Spring is Just Around the Corner!

      I keep hoping if I say this enough, it will happen! Almost every other day, we have had threat of snow! We actually have gotten a few flakes, but what happens here mostly is ice. Thankfully, that melted quickly! Today was predicted that we would have inclement weather in the form of snow/ice, but alas, only a very light layer on the picnic table and car hoods. It has melted as I write this. We are expecting round 2 for tomorrow. They cry wolf so often that people get tired of it and go on about their way. That's why accidents happen. People don't believe there's any ice until they wind up in a ditch! I prefer to stay in if temps are under 32 degrees and rain/snow. 

      But Spring is around the corner! I saw Robins in town the other day! I haven't seen them in my yard yet, but they are probably out there somewhere! My hens haven't started laying yet, but I'm hoping that won't be long! Before I know it, I'll have eggs running out my ears! Jill Winger from Prairie Homestead helped me with my frustration of not having eggs. She said that she embraces egg laying as a season. Just like harvesting corn or beans. One doesn't expect to get those all year long; and one shouldn't expect to get eggs all year long. At least not from older hens. I quit stressing about eggs after I read this. I will embrace eggs when they come! We will eat lots of custards, puddings, pies, and anything else made with eggs!

      I intended on writing a post last week, but when it rains, the internet doesn't work. Or it is very slow. That messes with blogger. So today, even though there is a light rain, I'm writing before it gets messed up. Plus, I had a bad head cold and felt terrible a few days. I'm so much better now! I got behind with my crafting and cleaning but we've been eating good! I broke down and bought beef this week in the form of a shoulder roast. I cooked it in the pressure cooker, then added carrots, potatoes, and onions and pressured a few more minutes. It turned out delicious! I love using my pressure cooker even more than my crock-pot! I rarely use my crock-pot. The pressure cooker is so much faster! And the food tastes good cooked in it! My grandmother always used her pressure cooker, so I guess that's why I'm not afraid of it. Speaking of pressure cooker, I'm about to can some beans! We are out of black beans, Skylar's favorite, so I ordered those and great northern. I get them from the food co-op. They are organic and I can purchase them in bulk. Makes them cost about the same as the grocery store. If your'e not familiar with canning beans, go to http://www.pickyourown.org/canningdriedbeans.htm or http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/04/how-to-can-dry-beans.html They will teach you what you need to know about canning dry beans. That's how I learned; so if I can do it, you can do it! Home canned beans are so much better than store bought. They keep well and all you have to do is reach into your pantry.

      I finally made lotion bars. They are wonderful! They are made with organic ingredients and smell so good! I don't use them to cover my whole body, just dry, chapped parts. Like hands, fingers, lips, toes, feet, elbows. You get the idea. They really helped heal Randy's cracked thumbs. He didn't even need any today. I rubbed it on his dry, cracked feet and they are so much better! I like making something at home that helps our bodies! It's not hard to do. Here's the link: http://www.mommypotamus.com/lotion-bar-recipe/
I also made melt and pour soap that I've been wanting to make for a long time. It was so easy! I had some that I purchased from Hobby Lobby a long time ago and I added some color and fragrance oil to it. It turned out pretty good. I'm going to try making it again as I sets up really fast.

      Have you planted your tomato, pepper, herb, and eggplant seeds yet? If you live in my zone, now's the time. I should have planted them a few weeks ago, but they are planted now. I just hope they germinate and grow. The seed starting mix has a funny odor. I hope it doesn't affect the seeds! If I don't see signs of growth within a week, I'll start over. I hope ya'll stay warm and safe during this unpredictable winter! Remember, Spring is just around the corner! Blessings from Bama!

The roast cooked into a stew!

We didn't get to spend much time with these two this weekend.

I don't mind the drive to get this flour!

Melt and pour soap. I didn't have red color.

Yummy lotion bars!

Randy worked in the rain to put up the last truss for the carport. It's tall so the camper can go under it.

Five pounds each! Waiting to be canned.

I love when the dough is bubbly!

The pizza was the best yet!

Can you believe he washed it in the rain?

Waiting for them to germinate!

We are really enjoying the bread cooked in this Dutch oven!

I made these for these two. I actually cut the crown from wood. The other is a thrift store make-over.

Cooking and Crafting!

      I wanted to write a post today, in spite of the fact that I am so busy! Of course I'm enjoying every minute of it! The girls will be here tomorrow through the weekend so I doubt I'll have a chance to write a post during that time. I have so many unfinished craft projects started; I don't know which ones to do first! They are all such fun projects! Plus, I keep finding more on the internet and Youtube that I want to make! I think I'll be busy crafting way into next year! I'll show you some things I've got going on right now in the photos below.

      Here in the South, we love dressing instead of stuffing. The only stuffing I'm familiar with is stove-top from the box and I don't like that! I'm sure you ladies in the North have some really good stuffing recipes. I may have to try one some day. But for now, I'll stick to my delicious cornbread dressing. My dressing recipe consists of: cornbread, chicken, broth, salt and pepper, poultry seasoning and/or sage, onions, celery, and a couple cans of cream of chicken soup. I haven't been using the soup much in recent years, but this time I am. I also made a delicious marinated slaw which is tradition (in this family) for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. I usually don't use cake mixes from a box, but Randy requested an orange cake from a box, so what am I to do but grant his request. At least the icing will be from scratch: cream cheese with orange juice. Of course, my sister is making a lot of food, as is my Mom. There will be deviled eggs, green bean casserole, oh, and April is cooking a ham and making a corn pudding. There will be even more food than I can mention, but you get the idea. 

