This is a picture of the latest apron I made.  Remember last week, I told you all I was taking the laundry soap and some dishcloths to a local store.  Well, she wanted them to sell and she said she would try to sell my aprons as well.  I hope to take her this one tomorrow.  Wouldn’t it be a blesssing if some of my homemade stuff starting selling?  I hope to use the money I make from selling my stuff to purchase school books for next year.

Today we are having a new soup recipe I got from a blogger friend, who got it from another blog.  I altered the recipe a little to better fit what I had on hand.  The recipe is

Super Easy Crockpot Hamburger Veggie Soup

1lb hamburger (I used london broil leftover from the other night chopped into small pieces)
1 onion, chopped and 1 tbsp. chopped garlic
1 can green beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
3 cups water
1 T chicken or beef broth powder
2 T Worcestershire sauce
1 can organic cream of mushroom soup (a brand such as Amy’s, found in health food stores)
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown hamburger and onions until meat is no longer pink and onions are soft. Add to crockpot. Add remaining ingredients, stir. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Serve with some hot homemade dinner rolls for a great meal.  I am hoping to do lots more crockpot meals.  The crockpot doesn’t heat up the house like using the stove does and it is easy (I think).

When I started making this soup, I realized I did not have any cream of mushroom soup.  I went on line and found this easy recipe to make my own.  I found it at CheapCooking.com The recipe is:

Make your Own “Cream of …” Soup

Whether you want to control the chemicals or the fat, making your own white sauce and flavoring it is cheaper and better for you than those canned cream of whatever soups.

• 2 Tbs butter
• 2 Tbs flour
• 1/4 tsp salt (optional)
• 1 cup milk

In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter. Sprinkle the flour over it and stir to incorporate. Cook over medium low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the milk.

Cream of chicken

If you want to make a cream of chicken flavored sauce, use half broth and half milk. If you have troubles getting this to be smooth, try heating the milk or broth before adding to the flour and butter. Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat, barely simmering, for a few minutes until thick.

Cheese sauce

To make a cheese sauce, add grated cheese and stir until melted.

Cream of celery or mushroom

To make a cream of some vegetable soup, saute 1/4 cup or so finely chopped celery, mushrooms, or onion in the butter before adding the flour and use half broth and half milk.

I am making cinnamon rolls for dessert so I guess I better get busy.  Enjoy your day and God bless.

They sure have grown!  Every time I see them they look so much bigger.  We discovered this morning that we have a female mallard duck nesting on the island now.  We are so excited!  We have wanted ducks to nest there since we moved here.  We’ve not sure why the ducks and the geese have decided that the island is now nest worthy but we sure are glad.  There is a big difference between the ducks and the geese.  The ducks are more secretive and the male is less aggressive.  Papa Goose is always on patrol, keeping away all others. 

I know it has been a long time since I made a post.  I have been busy this week helping Hubby with a job he had building a fence.  The girls took their school books and did school in the van while I helped him.  Last night the girls had their piano recital.  It all went very well.  They did a good job on their songs.    We have been busy this morning getting the yard mowed and other things that needed doing around the house. 

On Tuesday, I attempted to make homemade cottage cheese.  It DID NOT  turn out.  I’m not sure what I did wrong.  I followed the directions I got from the internet.  I think I need a different recipe.  Have any of you all ever made cottage cheese?  I sure would appreciate all info I can get. 

The girls found new kittens today in one of the old buildings.  It is always so exciting for them when they find new kittens.  These belong to one of our wild cats so we have no idea if she will leave them where they are or not.  Only time will tell.  We have much to do so I better get busy.  Enjoy your day and God bless.

