Sassy & Sweet Notes

Chick-Chick-Chickens...and weather!

While the sun was low on the horizon this evening, I took my camera out to the hen house to see what I could see. What do you know, I saw CHICKENS (and ducks)! Shorty tried to show me where a good place to nest would be, "right here, in the tall grass!"

Laffy Taffy told me all about how they would really like more water in the duck pool. "The mud on my legs is soooo unsightly!"

Inside the hen house, some of the ladies enjoyed perching in the rays of sunshine that were coming through the windows. Ruby had the best spot! (And is it just me, or does she look a little bit like Conan o'Brien?)

The winter molt was a little rough for some of the ladies, but finally Curly Que is looking good! Nothing like new feathers to make a girl beautiful!

And of course there's the always dainty, always beautiful Dee. What a sweet little pint-sized chicken!

Chainsaw was looking lovely today, too!

I had to keep my eye on this Golden Comet... she was very interested in my camera lens. Just what I need, a chicken beak through the lens on my camera! Yikes!

Like most areas around the country, the weather here is supposed to get cold this week. Yesterday and today it was in the mid 70's ... Take a look at Tuesday and Wednesday in the above chart ... a low of 14* on Wednesday!? Ice and Snow!? JEEEEPERS!! Best plan on keepin' cozy!

We've Got a Winner!

Good morning! Thanks to all of you for participaing in this week's Share the Love give-away, and for sharing your birthday. My birthday is October 7th... and autumn is my favorite season! *grin*

I randomly selected one name from all comments on the Share the Love post, and congrats to the lucky winner who is IDA!

Ida said: "How fun! That bear stamp is so cute. Thanks for the chance to win. My B-Day is March 20 (First Day of Spring!)"

Ida, what a wonderful day for a birthday! You've got a little something extra to celebrate each year, don't you! Get in touch with me and I'll get your "love" package sent out to you right away!

I've got time for stamping today ... how about you!?

Oh, and how about a sneak peek at one of my new Whipper Snapper Designs images, releasing in February!? Cluck cluck!!

Share the Love

February is just around the corner, so how about a little "share the love" blog candy! I have this nice selection of Memory Box paper and stamps set aside for one luck-in-love blog reader!

Would you like it? Enter to win by leaving me a note on this post. In your note, be sure to tell me your birth date (you don't have to mention the year...)  *grin*

I'll choose a lucky winner on Sunday, January 30th, and I'll get this package out to the winner in plenty of time for Valentine's Day!

Happy Weekend!

*smooch*

PS: This give-away is not sponsored. I chose to give them away, because I like you! Cheers!

Horsin' Around...

...with chipboard and GLITTER! Heee-haw!

With my recent addiction to glittering up die-cut shapes, I thought why not have a little fun with my pony die-cut! This horse die is a relatively "old" one by Sizzix. You might find one on ebay if you keep your eyes peeled. I adhered some old book paper to a piece of chipboard using a spray adhesive, then ran the paper-covered chipboard through my die cutting machine along with the Sizzix horse die. Out popped the cutest little text-covered pony! I sponged ink around the horse to accent the edges, then added a good layer of glitter over the entire piece. I added a tea-stained ribbon bow around the ponies neck, topped off with a vintage mother of pearl button.

I have some vintage rose flowers left over from an old project; I added two to the top of the sentiment tag, along with another vintage button. The sentiment on the tea-stained tag is from A Muse (another "old" product), and remains one of my all-time favorites! Once I had the entire card assembled, I gave it a quick spritz with some fine silver spray glitter.

I think this pony will make CUTE holiday ornaments, sweet tags for a pony-loving kiddo, and of course is certainly fun added to cards, like I've done.

This little pony hopes to find it's way to a new home, soon! Giddy'up!

Hearts & Butterfly

A friend received some very good news recently, and I made this card for her in celebration. The die-cut hearts were made using the "frame, heart" Sizzix die, along with some vintage sheet music and thin chipboard. This particular die creates three heart shapes at once; the outer scalloped frame, a narrow middle frame, and the solid heart center. I removed the middle section of the heart frame, set the solid heart a bit off-center, and added a piece of striped (and glittery) patterned paper behind the layers. I used the long sheet music stamp from the Artsy Banners stamp set (from Crafty Secrets) to very lightly stamp music on the base of the card.

The clear butterfly is one I've had for a long time ... I think it might have been from a Heidi Swapp packet of assorted clear butterflies. I like the subtle outline of the butterfly on the heart. To give the butterfly a bit of dimension, I added a crease down the center and bent the wings upward. The plastic die-cut holds it's shape really well! The mother of pearl button is one from my stash.

