal gifts in the past. I'm not criticizing you dear.) Well, he brought home a 2 pairs of drapes a couple days ago for my bedroom.

Not bad looking, huh? Actually, quite pretty, match my comforter colors perfectly, machine washable, no iron, and reversible to boot!

No problem, good choice eh? So whats my problem!? They stink!!! Literally, they smell like old burlap, sprayed in some kind of weird chemical! After I hung them up, I sat down to work on the computer, blogging of course, what else would I use it for, and all the sudden I started feeling sick. My nose started burning, my eyes were itching, my head stuffed up, my lungs felt heavy, and I felt nausea creeping in! Down they came, and into the washer, with detergent ,my old pal Odo-Ban, and then the dryer with 5 fabric softener sheets! Meanwhile, try airing out a room in sub-zero weather where opening a window is not an option! I re-hung my pretties, sat back down at my computer, blogging of course, what else would I use it for, and 5 minutes later, the same thing! They have been washed again, and are in the dryer, 5 fabric sheets! If it doesn't work this time, I hate to tell him but they have to go ! They're made of polyester! What can you put in polyester to make it stink? I have polyester clothes, and Heaven forbid I walk around town smelling like an old burlap sack! In the Chinese sweat shop where they were made, do the seamstresses have to wear aspirators! Do they have chronic lung disease!? Do they have lifetime supplies of Kleenex to blow their sinuses out? How do they do it! If I were to keep them up, would I have to wear an aspirator to bed? What about my poor cat and dog? Andy sleeps under the covers, understandably, he's pretty much bald, but what about my little Chip? Do the even make aspirators that size!? Woe is me. From now on, I pick out the curtains, no more surprises! Sorry Ken!

Chip

My Chip is 10 months old. It's hard to believe I've had him for almost a year. He's my little sidekick: you can see the mischief in his eyes! He's quite the character!

I love the long white hairs that stick out of his ears. What a little munchkin! You can see more pictures of Chip on his own blog, Chips Place

One World One Heart

I have had the most fantastic time looking at all the blogs involved in OWOH. If you haven't gotten around to checking them out, do! The give aways are so great, and have entered very many. What a great idea! I also can't believe the response to mine, the comments have blown my away. I really wasn't expecting this kind of participation, never doing this before. Unbelievable!

O.K., I notice almost everyone knows how to do this but me: click on a name in your post, and it automatically goes to their blog or site, without having to add the http. How do you do that!?!?!?

A Little Trip North

Today, Ken and I took a little trip up the shoreline of Lake Huron, to one of my favorite little towns, Lexington. There is a store there, the General Store, that is out of the 1800's. The buildings in this block are all over a century old, and house the most unique little shops, including this one. The original wood floors creek under your feet, the old penny candy counter is a treat, and the finds in here are incredible. So you'll understand how disappointed I was to see a sign on the door "closed due to illness, will re-open February 4th."
See the window on the second floor? Even the upstairs is full of so many great finds.

So we ate lunch next door at Wimpy's Place. This is a Lexington institution! A little greasy spoon, the waitress takes your order, then cooks it on the grill in the same room as the booths. There's a treat! No plastic gloves here, bare hands prepare all your food, fix them on your plate and rearrange your frenchfries. But hey, the food is great! It put me in mind of a restaurant in our town called "Sam and Joes." It was a greasy spoon, specializing in coney dogs. Sam was this big burly guy, and when you ordered your hot dogs you'd watch him line the hot dogs in their buns, up his hairy, sweaty arm. Then he'd slop the chili, onions, and mustard on each, traveling from the top dog on down. Nowadays, we'd be mortified! But you couldn't get a better coney dog anywhere! At least at Wimpy's you see the cook wash her hands first!

Link to Weight Loss Blog

Well here is my new blog, please stop by, can use all the encouragement we can get!
http://loseitormoveit.blogspot.com/
Thanks!

The Time is NOW!!.

I went to my doctor this morning, for my 3 month check up. Being diabetic, it's just a fact of life that I've grown used to. But these next 3 months will be a determining factor for me. I need to lose weight. I need to stick to an exercise program. I need to monitor my eating habits. I need to check my sugar more often. I need to get my A1C below 7. I am very close.

So here I go. I told the doc I would bust butt before my next appointment. I need to. My father had complications with being diabetic, I don't want to go through what he did.

Awhile ago, I started a blog on my weight loss, and wanted to see if anyone wanted to join in. I quit the blog after a week, a pride thing I guess. Well I'm doing it again. Over the next couple days I am going to set up my blog. If you would like to join me, offer any tips you can, or just pop in for a word of encouragement, it would be great. I need to do this for my health, I need to do this for my life. Anyone with me?

Blessings,

Laurie

I'm in Shape!

I'm in shape. Round is a shape.

Happy Candlemas Day!

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.


And from America:
If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Half the fuel and half the hay.

Today, in the book Simple Abundance, is a celebration of Candlemas. This is where the groundhog legend originated, and also the 40th day of Christmas, the end of the season. We are to light candles in our homes, and bask in their glow. My home is now lit with candles, and it seems so much warmer.
But, to dampen the atmosphere, according to that pesky little groundhog, who just HAD to come out between clouds, we have 6 more weeks to look forward to this bitter cold, snowy winter! With a high forecasted Wednesday of only 10, and more snow on the way, I guess I better leave the candles lit, to warm my hands over!
So enjoy Candlemas, and keep your chins up (Or buried in your coat to keep it from freezing off,) 6 weeks should go by fast, shouldn't it!?

Craft Nook

Well, things haven't gone as planned these last couple weeks, and therefore, the last picture posted about the room is where it is at today. I'm disappointed in the progress, I need this done so badly as I have things from the room in my kitchen, just waiting to move back in! I'm not putting it back though, if I do I'll be putting it off again, and I don't want that!! So as long as my husband is patient, it will stay there and I will continue on! Upward and onward! It will be!!! (A few Hail Mary's even though I'm not Catholic, and well intended prayers might help though, after all every little bit does!

Give Away!!

Entries for my give away are now closed, thank-you to all who participated, and entered my drawing. I'm overwhelmed at the response!


At first I thought, I would love to participate in this give away, but know of nothing to give! Then it dawned on me, why not one of my Family Victorian crazy quilts. I will custom make my winner a wall quilt with colors of your choosing. You can e-mail the pictures you would like put into the squares, must be of high resolution for best results, or send me good copies, so I can print them off. If you have any additional things you would like added, such as buttons, appliques, etc., I can also put them on your hanging. Just leave your name and your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win! Plus, you don't have to be a participant to enter. To see all participants, just click on the OWOH button above! Have fun, and while you're here please sign my guest book, I'd love to see all the different places that have visited during and after this event!! Good Luck to all of you on your entries!!

Just click on pictures to see detailing.