Sunday, November 30, 2008

"Sock it Too Me Cake"


Yesterday was a busy time for me! For three days in a row I had some energy! I think I love my Dr. :o)
The Studio was so cozy that I began to straighten it up!< I worked just about all day moving stuff around....I didn't have to lift anything , it slid on the floor pretty good, I mean boxes of yarn and boxes of fabric, ye gads! I have a lot of stuff and swear I need every yard and skein :o(....Finally cleaned off my cutting table , it was holding stuff I was too lazy to put away...I felt good to have done something for a change...realized we needed a dessert, and I hadn't made a cake in a long time...so I made the Sock it to me cake and it was so good we ate it like it was going out of style...Thought I'd better take a picture before I had no proof I made it yesterday :o)It's delicious, made with sour cream and pecans in it, Cecil didn't want the Glaze to cut down on the sugar..I agreed.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

A Spoiled Cecil

I showed Cecil my last two posts and he remarked " You didn't tell them how hard you were working your husband"< he's got a lot of nerve...he is supposed to help his "sickly" wife :o)....Aren't men the pits...when I was able and doing every thing,I mean everything.. even working the garden and the flowers in NJ...there was never any thing said...he worked from 7 to 7 and I did what a good wife would do! Now that I can't do it all anymore (and I don't try to) he has his lips poked out if I don't thank him for every little thing he does, Men I really do think they are from "Mars".

Cozy Studio


By putting Curtains up in the Studio, it took some of the draft and chill out from the large windows and made it very cozy...now to get back to working in it :o)...
Isn't it funny when you do one thing it calls for two ...then three ...how about four :o) all you need is money! but for now I'm happy to be feeling somewhat better,At least I was able to get the curtains up even if I'm late....I didn't make these curtains...I was able to salvage them from one of my kids who wanted a change, I caught them before they went to "Goodwill", I'm Goodwill :o)...The Yellow curtains compliment the yellow walls...giving it a nice "glow" in the room.
Have you ever heard your Mother say " I can live off what you waste"? my Mother used to say that to me all the time...now being a Mother I finally know what she meant (those wasteful kids).

Antique Curtains in Guest Room


I got a request to show the "Curtains" that I made many years ago that still look good...when you take them down in the Spring, you forget how lovely they are...then by the time Fall rolls around again...you get a renewed since of pride in your work.
If you take a click for a Close up view , you might be able to see the details in the design and if you can see the top of the curtains, you can see where I added a ruffle trim so I wouldn't have to use a Cornice like I did years ago..there is always a way to re-design, even your own handiwork. I won't add a cornice to this room, the window is too wide for me to bother....but I can do it in the other rooms if I so desire... You can also see the Begonia that is slowly fading away, I don't think she will last until Spring, but we are trying to save her. The lighting is just not enough ....

Thursday, November 27, 2008

"Happy Thanksgiving Day"

Yesterdays breakfast was so good, we repeated it this morning..same thing :o) and just as good..
I've received a few calls from the children and grands...I expect more during the day!
In the meantime, Cecil and I aren't having Turkey or Chicken! we had enough Chicken while my son was here visiting and a Turkey would be just too much for the two of us!
Instead I'm spending my Thanksgiving giving "Thanks"...I'm thanking God that I had sense enough to save some Curtains that I made! I hate to say how many years ago...seems I can't remember but I do remember paying $17.00 a yard for them and spent quite a bit,buying almost the whole bolt... for the fabric...Now I wish I had bought more..they are still "Beautiful" and expensive brand new (they say "Antique") Last year I threw out the "Swags" they had had their best days...I plan on making more but one step at a time...glad I got my Serger back! I'm taking a break for the blog. Then I'll get the kitchen curtains up...Think I'll bake some chops, collards I have from the garden in the freezer,sweet potatoes and cornbread...and whatever else we snack on later...maybe some of those giant shrimp my son bought :o)
It's not the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, I'm still "Giving Thanks" that I'm having dinner, and a place to have it at "Amen"
Enjoy your day "Giving Thanks".
Don't forget to Post a picture of your Turkey! I want to make believe "I'm coming for dinner" :o)

