2011 100+ Reading Challenge

I am thrilled that this challenge is going to be repeated this year. It is a new host, Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf. Thank you so very much Amy!! This will be my 4th year doing a 100+ challenge. Am really looking forward to this one-Amy has such a nice blog and this is a great way to find new authors...

January

1. A Taste Of Magic-Tracy Madison
2. Starvation Lake-Bryan Gruley
3. A Slow Walk To Hell-Patrick A Davis (good)
4. Grim Pickings-Jennifer Rowe
5. Revenge Of The Barbeque Queens-Lou Jane Temple
6. Die Trying-Lee Child
7. The Axman Cometh-John Farris
8. House Of Bones-Dale Bailey
9. The Face Of Deception-Iris Johansen

February

10. Kill The Messenger-Tami Hoag
11. Death By Rhubarb-Lou Jane Temple
12. A Time To Love-Barbara Cameron
13. Bond With Me-Anne Marsh
14. Bread On Arrival-Lou Jane Temple
15. Swan Song-Robert McCammon

March
16. Reading~Antiques Roadkill: A Trash n Treasures Mystery-Barbara Allan
17. The Cornbread Killer-Lou Jane Temple
18. Diary Of A Mad Bride-Laura Wolf
19. Heartbreaker-Julie Garwood
20. Into The Web-Thomas H Cook
21. The Same Sweet Girls-Cassandra King
22. Storming Heaven-Kyle Mills

April
23. The Sinai Secret-Gregg Loomis
24. Mortal Memory-Thomas H Cook
25. Reading~Prayer For The Dead-David Wiltse

May
26. SET-Carl East
27. The Crush-Carl East
28. The Mailman's Tale-Carl East
29. Private Games-Tawny Taylor
30. The Thirteenth Unicorn-W. D Newman
31. Heart of the Witch-Alicia Dean

June
32. Zachary Zombie & The Lost Boy-John H. Carroll
33. Dating Mr December-Phillipa Ashley
34. Belly Fat Blaster-Tony Donato
35. Surrender The Heart-MaryLu Tyndall
36. June Bug-Jess Lourey
37. Haint Misbehavin-Maureen Hardegree

July
38. Mind Cafe-Lizzy Ford
39. Her Best Catch-Lindi Peterson
40. The Amber Room-Steve Berry
41. My Haunted House-Angie Sage
42. The Sword In The Grotto-Angie Sage
43. The Big 5-Oh-Sandra D Bricker
44. A Dirty Job-Christopher Moore

August
45. House On Orchard Street-TM Moore
46. Dont Count The Stars-Jacob Helm
47. Exotic Indulgence-Jess Dee
48. The Lake-Tananarive Due
49. Lye In Wait-Cricket McRae
50. Hurricanes In Paradise-Denise Hildreth Jones

September
51. Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise-Joyce Magrin
52. A Time To Heal-Barbara Cameron
53. Hot Flash-Kathy Carmichael

October
54. Makeover For Murder-Cindy Vincent
55. The Ice Child-Elizabeth McGregor
56. The Manicurist-Phyllis Schieber
57. Zombies Eat Lawyers-Kevin Michael
58. Elvis and The Dearly Departed-Peggy Web
59. Just Another Day In Paradise-Katherine Tomlinson
60. Sweet Treats-Brunstetter Etchison Griffin Murray
61. They Voynich Enigma-Baz Cunningham*
62. Count Down-Iris Johansen

November
64. Chill Factor-Sanda Brown
65. A Thousand Bones-PJ Parrish
66. A Winter Haunting-Dan Simmons
67. The Search-Iris Johansen
68. Gold In Trib 1-Douglas Anderson

December
69. A Very Holly Christmas-Shiela Roberts
70. O Little Town-Don Reid
71. Hangmans Beautiful Daugher-Sharon McCrumb
72. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood-Ann Brashares
73. Female Intelligence-Jame Heller

Cranberry Macadamia Nut Bark

1/2 c. dried cranberries
1(1-lb.)pkg.vanilla-flavored candy coating,cut into pieces
1(3 1/2-oz.)jar macadamia nuts

Line cookie sheet with foil.

Melt candy coating in medium saucepan over low heat,stirring constantly.
Remove from heat. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread on foil lined cookie sheet. Cool completely.

Break into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Store in airtight container.

Hot Buttered Rum (Adult Beverage)

2 c brown sugar
2 qts water
2-3 c rum
6 whole cloves
4 sticks cinnamon
1/2 c butter

Pour ingredients into crockpot. Put on high for 2 hours, then low for 8-10 hours. Serve in mugs. Keep leftovers at room temperature and reheat to serve.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Clusters

1 package (12 oz) milk chocolate morsels
1 package (6 oz) peanut butter morsels
1 package (12 oz) salted spanish peanuts

Combine morsels in a 2-quart casserole.
Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until melted. Stir halfway through cooking.
Stir in peanuts.
Drop by teaspoons onto waxed paper.
Let set until firm. Store in air tight container.
Yield- 4 to 4 1/2 dozen.

