Thanksgiving week.....

It's going to be a busy week.  Thanksgiving will be at my kids' house so I can relax.  My job is to make the dressing.  The knobs for my kitchen cabinets should be in this week so I can at least get them on the drawers.  Will have to wait until my brother-in-law can come back to get the doors up (they have to have new hinges).  I'm thinkin' I'll wait until after the holidays to paint.

It's been really busy at Leola's so I'm trying to get some things made.  I love that my handmades have been appreciated and have sold.  That always inspires me to do more.

Would you believe that I'm still eating my tomatoes from the garden.  I had to pick them all a few weeks ago but they've ripened in the house and are yummy.  I'm a big believer in heirloom tomatoes and these are the varieties that have done so well.

These were enjoyed with cottage cheese with chives sprinkled on the top (one of my favorite lunches).

There were a few heartier herbs left in the garden including some rosemary.  I cut some and made a little wreath for my kitchen window.

Hope to get a jump start on some Christmas decorating.  I always love it when Thanksgiving comes early because I feel like we have an extra week before we have to start stressing.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and let's all pray for PEACE.

Snowy weekend & give-away.....

There's still time to join the give-away.  You have until midnight tonight & I'll draw tomorrow morning.

It snowed AGAIN on Friday night so lots of fresh snow .  The g'kids were with me from Friday afternoon to Sat. afternoon so on Sat. we pulled on the boots and all the "stuff" one has to put on in this weather.  We shoveled, fed the birds, made forts, slid down the hill and various other winter activities that almost did g'ma in.  This was the only outside picture we got -- too difficult taking pictures and entertaining kids.

We made cinnamon crescents out of a can but Phoebe didn't have enough.  We decided to mix up some biscuits and try making our own.  She didn't like them as just biscuit shaped so she decided to roll them like crescents.  Not quite the same but she liked them.

Today I'm going to try to finish my curtains for the front room.  Just need 2 more panels but they seem to be stuck on my table.  Can't seem to get through the pinning stage.  They're lined so I'm hoping they'll keep the room warmer.  Anyway, for sure it will look better.  I've had this Waverly fabric for so long that I don't think it's still available.   I still love it and I have a companion piece as a slipcover on my couch.

It's a cold, wintry Sunday but the sun  is shinning.  After a couple of really cold days this week & another light snow, we're supposed to start warming up.  Think I'll get on Baker's Seeds website and order some arugula seeds so I can stick them in the ground the first sign of spring.  Can't wait!

Watch tomorrow for the winner and you'll have to let me know where to send the lamp & shade. 

Have a good week!

To Bakersville for seeds....

We had the best day.  We were off to purchase our heirloom seeds at Bakersville and it was one of those perfect days for a roadtrip.  If you don't know about Bakersville Heirloom Seeds, it's located about 40 miles from Springfield near Mansfield.  A young man who grew up in Mansfield started collecting heirloom seeds years ago when he was just a teenager.  He had always gardened with his parents and grandparents and loved it and decided he didn't want to plant the genetically altered seeds.  He's now 28 yrs. old, married, has a child & they just opened a new store in Petaluma CA.  They've traveled all over the world and are now publishing the Heirloom Gardener magazine and have the most amazing catalogue I've ever seen.

This is just such a fun little village and everyone who works there is so nice.  It's like an escape from the real world. 

We ate lunch in their little restaurant which offered one entree.   Today was cheese enchiladas.  I think it must be vegetarian.  Anyway, you don't get a ticket -- you just leave a donation at the door.  Isn't that incredible!  The food was really good.

Now I have to do the real work and get the weeds out of my garden.  Trenton, Kenda's son, is coming on Friday to help me.  He's the best help.  Can't wait to get those seeds in the ground.

Monday at Leola's......

Today was my work day and it was very busy.  Springfield has a basketball tournament in town of home schooled teams.  You wouldn't believe how many people that brings to town and they all stay for the entire week.  Lamberts (Home of throwed rolls) was packed & we could hear their announcer all day -- "Johnson party of 8; your table is ready".  It's crazy -- absolutely crazy, the business that restaurant does.

Anyway, it was cold & dismal but people were out and Judy brought new furniture in & redid her area.  I sold an adirondeck chair last week and had another one at home so took it in.  It was so busy that it's still in the back of my car.  There's always tomorrow.  Did get most of what I bought at Janice's in except for the white cabinet that I'm still working on.  It's suppose to be warm again by Thursday so hopefully, I can get some work done in the garage.

Thought you might like to see some new necklaces that Kristi is making.  She does an incredible job with her jewelry.

Tomorrow Pam & I are going to my friend Jane's house so maybe I can get more pictures.  Pam is going to do some work for her & help her out with some projects.


Hopefully, by the end of the week, we gardeners can make a trip to Mansfield to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield to buy some seeds.  I recieved their beautiful catalogue last week and it is amazing.  I've been noticing that our night time temps have been staying above 30 degrees so we can start some of the early seeds.  It's worth a try anyway.  I'm so anxious!!!! 

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

Trip to Baker Heirloom Seed Company....

Our trip to Mansfield was really interesting. We went to the Baker Heritage Seed Co. & bought all kinds of seeds for both our veggie & flower gardens. They are not genetically altered & have been packaged without a lot of chemicals on them. the people who own it are true believers in organic gardening & try to run their business with that in mind. They have tons of books on anything about gardening (particularly organic). We found varieties of seeds that we had no idea existed. I can't wait to plant them.

Below is a picture of a group of Amish workers having a lunch break. They were all sitting up on this building when I asked if I could take a picture. They said no but one of them would stand on his hands (but still wasn't suppose to take a picture). I decided if you couldn't see their faces it would be ok. Two of the young guys stood on their heads right at the edge of this building. They were so cute & such showoffs.

They are working on making this place, which sets right out in the middle of nowhere, about 40 miles from Springfield, into a small town. It will eventually not only have the seed store but will also have a gift shop & restaurant. They have monthly events where they have live music & people selling things. It's a really "happenin" place.

This is also very close to the Mary Ingalls Wilder home in Mansfield. It's a great day trip & when they finally have a restaurant open you'll have someplace to eat. Although we heard the Tastee Freeze had a very good hamburger & onion rings.