BABYSITTING ELLIE WITH GRANDPA

I borrowed a swing from my daughter for Ellie to use. She didn't like the travel one she has at her house so I wasn't sure how we would do today. She loved it so now Grandma dosn't have to hold her all day, not that I am complaning but there are a few things that have to be done in the day, like eat lunch

she was so relaxed she fell asleep. It plugs in so I won't go broke buying batteries

Grandpa was home today, his first day helping me babysit. He was showing her the christmas tree while I heated her bottle. She is breastfeeding and dosen't really like the bottle but she takes it after I coax her a bit.

I think she was ready to eat, if she is really hungry she takes the bottle better

now it was time to get dressed and go for a little walk, even if it is only around the house
Her Thanksgiving outfit from aunt Michelle

Oh Grandma!! You are always taking my picture
Am I really that cute??

THANKSGIVING WITH THE GRANDKIDS

Hunter loved grandmas pumpkin pie
Hunter and Eleanor getting to know each other



Eleanor not to sure about that big boy sitting next to her
Hunter isn't to sure about babies yet either.
We had a good day overall.

HOLIDAY BAKING HAS BEGUN

I am very thankful for having God-fearing parents who raised me the best they could and without them I would not be the person I am today. I am not able to spend this Holiday with them but I hope I can next year. They live in Washington State and I live in Minnesota, I will be there in spirit. Happy Thanksgiving mom and dad

Paul (my hubby) and I will be going to my sons house for Thanksgiving Dinner. I was responsible for bringing the pies and a cheeseball which I still have to make. While I was taking a break and enjoying an eggnog latte' I thought I would post a little something. I forgot to include something I am thankful for in my last couple of posts. I am really thankful for all the blogger friends that have allowed me to share in their lives and memories. I started this to stay in touch with some family members and have been blessed with much more.

After baking pies all afternoon I made one of those quick meals I was talking about before. I still had a little pork roast left over and had to use it up or throw it out so i opted for sweet and sour pork: I sauted about a 1/2 cup green pepper and 1/2 cup onions for a couple of minutes in olive oil then added the pork and about 1/2 cup pineapple. I mix together some sweet and sour sauce and to this I added 1 Tablespoon honey, brownsugar and apricot jam (each). Poured it over the meat and vegies and warmed everything through. Meanwhile I cooked some rice and dinner was ready. It tasted really good too!!

I need to work on my presentation but it really was very good, even my hubby commented how good it was . Just want to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

HAPPINGS AROUND THE COTTAGE

On Mondays I like to have soup during the winter months. I usually cook some type of roast for Sunday dinner so there is usually something leftover for soup on Monday, this week it was from a pork roast. My mother-in-law taught me how to make this soup. I call it saurkraut soup because I can't spell the German name for it. I like to serve potato rolls with it but it was my first day babysitting Eleanor so I didn't try to make them and served biscuits instead. (I have changed it slightly to suit my needs)

6-8 cups chicken stock
4-6 potatoes cubed

left over pork 1-2 cups cubed

1 -2 cups sauerkraut well rinsed or your soup will be sour

Put the first 3 ingredients together and simmer until the potatoes are cooked

add the sauerkraut and warm through.

( I usually use some of the drippings left from the roast to give the broth more flavor)

If you like you can use celery, onion a little carrot to make a soup stock added to the chicken stock you use. What ever you like to flavor it the way you like but I swear it is as good as chicken soup for what ails you.. might even cure the common cold. Give it a try!!

My homemade biscuits but this time I added an egg to make them extra rich

2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 - 1/3 cup shortening

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

mix the dry ingredients first add shortening then wet ingredients, roll out on floured board cut into shapes and Bake at 450 degrees for 10 -12 minutes

My first day with Ellie went very well. She is learning to take a bottle


Hey grandma I can't sit up yet


Grandmas house was so much fun I fell asleep just before daddy came to pick me up

NEW JOURNEY AT THE COTTAGE

Today we begin a new journey in my little corner of the world.

I will begin taking care of my granddaughter Eleanor.

This week will only be two days because of the Holiday

Most of the time it will be four days a week.

I hope I can make a difference

HOLIDAYS ARE NEAR...

With the Holidays just around the corner I thought I might share some quick recipes like the chili in one of my last posts. I usually spend a lot of time baking in the kitchen during this time of year and although I love cooking I do find it a bit overwhelming to spend the whole day baking and then having to cook dinner. I have found a few short-cuts that suit myself as well as my family like this spagetti, very easy and quick.

1/2 pound hamburger browned

1/2- 1cup sliced mushrooms

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 can diced italian style tomatoes

1 can or jar of your favorite spagetti type sauce

( homemade if you have one )

if you chose no meat I add some chopped green pepper

and 1/4 cup grated carrot

simmer for 15 minutes while cooking your pasta and it is ready
by using the fry pan I dirty fewer dishes

If you have time you can sit and enjoy an eggnog latte while things are simmering

When I was at the new Coburns store that just opened near us this is what I saw

I am not sure if it is something they just do here in the mid-west but
I do see alot of interesting things like this when out doing errands
if you have been following my blog you know what I am talking about with some of the pictures I have been sharing.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Last sunday we went to help my son put lights on his house the weather wasn't to cold so Eleanor came out to watch with her mommy It wasn't long before she grew to tired to watch her daddy on the roof

We went back inside and fell asleep in the bouncy

This Monday I will begin watching her 4 days a week while here mommy goes back to work.

She would love to stay home with her but like most young cou[ples who are trying to own a home in this economy she has to help out financially. She is hoping by the next child( if they are able to have another) she will be able to stay home with them.

