more winter fun

We have had horrid weather lately. We has some lovely snow on Xmas eve, then it turned to rain and poured for the next 2 days. And has been about 34* since. SO we have a sheet of ice everywhere with water on top.. Our driveway is an ice scating rink. I HATE IT! I wish it would just snow and stay about 25*. That would be perfect...not too cold to get out and not warm enough to melt. So, we have been stuck inside because you can't go anywhere without falling....and that results in......

The kids getting into EVERYTHING!!! They found some tub crayons that Nana sent up a couple years ago and we had hidden for fear they would think they could draw on any wall. So when they had been quiet for a good while, I went to check on them....Thankfully they hadn't turned the water on being clothed... But they have thoroughly enjoyed drawing all over the tub, then cleaning it off.

They don't come off skin as easily! =-)

I have been getting some sewing done... finished this doll quilt for Aubrey.. I didn't put any batting in it since it is all flannel. It is quite cozy... I might keep it and not give it to her for her birthday! =-) I was lazy and ragged the edges.. I have a hard time binding on the machine and I don't have ANY time for hand sewing. It is about the size of a fat quarter.

Also just finished a new purse for me! This has LOTS of pockets and went together really easy and fast. DOn't look too close at the binding for the afore mentioned reasons... But it did turn out! I love it! I've had this fabric for some time and planned to do a wall hanging but when I was thinking of fabric for this purse I could just SEE this in this fabric. It is a batik, I think it is called blanket toss... There are several other colorways.

Front...

Inside... has 3 pockets inside...

Back... has one pocket on back..

The pattern for the purse is BB BAGS by Mickey Beebe

There are 3 sizes...this is the travel size...will hold a passport...It is the middle size. So I might have to try the other sizes, since it went together so easy!

And I had really better head to bed since I can't seem to type tonight and have to keep backspacing...

Winter Fun

We rented the elementry school gym last week. It is a great place for the kids to run off some energy.... they sure sleep well that night!

Carson giving Daddy a ride..

Aubrey and Arik going for a ride..

What do you do when it is raining and snowing.... decorate gingerbread houses...

One cold day when it wasn't windy we did make it outside..

Notice "Baby" in the sled...

Reading books...Aubrey is often found right next to Carson doing just what he does...be it good or bad! Often her first question upon awaking is "Darson?"

This is her "fit-trying not to smile pose"

Thisis the "fit pose"

First snowman of the season... poor guy got rained on and is now just a bump!

Major Catch up!

Well, we've been busy since our trip and I haven't gotten my computer time... till now. So here is a bit of our trip... I didn't get many photos from Bend but we sure enjoyed our time with all the family for an early turkey day.

Halloween at Nana and Poppy's

at the park at Nana and Poppy's

Great Grandpa, Uncle Twinkie and the kids..

Uncle Twinkie helps the kids feed the ducks..

Catchin Aubrey...if you look real close you can see Todd's tongue sticking out....He is really concentrating! =-)

The pumpkin carving crew...

We took the Thundermountain Train up to a pumpkin patch.

Carson Tiger with his Huckle Tiger on the train with Poppy

Carson Tiger drinking milk like all kittes do...

Reading with Uncle Twinkie

Hiking Jump Creek with Uncle Twinkie and Poppy..

OOPS...these are out of order.... back on the train again...

Nana and her favorite kids...

Back to feeding the ducks with Uncle Twinkie

And back to Jump creek...

And back on the train...Sorry these are so out of order...

Great Grandpa waiting for us to pick our pumpkins...

Aubrey is Poppy's girl...

Climbing trees...

