Cackleberry Cottage

"Slogger" style

2012-01-27T19:19:00.000-06:00

I stopped in at our local TSC (Tractor Supply Store) for some laying crumbles the other day. Look what I found. Gardening ankle boots! In LIME green!

Check them out at www.sloggers.com. Mine are the Sloggers Garden Trekker Boots. I paid about 1/2 the price on the website. I'm hoping they will keep the dirt out when I till the garden!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Wine bottle repurpose

2012-01-24T22:34:00.000-06:00

My bottle tree is full unless I add some more big nails. The problem is that I am continuing to have empty wine bottles that I hate to throw away. Hmm.

How about wine bottle plant/row labels in the garden.

I like to use Citrus Magic to remove the labels. It is actually an air freshener, but it does the job beautifully while smelling good! Then I use a paint pen to write on the wine bottle. Hmm, Now I need more empty wine bottles.

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Passing On Blog Love!

2012-01-23T18:53:00.000-06:00

Elaine at Our Country Cove Life awarded Cackleberry Cottage the Liebster Blog Award. Liebster means "dearest" or "favorite" in German. Thank you, Elaine.

Now I have the priviledge passing on the award to FIVE up and coming bloggers with fewer than 200 followers.

They may then pass it on according to the following rules.

1. Choose 5 "up and coming" blogs to award the Liebster to. They must have fewer than 200 followers.

2. Show your appreciation by linking back to the blogger that gave you the award.

3. Post the award on your blog and list the bloggers you are passing the award to.

And the bloggers are......

Back to "normal"

2012-01-21T20:00:00.000-06:00

On my first day out since the kidney stone attack, I HAD to stop at Hobby Lobby.(last Wednesday) I found my next crochet project, and the yarn it called for was on sale. Well, if you can really call $3.66 instead of $3.99 on sale! Anyway, I had the itch to pick out the yarn. Hopefully, since I have invested money in the yarn, I will move quickly to finish my current project, the Japenese Flower shawl. I AM at the half-way mark! The colors I chose are "I Love this Yarn"
#130 Dark Olive, #160 Brown, #320 Sea Blue, #154 Burnt Pumpkin, #797 Light Taupe,
#103 Antique Teal, #301 Mulberry, #260 Light Sage

I love the bright colors the designer used, but our living room is mostly muted colors with a leather sofa and love seat and a lot of wood. It makes me think of the English Library look-just much smaller! I just hope I can figure out the pattern!
Now to finish the Flower shawl!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Marjolein Bastin

2012-01-18T20:46:00.002-06:00

Yes, it has been a month since Christmas, but I wanted to share this gift I received. It is a Marjolein Bastin figurine. She is one of my favorite illustrators. I love her attention to detail. Of course, her subject matter is also a favorite of mine, birds and flowers.Thank you, Pat.
Kidney stone update- The stint has been removed, and I am returning to work. I went to get some much needed groceries today. I also made a detour into Hobby Lobby. I'll share my purchase later. I haven't been anywhere but the doctor's office or hospital since January 2. I am elated to feel like my old self again!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Winter Garden

2012-01-10T21:58:00.000-06:00

I was thrilled to discover that while I was too occupied with other things to get out into my garden, the radishes had been busy growing! I pulled these lovelies out the other day!

They make a wonderful salad with the lettuce and spinach that I also have growing! The chickens get to enjoy the tops so all is good!

For a Kidney stone update: I went to the hospital as an out-patient to have lithotripsy done on my kidney stones on Wednesday. The Dr. was able to break up the 6mm x 10mm stone along with several others. I was able to go home that evening. The kidney is still "complaining" to me, but the pain is nothing like the initial attack! The procedure left me feeling like I got punched in the kidney! It feels bruised or tender to the touch. Yippee, there's "sand" in the toilet! (Or is that TMI!) No matter, it makes me happy!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

2012-01-09T22:47:00.000-06:00

I had a mess in the house most of the day as I took down and packed up my Christmas stuff. I was working hard, but Samson was definitely taking it easy!

He wasn't the least bit disturbed by all the packing and cleaning!

Well, he did take a break from napping to inspect one of the tubs. He doesn't look pleased!

My Dad called as I was packing the last tub. We chatted for a little while and then hung up. I finished the tub, and my hubby helped me lift all the tubs and boxes into the attic. I AM still missing one old wine bottle and two brass deer that I stashed to make room for my "Little Drummer Boy" doll. We poured glasses of wine and sat down to relax on the sofa. Sweety then asked me where I put the cordless phone when I finished talking. Of course, I didn't remember. I had a horrible thought. What if it was in the tub I was packing when I was talking to my Dad. Then I had an idea. We'd just call our number from a cell phone and listen for the ring. We can go out into the garage to be able to hear it in that part of the attic. Well, hubby told me the ringer on the handset was not turned on. He then told me I'm going to need to back out the trailblazer, pull down the ladder and find the tub! UGH, I didn't want to do that. I started wandering around the house looking for it. I found a handset on our bed. It was the one the teenager was using before he left for work. The one I had been using had been on the charging cradle the whole time! BIG sigh of relief.
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Surprise Gift!

2012-01-07T21:46:00.000-06:00

We visited my husband's sister and her family between Christmas and New Years. The drive is several hours, and we don't see them as often as we would like. They have a beautiful home. Of course, I never got my camera out of the jeep during the visit! We were too busy just visiting! I showed her some photos of some pink glass that I had received from my grandmother this summer. She hopped up and went to one of her cabinets and GAVE this to me.

I love its scalloped edges. It is quite large as you can see by the charger it is sitting on! Thank you so much, Molly!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee
PS. Still dealing with the kidney stone. Most likely it will have to be removed this coming Wednesday.

Another Hobby

2011-12-31T17:11:00.001-06:00

First, I found a quilled snowflake pattern on Pinterest. Hmm, I haven't tried quilling. I think I'll give it a try. So, I went to Hobby Lobby for some quilling paper and a quilling tool. I found a kit with patterns and paper just for snowflakes. One evening after the Christmas rush had settled, I gathered my supplies-the kit with its papers and patterns, the quilling tool, straight pins, scissors, glue, and the tweezers from my serger.

I also found some cardboard and laid plastic wrap over it with the pattern I wanted to try first sandwiched in the middle. It is a bit tedious at first, but it gets easier! I hope to make a garland out of them.

Of course, I'll need to make more than one!

Now to the downer!

The Friday before New Year's Eve, the Mr. and I were grabbing a burger at our favorite family owned burger place, when I started having pain in my side. I tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away. It was the same feeling I had about 15 years ago when I had a kidney stone. We skipped dessert at Cherry Berry and rushed home. I found some pain meds and crawled into bed with my Bed Buddy (a rice-filled sock for heating). Luckily the meds worked and the pain got better. The next day, I managed to prepare my dried beef cheese ball, corn dip, and bacon wrapped dates to take to our New Year's Eve celebration at my brother and SIL's house. I only experienced a few twinges all evening. We had a great time. New Year's Day was also almost pain free. I awoke Monday morning and got dressed for a teacher inservice and work day at school. On my way the pain started returning. I ended up turning around and coming back home nearly in tears. I took more meds and returned to bed, but after several hours the pain was still horrible. My husband took me to the ER. It seemed to take FOREVER for them to give me a pain shot! I was so thankful when it took effect. I had a CT scan that showed a 6mm stone blocking my kidney. I ended up checking into the hospital and having a stint put in that evening to unblock the kidney. I am currently at home on meds waiting for another procedure to rid me of the stone. I am not sure which of a couple procedures my urologist plans to use, but I am anxious to say good-bye to this stone.

I told my husband this is the earliest in the year that we have ever met our medical insurance deductible. It may also be the latest our Christmas decorations have ever stayed out!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

More black!

2011-12-31T17:08:00.000-06:00

I just had to paint one last thing black before the end of 2011! The new ladder sure made reaching the curtain rod easier. I made the curtains about 12 years ago! The wooden rod was just natural wood. I had always meant to stain it, but I just never got around to it. Well, 12 years later it is finally complete, just not as I originally planned!

While I had the curtains down, I also "dry cleaned" them in my dryer. I'm thrilled with the "new" look. It is also nice to have all the cobwebs cleaned off !
On a less exciting note, I started having severe side pain when we were eating out last night. We cancelled our plans to go to Cherry Berry for dessert and came home instead. The pain is the same as the pain I had 15 years ago when I had a kidney stone. I've been keeping it down to a slight ache with pain meds. What a way to ring in the New Year!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

2011-12-28T18:52:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Christmas starting on December 18 with my Dad, Stepmom and brothers and sisters. My SIL and I hosted our 8th Annual Cookie Exchange Party. We went to my 91-year-old grandmother's house for Christmas Eve along with the extended family. We had our Christmas with our 2 sons on Christmas Day. We traveled to my husband's sisters home to celebrate with his side of the family on the 27th. Now we are ready to think about the New Year! (FYI) The photo of "Rascal" was taken while we were taking our family Christmas photo. He was running wildly around the yard climbing on everything!

