Sarah's Quilt

My daughter, Sarah, just completed another step in nursing school this spring ~ she now has her LPN. Shortly after she started school, I started this quilt for her. I was thrilled to be able to see her last week and give it to her in person! ~ the quilting was done by a local quilting business ~

Menage`a Threads ~ it was a surprise! ~

~ Sarah and me ~


~ of course, I had to make a BIG tote bag to match! ~

~ you always need one more tote bag :) ~

In The Cottage Garden

~ Queen Sasha ~

she really lives next door, but don't tell her that...

Christmas Countdown

OH, NO!!! Look what the Christmas countdown says today? Only 200 more days and you know what happens after it gets below that critical 200 day point ~ the down hill roller coaster ride! YIKES!! I better start planning my gifts.

I just thought I'd stress you out a little bit too so I wouldn't feel so alone :) LOL!!!

Finally!

See that sign in the picture?

Been working hard to get to this step ~ finally! our house is up for sale!!

Now to get it SOLD...

Swap Angel

I just love stories with happy endings, don't you?

Read the happy ending HERE and HERE, thanks to a wonderful swap angel!!

Breakfast Muffin Sandwich

4 English muffins, toasted & buttered

breakfast sausage patties, cooked OR

bacon, cooked OR

thick sliced ham, cooked

4 slices cheese, you choice (I used pepper jack)

3-4 eggs, beaten & seasoned (I used Mrs. Dash Spicy)

Cook eggs, frittata style in frying pan. When cooked until set, turn out on cutting board and cut in half and then half again (quarters).

Place one egg piece on one side of each muffin, top with your choice of sausage patty, bacon slice (cut in half) or ham. Top meat with one slice of cheese and other muffin side.

Warm in microwave or wrap each sandwich in foil and heat in oven (350 degrees) for 10-15 minutes. Good breakfast on the go and better then "Mc-you-know-who's"!!!

Makes 4 breakfast muffin sandwiches.

Win This Sweet Quilt!

Elizabeth at Pigtails and Snails is having an awesome giveaway! She is giving away a sweet little quilt that she made called Pink-A-Boo, it features a cute raised applique rose, complete with button accents. How pretty can that be!! Run over to her blog to see more pictures and enter her giveaway. It's open until Monday, May 18th.

Swappers! Please Take Note

Because Nice does Matter, sometimes it's necessary to do what may seem harsh. Unfortunately, as fun as swaps can be there are those out there who take advantage ... sad truth.

If you swap, please read THIS.

Thank you to this wonderful swap hostess for doing the right thing to protect her swappers from this disappointment again!

UPDATE: Click HERE to read more from another swap hostess.

Library Book Sales

Don't overlook your library book sales as a frugal way to add a few treasures to your book collection. You will also be investing in your community by supporting your local library. Go on the first day of the sale and be early, carry you keys and cash in your pocket (no purse or bag), you will have your hands full with the books you are deciding on and it will be crowded. I have found from experience not to wait until the last day when all the books are "cheap" because the good ones are already gone. Besides $2.00, $3.00 or even $4.00 is still a frugal buy for a beautiful book that you will treasure. Since I am de-cluttering, I also am very selective about purchases, so I limited myself to these three. This sweet little handmade heirlooms book is a treasure indeed! The watercolor paintings are beautiful, as is the author's memoirs about needle arts. I really loved this one on the "Fellowship of Creativity".
Whether your book hunting takes you to the library book sale, the thrift store, or the Saturday garage sales, I wish you "Happy Book Hunting"!

Rainy Morning Adventure

Could you drive by this sign without stopping? Even on a cold rainy morning? Not me!~ new lettuce plants ~

~ organic grown herbs, like rosemary ~

~ new gardens have had lots of rain ~~ more herbs ~~ hurry! more rain coming ~

~ scented geranium ~~ cold & windy ~

MJF Magazine Winner

Clip art by Country LifeGraphics

The winner of my MaryJane's Farm magazine giveaway is ~

Dee from Farmhouse Country Style!! Congrats to Dee! Her farmgirl project planned for the summer is turning an old shed into a chicken coop. Dee is new to blogging and has the cutest lil' blog started! Go on over to visit & welcome her!!

The best of wishes on all the farmgirl projects that are planned for this summer! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your inspiration!! :)

Another Annie

Here's Kimmi Anne!

Sitting pretty for one more picture

before she goes to her new home :) She was loads of fun to make! ~

it was hard to see her go, but she is already loved in her new home by my

Annie Swap Partner, Kimberly from Prims by Kim!

Thank you, Aunt Pitty Pat for the swap fun!!

Ranger Cookies and Last Day for My Giveaway

Ranger Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, very soft

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 TBSP. vanilla

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 cups old fashion rolled oats

2 cups cornflakes (I use multi-grain flakes)

1/2 cup flaked coconut

3/4 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat, in electric mixer, the very soft butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. In separate mixing bowl, combine flour with baking soda and baking powder. Add oats, cornflakes, coconut, and pecans, Stir well. Slowly add dry ingredients to butter/egg. Mix well on low speed.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 - 12 minutes. Check often; do not over bake. Cookies should be light golden brown and soft. They will firm up as they cool. When completely cooled store in tightly closed containers.

Makes about 2-1/2 dozen cookies.

Reminder: Today is the last day to sign up for my

MaryJane's Farm magazine giveaway.

Sign up HERE.

Farmgirl Giveaway!

Recently I decided to get a subscription of one of my favorite magazines ~ MaryJanes Farm.

I was very excited to see that my subscription started up so quickly but now I have 2 copies of the current issue! So... what's a farmgirl to do with 2 copies? Give one away, of course!

If you are new to MaryJane's Farm , be sure to go check out the website and The Farmgirl Connection chatroom!

Whether you are a city chick or a farm chick, this is the place to bring you back to your farmgirl roots because

"farmgirl is a condition of the heart"!

If you'd like a chance to win my extra issue of the April/May MJF magazine, leave a comment here telling me about one of your farmgirl dreams or projects for this summer.

The winning name will be selected on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

Giveaway is open until midnight May 1, 2009.