Repotting Orchids

I love orchids...I have four regular sized ones and one miniature one!  I  have been afraid to repot them, though, so they haven't bloomed again, although they are looking good.  My daughter posted this on my Facebook page, so I am ready to repot them and watch them bloom.  Can't wait!  How 'bout you?

Merry Christmas

Have a very Merry Christmas, Everyone...Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Men...

Apple Pies In a Jar!

Too much has been going on in my life for a while...staying a lot with my elderly Mother in another town; my son just left to go to Afganistan with the Air National Guard(he volunteered); and other things too numerous to mention...so I have neglected my blog.  Anyway...here is a wonderful idea for Christmas gifts from Tara of Tara Cooks Blog at http://taracooks.com/ Make some!

From Tara:

I think these Apple Pie in  Jar gifts are my favorite so far – I’ve eaten a couple of them already.  I had a set of these cute little 4 oz jars to use for this project.  These babies can be baked and given as gifts right away or they can be assembled and frozen in the jar and cooked later.  Although I lined each jar with some portions of refrigerated pie crust, I think these could also be made with just the apple pie filling and the crumb topping. Either way- cook’s choice.

You will need:

• 8 4 oz canning jars
• 1 package of refrigerated pie crust – allowed to set at room temp for handling

For the filling:

• 4 Granny Smith Apples peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

For the crumb topping:

• 3/4 cup plain flour
• 1/3 sugar
• 1/3 cup soft butter no substitutions

Roll out pastry circles and cut into forths.

Press each piece of crust into a 4 oz jar.

Mix the apples with the sugar and cinnamon and spoon filling into jars, leaving 1/2″ headspace for the crumb topping.

Mix the flour, sugar, and butter together with a pastry tool or with your hands until well blended and spoon mixture into each jar.

Place jars on a cookie sheet for easy transport and place on center rack of a preheated 350 degree oven.  Bake jar pies for 25-35 minutes or until crumb topping and crust is golden brown.

Remove pies from oven and allow to cool before sealing with lids and rings.

For frozen pies, allow pies to thaw at room temperature and follow baking instructions above.

Easy Peasy Ruffled Scarf Tute

Check out this great ruffled scarf you can make in around 30 minutes by Maggie Weldon!  Can't wait to try it!  Here's the link to her page and blog:  http://www.maggiescrochet.com/index.php.  Let me know if you try it out...I'm going to make Christmas presents for my family using this tute...happy hooking!

First Campout in my new camper!

Well, I took "Henny Penny" on her first road trip recently!  Sisters on the fly was invited to show some of our campers again this year at the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain, GA.  We had four campers featured and just had such fun!  I didn't want to show mine, 'cause I wanted to camp in her.  We (all 90 of us) camped at the campground there.  The weather was perfect...so beautiful with the autumn leaves!  This is the third year (or fourth?) we have participated and it just gets better and better!  You have never seen so many beautiful and creative things for sale; there were even workshops available from some of the favorite HGTV personalities, such as The Beekman Boys.  Put the last week in October on your calendar for next year if you live in, or will be visiting the Atlanta area.  Also, Country Living Magazine has shows in several places each year...check it out...you might find one closer to you...have a great weekend!

Not Pumpkin Pie from Not Martha!

I am so glad it is officially autumn!!! One of my VERY favorite things is pumpkin...so much so I named my pumpkin-colored cat 'Pumpkin'.  I always wait and wait until the pumpkin-flavored coffee creamer appears in the grocery store...then I put it on my oatmeal...weird, right?  Not in my coffee, but on my oatmeal - so good!  Anyway, to make a long story longer, I found this great link on FB for....are you ready?!  Pumpkin Pie Milkshake!!!  Be still my heart...here's the link:  http://www.wearenotmartha.com/2011/09/pumpkin-pie-milkshake/  It is so easy and you really don't even need a pumpkin pie to make it...I can't wait!  Go get you some!  xxx

Learn Mountain Dulcimer at DULCIMERSCHOOL.COM

Learning this is is on my Bucket List; and even  better by this gentleman at the John C. Campbell School!