In between all the visiting and partying, I cooked, baked, sewed and crafted! Above are this years mini apron ornaments.

A shot of the buffet my SIL and I prepared for the Cookie Exchange.

The Cookie Exchange Group for 2011 along with some of the banners I've made this year.
This year is ending with me crazy about burlap and black. I am still finding new things to paint black. Currently, the curtains behind us in the photo are down being cleaned and the curtain rod (not visible) is being given a coat of black paint. It was previously unfinished wood! I was anxious about 12 years ago to hang my just completed curtains and never "finished" the rod! I guess it is time to finish the job 12 years later!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Merry Christmas to me!

2011-12-25T17:58:00.000-06:00

I received an I-pad from my sweety for Christmas. Now to learn how to use it!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T16:25:00.000-06:00

Joyeux Noel

Frohe Weihnachten

Bo Nadal

Nollaig Shona

Buon Natale

Lorem Nativitas

Feliz Navidad

God Jul

Merry Christmas to everyone in blogland

Where ever you are!

Christmas Blessings,

Lorilee

Feathered Friends!

2011-12-23T15:59:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to share a couple photos of my feathered friend visitors. I was thrilled when this Blue Jay came to the little fountain just outside our living room window AND stayed long enough for me to grab my camera!

I also have two hummingbirds that did not continue their southerly migration. I think they are Rufous hummers. I have a feeder hanging from the eaves outside my kitchen window, so I get a close-up view.

Of course, I am in the throes of Christmas preparations. My SIL and I hosted our 8th Annual Cookie Exchange on the 20th. We actually managed to take our family Christmas photo BEFORE Christmas this year. I am currently working on the card. I also have some more time in the kitchen ahead of me. Sadly, I can't seem to keep up and post in REAL time!

Merry Christmas,

Lorilee

Around the House!

2011-12-08T19:52:00.000-06:00

The house almost all dressed for Christmas! I just finished this banner. I am wondering if it needs something between each HO! Maybe just a small bow or something.

The tree is decorated. The newest kitty, Rascal, tried to climb it a few times as I was putting the lights on it. Luckily, he hasn't bothered it any more.

So many memories connected to each and every ornament!

My Zygocactus is even ready for the holidays.

You may remember the black paint craze.(See the previous post.) I painted the bench in the living room black now as well. Sadly, the paint on the stools and bench stayed tacky. I did some internet research and decided to try using Minwax Polycrylic over the tacky paint. It seems to have solved the problem! I am so relieved.

I am definitely impressed with this stuff!

I've started burning this candle in the evenings since it gets dark so early! Just imagine me sitting in the chair with Rascal asleep on my lap as I work on a blog post!
Y'all come back!
Lorilee

Before November ends!

2011-11-27T10:48:00.000-06:00

I did finish painting my kitchen stools black. The paint stayed a bit tacky for awhile, but they are finally completely cured.

It seems like yesterday that I put out my fall decorations. Now I will be replacing them with Christmas decorations.

We decided to try our hand at frying our turkey this year instead of baking. We ended up frying 3 turkeys. They were wonderful. We prefer fried over baked!

Luckily, we had nice weather for it! Of course, we had plenty of food. The menu included: the fried turkey, Giblet gravy, Cornbread dressings, jellied cranberry, Broccoli Rice, Green Beans, Sweet Potato Casserole, Cherry Coke Salad, Stuffed Celery, Rolls, Fruit Salad, Creamy Pumpkin Pie, Kentucky Pecan Pie, German Potatoes, Sourdough bread, Buttermilk Pie, and Traditional Pumpkin Pie.
Now on to the Christmas preparations!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Veterans' Day!

2011-11-12T22:46:00.000-06:00

Some of our clogging group, Stars and Stripes Cloggers, performed in the Calhoun High School's Tribute to Veterans on November 11. The faculty and students did a wonderful job honoring our nations veterans. We were honored to be able to participate. Sadly, I don't have any photos to share.

I took some photos around my yard that afternoon, so I'll share them. I love the way my Ruby Crystals grass looks in the setting sun.

Actually, I love the way the whole yard looks in the setting sun!

Little Rascal, you better stay home!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

2011-11-06T22:14:00.000-06:00

I am officially in love with black for accents! Last weekend, I painted the shutters along with the front and back doors. We had not yet replaced the kickplate on the front door when I took the photo.

This weekend, the Mr. added a kickplate to the backdoor, along with a "scratch plate" on the door frame! The kickplate is off-center because the precious dogs scratch at that side of the door! I also repainted the inside and outside of a side door that leads into our garage. I don't have a photo yet.

The Mr. also finished the rat-proof window covers he started last weekend.

We used old-fashioned wooden screen brackets to hang them.

This is why the "covers" are needed. Rats have chewed holes in all three window screens in my garden shed.

We decided to put the "cover" on the inside of the loft window. It is hinged so that it can be opened to allow access to the window.

These are next. The one on the right has already been sanded. With all the painting, I haven't had time to vacuum or mop my house! I also have lots of ironing that is piling up! Oh, and I need to pack up the Halloween stuff and put out the Thanksgiving decor. Maybe next weekend!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Another Hobby to try!

2011-11-03T20:33:00.000-05:00

Another win!!! Such cute ideas for using all that kitty hair! I'm thinking of using the technique for Christmas ornaments to put on my tree to represent each of my kitties! A big "Thank You" to Jamie at C.R.A.F.T. I love her "card". She used cardboard from a cereal box and stamped and embellished it! She is awesome.

I thought I'd share a few photos of my fur "donors". This is Little Rascal. He was rescued as a 4 week old kitten from the side of the road. My 16-year-old brought him home.

This is Samson. He was adopted from our local Adopt-A-Pet. He was already all grown up when we brought him home.

I probably won't get much hair until spring! Then let the grooming begin!

Y'all come back!

Lorilee

The start of it all!

2011-10-28T22:33:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to be the winner of this beautiful enamel sign made by RAMSIGN in Denmark! It was a giveaway from Joy at Joys of Home! I love her blog. It is the place to go for ideas and inspiration.

Of course, one new thing makes its surroundings look tired and worn! So, I will be repainting the doors and shutters of our home. After mulling over three colors from Sherwin Williams (Tricorn, Sealskin, and Blackbean), I decided on Tricorn. Hopefully, I can get this project done this weekend in between the housecleaning and laundry.

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Jack in a jar!

2011-10-23T18:19:00.000-05:00

I've been working on these cute jar Jack-o-lanterns. I have finished one more large one since I took the photo and have a jar to make one more small one. I used craft jars from Hobby Lobby that I purchased for 1/2 off. I loved the round shape. I was also having difficulty finding used jars. So much comes in plastic now! I deviated from Emily's tutorial just a bit. I used black tissue to make my faces. I decided to try modpodge my faces to the inside of my jars instead of the outside. It worked beautifully. In the photo, they are backlit by sunlight. At night, I use battery tealights in them.

These were my inspiration! They were made by Emily at Not So Idle Hands .
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Birthday for the Birds!

2011-10-20T21:12:00.000-05:00

I celebrated my birthday last Thursday. It was a birthday for the birds. A good friend I work with at school gave me the stained glass hook with a birdseed cake and holder.

My 16-year-old son gave me a hopper style bird feeder.

Lucky me and lucky birds!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

The Country side of life-- for the afternoon!

2011-10-17T21:35:00.000-05:00

I'm a weekend behind. On Sunday, (10/9), I spent some time with my Dad, Stepmom, brother, SIL, nephews and niece at the Ranch. The Longhorn was spotted along the way.

The swimming/fishing pond went dry this summer, was re-dug, and is now being re-filled. We also received some nice rain that weekend. Riding the Mule and Ranger through mud was a real treat after a long hot summer drought!

My nephews were anxious to take the little flat-bottom out for a row!

Of course, their sister couldn't be left behind.

The rest of us sat on a big boulder and watched the show they were putting on!

Bug's braids were definitely slipping!

All too soon, it was time to come home to get ready for Monday!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Lovin Burlap and Spray Paint!

2011-10-08T16:15:00.000-05:00

Two infatuations come together-burlap banners and candy corn!

YUMMY!

"BOO" for my front door. I guess I should have turned the purple lights on! I keep them on a timer.
Y'all come back!
Lorilee

A Toe Tale

2011-10-03T21:33:00.000-05:00

Rascal is just plain nosey. He has to climb onto and into everything.

He thought checking out the fountain was fun UNTIL---

he got his toes wet.

I finally found and tried one of the new nail products by Sally Hansen. Unlike Rascal, MY toes stayed dry. I love houndstooth, so I tried it first. I found I could use one strip on two of my smaller toes. I applied to one toe, filed it off and then placed the other end onto another toe.

