My Yellow Farmhouse

Is Everyone Ready

I can't believe that tomorrow is already Thanksgiving.  Is it me or has November just screamed right on by.  I'm hoping that December goes by a little more slowly so the holiday season can be savored and enjoyed.

Tonight the kids come home and I'm looking forward to having everyone under my roof.  Tomorrow my sister and her family come up for the day to enjoy a turkey dinner.  We started this tradition probably 10-12 years ago when we decided that we needed to be home and start a tradition with our kids and not travel for both holidays.  Well they all decided to come up to us (which we were thrilled about) and it's been that way ever since.  Every other year my brother and MJ come also so it's always a full happy house during Thanksgiving.  This will be the first year that my Mom and Phil won't be making the trip.  Mom is under the weather and although she's feeling much better, she's going to hang out at her house and rest.  She is the official gravy maker and this year between my sister and I - will have to get the job done and I'm sure it won't be the same.  Here's Mom hard at work last year making really smooth yummy gravy

isn't she a cutie - Will miss you lots tomorrow Mom but will talk on the phone, Love Ya :).

Tomorrow is also the official day for the taking of the Christmas card picture, dogs and all.  I think it might be taken out at the new house - will see what the day brings.  Otherwise it's usually taken on the front porch which Bob helped me get decorated this afternoon just in case. 

Well I promised a little tour of Lib's house when we last got together for our card stamping group, so let's get started.  First off she's gone back to school and has been doing very well, so she sometimes puts her papers with the awesome grades on the fridge - I told her I needed to share that perfect paper - you go girl :) - she knows that math makes me sweat - why just looking at those problems gives me the shivers, LOL

her adorable cupboard that she changes with the season or holiday

she has a wall by her front door with lots of different types of the letter A - for her last name

she's also a quilter  - very cool antique quilt

and a newer one made by her

Someone in the picture below looks like Kilroy with just the eyes showing

So that's it for now.  The house is clean and decorated for Christmas. Most of the food for tomorrow is ready to go (except the gravy) and the weekend is full of promise with absolutely nothing to do.  Sewing and new things on the website are the first order of business and maybe a nap or 2, LOL.  It's been a busy few weeks and I'm looking forward to nesting time at home.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday and be safe if your traveling. 

Until Next Time

How Could I Resist

While visiting rohanknitter one of my favorite blogs a few weeks ago I noticed she had bought a little something I just had to have

Those who know me know I'm NUTS about Cami.  My niece sent me the little round wiener dog key chain awhile back - so when I saw the fabric wienie key chain on rohanknitter's blog I just knew I had to have that one as well.  Does 2 make a collection, LOL.  Anyway check out Sommers Designs - her things are adorable and her service was great.  Maybe now I won't loose my keys so often.

Last Thursday was our monthly woolie get together and as always it's a great day with lots of laughs.  Sadly though we were missing one of our woolies.  Ms Faye had an unfortunate accident in her garage and broke her leg the day before our get together.  We missed you Faye very much, it's just not the same when a woolie is missing.  Today she was moved to a rehab center for several days before she can head home.  She's a reader of the blog and I bet a little word of encouragement from you all would put a smile on her face and make her day.

Well of course little silver came along so that I could share some of the handiwork of the woolies.  Penny served us a great lunch with a killer dessert.  Thanks Penny for a great day.  She's been doing some repainting in her kitchen (which I forgot to take a picture of)  and besides her wall color she repainted this cute cabinet

this little table belonged to her grandpa and she "freshened" that little sweetie up as well

a cozy spot to watch a TV with a fire crackling

I love the quilt on her bed - yummy colors

love this quilt as well hanging in her entryway

so now let's move onto show and tell from the group

this is one tiny quilt

Kari's latest pattern

This will be a kit on the website very very soon

love this picture and she made the frame as well

besides making frames this woolie also turns wooden bowls as well - aren't these little bowls adorable

we all went wild for this purse


isn't this quilt just freak-in adorable - this is for her latest grandbaby - it's all polka dots Ms Sharon
 

now this little basket of goodyness(is that a word) sent us all over
the edge

it's a basket full of mittens made from old felted sweaters by one of the woolies, these mittens are all lined inside and have little felt pads on the palms and thumbs. 

that basket went home pretty empty.  I'm trying to encourage her to put a few for sale on the website - what do you all think?

