Happy New Years Everyone 2009 !

I hope you all have a very Happy New Years!

My wish for the new year for everyone is peace and happiness! I hope 2009 will be a better year for all of us.

I am so happy to have met all of you, my new and dear friends, and I hope we can all get to know each other better in the coming year. I so enjoy reading the posts you all have on your blogs....I've laughed with you and I've cried with you. I love reading the comments you leave here too! Thank you all so much!

I wish you all happiness, peace, good health and many blessings in the coming year!

love and God Bless,
Brenda

We're Back Online YIPPEE!!

We've been changing our "office/sewing room" around over the last few days and had our computers down off and on during that time. My sewing machine is now right next to my computer Yippee!! I'm happy now I can just turn my chair a quarter turn and I'm at my sewing machine,,,no excuse now not to sew!!!!

I did some sewing for Kevin (DH) over the last week and now I'm ready to start on some new projects for my CD&C Store. I have a lot of ideas for things I want to make so I better be getting busy. I also have a lot of vintage items I'm going to be posting to sell in my store too. These are things that have been in my family for at least 50 years! I will be doing this right after New Years!

I have been sorting through more recipes too and will be posting more of them on the CD&C Cookbook after New Years!

I hope you all had a nice Christmas and that you will have a Happy New Year too! We had a quiet day especially since there is just the 2 of us and we are both fight colds or flu or whatever it is that seems to be going around! YUCK!! I've got too much I want to do to not be feeling good!

I'm starting to get a little on the sleepy side so I think I will say goodnight for now and visit with you all some more tomorrow!

Have a good night!

Hugs and Blessings!
Brenda

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!

I wanted to take a few minutes to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!

I would also like to thank each and everyone of you for stopping by to visit. I have enjoyed reading all of the wonderful comments you have left for me, and I hope you have enjoyed reading my posts. I will get better at this and learn more of the technical end of things (I hope)! I have only been blogging since November and I feel like I have made so many new and wonderful friends. I treasure you all.

I know I haven't been posting much lately , the holidays are kind of rough this year. I am finally working my way through losing mom and picking up the pieces and getting on with my life. I know this is what Mom would want me to do, and I know she is in a much better place too.

I have a lot of hopes and dreams for the new year and for my blogs. I hope you will all come along for the adventure. I would sure enjoy your companionship along the way.

Merry Christmas to you all!
God Bless you all on this Special Day!
Love,
Brenda

Christmas is almost here and......

I haven't made out the first Christmas Card yet!

I did bake 2 kinds of cookies yesterday, Chocolate Chip and 9 Layer cookies! LOL !!

Talk about being slow, this is the worst I've ever been! I just can't seem to get into the holidays' this year. I don't seem to have much spirit for some reason. I think a lot of it is missing mom and not having any other family or friends near to share the holidays with. It's really hitting me hard this year. I think that is the main reason I haven't been posting too much on here right now.

I will get myself back on the right track! I promise, I have a lot of ideas for all 3 blogs so I've got to get the lead out and get busy....right after the holidays.

Today I was digging around in the walk-in where I keep all of my sewing stash and brought out all of my patterns. BIG MISTAKE!!!! I was wanting to make some new clothes for me and for Kevin...well ... all of MY patterns seem to be a lot smaller in size than I am!!! I didn't know patterns could change size like that sitting in a closet !! LOL.

Well,,,,I know I'm not fooling any of you all, the patterns didn't shrink, I expanded (a lot more than I had thought)!! I knew I had gained weight but WOW I didn't think I had gotten that much bigger!!

I think it is time to do some serious changing of eating and exercise habits and soon!! Kevin and I both need to lose a lot of weight so I need to sit down and work with my diabetic diet plan (no I haven't been following it at all) :>( I know, I'm bad ! I'm glad I didn't do a whole lot of baking. I froze almost all of the chocolate chip cookies and just left the "9 Layer Cookies" out because they don't freeze well.

