In the kitchen with Peggy!

The only part of being single I don't enjoy is "cooking for one".  With my sewing, reading, biking, walking, working, etc,  (and visits to/from family and friends)  I stay busy and happy,  but the cooking . . . blah!!!  As many of you know I love to cook,  just not for one.

Cooking Away!!!!

Basil & Rosemary

When I was at Janet and Nick's on Mother's Day, Nick had been cooking most of the day!  He cooks ahead so during the week they have food that is quick and easy to prepare.  The past couple of weeks I have been trying to do the same thing.  For some reason, I had thought of this for families but not for "singles".  It is working great - I cook several things and freeze them for later.  Today is a cooking day.  Right now I have mini-meat loaves in the oven (my sister's recipe); purple hull peas simmering; a couple of chicken breasts poaching for chicken salad; a couple more chicken breasts grilling to add to salads or for whatever; the left-over ground beef is seasoned and cooked for tacos/salad; and bowtie pasta is boiling to be used with the basil pesto I made yesterday.  My herb garden consists of basil and rosemary in a pot and this was my first harvest!  I have tons and should have taken some to Huntsville yesterday - next time!!

The down side of all of this cooking is the clean-up!!!  But with all the cooking and the goodies from the Farmers' Market, I am set for a while!   I'm also going to be on the lookout for some "cooking for one" blogs.

Dog Days in Ardmore, AL

A small portion!

I met Janet and Nick bright and early Saturday morning at Dog Days in Ardmore.  It is a HUGE garage sale:)  We wandered around for a while and bought a few things.  Janet scored some great decanters and some old canning jars.  I bought a pair of suitcases but my negotiating skills were not as good as Nick's.  I had to pay the full asking price.

My new suitcases:)

John Deere Tractor

The negotiators!

There was tons of stuff!  We decided it was over-priced (meaning we weren't paying that much) or it was junk.  Good thing one man's junk is another man's treasure.  There were even kittens and puppies for sale - that did not come home with us!  We did see a John Deere Tractor - just like the one Doug had has in my storage.  The price - $200 and it didn't even have the wagon.  There was also a Farmer's Market and we came home with fresh peaches, tomatoes and cantalope.  Yum!!!

After Dog Days, we went to see Janet and Nick's house with a stop for Mexican food.  No progress this week but it is supposed to be finished the end of August.  Sun was in the wrong place but they are standing in their future garage.

Wow!! Time to catch up!

It's been a long time!  Since I posted last, its been busy.  For the first time ever, I got to experience a computer "hard drive crash".  No fun!  Fortunately, I had backed up recently so while it was a pain I didn't lose much information.  My Mac is 3.5 years old and this was my first ever problem so I won't complain.  My previous computer didn't even last this long.  Yes, I am one of those "Mac" converts!!

Sewing news  - I have been busy in my studio!  So far this month, I have made several items with more on the cutting table.

Spa Wraps

1. Marcy Tilton Vogue pants - revisited this pattern.  These are finished but were not my most successful with this pattern.  My fabric was a little too stiff for the style.
2. Apron - this was fun to make.  It is on display at The Quilting Squares right now and will then be Janet's.   
3. Spa Wraps - my niece, Amy, graduates from high school next week and these are for some of her friends.
4. Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress - This is another shop sample.  So sweet!!!  I have two more of their patterns I am working on.
5. Hemming - Not my favorite project but it was for my daughter!  So she has four pairs of pants she can wear.
6. Started a new knitting project - super simple scarf with some gorgeous yarn.

In other news, I have a new ride!!!  A Cannondale hybrid bike (and helmet) are now in my possession.  If it ever stops raining around here, I'll start riding more.  There is a park with a bicycle path that is a good place to ride.   I went there and rode 6 miles the other day.  Too dangerous to ride in Franklin - all roads lead to Sweet CeeCee's (local frozen yogurt shop).

And, I also have a new "do".  After letting my hair grow longer, I finally admitted that it wasn't working for me so . . . it is short, short, short!!!  This happened in two stages.  The first cut was really cute - it reminded me of how I wore my hair for a while in high school.  Ardell even wanted to know if I still had my hot pants!  But it drove me crazy hanging in my face so chop! chop! chop!!!  It is now super short and I love it!!!!

Stage One - Cute style but it hung in my face:)

Short! Short! Short!!!

 
(I will update this with pictures when I find my camera.  Honestly, I had it yesterday!!!)  Found - and I am too embarrassed to tell you where it was:)

Happy Mother's Day

Ruth Lamond Chance
1922-2001

Happy Mother's Day!  My five siblings and I were blessed with a truly wonderful mother.  Which also means our children had a super grandmother who taught them lots of games.   Mother was known for her great sense of humor among other things.  All of her friends requested she bring her famous brownies to all events and she was well known for making the best crab cakes and fried shrimp anywhere.  My children called her "Brownie Grandma" which meant she rarely visited without bringing them brownies.  Smart kids.   Even at my age there are still days when "I want my Mommy"!!!  

As for me, I love being a mother and have the best children. Thanks for making me feel special today.  I have had calls, cards, flowers and will be having dinner tonight with Janet and Nick in Huntsville.

Tulips from Doug and Leigh Anne

Happy Birthday Janet! Happy Birthday Sarah! Happy Birthday Doug!

It's that time again!!!   Happy Birthday to my three great children. This may be the last time I post their ages (29, 29, 27).

Doug

Sarah

Janet




Leigh Anne's birthday (26) was April 24th so a Happy Birthday to her as well.

Leigh Anne