Two Ring Ceremonies

I have two grandsons in the class of 2013; one at the University of South Carolina and one at Lancaster High School. They each received their class rings recently. Of course, I had to take some pictures and commemorate the occasion with some digital scrapbook layouts. PawPaw and I are so proud of you, Russ and Evan.

Christmas Decorations 2011

I had been admiring MMSs ruffled tree skirt for months so I dove in and got the materials and made my version. I used a painter's drop cloth and muslin rather than linen. After I cut the circle, I put it under my tree and ended up cutting 5" off of it since my tree is a compact one. Also I used fabric glue because I was not sure how the glue in the glue gun would hold up in our hot weather when the skirt was in our storage building. I have been having back spasms, so I quit after putting 4 rows of ruffles on the skirt. I think I will let it go at that because of Buddy. His bed is usually where we put the tree, so he has made the skirt his day-time bed.

Do you think he looks contrite? I think not. There are dachshund rules that are very specific: "if I want it, it's mine" among others.

I finally got my burlap and finished a few projects for Christmas. I am using mercury glass, mirror ball and silver ornaments on the tree along with a burlap topper. Some of the ornaments are tied on with jute in keeping with the burlap, silver and poinsettia theme.

I made a faux chandelier using clear ornaments tied to the light fixture over my table with fishing line.

I am using the paper covered styrofoam balls I made earlier this year. I am being ambitious and plan to make 12 more of them.

My table is set with a set of Fitz and Floyd plates I found at a yard sale. I have 4 plates, but only 3 patterns. The napkin rings are some that I made about 30 years ago.

The center piece is a rusty basket I found at another yard sale. I filled it with poinsettias with the pots covered in burlap.

I added some burlap to my candles on the mercury glass holders.

My wreath is one I bought at Pier 1 about 6 years ago AT FULL PRICE. I can't believe it either, but I loved it and have not regretted the purchase. I attached it over my twig wreath to give it more fullness.

I put some picks in this coffee filter wreath. I plan to put it on my mother's door at the nursing home. I can already tell you that she won't like it.

I think that will be it for me this season. Maybe a few twigs here and there, but mostly I can say that I am finished.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

 

Dear Democrats/Republicans and Other Assorted Rants

Democrats: Please stop giving away the farm. Over the years, your social programs have fostered a country of "gimme". The American taxpayers only have so much money to spend on your programs. You need to look at reality, not the liberal reality that gets you votes.

And keep your grubby hands off Medicare and Medicaid. Stop the fraud and misuse instead.

Stop pandering to the illegals in our country. If they are illegal, send them home to apply to come into the country legally. Stop giving citizenship to anyone born in this country. We can't afford your policies in this area.

Your insurance reform stinks. Don't you know that insurance companies have found a way around insuring everyone. "We're not writing new policies".

Republicans: Stop blaming everyone else for the country's woes. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. For starters, stop trying to legislate morality and get to work on getting the country back in order. I don't care if Joe marries Joe or Mary marries Mary; it's really not my business. Of course, I know that you count on the religious right for your money and votes. God forbid you rock that boat.

As much as I abhor abortion, I abhor even more telling a woman what she can do with her body. As Jocelyn Elder said, "We really need to get over this love affair with the fetus and start worrying about children." Do that and the problem may just solve itself.

And the Tea Party: What a bunch of wackos.

And the Occupy Whatever loonies: Go home.

And the "Keep Christ in Christmas" movement: I read the other day that you are the only one who can take Christ out of your Christmas".  Rather profound, don't you think? Saying "Happy Holidays" rather then "Merry Christmas" is not demeaning the Christmas story. Give it a rest.


I am weary of being told I don't understand the issues if I don't follow your party lines. I am weary of being told I am not a Christian if I don't believe what you do. I am tired of "copy and paste this if you believe in God". Exactly how does that make me Christian. All that proves is that I can ctrl-c and ctrl-v.


Another thing: it couldn't hurt checking Snopes.com or any other site for verification before you post something to Facebook or other social media. Some of those rumors have been floating around for years. Do you really think Apple is giving away iPads??? Or that for every time something is shared on Facebook, it accumulates money for some cause?? Do you really believe that????

