New Christmas Cookbook

I am a big fan of  "Gooseberry Patch" cookbooks, I am honored to have recipes in five of their cookbooks,
one is the new Christmas one for this year. "Hometown Christmas".
I would like to share the recipe with you from this cookbook.
(These yummy taco crackers were a gift from my sister Lina one year for Christmas. They were so good that I just had to have the recipe). I know you will enjoy them too. Very nice for gifts too.

Lina's Taco Crackers

3-10 oz. pkgs. oyster crackers                        
3/4 cup oil                                                       
1-1/4oz. pkg. taco seasoning mix                     
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. chili powder
Place crackers in a large roasting pan: drizzle with oil, Combine seasoning mix and spices
in a small bowl: sprinkle over crackers and toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 15- 20 min.
until golden brown, stirring once. Cool: store in an airtight container, Makes 16 cups.

I have been working really hard, almost every day in my salon and my school nursing job,
my crafting is very limited as well as my blogging time. And the holidays are coming so fast.
 I was able to finish a Santa I was working on.
I am also working on a snowman for a friend swap.
I am not going to show the finished snowman, since my friend is a blogger and may look at my blog,
I will show the finished snowman after she receives him. Until now the headless snowman.

Inspired by an Olde Homestead Barn pattern.

New Bonnets

I have been so busy with working my two jobs but did manage to get two new bonnets made.

They are approx. 26" long and are inspired by a "Drakestone Primitive" pattern.

I am asking $22.99 each plus shipping. Please email me if interested. Farmhouse Prims

So proud of my Daughter.

My daughter suffers from an eating disorder called "Diabulimia", she will binge eat and not take her insulin
to control her weight. I know it sounds crazy, you think why would you do something like this to harm your body. But it is an addiction like drugs or alcohol and it consumes you.
 It breaks my heart to see my daughter struggle with this and without health insurance how do you afford rehab, I was hoping with the Obama Care at least she could get some insurance, but she can't even get on the site, so not much hope in that.
 But she has come along way, she used to wouldn't even admit that she had a problem, everything was hidden. Now she will talk about it openly and she is improving and doing what she can to get help.
I am so thankful that she is a part of a diabetic diabulimia group on facebook and one sweet girl even
sent her a book that she has written. "Slow Suicide" could be my daughters story, an amazing story.
 It is an answer to prayers I know, I pray constantly that my daughter will beat this illness and be a help to others. And that her way of thinking will change and that she will get the help that she needs.
 She has started a blog, which I am so proud of her for doing this, stop by and take a look and continue
to keep my Steph in your prayers. I know prayers have helped her thus far. She will always be my little girl!

And please check out her blog
"My Struggle with Diabulimia"

Fall Happenings

Fall is just flying by and I am getting all excited thinking about what toys to buy my grandchildren for Christmas.It makes me feel like a kid again. he he
I want their Christmas to be special but not all about gifts, so I put alot of thought into what I will get them.
We usually give them a gift on Christmas Eve. and two other things on Christmas morning, plus a few things in their stockings. They seem to enjoy and play more with their toys when they don't just get package after package.
But back to fall, I love fall . In October my BF and my sisters and I usually make a quick one night trip to
Lancaster, Pa. Then me and some of my friends from nursing school plan a weekend at our farmhouse,
this year it was only going to be three of us and the night before my one freind got sick and so only my
friend Barbara and I were the only ones to go.
But we had a wonderful time, we talked alot, ate alot and laughed alot.
We also took a big drive into WV.
 I could have never made it in nursing school without her, we were each others cheerleaders, we cried together and encouraged each other and being older it was alot harder for us going back to school.
But I am proud out of a class of over 60 , there were only twenty something of us that made it.
 But I am quite upset how LPN's don't have the respect that they should, at our local hospital, which they assured us wouldn't happen when we were in school. LPN's are considered techs, I am more than a tech,
I dedicated two years of my life to studying and schooling. I would love to be an RN, but no more school for this gal, I want to enjoy my life and my grandchildren. he he
Here is some pictures of Barbara and I at the farmhouse. Warning Picture overload.

