Big Changes

Exciting changes going on here. This past Sunday a friend asked if I would make a quilt for him for his wife for Christmas and several friends contacted me about commissioning me to crochet some items. Then a random woman contacted me about making a sweater for her 10 month old niece & also asked if I could do some drawing & painting in her home. I'm so excited!! I guess I really never thought selling my handmades would actually bring in some extra money.

The other big change is Ken was offered the local job with the company he works for...and he accepted the job yesterday. It's a pay cut but to have my hubby home every night would kick all sorts of fannie. We'll be making some sacrifices but we have no doubt those sacrifices are beyond worth it. I've always been drawn to the way our ancestors did things way back when & now we will be implementing more of those things. I can honestly tell you I get my kicks out of making things with my own 2 hands rather than purchasing at the store. Some of the things I have already implemented are homemade laundry detergent, cleaners, baking breads, preserving food, stockpiling, crocheting many items, mending clothes & we only have energy efficient light bulbs in our fixtures. I feel guilty purchasing anything at the store if it's not on sale or if I don't have a coupon for it and I only purchase it if it is absolutely necessary. Our stockpile in the basement pantry keeps us out of the stores as well. I will be making our dog & cat treats and hopefully baking all of our breads. We are huge on enjoying the outdoors & I'll tell you, Upper Michigan has some of the most gorgeous places if one just gets of their butt to experience. The added bonus is it's FREE!!! We're looking forward to being able to spend time with our friends & family, sitting around the table playing boardgames and just having a 'normal' life. I'm sure it'll be quite an adjustment as it's been almost 10 years since we had a daily structure but it shall be fun!!

Earflap hat with matching mittens

Yarn has been flowing freely through my hands lately. Seriously, I cannot get enough. I feel at home with yarn & as if I am back to my roots.

The latest project is a fun hat with ear flaps with matching mittens I made for myself to match my ski jacket. After all, winter will be here before we know it. Next up is a brown set for my nephews wife, a quilt a friend is commissioning me to do & I must get to painting light bulbs!!! Yup, I said light bulbs. There will be a post about that in the coming days.

Turkey Pot Pie...it's a keeper

We made a big ole turkey this week & had enough leftovers for a double batch of turkey noodles soup, turkey sandwich spread & this...Behold....Turkey Pot Pie!!!!

Now this is the 1st time I ever made it so I went to Recipe.com & found this delish recipe:

1 recipe pastry for a (10 inch) double crust pie
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 small onion, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, diced
3 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
2 cubes chicken bouillon
2 cups water
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 cups cubed cooked turkey
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk


DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll out bottom pie crust, press into a 10 inch pie pan, and set aside.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onion, celery, carrots, parsley, oregano, and salt and pepper. Cook and stir until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the bouillon and water. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in the potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm.

In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the turkey and flour. Add the milk, and heat through. Stir the turkey mixture into the vegetable mixture, and cook until thickened. Cool slightly, then pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Roll out the top crust, and place on top of filling. Flute edges, and make 4 slits in the top crust to let out steam.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue baking for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

The hubby liked it, I liked it & it was filling & I am certain way healthier than the prepackaged frozen stuff in the store. We still have a gallon sized bag of leftovers that will be made into something. Perhaps turkey fajitas? Nothing beats trying a new recipe, having the food turn out delish & hearing the hubby say...it's a keeper. =) What kinds of comfort foods are you making this Autumn?

Reclaiming my mojo

Yahooo!!! I'm finally getting my crocheting mojo back. It seemed to have vanished shortly after Ken's Nana passed away this past June. This is a real fun hat pattern I've had for a couple years. I've made several but thought I needed a cream one for myself & of course the fingerless mittens were a must make/have also. Now that I have these made I was informed by a handful of others that they wouldn't mind a set...guess who's gonna be busy crocheting for Christmas gifts?? MEEEEEE =) I just hope they weren't being kind & actually like them...lol

SNOW!!!!

What do you do when Mother Nature sends snow flakes???? You ask the hubby if he'd take a picture of you while standing outside in the fresh fallen snow so you can post a picture on your facebook of course...and plop on the ground & make a snow angel!!!