I'll be back on Wednesday with a quick tour of one of the stampers house from our last stamping get together.

Until Next Time

WEEEEEEE DAWGIES

First off I'm going say I'm sorry for not getting back to the comments on the last few posts and if there's something I need to answer, please email me and I will get back to you.  I'm "building my bridge and getting over it" about not answering.  Lots going on here at the Farmhouse and the new house, plus a few other things thrown in and I'm learning to let some things go.  I feel a little bit like this

lots of plates spinning right now.  Doesn't she looked relax and poised.  Not frazzled with that disheveled look that I'm feeling, LOL.  Seriously it's all good - no whining here really - I feel very blessed in my life.

Yesterday I spent almost the entire day at the new house (thought it would only be a couple of hours).  When I arrived this was going on

a little hard to tell, but the new porch is all enclosed in plastic sheeting so the cement could be poured.  They have huge heaters in there so that the cement can cure.  Looks like the house has termites already doesn't it and it's being bombed with bug killer, LOL.  I came home in overload last night.  What started out as another walk through with the electrician ended up with meetings with the heating/AC guy, the plumber, another guy and Mr. Contractor.  Plumbing of one of the tubs was in question because of a floor joist which resulted in totally switching a bathroom around.  But that's a good thing since I was a little bit unsure about the layout of it in the first place.  Anyway lots of things need to be finalized over the next couple of weeks which is going to make me a bit scarce around here and out there in blogland as well.  You know that saying "something's got to give", well that's where I'm at right now.  I'll be around - just hit and miss.

My sweet friend R came over and helped me get decorated for the holidays.  With Thanksgiving next week and family coming I wanted to have it done and with extra time on short supply right now she came to my rescue to help me out. We work very good together and it really made the process fun and not like just another thing on the list.  So as of dinner time last night I'm officially decorated. That's a good thing.  A sure sign of the holidays is this little guy

one of those little plastic light up jobs from the dime store (remember those).  My Mom gave my sister and I each one lots and lots of years ago when our kids where young.  We both still have them and put them out each year.  A few years ago my Mom who never bought one herself was feeling the need to have one as well.  She finally found one in an antique store and now he shows up every Christmas at her house as well.  He's one of the first things I take out when the decorating process starts and he always makes me smile.  Still a couple of areas I want to tweak, but in general everything is in place and it feels so good.  I'll share pics in the next couple of weeks.

Both of my boy's are self-employed - my oldest has his own landscaping business which we will benefit from next spring, LOL.  He and my sweet DIL where here this past weekend for deer hunting.  E and I headed up to Fargo to do some shopping while the guys went hunting.  Then before they left on Sunday we headed out to the house to show them and go over an early landscape plan.  He's got some wonderful ideas for the outside and I'm excited to see that all come  together.  S#2 is opening his own business in the next couple of weeks and I'm heading up to Fargo today to help him with a couple of things.  Like I said - lots going on and not always at the Farmhouse.

I have new things to put on the website and hope to have those on there by Sunday as well.  I'm working a little bit here and there on my little pillow pattern and just finished up a cute (well I sure think it's cute, LOL) Santa wall hanging that I will be kitting up for the website.  Tomorrow is our monthly woolie get together and I'm sooo looking forward to it.  Need my peep time to keep me sane and I need a little sewing time to calm the spirit and keep me focused.  I'll be sure to take pics to share with you all.

Until Next Time

We Have a Birthday and a Winner

First off I want to wish my sweet niece a very Happy Birthday.  She is the youngest of all of my Mom's grandkids and is currently doing her student teaching to finish up her college requirements and getting ready to join the full-time work force. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLIE BOO BOO

MAY YOU DAY BE FULL OF SPECIAL AND WONDERFUL MOMENTS

Today in the mail I received a really wonderful surprise.  You all know how I love my mail and surprises in the mail - well they are just the best aren't they.  Renee from Liberty Star sent me her newest book - Gifts from the Heart.