I had advertised my 12qt. canner for sale on the local radio bargain barn. I didn't think it was going to sell because it had been 2 weeks and on the last day it was listed I got a call. The lady came and picked it up last night. I hated to sell it but we have an electric stove (a furnished, cheap one!) in the apartment and the weight of the canner with just water in it was too much weight for the burner. The canner was sitting right on the stove top and scorched the top of the stove. I was able to get it clean thankfully! I wouldn't have been able to lift it full of jars with my back the way it is. I would love to have a gas stove again!!! I hate electric!!

I still have my small pressure cooker/canner that will do 4 pints at a time. I need to get a new pressure valve and gasket for it and it will be ready to use. My Christmas present to myself!! I want to be able to can up our left overs instead of freezing them. I also dehydrate a lot of things too.

Tomorrow and the next few days will be spent behind the sewing machine so I can get Kevin's things finished for Christmas. I may not be here much the next couple of days except to check -in.

I have a sale going on at the store blog for a limited time!

I believe this is starting to turn into a book so I had better end this soon.

I have enjoyed reading all of your wonderful blogs and your comment on my posts, thank you, and about your plans for Christmas.

Have a good night and God Bless all of you,

Blessings and Joy,
Brenda

Christmas Sale at my Store...

I have the Aprons and Towel/Hotpad Sets on sale for a limited time!

http://countrydreamsandcreationsstore.blogspot.com/

Be sure to check them out!

Thanks and Hugs,
Brenda

The Simple Woman's Daybook,Dec. 17, 2008

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...is total darkness, it's 8:00 PM

I am thinking... how much I need to get done in the next week

I am thankful for... the nice visit I had with my aunt( daddy's sister) and uncle from out of town yesterday and for the nice phone chats I've had with Elaine, my cousin in KY. the last few days

From the kitchen...I smell the lingering smells of tonights dinner

I am wearing...comfortable slacks and top

I am creating...ideas for new sewing projects

I am going... to be very busy the next week baking and sewing

I am reading...the Bible and getting ready to start a mystery story, not sure if I will like it or not!

I am hoping...the weather doesn't get too bad

I am hearing...the sounds of the keys clicking on our computers as we are both, Kevin & I, working on them tonight

Around the house... everything looks a little like Christmas

One of my favorite things... Listening to Christmas Music

A few plans for the rest of the week: baking all kinds of things I'm not supposed to eat and sewing up a storm getting Kevin's Christmas made!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is a wall hanging I made for mom that hung in her room at the nursing home . It now hangs in our office.

You can create your own DayBook by visiting: The Simple Woman:
Blessings and Joy,
Brenda

Our Wedding Anniversary ! !

Today is our 6th wedding anniversary. Kevin and I were married, Dec.14,2002. We just had a very small ceremony and reception in the sunroom at the nursing home so mom could be a part of our day!

She still knew what was going on around her even though she had already started to lose her ability to speak...she just made sounds. Mom could still show emotion though. We had pre-taped some music and when Ave Maria played mom started crying. It was played at her and daddy's wedding too and I guess it brought back a lot of memories for her.

Our wedding day was a bittersweet day for all of us but at least mom was a part of it!

We've had a lot of ups and downs over the last 6 years like everyone does. Kevin fell 2 1/2 years ago and fractured the femur in his left leg and that has left him with some mobility problems. I have arthritis and fibromyalgia in all of my joints especially my back and legs so I have some mobility problems too. We don't give up though! Hopefully we'll have many more years together too!

Kevin made this for us to remember the day! (pronounced "Witty") :


Thanks for sharing our day with us!

Blessings,
Brenda

Morning Sky 12/14/08

The sky this morning, I don't think there are words that can describe these pictures:

New Blogs Added ! !

I have started 2 new blogs this morning ......

"Country Dreams and Creations Cookbook" ..... to keep all of my recipes in.
The recipes will be old family recipes, recipes from friends and recipes that mom and I have collected over the years.