Simple Hot Fudge

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Heat condensed milk, chocolate, water and coffee in a
large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat
stirring frequently, then constantly until sauce turns
from grainy to creamy smooth. Remove from heat and
stir in vanilla; add water as needed to thin to desired
texture. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Lemon Curd

2 cups sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated lemon peel
4 eggs, beaten

In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients except the eggs over low
heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until the butter has melted. Slowly whisk
the eggs into the mixture and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the lemon
curd is thick enough to coat a spoon, stirring occasionally; do not boil.
Place in clean jars or a bowl, cover, and chill for at least 2 hours, or
until cool, before serving. Store in the refrigerator.

McDonalds Clone Mocha Frappe

1/3 Cup cold strong brewed coffee
1/3 Cup whole milk
1 Tbsp. Chocolate syrup
2 Tsp. sugar
1 Cup ice cubes

Blend all till mixture is smooth and ice is finely crushed

Texas Roadhouse Clone Cinnamon Butter

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (chilled)
1/2 tsp. corn syrup
3/4 to 1 tsp. cinnamon (to taste)

Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until mixture is smooth. Serve with hot rolls or muffins. This may be stored in the refrigerator

Ham Loaf

This is a good way to use leftover ham!

HOLIDAY HAM LOAVES ~ SERVES 4

1 lb. cooked ham, ground
3/4 c. saltine cracker crumbs
1/3 c. minced celery
1 egg (beaten)
3 tbsp. chopped parsley
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. seasoned pepper
2 T. ketchup
2 T. minced onion
1/4 C. syrup from pineapple chunks
Pineapple chunks
Maraschino cherries

In medium bowl, combine ham with cracker crumbs, celery,
egg, parsley, seasoned salt, seasoned pepper, ketchup, onion
and pineapple syrup.
Form ham into 4 loaves, press 1 pineapple chunk halved and 1/2
maraschino cherry into each loaf.

GLAZE:

1/4 c. brown sugar
4 tsp. vinegar
4 tsp. pineapple juice
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. cornstarch dissolved in 4 tsp. cherry juice

Cook to thicken. Pour over ham loaves.
Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Apple Pie-An Adult Beverage

This is from Laura and sounds super yummy!

1 gal of apple juice
1 gal of apple cider
4 cups of sugar
7 cinnamon sticks
1 qt everclear

Add the apple juice,cider,cinnamon sticks,sugar and boil until cinnamon sticks lose there flavor(or open up all the way)let cool slightly then add the everclear chill pour and enjoy your apple pie

A Different Way To Spend Thanksgiving

This year we spent a rather non-traditional Thanksgiving! Lucas is stationed at Ft. Meade, MD.. so Bill, Jason and I packed up and went there. Wish Laura could have been with us!! Decided to spend Thursday being tourists.. and umm, what tourists we were! Couldnt find a Metro Station that was open near where Lucas lived so we drove to DC and parked the car near the Vietnam Memorial Wall. What a great place to start our tour and a reminder of some of things we have to be thankful for!







From there, we went to the Lincoln Memorial...







Then we walked.. and we walked.. across the Potomac to Arlington~













Fortunately, when we left Arlington we found a Metro Station that took us back across to the National Mall/Smithsonian area.















Here we also had our Thanksgiving Dinner.. a 7.95 hot dog and bag of chips. At that point, we all thought it was the best tasting dinner EVER!



National Air & Space Museum was next-





Next stop, the Smithsonian Castle-





By then, it was starting to get dark and time to head back to the car.





Getting back to car was the LONGEST walk I have ever taken. My feet have blisters, haha!

Friday was a quick trip to base before heading back home.



It was truly a great way to spend Thanksgiving. DC was busy, busier than I thought it would be.. everything was open. Wish there had been more time to see more things.

We also found a great way that Lucas and Jason can get jobs, stay close to us... and even closer to each other. Jason has another year of grad school and Lucas will be out of the Air Force next spring. Since they will both be job searching-they have good leads and could very well both end up living together.. at least in the same town and near enough that we can see them regularly!! Now, just to find a way to get Laura and Geoff here!

Wouldn't This Be A Great Way To Start The Christmas Season??

Unsuspecting diners at a food court in Canada... Just a reminder that it is not the holiday season, it the CHRISTmas season~it would not have existed with out Christ. Wish I could have been there for this!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

3 cups all purpose flour
5 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups granulated sugar
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans.

Combine the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil and orange juice in a large mixer
bowl; beat until just blended. Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture;
stir just until moistened. Fold in the cranberries. Spoon the batter into the
prepared loaf pans.

Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes
out clean.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

1 package yellow cake mix
1 can (1 pound) pumpkin
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Topping:

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon cinnamon


Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a large bowl combine dry cake mix,
pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, eggs,
nuts, and pumpkin pie spice.

Blend at low speed until completely
moistened, about 1 minute. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed.

Spread batter in a greased and
floured 13" x 9" x 2" pan.

In a medium bowl combine the
sugar, flour, softened butter,
and cinnamon with a fork or
pastry blender. Sprinkle evenly over batter.

Bake at 350° F for 40-45
minutes, until center springs
back when touched lightly.

