Safe from the Crazy World We Live in!

Good afternoon! I hope you've had a great week so far. The days go by so fast! It seems like the world is consumed with the Corona Virus and the elections and I find myself listening to non stop news. But you do have to take a breather! I take a walk outside and sit with all my chickens and just take in the sunshine and cool air. It clears your head in no time.

I had a great birthday! The cool chicken with ivy you see was one of my gifts! We had an awesome dinner an I enjoyed my favorite meal~prime rib! It was as delicious as it looks.

We went to Lowes to look at some bulbs for the garden and I came across the reduced flower carts. I've had great luck with the plants I've bought that were no longer "sale" pretty. I got lucky once again! These two beauties were $1 each. Okay so they didn't look exactly like that when I bought them, but they certainly reacted positively to the TLC and sunshine through the window!

Well, depending on this corona virus outbreak, I 'm hoping to still be able to attend "Chick Days" at some of my favorite nurseries and barns this weekend. I just don't know! It almost seems like we are preparing for a blizzard or a big storm. And just as fast as it arrived, I believe I will be gone!

I will be busy here! Decorating for Easter, caring for my family and pets, and sewing some pillows and runners. Happy in my world!

Birthday, Stitching, House Plants & Recipes

I love covered bridges. I'll be seeing some soon! Trips to Pennsylvania are my favorites and driving over and photographing them is awesome. What a work of art they are! They have to be preserved. They must be!

Anyway,.....I hope you are all well. I celebrated my birthday the other day and, as always, I am reminded of the very special people in my life. I was blessed with beautiful flowers, desserts and gifts. My husband's birthday is next Monday and we decided to gift ourselves to a show featuring singers and groups from the 1950's & 60's. I can't wait!

My mind has been going a mile a minute. Does that happen to you? Thinking of Spring! Chickens!! and of course my garden and Easter. I pulled out the Easter bins and I'm going to do my decorating very shortly. I put stuff away last year and couldn't find it and then I did and realized I had forgotten exactly what I bought! LOL  I just love when Easter is in April too. All the flowers seem to last longer and it feels like Spring. Something I'm excited to try this year, is starting seeds in eggshells! A site I visit called Fresh Eggs Daily, says to plant seeds in an egg shell. When you crack an egg to use it, save the halves and add a little soil and plant a seed. Set them back in the carton. Watch them grow! Once the plant grows, you can plant the eggshell into the garden! I'm gonna try it. Its not a new method but I never tried it and I do get lots of eggs from the chickens. I love the idea that you just plant the seedling and egg shell right into the dirt. Also, the lady who runs that page,  and her blog is awesome. She's an author, gardener and chicken lover. Check it out. 

My main focus this Spring and Summer for my vegetable and flower garden is planting not only what my family likes and uses, but what my chickens will enjoy and what will benefit the bees and butterflies. Its something I'm very interested in and I think I should do my part. Last year I planted a large variety of lettuces and green leafy vegetables. I scaled back on my varieties of tomatoes because by the time they were ripe enough to pick, they had either been penetrated by a bug or they split. The split tomatoes went to the chickens. So I planted several cherry tomato plants because they are so easy to grow and popping them into your mouth during the day when you need to snack is better than a cookie. 

Above is a beef and noodle casserole I made the other night. It was delicious. Egg noodles, onions, cream of mushroom soup, tomato soup, ground beef or sausage (I did both) and shredded cheddar. So good! and it hit the spot on a night that was very windy and rainy! I usually make one casserole style dinner a week. And my son comes home from work on his lunch hour and enjoys the leftovers!

I'm currently reading (again) this one:

I don't recall the book but I know I did read it. My Mom reads two Amish fiction books a week! And for several years I was the recipient of free Amish fiction novels as I was reading and reviewing them and my payment was that I got to keep the book! I have a whole library of them and I love them. Unfortunately, many of the book sites now only want to send you an E Book and I just can't do that. I still like to have my book in hand. I like to feel and see it and save it and SHARE it! Its remarkable that my Mom does read two week though. She was never a reader until a few years ago. Her first Amish book was "The Shunning" by Beverly Lewis and she was hooked. That was my first one too many, many years ago now. I can thank my dear cousin for introducing me to them!

I hope you have a wonderful afternoon!

Winter? Where Are You?

Winter? Sure doesn't seem like it. We had maybe 2" of snow so far! And while that makes a lot of people happy, including my husband, I'm missing it! And now I'm just thinking of Spring coming! Usually after Christmas I am in that mood for all things cozy~~snowstorms and cold weather. But now I feel like I have moved on! Actually March has produced some of our worst storms and blizzards so we still have a chance but to me March means Lancaster visits, Chick Days and vegetable garden planning! Stay tuned...maybe Winter will remember to visit us in the northeast but until then, my chickens are ready to have their coop unwrapped from the heavy plastic that blocks the cold and just enjoy nibbling grass and bugs!

