Crafty,The Video

My Great Niece Emma

 

My sister sent me this picture of Emma, her first grandbaby, she isn’t even a month old and she’s already laughing. I think she’s so cute and I’m so glad to be a great aunt. I only wish I lived closer to my nephew and his wife. They live in Indiana and I live in TX :(  

   I’m the one who bought her first doll. I’m so proud of that.

Now I'm Freaking P O

Are you ready for this? Remember I said I was suppose to get the washer and dryer yesterday well the delivery guys were here and I was so excited. I already had a load of clothes to wash. Well when the guy opened up the box of the dryer we noticed a big ugly dent in the back of it. I couldn't believe it and I was ready to spit nails. I immediately got on the phone with Home Depot and told them. Hell, they couldn't believe what had happened either so now we have another delivery set up for Wednesday. I should get a free microwave or something for all this hassle. Maybe our old washer and dryer are doing some kind of something to stay home. HA! When I told my son what had happened all he could say was"'Call me back I'm not hearing you correctly." Hubby said "Hell at this point I'll take whatever color they have orange, green or purple." Cotton and Oreo are doing great after being neutered. There really are no stitches on the cut the vet made. The cut is about 1/2 inch and they are playing around like nothing happened and eating like crazy. Cotton was acting a little weird when I brought him home though. He kept putting his paw in the water bowl. Hubby thought he was high on the meds they gave him. It's so good to have my little boys back home.

Kitties Getting Snipped Today

Early this morning at 6:30 hubby and I went to drop off Cotton and Oreo at pet clinic to get neutered, finally. It was cold this morning so I put a blanket over their pet taxi's and they did very little crying this time. The nurse told us they wouldn't be getting any stitches since the cut would be very very small and that hey would recover in about one week. I didn't know this since all the pets we've had fixed have been females. Our two Chi's were crying when they saw me putting the cats in their taxi's because they know that means we're going on a trip. I hope Cotton and Oreo do alright over the weekend and I hope getting them fixed will avoid any of the in door spraying I've heard about. We are also suppose to be getting our washer and dryer today. Hopefully third time we be the charm since the order was messed up the first two times. I just want a washer and dryer that works already.I'm going to have a freaking fit if they don't come today!!! J.R my son from Los Angeles is coming home in four days and I am still trying to finish up a quilt before he gets home. I haven't put up my Christmas tree nor any outside lights yet. Well at least I've decorated my blog right. After going to bed at 2am and getting up at 5:30am I'm falling asleep as I write this so I think I'll take a 30 minute nap.

HOME DEPOT IS DRIVING ME NUTS

Machines I ordered the first time^ I don't know if any of you knew of the big sale Home Depot was having right before Thanksgiving but hubby and I decided to go check out the washer and dryers because we needed one really bad. Our washer and dryer is 22 years old and the washer has been leaking and the dryer gets overheated. While we were looking at them at the store one of my sons called me and after I told him how we have to mop up water every time we wash he asked me for the model numbers and told me he would get the pair for me for Christmas. I was thrilled so after my son made the purchase the store set a delivery date for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Well, it didn't happen because apparently the dryer was on back order so another delivery date was set for yesterday, Monday, and this time we were told someone at the store had canceled the order so there would be no delivery. One manager would blame another and another. I called my son to tell him and he made calls to the store and he not only made them admit to their mistake and set up a delivery date by this Friday but we're getting the upgrade of the machines that I wanted which are $800 more. The only thing is that my son ordered them in black so they could match my kitchen appliances. I had ordered white. I don't think we'll be ordering anything from Home Depot's online store again. I was getting ready to go yell at somebody at the store but hubby stopped me and son didn't do it because he's in NY. I'm sure he yelled over the phone though. Poor hubby had to disconnect old machines twice and then reconnect again. Machines I'm now getting.

Honest Scrap Award, Thank You Gloria

Thank you Gloria for giving me this award. I am now suppose to list ten honest things about myself. Here we go. 1. I am a very honest person sometimes to honest. 2. I hate it when people smack their gum. 3. I can't fake liking someone. 4. I didn't have my first pet until I was 26 years old and have had one ever since. 5. I can't swim. 6. I love to dance when no one is watching.LOL! 7. I'll try any kind of food at least once. 8.I'm terrified of lizards but not spiders. 9.I'm a true romantic. 10. I just realized I'm pretty boring.

