A Little History & A Christmas Tour

Gee, it sure is rainy outside right now.
I wanted to come on and see what everyone has been up to.
Lots of folks are putting up their trees and getting ready for the holiday season. :)
As soon as I am done decorating I will be posting some decorating photos too. :)

I want to tell you about the great afternoon I had.

First, yesterday while at the library making copies I picked up a little paper about a Christmas tour at the Kennedy Stone House museum and thought it might be interesting to go see.
I called my sister, Karla and met her at the ranger's station. The stone house is in the Salt Fork State Park, Cambridge, Ohio.
The Kennedy Stone House is only about a half hour from me , yet, this was my first visit.
I am so in awe of the place!! I cannot believe this treasure was right under my nose!
We had a great afternoon despite the rain. I took lots of pics and wanted to share some with you. The entire place was decorated for Christmas. There was hot cider, ginger cookies, a musician, and guided mini tours inside the home. The Christmas tree was wonderful and so prim!

KENNEDY STONE HOUSE TOUR ( click on the title)

History of the Stone House (click for more history)
"Benjamin Kennedy at the age of 23 in 1837 purchased an 80 acre tract of land on Sugar Creek and commissioned the building of a stone house. The stone blocks, quarried on the property, were finely crafted and tightly fitted. The house and root cellar nearby cost 8600, a bargain, even in those days!!
Benjamin married Margaret Orr in 1842 and the Stone House was home to several generations of Scots-Irish Kennedy descendants until 1966 when the home and surrounding area were bought by the State of Ohio to facilitate the Salt Fork State Park. Signifying its importance, the House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. In 1 998 the Guernsey County Bicentennial Commission designated the Kennedy Stone House as
their legacy program.
In March of 1999, ten people formed a group with the goal of restoring the House.
The house has been restored, the summer kitchen built, herb garden planted, well dug, well house and privy built. A road has been cut into the property; landscaping and a Veterans Courtyard."

While we were there, we started talking to a lady who plays a very big part of the whole restoration. She asked us if we were interested in doing some volunteer .
Of course we were thrilled and said yes! My sister and I are going to be working on the flowers covering the root cellar this Spring. We are also going to be doing some primitives to be sold in the shop. I have lots of research to do on native plants, root cellars, etc.. I want this garden area to be spectacular!!!
ENJOY the slideshow . :)

Black Friday shopping & After Thanksgiving Poem

After Thanksgiving Poem

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep...
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned...the dark meat and white,
but I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation,
the thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen,
flung open the door
and gazed at the fridge,
full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
stuffing with gravy, green beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling,
floating into the sky
with a mouthful of pudding
and a handful of pie
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...
Happy eating to all -- pass the cranberries, please. :)

Are you shopping on Black Friday??
Nope, not me! I am planning on staying home and doing some sewing. I am going to make a batch of Turkey tetrazzini with the leftover bird.
I have went through about a dozen sale flyers and haven't really seen anything that I would fight the crowds for.
There are quite a bit of good deals out there though.
Most of the things that I found were things I would like to buy myself ;)
A new queen size comforter set from Kohl's on sale for 29.99 (original price 99.99) . I love this one!!!

Walmart Mainstay bath towels $1.50 each( gotta have navy blue),

Home Depot Husky 2-Gallon Compressor w/1" Micro Pin Nailer & 1-1/4" 18-Gauge Brad Nailer - $59.98 ( yes, I want one of those!),

Paula Deen 10-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set, Green 99.97 at Walmart.



These are going on my "wish list". :)
What's on yours??

Thanksgiving is a great holiday!!

It focuse our minds on our blessings rather than our problems

It makes the heart glad for what we have been given, and it takes our mind off the burdens that we all have.

Thanksgiving recognizes the giver as well as the gift. It keeps it on the positive side.

In life of plenty and prosperity, we seem to take everything for granted.

How appreciative we should be for our blessings and what a wonderful thing is a holiday which focuses our attention on them.

Thanksgiving is therapy that we need to keep cognizant of the beauty and blessings of living.

This year let's set aside a few minutes of the holiday to sit alone and think of the many things for which we should be thankful - then this great holiday will have true meaning to each of us.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

W.W.W....Good Grief! Where to start....................

