Merry Christmas Swap Goodies

Jessica from Blessings In The Country was my swap partner and she sent me a box full of goodies. Amy from Bumble Bee Lane always works so hard to match up everybody for her swaps. Thanks Amy!



I'm borrowing her picture with permission. Look at the cute flour sifter, it's sitting on my mantle now. I loved the cross stitch goodies. I was wanting to make the Merry Primitive Christmas one, I had the pattern and had never found the time to make it. She sent a stump doll, I've made some and always give them away. The towel is wonderful prim and Christmasy. The candle smells lovely and look at those cookie cutters. I was excited to get the socks, I bought all my girls a pair of them for Christmas because they are so soft and now I have some. The cookies in the back disappeared with a couple kids along with the candy canes. There was all sorts of teas to choose from too. Thanks so much Jessica!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas morning at our house.



Amy and Kaitlyn playing headbanz at the Grandparents.





This part of You've got Mail always makes me think of my mom.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Cookies made by Amy for Santa!















Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma's house. We have appetizers, candy and cookies to eat!

December Christmas Fun

Amy's class party--snowball fight between the boys and girls with marshmallows


They also played candy cane volleyball with a balloon and pass the ornament with a candy cane and made two ornaments.



Jaime's band concert



Christmas fun with the girl scouts at Union Station. We saw Arrgh A Pirate's Christmas and then walked over to Crown Center to get some candy. We tried booking a tour but they were full on that day.


Amy reading in the Christmas program at church.





A visit with Santa




 We picked up Kaitlyn's stuff for the last time from K-State she'll graduate in May but is done with classes.
Amy was entertaining herself while we moved stuff out.

Prim Swap Ornies

These cute bulb ornies are from Amy at Bumble Bee Lane. Thanks Amy!


This prim stocking is from The Stone House Primitives. Thank you so much!


This sweet snowman is from Jessica who blogs at Blessings in the Country. Thanks Jessica!



These are the ornaments I made for the swap.  I bought those cute paper mache boxes in a pack of 6 different shapes at Joann's last year but couldn't find any this year.

Our annual KCAP ornament swap

 It was that time again for our annual swap. All these mamas but a few I met online when I was pregnant with Amy. I pulled my kiddos out of school for the day since they very rarely get to see their friends. Ornaments swap, mama swap, good food and great friends!


I made these ornaments with a shower curtain for a base.


My tree ornaments--not exactly what I was shooting for but still cute.


Oven pads for the mama swap









I will add a picture on later of the ornaments I received.I was only in two swaps this year, I don't need to be an overachiever! :-)

Thanksgiving recipes

This year for Thanksgiving I made a gluten free dressing along with regular dressing. The gluten free dressing didn't have a lot of flavor--so I think next year I'll try to find a recipe.  I made two gluten free chocolate pies with gluten free crusts. The pies were regular recipes I just subbed gf all purpose baking mix. The first one I made was from November Country Living. It had bittersweet , semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips. It was a very firm pie. The second one was this one:  http://wannabechefmysti.blogspot.com/2011/06/chocolate-pie-nuff-said.html .
 I used a gf crust and this pie was wonderful-- it shifted in transport so it looked horrible--but tasted like chocolate heaven. :-)





The following recipe my  mom always made for family get togethers and Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Just writing that made me miss my mom.  I thought maybe this was a family recipe but my aunt said it was not. I'm pretty sure my mom used -Stephenson's Apple Orchard Green Rice recipe. Her recipe is a little different, down below is the original.

Green Rice

3 cups cooked rice 1 lb Velveeta Cheese--- I using sharp cheddar next time I make it, half an onion chopped onion 2 beaten eggs 2/3 cup milk 1/2 cup oil-- I use butter 1 tbsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper Combine rice, cheese, onion,  garlic in a 2 quart casserole. Blend rest of ingredients and mix into rice. Bake at 350º for about 45 minutes to the consistency of a soft custard.     This is the original recipe from the restaurant Green Rice (makes 10 servings) 3 c. cooked rice 1 c. chopped parsley 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese 1/2 c. chopped onion 1/4 c. chopped green pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 14 1/2oz. can evaporated milk 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 c. vegetable oil 1 Tb. salt 1/2 tsp. EACH Seasoned salt, pepper 1/4 tsp. Ac'cent juice and grated rind of 1 lemon Mix first 5 ingredient in greased 2 Qt. casserole. Blend rest and mix into rice. Sprinkle w/ paprika, bake @ 350 about 45 min. until like a soft custard. From page 43 of the Stephenson's cook book (1999 printing): I also made her  Apple Salad Apples grated or chopped (with the peel still on) mini marshmallows  (taste good without too) pecans- the more the better whipped cream (my mom used cool whip we use the canned spray it's best to put a little on and add the rest right before eating) and the last recipe of my mom's is Honey Butter softened butter honey mix together and enjoy.  (My mom added powdered sugar) I also make a cheesy green bean casserole --we found a recipe in an old cookbook and changed it. Cheesey Green Bean Casserole  3-4 cans French green beans my uncanned condensed soup  x 2 (from the LLL cookbook) onions chopped 4 oz. grated cheese salt and pepper Butter a casserole pan added beans after making the soup stir in cheese and onions, pour over beans and bake 30-45 minutes.  I have a dairy-free daughter and one who likes the following: Fresh (or frozen) Garlic Green Beans Slightly steam or stir-fry green beans   add olive oil or butter couple gloves of minced garlic Saute    This is my sister-in-law making her famous turkey gravy. What is your favorite family recipe?

Happy Thanksgiving a day late!

This was my turkey cheese ball!



This turkey I found at the thrift store-- I love him.
Our computer has been acting crazy lately it's not enjoyable to blog. Hopefully soon we will replace it.

I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Spooktauclar PTA

We had a fun time last Saturday night. All the PTA's in the Turner School district have a booth, the rec center has an egg hunt, costume contest and a haunted hallway. Our school made cotton candy, it's fun seeing all the kids in their costumes.



I was the pink power ranger!


This is our PTA board minus two.


Amy in the costume contest.





My jack-o-lantern wall quilt--I made four of these a couple years ago, this is the one I kept.

Harvest Gathering Swap

Amy from Bumble Bee Lane had a Harvest Gathering Swap and my partner was Cynthia from Cynzplace.  



She sent a set of three prim flowers, pumpkin, God Bless the Harvest stitchery and a black crow stuffie,



along with this scarecrow, crow and candle mat in the background. Thanks Cynthia!


My favorite month is almost over, it seems like it flew by---- we've been busy with soccer games on the weekends.  We just celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary, and my husband turned a year older.   It's also the month that my mom passed away 9 years ago. Happiness and sadness during a lovely month. I hope you had a wonderful October.

Hello October

I love October and the crisp feel of fall air. I love the leaves falling down, pumpkins everywhere.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. What's your favorite time of the year?

My IKEA Trip

               


The big news in this area is the Ikea store that just opened. I finally made it there----so many great ideas for storage.I could have spent more time in there but we were getting hungry and the line for Ikea food was long. The only thing I bought was a .59 cent bag. I love the little houses in there-- showing what you can do in a small house. I plan on going back soon.

Here's a video I found of the grand opening.

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Back to school (a month late)

I lost my groove for posting at least once or twice a week.
How do you stay on task?



Amy started 3rd grade!


Melissa is a senior and Jaime started 8th grade!


Kaitlyn is a senior and a half at K-State!! Go Cats!



This little boy is happy to play with My Little Pony!!




I haven't done a lot of crafting lately, I did make these two hooded towels for a friends kids. These were the softest towels ever, I bought them at Target!