Pumpkins

From the Pumpkin in the patch to the Pumpkin ready for use!

My parents have always encouraged me to try new things. 

That has been such a blessing to me! 

One of the ways they have done this is in the kitchen. 

Thanksgiving is a big deal in our family so being able to prepare something for the meal is an honor! 

One year I decided to make the pumpkin pie. 

And I decided to make it from scratch! 

From the pumpkin in the patch to the pumpkin in the pie! 

Thank God my efforts were successful and the family liked the pie! From then on I've made the pie every year from scratch! 

I thought maybe some of you out there might be feeling like trying something new this Thanksgiving? 

Like making your pumpkin pie from scratch?! 

I don't know but it's always a good thing to know how to roast the pumpkin that you grow in you backyard or buy at the grocery store! 

So, scrub the pumpkin on the outside, to get the dirt and dust off. Then break the stem off. 

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. 

CAREFULLY cut your pumpkin in half. Take your time! 

You can cut yourself easily!!

Once it's cut in half, scoop out the seeds. 

If you like roasted pumpkin seeds save them, if not pitch them! Rinse out your now seedless pumpkin halves. 

Get a baking dish with sides, like a cake pan and put about 1/4 inch. of water in it or so. 

Place your rinsed pumpkin halves in it, skin side in the water. 

Cover with foil and bake in the oven for about an hour or so. 

Your pumpkin will be done when you can stick a knife in the edges easily. 

It will be hot and steamy so be cautious!

Let the pumpkin then cool for about an hour or so. 

Then you can scoop out the pumpkin, being careful to not get any of the skin. 

Place pumpkin in a blender. 

Blend the pumpkin until it's purred.

It will look like this soup or baby food. 

From this state you can make the pumpkin into anything! 

Pie filling, soup, or whatever you like!

Enjoy!

Fall Table Runner

Fall Table Runner

I bought some very pretty fall material a couple months ago and just recently I was able to make something with it!! 

Because of the way the print is on the material, I decided that it would make a nice table runner.

Through trial and error it was completed. 

I didn't get a pattern thinking; "It can't be that hard." Yeah, right!! Anyway, it has it's flaws!

But it will still make a lovely addition to our Thanksgiving table!

Most importantly it means a lot to my mom and that's what matters to me! 

It will be a treasure in years to come as it takes on the marks of Thanksgivings to come; memories made!

pinning the edges

completed and on the table

On our table all ready for Thanksgiving!

*Note to anyone who is thinking of making a table runner, get a pattern! 

Or at least look on pinterest or at a sewing book! 

You'll save your self time and extra effort!

Veteran's Day

The Treaty of Versailles was signed between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918; ending World War I.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first remembrance of Armistice Day on November 11, 1919 to honor those who gave their lives during WWI; the Great War. The original concept for the celebration was for the suspense of business for a two minute period starting at 11 am. Parades and public meetings were also held.

On the second anniversary, President Wilson named the Sunday nearest Armistice Day; Armistice Sunday. Services were to be held in the interest of national peace.

In 1921 Congress passed legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at         Arlington National Cemetery. Congress then declared November 11, 1921 as a legal Federal holiday to honor all who participated in the war.

In June of 1926 Congress passed a resolution, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue a proclamation to observe November 11th with ceremonies. A Congressional Act approved November 11 in each year as a legal holiday : "to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

In 1945, Raymond Weeks a WWII veteran had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans.    Mr. Weeks led a delegation to General Dwight Eisenhower, who was in support of a National Veterans Day.  On May 26, 1954 President Eisenhower  signed a bill establishing Veterans Day as a holiday.

In June of 1954, Congress replaced  the word “Armistice”  with the word “Veterans”, making November 11th Veterans Day.  

 Thank you to everyone that has served and is serving our country! 

White Tail Deer Diaper Cover Set

White Tail Deer Diaper Cover Set

 for 3-6 month olds

I also made this white tail deer diaper cover set. 

It was a fun challenge from my mom! 

She asked me to make this for a cousin of mine. 

I used the  the pattern I had for the giraffe hat and diaper cover set, making a few little changes. 

Please tell me what you think after seeing the pictures! 

The whole set

The behind

White tail

Diaper Cover

Deer hat with spikes!!

close up

front view

top view

close up again

 

Ducky Diaper Cover Set

Ducky Diaper Cover

for 3-6 month olds

A friend of mine is having a baby in December. 

My shower gift was a crocheted diaper cover and hat that looked like a duckling. 

I also crocheted leg warmers to match for the baby.

These diaper cover sets are a lot of fun, cute, and pretty easy to make!

Enjoy the pictures! 

diaper cover-front

diaper cover-butt with tail!

how it works...

duck hat

close up

leggings

 

The complete set!

Handy Kitchen Set

The Handy Kitchen Set:

A Wedding Present

Recently my mom and I were invited to a wedding 

but were unable to attend. 

So we put our heads together and made up the 

"Handy Kitchen Set"! 

The "Handy Kitchen Set" is made up three crocheted hot pads, three knit dish cloths, two scrubbers one knit and one crocheted, and one crocheted pot handle holder.

My mom did the knitting on this project and I did the crocheting.

I think it turned out pretty and cute and is a very useful and handy wedding gift!

Hot pads

close up

Knit dish rags

scrubbers

crocheted on left, knit on right

hot pads and pot holder

the completed set

I just love the brown and red colors!!

Mom and I also included this cute little poem in the gift! 

Thank God for Dirty Dishes

Thank God for dirty dishes;

They have a tale to tell.

While others may be hungry,

We’re eating pretty well.

With home and health and happiness,

We shouldn’t want to fuss;

For by this stack of evidence,

God’s very good to us.

Anonymous

 

Wedding Parking Sign

Wedding Parking Sign

I was blessed to be able to help with a wedding recently. 

We made lovely bows, prepped food, listened to the bride's plans and ideas, gave her a few of our own, helped with decoration set up, and listened to the lovely and talented soloist sing!

One thing that I took on myself, with help from my wonderful Dad and brother, was the "wedding parking sign". 

"Dad and brother" always have scrap lumber, nails, and are so generous with their time! 

They were a big help to this little project that I wanted to do! 

I'm a "pinterest person". 

The wedding ideas are some of my favorite! 

And making this sign was the fulfillment of one of long held desires to make one thing that I had pinned!! 

Thanks to my Dad and brother it was a success! 

I pray that God blesses this special couple as they are starting their journey together! 

My sign:

The front

The back

Getting ready to paint!

Wet paint drying...

All dry and ready!

Ready for the big day! Congratulations to the happy couple!