Good mid morning/afternoon, well whatever you want to call it!! lol
I have santa bodies laying on the table, sweeper in the middle of living room, christmas decorations in sam's room, pet bowls in the sink, clothes to wash, gotta stop by the store( cause i forgot the corn!!) and I am not dressed.
But, I am here posting. I had to get on and see what everyone is working on. :)
I am making myself a santa(not today though). Too much other stuff to do.
I will get it all done.
I did bake 2 pumpkin pies last night.
I am putting the turkey in tonight. It will stay here for us to "snack" on tomorrow. Our main dinner will be eaten at my dad's.
Corn casserole and sweet potato casserole will be prepped tonight. That way I can bake them tomorrow along with the ham.
The only big thing I will do in the morning is the homemade noodles.


I also want to pass along a couple goodies before I forget

First, for all you CVS shoppers and coupon divas .........
save $4.00 off your next $20.00 ( with this coupon)
CVS COUPON
Rusty Tin Roof newsletter is out! lots of recipes, prim freebies, and free graphics.

RUSTY TIN ROOF


I also found some blue mason jar glasses at the thrift store yesterday. they were 19 cents each.
I am using them to put silverware in.



THANKSGIVING PRAYER

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

LoTs of GOodies to Show YOu.....

Good morning all,
I am sitting here watching the snow flurries outside, drinking coffee and posting some goodies for you to see. :)

I want to send a BIG, BIG THANK YOU to KATH @ http://weepingcedarhollow.blogspot.com/

I love everything!!
You have got my holiday season off to a wonderful start!!!
See that little stocking??
There are chocolates in it too!!
Now thats the kind of stocking i like!! :)

AND.............. check out the awesome tags that I received from http://prim4him.blogspot.com/
Another blog that I find inspiring, both artistically and spiritually!


Now, I want to show you two ornies I received in the mail yesterday. These are from the ornie swap I am in on Delphi forums ( prim & rustic decorating board). If you aren't a member already; well, come on over!! These ladies are amazing!!

I love this little slipper with the doggie!! The tag itself is a piece of art to me.




Check out this manger ornie!! The tag says, "tis the REASON".
It is so true! Alot of time Christ gets left out of Christmas . We need to get back to the real reason for the season in all the hustle and bustle.



This is the "Simple~Needs" Santa that I made. They are very simple and plain, perfect primitive to me. :)
These are being sold to a local bed & breakfast.
Body and clothing are made from old tea stained flannel to give it a soft , worn appearance and feel. Trim on the robe is from old mattress batting (that we bought over the summer at an auction). Beard is made from raw wool. Mica flakes were added to Santa's beard and robe. The card that Santa holds is a printable vintage postcard. I had made 10 of these and after delivering them , the owner called the next day requesting 10 more. To say the least, I have been busy. :)

I want to say thank you again for the wonderful goodies that I have received. It is friends and times like this that make the world a brighter place to be. :)
Many hugs to you,

CHristmas QUestions

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just post the image and answers on your blog.

So, whatcha waiting on? Get started!! :)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? WRAP

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? SOON
4. When do you take the tree down? FEW DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS
5. Do you like eggnog? YES

6. Favorite gift received as a child? EASY BAKE OVEN
7. Hardest person to buy for? MY MOM

8. Easiest person to buy for? MY FRIEND, SAUNDRA ( a prim lover newbie)
9. Do you have a nativity scene? NO, BUT I WISH I DID

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? MAIL

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? ???? TURTLE NECK SWEATER WITH BLACK AND PURPLE POLKA DOTS( THAT WERE THE SIZE OF A SAUCER)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? DRUMMER BOY - I CRY EVERYTIME
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? BEFORE CHRISTMAS ;)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? YES

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? NUT ROLLS
16. Lights on the tree? ALL WHITE

17. Favorite Christmas song? My Favorite Things- Lori Morgan

18. Travel at Christmas time or stay home. STAY AT HOME

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? HAVEN'T DECIDED YET THIS YEAR

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? CHRISTMAS EVE

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? PEOPLE IN SUCH A HURRY
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? PRIMITIVES AND ALTERED ART

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE AND THEN CORN CASSEROLE.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? FOR MY DAUGHTER SAM TO COME HOME & FOR PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE WHAT THEY ALREADY HAVE NOT WHAT THEY WISH THEY HAD.

Gifting AND Recycling

How many times have you spent hours or days looking for the perfect gift for someone special?
and how much did you overspend? how many presents have you received in the past and you "passed" them on?

I have done this so many times, overspending and being so worn out from shopping that it was crazy!
This year I have decided to make more or buy more homemade gifts since the economy isn't the greatest , and neither is my budget, lol .
Today I went to a craft bazaar at a local senior citizen apartment complex. I got a knitted hat and fingerless glove set. The knit set was going to be a gift. did you notice I said WAS? I tried on the hat and gloves and I am in love!!