Hope you had an enjoyable weekend. It's almost time for my dose of nighttime cold meds, and then I'll sleep like a baby! I hear there's some more crazy weather expected this week -- keep cozy!

Glitter & Glue

Thanks for the sweet comments you left on my "something cheery" card this morning! I received a few emails and notes from people wanting to know what kind of glue and glitter I used on the card. Since I still had the card sitting on my desk w/ the lamps set for photos, it was simple enough to just take a couple more photos showing the glue and glitter. I used a ZIG 2 Way Glue pen to apply a thin layer of glue over the image. Keep the areas of glue small, so the glue doesn't dry before you apply the glitter.

For example, on this image I applied glue to the heart, then added glitter. Then I applied glue to the leaf, then added glitter. The flowerpot was done in two sections, and the flower was done two petals at a time, and the center of the flower was done separately as well. You might get away with doing slightly larger areas at once, but I don't like chancing it. Sure, some glitter still brushes off, but I find that true with most all glitter applications.

Here is the tray that I keep my glitter poured into. (The glitter still in the bottle is just my backup reserve.) I use an old stamp storage case that I've altered slightly ... I cut down the side to remove the lid, so it's not flopping around while I'm trying to use the tray. When I'm done, the lid snaps down in place and holds firmly.  I use a small spoon to scoop the glitter onto the card so I can target the area of wet glue. Once glitter is covering the glue, I press down on the glitter lightly with the bottom of the spoon to press the glitter into the glue. Then I tap off the excess glitter back into the tray, apply glue to the next area, and repeat until all of the areas I want "glittered" are sparkly!

By the way, when you go looking for this glitter (which I picked up at Michaels), be sure to look at the size of the individual glitter pieces in the jar, and not just the name on the label. There are actually two different sizes of crystal glitter. There's one that actually LOOKS big and "course" as it says on the jar, and the other looks like a fine glitter, even though it is labeled as a "course" crystal glitter. I use the smaller sized crystals. Personally, I think this jar should be labeled as crystal "fine" glitter. But who am I to correct Martha! *grin*

Hope this is helpful!

Something Cheery

Even though I am feeling icky (and wish I had a dollar for every time I've sneezed tonight!), I decided that I would make something cheery. How about something with lots of fun colors and lots of glitter!

The stamped image is one of my Whipper Snapper stamps, called Heart Bug & Flower. I stamped it on white paper, colored the image with markers, and then added a very fine clear glitter over nearly the entire image. Ooooh la la, lots of sparkles!

The sentiment on the little tag is from my Sweet Expressions cling set, a personal favorite of mine. While I was working on this card, the heat from the lights on my desk became too much to take, so I turned on the ceiling fan to catch a little breeze. Without thinking, I opened my glitter container to add glitter to the sentiment banner. I scooped up a spoonful of glitter and itty bitty sparkles went EVERYWHERE! Whoops! Glitter and ceiling fans don't really go very well together... So much for a clean desk! *grin*

Even though this card took me so very long to finish, I'm glad I took the time to make it. I know just who I'm sending it to, too!

Happy Weekend!
*sniffle, sneeze, cough*

still sicky...

...and still miserable. Icky.

But how about another Whipper Snapper sneak peek!? Those are always fun!

cough cough, sneeze wheeze

Alan and I are both sick with whatever flu/sinus/chest crud that's making its way around. No fun, I tell you.

So while I don't have anything new and crafty to share, how about a Whipper Snapper sneak peek! *grin*

If you haven't already done so, check out the Whipper Snapper Designs page on Facebook. They've been sharing other sneak peeks there! Looks like February is going to be a fun month at Whipper!

Holiday Projects Shared (Better Late than Never...)

I finally got around to getting some photos taken of a few of the holiday projects I made while up at Mom and Dad's over Christmas. I made this wood and paper snowflake (like the ones we've been making for a couple years now). It's covered with glass glitter and is VERY sparkly!

Mom, Aunt Patty and I always have a craft day (which usually lasts more than one day), and this year our primary project was covering unfinished wood shapes with holiday paper to make ornaments. This little reindeer was one of my favorites.