I always look her up at market and chat a bit with her.  I just love her patterns and own LOTS of them and like to see what she has new, plus she's just a sweetie to visit with. Well the only time I saw her this time was when we passed each other in the aisle right before market and said a quick howdy.  With only 2 of us in the booth this time as you know shopping was pretty hard to do and getting around to visit just wasn't in the cards.  The couple of times I passed her booth on my way to make a pit stop she was busy with customers.  So she so sweetly sent me her new book with a nice little note.  Thank you Renee - you made my day and the book is full of wonderful projects to make for those who are special to us.  Renee you made me feel very special :) - thank you.

Here's a photo for ya to ponder for a second - what do you think this all means and it's not what you think

the owner of this house told me that she reserves the right to have a rebuttal after I tell the story, LOL.  So ponder the picture for a minute while I finish this post.

I finally went to see the Doc on Wednesday.  I've been battling some sinus junk for a couple of weeks and finally decided to bite the bullet and go see the man. 

it's amazing how fast that stuff can kick in and help a lady out.

I so appreciate all of the comments that everyone left on how they handle the blogging issue.  It seems we are all in the same boat.  We all value the friendships that we've made, the inspiration that we get from visiting everyone and how wonderful it is to find kindred spirits and sometimes soul sisters in this adventure.  Balance in anything is a tricky thing and it probably always will be a struggle.  I think setting a time limit was the big one and that it's OK to be a lurker and comment when there's something you have to offer or feel a connection about the post.  I think anyone who has a blog can see by their stats that they have visitors and know that people are enjoying what they have to say or show.  I think that I will still try when I can to answer comments because it's important to me, but more importantly when there are times that I can't I'll "build a bridge and get over it" and not feel guilty about it. 

So when I was trying to figure out what number to pick I decided that because today is my nieces birthday in her honor I would pick her age, which is a young 24.  So Rondell your the winner.  I will be emailing you for your snail mail and get something in the mail to you next week.   Thank you everyone for your comments - it's nice to know that I'm not the only one in that boat.

So the answer to the above picture - well Ms F has a new puppy - OK it's not new, but it's not a year old yet.  This pup liked to jump up and put his paws on the counter to check out what was up there - you know shop a little bit.  So they came up with the idea of putting mouse traps up there, which the pup  set off a couple of times. Now they don't even have to set the traps - just have them sitting there and he doesn't even think about doing it anymore as long as he sees  the traps are lined up on the counter when he's cruising the kitchen thinking about doing a little shopping ( BTW no pup was hurt in this process).  She's pretty sure he will be a perfect pup tomorrow.

Until Next Time

Hmmm What to Title This Post

Should the title be "Anyone Else Want to Join" or should the title be
"WHAT WERE THEY THINKING".  Back before I left for the Houston Quilt Market I was chatting with my friend Anne through email.  In our conversations we both discovered that we had signed up for a block of the month through The Quilted Crow.  What tempted us - Jan Patek's 2008 Girl Gang Block of the Month program and my first block has arrived here at the farmhouse. 

Each of us had that separate moment of "what was I thinking" and shared that with each other.  Sooooo I challenged Anne that we each blog about our blocks (since we were committed) and give ourselves the deadline of the end of each month to show our stuff.  I'm hoping that the stress or should I say motivation of having an online partner will help get this baby done.  So there the challenge has been set forth and Anne I think we should give ourselves until December 5th of next month to show our finished blocks.  Since we just received our kit I think we should have an extra week (am I looking for wiggle room already, LOL)  I still haven't decided what method I will be doing - machine or hand applique.  Machine will get it done faster, but hand applique is really my favorite.  So if anyone else out there is also doing this project let us know and we can all link each other during show and tell time.