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A Hearty Breakfast

It's kind of hard to think "what's for breakfast"
after so many days of special treats on the menu, but we must get back into a regular routine...I thought about things I used to make...like Pancakes, hardly make them fresh since I discovered "frozen" ones, they work as well in the microwave...and less work for me, guess I'm getting too modern :o) I decided to drag out the old "waffle maker", Cecil was surprised I knew exactly where it was (is he kidding!).I even remembered how to use it and made up the batter lickety split...put some bacon in the iron skillet for a change instead of the oven..it worked pretty good...couple of those nice eb eggs (you can tell the difference in them)...and some Apple Butter and we were good to go! I wanted to make a morning trip to pick up my Serger that the motor was shot, (cost me an arm and a leg to repair, but less than a new one).I could complain about certain things they did that cost me... but I couldn't swear it didn't need it done. Oh well!, I've learned that if someone thinks they are getting over ..they end up losing more than they think they gained....usually 10 fold.....
Got my report from the Dr. my blood work was very good, (I went down) She gave me some antibiotics and specified not to do any strenous work until it was all gone(is she kidding me! I'm too tired ) I'n not an exercise kind of person anyway! I'm usually very active...but here of late.. the mind is still sharp, but the body got older :o)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

We Are All Alone Again

This morning seem to "Fly", it was time to roll out of bed , get dressed, fix a nice breakfast for my Son to travel on....So , you all know the routine, Country Ham, grits, scrambled eggs (just egg whites for my son) kids pick up different eating habits once they leave home...I tried to get him to taste my "Apple Butter" and he kept saying "No Mom, I don't care for any" then thinking he was hurting my feelings after asking him a couple of times,he decided to take a 1/4 tsp taste...which ended up being a 1/4 cup full, he liked it very much :o) Cecil and I got a good laugh at that one!
Once at the Airport I was becoming depressed..hard sometimes saying goodbye, especially when your children live busy lives and can't visit often....
So today I resigned myself to just do some reading while I get the Guest bed linen done....this way I'm ready for the next surprise visitor....Or the next surprise that was waiting at home with a note on the door from USPS

Smoked Chubs Galore! :o)


This Surprise package was sent by a Childhood friend that knows how much I love Smoked Fish....I tell you I've had more pleasant surprises in the last week than I have had in a couple of years (I don't remember as many anyway , however,I am an old lady :o)
I had a bit of trouble getting this one...while on the phone trying to reach the USPS
I saw the mailman pass...put mail in the box and kept going...I yelled to Cecil "Mailman" < usually so he can collect the bills promptly :o(
He decided to meet him on his way back...good thing he did , the mailman (not our regular one) still had this package in the truck! I would have been some kind of angry for this package not to get to me in time...I hate to tell you how expensive it was for the 7 pounds of smoked fish it contained...the fish themselves are expensive....and I've got plenty that I have to hurry and eat :o)

Update:

I have to make an update on something I said in the post with the french fries....
"I said my only son:" that is not true! ....I also have to add my "Favorite Son-in-Law" (my only son in law at present :o)....I wouldn't trade him in for all the tea in china....A mother in law couldn't ask for a better son in law! We love him.....Sometimes, he acts just like Cecil ...Smart and Stupid :o) just like most men < (I couldn't resist that one)hehehe! He is a good guy and my daughter is happy with him! That's enough for us and that's enough of this mushy stuff!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

French Fries in my Iron Pot


This is one of my favorite iron pans, I've made French fries in it for years, when my children were young....(and me too :o)....it is well seasoned and gives such a good flavor....the fries tasted as good as they look....

My Son cooked the Steel Head Trout for breakfast this morning and I made the grits and eggs, It really looked pretty and I forgot to get the camera and get a shot of it....too late when I thought of it , At least I didn't forget to snap the "all gone Mussels" (they were so fresh my son and I ate them up in one sitting this afternoon...
After breakfast we went shopping to Lowe's, whenever my son visits he tries to fix little things for us ...and one job that I've been wanting done seems like forever was putting the light over the table in the Center...This was one of those houses to us was just thrown up and you don't notice those things until you live in them for awhile and then it takes forever to get them fixed...Now the other half of the table won't be dark! Thank you "My Son"< (when he does good,Cecil's Son when he gets on my nerves) You know , they are just like their fathers then.....