All these homemade crafts that I have been posting and the ones I have bought today have really got me thinking . I am going to continue making "homemades" AND to incorporate recycling at the same time.
Here are a few links and pics of great ideas for gift giving AND RECYCLING.
Enjoy!



cashmere bunny ( from old thrift store sweaters)



cake/display stands ( from old plates and parfait glasses or candle sticks)




designer tote ( created from a canvas grocery bag- I see them at the thrift stores all the time!)

baby food jar nighlights ( those are the little LED tealights in the jar and paper covered paper cups!!)

tissue box cover (I can see this in some felted wool-like those wool pants you found at the thrift store? with an awesome prim stitching on the sides)

lip balm cozy - so cute!! check out the tutorial!

Need to know how to reuse or reclaim wool clothing?http://featheredfibers.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/current-projects/

I hope you are enjoying the weekend. :)

GOod THursday Morning

Good morning all.
Sorry I haven't been around the last few days but things have been busy, busy at my house. :)
I have been working on a few sewing projects and trying to clean a little. After being sick with the flu last week; this place needed some serious cleaning!
I did go ahead and take down the Fall decorations that were outside. We thought about leaving them up till after Thanksgiving but since we have had snow, it just didnt look right out there. :)
Next step is the Christmas decor. Hopefully, I can get a start on it this weekend.

Have you started decorating ??

On to crafting news.............
A cute craft for you to try.

FELT REINDEER

I made a prim santa for a friend and she had it displayed on her mantle. Well, another of her friends came to visit and really liked it. This lady owns a bed & breakfast. She asked if I could make ten of them for her to display and sell!! WooHoo!! I am sooo happy!! She is paying upfront so no consignment stuff. This money is really going to come in handy for christmas. :)
I have one santa to go , deadline isn't till 11/26 so I am ahead of schedule. :)
Anyone waiting on goodies from me? Well, they are ALL in the mail!!
It really got me behind being sick, but I have been busting butt to get caught up.

Looking for a freebie 2009 calendar??
check out the ones from Betty Crocker

http://bettycrockercommunity.com/newsletter_archive/BC_Calendars/index.html

and Pillsbury
http://freecalendar.pillsbury.com/PB1Calendar/Default.aspx?source=545

Now I am off to read what you all have been doing the last few days. :)

A TOwn Ready For CHristmas!!

I thought I would post two videos from my hometown preparing for Christmas.
Courthouse musical lights will be played every half hour starting Novmebr 30, 2008 between the hours of 5pm and 9pm
Enjoy!!

Cambridge Ohio Courthouse Holiday Light Show



Discover Cambridge, Ohio - Dickens Victorian Village

New Goodwill & Newsletter is out........

Hi all,
I am on my way to check out a new Goodwill that recently opened.
This is my first venture out in a week because of this flu.
I will let you know if I find any goodies. :)
Also, please check out the newsletter by Painted Daisy Craft shop/CYO websites!!
I have a couple T2T projects on there. :)


http://www.painteddaisycraftshoppes.com/newsletter.html

If you have thought about opening a website , well, then talk to Ami!!
Total staff support and no problems, like other forums, with having a server down.
Be Back Soon

Fat Friday recipe and THanksgiving Ideas...........

Good morning,
I am still feeling lousy this morning ; just not as lousy as yesterday. lol
Got a few craft projects to work on; I am doing them in assembly line style. :)
I am making baked potato soup for supper. We just had it last week but the recipe was a hit and I got a few requests to make more.



Baked potato soup
4 large Baking potatoes
2/3 cup Butter or margarine
2/3 cup Flour
6 cups Milk
3/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
4 chopped green onions, divided
12 slices Bacon, fried, crumbled, divided
1 1/4 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
8 ounces Sour cream
Wash potatoes and prick several times with fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until done. Let cool. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, then scoop out pulp; set aside. Discard skins. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
Add potato pulp, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp green onions, 1/2 cup bacon, and 1 cup cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated; stir in sour cream. Add extra milk, if too thick. Serve topped with remaining onion, bacon, and cheese.

serve with loaded corn bread.................


Loaded corn bread

1 can cream of corn
1 pk (8 1/2-ounce) corn muffin mix
1 c (4 -ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c cooked,minced bacon
1/4 c Minced green onions

Spoon cream of corn into a medium bowl; add remaining ingredients and stir just until blended. pour into a greased 8 inch square baking pan. Bake at 400 for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.