So here's another question for you all out there.  How do you budget your time that you spend on the computer everyday.  I've always answered back to everyone who leaves a comment - I know it's not expected but it's something I've always enjoyed doing.  Because of that I've developed some great friendships.  But that takes time, reading blogs takes time and leaving comments takes time.  So there have been a few posts where I just couldn't take the time to answer back and I was stressing about that.  I had to remind myself that this adventure is supposed to be fun and relaxing and that I needed to "let it go" - or as my friend Leslie says "BUILD A BRIDGE AND GET OVER IT" - love that Leslie, and I use it often.  So another question for ya (boy I'm pushing the questions today aren't I), how many of you read blogs but don't always leave comments.  I know that there's times when I have a few minutes to quickly cruise my blogroll and see what you've all been up to and want to get to as many as I can and that doesn't always allow extra time for leaving comments and then I feel bad about that (how's that for a run on sentance).  I'm beginning to think I've got blogging issues, LOL.  So let's hear from you on this blogging question and I'll do a little drawing on Wednesday night the 12th as a thank you for sharing how you blog.

Today we had our first walk through at the new house with the electrician.  It was beautiful out there with the snow lightly coming down
 
and it was dang cold in there - next week they bring in some heaters which will help keep the cold a little at bay.  That's the view by the way from my new sewing room - a little slice of heaven.  I sure don't want to be my neighbor who still has his dock in the water as you can see out the window - that's going to be cold dragging that sucker out.

Thanks to everyone who liked my little pillows that I made for Anne.  I'm going to try and put together a holiday/winter set into a pattern and offer a limited amount already finished on the website as well as kits to make them yourself.  I figure if I put that in writing then I've got that dang pressure to get it done or is it called motivation again.

I hope to hear how you all spend your computer time and I'll come up with something fun for the giveaway.

Until Next Time

Well It Could Have Been Worse

Mr. Farmhouse woke up this morning early to a cool house

the furnace had decided to not share any warm air and the house was getting cooler.  Well after a couple of visits from the heating guys it's sharing it's warm air again.  Thank goodness because it's in the 30's here today, raining and windy.  I dressed in a couple of layers while waiting for all of my gentlemen callers and was thankful that it wasn't -30 below out there - cuz we know that's coming.  So I know it could have been worse.  Thankful for a working furnace.

Thought I would share my view with you while I'm doing this post

yup - the first fire of the season - I LOVE my fires and there's just nothing like the warmth and sound of a real one - someone else is all snuggled in right next to me - ready to call it a night and enjoy the warmth from her bed and the fire, what a life LOL.
 

So let's see what else, oh ya thought I would share my gifty that Anne gave me while we were in Houston - I tell ya she's so hard to get one up on.  She had sent me that great pumpkin picture I shared a few posts back - just because she wanted to and knew I LOVED fall.  So I thought I would make her up a set of pillows  and give them to her on the sly as a thank you - but noooo she had something else as well to give me  - she is such a sweetheart and I'm really glad that we've become friends.  Just wish she lived closer - the peeps and the woolies would love her.  So here's what she gave me - a cute pumpkin towel and some sweet candy corns - I love them Anne - thank you.
 
I made her a set of these little pillows to put in a bowl or what ever she wanted to do with them

We have a Christmas swap planned between the 2 of us - I should get going on that and finish it up.  By the way you should pop over to her blog, she has some great photos from around quilt market.  She was very busy girl with little red - her camera.

I'm also getting ready to work on my Pay It Forwards - I didn't forget ladies - they will be going out by the end of the month.  Thanks for being patient.

I treated myself to something fun for the cave.   It sure speaks of my love for wool and looks great hanging on my door and sets the mood for me when I walk in there.  Hey a girl has to treat herself once in awhile right.  Mr. Farmhouse would be happy if it was just once in awhile, LOL.

I promised something yummy for this post.  This is something I shared last fall but I think it bears repeating.  It's a family favorite and always a sure sign of autumn.

Caramel Dip - the cast of characters

what's that you say - is it lo-cal?  Hmmmm well I'm pretty sure eating it with an apple cuts the calories in half at least, LOL.  So here it is

• 1 package of Kraft Caramels
• 1 can of Sweet and Condensed Milk
• 1 stick butter

put it all into a microwave safe bowl

Microwave on high for 2 minutes - stir - then nuke again for another minute. 

at this point stir it up really good.  It will have some lumps and I find if I stir it, let it sit a minute and then stir again the lumps smooth out.  You can always nuke it again for a 30 second spurt and stir again if you feel the lumps aren't going away.  Every microwave cooks different, so you will have to see what works for you and it's just a trial and error kind of recipe.  Keep in the fridge and heat up what you need in the microwave when you want a little caramel and apple.  Mr. Farmhouse and I enjoyed this tonight after our pizza - YUMMMMMM

Now I won't lie to you - I've been known to just take a big old spoon of the caramel stuff right out of the fridge and eat it - yup straight out of the fridge cold skipping the apple all together, which I'm pretty sure keeps all those calories intact and shooting straight to my hips, LOL. 