For Valentine's Day, my husband bought me two beautiful house plants. I love house plants! My bif window in the kitchen already has many so now I have added some to the living room  Here's one and it is loving the sunny window. It's the pot of pink pretties on the table.

Last Sunday we had a great night~kinda like a date night! We had gotten tickets for a local performing arts theatre and saw a great show about the Sun Record Studios and the day that Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis were all there in the same studio together! It was an awesome show! Some of our friends have seen the show two and three times! We loved it. 

Before we went to the theatre we went to dinner and I had an amazing meal! Pan seared tuna over spinach and arugula! Sounds so fancy but it was really a great and satisfying entre'   I thought I would order something that would not be heavy in my stomach before a two hour theatre performance and it was perfect. My husband had steak and scallops and it was outstanding.  For dessert I had three flavored gelatos! Fun night! 

I'll be starting a new embroidery project. I recently found some kits on ebay that are a cross between Holly Hobbie and Amish country! I buy most of my kits on ebay because there are so many older kits available. A nice selection of unopened kits. The only problem is sometimes the print has faded on the fabric so its hard on the eyes. I'm managing!

So dinner for last night was Chicken Corn Chowder! It came out delicious! I always enjoy a bowl of this when I visit Lancaster but had only made it myself once before. Well, I will be making it more often! I shredded the remains of a big roasted chicken I had made and had leftover. Usually I make chicken pot pies with leftover chicken but I felt like having soup! I posted the recipe on my country decorating page if you are interested or else, just ask.

I hope you have a wonderful day! And Remember~~if you like my blog leave a message and "follow" me!

Hello February!

I think this was the first weekend of February in many years that we don't have snow on the ground or a storm coming! I know this because it always occurs on my son's birthday and there is always snow! I feel like we are having a non Winter! So unlike what we are used to. Sure we have had some bitterly cold days but no snow? We had like 3 inches so far the whole Winter...disappointing. 

You know what's great on a cold Winter day? Amish bread pudding! I make this almost every week! My Mom loves it and we add a dollop of cool whip on top and its so good. 

I've ben working around here rearranging and changing a few things. With no snow, I have Spring on my mind! Crazy!

I love changing up a few things. I have also been going through my things and giving some away that I haven't used in a long time. When we change things up, our things seem brand new again!

See that piece of exercise equipment in the rear of the above photo? Its an inversion table for your back. it tilts all the way back till you do a headstand and it takes all the pressure of your spine and opens up all your joints. Decompression! I am addicted to using it and  I am literally hanging upside down like a bat every morning! Gravity brings down all our weight on to our spine and joints and causes pain. This releases all the tension. Plus it's so relaxing. Can't start my day without it! and coffee!

Well, I have to get rolling. I have a couple of painting projects planned today. Once I have Mom settled this morning, I can start those. Just redoing a couple of little tables.

I wish you a wonderful day!

Good Morning!

Good Morning!  Yay! Moving the computer from my basement into my husband's home office is awesome and so much more convenient! There was a beautiful sunrise this morning and I just decided to snap a photo out one of my windows cause I loved the effect on my little country corner. I get up REALLY early. Even when I don't have to. Its my internal clock I guess. That and menopause!!! And menopause has been kicking my butt lately too but whatever...I 've been doing my dusting and cleaning; I try to get a lot done before Mom wakes up and then I have to devote time for her care so I'm glad I can function early. And everyone is up and out by 6:45am

I was rearranging a few things and decided to put some of my mouse collection in this shelf I bought from Kings Kountry Corner in Lancaster. I bought it on my last trip. I have heard others on the country decorating pages saying that "hearts"are a thing of the past but as I always say "I like what I like." And who could resist such a cute shelf!

I'm excited to see that prim country blue is making a return! When I got married in 1988 the color called Federal blue was the most popular. Blue is such an amazing color and I love blue bedrooms and bathrooms. I have blue in one of my bathrooms now. I am seeing more and more furniture pieces and fabrics with blue and that's awesome. Blue fits in well with even the country décor you have now. try it and you'll see. Even with black and tan and burgundy color scheme, I will definitely be adding in some blue. When I go to Lancaster I will see how much of an impact that color is having on what they are selling. Maybe I'm nuts, but its exciting to me!