These also look fun. HEB Plus had coupons, so I splurged. Have you tried them. What did you think?
Y'all Come Back,
Lorilee

One evening

2011-09-24T14:16:00.000-05:00

We finally got a little rain in South Texas, so the grass has greened-up a bit. Mornings and evenings are a nice time to be outdoors, but the daytime temps are still in the mid 90's.

Rascal has really grown and no longer looks like a kitten.

That makes me kinda sad!

I often see deer just outside my yard fence. That evening, I saw 2 bucks and 3 does.

They didn't hang around when I went outside!

I'm trying to decide if I should attempt a fall garden or not. We are still quite dry. I wanted to try planting Romanesco Broccoli. Of course, I still need to find the seeds.

I was awakened at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, by the stinging of a scorpion. That was my third time to be stung on my finger while sleeping in my bed.(In about 5 years) I'm trying to get my husband to switch sides of the bed with me. haha He's not going for it.
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Fridge Love!

2011-09-20T20:58:00.000-05:00

After the first new fridge was replaced with the second new fridge because the ice-maker wasn't working, I am in love with it! The replacing part was a pain. It meant moving a curio cabinet and my antique sewing maching/end-table. It also meant removing the front door. Twice, mind you.

But now! Ahhh, so much space. (Also, no out-of date food or dabs of unrecognizable left-overs! Maybe I shouldn't admit that one!)

I love the bottom freezer drawer. It is a Frigidaire Gallery. I think we have now replaced all of the appliances that were installed when we built this house 13 years ago--dishwasher, range, hot water heater, AC/heating unit and now fridge.
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

A Mum and a Fridge.

2011-09-17T21:35:00.001-05:00

The week of Homecoming and fridge woes is over! This is my worktable in mum-making chaos! I was rather anxious about making my first mum. I am so indecisive!

When it came time for the long streamer ribbons, I had to move to the floor.

Voila, the finished mum for Destiny. The hat is in honor of her being in the drill team.

This is Brian's mum-garter made by Destiny's mom. I am so glad she finished it last weekend and sent it home with Brian. It helped me so much to have an example to follow.

The cute couple in their finery. Please notice that his tie was chosen to coordinate with her dress!

Now for a photo with the mums.
Drought vs Rain update! We are finally getting rain--which is why the photos had to be taken indoors! The rain is so desperately needed that we can't complain about that inconvenience.
Hopefully, the fridge saga is over with the delivery of the second fridge this morning. More on that later.
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Two Aprons-New and Vintage

2011-09-13T21:34:00.000-05:00

I finally finished this apron during the summer. I think I started it LAST summer!

I think it is such a feminine and flirty pattern.

This sweet vintage apron was a gift from my sweet SIL. She gave it to me after the first week of school.

I love the color and print of the fabric.

   I'm starting to catch up a bit at school. Things have been extra busy at home. My bottle tree fell. We made a concrete base for it to replace the wooden stand.
   Our garage/egg/drink fridge went out. That meant fridge shopping and swapping. We moved the kitchen fridge that is 13 years old into the garage and put a new fridge in the kitchen.
   My son is also attending his first homecoming dance. This has meant shopping for some dress clothes. I am also making my first Homecoming Mum. According to information on the internet, this is a tradition that is observed in the states of Texas and Oklahoma. Hopefully, I will manage to take photos and share!

Pears and Cherries

2011-09-04T12:54:00.003-05:00

On the Sunday between teacher-inservice and school starting, I made 3 loaves of bread and cooked and canned some pears. I was lucky to have a friend share some pears from her tree. All this cooking/baking made my kitchen REALLY hot. I can't use a regular canning pot on my glass topped stove. I have a large pot and a strainer type insert to keep the jars off the bottom. It is not large enough for quart jars though. I am planning to get a propane burner and start using it on my patio for the water bath part of canning!
YES, that was 3 weeks ago, but I wanted to share my dresser first!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

A treasure!

2011-09-02T20:20:00.001-05:00

I am thrilled to have this beautiful dresser that belonged to a dear departed friend's grandmother. I have always admired it and feel so honored to be entrusted with it.

My husband, teenager and I spent the Sunday before school started playing musical furniture! I emptied my dresser, and we moved it to the teens room. I have the treasure. My husband emptied the bureau/chest of drawers, and we moved it to my craft room. My son emptied his dresser, and it is in our bedroom for my husband.(It is an old dresser that was at my Granny's and then in my parents' attic. My husband rebuilt it and refinished it. It was literally falling apart.)

I love the beautiful details on my dresser. I was thrilled to receive TWO keys that go with it for the drawers.

The mirror and perfume bottles also belonged to my friend. (She was also my Mom's best friend.)

The blue bottles were my Mom's, the other items were my friend's. The school photo is my Dad and the other is my Mom and my Granny.

The gold and glass "dresser set" were also my friend's grandmother's.

Yes, that Sunday WAS two weeks ago, and I am just now getting around to sharing!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

1st week of school and an apron!

2011-08-27T22:39:00.000-05:00

Boy, I am so behind on blogging! The beginning of the school year is to blame. I found out the evening before teacher-inservice began, that I would be moving to a different classroom. The custodians had already moved the furniture. Thankfully, my teaching partner helped me clean out the walk-in closet and cabinets and move two bookshelves. We worked from 5:30 until 10:30 p.m. that evening. It has been a stressful first week of school. I awoke this morning aching all over with a scratchy throat and headache. I dosed myself up on an antihistamine, decongestant and ibuprofen and attacked the laundry and housecleaning.

I had some thrilling news amidst the chaos! I was the winner of the Senorita Apron Giveaway at Glimpse of My World. Thank you Valarie!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Sew Happy!

2011-08-09T21:39:00.000-05:00

I had seen this pattern at the local Quilt Guild show. They are sold at "Sewing Machines By B and B" here in my hometown. (Quilt Plus online also carries the patterns and handles.) I finally purchased the pattern a few weeks ago. It was sitting on my cutting table while I tried to decide if I should use scraps of fabric from my stash or buy fabric.

In the meantime, I ran across this absolutely adorable embellished T-shirt at Make It and Love It. Of course, I pinned it. (I am so addicted to Pinterest now!)

THEN, I found a ~~cheap~~ inexpensive black broomstick skirt. I like the idea of a monochromatic outfit since I am short, but I don't like the way black affects my face! SO I decided to use the t-shirt embellishment idea in colors that flatter my coloring on a black t-shirt.

THEN, I decided to make my purse coordinate with my shirt! Instead of piecing the purse and quilting it, I used a piece of black woven cotton for the purse and lining. I added the flowers just like on the shirt. Then I used my machine to stitch swirls mimicking the design on the flowers. (The purse does have traditional weight quilt batting in between the layers of fabric. This all needed to be stabilized.)

The handle is really neat because I unscrew the knobs and remove the purse to wash or replace it with a different one.

I'm so happy with both of the projects. Now I just need somewhere to go so I can wear my new "ensemble".
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Parisienne Farmgirl's Giveaway!

2011-08-07T22:04:00.000-05:00

Parisienne Farmgirl, Angela, is having a great giveaway. Check it out!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Supermodel Kitty!

2011-08-07T10:23:00.001-05:00

First of all, sniff sniff, I don't call him Baby Kitty anymore. (Remember, I feel like his Momma after bottle-feeding him until he was ready to lap up his kitten formula. I even rubbed him down with a damp papertowel to mimic a momma cat's grooming! sniff sniff. He grooms himself now!) My baby is growing up too fast. Little Kitty, I still don't call him Bernard, loves to play outside when I let him. With the heat that pretty much means in the mornings and evenings.

He usually comes to me which can make photography a tad difficult!

But then, sometimes something else catches his eye!

But not for long. He sees me again.

He's after my dangling camera strap!

Finally some cooperation with the photographer!

This is not "meowing", he is panting! Little Kitty is not accustomed to the heat because he stays inside most of the time!

Ready to pounce AGAIN! Pouncing is his favorite past time.

He doesn't stay in one place long unless he is sleeping. Hmm, maybe that's when I should be taking his picture.

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Watch out "Cake Boss"!

2011-08-05T13:11:00.000-05:00

My friend, Bernadette, and her daughter, Sarah, came over on Thursday afternoon for some cake decorating fun. We started with making the buttercream frosting, sealing the crumbs with a thin layer, the final frosting and smoothing with plastic wrap.

Sarah did a little piping, but young hands have difficulty with the pastry bag! She LOVED using fondant. I had some leftover fondant from the "Giraffe Cake". I used this recipe for the fondant.

I think fondant is a great way for the younger crowd to decorate cakes. It is so similar to using playdough!

She did an awesome job.

I love her look of concentration.

I certainly had fun, and I'm pretty sure she did too!

Watch out "Cake Boss". (It is her favorite show.)

