Mushroom Musings

Last week, after hearing our hired hand go on and on about all the mushrooms he had been finding, we decided that we wanted a little piece of the action.

Ryan's mom stayed home with the little people, and the rest of us headed out to the woods.

Not having the best record for finding the little buggers, I took my camera.

I have not seen a Trillium since we lived in Michigan.

They were beautiful.

I dated a drummer once.

The name of his band was "Trillium".

I wonder where he/they are now.

YEE HAW! I found one!

I did just what my dad said, and stood perfectly still, looked around until I found the second one!

Then the third,

fourth.
and back to the flowers...

fifth,

sixth,

ooh, pretty fungus!

Some of my findings... I've never really seen these kind before.  The ones I have found had a bigger top.

Each Trillium looked different to me.

Oh! a white one.  I really am that easily distracted.  But isn't that what you do in the woods? Let you thoughts wander?

Two at once!
By this time, Elizabeth was completely frustrated.  She had only found one or two.  Ryan was neck and neck with his dad, and William was looking for snails.

At the end of the day, I declared myself the winner.

Our little "mess" was pretty tasty!

Sunday we decided to go out again, a different spot this time.

I found the first one,

William found the most,

and Ryan found the biggest!

Hot Pink Button Down

My third, and final entry!

Being a faithful "What Not To Wear" watcher, I wanted to make a top with some structure.

I chose this "New Look" pattern from the rack at Wal-mart.  I know, I know.. but it's here, and it seems I'm always there.

New Look 6407

I made view "B", and could not be happier with the way it turned out.  It fits like a glove, and I really like this hot pink fabric I found at Joanns.  It was back with the quilting cotton, so I may like it a lot less if I see someone carrying it around on a bag, or heaven forbid, in an actual quilt.

I followed the pattern exactly, and I hope to make some of the other views soon.

While making these projects, I got more comfortable with my rolled hem foot, used my serger for the first time, AND my button hole foot!  I've been sewing for as long as I can remember, but mostly just the basics.  I've always let my mom do the "fancy" stuff.  Thanks Rae for motivating me to try some new things!

Silky Floral Blouse

My second entry for:

The rules state that you can enter three tops, so I made three. The over-achiever that I am. Bwah ha ha.

I think this one may be my favorite. I'm not sure.

I used the same pattern, (See & Sew 4427) making a few of the same alterations.

My Silky Floral Blouse

I really hate all these "basic" names.  Maybe I should start giving them real names, like my shoes...  In that case, this blouse reminds me of a "Meredith".

I shortened the sleeves to a "tea" or "capri" length.   I know those are hem length terms, but what do you call it on a sleeve??  I left the over-all length of the top the same, but added elastic at the hem and on the sleeves about three inches in to form a "blouse" effect.  Since I made this one after the "Spring Green Top", I made the front opening much smaller.  I also had to take in the back piece so the neck was not so sloppy.  I don't need that two year old I carry around to show my goods.

I've never worked with a silky fabric like this before.  It slipped all over the place, and I had to be really careful not to snag it with my pins.

I purchased the fabric at Joanns, in the "silky section".  Besides my local quilt shop, it's the closest fabric store around, and it is an hour away.  I'm going to have to start purchasing fabric online - the selection is so much better.

This silky fabric motivated me to get out my serger.  Yup.  The same one I got for Christmas five months ago.

I LOVE it.  I should have used it sooner!!  Threading it was kind of a pain.  I slowly read through all forty steps, making sure I had everything where it was supposed to go.  As I'm struggling to get the last needle threaded, I read:  "Use of tweezers in the accessory set will make needle eye threading easy".  NO KIDDING. Maybe you should have put that at the BEGINNING.

I am so pleased with the way it finishes the seams.  It gives such a professional look!

Spring Green Top

Rae over at "Made by Rae" completely inspired me to do some selfish sewing last weekend.  That, and hating everything in my closet.  Rae is the lovely host of:

You can check her out by clicking on the button above, or her name over there on the right with all the other  fabulous blogs I follow.

I first scoured my closet for anything I liked, and thought looked good.  Being a "bigger" girl, I wanted to make a style I felt comfortable in.
I stumbled across this pattern on ebay:

and thought I could make it work.

After two hours in Joanns, I found this really great fabric.  It is a beautiful green color, but what really sold me was how it felt.  It is a very soft cotton labeled "Lisette".

My "Spring Green Top"

I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.  Loving the way it feels on!

I'm not very comfortable altering patterns unless I've made one according to the directions first. (Weird, I know.  I also have to clean the bathrooms before I clean the kitchen.  I blame my Mother.)  But, I didn't really want a top like the pattern, so out on a limb I went. 

The blouse in the photo looked really long, so I shortened it up. (after comparing to blouse in my closet)

I also wanted short sleeves, it's spring folks!  (finally)

I've never sewn this kind of neckline before, and as it turned out... the opening went all the way to my belly button, so I had to sew it up.


The fabric wanted to snag a little, but after switching to one of my super sharp needles, it worked up perfectly.

A few weeks ago, T. asked me if I had seen the sewing foot that made a rolled hem.
Nope.
Turns out I have two.  Different sizes.
After watching a few youtube videos, I think I've got the hang of it.

