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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Another great giveaway!



Vickie, over at 2 Much Farm, is having a giveaway! But you have to hurry, as it ends tomorrow. Vic has to be one of the kindest, sweetest, dearest people you could ever meet, and I always feel blessed and uplifted after visiting her blog.

I've bought her soap in the past, and I have to tell you, it is just yummy!!!!! Check out her blog today, look at all her wonderfully crafted items, and make a new friend! You won't be sorry, I promise!

Click on her picture for a quick trip over to her farm, or
Click Here!

Monday, May 26, 2008

We Have A Winner!

First, I want to thank each and every one of you who came and took the time to sign up for this drawing!!!!! I feel honored, believe me!

Well. . . . I took all the entries, put them all in a basket. . . and . . . .

Toni!!!!! From Amazing Grace is the winner of this stitchery! Congratulations, Toni! As soon as I get your address, it will be on it's way!

Blessings to all of you! Cora

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FOR TODAY (May 26, 2008)...

Outside My Window . . .The sun is beginning to set, a gentle breeze is waving the now large sycamore leaves, and a father cardinal is feeding her baby his last snack of the day before retiring for the night!

I am thinking...I've been feeding birds most of my adult life and I never get tired of watching them!

I am thankful for... Air Conditioning!

From the kitchen... Nothing today. Went for Burger King Burgers and onion rings!

I am wearing... oversized tee shirt, NO SHOES this week, baggy pants! (am I in a rut or what????)

I am creating... Not today! Finishing up some sets of angels.

I am going... Nowhere.

I am reading... Where is God when it Hurts?

I am hoping... Do I have NO hopes???? I'll have to come back to this one!


I am hearing... Buster snoring under my feet. (I might as well leave this here permanently, as he is always there when I'm on the computer!)


Around the house... Are lots of weeds that need to be pulled!


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week. . . Bake some bread, organize my cutting room, wash kitchen floor, laundry, send a friend a REAL letter!

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Always Hungry!





I'm so glad to be able to participate with the others in this Notebook entry. You can visit The Simple Woman's blog
HERE!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

New Casserole Recipe!

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Some of you asked that I post this cheap, easy, quick recipe for my casserole dish. First, let me tell you how this came about!

Have you ever had one of those days where you stand there, staring into your cupboard and say, "There's NOTHING here to eat!" Oh yeah, the cupboard is full of "stuff" but nothing that is left there seems to go together to make something that could be called "dinner!"

In the back of my mind, I had this nagging thought about a "Hamburger Helper" meal I had made a few weeks ago. Usually, I'm disappointed in those boxes. But since they were on this fantastic, "can't pass it up" sale, I got some. The one I bought had a creamy Italian sauce. Of course, I had to add my own hamburger, and the little baggy of 12 or so noodles wouldn't feed any hungry family of 4 that I know of. So. . . . I set out to make my own.

But what could I use that was in this mish-mash of canned goods in my cupboard????

This is what I came up with: Please don't laugh ---- it is definitely NOT gourmet, or healthy, or . . . . . experienced cook stuff.

I had a large can of tomato soup on hand. That'lldo!
1 reg. size diced tomatoes
1 can evaporated milk

That made my base of my sauce

I sauteed about a 1/2 bag of frozen peppers and onions -- didn't brown them, just cooked enough to be "done."

Added this to the sauce above.

Then, I added some leftover hamburger that I had fried up and seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic the night before.

From here, it was taste and test several times. I added lots of pepper, Italian seasoning -- add whatever you would like in yours.

I let all of this simmer for a little while -- while my noodles were cooking.

When noodles were just done, I drained, mixed everything together, threw it in a casserole dish. I sprinkled the top with grated parmessan cheese and bread crumbs and baked until it was bubbly and the top was beginning to brown a little.

I have to say, it was REALLY good! And I love Fast!


Now! Please note that there are some great recipes out there that call for more sophisticated ingredients. Like heavy cream, crumbled bacon, sun dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese, etc. Some or all of these items could be substituted for what I used in mine. The bacon sounds really good, as does the sun dried tomatoes.

Let me know how yours turns out!!!!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Meet Some New Blogging Friends!



I'm just so excited that Lea from Farmhouse Blessings has persuaded her Mom to start a blog! I've wanted to meet this wonderful lady for such a long time now, and finally. . . . we all get this wonderful opportunity. I've come to know Lea as such a happy, gentle, loving, tender soul, and I just know that somehow. . . . . . Mom had something to do with it! I've heard a lot about Mom from Lea and now we get a chance to hear the other side of the story!
Welcome to blog land, Lea's Mom!!!!!

Just click on her picture and it will take you to her new blog. Give her a big, warm welcome, won't you????

