Hot Chipped Beef Dip

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. milk
1 (2 1/2 oz) jar dried beef, cut in pieces
1 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp. butter
11 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 small onion chopped

Oven toast pecans in butter and salt. Mix cheese, milk, beef, green pepper, onion. Fold in sour cream and half the nuts. Place in baking dish and sprinkle the remaining nuts on top. Bake at 350 for 20 min. Serve hot with crackers or bread.

Enjoy!!
Blessings,
Linda

Eye Candy

Here are some pictures of our craft booth. The first belongs to my friend Rose. I have some of her products for sell on my selling website. If you see anything you're interested in, just let me know, and I'll gladly send you price and availability.

Go check out the Christmas Item Sales on http://www.fullcupblessings.com/

This craft booth belongs to me:

Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls



1 lb. Hot Sausage

2 Cups Sharp Shredded Cheddar Cheese

2 Cups Bisquick

1 Egg



Mix together, roll in a ball and bake 15 minutes at 375 degrees.

Magic Meat Loaf - Crock Pot Recipe

Here is another favorite for my family. So easy too!!!



I love crock pot recipes. Makes it so nice to have it ready when you walk in the door, or have a busy day at home.



2 pounds ground beef

2 eggs

1/3 cup quick cooking oats

1 package dry onion soup mix

1/2 cup ketchup



Reserve 2 tablespoons ketchup. Combine all other ingredients and place in crock pot. Spread remaning ketchup on top. Place in crock pot, cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4-6 hours.



Note: I have also mixed this up and placed in freezer. It freezes well!



Enjoy!



Blessings,

Linda

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving

Just wanted to pop in and tell everyone to have a safe, and happy Thanksgiving. We will be spending Thanksgiving with my parents and my brother's family. It is so nice to have this family time to relax, eat, and just spend time together. Everyone stays so busy all the time!! I look forward to this time of year with the Holiday's approaching. Just being together and having great fellowship means more to me than anything.

Also, prayers being sent to families who have lost loved ones this year. To my friend Sara, who lost her dad two weeks ago, my heart goes out to you. Also, to families that have members serving our country, who are not able to be home for the Holiday's. Thank you for your sacrifice of being away from your family to keep mine safe.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Blessings,
Linda

If you Give a Moose a Muffin Monday

I love these books, and my kids loved me to read these books to them (when they were little anyway sniff, sniff).

Well this is exactly how I feel today. Every time I turn around to do something...I see something else that needs to be done, and I'm not getting a lot accomplished. It's all good though, I'll get there.

I have so many things to be thankful for!! It's going to be a wonderful Thanksgiving week, and I'm looking forward to spending a lot of quality time with my family.

Open house this week at the shop where my craft booth is located. I'm still working on some things to get there, and I keep telling myself after this is done I'll concentrate on the house, or baking some goodies, or washing clothes, or shopping, or decorating, or, or this, or, or that. My list just keeps getting longer.

Blessings,
Linda

Butterscotch Delight

Here is a favorite family recipe. I will be making this for dessert to take for Thanksgiving Dinner at my parents. Hope you enjoy!!

Butterscotch Delight

1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 stick butter
2 small packages instant butterscotch pudding
1 cup cool whip (I usually buy the larger one)
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese
3 cups milk

Mix flour, butter, pecans and press in bottom of greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown at 375 degrees. Cool completely.

Mix powdered sugar, cream cheese & cool whip in one bowl. Mix pudding & milk in another bowl. Layer the two mixtures on cooled crust, ending with additional cool whip on top. I usually reserve some chopped nuts for garnish.

This recipe can be used with other flavors of pudding.