Perfect dish of Shrimp


Most viewers say I make them hungry looking at my blog, well, here is a nice sight to make you hungry..I can brag how good they were...they were much larger than what I usually buy, My Son spared no expense treating us to these...I cooked plenty (some were left and eaten today (Saturdays pickings)...I even put a couple of meals of them in the freezer for us after he goes home :o)

This is my plate....usually I eat more shrimp than what's on my plate, but these were pretty large and I got full of them before I knew it....what a nice treat for us.

This is Cecil's plate....he wanted to make sure the leftover Whiting wasn't forgotten (so he claims, I think he wanted to make sure he got it :o) He doesn't eat too much shrimp because he gets the gout.
Usually I eat slower so I have to use my head to make sure I get plenty, because he is a faster eater.

Friday, November 21, 2008

This should be Post #2 for today

You all know I always get the darn post A-- backwards ....so bear with me and make believe your reading this after the "Surprise Surprise" (after all you know I'm an older woman :o)
After the Surprise of seeing my son last night , I slept pretty good....and woke up to another surprise Snow Snow Snow....

The snow didn't stop us for going out to breakfast at "Cracker Barrel" then stopping at "Cosco" to see what they had....well, good luck for me again, My favorite Son :o)My only Son , treated us to Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Mussels and Fresh Salmon. We asked him if he didn't want to come and live with us :o) then I thought about extra laundry, and decided to let his wife keep him :o) We are enjoying having him.
What a blessing for us! We love fresh fish especially Whiting..here in NC they are hard to find they mostly have what they call "Slab" (frozen whiting) sometimes they are good and sometimes they taste "Old"....which gets you out of the habit of buying them....I think it's great that our Son took the time to drive five hours just so we could have some fresh fish!...He was on a business trip and was able to take a detour to us...I tell you...What a blessing! He was afraid to buy too much , knowing how Mommy fills the freezer..Ump! for fresh fish I'll throw out stuff :o)

Surprise Surprise :o)

Fresh Fish, Fish and more Fish Galore....umm umm good!


Last night was Weaving night ...I went even though I was a little tired and disgusted with the project...I tried working it, but my heart wasn't in it....and when the selvage yarn broke , that was the straw that broke my back! I promptly took it off the loom which consumed most of my time, by then I was ready to take the body home and rest.....I started to stop at Walmarts and get some of those sweet potatoes on sale for $.25 a lb....but something kept telling me to go on home!
When I arrived a saw a car in my driveway! never looked at the license...just thought it was a neighbor visiting with Cecil while I was in class Or maybe I caught him with a younger skinny girl in my house...I was ready for the kill!!
Surprise Surprise who was it! My Son :o) I kind of felt like it was time for him to come see about his old parents ...I almost had tears, but I'm too stubborn to let them see tears :o(....not only was he a surprise, but he bought a big one for us..Seafood and more Seafood...Whiting which I promptly fried up first, they were fresh and frying them inside (with a pot of water and vinegar boiling to kill the smell< another lesson for you).....You couldn't tell it...I learned years ago not to say "there is no room in the freezer" , I think I told you all that story before.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Yesterday and today was kind of blah! for me ....fighting this cold which I swear is part of the flu bug :o( I haven't done anything worth mentioning...too tired and out of it to even work on the loom....Tomorrow I see the Dr ...for a checkup..maybe she will give me something to perk me up.
In the meantime I've visited my friends blogs "Smiling with Daisy" who always seems to keep me alive by giving me a laugh or two that carries me through the day..
Today I had a good lesson in making Cane Syrup, I think you all would enjoy visiting http://deborahs31-13doings.blogspot.com/
Shows how much work there is in making Syrup from Sugar Cane..(Deborah grew her own Sugar Cane) I had fun viewing the happenings.....
Both sites can be visited from my side bar.....

