Report Card Time AGAIN!!

It's hard to believe it's that time again, but third quarter has come and gone.  Report cards are due to be sent home next Wednesday.  I don't want to work on them over the weekend, so I'm trying hard to get them done.  Check back tomorrow night to see a finished project.

Saturday Sewing

Contrary to what this blog has looked like lately, I have been sewing.  I just don't have any finished projects to share.  Bud was off at an auction today, so I had the day to do what I wanted--well, sort of.  I had to do a little shopping, which I never WANT to do.  But I spent about six hours in my craft room sewing, which I DO want to do!  I have two projects going right now, but I don't want to show them until I'm done.  Here's a sneak peek.

A baby quilt:

A cuddly flannel lap robe:

I finally decided on a sewing machine:

I hope to have time to take it out of the box tomorrow, but I really want to finish my two projects first.

Gratitude for today:  I am grateful for smiles.  Smiles have the ability to make you and the person you are sharing the smile with feel better.  Smiles can mean different things--the sly smile, the sexy smile, or the great big grin.  I love the way Bud's eyes crinkle as he breaks into a big smile.  And that first smile from a little one is so precious.  (Grayson gave Trina and Tanner his first big smile today!)  Go ahead and smile--you'll feel better!  For ten reasons it's healthy to smile go HERE.

Be Happy

DAVID STEINDL-RAST:

Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.

"Be Happy With What You Have" 

Weekend Family Time

We headed to NW Iowa Saturday morning for Bud's aunt's 96th birthday.  Alma, is Bud's "double" aunt. She is his mom's sister who married his dad's brother.  Anyway, she still lives alone in her home although she has failed some in the past year.   She enjoys having the family together.

Most of the grandkids, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews were there.  

These are the "kids".  

We all had a great time enjoying the food, visiting, and getting reacquainted with some we don't see often.

Gratitude:  I am thankful for spring.  I love the change of seasons that Iowa offers us.  Spring is just what we need after a long winter.  It seems that just when we can't take one more cold, gloomy day we notice the days getting longer and the daffodils and tulips start peeking out.  When we get some snow like we did on Saturday night we know it won't last long.  The sunshine lifts our mood and all seems right with the world again.  Thank you God, for spring in Iowa!

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie

 Shepherd's Pie is an English dish, traditionally made with lamb or mutton. Americans typically make Shepherd's Pie with beef. The English (and Australians and New Zealanders) call the beef dish a "cottage pie". Naming conventions aside, Shepherd's Pie is essentially a casserole, lined with cooked meat and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes, and baked.


Here's my easy, but yummy version of it!


Peel and quarter 1 1/2-2 lbs. potatoes. Boil until tender.


Brown 1 pound of ground beef 
Add a small onion


After the ground beef is browned add one small bag of frozen mixed vegetables and one can cream of mushroom soup.  Season to taste.  


Mash the potatoes and spread over the ground beef and vegetables.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.  Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

Check out Colleen's Blog at And Baby Makes Five to find other yummy recipes.

Which Sewing Machine?????

My brother and sister-in-law were very generous to me for my birthday.  Because of them I now get to purchase a new sewing machine. (Thanks Dean & Gay!)  I am currently sewing with my 1974 Kenmore 1603 ZZ.  It was my graduation gift from my parents that they gave me a year early so I could sew.  I have oiled and cleaned it regularly.  I hate to admit that I have NEVER had it serviced by a professional.  I have sewn MANY dresses, skirts, and blouse for my girls and myself, western shirts for Bud and Travis, crafts, and  quilts. I have patched endless pairs of jeans, overalls, and jackets. It has served me well, and my parents certainly got their money's worth out of it!

I have researched endlessly on the internet, and I have looked at some machines.  I have looked at  Janome, Brother, Elna, and Baby Lock machines.  Every machine is impressive.  I haven't allowed myself to look at machines over the years, knowing I couldn't buy one anyway.  Little did I know that they now thread themselves, cut the thread, have over a hundred different stitches in addition to the alphabet, can sew sideways, etc.  I could go on and on!  I'd really like to hear from someone who had first hand experience with any of these brands.  Any advice??

IH Quilt and Gratitude

Another IH (International Harvester--it's a brand of farm machinery) for Payton.  He has the large IH quilt I made him on his bed but wanted one for TV watching.

After seeing him with it I know I need to make it bigger.  It won't be hard to do if I can match the fabric, but red and black are hard to match.  I'm putting that on my list.

Gratitude--I am grateful for my faith.  I was lucky enough to attend Catholic school for first through third grade (and just a few months of fourth).  I have many fond memories of Sister Ethel, Sister Rose Agnes, and Sister Wilma.  I am sure that many of my personality traits can be attributed to my Catholic upbringing--my need to follow the rules, my guilt, and my love of tradition.  Well, maybe I would be that way anyway!  I remember Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve followed by breakfast at our house attended by all relatives who were at Mass.  Fridays during Lent were special as we attended Mass early and then headed to the bakery for a roll and hot chocolate before going to school.  I remember the day JFK was shot and we all went to the chapel to pray until he was declared dead, and we were sent home.  First Communion was a BIG deal as a kid and as a parent.  I've been lucky enough to have a grandson who has made his First Communion.  As a child and teenager much of my extended family lived in the same area, so we worshipped together.  Gradually we all moved, and I really miss that fellowship.  I am grateful that I have my faith in the good times and the bad.  I can't imagine it any other way.