Blessings,
Linda

I must be CrAzY

Tonight is the big premier of "New Moon" oh, joy, joy!!! I promised my daughter we would go, got the tickets online about a month ago. Now, I'm thinking I must have been delirious when I told her we would go. They have sold 1700 tickets at our local theater...Can you just imagine 1700 screaming teenagers seeing Edward on the big screen (give or take a few hundred crazy mom's like me)?!! Can you imagine standing in line just to get a seat? Can you imagine standing in line with 1700 people, to get a seat, in the pouring rain? Oh, oh, oh....It gets better. I have daycare kids who arrive tomorrow morning at 7:15 - 4:00 THEN my husband and I have Bingo Night, starting at 5:00 (we work bingo a couple times a year to help fund our daughter's softball team) eeeeek!!! We will probably be there until 11:00. Yes...I would say the word of the day is CrAzy!!

Can you tell I love Snowmen?

We have a Fall Open House at our shop next weekend, so I'm trying to get some things finished.

We've been so busy here at home....as usual!!!! We have several family members in the hospital, so please keep them in your prayers.

With the Holiday Season just around the corner, I know everyone is busy in their own little world, but I know, in my little world, my family & I need to stop and remember what the real season is all about. Everything gets so commercialized and people don't stop to give thanks on Thanksgiving, or remember that we are celebrating the Birthday of Christ....we just go along in our busy world, trying to buy this, and that. Hopefully we can take time to remember what the Holiday Season is all about.

Blessings,
Linda

Our Trip to Amish Country

Oh my Goodness!!! Hubby and I just got back from a wonderful trip to The Amish Country in Lancaster, Pa. I LOVE visiting this area. Usually I go with my mom & friends, and we've been going once or twice a year for 20 years now. This time was relaxing time for hubby & I. We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary in September, but were unable to do anything then....with our daughter playing softball, we were still having tournaments. So, we went this past weekend and stayed at a Bed & Breakfast and it was wonderful. Hubby about died with NO TV reception, but he survived. We also saw "The Miracle of Christmas" and words cannot describe what a wonderful show this was...just awesome. On top of the fun, I probably gained 10 pounds, the food is soooo good in this area. I did do a little shopping and have some great ideas for our booth, and website. Problem is..getting it all done. Here are some pictures.

Look what I've been working on:

I've been working on this little snowman. I think he turned out pretty cute. I've added him to my selling site, but not so sure I want to let him go. I think I'll make one for myself while I'm at it. It's tough getting started into crafting & sewing again, I don't have my supplies built up, so it seems I'm constantly needing to run to the craft store for materials and supplies. I think I got a pretty good deal the other day at Joanne Fabrics. I found warm & natural batting in queen size for $9.99. The sales lady told me it was much cheaper than buying it by the yard. They only had one left, so I'm lucky I got it. Have a great Tuesday!!

Blessings,
Linda

Pumpkin Oatmeal Scotchies

I've been following And Baby Makes Five Blog. Every week she has a recipe swap, and starting today it's a Holiday Recipe Swap. I enjoy getting these yummy recipes each week. Join in!!

I can tell you this recipe I got from Mommy's Kitchen is a new favorite for my family. These Pumpkin Oatmeal Scotchies were delicious, and so moist. You've got to try them!








Pumpkin Oatmeal Scotchies
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 - 1 cup canned or fresh pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups quick or old fashioned oats (I used quick oats)
1 2/3 cups (11 oz pkg.) Nestle Butterscotch Chips

Preheat oven to 375. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 7-8 minutes for chewy cookies or 9 to 10 minutes from crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Reindeer Ornaments

Well, I've been working on these cute little Reindeer Ornaments. Thought I'd share. I've added a couple to my website, and I'm putting some on my Christmas Tree in my booth. We are starting to stock for Christmas, so I hope to have some pictures to share.


I got this adorable little pattern from The Olde Country Cupboard. Simple to make...even for me. I changed it just a little by using a pip sprig for antlers instead of sticks. A BIG THANK YOU to The Olde Country Cupboard for sharing your pattern.



Can you believe October is already behind us!! I'm telling you, I just don't know where the times goes. I hope everyone had a safe Halloween.