Cotton & Oreo

These are the latest pictures of Cotton and Oreo. I was lucky enough to have my camera ready when Oreo decided to jump on my stack of books and magazines. I thought I'd give him a cute little wing since he is a good kitty. Oreo is just getting bigger and bigger and his hair just keeps growing and so does hi tail. I bought that piece of fabric at Joanne's and he really likes it. He also likes that little doll that's suppose to be for my Chihuahuas but not since Oreo took it to his bed. Yesterday Cotton and Oreo got into a little fight over a piece of paper. They were rough housing and one of them didn't like it and before I knew it I heard hissing. It didn't last long though because Chiquita barks at them when she thinks they're fighting. They are also beginning to just jump over my Chihuahuas if they happen to be in their way when they are running around. Minnie my #1 pet just stands still as if wondering what the heck was it that jumped over her. That is so funny and I hope to one day catch it on film. Hubby is building a cat condo for the cats right now and I can't wait for him to finish it so the cats can have a warm place for naps. I'm finishing up my baby quilt now that Thanksgiving is over and I'm giving myself one week to finish it. No if's or but's this time.

Mammogram News

I usually go every October for my health check ups and that includes a visit to my gyno. This year after going to get my mammogram I got a call back three days later telling me they wanted me to go in for more pictures. The woman on the phone even told me not to worry when I asked if they had seen anything suspicious. Well I was to go back for more pictures two weeks later. I didn't worry as much but I did think about it everyday and I did pray a lot. When I was at the clinic two weeks later I was told to go into Dressing Room 2 and when I opened the door no one was there and I was like "Why the heck am I the only one in here?" Then two women walk in and two more come out of the mammogram room. I start asking about Room 1 and 2 and find out room 2 is for the women that get call backs. After talking to another woman I find out they told her the same thing they told me on the phone. I finally get called for more pictures and when I enter the dark room the nurse shows me the picture that warranted the call. I could feel the blood drain to my feet when I saw a white marble size white spot that had not been there the year before. I really started to get scared then. The nurse who was very nice took more pictures and showed them to me and said the spot was no longer there and that the mammogram looked much better but that the doctor had to see them more closely. Well, a couple of minutes later I was told I needed an ultrasound to make sure of everything. I'm like "O.K if they see nothing why do they now an ultrasound? There might still be something there." I start to panic again and just tell myself I have to be strong for whatever happens. Five minutes later the nurse comes in and tells me there was nothing and to come back again next year. I was so relieved I felt like I could breath again. There were 6 women in that room and one needed a biopsy and in another something had been found and she needed to consult with another doctor. When you have a son who has had cancer and you get a call back after a mammo your mind starts telling you all kinds of things. I was very lucky this year but the scare was enough to think about stopping my hormone.

Book Store Adventure

Saturday, hubby and I went to, Murder By The Book, a mystery bookstore. They only stock mystery books which can be romance, espionage, historical, vintage, antique, vampires,kids, preteen, ect... The store has dark wooden shelves as you can see, and there are skulls, ravens, guns, old reading glasses, owls on books, Shakespeare busts, antique suitcases, old typewriters, and cozy leather chairs where customers can sit. You just want to curl up in one of the comfy leather chairs and read for hours. It has a very mysterious feel to it, and they carry mystery books you won't find in a big chain bookstore. They were going to have a signing but I didn't stick around. I might go back for the Sue Grafton, Sarah Graves, Susan Wittig Albert (I've met her) and Alexander McCall Smith signings since I have some of their books. I found a great medieval/renaissance book, The Book Of Unholy Mischief. The Book of Unholy Mischief is more than terrific historical drama; its a love story, an investigation into ancient religious secrets that haunt us today, and its a story of intrigue replete with pulse-pounding chase scenes, murderous assassins, torture chambers and conniving, desperate characters. It's beautifully written, authentically detailed, and fiendishly well plotted. Listeners will want their friends to read or listen to it so they can talk about it over dinner in their favorite Italian restaurant.

Kittens Are Growing

Here are pics of me, Oreo and Cotton. I'm crazy about my kittens but Cotton is my baby. He loves to be hugged and cuddled. He lets me hug him as much as I want and he takes it all in. Oreo is more independent and can do without hugs. It's funny how one can instantly bond with a little animal and that the bond can last a life time.

Pups In Halloween Costumes

Here are my girls on Halloween night. I wanted to take a picture of both of them together but they wouldn't sit still long enough. The little shirts say Creatures Of The Night and it glows in the dark. They looked so cute but those wigs were driving them crazy. The little shirts are like muscle shirts so they looked like little weight lifters showing off their muscles.LOL!