Paula's Apple Pie... Or Crisp

Okay, I burned the durn pie.. what can I say? Apparently my vintage turquoise oven is having a temperature problem even though we sent the thermostat off and had it rebuilt by antiquestoves.com. Now it looks totally garbage but my great husband said~aww, we can eat it anyway. We did and it wasn't half bad (minus the really burnt crusty edges). I would make this again but would use a lower temp than the called for 450 degrees.

3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling
Freshly ground nutmeg, to taste
7 medium apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Directions
Paula's Perfect Pie Crust, recipe follows

3 tablespoons butter, diced
Egg wash, for brushing
Sugar, for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl.
In another bowl, sprinkle apples with the juice of 1 lemon and toss. Stir in
the sugar mixture to evenly coat the apples.

Set aside. Roll out chilled dough into 2 circles and use 1 round to line a
9-inch pie pan. Chill the other round.

Mound the apple and sugar mixture into the pie pan lined with dough. Dot
with the cubed butter.

Using a pastry cutter, cut an even number of strips from the remaining
rolled out dough. Transfer every other strip to the pie top and weave in the
lattice by folding every other strip back onto itself and laying another
strip perpendicularly. Fold the strips back across and repeat until
completed.

Brush the top of the pie with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
Trim the overhanging dough and crimp edges.

Bake pie for 45 minutes. Let rest 20 minutes before slicing.

Paula's Perfect Pie Crust:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
3 tablespoons granulated white sugar
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, cold
12 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup ice water

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, salt and sugar. Add the
shortening and break it up with your hands as you start to coat it all up
with the flour. Add the cold butter cubes and work it into the flour with
your hands or a pastry cutter. Work it quickly, so the butter doesn't get
too soft, until the mixture is crumbly, like very coarse cornmeal. Add the
ice water, a little at a time, until the mixture comes together forming a
dough. Bring the dough together into a ball.

When it comes together stop working it otherwise the dough will get
over-worked and tough. Divide the dough in half and flatten it slightly to
form a disk shape. Wrap each disk in plastic and chill in the refrigerator
for about 30 minutes. On a floured surface roll each disk out into a 10 to
11-inch circle to make a 9-inch pie.

RIP SPC David Hess

Another day that the price of war has been hard to bear. RIP

Lemon Pepper Chicken And Noodles

1 bag cooked noodles
2 cups cooked, diced chicken
3 t olive oil
3 t minced garlic
1 very small onion, diced
3/4 c white wine
1 can chicken broth
5 t lemon pepper seasoning
1 T lemon juice
1/2 c diced carrots
1 package fresh sliced mushrooms
12 oz pkg frozen peas, thawed
Salt & pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in nonstick skillet. Add garlic, cook 2 minutes. Add wine, broth, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, onion and carrots. Cook 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, cook 2 minutes. Add chicken and peas, heating until warm. Toss in noodles, top with parsley.

Patriot Guard Riders

These guys go beyond awesome!!! Thank you, thank you! Apparently they will be accompanying a fallen soldier here this weekend. NO family should have to suffer the indecency of the scum that calls themselves the Westboro Baptist Church.

Sugar Crusted Maple Cake

FOR THE CAKE:
1 pkg. Pillsbury Plus Yellow Cake Mix (cake mix with pudding in the mix)
1 cup water
1/3 cup oil
3 eggs

FOR THE GLAZE:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup maple-flavored syrup

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease fluted tube pan.

Make cake as directed on box. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

In small saucepan, heat sugar and syrup until sugar is melted and mixture boils.

Pour around edges of hot cake. Cool in pan 15 minutes; turn onto
serving plate.

Parkersburg Digs Its Own Hole

A mere two years ago, Parkersburg City Council and Mayor Newell voted themselves pay raises. Riverfront parks are being built, a skateboard park, another riverfront park being planned, parking changed on Market St-then changed back the next week, tents bought for the farmers market-ads run, billboard (controversial ones at that) purchased, heat strips placed on the streets near the city buildings, private-albeit city owned park-on 13th St. All is going great.. right?

Sadly, it was recently announced that the city is now over 2 million in the hole? How could this possibly happen? Apparently, the B&O taxes have hit rock bottom-that would be the business and occupation tax..the one that each business within Parkersburg city limits have to pay each quarter or the reason lots of business go to Ohio-like a certain city councilman. St. Joseph Hospital has been sold to a non-profit company and will no longer have to pay these taxes... hmm, no one saw this coming did they?

Mayor Newell has announced his plans to "fix" this budget problem. Geez, this is so simple.. every mayor, governor.. or even the President should give this one a shot. The plan is this-every employee in the City of Parkersburg that has a job will get to contribute a mere $3.00 a week ($156.00/yr) and this will be called a "user tax". Are you getting the feeling that "user" means the city will take what little bit you and I have and continue building parks? Maybe instead of "user", it should be "used".

First and foremost, I just plain don't get it. The city officials didn't see this coming? Good grief, drive down any main street and see the empty buildings. How many businesses have closed over the last two years? Unemployment is evident Parkersburg and the surrounding areas. No business=No B&O tax. No B&O tax=QUIT SPENDING.

