It's Almost Time

For the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Do you have your costume ready???

Must Try Recipe

Yum-O! I hadn't made this recipe for awhile and forgot how absolutely yummy it was! Really, you must give it a whirl.

Chicken Divan

2 lg. chicken breasts, cut and browned in yer pan

2 10-oz. bags frozen veggies, (broccoli,carrots & cauliflower), cooked and drained

2 cans cream of chicken soup

3/4 c. mayo (not Miracle Whip)

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 c. shredded cheddar

1c. seasoned bread crumbs

2 Tsp. butter

Put your cooked veggies in a 9x13. layer the chicken on top. Mix your soup, mayo, and lemon juice. Pour over top. sprinkle cheese on next. in another small bowl melt the butter and mix in bread crumbs. sprinkle on top. bake at 350 degrees for 40 min. Then try not to eat the whole pan. :)

Thoughtless Thursday

The last beautiful rosebuds of the summer.....

Feel Good Monday

I discovered Susan Mroseks' art a few years ago. They make me feel good and smile every time i happen to glance up at them from my desk. The one above reads: Our faces were unrecognizable: cherry red gums, cavernous wrinkles trailing from our eyes, overworked nostrils stuck in a permanent flair. We had finally laughed ourselves to death.
I love this one because most days i can relate.....Hysteria...it's an acquired taste.

How delightfully rich is one's mind, when doused in hope and left overnight to seed. You can find many more of Susan's works here. Enjoy!

Catching Rays

Yesterday afternoon i took a few minutes to sit out front. usually i sit on the back deck, but the front faces the west and it was so nice and warm with the sun shining. "they" said it would be the last really nice day and "they" were right since i woke up this morning to grey drizzle. i enjoyed a cup of hot cider and broke open my new Country Living.
Ever made Cranberry Pie? Me neither. Sounds kinda good. May have to give it a try for Thanksgiving. Sounds festive, don't you agree? If it turns out you can bet i will share the recipe with you!

A Little Off

For those of you who know me, this in no huge revelation. I went all thru yesterday thinking it was Thursday. Hence the Thoughtless Thursday post. To my great astonishment and utter amazement, the newscaster this morning told me it was Thursday today! Super! I guess i get to do it twice. I probably needed a catch up day anyway!

So. Today. Thursday. I am going to dedicate to you! See the wonderful mosaic i found just for you! I want to say 'thank you' to everyone who checks me out. I absolutely love your comments! I absolutely love when someone new 'follows' me! I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Feel it right here in my little pea pickin' heart! Makes me wiggle my toes! You get the idea. So, my wish for you today is to have a wonderful Thursday!

Thoughtless Thursday

"Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed."

--Robert H. Schuller

The Poetry of our Homes

"Clutter is the poetry of our homes. It is an intimate view that is not

always perfect-a few dishes in the sink,

books piled next to the bed.

Everything in its place may give a certain satisfaction, but a

lived-in room exudes comfort and warmth."

--Mary Randolph Carter

I must have a very comfortable and warm home according to Mary! I do need to get this cleaned off today. soon there will be no place to set my coffee. Heaven forbid....hang on, i think i need a warm up.

In Lust

I gotta tell ya. really. aren't these the absolute cutest crocheted pieces ever??? why, oh, why do i have to come across these things??? I was visiting Lucy over at attic24. She's the one that MADE me order the Japanese crochet book. Remember i made the octagon blanket?
And, now she tells me there is another one. Lord have mercy!!! Honestly, why doesn't anyone in the good old US of A have cute patterns like this? i certainly can't find them.

Another octagon blanket! Just look at the brightness! Takes my breath away. i foresee a new book in my future....

Wonderful Wednesday

Sorry for the lateness of the post, having trouble uploading photos. not sure if it was me or blogger. probably me. anyway, what a wonderful Wednesday i had! The first stop was at The Country Peddler in Brookings SD. I tried to photograph the cool orange J.Jill coat i got (among other things) but it wouldn't show well on a hanger. then i laid it on a chair. that wasn't too hot either. so, i will just have to put it on and have someone take a picture later tonight. i guess you know what tomorrows blog will be. Then Linda and i grabbed some ice cream at DQ and strolled thru McCrory Gardens located on the campus of South Dakota State University.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tree! It is a Salix Rigida or 'American McKay'. The sign said it was useful for making baskets. I really don't want to make a basket (already done that, not my calling), but i do want to plant one of these at my farm. Problem is: I don't have a farm. A girl can dream can't she??? i have this whole list of trees and shrubs and vines and bushes that will be on my farm. Just as soon as i get one....

