View From My Kitchen WIndow

When Kasey and I walked to the mailbox this afternoon we saw two Bald Eagles in the trees behind the pond.  We went back to the house where Kasey asked for the binoculars and I took the camera. Look closely about 1/4 way down the tress.  Kasey and Cole are spending the day with me.  DIL-1 needed to work today and their day care provider wasn't available.

We tried a "kids' table this year!  It was 75% successful!  Jessica was content in the walker while we ate and Cole was almost happy in his booster seat at the table.   I am so very blessed to be able to spend time with my family!

We celebrated Kasey's 4th birthday last Saturday.  She already has great problem solving skills!  What else would you do to eat spaghetti
when your hair get is the way!
Since she is 4 now-she was able to go with her daddy to the deer stand for a couple of hours.  She didn't see any deer--but loved being in daddy's box with him.

 

On another note, Tuesday DH and I make another trip to Abbott Heart Institute to meet with an Cardiac Electrophysiologist.   This is a specialist who deals with arrhythmia's of the heart.  This time we are taking an overnight bag in case we need to stay for another procedure. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I borrowed this from a Facebook post of a gal I met blogging.  Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving with those you love!

I have two Pumpkin pies baked and one French Silk Pie in the refrigerator for  dinner tomorrow.  The "Make Ahead" mashed potatoes are in the refrigerator,  the turkey is thawed ready to be stuffed.  Grandma is bringing homemade rolls and sweet potatoes.  DIL-1 has the cookie salad ready while DIL-2 will have a baked cheesy vegetable casserole.  We don't make fancy foods--just the favorites that everyone will enjoy.  

Classic Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe  

Photo by: Taste of Home Classic Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe

These are the ingredients I use! ( The Taste of Home recipe calls for  reduced fat cream cheese and sour cream.) I bake it in a 9 X 13 glass baking dish.

• 5 pounds or more--(I usually use more)  potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
• 2 egg whites, beaten
• 1 cup (8 ounces)  sour cream
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted  (I use 1/4 cup)

Directions

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
• In a large bowl, mash potatoes with cream cheese. Combine the egg whites, sour cream, onion powder, salt and pepper; stir into potatoes until blended. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Drizzle with butter. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 50 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 160°. Yield: 12 servings (3/4 cup each).

"All Mom Wants For Thanksgiving"

Thanksgiving is a time for family and for taking the time to count our blessings. But sometimes during the chaotic holiday, moms would just be thankful to get things back to normal.

Enjoy as you smile and laugh and RELATE!

FNSI Success!

Friday Night Sew-In was a success. All I have left is the binding.  One Christmas gift will be able to be checked off the list.  Yep!  I do see my mistake, but I decided not to rip. 

I will save the hand sewing of the binding until there is something I would like to watch on TV!

 

What a difference 24 hours can make!  The snow started about 12:30.  We are predicted to receive 3-6 inches. I guess it had to come sometime!!!

FNS

 I just realized tonight is Friday Night Sew-In!  No school today as a makeup day for two nights of parent teacher conferences.  So I spent today doing bill paying,  cleaning, and laundry.   So tonight I am going to head to the sewing machine! 

For my blogging family---my current total equals below!!!   For further explanation see blog from September 28!   20 lbs of flour,  10 lbs of sugar,  10 lbs potatoes,  and 1 lbs of butter. 

 

Sew-In Results tomorrow,  

Finished with 30 minutes to spare!

Thirty minutes before I had to leave for a baby shower I finished her quilt.  I have been having alot of grandma duty the past few weeks so there was no time for quilting.  I thought I had a few weeks before the shower only to find out Thursday afternoon the shower was today!!!!! So Thursday and Friday nights were spent sewing the flimsy.  Saturday night I started the quilting and finished after church this morning.  Lisa is 39 and is carrying her first baby to full term. She has lost several babies previously.  Genevieve is a very prayed for and welcomed baby.

DIL-1 had to make a quick three day trip to the Denver aware two weeks ago to attend the funeral of her 33 year old cousin who had died of Lou Gehrig's disease.  Between DS-1,  Papa and myself we had Kasey and Cole.  Then Saturday they attended a memorial service in Albert Lea, MN.  We had the kids for the day rather than have them make the round trip in one day.  

I have also had Tatum for two weekends.  She needs the one on one time.  DIL-2 has found after Tatum spends a day and night with me she is calmer and more relaxed at home.  I love having them with me and doing the special things that Grandma's get to do!!!

Since it has been a while since I posted--I will include a Halloween picture of the kids!
DIL-1 had stopped at Good Will for Halloween outfits.  She picked up a jersey for Cole.  When DS took one look he said, "Packers beat them in the Super Bowl."  So he had to wear his Cheese Hat.  Kasey was a cheerleader complete with pompoms.  When asked to cheer she would yell, "GO PLAYERS."  DIL-1 was the ref-complete with the flag in her pocket. 

Whew!