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Solo Strudel-making!

2011-08-01T17:05:00.000-05:00

I decided to try making some strudel solo while my lesson was still fresh in my mind. Never mind that I also wanted some to eat! I gathered the ingredients and made my dough the day before, keeping it refrigerated until I was ready to roll out, fill and roll up!

The next afternoon, I gathered my filling ingredients.

I decided to use Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples. Grandma uses Red Delicious.

I cored them and peeled just some of the peeling before chopping them in my food processor. I added some lemon juice.

I rolled out the dough on the cotton cloth Grandma gave me, brushed on melted butter and sprinkled on 1/3 of the filling ingredients.

YUMMY!

Then, using the cloth to lift the dough, I began rolling it up.

I lifted the end over onto the roll and sealed the edges.

I brushed more melted butter onto the strudel and some onto the foil. At this point I could have wrapped it in foil and put it into the freezer to be baked another time. However, I wanted to eat one, so I baked this one. It makes clean-up easier to bake it on the foil. Sometimes the filling can bubble out.

By the time I got the photo, several pieces were already eaten. Repeat 2 more times for a total of 3 studels.

THEN wash lots of dishes.

The chickens and rabbit got the apples cores and peels.

Grandma's Strudel

1 ½ sticks oleo, softened

2 egg yolks

1 cup warm milk

3 cups flour

1/8 tsp. Salt

Mix well and chill at least 3 hours or overnight.

Roll out dough onto cotton cloth until very thin. For 3 strudels divide equally and layer

2 sticks butter, melted (brush onto dough)

9 or 10 apples, cored, peeled and chopped (sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning)

1 package saltine crackers crushed

3 cups chopped pecans

2 cups sugar

cinnamon

raisins

coconut

Tightly roll strudel, using towel to push the dough. Seal edges and brush with butter. If freezing place onto well-buttered foil and seal tightly. Thaw to bake. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes until well-browned.

Grandma's Apple Strudel

2011-07-25T15:47:00.000-05:00

Last week, my 90-year-old grandma gave apple strudel making lessons! She was excited about sharing her knowledge, and we were excited about learning her technique. She had 3 copies of her recipe already handwritten for each of us along with a square of cotton sheet cut and hemmed for us to take home. The cotton cloth is the secret to successful strudel rolling!

My step-mom(Barbara), myself, and my cousin's wife(Denise) watched intently as she rolled out the dough almost paper thin. Barbara asked how old her rolling pin was. Grandma Bessie replied, "You'd have to ask MY grandma". I think it is safe to say it is an antique!

Here is mine all buttered and ready for the oven. We wrapped them and placed them in the freezer until the end of the day and baked them at home.

My most memorable moment of the day was when Grandma Bessie told me she was so excited to have been able to teach three teachers something they didn't already know! (Denise and I are currently teaching, and Barbara is a retired homemaking teacher and counselor.) Grandma's filling is chopped apples, crushed saltine crackers, chopped pecans, raisins, coconut, sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on the dough that is covered with melted butter.
I hope to make some strudel soon and take more photos of the steps involved. I was too busy watching and helping to take my usual photos!
Y'all come back!
Lorilee

Double-toe Jam!

2011-07-23T08:46:00.001-05:00

Stars and Stripes Cloggers had a wonderful weekend clogging at the Double-toe Jam in Waco, Texas last weekend. Take a look.

Giraffe theme cake.

2011-07-18T15:16:00.000-05:00

My son requested a Giraffe themed cake for his girlfriend's 16th Birthday. This is what I came up with.

I also decided to make the inside spotted like a giraffe. I didn't get a photo of it sliced because I was unable to attend the actual party. I was attending the Double-Toe Jam. I will post about it on the Stars and Stripes Cloggers blog soon.

The cake is frosted with buttercream, while the "spots" are done with homemade fondant using this recipe. The cake is a Duncan Hines yellow cake with whole milk substituted for the water.

Bad Kitty!

2011-07-14T18:14:00.002-05:00

He likes to look innocent! I know him better than that!

I see him sneaking up through those bluejeans over the chair. (Its laundry day for me. Well MOST days are laundry day!)

Scat Cat! You don't belong on the table.

UH OH! This is one of the many reasons cats don't belong on the table! The Pysanky eggs have now been moved to a safer location INSIDE a display cabinet.

Out on a limb

2011-07-11T19:43:00.000-05:00

The little kitty (I still don't call him Bernard.) has discovered trees! He adores climbing them.

Of course, this upsets the dogs because they can't climb trees!

All they can do is watch from below.

Beach II

2011-07-10T12:18:00.001-05:00

This house has always fascinated me. Well, most old houses fascinate me, but this one is definitely a favorite. This is Oakhurst, now known as Fulton Mansion located in Rockport/Fulton.

It was built in 1877 to withstand hurricanes with 8" thick wood (constructed by stacking and spiking pine planks) and shellcrete walls. The kitchen was in the basement. It was the only house in the area to have gas lighting, central heating and running water. The water was stored in cisterns in the basement. The water was hand-pumped into a cistern above the tower room. Gravity took it to the bathroom that included a flush toilet.

I highly recommend stopping by for the one hour tour when in the area. My family, however, is not as enthusiastic as I am. They took their time walking to the entrance!

They sat on the porch and waited for the tour to begin. I wandered around looking into the basement windows!

THEY were anxious to get to the water. Floating was their goal! I floated, but discovered that I feel the effects of the motion negatively! I did OK as long as I floated on the boogie board on my tummy facing the waves. Pretty pathetic!

Of course, the laughing gulls had to be fed. Brian had to demonstrate for his Dad how the gulls would take the bread from his hand or the top of his head. The beach wasn't as pretty this trip. There was lots of seaweed washing ashore. Of course, that is preferable to tarballs or jellyfish!
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

2011-07-08T19:07:00.001-05:00

We had a low-key Independence Day celebration with our immediate family and a few of the boys' friends. Of course, hot dogs were the main menu item along with potato salad, coleslaw, chips, beans and cake. Lucky for us, our town's fireworks display has been moved closer to our house, behind our mall. All we have to do is sit in our front yard and look down the street for a spectacular view! I love it! No traffic to contend with and a bathroom nice and handy.

After seeing Anne Marie's old party barn banners made from bandanas, I decided that my patio needed some in red, white and blue for the 4th of July!

To make my banners, I cut each bandana into 4ths to give me 4 triangles. I straight-stitched along the raw edges so that they could unravel just a bit. Then I folded the top edge over my string and straight-stitched again. I did stitch up over the string on each end of each triangle to keep it from slipping along the string.

I hope everyone had a blessed Independence Day. I will end with a few borrowed words.

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases. If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it, and if it stops moving, subsidize it"-Ronald Reagan 1986

"The inherent vice of capitalism is an unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is an equal sharing of the misery."-Winston Churchill

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

P.S.

I changed my post editor to the "Updated Edition" under settings. This seems to have solved the issues I was having with links, text color and size. Yippee!

10 hour power outage and Salsa Verde

2011-07-07T16:21:00.009-05:00

I sure wish I could keep up and post in REAL time. I seem to run days behind. It seems there is either nothing worth mentioning or no time to mention it! Also, I returned home from clogging practice last night to find that my garage door opener didn't work. I left the trailblazer on the driveway and went inside the front door. It was sure dark and warm. I was informed that there had been a lightning strike VERY nearby, and we lost power around 5:45. I had left around 5 and it was now after 8. David and I had leftover potato salad and coleslaw for supper while sitting outside on our front bench! When we still had no power at 9:30, David pulled the generator out of the garden shed while I gathered the extension cords, fans and a floor lamp. We ran an extension cord through the window and fixed ouselves up with a lamp and fans so we could go to bed. David got up for work at 2:30 a.m. and still no power. There were trucks on our street. I went outside to look for myself since I hadn't been sleeping well anyway. The men climbed the poles and did something around the transformer behind our house and the one a few houses down. That did the trick. TEN hours later power was restored! I returned inside and turned off all the lights that were on when the power went out and went back to bed!
So, that said, I will backtrack and attempt to catch up through the next several posts. Last Saturday, I finally made the Salsa Verde that I had been contemplating. All the ingredients were finally gathered, and I learned some new things in the process. For example, I learned that long green chilies is another name for Anaheim peppers. They are also milder than jalepenos. I also learned how to roast them. After much googling I found a recipe here http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/harvest/msg0712353015673.html that sounded good.

Then I found great instructions for roasting the peppers on the grill here. http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2009/09/how-to-roast-anaheim-green-chiles-on.html

Here are my Chilies all roasted and readied to be covered with plastic wrap.

I removed the husks from the tomatillos and washed them. They tend to be sticky.

May the chopping commence! I had never seen inside a tomatillo before!

