By henryjn, on November 28th, 2006%
I was given this magazine last week as a thank you for sewing curtains for my mother-in-law. I was in the mood one Saturday and she had new window treatments in her t.v. room by Monday night! It’s the pregnancy hormones that force me to do things like that, and the fact that I won’t be sewing much come January. Anyway, this magazine is all about aprons and the folk lore behind them. It’s a fun read with some free patterns and some to buy from Mary Janes Farm.
There is a great free pattern for a Red Riding Hood Topsy Turvy Doll, that I know some crafters would enjoy making. It’s interesting, this publication does not run outside ads, so it’s full of things to read. I kept trying to skip pages, because I like to skim and I’m used to regular magazines with lots of ads, and there was something on every page. It took many of my quiet moments to read through it, and I enjoyed all of it.
By henryjn, on November 27th, 2006%
As I mentioned in my last post, the eating continued at my parents’ house. Dad, that smoked turkey rocks! It was quite a large gathering of 20, no 25, just too many to count. Every year it gets larger now that the grandchildren are dating and getting married. The poor souls being initiated into the family on holidays, I feel sorry for them. It’s just the beginning and yes we are that weird!
To my surprise, the ladies of the family planned a little baby shower for me with lots of pink during the Thanksgiving festivities. Yes, Baby Erin now has a complete wardrobe full of pink with a little purple thrown in for fun! Thank you everyone for the great gifts! I was very surprised and can’t wait to see baby girl in tights!
We usually decorate for Christmas on the extended Thanksgiving weekend, but I just didn’t feel like rushing into Christmas just yet this year. I feel like Thanksgiving gets skipped over and we head right into Christmas before our stomachs recover from the feasting. But, that thought soon disappeared when I woke up this morning. So, Ian and I, tried to surprise Jay with a tree on our way home from the library. (My plans were foiled before we left when Ian excitedly said, “Daddy we’re going to pick up a Christmas tree!”) We didn’t go to a Christmas Tree farm and cut one down, do we have those in Florida anyway? The grocery store on the way home had to do, and it’s fine with me because I didn’t even have to get the boys out of the car.
Ian was very excited to get all the decorations down and play with his “Jesus Toys”, aka: Playmobil Nativity Scene. He really did help put up alot of the decorations, they were all just at the 3′ level. Now that the tree is up and decorated, it’s on to the rest of the house, but that will wait until tomorrow.
By henryjn, on November 25th, 2006%
The house is back to normal and some sense of order has been restored after a football team sized group of boys tore through the house on Thanksgiving Day! We really enjoyed ourselves and the boy’s had a blast having all those boys to play with. Jay’s parents are of course here in town, but all his siblings are out of town and don’t usually come home for Thanksgiving. Both of us are from families with 5 children and we just didn’t think it was right not to have a large crowd for Thanksgiving. So, we invited friends over that didn’t have family in town. The food was so, so yummy, especially the pies. I had an obscene dessert plate with a sampling of each pie on it. I did share it with Jay and Ian though. It just seemed wrong to eat that much!
Tomorrow we will have another Thanksgiving, or as I call it, Moshergiving at my parents house. All my siblings will be there with their children and it will most likely prove to be a large gathering as well. I can’t wait to have some more pumpkin pie, my favorite and some chocolate pie, also my favorite, oh and sweet potatoe casserole. Well all of it is my favorite!
I can’t forget to mention that our fall is finally here and we have been enjoying some exceptional weather this weekend. Blue skies, sunshine and a cool breeze. Our trees are even turning red, yellow and orange!
By henryjn, on November 22nd, 2006%
This month’s theme is perfect for this busy time of year. Take a picture of an apron you have and submit a favorite recipe with it! The apron I’m modeling is one I made sometime this year or last, can’t remember really, must be pregnancy brain + being a mom of two pre-schooler’s. It’s an over-the-head smock style apron out of a farm scence toile’ on the front and black for the back, with large pockets in the front and contrasting bias trim out of red gingham. It’s perfect for pregnancy because it’s very roomy and grows right along with me!
My recipe is one that is new to me, but I’ve tested it twice since last week and must say that it will be one I bring out every holiday season from now on. They are the best fresh out of the oven. Enjoy!
‘Good Morning!’ Buns
PREP: 20 min. + rising
BAKE: 20 min.
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 egg
¾ teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
Filling:
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons bread flour
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold butter
Maple Icing:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 to 2 teaspoons milk
In bread machine pan, place the first seven ingredients in order suggested by the manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or bread flour if needed).
When the cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into two 12-in. x 7-in. rectangles. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle half over each rectangle. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting from a long side; pinch seam to seal.
Cut each roll into 12 slices. Place cut side down in one greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes.
Bake at 375* for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. In a small mixing bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, butter, syrup and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Spread over warm rolls.
Yield: 2 dozen.
