Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Homespun at Heart

I tore up a tree just to get this little base to sit him on. He didn't hang well and didn't look good in a wreath either. This seemed to be the only way to do it. Not too difficult sewing or painting. I would go with a lighter brown if I made another. Rudolph he isn't.

I Love It.....

My neighbor Midge passed away this summer and her children gave me this cabinet for my kitchen. PJ and Jeff moved it for me and yesterday I filled it with things we have rescued.

Ray found the glass bottles on his property at Jonesville, the large one is dated 1920.
A container from Joanne with a green top
A big green bowl from my neighbor Rose Fontana
A stack of Jewel Tea dishes that Jeff found under their porch when they lived in Melvindale
A breadbox that my grandmother used and an old sifter I can't seem to throw away.

Of course I really didn't have room for it in my little kitchen but some things we just make room for, and that doesn't just apply to furniture either.

I really miss Midge. I am probably the only person she forgave for interrupting her football games and lotto numbers. She loved to see Charlie too and he loved to go over there with me.

I will take good care of her cabinet. Happy Monday everyone.

A Table at Three Cedars....

The Christmas Sign is from my house...
If you have an old sled and a long table ....we always have too much food for this sort of thing. But it was very nice. The chairs had covers made for them with Mrs Santa on one end and Mr. Santa at the head.

Happy Sunday everyone, the sun is shining in Michigan.

Let's Decorate....

Okay, Olde Country Cupboard pattern that doesn't look anything like it's supposed to. I couldn't get the face right and that's the most important part. But he is what he is, for now.
Then, this is made by my daughter Kynda who gets everything just right. For her sis PJ's door. I love it and I hope you don't miss her creations on :www.canadagarden.blogspot.com .

The Annie that goes with the Candy Cane

She is supposed to hang off the side of the candy cane but I never could get her positioned just right. I will have to try later when I have more time. So I just added a pillow for now. The Olde Country Cupboard pattern to check out.

Beautiful sunshine for the shoppers today but I'm not going to be one of them. It would be fun tho.....

Cornbread Dressing

This is how it's done.....The night before make a recipe of Aunt Jemima Corn Meal Mix that is on the bag, except use buttermilk instead of milk and make sure it is soupy. Pour it into a hot skillet that has some Crisco melted in it. Try not to eat it when it gets finished because then you won't have enough for the dressing.

After you have hidden the cornbread, cook a chicken breast covered with water until done, that will be the broth you use tomorrow. Refrigerate overnight.

Next day saute 2 cups onion chopped and about 2 cups thinly diced celery in at least half a stick of butter until the vegetables are slightly cooked.

Crumble about a third of a loaf of bread and the cornbread, season with about 1/8 cup of rubbed sage or poultry seasoning some salt and pepper. Add the celery and onion and 2 eggs and the chicken broth. I usually add a can of Swanson's chicken broth for extra flavor. It needs to be a soupy mixture, like the cornbread was. Bake it 450 for about twenty minutes.

This is the way my mother and grandmother made it. No one ever wrote it down until I did, that's why it has a lot of vague instructions. You learn by doing anyway. Happy Thanksgiving!

Book Pick

Sometimes books show up on hold for me at the library that I didn't ask for. That's because I have my own personal librarian, Teresa, who knows what I will like.

This is a first novel by Todd Johnson who now lives in Connecticut but is a North Carolina native. It's about five southern women and friendship and aging. It is a lovely book, funny and sad at once. You will say "I can't believe this was written by a man."
And so for crafts, this is what I sold at the Town Peddler yesterday. It's half of the pattern by Olde Country Cupboard's Annie's Christmas. I just couldn't get the two parts together for some reason. I will post the other part later.

Happy Thanksgiving eve to all.

Deer Season

This is Charlie with his deer. He will be eating venison this winter.
And this is the one that gramma Peggy shot with her camera.

Town Peddler

In my book, a close second after Elvis......
A new booth at Town Peddler. I'm going to like it. Bought some things for my dolls here.
It wasn't that long ago, really....
I liked this little (actually quite large) Christmas shed all lit up. Is that an Elvis record?
Happy shopping everyone!

There's been some baking......

I need more energy to join in John Michael's dancing...however I did turn out some desserts for Blessed Hope this morning and last evening. All recipes by Kentucky cooks....

Brenda Hahn, Texas Sheet Cake, Lexington, Ky.
7 up Cake, Paula Philpot, Lexington, Ky.
Chess Pie, Clara Vanvactor, Paducah, Ky.
Curtis Grace Tea, Debbie Dempsey, Paducah, Ky.