Pampas Grass (spelling?) by the fountain. I tell ya, the pathways here are gorgeous! You simply have to visit if you are up in the area.

Thoughtless Thursday

"I can envision a small cottage somewhere, with a lot of writing paper, and a dog, and a fireplace and maybe enough money to give myself some Irish coffee now and then and entertain my two friends."--Lt. Richard Van de Geer

To find out where i was yesterday come back tomorrow! Also, a thank you to Heather who wins one of my goodie-filled treat bags! You can visit Heather here. Heather, please email me your address so i can get it on its way. Oh yes-my favorite pie: Rhubarb Custard! but, i like coconut too!

Leaves and Sunshine

This Autumn quilt is so beautiful as a table cloth. And, yes, it does get spilled upon. This time it was mac & cheese. First my son, then me! Oh, well. It is washable and nice things are meant to be used. It got left out on the deck table from this weekend and i thought the dappled sunshine falling on it created such a neat effect.
There are some "real" leaves on it too. Leaves on leaves....

Happy Fall Ya'll

Here is a picture of the hutch in my kitchen. I like to change the decor every season. quite pleased with this year's autumn endeavor.
I try to use multi-seasonal items in my displays. For instance, the red apples might show up in a Christmas display. Or, the blue and clear canning jars may be included in a July 4th corner. That way i get lots of different looks with some of the same items. That may lead one to think i don't need as much "stuff". Oh, how wrong one might be....

I like these little guys daring you to sneak a treat!

Buttermilk Pie In The Sky & Give Away

Hello. My name is Connie and i'm a magazine-aholic. I save them from year to year. And, yes i rotate them every season (my husband thinks i need a job), and page thru them for different decorating ideas and recipes that i haven't yet tried. I see nothing strange about paging thru a magazine from 2005. Or older. There. I have confessed.

I also confess i have not baked a Buttermilk pie. That is not until last week. It was in the Oct. 2007 Country Home. The article by author Patty Pinner, reads: "Mama's cousin Sister Baby was a real contrast in womanhood. She could cook and clean like an angel, then hang up her apron, slip into a tight dress, and raise the roof with the best of them. Sister Baby's Buttermilk Pie revealed her stay-at-home side but also her spunk". No, the picture below is not of Sister Baby, it just reminded me of Buttermilk Pie. Don't ask why, i have no clue.

Sister Baby's Buttermilk Pie
1 pie crust (mine comes from the store)
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 eggs
1 Tbsp. flour
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp finely shredded orange peel

Beat sugar, butter and eggs until well combined. Beat in flour, then buttermilk and vanilla til well mixed. Stir in orange peel. Pour filling into the pie crust. Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the filling is set around the edges and the center still has a little wiggle to it. Cool before serving. Store in fridge.

Side note- while very tasty, this isn't my favorite. Does anyone wanna guess what kind of pie is my favorite? Leave me a comment with your guess and let me know what your favorite is and i will pick a random winner on Oct. 14th. I'll send that winner a little something from yesterdays blog!

Its In The Bag!

How cute are these??? Saw the pattern in a new quilt magazine and just had to give them a try! I made autumn ones, i made Halloween ones, i made some denim ones. And in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, i made pink ones (see last pic on post).
Gotta tell ya, these are nifty! And re-usable! Hello! Think green, green, green! they measure 6 inches wide, 4 inches deep, are lined, and have a squared off bottom. Treat bags, birthday bags, party favors, hostess gifts, the sky's the limit! If anyone would like one they are $4.95. If i have to send them to you, i will send up to 6 for an extra $2. Just let me know what color combo/season/occasion you want.

Remember to have your mammies grammed!