Blessings,
Linda

Craft Booth Photos

Here are some pictures of my craft booth. I know they are a little dark, but I didn't use the flash. I went during store hours and didn't want to disturb anyone with a flash. Mom & I are starting to put Christmas in on Monday, so I thought I'd post a few before then.

Remember my $3.00 shelf find...Well, this is it. Perfect for what I needed.

A Beautiful Fall Day

It has been the most beautiful day here in the Mountains of Virginia. Hubby & I enjoyed a motorcycle ride today with my dad, and a few friends. We ended up going about 100 miles. It was a nice ending to the weekend. Here are some pictures.

I FINALLY DID IT!!!!

YAY - I opened my own selling website. WOW, I am so excited. I have worked so hard getting this started. I want to say THANK YOU to Amy at AmyBug's Primitive Attic. She has been awesome. I purchased the graphics from her and just went by the directions on the DIY website. She has been so kind and has responded and helped with any questions I have had. So...if any of you want to take the big step...I highly recommend Amy!!

Please check it out and let me know what you think. You can click on the banner to the right or just go here.

Blessings,
Linda

Going Back in Time

Last weekend my daughter & I visited The Big Otter Mill. They had a little festival and are trying to raise money to restore it to working order. My great, great, great grandfather built this mill around 1920. I was just mesmerized at the workmanship of this Mill. I got to meet some extended family too. I can't wait to visit again and take the rest of my family. My father is a genealogy buff and has traced our ancestors back 100's of years. I am so glad he has taken the time and worked so hard to learn about our family. It's a great thing to pass to my children. Any other genealogy searchers out there?

Blog Award

Thank you very much Krissy for the blog award!! I am so new to this whole blogging world, but am having a lot of fun.

I am passing along this award to 15 blog sites I LOVE to visit....in no particular order...here they are:

A Primitive Place

Mommy's Kitchen

Palmer Falls Primitives

The Pickled Pepper Patch

The Country Girl At Home

Home is Where the Heart Is

Eat At Home

And Baby Makes Five

The Primitive Country Bug

Olde Annie Primitives

Making a House a Home

Taylor's Farmhouse Attic

Behind My Red Door

At Home with Amy

Simply Prim

Fall????

Sure felt like Winter today!!! Our daughter had a softball tournament and the high here today was a balmy 53 degrees...now, that doesn't sound all that cold, but add to the fact there was no sun, and the wind was blowing...it was down right COLD. They ended up winning all their games, even though she was just a cheer leader. She fractured her wrist and just got the cast off yesterday, so she is out of commission for a few weeks...just in time for the season to end. We came home to chili in the crockpot (thanks Rachel - it was soooo good) and a football game on TV. Doesn't get any better than that.

On another note. I am waiting on my website to be set up. I ordered everything on Monday...so, stay tuned. I'm really exciting about this new adventure.

Have a wonderful weekend (what's left of it)
Linda

Simple Times

Do you ever wonder how our ancestors would react to our world today if they could come back? I mean really!!! What happened to the simple times. Were they really simple back then? Did they feel overwhelmed with life as they lived it? Like I feel today? Yesterday, when I did 8 loads of laundry I had to stop and think about it. They didn't have washing machines....they scrubbed on boards in a creek. They made all their clothes, cooked all the meals, from scratch I might add. No boxed cake mixes or packaged cookies. They didn't have Kroger to run to. My conclusion...they didn't own 10 pairs of jeans, and didn't change clothes 3 times a day (like my son). They didn't have softball practice, or soccer practice...women didn't work outside of the home. I know they were just as busy....just a different kind of busy. I think I could live like that for a day (or two) - hmmmm wonder what they would think of microwaves, ice makers, running water, and flushing toilets???

Okay - I feel better now!!
Have a great one,
Linda

Black Bean Salsa

Note to Self: Dear Linda, Please put the Salsa in the Pumpkin before your son eats it all.

I should have put the Salsa in the pumpkin before I told my son what we were having for dinner. I then played taxi and dropped my daughter off, came home to this....it's all I had left.....one little bowl of salsa. Yep, he downed it.

