Participating in Wordless Wednesday.
Enjoy your day!
Sharon
12.30.2009
12.28.2009
Maintaining the Christmas Spirit!
Sometimes staying positive, whether through the holidays or not can be like an areobic workout (something I don't do often enough). From time to time we can get caught up in the moment of "negative" thoughts and before you know it all you hear is ranting. I've made it a rule here at home that if you choose to rant you must say three positive things. I don't always get my way, but I can say it enough that silence generally follows.
As the holidays have come and gone so quickly and as we go through these twelve days of Christmas I look back and reflect on some of the negative and what we have and how we are truly blessed.
The Negative - my fear of writing! Not saying the right thing, using the right words, or my fifth grade teacher leaving a comment that my sentences were not grammatically correct.
The Positive - Well after 80 posts I have not heard a peep from her! I have read thousands of posts that have made me laugh till my sides hurt, cried for the lose of your loved ones, have been truly inspired and made new and wonderful friends.
The Negative - earlier this year, due to the economy I lost my job.
The Positive - I have maintained my sanity and my family has not, as of yet, hung me out to dry. At the strong and heartfelt encourage of a dear friend that has always, Always, ALWAYS encouraged my creative side, I started my own business of my dear passion - quilting.
The Negative - Thinking my husband might not be so supportive of my wild-haired idea I sent him away to his parents for a week so I could start the process.
The Positive - "I need you honey - please come home"; and he did! He has been in my cheering section from the get go!
The Negative - The garage conversion. A night mare in itself. Not one more treasure could possibly fit in that 19 x 20 space! But that was where my new studio would go. It was the "PLAN".
The Positive - Dear sweet hubby spent all his available moments helping me sort, pitch and repack until.....
The Negative - he broke his hand! Uugghhh!
The Positive - Dear, sweet, wonderful friends and family chipped in and helped and we met our deadline. The business began operation right on schedule!!
The Negative - Within days my darling Father inlaw was in a car accident coming from a visit with mom at the nursing home.
The Positive - he was alright; a few bruises and would be released in a day or two.
The Negative - he developed pneumonia and it all became very serious. My sweet husband left in a heartbeat when the doctor called the family in. Dad was now on a ventilator.
The Positive - My husband made it to his side and Dad began improving. He spent four days off of the ventilator and things were looking up.
The Negative - the heater is trying to die - uugghh!
The Positive - I'm not cold yet!
The Negative - we were apart for Christmas....
The Positive - That's OKAY! Although we were not geographically located in the same state or same time zone for that matter; we were together in love and spirit. He is exactly where he needs to be. I managed to catch up on some of my blog reading. I've missed that! You all have been so busy too!!
The Negative - my sweet 8 year old puppy got in a fight with some bob wire and lost!
The Positive - After an emergency visit (and costly fee) and a ton of stitches she will be allright. She is getting a lot of love from us and attention from Max. She will be okay!
The Negative - Dad took a turn for the worse today and is back on the ventilator.
The Positive - I believe in the power of prayer!! This too shall pass. We've been promised that and I believe that. I believe in the spirit of Christmas! I am truly blessed with a wonderful family and some amazing friends. God IS GOOD! Maintaining my Christmas spirit with YOU!
Merry Christmas!
Sharon
12.25.2009
12.16.2009
12.11.2009
Candy Cane Cocoa and a Tour
How about a warm cup of Candy Cane Cocoa and a house tour!
Ingredients:
4 cups milk
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 mini candy canes, crushed
1 cup Whipping Cream, whipped
4 mini candy canes
Cooking Directions:
heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in chocolate and crushed candy canes until melted. Pour into four mugs; top with whipped cream and garnish with a candy cane.
Now for some amazing houses! Gingerbread houses that is!!
Okay - this is too funny!
and of course...the White House!
Aren't these just amazing!!
Is designing a gingerbread house a tradition for your family? My daughter Billie has made it a tradition at our house a few years ago and she does such a wonderful job. I can't wait to see what transpires this year. But of course we won't discuss it until finals are over ;)
Oh I just love Christmas and all the anticipation that comes along with it.
Participating in Foodie Friday!
Merry Christmas,
Sharon
12.09.2009
12.07.2009
Under Construction.....
...and EXHAUSTED!
But very much missing my bloggy friends!
It seems as if my dreams of a quilt studio are happening very fast. It was rather a very quick and spontaneous decision but once made we jumped in quickly. In the midst of it all my darling sweet husband broke his hand - ouuuch! Therefore I have been working "twice" as hard. With the loving support of my family and dear friends we are just about there.
