Friday, March 30, 2012

Candy! Candy!

I'm in LOVE with this candy!


It's so good. The almonds are yummy (and good for you). The chocolate is rich and creamy. The candy coating is crunchy and delicious! I've fallen in love with it!

I read the "Nutrition Facts" on the back and the serving size is ten pieces. TEN! Really? I've eaten that many just writing this article. And there are 200 calories in those 10 pieces. I won't tell anybody if you don't.

It's a good thing it only comes in an 8 ounce size. If the bag was bigger, I'd be in serious trouble.

No, what's really good is the hubs doesn't like almonds. So I get the whole bag to myself.

What's your favorite candy?


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

March 28, 1969

Here is a page from my Nanny's journal from the year 1969:

March 28: Clear. Roger took Carolyn to the hospital. Baby girl born about 7 O'Clock.

March 29: Clear. They sawed some logs. Lewis Morgan helped. Sandi's Birthday.

March 30: Clear. Windy. We went to church. Went to hospital to see Carolyn and baby.

March 31: Clear. Carolyn and Sarah Grace came home.

Me   
My mom gave me this journal from 1969 a few weeks ago. It's so cool to have a window into the heart of my grandmother. She almost always reported the weather and the work done around the farm. Above, she reported that they sawed some logs. My dad, grandfather and uncle owned a sawmill. In other entries, she listed farm chores like plowing or cutting hay. Typical for the time and the woman, she rarely reported what she did in the house. Her days were filled with laundry, cleaning, cooking, canning, caring for the garden and her chickens. But you wouldn't know it from her journal. She did what was expected of her and never gave it a second thought. I miss her....

Sunday, March 25, 2012

A Couple of Projects

I've recently finished up a couple of quilting projects. My Nanny taught me how to quilt years ago. She was what I call "A Real Quilter." That means she learned (like I did) by watching her mom and grandmother and she made quilts because her family needed them for warmth. It wasn't an art form like it is today. I love all quilts. Quilt shows are awesome and I enjoy seeing the old ones and the new "Artsy" ones.

Graduation Quilt for Daughter S
This one is a full-sized quilt that I started for Daughter S's high school graduation. I finished it a couple of months ago. I'm embarrassed to say that she is now a Junior in college. But better late than never. She helped design it and picked the fabrics. It fits a queen-sized bed.


Hannah's Quilt
This one is a baby quilt for baby Hannah. She is due in April and her daddy was the ring bearer at my wedding. It's so cute and the pink and brown are so popular for baby girls these days. The photo shows up a little dark-the pink is not that dark. I love doing baby quilts because they are (usually) quick and easy. And this one was done on a new quilt frame the hubs made for me out of PVC pipe. A post about that is in the works. I have to wait until I have a quilt in the frame so I can get some good photos. But it's coming, I promise.

Close-up of the fabric
Isn't it so special when you see a baby with something homemade. Either a quilted blanket or a crochet or knit blanket. And when I see tiny little crocheted booties or hats, I die a thousand deaths. What is it about babies that makes grown women die? I don't know, but it must be some primal instinct thing. How else would a woman go through labor?

Sorry about all that.

I may have just lost a few readers.

I'll never talk about that stuff again.

That's a lie.

Anyway, I just wanted to share some special projects. These two are done and now I've moved on to knitting a baby blanket (first time to knit a blanket for me) for the new grandbaby due in May. I'm about half-way through. I'm going to make him a baby quilt too.

Working on a quilt gives me such comfort. As a child, I spent many days at my Nanny's feet under her large quilt frame while she was stitching one. From underneath, the various colors of the pieces make an amazing sight with the light coming through. It's a beautiful thing.