Reading These Books

I am in the last chapter of Perfidia and I have to say it's one of those can't put down books. Although it's a book about a mother and daughter and how the daughter puts up with so much abuse from the mom with out telling anybody I have still enjoyed the book. I would love a sequel to the book. I found this book at Half Price Books for $1.00 so I really scored when I bought it. I have been looking for a spooky book to read starting the Monday of Halloween week which is something I've been doing for a number of years now. I had been searching Stephen King, Koontz, and other author's books but I'm such a chicken when it comes to horror books that I would grab a book and then just put it back until last night when I was at Barnes&Noble and I found THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS. Has anybody read that book? I have also been finishing up my quilting and working really fast to finish before Christmas since that's when I'm having company and the quilt is in the guest room. Luckily the kittens haven't made an attempt to jump on the quilt yet.LOL.

Latest News

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. I have gone to my yearly doctor's appointments and so far everything is O.K. All of my blood work was great so my cardiologist wants to see again in one year. There is nothing wrong with my heart but I started seeing him when I was getting panic attacks and my heart was going crazy doing all kinds of jumps. He said my blood work had excellent numbers so I'm very relieved. I will go to my Gyno next week. The kittens are much bigger and get into so much mischief it's like having four 2 year old's. I was thinking about getting rid of one of the kittens because I've heard so many bad things about having two male cats in the house and then I heard that since they are brothers and I am going to have them neutered in the next two weeks that I shouldn't have a problem so now I'm considering keeping both. Besides they hate being apart from each other. I am teaching them not to get on the beds and slowly but surely they are learning. Cotton did get a hold of one of my ear plugs and ate it and he liked it so much that he keeps going back to the place I had them looking for more. LOL! Sometimes they act like they want to play fight with my Chi's and I don't think they like that. Cotton still likes to be held and cuddled and Oreo is starting to come around to the cuddling but is still very independent. I love to hear their purring when I hold them close to me. Oh yes, I was holding Cotton close to my ear to hear his purring when he just started trying to eat my earring. Thank goodness he didn't bite my ear. I have been trying to get into the Halloween spirit by reading scary books but I'm a wimp when it comes to that so the ones I'm choosing aren't that bad. I'm reading Perfidia right now but haven't gotten to any really bad parts yet. I don't do gore so what I choose has to have a good plot. I'm getting excited about my son's coming home for Christmas so I'm going to go shopping for paint tomorrow for one bedroom and one bathroom.

KITTENS, OUCH!

I had no idea that being mom to kittens was so much work. I'm feeding them every 4 hours and then I let them play for an hour in a dog corral because I still think they are to small to let them play around with my dogs. Chiquita goes round and round outside the corral while the kittens run around inside. It's really very funny. Oreo likes climbing to the top of the scratching post to sit and Chiquita just stares at him not taking her eyes off him as if she is afraid he will get hurt if he jumps. She will look my way and then back at the kitten. Another thing that makes Chiquita nervous is when the kittens play rough with each other. She gets a nervous look in her eyes,starts shaking and then barks at them, which I think is her way of telling them to stop. I really had no idea my chihuahua would take such a liking to kittens. The thing that is not so funny is that I already have what looks like 100 scratches on my arms and legs from the razor sharp nails on those kittens. Yesterday morning they were really hungry when I took them out of their kennel and when I was putting their milk into their bowl Oreo actually jumped on my calf and then I felt his nail dig into my flesh and when I turned to look I saw him hanging on by just that one nail. OMG, it hurt so bad I screamed and and I think that scared him even more because he then tried to hang on to my arm and hand. I am covered in scratches, anyone who sees me will think I cut myself. Oh, and then this morning I was kneeling on the floor feeding Oreo when I felt Cotton climbing up my back, so I'm there on the floor trying to feed one kitten while trying to get one off my back all the while feeling his nails. I was actually laughing just imagining what I must have looked like.LOL! There hasn't been a dull moment in my house since those little kittens arrived.

Raising Tiny Kittens

The reason I haven't blogged lately is that I'm raising kittens. My son who works at a Home Depot found these two babies in a pot in the garden department. He had noticed the mama once in a while but the kittens really couldn't move around. Being the caring softy my son brought them home before another employee called the SPCA. I have no idea how old they are maybe 4 weeks and I have no idea if they are boys or girls but I am in love with them. I'm feeding them milk replacement and have them in a box but take them out to play after every feeding. Soon after that they have no trouble going to sleep. One of my chihuahuas is acting like a mommy. She runs to the box every time she hears them cry, and then comes to get me wherever I am. It's so funny to watch. The first twenty four hours that the kittens were home, my Chi didn't sleep a wink because she sat by the box the whole night and didn't let me sleep because she kept wanting me to go to them every 5 to 10 minutes. My other Chi couldn't care less she just stays away from them.I'm feeding them every 4 hours and watch them while they play. I forgot how much time animals babies require. I'm loving it though. Anyway, their names are Oreo and Cotton.

