Fresh Green Beans

The green beans are ready. I picked some and need to go back to the garden and pick the rest of them in a few minutes. We also picked peas already this past week. I frozen them. I will can the green beans probably in the morning. Thankfully, it is a tiny bit cooler outside, not a lot, but every litle bit helps.

It's Strawberry Time In My Garden

Our strawberries are starting to ripen as the days are warming up. We planted about a dozen plants in containers on the back patio. I just have to walk out my back door and pick some fresh strawberries!

I got to babysit a princess today!

I got to babysit my princess today while her mommy and daddy had a little date for lunch. Her mama brought her in a delightful little outfit but the princesss and I had a secret mission! I had saved one of her mama's dresses from when she was also about four months old. So, while mama was away, we got the princess all dressed up in her mama's little dress and bonnett. Then we got the camera out. I think she looks so sweet and beleive me she is a sweetie. Grandchildren are such a blessing.

I Got The Sweetest Phone Call

The telephone rang and I picked up the receiver. A sweet little voice asked if Grandpa was home from work yet. I said that yes, Grandpa had just got home. The little voice said "I wanted to come up and help Grandpa in the garden." The voice belonged to my eight year old grandson, Benji. My son's farm is just a half mile down the road from our farm. I asked if he want Uncle Andy to come down and get him so he could help Grandpa. Andy ( my son-in-law) hopped on the four wheeler and went right down and picked Benji up.

Recycling Ideas!

I created a recycled skirt for my granddaughter today. I purchased an Old Navy skirt from the thrift store for $1.99. The skirt was in like new condition but was a mini skirt and my granddaughter like long skirts. You can also use old jeans that have holes, stains, or are too short. I cut the bottom portion off. I then added a cute cotton print to make the bottom portion of the skirt.

I Think Spring Is Really Here!

It's been a little while since I posted. I have been busy sewing for another wedding. It's finished and it was beautiful. It's always nice to see a bride and groom so happy and in love. It's also a nice feeling to know that I had a little part in creating the beautiful satin gowns that will be part of the bride's wedding memories.

We've had one new calf born this spring. We are waiting on one more that is due anytime now! My hubby is getting things ready for his garden. He has also planted another apple tree. We've never had too much success with our grape arbor. We think it does not get enough sun. So, Hubby is starting a new arbor in a sunnier spot!

Wishing you a beautiful week.

Yummy Comfort Food

Blueberry Jam Tart

1 cup flour
pinch salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
8 T unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
1/2 cup non instant oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
6 heaped tablespoons of jam ( raspberry, blueberry etc)

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla. Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir this mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the oats and sliced almonds. Reserve 1/2 cup of this mixture and set it aside. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the greased 8" X 8" pan. Dollop the raspberry jam over top and spread it out with a rubber spatula to within 1/2 inch of the sides of the pan all around. Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over top.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the dough is golden brown and the jam is lightly bubbling. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Straight from The Heart

I've just celebrated another birthday. I celebrated with my family and it was a very nice birthday. I received several nice birthday gifts. I wanted to share with you the gift from my sweet six year old granddaughter, Vanessa. I could see the excitment in her eyes even before she handed me the pink birthday bag. She was just beaming with delight!



Vanessa's mommy told me that she picked out the gifts herself, I could plainly see she was hoping I would love the gifts that she picked for me.



Inside the gift bag this is what I found:



A tin can bank that mommy had bought at a garage sale. It is dated 1988.



A catalog about horses. From this catalog you could order all kinds of toys such as farm animals and barns etc!



Next I found a string of plastic beads that Vanessa had made herself. A brand new pencil that had never even been sharpened yet. Also a used ink pen that was just missing the lid but was a real cool zebra print.

Also, one of the sweetest things was this.....



Vanessa had picked out several cards and asked her mommy to help her choose which one she should give me. Mommy said one was a get well card, one was a baby card......

How cute is that? In Vanessa's own handwriting she wrote that she hoped I got good cards. I even got some stickers!! Yes, Vanessa, I got good cards, and yours was one of the best!

A disaster hit today!

I had an unfortunate disaster in my kitchen today. I put a pound of lovely white chocolate on the stove to melt. The bad thing was I forgot all about it and began to do some other chores. I changed the bed clothes on one bed, tidy the room up and did a few other things. All of a sudden I smelled something burning and noticed that my house was filling with smoke! It was then that I remembered the chocolate. I ran to the kitchen to find the white chocolate was now a burnt brown chocolate. The bottom of the pan that had the water in it was bone dry and smoking!! The top pan with the chocolate was charred. I had to open doors and windows just to let out the smoke in my kitchen. I have not decided which was worse, ruining my pan or wasting a whole pound of chocolate!!!! I did go on and melt another pound of dark chocolate and make chocolate covered pretzels. Yes, I stayed in the room while the chocolate was melting!!

It's been So Long

It has been so long since I updated on my blog. Sorry about that. I have had some serious sinus/ chest congestion for some time. I think it may be a tiny bit better. Anyway, I took a few pictures of my granddaughter last evening. She is growing so quickly. She will be six weeks on Sunday!! Sharing one here with you!