CHILI AND CORNBREAD

CHILI

2 cans chili beans

1 can chili diced tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 can good beef broth

1 pound browned hamburger

( i use less because we are cutting down on red meat)

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon dry ground mustard

1/4 teaspoon or less celery seed

1-2 Tablespoons chili powder (more if you like)

This is an easy, fast, basic chili that tastes really good and isn't real hot.

but you could add what you like to suit your taste.

CORNBREAD

1 -1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

(mix together set aside)

2 eggs lightly beaten

1 cup milk

1/4 cup canola oil

mix together and add to dry ingredients

(don't over mix)

bake in a 9x9x2-inch pan at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes

( I use a cast-iron fry pan and bake the same way)

My tummy cannot take real hot and spicy food so this works well for me and still has a little kick to it. ENJOY!!!

WINTER IS COMING TO WOBEGON

We have had a very nice Fall which I am thankful for. There has been more rain this year and that usually makes me very homesick. I am from Washington State so for those of you who think I am nuts....It is what I know to be home. I traded in the wet, misty winters for cold, snowy ones about 9 years ago. To be very honest I am not as thankful for those, although, it is nice to have snow for Christmas.

What I am thankful for today is having my grandchildren come for Christmas. We have 5 now and all will be here this year. I will have my first childrens table and am looking forward to decorating it for the kids. I am thinking of putting a plastic tarp under it to save my carpet from spills. The oldest is 5 and youngest is 11 months so I am pretty sure there will be something under the table for them. The picture above is from 2 years ago and she is the now 5 year old.

It seems like we were waiting for grandchildren for so long , wondering if we would even be blessed by them. Last year there were 3 boys to be born but one,Noah, didn't make it. The real blessing was his parents conceived at christmastime and now we have Eleanor

Our holidays are so different from what I had growing up, I have to admit it is a bit of an adjustment. Families are not as large and don't live as close together so when someone is missing from the table you really notice. My husband and I are thinking of volunteering at a shelter or inviting a student from the college next year to share our meal. With all the children married and having other commitments it can be a bit lonely so we thought we could share with others who are alone or don't have families. I enjoy bringing a little happines to others.
I also need someone to eat all those baked goods I love to make and what better candidate then a lonely college student far from home.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL

VETERANS--THANK-YOU

THANK YOU TO ANY ONE WHO HAS SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES

In my family:

Grandpa

Dad and his 2 brothers

Husband

Husbands brother

Son

Nephews 3

SISTERS

I am thankful for my sisters. We haven't always gotten along but now that we are older they are some of the best friends I have. Not everyone has a sister and so I feel blessed to have 3. I also am thankful for sisters-in-law but couldn't find pictures of all of them so I decided not to post their pictures at this time. ( Kathy next time I see you we NEED to get a pictureTOGETHER) A sister will accept you even when others won't and listen to you even when you can be very annoying (me) sometimes. I have 2 older sisters and one younger and I love them all. Through thick and thin, good times and bad, life and death. I know we will be together always because we all have faith in Jesus Christ and have become Jesus followers ( accepted him as our personal savior) We have the privilege of knowing we will all be spending eternity together with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When I turned 50 they gave me a surprise birthday party in Chicago where my sister Judy lives.
My older sister ,Jean ,and baby sister, Joanne, flew out there from Washington State and I came down from Minnesota, I thought I was going to visit my sister for the weekend but SURPRISE !

We had a really good time and did the same for my youngest sister last year when she turned 50 only we all went to Washington State where she lives.

Jean the oldest (55)

Judy in the middle(54)

Alice (me 53)

Joanne the youngest and cutest (51 in 2 weeks)

I thank God for letting me have these sisters even though I didn't appreciate them as much growing up I have learned to value them as an adult. I love you girls!!!

COTTAGE IN NOVEMEMBER

With Thanksgiving almost upon us I began thinking how truely thankful I really am. I thought I might use my blog to share some things I am thankful for this month. The first one I am sharing is how thankful I am that God allowed My son to return home safely from Iraq. Along with my nephews. They are not in any of these pictures because they were not stationed together but all return home safely.

This is Camp Lejune North Carolina

Would you believe he was born two months early and weighed 3 pounds?

We had a celebration on the base for the homecoming.

We were waiting for his ship to come in

if you look closely there are 2 ships are out there

our little prayer vigil to remind us to pray for all of them

I am very proud of my son Michael who was willing to give his life for his country.

We are so thankful for all the men and women who protect us daily so we can enjoy our freedoms
I especially think about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and try to remember to pray for their families. It was a difficult time but we learned alot and grew alot. I have so much respect and admiration for these men and women who chose to fight for us. I am truely thankful.

COTTAGE TRICK-OR-TREAT

Trick or treat grandma...Eleanor is a pumpkin

Hey Grandma..what is this?

Hunter isn't sure about babies yet.

Trick or treat Grandma, where's the candy?

We gave the kids animal crackers and juice boxes

We had a last minute get-together with our son, his wife, and our daughter..oh yes and the grandkids. I put together a few snacks. Salmon dip, pizza bites, peanutbutter bars, caramel corn, all made that afternoon when I found out they would all be stopping by. We made caramel apple cider, coffee of course and a variety of spiced herb teas. opps almost forgeot some peanut brittle too!

We had a nice visit as I chased Hunter around trying to keep him out of the kitchen cupboards. climbing on the high chair or stool , and pulling cords out of the light-sockets. That's me chasing him around on the floor. He loves to play peak-a-boo. Happy harvest!