TYLER'S BLANKET
                                               Made with squares cut from his baby clothes, back is John Deere fabric.
                                               Blanket is joined by embroidered cars on scattered squares.  Finish with
                                                blue satin binding.

I am back.  I have been dealing with a severe bout of depression but the doctor has me on some great medications now.
I finished Tyler's blanket made from his baby clothes. It turned out beautiful. I will post pictures soon.
I plan to offer special order quilts in my etsy shop. www.nascarnana.etsy.com

I am planning on updating my blog at least daily so please stop by and visit leave a comment if you would like.

Boneless Pork chops

We are both out of work but we still like to eat good. We are inspired by the shows on Food Network. We go Thur our sales papers and coupons to get the best deals on staple items for pantry and fridge. Then we hit in store specials (reduced meats,produce,discontinued items). We come up with tasty meals on a limited budget.
Tonight's supper was boneless butterfly pork chops $6.23 for 4 pieces 2 for tonight,2 for tomorrow's breakfast. Zucchini .69,yellow squash .83,whole button mushrooms $1.50.
to prepare pork used 1 tbsp of olive oil from pantry to coat baking dish. Seasoned pork with salt,black pepper,onion powder,garlic powder,and Italian seasoning. Baked at 350 for 1 hour turning after half hour.
Used white potatoes from pantry peeled and quartered 6 potatoes put in oven safe bowl with 1/4 stick of butter sliced white onion and bacon strips on top. Baked with pork for last 45 minutes.
Zucchini and yellow squash sliced in circles steamed in microwave with salt and pepper for 15 minutes. After steaming chopped white onions and shredded cheese were put on top and cover while remaining foods were finished.
Mushrooms were washed and( 6 set aside for tomorrow's breakfast) sliced and sauteed in 1 Tbsp of butter.
Made a lovely tasty supper with ingredients left for the next meal.

Blackened Steaks

Tonight we fixed blackened steak. I did not know until today that "Blackening" is a flavor created by a blend of spices and does not refer to burning your steaks. We prepared sirloin steaks with blackening seasoning and served it sliced with a horseradish cream sauce. Until trying this recipe I did not like horseradish. For the sauce you whip together 4oz of whipped cream cheese spread,1/4 cup half-and-half,and 2 Tbsp of horseradish.
The side dishes were roasted potatoes prepared with butter(not margarine) and bacon. A gourmet blend of mushrooms, steamed carrots,broccoli,onions,and red peppers. And we had garlic cheese rolls. Yummy!!

HAM SUPPER

Randy and I have become hooked on Food Network. So we have begun cooking together and putting our on spin on dishes. Tonight I was the executive chef and Randy was the sous chef. We started with a thick ham steak that I baked in the oven at 350 for 1 hour and 45 minutes uncovered. Our starch for the meal was potato salad my first ever attempt. I peeled and cubed 5 potatoes put them in a pot of water with salt,
pepper,garlic powder and 1/2 cup butter. I boiled them till tender but not mushy. Randy hard boiled 3 eggs peeled and chopped them for the salad. He also chopped 1/4 of a white onion . We added drained potatoes,eggs,onions,2 tbs of pickle cubes,mustard,mayonnaise,and parsley flakes and lightly mixed.
We had spinach cooked in bacon grease with bits of bacon. pinto beans and sliced beets. It was a wonderful supper. And preparing it together was fun.

Giveaway

SC Esty Street Team is having a super giveaway. It is very simple to enter. The prize consist of different items made by different team members. I know there is some beautiful jewelry in there. Hurry on over and enter today contest ends Monday, May 24.
Good Luck Everyone
http://scstreetteam.blogspot.com/2010/05/teamsc-is-hosting-spring-into-summer.html

Happy Mother's Day!