My friend opened her prim holiday store in the mall today, so I stopped on over to say hi and drop a few things off to her.  She's still organizing and unpacking boxes, but wanted to be open by tomorrow since there is a big craft show at the mall that brings in lots of people.  She still has more prim goodies coming her way and I told her I would make sure to tell you that the store isn't totally put together yet, but she made huge progress since I stopped by on Wednesday.  They make all of the furniture in their store - and they do beautiful work.  Most of the painted pieces of furniture in my house and the ones at the lake came from this couple.  We've been chatting about a few new pieces for the new house.  Anyway here's a few snippets from around the store
 

Now this next piece of furniture she's been telling me about for several months.  She was pretty sure it would be coming home with me - yup she was right - it will be heading to the new house next spring - LOVE IT and she knew that I would - that door is made from an old window - tooooo cute and I know right where it will go - in the front entry

So that's it for me.  The farmhouse should be quiet this weekend.  It's opening of deer hunting this weekend and the guys will be heading out during the day for their annual hunting pilgrimage.  I'm going to be spending time on the computer freshening up the website with new things.  So stop by and check it out if you have time.  For all of you in the block of the month program - your blocks went out today.  Have a great weekend and will see you back here next week.

Until Next Time

Hey I Made It

Yes I did - I said I would be back here today and I am.  I thought about what to post today and remembered that I hadn't shared our last get together of the woolies back in October.  Shoot it's almost time to get together this month.  Watch out PM your up this month, get ready for little silver, LOL.  There wasn't much for show and tell so I have mostly pictures of her house.  I know how you are like me and love to tour the insides of other peoples houses.  So I didn't want to let you down even tho I hear grumblings when little silver comes out of the purse - I ignore those protests and snide comments LOL and I keep snapping away just for you all.  I guess both the woolies and the peeps know that where ever I go little silver isn't to far behind and they are totally used to the process so they just let me go.  So let's get started.

This sweet little autumn site welcomed us at the front door

Then we were served a yummy little appetizer while we waited for everyone to arrive - heaven forbid we should be without a snack or in my house we call it a snick snack.  It was a yummy cream cheese mixture with caramel drizzled over it and chopped nuts - scooped up with apples -mmmmmm I can taste it.

then she served a wonderful lunch with a great dessert - this woolie knows how to cook

here are a couple of projects from our show and tell - Ms Penny's first yarn punch project - very cute

Ms Jean's quilt - love the pink and brown

She has a great sunny space for stitching in

and wouldn't it be fun to be stitching by this fireplace with a roaring fire crackling away - hint hint

great collection of the miniature baskets from Longaberger

one of my favorite little quilts - I love baskets

hey I have the kit for this and it's even cut out - maybe I could switch it out and leave the kit for her and bring the pillow home with me, LOL - think she'd notice

 A couple more areas around her beautiful home

I love these Lipton Tea Pots and own a few myself - that quilt is the last Little Jo's project we did in our last club meeting.  This woolie was our teacher


this adorable miniature basket picture was made for her in honor of a BIG birthday by some special people.  Hey woolies/peeps I have the BIG birthday next year - hint hint, LOL

 
she has a great collection of green enamelware in her kitchen - I promised I wouldn't show more of her kitchen because the lunch dishes were in there.


her spot for sewing

Well that was a picture heavy post, but I hope you enjoyed the tour through one of the woolies neck of the woods.  I'm slowing getting caught up with everyone's blog and seeing what's new and what I missed.  That's it for now.  Next time I hope to have something yummy to post.

Until Next Time

DID YOU

See you tomorrow with a real post :)

Until Next Time