Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Feeding the birds












Acelia said this was the funnest craft so far......
I knew we would be making these when I saw them on


So.....
I kept an eye out for the perfect cookie cutter....




Last Saturday was my first trip to Cakes By Jan, (one of my new favorites!)
where I found this cute bird house cookie cutter!

It's perfect!

So, once you get your sugar cookies done you tie some string to each one......

(Acelia and I did this before you apply the peanut butter...I could see this being a mess of epic proportions...trying to get the string through a little hole packed with peanut butter!!!)









This is what I had on hand but you could use ribbon, twine, or anything else you have !








We strung them all and now comes the fun part.........




Spread a generous amount of crunchy peanut butter on the sugar cookie

then press into a bowl of bird seed!!






Then bundle up and go hang them on a tree nearby!!!


This was so much fun, and little ones would love doing the spreading and then pressing the bird seed all over the cookie! Then bundle them all up and go feed the birds!!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Punk Western Style


This cat is killing me........
but I'm gonna fight it..



In a couple different ways.......


His cute little face outside my door crying........
(I'm hoping the allergy shots work!)



His soft fur flying around inside the house.........

could someone hand me my inhailer? *Wheeze*

Pizza Party


Friday night we had a pizza party.....just the six of us :)




and Tim Allen, and all his little elves!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Comfort food choices


The house smells great !!
Scott and Dean have been out working in this blizzard, and they were sure happy to smell Chili, cornbread, and sausage and kale soup on the stove!!


Timothy made skillet cornbread from Pioneer Woman's cookbook!

Told y'all to buy it.......well??? have you??? your missin' out!!!



Some of us had the chili with corn bread and bottled root beer!


The rest of us had the kale soup!! Don't knock it till you try it! I brought this into town for Scott's lunch the other day and he said....and I quote......"This is the BEST soup I have ever eaten!"

Chicken Fried Steak....

I got my assembly line of flour and eggs going...
(in with the flour is paprika, seasoning salt and cayenne pepper :)




Finished product!!! It was delicious and easy!! Just what I like.




My second batch of these gingerbread scones!!


As I type we are at the beginning of a "wicked nor'easta"!! How's that for a Tim Sample Maine'a accent?? My fire is going and the coffee is brewing......and I'm having a scone :)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Dinner Review and a warning!!


Deviled eggs were on the menu last night. I hardly ever make them.
I don't know why because everyone loves them!!


We dredged the chicken breast in a mixture of flour,
salt, and pepper. Browned it in a cast iron frying pan till browned......


Once you take out the chicken, you add the onions and some thyme, and rosemary..
I drizzled in a little more olive oil and added some salt!
Once the were tender, I added the balsamic vinegar....
It made a sweet sauce to go over the chicken....
PERFECTION!!
Make sure you visit Heritage Schoolhouse for the recipe!



Ok!!!!! The sheet cake! My oh my!! I don't know if its just me, but
never have I had cake like this.....
hot out of the oven you pour the hot chocolate frosting over the entire cake
no spreading necessary......it just oozes over the entire cake!!



My post wouldn't be complete without a picture of one of the 4 Arrows dogs :)
Penne pretty much sums up how this cake will make you feel...
You will find the Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe

* Just remember!.......I warned you!

Monday, December 7, 2009

A cozy day


Normally I keep my opinion to myself, but since its the holiday season...
In my opinion.......this is true Christmas music!! Why?? Because it reminds me of my childhood and my dad!! I have a hard time with all the new bands screaming Silent Night, Away In A Manger....etc over the electric guitar!! In my opinion......no one should sing those songs except Nat King Cole, or Bing Crosby, or Dean Martin !!
And that is my opinion that is worth nothing to anyone else but me :)


I made a big batch of bread yesterday and set it by the fire, on the hearth, to rise!
The men folk were at a wilderness first aid course all day and it was cold out, so I planned for their arrival home....,.,.



A big batch of meatballs and sauce, with homemade breadsticks, salad, and sugar cookies for dessert!!





These little Christmas mice were made by my talented Mama!! Aren't they cute??? I just had to post them for you to see.....

Heads~Hershey Kiss

Body~Cherries (Maraschino) Dipped in chocolate!

Eyes~ Green icing

Ears~ Slivered almonds

Feet~Sliced red candied cherries

Glue them together with melted chocolate, and place on half an Oreo cookie

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Every Farm Needs A King!

He worms his little self near.... to start the petting process....


Then he worms his way onto your lap!


Finally you submit and lay down, forget all about your chores and
cleaning your bedroom, and folding the laundry......


and feel the love :)



Christmas projects


My Sister in law and her daughter came up for a visit yesterday and we had fun making these white chocolate covered pretzels!!


They were easy to do, thanks to my friend Lisa :) We made 100...... Lisa, Olivia, and I, on Wednesday, for Olivia's wedding!! So I had plenty of practice :)





Acelia, Jenny, and I made some of these a couple of weeks ago. They smell sooo good. Cinnamon, applesauce, and elmers glue.

DO NOT EAT!! The dogs and cat keep trying to eat them

and if they keep it up, they are getting coal in their stocking!!

I searched for a inexpensive, 5' tall, narrow tree to sit in the corner of my dinning room all year around with little white lights on it. No luck!! So I improvised, and sent Timothy out to cut a few trees in the back yard and VOILA!!!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Hunting

Recently our family spent some time in the woods, hunting and exploring.














Back in his element!















Busy Beavers!






Dad and Daughter











This is what Punk did all day!