Delish!

Looking for a quick and tasty meal? Try this wonderful chicken recipe.

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Any type of chicken you prefer; one can of Stwed Tomatoes; 1 chopped onion, 1 clove of garlic (optional); one tablespoon of butter or other; several "new potatoes" (small)

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Place all ingredients in a large skillet and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until cooked through. Serve with noodles or rice and a salad. Yummy

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This is the latest pick from my little garden. I'm so proud of the offerings.

Hot Off The Press

I chose this embroidery pattern from my new Janome to make my first quilt. The strips of fabric are from one of my favorites (Windham fabrics 0 Colonies Archives 1850c). It was hard to cut into but necessary.

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This is obviously a close-up of the block. I made nine blocks, did a four patch to dress the quilt up a bit and Voila!

Up & Running

In this picture, you see my machine in action. I chose this design to make a quilt which I will post soon, I hope.

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In this picture, I have placed an extra bobbin to aid in putting alittle more tension on my "Sulky" twisted thread......it really helped as I am not ready to mess with the tension on the machine. It's very scary....LOL

Do You Janome?

Ok, someone let the cat out of the bag. Yes Jerri and I purchased the Janome Memory Craft 11000 & the Simjply Complete Sewing System thingy. You know when two or more Wackies get together on a day out......it leads to something unexpected, to say the least. Of course, we don't know what we're doing and are in communication with one another constantly but are thinking we need so back-up from our other "wacky" friends.

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This is my first attempt at monogramming. I just did it, as they say, on my "WackyPac" cruising denim shirt. It was fairly easy once I read the instructions....LOL

Jacob's Ladder Part 1

Maree.....here's a pic of your package just waiting to be mailed on Thursday. I'm very excited to get started with the swap.

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I decided to see how long it would take me to make this quilt from chosing the fabrics, cutting time, sewing the half square triangles, playing with the design I wanted on the design wall, etc. I'm now up to sewing then rows together. So far it's been two days. Tomorrow, I hope to finish the quilt, borders and all. Then it's on to the next project. I like Jacob's Ladder because there are so many color combination that dramaticly the look of the quilt. The two color JL is really striking. But I love the scrappy look. (Notice the header pic of my blog) Maybe I'll do another one very soon. I'm on a sewing mission this summer. Wish me luck!

Show Off

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Had to show off the little onion from my garden and the peach from my peach tree. The ants are very interested in the peaches, I'm afraid. It's almost time to pick peppers and squash.....I can't wait.

Guess What?

I'm going to be a GoGo! That's Swahili for grandmother! Angie and Armando are the parents-to-be....sometime in November.

Late Mother's Day

Last week was Mother's Day but my guys were stuck at work and visiting other family so we celebrated yesterday. I got two wonderful surprises; one I will share with you at a later date; the other is.....I have a new daughter-in-law. Gabriel finally decided to tie the knot. I'm so happy for him. Here's to Cindy and Gabriel.

That's What I Get For

I was surfing the "Rings" today.....you know visiting everyone's blogs, leaving comments and having an uplifting time when I came up on Sarah's blog. Wouldn't you know it, she was right in the middle of a "meme" tag thingy from Kate's blog.....you know, where you tell some things about yourself. Well she tagged me because I visited the blog which is a great way to do it. So here's goes:

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• 5 things found in your bag or purse lip balm; nail clippers, lots of change, day calendar & my favorite pen
• 5 favorite things in your room my computer, the washing/dryer, sewing center, fabrics & a frig/freezer (I don't have to go very far to do anything....more sewing time
• 5 thing you have always wanted to do Drive to South Dakota, drive Route 66, take a cooking class, visit Hawaii & visit New York and go to some of the Broadway shows
• 5 things your are currently into cooking, gardening, canning, collecting "Civil-Berry or is it Thimble-War" fabrics & helping my mom out.

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Now it's up to you......if you read this post.....Tag....You're it!

Growing Pains

From my tiny garden you can see that grown has started although small it maybe. I am very proud of this little garden. My grandmother would be so pleased. She had a garden every spring as long as I can remember. Thanks grandma for passing on the growing thing to me.

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On another subject.........I'm ahead of the game for once.....because I've finished all the "Wacky" challenge blocks before OCTOBER! Hooooray!

Happy Mother's Day

A mom's smiles can brighten any moment, A mom's hugs put joy in all our days, A mom's love will stay with us forever and touch our lives in precious ways..... The values she's taught, the care she's given, and the wonderful love she's shown, have enriched our lives in more ways that we could ever count. We love you Mom's, always!

Name That Sewing Machine

Click on the link to view sewing machine pictured. It belonged to my great-aunt Susie Foster Jones, who which moving from one house to another in the late 50's must as just left it sitting in the front yard. So help me out and name that sew machine.

Prized Pickled Cucumbers

The recipe that I'm joyfully sharing with you won first prize in our local county fair a few years ago. If you love sweet crisp pickles, you'll love these. It takes about 2 1/2 to 3 days of work but it's well worth the effort. Choose 20 to 36 thin cucumbers 2 cups lime 1/2 gallon apple cider vinegar 4 lbs. sugar 2tablespoons salt (no iodine) 2 tablespoons pickling spices Bag of ice At least 2 large metal pots of this process 1 large pot with lid for the "cold" canning process Mix well lime with 1 gallon of water; thinly slice cucumbers and gently place in lime water. Let stand for 24 hours. Wash cucumbers 6 to 8 times or until water is clear. Set in ice for 3 hours. While cucumbers are cooling, mix 1/2 gallon of vinegar, 4 lbs. sugar, 2 tabls. of salt and 2 tabls of spice wrapped in cloth (cheese cloth works just fine). Do not cook! Stir occasionally, the mixture while cucumbers are cooling. Pour vinegar solution over drained cucumbers, let set for 12 hours or over night. If they sit longer......that's alright, too. Put on burner and cook for 35 minutes, bringing to a boil then turn to low heat. While boiling cucumbers, prepare water bath....which means fill large pot half to 3/4 full and bring to a boil. Put canning jars in water so that temperature of jars in same as cucumbers. When ready, pour pickles and their liquid into jars, wipe top of jars and seal with lids. Place in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove and let stand until cool. You can eat these as soon as the same day and the canned pickles will last all year if your family doesn't find where you've hidden them.

All Stressed Out?

Sometimes it helps to think of happy peaceful scenes....you know....like maybe a upastoral field......yea, that's it. A field with small babbling brook surrounded by wild flowers and honeybees. Picture yourself there on a glorious summer's day...are you picturing it....so peaceful are you........and then suddenly.....you're holding someone's head under the water.....now you're letting them up for a second......then BLAM!.......... Back into the freezing water....over and over again!............There....feel better? I couldn't resist sharing this little moment with all of you who may have had a bad week or dark thougts. This little moment of "meditation" will help to ease you though nearly anything without causing bodily harm.......hopefully.