All of my ingredients-tomatillos, Anaheim chilies, jalepenos, onions, and garlic were combined and simmered. I did not use oregano, but I did add plenty of fresh Cilantro during the last minute of cooking.

MMmmmm good!

The recipe!

5 cups chopped tomatillos

1 1/2 cups seeded, roasted and chopped long green chilies (Anaheim)

1/2 cup seeded, finely chopped jalepenos

4 cups chopped onion

1 cup lemon juice

6 cloves garlic, minced

3 TB oregano (I used lots of fresh cilantro instead)

1 TB cumin

1 TB salt

1 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients (except cilantro) in a large pot and stir frequently over high heat until mixture begins to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. Add the chopped fresh cilantro at the last minute. Ladle hot salsa into jars, leaving 1/2 " headspace. Add lids and rings and process in boiling water canner for 15 minutes. Yields 3 1/2 pints.

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Cats and Independence

2011-06-30T10:15:00.012-05:00

The kitty has really grown since we got him. He is also VERY active. Taking good photos of him has become quite challenging. He moves too much for the low-lighting in my kitchen. I can even keep up with him using a flash!He likes to run in circles around the island with the dogs following.

He and the dogs have become wonderful playmates! The down side is that the kitty then has the odor of doggie breath about him!I just finished a set of napkins. I found the idea in Martha Stewart's Living magazine. You can also find the idea online. I googled "Martha Stewart's seersucker napkins" to find it. (Even using "compatibility mode" after updating my browser, I still can't change my font color or size or use the link button. Suggestions would be appreciated.) I couldn't find striped seersucker, but I also liked this design. I have been getting ready for Independence Day by putting out my Patriotic Pretties! I wish I could say that I made him, but I won him at Bunco!My feather tree is decked out in red, white and blue. They are glass and many have been broken through the years. I need to watch for Hobby Lobby to have the Patriotic stuff on sale!

I like this candle that was a gift.

I just finished this banner. I have more "pretties", but I haven't taken pictures of everything yet. I've been busy making salsa, mustang grape jelly, and re-arranging. We took my teenager's futon out of his room and moved the twin bed from my craft room into his room. Now I have tubs that WERE under the bed but no where to put them!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

The Beach or Bust!

2011-06-23T20:08:00.007-05:00

My 16-year-old decided he wanted to go to Port A. Of course, HE wanted to drive himself and his girlfriend in the jeep. NOT. Even with a GPS I wouldn't trust him not to get lost. Actually, I JUST wouldn't trust him! That frontal lobe is still lagging in development. SO, I took the two of them earlier this week.He had been there before, but he was too young to remember! I am more of a freshwater kinda girl! Give me the lake any day! (He is chasing a laughing gull-above)We were just down from the ship canal. I think it is neat the way the ship looks "beached"!

I told him not to toss a bread crust to the one gull that was hovering nearby, but he didn't listen. Within seconds they were surrounded by gulls!

AWWWW, young love!

They had to give sandcastle building a half-hearted try!

This was my "home" for the day! Not much shade there. Luckily, the seabreeze kept us cool.

My self-portrait. This is ALL I'll show in a bathing suit! haha

Heading home on the ferry, we saw a dolphin.

Good-bye sand, waves, gulls, ferries and Port Aransas.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Summer so far.

2011-06-18T22:13:00.004-05:00

Now that summer is here and my mornings are not so rushed, I am eating cooked oatmeal instead of cold cereal for breakfast. I cook mine in milk, adding a dash of salt, sugar and cinnamon. Does anyone have any yummy suggestions?

The little kitty is growing. He has really stolen our hearts! I had a little basket for him to sleep in, but he has decided that climbing into bed with us is more to his liking!

If he is hungry, he lets me know. He follows me around, trying to climb up my leg and mewing loudly!

In between kitty feedings, I have been staying busy, I made a batch of Salsa with tomatoes from my Dad and Stepmom's garden.

I bought cranberries to try making cranberry preserves. I also made tomato preserves for my Dad for Father's Day. They are his favorite. (Cranberry on the left and Tomato on the right.) I take the lid rings off to store my preserves. The moisture that is trapped from the hot water bath will cause rusting if left on.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Too Cute for Words!

2011-06-15T15:53:00.005-05:00

Told ya! Even Honey thinks he's cute.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

The Many Moods of a Cat!

2011-06-12T16:48:00.005-05:00

Samson doesn't look happy about being the subject of my photography session or is that disdain!

Now he's ignoring me.

In fact, he finds me extremely boring.I think there are birds in the tree behind me! THEY get his attention.I call this the Sphinx pose.

I thought Samson deserved some blog time since the little kitty a.k.a. Bernard, has been getting so much attention.
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Kittys and a coyote

2011-06-10T09:58:00.005-05:00

Little kitty wants SO badly to make friends with big kitty!

Big kitty does not share this sentiment!

Little kitty is persistent. That tail is SO tempting.

Oh, well. This ribbon will have to do.

This morning, as I was sitting on the patio giving kitty his milk, a coyote trotted by just outside the fence. I have never seen one that close to my house before.(photo from the internet. I didn't have a camera ready!)

Kitty update:

He weighed 11 oz. when he was found. He now weighs 17 oz. He has started eating the meat baby food. We tried canned kitten food, but he wouldn't touch it! When he is hungry, he follows me around mewing VERY loudly. He also tries to climb up my leg. He even uses the litter box!

Brian still calls him Bernard. I've thought of Gerber since he only wants baby food! I often just call him "Little Runt", or "Tubby".

I'm still having trouble with Blogger since my browser updated. I can't highlight text unless I use compatibility mode, but then the color button and font size button won't work.

Orphaned kitty update!

2011-06-06T11:25:00.008-05:00

They kitty that Brian found in the ditch is making himself the center of my world ! He went to school with me last week so that I could feed him on breaks! My 4-year-olds loved him!

He has also stolen my hubby's heart. We are on our second can on Kitten Milk Replacement.

He has been lapping up the meat baby food! Of course, he also stands in it. Next, we will try kitten canned food.Yippee, he is also going potty on his own. Some of the time, it is even IN the litterbox.After doing some internet research, I am pretty sure he is a HE. Brian calls him Bernard. I am still not sold on that name. I thought of Newman because of his blue eyes. I doubt they will stay that blue though. Any suggestions for a name?

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Kitty rescue

2011-05-29T21:42:00.006-05:00

My youngest son and his girlfriend found a kitten in a ditch along the road on Saturday evening and brought it home. We went back and knocked on doors hoping to find the owners and momma cat! We had no luck, so we went to PetSmart and bought some Kitten Milk Replacement and a little bottle and nipples. The kitty hasn't started nursing the bottle, so we have resorted to a syringe with a nipple. It works pretty well. We've been playing Mommy kitty and stimulating its bowel movements and urinating with a dampened cottonball. I am guessing it is 3-4 weeks old. We can't tell if it is a male or female yet. Hopefully, we can keep it healthy! It is a sweet little thing.
Y'all come back,
Lorilee

Hooked on Pysanky!

2011-05-22T09:59:00.001-05:00

My Delrin Kistkas, Pysanky books and dyes have arrived. I think I am hooked on Pysanky. I've made five eggs since.I thought I'd share close-ups of a few of them.

I think this is my favorite.

Yes, I'm definitely hooked on Pysanky!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Baby bats

2011-05-06T21:42:00.005-05:00

Baby bat birthing season has begun. I've been finding baby bats below the bat house for a couple of days now. I put as many as I can back into the house. Sometimes I am too late, and they have already died. My oldest son, Dustin is holding these 2 babies. They are clinging to one another. I really need a taller ladder. I can just barely reach the bottom of the house if I stand on the step next to the top on my tiptoes!

This is the view looking up into the bat house. It is normally much darker, but I used the flash to light up the inside. We have a second larger house waiting to be put up. Hand digging a post hole won't be easy in our "exceptional drought" clay.

I can sum up my evenings after school with watering, weeding, picking beans and rescuing baby bats.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

A mess of beans

2011-05-01T21:43:00.003-05:00

My Granny always called a meal's worth a "mess". I picked my first mess of beans of the season on Saturday. I also found a nest of fire ants AFTER they found my foot! Ouch. I've been spending almost every spare moment of daylight out in the garden weeding and watering. I recently saw a map showing that this part of Texas in in an Exceptional drought. I didn't know there was a level more than Extreme! I will take drought over the tornadoes other parts of the country have been experiencing.
Y'all come back!
Lorilee

Incredible Edible Eggs!

2011-04-20T18:07:00.005-05:00

I decided to try cookie decorating again. I haven't done any since the 5 hour decorating craze at Christmas! I made a double batch from this recipe to get the 14 very large cookies and 12 small cookies.

I ran short of the yellow for filling, so one cookie got an orange bottom. I HATE to have wasted icing, and I usually cut it VERY close! Of course this adds stress to the decorating! I do think I should go with a smaller outline tube when I am outlining in a different color.