11 Month Old Twins Dancing to Daddy's Guitar

RagRugs

How to CROCHET A RAG RUG, recycle project

How To Make Granny Squares - Circle Centers

How To Crochet Toilet Roll Cover Tutorial

Julia Child's Brownies!

Since I am on the Nutrisystem Program to lose the 7 pounds (and want to lose 10 more) I have gained back of the weight I lost a few years ago, I thought I would share this with you...and yes, I am eating my heart out right now!  I have had a terrible two month battle trying to lose and KEEP LOSING!  The culprit is the best doughnuts in the whole wide world!  On the way to Panama City, Florida twice in three months, we stopped at the DONUT KING in Eufaula, Alabama!!!  Lord have mercy on my soul!  I ate six doughnuts in a sitting both times...there is a song, 'Cowboys are my weakness'...well, my song is - 'the Donut Hole Donuts are my weakness'!  Really, sweets are my weakness, but if you ever have the chance to stop by that lil' hole in the wall shop...don't miss it!  You can check it out on Facebook...enjoy your brownies (and save me some) as I enjoy my cabbage for lunch, heehee!

Julia's Best-Ever Brownies (adapted from 'Baking with Julia' with Dorie Greenspan)

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

8 ounces unsalted butter

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 large eggs, room temperature

Directions:

1. Put a rack in the center of the oven and pre-heat to 350 degrees.

2. Sift together the flour and salt; set aside.

3. Melt the butter and all of the chocolate together the in the microwave in a large bowl.

4. Add one cup of the sugar to the chocolate-butter mixture and stir for 30 seconds. Stir in the vanilla.

5. Mix the remaining sugar and the four eggs in an electric mixer bowl for a few seconds until just combined.

7. Little by little, pour half of the sugar-egg mixture into the chocolate mixture, stirring gently but constantly with a rubber spatula so that the eggs don't set from the heat.

8. Whip the remaining sugar and eggs in the electric mixer until they are thick, pale, and doubled in volume, about three minutes.

9. Using the rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped eggs into the chocolate mixture.

10. When the eggs are almost completely incorporated, gently fold in the dry ingredients.

11. Pour and scrape the batter into an unbuttered 9-inch square baking pan.

12. Bake the brownies for 22-26 minutes, they should rise a little and the top will look dark and dry.

13. Make a small cut in the the center of the brownies after about 22 minutes to check for doneness. They'll be perfect if they are just barely set and still gooey.

14. Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a rack before cutting.

DIY

I love DIY cleaning tips and I am certainly going to use this one!  I already use vinegar for cleaning, but this will make it even better.  I have already peeled my oranges; unfortunately two were spoiled with bad spots - new bag from BJ's no less - I should take them back, but decided to use what I had to make this cleaner and share the cut up oranges with the birds!  Kill two birds with one stone, no pun intended!


DIY Citrus Cleaner 

Add orange peels (or any citrus peel) to a quart of white vinegar in a closed container and let it set for two weeks. Combine citrus/vinegar solution half/half with water and use for cleaning. Works on floors, tiles, fixtures, kitchen & bath etc. Smells good and is tough on scum! Best of all there are no chemicals. ♥



Quick Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner:
Orange peels, vinegar in a quart jar, let sit for 10 days or so…strain out the liquid and use as an all-purpose cleaner. Easy, cheap, natural, smells good!


This tip and photo is from MiniMate on Facebook...thanks, Mini

How to Stop a Wound From Bleeding (Emergency Version for “The Survival Doctor’s Guide to Wounds”)

How to Stop a Wound From Bleeding (Emergency Version for “The Survival Doctor’s Guide to Wounds”)

Since you just never know what can happen these days, I thought I would post this for you all...I am a nurse and a Red Cross Instructor, but sometimes people run into trouble before they have time to take an actual class!  This is for FYI only...I am not a Physician!