Thoughtless Thursday

"The physician can bury his mistakes, but the architect can only advise his client to plant vines".

--Frank Lloyd Wright

These grapevines happen to be hanging off my back deck enjoying the autumn morning sunshine.

Missin' the Chillin'

Law-amighty! Havin' one of those missing my children days. I've always said the Good Lord has a way of preparing you for when they leave. You know, the little trials and problems that make you say-boy, can't wait til they're out on their own, and out of my hair. And then they are. I still have one so at least i have a little coming and going. The photo above is almost 2 yrs old. Note to self to get them together for another one. They will all be here this weekend!!! My grocery list grows and grows...my checking account shrinks and shrinks...

This is Rachel. She is just like one of mine too. I miss her terribly also. Second son and Rachel have been seeing each other for over 3 yrs.
Must go for now, have menu's to plan, cookies to bake.....

Sunday's Inspiration

Sunday we (friend Linda and I) started out to the Art Meander. Our first stop was at Shorewood Castle where Mary hand makes these wonderful art dolls. They are beautifully themed with beads, ribbons, trinkets and thoughtful sayings to match. She is so talented please check her site out!

Here is one that is made from an old telephone handset. She has telephone wires for hair! Isn't that so clever??? The little saying with this one is titled "Hello Operator".

Then off to the Red Barn where Becky has wonderful photography. Cards, prints, you name it, she can do it for you. She graciously volunteers the use of her "red bard" for the Art Meander and there are several artists inside all showing their work. These pictures are just outside the door.

Just love her pumpkin displays! You can email Becky at: brcstatt@fedteldirect.net . Well, there you have it. What a great inspiring weekend! Now i have to straighten my fabric stash, finish 3 quilt tops, decide which art doll i want, update my camera to get better photos, the list goes on and on.....

Super-Fantastic Creative Inspiring Weekend

Just couldn't wait to get up this morning and share with all of you how wonderful my weekend was! As you can clearly see i went to a quilt show on Saturday. You're just gonna have to wait til tomorrow to see what i did on Sunday. So anyway, talk about inspiration!!! They were all so beautiful! Now, i just want to tell ya, you may be thinking that just because you don't quilt or sew you wouldn't want to attend. Oh, how sooo wrong be you! These aren't just bed covers! These are intricate pieces of art. The colors, the craftsmanship, texture and creativity! Need i go on and on? Of course not, that would be rambling. So i shall stop and let you see for yourself.
Here is what i mean about that "artful" thing. I know it is hard to see in pictures, but the use of netting, beads, sequins, buttons! No, these aren't your grammas quilts anymore!

Here the actual quilting is done in a spiderweb motif on a Halloween quilt. How fun is that? Can't wait to show you what i did the rest of the weekend, tune in tomorrow!

Book Club

My group will be just so proud of me. You see, i'm the one that comes to book club and hasn't read the book. not always mind you, maybe 50/50. So, on Wednesday night we decide to read this. I just so happened to recommend it and volunteer to have the next gathering at my home, so i thought perhaps, just maybe, i should read it. I started right away when i got home that night and it took me about 48 hrs as i finished it at 10:20 last evening. It was very good and thought provoking. Also very interesting as it is set in Minnesota and mentions places and highways i have been on so i could picture it in my mind very vividly.

Tamata Soup

Now i know i'm late with this posting. I should have had this recipe out way back when everyone had tomatoes up the wazoo, not at the end of the season. So sorry. This recipe is not one of my own, however, i have changed and modified it so much (even the name)that in my own mind, i belive it is. Thats my story and i'm stickin to it. Anyway it is one of my favorites and i wanted to share it with you.

Tamata Soup
6 large tamatas, peeled and diced. i don't bother removing the seeds, but you can if you want.
1 small onion, chopped
1 32oz. carton chicken stock
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/4c. powdered creamer, yes i said powdered. that way it doesn't curdle.

In your soup pot put the oil and saute your onion til soft. Add your tamatas, chicken stock, and garlic. Simmer about 10 minutes til nice and warm then add yer creamer. Find a cozy chair, throw a little afgan over your lap and enjoy. Best homeade tamata soup i ever had!