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Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie

Can you guess what I had for breakfast this morning? Well, let's see. Apple crisp and a slice of pumpkin pie-with whipped cream. But really...it is like eating oatmeal, pumpkin bread, and milk. Right? ;-) Suuuuuuuure, it is.....

I just finished posting some recipes from yesterday of the few things I got pictures of. (Coincidentally, the things I had made the night before...) I hope you enjoy-perhaps for Thanksgiving next year or even this Christmas. Who knows. I knew though, that if I did not post them I wouldn't remember them next time I wanted to duplicate them.

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Yesterday was a slam dunk success. I wouldn't have changed anything. But I do have to share this funny store now lest I forget. If it is written down in this here electronic journal, I will always remember...

The night before Thanksgiving I asked Matt to take the 'gross stuff' out of the turkey. (I know. I am not much of a country girl.) Anyway-he did but all he found was this funky long thing (I assume the neck.) He said "That's it. That's all that is in here!" But no-I insisted there was supposed to be a heart and liver as well. He then proceeds to tell me "Oh Sugarbear. This is a high grade turkey-don't you know that they take the gross stuff OUT of high grade turkeys to that people don't have to deal with it. But they include this *holding the yucky thing* just in case people like to use it for gravy or stuffing. It's true!!!" So, into the oven bag the turkey went and then into the fridge until I plopped it into the oven.

Yes-gullible me believed him-until our picture perfect turkey came out of the oven (and the oven bag) and I spied a white BAG at the end! Would you believe he can B.S. THAT well? He can. It doesn't help that I am so gullible either. Needless to say, he always keeps me guessing.

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Related to the above subject only by reference to Matt...

Tell me, dear readers. Is BROACH a word? Not the brooch as in a piece of jewelry but broach as in "You should BROACH the subject to so and so if you are so concerned about it." Of course it is a word. Does ANYONE out there use it anymore? I do, of course. For a long time I had to convince Matt is WAS a word, which I did-of course. Eventually (and reluctantly) he accepted that fact but now, he seems to think I am the ONLY one in the world to use it and he pokes fun at me every time I do. Tell me, am I TRULY alone in this world? Surely it cannot be! Well, I just thought I would broach the subject....

Mom's Apple Crisp

8 lg. apples, peeled and sliced
1 t. cinnamon
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
1 c. flour
1 egg
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
1/2 c. melted butter

Put apples in greased 13x9 inch pan. Mix cinnamon and brown sugar. Sprinkle half of mixture over apples. Combine granulated sugar, flour, egg, salt and baking powder until crumbly. Spread over apples. Top that with leftover cinnamon sugar mixture. Pour melted butter over top and bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until top is crisp. 

Oat Pan Rolls

2 c. quick cooking oats
2/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. butter, cubed
1 T. salt
2 1/2 c. boiling water
4 1/2 t. active dry yeast (or two packages 1/4 ounce, each)
1/2 c. warm water (110-115 degrees)
5 1/2 to six cups all purpose flour
Additional melted butter

In a bowl combine 1st four ingredients. Stir in boiling water. Cool to 110-115 degrees
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water; let stand for 5 minutes.
Add oat mixture and 2 c. flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes.
Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.

Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 20 pieces. Place in a greased 13x9 in pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to wire rack and brush with melted butter. Yield: 20 rolls 

Spiced cranberry sauce

Bring 1 c. sugar and 1 c. water to a boil.
Add 2 cups. cranberries and 2 splashes of pumpkin pie spice
bring back to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 3-4 minutes or until skins have popped.
Serve cooled. 

Moist Poultry Stuffing

This is the first time I have made sutffing from scratch and I will not go back. It was so easy and delicious! I just experimented so amounts are not exact.

Cut up bread in cubes (I used about 1 1/2 loaves) and let rest on counter for a few days (OR) put in oven at 300 until crisp. Put in a bowl. Add to bowl...
Parsley
Garlic powder
Thyme
Minced and rubbed fresh sage (or dried)-Six leaves
Pepper
Salt
Lemon & Pepper Seasoning

...and toss with bread crumbs to coat. (I started with about 1/2 t. of each and then I just kept adding spices until all the bread looked spiced up...)

Meanwhile,

Sautee 1-2 onions, chopped
3-4 stalks of celery, sliced
1 or 2 cans mushrooms, sliced
2-4 T. butter

When onions are translucent, add to bread bowl.
Then add 2-4 c. broth (you can use turkey broth, chicken, vegetable, or even just water... I used 1 14 1/2 oz. can vegetable broth and an additional 1 1/2 c. water all mixed with chicken bouillion-but the same affect can be had by using cans of chicken broth.