City employees have been informed they will not be getting a raise.. and may have to pay some of their increased insurance costs. Well! Isnt that just a damn shame! Hopefully, supervisors will have to cut a few people in each department so that the ones left will actually have to work. How about the code enforcement officer that spends his day driving around the same block? You know, that block that has half a dozen home improvement jobs going and not one of them has a building permit? Building permits=income. Or how bout the perpetual yard sales located all over town, auto repair garages that dont have a business license... these all equate to more income for the city. Guess we need to cut one or two of the code enforcement officers to motivate the others to do their jobs. Oh, and what about that city truck that regularly sits behind Burger King and naps?? Yup, he obviously is no longer needed.. there just isnt enough work to keep all these employees busy! There might not be much street sweeping going on, not really a lot of sense in doing the same streets once a week-time for property owners to pick it up a bit and do some cleaning.. If we dont want the city to rule us, we are going to have to pick it up a notch.

Mayor and City Council just plain screwed up. Maybe it is time for them to decide why they are in these positions. Are they there for income and/or prestige? Or because they have a deep concern for Parkersburg? If it is because they truly care about our city, they can vote their salary out the door-these are now Volunteer positions and they commit to honestly work for the City! Mmm, just food for thought!

Roast Beef & Provolone Subs

1 can French Onion Soup
2 T worcestershire sauce
1 lb thinly sliced deli roast beef
4 sub buns
4 slices provolone cheese
1/2 c drained mild banana peppers.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

In a saucepan, heat soup, worcestershire sauce and roast beef until heated through.

Divide beef between buns, top with cheese and banana peppers.

Bake on cookie sheet in oven until cheese is melted and buns are starting to toast.

Being Lazy

Obviously, not getting a lot done.. including posting here. How was there ever time to go to work?? It seems like we are constantly busy but there is still so very much to do.

Laura sent me this picture-she and her friend Tiffany were off looking at wedding dresses. Isn't she beautiful?? I hope Geoff realizes how lucky he is-

Last weekend was the local Harvest Moon Festival. I always enjoy going-have a chance to see some old friends and eat my yearly deep fried Twinkie. This year, Bill went also and splurged with me. Don't think he loves the craft shows, but he definitely doesn't mind going with me either.



Harvest Moon Festival is sort of special. A few years ago, when I was still doing craft shows, won "Best Of Show". Craft shows are a ton of work, but also a lot of fun!

Hummus

15 to 19 oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
1 or more cloves of garlic, quartered
2 Tbs. of lemon juice (juice of one large lemon)
1/4 tsp. salt (to taste)
1/4 tsp. black pepper (to taste)
1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
1/4 cup boiling water
Pita bread

In a blender, combine the chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Add the tahini and boiling water. Chill, if desired. Serve, drizzled with olive oil.

Baktus Scarf Finished

I finished my Baktus Scarf last night. Used Sz 7 needles with Noro Kureyon Sock yarn in colorway S150. I HATE this yarn!!! Had started knitting a pair of socks with it several months ago... only to rip them out. Don't know what I was thinking when I decided to use it. It wraps up on itself.. has LOTS of knots... and the uneven spin made for an uneven edge to the scarf. Geez, I have another skein of this stuff!

As for the scarf, I do like the simple, mindless pattern for knitting on the go or when watching TV. Will make another, but not with this yarn!

Forever Young

I was trying to find Dylan's version of this... but couldn't find one. Even this commercial is cool though, the way the generations come together.

Spicy Orange Beef With Broccoli

1 1/4 pounds beef chuck steak
1/2 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup orange marmalade
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup orange juice
1 head broccoli, cut the flowerets into small pieces, discard stems.
Cooked rice

Cook the white rice according to package directions.

Thinly slice the chuck steak, about 1/8" thick, across the grain. Cut the slices into 3-inch long strips.

Heat the oil in large skillet over high heat. Toss the beef in the cornstarch and fry the beef in 2 batches in the hot oil, turning once, until crispy and golden, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside on paper towel lined plate. Carefully drain the oil from the skillet.

In a medium bowl add the marmalade, garlic, vinegar, ginger, soy sauce and orange juice and whisk until well combined. Add to the skillet, over high heat, and cook for 1 minutes. Stir in the broccoli. Cook the broccoli until slightly tender and the sauce is thick, about 2 minutes. Stir in the beef, then transfer to a serving platter. Serve immediately with the white rice.

Labor Day Weekend News

What a nice weekend! We didn't go away but Jason and Lucas (and Kitty) came home for a visit. Well they sort of came home to visit. Bill, Jason and Lucas went on a road trip Saturday to look at a truck Jason wanted to buy-he did... then they got things ready for Big Dogs next weekend. It will be quiet but I will get a lot done.



Although Laura didn't come home, she certainly had some exciting news. It is definitely time for her to be happy!!



Geoff is deploying soon, so I assume the "big day" won't happen until he comes home. Maybe in WV??????

All will be rather quiet here. We have, sort of, adopted some feral kitties. They were born under our shed and are still hanging out there. Maybe they are there because we felt bad and decided to feed them. They are just so durn cute... Let me introduce you to three of the kittens... Momma and one kitty seem to be a bit more timid than these...