Okay - the idea is to make the salsa and place inside a cleaned out pumpkin. We had chicken enchiladas and this YUMMY Black Bean Salsa (what was left of it). Makes for a great display if you have a Fall Party to attend.

Black Bean Salsa

1 15oz can black beans drained and rinsed
1/2 cup red pepper diced
1 cup corn nibbletts
1/4 cup sweet onion chopped
3 tbsp. celery
2 tbsp. minced jalapeno pepper - optional
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. red vinegar
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. commercially prepared salsa
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.

Enjoy,
Linda

I'm still recovering from our very busy weekend. My daughter had her Homecoming Dance. Her softball team also had a tournament. Even though she can't play due to a fractured wrist, she still wanted to go to the first game to cheer her team....then we had nails done, hair done, picked up flower and dressing up. She was beautiful and they had a great time.

We have just about completed our craft booth. I still haven't taken pictures....I forget to take my camera. Oh well!! next time. I've got another Fall Recipe I want to share, so I'll do that later this week.

Have a Blessed Tuesday,
Linda

Buttermilk Chocolate Bread

Yay - Finally Friday!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful upcoming weekend. Pictures coming soon on the stocking of our craft booth (Just have to go over and take some). Thought I'd share the chocolate muffin recipe I made for the church bake sale (recipe from Lynns Kitchen Adventures). Enjoy and have a wonderful Friday.
Linda

Buttermilk Chocolate Bread
1 stick butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips

You can bake this in a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan, but I decided to make muffins. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the buttermilk. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking powder, baking soda & salt. Stir into buttermilk mixture until moistened. Mix in 1 cup chocolate chips. If making as bread....bake 55-60 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven. If making muffins...bake 18-20 minutes. YUMMY

Hello October

Okay - I mentioned earlier I had to bake some goodies for a Church Bake Sale. Here they are. All wrapped and ready. I made Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies and Chocolate, chocolate chip muffins.

Busy, busy

Busy day here today and the rest of the week!! We have Homecoming this weekend, so you know what that means. I'll be busy all day Sat., with picking up flower, nails done, hair done, pictures taken...yada yada yada. When did it get so complicated? When I was in high school...I painted my own nails, did my own hair with those electric hot rollers, plucked my own eyebrows......my how times have changed in just 3 years LOL!! I wouldn't trade it for anything though. Memories in the making, and my beautiful daughter will be just beautiful. Love you sweetie!!

Today I'll be making cookies and brownies for a church bake sale. I'll post pictures later. The bake sale is Saturday too, and hubby will drop the goodies off tomorrow morning. Also today...we will start moving into our new craft booth. My mom and dad just came from a shopping trip, so we'll have lots of new stuff. I wasn't able to go this time and I was bummed. Within the next couple weeks I hope to have a selling blog or website set up to sell our goodies.

Have a great day!!
Linda

Jets

Is it Christmas?


This is what my son ask while I was fixing these. JETS!! See, I only (usually) make these once a year. Well, it was my sister in law's birthday and she loves them, so I made some for her birthday. Of course I made a double batch so my family could enjoy a little Christmas in September.


JETS

1 & 1/2 boxes powdered sugar
6 oz peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 sticks margarine
12 oz chocolate chips
1/2 block parafin wax

Mix margarine and sugar until creamy. Add vanilla and peanut butter and continue mixing until dough is formed. Roll in small balls, and dip with toothpick in the melted chocolate chip and wax mixture; place on wax paper until cooled.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Good Morning........as I try to type on a key stuck key board. Don't you hate it when you tell your kids 10000 times, NOT to drink at the computer. Wonder what part of the "NOT" did she not understand? Yep, our keyboard is a sticky pepsi mess.........thanks to my 15 year old.
Oh well, could have been worse....at least it didn't fry the computer.

Thought I'd share another recipe. My family loves these garlic mashed potatoes. The best part.........to my Weight Watcher friends.............they are only 3 points per serving.