Vinegar Pie

Hi! We are alive and well. We had a wonderful trip south and have been back 2 weeks and I still feel like I haven't caught up! Along with all the things I am trying to sew for the holidays! I have a TON of pictures and haven't looked at them since we got home...I know... bad mama! So maybe I'll get to it on my Sunday evening computer time....maybe!
But for now, I just remembered that Dad wanted this recipe. His mom always made it when she came to visit or when we went to their house. I imagine you could call it something else to be more appealing, but the name has shocked folks into trying it. Some swear that there are apples in it. It is fabulous over ice cream. My husband has tried to get me to find a way to make the runny stuff thicker.. I haven't succeeded, but I like it the way my Texas Grannie always made it...so I guess I haven't tried too hard! =-)

So here it is:

Vinegar Pie

Combine in 9x13 metal an on stove ( I use a soup pot)

4 cups water

2 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or more to taste

1/2 cup butter

cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

Boil while making crust

Crust:

Combine

1 1/2- 2 cups flour

2/3 cup shortening

1/2 tsp salt

6 Tbsp water

Roll thin and cut into strips. Lay strips on top of vinegar mixture in a lattice. try to keep them floating! sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 375 till crust is brown.

It is good hot or cold, but I would advise against taking it to a Potluck that you have to travel a ways because it is runny enough to leak!

Now that I think about it, I ought to make it and take a picture...but I REALLY don't need the calories! And Danny's birthday is today, and he wants a lemon cake with raspberry frosting/filling. And if I can't get the kids pictures up, I probably won't get this picture up either!

So take the risk, be daring and try it! It is really good!

UFP????

How many unfinished projects do you have??

Here are 2 that I have started and haven't finished. The one Carson is holding is my first quilt... to start anyway... and the one on my studio backdrop/ design wall is one I started about a month ago.. just something I thought up, trying to use the charms and fat quarters I have.. not sure I like it yet.. any ideas?!?

I have a bazillion more projects I want to do, and several I have fabric and patterns for... and then there are all the other projects, like a jumper for Aubrey, a shirt for Carson...baby blankets, doll quilts...xmas gifts... and more...that is when I get overwhelmed and just sew on whatever I can get my hands on!

bear tracks on the porch a week or so ago...

Sometimes I have a hard time doing dishes....when this is my view, I just want to get out in it!

looking out the window over the sink....

what do you look at as you do your dishes?

family photo

We got a quick family photo done yesterday before meeting. It was hard to get Aubrey to smile since there wasn't ayone behind the camera.. OH well!

We are really looking forward to our special meeting company coming on Wed. Then on Thurs we have a gospel meeting. Friday night is a potluck.. and Sunday is special meeting! Then Monday we leave on the ferry to head south for about 3 weeks. we'll be at my folks for 2 wks then to Danny's folks for a week.

Winter Squash Chowder

I wait all year for the pumpkins to come out so I can make this recipe!!! The hardest part is peeling and chopping the raw squashes....but it is so worth it! And best of all If you are counting calories or points... it is 187 Cal for 1/6th of the recipe... about 5pts. I have omitted the sage and parsley and added cinnamon and nutmeg to taste... I also add canned or rotisserie chicken...which would add points. I also usually end up with more than a cup of each squash.. so also add about a can of water after the chicken broth. It makes plenty and is great left over!!!

Winter Squash Chowder

2 slices bacon
1 cup leek, sliced
1 cup red potatoes cubed
1 cup acorn squash, cubed
1 cup butternut squash, cubed
1 cup pumpkin cubed
2 cans fat free chicken broth
1 cup cream
1 T sage
1T parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 T brown sugar

in a stock pot, cook bacon till crisp then remove from pot. add leeks to bacon drippings and cook till softened. add potatoes, squash, and pumpkin and cook 5 more min. add chicken broth and bring to a boil. reduce heat, simmer 30-40 min or until veggies are tender. add cream and seasonings. add brown sugar if desired. garnish with crumbled bacon.



enjoy!!

Now I want to try 2 Potato and Apricot stew baked in a Pumpkin shell... I kinda go crazy with pumpkin this time of year.. I have a favorite pumpkin spice cake with cinnamon butter cream frosting I have to make yet.. .usually for the special mtg potluck!


Anyone else have some great pumpkin recipes....or any you want to share?!?!