Quote For The Day

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter
And those who matter don't mind.
~Dr. Seuss

Parkersburg WV Homecoming 2010

I just had to go see Grand Funk this evening... well, just because they were here. Was suprised what a good show they put on for quite a large crowd. The weather was perfect and am thrilled we went!

Projects I Want To Do

Have been finding so many projects that I want to do on the Internet, that I decided to start a list...right here... For God and everyone to see. Maybe that way, something will get done. Lists are wonderful things, aren't they? You might find something here also!

Knit And Crochet
Carnation Dish Cloth
Knit Alligator Toys
Rabbit Finger Puppets
Knitted Dish Scrubbie
Mitered Square Socks
Yarn Harlot's Socks For Men
Mini Knitted Bears
Swiffer Duster Cover
Bitsy Bear
Hogwarts Bookmark
Lovissa Armwarmers
Blended Socks
The Funky Pigs
Quaker Pattern Booties
Jean Greenhowes Novelty Eggs
Stitch Markers
Owl Hat
Chunky Bedsocks
Cupcake Pincushion
Swiffer Sock
Pineapple Tablerunner
Knitted Heart
In Thirds Knit Dishcloth
Tulip Stitch Dishcloth
Pillowcase Edgings
Alan Dart Chicken and Egg
Diagonal Eyelet Fingerless Gloves
Fruit Feet Socks
Knitted Kitty
Falling Water Lace Scarf
Comfort Dolls
Fairy Dishcloth
1942 Doily
Knitted Toy Lamb
Ziggy Lace Scarf
Kitchen Mat
Knitted Penguins
Garden Boy Dishcloth
Double Knit Slipper
Waves Of Leaves Shawl
Moose Dishcloth-Finished
Star Dishcloth - started - Finished 9/20/10
Patchwork Sock
Flip Flop Socks
Knit & Crochet Flowers
Sock Bookmark
Tashas Shawl
Baktus Scarf - started -finished 9/15/10
Tilt Sweater
Toe Up Bayerische
Page 18 Elephant
Little Lucious Pumpkin
Magic Stripe Hotpad
Hooded Scarf
Arched Shaped Socks - started
Miniature Sweaters
Blueberry Waffle Socks
Butterfly Doily
Heart Lace Dishcloth
Pineapple Doily
London Beanie
Mrs Hopper Easter Bunny
Miniature Knitting Bag
Rick Rack & Trim
Spiral Scrubbie
Felted Slippers Started
West Virginia Dishcloth
Jeep Dishcloth Started-Finished
Lacy Dragon Small Scale Washcloth
Mittenscarf
Not Your Ordinary Knitted Dishcloth
PomPom Peds
Kindle Pocket
Football Dishcloth
Pumpkin Dishcloth
Bowl And Doily
Mrs Miracle Scarf
Teeny Tiny Snowflakes
Little Lamb
Patchwork Socks
Flamingo
Pineapple Bookmark
Pomatomus Fingerless Gloves
Footie Socks
Corgi
Piano Scarf
Heart Lace Dishcloth
Feathered Petals Doily

Sewn, Glass And Other Misc Patterns

Pouch Dolls
Mosaic Bowling Balls
Kitchen Appliance Covers
Feather & Fan Dishtowel
Maggies Mitt
Wintergreen Gloves
Flower Hot Plate Mat
Kaleidoscope Afghan
Miniature Pumpkins
Petite Dolls


I'm going to have to make this blog a work in progress.. as there are just sooo many projects!

Proud Tea Partier

Cereal Trail Mix

1 (15 ounce) box cereal-I used Fruit Loops
1 15 ounce) bag mini pretzel twists
1 (1 pound) bag M&M's
1 box raisins
1 can salted peanuts

Mix all together and store in airtight container

Fruit Cobbler

2 cups fresh peaches, sliced, or 1 large can peaches, drained (can use any type fruit you desire-blackberries, blueberries, apples, etc) I used fresh peaches
3/4 cups flour
3/4 cups milk
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
2 tsp. baking powder
2/3 stick butter or margarine
Pinch of salt

Heat oven to 350. In a bowl, combine the peaches and 3/4 cup sugar; mix well and set aside. Put butter into deep baking dish; set in oven to melt. Combine 1/2-cup sugar with the remaining ingredients except for the peaches, to make the batter. Remove the pan with melted butter from oven. Pour in batter; don't stir. Top with peaches; don't stir, the batter will rise. Bake for 1 hour. Serve warm or cold.

Just Stuff

Wow, is it ever going to cool down? Am so tired of the heat.. or is it the heat and old me cant handle it anymore?

Lucas has arrived at Ft Meade, MD and is looking for a new place to stay, Jason has gone to Morgantown to get settled and ready for school. It is most certainly going to be quiet around here. At least they aren't far away!

I spent the morning canning tomatoes. Tomorrow will dig out the onions and cut the cabbage and make cabbage rolls. The garden is almost done.. Thankfully these guys didn't find it-

This was taken from my kitchen window. There were actually 5 deer, 2 were fawns, 1 a buck. The fawns ran around our field playing till they were tired.. then the buck went to one and started washing it. That surprised me! Have discovered that it is these simple pleasures that amuse most of all these days!