Also

"Country Dreams and Creations Store".... as a place to sell my handmade items.
The store will also have a "Sale" section for supplies... Craft books, fabric, lace, pearls, and anything else pertaining to sewing and crafts that I no longer need or want. My interests have changed in some of the crafts I do and there is no need for me to keep items I will no longer use. These items will be priced to sell, not for me to make a profit from. My loss will be your gain!

The links are over there on the right--------> !!

I hope you stop by often to check them out as I will be adding things daily. It will be a slow process until after the holidays so please have patience with me. I'm not as speedy as I used to be LOL!!

Blessings and Joy,
Brenda

The Simple Woman's Daybook,Dec. 8, 2008

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... I see a cloudy, gray and cold sky. There is still a little trace of snow on the ground.

I am thinking... about Mom, It has been 1 year ago today that she left this world for a better place in Heaven, She is now free from the wrath of Alzheimers Disease.

I am thankful for... Having had the wonderful Mother that I did, she was my best friend.

From the kitchen... I see a lot of baking ahead of me for the holidays.

I am wearing... comfortable slacks and pullover top.

I am creating... 2 new blogs..1 for recipes and the other to sell my handmade items plus the stash of supplies that I will no longer need.

I am going... to go back and finish up decorating the apartment for Christmas.

I am reading... Old recipe books

I am hoping...God will help me through these next few days of remembering mom and make me as strong as she was.

I am hearing... the humm of the computer

Around the house... All is quiet right now but will be busy soon with us (dh & me) sorting through boxes of ornaments.

One of my favorite things...the smells of Christmas

A few plans for the rest of the week: to make Kevin's Christmas present and work on the 2 new blogs.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

You can create your own Daybook by visiting The Simple Woman.

God Bless,
Brenda

Aprons and Towel/Hot-Pad sets for sale !

These 2 aprons are both fully lined and could be worn with either side showing. The vegetable print apron has a large split pocket across the front on the print side. They are $15.00 each plus S&H.

The towel/hot-pad sets, I have 1 of the hot peppers and 2 of the BBQ, both have vintage buttons .
They are $7.50 each plus S&H.

I accept PayPal or if you want to pay back check I can send you an invoice through PayPal. Please email me if you have any questions.





Blessings,
Brenda

The Pictures I Promised!!!!!

These are all pictures of aprons and towel/hot-pad sets that I have made and sold in the past.

The towel/hot-pad sets all have vintage buttons on the hot-pad to fasten them over the oven door.

The aprons were all made so they could be reversible....most all had large pockets across the front.









Blessings,
Brenda

Tomorrow.........

I will post more craft/sewing pictures. I promise!


I had to do the grocery thing today, Aldi's and Walmart. I'm worn out and barely walking. I still have to go to Krogers. I get everything we need at the first of the month. It totally wears me out but I don't have to deal with it later especially during the winter months when we never know what the Ohio weather will be from one day to the next.

I will be here all day tomorrow so will be posting all the pictures I can find!

take care,
Blessings,
Brenda

Mom's Freedom Eagle

This Eagle I stitched as a tribute to Mom after she passed away 1 year ago....... Dec. 8, 2007.

Mom always liked eagles and to me it represented 2 things, Freedom and Strength.
Freedom for mom from the 17 years she suffered from Alzheimers.
Strength for me to go on with life the way she would want me to.

The Eagle only took me a little over 2 months to do , stitching just in the evenings. I know the colors aren't quite true to an eagles color, but mom and I both had/have a quirky side to us and liked to do our own thing LOL!

I have the eagle framed and where I can see it every day.

God Bless,
Brenda

Recipe......Cookbook

I have decided to post all of my recipes in my blog and use it for my cookbook so I can share it with you all. I had originally planned on putting them all on my external hard drive, I might still do this too...just as a back-up.

I started changing the labels on the recipes I already posted so that I can have different categories. The recipes will be easier to find this way too! I'm sure this will be an on-going project as I have a mountain of recipes to sort through.

