A Rainy St. Patrick's Week

Here's hoping that your end of the world has a great St. Patrick's week. Our weather predicts ran until Tues. Maybe there will be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday!

Peaking through some stash

The Bodyguard says not to call my materials "stash". He was shocked when he heard that phrase as he is used to dealing with druggies when that word is used at work. I said, "Oh honey, its stitching stuff, don't worry......" LOL I think it's funny. The first time he heard me say it was when I told him that I needed some more "stash boxes". I like to use the stackable primitive boxes with pretty designs for my stitching stash. Of course he arrests folks with stashes of other nature........
The cushions on my back porch are worn out. So, instead of buying new ones, I got this fabric from Walmart to cover them this week. The cranberry one to cover the cushion on the chaise chair and rocker and then the blue fabric for pillows. I love the blue fabric. If you look close you will see bumblebees and beetles, so spring/summery. I plan to make the cushion covers as slipcovers so that I can clean them easily and will just put ribbon on the top for ties.

Here is an old project I never finished and need to. The fabric is a bold mustard color and very unsual linen with a monochromatic sampler with blue floss, delft blue.

Oh and here is a pattern from Lavender and Lace, called World Peace Angel. This is huge! What was I thinking? Well, I thought I would add it to my patriotic ones this year. I have not got the linen yet but it will be Confederate Gray color. This alone will probably take a year.

This is the most tempting to finish here. A start on Frieda Freedom by Prairie Moon. The threads are a mix of Weeks Dye and Crescent Colors and DMC. Yes, the hoop marks are not too attractive but will iron out......hopefully.

Funny, funny

I had to put this back on the blog. It is hilarious. Only close friends and family would see the humor! This is absolutely hilarious to me. Time to vacuum.........gosh I keep procrastinating.......

Another Friday the 13th

Well, today is Friday the 13th.....again this year. I heard we are going to have another one in a couple months again. What in the world is all that about? I'm not too particularly suspicious but maybe a little, now that I think about it. We were quite busy at work today, which is actually a good thing in the midst of these economical times but I'm tired so supper is brief and simple tonight. Bodyguard never complains about food. Whatever I cook is fine with him. Of course, he was used to daily TV dinners... Swanson, if I remember correctly......every day until we got married. You remember the Saulsberry Steak ones with the little chocolate cake in the middle and 2 bites of corn? So, I never have any worries where cooking is concerned. He is always very thankful and complimentary of anything I cook. Sometimes he gets in the kitchen too and makes up something for us to eat. His favorite meal is a meat, potatoes and corn. Even if we eat out (and that is very rare now) and its "all you can eat buffet", it's still....meat....potatoes...............and corn.

Here's whats grilling at our house this evening..........very simple. Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches........This is what Ren ordered tonight. His own little order, half a grilled sandwich and some tomato soup.....chihauahau style. Our church is having a fast today from 12 noon until tomorrow night at 6pm and all the money that one would have spent on food during that time will be donated. We didn't participate but came close I guess with this supper! LOL

Made a half sandwich just for Ren.

Speaking of Ren, I think he has about 5 hairs left on his back now. He simply has lost almost all of his hair.......kinda like the Velveteen Rabbit whose hair is rubbed off. Anyway, I took Ren out after work and with the weather turning cold again, he had chill bumps and his few hairs stood straight up until he took care of his business outside. It was almost scarey.

I would get another puppy in a minute if I knew they came already housebroken. I"m getting a little, itty bitty puppy fever again.......for a girl chichi, white with long hair and big brown eyes! Ok, Ok, I know I need to chill on this topic............maybe a trip to the animal shelter will cure this puppy fever. Our local animal shelter is the best I have ever seen (and I have seen a few shelters). It is cleaner than some day care facilities. We are always impressed when we walk through and go look at the puppies, how clean and neat it is. The problem is that all the puppies look the same and you just don't know whatcha gettin' until it grows about 6 months. I mean, pit bull puppies look like sweet innocent hound dog puppies at 6 weeks and the difference at 6 months is between 0-10.