This Santa face looks very similar to one that Mom made. I used her idea for the fuzzy beard, mustache, and hat, and also her cute little sleepy eyes. I also used beads for the nose and mouth, just like she did! What can I say, I wanted my own sleepy Santa! *grin*

The wooden shapes are some that I picked up at the local craft/crap stores (JoAnn, Michael's, Hobby Lobby) prior to the holiday (and maybe even last year, or the year before). Some of them weren't necessarily "holiday" shapes, but we made them work for what we were doing.

It was fun decorating both sides, too!

I really liked using the heart shapes. I chose papers that were more "country" than "holiday", and then went on and added a tin snowflake... Doh!

Another shape we had several of were little wooden stockings. I added a scalloped paper ruffle to this one.

We used various papers, some from Cosmo Cricket, some from October Afternoon, and maybe a few others. Here are three hearts that I paper pieced (an idea I stole from my Mom!), but didn't get them finished.

I'm thinking I kind of like them like this, so I might just seal them up and use them as coasters instead of ornaments!

Here is another one that I didn't get finished. This is an example of one of the shapes we used that wasn't necessarily "holiday" themed. Once I get some rustic twine added, and maybe a tin star and button, won't this be cute hanging on the Christmas tree?

We have so much fun sitting around the dining room table working on our projects, giggling and laughing at our ideas. Mom is the silliest, and comes up with the craziest ideas! This was a star she was working on, turning it into quite the humorous Santa! *giggle*

Christmas is the only time of year we're together long enough to do anything like this, and it's so much FUN!

Dexter Calf Update... and a barnyard game!

Since we've got 5 babies on the farm right now, how about a little update and current photos?

The oldest of the five babies is Pixie Stix, born October 28, 2010. She's still as cute, and curious as can be! I took this photo this afternoon, after a morning of light rain. She'd been lovin' on the hay bale, next to her mother.

Harry (Dumbo) was next to be born, and joined the herd on the farm November 3, 2010. Once we got him to eat on his own, nothing held him back! He's really grown! I took this photo of him on Wednesday, earlier this week. See his little horns starting to come in? And how the sun has bleached out the tips of his ears! Cute!

Princess was next to deliver her baby, and we were THRILLED when we saw she'd delivered a heifer! Princess Grace (Gracie) was born on November 18, 2010. After years of little bull calves from Princess, it's about time we get her good-looks passed on to a girl! Gracie is adorable, and we love how the sun has bleached her hair to a dark auburn color. I took this photo of Gracie on Wednesday, earlier this week, when the sun was shining so nicely in the late afternoon.

Next to be welcomed to the farm was Riblet. Teeny tiny, but oh so CUTE! Riblet was born on November 29, 2010. He must be a real good eater, because he's growing like a weed! I took this photo of him earlier today, after a morning of light rain. Apparently he's been playing in the mud. You can see his little horn nubs, too.

Last but certainly not least, there's Pixie's Popsicle, born January 11, 2011. I think he hit the ground running, 'cause he certainly doen't quit moving very often! I can't believe how much he has changed in just a few days of life outside his mama! I took this photo this afternoon. He's been enjoying the rain and mud too, I see!

BARNYARD GAME: RIBLET VS POPSICLE

At only five days old Popsicle is already giving Riblet a run for his money. While I was out in the barnyard today, Popsicle initiated a game of headbutting with Riblet.

There was lots of head bonking on the part of Popsicle, and at first it seemed that Riblet wasn't too sure he should be playing with Popsicle. I think Popsicle was taking advantage of the fact that his mother didn't notice he'd wandered away from her!

They moved out of the mud closer to the trees, where the footing was a bit better. Now there was lots of head pushing, and Popsicle was really getting serious!

Riblet of course is much larger, but Popsicle gave it everything he's got!

Riblet didn't have to move much. He's quite a bit bigger than Popsicle, and is probably double his weight. But Popsicle didn't seem to care. He dug into the mud and did lots more head bonking!

Lots of heaving and pushing...and slipping and sliding, on the part of Popsicle. You'll notice Riblet has hardly moved! *grin*

After it was all over, Popsicle looked my way...

Doesn't he look like a little playground tease, sticking his tongue out at me!

"Just wait until your mother hears about this!" I told him... "You're five days old, and already causin' trouble!"

Love it! *grin*

Dill Pickle Soup

About 10 or 11 years ago, I spent a week or so in Toronto to attend company meetings. A coworker local to the area took me to dinner at a small family owned restaurant in the Polish community of Toronto. She insisted that I have pickle soup. I wasn't too sure about ordering it, but did so at her urging. I was pleasantly surprised... in fact, it was delicious!