Me And Thomas James,Chris,Julie,Brandy,Jenny


Angelique in the
middle










I wish all mothers a happy, blessed day. Being a mother is a life long job. It comes with great rewards but also some heartbreak.
I am proud of my 7 they are doing well and pursuing their dreams. I have all ways tried to stress you should follow your dream not someone else' s no matter how well intended.
I hope my mama has a good day,feels well and is able to attend church that is very important to her.
2 of my daughters and 1 daughter-in -law will be celebrating with their children enjoy they are small for only moments. Take lots of pictures and save the homemade items. You will be glad you did.

Hackers

Someone hacked into my email account and spammed everyone in my address book. If you received this email I apologize. I have changed my passwords. Ran a security check and made sure my firewall was on. If anyone knows anything else I should do please let me know.

Friday Fill-ins

1. I'd like take a cruise.
2. One of my most favorite romantic memories is walking hand in hand in public places.
3. Last night, I had pizza for dinner.
4. Sorry for the depression I feel at night,its catching.
5. Can we enjoy life now?
6. One of my worst temptations is choclate; the taste is hard to resist!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping, tomorrow my plans include a baby shower and Sunday, I want to just relax!

Friday Fill-Ins

Been awhile since I did one of these.

1. In 1992, I was overwhelmed with 2 children in diapers.
2. Happiness is laughter and smiles.
3. Do what you love, with what you have, where you are now.
4. On a cruise is where I'd like to be.
5. The trees and flowers are telling me spring has sprung.
6. I hate a speech that just keeps going on.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to staying up late, tomorrow my plans include watching the Phoenix race, and Sunday, I want to do absolutely nothing!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentines' Day to all my friends. I have been missing in action for the last few weeks due to my mom's illness. But I have missed reading every one's post . I hope every one's year is off to a good start.
Mine has been rocky but it's coming around.
Don't forget to tell the one's you love that they are special sometimes they just need to hear it.
And I strongly recommend random acts of kindness it gives you a great feeling and makes another person's day.
Hope I will be able to blog more in the coming weeks and to add new items to my etsy shop. Ya'll keep a check on me..

Plans for 2010

1. De-clutter my home. This will take time and effort,but I am so pleased to have found free-cycle.
2. Exercise more I have become a couch potato and it is effecting my health as well as my looks.
3. Take better care of myself(professional hair care,facial,massage,manicure).
4. Be kinder to others.
5. Learn something new everyday.
6. Put more items in my etsy shop.
7. Plan and take that cruise we have been looking forward to.
What are your plans for the New Year?

2009 - Remembered

2009 was a year which found a lot of Americans unemployed,losing lots of money in their investments, ans many losing their homes. It has been a hard year for many and most will welcome 2010 with hopes of better times.
In January we saw our first african-american president sworn in. He has taken over a job that is filled with turmoil. I pray that he will do his job well and to the betterment or the country. He can not make everyone happy,but no one can. Let's just hope that we can look back on this time as changing for the good.
In 2009 the death angel claimed many of our celebrities. This link will take you to a list of them .
www.whosdatedwho.com/celebrities/people/list/celebrity-categories.asp?FD=yod&ID=2009
The one that it me the hardest was the death of David Carradine I have long been a fan of his.
My family was blessed to have two graduations this year Brandy from King's College and Jenny from Byrnes High.
We were very blessed to have Angelique return from Kuwait after a 6 month tour on Thanksgiving day.
2009 will be remembered with both good and bad which can be said of any year. But I chose to believe the good out weighted the bad.
Everyone have a safe and Happy New Year!!

Congraulations!!

My daughter,Brandy has graduated from King's College in Charlotte, NC. She now has an associates degree in Travel and Tourism. I am very proud of her. School has never been her favorite thing ,but she hung in there.
She has started a great job with Verizon in Charlotte and is planning a wedding for later in the year. I guess NC claims another one of our children. She's still only a couple of hours away. That's good she can visit often.