Transfer mixture to a greased pan and bake, covered, for 45mins to an hour at 350. 

Overabundance

I am thankful for:

~The hums and tinks of a dishwasher
~The snuggling close to get a better view at storytime
~The love of an honorable man
~The adoration of brother for sister
~A pantryful of garden
~A bonafide craft room (with a door!)
~Three sets of dark chocolate eyes to peer into everyday
~Incessant giggles and squeals of delight
~Baby hiccups
~Arms holding me every night
~bed quilts to keep us toasty
~plentiful and abundant food
~my beautiful feminine painting! :-)
~Promises kept
~firm foundations
~The changes this new year will bring
~my camera!!!!
~giving and generous people-you know who you are!

and silly as it may sound:

~this blog. That I might be able to keep in contact, even in a small way, with each one of you, my dear friends.

Might you spend today realizing the many blessings in your life and thanking the most gracious Giver of gifts.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Preparations

Today has been BUUUUUSSSSSYYYY!!!! But now, at 12:08am, as I await the apple crisp to finish its crisping, I will boast my NEARLY ready confidence. Oat rolls have been made, cranberry sauces, potatoes peeled and diced, bread cubes have been dried for the stuffing...and of course, the apple crisp. Not to mention all the cleaning (boy was this place a DUMP!) I still have a bunch to do tomorrow, but I at least got a head start today-including setting the table.

First I opened up our table that we bought before we got married (anticipating our HUGE, MASSIVE, ENORMOUS, GIGUNDO future family...) then got out the only tablecloth that will cover the table when opened up. The one that my Oma and Opa gave us as a wedding present. But alas, it was a web full of wrinkles! So, I got out the starch and iron and set to work. But then, I might as well do the napkins as well....

Then, since the tablecloth and napkins were freshly starched and ironed, I might as well use my monogrammed glasses from Christmas! They were actually Matt's parents' before ours and so more fond memories are placed on the table. Of course, I had no idea where the different glasses went so I had to look it up. And if I had to look THAT up, I should probably look up silverware placement.

And as long as I went to all that trouble, practicality and elegance calls for placecards. And if placecards, surely there must be a centerpiece.

Do you see how my life is? It sure can get tiring being me....

But the end result is a table not only beautiful, but wrapped up in love and fond memories.

(By the way, I 'looked' up all this information in my book 'Making a Home' by Better Homes and Gardens. Another good homemaking resource is 'Home Comforts'.
Remember my affinity towards glasses? Well...as you can see...I went ALL out! 

The drink table sans drinks

 

Pssstt.....here's a tip!

If you ever find yourself with too few flowers to make a nice arrangement (as I did when I realized my three-week-old bouquet had nearly bit the dust just in time for Thanksgiving...) do NOT despair! Here is a great tip. This is the 'desperate housewives' way to do it, mind you. But I WAS desperate. The REAL way would involve florist tape, which I did not have. Instead, I split some REGULAR tape and made a crisscross pattern over the opening. (Make sure to fill up your container with water BEFORE this process...) Then just plop a flower or two into each opening. This works especially well with short and stubby vases (or in MY case, a candy dish!) 

This is the result...

 

Confession

My husband Matt has added quite an interesting post to his blog. If you are interested, you can check it out here.

I'll wait for you here................................................


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And while I wait...

I will entertain myself with a few snapshots...See our feathered friends? Notice the birdfeeder (now aged with use), Els and Falko? 

Piles and Piles

 

Ready to Move On

Well, if you have made it through the 'elevator pictures', you now know our little secret. As Matt said, we ARE thankful for the Lord's provision. He chose to give us a job within weeks of Matt looking around while we still HAD a job; a job that is comparable in pay but (hopefully) not in stress; a job that allows Matt to stay in the dairy business but (again, hopefully) will allow him more time at home. This job is focusing on parlor and reproduction management as well as overall cow health for a 2200 cow dairy farm. Yes-that is four digits! They have over 70 employees and so, I believe, the work load will be fairly spread out. I can only hope! :-) They are so big, and SO successful they have had several articles written about them. In fact, if you want to check them out here is of them-for any interested. All is grand-except for one thing. In MY department....

