Oh My Goodness

Today I made brownies that are "TO DIE FOR"!

My favorite part, aside from the taste, is how the marshmallows form chewy strings.

Want to know how I made them?
I began with a box mix; cook according to package directions. When fully cooked turn off the oven. Add miniature marshmallows to the top and leave in the oven so the heat will puff up the marshmallows.

While the marshmallows are puffing melt in a pot 1/2 stick margarine and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Next add 2 cups powdered sugar and enough milk to make a smooth icing. Spread over the puffed marshmallows and allow to cool before cutting.

Making A Decision

For the past year I have been thinking about buying doll shoes, at a wholesale price, but wasn't sure if I wanted to invest in a wholesale order because of the money required up front.After our second visit to the American Girl store, and paying way too much for shoes, I decided to take the plunge and placed an order. When I opened my package and surveyed the shoes I knew I had made the right decision.

The little shoes are so cute and will add such a nice touch to future doll outfits!

The Grass is Always Greener

The grass is always greener.....under the tall weeds!
We have been without a working mower since spring. After changing the oil and gas, replacing the spark plug and starter wire our poor mower developed a problem with a screw that holds the air filter on; and the mower isn't worth putting a lot of money into.It seemed to me that if we could find another way to hold the the air filter cartridge in place then the mower might give us another season before something else went out. After a little brain storming this is what we came up with. I stitched some webbing together and placed it over the cartridge and ran it under the gas tank.

I then fastened it in place with some D-rings and it worked like a charm!

It feels so good to have a working mower once again!

A Needle Book

I have been thinking about ideas for the Fall Sewing Class I plan to teach this year. When I teach a sewing class I like to have examples to show the kids.
One idea I have is for a needle book. I had never heard of a needle book until I saw them one day on etsy. Most of the books are made with felt and I chose to make mine with wool felt; it's a lot thicker than acrylic felt.

The inside pages are made with wool fabric.

I made a few mistakes while working on the needle book; one being my stitches show through to the inside covers.

I think next time I will line the inside, after completing the outside design, with cotton fabric to hide all my stitches.

All in all I am very pleased with my needle book. I used my new book Doodle Stitching for ideas while doing the embroidery. In fact, because of my new book I have titled the sewing class Doodle Embroidery!

I Have No Green Thumb

I love house plants and I love how they make your home feel more alive....but sadly I do not have a green thumb.
This plant was given to me by a friend; it never grew any bigger and now it's just about dead.The only house plants I have had any success with is ivy and a cactus. Oh well, some day I'll learn how to do better.

Garden or Weed Patch

When we got home from vacation I dreaded going out to see the garden; it was so full of weed and still is in some places. We pulled enough to fill the wheel barrel 3-times.

Here are my green beans that are growing in between the potatoes. The weeds are so high and thick it is impossible to see the green bean plants.The weeds were so big in the onions that when I was pulling up the weeds some of the onions came up too.

In this photo you can see just how tall the weeds are standing next to the carrots.

However, while pulling weeds we did manage some enjoyment.

The next day I went out and pulled a few more carrots and a couple of onions for dinner.

I placed them on a steak and baked at 350.

Just before the steak was fully cooked I added some of the potatoes I canned last year (I forgot to take a photo). Goodness, this was the best steak I have ever fixed.

Now I am ready to tackle the rest of the weeds in the garden!

Missouri Vacation

Earlier in the year my sister and I planned to take a train to Missouri for a vacation. However, 3-weeks or so before the trip was to begin our plans were changed unexpectedly and we ended up driving...and driving we did....2,000 plus miles! The trees and water were breathtaking.
In Rolla Missouri we ate lunch at Steak 'n Shake.

The food was amazing, especially the shakes!

Once we arrived at mom and dads we all spent most of the time in the pool. Elizabeth had the best time swimming and playing with her cousins.

Each time I go to Missouri a visit to the zoo is a must....it doesn't matter if it's summer or winter. Here are all the kids outside the zoo right before we went in.

After the zoo we took the kids to White Castles.

I was disappointed, these little burgers just don't taste the same!

It's a good thing my mom can cook....later that day I had a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and 3 helpings of spinach salad....it more than made up for my earlier disappointment.

Growing up I always noticed signs advertising Fantastic Caverns so on our way back home my sister and I decided to visit the caverns. It's pretty but very small. They try to make it out to be more than what it really is and it was so not worth the high price we paid. But now I know what it's like and will not go back.

The vacation ended in Dallas where I was able to see Jonathan for a few hours. Once on the road I got stuck in several traffic jams. It took over 2 hours to drive from the east side of Dallas to the west side of Ft. Worth. Goodness, I sure am glad I do not have to drive there every day.

I love going on vacation but it always feels good getting back home. My sewing machine has been calling my name and hopefully I am rested enough to get back to work.

Summer Vacation

When traveling I love to listen to Adventures in Odyssey or books on tape. Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax Series is a favorite. It has been awhile since I last listened to these but they are all dusted, organized and ready to be played.Elizabeth loves to listens to Adventures in Odyssey but she wants to watch shows this time. I love how she is getting to grow up watching the same shows I grew up watching.

Another essential when traveling is snacks. I like to stock pile these when I find good coupon deals. Having snacks on hand really saves money when traveling.

My old ice chest has needed replacing for some time; thankfully we found a very nice one for 3-dollars at a yard sale. Having an ice chest filled with ice and drinks is another money saver; it gets expensive stopping for drinks.

See you in the funny pages! :)

Vintage Enamelware

While shopping an estate sale I found a large vintage enamelware set for 20-dollars.Included in the set was an enamel strainer; it doesn't match but I still love it.

I have seen various pans with and without lids but this was my first time to see a measuring cup.

I just love this set!

Another Dress for Elizabeth

I completed another dress for Elizabeth today. I used the same peasant blouse pattern but this time I shortened the blouse and added a third row to the skirt. I took my friend Ann's suggestion and added elastic to the waist.

The fabric I used is Debbie Mumm purchased on clearance last year at Jo Ann's.

Elizabeth is so excited about the dress she has been bouncing around the house!

Sweet Bargain

Recently Wal-Mart had a Roll Back on Duncan Hines brownies; 75-cents per box. And guess who had coupons?That's right! I had several coupons for 55-cents off 2 boxes making the brownies just under 48-cents per box! Such a Sweet Bargain!