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Sowed Greens still Growing


I tell you these greens just won't quit!, Every time Cecil wants to turn the ground over, they seem to produce more and more greens (like magic they seem to read his thoughts)...and not wanting to waste them (the freezer is holding enough) we cook them and I'm making cornbread like it's meat!....Sometimes it's hard to figure out what to eat ...and try to keep it balanced....my balance is meat, starch, and a veggie.< heck! that's a nice "Hero" sandwich too! :o) and I don't have to cook :o).Lets face it, we would soon tire of that substance...So far today I have the veggie , the "just won't quit greens, now what kind of meat? ugh! today I'm empty for menu idea's...We had homemade sausage,grits, eggs and of course homemade Apple butter :o)....So I've got a few hours to decide what to make for dinner besides the greens..

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A Nice Bowl of Homemade Chicken Veggie Soup


Yesterday after picking Persimmons we both were a little chilled so On a nice cool and brisk day nothing takes the place of a nice hot bowl of homemade soup.
I use whatever I have in the house or freezer and throw in a bag of tomatoes from my garden and let them cook down to nothing ....talk about umm umm good! I think Campbell soup heard me say that :o) It's so surprising to me how many things I can add, all from my freezer and a lot of home grown things, a handful of string beans, a bag of tomatoes.a Jalapeno pepper , a couple of potatoes, okra (Or cactus for substitute,in the Spanish store it's called Pennil < spelling is wrong) A couple spoons of pearl barley, some garlic, some alphabet noodles and some fresh celery....My fridge is a pain in the butt..it freezes things and turning it down means nothing....it's the worst I've ever had in my life...I take my celery and wrap it in paper towels first, then wrap them with a cloth towel, and that keeps it a long time...what I used for the soup was at least two months old ... a little ice was on it , but it thawed out good for the soup and was like it was fresh cut. < just a little money saving tip.

Slices of Homemade Bread


In my haste to make some Homemade Bread with the Homemade Soup, I forgot to add the sugar for the yeast to feed on, and I couldn't stop the bread machine because it had gone too far in the process Ugh!, I fretted the whole time it was cooking....and what a surprise when it was done....it was half the size I expected, but the consistancy was great and so was the taste, but I did detect that the taste was off a bit..but it toasted well this morning and was delicious with coffee. Some days that's enough ....

Persimmons Galore


Aren't these the most beautiful Persimmons...nice and round....but not yet Juicy.
I love them so much , We planted a Persimmon tree this Spring...it was the most expensive one in the yard...and now I've been told , one...I should have planted it in June not March! two, it will take three years before it brings forth any fruit!
Talk about being disappointed Ugh!Just thinking I might not be here to taste that fruit has made me a glutton to eat all I can while I'm here now! and I'm emphasising NOW.I thought these only came from Iseral, but they grow here in NC, I thought only the little persimmons were the only ones that grew here (they have too many seeds for me to really enjoy them ..These are the ones I like best, especially when they become real ripe.....

Sunday, November 9, 2008


Here I am all warped and ready to weave, but I think I have another problem or another thought.....it seems to me that the reed could have been a larger one....(this one is 12 epi and I think I could have used 10 epi 10) (epi=stands for ends per inch)They are going to be dish cloths and they seem to fit better in the 10 epi reed....(The yarn measured 13 epi on one inch ruler.CORRECTION : wpi(wraps per inch).I don't mind reslaying into the 10 epi reed....anyone reading have an thought or idea? Especially if your name is Sandra :o) thanks
Here is a closer look at the fit of yarn in the 10 epi reed.Looks more comfortable.

Bouquets not done yet!


Cecil never fails to surprise me with flowers from the yard....I thought the flowers were all done last week, but somehow he finds them and makes them into a bouquet....This one is little but lovely....a couple of miniature Roses, larger Roses, and some Mums in the shades of purple pink and deep red...small but makes a powerful statement... (I wonder what he is making up for, we all know those men tricks, or could it be that he is being nice< I'm watching him :o)

Give Him a good breakfast


There is a method to my madness in preparing a big breakfast....usually it's supposed to be the best meal of the day...Well, I give Cecil a big breakfast so I can "Play" all day :o) He never wants lunch in a hurry and sometimes Lunch turns into an early supper :o)....we women always find a way...and here it's straight through his tummy :o) (and it didn't take me 60 years to find that out hehehe).
In case you didn't notice, that Jar of "Apple Butter" is almost gone..Cecil knocks them off like a bottle of candy....I can see I'll be busy next year...It puts him in a good mood and Christmas is coming :o)

Start of a new Project


I decided to start a new project....I bought this yarn on a cone when I first came to NC....and never had a use for it .it became just "stash" :o)....it's 100% cotton and I had enough of it to warp my loom for 12 dish cloths...usually I knit them, but the weaving has taken over the knitting these past months...it takes me a couple of days to knit a dishcloth, and weaving I believe will take less time and give me more. Once you get used to used to using knitted dishcloths, you can't seem to go back to "store bought"...I'm making enough to last awhile...