Since Luzerne Farm provided a home for us, in just a few short weeks we will be HOMELESS. We have to find a home-and FAST. The Lord provided this job for us and He certainly wouldn't have forgotten this crucial aspect. But I must be honest. I am STILL freaked out. I mean...we have a SERIOUS time crunch. This move will be right in the middle of the holidays and consequently, we are going to be VERY financially strapped (again) during the worst time of the year to be so. Not to mention I just finished doing this whole deal seven months ago. I am not really ready to go through it again. Oh-and I want to live somewhere that Matt can establish his own routines and pursue his own hobbies (translate:must have garage.) This being so close to collegetown, all apartments have on-street parking and three person housing limits.

Anyway. Big secrets now revealed and yet-no burden is lifted. Please keep our family in prayer in the coming weeks. That we find a home suited for us; that the kids are able to adjust well to all the changes ahead; that in Evergreen farms, Matt has found a job in which he can be both happy at work and happy at home, and that I stay sane through it all!

There is much to be done but I don't want to even think about it until after Thanksgiving. I want to focus only on the good. The blessings that we have been given this year and that this job will bring in the coming. And there is...SO many. 

3 going on 23

Corynn is the only three year old I know that requests to listen to the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack every time we are in the car. 'HER" song, Matchmaker, she knows word for word and will belt it out along with the recording. And I simply CAN NOT hang clothes without singing it.

"With no dowry, no money, no family background...be glad you've got a man!"

hehehe

Gingerbread Swags

Last year, Corynn and I made a BUNCH of gingerbread ornaments to make a gingerbread tree. This year, I used the leftovers to make several swags for my craft show. They were a big hit and so I thought, perhaps someone else might like to try it. They are very simple to make and you can use whatever you want to dress them up. Here is how to make one...

~First, make the ornaments. I used the recipe and instructions found here. It worked perfectly. The only suggestion I have is to bypass step number 7 to make the garland because the holes are unnecessary. If you only make the ornaments, you will need the holes.


~When completely dried, find some thick string, dental floss (or what I used was meat thread). Add a bead to one end and then tie a raffia bow to the end.

~Then add your goodies in whatever order you would like. For a perishable swag you can use popcorn and fresh cranberries. I used red beads that looked like cranberries so that I could sell them at the show. You can also add things like cookie cutters. Use your imagination! You may have to hotglue beads on the backs of some of your items (the ornaments and cinnamon sticks needed a bead attached.) Cookie cutters can be attached with ribbon and bows can simply be tied on.

~I started the swag and ended the swag with five beads and then alternated four beads with SOMETHING (whether it was an ornament, bow or cinnamon stick.)

As I said, the ornaments were made last year and yet they still smell as delicious as ever. So many people commented on them and the wonderful smell of my stand. Hope you enjoy! 

Fizz, Pop , Snap

Matt would like to post about our 'news' so I won't be stealing his thunder. Suppose you will have to wait a bit longer. Really, I wouldn't mind telling all of you, if my brain could actually formulate an intelligible thought on it all. I will make sure he posts on his blog soon. Not just for you, but I am afraid I might just *pop* if it doesn't get out soon.

Honestly, I didn't realize people would even 'get' that there was news. You guys are quick on your toes! Hopefully this post isn't like peroxide on a wound-YOUCH! But I just couldn't stay away just because I couldn't say anything!! :-)

Here is the thing-yes, $300.00 got us a truck. I have not SEEN this truck, mind you. But Matt says it will work. It needs a new battery and some new tires-and hopefully, that completes the list. It will be MATT'S truck-and I will finally get my car back-well worth the money in my book. He bought it off a guy down the road. When Matt and I were dating, he had a truck and sold it after we got married. He will be a truck man once again. He practically makes the trucking noises in his sleep...

Remember how our dryer broke? Scratch that...THE dryer broke at this house (because the dryer we gave away since there was already a dryer here is still running, isn't it Elizabeth?) Well, obviously the weather has not been conducive to line drying and our basement line only goes so fast. Needless to say, we are OUT of clean clothes and we can hardly walk in our closet now. I have spent the day washing clothes and when Matt gets home from work, we will go to the laundrymat to dry them. I hope to get five loads done-even though we only have four laundry baskets. I am not sure how it will all work-but it MUST. We will get a pizza and make it a party. Lemonade out of lemons...or more appropriately, cocoa out of beans.

Well, that is all that is safe to say for now. Hope everyone has a happy Monday!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

After an exhausting week of morning bedtimes, the craft show and all that it entails has come and gone. I must say, it was the BEST show I have ever done. I had made well over $100.00 even before the first hour was up!!! As is the nature of craft shows-I am wondering if I priced things too low and I could have made more money. But if I hadn't sold anything, the questions of overpricing would have been floating about my head. I am so pleased though. SO pleased.