I asked the owner about the ingredients, and she gave me a rough estimate of what to use (her recipe is obviously for a much larger batch). When I got home from my business trip, I did a bit of digging for a recipe that had the ingredients and approximate portions given to me by the restaurant owner. I keep the recipe in my #1 go-to cookbook, and see it there often.

While Alan was in Missouri earlier this week, I decided to make myself a batch using a jar of my homegrown and canned garlic dills. Mmmmm, good!

If you've never tried dill pickle soup and you like dill pickles, I encourage you to try this recipe! You might find it as enjoyable as I do! It's an easy recipe to cut in half, and the ingredients are simple -- you might even have them already on hand!

Dill Pickle Soup
from Anna (SweetMissDaisy) Wight

1 pound dill pickles
All of the pickle juice in the jar
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup sweet onion, chopped
2 minced garlic cloves
6 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup finely diced carrots
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
   (or 1 tablespoon dried dill weed)
1 cup heavy cream
Lemon juice to taste
Sour cream (dollop on top when soup is served)
**Small pre-cooked potato cubes can also be added**

Directions:
Remove the pickles from the juice and slice the pickles thinly, reserving all of the juice from the pickles and all of the juice in the jar. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a good sized soup pot. Add the pickle slices and saute them over medium heat for 3 minutes.

Push the pickles to one side of the soup pot, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, the onions and the garlic. Cook until soft and lightly browned. Combine the pickles with the onions and cook together for 1 minute.

Add 1 cup of stock and bring just to a boil, scraping up any browned goodness from the bottom of the pan. Add the rest of the stock, the reserved pickle juice, and the carrots (and the pre-cooked potato cubes if you choose to use them). Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes.

Knead together the softened butter, flour and dill into a ball and add it to the simmering soup, stirring to blend. Cook for 2 minutes, until the soup thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in cream.

Taste and adjust seasoning, remembering that salt tends to accentuate the SOUR flavor. If soup is not tart enough, add small amounts of lemon juice to taste.

Serve hot with dollops of sour cream. (This part is highly recommended!)

Enjoy!

modeling...poultry style!

The sun was out on Monday late afternoon and the light was really pretty with the snow, so I took my camera out to see what I could see. Shorty, one of the little roosters that lives here on the farm, always comes out to greet me when I get near the hen house. We had a little chat, mostly about the weather, and then we had a photo session. I think he liked it!

This is the "look off in the distance and pretend you don't know I'm here" pose.

Here's the "surprised, stop-action" pose. Pretty good, eh?

The "every day action" pose, similar to photos you'd find in clothing catalogs, like Eddie Bauer or LL Bean. You know, like the fellas who pose in flannel shirts and fleece lined denim... *grin* I think Shorty believes we're at a ski resort. Or Tahoe. Hot tottie, anyone?

Maybe the magazine this photo could be in would be called something like "FEATHERS" instead of "HAIR".

And the ultimate, the "over the shoulder seductive glance" pose.
"Does this pose make my butt look big?"

There's always something going on here at the farm...

Shorty isn't the only one to have an official photo session on the farm. In fact, lots of animals have! In case you missed it, Callio-Pea and Baaaaad Boxcar Betty review farm photo session rules and regulations, here.

Keep cozy!

Give this Photo a Caption

Welcome Pixie's Popsicle!

January 11, 8:00am.
I'm just sitting down to start work for the day when I remember my phone is laying on the kitchen table. I leave my office and step into the kitchen to grab the phone off of the table. The outdoor thermometer next to the kitchen window reads 22 degrees, and I can see by the branches of the trees outside that it's windy, too. In some places 22 degrees would be considered tropical for winter temperatures, but for here in Central Texas, that's just down-right COLD!

Something catches my eye out the window; something odd is standing in what's left of a round bale of hay out in the pasture. At first I think it's Riblet, our littlest black bull calf. He's the smallest in the herd. The way he is hunched up in the middle makes me think something might be wrong with him, like maybe he got injured in the night. A dreadful thought. If it is Riblet, it's odd that he isn't with his mother. The only other cow I see in the pasture is Pixie. Something isn't right.

I walk over to the other kitchen window to get a better look (a view not obstructed by tree branches), and it becomes very clear to me that what I am seeing isn't Riblet at all! Pixie, yes ... and HOLY COW, a new baby COW!

It's 22 degrees. I put on my hat, scarf, coat, gloves, and boots, and stuff my phone in a pocket. Alan is in Missouri spending some time with family, and will want to hear the news right away. I dial his number as I walk out the door.

