Christmas Quilt

Good Afternoon! Hope you are enjoying this wonderful fall day. I have finished piecing my new Christmas quilt and hope to have it quilted pretty soon. I put it in the frames last night. Can't wait until after dinner so I can escape to my little sewing room and put in some stitches! This fabric was purchased at Hancocks, it has the cutest white snowflakes on it. This will be 60 x 60, so just right to snuggle up with on a cold afternoon. I have never made a pinwheel quilt, I know they are simple just never got around to using that design. It went together very fast and has inspired me to make another Christmas quilt soon.

Have a great day!

Pumpkin Patch

Is there anything in the world cuter than a little boy exploring outside?? Logan went to the pumpkin patch this weekend and had a blast. He sorted through big ones and little ones and made his selection to take home with him. It is so much fun to watch him enjoying the outdoors!


Update:

For over 3 years, I have needed to have a knee replacement. I have put it off for many reasons.

1) I'm not old enough to have a knee replacement

2) I really hated the thought of a mile long scar down the front of my beautiful leg! (Y'all, its the only part of my body that looks good)

3) I have been in surgery and know what they really do to you while you are asleep.

4) I just cant take the time off to have this done.

Well, in the past 6 weeks, my joint has deteriorated to the point that I could no longer walk and lived in constant pain. I finally had to make the decision to have this done. I have had to accept the fact that I am old enough and I can always look at pictures to remind my grandchildren that I did have great legs once upon a time. And of course, now that I can't walk due to pain, there were no more conservative options.

This past Monday, we drove to Dallas and had it done. I am now at home, going to therapy 3 times a week. The pain is awful, I really thought I was tougher than this! I mean, I have had natural childbirth more than once! Everyone kept telling me its not the same kind of pain. Well hello!!! They got that part right. Its far worse than I could have imagined. I kept thinking prior to surgery, that I would have all this extra time to cook, work on recipes, sew and do some things I haven't enjoyed in a while. So far, I have been able to hobble from room to room on a walker, ya know one of those metal things with the glow in the dark tennis balls! I have this lovely pair of ted hose that I have to wear for 6 weeks, day and night. And a massive incision down the front of my leg. Fortunately, my surgeon did use sutures instead of staples, to preserve my vanity and explained that vitamin E oil would help to diminish the scarring. Then, he told me the exciting news that since I am so young, I will require another one before my lifespan is over. Sitting here, I am wondering why did this happen? Is it because of my chosen field of work? Is it because I always walked so fast? My mother, has never had this problem. In fact, I am the first person in our family to have this done. My sister works on her feet all day, of course she stands and never walks. Whatever the reason for it, it is now done and am in therapy to try and regain as much use as possible. I am seeing a picture of Maxine, the crabby old woman on a walker with glow in the dark tennis balls in a housecoat. Yep, that is me right now. Off to therapy I go, the youngest one sitting in the waiting room wearing thick white hose!


Lorri

Random Thoughts!

Our only grandaughter is homecoming queen for 2011!

Our youngest grandson enjoying the fall parade in our local town. This shot was taken when the antique cars rolled by. He loved them.

Doing a little fall decorating in my spare time.

Baking chocolate pies for my hubby.

Making my favorite pound cake with a cool new pan from Williams-Sonoma!

I'm loving the really cool mornings!
I'm so happy that fall is really here!

Old Fashioned Bread Pudding

Is there anything in the world more homey or satisfying than warm bread pudding? It is so versatile and easy to make, that you can have it ready to serve within an hour. Here is my basic recipe:


Bread Pudding

8 slices of stale bread ( I love to use wheat or french bread in mine)
2 cups of sugar
2 sticks of butter
3 eggs slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
approximately 4 cups of milk
1 tsp cinnamon

Cut the bread into 1 inch chunks and place into large mixing bowl. Pour milk in the bowl to allow it to soak into the bread. In separate bowl beat 3 eggs well, add the sugar,cinnamon and vanilla, beat well. Melt two sticks of butter and pour into bread and milk mixture ,stir until well incorporated. Add the egg/sugar mixture and mix gently together. Pour into a lightly greased dish( I use my corningware). Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 45 minutes until the center is set. Insert a knife to check and make sure it is done.