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You know that saying, "Some people walk into your life and quickly leave. Others walk in, stay a while, leave footprints on your heart and life, and somehow, you are never the same again."

Well, these two are those kind of people to me. One of a kind. Always there. Love ya no matter what. Great neighbors. Do anything for ya. Lift ya up when you're down. Bring ya down when you are too high and mighty. And best of all, pray for ya, even when you think you don't need it!



I'd like for you to meet my best friends, my neighbors, and now . . . . finally. . . .bloggers!!!!! Click on those happy faces and give them a big hug and a warm welcome, too!!!

Another Great Giveaway!!! Don't Miss it!



My, oh My!!!!! There are just the best giveaways going on right now. And you can't miss this one. It was my privilege to meet Kat today! I was soooooo taken by her blog, her love for the Lord, and her marvelous primitive creations! She is truly an artist, for sure! I almost hated to tell anyone about this giveaway. I'm selfish enough to hope not too many people sign up, giving ME a better chance to win! But. . . . on second thought. . . .if one of my blogging buddies wins these treasures, then I will rejoice with them. (Now, don't I sound nice?????? Deep down inside, I STILL hope I win!!!!) But go for it. . . . and may the best blogger win!
Just click on the picture to sign up!

And while you are at it scroll down and sign up for MY giveaway!!!!! Two posts down!!!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Daybook Entry for May 19, 2008

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FOR TODAY (May 19, 2008)...

Outside My Window . . .A baby Brown Thrasher is learning to find seeds as Papa stands close by protecting his young one!
I am thinking... Can I be as trusting of my Heavenly Father to provide and protect ME?
I am thankful for... Unexpected fantastic sales on Ebay this week! Thank you, Lord!
From the kitchen... A new pasta dish! Will post the recipe later!

I am wearing... oversized tee shirt, NO SHOES this week, baggy pants!

I am creating... a hussif (needle case) from old linens.

I am going... Nowhere! A home day, for sure.

I am reading... A biography of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot!

I am hoping...
For more rain! It has been so dry, but we got a good shower last night! We do need more!

I am hearing... Buster snoring under my feet.

Around the house...
Lies the remains of a box of Q-tips! Buster's work, of course!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week. . . Catch up on orders for angels, get more listed on Ebay, trim back grapevines from my trees.
Here is picture thought I am sharing... Baby Thrashers in the nest!


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I'm so glad to be able to participate with the others in this Notebook entry. You can visit The Simple Woman's blog
HERE!


Be sure to click here to enter the drawing for my giveaway this week!

Great Giveaways! Don't miss Them!

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Here is your chance to win one of my primitive stitcheries!!!! This was stitched on a vintage dresser scarf and framed in a dark red wooden frame. All you have to do is . . .

Just leave a comment here on my blog! And PLEASE promise me you will go check out THIS giveaway from our Ebay group. . .

Glad Tidings Primitives and Folk Art is holding a wonderful giveaway (another chance for you to win!!!!!) and I would love it if you would go over there and sign up and check out some of the other gals' blogs. While you are there, sign up for the wonderful giveaway GTPAF is hosting!

Also if you post a link on your blog to MY giveaway (it's ok of you post about the GTPAF and mine in the same post), you get TWO entries in the hat!

Hope you win!

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Click Here To Visit My Ebay Store!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Opening the Bag!!!!!

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A while back, I wrote a post expressing my frustrations with opening bags of sugar that send a poof of sugar all over my kitchen. I begged for a solution, and here is a great one! Thank you, CathyJean, for taking the time to post the best tutorial with pictures and everything! Now we have NO excuses or complaints about our sugar bags!!!!!

Click here to go to Aunt Daisy‘s Cottage to read about her Sugar Bag Solution!!!!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Introducing A New Blogger!

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There are some people who are just special in this world. You don't meet too many of them, but when you do, you just know. . . .

Tracee and her family are those people! And I am so blessed to have them not only as my neighbors, but also long time friends. I've known Tracee since she was a teenager, watched her grow up, grow deeper in her walk with the Lord, grow in her marriage, grow in motherhood, and grow as a just an all around wonderful person. It's been a joy to have them living behind me for the past few years and watch her children as they have been successfully homeschooled. I'm sure this has not been the easiest task, but she has accomplished far more than I think I ever could.

Yesterday,Tracee started her blog, and already she is off to a great start! I confess, I am sooooooo envious of her garden this year as it looks like finally, we may have One successful vegetable gardener here in Florida!

Please take the time to go and visit her new blog, welcome her into the blogging world! You won't be sorry to add her to your list of cherished friends!