I almost let some of them dry too long before adding the dots and stripes! They didn't smooth out quite enough. Luckily the photo doesn't really let this mistake show! This time I started decorating at 9 p.m. and finished around midnight. I got my late start because house-cleaning and laundry had to come first! I made them for my nieces, nephews, Mom and Dad. We had our extended-family Easter Gathering on Palm Sunday.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Blooms

2011-04-14T20:44:00.003-05:00

I am so happy to say good-bye to winter and hello to spring! I like to spend my evenings after school outdoors! My Sombreuil rose is looking lovely.

Old Blush is also putting on quite a show!

If all these blooms equal satsuma mandarins, I will be well-supplied!

Sweet Oxalis and Vinca Minor.

Marigolds making their own sunshine!

I love Gerberas!

I had hoped to order several varieties of daylilies to add to my garden, but I don't want to spend the money with the price of gas cutting into the monthly budget. I am now carpooling with a couple of co-workers to help that issue. It is a 26 mile round trip from my house to my campus.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Pysanky Party

2011-04-04T19:27:00.007-05:00

Last Saturday, there was a Pysanky Party at my house. It started when a new Bunco friend, Gina, noticed I had blown chicken eggs on display. She asked if I had ever seen Pysanky. I had not only seen it, but I had a kit that I had ordered years ago but not yet tried. Thus, a Pysanky Party was born. Gina, Marie, Pat and myself worked all day. Teresa was able to join us for a few hours.

Most importantly, you need organic chicken eggs.Store-bought eggshells are chemically cleaned and often don't take the dye well. Some people decorate them with the egg still in them, but we chose to use blown out eggs. Hands must be well-washed so that no oils are on them. Hands and eggshells are wiped down with vinegar. We smelled like pickles!

Rubberbands, also cleaned with vinegar, can be used to help divide the egg into quadrants which are marked with a pencil. It is important NOT to erase. Vinegar can be used to remove pencil marks. We used pattern books that belong to Gina. There are also patterns on the internet.

The holes that were made to blow out the egg need to be plugged with wax to prevent dye from getting inside the egg while it is soaking in the dye. The lines and spaces that are to remain white are covered with wax using a kistka. Gina is helping Pat make sure hers is well-sealed.

The egg is then dipped in the first color, usually yellow, or the lightest of the colors in the color scheme.

The dyes are not the food dyes used in Easter egg kits. They are much more vibrant permanent dyes. A vase is being used to keep the egg submerged.

The egg is removed from the dye and blotted with a paper towel. It is left to sit on a drying rack for a short time while the dye dries.

This time can be used to start a second egg.

The kistky come in fine, medium and large tip. Beeswax is used because it adheres best to the egg surface. The kistka is heated near a candle flame to melt the beeswax.

Gina also has an electric kistka.

This egg is ready to have the wax removed by holding it near the candle to soften the wax which is then wiped off with a paper towel.

This egg still need to have more wax applied before its dipping in the next color. The beeswax comes in natural and black which is why you see both colors. The natural beeswax often becomes darker with use because of the soot from the candle.

We started working on our first egg around nine in the morning.

We didn't finish until eleven that evening!

Marie is working on a goose egg which is larger than a chicken egg.

Removing the wax after the final dye color is so exciting. This is Gina removing wax from her first egg. I think she is removing the wax from her second egg here.

I am removing the wax from my second egg. Such a thrill after hours of work!

I am definitely hooked on Pysanky!

Pat decided to use just one color for her goose egg.

Some finished eggs!

Marie brought an ostrich egg, but she didn't decorate it. I thought it was interesting to compare the ostrich egg,and goose egg with the rest of the chicken eggs.

Marie is taking the wax off one of her chicken eggs.

All of the designs or symbols and colors have certain meanings. You can find them on the internet. A great website is the Ukranian Gift Shop We had a wonderful time. Gina, thank you so much for bringing your supplies, and teaching us the art of Pysanky!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Jackpot!

2011-03-27T22:51:00.002-05:00

Well not exactly the jackpot, but a good haul! I went to the local Quilt Guild quilt show on Saturday. I arrived much later than I had hoped because Mom duty called. The quilts were beautiful. I'm sorry I didn't take any photos. My friend, Martha works for a local sewing shop, and was working in their vendor booth. They had several quilting and embroidery machines to try. I was able to embroidery my initial onto scrapbook paper for the cute keychain. Now I want one of those machines, but it will have to wait awhile. I found the bracelet and Volume 3 of Apronology at another booth. I have been looking for Apronology for over a year! I was thrilled! I love the apron made from neckties! Y'all Come Back, Lorilee

Rejoice and a redbird

2011-03-20T21:16:00.002-05:00

This is my latest banner in honor of Easter. I made 5 to add to the prize bags for my Bunco group.

Several cardinals have been coming to the fountain just outside our living room window. I was only able to catch this one with my camera.

Sadly, Spring Break is now over, and the long countdown to summer begins! I stayed quite busy eventhough we didn't go anywhere. I worked in the yard and started my spring garden. We had Bunco at my house since March was my month. This afternoon, my 25-year-old came over. We washed his car and my trailblazer. Then I told him there was ice cream in the freezer left from bunco. He said, "I might have to start coming over for bunco." I told him he would have to play. He said, "OK, what is bunco?"

Y'all come back?

Lorilee

Clogging weekend!

2011-03-15T20:51:00.002-05:00

It was a clogging weekend! I attended the Texas Clogging Council's Clogging Rally in Waco with my clogging group, Stars and Stripes Cloggers. We had a wonderful time. We took two vehicles and 5 junior cloggers with us. One of the vendors was selling foot and body massagers. We thoroughly enjoyed the demonstration! See the huge smiles on our faces!

The Rally began with dances being taught on Friday afternoon. Friday evening was the Fun Dance. They played songs from the "Texas Dance List" for clogging, and called the steps to the dances. I tried hard to keep up!

There were dances taught all day on Saturday. Martha and I were really concentrating to remember the steps. We also went to a class on the "Drag, Slide" technique. The instructor was great, but I am not sure I am ready to work it into my steps yet!

A friendly fellow rally goer took a photo of our whole group. On Saturday night there was an Exhibition Program. The groups that performed were wonderful. Thank you, Martha for letting me use your photos! I was too lazy to get my camera out most of the time!

We left on Sunday morning after having breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I found some chicken goodies to bring home with me at the gift shop!

Every chicken owner MUST have a chicken coffee mug!

AND a rooster tassle!

FUN FUN FUN, but on Monday, I was TIRED TIRED TIRED! I'm so glad it is Spring Break.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Sunshine

2011-03-07T21:29:00.005-06:00

I'm making progress on the Japanese Flower Garden shawl, but it is slow! I don't get to crochet every day, so I think I am doing pretty well!
Update: The pattern can be found here

I fed my yarn addiction with some yummy yarn. I plan to use this for some dishcloths.

It is definitely starting to look like spring in South Texas. I saw this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on my Carolina Jasmine.

I'm thrilled with the sunshine. I'm torn between gardening and crafts. Gardening wins when the weather is this nice!

Soon my Cannas will fill this corner. I can't wait. I'm tired of the blahness of winter!

The chickens just want out to taste all the tender green shoots!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Flowers and Stuff

2011-02-26T07:56:00.005-06:00

My sweety gave me this beautiful arrangement for Valentine's Day! Aren't they lovely?

Since the coon got into the run and killed Madeline, I've started closing the coop up at night as an extra precaution. I'm also getting Spring Fever. It has been pleasant and warm, so I've been out in the yard cutting back plants that froze and pulling weeds.

The Estate Sale where I found these goodies is having the last day of the sale and all items are 5o% off. Can I stay away? I don't think so!

Otherwise, I have BIG plans for the weekend-vacuuming, mopping, laundry,more yardwork, and trying Jayme's Artisan Bread recipe! Monday will be here in the blink of an eye!

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Madeline

2011-02-20T14:39:00.002-06:00

Poor Madeline was the victim of a raccoon that found a weak spot in our chicken enclosure. She was probably roosting closest to the door of the coop because she was the lowest in the pecking order. Buffy has some missing feathers and a scratch on her back. We will be making a trip to Lowe's and repairing the enclosure. Poor girl. It makes me sad.
Y'all Come Back,
Lorilee

Sunshine!

2011-02-16T11:36:00.000-06:00

Ahhh! Sunshine. It has been a long time since I have hung clothes out on the line.

We had a lovely weekend of sunshine and breezes.

Here in South Texas that also means frequent grass fires.

There was one in the area behind my house. Luckily the wind was in favor of our neighborhood. I don't think any structures or homes were lost. A brush truck did get stuck behind our house for a little while.

Samson didn't even notice.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Hooked!