Just Love This!

Although I am not an opera fan, I think this is awesome!

101 Burger Builders

Not sure where I got this... but some of them sound tasty!

1. Pepperoni Pizza Burger: grilled burger covered with pepperoni, Mozzarella
cheese and pizza sauce.
2. Verde Burger: grilled ground beef mixed with seasoned garlic, topped with
piquant Italian Verde sauce made with parsley, onions and capers.
3. Classic Burger: hamburger with ketchup, mustard and pickles.
4. Greek Burger: topped with herbed Feta cheese, black olives and onions.
5. Hickory Burger: beef patty covered with cheddar cheese, bacon and hickory
barbecue sauce.
6. Meat-o-Rama Pizza Burger: ground beef patty stuffed with
Mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes and pizza sauce, and topped
with pepperoni and bacon.
7. Caesar Burger: ground beef seasoned with garlic and black
pepper, on a crusty roll, accented with Caesar dressing, romaine
lettuce and avocado slices.
8. Brocco Burger: ground beef patty dressed with a blend of
melted Cheddar cheese and cooked broccoli.
9. Gyro Burger: hamburger topped with white onions, tomatoes
and yogurt cucumber dressing.
10. Barbecue Burger: ground beef grilled with a tangy barbecue
sauce and hot peppers.
11. Onion Burger: grilled ground beef seasoned with dried onion
soup mix, and blanketed with grilled and raw onions.
12. Bistro Burger: ground beef covered with caramelized onions,
Brie cheese and crisp bacon, served on a walnut bun.
13. Blue Moon Burger: grilled burger topped with Bleu cheese,
sauteed mushrooms, lettuce and tomato served on an onion bun.
14. Bao-Wow Burger: chili seasoned ground beef served on a
Chinese Bao bun with soy-ginger mayonnaise and Asian slaw
on the side.
15. Cowboy Burger: grilled mushrooms, grilled onion, bacon
and Monterrey Jack cheese on a flavorful beef patty.
16. Chicago Burger: grilled beef burger with sweet relish, chopped onion,
ketchup, mustard and hot peppers.
17. French Bistro Burger: hamburger adorned with walnuts, Gruyere cheese and
garlic mustard mayonnaise, on a French roll.
18. Sticky Burger: grilled burger spread with peanut butter, bacon and Jack
cheese.
19. Five-Spice Burger: ground beef seasoned with Chinese five-spice,
grilled, and served with a soy-ginger sauce.
20. Olive Festival Pizza Burger: beef burger stuffed with mozzarella cheese
and pizza sauce covered with sliced black and green olives.
21. Shrimpy Burgers: mini grilled burgers decorated with cream cheese,
cocktail sauce and chopped shrimp.
22. Rowdy Reuben Burger: grilled beef patty smothered with melted Swiss
cheese, thousand island dressing and zesty coleslaw, served on marble rye.
23. Earth & Turf Burger: grilled ground beef, beneath a golden porcini
mushroom sauce with grilled zucchini squash and sweet red bell peppers.
24. Egg Burger: a lean ground beef patty paired with a fried or scrambled
egg.
25. Thai-Cobb Burger: grilled ground beef served with avocado,
tomatoes and bean sprouts, accented with a light peanut dressing.
26. Horseradish-Garlic Burger: topped with onions, garlic and
horseradish.
27. Stroganoff Burger: ground beef patty dressed with sour cream, grilled
onions, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato, served on a fresh wheat bun.
28. Trattoria Burger: grilled beef burger layered with roasted red bell
peppers, pesto mayonnaise, and Mozzarella cheese, served on focaccia bread.
29. Peking Burger: mix ground beef with a dash of Peking marinade, and
grill. Serve topped with julienned mixed greens and an Asian flavored plum
vinaigrette. (Marinade: hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, Chinese
five-spice, salt and black pepper.)
30. Spicy Burger: jack cheese melted on a lean ground beef burger with
jalapeno peppers and onions.
31. Cordon Bleu Burger: ground beef patty beneath a layer of sliced ham,
Swiss cheese and dijon mustard.
32. Burger Al Forno: ground beef seasoned with robust Italian
seasonings, fresh garlic, and rosemary, served with a golden
Parmesan crust.
33. Garlic Burger: garlic powder mixed into ground beef, grilled, topped
with garlic cheese and a dollop of garlic mayonnaise.
34. Corny Burger: tangy corn relish atop a beef patty. (Red pepper, corn,
white vinegar, ground red pepper, salt and green onions.)
35. The Beefster: grilled hamburger patty topped with roast beef,
horseradish and Muenster cheese, served on an onion roll.
36. Milanese Burger: ground beef patty lightly coated with bread crumbs,
Parmesan cheese and oregano, pan fried till done.
Accented with watercress sprigs and vinaigrette.
37. Simple Cheeseburger: ground round burger layered with
your choice of Wisconsin cheese.
38 Big Island Burger: hamburger stuffed with Mozzarella cheese,
covered with Canadian bacon and pineapple.
39. Taco Burger: topped with shredded lettuce, tomato, sour
cream, and black olives.
40. Breakfast Omelet Burger: grilled ground beef patty piled high with
diced ham, Cheddar cheese, mushrooms and green peppers, served on a toasted
English muffin.
41. Walla Walla Burger: hamburger pan fried in sweet & sour
chutney made with sauteed white onions, raisins, mustard seed
and Marsala wine. Served on thick sliced Texas toast.
42. German Classic: grilled burger with aged Cheddar cheese
and Dusseldorf mustard.
43. Blue Bayou Burger: topped with crumbled Bleu cheese, lettuce, tomato,
hot pepper mayonnaise, served on a sesame seed bun.
44. Chili Burger: Hearty beef burger hidden beneath your favorite homemade
chili and shredded cheese.
45. Kalamata Burger: chopped green & Greek kalamata olives mixed with cream
cheese spread on a grilled hamburger.
46. Lucky Burger: grilled beef burger on sesame rye bread, layered with
hot-sweet mustard, prepared horseradish, sharp Cheddar, green apple slices,
red apple slices and sliced almonds.
47. Pinwheel Burger: different colored, quartered cheese slices
arranged in a pinwheel design melted atop a grilled burger.
48. Santa Fe Burger Asada: grilled ground beef brushed with chili puree,
placed on a torta bun with bean dip, guacamole and sour cream.
49. Anchovy Pizza Burger: anchovies, Mozzarella cheese and
pizza sauce stuffed into a grilled hamburger.
50. North Woods Burger: grilled ground beef stuffed with a wild
mushroom sauce featuring shiitake, chanterelle, oyster and