This is Julianna and Ebony! Click on her picture and she will be glad to escort you to her momma's new blog!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mother's Day!

holding hands


Ever since I was eight years old, Mother's Day has come and gone with many different and mixed emotions. You see, my Mom died when I was eight. And Mother's Day was never the same again. Though I eventually had a stepmother, I was old enough to know that this was "fake." I went through the motions, but my thoughts always went back to my "real" Mom.

Being single, I never had the joy of being a Mom either. So on this day, I feel a little out of place. No one to send flowers to, and I certainly don't get any!!!!

Please understand, I'm not having a pity party here. God has been so good to me in so many ways. But He has also given me the sensitivity to see that there are many women out there who hurt terribly on this day. Some very close and personal friends have lost their Moms recently, and this day is so hard go through. Others have lost a daughter, a son, a grandmother, etc. It is these ladies that I'm drawn to. And it is these ladies that I post this poem for.

The Time of Sorrow

The time of sorrow -
Has it come today?
Has it entered uninvited,
Settled in, it seems, to stay
. . .Forever?

'Tis not a gift, you know.
It is not yours to keep,
But lent to you just for a while;
And though it seems to rob you of your smile,
You will not always weep. . .
For your sorrow is not your own,
Just lent to you but for a little while.

Use it. . . be not angry or ashamed
That He should think 'tis sorrow that you need.
One day, when all its purposes are through,
And there's no further work that it can do,
It will be taken. . .even as you plead.

Taken, for 'twas only lent to you,
To bind you closer than you ever knew,
Closer to the One who feels it all,
Touched by all your heartaches. . .
Large or small.

So let sorrow do its work
And bide its time,
For someday soon again
The sun will shine.
And when it does, I think that you will see,
That sorrow was a friend, if that can be.

You are changing -- changing still today,
For you have grown more tender
On the way.
And when sorrow comes and takes another's hand,
Your softened heart will cry,
"I understand!"
--Cora Eelman

Monday, May 5, 2008

Daybook Entry for May 5, 2008

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FOR TODAY (May 5, 2008)...

Outside My Window . . .My Sycamore tree is casting a beautiful shadow across my yard as it is now full of big leaves. It grew so fast!

I am thinking... About how small that tree was when I received it as a gift just a few years ago!

I am thankful for... God's faithful and constant provisions for me, even through hard times!

From the kitchen... Left over baked potatoes (twice baked) with butter, cheese, bacon bits, and sour cream!

I am wearing... oversized tee shirt, shoes that hurt, baggy pants!

I am creating... primitive pincushions.

I am going... To the grocery store for dog food and bread.

I am reading... Pretty Little Pincushions. A great find on Ebay!

I am hoping...
Something to private to share, but heavy on my heart!

I am hearing... Several baby cardinals who have just left the nest learning about the bird feeder but still wanting to be fed.

Around the house...
Let's not even go there. I need to clean from top to bottom.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week. . . Get ahead on making things for ebay, make some bread with a new recipe for my breadmaker, finish some stitcheries and get them framed.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


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I'm so glad to be able to participate with the others in this Notebook entry. You can visit The Simple Woman's blog
HERE!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Pineapple Carrot Zuchinni Raisin Bread!

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I've made a lot of quick bread in my day. Most of them were good, but none of them come to mind as the greatest -- or "keepers" -- as I like to call them. I like Bananna Bread, and some of the other holiday type breads made with pumpkin, etc.

But when this recipe came out of the oven, I KNEW I had found the food of the angels!!!! It is to die for! Add some cream cheese, or butter (the real stuff) and make it nice and fattening, but it is wonderful just by itself. And guess what?????? Your kids will never know they are eating LOTS of good-for-you veggies!!!!

This is the second time I've made this bread in two weeks, and the recipe makes two large loves. And the best part? It seems to get better as each day passes. It doesn't dry out like some quick breads.

So. . . . give it a go!

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
3/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all the above together in a large bowl

In another bowl, beat three eggs

2 cups shredded carrots (I peeled mine first)
1 cup shredded zuchinni (I peeled mine first)
1 8oz can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup raisins
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Add the above stuff to eggs and mix

Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened.

Grease 1 8" x 4" x 2" loaf pans. Bake at 350 degress for 65-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

(I couldn't wait! It wasn't cooled completely when I cut my first piece!)

Just give me a cup of tea, a big slab of this bread, and I'm in heaven!

Please Note: The first time I made this, I did not have any raisins and left them out. The bread popped right out of the pans with no cracks, etc. Today, I added the raisins, and it really stuck to the bottom. Because I thought it would fall out so easy, I wasn't being careful, so it kind of broke up on me. So use the raisins at your own risk!!!!!