Saturday, March 24, 2012

The Past Seven Days

All these things happened in the last seven days:
  • I rode in a car for 6+ hours with a two-year-old and an eight-year-old
  • I got the stomach bug that's going around
  • I missed two days of work
  • No one in my family made me Jell-O
  • When I'm sick and no one makes me Jell-O, I get depressed
  • No one called to check on me while I was at home sick
  • When no one calls to check on me, I get depressed
  • My boss made me feel guilty for missing work
  • My daughter P and her hubby got the stomach bug and she wanted me to come over an make Jell-O for them. I couldn't because it was too far from my bathroom
  • She gets depressed when she is sick and no one makes Jell-O for her
  • My co-worker who is on vacation this week sent me multiple emails asking me to do stuff (since she was on vacation, she didn't know I was out sick)
  • I didn't get much stuff done at work because I was only there for 2.7 day
  • There is lots of stuff piled up on my desk
  • When there is lots of stuff piled up on my desk, I get depressed
  • My daughter S was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma (yeah!). While attempting to take a picture of her during this event, my camera broke. Really BROKE!
  • The hubs and I went grocery shopping and he "helped" me with my coupons. By helping I mean he put them in his pocket and then I forgot to give them to the cashier
  • My mom had minor surgery to remove some skin cancer from her face. There was a scary moment of about 2 hours that I couldn't reach her or my dad and I got freaked out (but she's ok. Dad turned his phone off and took a catnap in the waiting room. It was a long day for him)
  • My mom is feeling a little depressed because her face is all bandaged (I still think she looks beautiful)
  • When my mom feels bad, I get depressed
  • I'm teaching a class at a women's retreat this weekend. Since I was sick, I didn't have much time to prepare for it
  • When I'm not prepared for stuff, I get depressed
  • I haven't cooked for my family all week
  • I haven't cleaned my house all week
  • I haven't done laundry all week
  • When my house isn't clean and there's no clean clothes, I get depressed

I'm not kidding. I can't make this stuff up people! But next week is going to be better.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Meeting Pioneer Woman

My sister BL and I went to meet The Pioneer Woman over the weekend. She was in Virginia Beach, so we loaded up BL's two daughters and drove the 3.5 hours to have our books signed.

 Here I am waiting to meet the Pioneer Woman

Once we arrived, I sent the Hubs a text message: "We are here. I had forgotten how much it is to travel with kids." His response: "LOL."
I've been enjoying The Pioneer Woman's website for a couple years now. I gave my dad her first cookbook as a Christmas gift two years ago. I thought he would enjoy the pictures, and he has. But what I didn't expect was that he would actually try some of her recipes. He makes the brisket on page 160 all the time. 

So BL and the girls and I waited in line to meet her. After about 2.5 hours, she arrived and began signing books. When it was our turn, we were all surprised at how much time she actually talked with us. She complimented my nieces on their cute matching skirts and said they were all ready for St. Paddy's Day (which they were). She talked to us the whole time she was signing our books. We had about seven total with my dad's and my three and BL's two and the newest cookbook for my mom. I had printed a picture of my grandmother and written up a brief story of her meeting my grandfather and how they married and she moved from Norfolk to the farm. They raised nine children there. I said she is another real pioneer woman and Ree agreed!

Here we all are with Ree "The Pioneer Woman"

It was so much fun, even if the girls were a little restless after a while. Everyone in line with us was nice too. There were people from Virginia Beach and also folks who traveled to see her (like us). 

If you get a chance you should check out her website. I think I'm in love with it!


Spring is Springing

The weather has been crazy. First we had a very mild winter in Virginia. Then we had a couple late snows. Now we are having wicked thunderstorms. The one last night blew in fast and furious. It scared Little D (my 3-year-old grandson). He has a Dr. Seuss book "Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?" that has a page with thunder and lightening (use your imagination).  My daughter S (his mom) got the book out and they were looking at it so she could explain thunder and lightening. I think it helped him with his fear. Little D was looking out the window waiting for the flash of lightening! So all night, we had to read that book to him. Don't get me wrong, I love Dr. Seuss as much as the next girl, but after a while, it gets a little boring for grown ups.

What it's all about

So, this is my first post on my new blog: Life on Lanky Ridge. I have lots of ideas for this. I'll write about:
  • Our family. Why won't the nest empty?
  • Our perpetually unfinished projects. My quilting, knitting; John's home, etc.
  • Cooking. Does the smoke alarm sound mean dinner's ready at your house too?
  • Becoming grandparents in our 40s.
  • Shopping. How many coupons are too many for one trip?
  • Life in the country
  • Our love of God, country and family
I hope you'll stop by often and get to know us. We would love for you to leave a comment too!