2011-02-14T20:38:00.000-06:00

I haven't done any crocheting in quite awhile. I mostly did edgings with cotton thread. After visiting Lucy's blog at Attic 24, I was inspired to try a project that she posted a tutorial for. I am thrilled with my results.

You can see her bag here.
I am hoping to try this for my next project. I found this yarn on sale at Hobby Lobby.

I followed Lucy's links to a diagram for making the "rounds". As with any project, it will take me awhile. I don't have much "spare" time for crafts! If you like crochet, you will love her colorful blog! I know I do.

Y'all Come Back!

Lorilee

Sweet people!

2011-02-13T11:36:00.000-06:00

I am blessed to know so many sweet and thoughtful people! A sweet lady that I just met recently gave this stepping stone/plaque to me because she knows how special cardinals are to me. I think it is beautiful. It is hanging on my front porch to welcome all who come to my home.
Y'all Come Back,
Lorilee

Ice, crafting, and shopping!

2011-02-06T22:02:00.004-06:00

The cold winter weather made it all the way to South Texas. We didn't get any snow, but we had ice. It had us shut down most of Friday! I looked at it as a reason to stay indoors and work on a new project.

Samson took advantage of the soft bed in my craft room, and kept me company.

I am making banners for Easter. I hope to include them as part of the prizes for Bunco when I host in March. I am hand-cutting all of the letters since I don't own a "Cricut" or one of the other nifty computerized cutting appliances!
On Saturday, I received an email on my phone from my baby brother. He and my SIL were at an awesome Estate sale. He sent me two photos showing all the glassware that was for sale. Of course, I had to drop what I was doing and rush over! I didn't buy any of the dishes. I liked some, but I didn't like the prices! I may go back when they have marked everything down, and see what is left.

I thought this overnight case was worth $4. I can think of plenty of uses--craft storage, craft tote, camera case, or even toiletry case!

The inside is even in good shape. It also has the plastic tray and two soap containers still in it.

I also found a flower frog ($4), nail clippers ($1 each) and a 100 foot Lufkin aluminum tape measure for ($12). I didn't find any dishes, but I left a happy shopper!

Our DVR has been freezing up. We have a new one on its way, but we weren't able to watch the Super Bowl. Instead, we watched "Julie and Julia" on Net Flix.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Aprons and hearts

2011-01-30T14:48:00.000-06:00

I have fallen in love with "garlands"! I decided to use my mini-aprons that I make as ornament/favors for the Christmas Cookie Exchange that my SIL and I host as a garland over my kitchen window. All I needed was some twine and mini wooden clothespins! TADAA!
I also made a Valentine Garland using vintage Valentine graphics from The Graphics Fairy.

It was easy! Print, cut, glitter, punch and thread ribbon through the holes!

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Daylight shortage!

2011-01-26T19:26:00.007-06:00

I recently made my first Etsy purchase! I got this sweet apron that converts into a bonnet from Paula's Fraker Farms Etsy shop. Here is her post about it.
Receiving it in the mail was a highlight of my week! Otherwise, life is busy, but daylight is short! Our central air/heat had major issues. Now we have a new unit. The teenager is down with an upper respiratory infection and on antibiotics. Not good material for blogging about with accompanying photos anyway! So I searched the archives for some "sunnier times".
Definitely sunnier here. I see the sunburns. (This was building the playset in the backyard)

Oh, sweet summertime. There's nothing like mud between your toes and pond grass wrapped around your body while taking a dip in the catfish pond!

More sunburns! My youngest and his cousins loved to pull a wagon full of big buckets up and down the street and collect toads.

Yes, they are wearing rollerblades that are much too large for them.

Cupcake time.

One of the trips to Goose Island State Park! The boys love crabbing.

Mmm watermelon that Paw Paw and Grandma grew!

The watermelon after the raccoons reached into the ice chest.

A last photo before saying good-bye to that camping trip.

I'm kinda wishing for summer right now!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

2011-01-23T20:07:00.003-06:00

We've been having lots of rainy weather in my neck of the woods. This makes for a very muddy chicken run! I've been letting them out into the yard whenever possible.

Matilda is enjoying a little jog around the yard!

Madeline just spotted something--is it edible?

Gottlieb and Buffy seem to be after the same tidbit!

Y'all Come Back!

Lorilee

2011-01-16T18:52:00.004-06:00

After my first taste of Pizzelles at our Cookie Exchange Party, I am hooked on them! Lucky for me, my guys are not fond of them. That means I actually get some! The ingredients are easy-eggs, oil, sugar, flour, vanilla and anise. Some recipes call for melted butter instead of oil and baking powder. I think the baking powder gives them a drier crunch, and I prefer the chewier crunch.

Most of all you need a Pizzelle Press.

I purchased mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

The batter is all ready to go!

Mmmm. I adore anise! I also love black jelly beans.

I hope to share some with my SIL who also loves them. That is, if I can keep myself from eating them all!
This is the recipe that I like. I halved it.

6 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

1 dozen eggs

1 tsp vanilla

anise to taste (about 1 tsp.)

Lightly beat the eggs with a whisk. Add oil and extracts and mix well. Add sifted flour and sugar, a little at a time. I start mixing with a whisk, but I switch to a wooden spoon as soon as it starts thickening. Preheat Pizzelle press. My press uses heaping teaspoon size dollops of batter. I use the 2 1/2 setting and bake them for about 1 1/2 minutes.

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Farewell 2010, Hello 2011!

2011-01-15T12:03:00.003-06:00

So long, farewell,good-bye 2010!

We hope everyone has a wonderful 2011!
Y'all come back!

Lorilee

Pussycat, where have you been?

2011-01-09T13:34:00.005-06:00

This Saturday was the day to take down my Christmas tree and decorations. My doggies just slept on the sofa and loveseat while I was busy. My kitty, on the other hand, was in the middle of it all! He had to try out the little Christmas tree box.
He seems quite comfortable.

Next he had to try out the tub that holds my faux greenery!

Still trying out those tubs!

After I packed the Nativity, he had to try out the shelf for size!

When I carried the tubs out to the garage, he decided to have a seat on the jeep. We didn't tell Dad about that one!

I think he hated to see the tubs go!

I've suggested we call him Samson, instead of the original Beasty. He only comes to "Here Kitty, Kitty" and that is if he feels like it.

Y'all Come Back!

Lorilee

New Banner, New recipes, New year!

2010-12-31T21:39:00.007-06:00

I hope everyone has a blessed 2011.

I am new to papercrafting, and I can't resist trying new projects when I see so many cute ideas on others' blogs. I used a set of "tracing letters and numbers" that I used in high school. I was in the drill team, and we had "locker boys"-football players whose lockers we decorated. I used lots of glitter back then, but none was as nice as Martha's! I don't have a mantle so I use our Stickley mirror!

I spent New Year's Eve afternoon in the kitchen!

I was inspired to try making french macarones after reading about them on Parisienne Farmgirl's blog. I used Martha Stewart's recipe and tips I found at Giver's log. I planned to make them raspberry flavored with seedless raspberry preserves for filling, but I didn't have raspberry extract. I used strawberry instead. I am pleased for a first try, although I would like to keep my batter a bit thicker so they don't spread as easily as they are piped.

I also made my 2nd batch of Pizzelles. One of the Christmas Cookie Exchange guests brought them to the party. My SIL and I loved them. I decided I wanted a Pizzelle press for Christmas. She made them with lots of anise, which my SIL and I love. The rest of my family doesn't care for that flavor much. Awwww, more for my SIL and me!

I am still thrilled when I gather eggs, so I couldn't resist one last photo for 2010!

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Chicken in the kitchen!

2010-12-30T10:00:00.001-06:00

I wanted to share a sweet gift from my dear friend, Martha. She knows me and my chickens well! She also has an awesome embroidery machine! She is a wonderful seamstress and soooo creative! Thank you so much, Martha.
Y'all come back.
Lorilee

Cookie decorating vs. sleeping

2010-12-28T11:00:00.003-06:00

I ended up with 30 snowflake shaped sugar cookies after the baking fiasco I shared in the previous post. I decided on December 23rd that it was now or never to decorate them. I first had to finish a 20 page scrapbook that I started on December 22 in the evening. Did I mention it was also my first real attempt at doing scrapbook layouts? I digress. Back to the cookies. I was done with the scrapbook around 10:30 p.m.. I took a bath while debating whether or not to start the cookie decorating so late. Since I had already stayed up until 2 a.m. on the scrapbook the night before, I figured I should go for it. Weeellllll, 30 cookies took me until 4 a.m.!

My family was impressed, but they are a far cry from the many cookie decorators whose blogs I visit frequently.

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

7th Christmas Cookie Exchange!

2010-12-25T16:08:00.004-06:00

My SIL and I hosted our 7th annual Christmas cookie exchange party this year. We happened to have matching skirts and joked that we wore different blouses so that others could tell us apart!

The cookies filled my dining table!