Better start for warping the loom this time


At least this time..I'm understanding warping the loom a little better and have it under control....I'll be showing progress with this project ......I'm on a roll :o)

Friday, November 7, 2008

Another Good Breakfast to start the Day


What could be better than some
"Fish and Grits"
and a little Apple Butter, cup of coffee for Cecil and Water for me on the side to wash it down :o)
These were two nice Fresh Trout I found at Food Lion's on the way home from class, they yelled "take me home Ginny for breakfast" and I did :o)

Take a trip to my Weaving Class

Thursday evening is Weaving Class night...we are allowed to go during the day to work on our projects if we like and some of us do that to finish up or get ahead.There are no instructions at that time, your on your own...So you better know what your doing.Everyone is really at different levels, and each one helps the other.
Donna was fortunate enough to take a class at Penland, and shares her many tricks with us. I wasn't allowed to take their faces, they complained about no lipstick, hairdo's etc. only Frank didn't complain ...He's a man , a pair of pants on and he's done! :o) They are a fun group to work with...when they leave the looms each time they are covered. Becky and Tomy weren't there when I was taking pictures and no one ever removes the cover from others work, maybe next trip I can show their works.

CeCe's work in progress


Cece is starting some towels (or place mats) for Christmas, Each step takes a while to do...but she is sticking with it and makes it look so easy.
Cece is now putting the warp through the heddles, after that she will begin to weave, but this step takes a while to do.....

Donna's work in progress


Donna has started and finished more projects in the class than any of us...I have nicknamed her "Speedy" :o) ...she enjoys the work and listens to country music with her I-Pod which doesn't disturb anyone else....A girl after my own heart, Country music while weaving is enjoyable..it's not loud to break your concentration ..in weaving sometimes it's easy to forget which line your on!....

Frank's work in Progress


Frank is the "Scientific engineer" in this class...he comes up with terrific ideas and puts them down on paper and then goes about setting the looms up to work the way he wants it too...He did a sample that was intriguing and is setting up the loom to make it a larger project..He tried to explain it to me, but he may have done better talking to the wall :o( far beyond me at this point.

Last but not least ...my work in progress


This is the start of a scarf .I should say "second Start" I didn't like the plain weave so I tried this pattern....I may change it still...until it's what I'm happy with....knowing me, it may turn out to be something else.
This is a close up of it.
Not too bad , but I don't think the pattern in the middle shows up like I thought it would.

Thursday, November 6, 2008


With my thumbs sticking in my armpits and my chest poked out! I'm happily saying "Look what I did" :o)
What a learning experience these towels were....After they were finished on the loom, they were hemmed, washed, dried, ironed thread picked and then put on display on the rack....To the naked experienced eye , you can see the mistakes made... and so can I , but all in all the project came out better than I thought and I'm happy that I succeeded.....

You can barely see the one on top that was the last of the warp ends and if I had continued I would have had a longer towel, but I thought I would run out of warp...
All in all...a good project and I'm not ashamed of the results....and I'm sorry they are not for sale , so don't start begging :o)...

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Post below was done earlier

Somehow I must have forgotten to "send" tthe post below and was surprised it was still in the "save" state.....it was written earlier today about 5 or 6 pm.....Guess it was a day for being excited....

Mother Nature is also excited today!


Today feels like a New Day and Mother Nature is Oh so Happy! .....My New Peach Tree was supposed to lose her leaves and sleep for the winter....but seems she woke up to a New Day thinking the winter was over...I took this picture so you wouldn't think I was making it up....take a close up look...

This is like a promise for Spring....much fruit to come....