      Listening to Pandora's Bing Crosby Christmas music really makes everything even more enjoyable. Give them a listen while you work. You'll be inspired to sing along too! I hope you all have a very Happy and safe Thanksgiving season! Til next time, Blessings from Bama!

I finally made an Alabama wreath since our team is #2! I made the A's from cardboard I painted. They feel like real wood!

Oh, these are a lot of fun! I finally figured out that if I print Merry Christmas on a manila folder, it wouldn't be so stark white on the ornaments. Purchasing the ornaments for half price at Hobby Lobby saved me time and money. I was deceived because they weren't all glittered.

I have some pretty Christmas papers to decoupage on this ornament.

Chicken in the pressure cooker. I really enjoy putting the cooker to use. It saves so much time and energy, too!

Sorry about the light, but I wanted you to see how pretty the cornbread is in the Lodge skillet.

I should be vacuuming, but

      I thought I'd take a little time and share with you. I have gotten interested in sewing again lately, so I've been browsing websites dedicated to this. I signed up for a pattern drawing and they chose my entry! I am so excited! It's the little diva pants I wanted! I can hardly wait to get started on them! Around tuit and pink poodle bows are the ones who sponsored the drawing. I love their websites, and pink poodle bows is the one who has the patterns. Check them out if you like to sew or know someone who can sew for you. I hope to get started sewing later this week.
      I am trying out my "new" bread machine today. It seems to be working so far. I scored at thrift stores again yesterday, purchasing some cute patterns for 29*! I also got some cute material and some more sheets. Along with the pattern I won, they sent me a tutorial on how to make flowers out of material, like for hairbows and embellishments. I bought some lady's blouses, paying a small amount for them, that can be used for the flowers.
      I am going to my first sewing class tonight at Material Girls on Broad Street. I'm really looking forward to that because we are going to learn more about hemming and making button holes and covering buttons. I hope they can show me more about my sewing machine, but I guess the more I use it, I'll become more familiar with its features. Well, you know what I've got to do next. Oh yea, I'll probably be making muscadine jelly and pear preserves this week or if they're not ready, next week. That will take up at least a day for muscadines and a day for preserves. Enjoy these photos.

Check out the shoes!

Winterlynn and Mommy.

At Aunt FeFe's house.

Mortar and pestle used to crush fennel seeds for meatballs.

Meatballs cooked in pressure cooker.

She likes to wear her hat when she eats.

Do you like my blog's new name?

      I hope you won't be confused about the change, but I felt that it was time to do this. We have been to the beach and back again, and are settling into our regular routine. Summer is in full swing around here with the temperatures in the 95 plus! Supposed to be that way all week! I know that the weather is an issue for the mid-west on to Pennsylvania. Climate change causes it to be that way. I hope that outside workers, such as hubby and son stay hydrated and cool as much as possible!
      I've been trying new recipes in my pressure cooker and hubby says they are keepers. Last night it was beef and refried beans. We spooned it over chips and served it like nachos. Delish! Next time I make this, I will use the rack on the eye so it won't scorch. I also made Ghiradelli Ultimate Double Chocolate Cookies, which my hubby said was not a keeper. I love them, though.
       The garden is coming along nicely with lots of little tomatoes and a few large ones. Some rotted due to the extensive watering they received while we were away. We set the timer to water them everyday for an hour, plus, it rained alot while we were gone, thus rotten tomatoes. Cucumbers are growing and tasting mighty good! Everything else, peppers, eggplants, squash, are blooming and making fruit. I ate my first nectarine off our tree ever, today and it was delicious! It tasted a lot like a peach. Peaches should be ready soon. We only have one peach tree, just enough to make icecream, or put in the freezer.
      I am so thankful for so many things! God is so good to us that in spite of everything, life is simply good! Keep your eyes on Him no matter what is going and and your life will be simply good, too.

Captain Andy of the Sea Screamer.

We had a blow-out!

Son taking off the tire.

Hubby and son taking off the tire.

Blown out tire.

Blown out tire.

I'm waiting in the hot camper while they change the tire.

Didn't know crabs were getting on him.

Tiny crabs covered Skylar's shirt from the gulf.

They look forward to riding go-carts several times while we're there.

Me and hubby at the beach.

My Dad.

Sea Screamer going through the channel at the point.

Hubby's only fish.

Mom can still hold her own!

Sea Dragon going through the channel at the point where we were fishing.

Hubby at his favorite fishing spot on the point of the bay.

My Dad waiting on a fish.

Area where sea birds lay eggs.

Some country singers have their yachts there.

Views behind camper across bay.

Our truck and camper.

Our version of "roughing it".

Lady Anderson.

Me and hubby on the Lady Anderson dinner cruise.

My Mom and Dad.

We're waiting in the Sea Screamer.

This home is across the bay from the campground. It is going to be 11,00 plus square feet!

      Here are some photos of our trip. Come back and visit soon!