hedgehog mushrooms. Enhance with yellow and red bell peppers.
51. Cajun Burger: seasoned ground beef grilled with Cajun spices and spiced
up with Jalapeno cheese, chili mayonnaise and pico de gallo sauce.
52. Black Jack Burger: melted jack cheese over a Cajun blackened beef
burger, served on a sesame bun with Creole mayonnaise, onions and tomatoes.
53. Double Decker Pizza Burger: Cheddar cheese and pizza sauce
between two thin beef patties.
54. The Gouda Burger: sliced Gouda cheese and grilled zucchini
atop a grilled hamburger.
55. Simple Twist Burger: lean ground beef patty served with a
slice of tomato and grated Asiago cheese on a hard roll.
56. Pineapple-Gruyere Burger: topped with grilled fresh pineapple and smoked
Gruyere cheese.
57. Tex-Mex Burger: grilled ground beef piled with guacamole,
onions and bacon.
58. Cheesy Pizza Burger: lean burger covered with pizza sauce,
Provolone, sharp Cheddar and Mozzarella cheeses.
59. Provolone Ranger Burger: seasoned ground beef coated with
Provolone cheese, warm black olives and tomatoes, served on
focaccia bread.
60. Gorgonzola Burger: hamburger stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese, grilled and
spread with sweet mustard.
61. Ginger-Island Burger: mix uncooked ground beef with soy sauce, ginger,
cilantro and sesame oil, then grill.
62. Texas Red Burger: grilled beef patty served open-faced and
smothered with chili, cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses and
grilled onion.
63. Beany Burger: dried Cajun seasoning mixed with ground beef
blanketed with pork-n-beans.
64. Smokey Burger: beef burger topped with roasted balsamic
onions, grilled bacon and smoked cheese.
65. Dieters Burger: grilled lean ground beef patty with low-fat
cottage cheese and no bun.
66. Outback Burger: grilled burger topped with tender cactus,
green salsa and spicy pepper cheese.
67. Worcestershire Burger: hamburger covered with mushrooms
sauteed in Worcestershire sauce.
68. Dilly Cheeseburger: grilled burger seasoned with fresh dill
and adorned with Provolone cheese, sauteed mushrooms and
grilled onions.
69. Cheeseburger In Paradise: beef patty lightly dressed with
melted Brick cheese, pineapple slice and shredded coconut.
70. Ranch-Hand Burger: hamburger piled with pinto beans, bacon,
chilies and cheddar cheese on a potato roll.
71. Alpine Burger: lean ground beef smothered in sauteed
mushrooms and Swiss cheese.
72. Garden-Fresh Burger: ground beef mixed with onions, beets
and potatoes, accented with dilled sour cream.
73. West Indies Burger: ground beef mixed with cilantro, garlic, lime juice,
curry powder, cumin, allspice and hot sauce. Grill and accent with mango
chutney.
74. Fajita Beef Burger: patty mixed with fajita seasoning, and
wrapped with guacamole, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced
tomatoes and salsa, served in a flour tortilla.
75. Bruschetta Burger: Italian seasoned ground beef with fresh
tomato and basil, served on toasted garlic French bread.
76. Sunshine Burger: aged Cheddar cheese, sprouts, scallions
and avocado, embellishing a lean beef burger, served on a
whole wheat bread.
77. Beef LT: burger prepared BLT style - bacon, lettuce, tomato
and mayonnaise on grilled tomato bread.
78. Pesto Burger: cooked spinach, Mozzarella cheese and pesto
sauce served atop a grilled beef patty.
79. Flank Steak Chili Burger: ground flank steak seasoned with
cumin and cayenne pepper, heightened with black bean chili.
80. Mediterranean Burger: beef patty seasoned with Mediterranean spices (hot
paprika, garlic, cumin, oregano leaves, mint leaves), grilled and served
with gyro sauce in pita bread.
81. Pita Pizza Burger: ground beef patty grilled, covered with an herb
seasoned tomato sauce and melted Italian cheeses, served on a pita loaf.
82. Parisian Burger: topped with crumbled Bleu cheese, marinated red onions
and tomatoes served on a croissant.
83. Tough Texan Burger: ground beef seasoned with hot sauce and
dried red peppers, smothered with pepper cheese and barbecue
sauce, served on thick Texas Toast.
84. Aphrodisiac Burger: grilled beef patty lovingly stuffed with oysters and
dressed with steak sauce.
85. Bleu Cheese Burger: crumbled Bleu cheese and bacon
covering a grilled hamburger.
86. Veg-Head Burger: lean ground beef piled with cucumber
slices, tomatoes, sprouts, creamy dill dressing, served on
sun-dried tomato bread.
87. Dragon Burger: grilled ground beef patty, Limburger cheese
and raw onion on an onion roll.
88. Crabby Burger: shredded crab salad with Swiss cheese atop
a beef patty served on a croissant.
89. Hawaiian Supreme: ground beef patty stuffed with crushed
pineapple, topped with a candied apple slice and sweet & sour
sauce.
90. Tortilla Burger: beef mixed with onion, dried oregano and
basil. Grilled and wrapped with tomato, mozzarella and Parmesan
cheeses, all in a soft tortilla shell.
91. The Islander Burger: beef patty smothered with thousand island dressing,
with lettuce, tomato and pickle.
92. California Burger Chiffonade: chopped walnuts, garlic and
black pepper mixed into ground beef and grilled. Burger topped
with guacamole, lettuce, Brick cheese and red onion.
93. Potato Chip Burger: hamburger accented with your favorite
potato chips, ketchup and mustard.
94. Bagel Burger: lean ground beef patty served with tomato and
onion on a fresh bagel with flavored cream cheese.
95. Jalapeno Burger Topper: ground beef seasoned with diced
jalapeno peppers, a splash of hot pepper sauce, and grilled.
Top with melted cheddar and cream cheese.
96. Basic Burger: grilled ground round burger seasoned with
salt and pepper.
97. Burger Au Poivre: grilled ground beef served with crumbled
Bleu cheese, coarse ground pepper, chopped parsley and
mozzarella cheese on Vienna bread.
98. Scandinavian Burger: dill-seasoned ground beef patty covered in Gruyere
and Cheddar cheeses, lettuce, cucumber slices, red onion, and served on a
rye bun.
99. Billy Burger: grilled hamburger with ketchup only, no mustard, no
pickles, nor onions. Don't forget to cut it in half!
100. Brie Burger: herbed Brie, warmed and placed over granny
smith apples atop a lean ground beef burger with a hint of spicy mustard.
101. Chili Con Queso Burger: Beef burger smothered in melted jalapeno cheese sauce.

