Good Stuff!

Yes, I put the Willow Tree Sampler away for now. I will finish it up next Spring. It just did not feel like a chilly weather stitch. I have been wanting to stitch an alphabet sampler but I did not want to start anything too big so I found an alphabet I like, pulled some fabric and threads. I am ready to start and it should be a quick stitch!

I have another round of infusions coming up again in January. I always work on an infusion project during this time so I want to get everything together and I usually start on them several weeks before the infusions start. As I have said before, my infusion projects are usually prayers or proverbs. This time my infusion project will be the Praise Sampler by Plumstreet Samplers.

What did I cook for dinner this week that I want to share? Chicken and Dumplings! One of my favorites but also one of the dishes I am very picky about. I set my standards compared to my Grandma's recipe. No one made chicken and dumplings like Grandma!  I have tried several recipes only to be disappointed. I was about ready to give up and just get my chicken and dumplings when we go to Cracker Barrel (who, BTW, makes wonderful chicken and dumplings. As close to my Grandma's as any I had found) but I found a new recipe I thought I would try and it was GOOD! It was easy too which was an added bonus! Now I can have my chicken and dumplings any time I want them! Excuse the picture. NOT ME got a bowl full before I could take the picture!

6 canned biscuits

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1 T olive oil

5 cups shredded chicken

1 T parssley

1/4 t dried Rosemary

1/4 t pepper

3 cans (14.5 oz. each) chicken broth

1 (4 oz) can mushrooms, drained

1 chicken bouillon cube

Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and set aside. In a large pot, saute onion and green pepper until tender. Stir in all the spices, bouillon cube, mushrooms and chicken. Mix well. Stir in broth.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add biscuits, one at a time. Cover and simmer for 11 minutes or until dumplings are done. (Do not lift cover while simmering). Enjoy!

I ordered a few clothes that arrived. One of my very favorite sweaters is the Thermal Hoodie from Roamans. Once again I borrowed a picture from Pinterest.  I have 5 of them now! They are so comfortable and extremely warm on a cold day! They are a little pricey but I watch for those sales!

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Chilly Mornings

I took a needed break from stitching for several days so I am not as far along as I hoped to be by now. A few new birds have found the tree.  I am getting really anxious to start on my next stitch so I better get a move on and finish this one up!  Maybe it is the cooler days but I am just not feeling this piece as strongly as I did when I first started. It just feels like more of a spring/summer stitch.

Speaking of cooler days, it is time to start putting out some food for the birds again. I have noticed a lot of cardinals hanging around outside my window in the mornings. It almost looks as though they are trying to get my attention!  I only feed them November thru the end of May. That covers the cold weather and nesting season. The rest of year they have plenty of insects and berries to keep them full.

I made an oldie but goodie for dinner the other night. I used to make this a lot when the boys were little and for some reason I just haven't made it in a long time. It was good and very filling! Even the Grumpy Ol Gazer was pleasantly surprised when he got home from work and saw this sitting on the stove top. It is really hard for me to get good pictures of food. By the time I go get my camera, NOT ME has usually cut into it!

Impossible Cheeseburger Pie

1 lb. lean ground meat

1 large onion

pinch of salt

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 c Original Bisquick mix

1 cup milk

2 eggs

Heat oven to 400. Spray 9" pie plate with cooking spray.

Cook beef and onion in skillet till done. Remove, drain and put in pie plate.

Sprinkle cheese over hamburger.

Mix the rest and pour over mixture. Bake 25-30 minutes.

For those of you who have not heard the news, I have a third and invisible child. His name is NOT ME. He has obviously been around for years. Every time I ask "who did this" the culprit is always the same -- NOT ME.

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.