A New Week

It's a new week and at the end of it we get a new year.
Hopefully my depression is lifting. Most people love this time of year,but for me it just seems so stressful and depressing. I hope everyone did enjoy their holidays and not be down. I keep telling myself I will enjoy it more next year.
I am ready to start some new projects. I have a few new sewing items coming soon to my Etsy shop. And the amazing thing is that I am working on a piece of mixed media art. I am discovering interest I never knew I had.
Full time work starts back Jan. 4. But hopefully I will be able to manage my time better than I have in the past since I have an empty nest now.
Everyone be sure to make your charitable donations by Thursday if you are going to take them as a tax deduction. Remember to get a receipt. Also remember that property taxes paid on your home can be deducted even if you don't itemize. More tax tips to come later.

CHRISTMAS--JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

We as Christians complain that Christ has been taken out of the day. But aren't we part of the problem?
Christmas has coming to mean big get togethers to eat,drink,and exchange gifts. We rush around shopping for gifts for folks who we don't know what they need or want. Just because that is what is expected. In what way does this honor our Lord? He cleared the temple of moneychangers yet isn't that what we are doing creating sales in his name that in no way honor him. We go in debt ,skip payments that should be made and do without so we can give a "nice gift". It makes more sense to buy a gift for a loved one when you see something they would enjoy or you think would make them happy instead of buying something ,anything so that you fit the mold. If I see the perfect gift for you in April why should I wait til December to give it to you?
Christmas should be the time that Christians celebrate the birth of our savior not turn it into a social celebration.
I tried to cancel Christmas at my house this year no one is coming over on Christmas day and I only put out a few decorations, no tree. It's not that I don't want to buy gifts for my loved ones I want to do it when .I see something I think will make them happy without consulting the calendar or having to buy everyone something at the same time.
Thanksgiving is a much better holiday to me it is about family and friends gathering to eat a feast,give Thanks and watch football. No pressure about gifts and who spent the most . No hurt feelings.

Christmas should have Christ put back into it by us Christians then maybe the world would get the picture.
I know I am guilty of selling Christmas items in my shop habits are hard to break but we do need to but the emphasis on the real reason for the season the birth of our Savior. How many of us stop and read the story of his birth on Christmas eve? Or we just to busy doing Christmas.
I would love to hear your comments on the subject.

November Ending

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
We ate our feast at our daughter Brandy's home in NC. It was her first holiday in her own apartment. The food was delicious. I ate too much. We had so many desserts to chose from it came down to a sliver of this and a spoon of that. The cherry cheesecake was my favorite.
We had so much to be thankful for Brandy has graduated from King's college with an associates' degree in travel and tourism,Jenny is surviving her freshman year at Clemson even though she thinks she won't. Angelique has returned from Kuwait. Everyone is employed and in at least fairly good health.
Everyone slow down a little bit and enjoy the season. We all get in such a rush, we miss out on all the fun.

Random Thoughts

These were sent to me my friend Nanci and they are so good I thought I would share.

Random Thoughts for the Day:

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to
immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument
when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap
when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5.
I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told
you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of
tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment
at work when you know that you just aren't going to do
anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue
Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it
asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper
that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash
this -- ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello?
Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine
times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer?
Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then
not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know
not to answer when they call.

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad
what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I
respond to that?

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday
or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!

1. Plans and schedules never work for me .

2. I'm happy when things go smoothly .

3. The last thing I drank was pepsi .

4. One of the most valuable things in my life is my family .

5. I like ham,mushrooms, and pineapple on my pizza.

6. Dear November,I love the colors and temperatures you bring.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include seeing "Men Who Stare at Goats" and Sunday, I want to watch racing and football as usual!

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!

1. It was a dark and stormy night, and I curled up with a good book.

2. She didn't make it to the library so I offered to take the books myself.

3. Rushing out, I always forget something.

4. Ohhh...I think I heard a howl!

5. Shhhh... I am trying to sleep.

6. I am hungry so give me something good to eat!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going shopping, tomorrow my plans include trick or treat and Sunday, I want to watch racing and football.