They Made It Back

Everyone made it back, safe and sound, from Alaska. It took them 12 days to drive from Anchorage to Parkersburg, WV. Of course, that was with a few stops.. to visit Laura and Geoff in Spokane, Yellowstone and a few others.

Bill and I, Jason, Lucas & Erin and Pat & Missy had a nice dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. Lucas & Erin looked soo good in their sombreros that I just had to share. Missy was probably the only one with brains, lol!



Tomorrow, headed to Morgantown to paint Jason's home. Luke, Erin, Pat and Jason went yesterday and worked on it... or drank margaritas... not sure which!

Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge

Okay, this isn't absolutely awesome-but it is definitely good enough when you don't want to heat up the kitchen!

1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound powdered sugar

Microwave butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar to peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Pour into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with waxed paper. Place a second piece of waxed paper on the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool. Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

While Some People Are Having Fun..

Bill left the 7th to drive back from Anchorage with Lucas and Erin. It's a trip they have looked forward to since Luke was stationed in Alaska. As of today, they made it to Spokane WA where they had a short but nice visit with Laura and Geoff. Apparently, both guys seriously need a shave... and Bill needs a haircut!

At least they got a cooked meal and clothes washed!

Now for me, since I chose to stay home.. Ahh geez was that a mistake! First I did something to my knee so getting around is a chore. Then the hot water tank went out-thankfully after 3 days of cold showers, Jason was able to fix it. The lawn mower broke so everything has to be push mowed instead of using the riding mower. Lightening hit a tree.. it is much, much bigger than it appears in the picture.


Okay, I should be getting lots of "stuff" done, right? Wrong. It is so hot and humid that I don't want to do anything.. plus it hurts to walk. I know.. I know, I am whining. On the very positive side, Jason and I went to Morgantown and cleaned his new home. He bought a place to live while he is working on his Masters in Social Work.. and it is totally awesome. Am trying to convince him to let me decorate it, but not sure he has faith in that!

Knitting is soo very slow. Am still working on felted slippers, socks and a Backtus scarf.. need to speed up a bit!