I think these are such cheerful flowers.  I like their bright color.  They are among the last of the flowers to bloom in one of my flower gardens.  Fall is definitely in the air here in Floyd.  Cooler temperatures at night.  Upper 50′s lower 60′s.  We even spotted one tree that is starting to change colors.  I love fall!  Many people say summer has long lazy days.  This is usually not true for me.  Fall is more of a slow down time for us.  Most of the canning is done.  We can slow down and enjoy the cooler days.  I love it!  Of course,  I have had to slow down a little earlier than planned this year but I think I have learned a lot from this experience.  What have I learned?  I need to slow down a little, enjoy life more, laugh more, do more things with my girls.  There is much to be said for teaching my girls how to can and take care of the house but also there is much to be said for picnics under oak trees and hikes down favorite trails.  Balance-I think it is all about balance. 

Yesterday the girls and I made homemade vegetable beef soup with homemade rolls.  It is starting to feel like soup weather.  I told the girls the other day, these cooler temperatures makes me want to open up new school books.  Amazing-cooler temps does not have the same effect on them.   We wanted to make chocolate chip cookies yesterday but did not get them done.  I think that will be a project for today.  If we get to make them, I will try to post the recipe we use.  We have some corn that needs to be pulled and worked up so I guess that too will be on the list for today.  My list is not near as long as it was before the back pain.

Enjoy your day and God bless.

We received our new school books for next year.  This is always an exciting time for us.  We love looking at them to see what the next year will be about.  Of course, about half way through them they will not be near as exciting.  Oh well, enjoy the moment, right.  Temperatures have been rather chilly here.  30 degrees this morning with scattered frost.  Hopefully no damage done.  We spent the weekend at Jessica’s.  Saturday was her baby shower day.  She received many nice things but of course I forgot my camera, so no pictures.  Her mother-in-law got her a really nice bassinet.  She is going to use this upstairs in the bedroom for a while.  Then they will put up his crib.   We also celebrated Hubby’s birthday while we were there.  Hot dogs with all the fixin’s and birthday cake.  We had a great time.  As usual, though, it goes by too quick.  When we came home last night, it was pretty chilly in the house.  We hurried and built a fire.  We still have one going today but I think it is going to warm up nicely.  The sun is shining and it looks beautiful outside.  Hubby and I are going to get another load of wood while the girls stay here and work on school.  Dale-a friend from church- is bringing over his wood splitter this evening to let us borrow.  Thank you Dale and thank you Lord for provided us with such good friends.  We are truly blessed.  Enjoy your day and God bless.

This is a picture of the closest neighbor that we can see from our house.  The picture is zoomed in pretty close.  It actually is farther away than it appears.  I also wanted to show you the corn that is raised here on the farm.  Lots and lots of corn.  They cut it up for feed.   We can’t see the road from our house because of all the corn. It will soon be corn cutting time.  I hope to get pictures of that to post.  Today was spent on the road running errands.  Piano practice in the afternoon.  The highlight of the day was a stop at Lifeway Christian Store.  They have so many good books and studies there.  I could spend hours looking at them.  We do a Ladies Bible Study at my house and we are starting I & II Peter this week.  I think it will be an interesting study.  I always get excited when we start a new study or we get new school books.  The girls don’t always share my excitement.  George is working on another chair, so I think I’ll go help him.  God Bless.

I thought some of you might be wondering about the name of my blog.  I have a small business that I run  out of my home.  I make aprons, lap quilts, crochet dishcloths, afgans, and prayer shawls.  I have made enough  to buy the school books for this year.   I think that’s pretty good.  I have about 50 dishcloths made up to sell but I only have 3 aprons left.  As soon as Hubby gets to repair sewing machine I have to get busy with more aprons and lap quilts.  I enjoyed my long weekend with Jess and family.  We got a lot done.  George and Dave laid the tile on the bathroom floor and Jess and I painted her craft room.  She chose a bright yellow and she is thinking about going with bright red curtains and accessories.  I think it will be gorgeous.  I love yellow walls.  It makes the entire room so cheerful.  I also got lots of MawMaw hugs and a few kisses.  He’s stingy with his kisses.  Jasper (our puppy) had lots of play time with his brother, Buddy ( Daniel’s puppy).  It’s getting time to cook supper so I guess I’ll have to come up with some ideas.  Tomorrow I think I might try to can our beets.  I’ll post pictures if I do.  God Bless.