How Cute Is This

When I went to Barnes & Noble this past weekend I went into the kids section to find some books for my niece’s daughter. It was actually the first time that I went into that section. I had a great time seeing all the books that are available to kids now. I saw this little bake set and just couldn’t pass it up. The muffin pan is pretty small and just so cute. It’s got lot’s of cup cake papers and frosting tips and recipes. I was lucky to be there when I was because this bake set was the last one left, so I guess I was meant to buy it. HA!

Another thing I found was a chef set, which I’m pretty sure goes with the bake set. It’s unbelievably cute, especially the chef’s hat. It’s got a small wooden spoon and rolling pin. I think I’m saving this for my first granddaughter. Anytime I find something cute I’ll buy it and put it in a special box. Am I crazy or what ?! If any of you do any baking and have little granddaughters you might think of going to Barnes & Noble and buying either one of these sets. They also make a perfect cupcake party gift.

My hubby and son have been working on an old El Camino and hubby asked if I wanted to go to Hancock’s to look for some Nufoam (sp?) for the car seats. I was actually shocked to hear my hubby say he wanted to go to Hancock. I didn’t hesitate to say yes since I do like Hancock and I hadn’t gone to that store in a long, long time. The first thing I saw when we walked in was this little sewing machine by Janome. It weighs 5 pounds and is of good quality. I paid $50 bucks for it. It’s perfect for little hands. The only thing it doesn’t have is a handle, which it could use. Not that it’s heavy or anything, but you get a more secure hold on it with a handle. The book next to it is a medium size paper back book and the machine isn’t much bigger. Way cute!

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Wasn’t Expecting This!

Ever since my son and hubby have been working on an old El Camino I have found all these car parts in my house. UPS keeps bringing boxes of different car parts. One time I opened the entry closet and I was greeted with a big long box which had door panels. The latest surprise was me walking in the house and stepping into the dining room and seeing this car seat on the table along with tools, wires and other car stuff. Hubby and son thought it very convenient to work on the car seats on the table. No oil stains anywhere thank goodness. I have warned them not to do this again or else. I know they’re excited but, come on. The thing is they don’t see anything wrong with it. I’m sure I’ll have more surprises before this El Camino is fully restored. MEN!

The Best Apple Pie

Yesterday was my oldest son’s last day at home so I asked him if he would like for me to make him a Chicken Pot Pie or an Apple Pie, and he decided on Apple Pie. I was really cutting it short because I started the pie at 1 pm and we had to leave the house by 3:30, be at the airport by 5:30 for his 6:30 flight. I gathered my ingredients as fast as I could and hoped I wouldn’t mess up. I knew that if the pie wouldn't come out right it would be my fault and not the recipe itself because I always use the one that I got from a friend who is a baker and it’s the best ever. Here I am mixing the pie dough. I always add the same amount of water, no more, no less and it’s always perfect. You can find the recipe on the bottom of this post.

I sprinkled some flour on the table, which by the way is very old and has had lot’s of cookies dough,pie dough, and tortillas rolled out on. I love that table. Anyway, I always use a rolling pin sock other wise the dough would stick to the rolling pin and that’s not cool. I roll out the dough about one inch bigger than the pie plate. If you use this recipe I promise you’ll never have another pie dough sticking to your rolling surface again. Just add very little flour on the bottom of the dough every once in a while.I always fold the dough in half before placing it on the plate. It’s easier to get it centered that way. I just make sure there are no air bubbles on the bottom by gently pressing the dough with my fingers all over the dough once it’s on the plate. Remember, the dough for the bottom is always bigger so you can turn the sides onto the top dough.

I then place all the apple slices onto the dough making sure I get every little last drop of the juicy syrup that the apples create. I’m allergic to cinnamon so I only add nutmeg to the apple, but you can add whatever spices you like for example: cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, or whatever you prefer.

I flour the bottom of the ball of dough and roll it out just big enough to cover the top of the apple slices.Once the top dough is rolled out I fold it in half and place the center on the center of the apples.

Once the top dough is on the apples I seal the top and bottom edges together so the juices from the apples won’t seep out.I brush egg white on all the top and sides then add about two tablespoons of granulated sugar on top. I don’t like a plain pie top so that’s why I add the sugar. I place some foil paper under the pie plate when I place it in the oven to catch any juice that might accidently come out. But I don’t make vents on the top of my pies so that doesn’t happen to often. I just prefer a round top.You can make air vents so the steam can escape which will also give you a flatter top.

This is what the pie looks like once it’s done. I always let it cool for a while so the syrup and apples have a chance to settle and not run out as soon and you cut into it.