Well, things are quieting down now and I have to go find my wonderful heavy vacuum to haul around the house. Isn't housework fun? I am just joking here. But in order to still breathe, we do have to suck up the dust balls every now and again! My reward after that is to watch the Nancy Grace show and then the Young and the Restless today on the internet so that I can catch up with the past 2 days. Did you know that Victor and Nikki are still feuding and that Mrs. Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper, age 80 in real life) is still playing an active role on Y & R? My favorite guy on there is Jack Abbott. I love Jack. He has been on this program for at least 20 years. I like Jack's personality. He has such a big heart, but is tough on the outside and will stand his ground, especially to Victor Newman. Oh well, on to real life now........life is not a soap opera, Jennifer...........

Here's to a good rest of the 13th.

I've Always Liked Spring

Here's me in the Spring of.........can't tell......but I can tell you that this picture is vintage! hehehe
I remember when the weather warmed up enough to wear sleeveless and sandals. My favorite place was the swingset and I believe I wore a couple of those out. The picture is dark but the best I could get here. Those were the days.

New Finish---Irish Coffee Sampler by The Sampler Girl

Here is my latest finish, The Irish Coffee sampler, a complimentary design by The Sampler Girl.

I framed and put ribbon on the back for finishing. This will sit beside my coffee perculator in the kitchen for a gentle reminder how important coffee is to me!

A Sad Note about Buddy

Today after a family member told us about the terminal illness of his pet, Buddy, we felt so sad. I realize every day that Ren is holding on as he is approaching 16. He is totally blind but he is not suffering in any kind of way. Regardless, I know his days are limited and we try to make him as comfortable as he can be. I have not had a dog this long and I know it will be hard when his time comes. I found some comfort in reading this today:

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been

especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills

for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and

sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are

restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,

just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and

content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be

left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and

looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to

run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have

been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous

reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again

caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone

from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

The Tree Swing

After work today, we went to the park to walk. They have a really good trail that is clear and has minimal hills, which in these parts is hard to find. After a lap or two, I drifted off to the swing as usual and got some more exercise and fun. I love swings. I haven't been to the park to swing in about 5 months or so. Now the weather is better and we can go again after supper. Since I have let you in on a secret about me..........now you know I like to swing still.....and I am, let's say 40 something...LOL
The city took down the amusement park in Helen about 3 months ago and I was devastated to ride by and not see the Tilt O Whirl. This was my favorite ride and sometimes if I got too stressed out, we would go ride the Tilt O Whirl and then come back home. I know that sounds strange but I guess I like motion. So, my hubbie is going to make us a tree swing and we are trying to pick out the perfect tree for it. We have so many to choose from its mind--boggling. I looked on the internet and saw different ways to decorate your swing and I like this one the best.

Of course, I'm not picky about it, just a board and a rope will be fine with me. Strong rope! Lab-proof rope.

After our little adventure in the park, we went on a ride around, checked to see if one of our friends from south Ga. was at their mountain cabin but no signs were stirring there. An interesting lady I have known for about 10 years now, maybe 12. The short history behind her mountain house here as she told it, was that when her son died in a car crash at age 19 years old, they decided to buy a spot up in the mountains as a retreat and like a memorial to him. I worked with her for several years and even though she had a lovely mountain house to go to, she worked 2 full-time jobs just to keep her mind constantly going from the stress of the loss of her son. I haven't been able to connect with her in 2 years now. We've left notes and letters but just haven't connected back up. Hubbie and I actually stayed in her house a week back a year before we moved here and really enjoyed it. We would walk up to the top of the road and there is a house that had a fabulous view.......wide open and mountain view. The house was not elaborate and actually needed several repairs. We almost bought that house, came very close because of the location and views and the way it was built, but we didn't. We still ride up there from time to time and in the interim, over the past 8 years, the house has changed a couple of owners but mostly has stayed empty.

Stay safe in your end of the world.................

Our Future Daughter-in-Law

Lookity here.........an engagement party coming up..........congratulations Brandon and Ashley!!! Won't I have pretty grandbabies one day!!!!!