My new vintage camper

Well, I'm selling my little 1968 Shasta Compact camper, 'The Queen Bee'...One of my Sisters on the fly girls (Donna) is buying it and re-naming her, 'Miss Behave Inn!  Cute name, don't you think?  Of course, I have mixed feelings, but it's for the best...she is going to a good new home and I have bought a 1969 Dreamer camper and have named her, 'Henny Penny'...can you guess why?  The man I bought her from is finishing up her inside and when I get her, I will have lots of pictures to post...more to come!

Spring Sewing Machine Cleaning

Here you go, Sewists and Crafters!  It's not Spring, but I am going to Spring Clean my sewing machine!  I absolutely never even thought to tackle this but I love ways to save money...Here's the greatest little video for you to get the idea of how to do this!  I watched a class with Joanie from Missouri Star Quilt Company on Craftsy.com and loved her easy teaching method...hope this helps!

Natural Relief From Sunburn

It's July and in most places here in the USA it's HOT!  We are spending more time outside in the sun, enjoying ourselves in sports, the lake, the beach, and whatever!  Some of us are even in the garden...but wherever you are outside spending these long summer days here's good information from Irene Wolansky...check it out!

From Irene Wolansky, Mountain Rose Herbs

Aloe Vera Skin Relief Makes: 4 ounces Ingredients 4   oz aloe vera gel 15   drops lavender essential oil 10   drops vitamin E oil 5   drops calendula essential oil 2-5   drops peppermint essential oil Directions Mix all ingredients, and apply to the skin as often as desired. Keep gel in the refrigerator to increase its cooling effects.

Chamomile After-Sun Spray Makes: 4 ounces Ingredients 2   oz aloe vera gel 2   oz chamomile flower water (hydrosol) 5   drops chamomile essential oil Directions Mix all ingredients, pour into a spray bottle, and apply to the skin as often as desired.

Baking Soda Paste  Makes: ¼ cup Ingredients ¼   cup baking soda 1½–2   T lavender or chamomile flower water 5   drops lavender essential oil Directions Mix all ingredients until a medium-thick paste forms, apply gently to the skin, and allow to dry. Once finished, rinse off carefully without irritating sunburned skin.

Firecracker Drumsticks

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States. (Wikipedia)

Here's a recipe from Allrecipes.com, that's great to cook up and take for a pot-luck or picnic with your family and friends...It's a little trouble, but well worth it!

Firecracker Drumsticks

Ingredients

• 16 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup hot pepper sauce
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
•  
• 6 cups vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Place chicken  in a resealable plastic bag. Pour sauce over chicken, seal bag, and refrigerate to marinate for at least 1 hour, up to 24 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the spicier it will be!
2. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Combine the flour, cornmeal, and salt in another resealable plastic bag. Add the drumsticks, seal bag, and shake to coat.
4. Fry the chicken, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until juices run clear. Turn occasionally to brown evenly. You will have to do this in several batches, being careful not to crowd the drumsticks, so each can brown perfectly!
5. Remove chicken from pan as each are browned and place on several thicknesses of paper towels to drain,  keeping warm in oven.

Serve with the works!  In our family it is Other-Mom's potato salad, home-grown tomatoes, coleslaw, fresh field peas, and whatever bread we feel like serving...more times than not, it's those little Brown and Serve rolls from the grocery store, dripping with butter.  Dessert might be my mother's Pound Cake, Peach pie, or Ice Cream, although Anita's Banana Pudding is usually my favorite...enjoy your Independence Day and y'all say a prayer for all our service men and women who are off protecting our Independence...also, pray for our Country!  Hope you enjoy your holiday and thanks for stopping by!