Here is the end result. This is such a good pie especially when there’s the extra ingredient of love. my son loved the pie and had a big slice before we left for the airport. I thank my baker friend every time I make a pie.

Apple Mixture

5 Golden Delicious apples peeled and sliced 1/4 thick.

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoon all purpose flour

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

1 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter cut up

granulated sugar for top

Pie dough for a two crust pie

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 sticks cold unsalted butter cut up

3 tablespoons very cold shortening

1 egg yolk set egg white aside for glazing top of pie

1 tablespoon white vinegar

5 tablespoons ice water or more if your dough is very dry

Mix together flour, sugar, salt, egg yolk and vinegar. Add butter and shortening and cut into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Add water and knead into a ball just until all the mixture is incorporated. Divide into two balls in for the top and one for the bottom making sure the ball for the bottom is bigger. Roll out bigger ball of dough and lay onto the bottom of the pie plate. Add apple mix into dough covered pie plate and then roll out second ball of dough and seal edges. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sugar.

Best Cookies So Far

I have been enjoying my son's visit tremendously, since he's been here, and I always try to cook or bake his favorite meals and desserts, so, he put in a request for chocolate chip cookies last night, and I made these from a recipe I had not tried before, and boy, were they a big hit with everyone. My husband and two son's told me the cookies were really good right after the first bite. My son who is visiting, is such a health nut that he says if he's going to eat cookies they have to be homemade, and yes, he does cook and bake, but he doesn't have time for baking. I am going to keep this recipe as my main Chocolate Chip cookie recipe. I had been baking the same CC cookie recipe for years, but this new one just bumped it down. I'll have to make him some stuffed pizza and chicken pot pie before he goes back to California.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/4 cup vegetable shortening, at room temperature 1 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup white granulated sugar (plain sugar) 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or more if you like

In one large mixing bowl mix butter, sugars, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add eggs and beat until smooth and fluffy. Sift dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients and mix by hand until well mixed. Add chocolate chips and mix well. Scoop heaping tablespoon of mix and place on large cookie sheet about 3 per row and 1 inch apart. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are light brown and cookies are puffy. Cool on wire rack.

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Love This Profile

I was taking pictures of my girls a few days ago and was lucky enough to get Chiquita's profile. I love a Chihuahua's profile, it's so dainty yet sharp at the same time. This little girl has a hard time being still long enough for a picture. I took this one right after she had woken up from a nap. She's been on full speed and high alert since my son has been home. My son says Chiquita acts like a Doberman in a tiny body. I agree with him 100%. Chihuahuas are the best little guard dogs and they are very loyal and really take care of the person they bond with. Once you have one you'll soon realize you can't have just one.

Hand Quilting Tutorial #3

I have put up the 3rd Hand Quilting Tutorial on the left side of my blog in case you want to see it. Hopefully I'll be done within the next two weeks. I really wanted to be done before my son came home since I always quilt in the living room and once he's here it's where we spend most of our time. I guess if I push it I can be done with it. I'm pleased with the way it looks, very retro like. I have an idea for the next quilt I want to piece even though I have several that need to be quilted first. I just like piecing quilt tops. I like the creative process of the whole thing. I like choosing the design, fabrics, and putting it together but the best part is putting on the binding which is the very last thing to put on a quilt. Once I start putting on the binding there's no stopping me until I'm done. The sad thing is I want to do so many things and I don't have enough time. I would actually stay awake till 4 or 5 in the a.m but my body will react very badly if I did that.

I'M GETTING A SPECIAL VISITOR

Oh, I'm going to be getting a visitor within the next week or two. I'm going to pick up my niece's daughter, Sonia. She is 6 years old and has two way older brothers and I have no girls so we are both looking forward to it. She knows I have lot's of fabric,scissors of all kinds, stamps, brushes, papers and lot's of time so she can't wait. She called the other day and told me, "Come get me right now because I'm tired of the boys." I told her I was 8 hours away but she doesn't quite understand that part yet.

My Baby Is 21

July 9th was my baby's 21 st. birthday and off course he being a guy didn't want any big deal on that day. I just bought him a marbled strawberry cake with white whipped icing and big strawberries on top. I got a bunch of clothes and cologne. He was happy and he only let me take three pictures. He said,"Mom, I know you're probably going to post them on your blog". I promised I wouldn't although I'm dying to.LOL! It was a good day for everyone. He and dad took the day off and we all spent it together. We went out to eat and enjoyed the day. He's been a good son and I hope he stays that way. His oldest brother is going to be coming from Los Angeles to take him to a concert in San Antonio next week and I can't wait to see my big boy again. Holy smokes he's coming next week! I have to get the guest room ready.