Scenes from Scottsboro

Here are some pics I took a few weeks ago while I was driving home. The sunset was so pretty--I love this time of day! The first one was taken in Powell, the other two are in Scottsboro, right before you cross the B.B. Comer bridge. I love the views here--I try to keep my camera with me to take pics while I'm out. You never know what you might see!!!

Today's my day to babysit....

I always look forward to Mondays--that's the day I babysit my nephew, Jackson. Last week we went to K-mart and looked at Christmas decorations and he thought it was a Christmas Wonderland! lol! We had to listen to every dancing Santa and check out every aisle about 3 times while he yelled "ho, ho! ho ho!" Then when we left, he cried and kept saying, "ho, ho....ho, so". I promised him he'd be seeing lots more Christmas decorations soon. I put my trees up Sunday, so he can come over and see those. I left Sookie in the room for about 30 seconds and when I came back, she already had an ornament down and was running off with it. And Pumpkin still can't leave it alone, so they can't go in the rooms with trees unless I'm there to supervise!

Recycle!

I'm always trying to find new uses for old stuff around here...that's why I had to laugh when I saw Little Bit sleeping inside this old flour bin! I guess she's doing the same thing we are....

Trip to Kentucky

 
  These are some pics from a recent road trip to Kentucky...my husband bought a bunch of old post office boxes (really cool!) so I rode with him to pick  them up. We had a blow out on the way, but it was still a fun trip. Standing on the interstate to change the tire wasn't so good, but besides that it was fun...enjoy the pics!

 

Carving Jack-o-Lanterns

We finally carved our jack-o-lanterns last night! Mine is the classic looking one on the left and my husband's is the one on the right with one eye! While we were carving, I roasted the seeds and they were yummy! I had 1½ c. of seeds, so you can adjust your recipe accordingly. Be sure to wash the seeds, remove any stringy pulp and pat dry. Mix seeds with 1/4 c. melted butter, ½ t. garlic salt, ½ t. onion salt, a dash of paprika and a dash of chili powder. Mix well, spread in a large casserole dish or cookie sheet and bake at 300 for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until roasted. We could barely wait for them to cool!

I have some new patterns, new doll hair, glitter, etc. on my supply site! Click here to see my newest stuff. I have Pee Wee the cat (pictured)...he's so funny, don't you think? I have Pineapple Annie & Sissy the cat--they were recently featured in Create & Decorate magazine. Then there's Snowflake the Snowgirl. I don't have any finished stuff listed lately, but I'm working on a lot of paperclay things now. I like to let them dry a long time, to be sure they won't crack, so it will be a while before they're done. I'm planning to go to a show in May, so they are for that show. Trying to get started early this time. :)

I haven't really started much Christmas stuff--anyone else working on anything Christmas-ey or for the holidays? I have all this cool new glitter that I'm dying to try on some Christmas projects. I even have a new Christmas CD to listen to while I'm working on them. But I just can't make myself listen to that CD until after Halloween. ;) Sometimes I do listen to Christmas music during the year to inspire me, but I just can't do it too close to Halloween. Its my favorite holiday so I want to enjoy it all I can! But I'd love to hear what y'all all have planned for the holidays. What about your menus? Planning those yet? You know I always love a new good recipe if any of you want to share! (Hint!)

 

Brrrr....its gettin' cold!!

Hey, Strangers! I've been pretty busy--cooking, canning, going to the beach working....etc, etc. etc. I was talking to my friend,

Helena

this morning about how long its been since I blogged. Shame on ME!

For some reason, when the weather starts to cool off, I love to cook and do stuff around the house. The other night I made one of my favorite cold weather recipes, White Chicken Chili. I toasted some sourdough bread and poured the chili over it and it was SO good! I promised Helena I'd post the recipe....

White Chicken Chili

4 T. olive oil, divided

3 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½" pieces

1 T. ground chipotle chile pepper (I couldn't find this--left it out and it was fine)

2½ t. ground cumin

1½ t. salt

1 t. ground coriander

1/4 t. ground red pepper

1½ c. chopped yellow onion

3/4 c. chopped pablano pepper

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded & minced

2 T. minced garlic

4 bay leaves

1 quart chicken broth

2 (4 oz.) cans diced green chiles

2 (16 oz) cans canellini beans

2 (16 oz) cans navy beans

4 c. grated monterey jack

1 c. sour cream

Heat 2 T. olive oil over med-high heat. Add chicken, chili pepper, cumin, salt, coriander, ground red pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 8-10 minutes or until browned. Remove to bowl. In same pan, heat remaining olive oil. Add onion, pablano, jalapeno, garlic & bay leaves. Cook 4-5 minutes, until tender. Add reserved chicken, broth, green chiles. Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans. Cook 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove & discard bay leaves. Add grated cheese and sour cream, stirring until cheese is melted.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Pumpkin Patch with 2 of my sisters, brother-in-law & nephew. We had a good time even though we missed the ones that didn't get to go! My pumpkin is still sitting out there waiting to be carved. Maybe I'll carve it this weekend! I finally ordered Hocus Pocus so I can watch it before Halloween. I planned on dressing up as one of the Sanderson sisters for our party this year, but we decided not to have one this year. I guess I have a head start on next year's costume!

 

Losing teeth...

No, I'm not losing my teeth...but CJ lost a couple! I took him to the vet yesterday because of some problems with his gums/teeth & to get his shots. He had broken off one tooth and that one had to be pulled. Then he had a baby tooth that never fell out and another came in beside it, so that one was pulled too! He got his vaccines and guess he had a reaction to that....he had a fever today and wouldn't eat. He got some prednisone through the day and he is finally eating and feeling better. Of course I worried about him until he was better! ;) I took THREE cats to the vet yesterday...41 lbs of cats! That was a big job, but at least I can check those 3 off my list!

This Saturday we had a birthday party for all the August birthdays (Daddy, my sisters Ranee & Lisa and my nephew's girlfriend!). We went to the park to take pics--Jackson had a ball, as you can see from the big grin on his face! We should all be more like him--I think he has fun where ever he goes...

I have some big changes coming to The Cat's  Pyjamas soon. Will be carrying some brand new stuff--I can't wait to get it all on the site! And tonight is my night to create--haven't had much time for that lately. I took a nap today so I could stay up late and make some stuff!!