Home-made Fabric Softener

Here's a great recipe for home-made fabric softener from the Garden (G.R.I.T.S.) girls on Facebook!  I usually just use vinegar in the rinse, but sometimes I like to add this for the nice smell...also, if I am too lazy, hurried, etc. to take the clothes out of the dryer when they are done and still warm, I just spritz them with water in a spray bottle, snap/shake them out a bit, hang them up and voila!  They are wrinkle-free!  If you are interested, check out my previous post for the recipe for Home-made Laundry Detergent...I have been using this since the first of the year and will never use anything else!  Cleans the clothes as good as Tide with bleach and they smell like they have been hung out in the sunshine and fresh air!  If you try either of these, let me know how you like them!

Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe~ If you have a problem with chemicals that you can't pronounce in your products along with 'Formaldehyde' (which really grosses me out) here is a recipe for homemade Fabric Softener. It you want an even more natural approach you can leave out the Conditioner and just use the Vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural softener. The Vinegar smell disappears after it is in the dryer or on the clothes line. It costs about $1.25 to make this. ~M~

3 cups White Vinegar

2 cups Suave Conditioner (Waterfall Mist smells the best to me)

6 cups Hot water

Use 1/4 cup per load

A Chance to Breathe

I believe...

Pillow DIY - Fabulous!!!

Bran Muffins...from Scratch!

 Christy's Old Fashioned From Scratch Bran Muffins!

There is nothing better than a bran muffin for breakfast as far as I am concerned, unless it's the slow-cooker oatmeal!

Happy Mother's Day

Flat Footing

I used to go home  with my friend Molly to the mountains in North Carolina when I was 18 years old...I loved to see her and her little brothers and sisters dance like this!  Good Good Memories!

Happy Mother's Day!

For those of you who have lost your Mother...I am so sorry.  I have the most precious Mother in the world and I'm so grateful she's still with me! I spent the day with her again yesterday...her sense of humor is priceless!! We laugh at ourselves...who would have ever thought I would grow to be like her...but, as time passes, I see myself more and more in her.  I know that you always hear "I've become my Mother", but I was always the 'black sheep', the flighty artist type...I still am, but find myself changing and changing as the time grows on; keeping that other self inside, as well as becoming someone, like my Mother, who is more practical...it's a mystery.

Found on Facebook ~ Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: 

"My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "

Happy Mother's Day!

From Flax and Twine

Check out this fabulous Hula Hoop Rug Tute using Finger-Knitted Balls!  I have seen them made with strips of tee-shirts, but this takes it up a whole new level!  Ann Weil's son made huge balls of finger-knitted yarn over time and she came up with a way to use it...Her blog has more pictures and the complete tutorial...Bravo, Ann!  Here's the link to her blog Flax and Twine:

http://www.flaxandtwine.com/2012/02/woven-finger-knitting-hula-hoop-rug-diy.html

oops, almost forgot...she has 5 other great projects for Finger-Knitting (not just for kids anymore!) including a gorgeous pillow in my fav cream and sage green!  If you make something send me a pix and I'll feature it! xxx

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Here's a cake for you to bake for your family and friends...don't worry, you still have time and it's "G" rated!  Nancy Thomas posted this on 'Just A Pinch' recipe site...great link!  You can check it out in my fav webpages at the bottom of this blog!

Margarita Cake

INGREDIENTS:

FOR CAKE
1 stk	butter
4	eggs
1	white cake mix
1 bx	vanilla instant pudding (the smaller one)
1 can(s)	(10 oz) frozen margarita concentrate (completely thawed)
2 tsp	lime juice
1 Tbsp	lime zest
GLAZE
1 Tbsp	butter
2 Tbsp	lime juice
1 Tbsp	lime zest
1 1/2 c	powdered sugar

x1

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 Pre Heat oven to 350° degrees & prepare Bundt style cake pan. ( I use bakers joy)

2 Mix butter, eggs, margarita concentrate (completely thaw first or butter will lump), lime juice & zest together.

3 Add cake mix & pudding mix until well blended.

4 Pour batter in pan & bake 45-55 minutes. Let cool 10-15 minutes & remove from pan.

5 While cake is cooling, in saucepan melt butter for glaze. Add remaining ingredients and stir until smooth.

6 Drizzle Glaze over Cake while it's still warm.