Thanksgiving Ideas



Effortless napkins



Thanksgiving thoughts guest journal - what a great idea for your friends and family to write in!!




felt skates and mitten pattern I can see these done in black felt with some glass glitter sprinkled on them. :)


Have a great Friday!!!

~W.W.W. ...MAking A LiSt~

Good Morning,

I am still feeling this flu bug. My head feels like a brick. Good grief!!
Anyways, I am drinking coffee ( and a glass of alka seltzer cold)and looking for some crafts to use as christmas gifts this year. I am going to give at least half of the folks on my list- HOMEMADE gifts.

Here are some ideas out there on the internet that I thought you might enjoy.

no sew rustic burlap table runner ( now how prim is that?!) :)

No sew quilt



No sew vintage ornament


no sew sachets



Altered JArs

Another Quilt Giveaway!!

Stop over by http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/ and sign up to win a quilt!!
The ladies who make these beautiful quilts to give away, amaze me with their talents.
Keep quilting and we will keep dreaming of snuggling under them on a cold night. :)

Passing on a Wish......

.........to a veteran blogger. not just in blogging but also a Service Veteran .

Please wish Melissa @ http://thistledewfarm.blogspot.com/ , a Happy Veteran's Day and a big Thank you for serving our country..

Still feeling yucky here, so I am back to the couch.

Who Passed On...........

This yucky flu bug??!!!



I have been feeling pretty miserable all day. Runny nose (you know the kind where you feel like stuffing the box of kleenex in each nostril?) headache, chills, achiness, and sneezing.... Good thing my nose is attached, cause I feel like it could fly off my face, and coughing.
I havent gotten much accomplished. I needed to make a trip to the post office but I didn't even feel like getting dressed.
Adam, our greyhound, sneakily chewed up my tennis shoe while I tried to take a nap. I didn't even know he had it on his pillow. I figure he was upset cause I was "hogging the couch" all day. Hogging the couch is usually his job. :) Gee, maybe he just wants me to wear my doggie paw print slippers everywhere.
I am going to try and get some sleep. Hopefully, the Alka Seltzer kicks in soon.
Good night.

Good Sunday Morning

Good morning to all,
We woke up this morning to temps in the 30's ; highs today are supposed to be in the low 40's.. Ouch!!
It was so nice and warm here yesterday.

I have a little crafting to finish up today. Then on to more projects. :)
Thought I would show you some easy peasy paper cones. ..... There are a few NO SEW PROJECTS on here today. :)

Cones can be cut from plain colored paper or from greeting cards. To create, draw an arc onto a corner of the construction paper or card using a compass opened up as wide as it can go. Using a pair of pinking shears, cut inside the line. Roll the paper into a cone and staple; reinforce with tape along the inside seam.



Feather Tree (click for directions)


No Sew Country Santa



"Hung Up on Christmas" Santa No Sew Wreath

Today's lunch is White Chili. I already started it in the crockpot.

2 tablespoons olive oil (OR vegetable oil)
2 onions, chopped
1 tsp. oregano
4 cooked, boneless chicken breast half, chopped
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (4 ounce) cans canned green chile peppers, chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
5 (14.5 ounce) cans great Northern beans, undrained
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 10 minutes, or until onions are tender. Add the chicken, chicken broth, green chile peppers,oregano and cumin and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add the beans. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated thoroughly. Pour into individual bowls and top with the cheese. Yummy! Great for a chilly day!

New edition of http://oldeprairieregister.blogspot.com/ is out!!

I emailed the three winners in my giveaway. Please check your emails and make sure it went through. :)

Be back soon

ANd The Winner Is.......Wait, There are three Winners!!

Dianntha at http://ohiofarmgirl.blogspot.com/ !!

Congrats!! Woo-Hoo!! The fireworks are for you!! :)

I couldn't pick just one............ so I am picking second and third place winners too(and a special prize is waiting for you). :)

Second place is...........................

http://thoughtsofkitty-kat.blogspot.com/

Third place......................

http://cranberryflats.blogspot.com/

Winners, I need YOUR ADDYS!

WHatcha WOrking On WEdnesday-getting busy...

Washer is running, (and so is the dryer). Got to do up a few dishes, feed the cats , the dog. sweep floors.... and do more crafting! I have 2 santas left to finish in a swap I joined. There were 10 gals to send to from the Prim & Rustic board at Delphi forums. Come one over, join the group and check out the wonderful webpage( lots of tutorials, photo galleries and great tips).


and I want to make rag ornies.......


