Then there was 1

We have a tradition in our family that everyone gets their picture taken the first day of school. 

Sam is the only one left and he thought for some reason that meant he didn't have to have his picture taken.  WRONG.

He politely posed and headed off for his first day.  He will be a junior at Osage High School this year. 

 Where have the years gone?  

I can remember him sitting in the stroller while the other kids boarded the bus and now he is "too big" to ride the school bus.  

Good luck  to you Sam!

Dye Day

Not sure where you live but the weather here in northern Iowa has been unreal.  High temps and high humidity.  I think we are soon to turn a corner?  (fingers crossed)  

The kids started school this week and what a week to start.  They have gotten out early every day this week.  It's like a sauna in the school.  Can't imagine there is a lot of learning going on. 

Mom and I soon hit the vending circuit so I have been trying to do some dying.  It is too hard on the air conditioner to dye inside so I have been trying my luck outdoors. 

I had to make a wind block the other day because it was so windy.  

Today, it is hot, humid and calm.

I can see the dye pot from my backdoor and that way I don't have to go outside and it helps with the smell in the house as well.  :)  My family likes me better that way too.

Happy Hooking.  Have A Great Day.  Relish Every Moment.

Goldilocks and the 3 chairs

I don't know about you but I have had some trouble figuring out where to hook.  I feel a little like Goldilocks.

I started out in the back corner of the family room.  It was out of everyones way and I didn't have to move my "stuff".  That worked great until my husband was home and we were in 2 different parts of the room trying to have a conversation.  It just wasn't quite right so.........

I moved to this chair and it was okay.  The chair wasn't exactly the right height and it always seemed to be in everyones way.

When the kids had friends over and I wanted to hook and I couldn't so.......

 I moved all of my "stuff" into my studio.  I do have a small t.v. so I wasn't totally isolated but it just wasn't quite right.

When everyone was home and I wanted to hook I was "missing out" on all the conversation so......

I moved my "stuff" back into the spot where I began.  I am going to try it again and see how it goes.  

I need to find a place that works so I can sit down and get to work.  I am finding that I am home alone several nights and I don't care if I sit in the corner. :)

How about you?  Have you played Goldilocks or have you found the spot where everything is "just right"?

I will put in a couple loops tonight to see if it's "just right".

Happy Hooking

Update from the Mitchell County Fair

Fair has long since come and gone.........or it seems like it anyway.  Here is just a short recap of the week.

• Sam's Monster Cookies were considered for the State Fair
• Pen of 3 Production Pullets, Red
• Pen of 3 Production Hens, blue and brought back for Champion pen but no luck
• Reserve Poultry Senior Showmanship

• 1 malfunctioning garage door on top of daughters car. Garage door.........a mess.
• 1 car backed into the ditch because son forgot the keys to the showbox so he could feed the chickens at the fair. Bent the frame and needs to go to the body shop.
• 1 husband absent for the car issues.

I LOVE FAIR WEEK!  WHEW!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Recipes from BYOP

Good morning.  I know you all have been waiting very patiently for my latest post.  Things have just been a little hectic around here.  I will explain that in another post.  Here are 2 of the recipes that I made for the BYOP.  I have to retrieve the other 2 from Mom.

BLT PASTA SALAD

12 oz. corkscrew pasta
1/2 c. milk
12 oz. lean bacon
3 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 T. freshly chopped thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 c. mayo
1/4 c. sour cream
4 T. chopped chives
5 heads of chopped Bibb lettuce (I used Romaine)

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water as package directs.  Drain and toss with the milk in a large bowl; set aside.  (I failed to add the milk and used some oil as the noodles were cooked the night before).
Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Drain and discard all but 3 tablespoons of the drippings.  Add the tomatoes, thyme and garlic to the pan and toss until warmed through; season with salt and pepper. (due to the fact part of the salad was made a head I did not do this step).
Crumble the bacon; set aside 1/4 c. for garnish.
Toss the remaining bacon and the tomato mixture with the pasta.
Mix the mayo, sour cream and 3 T. chives with the pasta until evenly combined.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add the lettuce; toss again to coat.
Garnish with reserved bacon and remaining chives. Serve at room temperature.

Makes a goodly amount. :)



CRANBERRY-PECAN CHICKEN SALAD

1 1/3 c. cooked chicken (shredded or cut into small bite-sized pieces)
2 t. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

1/4 c. mayo
1/4 c. plain Greek Yogurt
1/2 c. cream or whole milk
2 t. poppy seeds

1 c. celery, chopped

1 T. butter
1/2 c. pecans, chopped
1 c. dried cranberries

Heat a pan over medium heat to cook your chicken with 2 t. olive oil. (I threw my chicken breasts in the crockpot and then shredded the breasts.  You could also used canned chicken.  Whatever makes your life easier). :)
Place the cooked chicken in a large bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Cover and refrigerate until cool.

In a small bowl, mix mayo, yogurt, cream/milk, and poppy seeds until combined.  Pour the mixture over the chicken and again season to taste with salt and pepper.  Add in the chopped celery and mix until well combined.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

In a small pan, over medium heat, melt the butter.  Add the nuts and stir them until toasted, about 4 minutes.

Add the toasted nuts and dried cranberries just before serving, and mix until combined.

Makes 8-10 servings.

Hope you enjoy these recipes.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask.  I will be more than happy to answer.

2012 Challenge Rug

The mat above is what was presented at last year's BYOP.  The ladies have 1 full year to complete the mat and bring it back the next year completed.  Seeing the completed rugs finished is always my favorite part of the BYOP.  I love to see how different the rugs are.

TAKE A LOOK

Aren't they great?  I can't wait to see next years!!

HAPPY HOOKING

BYOP PICTURES

Sorry for the delay in getting some pictures up.  The BYOP ended on Saturday and our fair began the next day.  Life keeps hopping right along. :)

Brand new patterns and fresh new hand dyed wool hanging in the breeze.

Great parking and valet service for all of the attendees.

The brand new garage came in mighty handy.......who would have ever thought that it would be COLD the end of July? 

Thank goodness for the garage.  Note that everyone is eating with their jackets on......unreal weather!

Lunch time.  Recipes will follow on a later post.

Mom and Dad had to cut down a tree when the new garage went up so we had to improvise. :)

This sign was given to Dad and Mom as a gift for the new garage.  It resides just inside the doorway of the garage.  I think many events are going to happen there!

More pictures to come.  I'm off to the beef show at the fair.