To maintain some type of normalcy we still decorated for Thanksgiving and the Christmas tree is up, but yes, (head hanging low) there is still a pumpkin on the front porch :( Well I didn't say it was a "perfect" normalcy and for those that know me REAL well would probably say that was normal.
So even though I haven't posted much or been by for visits I am still very much thinking of you (and wishing you all were here to help - ha). I've been taking pictures and hopefully will be able to share with you visually this ADVENTUROUS experience.
Missing you much!
Sharon
11.26.2009
11.18.2009
Crock Pot Wednesday
Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients
5 strips bacon, finely chopped
2 Tbsp fresh basil, finely minced
1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme, finely minced
1 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary
3/4 cup(s) onion, chopped
1 1/2 pound(s) ground chuck
1 cup(s) dry red wine
1 can(s) (28 ounce) whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped
2 Tbsp garlic, finely minced
2 Tbsp sugar
1 bay leaf
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
Directions
To make the sauce: Cook the bacon and herbs in a large skillet over med-high heat until the bacon is soft (about 4 minutes). Add the onions and continue to cook until they aregolden brown. Add the chuck; stir occasionally until browned. Add wine, bring sauce to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes. Transfer the mixture to a clow cooker and add the remaining ingredients. Set at high and allow to slow-cook for 5 to 6 hours. Serve hot over pasta. YUM!
Joining Debbie @ Dining with Debbie for a little "Crock Pot Wednesday"
Enjoy,
Sharon
11.16.2009
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter!
Today is her 22nd birthday and she has brought so much joy to my life I couldn't love her more.
So celebrate and enjoy your day sweet girl!!
So celebrate and enjoy your day sweet girl!!
11.13.2009
A Little Yum to go with Your Cranberries!
Ingredients
CRUST:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1/8 tsp salt
6 Tbsp chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup ice water
Cooking spray
FILLING:
1/3 cup orange juice
2 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts, toasted
1 Tbsp grated orange rind
1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425°.
To prepare crust, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in a bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Sprinkle surface with ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time; toss with a fork until moist and crumbly (do not form a ball). Gently press mixture into a 4-inch circle on plastic wrap. Cover and chill for 15 minutes.
Slightly overlap 2 lengths of plastic wrap on slightly damp surface. Unwrap and place chilled dough on plastic wrap. Cover dough with 2 additional lengths of overlapping plastic wrap. Roll dough, still covered, into a 14-inch circle. Place dough in freezer 5 minutes or until plastic wrap can be easily removed.
Remove plastic wrap; fit dough into a 10-inch round removable-bottom tart pan coated with cooking spray. Fold edges under or flute decoratively.
To prepare filling, combine juice and cornstarch in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Add remaining ingredients; stir well. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° (do not remove tart from oven); bake an additional 35 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Joining Designs by Gollum for a little "Foodie Friday"
Delish!
Sharon
10.31.2009
Halloween Wishes and a Parade finale!
It's finally here! The day we have been anxiously awaiting!
I have so enjoyed this 13 days of madness, the late night visits to see the latest, the smiles and giggles, such sweet comments, the heartfelt posts and the history lessons of why we do what we do. I have met so many new and wonderful people and have been truly inspired by you all. One thing about it; you girls sure know how to party!!
Congratulations to all the lucky Winners!
day 1 ~ Sarah @ Hyacinths for the Soul
day 2 ~ Michelle @ Chocolate and Marmalade Tea
day 3 ~ Courtney @ Haunt Jaunts
day 4 ~ Laurie @ Bargain Hunting with Laurie
day 5 ~ Carol @ Charli and Me
day 6 ~ Lisa @ Another Day Today
day 7 ~ Barb @ Bella Vista
day 8 ~ Bunny Jean @ Bunny Jean's Decor...and More!
day 9 ~ Rainy Day Farm
day 10 ~ BJ @ Sweet Nothings
day 11 ~ Susan @ Thoughts from Over the Rainbow
day 12 ~ Tricia @ Altered School Marm
day 13 ~ Jen @ Lipstick and Laundry
If you have not already done so, please email your address to sharon@fiberdoodles.com All prizes not claimed within two weeks will go on eBay! (just teasing)
Thank you, thank you so much for participating!
Now on for a final Parade!
Now take a bow; you all are AWESOME!!
If you have not had the opportunity to visit all of the Party Participants please do so. You will be glad you did!
Have a safe, joyous and Spooktacular Halloween!
Sharon
Party Participants
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