DH  and I made two trips to the Minneapolis Heart Institute in the last two days.  He had been having symptoms similar to last winter.   When we arrived they found he was in Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib) again.  After talking with the doctor it was decided that we return today to have a cardioversion - shocking his heart to return it to normal sinus rhythm.   It took in one shock.  His heart rate had been 125 last week in the ER.  Following the cardioversion it is  a consistent 68- 72.  They did determine that the mitral valve that he received 21 months ago is working  perfectly. 

 Unless he has difficulty before, his next appointment is November 29 with a Cardiac Electrophysiologist.

After driving in to the cities two days in a row during rush hour-- I am MORE than ready to spend some time with the Friday Night Sew-in!

Thank you Janet for your prayer support!!!

My Birthday Gift!!

I came home today to find a birthday package from Peg.  Inside I found quilting magazines !!  WoooHoo!  I immediately started looking---This is what I found to do first!  Oh NO!!!!  It requires applique!  I think I just might have to get over my fear of applique and try it!!  Other projects may suddenly join thetote of "Masterpieces Under Fermentation" with I try this!!! 

October 18, 2011

October 2, 2011

Our pair of swans are still on the pond.  Usually they stop only for a couple of days in the Spring and Fall.  This time they have been here for over two weeks.  They better move on soon.  That unpleasant four letter word was mentioned in the forecast this morning!! I took another picture this afternoon.  What a difference in two weeks!

First I need to dig out may winter coat, hat and gloves.  Also the sweaters!!!  I am freezing at school.  Maybe it is the 37 lbs of insulation that I have lost!!  : )

Just a little post.

Sunday night my two wonderful daughters-in-law had a birthday supper for me. (My birthday was Saturday).  It is always fun to be entertained by grandkids!   I love Cole wearing the "tough guy" t-shirt while holding a doll and bottle!  They were singing the alphabet song--well--three different versions of the song!  Now that I have DILs they do something for my birthday each year.  My birthday has been difficult for DH since Travis was killed.  His funeral was the day before my birthday.  The hardest part has been that my sons weren't taught by example to make a birthday special for the woman in their lives.  I will say though-they are both great husbands and fathers. 

Conner and Tatum had spent Saturday night with us while DS and DIL-2 attended Ami and Josh's wedding. Ami is the daughter of the friend whose funeral we had all attended two weeks earlier. The ceremony was held in the same church.  The kids said the wedding was  beautiful, sad, and yet healing.  Ami's veil was Nancy's and in the center of the bouquet was a  dried rose that Nancy had carried in her wedding bouquet.  Nancy had been part of all the planning for the special day.

I used the same pattern, just changed some of the fabric in the tree skirt for Ami and Josh.

I have two other tree skirt patterns to try for Christmas gifts!  Also--two baby quilts I need to work on that need to be finished before Christmas!

Enjoying The Beautiful Fall Weather!!

On our home from church this morning we saw two Trumpeter Swans on the pond across the road from our house.  I don't know how many days before they continue on their route.  Each spring they stop for a day and then move on.  

Yesterday was a new experience for DH and I.  We went with DIL-2's family 4-wheeling.  Our neighbors insisted that we take their machines.  We drove to the Chequamegon National Forest about 75 miles north.  It was a beautiful fall day with the leaves at the peak.  We road ATV's about 45 miles on trails in the woods,  through mud holes,  up hills, and around beautiful lakes.  I didn't see any elk but Chad saw about 7 the night before.  I did see elk tracks though.  

This is Katie's, 72 year old Grandma on her wheeler.  

Most of our miles where on trails like this one.   This is a pic of one of the mud holes that some of us went around. However, Katie's dad was sure he could make it through.  In his other life he is a pastor and uses days like this to relax!  It was a great day!!


It was a fun day!  Occasionally I thought to myself, I could be home quilting!  But, it was a treat spending time outdoors with special people in our lives!! 

Faith, Family, and Friends- Nothing else is needed!

Conner and Tatum are my favorite Packer fans!!

I finally finished Chris and Kari's gift before the wedding last Saturday.  Chris is a farmer who also thinks that John Deere Equipment is the only way to go! Chris is my "sister" son.


 My college roommate, forever friend, and "sister by heart,"  Peg and myself at her son's wedding reception on Saturday.  

We only made it to the reception because last Saturday morning we attended the funeral of a wonderful 56 year old woman who fought cancer for 2 1/2 years.  Nancy was a second  "mom" to Chad.  Her son and Chad were college roommates, stood up in each others weddings, and work together.  I am working now to finish  a Christmas tree skirt wedding gift for Nancy's daughter who is getting married on October 8th.  The wedding will be in the same church where Nancy's funeral was held.   A friend of Nancy's who gave a beautiful eulogy finished by having this song played.  It is Borrowed Angels sung by Kristin Chenoweth.

Any Difference?

Do you notice any difference between the two sets pictures?  Scroll down for the answer!! The top two were taken on Father's Day.

These were taken last weekend at a wedding reception.

Here is a hint.  20 lbs of flour, 10 lbs of sugar, and three sticks of butter equal?

THIRTY plus pounds off since starting Weight Watchers on June 13!!!!  That also equals two clothing sizes!  WooHoo! A LONG way to go--but this is a start!!!!