Blessings,
Brenda

Sewing & Craft Pictures Coming!!!!

I just thought I'd let you all know I will be posting some pictures of some crafts that I have done in the past and sold.

I also have a couple of things for sale that I will post pictures of too!!

See you tomorrow with the pictures!!

Blessings,
Brenda

Banana Split Cake

2 c. graham crackers finely ground
2 sticks butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar
2 c. pineapple, drained and mashed
2 sticks butter
1 Large tub Cool Whip
4 bananas, sliced
Walnuts & cherries for topping

Melt 2 sticks of butter and mix with ground graham crackers in 9x13 oblong pan.
Beat 2 eggs, vanilla, sugar, and 2 sticks butter NO LESS than 20 minutes.
Cover crackers with creamed mixture, mashed pineapple and then sliced bananas.
Spread cool whip over bananas .

Top with nuts and cherries.

Chill 24 hours before serving!

This is so good .....of course it doesn't have any calories Ha Ha!!

Enjoy!
Brenda

Peanut Butter Crunchies

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. chunky peanut butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg well beaten
1/2 c. milk

Sift flour, add baking powder, soda and salt.
Cream together shortening and peanut butter.
Gradually blend in sugar and brown sugars. Add egg and mix thoroughly.
Stir in flour mixture alternately with milk, mix well.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in moderate oven 375º about 12 minutes.

cool on rack

Yield: about 3 dozen.

This was the peanut butter cookie recipe mom always made when I was growing up.

Brenda

Cream Cheese Bars

Mix:
1 yellow cake mix
1 stick butter
1 egg
1 cup chopped nuts
Pour into 9x13 pan

Cream together:
1 pkg. cream cheese
2 eggs
1# confectioners sugar
Pour over batter.

Bake at 350º for 25 minutes then 325º for 30 minutes.

I got this recipe from a friend many years ago and it is still a favorite!

Enjoy!
Brenda

Gloomy Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008

I hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Kevin and I had a quiet day, but it was ok. It seemed strange without Mom. My mom has been on my mind a lot lately, she passed away Dec.8, 2007 after a 17 year battle with Alzheimers. I know she is at peace now and not suffering from such a terrible disease. I will share her story with you as soon as I am able....probably after the holidays.

It is a cold and gloomy 26º here in south central Ohio, with a few snow flurries floating around. I'm sitting here listening to a Yanni CD. I should be up and doing a lot of other things like taking down the fall decorations and putting up Christmas decorations. I'm going to go through all of the Christmas things and only keep what really has meaning to us. It's amazing how much of that stuff you can accumulate over the years!!

I've been trying to do a lot of downsizing on things around here. We live in a 2 bedroom apartment but I just have way too much stuff!! We would love to have a small house in the country so I could have a garden and we would have our own yard to enjoy. Kevin and I, (especially me) have to face the reality though that neither of us is physically able to take care of all the upkeep that goes with having a house in the country or anywhere for that matter. I have Arthritis and Fibro-Myalgia and it gets worse each day. I can barely walk some days, today is one of those days. Kevin fell and fractured his left Femur 2 years ago and it has left him with mobility problems too. We make a sad looking sight together but we manage to get things done!! :<)

The blog now has a Christmas theme instead of Thanksgiving, I've been trying to get that changed for a couple of days but my computer and/or the internet did not want to co-operate with me. I hope to post a few more recipes this week..... some of the favorites we used to make during the holidays.

I had better get to work on my grocery list so the pantry doesn't look so bare! I hate to go to the grocery anymore it is really getting depressing. The prices are all up from what they were the previous month. I so miss having a big garden and canning and freezing enough food to get us through the year. I buy things in bulk when I can get a good price (hard to find these days) and "put" them up for future use. I grow most all of my own herbs and dry those during the season too... every little bit helps!

I hope you all have a great day!
Take care and God Bless,

Brenda