I meant to take a picture of my space before anything sold but that was impossible because people started crowding around and plucking off their purchases before the show had even officially started. Though it LOOKS full, I had already sold a LOT of stuff...including a pretty mantel garland, a vase arrangement, slates, ornaments, a bunting, and two wreaths. It was an all around good day and I made so much profit-that I was able to purchase us a second vehicle. Finally.

$300.00 that disappeared for a truck-but what a GREAT, WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC use of my money. I can FINALLY have a car at my disposal. Besides a truck might be coming in handy pretty soon. More on that another day.

How's THAT for a clincher? ;-) 

Burgundy and Plum

I added this picture only so you could see my most favorite arrangement. It is in the upper left hand corner and melds purple and burgendy with a spring of gold. I loved it and half hoped it wouldn't sell. But it did-before the show had even officially started! 

Shutters on Display

For an attractive and unique display, I had Matt screw together two shutters. The paint is chipped which only adds to the country charm; outside of display for shows, they serve as a drying rack for my florals; I have never ever seen anyone else use them which makes MY area more interesting. Not to mention, they were free. Four cheers 

Candle Leaf Printing

This is that candle project that I was telling you about. I saw a picture for them somewhere and thought-Oh-that looks EASY! So, I tried it. It wasn't as easy as I thought but the results were well worth the effort. You should try it!!! All you need is...

Some beeswax
Some leaves
A double boiler (or a can within a waterbath)
A candle (mine are from the dollar store)
and a sponge applicator.

Here is what you do:

1) Go on a nature hunt and find some flawless leaves.
2) Go into the kitchen (you know it is pretty straightforward when this is a step! hehehe)
3) Grate beeswax and melt in a double boiler.
4) When melted, sponge the front of a leaf. You will need several coats of wax to make it thick enough. When the wax is pretty thick, make another layer and quickly flip and press onto a candle in desired pattern.
5) When cool, gently peel leaf away and admire!

*Note* Sometimes it was very frustrating because the wax leaf would cool before it adhered to the candle. Work quickly and press down hard and that will help. 

This is my favorite

Out of the eight or so that I made. The process was a bit more trying than I had anticipated, but well worth the effort. If I didn't have to transport these to a craft show, I would have flipped the leave over so that it curved outwards instead of pressing against the candle. That looked really neat. 

Desperate Measures

When I realized the wax leaves process was more complex than I thought, I immediately started experimenting with other ways to make my dull candles a bit more unique. I thought this was kindof neat. To do this, you simply pound a silk leave into the sides of the candle in your own design with a small hammer. Pound gently in order to get the veins of the leave but take care not to make hammer marks. 

Sneak Peek

...and a craft show update. TWO MORE DAYS


As you can see...I have been busy~making a mess! Yes, I admit it-I am a messy crafter. There are those that can, from the start of a project to its completion, be picture perfect. Sort of like those how-to step by step magazine pictures. Not I, said the fly. I fully admit that when I go-I GO. Which is why I love this craft room and always WILL love this craft room. And selfishly, I hope and pray that I might be able to ALWAYS have a craft room. I can't tell you how much a relief it is to shut the door and forget about that mess until my next crafting opportunity. I am excited about the things I have made-quite a few are things I have never done for a craft show before. I did several vases along with the wall-hangings and new to me also, is a mantel scarf that I am very excited about.

It is shaping up that this craft show is going to be much different than my other ones because there is far less painting and much more of everything else. I don't know why but I have not been motivated to break out the paints.

I am putting my finishing touches on my florals this morning-CLEANING up my craft room and then I am going to start on a WONDERFUL candle project that will HOPEFULLY, be an EASY and elegant filler for the table. When doing a craft show, you should cover the spectrum of prices; have a few larger ticket items but also smallish ones as people are more willing to part with $5.00 versus $50.00. I will share the candle technique as soon as I get some done. I am excited about it.

And per my sisters suggestion, I am going to do something I have never EVER done before. I am going to print out some of my photographs, mat them, and then see what happens. I highly doubt anything will sell-but I am desperate to fill up my table last minute! If something DOES sell, I might be giddy for a week. Or more. And if not-I will have some fabulous shots for my wall-something I have been WANTING to fill my wall up with for a while. I take LOTS of pictures but they are all of my children or of food. So my selection is a bit limited. A good reminder, again this year, to spread my wings as far as photo subjects go.

Lots to do and even more on my mind. Perhaps I can keep my hands busy enough to avoid the conversations of my mind.