My crystal rooster presided over the cookie table surrounded by Christmas light bulbs that belonged to my husband's grandmother.

Another table held the cookie recipe booklets, apron ornaments and more cookies.

I was told that the ornament aprons also fit Barbie dolls!

These are the cookies I made this year. I originally wanted to try decorated sugar cookies. After quadrupling the eggs while doubling the recipe for the first batch and then setting the oven to 250 degrees instead of 350 degrees and having part of a batch slide off the cookie sheet while I was removing them from my bottom oven, I decided to switch to a less time consuming recipe.

We served appetizers, punch and coffee.

Everyone was given a bell necklace to wear. If caught saying the word "cookie", the necklace had to be given to the person who caught you.

We gave prizes for getting the most bell necklaces, the best cookie presentation, and the most spirited outfit. (We voted to decide the winners.)

Every year my husband asks me if it is worth all the work in preparation. I say "definitely"!

Blessings,

Lorilee

Bristley Hen!

2010-12-18T11:54:00.002-06:00

I have been meaning to share this sweet chicken bootscraper that I received as a Birthday gift in October. I think she is absolutely adorable! What shall I name her?

3 eggs and new toes!

2010-12-12T20:15:00.002-06:00

I found these 3 beautiful eggs on Saturday.

I also prettied my toes. We still have flip-flop and sandal weather in South Texas in the winter!

I've also been decorating and sewing in between house cleaning and laundry.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

2010-12-10T18:27:00.002-06:00

The girls are not laying very frequently now that the days are so short. I still get one or two eggs most days. Today I was THRILLED to find my first bluish green egg!

Of course, I had to photograph and share such a momentous happening! I am not sure which of my Americaunas laid the egg. Their pea combs haven't gotten big and red like the other girls' rose combs.

Is in from Matilda?

Or did Madeline lay the egg!

Photos are from a month or two ago. Madeline is pretty hard to photograph since she rarely stays in one place very long. She is afraid of the other hens since they give her a quick peck to keep her in her place. Matilda stays away from them too, but she is not quite so hysterical about it!

Y'all Come back,

Lorilee

Celtic Christmas at the Rennfest.

2010-12-07T22:15:00.000-06:00

We attended the Rennfest a weekend later than usual. (November 27th) The theme was Celtic Christmas. Santa dropped by!

David is sporting chain mail made by a friend and a tabbard (white with red cross) I made for him.

Later in the day, David went without the tabbard. I wore the green skirt over instead of under the chemise this year.

The hat is not really part of my "outfit", but I wanted to wear it since I had just purchased it!

It was a beautiful, cool day. The guys really appreciate that in their outfits.

The attendance that day was 36,000.
Y'all come back!

Lorilee

This and That

2010-11-28T20:17:00.006-06:00

O. K. Either there is nothing happening worth blogging about or so much is happening that I don't have time to blog about it! Lately, there has been so much happening that I haven't had time to blog. Since we were hosting Thanksgiving, we had to spend some time getting the house and yard whipped into shape. In all the cleaning frenzy, I stopped to admire this anole relaxing on the gazing ball. I also noticed that my Christmas Cactus was blooming. Maybe it is a Thanksgiving Cactus.

My hubby purchased a 3rd vehicle since we will have soon have another driver in the family. Doesn't the future driver look happy? He loves jeeps as much as his Dad.

He can hardly wait to turn 16 in March!

Oh, and another look at my blooming Christmas Cactus. It is sitting on top of my pot rack. It won't bloom if I keep it up there all year. I put it on the patio in the summer and in the barn if the weather gets too cold.

These two teens have their learning permits and are dreaming of getting their real driver's license. All they can do right now, is sit in it in the driveway!

We had 24 for Thanksgiving. I caught some giving the jeep a close inspection.

They also spent some time shooting bows in the backyard.

I gave cookie decorating a try for the second time.

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful. We had an abundance of food, along with friends and family to share the food and time with. Our day ended with the thrilling outcome of the Texas A & M vs. u.t. game. The evening was filled with plenty of cheering and whooping!

Friday was spent preparing to leave for the Texas Renaissance Festival! That will be another post!

Y'all come back!

Lorilee

Busy being country!

2010-11-14T09:36:00.003-06:00

I haven't been home much on the weekends, and when I am home, I am busy catching up. Brian and I went out to the Rocking HI Ranch for the opening of deer season. We didn't get any bucks, but both of my brothers and two nephews all did. There has been much digging and leveling to build a "pad" for a well. In doing so, lots of sandstone boulders were exposed. Pop now has them spread out around the place. I brought some that we were able to lift home.

The largest is at the edge of the stock tank. We refer to it as the fishing rock.

On Veteran's Day, we went to my Grandmother's house and trimmed trees with my Dad and Stepmom. Pop taught Brian how to use the Pole Saw.

Brian was hard to stop once he got started!

My stepmom, Barb, and I got to drag the limbs to the tractor to be hauled to a burn pile. We also raked the whole backyard.

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

2010-11-02T19:47:00.002-05:00

You may remember my excitement about finding this old chandelier at an antique mall. It was originally pink, but I spray painted it black. I whittled the base of the candles to make them fit! I love the way the wax looked dripping down the sides of the candles.

BUT the candles started looking really grungy. I was in Hobby Lobby a week or so ago and found candles and related items on sale 1/2 price. (squeal)

I came home with sconce cups and battery powered votives, among a few other items! I used the black tape to camoflage the base of the sconce cup.

Ta Da, the new chandelier.

BEST OF ALL, the candles stay lit, even on windy evenings!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Blossom vs. the possum

2010-10-28T21:00:00.003-05:00

A possum proved that our chicken run was not completely varmint-proof the other night. I went out on Monday afternoon to find a possum "playing dead". We found a board that was broken off at the bottom of the wooden fence. Apparently, the possum slipped through that hole and squeezed under the chicken wire where I had been meaning to buy more stakes to keep it down. Once inside, he couldn't get back out.

Poor Blossom must have gotten into a tussle with it! She was missing lots of feathers that day and has lost more since then. Luckily, fall is mild in South Texas!

She doesn't act as though anything is amiss!

I'm pretty sure it is more drafty than usual for her!

Y'all Come Back!

Lorilee

Broody Hen

2010-10-23T17:43:00.000-05:00

This is my broody hen, Buffy! I haven't left her any eggs, just the golf ball that stays in the laying box to remind the girls where they are supposed to lay.

This is how she looks if I touch her! She also makes a gurgling cackling noise to let me know she is displeased!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Dressed for Halloween!

2010-10-20T21:29:00.000-05:00

I always feel better when my house is appropriately dressed for the season! I am thinking I need to bring the bird cage in from the patio for the Raven!

The battery candle was already on the table, but I really like it in the black dish with the black stones.

Black and white garland and a black beaded spider grace the entryway.

A little ceramic ghost on the curio in the entryway.

Graphics printed out from The Graphics Fairy, also in the entryway!

My witch's broom!

A ghost from Wal-Mart, I believe.

Fall leaves and wheat in the kitchen. I also have fall leaves on the transom over the front door, but they are hard to photograph against the light. I bought purple LED lights to put on my front porch with the grapevine swag. I also put orange lights in a grapevine sphere and hung it on the porch.

Y'all Come Back,

Lorilee

Lost cat!

2010-10-17T20:36:00.006-05:00

This cat might look as though he is seriously contemplating something.

Those eyes do have the look of intense intelligence.

He does appear to have the haughty demeanor of many a cat!

BUT truth be told, he still chases his tail. A few weeks ago he "went missing" as the media puts it! He wasn't hanging around in the bathroom during my bath, snagging my washcloth with his claws and swatting at my razor as I attempted to shave my legs! All was not right in our world. We called out the front door, called out the back door, and looked in the garage. Finally we gave up for the night and went to bed without his furriness alongside us. The next morning, while getting ready for work, I again called out the back door, called out the front door, and looked in the garage. I also looked in the garden shed. Still no cat. Feeling quite worried, I went to get a sweater from the hall closet before leaving for work. I opened the door and the cat blinked at me, got up, stretched and walked out of the closet! I guess he never heard me calling out the front door just a few feet from the closet! On my way to work, I called my husband to tell him where I finally found the cat. THEN he remembered going to the closet for some batteries and the cat nosing around inside.

I guess this shouldn't surprise us from a cat that tears through the house jumping over the dogs and skidding into walls.

My husband named him Beasty, but I usually just call him Cat. Most often screeched across a room, "CAT".

Y'all come back,

Lorilee

Party!

2010-10-16T22:00:00.002-05:00

I can't resist sharing Bug clowning around....

or looking just plain adorable!

My 90 year-old grandmother and my Dad.

Grandma with 5 out of 6 of her grandchildren...

and 10 of her 14 great-grandchildren. We had a great time!

Y'all come back,

Lorilee