Works like a charm!

Crock Pot Tapioca

Crock Pot Tapioca Pudding

Ingredients:

2 quarts milk

1 cup small pearl tapioca

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 8-10 oz container cool whip

Directions:

 Stir milk, tapioca and sugar together in crock pot.  Cook on high for three hours or until tapioca is clear.

Beat eggs, add vanilla.  Temper eggs by adding in a small amount of tapioca, stir.  Whisk eggs mixture into crock pot, cook 20 more minutes.   Take out of crock pot, let cool and fold in cool whip. 

My variations:

*I hardly ever use small tapioca.  I like the big ones.

*If you want it sweeter, add another 1/2 cup of sugar.  I'm sweet enough.

*Sometimes, I eat it all before it gets to the cool whip stage.  

*It gets kind of "gummy" if you leave out the cool whip altogether, but I like it that way too.

Seriously?

I walked into the house this week and found this:

Isabelle had made herself a snack.  A cucumber with dip.
The entire bottle of dip.
Who's watching her anyway?

Farm Tour #1

Monday morning we hosted the first of three schools that will be visiting our farm this spring.  A group of seventeen pre-schoolers!

Fed, and petting the 4-H goats.

loved the horns.

A lot of kids get shy around the horses, but not this group.

They loved feeding them *fresh* grass and sweet grain.

Can you even see the calf in there?

Everyone petted, and some even let her suck on their fingers!

The main attraction.

No joke.

They all kept asking: "Where is the tractor?"

"Can we drive it?"

Cookies and Milk!

Thanks for coming!

Round two this afternoon!

UPDATE! 

Round #2!
 The Kindergarten class from St. Bernard.
Before going home they sang us a song:
"The sun makes the hay..."
so, so cute! 

Isabelle was very excited to see HER teacher for next year! 

Weekend Review

A little late for a weekend review, huh?

We've had a busy couple of days.  But that's ok.  I took photos.  Lots of photos. 
Elizabeth and William wanted to take "Expedition" chickens to the fair this year.  After pouring over photo after photo of chickens on the chicken website, they finally decided. Elizabeth wanted "Red Moderns", and William settled on "Red Frizzles". I ordered them through our local feed store and they arrived last Friday. For our fair you need to display a male/female pair. I ordered 6 of each kind hoping to get some of both genders, and allowing for unexpected deaths...


None of William's made it to the feed store.

As cute as it was watching this little guy kicking his feet in the air, I should have taken it as an omen.

Elizabeth's six were dead by Sunday evening.

Saturday morning was Elizabeth and William's first soccer game of the season.

Elizabeth and William are on the same team this year.  Elizabeth is not so cracked up about it, but it is so nice for me.  I don't have to juggle two different practice schedules, and at game time, Ryan and I can sit and watch both of them for the whole time. SO much nicer.

After all the rain we've gotten, the field was pretty wet and the kids fell often, but I don't think they noticed.

Saturday afternoon Ryan's parents arrived for a visit.  They are on their way home to Michigan after spending the winter in Florida.  The three older kids had fun taking turns sleeping in their new RV!

Saturday evening we celebrated Isabelle's 5th birthday! (with a few friends!)

Elizabeth made the cake and it turned out really cute.   Isabelle was happy with it.  Until later, when she said: "I wish I had a horsey cake instead.".  Brother.

I love this picture!

After opening this box with four sets of princess shoes, they were discussing who was going to wear what!

The decision:  Pink Cinderella on Grace, yellow Belle on Isabelle, and red/blue Snow White on Emma.

Girls after my own heart.

Mommy and Daddy with our little Princess.

My "good idea" party activity.  An egg hunt.  William had a blast filling the eggs and hiding them in the yard before the party, and all the "big" kids helped the "little" kids find them!  Everyone got to take home a fun box of candy!

Sunday we took a nice long walk, Isabelle rode her new bike almost the entire time - over 3 miles!

Isabelle, Jackson and I all got sunburned.  Grr.  I forget sunscreen for my pale little babies.

Sunday evening the kids had fun with Isabelle's new bubble machine!

Spicy Rice Skillet

Spicy Rice Skillet

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef

1 large onion-chopped

1 green pepper-chopped

1 quart diced tomatoes (un-drained)

2, 4 ounce cans diced green chili's

2 Tablespoons chili powder

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoons pepper

1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

2 cups sour cream

2 cups shredded yellow cheese

4 cups cooked whole grain rice

Corn chips

Directions:

Brown beef, onion and green pepper.  Add next eight ingredients, simmer ten minutes.  Add rice, sour cream and cheese.  Cook over low heat till cheese melts.  Serve with chips.

I got this recipe from my neighbor, Deanne and we love it.  I take it frequently to parties- it's a great "hearty" appetizer.  It doesn't look to appetizing, but it is really, really good! 

A few substitutions that I typically make:

*substitute sausage for beef, or half and half.

*omit the chili's...I forget to buy.

*omit the green pepper....forget to buy that too.

*omit the Tabasco sauce.  Not everyone in my family likes it hot!