Canning Day

We so enjoy fresh garden tomatoes. I am so thankful my husband has such a green thumb when it comes to the garden.

Also, I am making homemade spaghetti sauce from these beautiful gems. I tend to like my spaghetti sauce a little on the sweet side, I add just a pinch of brown sugar. The tomatoes, this year, are so full of flavor, I really haven't needed to add any sugar. We add very little salt, just a teaspoon to each qt.

We are discovering that adding a qt. of tomatoes to several different recipes, really makes the food more savory.

"Farmhouse" Table Runner

My daughter in law had made some adorable placemats, for my Christmas present, last year, out of my favorite Waverly fabric. I have been anxious to get them out on the table but really wanted a table runner to go with it. I love the look of table runners.

Today, I decided I would try and make one. Drove to Joann's fabric, thank goodness we have one here in town. Found my material and headed home. Didn't take long to put this together.
I love anything that looks "farmhouse" style. I noticed, after searching the internet, most runners are squared off, not the typical diamond shape. I am really satisfied with the results.

I actually applied iron on interfacing. Very quick and easy.

Another facelift with Wainscot

Have been wanting some sort of backsplash for my outdated kitchen. I happen to love the look of farmhouses.
My husband found some wainscot along side of the freeway a few years ago. I had planned on putting it in our bathroom, when we remodeled. I changed my mind. Well, I have been holding on to it for a while. While looking at kitchen remodels, I spotted several with a wainscot backsplash.....the imagination started running.
We have been in the middle of replacing our bedroom window, we added a new door that steps out onto the patio.
When I told my husband what I wanted to do with the wainscot, his reply was...."don't you think we already have a big project".
Well, i had helped him replace the window, the rest of the work was out of my hands. There is just some things a women can't do...at least this woman.
I told him..."not to worry, this is my project, just show me how to use the chop saw". He rolled his eyes, like he usually does, but he agreed to show me....

It really wasn't that hard, I measured and cut, I even managed to add the trim. Quite impressed with myself. Even my husband is impressed.


As you can see, we were in great need of something behind the stove.
I plan on doing the other side wall, behind the sink.
I am going to give my whole kitchen a complete facelift, new color of paint and hopefully new wood floors.

Face Lift

We ordered this door to replace our window in our bedroom. It arrived yesterday. We managed to get it home in one piece. Tomorrow we start demolition. There is so much to be done to our bedroom. It has the same paint from 10 years ago. The bedroom really is need of a facelift. I would post a "before" picture, but your going to just have to take my word, it is really a sad looking situation.
I have plenty of new ideas for it. Let's just pray it all turns out as planned.

Crocheted Dress I made for my grand daughter.

My grand daughter is so cute, you ask her to pose and she knows exactly what to do. Pretty smart for a 4 year old.

Beaded Spring Scarf

Crochet Pinafore

Made this adorable Pinafore. I added buttons that look like pansies. It was very easy to make. Working on another one, it will be dark gray. I plan on making a dress to go underneath the pinafore. This may take some time to do.
I find crocheting is very relaxing, I took the dress I made on our trip up to Washington, it really made the trip more bearable and time flew.

Crocheted Hat and Booties.

My sister and I have decided to put some of our talent to work. We started a little business called "Two Sisters In Stitches." We have a section at a store in Oakdale, Creative Minds. We both find crocheting very relaxing. Also, I like to quilt and just make cute things like aprons, etc.

I tried to follow the pattern for this hat but the finished product did not turn out the way it was suppose to, so, I made up my own pattern. It really is adorable.

This is such a cute set, crocheted hat and booties with silk flowers.

Gluten Steak.

First time I have made anything gluten. Always love it when a new recipe is good.

CHIP 2011 Graduation

Fondant Carrots

Made these to decorate a vegan carrot cake.

Update

It's been a while since I have posted or even looked at my blog. Now that we have Facebook, I find myself doing that more. So, just in case anyone is wondering what I have been up to, well, I am really into vegan cooking. Have discovered a few delicious recipes, Burgers etc. Will post some pics next time I make some, oh, and the recipe. Just for those who are looking for a healthier lifestyle.
Spending my spare time crocheting. In the process of making a dress for my grand daughter. It is taking longer than I had anticipated but I am sure the final results will be to my satisfaction.
Hope all my friends are doing well. Will be checking back soon to see if anyone ever checks the blogs out anymore.

Tofu Pecan Meatballs

I put a few on perfect brown rice and added some country (cashew) gravy.
Tofu Pecan Meatballs
Combine in a bowl
1 one box of Mori-Nu firm tofu
2 T Braggs Liquid Aminos
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 t salt
1/2 t dried garlic
2 T dried onion
1 T dried parsley
1 T nutritional yeast flakes
1/4 t basil
1/4 t thyme
1/4 t sage
1/4 t Italian Seasoning
1 1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 cup perfect brown rice.
Form into balls and cook in a non stick skillet. I added about 1 T olive oil. Makes about 22 good size meatballs. I put them in a warm oven, on a cookie sheet, while cooking the rest of our meal.
Note: Perfect brown rice is 1 cup brown rice browned in a skillet. Boil 2 1/2 cups water and pour over browned rice, cover and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. It really turns out nice a fluffy.
The meatballs were adapted from "Tasty Vegan Delights".

Happy Mother's Day To Me.

Much to my surprise, this morning, I received this delicious fresh fruit arrangement from Corey.
When the two men brought it in, all three of us, Nancy, Melissa and I were staring at it thinking they had the wrong address. We never get stuff like this here. Our office faces the parking lot so we can see when someone is getting flowers, food etc. It is never for us. So, when they came in, Melissa said, oh you must have the wrong place. One of the guys said, Catherine...I yelled ....hey, that's me. Oh, I was so excited. I couldn't figure out which one of my children would have sent this, knowing all four of them know I love to eat.

I just love how they arranged the different fruit. Now,I want to see if I can make one.

I think Martha ( Corey's girlfriend) had some influence with sending these, she has made me chocolate covered strawberries before, they were delicious, I ate most of them too. The box is full of chocolate covered bananas.

I'm pretty sure these are not going to last long.

Hard Days Work

Tom decided he wanted to run a water line into our back alley where we have a variety of fruit trees planted. He doesn't like taking the hose back there because he is always knocking over a plant in our garden as he stretches it across the area. So, I agreed to help, how hard could this be? I thought he said to dig a trench 2", so I did, he meant 2', big difference. Well, I hung in there and kept digging, with his help of course. We got it done.

After about 10 minutes of digging, I had to take a break. I sat for a few minutes, in an old motel chair, and couldn't help but appreciate the beauty in the variety of flowers and plants planted in a small area of our yard. I love this time of year.