Have I made enough people mad? If I missed anyone, I hate it for you.

Now that this is off my chest, I can finish my Christmas projects.

Aldi Baker's Corner Banana Bread Mix Review

I happened to find this blog written by Jeff the Smart Aldi Shopper. His review of the banana bread quick mix prompted me to buy it this week. He also reviewed  the pumpkin quick bread mix which I plan to try when I find it at one of our area Aldi's.

The instructions on the box call for the contents of the box mixed with 3 eggs, 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and 3/4 cup of water. I used Egg Beater's, Smart Balance Omega Vegetable Oil and Baker's Joy baking spray with flour to coat my metal loaf pan. I also added 1/2 cup of pecans. Hmmm....I wonder how some chocolate chips would be in it???

Cook at 375° for 45 - 50 minutes. I set my timer for 45 minutes and checked with a cake tester. Perfect. The bread came out of the oven nicely brown and smelling good. Cool for about 15 minutes, cut and enjoy. Slather with Brummel and Brown margarine. Yum.

I totally agree with Jeff. It is a very good product - not overly sweet and has a good texture.

Living Estate Sale and Yard Sale Today

I could not believe that we got out this cold morning. Probably wouldn't have if the yard sale was not on our road and the ad said "primitives" which, of course, drew me in. I did not see much there except one rusty basket and Rusty bought a telescope and these ice trays. The basket is bigger than I would have liked, but it has potential.

I really had a great time at the estate sale where I found a treasure trove of "littles". The Mason jar is from the bicentennial celebration in 1976. The Clabber Girl baking powder is unopened; the price stamped on the bottom of the tin is 61¢. I have a couple of my mother's old measuring spoons and cups; I was lucky to find a complete set of the same spoons still on the ring. An old Pepsi bottle, a Dr Pepper bottle, an ink bottle, small cloche and some colored bottles for my bottle tree round out my finds today.

A Monday Surprise and Tuesday at the Little Farmhouse

After having two pain blocks in my back at the pain clinic yesterday morning, I finally got around to opening my email later in the day. I had a wonderful surprise there; my layout, Autumn in the South, was chosen as layout of the day at Digital Scrapbook Place.

 This morning I decided to get out a bit and walk around the yard. We are having an unseasonably warm day here for November since the temp is supposed to get to 75°F. The sun seems a bit hesitant about shining today too, but I love taking photos on days like this.

One of the things that attracted us to this property is this old barn. It is a mismatched jumble of old lumber from various sources and a tin roof but has a certain beauty about it.

The old rusted gates, the cedar post fences and all the rusted hinges and hooks are some of my favorite things.

All of these back issues have certainly slowed me down, but now I have to finish my Thanksgiving table. I have also been pinning some great recipes onto Pinterest for our meal for the big day.

Now I am off to the grocery store to round up all the ingredients for the Thanksgiving goodies. What are you serving for Thanksgiving?

Kitchen Pantry Update

When we gutted and remodeled the kitchen in the little farmhouse, the cabinet maker made me a "pantry" cabinet. It was a pantry cabinet in his mind, I guess. The blooming thing was as deep as the base cabinets so it was like putting things in a deep black hole.

We have already made one revision to the cabinet. We took the top shelf in the bottom part of the cabinet for a microwave spot and had the door shortened.

I had installed some wire roll-out baskets, but there was not a size close to the width of my cabinet so there was a lot of wasted space. They were just not was stable as I needed for my junk stuff.

There is a new The Container Store in Charlotte at SouthPark Mall. My daughter and I made the trip up there Monday and I found some great bamboo roll-out drawers there. I used the 17" size even though my cabinet opening was not as wide as called for in the installation instructions. I got two of them installed yesterday and am very happy with them.

I bought three but am undecided about putting the one on the bottom shelf. The only things on that shelf are my mixer, food processor  and the doggie treats.

The installation was fairly easy with the enclosed template. The Container Store assured me that they would accept a return even after I had installed the drawers if I was not happy with them. So far, I am very happy with them and I am sure my back will thank me.