My, my are we going to be sweetened up this evening.

Hope your Wednesday is sweet too..

There's always dancing......

Pictures from the Craft Show...

Garden Candy by Patricia Ryan.....she is moving to North Carolina soon...
The Whimsical Mind by Linda Nixon...a friend in crafting for a lot of shows....
Donna's Hats and Flowers and Vintage Clothes had a big crowd all day......
Bears are waiting and my Crows Roost snowmen are in the basket far end. What was left when the show opened.
Waiting for the people...Lindbergh is the nicest show I know of, not usually a place for elaborate displays but high quality, HANDMADE. Barb sold lots of items for Relay for Life, including those famous PLARN bags.

And next week I will have to tell you about the barbeque person at the food concession.

A very good crowd of the nicest people...I love Lindbergh and I am so thankful I am able to participate. Happy Sunday everyone, off to church now.

Turkeys in the Fog

This is the best way to get shot, says Joe Bill to Cecil..... with a Kodak....
I made five of these. I was short on time and usually have several different turkey guys but this is a new pattern I ordered from Ravens Haven. The show is tomorrow.

Ravens Haven says to lightly spray with water your items before stuffing. Makes it easier. Is she ever right!!! Much easier. I will have to write and thank her.

Happy Friday everyone.

More Marching Band Thoughts...

I keep thinking about the marching bands, this one played Irish music. Only one director here. One of the bands had an electric guitar and he had kinda of a little solo part . I was amazed too at the big semi trucks that carried the instruments and the little "trains" that carried the big instruments off the field.
This one had three directors (and on a stepladder no less). Is the man in the khaki pants a judge? The Linden band received fifth place which I thought was just wonderful.

I was so impressed too with the discipline shown by the band members. And Dave, you gave me the right word that I couldn't think of to describe the whole thing and that was "intense".

Today we are thankful for everything, but especially young people who are working hard and doing things that sometimes go unnoticed. Also for a sunny Tuesday.

Lindbergh Show is this week.

Saturday November 13, 9:30 till 4 at Lindbergh School, 500 North Waverly, in Dearborn. This is their 38th year. It is not the largest show in town, but excellent quality handmades and crafts. I look forward to seeing everyone from years past and meeting some new people too. We hope the candy lady is there next to us again.


He looks kinda tired but he will perk up when the show starts.

I hear it is snowing in New York City but here the sun is shining and I hope it is shining on you too. Happy Monday.

Marching Band State Finals..

An unexpected surprise for me on Saturday. Tyler's (GS) Linden Marching Band was competing and I got to go. Here they are waiting for the big moment.
And here they are on the field, I was so impressed.. and so proud! And it was so interesting. I hope I will be able to go again next year. Tyler will be a senior then!

And .....Annette gets the award for most enthusiastic and vocal Mom.

The Yearly Tree...

I try to come up with something different every year. You can make your own if you don't mind fighting with rusty wire. The hardest part is making that little treetop star.

Sew up a tree from muslin, paint with white and write or stamp your words on coffee-dyed paper. I used the alcohol ink around the edges of the paper, got it all over my hands . Start at the top and wrap wire and garland around your tree, add a stick for a base and a bow and good luck with the wire star.

I stitch on the rusty bells but add glue to secure, also glue the stick base and the wire star. Most don't use glue but I think it's okay as long as you don't see it and it keeps knots from coming loose.

That's my lesson for the day. I will be waiting for Martha Stewart to call me to appear on her show.

I love you all.

My Green Outfit....

Or mostly blue if you like. He says he loves it and he is happy that he gets to carry the dream pillow.

I have a green coat this color, as most of you know after so many years. I wear it everywhere and get lots of comments, some I know are not sincere. But I like it because I can always find myself in a crowd.

I used a pattern for him "A Round About SMF #164" by Sweet Meadows Farm for the body but made my own clothes.

Tonight is opening night for Southgate Community Players "Little Shop of Horrors". We will be watching our favorite actor, Jeff, perform as Mr. Mushnik. It is at Davidson Middle School, 15800 Trenton Road, Southgate.

A good Friday and weekend for everyone, extra hour for sleep or coffee or getting to church really early.

Olde Country Cupboard....

These are some dolls I finished recently from patterns by Sandy at Olde Country Cupboard. And I have another one to make, her e-pattern special, Annie's Christmas.

Visit her blog at www.oldecountrycupboard.blogspot.com and keep her in your prayers and concerns as she is beginning her treatments this week. I thank her for her talent and helpful ideas to keep me sewing.

Happy November everyone.