In my blog I plan to chat about nature, crafts, baking, gardening, beekeeping, family, and whatever else seems appropriate at the time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Groovy Girl Yarn open house

Here is a great way to do some Christmas shopping
 
 and avoid long lines like this!
Buy hand made
Buy local
This weekend at Groovy Girl Yarn, 311 West Walnut St., Kokomo, IN
 there will be an open house.

On Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
There will be vendors in the lobby, cookies, and door prizes! 
Come by and say Hi!

Cindy Bee

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Thanksgiving Day

This first picture may disturb some of you.  I'm sorry if it does.  We are not vegetarians and my Shug is a deer hunter.  I won't get on my soap box about venison vs. beef, unless you ask for it.  

So, we were all excited about sleeping in Thanksgiving morning.  But that  morning my Shug wakes up and says, "I'm going hunting....see ya later."  I said, "just snuggle and go back to sleep."  I woke up half hour later...alone.  Then about an hour later, while I was fixing the green bean casserole,  I receive a text..."I got one."  My thought.....great, we're going to be late for Thanksgiving dinner.  We were NOT late.  We were, in fact, the first ones there!
So I went over to ask the neighbor for help, and I drove my neighbor into the woods, where my Shug was waiting for us.  
And when we got to my Sister and her husband's house, My Shug cooked up some deer heart.
And this kid (my niece) will seriously try anything once.  She ate two or three pieces of it.  And liked it.
But this kid (my Mom) will not!  My niece brought her this piece just begging her to try it.  She tried a teeny weeny bite.  It's a very tender meat.
And this kid (my Great niece) didn't want to eat anything.  But her Dad (below right) made her eat something before she went to play, so she ate her carrots.
This beautiful lady on the left is another niece, and her husband.  I told you all a couple of months ago she was expecting.  Sad to say she lost the baby.  
Now we all gathered around to eat the real Thanksgiving dinner.  Oh my gosh the food....there was turkey, mashed potatoes, noodles, broccoli casserole, green bean casserole, corn pudding, rolls, salad, cole slaw, potato salad, and glazed carrots.



And brownies, pumpkin something or another, key lime pie, and persimmon pudding.  If any of you want the persimmon pudding recipe, let me know.  I got it from my husband's older cousin.
After dinner, the guys tried to nap and the girls wanted to look at the ads....but my Sister had something else in mind.
You see, a couple of weeks ago she went to a Pinterest party and made these ornaments.
And she wanted us all to make some ornaments.
The ladies jumped right in.  Mom with her ornament.
Trent's Mom, who is my sis's Mother-in-law.....when we have holidays, we invite all the families on all sides. It's just easier and we all get along so well.
Whooops...one small casuality!

The guys were in the other room watching the game....


while we crafted away....I know it's hard to see some of the ornaments.  (me)
My Sister.
My niece (my brother's oldest child - my brother and his wife and other two children couldn't make it because he had to work)
This niece was not happy.  She didn't like the way her ornament turned out and wanted to make another one.  But we had to wait and see if we had enough...and we had to get the guys in here.
I think her ornament is cute.  I don't know why she didn't like it.
Guys...come on.....hiding behind the pillows will not save you.
Dad, you did NOT make that ornament.  Mom made it for you.
There we go...Joey is joining in the fun.
Andrew...don't look so happy.  This is fun.  (my nephew - my brother's son)
Yeeeaaa...one guy done...a few to go.
see how cute.
finally....My brother-in-law made one.  His is black and gold for Purdue.
Andrew looks much happier.

My shug does not look happy.  Hmmm, maybe he just woke up from a nap.
My Sister's father in law concentrating very hard.
He put Pops on one side because that is what his grandaughter (my niece) calls him.
And here's the deal.  I thought we were making them to take home. Nope...they are going on a "Family tree." How special.  They were all hanging at odd angles because some of them had glue and paint on them and had to dry.
Now...time to clean up the mess so we can go home.  And don't think just because you are a guy you are going to get out of helping clean up the mess either!

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cindy Bee

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Shopping Trip Weekend

Roofus update - I have him back.  Finally.  I missed him.  Apparently he has sleep apnea. And there is no cure when computers get this problem.  So, I'm going to use him until he just doesn't wake up anymore. We're a pair...a team.  I love him.  
 I will probably download more pics to my blog.  Sorry in advance.  Maybe I'll open a new blog for pics only.  Or just go back to the old days when I printed them off. I dunno.  I just know my pics are my most important thing. And I don't want to lose them. I've taken pics forever.  I took classes back in the late 70's early 80's on developing.  I had a big camera, Canon AE1, I remember the name of it.  Had a tripod and the whole thing.  I got tired of lugging it around.  So, I sold it all and got a point and shoot.  I'm not out to win awards. I just love my family and friends and enjoy looking at pics.  That's all.  My blog is my journal.  And I have some catching up to do.