I've been cooking a lot earlier in the day lately. I like long evenings and I enjoy having the meals ready for when my husband and son come in at the different times they do. And the clean up is done too. I had such desire for tater tot casserole last night so that is what's on the menu tonight! I haven't made it in about two years. I kinda forgot about it until I saw it on a recipe blog.

I have started this book like three times! Now I am finally all the way in! Every time I would start it, I would have to put it down for days cause I was busy. Its very good. For six years I read and reviewed Amish fiction for two companies and they would send me free books, I would read them and review them. Post my review and my payment was that I could keep the book. I have amassed a very huge collection. Unfortunately, they now want to continue their relationship with me but only send me the books in E format :(    That's just not me. I like to hold my book! I guess all good things must come to an end.

I hope you have a great day!

January Happenings

I love the cozy feeling of Winter. I know many people don't but I do and always did! Its my nesting time. My nesting actually starts after Labor Day. How about you? And it runs through Spring! By March, I am planning my vegetable garden, our flower choices for planting and of course, the beginning of Chick Days. Chick Days is like a chicken bonanza! Its when you plan your flock, purchase your chicks, think of your coop and and the plans you have for it. Its exciting; at least to me and my husband! We visit several spots for all the festivities which are filled with the showcasing of new chicks, giveaways from feed companies...like a Chicken Carnival.  Its how I emerge from Fall/Winter Maggie to Spring/Summer Maggie! LOL I'm not planning on adding to the group this year. We have reached a good place where everyone gets along; everyone knows the pecking order. They all get along and there is peace.

Did it take you longer to get your house together after the Christmas décor was down? It took me longer and I'm still tweaking and changing.  And that's fun. Except for when I realize I really have too much and need to giveaway more. But I'm looking forward to my next trip to Lancaster County to see what's new for country décor there. I always find they start the "new" trend. I'm thinking back to the 90's when I used to buy the "fake food". There was an Amish business that made gorgeous artificial flower arrangements called Flower Patch. She also made artificial but amazingly real looking food. I had a loaf of bread, a pie...(I have fake food now but its made with insulation foam! And its awesome)  Every store featured the angel made from grapevine. Did you have one? I still do! Every store featured them. There were also the magnetic mailbox covers and flags, toile, and then came the barn stars! Several other items as well but Lancaster County does seem to be a trend setting spot for country decorating! I have much of my things I've bought from there since I'm married and its so funny because now I am living the old saying "what was once old is new again!" and I mean that with the return of the color blue! I keep seeing blue items popping up and I'm so happy because I always loved blue! Country blue! YAY!

I made this Bisquick chicken broccoli casserole the other day for lunch! Really good! If you go on the Bisquick website, they have lots of great recipes. Especially ones you can use with leftovers!

January happenings...that was the name of this post. I also got to celebrate the 50th birthday of a good friend! We went to a beautiful restaurant for her surprise party and really had a great night with awesome Italian food. I left there with a recipe for a pasta made with red peppers and onions that I will be making this week.

Time to get the day started! Have a great one!

2020 I Am Ready For Ya~

Happy New Year! I have a lot of catching up to do! I am greeting 2020 with hope and happiness and a big dash of relief! Lots going on!  To turn the page back a bit, up above is my Christmas tree! We loved our Christmas tree a lot this year. The best smelling tree we have ever had and it lasted a long time! It was a special tree, called a spruce fir, and we ordered it special! It cost a lot more than the average tree but it was worth it. Only  two nurseries here carried them and they only get a few so we reserved one. My husband had heard such great things about them and their longevity and they were all true. We put her up on Thanksgiving weekend and she was fresh as a daisy till I took her down the other day!

So my husband was in the hospital for a few days with a back injury and praise God he is recovering! He came home Christmas Eve and we were so grateful that his injury will heal. He's a hard working man and time catches up to you but nothing keeps him down! He is now doing physical therapy and it is helping. But the craziness that this happened the week before Christmas had us all in a tailspin! Plus I take care of Mom who needs 24 hour supervision as she will be 90 in June. By Christmas Day, we were all together and happy and ready to end 2019 on a high note! My parents' Christmas candle was lit for Christmas yet again and we had a great holiday!

Lots of presents under the tree! My husband bought me a diamond cross that I love.

What else is going on....waiting on the first big snowfall! Tried some new recipes including fried artichokes that were so delicious! That's them below....

Got a new comforter for my bed. It's the Amish wedding ring pattern. Its not Amish made though but I sure love it. 

I made lots of cookies for Christmas with my daughter and Mom. I know there's so much more but I really can't remember it all! Plus I'm sure we all did a lot of the same things! I wish all of you a wonderful 2020 and I thank you for following me! I appreciate you all so much!