Pixie isn't interested in letting me get near. She sees me walking towards the pasture and her and the baby hi-tail it (as quickly as a newborn can go) towards the far end of the pasture. Not wanting to stress her and the calf, I go back to the house and get in the car. I drive down the road and fence line in the direction she went. When I catch up with her, the two of them have joined the rest of the herd at the tree line. Little one is nursing, and all seems to be going well. Alan is thrilled!

Later in the day I pop outside to see where they might be. The entire herd is in the back pasture, and little one is enjoying a snooze in the hay, out of the wind.

After work and just before sunset, I take my camera out for some photos...

Meet Pixie's Popsicle!

Curious... and knock-kneed, with pink ears and nose!

"It was warmer INSIDE my mom!"

Momma-Pixie looking on.

Peek-a-boo!

Snack time!

High Hopes 100th Challenge Celebration Blog HOP!

It's an honor and privilege to have been asked to participate in the 100th Challenge Blog Hop Celebration for High Hopes Stamps! You'll want to start at the beginning of this hop, and read all of the details HERE on the High Hopes blog. There are fantastic prizes awarded - play along!!

As a past designer for High Hopes, I have quite a few images in my collection. For today's challenge it was "Anything Goes!" I chose a couple of small (but favorite), and somehow personal, images for my projects. Of course, I chose the CHICKEN! (Act surprised!) This flock of hens is all about celebrating with High Hopes! We've got Poof, Big Red, Butternut, Taffy and Speckles, ready for the hen party. Cluck, cluck! Let's get this party started!

I stamped the chicken image several times and colored each hen with markers. I cut each one out, and adhered them individually to the card using various heights of dimensional adhesive. And hey, how about that HAY!

I also made this simple little valentine themed tin. Can you tell me the name of the GOAT featured on the front?! There are lots and lots of Valentine themed images stamped on white cardstock, ready to be colored, tucked inside the tin. A handful of colored pencils complete the gift. This will be a fun little gift to send to a friend!

Your next stop on today's High Hopes Blog Hop is Debby!

Have fun!!

All stamped image by High Hopes Stamps.

A Rainbow of Organized SPARKLES!

I was in the middle of a crafty project and decided to take a few minutes to organize my selection of small Martha Stewart glitter tubes. These tubes are 3/4" wide, and about 2.5" long. I keep them in a small drawer unit next to my desk, which has drawers just deep enough for the glitter tubes to stand on end. Prior to being organized, they were getting a little out of control in the drawer, tipping this way and that way, and shifting around every time I opened and shut the drawer. Out of CONTROL, I tell you!

I guess you could call what I made a divided tray. I used several sheets of medium weight cardstock scored at 1", 3", 5", 6", and 8".  I accordion folded the cardstock along the score lines to create 1" horizontal surfaces divided by 2" vertical walls.

My new drawer tray works like a charm! No more tipping glitter tubes! And there was still room at the back of the drawer for the larger containers of glitter! Dazzling!

Snow PLAY! (Video)

Here's another video from today, featuring Mister Farley and Miss Daisy playing in the snow. They had a ball!

If you have trouble viewing the video here on the blog, you can see the video HERE on YouTube.

Tonight promises to be a chilly one! Bundle up, snuggle in, and keep it cozy!

Snow Day (Video)

I went out earlier and took some quick video clips of the farm activities. The snow was really coming down, and still is! About 4" have accumulated now. Fun!

Enjoy the video! ...oh, and you might notice that there isn't a chicken to be seen! They were ALL in the coop. Sissies!

If you have trouble viewing the video here on the blog, you can see the video HERE on YouTube.

Happy Snow Day!

PS: For those of you with relatively slow internet connections (Mom and Dad!), start the video, then press the PAUSE button (the button with two vertical bars) and allow the video to download. You will see the download progress by watching the red/pink progress bar extend. Once the progress bar is almost complete, press play again. This will allow you to watch the video without lots of stops and starts.

Sure enough... SNOW!

 It started snowing at 11am, and hasn't stopped yet. The flakes are HUGE, and full of moisture. They hit with a "splat". I took this photo through the kitchen window about 40 minutes after it started snowing, and it just keeps coming down! Cool!

The goats are hiding in the goat house. The barn cats are all tucked in, snuggled up. The cows and donkeys were munching on a hay bale, but have since moved into the barn. And the chickens ... well, some are out in the snow, others are snug in the hen house. They're not used to this kind of weather! As for me, I dig it!