So catch up I will.  I'll start with the weekend before Thanksgiving...
For years and years our family has gone shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving.  I'm talking about 40 or so years.  It started out with Vickie (my cousin), her Mom (my Aunt who has since passed), my Mom (whose Sister was Vickie's Mom) and me.  Then when my Sister came along, she got to go when she turned 16.  Then when Vickie's daughter, Ashley, came along, she got to..when she turned 16.  And somewhere in the mix, Gloria (our cousin who was basically raised with our Moms) got to go.   This year Mom and Gloria decided they were not going to go. They actually decided that last year, but that's another story you can read about here if you want to.

So this year, the four of us went.  Me, cousin Vickie, sister Theresa, and cousin Ashley.  Now, in the past we would all meet up at My Aunt's house in Logansport (which is now Vickie's house).  But this year we decided to meet on the road part way (Vickie's husband dropped them off), rather than any of us driving out of the way.  This got us home a lot sooner in the end.

But when we would meet up before, we would always take a group photo.  So Theresa and I decided to keep with tradition and take a group photo before we left.  WTH?   The pic kept looking like this and I couldn't figure out why.  Oh noooo, my camera lens isn't opening all the way.  Not again.
Phew! And this year we decided to go to the outdoor mall on the first day. They were having a great deal.  For $5 you get a wrist band and different places had different deals.  Like the Vera Bradley store was giving out free zipper pouches. 
And there was a little boutique store, Apricot Lane, giving out free earrings with purchase. And Chic-Fillet was giving out FREE chicken sandwiches!  There were other deals to be had, so we spent the biggest part of the day there.  Plus, the weather was perfect!
Success!  We decided to unload the car,
and check into the hotel.
 I changed into my new purse....
 (dammit Vickie I'm trying to get a pic of my new purse)...
inside this big purse, was a smaller purse with a shoulder strap!
We freshened up and Vickie changed from her shirt under the sweater to a dickie (snicker)
 and we went to the indoor mall in Ft. Wayne.
When we originally shopped here, there was an ice skating rink where this carousel is, and there were some very cool stores, and a tea shop, in an area of the mall called the Apple Orchard.  I loved it.  It's no longer there.  It's gone by the way of Starbucks and modern stores.
That evening we went back to the room, relaxed, and munched on popcorn, cheese ball and crackers, chocolate, and wine.  Now, what are the odds of meticulously spreading your cheese on your crackers and when you drop the plate, every single cracker and the plate land upside down...except one.
tee hee!
 The next morning I was up early, before everyone else.  My body is just used to getting up early.  So I took my crochet bag and my flashlight and my pillow and I snuggled in this closet.  I hung my flashlight on the ironing board so I could see, and I quietly crocheted while waiting on everyone to wake up.

 The only downfall of just getting one room (it was a semi-suite as it had a kitchen) was we only had one bathroom.
Back in the day we would all dress alike on this trip, kind of like a group tour. I know - say not a word.  Ashley, the middle one, hated the denim shirt year (Vickie is wearing it for illustration purposes)  So, before the trip, Theresa had Mom make a pillow for Ashley out of her (Theresa's) denim shirt.
 Then Mom took the sleeves and made Vickie and I a little pillow, and Theresa embellished them.  I love it!  I have ever single shirt we ever wore.  Hmmm, I bet Gloria has all the pics.  Wonder if she would e-mail them to me.  I'd love to post them on here.  Anyway....
this was our shopping trip weekend, the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving.  Our tradition lives on.
What the heck...
Pepper?
....What are you doing here?
Oooooh....okaaay........Pepper Mintstix wanted me to remind you to visit small businesses today. Today is small business Saturday.  He is employed at Groovy Girl Yarn.  He, obviously, isn't working very hard.  But if you go there, you can meet him.  And today is also Christmas in the Cabin.

 If you have a chance, visit The Bitters'sweet Cabin at 115 Kingston Road from 3-11.  It's in Kokomo, IN.  There are several other small businesses in town to visit today.  Ask either of these shop owners and they will guide you in the right direction.

Also, tonight is Christmas at the Seiberling.  So, if you are in town, you might as well go to the Seiberling mansion and meet and greet Santa and tour the mansion all decorated for Christmas.  I know - it's a horrible picture.  I don't have a good one on my computer of the mansion all lit up.  So just use your imagination......visualize....
What?
I'm done now....finally...
Go.
What are you doing here?
Gooooooo...
shop
Visit your small businesses.

Cindy Bee