Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween

Late afternoon we celebrated Jack's birthday.  We went to Cavalli's Pizza Place in Adriatica around 4:30.   It was a fun time and Mike and Theresa surprised him with an IPod.  He was thrilled.  I can't believe it has been a week since I blogged.  I have really been busy getting ready for the bazaar at church this coming Saturday.
 I made 6 of these signs this week.  I am all ready for the bazaar so this week I will concentrate on getting everything priced and packed up for the bazaar.
Tomorrow the boys do not have school so I will let them sleep in and go over around 9:30 to pick them up. It is teacher conferences.  Tonight it is Trick or Treating so I will be answering the door until around 8PM.  I will try to do better about blogging this week.  Until then. 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Future Road Kill

Pat has told he sees armadillos on his walk in the mornings.  Today I went with him and sure enough there were two right on Ridge Road.  This first picture is a little dark (we walk at 6:30) but the second picture I got up really close to one of them.  Tomorrow I will take the camera again and see if I can get a front view!  They are digging for grubs and did not even know we were there.  Daisy doesn't even bark at them. 



Sunday, October 24, 2010

Candles & Dinner

I made five of these candles for the bazaar.   Today I worked on 5 turkeys in the garage and they are about  done.  I have had a busy weekend.  I also finished up the "to my sister" bags.  I am way ahead of schedule for the bazaar.  Wonder what I can come up with next to make in a week.  The bazaar is November 6th.  Tonight (Sunday) we had the guys and their wives over for dinner plus Deb.  I made hamburgers, baked beans and chips plus brownies and whip cream.  Really simple but it was fun catching up with all the kiddos.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Friday, October 22, 2010

Gather

Pat and I went downtown last night to the opening of "Gather".  We did a walk through and they were serving flavored water and appetizers.  Needless to say we did not stay.  We ended up going up to the Pub for a glass of wine and splitting a hamburger.  Today I worked on these little bags to hang on the Christmas Tree.   I received this from my Sister a couple of years ago for Christmas.  It is so cute.  The saying on the bag goes like this:

 To My Sister
A Tissue for all the tears we have shared, happy and sad.
A Nut for all the nutty things we've done, and the times you drove me nuts!!!
A Bag of Dirt for all the times we got grounded.
A Toothpick, cuz I'm thankful God picked you for my sister.
A Heart because I love you.
A Hug and Kiss for my sister and my friend.



So inside the bag is a Tissue, Nut, Bag of Dirt, Toothpick, Heart, and Hug & Kiss.

I am making about 20 of these for the bazaar. 
I sewed the little bags today and attached the saying on the outside.  Now I just need to fill them up and tie a piece of jute around the top.  Another project done!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Saturday and Monday

Saturday night we drove to Southlake to meet Colin and Marcia for dinner at Brio's.  We enjoyed good food and great conversation with them.  Hope we can get together again before the holidays!
 
Today I was busy over at Julie's house painting her two bathrooms with her.  She wanted them painted before she entertains our Duplicate Bridge Club this Wednesday. 

This is Julie painting the upstairs bathroom. I don't know who had the most paint on them.  Julie, the wall or the mirror???

We painted this bathroom a really pretty gold.  Almost butter.  It was a fun day.  Julie took me to Market Street for lunch after both bathrooms were done. Thanks for stopping by.  


Wednesday, October 13, 2010

I finished this quilt this weekend just in time for Halloween and Fall.  It is called a Rag Quilt and I just love it.  Very warm for the winter months. I am out tonight with the gals.  I think I will take my quilt to show it off.   
Today we went to the movie "Secretariat".  It was a great movie.  I would recommend it to everyone.  A great horse story.  Diane Lane does a great job.  
 Happy Fall!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

The Boys

I had the boys after school Friday because Tre' was having a jewelry party at their house and Steve was working late.  Pat worked until 7 and then came and picked Sam, Jack and I up and we went downtown to "The Pub" for dinner.  We had just put our order in when Steve joined us.  Aren't they a handsome bunch?  This morning we went to Jack's football game at 9:20.  Jack's team won 18 to 0.  Sam's game was at 10:40 but he did not play.  Steve took him to the doctor on Thursday and he has torn something in his knee so he can not run for 7 days.  Since he wasn't going to be playing this morning we ran some errands and now I am going to the garage to do some crafting for my bazaar in November. 

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Soup, Bread & Basil

This has been my first full day at home for awhile.  I decided to do some cooking and baking since the weather is so nice.  The windows are open and the birds are singing so lets get to work.
This is my pan of Chicken Chili Soup.  

Recipe:
Chicken Chili Recipe
Here is the chicken chili recipe - you can alter the level of 'heat' by using only Original Rotel Chilies instead of the "Hot".  And I tend to use more of some of the items:

2 lbs chicken breast -cooked and shredded (I usually use at least 3lbs and "Smart chicken"  tenders - tastes the best and easier to shred)
3 cans Great White Northern Beans
Olive oil for sautéing
1 med white onion - diced
3 cloves garlic - minced
2 tsp - cumin
1 tsp - oregano
1 tsp - salt
4 oz chopped green onion
14 oz Chicken broth
1 can - Rotel Hot chilies (I use 1 can original & 1 can Hot)
1 cup sour cream (full fat works best - don't use fat free)
3 cups - shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Cilantro - chopped (adjust to your personal preference for the flavor)


Cook and shred or cut up chicken breast.  Sautee chopped white onions; chopped green onions; garlic and spices in oil.  In soup pan add GWN beans; rotel chilies; chicken broth; onions and spices and shredded chicken.  Cook for at least 1 1/2 hours.  About 10 minutes before serving - add sour cream; Monterey Jack cheese and cilantro.

Now for the bread :

Apple Buttermilk Bread
Apple Buttermilk Bread
A quick-bread recipe especially suited to breakfast; make it the night before for best flavor.
Serves 8 (1 loaf)
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup natural bran cereal
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 Gala or Golden Delicious apples, cored and chopped

Method:

1.    Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 5-inch loaf panhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif. In medium bowl, combine both flours, the bran cereal, baking soda, baking powder, and ginger. In large bowl, beat buttermilk, sugar, vegetable oil, egg, and orange zest.
2.    Add flour mixture to buttermilk mixture, stirring just until combined. Fold in apples. Spread batter in prepared pan and bake 45 to 50 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool bread in pan 10 minutes. Cool completely before serving.

This is my basil plant, isn't it wonderful.  This weekend while our friends were in town from Omaha we looked up a recipe for Fried Basil on the internet.  It just takes about a second to fry and drain on paper towels. (Stand back when you drop the handful of leaves in hot oil - it splatters) Transfer to plate, sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.  Delicious! 

Fried Basil Leaves

  1. Heat 2 cups oil in wok until almost smoking and drop in handfuls of leaves so they turn brilliant green and crisp in seconds.
  2. Lift onto paper towels with a slotted spoon.
  3. Serve quickly, sprinkled over other dishes just before serving so the leaves don't have time to lose their crispness.
  4. Or pass a bowl of them around on their own for a new sensation in flavour and texture. 
Thanks for stopping by.  Sheila

Monday, October 4, 2010

Beautiful Day in McKinney

This morning I worked in the garage on my crafts for the St. Gabriel's Bazaar.  I had 13 of these Candy Canes ready for the Bazaar.  A neighbor stopped over and bought 4 of them and another neighbor came over and bought 3. So I only have 6 left to take to the Bazaar on November 6th.  
I need to keep the garage door closed.
   
Two of my golfing friends joined me at 12:20 for a round of golf. 

This is Hole # 12 which is a par 3.  Can you see my ball right in line with the flag pole.  Carol is a little to the right of the flag.  We both had birdies!!!  

This is the final hole.  You can see my ball  just left of the flag pole about 8 feet.  I sunk it for Par.  It was a fun round of golf.  Golf League is tomorrow and we tee off at 8:30.  
Hope it isn't as chilly as it was this morning at that hour.
Thanks for stopping by.  Sheila

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Farewell


Have a safe trip home!

Sunday morning at approximately 7:15 we took Rich and Debbie to the McKinney Municipal Airport.

Here they are heading out to the runway for their trip back to Omaha.  
Up Up and Away! The bread pudding was just as delicious today as last night.  Thanks for the recipe.
Loved having you guys here.  Come back soon.