Variations:
French bread gives it a different yeasty taste which is very rich and yummy. I have also used hot dog buns, hamburger buns and white bread.
You can use evaporated milk, heavy cream,or half and half to substitute for some of the milk.
I have used raisins, apples, pears or any fall fruit to bump up the flavor.
Rum extract can be used instead of vanilla.

There are many recipes for sauce that can be poured on top, but I seldom use them. The pudding is very rich and with 2 sticks of butter it is already a heart stopper.

When you have leftover bread, just put the sack in the freezer and add to it. Soon you will have enough for a good size dessert to serve your family. I think it is a great way to use up stale bread or buns!

Hope you have a peaceful and restful day! My prayers are with the survivors and families of 9/11.

New Booth!

Today, is the big day for me! I have rented a small booth in a resale shop and will be moving some of my furniture there. I have downsized, gave away and bought more (its an obsession)! I used to send all of my stuff to the girls house, but then they started bringing it back after they were tired of it. My mother told me this would happen!

I have a friend whose son will be here soon to help me load the heavy stuff. Of course, I am naming my little booth Cute As Pie Cottage. Wish me luck, it's going to be a very busy day!

My Bucket List

Hello to everyone! I know it has been awhile since my last post. Life has been very busy here at the cottage.

I have reached a new milestone this week. I had my 50th Birthday Sunday! It was a very quiet day, just relaxing at home with the husband. Kids stopped by to wish me a happy day.

I have been thinking about all the things I have accomplished in the last 50 years as well as the things I havent, so I have had to revamp my bucket list this week.

When I was 15 yrs old, I wanted to be a housewife and a mother. I just couldnt stand the thought of college,so after high school I got married,had kids and was a stay at home mother. At the age of 30 I went back to school for an LVN license and started to work in a doctors office. At 40 I was divorced, raising children, working full time and started back to school again for an RN degree. At 45, I graduated and went to work at a local hospital. At 48 I remarried and started working on my BSN degree. Now that I am 50 I am sitting here thinking about all the trials I have been through,but many of them for the best!

In March I set a goal to lose 30lbs, so far I have lost 21lbs...YEAH!! I will graduate in May with my BSN (it takes me a long time with working a full time job!). My last daughter is off to college in 30 days. And I am planning some me time very soon!

My new list includes:

More travel! I want to see Europe and spend a month in Italy.

I want the freedom of working 3 days a week again

I am getting pretty tired of school, so not sure about that

Still have 9lbs to go to reach my goal

I just rented a small booth space, so want to dabble in that for a while (honestly, I just have too much furniture and need to sell some of it)

Spend more time with my husband

Go fishing

Plant a garden

Redecorate the house

I may try to paint again. Im terrible at it, but I can take some lessons and work on it

I want to see the United States, but particularly the south.

I want to take cooking lessons at the college just for fun

I want to stay at a beach house and walk through the sand

All of this will take alot of money, so I may have to rethink the school thing again!

Most of all, I want to breathe deep, look at the sky, smell the ocean,feel the sun on my face,hold my husbands hand, walk through this life and enjoy every day to the fullest.

Its been quite a ride so far!

Have a great week!

Target

I love Target! I seldom leave the store without at least one spectacular purchase. Today, it was this green and white checked tablecloth. I just love it and it goes so well with the green granny smith apples!

With Mother's Day coming up, I may just get a few gift cards! I need to go make my lists!

Wedding Pictures

Beautiful cake and shiny silver, the table was so pretty

My husband with his best pal.

This is my younger daughter Kristy and our new grandson Logan

This is Bryan cooling his heels, waiting on ceremony to begin. I think he was a little nervous

Here is Logan giving his new uncle advice on how to handle aunt Jenner when she gets out of control. Just drool all over her and all will be fine.

Here is the lovely couple right after the ceremony. Arent they cute? Jennifer is my oldest daughter and owns a florist. Her groom is a chef. The facility was lovely, decorated by her and the menu was cooked by him. we had a great time!

The wedding was held outdoors in front of a historic home in our city. The reception was in the back yard.

We had a wonderful time, wishing them many years of happiness!

Have a Happy monday!

He loves cake!

Spring in My Backyard

Key Lime Pound Cake

Have you seen the new issue of Southern Living?
There are 12 recipes for pound cakes included inside!
Today, I made the Key Lime Pound cake after I saw on Tina's blog that she had baked it. It looked so yummy!Hope you will try it. Have a good week.

Pie

The right pie can save the world!