They are very easy to make.
Inspiration came from a quilt book.
All you need is a foam ball, glue, fabric, thread, and sewing pins (pins with a ball head on the top). Start by wrapping strips of fabric around the ball, glueing each end of the fabric strip to the ball. Once you are done, place one pin into the ball leaving part of it sticking out.
Tie a long piece of thread onto the pin and start wrapping the thread around the ball making any design you want.
This also helps keep the fabric onto the ball.
Then tie the thread onto the pin and press the pin completely into the ball.
You can add as many pins & thread as you want. try doing two, one going vertical and one horizontal.
Then get a strip of fabric and glue & pin it onto the ball.
All done!

Our New President

I PRAY that he is capable of running this country.

I HOPE that he can and will make America proud.

And now, tomorrow is a new day................. I am tired of the election news.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday?? :)

We Have Been There Before.................

And so it goes.... We Have Been Here Before
It was a time of economic panic.

The government had first caused a economic downturn and then meddled until the economy completely collapsed.
The people demanded change.

Along came a glib, smooth talking newcomer.

He had no governing experience to speak of,
but promised the change his people sought.

He also promised free health care, strict controls on guns
and a massive redistribution of wealth from the few rich to the many poor.

The people praised him, the press extolled him and vilified his opponent.

Children sang songs about him and university students chanted his name.

He was elected, and all the changes came to pass........ but not as most had expected.

Because it was Germany, in 1938.
If that scares you, it darn well should!

Fire Aftermath

I wanted to post an update.........................

I have errands to run;be back soon..

Fire in our small town tonight..........

I just got home a few minutes ago.

For almost a half hour I could hear many fire trucks coming off the interstate and whizzing by the house. Well, I decided to go find out what was going on.......
FIRE PICS

Two, possibly three buildings are on fire. They are still burning at this time. The air is filled with acrid smoke that I can smell even from my house . I am just heartsick. The Dickens mannequins were just put out this afternoon. Our town was decked out in all its glory. (You can click on the above pic and see the holiday wreaths are lit up. and the fireman going up the ladder......)

I have no knowledge right now of any victims. All of these building have apartments above the store fronts. I will post more details as soon as they are available tomorrow.

Sunday Morning post..........

Good Sunday morning!

Did you remember to set your clock BACK??
One year I did forget. I was at work an hour early. Trust me, that didn't happen again. :)

I got up early this morning; doing laundry, dealing with a cat who for some reason has stopped using the litter box and no he isn't sick. He is a little brat! lol
He prefers to do his business on the floor. ggrrrr....................

Anyways, back to the laundry. I have one load to go and it is done till tomorrow morning. I also baked 3 loaves of apple cinnamon bread. Got to tell ya , it is yummy!! Nope, I don't have a recipe. The bread is made from a mix, yes, I said a mix. lol


I picked up three boxes (country value brand apple cinnamon bread) at Big Lots. They are $1.80 each. so much better than the $4.86 a loaf for gourmet bread at Walmart.
Plus, my house smells divine right now. :)

I thought some of you might be interested in this freebie for business cards. I ordered some for my blog. My thinking was they would be great to include with swaps, giveaways and even sending a card. :)
http://www.magicprints.com/free-cards
quote fronm their site..........
"Just select any of our business card designs. When you are done, you will be able to put a single order of 10 cards in your cart. Standard shipping will be free, just like it is for all our orders.Note: only one order of free cards per customer."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We went and helped a local family yesterday. We still need to finish their bathroom floor. You could not step in front of the tub, that's how bad it was. The mom actually went through it up to her ankle last week. They are checking the local carpet places for some leftover/discarded floor covering to put over the new plywood.
I know that alot of people have it bad these days. But, when it is in your face, it's a real reality check. They have four young children ( all are under 8). They don't have much and the house is not the best. Things are worn but it was clean.
Two of their girls came home with me to pick up a level and extra screws. They asked if I had any peanut butter for sandwiches. We took two jars and four loaves of bread back to their house. You would have thought I gave them gold! Those two little girls ran in the house exclaiming that THEY brought some food home to help out. I went back outside and cried.
My girls have no idea what it is like to be humgry or go without. No child should ever have to know that feeling in this country!
I told the mom that I would show her how to make some curtains, pillows , etc.
Last night when we got home I posted on freecycle for a sewing machine,a tv and a bed. The kids have beds but the parents do not. The dad works fulltime but the money just isn't enough. There is no tv in the house . I have a bunch of educational VHS movies and an old vcr. If someone offers a TV they can at least have the movies to watch. It doesn't even matter what size.
Keep thinking good thoughts that someone will email me with these things.
Hugs,