My friend Barb and I, our first stop the apple orchard

Senica Rocks, mountain climbers love these rocks.

Yes, this is snow Oct. 26th.

Beautiful Black Water Falls

Next I have to show you some pictures of my grandchildren on Halloween, Cole and Riley, unfortunately
we didn't get to see my grandson Jake, My son is supposed to bring him one day in his costume so we can see him too.

Riley the Zombie

Cole, from StarWars

Pappy, Cole and Riley

My SIL Mat Chillin

My Daughter Steph and little Bo

My new Billy Jacob print that I got in Pa.

I always make this easy yummy apple dip when my friends and I go to the farmhouse,
I will share it with you
1 stick of butter softened (or 1/2 cup) softened
1 8oz. block of cream cheese softened
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all ingredients well with a mixer.
Chill in fridge, serve with your favorite apples.

Enjoy my friends and "Happy Fall"

November "Early Work Mercantile" Listings

Please stop by "Early Work Mercantile" and check out my November listings.
I have listed several items that would make wonderful Christmas gifts or to decorate
your home for the holidays!

Early Work Mercantile Update

Stop by "Early Work Mercantile" and check out the November updates

"Early Work Mercantile"

Wonderful surprise in the mail.

Today when I went out to check the mail, there was a package on my porch, when I picked it up,
I kept thinking, I don't remember ordering anything, it must be something that my son ordered.
But when I looked at the package, I saw my name on it.

It was from a dear friend  Trish "Ladybug" Wenzl, that I had met a couple years ago through blogging.
Trish has been a wonderful friend and encourager to me, she uplifts me in her prayers and
is always giving me words of encouragement. I cherish and appreciate her friendship.
Thank you Trish for your kindness, I cherish your friendship.
I love everything!!!!

Now to show you what was in the package.

Can't wait to see what is in the box, excitement!

Look at the is beautiful wooden bowl.

Love the stars on the bottom and outside also.

I love this beautiful Gathering board, so lovely for fall.

The cutest civil war doll that she designed, love how she is holding the flag, she is adorable.

Awesome little Getaway!

  I have been busy with working my two jobs, not much time for crafting or anything right now.
I was able to go on a quick trip with two of my sisters and my best friend to Lancaster, Pa. for
a day trip.
We just spent one night, but we sure didn't let any grass get green under our feet. We did a little
shopping, ate some wonderful comfort food, and did alot of laughing. It was therapy for all of us.
 We also went to see a wonderful play  "Half Stitched", based on the book by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
It was a comedy about all of these different people from many different walks of life taking a quilting class,
I laughed and I cried, it was a wonderful play. Now I have to read the book. I recommend the play highly!
I will share a few pictures. I didn't get any photo's of the amish, sorry.

Me and two of my sisters, they are twins

Me, my sisters, and Shelia

I loved how this house was decorated, had to take a photo

A few of my treasures

Pamphlet from the play "Half Stitched"

Book Review

 I am pleased to be a book reviewer for "Bethany House". I love "Bethany House" their books seem to have
good values and lots have a christian theme. I was given a free book to read and leave a review.
They ask you to give a good honest review even if it would be negative.
 I was so thrilled to have been able to read "Bride for Keeps" by Melissa Jagears. It was one of those books
that I was unable to put down. I felt like I was out there on the prairie with them.
 The story takes place out on the Kansas prairie in the 1700's.
The story centers around Everett, a good, hardworking man who has had his share of bad luck with women.
He had failures with 4 mail order brides.
He is almost finished with the idea of ever having a wife. His neighbors wife went behind Everetts back
and ordered him a bride. Everett was quite upset about this. He had about given up on women.
Julia is a fancy city girl from Boston. She is running from her past and has no idea what she is getting
herself into. Everett is a gentlemen and out of need to survive, they marry for convenience.
Will these two ever fall in love. Will Julia be able to handle the hardship of the prairie. Will she
ever be able to deal with the past that haunts her. You will have to read the book to find out.
 "Bride for Keeps" has to be one of the best books that I have ever read, I had a hard time putting it down.
I am pretty sure this book is going to be a series, which I am hoping it to be.
I recommend this book highly.You won't be disappointed with this one.