Thoughts of a Grasshopper

All of the family was gathered in Colorado this weekend. We couldn't be there for the whole weekend due to travel, we went Saturday as a surprise. It is rare for everyone to be together like that and we couldn't miss the opportunity. I usually bring food for a meal when we go, but because they weren't expecting us at all, I needed to find out what was on the menu and and go with that. One of the meals was a dutch oven stew. We had done one the previous week when we were there and it was delicious but I decided to make one with a little different flavor. I found this recipe and we all enjoyed the barbecue flavor. I would recommend when spooning off the juice after browning the meat that you reserve some in case you need it. It was on the dry side but my husband just drained it off near the fire pit. You can see in the pit there are 3 dutch ovens. Two of the dutch ovens had stew and the third was a cherry/peach/pineapple cobbler. Byron's One Pot Dinner (1) 3lb. l

This is the first card I've done with this set. What I'm visualizing in my mind I can't seem to get on paper, yet. The window itself took me 4 attempts and by the time I was done with it I just wanted to go to sleep so I put a card together so I can start fresh today. The DP is supposed to be like wallpaper on the wall but I think to make it more realistic, there needs to be something in the room. This is going to require some thought. Stamps: Window Dressing, Floral Paper: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, WW, Not Quite Navy, Bella Rose DP Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy Misc.: Markers: NQN, Real Red, Creamy Caramel; glue pen; DD

This is the last of the swaps that I have to share. I think of three swaps this was my favorite one to receive. The card made by Sheryl Brown is stunning in person, as are several of the other cards. Created by: Delores Wilson, Patty Jones Created by: Elizabeth Kratzer, Stephanie Wasson Created by: Tammy Sparacino, Joyce Pacer Created by: Maria Warren, Unknown Created by: Sheryl Brown, Virginia Haverick

Several weeks ago we watched Holly while her mother had surgery on her shoulder. Holly is a blast and while a child, makes adult comments that make you laugh and smile. The first time I met Holly she greeted us at the door, introduced herself, their dog and asked "what's your name?" At one point during the visit she asked if we would like something to drink. Fast forward a several months. I see her out one day and she gives a curtsy and said, "Your Highness". How can you not love someone that addresses you in that manner. Another month or so goes by and I watched her while her mother attended class (her usual sitter was on vacation). This meant she had to make school runs with me. We played at the park while we waited for my son's school to get out. While we were waiting for the girls school to end, she asked to go in. On our way into the school, my son walked on the grass and she told him to walk on the sidewalk, then she asked if he was alright.

This is the second swap I participated in. I will post the third (Glittered and Glorious on Friday). Created by Catie Palmer, Unknown Created by: G. Ferrao, Unknown Created by: Heidi Fergen, Kimber Kindle Created by: Terri Tank, Unknown Created by: Unknown, Unknown

I thought I would share the cards I receive in swaps I've participated in this month. This swap is the first of three that I'm expecting. Created by: Carolyn Sharkas, Kathy Branfield Created by: Michelle Doyle, Pam Miller Created by: Patty Jones, Pat Huntoon Created by: Unknown, Sheryl Brown Created by: Unknown, Sharon Maranich

This is such a wonderful bread recipe. I've had it for years and finally tried it this past Thursday and it was a hit with everyone at dinner. My kids loved it and both loaves were gone by Friday. I was surprised how much they enjoyed it. I wrote the recipe here for how I made it. I would note two things: 1) it needed to rise an extra 20 minutes; and 2) I only baked it for the minimum time and it could have done with a minute or two less in baking. Honey Oatmeal Bread 2C water, divided 1C rolled oats 1/3C butter or margarine 1/3C honey 1T salt 2 pkgs. (1/4 oz. ea.) active dry yeast 1 egg 4 to 5C flour, divided Melted butter or margarine, optional In a saucepan, heat 1 cup water to boiling. Stir in oats, butter, honey and salt. Cool to lukewarm. Heat remaining water to 110 o -115 o and dissolve yeast. In a large mixing bowl, combine yeast mixture, egg, 2 cups flour and the oats mixture. Beat until the in

I did this page for the color challenge at Digital Arts Cafe. I love Lynn's kits so it was easy to work with. I've been wanting to make a page like this for each of our kids for a while and when I saw the bee in her mini-kit, I immediately thought of doing this page. The girls really liked the page and now I'm being asked when will I do one for each of them.

The last of the cards I did for a swap. I must concede, this is pretty much a direct CASE . I was looking for some inspiration and came across this card and loved the simple elegance of it and used the cards size required for the swap. It is a lovely, quick card if you have a lot of cards to make for Christmas. The boys are at camp this week. Monday and Tuesday the girls had a couple of friends over, Monday night one of the friends slept over and we went bowling. Tuesday we hung out at home with friends (even me) while I made dinner for a friend. Wednesday we went to a nail salon and the girls had their toes done and then we went to the movies to see Kitt Kittredge. The movie was different than I expected but it was very good. I told my FIL I probably wouldn't buy it even though it was good because I cried several times. I actually don't see the girls watching it again, they aren't American Girl fans. I spent several hours last night updating our family site and at