7 cups peeled baking potatoes
6 garlic cloves - peeled
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons margarine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Place potatoes ad garlic in a saucepan. Cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer 20 minutes; drain. Return potatoes and garlic to pan. Add remaining ingredients; beat at medium speed until smooth. Enjoy!!

On - and don't pay much attention to the slab of butter on top of my potatoes...that doesn't count!!

Have a great Tuesday!
Linda

Hazel Nut Chocolate Mocha

Hello Monday!!

After a fabulous weekend, I’m ready to get this Monday started. I decided to change the blog look a little. I’m still so new to this, so I’ve been playing with it. How cool is the Blog Header picture???? This is a treasure. One of my great grandmother’s pictures. It’s about 100 years old. She had an old photo book and I borrowed it from my dad and have been scanning the pictures. I loved this one. Just a simple table with food, ready for a family gathering. I have a picture with the family sitting at this same table too. I just LOVE it!!

Woke up to a chilly morning, so I decided to make my copycat Hazelnut Mocha, my favorite from Starbucks ™. I don’t like regular coffee…never have…but add a little chocolate (or a lot), and some hazelnut cream, and syrup…and now we’re talking. This is how I make it:

Just brew regular coffee. While the coffee is brewing, add the Hershey syrup, hazelnut syrup, and hazelnut cream to your cup. I then nuk it for about 40 seconds in the microwave. I stir in the coffee, add some whipped cream on top, and waaalaaaa, a yummy beverage on a chilly morning. This is a favorite for my husband & I to take to Sunday School, or have on a cozy Saturday morning. Hope you enjoy!

Have a wonderful, blessed Monday!!

Linda

Prayer

Hope everyone is having a beautiful and restful Sunday. We are having a great day. It is absolutely gorgeous here. We had a great church service then had lunch with some friends of ours.

As I was listening to our pastor this morning, he made the comment about "how little" most people pray. It really hit home with me, especially being a mom. The bible tells us to "Pray without ceasing".....I Thessalonians 5:17.....If I'm not praying for my kids and my family like I should be....WHO IS? I will certainly be more diligent with my prayer time.

Have a wonderful Day!!
Linda

Moving Day

Busy, busy rainy day here. Our son is headed to the Virginia Tech Game. Our daughter is headed to the mall with a friend. My husband & I get the fun job of packing up our craft booth. We are moving to another location. Fun, Fun!! Hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed day.

TGIF - Wooohooo

Even if it is rainy here...at least it's Friday. A very busy weekend ahead for us. My mother and I are relocating our craft booth. Our previous craft mall has decided to close due to slow economy and we are thankful we have a place to relocate.

I found this cool shelf at a yard sale last week....$3.00....Now I will need to add top shelves and paint it. The top shelves that came with it are glass and I want to add wood shelves.

Blondies

Well, this is one of my families favorites. Usually doesn't last but a day around here. Now, if you went to elementary school in the Mountains of Virginia (like me) you would call them Congo Bars. Sometimes I would trade everything on my plate for another Congo Bar. They are also call Blondies. Anyway, super simple and they are yummy.

Congo Bars - Blondies

1 stick butter - melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch salt
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup nuts - optional
1/2 cup to 1 cup chocolate chips
(I'm the chocolate lover - 1 cup of morsels for me)

Butter 8x8 pan. Mix melted butter with brown sugar. Beat until smooth, then beat in egg, and add vanilla. Add salt and stir in flour. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.






Enjoy!!
Linda

A New Journey

Oh my Goodness. This is my very first start in the world of blogging. Hmm....I guess if I can get past all the mumbo, jumbo....figuring out things. I just might find a like it. Tell me? What in the world is a Gadget? I guess I'll learn as I go. I have lots of ideas to share and I enjoy reading other blogs. I love collecting crafty things, and eventually would like to have a selling blog. Don't know the difference in the two yet, but I'm learning. Hang with me on my new journey.