Snow?

Well... this should be fun. It's supposed to start raining this evening, and they're projecting that tomorrow afternoon/evening we'll get 2 to 4 inches of snow. Alan added more hay to the outside dog houses, and the goat house. Lollie (the rabbit) got more hay, and the chicken house will need to be closed up. Time to pull out the hot cocoa! *grin*

SUPER Chicken

Mom and Dad gave Miss Daisy a new toy for Christmas... I think she loves it. *grin*

Mister Farley was laying in front of her, halfway into the kitchen. Pouting.

Scary *flash* eyes!

It's hard work being a puppy!

PS: Mister Farley got a new toy, too ... a stuffed TURKEY! Cool!

My Little Annie

I have been hard at work finishing up the colored versions my spring/summer images for the upcoming Whipper Snapper release (not certain of the release date yet ... I'll update you when I know for sure).

I thought you might like a sneak peek. *grin*

I love Annie dolls, and thought it was time I had a little cutie of my own! I am particularly fond of her bloomers and striped stockings...and of course, her pet chicken!

Here's waking up to a happy Friday! One more day until the weekend!

small updates make big impact

*sorry for the dark photos... but it's night-time!*

This evening I made a short valance curtain for over the window in front of the kitchen sink. The kitchen window is not a very large window so I didn't want to block out any light. I picked out this chicken fabric some time ago, but just hadn't gotten around to making the curtain. I'm pleased with how it turned out!

The short valance curtain will be just right, I think! And it looks nice with the newly painted walls. It's hard to tell in the dark photos but the walls are a light Tuscan yellow, which sure beats the *hideous* 1980 wallpaper we've been living with!

I'm not sure what year the counter tops were installed (or "updated") in the kitchen, but mmmmy-oh-my were we tired of them! As you can see, our counter tops were ORANGE -- and not just in the kitchen, but in the master bathroom, too!

I know, I know, you're jealous. You want orange counters for your very own...

Last year Alan replaced the bathroom counter with pretty white tile, and it's sooooo nice! This year, we're tackling the kitchen!

We chose a 12"x12" Italian porcelain tile for the counters and back splash. I wanted minimal grout lines, and the 12"x12" counter tiles made for quick (relatively) work. Alan has done a wonderful job putting in new tile counter tops! I love them! They're beautiful, clean up like a dream, and are a million-dollar improvement to the ORANGE we used to live with!

The After-Christmas Mess!

Time for a little tidying up, wouldn't you say?

This & That

Good morning! We're well underway now for 2011; hope it's been good for you so far! I flew back to Texas on Thursday, and Alan and I had a quiet weekend.

Friday night I futzed around in the kitchen doing some cleaning and organizing. Two weeks ago bought myself some cute Pyrex refridgerator dishes and wanted to make some room for them in the dish cupboard. They are from the Butterprint line of Pyrex from the late 50s, and feature a cute little chicken. I've been watching ebay listings for about a year, and finally just decided to buy myself some. I found a listing that wasn't overpriced, and the dishes were said to be in excellent condition with no chips. They arrived in perfect condition!

Fitting them in the cupboard started an entire re-fresh of all the cupboards. I used to have a squishy removable foam shelf liner in the dish cupboard. It was an ugly brown color, and needed to be washed. I got it all washed up and then decided to change it out for some pretty, flowery, heavy duty scrapbook paper. I like the paper lining much better - and it was an inexpensive way to freshen the cupboard! At midnight, I was washing the silverware tray. Pretty exciting stuff for a new years eve celebration! *grin*

I've drawn winners for the 2011 On the Farm calendar blog candy, and I've got good news for two lucky readers! I have decided to give away two calendars, instead of just one.

To celebrate the new year, I figured comment #11 should be celebrated! Comment #11 was by LacyQuilter who said "Happy new year, Anna. What a fun calendar. I've just been sitting reading. No parties."

I also chose one winner at random (#48 was drawn), and big congrats go to Boulderneigh Michelle who said "Since your "farm" photos are my favorite part of your blog, I'd love to win a calendar. We didn't really celebrate at all, old married folks that we are. :-)"

Get in touch with me ladies, and I'll get your calendars out to you right away! You have your choice of standard size (11" wide), or small (7" wide).

Today I'm cooking a turkey dinner for Alan's parents, nephew, and us. We haven't been able to celebrate Christmas together yet (various travel schedules), so a nice turkey dinner seemed like a good way to wrap up the weekend and spend time with the family.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend!