Handcrafted Yo-yo Christmas Ornaments

I usually try to make Christmas ornaments each year. I made yo-yo ornaments this year. Here's a few samples.

I enjoy sewing by hand. Unlike sewing with my machine, I can snuggle up in a comfortable chair or the sofa and watch tv while I'm making them. It's relaxing and theraputic. Same goes for crocheting.

My Christmas Present

For Christmas I received my own copy of "Emma" starring Gwyneth Paltrow on dvd. I already had the A&E version with Kate Beckinsale, although I like all the versions, I think i prefer the Gwyneth version better.

Below is my collection of Jane Austen dvds. There are more movies like "Persuasian" and "Northanger Abby" that I've seen but had to borrow from others. (NOTE: "Becoming Jane" is about Jane Austen, not one of her stories, but just as enjoyable. It has "Mr. Tumnus" in it!)

Merry Christmas To Everyone!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season, Jesus.

Don't forget to check out our "Elf Yourself" entry below (scroll down).

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

We've had record-breaking snowfall here in the Northwest. And with the artic blast coming from Canada it's been stickin' around. More snow in the forecast. We're definitely having a white Christmas.

What Christmas is All About

Christmas Photo

Here's the kids' Christmas photo this year.....

Elf Yourself - Merry Christmas

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

In support of our troops.

Send a free card to a soldier. Click here.

Our Thanksgiving Feast

Everything went well with our Thanksgiving Feast. It's been a few days now and we've just about used up all of our leftovers. We've had a few turkey sandwiches, I made a turkey noodle cream soup (using Greg's recipe) and even made a turkey noodle casserole. Here's a pic of the family at dinner. (I'm taking the picture.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! May we be thankful for what the Lord has provided. He is there in both times of plenty and when things are sparse, so in all things be thankful. God bless.

I used the recipe, posted below, last night and woke up to this waiting in my oven!

Turkey Recipe

Thanksgiving is tomorrow so I thought I'd post a turkey recipe I found a few years ago and really like. It's one of only two methods I use. There's the oven bag method by Reynolds brand. That takes only about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to cook. Then there's the other method I use and it's an overnight method. So depending on what kinda mood I'm in the night before the big feast (Thanksgiving or Christmas)--I'll pick this method or wait till the next day and pick the "quick" cook method.

Perfect-Every-Time Turkey
(from 15 Minute Family Traditions and Memories by Emilie Barnes)

Trust me with this one. I’ve been making at least four turkeys a year for 40 years, and this recipe from Adelle Davis is the best I have ever found. The white meat will melt in your mouth.

I always used a meat thermometer, so even with this method I still do just so I know for sure when the turkey’s done.

This is a slow-roasting method, but once in the oven, you can forget the turkey until it comes out.

Choose the desired size of turkey, wash it well, and remove the neck and giblets. Dry turkey with paper towels, salt the cavity, and stuff with brown rice dressing or the dressing of your choice. Rub the outside well with pure olive oil.

Put the turkey breast down (this bastes itself, making the white meat very moist) on a poultry rack in a roasting pan uncovered. Put into a 350 preheated oven for one hour to destroy bacteria on the surface. Then adjust the heat to 200 for any size turkey. This is important. The turkey can go in the oven the day before eating it. (Example: I have a 20-pound turkey. At 5:00 P.M. Thanksgiving Eve I put the prepared turkey in the oven at 350 for one hour. I turn the temperature down to 200 and leave the turkey uncovered until it’s done the next day about 10:00 or 11:00 A.M.)

Although the cooking times seems startling at first, the meat is amazingly delicious, juicy, and tender. A turkey cooked the regular time at regular temperatures no longer tastes good. And a turkey cooked at this low temperature slices beautifully and shrinks very little. The turkey cannot burn, so it needs no watching, and vitamins and proteins cannot be banned at such low heat.

A good rule for timing your turkey is to allow about three times longer than moderate-temperature roasting. For example, a 20-pound turkey normally takes 15 minutes per pound to cook and would take five hours. The slow-cook method takes three times five hours so this equals 15 hours of cooking by the slow method. A smaller turkey cooks for 20 minutes per pound, so an 11-pound turkey takes three hours and 40 minutes. Multiplied by three, that equals II hours.

Since the lower temperature requires longer cooking, its use must depend on when you wish to serve your turkey. However, once it’s done, it will not overcook. You can leave the turkey in an additional three to six hours and it will be perfect. Thus, your roasting can be adjusted entirely to your convenience. Allow yourself plenty of time, and let your meat thermometer be your guide to when the turkey is done. Your only problem could be if you didn’t put the turkey in the oven soon enough.

The meat browns perfectly, and you’ll get wonderful drippings for gravy.

2nd Hooded Fleece Jacket

I've just completed a fleece jacket for myself. I found this green printed fleece at Hancock Fabrics on sale for around $4 per yard, around 1/2 price. I had everything else I needed for it (drawstring, thread, elastic) except a jacket zipper which I had to buy. So it came to around $14 to make. It keeps me warm and it's so soft! I love fleece!

Crazy Quilting

One thing I'd like to try someday is crazy quilting. Maybe on a small scale. It reminds me of a cross between patchwork and altered art. I've been perusing the different CQ blogs out there and here's an amazing example. Allie's in Stitches did this one below. Isn't it beautiful?

