About Me

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Wife, Mother, Mimi, lover of all things creative... sewing, embroidery, painting, collage... God and family are the most important things in my life.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Upcoming CSN Review





I’m excited about doing another review for CSN stores, they have ton’s of wonderful stuff. I can look for hours at all kinds of different things I would love to have, anything from an awesome pair of shoes or stylish handbag, to a classic dining room table, or Le Creuset cookware. Right now these are a few of the things I’m considering:



Laredo Women's Broken Spoke 13" Cowboy Boots in Burnished Red




I've always wanted a pair of red western boots.







Trademark Global Red Firefighter Wiggle Ride-on Car


Looks fun doesn't it?



















Household Essentials Sewing Center




Or what about one of these? You can iron on it and everything!







Or I still want these, and I know if I get them I'll find my missing pair of sewing scissors.



Mundial Classic Forged 8" Dressmaker Shears




With so much nice stuff to pick from I'm not sure what I'll choose. Stay tuned and I'll tell you all about it.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Last Camp of the Season






I suppose last weekend's camping trip was probably the last one of the season. The water is too cold for swimming, and it gets mighty cool in the evenings in a nylon tent. However, we had a wonderful time. My parents, one of my brothers and my sister-in-law went with us.




This is very close to where my parents grew up, and they took us on a little jaunt to some of their old stomping grounds.






































The scenery was beautiful, as was the weather.






Even the drive was beautiful, howbeit, very bumpy! Some of the way we rode across what looked to me to be ditches running across the road, and other times big boulders were part of the roadway which was pretty narrow, making it hard to dodge the various problem spots . I didn't take any pictures of those though because I was too busy taking in the more lovely aspects.







From time to time we got out and hiked a little.

We did a lot of looking...well, there was a lot to see.

























Doesn't my brother remind you of Huckleberry Finn with his britches legs rolled up?


Some of the leaves were beginning to turn, like little patches of fire here and there.














Of course there were the regular camping activities, like campfires, tents, cooking, finding and chopping firewood, and setting up camp.





















Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Summer's Last Hurrah






I know that technically summer is gone, but there are a few traces left.








I saw them while camping in the woods last weekend.





























Little glimpses of beauty here and there,















bright little flowers nodding their heads bidding summer adieu.




















































Sunday, October 10, 2010

Four Generations and Gratitude Continued


Here we are 4 generations and our entries to the fair.

It was fun doing this as a family. It was exciting when our entries won ribbons and we were able to share the joy of making things at home with another generation. This legacy goes back beyond those of us pictured here. My grandmothers on both sides liked to make all sorts of things, from soap and canning, to quilts, and crafts. One of my grandfathers was a carpenter, and the other learned to tat as a little boy. My dad, brothers, husband, and son also create stuff, so do my daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and other grandchildren.

I'm sorry some of our entries were cut out of the picture, but I thought I'd share it anyway.


I am continuing my list of things I'm thankful for. This is an ongoing list, and I will post additions randomly.


11. merry-go-rounds


12. sweet sticky smiles


13. my heritage


14. challenges that I don’t always appreciate at the time, but help to mold me


15. unexpected gifts


16. funny smiles


17. little ones who always want to come home with me


18. the friendship of my grown children and their spouses


18. autumn


19. cornbread


20. camping trips


21. the wisdom of my parents





Monday, October 4, 2010

Cheesy Fresh Tomato Lasagna




This is a really simple lasagna made all in one pan and as delicious as it is simple.

Cheesy Fresh Tomato Lasagna

7 large tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
2-3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
5 oz romano cheese
16 oz mozzarella cheese
8 oz lasagna noodles

Set one tomato aside for later.

Peel and quarter remaining tomatoes then pulse them in a food processor until they are a sauce like consistency.

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until tender.

Add tomatoes to onion and garlic, salt and pepper to taste and cook until sauce thickens, about 12-20 minutes.

Pour sauce into a bowl. Leave a small amount of sauce in the pan.

Mix ricotta cheese with egg.

Layer ingredients in this order noodles (I used regular noodles and did not boil them and they were fine,) ricotta, romano, mozzarella, tomato sauce. Repeat layers twice more, reserving 1 cup of mozzarella.

Slice remaining tomato on top.

Bake at 375 until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.

Top with remaining mozzarella and broil until cheese melts. This takes just a few minutes so watch it carefully.

I didn't think about it at the time but fresh basil would be a great addition to this dish.




Saturday, October 2, 2010

Adventures with Belle




















I've had so much going on this week I can't remember what I've posted and what I haven't. Please don't say I'm getting old, 'cause I surely don't need another reminder of that!
I had Belle come stay the night this week and we had the best time. We started out by going to watch my son-in-law play ball, but the real interest for the kids was climbing the bleachers. I'm thinking they should make this an olympic event for pre-schoolers. It seems with lightning speed they escape your reach and head for the highest possible place.

Believe it or not I can actually remember walking across the top of a neighbor's swing set just to hear her squeal for me to get down before I broke my neck when I was a kid. I can't imagine why that gave me such pleasure, or why that is one of the memories that sticks out from childhood, but it did, and it is, and now I'm being paid back in spades! I did not disappoint either, for I'm sure my screeching was just as frantic and entertaining as the neighbor's from my early days.

After the ball game we headed back home. When we climbed into the car immediately Belle spotted some alphabet cookie
cutters I bought recently at a yard sale, and asked ever so sweetly, "Mimi, I want to bake sumfin wif you?" Since it was really late I promised we could do that in the morning and we headed to bed. She loves to bake and to wash dishes.

The next morning we had a tea party with some dolls, then, as promised, we headed to the kitchen, and I asked Belle what she wanted to bake. She said, "I want to make my mommy a pie." So we made a pear cobbler. When it came out of the oven I announced my plan to take it to her mom while it was still hot.

Belle was not ready to go home so while I put the pie in the car she found a very good hiding place and parked herself ever so quietly there. I ran through the house frantically like a crazy person, first thinking she was hiding, then not so sure, then in
a real state of panic started to think of really frightening scenarios. I finally called her mom even though I feared she would never let her stay again. I mean who loses a three year old when there are just the two of you? After a great deal of commotion we finally found her smiling quietly sitting under my sewing table with a mischievous little smile.












Now who would ever think that this little innocent face could scare a body so badly?