By henryjn, on November 22nd, 2006%
Too busy to blog, too busy to write, but not too busy to prepare for Thanksgiving Day!
The holiday menu includes:
- Apricot Kielbasa Slices
- Artichoke Cheese Dip
- Warm Brie with Almond Topping
- Turkey and Dressing
- Crannberry Sauce
- Sweet and Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Pumpkin Pie
- Triple Layer Mud Pie
- Sour Cream Apple Pie
Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Note added: No, I am not preparing the entire menu. We are having 3 other families over with us and Jay’s parents for dinner. I’m just making 2 appetizers and 2 pies, see I know my limitations!
By henryjn, on November 13th, 2006%
Last week I spent some time working on some basic mending; ie: patching jeans, 5 pair that the husband managed to rip in the weirdest places. I also finished all that I want to sew for Baby Erin before she comes; a patchwork bib, 2 embroidered burp cloths and a patchwork blanket. I don’t have a strong desire to start sewing clothes just yet, but I’m sure when she arrives and she’s old enough to look really cute in dresses and jumpers, I’ll go crazy!
I’ve been asked how I have time to sew and when I do it. Well, I sew whenever I can; while the boy’s nap/sleep at night, while they watch a movie or on Saturdays when they are outside with Daddy. It really makes a difference that I have a sewing room where I can leave an unfinished project out on the table and my sewing machine is set-up all the time. I really enjoy creating, whether it’s sewing, cooking, or making crafts with the boys. I make creating a priority in my life because I need that outlet and because I am some what obsessive compulsive.
By henryjn, on November 9th, 2006%
While I was out on my morning off, thanks to my mother-in-law, I found a few things and thought I would share my finds. A very cool bright orange pitcher/vase made by Dottie in ‘66 for $1, yards and yards of fabric, including a very interesting print with children painting and doing other arsty things for $2 total, 2 patterns for 50 cents and various tins for Christmas cookies for $1. Gotta love it when you walk out of a store spending $5 total!
By henryjn, on November 8th, 2006%
You know that saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” That’s what we did after church on Sunday when there were no more donuts for the boys. They typically get a donut and lemonade after church and you know what happens when a three year-old and two year-old are forced to forgo their routine! I tried to calmly reassure Ian, “that the children did not purposely eat all the donuts before he got there” and convince him “that it was alright and maybe we could make our own donuts at home.” We could have easily picked up a few donuts from the store, but we thought it would be a good way to teach about making things ourselves and not rewarding them by just buying something to quite them. Jay jumped into the kitchen and started the donut making process and 2-1/2 hours later we had fresh, homemade donuts complete with a powdered sugar glaze and sprinkles. It was the perfect Sunday afternoon activity for us all and we ate way too many donuts that we almost couldn’t eat our dinner!
Note Added: I spelled the word “doughnut” incorrectly on purpose out of laziness, hence the incorrect spelling “donut”. It was faster to type!
By henryjn, on November 7th, 2006%
I’m personally not a big animal lover. Growing up the baby of five children, animals were not my parent’s priority after many years of tending to various animals, including a giant Saint Bernard. When Jay and I were dating he got a golden retriever and I was not all that trilled. Soon after we married, Huckleberry became my baby and I started buying him treats for his stocking every Christmas and taking him to the beach and the dog park. Since we’ve had children, the dog is now outside and neglected compared to the pre-baby days. Then, we moved out to the country where we have room for other types of animals, hence the purchase of pigs, chickens and ducks. Why the change of heart? Not sure I can answer that easily, we just have them now and they are a part of the scenery. I love the idea of fresh eggs, fresh pork and watching the ducks on pond though.
Never thought I would see a pig in the pond with the ducks and a dog, but it sure was fun to watch Petunia root in the mud and pose for her glamour shot. Sean even got into the action and pretended to defend me against the evil powers of Petunia the Mighty Pig!
By henryjn, on November 2nd, 2006%
I took this shot in the corner by the front door at an attempt to capture the new, yet old look. The living room is now just the living room not the dining room as well. The dining table and chairs are back in the dining room with our faithful rug that has been around since we got married.
Not much furniture is around since those early days, just our mattress, this rug and a couch, which has been taken over by the boys in their play room. You can see into Jay’s office where there is fabric pinned up by tacks to keep the blaring sun from blinding him at his computer. It’s comical that he has to endure the bright sun and our third baby to be has blinds, drapery panels and a valance in her room. Maybe I’ll get to those window treatments someday! The quilt has a home on a stand my Dad built for my oldest nephew who is now 23 and about to get married. That sounds so crazy to me as I write this. His wedding is this December and I know I’m going to cry, but I am happy for him!
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Welcome I am Nancy Henry, mother to three really cool children, wife, designer, crafter, camera girl and a struggling writer. I share some of our life here when I get the chance. The focus is on the everyday and the beauty it beholds. Enjoy your stay and let me know you stopped by!
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