(image credit: Allie's in Stitches )

Question?

Ok, I have a question for you. I got this bowl from my sister, Terri. It's appears to be a miso soup bowl. But, why does it have a strainer at the bottom? See the pics below. The last pic shows what's printed on the bottom of the bowl, but it's not in English. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Remember, you don't have to have a blog to comment. Just register. It's free! And I'd love to hear from you!

Yearbook Yourself

I had heard about this site from other blogs. I went to Yearbookyourself.com and uploaded my picture to see what I would look like in the 50s and 60s. See for yourself. What do ya think? (One looks like my Auntie Lillian.)

1952

1954

1962

1964

1966

2000

American Eagle

Here's a vintage craft. I didn't make it myself but I thought it was a clever way of using clothes pins and popsicle sticks.

Another Handbag I've Made

I made this handbag a while ago from a McCalls Pattern. I used the pattern for the black floral handbag.
The floral fabric is a double-sided quilted fabric. The greenish fabric is a plain cotton print. This is a pretty good handbag pattern with plenty of pockets inside and out, it just wasn't quite big enough for my needs.

Pincushions to Make

Here's a quick and easy craft. Our mom's group at church made pincushions out of coffee cups.

Just cut a circle of coordinating fabric and place a ball of fiberfill inside (making sure it's as firm and as large as you want it) and tie the fabric around it with a rubberband. Then just hot glue the "ball" in place. Easy! It would make a great gift.

Artichokes for Dinner

Our family loves artichokes. I found some on sale for $1.50 each, about half the normal price. Even though this is still pricey for our income, I occasionally splurge for a special treat for the family.



I just cut off the tops and bottoms, wash, and place, tops up, in a deep pot (2 pots for this many) with water filled to half way up the artichokes. Season with garlic, salt and pepper on the tops, drizzle a little olive oil on top of that to help the seasonings sink down into the globe. Boil till tender, check by poking down the middle with a cooking fork.


We like to dip our leaves tips in mayonnaise. My husband likes tarter. I've heard others like melted butter. Enjoy!

My Maple Tree

Fall came to my backyard finally. The leaves of our maple tree turned yellow! (See past post, Oct. 12th)




Laura & Sarah enjoying the season. Look at all the leaves!


Our dog, Cheyenne enjoying the leaves next to our camping tent we have set up for garage sale stuff.

Vintage Items

I worked at our (used furniture) store today. Rob, my husband had a conference to attend so I was there the whole day. We take pictures of our inventory for advertising purposes and save them in a Sold file on our computer when they leave the store. I decided to revisit the photos and wanted to share a few memorable vintage/retro items.... (of course, we do have contemporary items, too.)

Red Bush

I wanted to take pictures of that bright bush in the photo with Sarah in her new jacket. It's so bright and bold since fall is here.

Project Totebag

Here's a totebag I made so I can bring my carry-a-long projects like crochet, knitting or embroidery with me. It's nice and roomy with plenty of pockets inside and I added one on the outside too. I used an upholstery-type fabric for the outside and the lining is a cute kitty cotton print. I had to make the handles myself because I couldn't find a ready-made pair like the one on the pattern picture. I found some quarter inch poplar wood at Home Depot drew out the shape and my husband cut it out for me. I then stained it. Put it all together and--voila!

Fleece Jacket

I had seen this cute fleece fabric last year when the winter fabrics were just arriving at JoAnn's. Knowing I had to make something out of it for my youngest, Sarah, and that since it was so cute it would be gone soon, I bought 2 yards hoping it should be enough for whatever I decided to make later. I knew if I waited to buy it, it would be gone. Sure enough when I stopped by just a couple weeks later the bolt was practically empty. Well this fall I finally got to my 2 yard piece to make something in time for this winter. We found a pattern and I was off and running! Here's the before and after pictures.



Sarah loves the jacket. You couldn't tell by her expression though. She just wasn't in a photo op mood.

Brightly Colored Totebag

I love to sew. I hope to share some of the projects I've done here in my blog.

Here's a project I made a little while ago. First, here's the pattern and the fabric I picked out for it. I saw the group of fabric at Walmart and thought I need to make something out of it. It's not often you can find that many coordinating prints together. So matched it up with a pattern I already had and made the totebag. It's the first time I've ever worked with buckram.

I am Elinor

Until I figure out how to put this into my side column, I'm posting it here. I took the test. I'm Elinor Dashwood of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, one of my favorites of hers. You try it! Click below.

Take the Quiz here!

My Son, Logan

It's getting kinda cold here and we haven't got the heater up and going yet. Don't you think he'd feel much warmer if he wore long sleeves or layers? I tell him this but does he listen? No!

retro home

Ok, I know some of you already have seen my house, but for those of you who live far away this is for you. When we first found our rental house the summer of 2007, I took pictures of the place before we moved in. Because you know, once we move in, it would never be as neat and clean until we move out. The place hasn't been updated since it was built back in the 50's.
The House.
The Kitchen.
The Laundry Room.
The Living Room.
The Dining Room Light
The Master Bedroom.
The Basement Bathroom