A Beautiful View for sore eyes


I mean that literary , my eyes are still watering from the cold I got last week.
I'm happy to be able to see the seasons change through my own backyard ...I've seen sites from the weather channels and other blogs of Mother Natures beauty in painting colors on the greenery into multi shades of fall. I'm happy I only had to open the back door and take a step out! A blessing indeed. If you take the time to click on it to see a closer view ..it will be rewarding.....

Another view of Mother Natures color plate


Mother Nature has a way of painting her Plate in many shades of red...here's one that will slowly change all the trees down the line...into one shade, and take her time doing it.....

Beauty in our own Backyards


Many of us are very well blessed to be able finanically and phyically fill the car up with Gas and run hither and yon to see the beatiful colors Mother Nature has painted the leaves from green to the many shades of Fall Colors etc...tans, reds , yellows...but alas! some of us are not able to do that but we are still blessed to be able to view the colors in our own backyards.....thank you God for the blessing, we are not left out if we just look around us...!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Falling Leaves after September :o)


We can't complain about this mess! since this mess kept the Sun from burning everything up in the Summer...So now I guess it's farewell to leaves....They still won't be wasted, they will give new life....Cecil plans to sweep them up and put them into the garden, good way of letting them break down and become fertilizer for our "Almost an Acre" farm :o)" I just love saying that :o)....
I'm almost finished with my weaving project (hopefully by tomorrow)... then it has to be taken off the loom and washed and whatever else I have to do...then pressed, and laid out to compliment it as much as I can and take a photo for the blog :o)
I'm getting excited to show it ....the last towel seems to be the best :o) but it's all good....

Trying to Survive


Although there is only one little lonely bloom, and most of the spent leaves removed..goes to show ...this geranium is trying to survive until Spring to get back outside again....Cecil helps by watering it (I seem to forget that) but I keep the blinds open for her to get some Sun...The Dracenda (spelling?) is doing okay and doesn't seem to have stopped growing after the spent leaves at the bottom were removed...she was half the size when first purchased...hopefully we plan to give her a bigger pot in the Spring....

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Happy Days are here again!

Having a cold and feeling blah! for days is no fun....Last night was the first night I slept without taking any kind of pills for the cold symptoms....and woke up feeling fresh and invigorated for a change....
Cecil put the pre- prepared corn beef pot on at 4:30 am for me....and it's was beginning to give up its delicious aroma!....I decided that a big breakfast was in order to wait for that "Fat sandwich" I would have later this afternoon of it with a Kosher pickle on the side, Yummy! :o)
This morning I was really hungry..and couldn't decide which to have bacon or homemade sausage....so....why not a little of both :o) (told you I was hungry),No grits today , but two big biscuits each would suffice...sopped up with some King syrup...cheese and eggs...and a couple dollops of homemade Apple Sauce (butter)don't really think it's sauce since it's so creamy and thick,after having nothing but soup for a couple of days...I deserve a heavy breakfast....Cecil claims it was better than any restaurant could serve...I agree with him as I continued to take bites each of homemade sausage < I like saying homemade :o) makes me feel real valuable ...and worth my salt..
I really feel like going out and view some countryside and a couple of flea markets, but alas it's not the wisest thing to do just getting to feel better one day.
I'm anxious to get to more weaving today, and trying to find a pattern for the scarf weaving project at school, I don't particulally like the "Plain Weave" I'm doing at present, not enough detail for me...

Saturday, November 1, 2008

I Pushed myself a little today

Today I pushed myself a little...Laundry had to be done weather I was sick or not, and I was tired of looking at the loom in the same position for so long....I ate a good breakfast...(liver and onions with grits , one of my favorites , or I should say another of my favorites :o)....
Paid those never ending monthly bills (that's enough work for anybody balancing the budget).....
Then started the laundry while I worked on the loom a bit ....before I knew it I had worked up a sweat and by 4pm I was working on the second towel :o) Maybe it will get done quicker than I thought....
I'm not all together pleased with the project I'm making at Class....I just don't want plain weave..I'd like some kind of pattern to it..I'll spend some of the weekend looking over my measly stash....
There was a freebie online , but when I tried to "draft" it the way i was taught, it's not right.....(and this time it ain't me< even if I am a newbie).
I still have time to change the class project....so I won't fret and add to my discomfort.....sorry no pictures today.....