Less Than $1.50 Each

I love giving homemade goodies for Christmas; it is not only cost effective but a lot of fun. This year we will be giving sugared pecans to almost everyone on our Christmas list.

Sugared Pecans

4 cups pecan halves

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg white

small amount of water

In a medium size bowl add egg white and a spoon or two of water; whisk well. Add pecans and gently stir to coat all pecans.

Mix sugar, cinnamon and salt together and pour over wet pecans;

Stir well until all pecans are covered in sugar.

Place in a baking pan with sides; bake 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

When pecans are fully baked place on wax paper to cool.

When pecans are fully cooled put into gift container. Pat found vintage jars for $1 each that work very well as a gift jar; the receiver will be receiving two gifts in one.

Not bad for a gift that cost less than $1.50!

Dust Texas

Yesterday our weather was very nice until around 4:30 to 5:00 when the weatherman said a large sandstorm was blowing in.We went from normal to sandy in a matter of minutes as a large wall of blowing sand headed straight for us.

This is such typical weather; instead of calling us West Texas I think we should be called Dust Texas!

The Big Day

Today is the big day; Elizabeth is officially 7-years old!

We do not have birthday parties for the kids, instead we celebrate each birthday as a family. On the big day the birthday child gets to do whatever he or she wants to do. Sometimes we go to Mr. Gatti's, sometimes we go to a movie and sometimes we eat at a special restaurant. Elizabeth wanted to stay at home and watch TV all day. So, last week she began digging through our stash of movies collecting all that she wanted to watch.
For breakfast she requested pancakes; lunch will be Pizza Hut and supper will be leftovers.
Elizabeth wanted a shell for the cake with pink icing.

The birthday girl received several gifts and was very excited to receive a dance outfit for her American Girl doll.

Now Annie, the name given to her American Girl doll, has a new outfit.

Elizabeth really likes her new skirts but we will need to find coordinating shirts to go with them next week when we go to town.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Birthday Skirts

Tomorrow Elizabeth will turn 7-years old.Today I completed two corduroy skirts for her big day.

She will also be receiving a pair of boots to go with the skirts.

The pattern I used was so easy; I am looking forward to making more skirts with it.

Soup's On!

Earlier in the week I made a large pot of soup using two thick pork chops (I usually make this with beef); it was such a big hit that Jonathan asked me to make it again.

Here is how I made the soup;

Begin with two thick cuts of pork chops, cubed;Brown the meat in a small amount of oil;

Add a small onion blended in water and two cans green beans with their juice;

Simmer for an hour;

Add hunks of potatoes and cook until they are tender.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pink Doll Quilt

Today I made a pink doll quilt that turned out so pretty; I also made the cutest little pillow with pillowcase.Elizabeth liked the set so much I am hoping to find time to make one for her doll for Christmas.

Working on the quilt makes me anxious to get my sewing list completed so I can get back to work on more quilts.

Family Tradition

For the past several years we have been able to pick pecans for free. Down town has pecan trees by the courthouse, the library, the DPS as well as other buildings.

Picking from the trees is permitted by the city.

The kids love picking pecans; last year the trees did not produce due to the weather. However, this year the trees are very loaded.

After about 2 hours of picking we managed to gather 51 pounds of fresh tasty nuts. Our local grocery store sells pecans for $5.99 per pound.

For the next week our living room will become a shelling factory.

Some of the pecans are turned into candy to give as Christmas gifts; some are used in cooking; and some are used for snacking.

I love how picking pecans is a family affair as well as a money saving activity.