Momma Jen's Pork Roast

Tonight, I made a Pork Roast in the oven and kinda made up my recipe marinate but it turned out good. This is what I did:

Preheat oven to 375

Get a 4 lb Pork Roast and lightly salt and pepper all over. Remove half of the strings around the pork roast (so that when you pour the marinate it will soak all the meat).
Meanwhile, on the stovetop add together (these are approximates, didn't measure) 1 cup of olive oil, 1 cup of dry red cooking wine (the kind in the grocer at the baking isle), 1/2 cup or so of honey vinegerette dressing, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tsp of garlic powder, 1-2 tsp of salt, 2 tsp course ground pepper, 1-2 tsp of Laureys seasoning salt. Stir and heat till boiling and mix well while heating. Put the pork roast in a dutch oven pan with a top cover. Pour the marinate from the stovetop through the roast and then around the sides of the bottom.
Cut in halves 10 or so Red Potatoes and place them potato -side down in the marinate around the meat. Give the whole pot a good sprinkling of large ground pepper and cover with top.
Put in the oven and cook at 375 for about 2 hours, then reduce to 325 for about 20 minutes.
Uncover and slice, letting the marinate juice soak the meat slices and potatoes. The top of the meat browns in the oven while covered. No need to brown the meat on the stove before cooking.

Other options I could have added are onion slices, and rosemary or other herbs with the potatoes or for that matter any vegetable. I cooked some rice pilaf and black-eyed peas , rolls and Sour Cream Pound Cake for dessert and it turned out very good.

Sour Cream Pound Cake--Dedicated to Meghan and Brandon

Here's what's baking in the kitchen right now!


Sour Cream Pound Cake


INGREDIENTS:
3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup butter
6 eggs, separated
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup sour cream
3 cups all-purpose flour, sift before measuring
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt


PREPARATION:
Cream together sugar and butter, add the egg yolks one at time; beat well after each addition. Blend in vanilla and sour cream. Into a separate bowl, sift sifted flour, salt, and soda. Add sifted dry ingredients to batter; beat well.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold egg whites into the cake batter. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan and bake at 300° for about 1 1/2 hours or until cake tests done. Let cool for 2 hours before slicing.

Sights on Saturday at the Homestead

When you lead a dog's life...........it can be boring.......

where are the deer? Well, our little watchdogs scare them away now but they used to cross here.

And I mean watchdogs, not guard dogs, but watchdogs. I don't think they would scare away a frog but they like to keep watch on the old homestead. Ruby always has good posture and picture seeking qualities........Raven.....a different story!

Raven is the needy one, sad, melancholy, fun-looking, fly by the night. She can go from grinning to droopy in 3 seconds. If they ever diagnosed dogs with bipolar........she would be one, and not that that is a bad thing, just very flippant and too funny. Ruby is quite sober and quiet, withdrawn if visitors come by.

But Spring is here and I just put out my new garden flag in the front of the house. I loved the patriotic theme, the tulips, the iris's........so much our place.

The daffodils out in the back are pretty.

Well, lookie here......

We tried to get good pictures of the two, hugging away at the Bodyguard but just couldn't. They love to stand up and give us a good hug.

And Thomas is roaming the flower beds wondering when the Iris's are going to pop.

He walks as if he is Tony the Tiger but he really is a sweet, sweet cat.

We had a good Saturday. The weather was 75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. We did our shopping at Lowes and I found an awesome, awesome frame that was only 6 bucks at Real Deals in Clarksville. It measures perfect for my Dutch Alphabet and I can't wait to show you! I never thought I would find a frame already made at 4 x 23 inches but I saw one that I can just pop out the sign in the middle and make it is frame ready!

We also went to the Dairy Queen and had a blizzard. Perfect weather for a Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

The time has changed and I will be having a hard time adjusting to it. Seems that when it goes back one hour, I adjust better than moving it forward 1 hour. Its another sunny day and Brandon and Ashley will be coming over tonight for supper. I got a nice pork roast to cook this evening. Meghan, we wish you could join us! Brandon and Ashley went to see Merle Haggard this weekend so I picked some songs to add to the music section today.