I read blogs where people do all kinds of things

that I want to be able to do. They sew, they cook, they sculpt, they quilt...but then there is Missy! She cans! Look at all that goodness on her table. It just blows me away.

I remember helping my mom put up veggies in the summer. She made these awesome spicy pickled carrots that I loved to snack on. As an adult I think they'd be great in a martini.

So I'm on the hunt for some good canning tools - do I go with a pressure canner or a water bath type of pot? I know I need the jar lifter and the bottle tong, a food mill and jar funnel. Does anyone out there have any suggestions or advice they can pass along to me? I'd like to start planning for all those fresh summer veggies.

Could it be Spring?

I am a little bit anxious to get out in my yard and do some planting.

Burpees got me good last week and I ordered a bunch of stuff to get in the ground. I want to be a better gardener and now that I'm not traveling so much for work, I hope I can spend time working on this.

Here are some pictures of last years garden. My spot is a bit challenging as it only gets partial sunlight - my Squash does great but then it ends up getting mildew as it doesn't get enough sun. I'm going to move things around this year and see if I can figure out a good combination.

Sculpting Pin Heads

Here are my first attempts into making those cute little pin heads that float around the sewing world.

Note, I cheapened out and bought the crayola modeling clay instead of fimo clay. I wanted to see if I could actually make something look like it was suppose to before I invested in good materials. Considering the modeling clay box came with 4 colors and cost me $0.94 at Target it wasn't a big investment.

I may have to get myself some pretty Fimo clays now. What do you think?


Oh and go checkout the awesome giveaway Regena is doing!!! You gotta love Hello Kitty!

Hot Mama Chicken Apron Swap

I'm almost done - and this is just the beginning stage of my creative process this morning. Don't let this picture fool you, there's more to it than this.

Hot Mama Apron Swap and a Bunch of Chickens

I won't lie, I've been struggling with this swap. I love the theme, love the group, but I've been intimidated by my partners prowess as a seamstress to the point that I have artistically stalled out. I have fabric, I have ideas but none seem to be "it" or have that "wow" factor I like.

I did manage to put this little pin cushion together last night and I'm pretty happy with it and I hope my partner will like it.








I've warned my hubs, that on Saturday I will be sewing the apron come hell or high water (suppose to rain by the way). I have lots of fabric gathered up and hope when I start cutting, it will all fall in to place.

After a Week on Vacation what do you make for dinner?

I made chicken fried steak, corn, mashed potatoes, homemade bread and a peach cobbler.

comfort food and being home in my own bed sure was nice.

I did have a fabulous time and felt as if I was living a Corona Beer Commercial.

taking a break